Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional: August 2nd

 Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening" Devotional: August 2nd

Morning

“God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.”

Ezra 4:1-6

Ezra 4:1-3

They resolved to maintain their separate position according to the Lord’s will. Christians also should be separate from the world.

Ezra 4:4-6

Ahasuerus, or Cambyses,

Ezra 4:4-6

The result of this letter was, not only an order to refrain from building the wall of the city, but the temple also was left till the reign of Darius. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred up the people, and the work re-commenced. Opposition was again excited, and appeal was made to Darius. He ordered a search to be made, and the original edict of Cyrus was found, whereupon the king issued a decree that none should oppose the work. The wording of it was as follows:

Ezra 6:6-14

Ezra 6:8

Signally had all opposition failed, for their very enemies were compelled under pains and penalties to supply them with money for building the temple. Little did they expect this, but God can always do for his people exceeding abundantly above what they ask or even think. The king also ordered that animals for sacrifice should be supplied to them.

Ezra 6:11 , Ezra 6:12

This was a very peremptory decree in the Jews favour, and the work went on gloriously when the people had been fully aroused by the prophets to do the work.

Ezra 6:13 , Ezra 6:14

May the Lord also buildup his church in these days and glorify his son Jesus Christ our Lord.

To be sung or read

Thus saith the Lord to Jacob’s seed,

In me, the mighty God, rejoice;

No hostile weapon shall succeed

Against the people of my choice.

Evening

“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine.”

Haggai 2:1-19

Haggai 2:1-3

This was another cause of the discouragement of the people. They pleaded that the building would be a very poor affair in comparison with the first temple. Many now-a-days excuse themselves from doing their best by pleading that they can do so little.

Haggai 2:4

The very best encouragement in all the world.

Haggai 2:8

Their poverty need not kinder them; for God could find them means, as indeed he did, for he laid the treasures of Darius at their feet. It is ours to do our best for God’s cause, and believe that the Lord will provide.

Haggai 2:9

And so it was, for there the Lord Jesus appeared, “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel.”

Haggai 2:12

Legal sanctity is not easily transmitted. Holy flesh sanctified the garment in which it was wrapped, but did not cleanse anything beyond. Men are not rendered holy by outward ritual.

Haggai 2:14

The uncleanness of the offerer spoils the sacrifice. There is a spreading power in the defilement of sin, though not in legal sanctity. Oh, to be clean before the Lord! for if we are not so, all that we do will be unaccepted.

Haggai 2:15-19

When they began to serve the Lord with holy zeal, then would he enrich them; but until then they would have a curse on their granaries and their crops. God save us as a family from this!

Lord, bless me from this day,

As thou alone canst bless;

Take mine iniquity away,

And give thy righteousness.

Lord, bless me from this day,

Thy sovereign grace impart;

Teach me thy sacred law t’ obey

With all my willing heart.

Study FurtherRelated passages, insights, and questions for personal reflection.

Take today’s devotional further. Explore related Scriptures and open any verse in the Study Desk for deeper study.

    Zechariah 4:6: Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of armies.
    God's temple built by Spirit, not human might
    ↳ Where are you relying on your own strength instead of God's Spirit?
    Psalms 46:5: God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
    God in her midst; she shall not be moved
    ↳ How does God's presence steady you when your world feels shaky?
    Ephesians 3:20: Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
    God does exceeding abundantly above what we ask
    ↳ What request have you limited because you doubted God's abundant power?
    2 Corinthians 6:17: "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
    Believers called to separation from the world
    ↳ What unclean thing might God be calling you to release today?
    Psalms 50:10: "For every animal of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills.
    All wealth belongs to God who provides
    ↳ How would trusting God's ownership of all things change your worries?

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