Grace Gems

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That unclean donkey is yourself!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"You must redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb. But if you do not redeem it--you must kill the donkey by breaking its neck!" Exodus 34:20

Every firstborn creature must be the Lord's--but since the donkey was unclean, it could not be presented in sacrifice to Him. What then? Should it be allowed to go free from the universal law? By no means! God admits of no exceptions. The donkey is His due--but He will not accept it; He will not abate the claim--but yet He cannot be pleased with the unclean victim. No way of escape remained, but redemption--the donkey must be saved by the substitution of a lamb in its place; or if not redeemed, it must die!

My soul, here is a lesson for you! That unclean donkey is yourself! You are justly the property of the Lord who made you and preserves you--but you are so sinful that God will not, cannot, accept you! It has come to this--the Lamb of God must stand in your stead--or you must die eternally! Let all the world know of your gratitude to that spotless Lamb who has died for you, and so redeemed you from the fatal curse of the law!

Must it not sometimes have been a question with the Israelite, as to which should die--the donkey or the lamb? Would not the man pause to estimate and compare the values of these animals? Assuredly there was no comparison between the value of a sinful man--and the spotless Lord Jesus! Yet the Lamb dies--and man the donkey is spared! My soul, admire the boundless love of God to you! Vile worms are bought--with the blood of the holy Lamb of God! Dust and ashes are redeemed--with a price far above silver and gold! What a doom would have been mine--had not plenteous redemption been found!

The breaking of the neck of the donkey was but a momentary penalty. But who shall measure the eternal wrath to come--to which no limit can be imagined! Inestimably dear is the glorious Lamb--who has redeemed me from such a doom!

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Little did she know, that amid the sheaves--she would find a husband!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Ruth left and entered the field to gather grain behind the harvesters. She happened to be in the portion of land belonging to Boaz, who was from Elimelech's family." Ruth 2:3

"She happened." Yes, it seemed nothing but an accident--but how divinely was it overruled! Ruth had gone forth with her mother-in-law's blessing, under the care of her God--to humble but honorable toil; and the providence of God was guiding her every step! Little did she know, that amid the sheaves--she would find a husband; and that he would make her the joint owner of all those broad acres; and that she, a destitute foreigner, would become an ancestor of the great Messiah!

God is very good to those who trust in Him, and often surprises them with unlooked for blessings. Little do we know what may happen to us in the future; but this sweet fact should cheer us--that nothing which is really good for us--shall be withheld from us!

The word "chance" is banished from the Christian's vocabulary--for we see the hand of God in everything. The seemingly trivial events of today or tomorrow, may involve consequences of the highest importance. Take comfort--our Lord deals as graciously with all His servants--as He did with Ruth!

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Have you seen Jesus lately?

(Charles Spurgeon)

"But they did not know who He was." Luke 24:16

The disciples ought to have recognized Jesus, they had heard His voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is amazing that they did not know Him. Yet is it not so with you also? Have you seen Jesus lately? You have been to His table--and you have not met Him there. You are in a dark trouble, and though He plainly says, "It is I--do not be afraid," yet you do not recognize Him. Alas! our eyes are blinded! We know His voice; we have looked into His face; we have leaned our head upon His bosom--and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying, "O that I knew where I might find Him!"

We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect His image. Yet how frequently we open that precious book--and have no glimpse of our Well-beloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus walks through the glades of Scripture, and desires to commune with His people. Yet you are in the garden of Scripture--but cannot see Him, though He is always there!

Make it your prayer, "Lord, open my eyes--that I may see my Savior present with me!" It is a blessed thing to desire to see Him. But oh! it is better far to gaze upon Him! To those who seek Him--He is kind; but to those who find Him--He is precious beyond expression!

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Amidst all the changes of this troublous life

(Charles Spurgeon)

"I am the Lord--and I do not change!" Malachi 3:6

It is well for us that, amidst all the alterations and vicissitudes of life, that there is . . .
  One whom change cannot affect,
  One whose heart can never alter,
  One on whose brow mutability can make no furrows.

All other things have changed--all other things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age. The world is waxing old--the heavens and earth must soon pass away and perish! There is One alone, who has immortality--of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change.

