This devotion by Charles Spugeon is offered by Apprising Ministries for your encouragement. Let us pray the Lord will grant us at least one man such as a Spurgeon to stand tall during this New Downgrade No-Controversy:

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. (John 6:18)

Do not consider that adverse circumstances are a proof that you have missed your road, for they may even be evidence that you are in the good old way, since the path of believers is seldom without trial. You did well to embark and to leave the shore; but remember, though our Lord has insured the vessel and guaranteed that you shall reach your haven, He has not promised that you shall sail over a sea of glass; on the contrary, He has told you that “in the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:13 KJV), and you may all the more confidently believe in Him because you find His warning to be true.

Their Lord had bidden His disciples make for the other side, and therefore they did their best and continued rowing all night, but making no progress whatever because the wind was dead against them. Probably you have heard it said that if a Christian man does not go forward, he goes backward; that is not altogether true, for there are times of spiritual trial when, if a man does not go backward, he is really going forward. The Christian man may make little or no headway, and yet it may be no fault of his, for the wind is contrary. Our good Lord will take the will for the deed and reckon our progress, not by our apparent advance, but by the hearty intent with which we tug at the oars.

(Charles Spurgeon, At the Master’s Feet, November 23)