Call Upon His Name

Call Upon His Name – Streams in the Desert – May 3

And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered (Joel 2:32).

Why do not I call on His name? Why do I run to this neighbor and that when God is so near and will hear my faintest call? Why do I sit down and devise schemes and invent plans? Why not at once roll myself and my burden upon the Lord?

Straightforward is the best runner–why do not I run at once to the living God? In vain shall I look for “deliverance anywhere else; but with God I shall find it; for here I have His royal shall to make it sure. I need not ask whether I may call on Him or not, for that word “Whosoever” is a very wide and comprehensive one. Whosoever means me, for it means anybody and everybody who calls upon God. I will therefore follow the leading of the text, and at once call upon the glorious Lord who has made so large a promise.

My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver.
–C. H. Spurgeon

Nothing In My Hand I Bring

In the book “D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Letters 1919-1981” published by Banner of Truth, on page 237, these quotes from a couple of his books are found, which contain important truths for the event we all will come to: our death. May we all be building upon the foundation of grace now so that when fighting the last enemy, we will be strong.

“This is my final comfort and consolation in this world. My only hope of arriving in glory lies in the fact that the whole of my salvation is God’s work.”

It is grace at the beginning, grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie on our deathbeds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us in the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, it musts continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace, wondrous grace. ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’ ‘Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.’”

The Secret of Divine All-Sufficiency

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor. 12:10

“The literal translation of this verse gives a startling emphasis to it, and makes it speak for itself with a force that we have probably never realized. Here it is: ‘Therefore I take pleasure in being without strength, in insults, in being pinched, in being chased about, in being cooped up in a corner for Christ’s sake; for when I am without strength, them am I dynamite.’

“Here is the secret of Divine all-sufficiency, to come to the end of everything in ourselves and in all our circumstances. When we reach this place, we will stop asking for sympathy because of our hard situation or bad treatment, for we will recognize these things as the very conditions of our blessing, and we will turn from them to God and findmin them a claim upon Him.”

—A.B. Simpson

From “Streams in the Desert” p. 109

Empty Jars

“Until the funds run low, we cannot expect to see them replenished. Yet when they get low, God comes and deals graciously. Money, however, is our smallest need. We need grace, wisdom, light, and comfort, and these we will have. God will fill all your empty vessels (2 Kings 4:3). God will fill your exhaustion with the fullness of his inexhaustible grace. He will replenish your need until your cup overflows. Do not weep over empty jars. Place them in rows with the full expectation that God will fill them. God shall supply all your need . (Philippians 4:19)”

— Charles Spurgeon Beside Still Waters p. 282

Happy Easter from the Stick Kids

False Religion

“Jeremiah’s message was one of gloom and hardship. Hananiah’s [the false prophet] was upbeat and positive. There can be little doubt which was the more popular. We must not, therefore, be surprised when false religion is more popular than the truth. Liberalism falsely declares what people want to hear: that God is love and that everyone will enjoy heaven. Such lies cause people to live without any regard for their sins or for the holiness and justice of God. ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’ (Hebrews 10:31). Why should we be so foolish as to ignore God’s Word?”

—Family Worship Bible Guide p. 540

Full Hope

“Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear. Rather look at them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto; do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms. …The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”

—from “Streams in the Desert” p. 43

A Friend

“Is the across that you are carrying pressing heavy? You will be like your Master; someone will be found to help you. They found Simon to carry Jesus’ cross and God has a Simon somewhere for you. Just cry to the Lord and He will find you a a friend.”

Charles Spurgeon “Beside Still Waters” p. 198

No Affliction By Chance

“Submit cheerfully. There is no affliction that comes by chance. We are not left to the misery of believing that things happen independent of a divinely controlling power. Not a drop of bitter ever falls into our cup unless the heavenly Father’s wisdom places it there. We dwell where everything is ordered by God. Whenever adversity must come, it is always with a purpose. And if it is God’s purpose, should I wish to escape it?”

—Charles H. Spurgeon

“Beside Still Waters” p. 244

Pruning Knife

“Faith realizes that our current state is not the result of the axe of judgment, but the pruning knife of affliction. It is not a cup to poison but to heal, no matter how bitter the taste. You are kept by his power and the evil one cannot touch you. You are in a safe harbour under the rock of Christ. …Faith further assures you that God not only restrains your crosses, he has determined that they will bring the greatest benefit possible to you. Being administered by a Father who knows your frame, it will work for your very best.” —Samuel Ward, as quoted in Voices from the Past (vol. 1) p. 50