Hear the rod and who has appointed it (Quality: Very good)

[0:00] The Lord may help this morning and ask your attention to the book of Micah chapter 6 and the latter part of verse 9.

[0:18] The book of Micah chapter 6 and the latter part of verse 9. Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it.

[0:38] Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it.

[0:50] The instruction there is in every part of God's word. And this book of Micah, a prophet, is very evident from those things that are contained in this book that bears his name.

[1:06] And one who lived in the days of Hezekiah was thus a contemporary with Isaiah. Perhaps one whose prophecy we, in some ways, are more familiar with.

[1:22] You might hear there are those things that are peculiar even to the message that Micah had to deliver. But whilst other prophets, for instance, gave word and spade prophecies concerning the coming and the birth of Christ, Micah is singular in this as he relates the very spot.

[1:47] But it is not my intention to tarry at all on the setting of the prophecy or of the prophecy in a general way.

[2:00] But this word has been somewhat upon my mind and spirit. And I trust that we shall each prove that it is of the Lord that I read these words before you at this present time by way of text.

[2:17] Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it. And in consideration of this word, three particular thoughts have tarried upon my mind.

[2:32] Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it. Firstly, to consider the appointer of the rod, who hath appointed it.

[2:44] And then secondly, to give some consideration to the rod itself. And then thirdly, to consider the voice of the rod.

[3:00] For that is the counsel that is given us here in this word. Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it.

[3:11] Reason may say, well ought not the word be more correct if it were to say, feel ye the rod. My hearers, there are those things wherein the Lord speaks in the rod.

[3:26] As well as laying the rod upon us in such a way that from time to time we feel something of it. So then, hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it.

[3:42] Now, who is the appointer of this rod? I believe it to be no other than our covenant God and Father.

[3:56] He is the one who hath appointed this rod. And friend, as we would have some consideration of him.

[4:07] Consider those many things in the path that he has appointed. And dear Job knew something of it.

[4:19] When he, in the midst of trial and affliction, could say, he performeth the thing that is appointed for me.

[4:32] And whenever we will look in our lives, in our circumstances, in matters, if our eyes be open to behold it, we shall see that ways and matters are appointed.

[4:46] From the beginning of our days to the end of our days. From before our days and even after our days on earth are finished.

[5:04] Everything in our path, every step, is an appointed way. Go right back to the beginning, or in the beginnings of the word of God.

[5:16] And you will see there, his appointment of a people. His appointment of individuals.

[5:28] And his appointment of a chosen people. And here is, can we trace something of this. In our own time.

[5:39] And in our own experience. A blessed doctrine this. That which nature will never receive. And which reason can never follow.

[5:52] But which faith in exercise will lay hold upon. The electing love of God. And that displays his appointment.

[6:04] Though God's election is a true. Small comfort there I see. Till I am told. By God's own mouth.

[6:16] That he has chosen me. Consider the figure that he set before us.

[6:26] In his choice of a people of old. And I think of ancient Israel. The people that he chose. The people that he loved.

[6:39] And a people which are brought before us again and again. In the word of God. As typical. Of his spiritual Israel.

[6:50] A chosen people. They are in common. Referred to from time to time. As his ancient people.

[7:02] That is. As they live in days of old. But my hearers consider. The choosing. Of God's dear people. In eternity past.

[7:13] Surely it may be said of them. That they. Are an ancient people. People that he has chosen. Even for himself.

[7:25] And as they have been appointed. So my hearers. There is that. Which is appointed for them. There is an inheritance.

[7:38] As it was for Israel of old. There was the chosen land. The land of promise. Into which they should be brought. So my hearers spiritually. There is that place.

[7:51] To which. They shall be brought. The apostle. In writing his epistle. To the Thessalonians. Speaks of this. When he speaks of those.

[8:04] Who God. Has not appointed to wrath. But to obtain. Salvation. By our Lord. Jesus Christ. They were not appointed to wrath.

