GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 1

We are using Charles Spurgeon book, “The Risen King.”  It’s a collection of well chosen excerpts from Spurgeon’s  “Easter” sermons in devotional form, put together by Jeff Medders.   Pastor Spurgeon lived from 1834 to 1892  in London, England, and had a unique gift of understanding and showing the depth of our faith.  Thus, his reverential title as the Prince of Preachers.   Even though we’re not in or near that season, every day is a good day to focus on Christ’s sacrifice and victory for us!

JESUS WALKS ON WATER

Matthew 14:26-27

“And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear.    But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying,  ‘Be of good cheer!   It is I; do not be afraid.’”

Some of the richest comforts are lost to us for lack of clear perception.  What could be a greater comfort to the storm-tossed disciples than to know their Master was present and to see Him manifestly revealed as Lord of sea as well as land?  Yet because they did not discern Him clearly, they missed the incomparable comfort.

Christ walking on the wave should have put all fear to rest, but instead they mistake Him for a ghost appearing amid the storm, bringing darker ill.  But, He utters the great assurance, “It is I.”

Oh, the excellence of faith which, like the telescope, brings Christ near to us and lets us see Him as He is!  Oh, the sweetness of walking near to Christ and knowing Him with an assured, confident, clear knowledge that removes distresses which unnecessarily afflict us.  What do you make of Christ?

We must know that Jesus is a real man who reigns above – He is no phantom, no ghost, no spirit but a risen man, touched with the feeling of our weaknesses, who pities us, loves us, and feels for us.  And, in that capacity, He speaks to us out of the glory of heaven, and He says,

“It is I; do not be afraid.”

Friend, be sure of the reality of the Christ you trust in.  It is very easy to use the name of Jesus, but not quite so easy to know His person.  It is common to talk about what He did and not to feel that He lives just as truly as we do, and that He is a person to be loved and to be trusted in just as much as our own brother or father or friend.  We want a real, living, person Christ!  A phantom Christ will not cheer us in a storm.  But a real Christ is a real consolation in a real storm.  In whatever swirls around you today, hear Him say,

“It is I.”

When our Lord says, “It is I,”  the Greek is literally rendered, “

“I AM.”

Recall when God heard the cries of His ancient people enslaved in Egypt, and the Lord told Moses to comfort Israel by saying, (in Exodus 3:14):

“I AM has sent me to you.”

And when Jesus said, “I am” to his cowering disciples, they were drawn toward Him, and yet they did not lose the awe of the incommunicable name, “I AM” 

Then the disciples knew that Jesus was not only the great “I AM” but Immanuel – God with us.  The “I AM” had come to their rescue and was in the ship with them!   Here, dear friend, is YOUR comfort and mine.

We will not fear the supernatural or the unseen, for we see Jesus, and in Him we see the Father, and therefore we are of good cheer.  Are your joys declining?  Alas!  It is a dying, fleeting world, but there is one who is always the same, for Jesus says to you:

“ ‘I AM  and because I live, you shall live also.’” (John 14:19).

Be comforted:  Your Jesus still lives, for He says, “I AM.”

*** ***

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;  Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 71:21

You shall increase my greatness, And comfort me on every side.

Psalm 94:19

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 119:49-50

Remember the word to Your servant,  upon which You have caused me to hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.

Mark 14:62

Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Psalm 91:1

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Revelation 11:17

saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

Revelation 15:3

They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord