My Desire Is Before Thee

Q: What does the Bible say about the nature of sin?

The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), inheriting a sinful nature from Adam. The Bible affirms that all human beings are born with a sinful nature because of Adam's transgression. In Psalm 51:5, David declares, 'Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.' This illustrates that sin is not merely an act, but a condition inherited at birth. As Ephesians 2:1-3 explains, we were 'dead in trespasses and sins,' having followed our own sinful desires and were by nature 'children of wrath.' Recognizing the depth of our sinfulness is crucial for understanding our need for God's grace and salvation.

Q: How do we know God's grace is sufficient?

God's grace is sufficient as He assures us through scripture that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The sufficiency of God's grace is a foundational truth in Scripture, exemplified in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where the Apostle Paul shares God's promise, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' This verse illustrates that in our moments of weakness and desperation, God's grace empowers and sustains us. Moreover, throughout the Bible, various accounts demonstrate that God extends His grace to the humble and contrite, ensuring that no matter the burden we carry, His grace is ever present to uphold and guide us. This assurance cultivates a deep reliance on His grace rather than our own strength.

Q: Why is the doctrine of election important for Christians?

The doctrine of election assures believers of God's sovereign grace and His purpose in salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5). The doctrine of election is a vital aspect of Reformed theology, reassuring believers that their salvation is rooted in God's sovereign choice rather than human merit. Ephesians 1:4-5 states, 'Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.' This doctrine emphasizes that it is God who initiates and secures salvation. It brings comfort to believers by reminding them that their salvation is not subject to their fluctuating faith or works but is grounded in God's eternal, unchanging purpose and love.

Q: What does the Bible say about the presence of God?

The Bible teaches that the presence of God provides comfort and strength to believers, as seen in Exodus 33:14. The presence of God is a source of peace and strength for believers. In Exodus 33:14, God promises Moses, 'My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.' This indicates that His presence is essential for guidance and comfort in our lives. Furthermore, in Psalm 139:7-10, David reflects on the omnipresence of God, affirming that there is no place we can go where His presence does not reach. For believers, this assurance is profound: knowing that God is always with us encourages a heart of worship and trust, as we navigate the trials and tribulations of life, confident that we are never alone.

Q: How do we seek God's will in our lives?

We seek God's will through prayer, studying His Word, and living in obedience to His commands (Proverbs 3:5-6). Seeking God's will in our lives is an essential part of the Christian experience. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs believers to 'trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.' This emphasizes the need for dependence on God rather than our wisdom. With prayer, we can ask the Lord for clarity and direction. Moreover, engaging with Scripture allows us to understand God's character and His desires for our lives. It is also crucial to live in obedience to His revealed Word, which often aligns our paths with His will. This holistic approach shapes our decisions and leads us to walk the path God has laid out for us.

Q: Why is it important to glorify God in our lives?

Glorifying God is the ultimate purpose of our existence, as established in Romans 11:36. Glorifying God is central to the Christian faith and is our primary purpose in life. Romans 11:36 states, 'For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.' This highlights that everything exists for God's glory, including our lives. Understanding that God is the source of all good gifts, our response should be one of gratitude and honor. By living in a way that reflects His love, grace, and holiness, we fulfill our purpose and witness to others of His character. It is through our actions, words, and service that we can proclaim His greatness and make His presence known to the world.

long, long time ago, a young preacher in London, England, spent an afternoon with an old veteran servant of God whom he greatly admired and from whom he had learned very much. The year was 1768. That's a long time ago. The young preacher was Augustus Toplady. Toplady was an Anglican preacher back in those days when there were a good many Anglicans around who believed and preached the gospel of God's grace. He is the one who wrote a good many of our hymns, one we sing frequently, Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, Let Me Hide Thyself, Myself in Thee. That was Toplady.

One day he was out riding and got caught in a thunderstorm and he took refuge under the cleft of a rock. I don't know why he had them, but he had a deck of playing cards and pulled out the card and turned it over on the back and wrote out that hymn on the back of one of those cards. The older preacher was a fellow by the name of Mr. Brewer. I don't know a thing on earth about Mr. Brewer, except what he told Toplady on that hot July afternoon some 200 years ago.

