Found, led, instructed, carried by the Lord alone. (Quality: very good)

[0:00] . Beloved friends, the collections taken today are shared between this course of truth and the Trinitarian Bible Society. The Lord bless you in your giving. In dependence upon the Lord for all needed help, I venture this afternoon to draw your prayerful attention to Deuteronomy chapter 32 verses 10, 11 and 12. Deuteronomy chapter 32 verses 10, 11 and 12. He found him in a desert land and in the waste howling wilderness. He led him about. He instructed him. He kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. So the Lord alone did lead him. And there was no strange God with him. It is a supreme mercy that God does all the saving and that the Lord will bring all his children home at last to glory. In the words of that text we have, he found him, led him. I think from memory the marginal rendering there too is compassed about. Found, led, divine protection, instruction, he instructed him, kept, kept as the apple of his eye, carried, even as the illustration so beautifully set before us in the scripture of the eagle and its young. And the Lord alone doing all this for his dear people. He found him. This is our mercy. Never would the lost sheep, the lost lamb find the shepherd. There is, of course, a finding. As we are encouraged in the word, ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find.

[3:51] Knock and it shall be opened unto you. But it is the Lord that begins this work of grace. And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and in sin. And I am, says the apostle, confident that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ. He found him.

[4:32] Here in this world, in this desert land, in this waste howling wilderness. And as a sinner is found, called by God's grace, called by God's grace, made alive, so this world will be to them a desert land and a waste howling wilderness.

[5:05] And then, as we think here of the shepherd. And then, as we think here of the illustration of the shepherd and of the sheep, look at the dreadful danger that this sheep, this lamb is in, in this desert land and in this waste howling wilderness.

[5:31] But here is the good shepherd. Here is the good shepherd. Here is the dear Savior who died for the sheep, laid down his life, shed his blood, paid redemption's price. And there is the flock. And there's the wandering sheep.

[5:56] There's the one so far, far away from the shepherd. Not perhaps aware of its danger and peril. But all loved with an everlasting love and a purpose of God's grace, to go forth and find the lost sheep.

[6:18] Or, what man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, he'll leave the ninety and nine and go after that which is lost.

[6:31] And he won't rest until he find it. And the good shepherd of heaven finds the lost sheep. And when he finds it, it is gathered upon his shoulder, carried with rejoicing, as there is joy among the angels of heaven over sinners brought to repentance.

[6:54] Found. Found. Jesus sought me. Jesus sought me. When a stranger, wandering from the fold of God, he to save my soul from danger, interposed.

[7:08] Beautiful word. Interposed. His precious blood. Found him.

[7:19] Found him. Look back, beloved. Has the Lord found you?

[7:31] Some here, I believe, can look back over many, many years. I do not know how you have been led.

[7:45] I would assume that most here, if not all, from childhood, have been brought up to come to the house of God.

[8:00] And yet, it's the same power that finds this lost sheep in one that is brought up from infancy, childhood, youth, in the centuries of truth.

[8:22] The same power that finds them, as it does those that, according to God's grace and purpose, are right out in the world.

[8:37] And does thou remember how that the Lord found you, poor sinner? I do not say that you may clearly name the beginnings.

[8:54] But whilst you may not be able to name a date or necessarily a place, but canst thou remember how that the Lord sought you out?

[9:08] How that when, by his grace, you were taught you were a lost sinner. When for the first time you felt the conviction of sin.

[9:23] When for the first time you felt the need of the Savior. When you felt that you needed that forgiveness of heaven for your sin.

[9:39] When the word of the Lord found you out and revealed to you your lost state and your perishing condition.

[9:51] And that this world could not give you that peace. That your desire now, that aching void, could not be satisfied with the things of this world.

[10:08] That even now, you're disturbed. You were disturbed. You didn't come so easily to chapel. Now when I say that, I want to be very careful.

[10:21] You see, I think with many of us, there was no rebellion about going to chapel at all. But oh, what a mercy that it wasn't just coming with just a natural affection.

[10:36] And the Lord should bring us to concern. To disturb us, as it were. To shake us out of that complacency of resting on just because we were in chapel.

[10:51] Just because we were under a sound ministry. And just because we were with God's dear people. And we felt, I need salvation. I'm a sinner.

[11:02] I need Jesus Christ. Now this is this finding. This is this work of God's grace. This is the voice of the shepherd. This is the work of heaven.

[11:15] This is the solemn, shall I say, awareness that the sheep that is lost is lost. If I may so put it.

