It is joy indeed to hear such petitions ascending, for they are born of the Spirit’s own groaning. You cry for the salvation of your households, grounding your plea upon the promise, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” This is no vain repetition; it is the very word of God. Salvation is of the Lord, entirely of the Lord. No human intellect contrived it; it was devised before the existence of angels. And since it is all of grace, your sin is by no means an impediment. What a door of hope this opens! No stony heart can withstand the fire of the Word when attended by the Holy Spirit. The gospel is a fire, of spiritual purity, of irresistible energy. As fire melts wax, so the truth melts the heart, removing the heart of stone and creating a heart of flesh. That same fire often causes the malice of hell to rage, but where the enemy’s fire burns against the gospel, there is a sign that God’s fire of divine grace is burning also. Therefore, persist in prayer for your families, and speak to them the word of life. Hearken to saving pleadings; incline your ear to the voice of wisdom, for she cries aloud. The way of wisdom is the way of God; it may be a path of fire, but the fire is often a path of progress. When you pass through the fire, He is with you; upon your bodies the flame shall have no power, nor shall the smell of fire pass on you. This is His promise, and He is faithful.
You ask for wisdom and understanding, crying out as Solomon bids. Lift your voice indeed. But remember, the wisdom that comes from above is revealed in the Word, and the Spirit gives the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, you will know the hope of His calling. Do not make a chart of a sea you have never sailed; listen to One who knows more than you. The path of the truly wise is to walk in the way of God’s commandments, and here you will discover the fear of the Lord. Continually ask for that spiritual hunger; crave the pure milk of the Word as newborn babes, for it is able to make you wise unto salvation.
You bring your pressing needs and duties, health, finances, the settling into routine. The labor of the olive may fail, and the flock be cut off, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. He who provides for the ravens will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Because He protects from hunger and gives springs of water, it is today the day of salvation; so much more will He care for your temporal necessities. Lay these matters before His mercy seat and leave them there. Meet your duties with diligence, and trust Him for daily bread. Grace is the fountainhead of salvation, and that same grace works in all the details of your life, making no impediment too great.
You plead a wall of fire round about you and your region, and you do well, for the Lord has promised, “I will be unto her a wall of fire round about.” When the three holy children walked in the furnace, the fire had no power over them. The path of fire may be a path of terror, but it is often a path of progress. That outward symbol is a shadow of the true protection the Lord gives His own. Though the flames of trial and evil influence rage, not a hair of your head shall be singed. His angels encamp round about them that fear Him. Pray without ceasing for your neighbors and local leaders, for in the welfare of the city you have peace. Cry for the convicting work of the Holy Spirit, who reproves the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The gospel fire will yet sweep through the streets. The seas of iniquity may slow its spread for a season, but that sea shall be utterly removed by the energy of divine truth.
Above all, keep the cross central. He who was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him, this is the heart of the gospel. The high-water mark of complete salvation shall be gained by every child of God. No bay of blasphemy, no creek of sin, can exceed the flood of Christ’s merit. Tonight, even tonight, is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. Hear the command: “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Go, therefore, and tell the gospel everywhere. God has hedged this truth about: salvation is of the Lord, from first to last, and in heaven this shall stand out in blazing letters of gold. Let your soul repose in that, and continue to make mention of these things in your prayers, ceasing not to give thanks, until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of His glory.