D. Scott Meadows

“Let the people renew their strength.” —Isaiah 41:1

2 JANUARY PM, MORNING AND EVENING BY C. H. SPURGEON

All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continues by itself. “Thou renewest the face of the year [or, earth],” was the Psalmist’s utterance [Psa 104.30].

Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labor, must drink of the rain of heaven and suck from the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon, which God has planted, only live because day by day they are full of sap fresh drawn from the earth.

Neither can man’s life be sustained without renewal from God. As it is necessary to repair the waste of the body by the frequent meal, so we must repair the waste of the soul by feeding upon the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-fattening table of the ordinances.

How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starvelings some saints are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew.

Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within. When the whirlwind shall be loosed, woe to the tree that hath not sucked up fresh sap, and grasped the rock with many inter-twisted roots. When tempests arise, woe to the mariners that have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought the haven. If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, perhaps, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow.

Let us draw near to the footstool of divine mercy in humble entreaty, and we shall realize the fulfillment of the promise, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength” [Isa 40.31].

On Isaiah 41.1

Especially starting with Isaiah 40, the message of God’s grace to save His chosen people is emphasized in the book of Isaiah. The presenting threat historically was oppression by Gentile nations, especially Assyria, in the days of King Hezekiah. However, these are but particular instances of all the hosts of evil arrayed against the complete salvation of those in the world especially beloved by God. The overthrow of these enemies in history is but a blessed prelude to the total deliverance of the Church along with cosmic renewal in God’s redeeming work upon the Last Day. The New Creation is coming!

Therefore, as a true evangelist, Isaiah proclaimed to his hearers then, and the Spirit of God proclaims to every true Christian believer coming upon this passage now, that we must continue to hope in God’s mercy for our salvation, both now and forever. The snippet Spurgeon chooses in Isaiah 41.1, “Let the people renew their strength,” comes upon the heels of the well-known divine promise of Isaiah 40.31, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Therefore, Spurgeon handles the text with accuracy and for our great edification.

The structure of this devotional message
I. Dependence of all creatures upon their Creator
II. Dependence of trees upon God
III. Dependence of our whole being, body and soul, upon God
IV. True piety dependent on regular use of the means of grace
V. Spiritual disaster after neglecting those means
VI. Exhortation to pray for the merciful provision of spiritual strength

Especially important truths
1. “No created thing continues by itself” (para. 1). This is the doctrine of divine aseity joined with the doctrine of Providence. God alone is self-existent; His being is “from Himself” (a se). Not so His creatures, which are absolutely, minutely, and perpetually dependent upon Him for everything about them. “God’s works of providence are His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all His creatures, and all their actions” (WSC #11). This is the biblical worldview so rare today and opposing all others.

2. The “means of grace” are indispensable for Christians to maintain spiritual health and vitality. Spurgeon first lists the “Word” (i.e., Scripture), especially as it is preached, and the ordinances (two, baptism and the Lord’s Supper; para. 3). “Word and sacraments [or, ordinances] are the sole officially ordained or instituted instruments or means of grace” (Muller, DLGTT, “media gratiae”). Consistent with 2LCF 14.1, Spurgeon also presents prayer as an instrument for the increase and strengthening of our faith. Every Christian ought to attend diligently (para. 4) upon these spiritual helps from God, both ecclesiastical and private. Do you think of the Lord’s Supper as a “soul-fattening table” (para. 3)?

3. Every Christian faces spiritual tests and trials that would be his or her undoing except for the grace of God. Fear of them is unhelpful unless it prompts to preparation beforehand. How can we expect to fare well in hard times if we let our souls grow malnourished?

4. We must make a habit of resorting to God in prayer, knowing full well our desperate need, and anticipating His inestimable mercy in answer to our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4.16). Ω