The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore--is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth, "I am the Lord--and I do not change!" The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian's hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth.

"With Him there is no variation!" Whatever His attributes were of old--they are now! His power, His wisdom, His justice, His truth, are alike unchanged.

He has ever been the refuge of His people, their stronghold in the day of trouble--and He is their sure Helper still.

He is unchanged in His love. He has loved His people with "an everlasting love!" He loves them now, as much as ever He did! And when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, His love will still wear the dew of its youth.

Precious is the assurance that our God never changes! The wheel of providence revolves--but its axle is eternal love!

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Holy shuddering!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Horror grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken Your law!" Psalm 119:53

My soul, do you feel this holy shuddering at the sins of others? If not, you lack inward holiness. David's cheeks were wet with rivers of waters, because of prevailing unholiness. Jeremiah desired eyes like fountains, that he might lament the iniquities of Israel. Lot, a righteous man, was distressed all the immorality and wickedness around him. Those upon whom the mark was set in Ezekiel's vision, were those who sighed and cried because of the abominations of Jerusalem.

It cannot but grieve gracious souls--to see what pains men take to go to Hell. They know the evil of sin experimentally, and they are alarmed to see others flying like moths into its blaze!

Sin makes the righteous shudder, because it violates God's holy law, which is to every man's highest interest to keep. Sin pulls down the pillars of the society!

Sin in others horrifies a believer, because it puts him in mind of the vileness of his own heart. When he sees a heinous sinner, he cries, "He fell today--and, but for God's grace--I may fall tomorrow!"

Sin is horrible to a believer, because it crucified his Savior! He sees in every iniquity--the nails and the spear! How can a saved soul behold that cursed kill-Christ sin--without abhorrence?

Say, my heart--do you sensibly join in all this? It is an awful thing to insult God to His face. The good God deserves better treatment; the great God claims it; the just God will have it--or repay His adversary to his face!

An awakened heart trembles at the audacity of sin--and stands alarmed at the contemplation of its punishment. How monstrous a thing is sin! How direful a doom is prepared for the ungodly!

My soul, never laugh at sin's fooleries--lest you come to smile at sin itself! Sin is your Lord's enemy, and your enemy--view it with detestation, for only so, can you evidence the possession of holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.

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The diamonds of heaven!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Behold--he prays!" Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray--the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed, but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee--but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears. Yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. "You put all my tears into Your bottle," implies that they are caught--as they flow!

The suppliant, who can only groan out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear! Tears are the diamonds of heaven! Sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!

Do not think that your prayer, however weak or trembling--will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayer--but also loves to hear it. "He does not forget the cry of the humble." True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words. He has no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings. He does not listen not to the swell of martial music. He has no regard the triumph and pride of man. But wherever there is . . .
  a heart full with godly sorrow,
  or a lip quivering with agony,
  or a deep groan,
  or a penitential sigh
--the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves--between the pages of His book of remembrance; and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom!

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Petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Be careful to devote yourself to good works." Titus 3:8

"Avoid foolish questions." Titus 3:9

Our days are few, and are far better spent in devoting ourselves to good works, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. Incessant discussion of subjects of no practical value, do a world of mischief. Our churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said--neither party is any the wiser! Therefore, the discussion no more promotes knowledge, than love! It is foolish to sow in so barren a field.

Questions upon . . .
  points wherein Scripture is silent;
  mysteries which belong to God alone;
  prophecies of doubtful interpretation;
  modes of observing mere human ceremonies
--are all foolish! Wise men will avoid them! Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions--but to avoid them altogether! If we observe the apostle's precept to be careful to devote ourselves to good works--we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business--to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings!

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish--which we must not avoid--but fairly and honestly answer, such as these:
  Am I growing in grace and Christ-likeness?
  Does my life adorn the doctrine of my Savior?
  What more can I do for Jesus?
Such inquiries as these, urgently demand our attention!

If we have been at all given to arguing and disputing, let us now turn to a service so much more profitable. Let us endeavor to lead others, both by our precept and example, to "avoid foolish questions."

