by singing hymn number 263. The
tune is Malcolm, number 369. Jesus, the glorious head of grace,
knows every saint's peculiar case, what sorrows by their souls
are born, and how for sin they daily mourn. He knows how deep
their groanings are, and what their secret sighs declare, and
for their comfort has expressed that all such mourning souls
are blessed. In number 263, tune Malcolm,
number 369. ? Jesus, Lord, have mercy on us ? ? In your eyes ? ? Once I raised
my hands on the moon ? ? And now close to you they bear me
close ? O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave? O say can you see, by the dawn's
early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's Let us forever desire it, Lift
it up ever more, O praise. Exult and they shall surely find
Their everlasting in the sight. ? Hail, all hail, all hail the
glory of graciousness ? ? Now greatly proudly do them praise
? God who takes away the sins of
the world, makes a place for us in his heaven. O come all ye faithful joyful
and triumphant O'er the land of the free and the home of the
brave and with thy holy face, O Lord,
enjoy thy comforts evermore. Shall we read together in God's
holy word from the gospel according to John chapter 14. John chapter 14. Let not your heart be troubled,
You believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many
mansions. If it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again. and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may
be also. And whither I go ye know, and
the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord,
we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the father
but by me. If he had known me, he should
have known my father also. From henceforth ye know him and
have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord,
show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, have I
been so long time with you? And yet hast thou not known me,
Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen
the Father. And how sayest thou then, show
us the Father? Believest thou not that I am
in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you,
I speak not of myself. But the Father that dwelleth
in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father,
and the Father in me. or else believe me for the very
work's sake. Verily, verily I say unto you,
he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also. Greater works than these shall
he do, because I go unto my Father. Whatsoever you should ask in
my name, That will I do, that the Father may be glorified in
the Son. If you should ask anything in
my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commands. And I will pray the Father, and
he shall give you another comforter. He may abide with you forever,
even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because
it seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him, for he dwelleth
with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless,
I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world
seeth me no more. But ye see me, because I live,
ye shall live also. At that day you shall know that
I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments
and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth
me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will
manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot,
Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us? and
not unto the world. Jesus answered and said unto
him, If a man love me, he will keep my words. My Father will
love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with
him. He that loveth me not keepeth
not my sayings. The word which ye hear is not
mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto
you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach
you all things. Bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you. My peace
I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give
I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid. You have heard how I said unto
you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, you would rejoice,
because I said, I go unto the Father, for my Father is greater
than I. Now I have told you before it
come to pass, that when it is come to pass, you might believe, Hereafter I'll not talk much
with you, for the Prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing
in me, but that the world may know that
I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even
so I do. Arise, and let us go hence. to us the reading of his holy
word, and teach us to pray. Dear Lord, almighty God in heaven
above, once more we come before thy face, and once more thy blessing
asks. Lord, we do desire a spirit of
real prayer, that we might each be given that real prayer in our
hearts. Lord, teach us what we need and
teach us how to pray. Lord, may we not be left to formality,
to coldness and hardness of heart in our prayers. Lord, may we remember that we
are coming to a King, Remember, we are coming to one
who says, the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me. There's nothing too hard or too
great or too small for thee. Lord, we do pray that we might
be enabled to commit our way unto thee to roll our burdens
upon thee. and to leave them with thee.
