Zechariah

[0:00] As the Lord shall be pleased to help me, I shall call your attention to a subject you will find in the book of Zechariah.

[0:13] Chapter 4 and the first sentence in the 10th verse.

[0:24] For who hath despised the day of small things? Chapter 4, the book of Zechariah and the first sentence in the 10th verse.

[0:45] This word which Zechariah the prophet was inspired to proclaim to Israel of old stands in connection with a memorable chapter in Israel's history.

[1:10] Following their return from Babylonian captivity. I need not take up time in going into those details for you are all familiar with that return.

[1:25] But this word stands especially in connection with the building of another temple in the place of Solomon's temple which had been destroyed altogether.

[1:41] And you will find that when the Israelites returned from Babylonian captivity and had rebuilt Jerusalem's walls.

[1:53] Then they established the worship of God and laid the foundation of another house of God. But that house of God was not at all to be compared with Solomon's temple in its glory and beauty and greatness.

[2:14] Because it was so much smaller. And the strange thing is that while the foundation was laid and the work begun.

[2:30] Then there was such opposition from the enemies of Israel who still abounded in the land of promise. That the work was brought to a standstill.

[2:43] And there was the house of God begun. And the walls up just a little way. And it was like that for 16 or 17 years.

[2:57] And there was no further movement to continue the building of it. Such were the fears and faintings among the Israelites at that time.

[3:11] Although they were Israelites indeed. And then the Lord appeared on Israel's behalf and raised up Zechariah.

[3:22] And his brother prophet Haggai. And especially Zechariah at this time. And he was instructed to proclaim to Israel.

[3:38] That they were to go on with building the house of God. And that no enemy should hinder it being brought to a finish. As you read in the context.

[3:52] Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me. Saying the hands of the rubble. Have laid the foundation of this house. His hands also shall finish it.

[4:05] And thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts. Hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised. The day of small things.

[4:17] It would seem. It would seem. According to what you read in the book of Ezra. That those who remembered Solomon's temple.

[4:28] But got that feeling. In their hearts. When the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. And they saw the limitations of it. In the book of Ezra.

[4:41] You read like this. And all the people shouted with a great shout. When they praised the Lord. Because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

[4:54] But many of the priests and Levites. In chief of the fathers. Who were ancient men. That had seen the first house. When the foundation of this house was laid.

[5:06] Before their eyes. Wept with a loud voice. And many shouted aloud for joy. It was those. Who were young in the way.

[5:18] Who were shouting for joy. That at last there was the beginning of a house of God. Going up before their eyes. So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy.

[5:31] From the noise of the weeping. Of the people. For the people shouted with a loud shout. And the noise was heard. Afar off.

[5:43] And now that. Is the setting of the subject. Here is Zechariah the prophet. Ordained of God. To give this encouragement. To Israel.

[5:55] Not to despise the day of small things. Although the house of God. Which was now to be built. Was not to be compared with Solomon's temple. For all that it was.

[6:07] As a beauty in the land. Yet it was to be. The house. Of God. And Haggai said. The glory of this latter house.

[6:19] Shall be greater than the glory. Of the former. Said the Lord. God. And that was brought to pass. Because Jesus Christ. As verily man. Verily God.

[6:30] Went in that temple. And. Read the word of God therein. And with a scourge of small cords.

[6:40] Drove out the buyers and sellers. And the money changers. That the house might be made manifest. That it was. Not a house of merchandise. But. The house.

[6:52] Of God. And now that. Is the background. Of the subject. Like the. Painter sometimes. Great artists.

[7:03] They put in a dark background. And then the picture. They. Paint upon it. Stands out. All the greater. In relief. And now. It might be a help.

[7:15] To some of you. If grace is given to the preacher. To work out. This line. Of things. Because it may be. With many of you. Especially with some of you.

[7:26] Dear. Young people. As regards your religion. You do feel. As you survey. The evidences of it. That it is. A day of small things.

[7:38] In your soul's experience. And it may be. Sometimes. You may be tempted. And tried. As to whether. God has indeed. Begun his good work.

[7:49] In you at all. Because you seem. To know so little. Of him. And. His truth. For who. Hath despised.

[8:01] The day. Of. Small things. And now. In approaching. The subject. I would look. First of all. At how God.

[8:12] Throughout the word. Of God. Has often. Made use. Of small things. And that is. To teach us. A great truth. That God. Does not.

[8:23] Despise. The day. Of small things. And therefore. You and I. Must not. Despise it. Wherever. It is to be seen. Wherever you. Observe.

[8:35] What. Seems to be. The root. Of the matter. Welling up. In a poor. Sinner's breast. And showing. In corresponding. Fruit. Although it may be. As yet. Small things.

[8:47] You and I. Are not. To despise it. There is a word. Which runs. Like this. Though thy beginnings. Were small.

[8:58] Yet. Shall thy. Latter end. Greatly. Increase. And now. You might. Think. Of young. Abijah. And you are.

[9:09] Well aware. Of young. Abijah. And he had. Some. Good thing. In his heart. Toward the Lord. God of Israel. And it does not say.

[9:20] Some. Great. Thing. No. And there is a danger. I'm not fitting. Any caps on. I say. There is a danger.

[9:31] That. Sometimes. When. People. Have been. So. Well. Taught. Of God. And have. Gone. Down. Into the. Deep. Things. Of God.

[9:42] And have. Been. Given. A gracious. Outstanding. Experience. That. They may. Have. A tendency. To despise. The day. Of small. Things. In others.

[9:53] Because. It does not. Compare. With how. They feel. God. Has. Led. Them. Into. The truth. Yet. You see. Lydia. Whose ear.

[10:05] Was opened. And her heart. And that she attended. To the things. Spoken of Paul. And was baptized. And bore fruit. Was.

[10:16] A member. Of the church. At Philippi. And there also. Was the Philippian jailer. Whose religion. Began. With an earthquake. In the jail. And then an earthquake.

[10:27] In his conscience. In the church. Of Christ. And you may. Depend upon it. It was not allowed. For the Philippian jailer.

[10:38] To despise. Lydia. As a sister. Because she could say. Nothing whatever. About an earthquake. In her soul's. Experience. Dear friends.

[10:49] I have lived long enough. To see. That this has been. Quite a danger. In our own. Denominational life. You must never set up.

[11:01] How God has taught you. If he has in his mercy. Taught you. By terrible things. In righteousness. As the standard.

[11:11] Whereby. God is to teach. Everybody else. Whom he is pleased to teach. No. No. No. God.

[11:22] Is a sovereign. And regarding. The church of Christ. It is said. And they shall be. All taught of God. And he is sovereign.

[11:34] In how he teaches. And. It is recorded. Even so. It is not the will.

[11:44] Of your father. In heaven. That one of these. Little ones. Should perish. And little ones. Are those. Who when they come.

[11:55] To tell out. What they hope. God has done. For their soul. Can only tell. Out. What they feel. To be. Small things.

[12:06] In their souls. Experience. But it is. Not to be despised. God does not. Despise it. Who are you. That you should.

[12:17] Sit in judgment. On it. And despise it. No. No. Except ye be. Converted. And become.

[12:27] As little children. Ye shall. In no wise. Enter into. The kingdom. Of heaven. God does.

[12:38] Own. And use. And bless. The day. Of small things. And you will find. If you read. The word of God. From that viewpoint.

[12:48] That. Great events. Have sometimes. Hung upon. What seemed to be. Things that were trivial. And now.

[12:59] Just to illustrate that. And help you to think about it. Later on. Think of Joseph. Long ago. When he was. In the pit. And as he was.

[13:10] Placed therein. He did not know. But what. At evening time. The wild beast. Would come. And that would be. The end of Joseph. And all that he had felt. Before God. No.

[13:22] No. At that time. The Midianites. Passed by. Going down. Into Egypt. And that was not. By chance. It may have seemed.

[13:34] A small thing. But it was in accordance. With. Divine providence. And Joseph. Was sold as a slave. And went down.

[13:45] Into. Egypt. And there. The Lord. Brought to pass. And worked out. That which he had. Made known to Joseph. In his. Young life.

[13:56] That he would do. As his life. Opened up. And as he journeyed on. Therein. For who would. Despise the day. Of small things. And now.

[14:09] To think again. Think of that. Widow woman. At Zarepa. When she goes. At length. To the barrel. Of meal. And there is. Just a handful.

[14:21] Maybe she. Scraped the bottom. Of the barrel. To make it. That amount. She holds up. The cruise of oil. To the light. There is only. A drop. Of oil. Small things.

[14:34] And in her heart. She fainted. And wondered. What the moral. Would bring. But God. Was already. Working on her behalf. And Elijah.

