23 Nov Now and Forever
Last Sunday, Pastor Ken preached from Daniel 9:20-27, where we saw God’s response to Daniel’s prayer through Gabriel. We saw that we should be comforted because God answers prayers, and we should be encouraged because God’s plans are sure.
Read: Daniel 12
This Sunday, Pastor Jason will close our series through Daniel with a message from chapter 12. We will consider the ultimate deliverance of God’s people: their coming resurrection and how this motivates us to live faithfully as people of hope in this dying world. As you prepare your heart for our corporate gathering, let this devotion from Charles Spurgeon encourage you in your journey of faithfulness to our God.
Reflect: “Now and Forever”
TO HIM BE THE GLORY BOTH NOW AND TO THE DAY OF ETERNITY.
2 PETER 3:18
Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! Your unnumbered years shall run their everlasting course, but forever and forever; “to him be the glory.” Is He not a “priest forever after the order of Melchizedek”? “To him be the glory.” Is He not king forever—King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father? “To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.”
His praises shall never end. That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the luster of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. O Jesus, You will be praised forever. So long as immortal spirits live—as long as the Father’s throne endures—forever, forever, unto You shall be glory.
Believer, you are anticipating the time when you will join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now? The apostle’s words are, “To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” Will you not today make it your prayer? Lord, help me to glorify You. I am poor; help me to glorify You by contentment. I am sick; help me to give You honor by patience. I have talents; help me to extol You by spending them for You. I have time, Lord; help me to redeem it, that I may serve You. I have a heart to feel; Lord, let that heart feel no love but Yours, and glow with no flame but affection for You. I have a mind to think, Lord; help me to think of You and for You.
You have put me in this world for something. Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose. I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two copper coins, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into Your treasury. I am all Yours; take me, and enable me to glorify You now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.
February 15 Morning Reading in Morning and Evening, by Charles Spurgeon
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus,” Arr. Daniel Renstrom
2. “At the Cross,” by Daniel Renstrom
3. “Mighty to Save,” Arr. Laura Story
4. “Great Are You Lord,” Arr. Shane & Shane