I wouldn't exactly call it a New Year's Resolution, but I do believe the Lord would have me post more often on this site this year...either something I've written or (much better) something someone from the past has written that might be a benefit to others. I hope this year to post something here at least once a week, so here's my offering for the first week...I don't think you can do much better than a word from "The Prince of Preachers! I read this from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening this morning and it really stirred me...I hope it will encourage you to gather new strength for a new year from God's word!
Isaiah 41:1
"Let the people renew their strength." KJV
"Let the peoples gain new strength" NASB
All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continueth by itself. "Thou renewest the face of the year," was the Psalmist's utterance. Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labour, must drink of the rain of heaven and suck from the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon, which God has planted, only live because day by day they are full of sap fresh drawn from the earth. Neither can man's life be sustained without renewal from God. As it is necessary to repair the waste of the body by the frequent meal, so we must repair the waste of the soul by feeding upon the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-fattening table of the ordinances. How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starvelings some saints are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew. Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within. When the whirlwind shall be loosed, woe to the tree that hath not sucked up fresh sap, and grasped the rock with many intertwisted roots. When tempests arise, woe to the mariners that have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought the haven. If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, perhaps, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow. Let us draw near to the footstool of divine mercy in humble entreaty, and we shall realize the fulfilment of the promise, "They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength."
Charles Spurgeon
Want to Read More? Check out these posts...
Christ Our Burden Bearer
"Church Etiquette" - Wisdom From A Bygone Age
Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards
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