Evening, April 2
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Isaiah 53:10
"He shall see his seed; he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of
the Lord shall prosper in his hand."
Isaiah 53:10
Plead for the speedy fulfilment of this promise, all ye who love the
Lord. It is easy work to pray when we are grounded and bottomed, as to
our desires, upon God's own promise. How can he that gave the word
refuse to keep it? Immutable veracity cannot demean itself by a lie,
and eternal faithfulness cannot degrade itself by neglect. God must
bless his Son, his covenant binds him to it. That which the Spirit
prompts us to ask for Jesus, is that which God decrees to give him.
Whenever you are praying for the kingdom of Christ, let your eyes
behold the dawning of the blessed day which draweth near, when the
Crucified shall receive his coronation in the place where men rejected
him. Courage, you that prayerfully work and toil for Christ with
success of the very smallest kind, it shall not be so always; better
times are before you. Your eyes cannot see the blissful future: borrow
the telescope of faith; wipe the misty breath of your doubts from the
glass; look through it and behold the coming glory. Reader, let us ask,
do you make this your constant prayer? Remember that the same Christ
who tells us to say, "Give us this day our daily bread," had first
given us this petition, "Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy
will be done in earth as it is in heaven." Let not your prayers be all
concerning your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfections, your
own trials, but let them climb the starry ladder, and get up to Christ
himself, and then, as you draw nigh to the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat,
offer this prayer continually, "Lord, extend the kingdom of thy dear
Son." Such a petition, fervently presented, will elevate the spirit of
all your devotions. Mind that you prove the sincerity of your prayer by
labouring to promote the Lord's glory.