[0:00] The Lord be pleased to help us and ask your prayerful attention to the words as found in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 32 verses 9, 10, 11 The book of Deuteronomy chapter 31 verses 9, 10 and 11 For the Lord's portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance He found him in a desert land and in the waste howling wilderness
[1:02] He led him about He instructed him He kept him as the apple of his eye As an eagle stirreth up her nest fluttereth over her young spreadeth abroad her wings Taketh them Beareth them on her wings The Lord is gracious to his anointed to lead them about in that way that they should go And so it is our mercy if we are found under his divine direction He will not leave his own for he has appointed the way
[2:06] And though that may be rugged may seem difficult to the flesh yet the Lord will reign And so whatever might come into our path it is of the Lord This is our great mercy if we are living souls to be guided by the Spirit of God for they are the sons of God Oh it is a sad day indeed for many and though they profess the Lord's dealings towards them yet there seem to be a going forth in their own strength and we speak to ourselves because we are of the earth and unless left guided by the
[3:20] Spirit of God for they are the sons of God we shall go the way of all flesh and how solemn that is because we know not what a day may bring forth but the Lord's portion if we are amongst that number our eyes will be continually up to him he has foreordained that it shall be he doth hedge his people out and hedge them in regarding the ruggedness of the way but oh our great mercy to be exercised thereby to consider whose we are and who we profess to serve!
[4:24] because the Lord will have his own and will direct them in the way that they should go may not be suitable to the flesh on the contrary perhaps very unsuitable but nevertheless we shall prove into time it is the Lord and this should be the desire of the living family of God to walk in obedience to the Lord's hand and word and so if we are under his divine direction there will be that daily waiting upon him that he might direct our way and observing too of every change and every dispensation that seems to halt us in the pathway nevertheless we have before us particularly
[5:39] Jacob for the Lord's portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance and as we know and you know that Jacob was a gracious character as it was spoken to his dear mother whilst he was still in the womb Jacob have I loved!
[6:06] Esau have I hated! and so many despise these words because they cannot understand them neither they ever will if not given that spiritual sight to behold the word of God and the power of God oh that we might therefore give credence to those precious gifts which he doth impart to his anointed and so if he has there will be that constant watching and waiting at mercy's door for all those changes those dispensations friends that come upon us oh how we question them how we say why this and why that but instead of looking unto the
[7:14] Lord who in due time will call us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling because it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure and so if we are living souls we shall covet his mercy covet his gracious dealings in the pathway as a sweet evidence of our sonship does it trouble you does it trouble me it will if we have tasted and felt of the good word of life and there will be in due time that living desire to fulfill all righteousness to walk in obedience to his word looking unto
[8:16] Jesus the author and finisher of our faith for the Lord's portion is his people so is it our concern it will be continually to know and to observe in all the way in all the pathway the Lord's gracious dealings and promptings to do his will and to be led by the spirit of God for they are the sons of God and so there will be a working out of our own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you both the will and to do of his good pleasure and so it comes to my mind of
[9:20] Jacob's lot he was here one of twins that were born but how solemn was their paths and so he had to know and to learn as you and I will if we are Jacobs that it is the Lord that doth lead us and direct our way and so there was that needs be as we read of the many things that took place as Jacob grew old and so he did take that prize which caused his brother Esau to hate him yet you see it was foreordained!
[10:26] that he should have the blessing and his dear old father said yea and he shall have it although he deceived his father in obtaining it much contrary has often raised concerning this solemn matter but I think it is clear that it had to be so because the Lord had appointed that Jacob should have that blessing and receive of the goodness of the Lord but this was not the end of it it was only the beginning Jacob had to go forth and flee from his brother's wrath at that time trembling no doubt and fearful he had to go out into the wilderness there was a purpose for it and of it to it that is to watch and to wait at mercy's door and so in his travels he was much perplexed and frightened as it were nevertheless the
[11:56] Lord had directed his way and so this is good for us each to consider that it is through much tribulation shall he enter the kingdom of heaven the Lord know how to bring his anointed to his dear feet to cry and to sigh because of the felt abominations around them and so there Jacob went forth and it was as fought to the sea and to know the Lord's gracious dealings for as you know as we read he met with him and so he had to flee from his brother's wrath because he had taken that blessing yet the
[13:10] Lord did overrule and for ordained that it should be so whatever the fears of Jacob and whatever the wrath of Esau the Lord's hand must and did prevail and so my dear friends may we watch and be sober concerning the good hand of God and those many troubles and afflictions that come into our path it is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good but it will be well if we follow that path and sure I am we shall because there is teaching in it and dear
[14:13] Jacob had to learn likewise that the Lord would be nigh and the Lord met with him as you are no doubt aware and blessed him in the way he said this is the very gates of heaven and so he praised his redeemer and these trials and afflictions were blessed yet he was still fearful because of the threat of his brother who killed him because he had taken the blessing but oh we see that the Lord did overrule and here was Jacob made fearful at that time because his servant said that
[15:15] Esau cometh with 400 men oh consider these solemn realities friends as no doubt he did but had to wait and watch at mercy's door assured perhaps that the Lord would be with him because he had already revealed himself to him to strengthen him in times of need and so in every trial and affliction here that the Lord will be near to his anointed to strengthen them in the day of his power and so may we be given that grace friends to be still and know that he is God blessed forever he will be inquired of by the house of
[16:20] Israel to do it for them and for the Lord's portion is his people Jacob is the lot of his inheritance hounded about was Jacob it would appear from that record left in his holy word and yet what teaching and grace was given to hold him fast that he might receive of the blessing of God that maketh rich and no sorrow is added we I'm sure would feel our lot hard if we had to follow these paths but the Lord is a sovereign in the way he dispenses his mercies and every dispensation and every trial which cometh from the
[17:28] Lord will be sent and is sent in love to his dear people to correct their folly and to bring them closer and to the throne of grace to pour out their hearts in humble contrition and godly sorrow for their sins and iniquities so whatever lies at thy door it cometh from the Lord or that we might be given grace friends to hold fast and to see and realize in these words there is much teaching because we do not like to be disturbed we want a quiet life by nature such is sinful flesh but the afflictions make us see what else would escape our sight and they are to teach us friends they are to bring us to his dear feet to humble us that we might do work the works of righteousness in due time so the
[18:58] Lord did instruct him he found him in a desert land and in a waste howling wilderness he led him about he instructed him or has he led us about and instructed us as we look back over the years we feel a failure and yet we would bless and praise the Lord for his loving kindness in his preserving care and watchful eye and to all the changes that occur in life's pathway it will be for our eternal good as exercise thereby and so those that come into those paths and all the
[20:04] Lord's people must in their measure according to the purposes and will of God it is to wean them from this dying world and from every sin that they might come boldly to the throne of grace to seek mercy and to obey the Lord's voice that's our mercy to realize that we're not our own but we are bought with a price the precious blood of Christ who suffered bled and died for our sins and your sins and my sins and so whatever lies at thy door it cometh from the Lord there is a purpose in it and it will yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness as exercised thereby oh may we never cast these things aside because the
[21:17] Lord will have the whole heart and the mind and that which he has foreordained we must surely walk through to the honor and glory of his great name and so dear Jacob was led about and troubled and perplexed and yet as he went forth in his fearfulness the Lord appeared and upheld him strengthened him and he was able to go on his way rejoicing and so will you and I whatever lies at thy door it is of the Lord and it is to bring us into a deep and a gracious exercise that it might bear fruit to his honor and glory he is the author and giver of every good and perfect gift that cometh down from the father of lights with whom there is no variable and as neither a shadow of turning and so may we dear friends be watchful and patient as we sojourn here watching at mercy's door watching and waiting for the appearing of the
[22:52] Lord and so I am persuaded I would not speculate but Jacob was watching with much fear and trembling yet the Lord saw fit to come to him to show him many great things in that wilderness whereby he said it was the gate of heaven and so the Lord doth balance the clouds in his dealings towards his anointed and so we bless him for that balancing of the clouds we must know the depths and walk through them crying and grieving perhaps nevertheless it will yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness as exercised thereby and along his sovereign over all blessed forever he hath fore deigned our pathway each of us and so there will be that blessed instruction and teaching whereby we shall be brought to consider and likewise to watch at mercy's door for that instruction and so he fled as we read he laid him about he instructed him he kept him as the apple of his eye and so hath he done these precious things to you and I hath he revealed himself whereby there is that concern and daily exercise as there will be these changes are according to the
