Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

April 18– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“You said [O God], ‘I will surely do you good.” 

—Genesis 32:12

When Jacob was on the other side of the brook called Jabbok, and Esau, his estranged brother, was coming toward him with armed men, he earnestly sought God’s protection. He reasoned with the Lord as he pleaded for his life, “You told me, [O God], that you will “surely do [me] good.’” Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to his word! “You said it,” [Lord]!

The attribute of God’s faithfulness is a splendid horn of the altar to grab ahold of. But the promise, which has in it the attribute and something more, is an even mightier anchor. If God said it, will he not do it? “Let God be true and every man a liar.” He is true, and every word that comes out of his lips will hold fast and be fulfilled.

When Solomon dedicated the temple, he used this same mighty plea. He pleaded with God to remember the word which he had spoken to his father David to bless that place. When a man gives a promissory note, his honor is engaged; he must discharge it when the note comes due, or else he loses credit. It will never be said that God doesn’t pay his bills. The credit of the Most High is impeccable. He pays on time– never early but never late.

Search God’s word and listen to the testimony of God’s people. Many an ancient patriarch has said with Joshua, “Not one thing has failed of all the good things the Lord has spoken; all has come to pass.” If you have a divine promise, you don’t need to plead with an “if” but, rather, with certainty. The Lord meant to fulfil the promise or he would not have given it. God does not give his words merely to calm us and keep us hopeful for a while only to put us off at last. When he speaks, it is because he means to do as he has said. [M&E]