Top Lady thought his words were worth writing down, and I'm glad he did. I want to share them with you. Every now and then, preachers need a lesson in preaching. Lindsay gave a good lesson in that this morning. And as preachers need a lesson in preaching, you need a lesson in preaching. Top Lady said that as they parted company, Mr. Brewer said to him, I cannot conclude without reminding you, my young brother, of some things that may be of use to you in the cause and course of your ministry."

And then he gave him four statements. He said, preach Christ crucified. I've been doing this a long time. I've been preaching for 27 years. And I'm convinced, more today than ever, that nothing else is worth the effort. Preach Christ crucified. And dwell chiefly, he said, on the blessings resulting from his righteousness, atonement, and intercession. That's what it is to preach Christ crucified, is to constantly show me what bountiful boons of grace, eternal bliss in life, come to sinners completely and alone through his righteousness, his blood, and his intercession.

Secondly, the old man said, avoid all needless controversies in the pulpit. except when your subject necessarily requires it, or when the truths of God are likely to suffer by your silence. There are times when controversy is necessary. There are times when it is necessary for the servant of God to raise a flag and warn folks of the dangers of free will, works, religion, a time when it's necessary for the servant of God to raise a flag and warn folks clearly of the dangers of the current trends of the religious society in which he finds himself. But this is not principally a place of controversy, but a place of comfort.

The preacher ought to constantly call sinners to Christ and declare to men and women the blessed comfort of the gospel. The Lord God said, comfort ye, comfort ye my people. And then thirdly, Mr. Brewer said to the 28-year-old top lady, when you ascend the pulpit, leave your learning behind you. Now with Toplady, I'm sure there was a specific reason for that exhortation. He was a learned, brilliant man, brilliant, scholarly man. I've read a good bit of his works, and he was not lacking in gray matter between his ears. He had plenty of it.

But learning, a show of learning, is out of place in the pulpit. totally out of place. Preachers ought to be thoroughly prepared. Never, never, never come to the house of God and the service of God unprepared. I don't preach off the cuff. I don't talk to you about things I haven't studied.

But a preacher ought to so thoroughly prepare his heart and mind that what he preaches comes across with ease, plainness, and simplicity. Not as a lecture, but as an urgent message. This man said, endeavor to preach more to the hearts of your people than to their heads. Oh, I want to do that.

And then lastly, he said, do not affect too much oratory. Don't be a showman. There's no place for show. He said, seek rather to profit than to be admired. Oh, what a word. Now, I can't imagine four or more needful admonitions found anywhere outside the volume of inspiration. Every preacher needs to be constantly reminding himself of these things. I try to give heed to them every time I preach to you or to anybody else, and I shall do so today.

I'm going to talk to you today about the desires of my heart. In doing so, I want to speak to your hearts, and I want to do it for the glory of God. I want to talk to your heart. Now, let me, by way of introduction, tell you three things. And then I'll be very brief in bringing my message. First, I want you to understand something.

I know that I'm a sinner. Back here in Psalm 38, we read earlier, David said, I will declare mine iniquity. I'll declare it. I'm not going to hide it. I'll declare it. Now when I say I'm a sinner, I don't use that term as a compliment and I don't use that term as an excuse or a covering for my sin. I'm telling you, I know I'm a sinner.

I mean by that that I am fully convinced without any shadow of a doubt that I completely deserve the overwhelming, everlasting torments of God's wrath in hell. And if you ever realize that, it'll shake you to your very soul. I completely deserve the overwhelming, everlasting torments of God's infinite wrath in hell. Should I be cast into hell right now, should I have been cast into hell long ago, it would have been exactly what I deserve.

For I was born in sin. The psalmist David said, I was conceived in iniquity. I was brought forth in sin. I inherited from my daddy Adam a nature that hates God. You did too. I don't mean a nature that's indifferent to God. I don't mean a nature that sometimes likes God, sometimes doesn't. I inherited, you inherited from our father Adam, a heart and a nature that hates God, just hates God. That's the reason we're so full of rebellion.

Not only was I born in sin, but I chose to live in iniquity, walk in sin, and commit transgression all the days of my life. I know some folks who never remember not loving the Lord. I never remember not choosing sin. The psalmist said the wicked go astray as soon as they are born. They're estranged from the womb, speaking lies. I don't ever remember a time when I didn't choose my own way, choose rebellion, choose iniquity, choose to break God's law, choose to sin.

I don't ever remember a time from my youth when that was not the case. And I naturally love sin and hate righteousness. And this may shock you, but you do too. You do too. preacher, I'm not a murderer or a rapist. I'm not a drunk or a dope head. I don't love those things. That's not what I'm talking about. That's not what I'm talking about. Those things are only outward manifestations of a far deeper, deeper problem. The problem is sin.

You see, we naturally love iniquity, that is, we love to do that which pleases ourselves. We love to do that which satisfies our own lust. We love to do that which gratifies our own desires and to hell with everybody and everything else. That's just it. That's why folks act like they do. That's why kids and moms and dads and brothers and sisters and presidents and congressmen and legislators and preachers and everybody else on top side of God's earth acts like they do because man by nature loves sin and hates righteousness.

He loves to gratify his own lust. and he hates the rule of a holy God. Let's see if that's what the book says. You can turn there if you want to. I'm going to be reading Ephesians chapter 2. Ephesians chapter 2. The apostle Paul is writing to these Ephesian saints and he says, you have he quickened.

The word means he raised you up from the dead. He regenerated you. He caused you to be born from above. You hath he quickened who were d-e-a-d dead in trespasses and sins. What does that mean? Wherein in time past, that is before God saved you, this is how you live.

You walked according to the course of this world. All of us did. All of us did. The drunk Capchandra who's wallowing in his vomit this morning from staggering in and falling into a ditch last night walks, according to the course of this world, just the same as the banker who's thieving and stealing has landed him in prison, walking according to the course of this world. Men who go to church today and do their works by which they hope to establish righteousness through their own hands are walking according to the course of this world in exactly the same manner as the man who goes to the brothel on Saturday evening. Doing what he wants, living according to his own lust, fulfilling the desires of his own flesh. But when he says, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, among whom also we, every last one, had our conversation, our manner of life in times past, fulfilling the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the mind, and were by nature men and women deserving God's wrath, just like everybody else. That's exactly what the text says. Not only that, but I was guilty of doing exactly what Lindsay talked about this morning.

I despised God's grace, blasphemed his son, refused to seek his grace. with all the pride and rebellion and haughtiness of hell itself. When the claims of Christ were pressed in my heart, I said, no, sir. No, sir. I will not have this man rule over me. When a faithful Sunday school teacher called me to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, I said, maybe someday, but not now.

And multitudes, multitudes have gone to hell for that. When I say I am a sinner, I'm telling you that I have never done and never can do one righteous thing before God. It's impossible. I want righteousness more than I want life itself, but I keep doing it. The very best deed I have ever performed, the very best prayer I have ever prayed, the very noblest most spiritual thoughts that have ever flashed through my mind, the most disinterested, selfless, loving emotions that have ever risen up in my heart, deserve nothing from God. But hail, now that's right, because it's all sin. You see that hand? It can't do good. It's got the soot of sin on it. And anything it touches, it divides. That's the first thing. I'm a sinner. Oh, wonder of wonders.

God has saved me by his free and sovereign grace in Jesus Christ his son. You were dead, but God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, hath quickened us together with Christ. Look in 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians chapter 6. Now, I know as I'm talking to you, many of you from your hearts echo exactly what I'm saying.

The apostle says in verse 9, know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you. What a great, great, great word of interjection. But. Ye are washed. But ye are sanctified. But ye are justified. Me? Yeah. In the name of the Lord Jesus. by the Spirit of our God. God the Father, before the world began, chose me as an object of his grace in eternal love. I never had a problem with the doctrine of election since God saved me. Saved folks don't. Saved folks rejoice in it.

But I used to wonder, why did he choose me? And I searched for reasons. And I finally found out why. Because he loved me. That's all. Without a cause, he loved me. without any reason except the reason found in his own sovereign, infinite heart. He loved me.

God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, redeemed me with his precious blood at Calvary. I can say with the Apostle Paul, with blessed confidence, I'm crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me in the life which I now live in the flesh. I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, gave himself for me. And God the Holy Spirit called me by his almighty grace. In the day of his power, the Son of God sent forth his spirit and made me willing to come to him.

I was cast out like Ezekiel's description of that infant that had been afforded and was cast out from his mother's womb, dead and polluted in his own blood. an offcast of society, that which was obnoxious, that which nobody wanted, that which nobody wanted to look at, that which nobody would have any cause to pity, but only just cast out.

There I lay. In a time of love, he came by and spread his skirt over me and said to me, Leo, and I became his. I was like those dry, parched, scattered bones that Ezekiel saw across that valley, dead. Dead. Utterly hopeless, utterly incapable of changing my condition.

But God sent his prophet, and by his Spirit, he spoke to my soul. I was this dead one to live. I was like Mephibosheth in the place of misery and want. hiding from the Lord. But because of his covenant grace, he sent his spirit to fetch me to himself. Like Gomer, I followed after my lovers and pursued them to my own ruin. And when I was cast off as a despised and useless thing because I deserve to be cast off. He came to me and brought me into his banqueting house and his left arm was under my head and with his right arm he did embrace me and his banner over me was long and here I am.

I am by nature a worthless piece of sinful flesh. I've used to know one and good for nothing. But God has saved me. God has forgiven all my sin. God has made me an heir of heaven, of eternal life. a joint heir with Jesus Christ. And on top of all that, he's given me a gift to preach the gospel of his free grace. And every now and then, he makes old, worthless, useless Don Fortner, an instrument of eternal good to chosen sinners. Now, these are not matters of theory. They're not matters of mere doctrinal orthodoxy, but matters of experience and deep conviction.

For more than 27 years now, I have been conscious of the constant boons of God's infinite, amazing grace. And I've not yet gotten over the wonder of this fact. The Lord God saved me. I am amazed by that. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see. Now in the light of these things, I realize that I owe everything, everything. I owe everything. to God, my Savior.

Shortly after God saved me one day, I was reading this sixth chapter, 1 Corinthians, and I came across verse 19, where the apostle says, what? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which you have of God? That is, God lives in you. God resides in you, and the body in which God lives in you, you have by God's gift. He gave it to you.

And you're not your own. You're not your own. That'd been my problem all my life. I always thought I was my own. Just like you folks do. You who without Christ. You young people get upset with mom and dad and rules and regulations because you say, it's my life. I'm doing what I want to. It's my life. Who has the right to tell me what to do? It's my life. That's what I said all my life, Bob. until I met Christ. And he convinced me, I'm not my own. For you're bought with a price. The Son of God bought me, not with silver and gold, but with his precious blood. He bought me.

Therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirits, which are God's. Now, all that I've experienced of God's grace. Has inspired and constantly presses upon me the pursuit of five great desires. Turn with me to Psalm 38 passage we read earlier. Psalm 38 and verse nine.

David has been talking about his trouble. This loathsome disease that was in him. And what he was talking about was his struggle with sin. And in verse nine, he just he just kind of lifts his heart for just a brief dart for heaven. And then he goes right back to describing his trouble again. But listen to what he says in verse nine.

Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee. Now, the desires of a man's heart are the things for which he groans. The desires of your heart are the things for which you labor. The desires of your heart are the things that occupy your mind, your care, and your toil. Let me ask you something. What do you desire? What do you desire? What do you really pursue? What do you really want? Now I want to talk to you for just a few minutes and I'll be very brief about my desires.

I want to give you five things that I wrote down years ago. One day I was studying and I have a habit of turning to the back of a book sometimes when I'm reading or just reaching for a piece of paper and writing down thoughts. Years ago one day I was studying and I turned to the back of a book and wrote down these five desires, a prayer I offered to God then, and I've offered to God many times. I've never shared them with anybody, never shared them really in order with my wife or anyone else, but I think the time has come for me to share them with you.

I believe God has so directed me. Long ago, I gave up and nailed to the cross of Christ all aspirations for power, ambition, influence, fame, property, wealth, and even earthly tranquility and ease. I've nailed to the cross. Now, don't misunderstand me. I struggle with them every minute of every day because my flesh still wants them. But in my heart, they've been crucified. They've been nailed to the cross. Here are the desires of my heart, the things for which I constantly groan before God. First, being convinced of my sin. and of the just condemnation of my soul before the holy Lord God, I desire the favor of God.