[11:29] In those early days, we would have acknowledged that we're a sinner. And that we're a lost sheep. But oh, to know it.

[11:39] And to feel it. And to feel that we're in dreadful danger. And that eternity is before us. And we cannot save ourselves. All this alarm.

[11:51] All this concern. All this exercise of soul. But do you remember when the Lord found you out with his love?

[12:04] Do you remember those sacred seasons? In those days when the dear shepherd's voice was heard? And bringing hope to your soul.

[12:16] Encouragement to your heart. A blessing. A good hope through grace. A sweet evidence of his love. Gathered you in. In those wonderful arms of his love.

[12:28] And of his grace. I was in my early teens. I suppose about 15. It was a Wednesday night.

[12:41] A preaching night. Yes. And you see then I felt not just to go to God's house on a Sunday.

[12:53] I was hungry. I was exercised. I was burdened. I was a sinner. I needed a blessing. I wanted a token.

[13:05] And it came that memorable night. The text was the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake. For it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.

[13:20] It was that last verse. He found me. Gathered me in. And though with many doubts and fears.

[13:31] Yet there's been this finding if I may so put it. I know that the sheep found is never lost. But I think you know what I mean.

[13:43] We need to hear that shepherd's voice that called us. That drew us. That gathered us into his arms.

[13:53] We want to hear him speak again. And again to our soul. With sweet encouragements. With tokens of his love.

[14:04] With confernings of our faith. He found him. In a desert land. Perishing. Lost.

[14:15] Undone. A prey to wild beasts. And yet found. In a waste. Howling.

[14:26] Wilderness. In such. A place of. Desert and. Loneliness. Does it not bring to mind the prodigal son?

[14:41] When he wasted his substance with riotous living. And he began to be in one. And there was nothing. And there was no one that would love him. And no one that would care for him.

[14:52] And isn't it a wonderful thing. By dear friend. When you think. Who would love such a filthy sinner as I? Who would save such a wretch as I? Who would go and seek out such a lost one as I?

[15:05] And who would. I was going to say. Think of. Laying down his life. To. Purchase by redemption. Such a vile sinner. As I.

[15:16] But oh my friend. Our Jesus has done it. Oh his great love. To his. Dear people that. To find them. To gather them into his arms.

[15:29] To say. Yes. To bring them to himself. That the price was to be paid. The blood was to be shed. And it was the blood of the shepherd. Of that dear saviour.

[15:41] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life. For the sheep. And found him. And then we read.

[15:52] That. He led him. About. This word. About. Strange. Strange. Strange. Path.

[16:02] Aren't they? Yes. We may speak of it. In providence. That is bound up. In the spiritual experience. Of God's dear children. Led him about.

[16:16] Hasn't been a straight path. Hasn't been a clear way. All the time. But it's God. It's God. That leads. That leads. And who else.

[16:29] Do you seek. To lead you through life. Oh friend. Is not the prayer of this one.

[16:39] That is found. Constantly. If thy presence. Go not with me. Carry us up. Not up. Hence.

[16:49] Is it not. Lord. If I have now found grace. In thy sight. Show me now. Thy way. That I may know thee. That I may find grace.

[17:02] In thy sight. Is it not that. Walking by faith. Is it not that. Resting on this word. Of the dear. Lord God. My presence. Shall go with thee.

[17:14] And I will. Give thee rest. I speak for a moment then. On the providential path. You look back. That word has been with me. On the journey down.

[17:25] Remember. All the way. We have been reminded. In talking of. Our. Childhood days. All the way.

[17:37] And. We look back. Yes. With mercy. And with judgment. My web of time. He wove. And in the dews. Of sorrow.

[17:48] And lusted. With his love. I bless the hand. That guided. I bless the heart. That planned. When throned. In highest glory. In Emmanuel's land. That one.

[17:59] Personally. Looks back. The days of youth. Of childhood. Youth. War years. Canada. Singapore. Back home.

[18:10] Business. Baptism. Marriage. Call to the. Ministry. Pastoret. Visit to. United States.

[18:22] Oh. He led him about. And. It's the. Hand of our God. Isn't it. And. Makes his goodness. Pass before us. In the way. Never fails us.

[18:33] In the way. This is our mercy. Led him. About. And. In this. Speaking now. And linking. From the providential.

[18:44] To the spiritual. There have been some strange. Pass. Some very lonely. Pass. Some very.

