Evening, August 8, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“All things are possible to him that believes.” — Mark 9:23

Many professing Christians are always doubting and fearing, and they unhappily think that this is the necessary state of believers. This is a mistake, for “all things are possible to him that believes,” and it is possible for us to escalate into a state in which a doubt or a fear shall be but as a bird of passage flitting across the soul, but never lingering there. When you read of the extraordinary and gratifying spiritual union enjoyed by favored believers, you sigh and complain in the center of your heart, “Sadly, these are not for me.” Oh climber, if you have only faith, you shall yet stand upon the sunny pinnacle of the temple, for “all things are possible to him that believes.” You hear of achievements which holy men have done for Jesus; what they have enjoyed of him; how much they have been like him; how they have been able to endure great persecutions for his sake; and you say, “Ah, as for me, I am but a worm; I can never attain to this.” But there is nothing which one saint was, that you may not be. There is no elevation of grace, no attainment of spirituality, no clearness of confidence, no post of duty, which is not open to you if you have but the power to believe. Lay aside your sackcloth and ashes, and rise to the dignity of your true position; you are little in Israel because you will be so, not because there is any necessity for it. It is not proper that thou should grovel in the dust, Oh child of a King. Ascend! The golden throne of transcendent reality is waiting for you! The crown of communion with Jesus is ready to adorn your forehead. Wrap yourself in scarlet and fine linen, and dine lavishly every day; for if you believe, you may eat the best of the wheat; your land shall flow with milk and honey, and you soul shall be satisfied as with a delicious rib steak. Gather golden bundles of grace, for they await you in the fields of faith. “All things are possible to him that believes.”

My notes: Spurgeon uses the term “assurance,” which I have rendered here in one instance, “confidence,” but in another, “transcendent reality” which is the way Little Kittel (The Greek dictionary of note) defines. In that sense, Hebrews 11:1 would read “Faith is the transcendent reality of things hoped for…” 

It should be noted that the second part of the verse in Mark is, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” So also I pray…