But unto you that fear my name. (Quality: very good)

[0:00] In dependence upon the Lord for all needed help, I venture to draw your prayerful attention to Malachi chapter 4 verse 2.

[0:22] Malachi chapter 4 verse 2. But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the storm.

[0:56] But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the storm.

[1:20] The first word of our taste is a very important word, though it is a very small word.

[1:36] It is a distinctive word. It is a separating word. The verse previous speaks so solemnly of the day that is coming, the day of the Lord, when time shall be no more, and all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble.

[2:07] And the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

[2:20] Solemn words indeed. Neither root nor branch.

[2:31] But here is the transforming word. Here is a word concerning those that shall not be burned up, those that are not counted as stubble, those who by the grace of God have both root and branch.

[3:00] spiritual life and spiritual fruit. But unto you.

[3:12] So, friend, before we take another step in our meditation tonight, we do well to seek that the Lord by the Spirit will search out our hearts and reveal to us where we stand, that we may be delivered from a false hope, a dead profession, that it may be well with us.

[3:46] What is the distinction here? What is the mark of this people that shall be preserved in this great day of the Lord?

[3:57] It is that fear my name. It is quite evident in the days of Malachi that the love of many had grown very cold and there was much religion, but a dead form.

[4:16] I shall not take time to go through the history of this prophecy, but it is well known to you.

[4:26] And yet, yet, amidst a solemn declension, there is a little number, it would seem a small number in those days, they were marked out as different, marked out with the possession of the fear of the Lord.

[4:49] And this fear of the Lord, as we've often named, is not the dread of a slave. A slave fears his master, has no love for his master, I'm speaking in a general way.

[5:07] He will do, he will obey, because he's got to obey. But, if he could get away from obeying, he would do so. But, those here, that fear the Lord, do so not, by just, a legal, command, but in love, to the Lord Jesus, to fear him, to obey him, and to walk, in his ways.

[5:41] And the fear of the Lord, as I've often named, works in a two-fold way. It goes one way, and goes another way. A separating influence, and it's a cleaving influence.

[5:56] It calls at times, a sacrifice. It calls at times, for the believer, to courageously, stand, for what is right, in the face, of much opposition, the face of scorn, and ridicule, of the world.

[6:16] Because, the fear of the Lord, in the possession, and walked out, in a believer's life, will manifest itself, in a distinctly, different life, to the ungodly.

[6:33] It will be seen, in the smallest details, of life, as well as, the larger details, of life. And so, as the fear of the Lord, is in exercise, in our soul, as the light of heaven, shines in our heart, it will shine, on those things, that were perhaps, dear to us.

[6:57] Perhaps we, did not see, wrong in them. Perhaps we, indulge the flesh, in them. And now, we are brought, to a point, of challenge, I was going to say.

[7:12] A decision. A crisis. Here is something, in my life, now what am I to do?

[7:24] I love the Lord. Now if I love the Lord, I know, that in the fear, of the Lord, I cannot go, and continue, in those paths, as before.

[7:38] For example, we may even say, apart from, doing things, where before, one, might not have so many, I was going to say, a scruple, about, a half lie, or, not speaking up, now, we are brought, to a challenge, and, feel that, no, I, I must be firm, I must, make a stand, I cannot tell, a lie, I must be honest, I must be upright, I must, and not, I must, because I've got to, but because, I love the Lord, because he loves me, and what he, commands me to do, is for my good, and so, this fear of the Lord, is that, which will, cause us, to depart from evil, and also, from error, it will cause us, to be very sensitive, to worship, to the atmosphere, that we are gathered in, is it reverent, is it, sincere, is it spiritual, and when I say that, we may say,

[8:48] Wes, well, if I was in a place, where there's a lot of excitement, irreverence, and so forth, of course, I shouldn't be happy, and no, you wouldn't, but look, you've got to look, at something else, you could have an assembly, with people, well dressed, and most suitably applied, attired, and yet, just a dead profession, just a resting, on outward show, friend, we want, with the fear of the Lord, we pray, not only the preservation, from error, but liveliness, in the ways of God, and continuing, in prayer, and in worship, to seek grace, to worship him, in spirit, and in truth, with reverence, and with, godly fear, so, there's error, to be departed, anything, that goes against, the word of God, we must shun, now, again, the fear, of the Lord, brings with it, wonderful blessings, you see,

[9:57] I sometimes feel, perhaps with our younger friends, they have, a, not a right, balanced view, of the fear, of the Lord, they view it, and rightly so, as I have expressed it, in its separating influence, but, they do not see, do not know, and perhaps, sometimes have not been told, of the blessings, of the fear of the Lord, for in the fear of the Lord, is strong confidence, and his people, shall have, a place of, refuge, the word of God, is full of exceeding, great, and precious promises, to those, who fear God, they shall lack, nothing, now, there will be times, when, the fear of the Lord, may be, bring us, into a place, of testing, and may even, bring us, into a place, of loss, may mean, a cause of sacrifice, of something, of earthly goods, or wealth, and, with it, will be, the temptation, of the devil, to say, well you're, an utter fool, for doing, such a thing, but friend,

[11:17] I'm sure of this, that those, that may, even suffer, for a time, maybe, financial loss, or, the ridicule, of the world, for standing, firm to the truth, and in love, to their Lord, that they, shall be blessed, with that, quietness of mind, that calmness, of spirit, and, that they will prove, that he is, that place, of refuge, for them, but look at a word, it was on, I have to turn my, one of my text calendars, over, a day too fast, but it came, rather, it's really for tomorrow, but, it's another word, concerning the, fear of the Lord, that we find, in the, book of the, Proverbs, and, if I can, lay my hand, upon it, I think I've got it, it was this, by humility, and the fear, of the Lord, now, what is the promise, by humility, and the fear, of the Lord, are riches, and honor, and life, just, come to my mind, as an example, of this, as you think, of Daniel, there's a, a vivid example, of the fear, of the Lord, controlling, his life, to the scorn, and envy, and hatred, of those, around him, and that, when they, sought to examine, his life, and they did, they could, find no fault, now, we must be, quite clear, it doesn't mean, he was sinless, but he was honest, in his work, this is the challenge, of a child, of God, in our daily life, now, look what it, meant to him, and look, what it, called, it meant, the den of lions, but he proved,

[13:25] God was with him, and what a, fearful destruction, there was, an end, of those enemies, of Daniel, but we must not, digress, too far, Joseph, comes to a moment, this did not I, was it, no, Nehemiah, this did not I, for the fear, of the Lord, Joseph again, went tempted, with the lust, as a young man, in, away from, in a strange land, and everything, in the background, most suitable, for the fulfillment, of that lust, like David, fell into it, and Joseph, no, he was kept, in the fear, of the Lord, and we need it, let none think, that they are, so strong, that they will not fall, into temptation, into sin, if you know, your own heart, you won't trust it, the heart, by nature, is deceitful, above all things, and desperately wicked, and I feel it, more than ever, and we need the Lord, to keep us, and to uphold us, but now, just, and we must not, tarry too long, but, just taking up, one or two, of the promises, of the Lord, concerning those, who fear him, and,

[14:48] I was thinking, of those words, in the, Psalms, where, we read this, that the, eye of the Lord, is upon them, that fear him, that hope, in his mercy, what for?