Look in Psalm 119. I'll just look at one scripture text with each of these. I can give you many, but I want to be brief and I want you to get what I'm saying. I desire the favor of God. Psalm 119, verse 57, Thou art my portion, O Lord, Oh, what a portion he is. I have said I would keep thy words. I entreated thy favor with my whole heart. What does that mean? Be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Now, I know that God's favor is in Christ. Psalm 89, 17 says so. Thou art their favor. Their favor, the mercy of God, the favor of God, the grace of God is all in Christ. I know that I have God's favor. Always have had it. Didn't always know it, but I've always had it. For from eternity, we were accepted in the beloved, who were chosen of God. And that word accepted means highly favored.

I know also that God's favor is my strength, so that so long as I am conscious of God's favor, I'm strong. No foe can terrify me, no trouble can destroy me, but there are times when the Lord hides his face from me and I'm troubled. I'm troubled. God's favor is my strength, but when he hides his face, then I have no conscious awareness of his favor, no sense of his favor. And so my desire is for the favor of God. I recognize that we must never presume upon God's favor.

Sometimes people raise questions Should we ask for grace? You know you've got grace. Should you ask for mercy? You know God's merciful. Should you ask for forgiveness? You know God's forgiven you. Don't ever presume upon God's favor so as to become indifferent about God's favor. Don't ever do it.

Did you ever notice as you read through the Psalms, David, who was the man after God's own heart, who walked before God with confident faith, was a man who constantly asked God to save him. He constantly asked God to save him. I mean, just every little witch ditch, David would cry out, save me, oh Lord, turn me and cause me to run after you. He called on God just as though he had never called on him before.

And I suspect if we know our need of grace today, as we thought we knew our need of grace yesterday, we'd seek grace the same way today. We must never be content to walk in this world without the consciousness of God's favor. Oh, Lord, When I open my eyes today, let me know your favor. If I have just the conscious awareness of God's favor, no matter what heartache reaches in and squeezes my heart, I can handle it. God's favor is my strength. No matter what trial, no matter what trouble, no matter what adversity, no matter what foe, no matter what adversary I meet with in the day, let me know God's favor. Everything will be all right.

When we've lost the sweet, conscious awareness of God's favor, we must diligently seek it. That passage in the Song of Solomon where the Lord causes his beloved to awaken and open the door and call for him. As soon as she was aware he had withdrawn himself and was gone, she said, I sought him. I went about the streets. I came to the watchman and they took my veil off. They exposed my sin. They said, it's your fault he's gone. But that didn't turn her away. She said, if you find him, tell him I'm sick of love. I've got to have him.

So when you have lost the conscious awareness of God's favor, what do you do? Seek it. Seek it. For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us come boldly to the throne of grace to the throne of favor. That we may obtain mercy and find grace to help every time we need it. That's what it's there for. Come to the throne of grace.

Secondly, with every fiber of my soul, I want to be conformed to the image of God. I want to be like God, don't you? Don't you? The image of God is Jesus Christ. I want to be like him. Somebody said, well, don't you know that one day soon you shall be like him?

I know that. In the glory of God, I shall be perfectly holy. without sin. When we shall see him, we shall be like him, but we shall see him as he is. I'm fully aware of that. I'm very confident that's so. One day, Ron, I'm going to be just like my Savior. God predestinated me to it. The Lord Jesus Christ died to secure it, and the Holy Spirit preserves me for it. But I want more. I want right now to live in this world As Jesus Christ lived in this world, I want to be like my God. Turn to Ephesians 4. Ephesians 4.

I'm not much of one for having texts of scripture posted up somewhere. If you post them up, you forget them. You look at them like a picture and just glance at it and forget it. But I'll tell you what, it sure be smart for us to turn to this passage and read it every day.

Verse 32, be you kind one to another. That's what I want. I want to be kind to you. Kind, one to another. Well, a kind word doesn't cost much, does it? Alberta said to me this morning, said, tell faith, mister. That's kind. I'm so glad somebody misses my daughter besides me, aren't you? Just be kind. It doesn't take much. Just be kind. Tender-hearted.

That means, Larry, have a heart toward your brethren so that you feel things they feel just as if it were you experiencing it. That's what it means to be tender-hearted. I want to share your burdens and carry them with you. That's what it is to be like Christ.