Lord, give us faith in our prayers. Lord, may we believe that thou
art able to do more than we can ask or even think. May we really
believe that with thee nothing is impossible. Lord, then help us to ask without
wavering. Those things that we need. Nor do lift us above our fears,
nor do show us thy greatness, thy majesty,
thy power. We read that power belongeth
unto God. Nor may we see that in all those
needs that we have, And there is that fullness which abides
in Jesus our head. You do answer all of our needs. So Lord help us to ask for the
great things of a great God. Lord may we not be left to limit
thee. Lord help us each in our Our
own pathway, our own needs to pour out our hearts unto thee. May we each be truly praying
souls. Even the young ones, Lord, may
there be that realization that there is a God in heaven who
does hear and does answer prayer. May we be given that faith while
they are young, to plead for thy help, for thy mercy,
for thy salvation. Lord, above all, we do pray that
we might each be prepared to meet thee. Lord, that when that
day comes upon us, sooner or later, it might be to hear thee
say, come in, thou blessed of the Lord. Lord, that we might enter into
that eternal joy in heaven above. We pray, Lord, that not one of
us might be left out of the secret, Lord, that we might be left to
perish at last. We might be left to be deceived,
Lord, we pray that it might be rather, Lord, that we that each
are brought to rest in thee, that they trust their whole salvation
upon thee, nor that we might each be unable
to say, my only hope is in thy blood. Remember me, O God, for
good. And we do pray Or that whatever
circumstances we may be in, we may indeed be careful and troubled
about many things. To remember that one thing and
only one thing is needful. Or to seek first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness. Seek thee, Lord, whilst thou
mayest be found. Lord, leave us not to vainly
imagine we shall be here forever. Lord, may it be that we here
have no continuing city, we seek one yet to come, we seek a city
out of sight. Lord, we do pray that we might
each be amongst those who at last will be found there, in
that place where congregation's an air breaker, and Sabbaths
have no end. Lord, we do pray for any here
who come with a particular burden, particular need at this time,
perhaps a secret trouble. Lord, it may be secret from every
one of us, but it's known unto thee. We do pray, Lord, that
there might be that peace in laying these things at thy feet. Lord, we pray for those who are
afflicted, those who are in pain and suffering
at this time. Do give that strength and patience
equal to the day. Sanctify these things, Lord, Lord, to see in all these things,
in all their afflictions, he was afflicted. Lord, what a difference
it makes to see something by faith of our afflictions. Lord, we do pray for those who
are in trouble, those who are cast down, those who are sad, Lord, we do pray they will comfort
each other. We do pray, Lord, for those in the churches who
are sorrowing at this time. We pray especially for the congregation
and church at South Chartre. Lord, in this, the deep sorrow
and shock that they are passing through at this time. Lord, you
appear for each of the family of George Aston. Lord, we pray for the pastor
and the wider Aston family. Lord, we pray that these things
might be used of thee. There might be a voice in them
to many in such an hour as you think
not. Pray also for our friends at
Mount Buries and the loss of their dear deacon in the past
week. Do remember his widow and each
of the church and congregation there. Lord, do remember them in thy
mercy and do provide for them in their need. and who bless thy word, who preach
there today. Lord, we do pray thy blessing
upon each of the gatherings of thy people
and each of those who preach in thy name. We do pray, Lord,
that there might be even this day that sounding of the gospel
trumpet Lord, that there might be that
awakening of many, there might be that deliverance of many,
and encouragement and peace spoken into many hearts. Lord,
let thy work appear. Lord, as we pray for each of
those who preach in thy name, we acknowledge it is thy work
alone. Except they'll just build their
house, their labor in vain, in that building. We do pray, Lord,
that there might yet be a reviving in Zion once again. They'll not revive us again. Lord, we pray that there might
yet be a better days. They're building up and that
these events that take place might be used of thee for the
building up of thy one church. As we see so much wickedness
and sin around us in the world, and also so much with it. Lord, we do pray that there might
yet be that awakening of many Those who are quickened by grace
and made alive. There will be many who can say
that they're amongst those who have
been quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. And many
who can testify of that change. Lord, as we pray for those to
be gathered into the church, we pray that there might be those
sent out to preach the gospel, called by thee to minister the
word, nor we do pray that it might be so, nor that there might
be those constrained by thy love to speak well of thee. Who hath made man's mouth? Have
not I the Lord? Lord, we do pray that thy word
