Come my people,enter thou into thy chambers. (Quality: very good)

[0:00] As the Lord should be pleased to help me, I shall call your attention to a subject you will find in the book of Isaiah, chapter 26 and the 20th verse.

[0:21] Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee.

[0:34] Hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. The book of Isaiah, chapter 26 and the 20th verse.

[0:54] This is a word which godly Isaiah was inspired by the Spirit of God to proclaim to Israel as a nation in the days when he was doing his life work and prophesying to them.

[1:20] But it is a word which is, for all ages, recorded in the sacred pages as an exhortation to the Israel of God.

[1:38] And I would look at the subject from three or four viewpoints of it.

[1:49] Israel as a nation at the time when Isaiah penned this word and proclaimed it to them, were in a very sad, backsliding state.

[2:02] And the judgments of God were about to be poured out upon them in a very solemn fullness. And they were soon to go into that long, babby, lawnish captivity, lasting for 70 years.

[2:19] And yet, even when that dark cloud hovered over Israel as a nation, how the word of God was fulfilled.

[2:30] I do set my bow in the cloud. And so, this word is primarily addressed to the Israel of God, who were in Israel as a nation in Isaiah's days.

[2:46] Remember that. And the word of God says, whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort in the scriptures might have hope.

[3:03] And so, this is a very suitable word, a seasonable word, to contemplate nowadays. And what you and I need is divine aid to enter into the sweet, blessed experience it sets forth.

[3:22] And how beautiful is the wording of it. I said that Israel as a nation were in a sad, backsliding state.

[3:33] And you must admit, if you look round the Church of Christ nowadays, beholding, those whom we do believe are numbered with the Israel of God, the great majority, are in a backsliding state, and in a kind of captivity, and far, far short of what they ought to be, professing what they do.

[4:01] And yet, Israel as God addresses them like this. Come, my people.

[4:13] My people. Though God said, Come, my people. My sinful, weak, backsliding people.

[4:26] I am still you are God. Although you are behaving as you have done so long against me, and are rebellious still, I acknowledge you to be my people.

[4:42] Rebellious? Thou hast been, and art rebellious still. But since in love I took thee in, my promise I'll fulfill. And so, he addresses them, in beautiful language, My people.

[5:03] He does not say, my people, who have served me so well, who have behaved in accordance with what they profess to be, and for many a long year have lived near to me, and set forth my truth in their lips and light.

[5:22] No. No. He makes known that he is a God ready to pardon. He makes known that he delightseth in mercy.

[5:35] And he makes known that a refuge for sinners is revealed in the gospel of his grace. And they that in the Lord confide and shelter in his wounded side to see all dangers overpast, stand every storm, and live at last.

[5:58] Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee.

[6:09] A difficult thing to do, but it can be done, and sometimes it has been done. And then you enter into the secret of the Lord, which is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant.

[6:26] Hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

[6:38] And now I would look, first of all, at this word, indignation. It is a striking word, and it denotes judgment, and you find in the word of God, many an instance where the indignation of God was poured out in a terrible fullness.

[7:05] You can think of Sodom and Gomorrah being burned up, and that fire that burnt those cities up was the indignation of God, revealing that he will not look upon sin with any degree of allowance.

[7:27] You see, also, the indignation of God was poured out in Noah's day, when the wickedness of man was very great upon the earth, and at length God could not endure it any longer.

[7:42] And he fulfilled his purposes. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. And the flood came, and destroyed the world, and they that dwelt therein.

[8:01] But, ere the heavens began to open, and the fountains of the great deep were broken up, there was another come, come. And the Lord said unto Noah, come, thou, and all thy house into the ark.

[8:22] And that ark, a chamber of a truth, a refuge, ordained of God, Noah had been a hundred and twenty years in building it, and in the building of it, he had been proclaiming that the day would come when the indignation of God would be so poured out.

[8:47] But the people round about Noah, as he labored in building the ark, looked on him as a fool, or a fanatic.

