How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! (ii) (Quality: very good)

[0:00] As the Lord may be pleased to direct me and help me, I'll again turn to Psalm 139 verse 17, Psalm 139 verse 17, how precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!

[0:44] How great is the sum of them! How precious also are thy thoughts unto me!

[1:01] O God, how great is the sum of them! Personal basis and idea that it is spoken indeed concerning us as individuals.

[1:15] And blessed is that soul who knows it and feels it that can use that word me in the true sense of it me.

[1:27] Oh, I say how precious also are thy thoughts unto me! For truly the Lord's thoughts are precious unto us, in that he thinks upon us as individuals.

[1:49] You know, it is only one doctrine for all his people. And his doctrines are most fitting and becoming.

[2:02] Because he sees his people as dug from the one rock and dug out of the same pit. Oh, how precious are his thoughts to us, that he should think upon us, that we should be included amongst that sacred number.

[2:26] Though we, like the apostle may say, of whom I am chief, and feel it to be so, yet his thoughts are precious to us, he has not forgotten us.

[2:42] Now I read that chapter this afternoon, and it sets forth indeed how Jesus, he did not, did not, and does not, forget his people.

[2:57] Why, here he is, drawing close to the time of his pain and sufferings, which he was well informed of, would be his lot, to save his people.

[3:16] Where there he was, drawing nigh, to the place where, time when he should be crucified. And yet, oh, his prayer was not unto himself, but for his people.

[3:34] Yet, I pray for them. I pray not for the world, as differentiating between those who reject him and set him at naught.

[3:48] Making a difference between those who were not chosen in him before the foundation of the world.

[4:02] Why, as we go through those two chapters there, 16 and of course 17, we see how much he was occupied in his mind and thoughts towards his people.

[4:21] Oh, that selflessness. Oh, how precious that is to us. That Jesus should look down upon us.

[4:32] Jesus should remember us. And remember our continual and our mounting needs. How precious are his thoughts.

[4:44] He never leaves his people. He said, I am the good shepherd. He said, I'll never leave them, nor forsake them.

[4:59] And why should we think for a moment of all the sheep that he will leave us and forsake us.

[5:11] Oh, how precious are those thoughts. Did not one good hymn writer say, If ever my poor soul is saved, Tis Christ must be the why.

[5:27] Jesus as the way was very precious to him. And is Jesus the way as being precious unto you also.

[5:40] Then you must be in harmony and concert with those who are of a like mind and esteem the very thoughts of Jesus to us as being very, very precious.

[5:59] How precious also are thy thoughts unto me. Thy thoughts unto me.

[6:10] Yes, that he would not leave us, nor forsake us. And after the solemn crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, his thoughts were ever towards his people still.

[6:30] And therefore, he prays for them and prays that when he goes heavenward, that his thoughts may be to them still.

[6:44] Why, the Lord Jesus Christ, he took a glorious delight in his thoughts to his people. I say how ashamed we feel to be when we find our own thoughts so intermittent towards him.

[7:05] When sometimes we find our thoughts so distrusting of him. So laden with unbelief and doubt.

[7:17] I say what a sneer unbelief is. I know we cannot deliver ourselves from it, but Jesus can.

[7:29] We know this of times our own shame and misgivings bring unbelief into our life. You say, how can that be, friends, when we turn astray?

[7:47] When we have preference in doing other things than turning to Jesus Christ? When we give us a scanty part of our leisure time to eternal things, if anything at all.

[8:06] And what we find the rest of our time taken up with. Those things that can do us no good, but they become robbers of our better joys.

[8:22] How precious are his thoughts to us. We read, oh, of one that was blind. And how he was persecuted by the Pharisees and the high priest because Jesus had given him, blessed him physically.

[8:46] Yes, and said they would turn him out of the temple and debar him from worshipping with them. And we read, but Jesus found him.

[9:01] But Jesus found him. Oh, those precious thoughts. He knew what was going on. He knew the persecution. He knew the enemies of the cross of Christ were busy at work.

[9:17] And the enemies of the cross of Christ, friends, are busy at work to die. They are presumptuous, self-righteous souls.

[9:29] Laying claim that they have discernment of others, but they have no discernment of their own wretched state. Cutting down others, yes, but with regard to themselves, justifying themselves by their own doubts and fears, there's something radically wrong isn't there.