might go forth in every part of this earth with power of the
application of the Holy Spirit. Lord, we pray for the churches
here in our land, we pray for the churches throughout the world,
and Lord, wherever thy people are, most unknown to us, but not one forgotten of thee. Lord, we do pray that might be
a building up. We pray for those in missionary work and those
who seek to be a help to thy people in different ways. Those who spread thy word faithfully
in various parts of the earth. Lord, we do pray that Thy word
might not return unto thee void as thou hast promised, nor that
there might be a purpose accomplished. Lord, as we think of our own
land and so much wickedness, a solemn collapse in morality
and decency and integrity, Lord, a complete departure from
thy word. Lord, help that we bear witness
to that truth, they that sow iniquity and plough wickedness
shall reap the same. Lord, have mercy to hear the
cry of the remnant. Forsake us, Lord, and turn us
back unto thee. Overthrow the evil plans and
schemes that are put forth. Lord, especially we think of
the attempts to further destroy the
sanctity of life. Lord, we pray that these things
might be put to a stop. Lord, is there already those
abominations which are in our laws concerning the The destruction
of life. Lord, we do pray that these things,
though they are in law, might yet be overturned. Lord, that once more might be
a turning unto thy word. Lord, many other evils that are
committed in the breaking of thy day. So many other things. Lord, will
thou not revive us again? Lord, may there be much prayer
for thy appearing on our behalf. Lord, that thou wilt work for
us. That thou wilt work yet in many
hearts. Lord, do help us as we turn to
thy word. Open it up to us, Give us ears
to hear and hearts to understand. Keep us from grieving Thee. Forgive
us where we fail in our prayers. Forgive us for all of our many
sins. We ask for Jesus' sake. Amen. He has served us by singing hymn
number 912, the Juniors' Law of Virtue, Dominum, number 1,
910. Salvation by Grace, how charming
the song, with seraphim join the theme to Peron, t'was planned
by Jehovah in counsel above, who to everlasting shall rest
in his love, This covenant of grace, all blessings secures. Believers rejoice for all things
are yours. And God from his purpose shall
never remove, but love thee and bless thee and rest in his love. Hymn number 912, tune Laudati
Dominum I, number 912. Oh, say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave O come, O come, Emmanuel, I love you. Oh, say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave O'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the
bombs bursting in air, Oh, say does that star-spangled Oh, say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave ? O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave ? O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave? Complete dependence upon the
Lord for his help, I would ask you to turn this afternoon to
the prophecy of Isaiah, chapter 26. Isaiah chapter 26, we'll read
verses three and four. Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in
thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever, For in thee, Lord Jehovah, there
is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26 verses 3 and 4 Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee,
because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever. For in thee, Lord Jehovah, is
everlasting strength. These lovely words come to us
in a song, the song of the Church of God. As the beginning of this chapter
says, in that day shall this song be sung, in the land of
Judah, that we have a strong city, salvation will God appoint,
for wolves and bulwarks. A song rejoicing in the safety
of the Church, in the security of the Church, a song of confidence
in their God. Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. The church of God, the people
of God are not always in this place of perfect peace. Very often it's the opposite. Perhaps it seems to be. Very often their minds are not
stayed on the head of the church. Very often their minds are disturbed
and distracted and distressed and troubled. Troubled on every
side. But there is this, looking unto
Jesus, that will keep him in perfect peace. whose mind is
stayed on Thee, that we might know more of this
in our own hearts, that our minds might be stayed on Him. So it is that this peace is known
when by faith we look to Jesus. The more we know of this, The
more we trust in Him, the more we stay on Him, the more peace
we know. And we'll keep Him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed, or we might say is fixed on Thee. So often there are those other
distractions. There are the troubles of daily
lives, the difficulties that we face, the hard things. We are like those who we read
of right through scripture, filled with trouble, filled with sorrow,
filled with cares. And that will keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. It comes to my mind as
we think of Martha and Mary, Martha, you know, she did so
much that was good. She said so much that was good. She was careful and troubled
about many things. Her mind was fixed on these other
things. They were good in themselves.
They were not fixed upon the Lord. Mary was found at the feet of
Jesus. listening to him, receiving his
words. Martha, Martha thou art careful
and troubled about many things, but one thing is needful, and
Mary hath chosen that good path, which shall not be taken from
her. Mary, she sat at the feet of
Jesus, So it was more in her nature when the time came and
Lazarus died. Martha was up and about, she
was going somewhere, she was busy. Busy in her mind and busy
with her feet. Mary sat still in the house. You know how often we are like
Martha, we are up and about, we are doing, trying to do something. Better to sit still. to sit still
and to wait upon the Lord, to trust in him, to do for us that
which we need. Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace. Well, this word says thou wilt
keep. The very head of the church,
God himself, will keep him, will keep thee. Church of God, in
that perfect peace whose mind has stayed on thee. We can't
keep ourselves there. So it is the one who bought the church with his own
heart's blood is the only one who can keep the church by his
power. We have that word towards the
end of the New Testament. Kept by the power of God. You cannot be kept any other
way. will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee. So, perhaps as one of you this afternoon,
and you're in something of trouble, some need that you have, and your mind is not stayed on
him, your mind is here, there and everywhere, trying to work
it all out, trying to manage everything, trying to see your
own way through, but thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in
thee. You look to the Lord Jesus, you
look to him, To manage all for you, by the way and to the end. This word stayed. It's a good word, isn't it? It's
a solid word. It's a firm word. How much do
we know of it if we're honest with ourselves? Whose mind is
stayed on thee, not flitting here and there. More often our minds are not
stayed on him, they're all over the place. There's no peace when we're like
that. His mind is stayed on thee. It
speaks of something firm. It speaks of something unmovable. It speaks of something sure. If we think about it, what this
word means, this stay, Something that is stayed, something that
is fixed. We see around it, see all around us in our lives. Those
things that are supported, those things that are stayed. I drove
over the Dartford Crossing, the QE2 bridge this morning. It's
a cable stay bridge, I think. There are those many stays to
secure the road, to secure the bridge, the roadway. to keep it firm, to stop it moving. So many other things that we
think of, we see them around us, they're there to support,
they're there to hold up. These things are but a faint
picture of the Lord Jesus. He bears his people up, he supports
them, he sustains them, he carries them through, through every time
of need, through every trouble that they come into, They might
find this, that underneath, there are the everlasting arms, there
is that firm support, there is that strength that is given to
bear you up, to carry you through, that will keep them in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. Chapter 50, I think it
is. Who is among you that feareth
the Lord? Well, there's a question in itself.
Who is among you here this afternoon that feareth the Lord? That obeyeth
the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, that hath
no light. Does that describe any of you
this afternoon? You're walking in darkness, you
have no light. Everything's dark, everything's
gloomy, everything's black. You can't see where you're going,
you can't see to the left or the right, you can't see the
way before you, you can't see the cloud cleared up and know
which path to take. What are you to do? What does
the Word of God say you are to do? Let him trust in the name
of the Lord and stay upon his guard. Let him trust in the name
of the Lord. Let him look to Him who is everlasting
strength. Look to the Lord Jehovah. Look
to the One who is able and willing to meet your needs. Let him trust in the name of
the Lord. Let him stay upon His God, to lean upon Him. To lean
hard upon Him, to trust in Him. even when you cannot trace it,
that will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed,
is fixed on thee. Will the Lord help us to consider
where is our mind stayed this afternoon? Where is, where are
we looking? What are we trusting in? May it be that we lift our eyes
above the things of this poor dying world and fix our eyes
upon him. We can say like one who said,
oh God, my heart is fixed. I will see and give praise. I
will keep him in perfect peace. His mind is stayed on thee. You
think of this. that peace procured by a blood
divine that will keep him in perfect peace. It speaks to us
of what we have in the gospels. The gospel is a gospel of peace. And it speaks to us of what we
deserve by nature. And it isn't peace. is the very opposite of peace.
We spoke a little of it this morning, that everlasting punishment, on account of our sins, thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace. Where is peace to be found? In a world of sin, where is peace
to be found with? such sinful hearts as we have. Peace, perfect peace, in this
dark world of sin, the blood of Jesus, it whispers, peace
within. And so it is, they will keep
him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. Those who
are brought to trust in the Lord, on his righteousness, on his
finished work, you will know something of this peace, a solid
peace, an enduring peace, a peace that is entirely unlike the peace
that this world purports to offer. It's not a peace that is transient,
it's not a peace that's here one minute and gone the next. It is a perfect peace, for as
the margin says, they will keep him in peace. peace. It is emphasised. This is a peace like no other. It will keep him in perfect peace.
Where does this peace come from? It comes from the God of peace. It comes from the Prince of Peace,
the Lord Jesus. We read of it in Isaiah chapter
9, His name shall be called the Prince of Peace. He came to make
that way of peace. He came to preach peace. He came
to set forth that way of salvation. Jesus is the way of peace. We read of it in John 14, didn't
we? It says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. Well, in
many different aspects, the Lord Jesus is the way. He is the way
of peace, and indeed the only way of peace, the only way by
which perfect peace can be known. As He came into this world, He
came without sin. He came to pay the price of all
the sins of all of His people. Without that, there would never
be any peace for any one of us. Rather, we would endure the deserved
wrath of God to all eternity. And so it is His death. His death
procured thy peace. That's what it is. That's what
we read of in John 14 towards the end. And we have, if I can
carefully use this expression, the legacy of the Lord Jesus. He came to that time when he
was going to leave his disciples. He was going to lay down his
life for them. He was going to suffer in their
place. And he says, this time is coming
where I have to go. He says that I go to prepare
a place for you. Their hearts were troubled and
well they might be. They could not understand it. Earlier in
the previous chapter, Simon Peter says, Lord, whither goest thou?
Lord, why are you leaving us? Why are you going from us? So the Lord Jesus says it's necessary
that I leave you for this time. He says, I'll come again, I'll
send thee, and the comforter will be sent, that he may abide
with you forever, even the spirit of truth. He says this before he comes
to that time, when he has to leave them, but the comforter,
which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name,
he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, which I have said unto you. Peace I leave with
you, my peace that I give unto you. What a gift of the Lord
Jesus to his people. What a legacy You know what a
legacy is? It is that which is determined,
that it will be given by one when they die. There is that
will made of what will be done with that which belongs to them. And when that will is written,
When that person comes to their end, that will is executed. And there is that giving, that
distribution of what is in the will. So here we say the legacy of
the Lord Jesus is that of peace. He says, I'm going to leave you,
but I'm going to leave you with my peace. I'm going to lay down
my life, but I'm going to give you peace. Because by the laying down of
his life, he procured that peace for each of his people, perfect
peace through his blood, as he died a real death here on this
earth. His death, he procured thy peace. As it was in that day that fountain
opened for sin, and for uncleanness. In peace I leave with you, in
my peace give I unto you, not as the world giveth. This is
not the peace the world speaks of, this cannot be compared to
it. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid. Perhaps that's the trouble for
you, your sins, your iniquities, what you deserve in the sight
of a holy God. And the Lord Jesus says to these
poor fearful awakened sinners, peace, peace I leave with you,
my peace, you give, I give unto you. And what a wonderful blessing
this is to know something of these things. in this perfect
peace, in this dark world of sin, thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. So it is, as a believer
is brought by faith to trust in the Lord, to look to him alone
as their only hope of salvation, there is that A glimpse, we might
say, of what this perfect peace is, that will keep him in perfect
peace, is a glimpse of heaven on earth. He sang of it in the
hymn of that eternal peace that is in heaven. There is that which is revealed
here in this earth, that peace made nigh by the blood of So it is. My mind goes to those
words we have in Ephesians chapter 2, I think I quoted them in prayer,
where it speaks so much of the change in the life of a believer
and it speaks of peace. And it speaks of that being made
nigh. This is what you were, aliens,
strangers, foreigners and so on, but now in Christ Jesus. He who sometimes were far off,
and made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace,
who hath made both one, who hath broken down the middle wall and
partitioned between us, having abolished in his flesh the enmity. It is very easy to read through
these verses, but just stop and think what it means. Having abolished
in his flesh He made an end of sin. We have it through scripture.
