God working in our difficulties (Quality: Average)

[0:00] 13th Chapter of Exodus And Moses said unto the people, Hear ye not, stand still, which he will show you today.

[0:22] For the Egyptians whom ye see today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you and ye shall hold your peace.

[0:43] How wonderful did God display in this particular chapter his omnipotence and his almighty power.

[1:00] And also his determinate counsel that nothing could overthrow his purposes, which were to award the children of Israel.

[1:17] And so it was that he made it known that he was with them, notwithstanding all their rebellion, notwithstanding all that they had in their feelings toward Moses, their leader.

[1:46] Indeed, had they been left alone, as they said they had asked to be left alone, they would have never known the great mass and the power and might of God as displayed her toward them in the overthrow of their enemies.

[2:18] How wonderful it is that God, in his great mercy and love, does not deal with his people after their sins, nor reward them according to their iniquities.

[2:39] But he will chastise, as he did these people, but he will not forsake. And all his determinate decrees and purposes, must and shall and will be fulfilled toward each one of us here before him this morning.

[3:09] Whatever we may attempt to do, though we may be among those, as described in God's word, sought out many inventions, and had many thoughts of our own, as with God's, our condition before God, might have been like Job and many others, that cannot understand his dealing with us.

[3:47] Yet, at the same time, he causes all these things to work together, for our good, that ultimately, how we may have cause to praise and honor and extol his holy name.

[4:11] It was so here, after their great deliverance, the children of Israel, I mean here, how they were delivered, and how they sang praise unto him, and also, how they believed, and feared the Lord, and believed his servant Moses.

[4:37] And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not. How many of you, I wonder, have entered into this earthly courts this morning, full of fear, There are, various kinds of fears, there is a fear that hath torment, there is a fear, which comes upon the children of God, lest they might, have mistaken the one, lest they may not be, one of God's people, lest they may, be deceived, and so on, many fears, and then there is a fear, and that's most precious, that is a filial fear, of God.

[5:37] So we need to know, the difference between these fears, fears, but this fear here, which, I believe Moses was saying, fear ye not, he knew that the people feared, because of their enemies.

[5:59] Now we needn't look around, to look for enemies, we do not want to get on that ground, this morning, but we have, many enemies within us, I have found of length, he's our most treacherous, and our most detestable, and they are hateful, I believe to God, to cause us to fear, they'll make us fear, unless we have, not the root of the matter in us, we shall fear, because, we are not, what we would be, we shall fear, because there'll be times, when, we shall know, there are certain things, that transpire within us, that are not, according, unto God's word, well, these are our enemies, and these are, those, which, will cause, our many clouds, to come over, our pathway, and these clouds, will be so, dark, and lowering, sometimes, we shall fear, unless we might, be overcome, you know, the disciples, had this fear, they feared, he says, as they entered the cloud, there was a cloud, that came over, shadowed, and as they feared, entering that cloud, you see, it was that,

[8:02] God, in his love and compassion, should make known, unto them, that, wonderful, revealing, of Christ, upon the mountain, when you see, he was transfigured, before, and how they felt, rightly, so I believe, though, they were approved, for it, because we cannot, stay in that place, you know, but, they, they enjoyed it, in that way, they wanted to abide, and I am sure, that when you are in fear, according, to any particular, pathway, you may be in, if God should come, and reveal himself, to you, it will cause you, to desire, to remain, in that place, and it will desire, you may have a desire, even, in that place, that you might, be able, to be, to be taken, even in the immediate presence, of God himself, but you see, we are not to remain there, we have to come down, from the mount, into the low places, into sorrows, difficulties, and trials, afresh, to know still more, of his greatness, and many difficulties, and many difficulties, and yet, passing through, as it may be, as it may be, at this time, are to, make known, more fully, the greatness, and the majesty, and power, of the almighty God, that the children, of Israel, have already passed, through many trials, problems, and many difficulties, and yet, you see, they were just like us, immediately, they came into, fresh trial, how they began, to complain, and even said, would to God, we died in Egypt, in an awful, thought, that, they, spoke about, well, you and I, any better, and there be times, when, we have been, rebellious, against the pathway,

