Psalms

[0:00] the word I feel I must venture with this evening you will find in Psalm 46 verse 10 the 46th Psalm and the 10th verse be still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the heathens I will be exalted in the earth how precious it is that a needy soul is led by the Holy Spirit to those truths that are most beneficial for them those truths which alone will suffice to meet their special need and the Lord knows each heart he knows each individual case he knows each individual trial trial or sorrow or burden that he is wisely appointed for his dear children not only to walk in but to carry and sometimes it is a cause of much distress perhaps of mind sometimes of body but it is that which will bring them in their own feelings very low but the mercy of God is revealed in this that when it brings them there then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble and he hears them and that blessed spirit of truth directs them and therefore it is not the choice of man we have to prove this not all the help of man or the kind words of man will suffice to help that soul under their load only one word only one who speaks with authority only one who can fulfill the word that is spoken will be sufficient for that soul and in this we have an example here it was a truth that the psalmist himself had to learn in a very painful way we've just been singing of his woeful slip

[3:01] Peter's woeful slip Peter's denial David's adultery these things were purposed in God's eternal purpose not to glorify their sin not to excuse it but to magnify the work of his grace in a point in a way of escape and in that way to grant the word in season from himself which should deliver them from the curse and the punishment of that which their sin deserved you just think for a moment with Peter what did his saviour say to him depart from me ye cursed no I have prayed for thee that thy strength fail not and then he attached forever to that word and when they are converted strengthen thy brethren too tell what I have said tell what I have done magnify the mercy you have tasted and felt that it might be an encouragement to others who also might be in a low place might be fallen too oh how sweet it is that should be made known to we who are so unworthy of the least of his mercy why why should he speak such comfortable words and yet he ever has and he ever will the soul that is needy the soul that is in distress has a special place in the heart of a dear saviour he sees them feels for them in their distress and then he comes and then he appears and their cry of being

[5:15] Lord help me he puts forth that help in different ways different means he is sovereign in the way he answers those petitions but this one thing is sure he grants their desire in that hymn we sang concerning Solomon's prayer what was it that was the most earnest part of that prayer to know the pardon sealed to know his sin forgiven to know he was being led aright and seeking wisdom from above to order all his steps aright David too in his sin he was not left completely desolate he was brought to a true confession of it and to feel the burden of it upon his soul against thee the only of sin no mention of one he had sinned against not naturally that was the very cause of his coming in repentance but it was to

[6:36] God and before God that his conscience smote him and the Lord heard that confession if we confess our sin he is faithful and just to forgive those sins I have pardoned those sins I have put it away but now there was to be made known the manner in which the Lord would visit them for his sin that he committed and you know the babe that was born died David looked upon him and he saw the justice of a righteous God but he also saw more than that he saw the mercy that he had been pardoned for it and therefore he rose up from his sorrow he rose up from his grief and was able to glorify

[7:57] God these and many other instances we trace out in the word of God where he visits his people when he hears their cry but our text speaks of a condition to which these seeking ones are brought and the word that brings them to that place is the word of mercy but it's attended with power which enables our soul to fulfill the exhortation be still doubtless this text has been spoken from many many times but only when it comes to a soul in special need under the power authority of the

[8:57] Holy Ghost does it do good it may sound comfortable it may perhaps incite some with a desire that they might walk out this exhortation but you can't fulfill that in and of ourselves we have no strength at all one says before I had no strength and I had no power either be still when he speaks it be still then it is accompanied with that divine power which brings it into exercise the hymn says be still my heart heart these anxious cares to thee are burdens thorns and snares they cast dishonor on your

[10:06] God and contradict his gracious word when he says be still the ear is open the heart is softened but it needs more than that when he says be still it must be attended with living faith to believe that he who has commanded it will do it in and for you ah that's the mercy be still and know that I am God it is he alone who is able to fulfill that which is needful but David as he seeks to praise God for this word in season this exhortation so essential for the peace of the soul he directs us immediately to where his hope his help his strength his comfort lie

[11:23] God know that I am God and God is our refuge and strength now except we're led to the footstool of mercy in our prayer to view by faith for this great God who has all things in his control and divine authority when we are brought there then we may view whence the comfort flows God is our refuge and strength of very present help in trouble and if there is one near unto you one who as we read in that 37th psalm has you in his care has below beneath you his arms...

[12:26] The Lord upholdeth the righteous The Lord upholdeth the righteous He cannot fall They may fear they will at times tremble But he, their God, their refuge and strength upholdeth them so that they cannot fall.

[12:57] And in that condition, in that experience, this text, or the first part of this text, is brought into being.

