Prayer and praise are the oars by which a man may row his boat into the deep waters of the knowledge of Christ.
Interpretation
Prayer and praise are essential tools for gaining a deeper understanding of faith.
In this quote, Charles Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of prayer and praise as the means through which an individual can navigate their spiritual journey towards knowing Christ more intimately. Just as oars guide a boat through waters, these practices enable one to explore and deepen their relationship with the divine, leading to a richer, more profound understanding of their faith.
In practice
In a sermon about spiritual growth, one might use this quote to encourage the congregation to engage in regular prayer and praise.
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.
If I have any insight at all to contribute it is this: find out what you are really good at and stick to it.
The most deadly disease truly is the failure of the heart.
May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true. May you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong. May you stay forever young.
Learn young about hard work and manners - and you'll be through the whole dirty mess and nicely dead again before you know it.
That distrust which intrudes so often on your mind is a mode of melancholy, which, if it be the business of a wise man to be happy, it is foolish to indulge; and if it be a duty to preserve our faculties entire for their proper use, it is criminal. Suspicion is very often an useless pain.
Most novices picture themselves as masters - and are content with the picture. This is why there are so few masters.
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