[10:52] God, have been leading us in, we said, well, this is never right, and, we've been in a place, perhaps, where we've said, we'll have no more, of it, but you know, that's silly, to walk really, when we come, in that path, to say, we'll have no more, of this, or that, or the other, God is, mightier than man, he is greater, than man, therefore, is your mercy, mine, that he dealt, with us, and does deal, with us, in life, may I say, here, he remembered, a foul frame, or know, a foul frame, and remember, that we are dust, and he sees, man, as he is, but, when he comes, and, according unto his love, and mercy, begins to work, upon, any, particular person, he will, in his love, and pity, reveal, unto them, that the way, they are being led, is, by his own, divine, purpose, and counsels, fear, ye not, there's one, here, just coming, to the house, of God, this morning, fearing, may I say, fear, ye not, for greater, is he, it is for you, and those things, that are against you, greater, is he, for, we believe, that, we worship, this great, and mighty God, who, he had delivered, his people, out of the hand, of the host, of Pharaoh, does there seem, to be a host, against you, sinner, well, you will, if you're one, of God's people, you'll find, a host, against you, and it'll be, a mighty host, and I'll tell you, who's the head of it,

[13:19] Satan, himself, my friend, but, you remember this, that he's, the Lord, God of hosts, proved here, he was, over the hosts, of Israel, so he's, the Lord, God of hosts, he's, over the hosts, of hell, God of hosts, God of hosts, that may come, against you, though Satan, with his mighty power, may come, and, insinuate, and all, might, and may, almost make you believe, that you're reprobate, though he may come, and fire his, fiery darts, at you, and bring up, many accusations, against you, indeed, he may say, some things, that you know, to be true, that you cannot deny, but, it'll all be, in God's hand, to drive you, under God, for mercy, to drive you, under him, to cry out, under him, that he will, deliver you, it is true,

[14:36] I believe, in God's hand, that he will, ultimately, cause you, to know, that there was, no need to fear, that he, was on your side, that he was, near the hand, to protect, and then, there may be, those who, may fear, because of the, mighty waters, they say, well I can't, pass this way, there are, these many things, that are so deep, such deep waters, to pass through, that I cannot, pass this way, and, you fear, well God says, fear ye not, by the hand of Moses, fear not, these mighty waters, when thou, pass it through, the waters,

[15:40] I'll be with thee, as through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee, when thou, pass it through the fire, they shall not be burned, neither shall the flames, kindle against thee, fear ye not, fear not, what, may be before you, I know it's easy, to, say these things, but, the word says, fear not, is your mercy, mine, if, we are enabled, to, come to God's word, and for it to be made, applicable, to our cases, when we need it, so then, there may be those, who are fearing, those things, that may be looming, up before them, are being that path, where, one has feared, and could see, these mighty waters, before them, and how we feared, unless we should be overcome, by, the place we were, in the place we were, and so, there was fear, about God, in love and compassion, his own time and way, came and delivered us, from all our fears, well, there were things here, with these, children of Israel, that they feared, to see the enemies, behind them, driving them, and to see before them,

[17:31] I feel, I feel, this to be true, that Satan, will attempt, to drive, and drive, and drive, God's people, and our, we bleed in endeavor, to overthrow them, and, there will be times, when he will be, behind us, it were, driving us, and, there will be, those things, before us, that seem to hold us back, we cannot, turn to the right, hand or left, well, what did God say, speak unto the people, that they go forward, I shall never forget, if I may break away, a moment, I shall never forget, when our dear old friend, Mr. Hope, was here, one week evening, and he spoke, from those words, that caused me, to feel,

[18:36] I had to go forward, in the ministry, you know, I don't often, speak of these things, but, we don't forget, those things, that had been, made applicable, to our cases, years, and, there is, I believe, not only, in, in my own case, but in the cases, of God's people, there are times, when, they come into, a great strait, like one said, in the word, I am in a great strait, and so, it is then, there are times, when, there is that, exhortation, near it, to go forward, may I say, this here, as it has come, upon my mind, if there is, one here, exercise, concerning, the ordinances, of God's house, here is the word, speak unto the people, that they go, forward, and, my friend, if that word, is made, applicable to your case,

[19:46] I am sure, there will be opposition, to it, and you are, having opposition, if there is one here, to that very part, but may you be led, to, look beyond, fear not, our enemies, fear not, those that are, opposing you within, are, about, may you be enabled, to press forward, and you will find, and I know this is true, that these, things that you fear, like the mighty waters, of the sea, and will be divided, before you, they will indeed, and there will be, a strength passage, and shall see, your enemies, within you, are dead, all my, say here and now, what is holding you back, friend, is it that you are, fearful, fear not, so then, it's a mercy, to, have this, this filial fear, too, that we fear, to do, what is not right, in God's sight, but when it is a fear, as this sort, he has spoken of, and is, for us to look, up unto God, that we may, go forward, in his strength, for his strength, is my profit, in our weakness, it is indeed, may you, poor trembling sinner, who may be trembling, in much fear, cast thine eye, heavenward, he, and who hithers, sitteth upon this throne, supreme, preeminent, over all things, and then, breathe out your prayer, before him, cry, the lamentable cry, in thy fear, under him, pour out, all your heart, never let Satan, tempt you, that your case, is too simple, or too small, there is nothing, too small, or too large, to be to Jesus, there is no trial, no difficulty, every much, however much, you may fear it, that you cannot, bring to him, for he understands, the simplest, he does indeed, oh how simple, are the prayers, in God's word, of his people,

[22:38] Lord, undertake for me, I am oppressed, Lord, look upon me, and, so there are, many, short prayers, in God's word, and may I say, I believe, in those short prayers, that, have been spoken, in the word, we find, have entered, into the ear, of the Lord, God's abel, and those sinners, have been delivered, out of their trials, may I say, unto you now, my dear friends, any of you, in trouble, any of you, in trial, any of you, in difficulty, fear not, come unto him, with all good, cast it, in his dear, sacred feet, cry unto him, again, and again, give him, no rest, may you, been able, to go forward, in prayer, may you, be able, to go forward, against all, those things, that come in, against you, there's someone, here this morning, passing through, these things,

[23:51] I believe, going, many things, before them, and they had, many fears, and, they may feel, that they cannot, pray, well, that's not an, unusual path, for God's people, but you've, heard me say, before, it's to say, it's the time, you are praying, with, when you can't pray, for there is that, desire, going forth, by poor heart, that none, can forbid it, to rise, isn't that a mercy, nothing, prevent, a prayer, rising from the heart, of a sinner, however much, there may be, coming against them, even the world, and all, what there is in the world, all, all the false things, that I, of the world do, cannot, forbid, a child, of God, to pray, like it was, with the dear, martyrs of old, and many others, and like it was, with dear,

[24:53] Hannah, you see, nothing, to prevent her, praying, under God, she had fears, and, as she came, before, her prophet, he said, put away, thy wine, oh, how he misunderstood her, ah, you see, she says, I'm a woman, of a sorrowful spirit, and, though she desired, something at God's hand, only her lips moved, oh, I said, he's vital prayers, fear ye not, that, come, a bold man, of a throne of grace, that ye may find, grace to help, in the time of need, these sinners, won't come, with a presumptuous boldness, they will come, with a humble boldness, a fearing boldness, that seems strange, doesn't it, a fearing boldness, well, they come, in fear, and yet a boldness, boldness, that rises, from living faith, knowing, that he is able, to save, even under the uttermost, those who come, under him, well then, speak, under the people, that they go, forward, and Moses said, under the people, fear ye not, therefore,

[26:21] I believe, that God, serves our commission, that they may, rightly, exhort the people, to fear ye not, having walked, those paths, where we be in much fear, and have proved, in delivering hand, at the time, of great need, both, providentially, spiritually, and, in everything here, in this time, state, oh, we need it too, God's servants need it, in the ministry, this word, fear ye not, if I know anything, of the path, surely, they go, with much fear, from time to time, it's a mercy, to have this fear, not to go, with a presumptuous, boldness, before God, in the declaration, of his proof, not to be high minded, not to be lifted up, with pride, not to be lifted up, with those things, that shall be, to make people, think something of us, but rather, that we may, be among those, that, may be received, by a few, poor, fearing, sinners, by a few, and undesired, the unadopterated, true, and, not to fear, either frowns of men, nor caught their smiles, but to fear him, who has committed, these vital things, into their charge, fear ye not, stand still, stand still, it's one of the hardest, things to do,

[28:38] I said, that's one of the hardest, things to do, to stand still, I know, that the living witness, that the word of God, says fools, they will be meddling, and you will find, my words true, that in trouble, we often, and more often, than not, try to write, these matters, our souls, try to put them, as we think, in the proper order, but, God will come, sometimes, and he'll, he'll, he'll, cause us, to stand still, and, like it was, with dear Manoah, and his wife, as I stood still, and beheld, the wonderful works, of God, how it has been, with some of us, and we've been favored, perhaps for the season, to stand still,

[29:44] I remember this, many years ago, when we were favored, to be able, to stand still, no more, satisfied, with his afflicting hand, satisfied, with the trials, we were passing through, that sounds strange, to nature, doesn't it, stand still, so that, there is a standing still, sometimes, in the midst of trial, afflictions, and sorrows, and knowing, that, he is that one, that had commanded us, to stand still, and ultimately, we did see, and shall see again, I believe, his hand, is a hand, that makes a way, in the deepest strains, where I can force a passage through, iron bars, and brazen gates, it can indeed, but stand still, so then, to stand still, as I live on this,