[9:00] And they heeded not his warning, although the word of God tells us that he was a preacher of righteousness for one hundred and twenty years. Eh, but that day dawned when the heavens gathered blackness, and the rain descended, and the flood came.

[9:21] But it was too late. Noah and his little family circle were safe inside the ark, and the Lord had shut him in.

[9:33] The indignation of God came down then, in a terrible storm. In the word of God, you find many instances of the indignation of God poured out as judgment.

[9:51] And you might look on this indignation as a word for our own country, and they that dwell therein. Because it is very evident in England as a nation, there has been a very solemn, a terrible departure from God, and godliness.

[10:13] And the word of the Lord says, Shall I not visit for these sins? Shall not I afflict? Shall not I be avenged on such a nation as this?

[10:28] And you and I, being as we humbly hope, numbered with the Israel of God, can only humble ourselves before God, and acknowledge his justice, when at length the indignation is poured out, as it will be, on England as a nation.

[10:51] The world at large, round about us, will feel the awful storm of it, but for the Israel of God, there is a shelter, blessed be God, there are these chambers in our text, where they are welcome to enter in, and realise safety, while the storm of the indignation of God rages, without.

[11:24] doubt. And there is another thought. Sometimes, the indignation of God is poured out, not only, on a country, our country, as I have hinted, but it will be poured out, upon the professing church of Christ.

[11:50] And that is a very solemn consideration. For when it is poured out, it will demonstrate, that there are, a vast multitude, in the professing church of Christ, who have no real right, to be found in it, and as regards, their profession, they will have people, stamped upon it, and be weighed in the balances, and found, wanting.

[12:21] Remember, what was said, to one of the seven churches, in Asia, if thou dost not repent, I will come, and remove, thy candlestick, out of its place.

[12:35] And that was really, what did happen, in the ultimate issue, of the dealings of God, with that church. And it was, its indignation, poured out, upon it.

[12:47] And I would say this, there is no church, however flourishing it, may seem to be, and present, a pleasant picture, to the eye, but what those, in that church, and the pastor of it, need to be, on their watchtower, all day long, as regards, their profession, lest there be, anything, amiss, in the church, and the indignation, of God, be poured out, upon it, in a measure, of judgment, although it will be, even then, tempered, with mercy, very solemn, it is to contemplate, the indignation, of God.

[13:37] What will happen, to many, so called preachers, when the indignation, of God, is poured out, upon the professing, church of Christ, who have, used their time, in the pulpit, to undermine, the word of God, as to its, divine authority, the honour of God, is at stake, and his indignation, must be poured out, upon, such men, for they are traitors, to, the truth, yes, all that God, will help us, to ponder these things, in our heart, for there is a word, which I, read to you, and, it says, for the time, is come, that judgment, must begin, at the house, of God, and if it first, begin at us, what shall, the end be, of them, that obey not, the gospel, of God, and think too, still thinking, of the, professing church, of Christ,

[14:46] I say, think too, how the indignation, of God, will be poured out, upon those, who are labouring hard, to break down, denominational walls, and have just, an amalgamation, a toning down, of the truth, a compromise, by the help, of God, we desire, to stand fast, in one mind, and one spirit, in the gospel, of Christ, and by his grace, never to be, left in any way, to compromise, temporise, but remember, the word of God, let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay, lest ye fall, into, condemnation, indignation, there is just, another thought, about this word, indignation, and now, it not only, comes out, upon countries, and upon churches, in those countries, if they only, have a name, to live, and they, that belong, to the church, are dead, in the midst of it, but then, it comes, upon, individuals, and it comes, upon the godly, in some measure, there is one man, and I have had a, very, solemn, fellow feeling, with him, for many, a year, and, it may be, some of you, can count him, as a brother, and now, godly Micah says,