He made an end of sin, an entire end of sin. Every single sin
of every single one of his people abolished, put away. But how? By the sacrifice of
himself. A wonderful work accomplished,
but ever remember the cost of it. having abolished in his flesh,
having abolished the enmity by laying down his own life, by
shedding his own heart's blood, for to make in himself of twain
one new man, so making peace, that he might reconcile both
unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby,
and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and
to them that were nigh. We have it back in Isaiah in
that lovely chapter 53 where it speaks of the sufferings of
the Lord Jesus. It says this, the chastisement
of our peace was upon him. That is the wrath of God that
is due to each one of us. If we are amongst his people,
He bore that chastisement for us. He bore the punishment instead. He is the great substitute. Behold
a seed of matchless grace. It is Jesus that in thee, sinner's
place, thou wilt keep him in perfect peace. In whose mind
it is stayed, that on thee. So there is that which we read
of in John 14, that everlasting life, that peace procured by
the blood of Christ, which delivers from a deserved hell, the sins
of every one of the Lord's people. The Lord says, I have cast them
into the depths of the sea, behind my back, as far as the east is
from the west, So far have He removed our transgressions from
us. We know something of this. We
know something of this peace. Peace, perfect peace, in this
dark world of sin, can only be found in the blood of Jesus. Has that blood of Jesus ever
whispered peace into your heart, that you know something of these
things, that sense that the Lord Jesus
shed his blood for you, perhaps a little hope, that there's something you cannot
perhaps put your finger on it, you cannot describe it, perfect peace, These things are
better experienced than described. To come to that place where we
know something of these things, to trust in the Lord, for time and for eternity, to
enter into that peace. From the Prince of Peace himself,
we read that the peace of God passeth all understanding, keep
our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. And so it does
pass all our understanding. To be thankful for that which
procured that peace, the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, that fountain
that was opened for sin, that will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee because He trusteth in thee. We have so much of the word of
God concerning trust. So much concerning where we put
our trust. So much of the distinction between
those who trust in man and those who trust in the Lord. You only
have to look a few chapters afterwards in chapter 30 and 31 especially
in Isaiah In a providential way, the rebellious children, as the
Lord speaks of them, taking counsel but not of me, those who went
down to Egypt for help, they didn't ask the Lord, they didn't
trust in the Lord. They trust in the shadow of Egypt,
the strength of Pharaoh. The Lord says it will end in
confusion. They're all ashamed of the people
that could not profit. So it goes on. So much for the
help of Egypt. And again in the following chapter,
woe to them that go down to Egypt for help. Go down to another
and stay on horses, trust in chariots, because they are strong and very
strong. This be a word of warning for
us. Where are we going for help?
whether it be in Providence or in the needs of our never-dying
souls. The horses, the chariots of Egypt,
they may have been very good, perhaps the best in the world
at that time. Very strong, says the Word of God. But how solemn
is this? But they look not unto the Holy
One of Israel, nor do they seek the Lord. The Egyptians are men
and not gods. Their horse is flesh and not
spirit. So the Lord says, this is not
one to be trusted in. Don't put your trust in Egypt. Put your trust in me. Look unto
me. The Egyptians shall help. This
is back in chapter 30 verse 7. The Egyptians shall help invade.
to no purpose. Therefore, my cry concerning
this, their strength, is to sit still. So we think of Martha
and Mary again. Mary sat still. Mary waited upon
her Lord. Mary sat at his feet, waiting
to hear his voice. Their strength is to sit still.