Forgiving one another. Well, I've forgiven if he asked for it. Aren't you glad God forgave you before you asked for it? God teach me that. Even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you, be ye followers of God as dear children and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling I want to love you as Christ loved us. By this shall all men know that you're my disciples if you have loved one to another. I want to serve you as Christ came not to be ministered unto but to minister.

As the Lord Jesus took a towel and girded himself in a bowl of water and knelt down took those disciples who'd been walking along the dirty roads, whose feet were hot and dirty, weary, who were tired. And with cool water, he washed their feet. What could be more serviceable? He did for them what they most needed, though it seemed so insignificant.

Oh, God teach me to serve like that. I want, by God's grace, to teach you as our Lord taught his disciples. And I want to help you along the way to heaven. I want to bear your burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. I will learn to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep.

I was thinking about this message yesterday. Bob and I were out here working, asking how his trip went. He went to see his brother last week. And I just presumed, since he's been going more than he used to, his brother must be having a little difficulty asking how he's doing. Before we got done, Bob said, he worries about me. And I thought to myself, that's just what brothers are supposed to do, worry about each other.

That's exactly what I'm supposed to do. Not about myself, but about you. Let everyone mind the things of another and not his own things. That's what it is to walk in love. Each one caring for the other. Thirdly, knowing something of the task that lies before me. I desire and my heart groans for the presence of God.

Turn to Exodus 33, Exodus chapter 33. God told Moses, take children of Israel, lead them up into the land of Canaan to go possess the land. And Moses called on God in prayer and he asked for things that demonstrated great faith. He said in verse 13, show me now thy way. He said again in verse 13, consider now that this nation is thy people. Then he asked the Lord in verse 18, he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. But in verse 14, after Moses said, consider that this nation is thy people, the Lord said to Moses, my presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest. And just as soon as God said that, Moses said something else. And he said unto him, if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. You see nothing can give us rest in this world of trouble. Nothing. Nothing can give us rest in this world of woe and of heartache. Nothing. Nothing can give us rest here except the conscious presence of God.

I cannot lead you, God's people, without his presence. Because without his presence, I don't know where we're going. I cannot endure the trials and temptations of life without his presence. But he said, I'll be with you. And though you pass through the waters, they'll not overflow you. Though you pass through the fire, the flames shall not kindle upon thee, for I will be with thee and I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. I cannot live peaceably in this world of trouble without God's presence. But his presence he gives. And so the apostle says, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice. Let your moderation, your ease of temperament, your unruffled, quiet disposition be known to all men. The Lord's at hand. The Lord's at hand. Daddy, you take those kids out in the band and you teach them and you instruct them. and your family and friends and your peers at school. The only thing on this earth they know about God is what they see in you. All they know. All they know. So walk in God's presence unruffled. I long for his presence.

I can't worship him without his presence. and I won't be able to die with confidence without his presence. If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up to him. Lord, let me make no step in any direction apart from your presence. Fourthly, I have learned and I am constantly reminded, I'm constantly reminded that it's never best for me to have my will and my way. I mean never, never. I don't know what I need. I don't know what's best for me. My daughter was just a little tight.

Somehow I managed to persuade her by God's grace and providence that she didn't know what was best for her, but I did. I managed to get that persuasion drilled into her when she was just a little tight so that she trusted me. If I told her to stay away from that, she stayed away from it. If I told her to do that, she did it. If I told her not to do the other, she didn't do it. If I told her she'd get burned playing with fire, she was going to get burned playing with fire, she never played with it. She just trusted me. Oh, Lord God, whatever it takes. Teach me to trust you that way.

I want to know God's will. Nothing else. Nobody else's, not mine, not yours, not mother's and daddy's. I want to know God's will. I've learned from my Savior to pray, not my will, thy will be done. Now listen carefully. I want to be obedient to God's revealed will, his word. So that whatever God reveals in his word, I pray that he will give me grace to obey. Teach me thy way, I will walk in thy truth.

His doctrine, whatever God revealed right here. I think I can say this with confidence, and I believe you who sit under the minister here will say amen to it. His doctrine is what you're going to hear here. That's my doctrine. His ordinances are my duty. His word must be the rule of my life. Speak well. I serve it here today.

