"If I am prayerful, God makes me prayerful; if I have graces, they are God's gifts to me; if I hold a consistent life, it is because He upholds me with His hand . . . Do I live before men a consecrated life? It is not I, but Christ who liveth in me . . . Do I feed on the Word? That Word would be no food for me unless the Lord made it food for my soul and helped me to feed upon it."
Charles Spurgeon
Morning By Morning
I am both encouraged and convicted.
The conviction is familiar: pride.
As a new Christian, I was apparently (and rightly) told that I needed to memorize God's Word. Well, I was a poor student. I still am. That's why I "buy" books . . . so I can underline, highlight, and write notes in the margin. That's also why I work at the library. I can take books for a test-drive and not waste money on ones that head different directions than I expect.
At any rate, in those early Christian days, I asked God to help me read the Bible so much that it would become very familiar. I imagine that I miss Bible reading no more than one day a year. And, sometimes, I wonder how people can struggle so to have a Quiet Time. But you see . . . my Bible reading, my consistency is a Prayer Answer! Spurgeon would agree: "Whatever I have, all my goodness is of the Lord alone."
David would agree: "My goodness is nothing apart from You." (Ps. 16: 2b)
I can take no credit. I can offer up much thanksgiving to the God who makes my life rich with His Word.
I'm encouraged, too. The Christian life requires many disciplines--many of which I fail miserably. But if God is the Source; if He gives the strength and ability. I am not hopeless. I am just growing. I am just . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him Who Is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
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