[14:46] Was being. Wrought upon. To do that. Which God. Designed to do. And you all know. How he was pleased. To work. Through Elijah.

[14:57] Thus saith the Lord. The barrel of meal. Shall not waste. Neither shall. The cruise of oil. Fail. Until the day. That the Lord. Sendeth rain.

[15:08] Upon the earth. And you will find. In the margin. Read then. That Elijah. Lived under that. Home roof. With the widow woman. And her son. And he dwelt there.

[15:19] For a whole year. But it was only. Every day. As she. Scraped the bottom. Of the barrel. That she found. A handful. Of meal. And every time.

[15:31] She picked up. The cruise. She found. A drop of oil. And so. She had to learn. What you and I. Have to learn. If we are taught. Of God. That just.

[15:42] Shall live. By faith. Trust in the Lord. And do good. So shalt thou. Dwell in the land. And verily. Thou shalt.

[15:54] Be fed. For who. Hath despised. The day. Of. Small things. Just another. Illustration.

[16:04] I use. And that is. As you go. To the acts. Of the apostles. And read. How the apostle. Paul journeyed. About. And came at length. To Ephesus.

[16:16] And there. He found. A wee church. As he arrived. To any city. He sought out. If there were. Any people.

[16:27] Taught of God. To be found. Therein. And when he arrived. To Ephesus. He found. There was. A wee. Church. In membership. Twelve. And now.

[16:38] The. Word of God. Does not record. How that church. At Ephesus. Was founded. And gathered together. Who had the honor. To be the founder.

[16:49] Of it. But. The apostle. Paul. Said to those. In that church. At Ephesus. Have you received. The Holy Ghost. Since you believed. And the answer.

[17:01] Is surprising. We have not. So much. As heard. Whether there. Be any. Holy Ghost. And now. That was a day. Of small things. Indeed. Here.

[17:12] Are these. Dear people. In a church. State. Following on. To know. The Lord. Followers. Of Jesus Christ. But they did not.

[17:24] Know whether. There was. A Holy Ghost. Which shows. That. There can be. Such a day. Of small things. That people.

[17:35] Can be. Right at heart. And yet. When it comes. To defining. Sound doctrine. They are not. Able to do it. Until later on. As God.

[17:46] Is pleased. To unfold. In their souls. The heavenly. Mysteries. And dear. People. You must. Keep these. Things in mind.

[17:57] That you may. Judge. Righteous. Judgment. For who. Hath despised. The day. Of. Small. Things. And now.

[18:08] The apostle. Paul. Did not. Despise. That little. Church. Ephesus. Or he did not. Say. I cannot. Begin to. Recognize. You. As being. A church. At all. I've never.

[18:19] Heard. Of such. Things. As people. Having been. Baptized. Being. Members. Of a church. And not know. Whether there is. A holy ghost. Or no. No.

[18:29] No. The apostle. Paul. Was a large. Hearted. Man. And he. Desired. To do. His master's. Will. And he was.

[18:41] Helped. To instruct. Them. More fully. In that. Which. Is. True. And that. We church. Ephesus. Day of small things.

[18:51] As it was. Became. One of the most. Outstanding. Churches. In that area. As you may read. In the epistle. To the. Ephesians.

[19:03] And some years. Afterwards. Young Timothy. According to church. History. Was the pastor. Of it. But now. I want to look at this.

[19:14] As it refers. To you. Preacher. And people. Of life. For who. Hath. Despised. The day. Of.

[19:25] Small things. There are many. Viewpoints. Whereby. You may. Survey. Your soul's. Experience.

[19:37] I hope. You do. Survey it. And now. That. Might even. Help you. To thank God. And take courage. If you do. It is said.

[19:48] Of Mary. And she pondered. All these things. In her heart. And it may be. Some of you do. Oh you ponder.

[19:59] In your heart. At times. Your religion. And you think. Can it be that. Which God. Is the author of.

[20:11] You may feel. It is such a day. Of small things. It is such a day. It is such a day. Of small things. It is such a day. Of others. Read of others. Who can tell out. Something very definite.

[20:21] It. And clear cut. So that they have got. Those way marks. To set up. But you can hardly tell. When you were born again. If you are.

[20:34] You cannot tell. When the good work. Was begun. As regards. The date of it. And I have come. To believe this. That not many people.