[30:56] I believe, concerning stand still, something, something is so easy, but it's not so easy, as I know, all that, you know, as I've just said, but, to be able to stand still, in a right way, and watch, and behold, his wondrous works, toward us, where he has made a, made a way, in the mighty waters, where he has divided, the sea, before us, say, when we've been, in, the rivers of affliction, and sorrow, and he's come, and divided, those very waters, and we've gone, through those waters, by faith, in Jesus, dry shot, we've been able, to stand still, and see his mighty works, to see, what he has done, for us, in this wilderness, cast thine eye, back sinner, has he done, anything for you, in the past, let not his mercies, lie, forgotten in, forgotten in, unthankfulness, and without, praises die, has he never, divided any, of his mighty waters, before you, has there never, been a time, when, in some, form or other, he made a way, for you, where there seemed, to be no way, like it was, with these people, and he hath, delivered you, fear ye not, stand still, and it was, in this standing still, that they were, to see, the salvation, of the Lord, as so that, if you are, favored to stand still, and cast thine eye, heavenward, there, how you will, by faith, behold, thy salvation, coming from above, don't come beneath, thy salvation, coming from above,

[33:16] God, and while, this was the salvation, of the children, of Israel, here, from their enemies, as regards, the historical part, of it, that they were, saved, from being, overcome, by their enemies, one would desire, to look a little, deeper, here, how it affects us, in our, experimental knowledge, of the truth, so then, there is a, fear ye not, stand still, and see, the salvation, of the Lord, may you, be enabled, to stand still, here, and see, from whence, cometh thy salvation, it cometh, from the Lord, there is no, salvation, in the other, there is no, other way, whereby, you may obtain, the salvation, only, from the Lord, he was the one, that obtained, salvation, for us, and this salvation, is unto, people, that were just, like the children, of Israel, are those, that, were, alienated, from, those things, which, we, work for, their good, and benefit, so then, and see, the salvation, of the Lord, well, there will be, a seeing it, by faith, that salvation, which Christ, obtained, for us, here on earth, when he died, to put away sin, salvation, is a joyful sound, to malefactors, doomed to die,

[35:25] Lord, may this grace, in me be found, by I, redeeming, loving joy, life, so then, there is, this, salvation, which is, of the Lord, and so then, when, this salvation, is made known, unto a sinner, it is made known, in and through, and by the operation, of the Holy Ghost, in the soul, and there, it is sealed, and signed, and settled within, now if you have this, there will be, as it was, with the children, of Israel, after this deliverance, they came into, many other, trials, and very soon, they came to, the waters of Mara, and so, you will find, that those, who are partakers, of this salvation,

[36:31] I will know, what it is, though being delivered, from the mighty, waters of sorrow, in a very, in a very short time, will come, into other sorrows, like, dear Bunyan said, well, ere one sorrow is all, troubles all, another nothing sees, so that, there will be, in the filth of his path, sorrows, trials, and difficulties, which they, cannot overcome, themselves, and is a good thing, they cannot, for I am sure, if they try, to overcome themselves, they will get, in a deeper bubble, and a deeper trial, cast, cast thy food, upon the Lord, sinner, and he shall sustain thee, cast, all thy cares, all thy troubles, all thy sorrows, upon him, some say, you speak, though, it's easy, it's not easy, but I say, may you then, be enabled, by faith, and be given grace, to cast, these things, upon him, who cared, for his people, he does indeed, it, so then, though, they receive, this salvation,

[38:03] God's people, receive this salvation, salvation, they do find, they need, again and again, to have it, made, over new, is there one here, who is desiring, that he would, renew unto you, his poor, beloved, kindnesses, even when you, went after him, in the wilderness, the days of your, first espousals, when, he was to you, most precious, or as some of us, would love, to feel, we knew him, of those times, when, in our youth, we went after him, in the wilderness, and, went to the house of God, panting, hungry, thirsty, our ear open, every word, that was spoken, by the servants of God, listening, if by any means, we might receive, some little help, and, longing for that day, to come, when we might know, something, of the salvation, of the Lord, he is, was, we were enabled, sometimes, to stand still, and listen, with an attentive ear, unto the word, that was spoken, for what a mercy, it is, we, if we, in any of us, look back a little, on those days, and desire, in our hearts, now, as we get into the evening, of our, of our life, to, have a renewing of it, to again, have a revival, of those blessed times, we had, even in the house of God, and also, sometimes, privately, when, but the young in years, oh, what a mercy, we come, even to die, and give some, poor, silly ear, some, precious renewings, of, those, for the loving, kindness, warm, well, can't you say, with a dear poet, his loving times, past, forbids me to think, he'll leave me at last, in sorrow to sink, his sweet Ebenezer,