[25:20] Lord's direction and wisdom who are we to question the way that he doth choose but it is our mercy to realize that we are in his hand and all events at his command and therefore what he doth will will be accomplished to the honor and glory of his great name nothing perhaps further from Jacob's thoughts as he fled into that wilderness his dear mother told him to go to Laban and to seek rest but oh what a great dispensation and change overcame him in the way and so you and
[26:24] I whatever cometh from the Lord is in the purposes of Jehovah to teach and to instruct that we might hold fast to those things which he hath taught us and will teach us to his honor and glory because we are ignorant and helpless and cannot see as it were that which is before us it is concealed but there will be a working out of our own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure and so we read instructed him and kept him as the apple of his eye if we are of the children of God then we are under his watchful care and
[27:49] I day by day so may we be given friends that grace to consider and to watch that we be led not into temptation but hold fast to those things we hope and believe he has taught us and many such things are with him we have not finished our journey yet we know not what a day may bring forth but those that fear the Lord will tremble with joy as it were to his word to observe his word not to cast it aside but such will be that fruit given in the
[28:51] Lord's appointed time and if as an eagle stirreth up her nest and fluttereth over her young spreadeth abroad her wings taketh them beareth them on her wings so the Lord alone did lead him and such is our mercy if we are the sons of God the time of love shall come when he shall clearly see not only that he shed his blood but he shall say for me and so there will be if we are his anointed leading about and a deep concern laid in our soul day by day that we might watch and be sober and watch the
[30:05] Lord's hand in his purposes towards us as an eagle stirreth up a nest so do we want our nest stirred up do we not from time to time how we rest and desire rest such is our evil heart of unbelief oh we like to come and go to the house of prayer we want to hear the voice of the Lord in these matters but oh we do not want to be stirred up and so this is the Lord's mercy towards his people may we be given grace to consider that what cometh from him it is for our instruction it is to bring forth living prayer fervent prayer and a gracious exercise so this is our mercy if the
[31:12] Lord has looked upon you and I in that way and has not left us to wander in this wilderness for he will not if we are his people there will be a stirring up and a cutting down and a rooting out of all that is of the earth earthy because one thing is needful that is to be one with him to press forward for that mark and prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus he will be honored!
[31:47] his dealings towards us and you and I as we pass through these changes and trials there will be much goodness come from him because there is a working out of our own salvation with fear and trembling!
[32:06] as the Lord doth work in us to will and to do of his good pleasure oh we may in times past have forgotten these things and indeed have come thus far but the Lord will accomplish in each of his people that which he hath foreordained that they might be made willing in the day of his power stirring up oh how we need to be stirred up day by day how we rest upon our leaves how we all want a quiet life none dare deny it but it is the way of salvation and it is our great mercy if the
[33:09] Lord doth stir us up from time to time how should we not rest here contented with all that earth can give so is the carnal flesh and nature will revel in those things if it be allowed but it will not be allowed so the Lord did teach him and so the Lord does teach you and I that this is not your rest he waited therefore to be gracious to his anointed and that stirring up there will be the sweet evidence of life and of prayer and of gracious exercise before the Lord he will be honored in all his dealings towards us good both good and wise and so he reads the whole heart too and will have the whole heart and the whole thoughts of mind in that appointed time these changes are for our good are they not to call us and turn us away from the day by day things yet it will be to the honor of his great name and we shall yield in due time the peaceable fruits of righteousness as exercised thereby the
[35:00] Lord is a sovereign in the way he dispenses his mercies and all that he does is in love to your soul and mine we may not rest here if we do it will not be for our eternal good because everything here is corrupted but where we are as it were called away and have to wrestle night and day for these precious things and for pardon and for peace as an eagle stirreth up his nest so the lord will stir up your nest and mine and it will be to his honor and we shall praise him and bless him for it because we cannot turn and come to the lord the lord doth come to his people and he sees and reads their fearful heart and their thoughts but though under the forming hand of a dear redeemer and persuaded we shall be given much grace to watch and pray as we sojourn here having been stirred up and exercise thereby so will our thoughts and affections center upon his word and upon his truth and grace desiring to know nothing amongst men save
[37:00] Jesus Christ and him crucified here is the fruits and effects of that stirring up we may not rest in our nest and how soon we do but the Lord knoweth and here is our mercy if we are in his hands it will be well whilst life endure and well when called to die we shall certainly look back from time to time of his gracious dealings towards us has brought us out of that horrible pit and that murray clay and set our feet upon a rock and established our goings and put a new song in our mouth even praise that that is our mercy as we look back over the years consider the Lord's loving kindness and covenant mercy it has been for our good to separate and to set apart from the things of this time state knowing that there is but one thing needful that is to be one with him to be led by the spirit of
[38:28] God for they are the sons of God and to often hear from him or do we often hear from him is it our great concern from time to time because we do seem to lack his presence because of our departures because of our vain thoughts he is still the same yesterday today and forever ever gracious ever wise to uphold to deliver to bless but he will have the whole heart friends and so he doth read the heart that's our mercy and will supple it well in accordance to his holy mind and will whereby we do time we shall rejoice and desire to know nothing amongst men save
[39:33] Jesus Christ and him crucified may that be our blessed portion and hope as we sojourn here and watch and wait at mercy's door for his appearing amen and