Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

September 7– Morning

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

“And when they could not come near to Jesus because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where he was and let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.” 

—Mark 2:4

Faith is full of inventions. The house was full and a crowd blocked the door, but faith found a way of getting at the Lord and placing the paralyzed man before him. If we cannot get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods, we must use extraordinary ones. In this case, the roof’s tiling had to be removed, creating dust and a measure of danger to those below; but where the case is urgent, we should be prepared to run some risks and shock some proprieties. Jesus was there to heal, so faith went into action in order that her poor paralyzed passenger might have his sins forgiven.

O that we had more daring faith among us! Shouldn’t we seek for it today— for ourselves and for our fellow-workers? Today, let’s perform an act of love for souls and the glory of our Lord?

The world is constantly inventing. Genius serves all the purposes of human desire. Can’t faith also invent and reach by some new means those who are dying around us? Jesus is there to heal. Have we seen his face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt his healing power in our own souls? If so, then through door, window, or roof let us break through all impediments and labor to bring people to him. All means are good and beautiful when faith and love are truly set on winning hearts for Christ. If hunger for bread can break through walls, then surely hunger for souls should do no less.

O Lord, make us quick to find methods of reaching poor, sin-sick people. Let us carry them to you regardless of the risks. [M&E]