Christ's light in our darkness (Quality: Good)

[0:00] As the Lord may be pleased to help me, we would direct you prayerfully to the gospel according to Luke chapter 1 and reading verse 79.

[0:15] Gospel according to Luke chapter 1, reading verse 79. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

[0:30] To guide our feet into the way of peace. Would not take this out of context of the prophetic language of Zacharias.

[0:42] Who was speaking about the son to be given him. Thou child shall be called the prophet of the highest. For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways.

[0:54] To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins. Through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us.

[1:06] To give light to them that sit in darkness. If we knew nothing of this darkness, friends. Which we procure unto ourselves by reason of our sins.

[1:20] We should not desire this light. But according to the purposes of God. It was so to be that Elizabeth in our barrenness was to bear this child John.

[1:37] He was to be a living witness of the things that he had been shown by the Holy Spirit. And how vital it is that your religion and mine is the work of the Holy Spirit.

[1:53] Everything else will fail. And we sometimes think you know that the Lord has forgotten or forsaken us in those things that he has given us.

[2:07] You know the Lord is very plain in when he speaks to a poor sinner. When you have heard his voice. A word from heaven drops into your very soul.

[2:19] You may be tempted sometimes. When will it ever be performed? And you seem to have these things arise and come suddenly upon you. That seem to shake you.

[2:30] Don't they? And shake your faith as it were. And all have we had to prove it. I believe in the last day or two of these things that have absolutely seem to have crushed us.

[2:45] Where is now your God? Where is the promise? Where is the fulfilling of these things? That you know God is a sovereign.

[2:56] And all we do need much grace. Don't we? To bow the knee. To his sovereign will. And what he has promised he will fulfill. But not in the way always that you and I expect.

[3:09] You see he is infinite in wisdom. And your wisdom and mine is so limited. All because what is our wisdom? Of what his wisdom sees fit must be surely best for us.

[3:24] He is too wise to be mistaken. Too good to be unkind. And so how he uses Zacharias and Elizabeth to bring forth John.

[3:37] All his ways are past finding out. And all don't we continually have to learn the lesson painfully. Painfully. But as for God his way is perfect.

[3:51] Now the word of the Lord is tried. And but he is a button and a shield to them that trust in him. You see you have no need to fight in this battle.

[4:05] Or you say but the word says fight the good fight of faith. Is it going to be an easy path then for you and me through the wilderness. If the Lord is going to fulfill those things that he has promised you.

[4:18] He is not going to have you and me glory one little bit. Not going to have you and me dear friends lifted or exhorted above measure. But he is going to send his blessed spirit.

[4:33] The gospel of John. What a blessed gospel it is. It is a gospel of love and peace. To poor sinners. Now this is the purpose of the tender mercy of our God.

[4:46] Whereby he says the day spring from and high hath visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness. If you never knew the darkness dear friends. You wouldn't want the light would you.

[4:59] In darkness born I went astray. How many poor things today out in that world. Will perish in their darkness. In their sins. Determined to do their own will.

[5:12] Determined to desecrate God's day. Determined to perform those lusts of the flesh. And where should some of you and I be. If God had cut us down.

[5:23] In those dark days. Darkness born I went astray. Wandered from the gospel way. Since my saviour gave me sight.

[5:35] I cannot walk without his light. And so you have to pray continually. Don't you. That the Lord would lighten that darkness. You sit in darkness.

[5:46] You grope for the wall like the blind. You know not what to do. But what a mercy to have prayer. To look unto the Lord.

[5:57] This fighting then of the good fight of faith. What a battle it is. But the battle is not yours and mine. It's God's. And so we looked at the Lord.

[6:08] In this remarkable chapter. The visits of the angel of the Lord. And no we know. Do we not see. We don't see perhaps an angel. Physically.

[6:20] But the angel of the Lord. Encampeth round about them. That fear him. That fear his name. That reverence his holy name. Not a slavish fear.