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We must be wedded to the Leah of real holiness

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Laban replied--It is not our custom here, to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one." Genesis 29:26

We do not excuse Laban for his dishonesty--but we desire to learn from the custom which he quoted as his excuse. There are some things which must be taken in order; and if we would win the second--we must secure the first. The second may be the more desirable in our eyes--but the rule of the heavenly country must stand--the elder must be married first.

For instance, many men desire the beautiful Rachel of joy and peace--but they must first be wedded to the bleary-eyed Leah of repentance. Everyone falls in love with happiness, and many would cheerfully serve twice seven years to enjoy it. But according to the rule of the Lord's kingdom--we must be wedded to the Leah of real holiness--before the Rachel of true happiness can be gained.

Heaven is not first--but second; and only by persevering to the end, can we enter into it.

The cross must be carried--before the crown can be worn!

We must follow our Lord in His sufferings--or we shall never rest with Him in glory.

Dear heart, are you so vain as to hope to break through this heavenly rule? Do you hope for reward without labor--or honor without toil? Dismiss the idle expectation! Be content to take the difficult things--for the sake of the sweet love of Jesus, which will recompense you for all. In such a spirit, laboring and suffering, you will find that bitters grow sweet--and that hard things grow easy. Like Jacob, your years of service will seem unto you but a few days--for the love which you have to Jesus. And when the dear hour of the wedding feast shall come--all your toils shall be as though they had never been! An hour with Jesus--will make amends for ages of pain and labor!

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This was his final verdict!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Behold, all is vanity!" Ecclesiastes 1:14

Nothing can fully satisfy a person--but the Lord's love and the Lord's own self. Christians have tried other pursuits--but they have been driven out of such fatal refuges.

Solomon, the wisest of men, was permitted to make experiments for us all; and to do for us--what we must not dare to do for ourselves. Here is his testimony in his own words, "So I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired. I refused my heart no pleasure. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind! Nothing was gained under the sun!" "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"

What! Is the whole of it meaningless? O favored monarch--is there nothing in all your wealth? Nothing in that wide dominion reaching from the river even to the sea? Nothing in your glorious palaces? Is there nothing--in all your music and dancing, and wine and luxury? "Nothing!" he says, "but a chasing after the wind!" This was his final verdict--after he had trodden the whole round of pleasure.

To embrace our Lord Jesus, to dwell in His love, and be fully assured of union with Him--this is all in all. Dear reader, you need not try other forms of pleasure in order to see whether they are better than Christ. If you roam the whole world--you will see no sights like a sight of the Savior's face! If you could have all the comforts of life--without the Savior, you would be most wretched. But if you possess Christ--though you should you rot in a dungeon--you would find it a paradise! Though you should you live in obscurity, or die with famine--yet you would be satisfied with the favor and goodness of the Lord!

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A solemn sham and an impudent mockery!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Rend your heart--and not your garments." Joel 2:13

Garment-rending and other external signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested, and are frequently hypocritical. True repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common. Unsaved men will attend to the most multiplied and minute religious ceremonies and regulations--for such things are pleasing to their flesh. But true godliness is too humbling, too heart-searching, too spiritual for the tastes of carnal men! They prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. External religious rituals are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self-righteousness is puffed up. But they are ultimately delusive, for at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than religious ceremonies and rituals to lean upon.

Apart from vital godliness--all religion is utterly vain! When offered without a sincere heart, every form of religious worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of God!

Heart-rending is divinely wrought--and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form--but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of--but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating and sin-purging! But also, it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled souls are unable to receive! This heart-rending  distinctly belongs to the elect of God--and to them alone.

The text commands us to rend our hearts--but they are naturally as hard as marble! How then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary! A dying Savior's voice rent the rocks once--and it is just as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us effectually hear the death-cries of Jesus--and our hearts shall be rent!

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The coneys

(Charles Spurgeon)

"The coneys are but a feeble folk--yet they make their home in the rocky cliffs." Proverbs 30:26

Conscious of their own natural defenselessness, the coneys resort to clefts in the rocky cliffs, and are secure from their enemies.

