Crossway recently started a new series titled “Crossway Short Classics.” The idea behind it is that “some of the greatest and most powerful Christian messages are also some of the shortest and most accessible.” I recently had the privilege of reading a book from the series, Encouragement for the Depressed by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Charles Spurgeon, also known as the prince of preachers, preached nearly 3600 sermons, delivered many lectures at the Pastor’s College he founded, and wrote several bestselling books before he died. This book features two of his works: Encouragement for the Depressed (sermon) and The Minister’s Fainting Fits (lecture).
Encouragement for the Depressed is a biblical exposition of Zechariah 4:10 KJV, which says, “For who hath despised the day of small things?” In this sermon, Spurgeon encourages believers who are dismayed because of their small beginnings. Specifically, weak believers weary of their little progress in the faith and feeble workers of Christ weary with their small following. He comforts them with the promises of God and urges them to hold on to God’s grace for strength.
In The Minister’s Fits, Spurgeon gives words of encouragement for ministers, but it applies to anyone who does the work of Christ. He enumerates different ways ministers may get discouraged using examples from the Holy Scriptures and his lifelong battle with depression. And here, too, Spurgeon directs us to the throne of grace to find help in our time of need.
This book is my first real exposure to Spurgeon’s writings, and it won’t be my last! Spurgeon writes the marvelous truths of God with such excellency and beauty; it’s incredible.
Though this book is only 64 pages, it was a huge blessing to me as I felt discouraged by my weakness in overcoming a reoccurring sin and the little progress in my online ministry. Spurgeon’s reminder of God’s grace even in our small beginnings and weakness was a breath of fresh air in my staling environment.
I highly recommend reading this book to receive the Father of mercies’ comfort through His servant’s words.
*Crossway graciously gave me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Favorite Quotes
“There is no villain that hates the souls of men and causes more sorrow to the people of God than this Mr. Live-by-Feeling.”
”Do not despise what graces you have. Thank God for them, and pray that the few clusters that are now upon you may be multiplied a thousandfold to the praise of the glory of his grace.”
“The day of small things is not only natural, but promising. Small things are living things. Let them alone, and they grow.”
“Never mind your feebleness, brethren, your fewness, your poverty, your want of ability. Throw your souls into God’s cause, pray mightily, lay hold on the gates of heaven, stir heaven and earth rather than be defeated in winning souls, and you will see results that will astonish you yet.”
“Your little thank offering, if given from your heart, is as acceptable as if it had been a hundred times as much.”
“It is not great faith that is essential to salvation, but faith that links the soul to Christ.”
“The Lord encourages weak believers, and the Lord accept the efforts of feeble workers, and send to both his richest benediction for Christ’s sake. ”
“God is always near the feeble saint.”
“Men cannot bear unalloyed happiness; even good men are not yet fit to have ‘their brows with laurel and with myrtle bound’ without enduring secret humiliation to keep them in their proper place.”
“Trust in God alone and lean not on the reeds of human help. Be not surprised when friends fail you: it is a failing world. Never count upon the immutability in man: inconstancy you may reckon upon without fear of disappointment.”
“Be content to be nothing, for that is what you are. When your own emptiness is painfully forced upon your consciousness, chide yourself that you ever dreamed of being full except in the Lord.”
“It is our duty and privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus.”
“Come fair or come foul, the pulpit is our watchtower and the ministry our warfare; be it ours, when we cannot see the face of our God, to trust under the shadow of his wings.”