[8:16] But they were appointed. To obtain. Salvation. All my hearers. Can we trace this. Of that which the Lord.

[8:28] Has appointed for us. There is appointed for us. A kingdom. In the sky. A kingdom.

[8:40] Which shall ne'er decay. When time. Sweets earthly thrones away. And it will my dearers.

[8:50] It will. Time even now. Is fast. Bearing us away. order. To hear the word.

[9:01] Order he. The word expressed. In that 90th psalm. So teach us. To number our days. Are appointed by the Lord.

[9:13] Each and every one of them. But oh. That we may be taught. To number them. Teach us. To number our days. That we may apply. Our hearts.

[9:24] Unto wisdom. He has appointed us. To salvation. To the Lord. To the Lord. To the Lord. Press us true. If we can lay hold of that.

[9:36] Upon that word. This morning. If we can look to that word. And say. That is mine. Not for what the Lord. Has seen in us.

[9:48] How true. The words of one. Who said. There is nothing in me. To merit esteem. Or to give. My creator delight. It was even so.

[9:59] Father. We ever must sing. For so. It seemed good. In thy sight. Who.

[10:09] Hath appointed it. He has appointed us. My hearers. Every step of the path. Oh then. Do we know what that is.

[10:21] To. Consider the word. Of the province. Ponder the path. Of thy faith. We don't take. One step.

[10:31] By chance. Every step. In our life. Is an appointed step. As every way.

[10:42] Is an appointed way. Friend. We may see the way. In a general sense. But the way. Is to be walked out. Is to be step by step. In the path. We would go.

[10:55] From place to place. And we would go. From A to B. Friend. We don't go there. In a moment. Do we? There is a journey. More or less. To be undertaken. A path to be walked.

[11:07] Steps to be taken. And that is our mercy. When we can pray. That our God. Have appointed. The steps. For us. So then.

[11:18] We would consider that. Journey through life. From life. Beginning with us. To life. To life. Ending with us. Every step.

[11:30] In that pathway. Is an appointed step. And everything. In that pathway. Is needful. Everything.

[11:41] In that pathway. Is necessary. And there may be some things. In that pathway. That in some measure.

[11:53] Give us. Pleasure. I would say it carefully. But it may at times. Give us some. Natural pleasure. pleasure. But it is better.

[12:03] My heroes. When we can consider. Those steps. In the path. And the spiritual. Pleasure. That they yield. But bear this in mind.

[12:15] That whilst those things. May yield. To our profit. They may not always. Be pleasing. To our nature. And so it is.

[12:29] With this rod. That the Lord. Is pleased. To appoint. Friend. The rod. In the pathway. Being needful.

[12:40] Is as much. His appointment. As it is. That we. Are appointed. Even to glory. I come back. To the word. Of dear Job.

[12:51] He performeth. The thing. That is. Appointed. For me. Let me just. Remind you. For a moment. And we'll come again.

[13:02] To it. As the Lord. May help. But that word. Which we read. In your hearing. In the Hebrews. Where the apostle. Writing to them.

[13:13] Says. Ye have forgotten. The exhortation. Which speaketh. Unto you. As unto children. My son. Despised. Not thou.

[13:24] The chastening. Of the Lord. Nor faint. When thou art. Rebuked. Of him. For whom. The Lord. Loved. He chasteneth. And scourgeth.

[13:34] Every son. Whom. He receive. In. If ye. Endure. A chastening. God. Dealeth. With you. As with sons. For what.

[13:46] Son. Is he. Whom. The father. Chasteneth. Not. But if ye. Be without. Chastisement. Whereof. All. Are partakers. Then.

[13:57] Are ye. Bastards. And not. Suckers. Hear ye. The rod. And who. Hath.

[14:08] Appointed it. We consider. My hearers. In this word. That this rod. Is a loving appointment.

[14:20] For whom. The Lord. Loved. He chastened. It's a loving appointment. We may not. Always. Be in that place.

[14:31] In that frame. Where we see. Love in it. But a mercy. We are brought. To old. And to now. As the.

[14:42] Path is sanctified. To us. That it is. A loving appointment. It is. His appointment. Unto us. Even as sons.

[14:53] And not. As bastards. It is a loving appointment. And he. Has appointed itself. And as well.

[15:05] As being. A loving appointment. It is. A wise appointment. What I do. Thou knowest. Not now. Thou.

[15:17] Shalt know. Hereafter. I know. The Lord. Spake those words. As he were teaching. The disciples. A lesson. In humility. But friend. How. Many matters.

[15:28] And. Steps. In our pathway. That word. Could be written over it. What I do. Thou knowest. Not now. But thou. Shalt know. Hereafter.

[15:40] You see. Here is our. Poor. Puny mind. And understanding. It will never. Can never. Fathom. The wisdom.

[15:51] Of God. Hear ye the rod. And who hath appointed it. It is appointed. In wisdom. And then.

[16:04] My hearers. Consider this. That everything. Everything. That the Lord. Appoints. Is.

[16:15] Unalterable. Unalterable. This may be said. Of the rod. Hear ye the rod. And who hath appointed it. It is unalterable.

[16:26] As he has appointed the rod. So am I here. That rod shall be used. To accomplish the means. The end. That he has in view. And everything. That the Lord.

[16:37] Has appointed. Is unalterable. Or if we could. But consider that thought.

[16:47] My hearers. In. Our stance. In our power. Would not that bring us. More readily. And thus. More profitably.

[16:58] To bow. To the submission. Of the Lord's will. My friend.

[17:09] How. Does this find us. Ready to bow. To yield. In submission. To the Lord's will. Multitudes may.

[17:25] Even this day. Repeat those. Words. That are given us. In that which is. So often. Referred to. In a general way. As the Lord's prayer.

[17:36] Thy will be done. My friend. How often. Has that been. The prayer. The language. Of your heart. Look back.

[17:50] Even over. Matters. Events. In the past. Days. Or weeks. I know not. Every individual. Every individual. Case. And matter. That is before. This morning.

[18:01] And neither. Perhaps. Is it profitable. And most certainly. Not needful. That we should know. Though the Lord. Can sue the word. If it be his will. Even this day. The cases.

[18:12] That are known. Unto him. Friend. We have been brought. To this point. In the past. Thy will be done.

[18:24] One said. Father. Thy will be done. In words. We ought to express. When. In our hearts. We want our own. And wish.

[18:35] Our trials. Our trials. Blend. Hear ye. The rods. And who have appointed it. In an unalterable way. That word.

[18:48] Which has gone forth. From his mouth. He will perform. And then. My hearers. Too. Not only. Is it unalterable.

[18:59] But it is fixed. It is a fixed appointment. The time. When that appointment. Shall be fulfilled. Is fixed.

[19:12] It is known unto him. And friend. The time. Not only. When that rod. Shall be laid. But the time. When that rod. Shall be removed.

[19:23] Is fixed. Your times. Of trial. Then. Are all ordained. From heaven. If he appoints. The number 10.

[19:34] You ne'er shall have. Eleven. It is a fixed time. Fixed in the time.

[19:44] Of its endurance. Fixed in the time. When it shall be used. And friend. That is well. If we can be so.

[19:56] Taught. And blessed. Under this exercise. That we shall say. With one. It was good. For me. That I. Of thee.

[20:07] Afflict. Hear ye. The rod. And who. Hath appointed it. So much.

[20:19] Then. For a brief thought. Here. Concerning. Who. Hath appointed. This rod. But to look. At the rod itself.

[20:30] For this is the. Thought that has been. Moored upon my mind. The rod itself. And then. What it is. To. Hear that rod.

[20:43] To heed. The counsel. That is given us. In the word. Hear. Ye. The rod. And my dear. Whatever that is. That this rod.

[20:54] May be composed of. This matter. Is. Used of God. There are many things.