[16:27] I will bear, the indignation, of the Lord, because, I have sinned, against him, until he, plead my cause, and execute, judgment, for me, he will bring, me forth, to the light, and I shall, behold his, righteousness, you know, dear friends, and so do I, that if God, should be strict, to mark, iniquities, if indignation, would be so poured, upon us, that we should, think to rise, no more, but blessed, be his name, to the Israel, of God, he, brings them, into that scripture, blessed is the man, whom thou, chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him, out of thy law, that thou mayest, give him rest, from the days, of adversity, and now, in that chastening, there will be, somewhat of the indignation, of God, not against you, as the sinner, guilty sinner, but against your sins, remember that, it is a great truth, and so, you will be, brought down, before God, to humble yourself, under his mighty hand, in all his dealings, with you, and to confess, that he is, good, and wise, and just, in his dealings, with you, and that you, are reaping, in accordance, with the seed, that you have sown, but when you, come at length, to this, if we confess, our sins, he is faithful, and just, to forgive us, our sins, and to cleanse us, from all unrighteousness, you will know, what it is, to enter into, one of the sweet chambers,

[18:28] God has provided, and you will know, through, Jesus blood, through earth, and sky, mercy, eternal mercy, cries, yes, much might be, opened up, and unfolded, regarding, the indignation, in the text, but I will, look at the subject, from another viewpoint, only just, reminding you, that this indignation, of God, is to be considered, as, coming from, what was done, on Sinai's mountain, when, Israel, as a nation, were gathered, in the wilderness, in their journey in, and there was, the promulgation, of the law, of God, and the law, of God, proclaims, this indignation, against, sin, and that he will not, look upon sin, with any degree, of allowance, and his indignation, on those, who, die, without hope, in God, is poured out, like this, cursed, is the man, that continueth not, in all things, written in the book, of the law, to do them, but, to his people, he is, merciful, he leads them, into the truth, he reveals, to them,

[20:06] Christ, is the end, of the law, for righteousness, to everyone, which, believeth, and thus, by living faith, they enter, into, one of these, chambers, and taste, the unutterable, bliss, of, forgiveness, of sin, and rejoice, to no God, is a God, ready, to pardon, come my people, enter thou, into thy, chambers, and shut thy, doors about thee, and now, I want in a second place, to look a little, at these chambers, words, many, could be, named, but, strictly speaking, it sets forth, Jesus Christ, from various, viewpoints, and now, he is to be known, as a saviour, and, a great one, and there is a word, in Isaiah, which, is very familiar, to you, and a man, should be as an, hiding place, from the wind, and a covet, from the tempest, as rivers of water, in a dry place, as the shadow, of a great rock, in a weary land, there you see, it is Jesus Christ, verily man, verily God, and these chambers, set forth, is great work, as the sinner's friend, and the, all important chamber, which I would name, first of all, is the, atonement, and that is, a beautiful, blessed chamber, to enter, into, the apostle,

[22:01] Paul, speaks about, we joy in God, by whom we have, received the atonement, and that is, a beautiful experience, when you can see, your sins, blotted out, by the precious, blood of Christ, and know, that matters are, right, between, your soul, and God, when you can feel, that rich, atoning blood, which, sprinkled round, I see, provides for all, who come to God, and all, prevailing, please, and now, this chamber, as I said, the atonement, is beautifully, illustrated, in the, Passover, when it was, instituted, and you are all, familiar, with the details, of it, I will only just, read this, viewpoint, of it, for I will pass, through the land, of Egypt, this night, and will smite, all the firstborn, in the land, of Egypt, both man, and beast, against all, the gods, of Egypt,

[23:12] I will execute, judgment, I am the Lord, and the blood, shall be to you, for the token, upon the houses, where ye are, and when I see, the blood, I will pass, over you, and the plague, shall not be upon you, to destroy you, when I smite, the land of Egypt, do picture, if you can, and ask God, to help you, with sanctified minds, to ponder it, picture, if you can, these Israelites, at that time, with their family circles, shut in, on that memorable night, and there was the blood, upon the doorpost, and the lintels, of the door, and what were they doing, under their home, rules then, oh, they had to partake, of the Passover lamb, and thus, shall ye eat it, with your loins, girded, your shoes, on your feet, and your staff, in your hand, and ye shall eat it, in haste, it is the Lord,

[24:20] Passover, there you see, the beautiful setting forth, of the atonement, as a chamber, into which, people thought of God, are favoured, to enter into, by living faith, and to realise, through this man, there is preached unto you, the forgiveness of sins, I can only give you hints, about these chambers, for, there is quite a number, of them, I look to, upon the covenant of grace, as a chamber, and I hope, you know what it is, some of you, dear people, especially you, who are now, old and grey headed, and look back, over life's journey, a long way, when you are helped, to remember the way, God has led you, and discern, as you do, at such a time, how things, dovetail in, as you observe, the details, of the dealings of God, at such a time, you can see, he has made with me, an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, and this is all my salvation, and all my desire, sometimes you will help to see, very clearly, things stand out, definite and clear cut, and you can see, you have that favour bestowed, the steps of a good man, are ordered by the Lord, and he delightseth in, his ways, and you get this experience then, as you enter into that chamber, of the covenant of grace, whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand, the loving kindness, of the Lord, come, my people, enter thou into, thy chamber, and shut thy doors, about thee, and now there is, one chamber, which indeed, it is, good to be helped, to enter into, and that is, the word of God itself, what I mean is, when you can look into, the word of God, and not just read, a chapter, page after page, but to feel, thy word, is a lamp, unto my feet, and a light, unto my path,

[27:05] I rejoice, in thy word, as one, that findeth, great spoil, you know, dear friends, I'm not fitting, any caps on, here, but it comes to my mind, to ask you, to go back, over your everyday life, say just a week of it, and search out, in proportion, how much time, you spend, looking into, the word of God, and you may find, alas, it is quite a small proportion, and you might, also, plead, that you have, such a busy life, to live, that you cannot, often turn aside, and give, that attention, to the word of God, that you would do, if you could, and one can, understand that, but when you are, in your, everyday life, earning the bread, which perishes, you can still, enter into the chamber, of the word of God, without, the holy bible, open before your eyes, to read, page after page, so you can enter in, to that experience, of Mary, and she pondered, all these things, in her heart, but it is, a wonderful experience, when you can, search the scriptures, and heaven's own light, shines upon, the sacred pages, there is an illustration, of this, in the book, of Daniel, how you can enter, into, the word of God, as a chamber, and get, wonderful help, spiritual profit, therein, and now, the word of God, tells us, in the first year, of Darius, the son of,

[28:49] Aesuera, of the seed, of the Medes, which was made, king, over the realm, of the Chaldeans, in the first year, of his reign, I, Daniel, understood, by books, the number, of the years, whereof, the word, of the Lord, came to Jeremiah, the prophet, that he, would accomplish, seventy years, in the desolations, of Jerusalem, and I set my face, unto the Lord God, to seek, by prayer, and supplication, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes, and he realized, that the time, was, at hand, for Israel, to be delivered, but, he got that, sweet, blessed knowledge, and encouragement, as he was helped, to enter into the word, of God, as a chamber, much might be said, along that line, of thought, enter into thy chamber, and you can remember, especially, it may be, in the early dealings, of God with you, when you were helped, to look into the word, of God, and feel the sweet, reality of it, when sometimes, you might have felt, like Jeremiah, thy words, were found, and I did eat them, and thy word, was unto me, the joy, and rejoicing, of my heart, and nowadays, it is essential, that grace, should be, obtained, and you and I, can look to the God, of all grace, for it, grace, to search the scriptures, regarding, the times in which, we are living, and if you were helped, to enter into the chamber, of the word of God, you will find, that the future, has got hope, bright hope, for the Israel, of God, and that, whatever the future, holds in store, for the world, at large, there is this guarantee, for people, taught of God, in every state, secure, kept, as Jehovah's eyes, is well with them, while life endures, and well, when called, to die, yes, come my people, enter thou, into, thy, chambers, then,

