Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

 March 2– Evening

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

“[For I am] less than the least of all saints, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles.” 

—Ephesians 3:8

The apostle Paul felt it was a great privilege to preach the gospel. He did not look upon his calling as drudgery but entered upon it with intense delight. Yet, while Paul was thankful for his office, his success in it greatly humbled him. The fuller a vessel becomes, the deeper it sinks in the water. Those who are idle may develop a fond pride in their abilities because they are untried, but the earnest worker soon learns of his own weakness. If you seek humility, try hard work; if you want to know your own nothingness, attempt something great for Jesus. If you wish to know your own powerlessness, then attempt the great work of proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ. Very soon you will know how weak and unworthy you are.

Although the apostle knew all of this and confessed his weakness, he was never perplexed as to the subject of his ministry. From his first sermon to his last, Paul preached Christ and nothing but Christ. He lifted up the cross and extolled the Son of God who bled upon it. Follow his example in all your efforts to spread the good news of salvation, and let “Christ and him crucified” be your ever-recurring theme.

The Christian should be like those lovely spring flowers which, when the sun is shining, open their golden cups, as if to say, “Fill us with your light!” But when the sun is hidden behind a cloud, they close their cups and droop their heads. In the same way, the Christian feels the sweet influence of Jesus; Jesus is the Sun, and the believer is the flower which draws life from him. Oh, to speak of Christ alone: this is the subject which provides “seed for the sower and bread for the hungry.” This is the red hot coal that must touch the lips of preachers. It is the master key that unlocks the hearts of those who hear. [M&E]