[15:07] To deliver, their soul, in death, and to keep them, alive in famine, what a word, it is, what a comfort, that this is, and then again, and, I think it's in the, follow, an earlier psalm, the secret, of the Lord, the secret, of the Lord, is with them, that fear him, there's a secret, that is, something revealed, the world doesn't see it, the world doesn't understand it, but the Lord speaks, and he will show them, his covenant, he will show them, that covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, he will show them, that they are they, that whose names, are in the Lamb's book, of life, he will show them, that they are they, that are born again, and those, that are born again, that walk in the fear, of the Lord, are pardoned sinners, I know, we pray, for the witness, of the spirit, I know, that we pray, and do desire, earnestly, for the, full, assurance, of, faith, and then again, the mercy of the Lord, is from everlasting, to everlasting, upon them, that fear him, and so, they that fear the Lord, but unto you, that fear my name, these are they, that speak one to the other,

[16:33] I wish, we were more free, to do so, sometimes, we feel so tied, don't we, I would just say, last night, I went to the service, at Horham, got there much earlier, and, and yet, I can't describe it, I had an urge, to be there, long time, before the service, there were two services, there was an interval, in between, and I was talking, with one of God's servants, and the deacon, that really, I shan't forget it, the strengthening, the union, you see, is a bond, and it draws together, it's heart burning, warming, and, speaking of, the goodness, of our God, but, some say, ah, that cuts me right out, I can't speak, the word of God, doesn't cut you out, friend, it says, that think on his name, does that gather you in, your heart, must be the witness, all those times, in your little room, at home, or even in the, busy scenes of life, suddenly, you're, thinking upon God, your, heart is up to him, perhaps for help, in some difficulty, wisdom, that you need, or perhaps, you feel, ah,

[18:02] I failed, I've sinned, I need forgiveness, some decision, you've got to make, yes, Lord, guide me, ah, yes, and, some sweet thought, perhaps, unexpectedly, of the Lord Jesus, and his love, some word, of scripture, coming with sweet power, right into your heart, and you weren't even, thinking of it, and, they shall be mine, saith the Lord, in that day, when I make up my jewels, now unto you, that fear, my name, just one more reference, I said, that, ah, that, the fear of the Lord, will bring us, at times, into the path of testing, ah, and, who is among you, that feareth the Lord, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the Lord, and stay, upon his, God, so, friend, do not be too dismayed, because we're just coming, to this next word, unto you, that fear, my name, shall, the son, of righteousness, arise, with healing, in his wings, the son, of righteousness, this is, none other, than the Lord,

[19:20] Jesus Christ, the son, and, this is, light, for our, darkness, now look, let's just, view the alternative, let's look at ourselves, before, we're called by grace, I hope, I don't have to say, to any, and I don't know, that this is your, sad and solemn state, because you have not, as yet, been called by grace, darkness, darkness, just view, the state of the lost, darkness, it can't be denied, the scriptures, are a closed book, they may know, about the scriptures, may know about, the death of Christ, may speak, and rightly so, in that way, of the, wonderful, example, set, but, they're in the dark, there's no transformation, in their life, death, and then, to think, of dying, in the dark, and to think, of that eternity, of darkness, wailing, weeping, gnashing of teeth, but God, who commanded, the light, to shine out, of darkness, hath shined, in our hearts, to give the light, of the knowledge, of the glory, of God, in the face, of Jesus Christ, what a word it is, what a work it is, too, that light, from heaven, that light, that reveals, yes, our sinnership, brings us, to a sense, of our danger, shows us, our poverty, shows us, that we cannot, save ourselves, shows us, that, there is only, one way, of salvation, is a light, that shines, on the cross, is a light, that directs, a poor sinner, that is, groping his way, fearing, and trembling, and yet, reaching out, after Christ, it points, to the cross, was it not, evangelists, that said, to Christians, see yonder light, at the wicked gate, pointing the way, forward, and as I think, of it,

[21:57] I think, of the brazen serpent, set high, upon the pole, and it is, said, and I think, rightly so, that made of brass, or copper, as we would understand it, set high, there, with the, brilliant sun, that a light, would shine, it could be seen, oh my friends, when we hear, of the death, of Christ, I'm reminded, of that word, these things, were not done, in a corner, yet, they are hidden, to those, that, are as yet, dead, interested in sin, but revealed, to those, who are, born again, and that, hymn, that you've just been singing, would be the expression, of the very desires, of your heart, give me Christ, or else I die, it's Christ, is my only hope, and here, is this light, shining, and this light, that shows, the way of salvation, this light, that reveals, the preciousness, of Christ, and the, efficacy, of his precious blood,

