Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

June 15– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“God has made me to laugh, and all that hear will laugh with me.” 

—Genesis 21:6

It was far above the power of nature and even contrary to its laws that Sarah should be honored with a son in her old age. In the same way it violates all rules of nature that I, a poor, helpless sinner, should have God’s gracious Spirit living in my soul. I once was in despair; my spirit was dry, withered, and barren—like a howling wilderness. But even I have come alive to bear the fruit of holiness.

It is right for me to laugh because of the grace that I have received from the Lord; I have found Jesus, the Son of promise, and he is mine forever. Today, I will sing songs of victory to the Lord who has remembered my humble condition. I will shout his praises for all his enemies to hear.

I want all those who hear of my great deliverance from hell and of my heavenly favor to laugh with me. I want to surprise my family with my abundant peace and delight my friends with my ever-increasing happiness; I want to encourage the Church with my grateful confessions and even impress the world with the cheerfulness of my daily living.

My joy will not be less than Sarah’s as long as Jesus is the focus of my daily thoughts. He is a deep sea of joy, and I delight to know him. Sarah looked on her Isaac, laughed with glee, and all of her friends laughed with her. And I look to Jesus and call on everyone around me to join me in unspeakable joy. [M&E]