[20:44] Can do. The people. That can do. Amongst people. People taught of God. Are not the majority. They are the minority.

[21:01] There is this line of things. To be after the spirit. The things of the spirit. To be asking the way to Zion. With our faces.

[21:13] Thitherward. Or how often. I have observed. In our church meetings. When those. Have come along.

[21:24] To be one with us. In our church fellowship. How many of them. Have had to say. I cannot tell. When. The good work. Was begun in me.

[21:37] They could not. Set a date to it. But they could. Tell out. Those things. Which made it evident. That. They could say.

[21:47] With Job. The root of the matter. Is found in. In me. Yes. And you might. Remember. In the word of God.

[21:57] Itself. There are not many. Recorded. Therein. Where it is said. When the good work.

[22:09] Was begun. And where. There is the apostle Paul. The dying thief. Could have told us. Had he lived. But he went to heaven.

[22:22] And rejoiced. In the fruits of it. Being begun. And finished. In a very short while. When should you think. The good work. Was begun in Joseph.

[22:33] When was that same. Good work. Begun. In David. Ed. And even. When was it begun. In young Samuel. You might.

[22:45] Look through. The word of God. And you will find. Some of the most. Notable characters. The word of God. Is silent. On when. The good work. Was begun.

[22:57] And you really. Ought to say. Thank you to God. That it is so. Recorded. Because. If it was set down. That each one. Every one. Had got a date. When he or she.

[23:09] Was born again. Where would you be? You would be. In heaviness. Through manifold temptations. That there was no good work.

[23:21] Begun in you at all. Listen. Whene'er to call. The Savior.

[23:31] Mine. My soul. With ardent wish. Aspires. Can it be less. Than power divine. Which animates. These strong. Desires.

[23:44] Who hath despised. The day. Of. Small things. You know. Deep down. In your heart. If you have been.

[23:54] Brought on thee. Other side. Of the line. Of demarcation. They that are. After the flesh. Do mind. The things. The things of the flesh. And that is where you were born.

[24:06] And how you lived. Till you were born again. Then you found. You were on the other side of the line. They that are after the spirit.

[24:16] Do mind. The things of. The spirit. And from that day. Until this sabbath morn. You have.

[24:27] Been. Seeking the lord. Following on. To know the lord. The lord. The lord. Yes. Yes. And although it may be a day of small things.

[24:38] In your soul's experience. Here a little. There a little. Line up and line. Precept upon precept. It is not to be despised. No.

[24:49] God does not despise it. For his word is a bruised reed. He shall not break. And smoke in flax. He shall not quench.

[25:02] And he will regard the prayer of the destitute. And not despise. Their prayer. Sometimes it may seem to you.

[25:14] To be a day of small things. When you hear. The preacher speaking about. What is called a law work. A law work is phraseology.

[25:28] And the Puritans say much about a law work. But what I want you to remember is. That the word of God does not set up a rigid standard.

[25:41] To which you must attain to. As regards a law work. Some there are. As I said the minority. Are taught by terrible things in righteousness.

[25:57] And they. Are what the Puritans. Speak about. As being shaken in their soul's feelings. Over the mouth of hell itself. But you cannot begin.

[26:10] To detail. Any such experience. In the dealings of God with you. And now what is a law work. The word of God tells us.

[26:24] By the law. Is the knowledge of sin. The law says to the sinner under it. Which is you. And the preacher too. As we were born.

[26:35] Pay me that which thou owest. Righteousness to full perfection. Must be brought. Lacking naught. Fearless of rejection. The law says.

[26:46] Do this. Do not do that. And you. Being a sinner born again. Although you hardly know. Whether you are or no. You are in earnest.

[26:58] To have matters made right. Between your soul and God. And you will attempt. To do what the law. Commands.

[27:09] A. But you will find. With all your attempts. To be better. And do better. That you can do nothing. As God requires. Sin is mixed.

[27:21] With all that you do. And that brings you down. Bedrock. Before God. Helpless. And under the law.

[27:32] As regards. Your soul's salvation. Hopeless. For you have to. Approach unto God. Not the labor of my hands.

[27:45] Can fulfill the law's demands. Naked I come to thee. For dress. Helpless. Look to thee. For grace. And now that is the effect.

[27:56] Of a law work. Whether it be. By small things. Sometimes it may take. A long long while. Ere a sinner.

[28:07] Is stripped of all his. Fancied meatness. To approach the dread. I am. I remember. One godly. Woman. Who was a member.

[28:17] Of our church. Here. When I first of all. Became pastor. Her. And I saw her. When she was on her deathbed. And in the last.

[28:29] Two or three weeks. Of her life. God taught her more. About his law. Than she had ever learned. All the while before. And her name. Was on our church. Rolling rightly so.

[28:40] For sixty years. But on her deathbed. God. Opened up. The fountains. Of the great deep. And she.

[28:51] Went deeper down. Into the publicans. Prayer. God. Be merciful. To me. A sinner. No sinner. Needed mercy more.

[29:01] That ever sought. Thy face. And now. God may. Lead some. Whom he. Makes known. His truth unto.

[29:13] He may lead them. In a very brief. Period of their lives. Into the deep things. Of a law work. But with a great majority. It is.

[29:23] As I have said. Here a little. There a little. And you get further. Openings up of it. As you journey. On through life. And it is to teach you.

[29:35] None but Jesus. Can. Do helpless. Sinners good. Who. Wath despised. The day of small things. And just to help you.

[29:46] Dear young people. Over this viewpoint. Of the subject. There are two illustrations. Used in the book. Of Hosea. Which have often. Impressed me.

[29:57] And they are very striking. As to how God. Was dealing with. Israel. At that time. When they were. In a backsliding state. And they follow each other.

[30:10] I will be. Unto the house of Israel. As a lion. And a little. Lower down. I will be to the house of Israel.

[30:21] As a moth. And now. Could you think. Of a greater contrast. Than how a lion. Goes to work. In a terrifying way. And how a moth.

[30:33] Goes to work. And now. That is how it is. With a law work. With some. God deals. As.

[30:45] A lion. Kind. But. With many. It is. As a moth. And there. The moth. Goes to work. Fretting away.

[30:57] At the garment. Maybe. The house wife. Has not been. To the cupboard. Where it is. For a while. And she goes. At length. And takes. Out the garment.

[31:08] And lo. It is ruined. No lion. Has roared. To denote. What was happening. All has been done. Quietly. Without any noise.

[31:19] Whatever. But the ruin. Has been wrought. And so it is. That sinners. Are humbled. Before God. And brought down. Sometimes.

[31:30] God deals. With them. As a lion. And sometimes. He works. Like. A moth. But. Every sinner. Taught of God.

[31:41] Comes down. At length. To this. If my soul. Is sent. To hell. Thy righteous law. Approves it. Well. And now. When you get there.

[31:53] You know. What is the foundation. Truth. Of our most holy faith. Salvation. Is of the Lord. By grace. Are ye saved. Through faith. In that.

[32:03] Not of yourselves. It is the gift. Of God. Not of works. Lest any man. Should boast. For who. Will despise.

[32:14] The day. Of small things. And now. You may feel it to be. A day of small things. As regards. Your knowledge. Of the truth. You go back.

[32:26] Over your life. You remember. How. It may be. All your life. You have been. Under the gospel. From baby days. On. Going up through.

[32:38] The Sabbath school. And. Being taught. From the word of God. There. But. When you come. To weigh matters up. As you journey.

[32:49] On through life. And look back. Over the way. You have come along. How little. Do you seem to know. Of God. And godliness. And the devil.

[33:01] May suggest. That what you do know. Is that. Which you have just. Gleaned. Along life's way. By dint of intellectual study. And that it is not.

[33:11] By revelation. Whereby. It can. Alone. Be known. A right. And yet. Every day. You are still asking.

[33:23] Lead me. Into thy truth. And teach me. Oh. Send out. Thy light. And thy truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me.

[33:33] To thy holy hill. Into thy. Tabernacles. Who will despise. The day. Of. Small things.

[33:46] Sometimes. You are helped. Like this. Could I. Joy. Is saints. To know. Choose the ways. I once abhorred. Find at times.

[33:57] The promise. Sweet. If I did not. Love the Lord. God. And that is a good argument. For what you are by nature. Will never. Allow you to.

[34:10] Use such language. For what you are by nature. Uses. Other language. We will not have this man. To reign over us. Depart from us.

[34:21] We desire not the knowledge of thee. Or thy ways. Who was despised. The day. Of. Small things.

[34:35] Another thing. Whereby. You will find. It is a day of small things. In your soul's experience. Is regarding your faith. Oh.

[34:46] As you read the word of God. How you were brought. To weigh matters up. And how you feel. How apposite. How necessary. Is that petition.

[34:57] Lord increase our faith. The hymn writer says. And you know how true it is. It is true about you. It is true about me. Our faith is feeble.

[35:09] We confess. We faintly. Trust thy word. But wilt thou pity us the less. Be that far from thee. Lord.

[35:22] He said to his disciples. Oh ye of little faith. He did not say what you might have thought. He could have said.

[35:33] According to their behavior. At that time. Oh ye of no faith at all. But he discerned there was faith. A day of small things.

[35:45] It was little faith. Lord. Increase. Our faith. Sometimes you will find.

[35:56] That faith is made manifest like this. And that is indeed a day. Of small things. Not to be despised.

[36:08] When you can say with Jonah. Though I am cast out of thy sight. I will look again. Toward thy holy temple.

[36:20] And when you can join with Job. Though he slay me. Yet. I will trust in him. For who hath despised.

[36:34] The day of small things. And now. You may sometimes feel your hope in God. There is only small things.

[36:46] As regard the evidences of it. Maybe some of you dear young people. Feel like that. And if you could feel otherwise. You might even venture to be found in our church fellowship.

[36:58] Oh but you are troubled. Because your hope. Seems to so fluctuate. Well. If you would like to.

[37:10] Weigh the matter up before God. I will show you. A useful way. In doing it. And that is. If you like to look up. The references to hope.

[37:22] In the word of God. You will be surprised at the fluctuations. Of it. There is what is called. The full assurance of hope.

[37:34] And now that. Is a day of great things. When you know. That you have indeed. An interest. In Calvary's cross.

[37:46] And what was done thereon. When you can say for me. Oh miracle of grace for me. The saviour bled. Eh. But it speaks like this.

[37:57] About the patience. The wisdoms of hope. There is where you have a little hope. And you are learning to live. Like the hymn writer says.

[38:09] How beautiful is that setting point. Of the life of the righteous too. All through the wilderness below. The wilderness below. Good hope expects more good to know.

[38:20] And thus is kept alive the soul. The hope. The hope. The hope. But then. If your hope seems to be. A day of small things.

[38:33] And Satan may suggest. That God. Is not the. Author of it. The word of God. The word of God speaks like this. Who against hope.

[38:44] Believed in hope. And there is a great scripture. In the epistle. To the Romans. Chapter. Eight. For we are saved.

[38:56] By hope. And now dear friends. Both young and old alike. Let us get down to bedrock. What was it brought you along.

[39:06] This Sabbath morn. It was not just because. It was the Sabbath day. And all your life. You have come up to worship God. With many of you.

[39:19] It was hope that brought you. In your petitions. Before God. With whom you have to do. Ere you set out. There was a desire.

[39:32] Ascending. That there might be. Some help afforded you. In the worship of God. That your hope. Might be strengthened. Brightened.

[39:42] And that you might have a good day. Yes. I seek and hope to find. A portion. For my soul. And if you only find.

[39:54] A small portion. A little help. In singing the songs of Zion. Or in the public prayer. Or just a little. That you get. Under the preaching of the gospel.

[40:06] Who hath despised. The day of small things. You must not despise it. No. And if you get. As low as this. Cold as I feel.

[40:18] This heart of mine. Yet since I feel it so. It yields some hope. Of life divine within. However low. For who.

[40:30] Hath despised. The day of. Small things. And now. One thing. You will feel. Of a truth. To be small things. If you feel like.

[40:41] The pastor does. And that is. Your attempts. To pray. Oh. How good it would be. If you and I. Enjoying near to God.

[40:52] Could more often. Realize. Largeness of heart. And get on the right side. Of what the hymn writer says. There were coming to a king.

[41:04] Large petitions. With thee bring. For his grace. And power. Such. None can ever ask. Too much. But you may be troubled. Because in your attempts. To pray.

[41:14] You cannot put words together. To express. What you feel. Before God. And to you. It is indeed. A day of. Small things.

[41:25] And yet. What do you sing sometimes. Those feeble desires. And wishes. So weak. It is. Jesus inspires.

[41:36] And bids you still sing. Yes. Another viewpoint of it. Is this. Often our prayers.

[41:47] Do seem to be a day. Of small things. What about our praises. Oh. You think about. Your praises. And you know.

[42:00] How very rare. Is the experience. When you can. Praise God. From whom. All blessings flow. As you desire. In the fullness of it.