My heart, be willing to gather a lesson from these feeble folk. You are as weak and as exposed to peril as the timid coneys--strive to be as wise as they are to seek a shelter. My best security is within the fortifications of an immutable Jehovah, where His unalterable promises stand like giant cliffs of rock. It will be well with you, my heart, if you can always hide yourself in the bulwarks of His glorious attributes, all of which are guarantees of safety for those who put their trust in Him.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, I have done so and have found myself like David in the cave of Adullam--safe from the cruelty of my enemy. I experience the blessedness of the man who puts his trust in the Lord--for long ago, when Satan and my sins pursued me--I fled to the cleft of the Rock--Christ Jesus! And in His riven side--I found a secure resting-place!

Dear heart, run to Him anew today, whatever your present grief may be! Jesus cares for you! Jesus will console and help you!

No monarch in his impregnable fortress, is more secure than the coney in his rocky shelter. The leader of a thousand armies is not one whit better protected--than the little dweller in the rocky cleft.

Just so, in Jesus--the weak are strong, and the defenseless are safe! They could not be more strong--if they were giants! They could not be more safe--if they were in heaven! Faith gives to men on earth--the protection of the God of heaven! More protection they cannot need, and need not wish.

The coneys cannot build a castle--but they avail themselves of what is there already. Just so, I cannot make a refuge for myself--but Jesus has provided it, His Father has given it, His Spirit has revealed it--and lo, I enter it and am safe from every foe!

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We may throw the dice!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"We may throw the dice--but the Lord determines how they fall." Proverbs 16:33

If the fall of the dice is under the Lord's control--then whose is the arrangement of our whole life? If the simple casting of the dice is guided by Him--how much more the events of our entire life--especially when we are told by our blessed Savior, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered! Not a sparrow falls to the ground without your Father!" It would bring a holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were always to remember this. It would so relieve your mind from worry--that you would be the better able to walk in patience, calmness, and cheerfulness, as a Christian should.

When a man is anxious--he cannot pray with faith, or serve his Master. When you worry and fret about your lot and circumstances, you are meddling with Christ's business, and neglecting your own! You have been attempting "providing" work--and forgetting that it is yours to "obey". Be wise and attend to the obeying--and let Christ manage the providing.

Come and survey your Father's storehouse, and ask whether He will let you starve--while He has laid up so great an abundance in His garner! Look at His heart of mercy--and ask if that heart can ever prove unkind! Look at His inscrutable wisdom--and ask if that wisdom can ever be at fault. Above all, look to Jesus Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself, while He pleads, can your Father deal ungraciously with you? If He remembers even sparrows, will He forget one of His poor children?

"Cast your burden upon the Lord--and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22

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The cross is not made of soft feathers

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Take up the cross--and follow Me." Mark 10:21

You have not the liberty of making of your own cross; although unbelief is a master carpenter at cross-making. Neither are you permitted to choose your own cross; although self-will would gladly be lord and master. Your cross is prepared and appointed for you by divine love--and you are cheerfully to accept it. You are to take up the cross as your chosen portion, and not to stand caviling at it. Jesus bids you to submit your shoulder to His easy yoke. Do not . . .
  kick at it in petulance, or
  trample on it in vain-glory, or
  fall under it in despair, or
  run away from it in fear.
Take it up like a true follower of Jesus.

Jesus was a cross-bearer; He leads the way in the path of sorrow. Surely you could not desire a better guide! And if He carried a cross--what nobler burden would you desire?

The Way of the Cross is the way of safety--do not fear to tread its thorny paths.

Beloved, the cross is not made of soft feathers, or lined with velvet--it is heavy and galling to disobedient shoulders! But it is not an iron cross, though your fears have painted it with iron colors! It is a wooden cross, and a man can carry it, for the Man of sorrows carried the load. Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit--you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt!

Remember that the cross will soon be followed by the crown. The thought of the coming weight of glory--will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble. May the Lord help you to bow your heart in submission to the divine will--that you may go forth to this day's cross with the holy and submissive spirit which befits a follower of the Crucified.

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My Father,

(J. R. MacDuff, "A BOOK OF PRIVATE PRAYERS" 1890)

My Father,
I desire to enter Your sacred presence in the name of Jesus. Where would I be, but for such a Savior! I have no plea of my own.

My best actions -- how full of blemishes!

My purest aims and motives -- how mingled with selfishness!

