Morning and Evening: A New Edition of the Classic Devotional Based on The Holy Bible, English Standard Version

Spurgeon is known as a ‘prince among preachers’, chiefly known for understanding and well filtering suffering through the sieve of the Word. Our Shepherd led Mr. Spurgeon in a giftedness that has rarely been matched. Spurgeon is also wonderfully quotable so, reading through his thoughts, as brief but deep, bookends to my day for these past two weeks has been fortifying.This updated and revised edition is a true gem specifically because when one is groggy waking up or depleted before resting for the evening: skipping ‘thee’s’, ‘thou’s’ and the antique jargon of Spurgeon’s time helps one get to the core of the timeless truths of his writings without distraction.NOTE: Out of curiosity I took the time to listen to the classic unedited version while reading this updated text- and I can confidently say: no funny business goes on. This version is a clean, author-honoring update for the modern reader. This devotional is excellent reading for the downtrodden, weary or just the Christian realist suffering the fiery arrows that come: uplifting and fortifying.All that said: this is not for the suffering saint alone! Far from it! Mr. Spurgeon can take a five word phrase from scripture and pack his devotional paragraph with eye opening understandings, using other scriptures for clarification. His ability to pause and hover over a diamond from scripture? Masterful.But my words of praise for Mr. Spurgeon stand in a crowd that goes back over a century. My review is really just to say how LOVELY it is to read Spurgeon modernized without any nourishment stripped. For what it’s worth? I would give five fancy gold stars to Mr. Begg for his courage in this endeavour and the terrrific job he did at keeping it faithful to the original.TLDR?What I loved:*Excellent devotional.*So many quotable moments, I am excited at the thought of how much encouragement I will get to encourage with.*Beautiful volume, a classic hardcover with good quality paper.*Comfort and enrichment for both ends of my day.*True to the original in modern language (nothing taken out but the antiquities).What I didn’t like:Nothing, it was pure excellence.Final thoughts: Please don’t use this to replace reading a good portion of scripture daily, please dear reader: saturate yourself in the Word.Completely random: My copy of this book wasn’t sent carefully, it was smashed on it’s way to my home but the book is so excellent I’m still thankful to have it. Also, there was puckering near the spine that I can’t tell if it’s because of shoddy craftsmanship or the shipping incident.If you made it to the end of this review: way to go champ! I do hope it helps you make the best choice for your devotional needs! (:

Everything about this book is timeless, and thus fitting for Spurgeon’s reflections. Every Christian classic should be so fortunate to get a remake like this. The artist, graphic text designer, Alistair Begg and all who conceptualized this volume deserve a bounty of praise for their careful and accessible formatting and design (evergreens, mountains, still waters and flames -- so absolutely perfect in reflecting aspects of life in the Beloved). I love everything about this version, but what was most surprising was the yeoman's work Begg did in updating the language while staying true to the text and somehow revealing more of Brother Chuck's heart to us modern-day readers. The result is a devotion that draws this reader (and will likely draw others) into deeper intimacy with Jesus.Example, from 3/9, morning -- the original reads: "Is not your adoration sweetened with affection as ye humbly bow before that countenance which is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars? Is there not a charm in his every feature, and is not his whole person fragrant with such a savor of his good ointments, that therefore the virgins love him? Is there one member of his glorious body which is not attractive? --one portion of his person which is not a fresh lodestone to our souls? --one office which is not a strong cord to bind your heart?"What sayeth thou? Got all that? It does take a bit, and I'm not sure there's much advantage to the older language in this case. Here’s how the updated text reads: "Is not your adoration sweetened with affection as you humbly bow before that face that is as excellent as the cedars of Lebanon? Is there not a beauty in His every feature, and is not His whole person fragrant with a savor of His goodness that we love Him? Is there one aspect of His being that is not attractive - one facet of His person that is not a blessing to our souls and a strong cord to bind our hearts?"OK, after reading that, how can you not fall in love again and swoon in the Spirit?This volume is a great addition to my personal library (so grateful to have it), and I’d be pleased to share a copy with others as a gift. If your church has a library, and you can afford the expense, please consider donating one so others can benefit, too.