[13:08] Be still. The grace of submission to the will of God, which enables that one who has pleaded for help, who has proved that there is one able to form their refuge, to lie submissive in his hand, and know no will but his.

[13:36] You see, this is the experience that the living soul will know. He won't know it all the time.

[13:47] We're not always in this spot and place where we need this exhortation. Not always.

[13:59] The Lord, in his wisdom, may appoint for us, for a time, a smooth path. He may grant us a felt sense of his presence.

[14:12] He may bless our soul with a knowledge of sin forgiven. And then, oh, what a lifting up in heart and spirit there is of thanksgiving.

[14:24] It seems, it seems, it seems, that you cannot, as it were, bring forth enough praise unto God for his mercy.

[14:35] And there is not then the need or the desire felt for this word to be spoken, to be still.

[14:49] Oh, you see, I would praise him more and more. Oh, I would, as it were, run in the ways of the Lord and exhort his holy name in obedience to his command.

[15:04] I run in his ways, never be tired. Go forward. Not be still. But that season may only be for a time.

[15:18] The Lord knows the need to bring us back to this basic prayer. Lord, help me! A very present help in trouble.

[15:35] Oh, have we proved this? Have you proved it? Those troubles that sometimes seem, they will overwhelm our poor mind and heart.

[15:51] And trouble like a gloomy cloud gathers thick and thunders loud. Can we say then, as the psalmist here proved, He near my soul has always stood.

[16:07] He's fulfilled his promise. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. A very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, Though many things around us give way, All around our soul give way, He then is still, My hope and stay.

[16:34] And that is the foundation upon which this exhortation rests. Be still, and know that I am God. Infinite wisdom, Boundless power, One who is too wise to err, Too good to be unkind, Has you, Has you, In his hand.

[16:57] The Lord upholdeth. Held up. And while he's holding you, You'll be content to be still. It's when the old nature works, That we become so restless.

[17:13] It is when our own mind, Turns this way and that, To seek some other way of deliverance, To that which the Lord has ordained, That we become restless.

[17:29] To be still, Graciously, Is a blessing, Designed alone, For the child of God.

[17:41] And what a mercy those times are given, When, Midst all her fears, And sins and woe, His mercy will not let me go.

[17:56] His love will never change. His commands will never fail. And his exhortations, Will be heeded. Be still, And know, That I am God.

[18:15] In the psalm that we read, And we've just noticed, Briefly a few, Points from it. We have such, Variations in experience.

[18:28] We have, The two sides. David, In this psalm, Is looking, Both, At the wicked, And the righteous.

[18:42] He's looking, At those, Who are, Enemies of God. And he's looking at those, Who are the favoured subjects, Of his choice.

[18:53] Who taste of his mercy, And receive, And receive, Of his promises. And, Because, The psalmist himself, Knew what it was, To come into trouble, He exhorts, In this psalm, Where, That soul, Should flee.

[19:17] In another, Psalm, He says, I will, Flee unto God, To hide me. Oh, What an hiding place, Is provided, For those, Who feel, Their poverty, Their weakness, And that great need, To have one, Near unto them, Who cannot fail.

[19:48] The 37th psalm, Is a very, Well known one. But, In it, We notice afresh, That what the psalmist, Speaks of, He is taught, Has been taught, And through it, To teach others, That only, Profitable path, In which, To walk.

[20:19] Fret not thyself, Because of evildoers, We do, We do, Oftentimes, Until the Lord, Says be still, And why can we be still, When he says it?

[20:36] Because, David says, The wicked, Should be cut off, They shall be cut down, Like the grass, Wither as the green herb, They cannot, Kill, They may, Offend, They may distress, But they cannot destroy, Be still, And know that I am God, Said David's God, In these things, This is the way, Where I would have you to walk, And in this way, The saints of God, Even, From the beginning, Have been led, To give, To be given, A right understanding, Of that, Which shall be, Profitable, For their soul, And glorifying,

[21:37] To God, The evildoer, Shall be cut off, There in his hand too, But it's the hand, Of condemnation, The hand, Wherein his wrath, Is made known, Neither be they, Envious against, The workers of iniquity, They shall all perish, But, Trust in the Lord, And do good, And it is, These precious, Exhortations, Of obedience, To the command of God, That I made the strength, And comfort, Of a soul, That is walking in, The paths of righteousness, Trust in the Lord, And do good, Be still, And in that trust, Commit thy way to him, Tell him your case,

[22:40] Tell him your fears, Tell him your desires, What is it, Your soul, Your inmost soul, Longest forefront, From him, Is it not, That you may, Delight in him, In that work, He is, So perfectly completed, Delight, Thyself, Also in the Lord, Now, To do that, We shall have to, For a moment or two, In experience, Pause, If we are so, If we are so, Taken up, Or overburdened, Or with cares, Anxieties, And the things, That surround us, In this world, Ere heart, Our heart cannot be, In that place, Of delighting, In the Lord, There must be, A time of, Quietness, Delight, Delight thyself,

[23:42] Also in the Lord, Commit thy way unto the Lord, And in that trust, That he is, Wrought in your heart, He shall, Bring to pass, What?