[9:54] But I say the thoughts of Jesus to his people, how precious they are. We spoke just a little this morning of the thoughts of Jesus in dealing with such, yes, who are opposers of their own self, yet he overcomes them and shows them the way wherein they shall walk.

[10:26] Now, as the Lord might help me, I want to speak a little of the Lord's sufferings in Gethsemane and upon Calvary.

[10:39] How precious were his thoughts then. My friend, he never forgot his dear people then. No, not one bit.

[10:50] He wasn't full of self-pity and say, Lord, God the Father, look down upon me and just see what I am suffering from those wretched, vile people.

[11:04] Not so, my friend. He loved them with an ever-lasting love. And therefore, with loving kindness, he drew them unto himself.

[11:21] He went into Gethsemane. What did he do then? Did he go to sleep himself? Did he take something to drive him to sleep?

[11:35] No, my friend. He bid his disciples watch and pray. But he himself went further.

[11:46] As it were, a stone's cast. How precious his thoughts. How he prayed all that he might succeed in what he was about to endure and suffer for.

[12:06] Oh, that the work should not fall to the ground. Read that wonderful prayer of Gethsemane. How we see clothes with humility.

[12:22] Full of love to his people. He had no pity for himself. But pity for those who were helpless and could not help themselves.

[12:38] Pity on them in their ruined state that they might be saved from ruin. How precious also are thy thoughts.

[12:54] My friend, he understood his disciples. And what did he say to them? Could you not watch one another? Then again he said, sleep on.

[13:07] Sleep on. He knew what was before them. What would overcome them? But my friends, he knew the hours could arise and let us go hence.

[13:24] Let us go and face what is before us. How precious are his thoughts. You may not know what is immediately before you.

[13:39] But one thing he knows that what is before you, but also your great need of him. Oh, friend, what a blessed thought that is, that Jesus knows.

[13:56] And he is able to uphold you and to maintain you in the hour of darkness. How precious are those thoughts.

[14:07] his thoughts. Why do we not fear and tremble? Lest we shall utterly fail. Lest we indeed deny him.

[14:20] Lest we shall drag his name through the dust, which is so beautiful and so worthy.

[14:31] Oh, how precious are his thoughts to his people. all concerned. He knows everything. He knew how to strengthen them and to revive them and prepare them for days ahead, for days ahead, friend.

[14:53] Oh, yes. When Jesus said upon the cross, it is finished, he meant this, the price and the gift of redemption that was finished.

[15:12] No more needed to be added to it, no other contribution to be made. It is finished. All that God the Father has asked for through his most holy law has been given, been given.

[15:31] what then he must have suffered and endured, no heart or tongue here could truly tell. But I say how precious all his thoughts to his people.

[15:48] Finished, my friend. But the work of salvation indeed was not finished in this sense of the word that souls must hear, souls must receive, souls must be saved by looking to that precious atonement for sin.

[16:14] When he said it is finished, so those disciples or what they had to pass through, that they may be converted.

[16:27] Converted friends, how precious those thoughts. How often we find the work of conversion has to be continually carried on.

[16:42] And who can work the work of conversion but almighty God? You say, oh but these disciples, they've been with Jesus, right in his presence, night and day with him for three years or so.

[17:01] And were they not converted? Well according to the words of Jesus unto Peter, they were not converted. I have to ask you the question, I have to ask you the question, and I hope you're listening.

[17:19] Are you converted? converted? Are you converted? May I be clear of the blood of all men? Yes, are we converted?

[17:31] But Jesus said to Peter, when thou art converted, strengthen the brethren, thou art this time, thou art in no condition, oh to teach others the gospel, because you stand strong in yourself.

[17:54] Friend, when we're strong in ourselves, it's a sure sign that we need from converting out of self into Christ.

[18:07] Friend, no other way than this. How precious he's thought. He knows indeed how to convert a sinner back again, to bring him to the saving knowledge of the truth.

[18:24] I have prayed for thee, I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. I say, what would we have said to such a man?

[18:38] Well, if he's so clever, if he's so sure of himself, let him get on with himself, let him fall, and make a silly of himself.

[18:51] Friend, totally wrong spirit, isn't it? Yes, totally wrong. It was not the spirit of Christ, but when I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, that thy faith may be renewed, be restored, it may be brought back to that original state of holiness.