[21:04] And I would seek. Just to touch. But. One or two. Before you. At this time. Which may. Compose. This rod. But don't let us lose sight.

[21:16] Of the word that is given us. To hear ye the rod. And who. Has appointed it. Because whatever I say. May compose this rod. God has appointed it.

[21:28] And friend. That rod. Cannot. Be used. That rod. Cannot. Be moved. Without. Without. His permission. Here is something.

[21:43] That. The more we will consider matters. The deeper it may appear. To our understanding. But nevertheless. My hearer. The truth of it. Will ever be there. Underlying it.

[21:53] Whatever this rod is. It cannot be used. Without God's permission. Submission. When the soul is. Brought. To consider. These truths.

[22:05] Under the rod. There will be. A divine submission. And this my friend. Is hearing the rod. It will bring you. Into. Submission.

[22:16] Now then. Hear ye. The rod. The rod.

[22:27] Does not necessarily mean. We are not going to. Limit the point. To. The literal rod. It is that. Which the Lord.

[22:38] Uses. As a rod. As a means. In his hand. To chase. His old. Beloved ones. To bring them.

[22:49] To fall under it. And ultimately. For this cause. That. His glory. Shall be manifested. His hand. Because my hearer.

[23:05] To be under a rod. Without submission. Without. Sanctification. Will be of no. True profit. To a soul. And it will not.

[23:16] Bring honor. And glory. To God's name. The rod. May be this.

[23:27] The rod. May be composed. Of ungodly men. And you may know.

[23:39] What this is. In your daily life. And calling. To be. Under this rod. David.

[23:49] David. Knew something of this. Is very evident. In that. Seventeenth Psalm. Where there. He speaks of those things. That so burdened him.

[24:00] That so oppressed him. He says there. From the wicked. That oppressed me. From my deadly enemies. Who compass me about. They are enclosed.

[24:12] In their own fat. With their mouth. They speak proudly. They have now. Compassed us. In our steps. They have set their eyes. Bowing down.

[24:22] To the earth. Like as a lion. That is greedy. Of his prey. And as it were. A young lion. Lurking in secret places. Arise.

[24:34] Oh Lord. Here is his prayer. Arise. Oh Lord. Disappoint him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul. From the wicked.

[24:44] Wicked. And he acknowledges. Deliver my soul. From the wicked. Which is thy sword. These were the wrong.

[24:56] That the Lord. At this present time. Saw fit. To use. Against his servant. Deliver my soul. From the wicked. Which is thy sword. From men.

[25:08] Which are thy hand. Oh Lord. From men. Which are of the world. Which have their portion. In this life. And whose belly.

[25:18] Thou fill is. With thy hidden treasure. David knew what this was. To be afflicted. Even. By the hand.

[25:28] Of men. And friends. How many. Over the ages of time. Have known this. To be a rock. That has been laid upon them.

[25:43] Go back to the. The well known. Record in the book of Daniel. And see there. As. They were brought. Into captivity. Those things.

[25:55] That Daniel. And his contemporaries. Had to pass through. Even at the hands. Of wicked men. See.

[26:06] Throughout the ages. Of time. Those. Who know. That has been. To be under the rod. Of those in power. Of wicked rulers.

[26:19] Of those who were tyrants. In their actions. Toward men. Hear ye the rod. And so was appointed him. Even in the days here.

[26:31] In which. Or very close. If not actually in the days. In which Michael lived. When I say. He lived. At some time. During the.

[26:42] Life of Hezekiah. And remember. Those. Things that. Sennacherib. Was a rod. In the hand of the Lord. And of those things.

[26:54] Went in. Hezekiah. Grow. And those things. Went in. Hezekiah. Brought the matters. Before the Lord. God. Friend.

[27:05] Is there a. Sennacherib. In your hand. Is there an evil. Ruler. In your hand. One.

[27:16] Who presses upon. Hear ye the rod. And who. Hath appointed him. Friend.

[27:27] Even these. In and of themselves. Are only what they are. In the hand. And of God. In considering this thought. My mind.

[27:37] Went to. A word. In Isaiah's. Prophecy. And there. In the tenth. Chapter. He speaks. Shall the axe. Boast. Against him.

[27:48] That heweth therewith. He's the rod. My hero. Whether those things. That he should boast. Of in himself. There. Isaiah is speaking. Concerning the fall.

[27:59] Of the Assyrians. And how that. He prophesied. Therefore. Thus saith the Lord. God of hosts. O my people. That dwellest in Zion.

[28:11] Be not afraid. Of the Assyrians. He shall smite thee. With a rod. He shall lift up. His staff. Against thee. After the manner. Of Egypt. For yet.

[28:21] A very little while. And the indignation. Shall cease. And mine anger. In their destruction. It was an appointed time.

[28:32] It would last. For an appointed time. But it was in the hand. Of the divine. Appointment. And shall the axe. Boast. Itself. Against him. My heroes.

[28:45] In what strange ways. Are. And I go further. In what solemn ways. The Lord. Has been known. There have been matters. In which.

[28:56] We have been witnesses. Of it. In which. The Lord. Has worked. Even to appear. For his people. Those who.

[29:09] Have been under the hand. Of oppression. Even the wicked men. This has been a rod. In their pathway. And I say. In what solemn ways. Sometimes.

[29:20] The Lord. Has dealt. The Lord. You see. He's appointed the rod. He'll lay the rod. He'll use the rod. He'll remove the rod. But who shall say unto him.

[29:34] What doest thou? Do we ever. Really give.

[29:46] I'm sure we don't give a full. Consideration. To the power of God. The ways.

[29:56] In which. He will. Overthrow. And scatter. The purposes. Of man. You've got it. In the scriptures. Friends. We need to go outside. Of the scriptures. For what evidence is on.

[30:09] You can see. Those. Who have conspired. To come up. Before the people. Of God. And the Lord. Has so. Wrought. So worked. Amongst them. They've even been. Destroyers. Of themselves.

[30:19] Armies. Destroying armies. Where is the. Dear saint of God. Be. In the pathway.

[30:32] Stand still. And see the salvation. Of the Lord. Sit still. See how the matter. Will fall. Be still.

[30:42] Know. Know. That I am God. God. How your cry. Your lament. May have been. We have no power. No might.

[30:54] Against this great army. Friend. When the rod. Has done its work. The Lord. Remove it. Remember. Every element. Is under his control.

[31:06] The wind. The water. The fire. The sea. Everything's under his control. As he may see fit. To use them. To remove that rod. Remember how it was.

[31:20] With Israel of old. When they would cross over. The red sea. When their enemies. Pursued them. They saw them no more. That is.

[31:30] They saw them no more. As their enemies. They did behold them. Once more. They saw them all. As dead men. And. Friend. A very solemn thing.

[31:41] When the Lord. Sends forth. The messenger of death. To remove the rod. There may be that.

[31:54] In a pathway. Which you have seen. Even this. Come to mind. We see it very solemnly.

[32:06] In the word of God. What a solemn matter that is. When the Lord. Pages away. In judgment. In this.

[32:20] We would bow. To the sovereignty of God. That. Is being pleased. To use the rod. To do that work. Which he. Has appointed. And which.

[32:31] He will. Perform. Then my heroes. There may be. Those things. Closer at home.

[32:43] Which are a rod. I think of those things. In domestic circles. Domestic trials.

[32:55] Domestic affliction. Do you know. Do you know. Something of these. As being a rod. In the past. Friends.

[33:07] This is no new rod. For the Lord. Has been pleased. To appoint it. And to use it. And to remove it. Again. And again. In his word.

[33:17] David. In the life. In the life. In the life. In the life. Of Jacob. Those things. In the family. Those things.

[33:29] In the home. Which again. And again. Proved. A rod. To Jacob. Hear ye. The rod. And who.

[33:39] Hath. Appointed it. David. David. Here was one. Of whom. The word of God. Tells us. He was a man.

