Evening, April 18, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“For You said, ‘I will surely prosper you.’” — Genesis 32:12

When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God’s protection, and as a chief reason he appealed, “For You said, ‘I will surely prosper you.”” Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to his word—”You said.” The attribute of God’s faithfulness is a splendid horn of the altar to lay hold upon; but the promise, which has in it the attribute and something more, is a yet mightier anchor—”For You said, ‘I will surely prosper you.”” And has he said anything, and he shall not do it? “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” Shall not he be true? Shall he not keep his word? Shall not every word that comes out of his lips stand fast and be fulfilled? Solomon, at the opening of the temple, used this same mighty plea. He pleaded with God to remember the word which he had spoken to his father David, and to bless that place. When a man gives a promissory note, his honor is engaged; he gives his signature, and he must discharge it when the due time comes, or else he loses credit. It shall never be said that God dishonors his bills. The credit of the Most High never was impugned, and never shall be. He is punctual to the moment: he never is before his time, but he never is behind it. Search God’s word throughout, and compare it with the experience of God’s people, and you shall find the two match from the first to the last. Many an ancient patriarch has said with Joshua, “Not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.” If you have a divine promise, you need not beg its fulfillment with an “if,” you may push for it with certainty. The Lord meant to fulfil the promise, or he would not have given it. God does not give his words merely to quiet us, and to keep us hopeful for a while with the intention of putting us off at last; but when he speaks, it is because he means to do as he has said.