I've Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

It's cloudy and overcast here in northeast Pennsylvania today, but I've nonetheless had a great morning filled with 'heavenly sunlight' as I met with the Lord during my quiet time. I don't know what you like to read during your devotional times (in addition to your Bible, of course), but in case you are looking for some additional daily 'light' let me recommend two wonderful resources that I know you will enjoy. Both of these books have encouraged me greatly on days when my soul has been overcast and a little gloomy.

I have been reading C.H. Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" now for more than ten years, and it never ceases to give me fresh insights and heart-stirring delights. Each day of the year has two readings, hence "morning" and "evening". While I don't always get to the evening reading, nearly every day the morning reading is more important to me than having breakfast. Not only is Spurgeon a master of words and metaphors, He has an incredible way of weaving important theological truths into his devotional writings. Here's a short sample from today's morning reading based on John 15:4:

"How did you begin to bear fruit? It was when you came to Jesus and cast yourselves on his great atonement, and rested on his finished righteousness. Ah! what fruit you had then! Do you remember those early days? Then indeed the vine flourished, the tender grape appeared, the pomegranates budded forth, and the beds of spices gave forth their smell. Have you declined since then? If you have, we charge you to remember that time of love, and repent, and do thy first works. Be most in those engagements which you have experimentally proved to draw you nearest to Christ, because it is from him that all your fruits proceed. Any holy exercise which will bring you to him will help you to bear fruit. The sun is, no doubt, a great worker in fruit-creating among the trees of the orchard: and Jesus is still more so among the trees of his garden of grace."

If you're looking for more than a daily crouton in your quiet times--- turn to Morning and Evening. It is readily available for reading online, or you can purchase a copy for a very reasonable price.

The other resource I want to recommend I just came into contact with this year. "The Valley of Vision" is a classic collection of Puritan prayers and devotions printed by Banner of Truth. It is not a prayer manual for reciting-- but a devotional book for reading. In this book, prayers and devotional thoughts are organized by topic and feature the works of renowned Puritan thinkers, pastors, and theologians like Thomas Watson, Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, Issac Watts, Philip Doddridge, David Brainerd, and C.H. Spurgeon.

I heard through the grapevine that John MacArthur once said that if he was going to be stranded on a deserted island and could only have two books with him--- he would take his Bible and "The Valley of Vision". After interacting with this book for a few months now myself, I understand and agree whole-heartedly with that sentiment. At a recent conference, my friend Steve at Banner of Truth reported that he actually had a woman purchase his own personal copy of 'Valley of Vision' when the book table sold out! My point: this book is tremendously enriching. Here's just a snippet of what I read today:

~The Gospel Way~

Blessed Lord Jesus,

No human mind could conceive or invent the gospel.

Acting in eternal grace, thou art both its messenger and its message,
Lived out on earth through infinite compassion,

Applying thy life to insult, injury, death,

That I might be redeemed, ransomed, freed.
Blessed be thou, O Father, for contriving this way,

Eternal thanks to Thee, O Lamb of God, for opening this way.

Praise everlasting to Thee, O Holy Spirit, for applying this way to my heart.

Glorious Trinity, impress the gospel on my soul,

Until its every virtue diffuses every faculty;

Let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt...

Friend, even though the dark clouds may gather above your head-- don't let them gather in your soul. Make time each day to read inspired Scripture as well as books that will stir your heart toward deeper spiritual understanding, thinking, worship, and living.

Pour yourself into God-centered books, and ask the Lord to open your heart to His goodness and light. When you do, you can be certain that He will "melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away." (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)