Evening, April 2
Go To Morning Reading
“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 fulfilment 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.