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.
How can we know ourselves? Never by reflection, but only through action. Begin at once to do your duty and immediately you will know what is inside you.
Banality is like boredom: bored people are boring people, people who think that things are banal are themselves banal. Interesting people can find something interesting in all things.
I would rather speak the truth to ten men than blandishments and lying to a million. Try it, ye who think there is nothing in it! Try what it is to speak with God behind you, to speak so as to be only the arrow in the bow which the Almighty draws.
No one is more miserable than the person who wills everything and can do nothing.
If we wish to follow Christ closely, we cannot choose an easy, quiet life. It will be a demanding life, but full of joy.
All I can say is I did the best I could, and I didn't do well enough on many occasions.
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