Evening, March 11
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Isaiah 62:12
"Thou shalt be called, Sought out."
Isaiah 62:12
The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not
only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon
the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not
seeking out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more
persevering when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire:
we were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and
men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and
continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure
is found. Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth; we
wandered hither and thither, and when mercy came after us with the
gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us
and seek us out; for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had
wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible
that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be
to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no
filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home. Glory be
to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!
The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written would fill
us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvellous are the ways which
God used in their case to find his own. Blessed be his name, he never
relinquishes the search until the chosen are sought out effectually.
They are not a people sought today and cast away to-morrow.
Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures, they shall be
called, "Sought out!" That any should be sought out is matchless grace,
but that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree! We can find no
reason for it but God's own sovereign love, and can only lift up our
heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name
of "Sought out."