[40:34] I have in review, confirmed his good pleasure, to help me quite through, all I've thought, in the past week, and the great necessity, of being, right with God, to have our house, put in order, you know how, the word came to, Ezekiah, put thine house, in order, thou shalt die, and not live, you know how, this, caused him, did it, it'll cause you, to do it, if you have that exercise, for a few moments, he turned his face, to the wall, turned himself away, out from everything else, even, unto God alone, do you know, how God heard his cry, sinner, if you've got anything, troubling you, whatever it may be, turn life, face to the wall, that means, turn away, from everything, everybody, don't look at others, or anything of that sort, turn yourself, away from everyone else, and everything, and in secret, cry unto God,

[41:49] God, and, though he knows, your case, but nevertheless, tell him all, your case, tell him all, what you feel, and lay it bare, before him, and lay, as it were, there, even, using the words, here before us, stand still, even on that, very spot, on, the ground, of prayer, it's a mercy, to be able, to stand still there, in prayer, leaving the issue, in his sovereign hand, oh, you know how, how, David said, on that occasion, when he was in the great strait, let me now, fall, into the hand of God, though it says, it's a terrible thing, to fall into the hand of God, well, it's a blessed place, because we fall into his hand, he's just, he's righteous, he's not an unjust judge, and he knoweth all things, and he'll reward him, a man, or woman, calling, unto, those things, that they deserve, he does indeed, oh, if he gave us all we deserved,

[43:08] I've often thought, if he dealt with me, after my sin, I've been held long ago, but he's merciful, long suffering, great in compassion, and does pass by, the multitude of our iniquities, he does indeed, here it sometimes, will cause us to stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, see that salvation, that covered us, from the wrath of the Father, that salvation, that presented us, before the Father, holy and undefiled, that's a depth, I've never been able to fathom, and I'm sure, no human thought, can ever fathom, how that a sinner, foul, and black, and vile, as we are, can be justified, before the Father, that he sees us, without wrinkle, blemish, on each other's thing, well, you know, it is in and through, the spotless righteousness, of Christ, you see then, through, the purity, holiness, and the finished work, and the salvation, that God obtained for us, it's a mercy, to be able to stand still here, and see the salvation, of the Lord, stand still, even at the cross of Christ, and see, his great, and blessed atonement, that atonement, how that was so, wonderful he made known, under sinners, healed of the cross, the blood of Jesus Christ,

[45:04] God's dear son, cleansed from all sin, here it is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us, or how he loved us, with an everlasting love, loved us, ere time began, in the eternal covenant, loved us, ere we had a being, loved us, before we were born, loved us, when we were born, loved us, in our evil days, when we went, galeolite, and with the world, desired him, their pleasures, and all the things, that were around us, in that love, that he should love us, even then, that his watchful care, was over us, his preservation, that we could not, neither drown, nor be, nor be killed, any other way, preserved, in Jesus' way, our feet, made ace to hell, and there, we have gone, but he does, all things well, so then, is salvation, and, see the salvation, the Lord, which he shall show you, today, or that this may be known, to some poor sinner here, that his salvation, may be shown you, today, that his salvation, was free, under sinners, like you, you, have been, hovering around, it may be, on the brink, of the fountain, of that vicious atonement, perhaps yours, stand still, and see the salvation, of the Lord, which he shall show you, today, he shall show you, that though you are, a sinner, vile, and base, and, and far off, that in him, there is, plentious redemption, in him, there is, deliverance, yea, in him, is, the full, and free remission, of the violence, of sins, does Satan, tempt you, that you sin, beyond all hope, well you're just, the sinner, for Christ, you're just, the one to come, those that are, tantalized, by Satan, and who's ever, endeavouring, to, to prevent, a sinner, come,

[47:45] God, this is, one of the great enemies, of a child, of God, it's tread, run over the path, and we've made, a poor sinner, coming to Christ, but, you, if you are, favour to stand, still, on that ground, to, to, to, come to him, and, cry unto him, for, deliverance, from your sins, there is none, too great, all the many, evidences, there are, not, not only, in the word of God, but, in, the, history, of, those, who, have gone, before us, over the many, characters, that have been, vile, that God hath called, and made them, monuments, of grace, so, then, and Moses, said unto the people, fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation, of the Lord, which he shall show you, today, well, may the Lord, and his blessing, to these few remarks,

[49:07] Amen.