[23:01] Lord, bring it, into my soul, but I feel, that you may say, Lord, I feel, so dark, I feel, so barren, I feel, so desiged, there's so many clouds, there's so many, mists, and fogs, around me, oh, friend, never lose sight, of this, the sun, is above the cloud, that's the mercy, and it does disperse, both cloud, and mist, and fog, there are times, I remember, one particular occasion, in southwest Wales, where there was, a sea mist, and with my dear one, I never forgot it, I know she didn't either, when I've never seen, anything like it, it wasn't clearing, that way up, or that way, it was though, somebody had taken, the whole lot, and just swept, the lot away, in a matter of, two or three minutes, there was no, appreciable change, of wind, or anything, it was just, gone, there were beautiful, islands in the distance, you could see them, but they were there,

[24:10] I couldn't see them, with the mist was there, they were out of my sight, friend, remember this, though you cannot see him, he's still there, he still loves, he still cares, and there are times, when you fear, will he shine again, into my heart, and what is the effect, of it, the shining of your saviour's, love into your heart, oh the warmth, you see, there's warmth, I want to be very careful, now what I say, but, if you have a dung heap, and the sun shines, on that, it emits a dreadful stench, I feel that's a description, of the ungodly, but where there's, a seed, where there's, the sun shining, and the showers, it promotes growth, it speaks of, fruitfulness, where, the ground, take the winter season, and earth stood, hard as iron, and water like a stone, you say,

[25:26] Lord, that's just like my heart, don't we mourn over it, don't we grieve, because of it, but you know, when the sun starts, and it comes, now naturally speaking, it may take time, but gradually, it may be gentle, don't you remember, as I do, sometimes the beginning, of a thaw, and you listen, drip, drip, very little, gradual, but friend, here, spiritually, it can be in a moment, of time, your hard heart, soften, oh, it's a precious experience, and it may be, as I remember, particularly in my own, life, as I've explained to you, before, when I was in the air force, and the Lord was reserving me, from a path, keeping me from making a mistake, and, had laid his afflicting hand, upon me, and, I, I was recovering, but then, had a recurrence, of the affliction, and I was in a, dreadful state, both,

[26:34] I could hardly swallow, and, yet I was, expected to attend, a church, religious church service, and, I was on convalescence, and, I felt, so dark, so low, so depressed, so cast out, I felt as hard, as the seat I sat on, harder than that, and it was, the service, nothing, nothing, I got lower, and lower, until, the son of righteousness, arose, the son of my soul, the last hymn, S-U-N, son of my soul, thou saviour dear, it is not night, if thou night, he came, transformation, affliction, affliction was there, weakness was there, but my Jesus was there, oh friend, when he comes, he's the son of righteousness, and for you, a filthy sinner, that's the wonder of it, and it's his love, and remember, there's but one son, but one saviour, remember, there's the glory of the son too, and there's the glory of our redeemer, you could not, look at the son, in his blaze, in, with your natural eye, is more than ever we compare, his glory, but friend, there's coming a day, when the redeemed, shall be gathered in glory, and we shall see him, because we shall have eyes, that have never, we've never had before, we've had an eye to see, through a glass darkly, glimpses of Christ, but there we shall see him, in the full blaze of glory, oh how wonderful, and it won't be a natural son, even that one day, will pass away, but not our Jesus, he's the same, yesterday, and today, and forever, for unto you that fear my name, shall the son of righteous, arise, oh that he may come, and then what does he say, what's the effect of it, arise with healing, in his wings, this word wings, means beams, beams of his light, beams of his love, tokens for good, reaching right down, into your heart, you, that's amazing, think of the greatness, of your Jesus, think of the greatness, of your Jesus, and think of you, as a sinner, and that he should shine, into your heart, and those healing beams, of comfort, that broken heart of yours, that bruised spirit of yours, that distressed, that you may be passing through, all that you're passing, healing, with warmth, love, light, in his beams, right into your very heart, but unto you, that fear my name, shall the son of righteous, arise with healing, in his wings, the wings of the morning, we read the beams, again, when we think of the night, and, we don't often see, the rising of the sun, but,

