Spurgeon: March PM
* 03/11/PM
"Thou shalt be called, Sought out."
--Isaiah 62:12
The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we
were not only sought, but sought out . Men seek for a thing
which is 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 mass 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 wandered hither and thither, 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 wandered into such a
strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the
Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to
unconquerable grace, we were sought out ! 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 are
the 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 effectually. They are not a people sought to-day
and cast away to-morrow. Almightiness 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's own sovereign love, and can only lift up our heart in
wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of
" Sought out ."