And Thou Saidst, I Will Surely Do Thee Good
The sermon emphasizes the power and certainty of God's promises, highlighting His faithfulness and truth.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the power of God's promises in his sermon 'And Thou Saidst, I Will Surely Do Thee Good,' using Jacob's plea for protection as a model for believers to hold God to His word. He highlights the faithfulness of God, asserting that His promises are reliable and will be fulfilled, just as Solomon invoked God's word during the temple's dedication. Spurgeon reassures that God's credit is impeccable, and He is always punctual in fulfilling His promises. He encourages believers to approach God's promises with certainty, knowing that they are not mere words but commitments that God intends to keep. The sermon serves as a reminder that God's faithfulness is a stronghold for those seeking His assurance.
Text
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 master reason he pleaded, "And Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good." Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to His word--"Thou saidst." 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 holdfast--"Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good."
And has He said, and shall He 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 cometh 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 honour is engaged; he signs his hand, and he must discharge it when the due time comes, or else he loses credit.
It shall never be said that God dishonours His bills. The credit of the Most High never was impeached, 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 through, and compare it with the experience of God's people, and you shall find the two tally from the first to the last. Many a hoary patriarch has said with Joshua, "Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass."
If you have a divine promise, you need not plead it with an "if," you may urge 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 awhile with the intention of putting us off at last; but when He speaks, it is because He means to do as He has said.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Power of God's Promises
- A. Jacob's plea: 'And Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good'
- B. The attribute of God's faithfulness
- C. The promise as a holdfast
- II. God's Character: Faithful and True
- A. 'Let God be true, and every man a liar'
- B. God's word stands fast and is fulfilled
- III. The Credit of the Most High
- A. God is punctual to the moment
- B. God's word is compared with the experience of God's people
- IV. The Certainty of Divine Promises
- A. No need to plead with an 'if'
- B. God means to fulfil the promise
Key Quotes
“And has He said, and shall He not do it?” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Let God be true, and every man a liar.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Shall not He be true? Shall He not keep His word?” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We can confidently hold onto God's promises, knowing that He is faithful and true.
- God's word stands fast and is fulfilled, and we can compare it with our experience to see its truth.
- When God gives a promise, He means to fulfil it, and we can trust in His punctuality and character.