[29:56] I think one of the joys, of going away, on a holiday, when, you leave, as we did, have done these, of recent years, about 4.30, 5 o'clock in the morning, so what a, wonderful sight it is, and, we do remember, from the air, the amazing sight, to see the dawn, but friend, yes, the night's so dark, but it passes, and the Lord will come, did Jesus once, upon me shine, then Jesus is forever, that means, no separation, from that sun, maybe many days, of darkness, and some are, self-procured, by our sinfulness, our worldliness, and, our failings, but, our Jesus, will still shine, and, ye shall go, forth, and grow up, as cars, of the storm, ye shall go, forth, this speaks, of liberty, this speaks, of life,

[31:02] I've never seen it, I would love to, but my farmer friends, in Wiltshire, have told me, that when, the cows, have been, kept in, through the winter months, and the springtime, comes, and they're set out, into the field, it's an amazing sight, to see, those creatures, enjoying, after a long time, the beautiful grass, and the fields, friend, perhaps you feel, shall I ever be free, shall I ever be set free, and perhaps you look back, at days of liberty, but you see, oh, I'm so bound now, I'm so tied now, oh, will he come again, but, friend, he comes, this, this sun of righteous, shining, and that drawing influence, that loosening influence, to, you shall go, forth, into sweet liberty, and grow up, as cars of the store, here is a setting forth, as, as I understand, here, this, going forth, as you think of, these creatures, set free, and the liberty, and, walking, and, yes, the thought comes here, of the yoke, to yoke together, those who fear the Lord, walk together, in love, and, in union, but,

[32:27] I mustn't digress, too far, or to come to this last cause, and grow up, as calves, of the store, to be, to seek this, growth in grace, I've already hinted, at the sun, in its warmth, where there's a root, where there's a seed, oh, the calves, the farmer, will seek, that they shall grow, rightly so, and, are we concerned, about our, spiritual, health, when I was a little boy, I think about every, few months, my mother, would take me, and stand me by a wall, and see, how much I'd grown, well, is there growth, in grace, is there growth, in the knowledge, of our Lord, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, are we growing, more like him, are we walking, more tenderly, in his fear, his faith, strengthened, friend, may there be, this growth, spiritual, enlargement, and,

[33:42] I pray, that, we may, be brought, to a concern, over our, spiritual, health, now, I know, and, the Lord, will answer, our prayers, sometimes, the way, we don't expect it, growth, in grace, now, it's right, to pray it, and, the Lord, makes no mistake, with us, but, to grow in grace, means, that we've got, to grow less, we've got, to be smaller, we've got, to be more humble, more Christ-like, and, that means, the burning up, of the dross, what a distinction, to those, in the first verse, where there was, neither root, nor branch, it's all dross, but, here is something, apart, from the dross, that's in, it is indestructible, and so, we need grace, to be patient, but just one more word,

[34:44] I see the time, has gone, yes, there comes, the end of the journey, thy son, shall no more, go down, neither, shall thy moon, withdraw itself, for the Lord, shall be, then everlasting light, and the days, of thy mourning, shall be ended, they said, he had no need, of the sun, I should have, just mentioned earlier, and I leave it with you, it is from the sun, that the moon, and the stars, have their light, it is, that's, from the dear, saviour, that the church, shines, and every believer, in it, but as that light, shines within us, may it shine, out, as, Moses, upon the mount, they wish not, he wish not, but they could see, that his face, shone, may we shine, forth as lights, but the prospect, of glory, and where, we shall see him, as he is, and that sun, shall never more, be hidden, no more clouds, but to shine, in Emmanuel's, land, forever,

[36:01] Amen.