October 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

1 Peter 2:1–3

Devotional

“If”? Then this is not a matter to be taken for granted concerning every one of the human race. “If”? Then there is a possibility, even a probability, that some may not have tasted that the Lord is gracious. “If”? Then this is not a general but a specific mercy. That means that it is necessary to ask whether we know the grace of God by inward experience. There is no spiritual favour which may not be a matter for heart-searching.

But while this should be a matter of earnest and prayerful inquiry, no one ought to be content while there is any such thing as an “if” about having tasted that the Lord is gracious. A jealous and holy distrust of self may give rise to the question even in the believer’s heart, but the continuance of such a doubt would be an evil indeed. We must not rest without a desperate struggle to clasp the Saviour in the arms of faith, and say, “I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him” (2 Tim. 1:2).

O believer, do not rest until you have a full assurance of your interest in Jesus. Let nothing satisfy you until, by the infallible witness of the Holy Spirit bearing witness with your spirit, you are assured that you are a child of God. Oh, do not trifle here; do not let any “perhaps” or “if” or “maybe” satisfy your soul. Build on eternal truths; really build on them. Get the sure mercies of David; make sure to get them. Let your anchor be cast into that which is within the veil, and see to it that your soul is linked to the anchor by a cable that will not break (Heb. 6:19–20). Advance beyond these dreary “ifs.” Do not stay any longer in the wilderness of doubts and fears. Cross the Jordan of distrust and enter the Promised Land of peace, where the Canaanite may still linger, but where the land will never cease to flow with milk and honey.

[May 21, morning]

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