Spurgeon: July AM
* 07/15/AM
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never
go out."
--Leviticus 6:13
Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very
life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their
fires here, there- fore let this burn well. Secret devotion is
the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and
experimental religion.
Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons
be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual
prayer availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us
suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children,
your relations, your neighbours, your country, and the cause of
God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine ourselves on
this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private
devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts?
Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at
this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the
Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special
seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be
smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim
the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in
the Church and in the world.
The text will also apply to the altar of the heart . This is
a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of His people
glowing towards Himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all
blazing with love, and seek His grace, that the fire may never
be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it
burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the
unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will
blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel
for our heart's fire, they are live coals; let us attend
sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.