Here is an excerpt from the final section of Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “Real Prayer”, one of dozens of sermons he preached on prayer over his 38-year ministry.
“Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” – Psalm 50:15
Finally in this precious promise from the Lord, we are told that “you shall glorify me”.
Here is an agreement, a covenant that God enters into with those who pray to him and are helped by him. He says, “You will have the deliverance, but I must have the glory. You will pray, I will bless, and then you will honor my holy name.”
Here is a delightful partnership: we obtain what we so greatly need, and all that God asks is the glory that is due unto his name. Poor troubled heart, I am sure you do not object to these terms. “Sinners,” says the Lord, “I will give you pardon, but you must give me the honor for it.” Our only answer is, “Yes, Lord, that we will, forever and ever.”
“Come,” he says, “I will put you into my family, but my grace must have the glory.” And we say, “Yes, that it will, my good Lord!”
Think of the one who will not glorify the Lord. Stop, you thief! Where are you going? Running away with a portion of God’s glory? A person who would steal God’s glory must be quite a villain! Take for example a man who was recently an alcoholic. God has loved him and made him sober, but he takes the credit and is extremely proud of his sobriety. What foolishness! Stop it! Give glory to God for your deliverance from the degrading vice, or else you are still degraded by ingratitude.
Take another man as an example. He used to swear, but he has been praying now. He even delivered a sermon the other night, or at least a personal testimony. He has been as proud as a peacock about this. O Bird of Pride, when you look at your fine feathers, remember your black feet and your hideous voice! O reclaimed Sinner, remember your former character, and be ashamed! Give God the glory if you have ceased to use profane language. Give God the glory for every part of your salvation.
Go out, you saved one and proclaim what the Lord has done for you. Come, poor soul, you who are in the deepest of trouble – God means to glorify himself by you! The day will yet come when you will comfort other mourners by telling your happy experience. The day will yet come when you who are outcasts will preach the gospel to outcasts. The day will come, poor fallen woman, when you will lead other sinners to the Savior’s feet where you now stand weeping!
O desponding Sinner, come to Jesus! Do call upon him, I entreat you! Be persuaded to call upon your God and Father. If you can do no more than groan, groan unto God. Drop a tear, heave a sigh, and let your heart say to the Lord, “O God, deliver me for Christ’s sake! Save me from my sin and the consequences of it.”
As surely as you pray this way, he will hear you and say “Your sins are forgiven go in peace.” May it be so for you today, my friend.
Give God the glory today for your life and salvation. Even if you don’t believe in him, he sure believes in you. Or you wouldn’t be here.