May 3 Morning Devotional | Expect Trouble | Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon

Morning, May 3 | “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33 (NASB)

This Evening's Scripture Reading: John 16:23-33 (NASB)

In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
“These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”
His disciples said, “Lo, now You are speaking plainly and are not using a figure of speech. Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Devotional Video Transcript:

Are you asking the reason for this, believer? Look upward to your heavenly Father, and behold him pure and holy. Do you know that you are one day to be like him? Will you easily be conformed to his image? Will you not require much refining in the furnace of affliction to purify yourself? Will it be an easy thing to get rid of your corruptions, and make you perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect?

Next, Christian, turn your eye downward. Do you know what foes you have beneath your feet? You were once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Do you think that Satan will let you alone? No, he will be always at you, for he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, NASB) Expect trouble, therefore, Christian, when you look beneath you.

Then look around you. Where are you? You are in an enemy’s country, a stranger and a sojourner. The world is not your friend. If it is, then you are not God’s friend, for he who is the friend of the world is the enemy of God. Be assured that you shall find foes everywhere. When you sleep, think that you are resting on the battlefield; when you wake, suspect an ambush in every hedge. As mosquitoes are said to bite strangers more than natives, so will the trials of earth be sharpest to you.

Lastly, look within you, into your own heart and observe what is there. Sin and self are still within. Ah, if you had no devil to tempt you, no enemies to fight you, and no world to ensnare you, you would still find in yourself evil enough to be a sore trouble to you, for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9) Expect trouble then, but do not despair on account of it, for God is with you to help and to strengthen you. He has said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15, NASB)

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Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening is a classic daily devotional that has been inspiring Christians for over 150 years. It is a collection of 732 meditations on Scripture, one for each morning and evening of the year. Spurgeon's writing is known for its clarity, insight, and wit, and his devotionals are full of practical wisdom and encouragement.

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Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

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