Morning, May 29 Go To Evening Reading
“Thou hatest wickedness.”
—Psalm 45:7
“Be ye angry, and sin not.” There can hardly be goodness in a man if he is not angry at sin; he who loves truth must hate every false way. How our Lord Jesus hated it when the temptation came! Thrice it assailed him in different forms, but ever he met it with, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” He hated it in others, none less fervently because he showed his hate oftener in tears of pity than in words of rebuke; yet what language could be sterner, more Elijah-like, than the words, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer.” He hated wickedness so much that he bled to wound it to the heart; he died that it might die; he was buried that he might bury it in his tomb; and he rose that he might forever trample it beneath his feet. Christ is in the Gospel, and that Gospel is opposed to wickedness in every shape. Wickedness arrays itself in delicate garments and imitates the language of holiness, but the precepts of Jesus, like his famous scourge of small cords, chase it out of the temple and will not tolerate it in the Church. So, too, in the heart where Jesus reigns, what war there is between Christ and Belial! And when our Redeemer shall come to be our Judge, those thundering words, “Depart, ye cursed,” which are, indeed, but a prolongation of his life-teaching concerning sin, manifest his abhorrence of iniquity. As warm as is his love for sinners, so hot is his hatred of sin; as perfect as is his righteousness, so complete shall be the destruction of every form of wickedness. O thou glorious champion of right, and destroyer of wrong, for this cause hath God, even thy God, anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Go To Morning Reading Evening, May 29
“Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city, Jericho.”
—Joshua 6:26
Since he was cursed and rebuilt Jericho, he was much more the man who labored to restore Popery among us. In our fathers’ days, the gigantic walls of Popery fell by the power of their faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets, and now some would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundation. O Lord, be pleased to thwart their unrighteous endeavors and pull down every stone they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of Popery. When we have made a clean sweep at home, we should seek in every way to oppose its rapid spread abroad in the church and the world. This list can be made secretly by fervent prayer and in public by decided testimony. We must warn with judicious boldness those inclined towards the errors of Rome; we must instruct the young in gospel truth and tell them of the black doings of Popery in the olden times. We must aid in spreading the light more thoroughly through the land, for priests, like owls, hate daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of the priestcraft. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the Pope’s bane and poison? Are we casting abroad good, sound gospel writings? Luther once said, “The devil hates goose quills,” and doubtless, he has good reason, for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit’s blessing, has done his kingdom much damage. If the thousands who read this short word this night will do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of this accursed Jericho, the Lord’s glory shall speed among the sons of men. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?
Spurgeon, C. H. Morning and Evening: Daily Readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896. Print.
May 30: In Season and Out of Season
1 Chronicles 26:1–27:34; 2 Timothy 4:1–8; Psalm 89:23–52
I like to operate when I feel like I’m in control. When I haven’t gathered enough information or feel uncertain of my circumstances, it’s tempting to avoid making a decision or taking action.
Paul knew that this type of outlook was detrimental to Timothy’s ministry. He tells Timothy that regardless of his circumstances, he was required to act: “Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all patience and instruction” (2 Tim 4:2).
Paul uses the certainty of Christ’s return to motivate Timothy to stick to his task (2 Tim 4:1). Although Timothy experienced times when it was not always convenient for him to act on his calling, he had been admonished by Paul about the importance of the work they were doing together: their calling. He also knew the urgency of that calling. Christ’s return and the appearance of His kingdom was their motivation (2 Tim 4:1).
We can’t follow God only when the timing is right for us. We also can’t rely on our own strength. When doing God’s work, we can never plan well enough or anticipate all the potential kinks; our plans will never be foolproof. It’s not the mark of a Christian to be sure of how everything will play out in every circumstance. The effect of a Christian is reliance on Christ as Savior, God, and guide. Through the clear, calm, and fog, we must trust, act, and follow based on our certainty in Jesus. Like Timothy and Paul, we must be sure of our standing in Christ and the coming of His kingdom. And that changes everything.
Whatever the task and in every circumstance, we must simply follow Jesus. We are charged to act for the gospel now, regardless of whether it’s convenient.
How are you trusting in your own strength instead of Jesus’? How can you be ready in the right way in every season?
Rebecca Van Noord
Barry, John D., and Rebecca Kruyswijk. Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Print. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.
May 30th
“Yes—But …!”
Lord, I will follow Thee; but … Luke 9:61.
What will you do if God tells you to do something which is an enormous test of your common sense? Hang back? If you get into the habit of doing a thing in the physical domain, you will do it every time until you break the habit determinedly; the same is true spiritually. Again and again, you will get up to what Jesus Christ wants, and every time you will return to the point until you abandon resolutely. ‘Yes, but—supposing I do obey God in this matter, what about …?’ ‘Yes, I will obey God if He will let me use my common sense, but don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.’ Jesus Christ demands the man who trusts Him the same reckless sporting spirit that the natural man exhibits. If a man is going to do anything worthwhile, there are times when he has to risk everything on his leap. In the spiritual domain, Jesus Christ demands that you risk everything you hold by common sense and leap into what He says, and immediately you do, you find that what He says fits on as solidly as common sense. At the bar of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad, but bring them to the bar of faith, and you begin to find with an awestruck spirit that they are the words of God. Trust entirely in God; when He brings you to the venture, see that you take it. We act like pagans in a crisis; only one out of a crowd is daring enough to bank his faith in the character of God.
Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986. Print.
May 30
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid
Matt. 5:14
Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. A lighthouse sounds no drum; it beats no gong, yet the mariner sees its friendly spark far over the waters. So let your actions shine out your religion. Let the main sermon of your life be illustrated by all your conduct.
Spurgeon
Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.
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