[31:30] I have thought, that righteousness, of God, which is by faith, in Jesus Christ, can be likened, to, a chamber, some of you, dear people, it may be, have not, as yet, entered into, that chamber, to the joy, and rejoicing, of your heart, so that, if the hymn, was given out, to be sung, you could venture, to join in, Jesus, thy blood, and righteousness, are all, my ornament, and dress, here, lest, with these, pure garments, on, I'll view, the splendors, of thy throne, no, no, you could not, climb as high, as that it may be, but, you have got, this mercy, God has wrought, in you, a concern, to enter, into the chamber, of the righteousness, of God, so that, when you try, to pray, how often, you say, naked, I come, to thee, for dress, helpless, look, to thee, for grace, oh, the Lord, bless you, the righteousness, of God, a wonderful chamber, so that, when you are, sheltered, therein, you come, into that, category, blessed, are the pure, in heart, for they, shall see God, yes, if guilt, disturb thy peace, as Satan, harass thee, behold, the saviour's, righteousness, which sets, the guilty free, but I must, hasten on, and touch on, one or two more, chambers, there is, the chamber, of the faithfulness, of God, he is called, in the word, of his grace, the ever faithful,

[33:23] God, and you know, I hope you do, I would like to feel, all of you, in the house of prayer, you know, much of the faithfulness, of God, and if you were put, to a test, regarding it, did ever trouble, yet before, and God refused, to hear thy call, oh, you know, how often, you have proved, along life's way, call upon me, in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt, glorify me, yes, the faithfulness, of God, and what about, you being faithful, when you think, of God's behaviour, toward you, then you contemplate, your behaviour, sometimes, toward him, the ever faithful God, who has never failed you, in any time of stress, and strain, but you, preacher and people alike, must all plead guilty here, you have had your murmuring thoughts, your wrong thoughts, sometimes hard thoughts, you have muttered, yes, as you read, in Psalm 106, in the margins, and they muttered, and you have muttered, and so have I, and you will wish, things could be otherwise, than they were, when you muttered, and yet, in the ultimate issue, you could see, the faithfulness, of God, was underneath it all, and he only designed, to do you good, to do you good, yes, then, what a wonderful chamber, oh, it is so vast, you can say, but very little about it, in a thousand sermons, the providence of God, when you ponder, in your heart,

[35:30] Jehovah Jireh, the Lord, will provide, and you know, when you look back, along life's way, and see how often, his hand has been, upon you for good, and he has made a way, where there seemed to be, no way, all the providence of God, is a vast chamber, wherein these people, in the text, are sheltered, and being sheltered therein, there is a wonderful guarantee, for each one, every one, I will make, all my goodness, to pass, before thee, bread shall be given, water shall be sure, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, the providence of God, much might be said, along that line of thought, then there is just one more, chamber, which I would say a word or two, upon, and that chamber, is the power of God, and I would like to encourage you, dear people, to remember, that there can never be any breakdown, of that power, the power of God, is available, for all the people, in the text, the power of God,

[37:07] Jesus said, when he rose from the dead, all power, in heaven and in earth, is given unto me, and it is available, for all people, taught of God, wherever they may be, when most, I need his help in hand, this friend, is always near, with heaven and earth, at his command, he waits, to answer prayer, and it is, in this blessed chamber, the power of God, as you were found therein, surveying, his mighty act, that you learn, the meaning, of some of the exceeding, great, and precious, promises, you learn, what this promise means, wherefore, he is able to save, unto the uttermost, all them, that come unto God, by him, and you learn, this beautiful truth, to him, that is able to do, exceeding abundantly, above all that we can ask, or even think, according to the power, that worketh in us, yes, the power of God, beautiful, blessed, chamber, and you find, there is a reference, to it, in,

[38:35] Psalm, 91, which is, very, striking, because, thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most high, thy habitation, there shall no evil, befall thee, neither shall any plague, come nigh, thy dwelling, blessed, chamber, oh, you may well save, and out of the abundance, of the heart, the mouth to speak, rock of ages, shelter me, let me hide myself, in thee, and now, as I come, toward the amen, I would look at the subject, from yet another viewpoint, come my people, enter thou, into thy chambers, and shut thy doors, about thee, and now, you will find this, a very difficult business, about shutting the door,