[6:31] As the papists have. But a reverential. Sacred solemn ball. Upon your spirit. When you consider the majesty. And the holiness of God.

[6:43] So this. Reverential fear. As you. Pray unto the Lord. That you might walk. In his fear. Do that that is right in his sight. And pray for grace to be kept.

[6:55] In the narrow way. You have been singing some. Good instruction friends. As Jesus Christ. Being the way. The only way.

[7:07] And especially. When we consider. All the. Fleshly activity. Activities. And excitement. At this season. So much of it's carnal.

[7:18] So much of it. That is paganism. Lord. To be brought here. To feel your need. Of this light. Jesus himself. To deliver you.

[7:30] In the shadow of death. So. When I. Though. Yea. Though I walk. Through the valley. Of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil.

[7:42] Some. Walking through the valley. Of the shadow of death. Literally. They shall fear no evil. If the Lord. Lightens them. Their darkness. And you may feel.

[7:54] Though they walk. Through the valley. Of the shadow of death. Upon your soul. All such darkness. Such despairing. As to the reality. Of your religion.

[8:05] And tempted. As to whether there is. Any real religion. And whether the Lord. Has forsaken you. And forgotten. To be gracious unto you. Now. You know.

[8:17] The Lord. You know. Of sent. John. Then into the world. And thou shalt be called. The prophet of the highest. So we would.

[8:28] Seek that. Help of the spirit. If we are the Lord's anointed. To proclaim. The name of the Lord. This is the purpose of it. To exalt Christ.

[8:40] And for Christ. To be revealed. In this dark world. Of sin. And so many caught up. With the. Perishing things. In this world. Careful and troubled. About so many things.

[8:51] And we all suffer from it. All suffer from it. We have such little faith. And when that faith. Gets. Tried. Oh it seems to be. Dashed to pieces.

[9:02] But to give light to them. Sit in darkness. So what a mercy. That the Lord. Comes and. Shines into the dark.

[9:13] United soul. Of a poor sinner. And revives him. And restores unto him. The joy. Of salvation. Look to him. As your strong deliverer.

[9:24] In providence. Look to him. As the one thing. Needful. Pray unto him. That he might prove to you. As we sung. The way of strength. Great mystery.

[9:35] Isn't it? It isn't the support. The supporting arm. Or hand. Of a fellow creature. It is the all supporting arms. Of the Lord Jesus.

[9:46] To hold you up. How does he do that? By his spirit. He strengthens you. By his word. The entrance of his word. That gives light.

[9:57] Gives understanding. To your poor simple heart. And my. Oh you're so be clouded. Aren't you? And you feared. As you enter this cloud. Of trouble. And you get so oppressed.

[10:09] And so cast down. As to where the scene will end. All the dreadful events. That are taking place. In our nation. And throughout the world really. And.

[10:21] You may be tempted. To say. Well where is God? Why does he permit it. To come to pass. This and that. Dreadful destruction. Weapons of destruction. On every hand.

[10:32] Destroying mankind. Which you know. The weapons of your warfare. And mine. Are not carnal. Not carnal weapons. But the weapons of your warfare.

[10:43] Are not carnal. But mighty through God. To the pulling down of strongholds. And you know what? So may so. Try you. As to concerning.

[10:53] All these dreadful things. In the world. You know. There's not sin. The cause of it all. The Lord's dear people. I believe. Will prove.

[11:04] They have that. More powerful weapon. Than all the weapons of warfare. The carnal weapons. And they prove this. That the Lord. God is their stronghold.

[11:16] God is their stronghold. Ah. He knoweth them that trusted him. Amen. Amen. What a mercy. That the Lord then. Gives light. Gives light.

[11:27] To poor sinners. As they. Search the scriptures. And as you search the scriptures. So you see the cause. Of all the dreadful events. In the earth.

