March 11th Evening

0:00You are listening to Morning and Evening, a daily devotional work by Reverend Charles Spurgeon. This reading is brought to you by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College, where you can pursue a gospel-centered degree both on campus or online. Learn more at mbts.edu-applied. Good evening. Today is March 11th. Thou shalt be called, sought out, Isaiah 62 verse 12. The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we are not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which

1:00is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. The loss is more perplexing, and the search more persevering when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire. We were, as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a mess of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found. Or to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth. We wondered hither and liver, and when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first coming. It had to search for us, and seek us out. For we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had wondered into such a strange country that it did not seem possible that even the good shepherd should trek our devious romings. Glory be to uncongerable grace we were sought

2:05out. No gloom could hide us. No filthiness could conceal us. We were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love. God the Holy Spirit restored us. The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written, would fill us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvellous other ways which God used in their case to find his own. Blessed be his name. He never relinquishes the search, until the chosen are sought out effectively. They are not a people sought today and cast away tomorrow. All mightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures. They shall be called sought out. That any should be sought out is matchless grace, but that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree. We can find no reason for it, but God earns sovereign love and can only lift up our heart in wonder and praise

3:07the Lord that this night we were the name of sought out. Loved ones, on this night were the peace of God which passes all understanding. Keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord.