Neville Turley

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 (ESV)

God bless you. How many times have you heard those words or said them yourself to someone for whom you wish the very best? What is God’s blessing?

The key to being happy and blessed by God is to read, hear and obey his Word. 

Charles Hadley Spurgeon (1834-1892) was regarded as the “Prince of Preachers”.  He was the Billy Graham of his generation. For 38 years he was the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church in London. A skilled orator, his preaching attracted audiences of 10 000 each week. His sermons were in such demand that they were written in shorthand as he preached them then printed and widely circulated. His sermons are still being printed and distributed today.

In a biography written after Spurgeon’s death JT Allen relates the experience of a young man’s first meeting with Spurgeon.

"I was invited to address a women’s meeting at the Tabernacle Church. I never dreamt that Spurgeon would be present, but he was.  My courage failed me, and my address left me. I commenced my speech by saying I am a bad speaker. All I know is the ABC Gospel.

"A stands for ‘All have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. B stands for ‘Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world’. My last is C ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.’

"I sat down quite expecting Spurgeon would be disgusted with me. To my astonishment, he approached me with tears rolling down his cheeks. He shook my hand warmly and said, “God bless you my young brother. Stick to that kind of talk”.

Jesus is God’s blessing to us. Our hope is anchored in him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus your Son our Lord, who reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen