Desires of Righteous Granted
God grants the desires of the righteous, and we should boldly ask for His best.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that the desires of the righteous are granted by God, as they align with His will and are beneficial for both the individual and society. He explains that unrighteous desires are not true reflections of a righteous person's heart and are rightfully denied by God. Spurgeon encourages believers to persist in their requests, trusting that God knows what is best for them, and to focus on desires for holiness, usefulness, and Christlikeness. He reassures that God will abundantly fulfill these righteous desires, urging the faithful to ask boldly and delight in the Lord.
Text
The desires of the righteous shall be granted. (Proverbs 10:24)
Because it is a righteous desire it is safe for God to grant it. It would be neither good for the man himself, nor for society at large, that such a promise should be made to the unrighteous. Let us keep the Lord's commands, and He will rightfully have respect to our desires.
When righteous men are left to desire unrighteous desires, they will not be granted to them. But then these are not their real desires; they are their wanderings or blunders, and it is well that they should be refused. Their gracious desires shall come before the Lord, and He will not say them nay.
Does the Lord deny us our requests for a time? Let the promise for today encourage us to ask again. Has He denied us altogether? We will thank Him still, for it always was our desire that He should deny us if He judged a denial to be best.
As to some things, we ask very boldly. Our chief desires are for holiness, usefulness, likeness to Christ, preparedness for heaven. These are the desires of grace rather than of nature -- the desires of the righteous man rather than of the mere man. God will not stint us in these things but will do for us exceeding abundantly. "Delight thy self also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." This day, my soul, ask largely!
Sermon Outline
- God Grants Righteous Desires points: - Because they are safe for the individual and society
- Unrighteous Desires are Not Granted points: - They are not the real desires of the righteous man - They are wanderings or blunders that should be refused
- God's Denial is Not a Rejection points: - It may be a delay, not a denial - It may be for our own good
- Boldly Ask for God's Best points: - Ask for holiness, usefulness, and likeness to Christ - These are the desires of the righteous man
Key Quotes
“Delight thy self also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- You should ask God for holiness, usefulness, and likeness to Christ.
- It is safe to ask God for things because He will grant righteous desires.
- You should delight in the Lord and ask for His best.