[11:38] And it is because man. Is evil. And that continually. But the Lord. Has so promised. That if ye being evil. Know how to give good gifts. Unto your children.

[11:50] How much more. Shall your heavenly father. Give the holy ghost. To them. That ask ye. Lord. Then you say. Shine. Into my dark. The night in soul.

[12:02] Do reveal to me. That way of peace. We speak much. Don't we. Of this season. Of peace on earth. And good will. Toward men. There is a measure of it.

[12:13] It is true. But oh. What a mercy. To have this lasting peace. This real peace. Of God. That passeth all understanding. My peace.

[12:24] I leave with you. This is the peace. That are troubled. Darkened soul once. When the Lord. Shines upon him. Confirms his soul. And blesses him.

[12:34] With this knowledge. Of salvation. In that other words. To tell him. That his sins. Have been pardoned. And remitted. Blotted out. As a thick cloud.

[12:46] And. To be given. That grace. To run with patience. The race set before you. Looking unto Jesus. To give light. To them that sit in darkness.

[12:59] And so this is the. This is the work of John the Baptist. As he goes before the face of the Lord. To prepare. The ways of the Lord.

[13:10] And. To. Certainly. Search out sinners hearts. There were no pulling of punches. Of. With regard to the. Preaching.

[13:22] Of John. The gospel. John. The Baptist. In preaching the gospel. Lord. What a mercy. You know. Dear friends. If. If we're given that door of utterance.

[13:34] To be faithful. Unto the service of our Lord. In seeking. To walk worthy of him. It'll be. It'll be a searching gospel.

[13:45] Won't it. At times. Because God's word. Is very discriminating. And. It is. Alone. By that grace. That we shall be.

[13:56] Inable to stand. To be steadfast. To be unmovable. Always abounding. In the work of the Lord. To give light. To give light.

[14:08] To lighten the Gentiles. And the glory of his people. Israel. God. So this blessed word. Then. Before us today. Of this knowledge of salvation.

[14:20] To know the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ. As the only begotten son. Full of grace. And full of truth. For the word was made flesh. And dwelt amongst us.

[14:33] All to feed upon the word. You see. The Lord has finished that work. That he came to do. He's now ascended into heaven. And his eye runs to and fro.

[14:43] To the whole of the earth. He knows where. This light. Has lightened your darkness. He knows where this quickening grace. Has appeared. In the souls of his redeemed.

[14:56] And can we not say. That we humbly hope. That he has quickened. Some of our souls here. Might it please him. To quicken. All your souls induces.

[15:06] Because if we're not quickened. If we're not convinced of sin. Then what will the value of Christ. Saving grace be to us.

[15:18] So this great work. This mighty work. To bring you and me to repentance. When the Lord so convinces you.

[15:29] That you're a sinner in the sight of God. To tremble before his holiness. And his majesty. And by the eye of faith. To lift up your eyes. Unto the hills.

[15:40] From whence cometh your help. And acknowledge your help. Cometh from God. To give light. So this vital necessity. Of regenerating grace.

[15:52] That shines. Into your soul. Exposes all your sins. Spoke recently. Didn't we? I think. Concerning. How Jesus was wearied.

[16:03] And sat by the well. In his humanity. Inhumanity. He was wearied in the flesh. And. How that woman came. That Samaritan.

[16:15] And he told her all things. That ever she did. This is light. To them that sit in darkness. Convincing you and me. Of your sinnership. Telling you all things.

[16:28] That ever you did. Bringing to your remembrance. Those. Past sins. The sins. The sins of your sinful life. And making you feel so wretched. So violent.

[16:39] And so cast down. And always exercise you. With prayer. For that pardon of your sins. That assurance. That.

[16:50] He has made your heaven secure. For without these things. There be no light. In your dark soul. And in the shadow of death. Need him.

[17:02] Don't we. To guide us. By his counsel. He says. I counsel thee. To buy me gold. Tried in the fire. This is it.

