Morning, August 4
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Daniel 11:32
"The people that do know their God shall be strong."
Daniel 11:32
Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best
form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength
to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly
spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons who are enlightened and
taught of the Lord; they are said to "have an unction from the Holy
One," and it is the Spirit's peculiar office to lead them into all
truth, and all this for the increase and the fostering of their faith.
Knowledge strengthens love, as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door,
and then through that door we see our Saviour. Or, to use another
similitude, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see
that portrait then we love him, we cannot love a Christ whom we do not
know, at least, in some degree. If we know but little of the
excellences of Jesus, what he has done for us, and what he is doing
now, we cannot love him much; but the more we know him, the more we
shall love him. Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for a
thing if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope,
but till we receive instruction, our ignorance stands in the front of
the glass, and we can see nothing whatever; knowledge removes the
interposing object, and when we look through the bright optic glass we
discern the glory to be revealed, and anticipate it with joyous
confidence. Knowledge supplies us reasons for patience. How shall we
have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ, and
understand the good which is to come out of the correction which our
heavenly Father sends us? Nor is there one single grace of the
Christian which, under God, will not be fostered and brought to
perfection by holy knowledge. How important, then, is it that we should
grow not only in grace, but in the "knowledge" of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ.