Thy Kingdom Come
“I actually grew up on Matthew Henry. Henry’s positive attitude was something I needed. I grew up in a more depressing, hyper-Calvinistic tendency where religion was, I wouldn’t say a burden, but it was very, very heavy and there were very few moments of joy. I saw joy in Matthew Henry’s writings―a joy to serve the Lord, a joy to be a minister of the gospel.”
― Joel Beeke, Matthew Henry: The Life and Times of the Bible Commentator
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) was a 17th century nonconformist minister and author, born in Wales but spending much of his life in England. Henry is best known for his six-volume commentary on the Bible.
Recently on The Whole Counsel podcast, we have been joined by Hugh Morrison to discuss the topic of prayer. We hope that this devotional, excerpted from Matthew Henry’s A Method for Prayer, will encourage you in that joyful privilege and sober duty.
“Thy kingdom come.”
Matthew 6:10
In order to the sanctifying and glorifying of thy Holy name, Father in heaven, let thy kingdom come, for thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all: Both riches and honor come of thee; thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and might, in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. And we desire to speak of the glorious majesty of thy kingdom, for it is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures throughout all generations. Thou rulest by thy power for ever, thine eyes behold the nations. O let not the rebellious exalt themselves, but through the greatness of thy power let thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. 1 Chronicles 29:11, 12. Psalm 145:11,13. Psalm 66:7, 3.
O make it to appear that the kingdom is thine, and that thou art the governor among the nations, so evident, that they may say among the heathen, The Lord reigneth; that all men may fear, and may declare the work of God, and may say, “Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.” Make all the kings of the earth to know that the heavens do rule, even that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and to praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment, and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Psalm 22:28. Psalm 96:10. Psalm 64:9. Psalm 58:11. Daniel 4:25, 26, 37.
O let the kingdom of thy grace come more and more in the world, that kingdom of God which cometh not with observation, that kingdom of God which is within men. Let it be like leaven in the world, diffusing its relish till the whole be leavened, and like a grain of mustard-seed, which though it be the least of all seeds, yet when it is grown, is the greatest among herbs. Luke 17:20, 21. Matthew 13:33,31, 32.
Let the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ: Take unto thyself thy great power, and reign, though the nations be angry. Set up thy throne there where Satan’s seat is; let every thought be brought into obedience to thee, and let the law of thy kingdom be magnified and made honourable. Revelation 11:15, 17, 18. Revelation 2:13. 2 Corinthians 10:5. Isaiah 42:21.
Let that kingdom of God, which is not in word, but in power, be set up in all the churches of Christ. Send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion, and rule by the beauty of holiness. 1 Corinthians 4:20. Psalm 110:2, 3.
Where the strong man armed hath long kept his palace, and his goods are in peace, let Christ, who is stronger than he come upon him, and overcome him, and take from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divide the spoil. Luke 11:21, 22.
O give to the Son of man dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages may serve him, and the judgment may be given to the saints of the most High. Daniel 7:14, 22.
Let the kingdom of thy grace come more and more in our land, and the places where we live. There let the word of the Lord have free course and be glorified, and let not the kingdom of God be taken from us, as we have deserved it should, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 2 Thessalonians 3:1. Matthew 21:43.
Let the kingdom of thy grace come into our hearts, that they may be the temples of the Holy Ghost. Let no iniquity have dominion over us: Overturn, overturn, overturn the power of corruption there, and let him come whose right our hearts are, and give them him; make us willing, more and more willing in the day of thy power. Rule in us by the power of truth, that being of the truth, we may always hear Christ’s voice; and may not only call him Lord, Lord, but do the things that he saith. And let the love of Christ command us, and constrain us, and his fear be before our eyes, that we sin not. 1 Corinthians 3:16. Psalm 119:133. Ezekiel 21:27. Psalm 110:3. John 18:37. Luke 6:46. 2 Corinthians 5:14. Exodus 20:20.
O let the kingdom of thy glory be hastened; we believe it will come, we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus, to come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; we hope that he shall appear to our joy; we love his appearing; we are looking for, and hasting to the coming of the day of God: Make us ready for it, that we may then lift up our heads with joy, knowing that our redemption draws nigh. And O that we may have such first fruits of the Spirit, as that we ourselves may groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, even the redemption of our body; and may have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is best of all. Philippians 3:20. Matthew 24:30. Isaiah 66:5. 2 Timothy 4:8. 2 Peter 3:12. Matthew 24:44. Luke 21:28. Romans 8:23. Philippians 1:23.
Blessed Jesus, be with thy ministers and people (as thou hast said) always even unto the end of the world: And then (as thou hast said) surely I come quickly, even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly: When the mystery of God shall be finished, make haste, our beloved, and be thou like to a roe, or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices. Matthew 28:20. Revelation 22:20. Revelation 10:7. Canticle (Song of Solomon) 8:14.