[17:12] Isn't it? Your faith. Is as gold. Well. He's going to try our faith. In the fires. No smooth passage. To heaven. For a repentant sinner.

[17:24] We may think. In early days. Or now. I should be alright. The Lord. Spoken to me. He's given me a promise. I shall have need. Of nothing.

[17:35] I shall get everything. That my. Prayers. I ask. For. And I shall. Go on my way. Rejoicing. Lord. Do be careful. Dear friends.

[17:46] In letting the devil. Tempt you. Lull you. To sleep in there. He'll have you. An exercise soul. Daily. Which you might be.

[17:57] Truly brought. To. Feel the burden. Of your sins. Though you trust. You might have felt. Forgiveness. And a good hope. Through grace. You're one of his. Chosen vessels. Because you've.

[18:09] Clearly seen. Some sign. Or some wonder. In your pathway. The Lord. Will try the righteous. Try them. Well. Because he's going to.

[18:20] Bring you into fellowship. With the sufferings. Of Christ. That's why. Friend. Jesus. You say. Well. That Jesus. Loves us all. Does he?

[18:31] Be careful. Of that statement. The Lord. You know. Doesn't love all. Jacob. Have I loved. Esau. Have I hated.

[18:41] You know. It's a wonderful favor. Isn't it. To be. Amongst these. Chosen vessels. Chosen vessels. That show. May be sitting.

[18:53] In great darkness. And in the shadow of death. Wonder sometimes. Where the sea is going to end with you. Oh Lord. You say. Not another thing to bear. Not another trial.

[19:04] Not another affliction. Not another. Sad. Portion of news. That so. Ways you down. In the world.

[19:15] You shall have tribulation. The Lord has promised. That. Has told us that. But he did say. Be of good cheer. When he does grant you.

[19:27] That glimpse. By faith. Of himself. The application. Of some precious word. Be of good cheer. I've overcome the world. Now he'll enable you.

[19:39] And me. To overcome the world. Worldly habits. Worldly lusts. Worldly pursuits. Now we shall perish. If we go in them. If we go on.

[19:50] Seeking these. Vain things. Of the world. When the Lord. By his grace. Lightens your darkness. When he convinces you. Of sin. When he makes you.

[20:01] Conscious of your. Sinnership. And of an eternity. Before you. You'll begin to look. To the Lord. Of life and glory. To know this. Knowledge of salvation.

[20:13] We know it. In the letter. Don't we. That. He shall call. His name. Should be called. Jesus. For he shall save. His people. From their sins. All this.

[20:24] Vital necessity. Then for you. And me. Is to have knowledge. Of this personally. A living experience. Something that the Lord.

[20:34] Has spoken to you. And me. Are. And has quickened. Their souls. To. Be exercised. In prayer. To lay. This and that matter. At the throne.

[20:45] Of divine grace. This and that word. That you'll receive. And this is. Then this or that word. That you desire. To have applied. To yourself.

[20:56] The promises. Which are yea and amen. In Christ. The promises. That the Lord himself. Will take. And seal upon the soul.

[21:09] Of. His chosen people. Now you say. Lord. Do decide. My doubtful case. I seem to sit. In much darkness. You may sit.

[21:21] In the pew. Week after week. In darkness. You hear. To approve. All the things. That are spoken. You know. They're not erroneous. That you want them.

[21:34] Applied to yourself. You seem to sometimes. Leave them. At the chapel door. Don't you? But you know. When the Lord. So uses a word. At that set time. You'll remember it.

[21:45] The Holy Ghost. Is our remembrance. Of what a mercy. Men speak. Of their. Women too. Of their. Oh. Such a bad memory. For this and that.

[21:58] When the Lord. Impresses upon your soul. Friends. That precious word. Will be your meat. And your drink. Indeed. The world knows nothing of. Right.