[42:11] You do put words. Of praise together. But you do want. Out of the abundance. Of the heart. For the mouth. To speak. And that seems.

[42:22] To be a rare experience. And yet. It is a good thing. To give thanks. Unto. The Lord. And to sing praises.

[42:34] Unto thy name. O thou. Most high. But. Do remember this. When you try to say. Thank you to God.

[42:45] Your words. May be very. Ill put together. You cannot. Describe. Just what you feel. But you can appeal.

[42:56] To God. With whom. You have to do. O Lord. Thou knowest. And he does. And he knows. That deep down.

[43:07] In your heart. You do desire. To humble yourself. Before him. The majesty of heaven. And give thanks. For what he has been pleased.

[43:18] To do for you. Along life's way. And what you humbly hope. He has done. In carrying on his good work. In you. And he will not despise it.

[43:29] As a day. Of small things. Because you cannot. Praise him. With a salm. Completely. No. No.

[43:41] There is this scripture. Which you might think over. It is accepted. According to what. A man. Hath. And not according to what.

[43:52] A man. Hath. Not. But. When you do find. Your heart warm. And gratitude. Meeting in your spirit. Do you make the most of it.

[44:04] And give unto God. The glory. That is due. Unto his. Holy name. For who hath despised. The day of small things.

[44:16] And now it might seem to you. When you look back. Over life's journey. Especially if you light on. That word in Jeremiah. Which you know the pastor. So often quote.

[44:27] Set the up way marks. Make the eye heaps. Set thine heart again. Toward the highway. You might feel. Alas my way marks. They only seem to be small things.

[44:40] And even then. They seem to be so few. And far between. But then. If they are indeed way marks. As you humbly hope. And that of which you can say.

[44:53] This is the finger of God. Look at the word itself. Way. Mark. It is a mark. That you are in the way. The way to God.

[45:07] The right way. And what a mercy that is. And if as yet. Your way marks. Seem to be. But few. Who can tell.

[45:18] But what God. Will be gracious. Unto you. And you will yet set up. Many more. Who has despised. The day of small things. Oh.

[45:30] You must not despise it. You must remember that. Good man of old. He seems a very striking character. Eliezer.

[45:42] When he went to. Search out a wife. For Isaac. And what did he say. When he saw.

[45:53] The hand of God. Upon him for good. In the way he was helped. To go along. He said. I being in the way. The Lord met with me. And brought me to the house.

[46:04] Of my master's brethren. And now. You can argue like that. I being. In the way. The Lord met with me.

[46:14] Even in his house of prayer. In the gospel being. Made a reality. In my soul. And.

[46:25] In the singing of the songs of Zion. When you have made melody. In your heart. And when. In the public prayer. You have walked in agreement.

[46:37] With the preacher. And walked. With God. Being in the way. The Lord has met with you. And in your everyday life.

[46:48] Are you going to say. The Lord has never met with you. Who will despise the day. Of small things. Treasure up every way mark.

[47:01] Every eye heap. Every Ebenezer. And remember. What you can look back. Over life's journey. And see. God has been pleased.

[47:11] To do for you. Only. Only. Makes manifest. That he will be pleased. To do yet. Much more for you. Than he has already done.

[47:21] As you journey on. He hath delivered. He does deliver. And we trust. He will yet deliver us. There is just another viewpoint.

[47:33] Of this. For who hath despised. The day of small things. And now. You may think. Your sphere in life. Is a day of small things.

[47:47] Sometimes. This needs very. Cautious wording. But I am bound to set it before you. Sometimes. There may come.

[47:59] A temptation to you. That you ought to be doing. Something bigger and better. Than what you were doing. And that you ought to branch out.

[48:09] Launch out. And that if you were in a larger sphere. You could do more for God. When you have any feelings like that.

[48:22] You do need. To take your shoes from off your feet. For the place where on you stand. Is holy ground. And you need. Especially.

[48:34] To wait on God. Like David. Hold up my goings in thy paths. That my footsteps slip not. It may be where you are.

[48:47] Is where God has designed you to be. And though your sphere in life. As you view it. Is a day of small things. It is a day of real things.

[48:58] It is where God has ordained you should be. To be useful. And do his will. In serving him where you are.

[49:10] And it is not to be despised. It is very difficult ground to stand on. When you begin to be discontented. With where you are.

