Devotional

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The following devotional is one I received from a Spurgeon devotional
E-mail list I am on.  Hope you enjoy!


 November 19                                              Morning

 "Avoid foolish questions."
                                                      --Titus 3:9

    Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in
    disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance.
    The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant
    discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our
    Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and
    unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be
    said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion
    no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in
    so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is
    silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies
    of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human
    ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our
    business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to
    avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept
    (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find
    ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take
    much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

     There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of
     foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet,
     such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I
     renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the
     flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my
     conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking
     for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do
     who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such
     enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have
     been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical
     abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be
     peacemakers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and
     example, to "avoid foolish questions."

 Evening Reading .......................................... 29754 # Ro
 1:1 - 3:31 * Daily Bible Reading

 November 19                                              Evening

 "O that I knew where I might find him!"
                                                       --Job 23:3

    In Job's uttermost extremity he cried after the Lord. The longing
    desire of an afflicted child of God is once more to see his
    Father's face. His first prayer is not "O that I might be healed
    of the disease which now festers in every part of my body!" nor
    even "O that I might see my children restored from the jaws of the
    grave, and my property once more brought from the hand of the
    spoiler!" but the first and uppermost cry is, "O that I knew where
    I might find HIM, who is my God! that I might come even to his
    seat!" God's children run home when the storm comes on. It is the
    heaven born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all
    ills beneath the wings of Jehovah. "He that hath made his refuge
    God", might serve as the title of a true believer. A hypocrite,
    when afflicted by God, resents the infliction, and, like a slave,
    would run from the Master who has scourged him; but not so the
    true heir of heaven, he kisses the hand which smote him, and seeks
    shelter from the rod in the bosom of the God who frowned upon him.
    Job's desire to commune with God was intensified by the failure of
    all other sources of consolation. The patriarch turned away from
    his sorry friends, and looked up to the celestial throne, just as
    a traveller turns from his empty skin bottle, and betakes himself
    with all speed to the well. He bids farewell to earth born hopes,
    and cries, "O that I knew where I might find my God!" Nothing
    teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we
    learn the emptiness of all besides. Turning away with bitter scorn
    from earth's hives, where we find no honey, but many sharp stings,
    we rejoice in him whose faithful word is sweeter than honey or the
    honeycomb. In every trouble we should first seek to realize God's
    presence with us. Only let us enjoy his smile, and we can bear our
    daily cross with a willing heart for his dear sake.
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