[22:10] As it is. As you know. To. To. Give. Give. Good gifts. Unto one another. Unto your children. Though. How much more.

[22:21] Is the needs. Being. Of the gift. Of the Holy Spirit. And to give. Knowledge. Of this salvation. To his people.

[22:33] And. For those visits. When Jesus. With his mighty love. Visits my troubled breast. My doubts. Subside.

[22:44] My fears. Removed. And I'm completely. Blessed. You younger people. Might think. Is that so? Does it really happen?

[22:55] Well I can tell you. From experience. Dear friends. You young friends. And you are a burden. To some of you. Older ones. In this dark world.

[23:06] Of sin and woe. The Lord does visit. The Lord does speak. And the Lord does appear. And he does work. And he has everything.

[23:17] Under his divine control. In spite of all. What you are taught. At your schools. Or what you might. Be led to understand. And believe. The Lord reigns.

[23:28] The Lord reigns. You see. The word of the Lord. Remember. Your teacher's words. You know. They will. Well. They will stop one day.

[23:39] With death. We shall all stop. Speaking. When death. Comes upon us. But the word of the Lord. Remember. Young friends. The word of the Lord.

[23:51] Endure it forever. Endure it forever. Forever. This is the word. Which by the gospel. Is preached unto you. All other preaching.

[24:03] Dear friends. Is erroneous. If it denies. God's. Holy word. And the truth of it. It's the word. Dear friends. That endures forever. And our.

[24:14] Our souls. Are much exercised. For the young people. In their day. That they might be. Given this light. Not all this. The scientific.

[24:26] Things. That are advanced. Of the millions of years. That the world's existed. Or that we might take heed. To what God's word. Reveals to us.

[24:37] Concerning. Creation. The almighty. Give us each more grace. To remember the Sabbath. And see grace. To keep it holy.

[24:49] That we might be delivered. From sitting in darkness. Which is by reason. Of our sinfulness. Look to the Lord. In his sovereign mercy.

[24:59] To shine. Into our dark. Benighted souls. And reveal to us. The love of Christ. And those. Receive those tokens. Of his love.

[25:11] So. The visiting. The visiting. Of the spirit. Upon sinners. As they sit down. Under his shadow. With great delight. And his fruit.

[25:21] Is sweet. To their taste. To give light. To them. That sit in darkness. So. Whatever. Your state. Of mind. Is this morning.

[25:33] The Lord. Does reign. And is able. To lift up. The light. Of his countenance. Upon you. And bless you. With that good hope. Through grace. That you shall yet overcome. God. Wonderful performance.

[25:47] In here. How. The angel said. That Zacharias. Because of his doubts. Was to be struck down. His doubts. Of what.

[25:58] The angel. Had brought. As the messenger. Of God. And he doubted it. And he was to be dumb. And oh. How the name. Of the child.

[26:09] That was to be born. Was revealed. To his mother. It should be called John. And then you know. There was a confirming. Of it. When. When. Zacharias.

[26:19] Wrote on that. Tablet. His name. Should be called John. They wanted to call him. After his father's name. You see. These things. Small and minute.

[26:29] As they may be. But it's the hand of God. The small things. In your life. The hand of God. In them. Your circumstances.

[26:43] When you see. All these things. They fit together. Like a jigsaw puzzle. Our lives. Our friends. I believe. They all fit into their right place.

[26:55] And it'll be. Bringing forth. A headstone. At last. Crying grace. Unto it. What a mush. If the Lord. Is so light. In your darkness. To see his hand. In it. In this.

[27:06] And that matter. In providence. Disappointment. Perhaps. One day. And then. A balancing. Of the clouds. The next. When there is.

[27:17] That raising up. Of a good hope. Of another matter. Lord. Ordering. Your footsteps. And mine. According. To the counsel. To the counsel. Of his will. And the counsel.

[27:29] Of the Lord. It standeth forever. And so. These. Sons and daughters. Of God. That are in darkness. What do they do then?