[49:23] And think if you could be this or that. Then you could serve God much better. In such a sphere. Than where you are. There is in that. A great danger.

[49:35] And it may be Satan is seeking to gain. Some advantage. Of you. Who has despised. The day of small things.

[49:46] Remember that word in Ezekiel's prophecy. Where God says of Israel. In their return to the land of promise. And I will place them.

[49:58] And I will place them. And it is a great mercy sometimes. To have a humble hope. That where you are. Is where God has placed you.

[50:11] The steps of a good man. Are ordered by the Lord. And he delighteth in his way. Yes. And as regards you being in another sphere.

[50:23] Therein. You need the ark of the covenant. To go before you. And the moving of the cloud. That you may see. It is what God's. Will is for you.

[50:35] To do. And meanwhile. Being where you are. Who will despise the day of small things. And now.

[50:46] If it should be. As it no doubt. Is with. Quite a few of you. A day of small things. In your soul's experience. What are you to do?

[51:01] You can thank God. And take courage. That it is a day. Of small things. The day has dawned in your soul's experience.

[51:13] We are not of the night. Or of darkness. We are the children of the day. And if the day had not dawned in your soul. The good work.

[51:25] Being begun therein. You would not feel as you do. About the evidences. That you. Way up before God.

[51:38] And sometimes conclude. They are just small things. But they are what God has wrought. The great thing to be concerned about. Is real things. Yes.

[51:50] The soul that with sincere desires. Seeks after Jesus love. That soul the Holy Ghost inspires. With breathings from above.

[52:02] And would you see greater things. In your soul's experience. The Lord help you to wait on him. Give him. No rest. Till he brings to pass.

[52:14] Such a desire. In your soul. And remember. Elijah. When he was on Mount Carmel. And he sent his servant.

[52:25] To look toward the sea. And tell him what he saw. And he came back. On his first visit. And said there is nothing. And six times.

[52:37] Did he return and say. There is nothing. And he said go again. And the seventh time he said. I see a cloud.

[52:49] As big as a man's hand. Arising out of the sea. And that was the token for good. Elijah. Had waited on God.

[52:59] To receive. It was only. A cloud as big as a man's hand. Just imagine that. On the eastern sky. But the servant saw it.

[53:11] It was indeed. A small thing. Apparently. But Elijah says. It tells there is abundance of rain. Yes. And now.

[53:24] Coming to the amen. What do we read? There is a word here. Which will help you. And he said.

[53:35] It is the kingdom of God. As if a man should cast seed into the ground. And should sleep and rise night and day. And the seed should spring and grow up. He knoweth not how.

[53:46] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself. First the blade. Then the ear. After that. The full corn.

[53:56] In the ear. And now you dear young people. Look at this picture. And remember. How there is the teaching of God. Set forth in it. As if a man should cast seed into the ground.

[54:11] That is all the man can do. The sower. Soweth the word. The husband man. And it. Sows. The corn. And when he has done that.

[54:26] He has to wait on God. And leave the issue with God. God has guaranteed there to be a harvest. But. Having sown the seed. The husband man can do no more.

[54:40] God does all that is in between. Seed time and harvest. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself. Well. First the blade. And now you see in late October.

[54:52] When the winter corn is coming up. Good it is to see it when the sun shines across the fields. And you see. The field is greening. But it is. A day of small things.

[55:04] There is the green blade. The foot may tread it down. Winter with all its storms. Will rage over it. But. The seed has germinated.

[55:16] The blade is the evidence. Yes. First the blade. Oh such a day of small things it seems.

[55:27] Then the ear. After that. The full corn in. The ear. The ear. And so. It just narrows down to this. Then shall we know.

[55:40] If we follow on. To know. The Lord. Our experience of things divine. May be as we estimate.

[55:50] A day of small things. But. They that wait upon the Lord. Shall find. The good work begun.

[56:02] Is deepened. As you go on. Step by step as you go on. The way shall open up before you. And ultimately.

[56:14] You will find. He which hath begun. The good work in you. Will perform it. Until the day. Of Jesus Christ. For who.

[56:24] Hath despised. The day of. Small things. The father. Does not despise it. The dear son of God.

[56:36] The sinner's friend. Does not despise it. The holy ghost. Does not despise it. Because.

[56:48] It is his spirit's doing. Yes. The feeblest prayer. If faith be there. Exceeds.

[56:59] All empty. Notion. Amen.