God Will Bless You

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Book by Spurgeon, Charles Haddon

Genres: Theology, Christian Living

204 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1997

About the author

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Reviews

[Russell Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spurgeon's thesis is that the Beatitudes are steps of a "ladder of light": first one must recognize one's inadequacy/poverty of spirit, then mourn over this reality, become meek/patient/humble as a result, seek righteousness, etc. I agree with another reviewer in that the book is written like a devotion or sermon. It is very easy to read.

There are several rousing passages encouraging us to action. Here is a sample:

"Do you want to be up there in the day when the Prince of Truth and Right will review His armies? Do you want to be up there when the jubilant shout will split the heavens, “The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has conquered all His foes, and the Devil and all his hosts are put to flight?” Do you want to be up there, I say, when all His trophies of victory are displayed and the Lamb that was slain will be the reigning Monarch of all the nations, gathering sheaves of scepters beneath His arms and treading on the crowns of princes as worn out and worthless? Do you want to be there then? Then be here now—-here where the fight rages, here where the King's standard is unfurled—-and say to your God, “O Lord, since I have found righteousness in Christ, and I am myself saved, I am pledged to stand for the right and for the truth as long as I live; so keep me faithful even unto death."

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gives an interesting viewpoint to the Beatitudes. Spurgeon reinforces the idea that they are to be approached like steps of a ladder. One precedes the next.

[Alexis Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book, though at times more devotional than analytical. I'm not sure I buy his interpretation of the beatitudes, but it's still worth reading.