[27:41] Why? They'll still be found crying. They'll still be found sowing in tears. That they might yet rejoice. That they might yet. Sing in joy.

[27:52] And praise him. For his goodness. And his mercy. And look to him. To guide them. In the way of peace. Now the Lord is.

[28:04] Will teach you and me much. Won't he? I think it's in the. Laodicean church. Isn't it? How. You know. He speaks to the church. Very plainly.

[28:14] Concerning. How they are. He says. I know thy works. That thou art. Neither cold nor hot. I would thou work. Cold or hot.

[28:25] So then. Because thou art lukewarm. And neither cold nor hot. I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest. I am rich. And increased with goods. And have need of nothing.

[28:36] And knowest not. That thou art wretched. And miserable. And poor. And blind. And naked. You see. When the Lord visits a sinner. In all his.

[28:47] He may be left. A glory. And a measure. In his possessions. Knowest thou not. That thou art wretched. And miserable. And poor. And blind. And naked.

[28:58] I counsel thee. To buy me gold. Tried in the fire. That thou mayest be rich. You see. Gold in the furnace. Tried. That is living faith.

[29:10] Faith. Is a substance. A thing. So. For. Now living faith. Will be tried. As gold. Gold in the furnace. Tried. Now loses all the grass. So is the Christian.

[29:21] Purified. And bettered. By the grass. Oh you. Don't you dread the cross. Sometimes. What next. What next. Cross awaits you.

[29:31] And me. In the pathway. You're not left. To get very. Elated. Or high. With you. In your providences. Though they might. You might flourish. And be increased. With goods.

[29:42] And so forth. You know. There's always something. That comes. To dampen down. Your enlivened spirit. Isn't there? Something.

[29:52] To make you sick. Sick. Of self. And more fond. Of him. And pray. For clearer views. Of him. As John comes.

[30:05] To prepare his ways. And. To be enabled. To reveal to you. And to me. That Jesus. Is the way.

[30:18] The truth. And the life. No man cometh unto him. Unto the father. But by him. But all that the father. Giveth me. Shall come to me.

[30:28] And the him. That cometh unto me. I will in no wise. Cast out. All this knowledge. Of salvation. This knowledge. Dear friends.

[30:38] Of Christ. And him crucified. For had not. Jesus. Been made. Under the law. Had. Flesh like air. Sin accepted.

[30:49] How could he have gone. To the end of the law. As we view him. You know. God is a sovereign. And. As we read here. This morning. That.

[31:00] With him. With God. Nothing shall be impossible. Nothing shall be impossible. You know. In your darkness. You can't believe that. Can you?

[31:12] In your trial. Of your faith. You begin to wonder. How can these things be? How can these things be? Mary had to say it. How can these things be?

[31:23] Seeing I know no man. Ah. You know. God is a performing God. Still the same Jesus. Yesterday. Today. Forever. The eternal sonship.

[31:35] God. Manifested. In the flesh. In the form of that. Babe Christ. His name shall be called. Jesus. So.

[31:47] You know. This great power. Of the Holy Spirit. You see. When the Lord's people. Have need. His goodness. Will. Find that away.

[31:57] God. But you'll be brought. To the uttermost ends. Of the earth. I believe. In your feelings. In this darkness. And in the shadow of death. And yet. You cannot give up.

[32:08] Praying. Because the Lord. Gives you a measure of light. In that sense. That measure of faith.

[32:18] To believe in him still. You know. Faith. Though the smallest. Shall surely be tried. But it lives. And labors under load. This is the proving.

[32:29] Of the real living faith. If you. If Jesus is the author. Of your faith. This is the proving. Of real faith. Friends. When it lives. And labors under load.

[32:42] Though damp. Your faith. May be very damp. This morning. Mine is. But it never dies. It never dies.

[32:54] Because. What God has given. Is forever. Hold fast. Friends. To what the Lord. Has given you. What he has worked. In yourself. What he has persuaded. You are.

