Romans 5:3-5

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

“In my prosperity I said I shall never be moved.”
—Psalm 30:6

“Moab settled on his lees, he hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel.” Give a man wealth. Let his ships bring home continually rich freights. Let the winds and waves appear to be his servants to bear his vessels across the bosom of the mighty deep. Let his lands yield abundantly. Let the weather be propitious to his crops. Let uninterrupted success attend him. Let him stand among men as a successful merchant. Let him enjoy continued health.

Allow him with braced nerve and brilliant eye to march through the world, and live happily. Give him the buoyant spirit. Let him have the song perpetually on his lips. Let his eye be ever sparkling with joy—and the natural consequence of such an easy state to any man. Let him be the best Christian who ever breathed, will be presumption. Even David said, “I shall never be moved,” and we are not better than David, nor half so good.

Brother, beware of the smooth places of the way. If you are treading them, or if the way be rough, thank God for it. If God should always rock us in the cradle of prosperity; if we were always dandled on the knees of fortune; if we had not some stain on the alabaster pillar; if there were not a few clouds in the sky; if we had not some bitter drops in the wine of this life, we should become intoxicated with pleasure, we should dream “we stand;” and stand we should, but it would be upon a pinnacle; like the man asleep upon the mast, each moment we should be in jeopardy.

We bless God, then, for our afflictions. We thank Him for our changes. We extol His name for losses of property. For we feel that had He not chastened us thus, we might have become too secure. Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial.

C.H. Spurgeon

COVID-19 Crisis Prayer - Pastor Mike

Today's Prayer

Crisis Prayer Topic: The LORD is Great
There is no thing or no one as great as our LORD. He is to be feared above all gods. Only He is worthy of all glory and strength.
“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised.” Psalm 96: 4

Pray we would sing a new song of blessing and praise to the LORD. Pray for the newness of life we have in the Holy Spirit to be reflective in our new song to the LORD. Pray we would bless His name with our voice, our thoughts, and our actions. That we would continue to declare His glory and His goodness and His Gospel among the nations.

Pray we would bring an offering of our lives and our wills into His courts in submission to Him. Pray we would appreciate the beauty of His holiness. And how His holiness surrounds us. Pray we would continue to declare the LORD’s reign and His rule and His justice over all the earth.

Pray that we, along with all the heavens and all creation, would rejoice and be joyful before the LORD. That our hearts would not be cast down. For He is coming. He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth!