April 14, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him." — Isaiah 3:10 · KJV

It is well with the righteous always. Had it said, "Say ye to the righteous, that it is well with him in his prosperity," we would have been thankful for so great a boon, for prosperity is an hour of peril, and it is a gift from heaven to be kept from its snares. Or had it been written, "It is well with him when under persecution," we would have been thankful for so sustaining an assurance, for persecution is hard to bear. But since no time is mentioned, all time is included. God's "shalls" must always be understood in their largest sense. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, from the first gathering of evening shadows until the day-star shines, in all conditions and under all circumstances, it shall be well with the righteous. It is so well with him that we could not imagine it better; for he is well fed — he feeds on the flesh and blood of Jesus; he is well clothed — he wears the imputed righteousness of Christ; he is well housed — he dwells in God; he is well married — his soul is knit in bonds of marriage union to Christ; he is well provided for — the Lord is his Shepherd; he is well endowed — heaven is his inheritance. It is well with the righteous — well on divine authority; the mouth of God speaks the comforting assurance. O beloved, if God declares that all is well, ten thousand devils may declare it to be ill, but we laugh them all to scorn. Blessed be God for a faith that enables us to believe God when the creatures contradict Him! It is, says the Word, at all times well with you, righteous one; then, beloved, if you cannot see it, let God's word stand you in stead of sight; yes, believe it, on divine authority, more confidently than if your eyes and your feelings told it to you. Whom God blesses is blest indeed, and what His lip declares is truth most sure and steadfast.