Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional for September 13

 Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional for September 13

Morning

“One thing I know.”

John 9:24-41

John 9:24

Smooth words, but full of malice; they did not, however, deceive the resolute man to whom they were spoken.

John 9:25

That was enough for him, and he could not be beaten out of it. Surely the man who had opened eyes which had never seen the light before could not be a guilty person.

John 9:26 , John 9:27

He turned from his defensive position and warmly assailed his questioners. They were so determined to cavil that he refused to go over his story again.

John 9:30-33

This was splendid reasoning. The man’s eyes were opened in more senses than one.

John 9:34

Railing and persecution are the old arguments of those who are silenced, but refuse to be convinced. We must expect such things just in proportion as our enemies feel the power of our words.

John 9:35

Happy is it for us that Jesus is sure to come to us when we are cast out by men for his sake.

John 9:38

Being no Socinian, the divinity of Jesus was clear to him, and he acted accordingly. If the eyes of Unitarians were opened, they also would worship Jesus.

John 9:39

The process is going on the wise are made fools, and the fools are made wise. Men who boast of what they know have their folly rendered more conspicuous, while self-distrusting honest-minded confessors of their ignorance are taught of God. Lord, make us to be among those whose eyes rejoice in thy light.

John 9:40 , John 9:41

If they really could not see, they might be excused, but, sinning against the light of which they boasted, they were guilty indeed.

To be sung or read

Light of the world, our eyes unseal,

Thy miracles in us recount;

Now on our eyelids place the clay,

And send us to Siloah’s fount.

Light of the world, our praises hear;

Thou hast our darkness turn’d to day.

Though foes may mock, we will not fear,

But all thy glorious work display.

‘Tis no surprising thing

That we should be unknown,

The Jewish world knew not their king,

God’s everlasting Son.

Though we endure the sneer

And jest of wicked men,

We’ll patient wait till Christ appear,

For he will come again.

Evening

“I know My sheep, and am known of Mine.”

John 10:1-18

John 10:1

Those pretended shepherds who came not as the Scriptures had appointed were robbers seeking only their own advantage.

John 10:2

Jesus came according to prophecy, in the right and ordained manner.

John 10:3

John the Baptist knew him and opened the door for him.

John 10:3

Outside an eastern village there was a stone enclosure, within which the flocks of the inhabitants were penned at night. When the owner of any one of the flocks desired to lead forth his sheep the porter admitted him, and he soon separated his own sheep from the rest

John 10:4 , John 10:5

The shepherd has only to call his own sheep, and they rise and follow. No one can deceive them; if a stranger were dressed in their shepherd’s clothes, they would detect him by his voice.

John 10:6-8

The elect of God were not duped, but waited till the true Christ came.

John 10:9-11

Best token of goodness! Noblest deed of love!

The false shepherds were all for gain, but Jesus loved us, and gave himself for its.

John 10:14

Mutual knowledge exists between Jesus and his people. He never mistakes one of them, neither do they follow a pretender under the supposition that he is their Lord. Grace bestows discernment upon the saints, and they know their leader from all others.

John 10:16

The Gentiles were not folded, and were like stray sheep. They are now by grace united with the chosen Jews in one flock.

John 10:17 , John 10:18

As God, our Lord Jesus held his life absolutely at his own disposal, and no power could compel him to die, but he became our sin-bearer, and for our sake the servant of the Father, and therefore, to carry out his office, he even laid down his life for us. Blessed be his glorious name for evermore.

Loving Shepherd of thy sheep,

Keep me, Lord, in safety keep;

Nothing can thy power withstand,

None can pluck me from thy hand.

Loving Shepherd, thou didst give

Thine own life that I might live;

May I love thee day by day,

Gladly thy sweet will obey.

Where thou leadest me I go,

Walking in thy steps below;

Then before thy Father’s throne,

Jesu, claim me for thy own.

Copyright Statement
This resource was produced before 1923 and therefore is considered in the "Public Domain".