As you walk through trials and face hardships of life, experience the hope and deep comfort of Christ, found in thirty days of devotionals taken from the sermons of Charles H. Spurgeon.
Beloved nineteenth-century pastor Charles Spurgeon wrestled with dark depression, debilitating illness, personal sorrow, and ministerial trials. Suffering was not just a component of his life—it was the dark cloud that hung over all his labors and accomplishments. Yet Spurgeon leaned into the caring hands of his unchanging, compassionate Savior who experienced suffering himself.
Your Only Comfort draws from Spurgeon’s best teachings on suffering to bring that comfort to a new generation. Suffering is inevitable in a fallen world, but it is in the middle of distress that the truth of our hope shines brightest. We can rest in the steadfast goodness of Christ, cling to God’s promises to bring good from our trials, and rejoice in the eternal glory that awaits believers.
Geoffrey Chang, MDiv, PhD, serves as Associate Professor of Historical Theology and the curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an elder at Wornall Road Baptist Church, the Book Review Editor for History and Historical Theology at Themelios (The Gospel Coalition), and is the author of many articles and books, as well as the editor of A Wondrous Mystery, Your Only Comfort, and What Depth of Love. He is married to Stephanie, and they have three children.
“Suffering is not an elective for the Christian. If we follow Jesus, it is a required course. As we traverse the dark valley, we need trusted friends to help us persevere. Your Only Comfort serves suffering believers by bringing them alongside the late great C. H. Spurgeon, who helps us honestly and hopefully lean on Jesus in affliction. Read and be encouraged to not lose heart!”
Garrett Kell, Pastor, Del Ray Baptist Church
“Since the mid-1800s, Charles Spurgeon has been widely known as ‘The Prince of Preachers,’ and rightly so. But he could just as fittingly be called a prince of writers about suffering. As Geoff Chang outlines in his introduction, Spurgeon suffered terribly—both emotionally and physically—for nearly the entirety of his thirty-eight-year pastorate in London. Aware of the great suffering always afflicting many in the large crowds who heard him, Spurgeon often shared with them in preaching and in print the solid comforts he received from Christ and his Word. In these pages is a collection of some of his choicest words of consolation and encouragement. Sufferers today will find them as fresh and meaningful as they were in Spurgeon’s day.”
Donald S. Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality, John H. Powell Professor of Pastoral Ministry, and Director of the Center for Biblical Spirituality, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Praying the Bible, and Family Worship
“Charles Spurgeon was well acquainted with suffering. Debilitating health problems plagued him for most of his ministry, and he struggled frequently with deep depression. His wife was an invalid. And thousands of people who heard him preach sought his counsel when they faced loss or misery of various kinds. His sermons and writings are rich with warm-hearted, empathetic, biblical counsel for those who suffer. Geoff Chang has collected a month’s worth of Spurgeon’s most helpful and hopeful words. This is a priceless resource for anyone going through dark days.”
Phil Johnson, Executive Director, Grace to You
“Geoff Chang knows Charles Spurgeon well. As this work highlights, one of Spurgeon’s grand themes throughout his ministry was suffering. This subject is often neglected, to our peril. Thankfully, Dr. Chang has brought Spurgeon’s words to life again. We are the better for Your Only Comfort.”
Brian Albert, Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church, Lenexa, KS
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In Your Only Comfort, New Growth Press presents devotions for hope in suffering by Charles H. Spurgeon. Edited by Geoffrey Chang, this beautiful book shows how to look to our Savior in the midst of suffering. I was reminded that we should expect suffering in this world, but I was also encouraged to learn more about our Savior’s love. “Thorns and thistles” spring forth in the natural world, the social world, the religious world, in our family lives, and in the little world of our own hearts. And through it all, the Spirit sanctifies our souls. We are members of Christ—and he is one who has wept, has walked in our shoes, and walks alongside us even now. Our Sympathetic Savior I was especially interested to discover the context in which one of the sermons was preached—after the Clayton Tunnel crash, which took place on August 25, 1861. At the time, it was the worst accident on the British railway system, killing 23 and injuring 176 passengers. Spurgeon powerfully called upon his hearers to reflect on their own sin, to humbly look to God, and to trust him with their souls. This was a minister who met his people with a word from God. As someone who knew suffering closely, Spurgeon consistently reminded his congregation that they belonged to God. He was sure that God would guide us as we go. “No harm can come to you if you’re bowed to God’s sovereign sway.” These short yet powerful meditations will help you experience the real sympathy of Christ and the comfort he brings to his people. We can have confidence that he has conquered—and we will wear the crown of glory soon. I received a media copy of Your Only Hope and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