[23:57] The desires, Of thine heart, Now, The Lord looks down, Upon each one of us, This night, What does he see, In our heart, What is that desire, That is seen by God, An omniscient God, It cannot be hidden, Is it that, Which has been wrought, By the blessed spirit, Of truth, To that soul, In bringing them, To seek the revelation, Clearly made to them, Of that, Of which shall be, For their, Eternal joy, He'll bring it to pass, The desire, That he has placed there, The desire, Of the righteous, Will ever be, Up to him, Up, To the,

[24:58] God of righteousness, That that righteousness, May, Be their portion, Was it the, Prophet Isaiah, That I think says, He hath clothed me, In a robe of righteousness, The desire, Of our soul then, Will be, That we may be clothed, In his righteousness, And not be found, Naked, In that day, When all, Her must appear, Before him, When all things, Will be made plain, He shall give thee, The desires, Of thine heart, When, We are, Enabled, To be still, And delight, Herself in him, To meditate, The psalmist says, In another psalm, My meditation, Of him, Shall be sweet, And what was the source,

[25:58] Of that meditation, What must it be, If we are to find, Peace, And rest, And quietness, It is, The miracle, Of redeeming love, That love, Which coming, From heaven, Itself, Is made known, In the heart, Of every chosen, Vessel of mercy, The love of Christ, Oh, It is sweet, When it is found within, He will give thee, The desires, Of thine heart, Plead for it, Again, And again, But when that time, Of quietness, Is granted, Be still, And know that I am God, All things are mine, I have created all things,

[26:59] For my glory, And that which your heart, Desires, Is for my glory, In his righteousness, Complete, That's a desire, Commit thy way to him, Oh, Pour out your heart, Before him, And say, Lord, That's all my desire, That's all my longing, To be found, In thee, Clothed in thy righteousness, Washed from my sins, Made me unfit, What for?

[27:35] In this psalm, The word of man of God, Tells us, What it is, That they are, Waiting for, And longing for, The Lord, Knoweth the days, Of the upright, And their inheritance, Shall be forever, It is that eternal inheritance, That is the fruit, Of this, Waiting, Upon the Lord, And surely, When, We are given a little, View, Of that, Heritage, We want to be quiet, We want to be still, And, Think on that, Those things, Which are, Altogether, Glorious, They speak, To the soul, They speak, To the conscience, They speak, To the heart, And the Lord,

[28:36] Says, Be still, Know that I am God, I will bring it to pass, That which I have spoken, That which I have created, Must surely, Be brought to fruition, Even, Even, In thee, Poor, Troubled heart, Those, Who are, Weary, And heavy laden, It shall be fulfilled, Even in thee, For, He hath said, He did say, It is finished, And he hath said, I will never leave thee, Nor for sighting, He shall bring forth, Thy righteousness, As the light, And thy judgment, As the noonday, Rest in the Lord, Be still in the Lord, Are the consolations of God,

[29:37] Small with thee, Or if he says, Be still, My soul, Will be content, To see the salvation, Of the Lord, Made known, Clearly, That seal, And witness, Might be sweetly realized, That we sang all, In our hymn, Give me to read, My pardon sealed, And from thy joy, To draw my strength, To have thy matchless love, Revealed, In all its height, And breadth, And length, Be still, When Solomon prayed this prayer, Remember, He was low, Before God, He was bowed before, Almighty God,

[30:38] He gave, He gave, Thanks unto the hymn, Who had placed him, In that, High position, But he confessed, While there, His need of one, To rule, And reign, And guide, And direct him, Arise, And that prayer, Was heard, Just those, They ask, What they willed, Lord, I would seize, The golden hour, It is a golden hour, When the Lord says, Be still, And those on God, Able to save, To the uttermost, God who, Loves to hear, And answer prayer, I pray, To be released, From guilt, And freed from sin, And Satan's power, More thy presence, Lord, I pray, Well, Be still then, Fear not,

