I’ve been working my way through Spurgeon’s lesser-known devotional, The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith (1893), recently revised and updated by Tim Chester and published by Crossway as The Promises of God (2019).

Today’s entry demonstrates Sprugeon’s mastery of the Scriptures and unmatched ability to comfort people from God’s Word (often in 300 words or less).

“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8)

The last word in the Song of Solomon is, “Make haste, my beloved” (8:14). And among the last words of the book of Revelation we read, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’”; to which the heavenly Bridegroom answers, “Surely I come soon” (22:17, 20). Love longs for the glorious appearing of the Lord and enjoys this sweet promise: “The coming of the Lord is at hand.” This reassures our minds about the future. We look out with hope through this window.

This sacred “window of agate” lets in a flood of light upon the present (Isa. 54:12 KJV) and gets us in shape for immediate work or suffering. Are we tried? Then the nearness of our joy whispers patience. Are we growing weary because we do not see the harvest of our seed sowing? Again this glorious truth cries to us, “Be patient.” Do our multiplied temptations cause us to waver? Then the assurance that before long the Lord will be here preaches to us from this text, “Establish your hearts.” Be firm, be stable, be constant, be “steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). Soon will you hear the silver trumpet which announces the coming of your King. Do not be in the least bit afraid. Hold the fort, for he is coming. Indeed, he may appear this very day.

(The Promises of God, June 26)