Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

August 21– Evening

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

“I did not tell Jacob to seek me for nothing.”

—Isaiah 45:19

We can gain a lot of insight by considering what God has not said. What he has said is inexpressibly full of comfort and delight, and what he has not said can be just as rich in consolation. During the reign of Jeroboam, “the Lord did not say that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven.” That was God’s promise to bless and keep the kingdom of Judah intact. Likewise, in our text (here is Isaiah 45) we have an assurance that God will answer prayer precisely because he has not told the children of Israel to seek him for nothing. Put differently, Israel ought to seek God for something— for good reason.

If you are prone to fear and doubt and think that God has cut you off from his mercy, don’t think that unless God has said it.  And, if he hasn’t said it, then you shouldn’t either. Even the voice of conscience is of little weight if it is not seconded by the voice of God. If God has said it, then tremble, indeed! But don’t let your imagination overwhelm you with sinful despair. Many timid persons have been troubled by the suspicion that there may be something in God’s decree which shuts them out from hope. But this kind of thinking should be completely refuted, for no true seeker of God is destined for wrath. Seek the Lord!  And when you do, know that you do not seek him for nothing.

God has clearly revealed that he will hear the prayer of those who call upon him, and that declaration cannot be violated. He has so firmly, so truthfully, so righteously spoken that there can be no room for doubt. He speaks plainly and positively: “Ask, and you will receive.” Believe, O trembler, this sure truth: that prayer must and shall be heard and that never has the Lord said unto any living soul “Seek me for nothing.” [M&E]