And so it is for us. We want to be up and about. Their strength is to sit still.
When our mind is slain on Him, we are brought to trust in Him.
How much better it is. And so, again in chapter 30 we have this.
Verse 15 in quietness. and in confidence shall be your
strength, and you would not. In quietness and in confidence.
Well, you say, I don't feel very confident. Perhaps you don't.
Very often the Lord's people don't feel confident. It is to trust in Him, to confide
in Him. Trust in Him, you tempted saints. Tell him all your sad complaints.
Here present help will be, to give you strength and victory. It's a solemn thing, we know
this first well, and quietness and confidence shall be your
strength. Don't forget how it ends, and you would not. So it
is, sadly with us, left to ourselves. We say no, we'll flee upon horses,
and so on. And so the Lord says, you're
going to be brought down, brought very low. And so it was in these
days that as I was prophesying, we were to return to our text.
Because he trusteth in thee, trust ye in the Lord forever.
For in the Lord Jehovah is the everlasting strength that is
trust in him at all times. Trust in Him when things are
difficult. Trust in Him when things are easier. Trust in Him
when everything's dark. Trust in Him when you don't know
what to do, where to turn. Trust in Him at all times. You
people, pour out your heart before Him. It was David, I think, the
great, mighty, strong David who said, what time I'm afraid. I
will trust in thee, trust ye in the Lord forever,
for in the Lord Jehovah is the everlasting strength. Again we
think of also in Isaiah I think chapter 36 we have that remarkable
account of Rabshaker and the army of Sadaka and king of Assyria
coming in the reign of Hezekiah. We have this account three times
in scripture, and I think at least on two of those occasions
we have this, question of Rabshakeh, a mocking question to Hezekiah,
despising him. The question was this, what confidence
is this wherein thou trustest? It's a good question for us to
consider this afternoon. What confidence is this wherein
you trust, wherein I trust? Where do we place our confidence?
In whom do we confide? What confidence is this wherein
thou trustest? Here is the image of the trials
the temptings of the devil, that Rabshaker here, he has all these
arguments, these persuasions to Hezekiah and the people, don't
let Hezekiah say to trusting God, look at what's happened
to all these armies that have fallen before us, what about
this one, what about that one, everything's fallen before us,
we've defeated everyone, and you're going to be next. What
are you saying to the people here? And in this trial, for Hezekiah
and the people, this question of what confidence is this? Wherein
thou trustest? You know how Hezekiah, the godly
man, was able to say to the people, don't answer him anything. Answer
him not a word. with all his mockings, his cruel
words. I hearken not to him, he says something
like this, that with them is an arm of flesh, but with us
is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. So
it was, this great mighty army Rabshaker and all these great
mighty men were not almighty. And Hezekiah
and the people had the Almighty God on their side. And the end of it is this, 185,000
dead corpses. The Lord had done it. What confidence
is this? Wherein thou trustest? We don't
want to be left to imagination, but what would have happened
if they had faltered and feared the words of Rabbi Sheikha and
submitted to him and been taken by him? But no, they
put their trust in God. They confided in him. They sought
the Lord, that he might have mercy upon them, that he might
deliver them. And so he did. That wonderful
deliverance that he gave. We read of it at the end of chapter
37. The Lord's wonderful words. That the king of Assyria should
not come into this city. He shouldn't even shoot an arrow
at it. By the way that he came, so shall he return. He shall
not come into this city, saith the Lord. For I will defend this
city. to save it for mine own sake,
and for my servant David's sake. The angel of the Lord went forth
and spoke to the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and four,
and five thousand. When they arose early in the
morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. God will have the
last words, and be not deceived, that God is not mocked. The trial of faith that it was
for Hezekiah and the people, that they put their trust in
