Charles Spurgeon Morning Devotion August 17th

"The mercy of God."
Psalm 52:8

Meditate a little on this mercy of the Lord. It is tender mercy. With gentle, loving touch, he healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He is as gracious in the manner of his mercy as in the matter of it. It is great mercy. There is nothing little in God; his mercy is like himself--it is infinite. You cannot measure it. His mercy is so great that it forgives great sins to great sinners, after great lengths of time, and then gives great favors and great privileges, and raises us up to great enjoyments in the great heaven of the great God. It is undeserved mercy, as indeed all true mercy must be, for deserved mercy is only a misnomer for justice. There was no right on the sinner's part to the kind consideration of the Most High; had the rebel been doomed at once to eternal fire he would have richly merited the doom, and if delivered from wrath, sovereign love alone has found a cause, for there was none in the sinner himself. It is rich mercy. Some things are great, but have little efficacy in them, but this mercy is a cordial to your drooping spirits; a golden ointment to your bleeding wounds; a heavenly bandage to your broken bones; a royal chariot for your weary feet; a bosom of love for your trembling heart. It is manifold mercy. As Bunyan says, "All the flowers in God's garden are double." There is no single mercy. You may think you have but one mercy, but you shall find it to be a whole cluster of mercies. It is abounding mercy. Millions have received it, yet far from its being exhausted; it is as fresh, as full, and as free as ever. It is unfailing mercy. It will never leave thee. If mercy be thy friend, mercy will be with thee in temptation to keep thee from yielding; with thee in trouble to prevent thee from sinking; with thee living to be the light and life of thy countenance; and with thee dying to be the joy of thy soul when earthly comfort is ebbing fast.

Ellen G. White
To those who are contending with the power of habit, God says: “Would you walk by and by the streets of the holy city? Then obey the command, Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing. I, the infinite God, the Creator of the universe, will receive you.
I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters.” “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Connect with Heaven. Thus you may become children of the heavenly King.
Do you want higher honor, greater exaltation? Riches God has in abundance for those who overcome; for the streets of the holy city are paved with gold. It is your privilege to enter this city, to partake of the tree of life, to listen to the voice that is sweeter and richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ears. There is strength in the arm of the Lord. Take hold upon it, and you will one day stand victors in the city of God, each wearing on his brow a crown of immortal glory. ST January 30, 1901, par. 9

August 17th, 2026
Read; Psalm 139: 13-14

Our Creator intimately formed us, possessing our innermost being and covering us in our mother's womb. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, a testament to His marvelous works, and our souls know this truth well. Before anyone knew of our coming, He had divine plans for us. When we consider all God has done, we see His hand in our unique creation, His faithful care for our lives, and His powerful ability to heal. He is not only our Maker but also our constant Sustainer, demonstrating His infinite love through His works.

Prayer
God Almighty, my Savior and Redeemer, thank You for knowing me before I could know myself and for giving me life. I receive the abilities, limitations, history, and relationships You have entrusted to me as part of Your wise care. Keep me from turning my particular gifts into pride or comparing my life with another's. Teach me to steward what You have given with courage and gratitude, honoring the body You formed and using my gifts to love You and serve others. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.

Conflict and Courage.
Isaiah 6:1-10

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15.
In the vision that came to Isaiah in the temple court, he was given a clear view of the character of the God of Israel. “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy,” had appeared before him in great majesty; yet the prophet was made to understand the compassionate nature of his Lord....

In beholding his God, the prophet ... had not only been given a view of his own unworthiness; there had come to his humbled heart the assurance of forgiveness, full and free; and he had arisen a changed man. He had seen his Lord. He had caught a glimpse of the loveliness of the divine character. He could testify of the transformation wrought through beholding Infinite Love. Henceforth he was inspired with longing desire to see erring Israel set free from the burden and penalty of sin. “Why should ye be stricken any more?” the prophet inquired. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” ... The God whom they had been claiming to serve, but whose character they had misunderstood, was set before them as the great Healer of spiritual disease....

The heart of Infinite Love yearns after those who feel powerless to free themselves from the snares of Satan; and He graciously offers to strengthen them to live for Him. “Fear thou not,” He bids them; “for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” ...

Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? ... Return to your Father's house. He invites you, saying, “Return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” “Come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.” 25Prophets and Kings, 314-320.

ABUNDANCE RICHES

The abundant riches of God refers to God's unlimited wealth, not primarily in money, but in everything He possesses and freely gives to His children. It includes His grace, mercy, love, wisdom, power, peace, joy, provision, and eternal life. God's riches are infinite—they never run out.
Here are some key Scriptures:
Ephesians 2:7 – "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 – "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Romans 11:33 – "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"
Ephesians 3:16 – "That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man."
What do God's abundant riches include?
Abundant grace – Forgiveness and unmerited favor.
Abundant mercy – Compassion even when we fail.
Abundant love – An unconditional, everlasting love.
Abundant wisdom – Guidance for every situation.
Abundant peace and joy – Inner stability regardless of circumstances.
Abundant provision – God meeting our needs, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical.
Abundant spiritual inheritance – Every blessing we have in Christ, including eternal life.
So, the abundant riches of God are the fullness of everything God is and has, generously made available to those who belong to Him through Christ. Material provision can be one expression of His care, but His riches are far greater than financial wealth—they encompass every blessing needed for life and godliness.
A helpful way to summarize it is:
The abundant riches of God are His limitless resources, character, and blessings, which He pours out on His children according to His perfect will and glory.

“Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,” Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭20‬

‭He loves us so deeply and sincerely that he’s sacrificed his son, himself, crushing down every barrier between us and Him. We are now allowed to see him face to face. We can stand before him. We can speak with him like friends. For we have been cleansed from our sins by the blood of Jesus!

What an infinite amount of love

Lifeline Today
Friday August 14
Draw Near
They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:7 (NKJV)

Keeping distance from God weakens a believer. It is nearness to Him that increases the strength you need for your life journey. Nearness is a spiritual state of close and personal fellowship with the Almighty; not a physical location, but an intimate connection built on faith, prayer, and trust.

You need more strength constantly for various reasons. The ability you used to solve yesterday’s problem may not be adequate for tomorrow’s challenge. Your responsibility will always look bigger than your ability. The task before you will always look more enormous than the time and opportunity available to you. There are things you must go through always before you break through. As you draw near, you know more of God, and you draw more of His power and anointing to prevail and be in constant dominion. This is your day.

Wisdom Fountain: "Drawing near to the source of your strength is the quickest way to renew it."
Prayer: : Lord, You are my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. Thank You because You are never far away; You are in me. Strengthen me with power through Your Spirit in my inner being. When I am weak, let Your infinite might take over. Give me courage for the tasks ahead and peace that quiets my anxious thoughts. Help me to walk closely with You always, taking one step at a time in total reliance on Your love for me in Jesus’ name.

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In this episode, J. Warner Wallace takes you into the forensic details of the Bible’s sacrificial system to examine a stunning claim: when John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” he was doing something that flatly breaks the Old Testament lamb pattern. Using the same cold-case, investigative approach he applied for years as a detective, J. Warner shows that the mismatch between the Old Testament lamb pattern and Jesus’ sacrifice is not a problem to explain away—it’s a powerful evidential clue that Jesus is the God-man, whose once-for-all sacrifice has infinite worth.

https://coldcasechristianity.com/podcasts/this-is-not-how-lambs-work-the-shocking-old-testament-clue-everyone-misses-about-jesus-podcast/

#ChristianApologetics #ColdCaseChristianity #JWarnerWallace #ChristianWorldview

Conflict and Courage.
Jonah

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. Jonah 1:2.
Nineveh, wicked though it had become, was not wholly given over to evil. He who “beholdeth all the sons of men” (Psalm 33:13) ... perceived in that city many who were reaching out after something better and higher.... God revealed Himself to them in an unmistakable manner, to lead them, if possible, to repentance.

The instrument chosen for this work was the prophet Jonah.... Had the prophet obeyed unquestioningly, he would have been spared many bitter experiences, and would have been blessed abundantly. Yet in the hour of Jonah's despair the Lord did not desert him. Through a series of trials and strange providences, the prophet's confidence in God and in His infinite power to save was to be revived....

Once more the servant of God was commissioned to warn Nineveh.... As Jonah entered the city, he began at once to “cry against” it the message, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” From street to street he went, sounding the note of warning.

The message was not in vain. The cry that rang through the streets of the godless city was passed from lip to lip until all the inhabitants had heard the startling announcement. The Spirit of God pressed the message home to every heart and caused multitudes to tremble because of their sins and to repent in deep humiliation.... Their doom was averted, the God of Israel was exalted and honored throughout the heathen world, and His law was revered. Not until many years later was Nineveh to fall a prey to the surrounding nations through forgetfulness of God and through boastful pride....

The lesson is for God's messengers today, when the cities of the nations are as verily in need of a knowledge of the attributes and purposes of the true God as were the Ninevites of old.... The only city that will endure is the city whose builder and maker is God.... The Lord Jesus is calling upon men to strive with sanctified ambition to secure the immortal inheritance.17Prophets and Kings, 265-274.