Spurgeon encouragement
I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. - Isaiah 45:19
“…You who say bitter things against yourselves should remember that, no matter what your doubts and fears may say, if God has not cut you off from mercy, there is no room for despair. Even the voice of conscience is of little weight if it is not seconded by the voice of God. What God has said, tremble at! But do not allow false ideas to overwhelm you with despondency and sinful despair. …
“…no true seeker can be decreed to wrath: ‘I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not [even in the secret of My unsearchable decree] unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain’ [Isa. 45:19]. …
“Trembling one, believe these sure truths – that prayer must and will be heard, and that never, even in the secrets of eternity, has the Lord said to any living soul, ‘Seek ye me in vain.’”
- excerpted from Morning and Evening, Revised Modern English version, Charles Spurgeon, August 21 entry (evening reading)
Labels: encouragement, Spurgeon
posted by Anonymous at 11:19 AM
8 Comments:
Susan,
I am so glad you posted this quote. Spurgeon and Scripture affirm that all who sincerely seek God will find him. It is such a misconception of Calvinism to say that the non-elect will be turned away if they come.
The external call is to faith and trust in Jesus as our saviour and not to try to figure out if you are elect or not. Come one and all to drink the living water and if you do, you are elect. This is the gospel and Spurgeon preached it day-in and day-out.
August 25, 2007 12:18 PM
the non-elect will be turned away if they come
I've never heard of such a thing. Certainly is not Scriptural.
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." - John 6:37
August 25, 2007 2:58 PM
And Wayne, yes, I really am enjoying reading Spurgeon's Morning and Evening (I usually read both entries in the morning - can't resist). His writing is delightful. Admonishing and encouraging both. I particularly liked these snippets. So refreshing to feel encouraged, especially "if God has not cut you off from mercy, there is no room for despair."
We can *always* look and see that God has not cut us off from His mercy. Likewise, we should allow *no* room for despair.
I'm glad you like the quote as well.
August 25, 2007 3:01 PM
Susan, thanks for posting this. The only way to combat the twistings, half-truths, straw-men mischaraterizations of Calvinism is to quote the great thinkers from the Calvinist camp; and to do so in a way that the context is undeniable.
August 25, 2007 8:13 PM
Mark, I agree.
And this particular entry was encouraging to me.
Sometimes I think all of us can fall prey to discouragement, and I found these words of Spurgeon's particularly comforting.
Thank you for asking me to post this at bluecollar. I'm always pleased when you find a particular post at my place worthy of "the blue."
August 25, 2007 9:49 PM
Susan: "Hey! I thought that old guy died or something!"
Mark: "Who does he think he is disappearing like that and then just jumping in as if nothing happened?"
Jazzy: "I'm telling Wayne..."
Scribe: "I think he's mad about you guys raiding his 'frig."
Gayla: "Be nice. He's got seven kids, you know."
Cristina: "Yeah. And don't forget, he's old. He probably forgot how to find the blogs!"
OK! OK! All I wanted to say is how happy I am to find Spurgeon waiting for me upon my prodigal son styled return! I'm unworthy of a place in your household!
Dave
August 25, 2007 9:51 PM
Dave Who?
;-)
August 26, 2007 3:30 PM
Just teasin', ya know.
Good to "see" you again!
August 26, 2007 3:31 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home