"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 fulfillment 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.
Morning and Evening Index