[19:19] What a mercy to be given that faith, and how precious it is to us that Jesus sinks upon us, that our faith may be kept and be maintained.

[19:36] How precious also are thy swords unto me. Oh God, how great is the sum of them.

[19:50] But my friend, just linger a moment near the cross, if we can. How precious are thy swords.

[20:04] Still thinking, oh, upon his people, love, when he heard that dear man say, remember me, when thou comest into thy kingdom.

[20:21] Lord, how he heard that dear man's prayer. Why, I believed he loved that thief, before the thief loved him.

[20:32] I believe, my friend, he was converted by the Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious and blessed example there. Oh, suffering, pleading for his people there.

[20:49] Oh, change in but a moment. So often, we're apt to think that a person with a worthwhile experience, it must be over a period of years or it's no use at all.

[21:12] No, my friend, press thy thoughts to those that he converts and makes his little children, that he leaves them gently on.

[21:24] That's the way round it is. It does not take but a moment, does it not? For the Lord to give his people eternal life.

[21:39] Speak thou the word and it shall be done, will it not? Yes. Why, even as he said to the young lady, he said, I say unto thee, made a rise.

[21:59] He spoke the word, my friend, and she arose. Oh, I say, what a mercy. If he but come and sink upon thee and take thy hand and lift thee up, that thou should hear him say, arise.

[22:16] Oh, the unbeliever would say, how can she rise? She needs a series of treatment. You can't expect it all to be done at once.

[22:29] Oh, not so, my friend. Oh, the centurion, how often he puts us to shame. He said, Lord, I'm not worthy that thou should come under my roof.

[22:46] How precious are his thoughts to him. Why, he said, I say to this man go, and he goeth, and to nothing he cometh.

[22:59] He said, speak thou the word. Speak thou the word, and it shall be done. Friend, oh, how precious are those thoughts.

[23:11] Jesus displays that he hears the cry of the humble believer. Whatever he prays for, why, prays for his servant.

[23:26] I often thought about this, and it would seem that this centurion, usually a hardened lot, he had compassion upon his servant.

[23:42] My friends, oh, let us remember that. Jesus assisted him, and helped him in having compassion turned it into, not a probability, but a reality.

[23:59] Yes, and that is exactly what Jesus does. He thinks upon us, knowing we cannot do anything of our self.

[24:13] But Jesus answers the thief on the cross, and says, this day, thou shalt be with me in paradise.

[24:25] My friend, I believe that was so, and some may argue and say, well, Jesus didn't go straight to heaven, did he?

[24:39] How could that man, that day, be with him in paradise? A deep mystery here, but this week, the word tells us that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

[25:03] My thoughts are not your thoughts, or my ways, your ways. Surely we've got to pass out of this time state to know the next time state.

[25:17] Yes, glory, my friends, follows. That will be one endless day for the Lord's people. but oh, it will be one endless terrible night for those who are not found in Christ Jesus.

[25:36] Yes, how precious are his thoughts. He said, why is it then so much is concealed from us that we have to travel much by night leaning upon all sufficient faith as it is granted to us.

[25:59] Friend, we shall never answer that question fully at this side of the grave. We can only answer that question as the Lord Jesus Christ lays it in our heart to believe all all that he has said.

[26:24] How precious are his thoughts. God is how solemn that is when we consider also the hour and article of death for ourselves.

[26:44] We used to sing a hymn in the Sunday school. Let me think if I were dying and I very soon must die on what hope am I relying to what refuge could I fly not a mother or a father or the holiest of men could they may weep and tend my pillow but none could afford my refuge then.

[27:28] But how precious are his thoughts that although when all other means of comfort and solace come to an end or it seems this that the Lord Jesus Christ it is he that completely takes over that wonderful word in 14th chapter of John that I have often quoted and it's this if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself the sure indication that the Lord himself is at the deathbed of all his dear people how precious are those thoughts can there be any fear there can there be any dread there can anything go wrong there can anything be changed or ordered there my friends no as Bunyan speaks of the hobgoblins oh my friends no power of darkness can be there but Jesus and he oh no how precious are his thoughts and precious is the thought that Jesus who remains immutably the same he will be there just another quick thought and it's this it's from now to there we need the Lord