I want to walk in daily conformity to God's will, seeking to do what he directs me to do. Nothing more important than the will of God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him. and he shall direct thy paths. I want God to bring to pass his providential will.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt the truthfulness of Calper's hymn. God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm and deep in unfathomable minds of never failing skill, he treasures up his bright designs and works his sovereign will. I really do know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the call according to his purpose.

I know that. So I want him to do what he will do in his providence. If I had my life to live all over again and could choose whatever I wanted, and I gave considerable thought to this before I wrote it down, you listen carefully. If I had my life to live all over again and I could choose whatever I wanted, I would walk the same path, endure the same heartaches, experience the same troubles, Weep the same tears and visit the same graves as I have because all of this has been done by the good and wise will of my Heavenly Father. He knows and He does what's best. I don't and I can't.

Moreover, I want God to perform all the good pleasure of his eternal will. I want God to do exactly what he has purposed and predestinated he will do. This is what our Savior taught us to pray. Thy will be done. Thy will be done. Fifthly, unless I'm deceived, unless I'm deceived, I want this. I've grown for this. above all other things. I want the glory of God. Three times in the Psalms, David said, let such as love thy salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified. That's what I want.

Let my doctrine be the doctrine that glorifies When I stand up here to preach or teach you whatever I write, I seek earnestly and carefully to set before you doctrine that always glorifies God. That's the reason I stress continually the divine sovereignty of our God. the effectual blood atonement of our Savior and salvation by the irresistible grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Let everything in the house of God be done for the glory of God. When Paul was writing to the Corinthians concerning that local church and the difficulties and the things that were going on there, he said, whatsoever you do, whether you eat or drink or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.

The local church is not a poor man's country club. This is not a place where folks get together because it makes them feel good. This is not a place where you come because you've got activities. This is not a place where you come because you've got folks of your own age group and you can get along well with them.

This is a place where men and women come to meet with the God of glory to glorify him. That means every song we sing Every message that is preached, every prayer that is prayed, every ordinance that is practiced, every activity that is put forth must be for the glory of God.

Let my home be a place where God's glory finds. Nothing so disturbs and breaks my heart If there's something to happen in the church of God, among the family of God, that doesn't glorify Him, or something happened across the driveway there, doesn't glorify God. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. In a home that is not built upon and devoted to God's glory, is a home that is built upon sand and devoted to destruction.

Let my life be lived and let it be ended for the glory of my God. Now, I try not to be careless, hazardous, I recognize some responsibilities in life, but honestly, God keep me from a pretentious show of piety. Honestly, I want to live in a way that glorifies God in thought, word, and deed. and want to die to glorify God just as soon as it glorifies Him for me to do so.

That's right. We're here just to glorify Him. That's what He put us on this earth for. Indeed, I rejoice to know that all things shall glorify my God, for of Him and through Him and to Him are all things. whom be glory forever. You'll glorify him, and I'll glorify him, either in his justice or in his grace. Indeed, all things will glorify God.

Lord, all my desire is before thee. My groanings are not in from thee. I desire the favor of God, the image of God, the presence of the will of God, the glory of God. Let me read a hymn I wrote yesterday after preparing for this message. We'll sing it the Lord willing next Sunday, but this will be our prayer for benediction right now.

I would be weaned and emptied to of earth and self and all but you. Surrendered to the crucified only in love with Christ who died. Preserve me from the noise and strife, the lust, the pomp, the pride of life. For heaven alone my heart prepare. Let all my affections be there. My savior steps force me to trace. Pursuing naught but holiness, this path with Jesus Christ in view, by grace to heaven I will pursue. Nothing but Christ would I know. Nothing but your will would I do.

Lord, take my heart, assert your right, and put all rival loves to flight. My dearest idols, Lord, remove my violent grace and make me love. nothing but Christ who lived for me and died from sin to set me free. The sins I hate help me to slay and consecrate myself today to live for Jesus Christ alone until he comes to take me home. Amen.

My Desire Is Before Thee

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How do we know God's grace is sufficient?

Why is the doctrine of election important for Christians?

What does the Bible say about the presence of God?

How do we seek God's will in our lives?

Why is it important to glorify God in our lives?

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