the Lord. And they found that strength in doing so. They found
that the Lord would do everything for them. To trust you in the
Lord Jehovah, to trust you in the Lord forever, or in the Lord
Jehovah, it is everlasting strength. Well, if you have a margin in
your Bibles, you'll find these last two words. The everlasting
strength. It speaks to us of the rock of
ages. It speaks of that which is, the
unshakable. It speaks of that place of safety,
the place of refuge, the hiding place from the storm. You know,
it's something else in Isaiah that we have. It's a wonderful
book, isn't it? Isaiah chapter 32. And a man shall be as a hiding
place from the storm. And a covet from the tempest,
if you just turn to it and quote it correctly, a covet from the tempest is rivers
of water in a dry place, is the shadow of a great rock in a weary
land, a great rock for weary sinners made. This is that one
in whom we may trust. Trust ye in the Lord forever,
for in the Lord Jehovah ye is, the rock of ages, the sure, solid,
certain foundation, that place of shelter, the place of safety, in this sinful world, against
the attacks of the devil. What confidence is this wherein
thou trustest? Know to trust in thee, the rock
of ages. It is here a rock that how firmly
proves that the rock of ages never moves. You see in our lives
we are shaken about, we are tossed about, we are disturbed and troubled
and distressed and distracted. We see here one of those things
which cannot be shaken, the rock of ages. If we are of the Lord,
we will never be shaken off that rock. Once in Him, in Him forever. To dwell and to shelter in that
rock of ages, in that cleft of a rock, within the cleft of His
dear side, where all His saints in safety dwell. What from Jesus can divide not
all the power of sin and hell? So it is, there is here, a place
of safety, a place of shelter, in the cleft rock, in the side
of the Lord Jesus, that place that speaks to us of that atonement,
the blood of the water, To pay the price for sin, to wash his
people from their filthiness and their uncleanness. To trust ye in the Lord forever,
for in the Lord Jehovah there is everlasting strength, there
is the Rock of Ages. Well, we have that well-known
hymn on the Rock of Ages by Toplady, and it speaks to us. of that
shelter. It speaks to us of the sacrifice.
It speaks to us of the wounded side of the Lord Jesus. That place of safety, amidst
all the sin and wickedness, without and within, with all the enemies
that we face. The hymn says we have mighty
enemies without, and much mightier ones within. Here is the place
of safety. Here is everlasting strength.
In ourselves we are weak. But when we are weak in ourselves,
then we are strong. Be strong in the Lord and the
power of His might. Trust in Him and what He has
done. This is where true peace is known. That will keep him
in perfect peace. whose mind is stayed on thee,
because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever. For in the Lord Jehovah there
is everlasting strength. We will leave these things there,
may the Lord bless his word. Amen. We conclude our service this
afternoon by singing hymn number 594. The tune is Vienna, number
517. I'll read the first three verses
and we'll commence singing from verse 4. O my soul with wonder tell, Jesus
has done all things well, and through his atoning blood I have
settled peace with God. He bequeathed his peace to me
as a gift divinely free, and it is his righteous will that
my soul in peace shall dwell. Love to such vile worms as I
brought the Saviour from the sky, every foe for them to quell,
Jesus conquered death and hell. From verse 4, hymn number 594
to in Vienna, number 517. He sent his Son for the free,
and the truth he revealed to me. Who else on earth ? It shall pass into the years
? ? God's mercy to the poor ? ? And rehabs in you ? O say can you see, by the dawn's
early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's O come, O come, O come, ? All is calm, all is bright ?
? Round yon virgin, mother and child ? ? O'er the land of the free ? ?
And the home of the brave ? Oh, say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave ? O music to the saviour's song
? ? Jesus, my dear, praise for always
? ? The faith of the brave ? ? Save
the world since it was made ? ? We pledge to it faithfully ? Now may the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the
Holy Ghost be with us all. Amen.