[39:41] I've often thought, of the, saviour's, word, where he says, that thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when, thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy father, which is in secret, and thy father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee, openly, the saviour said, when, thou hast shut thy door, and now, I expect, you were found, the same as, the pastor has found, in your attempts, to pray, that you may, go on, quite a while, in prayer, putting right words, together, and yet, you do not feel, as yet, that the door is shut, and you are shut in with God, and the world, shut out, there, is a special exercise of mind, when, thou hast shut thy door, shut thy doors about thee, it is a sweet experience, when you can do it, then you know, like Asaph, it is good for me, to draw near, unto God, hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation, be over, past, and now, thinking again, thinking again, of these chambers, whichever chamber, it is, that I have named, it matters not, but if you are favoured, to enter into it, and the door, should be shut, then you will find, there is a blessed experience, which will, gladden your heart, and encourage you, in the dealings of God, with you, you remember that,

[41:47] Bunyan in the pilgrim's progress, speaks about the palace beautiful, and that the pilgrims, when they were there, were put at night, in a chamber, called the chamber of peace, and it says, that the window, opened toward the sunrise end, and now, that is a most beautiful, hallowed, frame of mind, to be in, when you were shut up, in the palace beautiful, in your soul's experience, and you can feel, the peace of God, which passes all understanding, possessing your heart, and mind, and realize, peace on earth, and mercy mild, God, and sinners, reconciled, then, you can say, with the psalmist, my meditation of him, shall be sweet, I will be glad, in the Lord, and now, regarding, this chamber of peace, and it refers also, to any of the chambers, in the book of,

[42:59] Ezekiel, there, is a very, remarkable, set in force, which no preacher, can tell you much about, only just a little bit, here and there, can preachers, light upon, and get, some help, in pondering it, but God, by his spirit, inspired Ezekiel, to pen, several chapters, setting forth, a wonderful temple, and, in this temple, you may read it, chapter after chapter, in this temple, there were, many chambers, and, they were in, three stories, and, it gives, much detail, about, these, chambers, but, this is what I want to, bring before you, then, said he unto me, the north chambers, and the south chambers, which are before, the separate place, they be, holy chambers, where the priests, that approach unto the Lord, shall eat, the most, holy things, there, shall they lay, the most, holy things, and the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering, for the places, holy, and now, what I want to emphasize, is this, if God should grant you, the privilege, and pleasure, oh, that none of you, may miss it, to enter into, these, chambers, setting forth,

[44:45] Jesus Christ, as the refuge, for sinners, the gospel, makes known, you will sometimes, be favored, to feed, by living faith, upon the Lamb, of God, and, you will eat, holy things, as the dealings, of God with you, are unfolded, and you will be able, to say, I have meat, to eat, which the world, knows, not of, blessed experience, it is, to enter into it, come my people, enter thou, into thy, chambers, and shut, thy doors, about thee, hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment, until, the indignation, be overpassed, and now, in concluding, I would just, say, that I do believe, as the future, unfolds, and by that,

[45:50] I mean, the more or less, immediate future, there will be, a setting forth, of the indignation, of God, upon the nations, in the world, at last, including, the nation, that you and I, belong to, and there is a word, in Daniel, which might, be well, to, ponder, and at that time, shall Michael, stand up, the great prince, which standeth, for the children, of thy people, and there shall be, a time of trouble, such as never, since there was, a nation, even to that, same time, and at that time, thy people, shall be delivered, every one, that shall be found, written in the book, and while, this indignation, of God, is being poured out, in that time, the word of God, says, this will be the outcome, many, shall be purified, and made white, and tried, but the wicked, should do wickedly, and none of the wicked, shall understand, but the wise, shall understand, and now, that must be, our great concern, to be numbered, with the wise, to consider, the times, in which you, and I, are living, and to have, sure work,

[47:22] God is our, refuge, and strength, a very present, help, in trouble, therefore, will not, we fear, Amen, amen, Thank you.