My best righteousness -- how marred with imperfection and defilement!

My best thoughts -- how sinful and unworthy!

My best prayers -- how cold and languid, requiring themselves to be prayed for!

If You, O Lord, would mark iniquities -- who could stand!

I know not what entanglements may hinder me in prosecuting my pilgrim way, what temptations may overtake me, what sorrows may darken me. Be about my path all the day long.

Strengthen me, good Lord, for the duties which are before me this day. I cannot forecast its perils and dangers and temptations. I implore the continuance of Your sovereign, sustaining, restraining grace -- to keep me from falling. Hold me up -- and then I shall be safe! Let me resume my pilgrim journey, leaning always on Your omnipotent arm.

May I know in my experience, that I can do all things, and endure all things, through Christ who strengthens me. When tempted to worldliness, or sloth, or self-indulgence -- may I look to Jesus for strength. Conform me to His image; mold me into His holy example. In every difficult and perplexing path, may this be my guiding maxim and direction -- "How would Jesus, my Lord and Master have acted in this situation?" And knowing His will, may I delight to do it.

May I ever exercise a jealous scrutiny over my thoughts and words and actions. Preserve me from . . .
  all pride and vain-glory;
  all selfishness and covetousness;
  all that would lead me to exalt myself;
  all guilty and unworthy compromises with the world, the flesh, and the devil.

May the consciousness of Your presence and favor -- lessen my every cross and sweeten my every care. I anew commend myself to Your gracious keeping and guidance this day. Watch over me for good; and may every power of my body and every faculty of my mind, combine in devotion to Your service and glory. Wean me from all that is fleeting and perishable. Let it be my highest joy to follow You -- and my deepest pain to grieve You.

Other refuges will fail, other props will be removed; may I find in You, an unfailing refuge and portion and friend! I go forth to the duties of a new morning, in simple dependence on Your grace and strength.

[nChrist]

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A cup of love

(J. R. MacDuff, "A BOOK OF PRIVATE PRAYERS" 1890)

My Father in heaven, draw near to me in Your infinite mercy. May all vain and wandering thoughts be silenced and repressed, as I now approach Your footstool. I adore You for the rich blessings that are treasured up in Christ. In Him I have . . .
  pardon,
  peace,
  acceptance,
  eternal life,
  a balm for every wound,
  a solace for every trial.

May I continually look to His sympathetic hand which dries all tears, and listen to His gracious voice which soothes all sorrows. May it be my habitual desire to follow in His footsteps and to reflect His image; to live and to walk so as to always do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Gladden me this day with Your presence. Morning by morning, as I set out on my path of duty, may it be my increasing desire to attain a nearer and closer conformity to You and to Your holy will--to have more childlike tenderness of spirit, childlike obedience, childlike fear of grieving or offending a Father so full of pitying love and mercy.

I have to lament, heavenly Father--the proneness of my heart to depart from You--seeking my happiness too often in things which perish with the using. Break the world's alluring spell. Disenchant its delusive fascinations! Elevate my affections, purify my desires. May I seek to have the consciousness of Your pure, loving eye ever upon me, living under the supremacy of that elevating motive--to walk so as to please You.

Subdue my unmortified sin; quicken me in every good and holy way. Enthrone Yourself in my soul and life, as Lord of all; and bring me to live more constantly and habitually under the constraining influence of Your love.

Let it ever be to me, a gracious and consoling thought, that "the Lord reigns!" I am but clay in the hand of the almighty Potter! All that concerns me is directed and regulated by Your infinite wisdom and unchanging love. Neither is there anything arbitrary in Your dealings with me. I would lie passive at Your feet, saying, "Do to me and with me--as seems good in Your sight!"

I will be still, and know that you are my God. I flee to the sanctuary of Your covenant love, rejoicing in You as my Father, and in Christ as my Redeemer. May it ever be mine, to accept the cup of affliction which You put into my hand--as a cup of love, saying, "Not as I will, but as You will."

I look forward to that joyous time when, fully purified alike from sin and sorrow, I shall enter within the heavenly gates and stand faultless before Your throne!

I ask these and every other needed blessing, through the all-sufficient merits, and all-prevailing name of Jesus Christ, my only Lord and Savior.