December 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Exodus 16:14–21

Devotional

Determine to maintain a sense of your absolute dependence on the Lord’s good will and pleasure for the continuation of your richest enjoyments. Never try to “live on the old manna” nor seek “to find help in Egypt.” Everything has to come from Jesus or else you are undone forever.

Old anointings will never be enough to convey unction to your spirit; your head must have fresh oil poured on it from the golden horn of the sanctuary or else its glory will cease. Today you may be on the top of the mountain of God, but he who put you there must keep you there or else you will sink far more quickly than you dream. Your mountain stands firm only when he settles it in its place. If he hides his face, you will soon be troubled.

If the Saviour would see fit, there is not a window through which you see the light of heaven that he cannot darken in an instant. Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, but Jesus can shroud it in total darkness. He can withdraw the joy of your heart, the light of your eyes, and the strength of your life. Your comforts lie in his hand, and at his will they can leave you.

Our Lord is determined that we should feel and realise this moment-by-moment dependence on him, for he only permits us to pray for “daily bread” (Mt. 6:11), and he only promises that our strength will equal our days (Dt. 33:25) Isn’t it best for us that it should be this way, so that we may regularly and frequently draw near to his throne of grace, so that we may be reminded repeatedly and constantly of his love? Oh! how rich the grace that supplies us so continually! Oh! how lavish the kindness that does not restrain itself because of our ingratitude! The golden shower never ceases, the cloud of blessing stays evermore above our dwelling place.

O Lord Jesus, we would bow at your feet, conscious that apart from you we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). And in every favour that we are privileged to receive, we would adore your blessed Name and acknowledge your endless love.

[July 16]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.