Morning & Evening: Morning Devo, Aug. 18th

Monday, August 18, 2025

"Strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the Lord's house."

Morning Thought

In this account the faces of the Lord's people were covered with shame, for it was a terrible thing that men should intrude into the Holy Place reserved for the priests alone. Everywhere about us we see like cause for sorrow. How many ungodly men are now educating with the view of entering into the ministry! What a crying sin is that solemn lie by which our whole population is nominally comprehended in a National Church! How fearful it is that ordinances should be pressed upon the unconverted, and that among the more enlightened churches of our land there should be such laxity of discipline. If the thousands who will read this portion shall all take this matter before the Lord Jesus this day, he will interfere and avert the evil which else will come upon his Church. To adulterate the Church is to pollute a well, to pour water upon fire, to sow a fertile field with stones. May we all have grace to maintain in our own proper way the purity of the Church, as being an assembly of believers, and not a nation, an unsaved community of unconverted men.

Our zeal must, however, begin at home. Let us examine ourselves as to our right to eat at the Lord's table. Let us see to it that we have on our wedding garment, lest we ourselves be intruders in the Lord's sanctuaries. Many are called, but few are chosen; the way is narrow, and the gate is strait. O for grace to come to Jesus aright, with the faith of God's elect. He who smote Uzzah for touching the ark is very jealous of his two ordinances; as a true believer I may approach them freely, as an alien I must not touch them lest I die. Heart searching is the duty of all who are baptized or come to the Lord's table. "Search me, O God, and know my way, try me and know my heart."

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Jeremiah 51:51 — "Strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the Lord's house."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 18, 2025

A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword."
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
"[Concerning his explanations of the parables about the Kingdom, Jesus asked his disciples:] "Do you understand all these things?" "Yes," they..."
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"If the world were like me, what kind of a world would this world be?"
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Faithful Follower, One of the marks of Our — Father, Son, and Spirit's — people has been their acceptance of "moving out," that is,...."

About This Devotional

'Morning and Evening' is the classic daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.

Written by Charles H. Spurgeon.