[33:04] That he is the one thing. Needful. And all. That you might be given. Grace. To look to him. To yet.

[33:15] Supply that need. To yet. Make that. Crooked thing. Straight for you. That rough place. Plain. And that darkness. Light before you. He is a God.

[33:26] Of all praise. And at the set time. He will favor. His dear people. As that faith. Lives and labors. Under load. Though damned.

[33:36] It never dies. Because Jesus. Mercifully. Is the author. Of this living faith. And. It is. To give.

[33:47] His people. His people. That knowledge. Of salvation. God's electing love. Will never fail. And once he loves. He never leaves.

[33:58] But loves them. Until the end. Now if he's loved you. From all eternity. Friends. You may be in darkness. And some of you. Doubtless. Are in darkness. Until called by grace.

[34:09] But when the Lord. So shines. You'll feel. An almighty power. Pour upon your soul. And will so. Bring you. Even perhaps.

[34:20] Lower than you feel. At present. And in greater darkness. And in bondage. But still. Through mercy. He keeps alive. Your soul. And keeps you.

[34:31] Waiting. Upon him. For that renewed strength. That you might. Yet be. Mount up. With wings as eagles. That you might run. And not be weary. Walk.

[34:41] And not fight. For he gives that power. To the faith. And them that have no mind. He increases strength. And all in his purposes.

[34:53] To guide. Our feet. In the way of peace. And so. As the child. Of God. You know. The child grew. John grew.

[35:05] And waxed strong. In spirit. Was in the desert. Till the day. Of his showing. Unto Israel. And so. With yourself.

[35:16] Sinner. To have yet. Be found. An Israelite. Indeed. In whom. There is no God. You know. You're waxed. Strong. In spirit. In. When the Lord. Pours. The spirit of grace.

[35:26] And of supplication. Upon you. You're teaching. To pray. For such things. You never thought. You knew anything of. You'll be uttering. Things. That you may not. Fully understand.

[35:37] At the throne. Of grace. That God. Is a sovereign. No. He will apply. This and that word. To your soul. And he'll give you. Grace. To understand it.

[35:49] Your knowledge. Of Christ. And that great salvation. And your love. To Christ. Oh. What a favor then. That. Jesus still.

[36:02] Gives us. A living. Truth. A living word. A living gospel. And the entrance. Of his word. That giveth light. And understanding. To your poor simple heart.

[36:13] You see. God is his own interpreter. And he will make it plain. What he intends. To perform for you. And in you. And he'll work in you.

[36:25] And me. Both of will and do. Of his good pleasure. To give you that light. All that light. That light. Dear friends. That shone. That shone.

[36:36] Shines upon the road. That leads you. To the land. Lord. Do bless me. With some real religion. Tokens of thy love. And exercise my soul. Concerning.

[36:47] Seeking. To know. Something. Of the application. Of the precious promises. Of his word. That I might. Know the truth.

[36:59] And to know the truth. Is to make me. Free from the condemnation. Of the broken law. To give knowledge. Of salvation. To his people. By the remission.

[37:10] Of sins. And if sin. Be pardoned. And oh. Don't you long for it. Yes. Because if the Lord. So pardoned your sins. You could do all things then.

[37:22] As he strengthened you. As he's held up. Your goings. As he undertakes. For you. And you can rest.

[37:33] In his love. You can rest in his love. And you can be. Patiently. Tarrying here. In the city of Jerusalem. Until he be.

[37:45] You be endured. With power. From and on. And you'll do all things then. Through Christ. That strengthens. Strengtheneth you. Delivers you. From all your fears. You know.

[37:57] When this. When this. When the. The angel visited. Mary. She. She.

[38:07] She was. Full of fears. And. The angel said. Under here. Fear not Mary. But thou hast found favor. With God. You know.

