O Lord of Hosts, How Long Wilt Thou
God's love for His church is infinite, jealous, and protective, and He will not forget His children even in times of suffering.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes God's unwavering love for His church, assuring believers that despite their trials and tribulations, they are not forgotten. He encourages the faithful to remain patient and trust in God's promises, as their time of suffering will soon end and prosperity will come. Spurgeon highlights that God's discipline is not a sign of abandonment but rather a demonstration of His deep care and jealousy for His people. He reassures individuals that God knows each of them intimately and is always present, even in their darkest moments. Ultimately, believers are called to approach God with confidence and find peace in His everlasting love.
Text
What a sweet answer to an anxious enquiry! This night let us rejoice in it. O Zion, there are good things in store for thee; thy time of travail shall soon be over; thy children shall be brought forth; thy captivity shall end. Bear patiently the rod for a season, and under the darkness still trust in God, for His love burneth towards thee. God loves the church with a love too deep for human imagination: He loves her with all His infinite heart. Therefore let her sons be of good courage; she cannot be far from prosperity to whom God speaketh "good words and comfortable words."
What these comfortable words are the prophet goes on to tell us: "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy." The Lord loves His church so much that He cannot bear that she should go astray to others; and when she has done so, He cannot endure that she should suffer too much or too heavily. He will not have his enemies afflict her: He is displeased with them because they increase her misery. When God seems most to leave His church, His heart is warm towards her.
History shows that whenever God uses a rod to chasten His servants, He always breaks it afterwards, as if He loathed the rod which gave his children pain. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." God hath not forgotten us because He smites--His blows are no evidences of want of love. If this is true of His church collectively, it is of necessity true also of each individual member. You may fear that the Lord has passed you by, but it is not so: He who counts the stars, and calls them by their names, is in no danger of forgetting His own children. He knows your case as thoroughly as if you were the only creature He ever made, or the only saint He ever loved. Approach Him and be at peace.
Sermon Outline
- God's Love for His Church
- God's Chastening
- God's Love is Not Forgotten
- God's blows are no evidence of want of love
- God knows each individual member's case
Key Quotes
“God loves the church with a love too deep for human imagination: He loves her with all His infinite heart.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“He knows your case as thoroughly as if you were the only creature He ever made, or the only saint He ever loved.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- You can trust in God's love for you even in times of suffering.
- God's silence does not mean He has forgotten you; He is still working in your life.
- Approach God in faith and trust in His promises to know His love for you.