March 16th Morning

0:00You are listening to Morning and Evening, a daily devotional work by Reverend Charles Spurgeon. This reading is brought to you by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College, where you can pursue a gospel-centered degree both on campus or online. Learn more at mbts.edu-apply Good morning. Today is March the 16th. I am a stranger with thee, Psalm 39 verse 12. Yes, O Lord, with thee, but not to thee. All my natural alienation from thee, thy grace has effectually removed. And now, in fellowship with I self, I walk through the sinful world

1:05as a pilgrim in a foreign country. Thou art a stranger in thy own world. Man forgets thee, dishonors thee, sets up new laws and alien customs, and knows thee not. When an idea sun came unto his own, his own received him not. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Never was foreigner so speckled a bird among the denizens of any land as I below its sun among his mother's brethren. It is no marvel then if I who live the life of Jesus should be unknown and a stranger here below. Lord, I would not be a citizen where Jesus was an alien. His pierced hand has loosened the cords which once bound my soul to earth, and now I find myself a stranger in the land. My speech seems to these Babylonians among whom I dwell and outland his tongue.

2:06My manners are singular, and my actions are stranger. A totter would be more at home in cheap side than I could ever be in the haunts of sinners. But here is the sweetness of my lot. I am a stranger with thee, thou art my fellow-sutterer, my fellow-pulgrim. Oh, what joy to wonder in such blessed society! My heart burns within me by the way when our dust speak to me. And though I be as a journal, I am far more blessed than those who sit on stones and far more at home than those who dwell in their sealed houses. To me remains no place nor time. My country is in every climber. I can be calm and free from care on any shore since God is there. While place we seek or place we shun, the soul finds happiness in none, but with a God to guide our way, his equal joy to go or stay.

3:09May love and faithfulness never leave you, may they be bound around your neck and written on the tablet of your heart this day.