[31:42] Fear not, I will not leave thee, This applies individually, As well as collectively, To his church, I will not leave thee, Thou art mine, A peculiar treasure, Therefore, Rest in the Lord, He has said, And shall he not do, Rest in the Lord, And wait patiently, For him, Fret not, Fret not, Over the wicked, In all their goings, In all their apparent prosperity, Seek not their power, Oh, David was brought, To see clearly, Where the, Fruit of evil, He saw it, In, King Saul, He saw there, The solemn judgment of God, Where against sin,

[32:42] In Saul, And how he removed, From him, His power, His presence, And his health, That he was left, Destitute, David, David also, Came low, But never to be left there, And as he meditates, On these things, Evil doers, Shall be cut off, But those, That wait upon the Lord, They shall inherit, The earth, The meek, Shall inherit, The meek, Shall, Delight themselves, In the abundance, Of peace, So, Throughout this psalm, We have these, Two sides, Again and again, But the mercy, David proved, When he was, Enabled to be still, Was to see, And feel,

[33:43] And know the security, Of the God, In whom, He trusted, Casting all your care, Upon him, For he careth, For you, And sometimes, In the midst, Of, Dire trouble, Or, Sore distress, Faith enables, That soul, To, Look beyond, All that causes, Their fears, And as they, Quietly, Meditate, Upon the promises, Of God, That are given, To the poor, And needy, That wait by the way, They hear, This voice, They feel, Its power, They shall, Not be ashamed, In the evil, Time, In the days, Of famine, They shall, Be satisfied, And of whom,

[34:45] To whom, Does this refer, The days, Of the upright, The Lord, Knows so, He has appointed, That path, And he will not, Change, We change, Our feelings, Change, But when, We are brought, Rightly, To consider, The wonders, Of this, Love of God, Through Christ, His dear Son, The miracle, Of redemption, His, That is made over, To those, That wait for him, And plead, Earnestly, For the blessing, That is, Sure, Eternal, Then they are quiet, Then they are quiet, And they know, What it is, Truly, To be still,

[35:46] Be silent, Before me, Says the Lord, And in that silence, The heart waits, For the Lord, To speak, Speak Lord, Those who are of adherent, I wait for thee, All come now, The steps of a good man, Are ordered by the Lord, He delighteth in his way, Now says the psalmist, Though he fall, He shall not be utterly cast down, For the Lord upholdeth them, With his hands safe, Secure, Surrounded, And it's all love, And it's all mercy, That is tasted, And known, And sweetly realized, He is ever merciful, And his seed is blessed,

[36:51] For the Lord loveth judgment, And forsaketh not his saints, They are preserved, Forever, Ever, Think on these things, Says the wise man, The righteous, Shall inherit the land, And dwell therein, Forever, And it's sometimes, In that quietness, When we are still, Before God, Still in our poor minds, Still in our conscience, Still in our hearts, Desires, Waiting only, Upon him, The law, Of his God, Is in his heart, And where that, Abounds, And rules, And reigns, There is, No turning aside, The righteous,

[37:52] Shall inherit the land, And dwell therein, Forever, Ever, Wait on him, Wait on him, Wait on the Lord, Keep his way, And he shall exhort thee, To inherit the land, Be still, And know, That I am God, I will be exhorted, For there be no hindrance, In that song of thanksgiving, When, This favour, Is realised, When the quietness, Is being granted, When peace, Rains within, I will be exalted, Says, Our God, I will be exalted, Among the heathen, David could testify, Paul could testify, Even amongst,

[38:53] The unbelievers, The mercy of God, My God, Endureth forever, I will be exalted, Among the heathen, I will be exalted, In the earth, A banner to be displayed, That tells out, That mercy, Which comes, To those, Who, To whom this word is spoken, Be still, Know that I am God, Fret not, Fret not, Because, Other things, Take place, Which others seem to, Enjoy, Which you seem, Never to be, Partakers in, Fret not yourself, Over those things, It is, With single eye, And single heart, That this God, Will be exalted, And worshipped,

[39:55] The Lord of hosts, Is with us, The God of Jacob, Is our refuge, Be still, Trust him, Trust him, Commit your way, To him, And believe, That what he has promised, He will surely, Fulfill, In bringing you, Into that, Inheritance, What a glorious prospect, Is given to such, Who quietly, Wipe, Humbly of his mercy, Sink, And plead, What he has done, For their never dying soul, Which brings into exercise, This good hope, That it shall be well, With me, All such seasons, Are profitable, And they do, Honor our God, Be still, And know that I am God,

[40:57] Amen.