[38:20] The mercy is. When the Lord. Causes you. To find favor. We may have. Many fears. When the Lord. Speaks to us. When we have. These visits.

[38:32] And they're not. Very frequent. They're very rare. Because they're. Very precious. Because these are. Something. Of the heavenly. Treasures. That he puts.

[38:42] Within your. Earth and vessel. That the excellence. And the power. May be of God. And not of us. When he so. Visits your soul. And grants you. A touch.

[38:53] And a token. Of his love. Or it's something. Dear friends. That you possess. Of a little. That a righteous man. That is better. Than the many riches.

[39:03] Of the wicked. Gives you light. Gives you hope. And it encourages you. To go on. Impressing. Toward the mark. For the prize.

[39:14] Of the high calling. Of God. In Christ Jesus. To give light. To them. That sit in darkness. The appointed time there. That rolls on a pace.

[39:25] Not to propose. But call by grace. To change the heart. Renew the will. And turn your feet. To Zion's hill. I do not mean. To say that you.

[39:37] Gone away from Zion's hill. But to draw your feet. In another way. With an anxious. Exercise soul. To know. How the case stands.

[39:49] You know it's right. To come. And enter into God's cause. You've been trained up. In that way. But you've been given faith. To believe it's right.

[40:00] But when the Lord. So visits you. When he so exercises you. He so changes your heart. In this sense. As is an aching void. That the world cannot fill.

[40:12] You've blessed him. As a God of providence. He's been better to you. Than all your fears. And all your justices. But now there's an aching void. That the world cannot fill.

[40:24] It's this knowledge of salvation. You've seen him as a God of salvation. He's been your strong deliverer in providence. But now you want him in your soul.

[40:36] You want that blessed assurance. Of your sonship. Or your daughtership with God. You've had to pass through. The valley of the shadow of death.

[40:46] Perhaps in a family. Of bereavement. Or loss. In your. Those that you've known. In the ties of nature. And business etc. And it's been.

[40:58] A warning to you. An exercise yourself. But now it's in your heart. Lord. Here on my heart. The burden lies. Past offenses.

[41:10] Pain my eyes. But oh Lord. I have that aching void. That the world cannot fill. And I look for thee. Look to thee. And for thee. To appear to me.

[41:21] To guide my feet. In the way of peace. To guide me by thy counsel. And afterwards. Receive me into glory. That I may know him.

[41:34] Isn't it? Isn't this the very center. And sum and substance. Of your desires and mine. To know him. Knowledge of all terrestrial things.

[41:45] Near to my soul. True pleasure brings. No peace. But in the son of God. No joy. But through his precious blood. The peace of God then.

[41:57] That you are so longing for. Some blessed assurance. Of that good hope through grace. That blessed assurance. Of your sonship.

[42:09] And your daughtership with the Lord. Lord I am oppressed. I am oppressed. Undertake thou for me. But do not leave me. Or forsake me. But show me a token for good.

[42:21] A token of thy special love. Tell me that I am born of God. That my treasure is above. I see the time is gone.

[42:31] We must leave it for the time. The Lord had his blessing. And pardon all amiss. For his name's sake. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Let us conclude in singing hymn 1067.

[42:47] To tune 2M76. Jesus, thy light impart and lead me in thy path I have an unbelieving heart but thou canst give me faith unrivaled reign within my only sovereign be O crucify the man of sin and form thyself in me 1067 To your temple and lead me in thy path

[44:05] I have an unbelieving heart that thou gladst give me faith O thy good rain within my own is sovereign be O crucify the man of sin and form thyself in me myself in thee

[45:25] O thy good earth renewing light and may the forest and may the forest be and may the forest be and may the forest be The urban light ascending, hallelujah righteousness act In I'll share my gracious word, and share my beautiful name.

[46:49] Let me embrace our joy in all, that world will take to me.

[47:19] May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, rest and abide with us each. Amen.

[47:34] Amen.