Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 54:7-8

"For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In overflowing wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Jehovah thy Redeemer." — Isaiah 54:7-8 (ASV)

Have I forsaken thee: but with great mercies will I gather thee.

In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment: but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee; saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

This belongs to the whole Church of God. I know we might refer it all to the Church in general, but I invite you tonight to remember that what belongs to the Church as a body belongs to every member of that mystical body. Therefore, feast here. Do not be afraid. Take these words as spoken to you even to you – by God the Holy Spirit.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

What words of comfort lie here to those of the Lord's people who have fallen into spiritual darkness, and come upon evil days!

God still remembers you; his wrath is but for a moment, and will swiftly pass away; but his age-enduring kindness which sweeps across the boundless eternity shall be with you forever.

But with great mercies will I gather you. In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the LORD your Redeemer.

Oh, what a blessed mouthful this text is! I might rather say, What a heart full! What a soul full! It fills and overfills my soul, and gives me sweet content: With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the Lord your Redeemer.

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

These choice words do not need any explanation. This blessed plaster only needs to be applied to the wounded heart, and it will heal it at once. If the Lord will only speak these sentences into our souls, so that we may know that they are really meant for us, our rapture will be complete.

Let me read these verses again: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Jehovah thy Redeemer, – your God, – your next of kin, – your Advocate and Champion. What a blessed name is this, and what a wonderful combination is this, – Jehovah, your next of kin!