Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

November 3– Morning

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

“Look! He is praying.” 

—Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray, the Lord heard him. This should comfort the distressed but praying soul. Often someone who is poor and broken-hearted bends his knee but can only express himself in the language of sighs and tears; but that groan has made all the harps of heaven sing with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in jewel-cases of heaven. When Scripture tells us that God “puts our tears into his bottle,” it implies that they’re caught as they flow.

The one who prays with reverent fear will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eyes; but “prayer is the falling of a tear.” Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court and are joined to “the most beautiful tones that reach the majesty on high.” Don’t think that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will not be regarded.

God doesn’t only hear prayer but also loves to hear it. “He doesn’t forget the cry of the humble.” He hates proud looks and lofty words; he doesn’t care for the pomp and pageantry of kings; he doesn’t listen to the swell of military music; he doesn’t like the triumph and pride of man. But wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a repentant sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; he marks it down in his registry and puts our prayers like rose leaves between the pages. And when that book is opened at last, the aroma it casts will be pleasant. [M&E]