Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

November 17– Morning

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

“To whom is glory forever. Amen.” 

—Romans 11:36

To give glory to God forever– this should be the Christian’s single desire. All other wishes must bow to this one and contribute to it. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to say, “To [God] be glory forever.” He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him may be glory forever.” You are not acting as you should when you are moved by any other motive than to promote the Lord’s glory.

As a Christian you are “of God” and “through God”; so then live “to God.” Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul; let this be the foundation of every enterprise you enter and your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow cold; make God your only object. Depend upon it: where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object, then “To me it is equal to live or to die, to be at ease or to be in pain.”

Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. You blessed him in your youth; don’t be content with the praises you gave him then. Has God prospered you in business? Then give more to him. Has God given you experience? Praise him by exercising stronger faith. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly.

In your everyday life, give him honor. Add the “Amen” to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness in him. [M&E]