[33:50] After God's own heart. He had to be taught. He had to be instructed. We've already referred. To that time. When he prayed. Unto the Lord.

[34:00] To be delivered. From the hand. Of sinful men. From those. That oppressed him. David knew. What that was. To have the rod. In the family. In family affliction.

[34:14] I'll seek to come to that. It may have to be this evening. But I'll seek to come to that. In how the David. Had heard that rod. But you look at those. In the family. That rose up against him.

[34:26] Look at that time. When Shimei. Was there. Accursing him. Hear ye. The rod. And who hath.

[34:36] Appointed him. Was it Abishai. Who would stand up. For David. That time. Let him alone. He said. God hath bid him curse. Let him curse. This is hearing the rod.

[34:48] And who. Hath. Appointed him. Another. One that knew something of this. In the. Domestic affliction.

[35:00] Was Eli. You need tarry. And thanks upon Eli's path. You may be acquainted. With it. From the teaching of God's word. But those things. When in Eli.

[35:11] Permitted his sons. To sin. Without reproof. And this matter. Became a rock to him. Sin wasn't reviewed.

[35:24] Sin wasn't reproofed. It was a state. A time. Of sad decline. A time.

[35:34] When the word of the Lord. Was precious. And see the wonder workings. Of God. Here's a Hannah. Taken up into the temple. To pray. To lay her matter.

[35:46] Her case. Before the Lord. There she was. I know. Praying. That there may be given. Unto her a son. As her heart.

[35:58] Was made heavy. As she saw the Lord. Open the womb of Peninnah. And her own womb. Banner. Friend. You. Look at those things. That were all couched up. In Hannah's prayer. But ultimately.

[36:11] As Samuel. Was going to be born. And he was going to be. A means. In the hand of God. Of conveying God's word. To Eli. Friend. Friend.

[36:24] Do we consider. All these. Matters in the path. All these. Links in the chain. All these. Threads. In the pattern. There may be a time.

[36:38] When one thing. Seems so remote. From the other. And yet. Friend. When we come to. Ponder over the path. And see how the Lord. Is working in them. We see all things.

[36:48] Work together. For God. The tangled threads. Are in his hand. He will hold them fast. A perfect pattern.

[37:00] He has planned. All will come right at last. Friend. Friend. What Eli. Had to suffer. Even under the rod.

[37:14] To the time that. Samuel was born. Samuel spake unto him. The word of the Lord. Even as it was revealed unto him. By God.

[37:25] When you think of Eli. There he was. Ninety years of age. Was he? And here he hears. The voice of God. Through a child. What of God.

[37:38] No. Here was Eli. The high priest. Who should have been. Instructing the child. To our reason. But the Lord. Sees with it. That a little child. Shall leave.

[37:50] To speak unto. Eli. In that matter. He knew something. Of this rod. In a domestic affliction. Didn't Aaron know something.

[38:02] Of it. At that time. When Aaron was there. Holding office. And there were those things. That his sons. Entered into.

[38:13] Nadab and Abijah. And Fred. How Aaron. Had to smile. Under the rod of God. Even as his two sons.

[38:26] Were slain. Because. They offered. Strange fire. They did that. Which was not. According to the word.

[38:36] Of the Lord. And Aaron had to smile. Hear ye the rod. And who. Hath. Appointed it. By hearing the rod.

[38:50] May be. A bodily affliction. A mental affliction. We read at the. Prayer meeting. Last Monday evening. Concerning dear Job.

[39:02] Those things there. That were. A rod. Unto him. Dear Job. Knew further. What that was. To be afflicted.

[39:13] In his body. As he was covered. From head to foot. With boils. to the rest. Hear ye the rod.

[39:23] And who. Wath appointed it. You ever. Considered. When Job's. Captivity. Was turned. It was. When under the rod. He said. Behold.

[39:34] I am vile. Not only in his body and the affliction the Lord had laid upon him but my hearers those things that he knew in his own breath.

