Your Only Comfort

Charles H. Spurgeon (1834–1892) was the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, for thirty-eight years, and his ministry exploded, resulting in the largest evangelical congregation of his day and the founding of 66 parachurch ministries, including a college and orphanage. He is widely regarded as one of the nineteenth century's best preachers, and his sermons have been translated into over forty languages.Geoffrey Chang, MDiv, PhD, serves as Assistant Professor of Historical Theology and the curator of the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also 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. 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