[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0812":3},"AUGUST 12\r\nWhereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1.4).\r\nWhen a shipwright builds a vessel, does he build it to keep it upon the stocks? Nay, he builds it for the sea and the storm. When he    was making it he thought of tempests and hurricanes; if he did not he was a poor shipbuilder.\r\nWhen God made thee a believer, He meant to try thee; and when He\r\ngave thee promises, and bade thee trust them, He gave such promises\r\nas are suitable for times of tempest and tossing. Dost thou think\r\nthat God makes shams like some that have made belts for swimming, which were good to exhibit in a shop, but of no use in the sea?\r\nWe have all heard of swords which were useless in war, and even of shoes which were made to sell, but were never meant to walk in.\r\nGod's shoes are of iron and brass, and you can walk to Heaven in them without their ever wearing out; and His fife-belts, you may\r\nswim a thousand Atlantics upon them, and there will be no fear of  your sinking. His Word of promise is meant to be tried and proved.\r\nThere is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His people to make\r\na show-thing of Him, and not to use Him. He loves to be employed by us. Covenant blessings are not meant to be looked at only, but to\r\nbe appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Thou dost not make use of Christ as thou oughtest to do.\r\nO man, I beseech you do not treat God's promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but use them as every day sources of\r\ncomfort. Trust the Lord whenever your time of need comes on. --C. H. Spurgeon.\r\nGo to the deeps of God's promise, And claim whatsoever ye will;\r\nThe blessing of God will not fail thee, His Word He will surely fulfill.\r\nHow can God say no to something He has promised.?",1783499793293]