[18:56] Dark. Pass. Some very. Painful. Pass. Has he forgotten you? Has he forsaken you?

[19:09] Has he failed you? Never. Never. Never. Never. As I was with Moses.

[19:20] So I will be with thee. I will not fail thee. Nor. Forsake thee. And though. At times. We.

[19:32] Feared. As we've entered the cloud. Not always. Strong in faith. As we've gone into the valley. Of the shadow of death. Say I will fear no evil. But Lord. I do fear. I am afraid.

[19:44] And as often tell my dear people at home. Faith is not always so strong. To say I will trust. And not be afraid. At times it is. I believe there's an enlargement.

[19:57] Increase. And strengthening. And confirming. Of our faith. Where all fear. For a season may be removed. And I will trust. My God won't fail me. My God won't forsake me.

[20:08] My God won't forget me. But are you always. In the exercise. Of the strength. Of that faith. Are there not sinking times.

[20:19] Are there not dark clouds. Aren't there not. The doubts and fears. That we should be. Thoroughly ashamed of. But my friend. In those. Low spots.

[20:31] Depressions. Darkness. Temptation. Whatever it may be. And cannot. You say. At what time. I am afraid. I will trust.

[20:43] In thee. Led. Him. About. And further. In the. Spiritual.

[20:54] Teaching. We may. Come to it. In the next clause. In a moment. He. Instructed him. But led him. About. Led you. First.

[21:04] Into the conviction. Of your sin. Led you. To some. Sense. Of the majesty. Holiness. And justice. Of almighty God. Led you. To the cross.

[21:15] Led you. To cry. For mercy. Led you. To seek. The saviour. Led you. To look. To Jesus. And yet. Led you. Into. Yes.

[21:26] Into gospel liberty. Led you. Into his love. And led you. Into a sweet. Sense. Of his favour. And blessing. And yet. Led you.

[21:36] At times. Into the place. Of inward conflict. To find. That you've got. A body of sin. And a work of grace. And the two. Quite contrary.

[21:47] One to the other. And it's a strange path. And a path you've not walked. Herto far. Led him. I will. Lead.

[21:57] The blind. By a way. That they. Knew not. In paths. That they. Have not known. And this path. Of conflict.

[22:08] And of trial. And this. Romans chapter 7. Experience. Is the leading. Of the Lord. And the teaching. Of the spirit. And that. For growth in grace.

[22:20] We may liken it. To. The. Seed of. And shall we say. The wheat. That is sown. And there is the death. Of that.

[22:31] Seed. And the life. Springing from it. And the root. And the hidden work. And the life. Springing up. The root. Deepening. And first.

[22:41] The blade. Now. In that first. Experience. It was all. Such a sweet sense. Of the love. Of Jesus Christ. And the blessings.

[22:52] Of the gospel. And. Isn't it said in the word. Being dandled on the knees. But. You see. That blade. Isn't so conscious.

[23:03] Of the gale. The tempest. The storm. But as there's growth. As that grows. Taller. Then. There's a liability. For it to be. Flattened in the storm.

[23:15] And also. There's the forming. Not only of the grain. But something else. Chaff. And these two. Are together. And.

[23:25] This is the experience. As the Lord. Leads his people on. And causes them to know. Much more. Of this. Sinful cell.

[23:36] And so much so. That if you know. These things. And come into the path. As I do. Lord. Is it all chaff. Is it all.

[23:47] Chaff. What is the chaff. To the wheat. Says the prophet. Jeremiah. Need for. But my friend. The mercy is this.

[23:58] At the end. When that. Grain is fully ripe. When there's the loosening. From the chaff. When. The harvest will come. There'll be a final separation.

[24:09] From the chaff. But I say. Let him about. Let him in. Powers you've not known. Led him in. Times of temptation. When I say that.

[24:20] When the devil has come. Attach your faith. When there's been. Dark clouds. Over. Your past. When he's been. Hidden from view. Oh friend.

[24:31] Led him about. But the margin here. If memory serves me right. Is. Compassed him about. Now. What does that word. Compass. Mean. It means. All the way round.

[24:41] Doesn't it. Encircled. God. Now. What do you say. Perhaps. You may even say today. And doubtless. Have said.

[24:52] As you look back. On your journey. That. You're surrounded. With. Trouble. Encompassed with trouble. Everywhere you look. Everywhere you turn.

[25:03] It's trouble. Now. Now. Don't let me say that. Or suggest that. Every moment of your life. And every day of your life. It's like that. Through God's mercy. It's not. But there are times.

