Some people like to read so many [Bible] chapters every day. I would not dissuade them from the practice, but I would rather lay my soul asoak in half a dozen verses all day than rinse my hand in several chapters. Oh, to be bathed in a text of Scripture, and to let it be sucked up in your very soul, till it saturates your heart!
Interpretation
Spurgeon emphasizes the depth of understanding over the quantity of scripture read, advocating for reflection on fewer verses.
In this quote, Charles Spurgeon expresses a profound appreciation for the quality of one's engagement with biblical texts over mere quantity. He suggests that immersing oneself in a smaller portion of scripture, allowing it to deeply penetrate and influence one's life, is far more valuable than superficial reading of many chapters. Spurgeon's metaphor of being 'bathed' in scripture highlights the transformative power of allowing sacred texts to affect one's heart and soul, encouraging a serious, contemplative approach to spirituality.
In practice
In a sermon about the importance of deep spiritual connection, one might say: 'As Charles Spurgeon highlighted, sometimes less is more when it comes to scripture.'
Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
Here is a new spiritual practice for you: don't take your thoughts too seriously.
The Lord will always prepare a way for you to escape from the trials you will be given if you understand two things. One is that you need to be on the Lord's errand. The second thing you need to understand is that the escape will almost never be out of the trial; it will usually be through it.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, _x000D_ in the noisy confusion of life, _x000D_ keep peace in your soul. _x000D_ With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Any titles, money, or privilege you inherit are actually hindrances. They delude you into believing you are owed respect.
It is much easier to try one's hand at many things than to concentrate one's powers on one thing.
A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the crowd, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.