[29:24] Jesus Christ yes how precious are thy thoughts has he given to thee that promise I will never leave thee nor forsake thee and I say the Lord is faithful to his word when thy mother and thy father give thee up or it's like this when thy mother and father are dead and gone they give thee up they can do no more for thee the Lord has promised to be a father unto his people when grey hairs come upon us even down to whole hairs he'll be with his people ah my friend how different to the thought and attitude of many when we get a certain age where we have lost our cell by date there's no good nothing worse left in you ah my friends they are they are thoughts of this world not the thoughts of Jesus he is immutably the same he is ever the same to us though we may be old though we may grow feeble totally and completely reliant upon him but I must come quickly to the last part of our verse here oh god how great is the sum of them how great is the sum of them oh what depth of meditation there is in these words the sum of them meaning when they're all added up and you have to go back from now and go backwards to some of the things I've been speaking of today oh how great the sum of them

[31:43] I say can you put a price down to the first one why truly we learn this that he is alpha and omega the beginning and the end and it may be summed up in those beautiful words Jesus Christ the same yesterday today and today and forever how great is the sum of them are we to suppose that there will not be a tallying up of all the preciousness of Jesus Christ to us I verily believe there will be there's only my own thoughts and speculation there but I love to think of it in those terms why when we when a man gets full of his own self-importance he likes to tally up and tell all his success stories does he not what he can do what he has done and what he's going to do but my friend the child of God in his tallying up it's this what Jesus has done what he is now and will forever be how great is the sum of them it's not speculation is it it's hard solid fact it is that which faith rests upon and trusts alone in how great is the sum of them can you bear the thought what tomorrow will bring for us can you bear the thought how people will treat you then can you bear the thought of what the future dates will bring for us we may have some idea and may be full of dread concerning them but how great is the sum of them it's every day we will commit our way unto him and he said cast thy burden upon the

[34:11] Lord yes and I will sustain thee call upon me in the day of trouble I will hear thee and thou shall glorify me how precious are thy thoughts when thus he saw us in distress when he spread with power to your soul and you can say before I called he did answer he did answer or the great sum of them yes he caused the call upon him but he had already set the wheels in motion to send help and deliverance unto you by various ways how great is the sum of them when he humbles you under his almighty hand when verily you heard him say be still and know that I am God and he still repeats it to you does he not be still and know that I am God my effective power is towards you and for your good oh how great is the sum of them friends we just take our own lives alone why it is so numerous it is so great how great is the sum of them have we not sometimes bless

[35:59] God that he has not allowed us to have our own way but have our way with hewn stone I said when in my years that soon as I become old enough I'll be away from home and I'm going to have a good time and do just what I wanted to do and so I did go away from home God in his infinite mercy put me first of all into a God fearing household which had a great influence upon me God's appointment friend yes how great is the sum of them we thought but they were not God's thoughts not I want to preach of myself but I want to illustrate how great is the sum of them that he puts forth his almighty hand by some quite little incident which turns the whole order of your life changes everything turns it upside down and inside out

[37:26] God's dealings with us how great is the sum of them men talk about chance well we must use that word chance if we ever use it in the right context in the right meaning of it but my friend nothing happens to us by chance in this sense for God I say orders the pathway of his people have we not sung recently oh that the Lord would guide my ways yes oh has he not guided our ways has he not counselled us therein that we might not be allowed to choose our own way how great is the sum of them his thoughts towards it friend he turns us around he brings us near unto him the prodigal heavily thought that he was on a good thing when he left his father's household just see how rich he was just see what he could purchase just see how he could please himself but friends like so many everything fell through his fingers and sin my friend heightened it did it not heightened it

[39:08] I say if you want to become poor then delve in sin there's nothing worse than that that not I'm suggesting that we should tread the way of the miser but oh I say oh the the wrecking power of sin that will bring a soul to nothing as it did the protocol and being in want he came to himself in no time at all and he said I will arise and go unto my father how great is the sum of them what have him back again oh no no we can't have him back again you asked the elder brother and he had agreed to that oh that was not in the father's heart and mind neither is it in the heart and mind of

[40:14] God the father God the son and God the holy ghost no how great is the sum of them you say count up the sins no and he was frankly freely and frankly forgiven all his sins and transgressions this I say is so sadly lacking today that no people are not willing and ready to forgive but they take delight in holding out against the Lord's people those things that they have done wrong my friend what a mercy how great is the sum that he forgives the transgressions and pays for it or with his dying love amen amen to tune and he has seen the heavenly and bull Crelaws will look at our