In my private reading time this morning, Charles Spurgeon’s words say more than I ever could.
Let’s read it together in our time with Christ today.
“Thy paths drop fatness.”
— Psalm 65:11Many are “the paths of the Lord” which “drop fatness,” but an especial one is the path of prayer. No believer, who is much in the closet, will have need to cry, “My leanness, my leanness; woe unto me.” Starving souls live at a distance from the mercy- seat, and become like the parched fields in times of drought. Prevalence with God in wrestling prayer is sure to make the believer strong—if not happy. The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you will have much assurance; little alone with Jesus, your religion will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears, and not sparkling with the joy of the Lord. Since the soul-enriching path of prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high attainments are required; since you are not bidden to come because you are an advanced saint, but freely invited if you be a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you are often in the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so Elijah drew the rain upon famished Israel’s fields.
There is another especial path dropping with fatness to those who walk therein, it is the secret walk of communion. Oh! the delights of fellowship with Jesus! Earth hath no words which can set forth the holy calm of a soul leaning on Jesus’ bosom. Few Christians understand it, they live in the lowlands and seldom climb to the top of Nebo: they live in the outer court, they enter not the holy place, they take not up the privilege of priesthood. At a distance they see the sacrifice, but they sit not down with the priest to eat thereof, and to enjoy the fat of the burnt offering. But, reader, sit thou ever under the shadow of Jesus; come up to that palm tree, and take hold of the branches thereof; let thy beloved be unto thee as the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, and thou shalt be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. O Jesus, visit us with thy salvation!
Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.
1. Do we ever think we have to be at a special place in our spiritual walk to pray?
2. What might it mean to be “fat” in fellowship with Jesus?
3. How did this devotion speak to you this morning?
4. Have you ever been that starving soul who lived within distance of the mercy seat? Are you there today? In what ways could you begin to “eat”?
1. Yes and no, yes, we sometimes feel guilty or unworthy to pray. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)No, we should always pray especially when we don’t feel like it. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing. God wants us to pray continually.
2. I believe that being “fat” in fellowship with Jesus is not just going to church and saying that I am a Christian, but it is talking to God and allowing him to talk to me through reading, prayer, and worship in our quiet time.
3. I can totally relate to this, because I have been supping with God for the two to four years. I have grown so much from keeping in constant fellowship with him, and not just going to church twice a week and listening to someone else talk about God. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalms 34:8
4. Yes, there have been times that I didn’t spend as much time with God as I do now. I am not there today. The ways I eat are by making a schedule with my quiet times, playing praise music most days and by helping and ministering to others. Also, through encouraging words, texting prayers and scripture. Luke 4:18
New King James Version (NKJV) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[a] To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Thank you for sharing this!! It reminds me of something that I heard at my church’s women’s retreat last weekend. The speaker told us her favorite line from a book that went something like this–If I had known God more I would have run to Him with a bucket instead of crawling to Him with a cup. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing this wonderful devotional book with us–I think I am going to have to buy a copy.
Suzie, I believe that I can pray anytime or anyplace. My weakness is that sometimes instead of praying I try to figure it out myself. I often wonder why I, as awoman who loves God so much, do not remember to seek His guidance ALWAYS! Especially when I know the result if I do…I would be “fat” in fellowship with Jesus! Not just blessed in my quiet time, my time with Him in worship at Mass receiving Him through and in Communion or when I think of it, but blessed by His wisdom, peace and understanding always. This devotion has given me strength to progress along my journey with my Lord and to never give up!