[39:48] The Lord showed him something of the plague of his own heart in this affliction. Afflictions make us see what else would escape our sight.

[40:02] Maybe a rod the Lord has laid upon you. Hezekiah knew something of this. Telling the prophet to him he said set thine house in order thou shalt die and not live.

[40:14] Oh what a rod this was for Hezekiah. Friends is there that wherein you have turned your face to the wall and wept. Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it.

[40:29] I know that there was the secret will of God which was yet to be made now. There should be the adding to his life of those 15 years.

[40:42] Friend what a rod that was that Hezekiah was under. It was an appointed rod. May be with you my hearer you have known something more or less of an afflictive path and dispensation.

[41:00] Has this been a rod to you? Hear ye the rod and who have appointed it. Circumstances my hearer may be a rod.

[41:14] I think here the case comes to mind of that somewhat familiar character to us and one who we've spoken a little of relative to the Aru.

[41:30] I think of Naomi of the wealth and prosperity that she had but how she fled from Bethlehem in the time of famine to go down into Moab and the Lord brought her under the rod.

[41:49] You look at the circumstances that dear handmaid had to pass through the loss of her husband and of her son. As she was reduced to poverty till she said I went out full the Lord hath brought me home again every day.

[42:07] This was a rod to my heart. The Lord never forsook her and Freddie will never forsake the work of his own hand.

[42:20] The Lord blessed her abundantly and you turn to the fourth chapter in the book of Ruth and you'll see something there of the blessings that Naomi had. She had to go under the rod to receive the blessing.

[42:34] Maybe you might hear of that. Circumstantial matters providences are a rod to you in a matter this morning.

[42:46] Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it. And my dear are our debts to which the Lord at times permits his people to go into it.

[42:59] such things as we have not known in our own beloved land in our day and generation in which has been known. You think of the rod of martyrdom.

[43:16] Those who were brought even to the end of their day as the Lord permitted wicked men to be a rod.

[43:28] true my hearers they gained the day. They lost their lives they never lost their souls. Others under the blessing of God have truly benefited from those things which some had to pass through.

[43:56] Friend do we value a right the privileges that we enjoy today for such things as some have had to lay down their lives for.

[44:10] They knew what that was to be under the rock. Go back to scripture true to the first record of the martyrs. Look at Stephen there what he had to pass through for what he gave he saw heaven open and he saw Jesus one ready to receive.

[44:39] You know friend we've not been called to walk the path of martyrdom in that way. Sometimes wonder however we should stand to it. I know you may say well grace will be given equal to the day.

[44:54] I believe in that sense it will make him. That ought not to leave us to a solemn indifference in these things. Hear ye the rod and who have appointed it.

[45:08] One more thought and I leave the subject for this morning. Hear ye the rod one of the times when the Lord withdraws his face. When your beloved withdraws himself.

[45:24] Oh is this a rod to you. Our solemn indifference when we ought to be concerned. Not truly appreciating the privileges that are given unto us.

[45:40] The very solemn thing my dear is when we only value our mercies and our blessings by their loss. And I believe we can be left to this even naturally.

[45:53] Do we appreciate our sight? Do we appreciate our hearing? Do we appreciate all our senses and faculties as we ought? I say very solemn friend if we'll only really appreciate these things by their loss.

[46:09] what are those times when Jesus withdraws himself? You see there were times when he was here upon earth.

[46:21] There they were with Jesus in the company. Did they appreciate him? Did they value him? The time came when he withdrew himself. And here is if we do not value, if we do not appreciate this as we ought, what he should come.

[46:39] But what if he should withdraw himself? Or should we know what that means? To be where the church was but reclining on her bed?

[46:54] Or would we know what that is? To come where she was brought to arise to go after him. Saw ye him whom my soul blumminh.

[47:07] I say here this is a rod when the Lord withdraws his manifested presence. Now I leave the thoughts where they are this morning.

[47:18] Hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it. Amen. parts by her hi can find that