God Himself Shall Work
God will arise to deliver us and display His glory when we seek His face and trust Him in fervent prayer.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that in times of despair and affliction, God rises to exalt Himself and deliver His people. He illustrates that even when circumstances seem dire, such as a land laid waste and warriors in sorrow, the Lord responds to the cries of His people with grace and intervention. Spurgeon encourages believers to fervently seek God in prayer, trusting that He will act at the right moment for His glory. The ultimate desire should be for God's glory rather than just personal deliverance, as His exaltation brings about true hope and restoration. The sermon calls for a recognition of God's active work in our lives, urging us to magnify His greatness.
Text
Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. (Isaiah 33:10)
When the spoilers had made the land as waste as if devoured by locusts, and the warriors who had defended the country sat down and wept like women, then the Lord came to the rescue. When travelers ceased from the roads to Zion, and Bashan and Carmel were as vineyards from which the fruit has failed, then the Lord arose. God is exalted in the midst of an afflicted people, for they seek His face and trust Him. He is still more exalted when in answer to their cries He lifts up Himself to deliver them and overthrow their enemies.
Is it a day of sorrow with us? Let us expect to see the Lord glorified in our deliverance. Are we drawn out in fervent prayer? Do we cry day and night unto Him? Then the set time for His grace is near. God will lift up Himself at the right season. He will arise when it will be most for the display of His glory. We wish for His glory more than we long for our own deliverance. Let the Lord be exalted, and our chief desire is obtained.
Lord, help us in such a way that we may see that Thou Thyself art working. May we magnify Thee in our inmost souls. Make all around us to see how good and great a God Thou art.
Sermon Outline
- God's Exaltation in Affliction
- God's Exaltation in Deliverance
- Our Expectation of God's Glory
- We wish for His glory more than our own deliverance
- Let the Lord be exalted, and our chief desire is obtained
Key Quotes
“Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“God will lift up Himself at the right season.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Let the Lord be exalted, and our chief desire is obtained.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We must seek God's face and trust Him in our affliction, and He will exalt Himself to deliver us.
- We should wish for God's glory more than our own deliverance, because when He is exalted, our chief desire is obtained.
- We must cry day and night unto God in fervent prayer, and He will arise at the right season to deliver us.