[25:14] Friend. When it seems. That you're just. So. Rounded with trouble. Let's put it in this way. Do you remember that little city. And do you remember that. Prophet. Servant.

[25:24] Getting up early in the morning. And he sees the city. Encompassed with an enemy. And whatever shall we do. And dear Prophet. What will come be. What will come of us. We're encompassed.

[25:36] We're besieged. We're surrounded. We're weak. There's no way out. There's no deliverance. I can't see any hope. It must be death. It must be despair. Opened the young man's eyes.

[25:52] And there he saw. That host. Of heaven. Surrounding. The invisible. And to the eye of faith. So friend.

[26:04] The devil will attack. The devil will fire his dance. Trouble may come. On every hand. And gather thick. And thunder loud. But. Our God.

[26:16] Compasses us about. And this is a wonderful thing. Why I know. In the. Heavenly armor. The spiritual armor. In Ephesians 6.

[26:27] It's not recorded. That there's anything. For the back. That means. That the Christian. Must never turn around. Must always face the foe. Must always seek to look up.

[26:38] Always seek to fight the battle. Always seek to trust in God. To be with him. But at the same time. As we may think. Of. And use another illustration.

[26:48] Then. Came. Amalek. Where did he come? Did he attack the front? He came up behind.

[27:00] Came up on the weak. The weary. The stragglers of the camp. So friend. We need. A God. Our God.

[27:11] And he is. Around us. There's a beautiful word. It's been a comfort to my soul. That I could take you.

[27:22] To a spot up in. East Anglia. Many years ago. Where this word was made. A great blessing to this poor sinner. The Lord appeared to Abram that night.

[27:35] And said. Fear not Abram. I am thy shield. And exceeding great reward. Lord. That shield. That dear man of God says.

[27:45] Yes. All the way round Abram. Every angle that the enemy may come. Every difficulty through which you may pass. The Lord will surround thee.

[27:57] Surround thee with his presence. With his love. His grace. His power. His mercy. His loving kindness. Found.

[28:10] Lay. Compass. Instructed. It's a very sad and solemn matter.

[28:25] If a child of God thinks he knows everything. The safest place. Is to be. I am but a little child.

[28:36] I know not how to go out or to come in. Now I trust. I trust. As we grow older. That there is.

[28:46] Spiritual teaching. There is. Instruction. There is. A going on. To know the Lord. There is not only.

[28:57] The sincere. Milk of the word. But there is a strong. Meat of the word. There is. A deeper. Knowledge. Of oneself. Of oneself. And a deeper knowledge.

[29:10] That we trust. Of the love of Christ. That you. With all saints. May be able to comprehend. What is the length. And breadth. And depth.

[29:20] And height. And to know the love of. Christ. Which passeth knowledge. And to be filled. With all the fullness. Of God. Now. With all this.

[29:31] And much more. Still. The child of God. Will seek. As. In that spirit. Of humility. To sit.

[29:42] At the feet. Of Jesus. Or as you've just been singing. Like a beloved disciple. To lean. On the bosom. Of Christ. Christ.

[29:54] I say. To sit. At the feet. Of Jesus. As a child. To learn. To be instructed. To be taught.

[30:05] You see. There's such. A fullness. In the word of God. How. At times. As you've been. Reading the scriptures.

[30:17] How at times. When. Perhaps. The text. Has been a well known text. Perhaps. It's been. Psalm 23. And. Why.

[30:28] It's been so blessed. To your soul. As though you've hardly ever. Known it in your life. I don't mean to say. You haven't known it. Of course you have. But it opens up. With fresh.

[30:39] Beauty. And loveliness. And. And. Oh. Such a fullness in it. Instruction. Instruction.

[30:51] The word says. Take my yoke upon you. That's a closer walk with God. And. Learn of me. Friend.

[31:03] We should be learners. Till we reach glory. Learners. Till we reach glory. To learn of him. To learn. To be like him.

[31:14] And this instruction. Is this. To empty us of self. He must increase.

[31:25] And I must decrease. It's not me now Lord. Yes it is sometimes. Still flesh gets on top.

[31:36] But Lord. In my right mind. For to me. To live is Christ. And to die is gain. Teaching me. That whilst I thank thee Lord.

[31:47] For all that thou has given me. In providence. And the comfort of my homes. And my dear ones. But Lord. That all must be left behind. And I seek a treasure in heaven.

[32:00] Instructing. Instructing us that. How we need. The Lord in all things. Need to look to him. For guidance. Pray to him.

[32:11] Constantly. Instructions. Just like in the trial of your faith. And the time of testing. And the deep waters. And the dark rivers.

[32:21] And the lonely places. And the. And that way you think. Ah. And the Lord will do it this way. And the Lord will do it that way. But he'll teach us. That your way isn't his way.

[32:33] And. Your thoughts are not his thoughts. But his way is the right way. And his thoughts are love to your soul. Though you cannot understand it very often.

[32:45] Even there shall thy hand lead me. And thy right hand shall hold me. Instructed me. And so friend. And there's teaching.

[32:57] And. I suppose. If we're honest. And we should be honest. As soon as we come into trouble. And that we say. Lord do take me out of it.

[33:09] Do take away this cross. Do take away this cup. Do take. Do make my path easier. Do heal my body. Now it's not wrong to pray for healing of the body.

[33:20] But my friend. Surely above everything else. Do not we need to be taught. This is it. Not just Lord. Take that cross away.

[33:31] Take that thorn away. Take this pain away. Take this trial away. But Lord teach me. Teach me. Oh give me grace.

[33:42] Flesh shrinks from it. Sweating work. But to pray. Not my will. But thine. Be done. And to teach me Lord.

[33:53] That. And I've thought of it. Named it often to my people at home. But cast thy burden on the Lord. And I've often said to my dear people.

[34:06] And I've thought of it much of late. It doesn't say he'll cast it off you. He may do that. But he said he'll sustain you.

[34:17] You see we want to throw it off. We want to be rid of it. And especially if it's a thorn in the flesh which just gets under the skin.

[34:28] It's just like the poor sheep in the field. As I believe you know. And sometimes you say well we know that if they're lying down there at rest. There's nothing to disturb them. There's no dog about.

[34:40] Or people about. Or wild beast about. If you think of eastern lands particularly. They're fed. They're peaceful. They're resting. But I take it. And I understand that sheep can be bothered with little insects.

[34:53] And they've pestered. And sometimes friend you may. I don't know how it is with you. Yes. Grace is given. You've come through that heavy trial. You've felt the Lord's help.

[35:05] You've been given the measure of patience. And the blessing of the Lord with you. And the presence of Jesus in that dark part. And then something so small. Something so trivial. And over you go.

[35:17] Patience. None left. Irritable. Cross. Fretful. Rebellious. Murmuring. Lord I can't put up with that.

[35:28] I can't bear that. Is that not true? We have to be taught friend. And you see it might be some little thing we've thought.

[35:39] I'll handle that. I've got the grace to do that. I've got the power to do that. I've got the wisdom to do it. And we find how soon we have to bring it all afresh to God.

[35:50] And ask his forgiveness for our rebellion. Our fretfulness. Our murmuring. He instructed him.

[36:02] Instructed him in this way to lead him. As the epistle of Hebrews tells us. Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.

[36:15] Lest he be faint and weary in your mind. Have you been instructed there? Have you been shown the lesson? Have you seen that wonderful example that's been set before you in the life?

[36:28] An example of Jesus Christ. He kept him as the apple of his eye. We're trying to speak just a few comments on this expression.

[36:42] The apple of the eye. To our dear people at the prayer meeting on Monday. Now we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

[36:52] I remember in the air force. In the medical branch. And we were taught a measure of the functions of the body obviously.

[37:04] And very instructive and very profitable. And I often felt the more I listened to it. I mean the way that a wound is healed. The circulation. The digestion.

[37:15] And the nervous system. And everything. It's just wonderful. And much one could follow with a little understanding. But when it came to the eye.

[37:28] I found that was most difficult to follow. It's so wonderful. When you think of the setting of the eye. The protection of the eye.

[37:40] The coverings of the eye as I understand. And the sensitivity of the eye. That just a speck.

[37:51] It feels as though some big lump has got into your eye. And the eyelashes and the eyebrows. It's wonderful. Now the apple of the eye is the sense of the tenderest part.

[38:06] And he kept hidden. That which we esteem. And would do all we can. I mean. You hear of injury. You hear of a person that may break a bone.

[38:16] You may hear of a person that may even have a deep gash. But if you hear of somebody. They've lost their sight. Oh.

[38:28] What sympathy will fill our heart. Sight is so precious. The apple of the eye. But God's here.

[38:39] He says. He keeps him. I want to speak so carefully. Because we're speaking of God. But you think of. The apple of the eye. The care that we take.

[38:51] Now. God's care. Keeping. Keeping lest they fall. Keeping lest they fall into temptation. Keeping lest they fall into evil and to error.

[39:04] Keeping from the pride of their heart. Keeping from this wicked world. This world that persecutes. This world that also will attract and allure our fallen nations.

[39:16] There's much in this world. I read. I wonder if it will come back to my mind. Three dangers of the Christian. The other day.

[39:27] The world that is the bait. Satan that is the enemy. And our own heart. That is the traitor. That's true isn't it.

[39:42] And don't we need keeping. Oh friend. It's that wonderful word. Kept by the power of God. It reminds me of my late beloved pastor.

[39:54] He acquaint way often. And he asks him how it is. And he would say. Kept. Just that one word. Kept. And so it is. And how we need it.

[40:07] None can keep alive his own soul. And we can't keep ourselves. But we need in utter dependence to look to the Lord to keep us.

[40:18] And to preserve us. And to watch over us. I see here. I see here. Two angles of this word. I see here God's constant care.

[40:29] In keeping and preserving us from all the evils and errors and temptations and snares. And the pride of our heart. And the lust of the flesh and so forth.

[40:40] But also I see the eye of his love. Of his compassion. Behold. The eye of the Lord is upon them. That fear him.

[40:51] That hope in his mercy. He kept him as the apple of his eye. Nearly. Or perhaps you said.

[41:02] Yes. I look back on my life. Prone to wander. Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. I was a straying sheep.

[41:13] I wandered far. But oh he restoreth my soul. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed. And yet in love he sought me.

[41:24] And on his shoulder gently laid. And home rejoicing. Brought me. And kept him as the apple of his eye. And as an eagle stirreth up her nest.

[41:36] Fluttereth over her young. Spreadeth abroad her wings. Taketh them. Beareth them on her wings. So the Lord alone did lead him.

[41:46] The Lord in his word. Takes of the wonders of creation. And to reveal sweet spiritual truths. And here you think of the hen and its wings.

[42:01] You think of here of the eagle. That powerful bird that flies so high with such a vast wingspan.

[42:12] And yet its fearlessness. And its love. And its devotion to its young. And the time comes when the young are to fly.

[42:25] The time comes when the nest is to be disturbed. The time comes when they are thrown or cast out of the nest. And when for a moment or two they flutter feebly with their wings.

[42:38] Trying to gain strength. But they are so weak. And they begin to drop. And there the large bird flies beneath. And catches them on its outspread wings.

[42:49] And bears them up and takes them back. And gradually learns and teaches them to fly. But all the time there is this word. Underneath.

[43:02] And it is always for God's children. Underneath are the everlasting arms. And they stand between you and the lowest depths.

[43:19] The darkest hour. They'll never fail. The eternal God is thy refuge. And underneath are the everlasting arms.

[43:30] And hasn't he carried you? You see. As we just said. Found. Laid. Compassed.

[43:42] Instructed. Kept. And now carried. You have doubtless heard the story of that godly man. Who had the dream of his life.

[43:54] And could see his footprints in the sand. And two sets where he felt yes the Lord was with him. But every now and then he could only trace one set of footprints. And he said.

[44:04] And then he could see that that's when he was in the darkest hours of his life. And the deepest troubles of his life. And he was very concerned about this. Only one foot. Did the Lord lead him?

[44:16] Did the Lord lead him? Did the Lord forsake him in those times? And he inquired of the Lord. No my child. I carried thee. Yes.

[44:27] Even to your old age. I am he. Oh friend. This is the support. Oh. The eternal God is our refuge.

[44:40] Underneath are the everlasting arms. Lo I am with you always. Even unto the end of the world. Which are born by me. Carried by me from the belly.

[44:51] Carried from the womb. Even to your old age. I am he. And even to hoar hares. Will I carry you. Yes. That little lamb that the Lord found.

[45:03] And carried in his arms. Now is the sheep. But still carried. And I have made. And I will bear. Even I will carry.

[45:14] And will deliver you. So the Lord alone. We must close. The Lord alone. And that's where the child of God stands. Your religion.

[45:26] To the Lord alone. There's none other. No other helper. No other God. No other savior. No other friend. No other shepherd. No other redeemer. It's thou.

[45:36] Oh Christ. Of all I want. We read here. There was no strange God with him. Little children. Keep. Yourself from idols.

[45:49] Amen. Amen. Amen.