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[0:00] In dependence upon the Lord for all needed help, I venture to draw your prayerful attention to the second book of Samuel, chapter 15.

[0:43] And I've lost my verse. Come to me in a moment. Verse 26 and the last clause.

[1:03] Verse 26 and the last clause. Behold, here am I.

[1:17] Let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. Behold, here am I.

[1:31] Let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. Amen. I freely confess my felt inability to attempt to speak from these words.

[2:00] I somewhat shrink from attempting to do so. But the Lord has laid them upon my heart.

[2:18] And whilst we are gathered at this time, rightly so, for thanksgiving and for praise, yet I pray that there may be a purpose for the honour and the glory of God and the good of some poor soul, at least here this afternoon, that we may be blessed in our meditation upon these words.

[3:00] I felt somewhat confirmed in our opening hymn, which was, as you will remember, a hymn of praise, the acknowledgement of the goodness of God, the wonders of redeeming love, the wonders of creation, the greater wonders of the finished work of Christ, and yet at the close of that hymn, we have this, bless with this faith, then let us raise our hearts in love, our voice in praise, all things to us must work for good, for whom the Lamb has shed his blood.

[3:52] trials may press of every sort, they may be sore, they must be short. We now believe, but soon shall view, the greatest glories God can do.

[4:10] this language of our text, if spoken truly from the heart, is a mark of growth in grace.

[4:27] only the redeemed of the Lord, can speak these words, and they, oft with trembling, oft in the darkest paths of life, and yet, those dark paths, those bitter cuts, those unexpected trials, that thorny way, that great disappointment, that dreadful temptation, that saddening bereavement, those times of darkness, and depression, that furnace heated, seven times hotter, than it is wont to be heated, has by God's grace, yielded to us, a blessing, that we should never, never forget, and now, as we look back, we say, praise our God, and thank him, for that trial, thank him, for that path, because, it yielded to us, such a blessing, such an answer, perhaps, to some, of our prayers, that we might grow in grace, that we might be more like our Jesus, that we might love him more, that we might be more separate from the world, that we might be more humble, that we might be more Christ-like, friend, it is right to pray this, but we sometimes wonder, how the Lord will answer, those, our petitions, so often, in a way, that we least expect, one admits, that in the world, with those, that love not, the Lord Jesus Christ, there may be, amazing degree, of bravery, and courage, and patience, so far, seen, and this is not, the language, of one, that is, of fatalism, you know, it is possible, that some may say, well, the will of the Lord, will be done, whatever happens, and make a pillow, and go fast asleep, in dreadful indifference, and unconcern, about, about, their path, but a child, of God, who watches, the hand of God, waits, upon the Lord, it was, intensely, sensitive, to the Lord's, dealings, and leadings, if we are, in spiritual health, in the exercise, of our soul, as soon, as the Lord, brings us, into some testing, into some trial, into some way, we've not walked, heretofore, physical affliction, bereavement, and the testing, of our faith, we are brought, to inquire, of the Lord, not so much, with curious eyes,

[7:59] I pray, not, with an impatient spirit, not as so often, we do, if we're honest, as soon, as the first pain, comes upon our body, as soon, as the first cloud, appears in the sky, as soon, as the first trial, seems to, appear so ominous, we say, Lord, no, take me away, take it away, Lord, heal my body, remove the cross, ease me, of my trial, I do not mean, neither do I say, for a moment, that it is wrong, to pray, for healing, of the body, but, a child of God, in the right exercise, of it, will pray, Lord, heal my body, subject, to thy will, if pain, if weakness, lingers, help me, to be still, and to prove, the sufficiency, of thy grace, made known to me, in the path, of weakness, and pain, a path,

[9:12] I never, as you look back, never thought, that you would walk, in it, or another way, of trial, whatever it, may be, give me, and teach me, Lord, why is it, not with curious eyes, but concern for your soul, concerning for, concern for communion, with your God, is there a cloud, come between us, is this sent to me, because, the Lord sees in me, that which has, grieved the spirit of God, which has, quenched the spirit of God, has he seen in me, an unforgiving nature, has he telling me, that no, do not come to the throne, until, you have forgiven, until you are prepared, to forgive, then come, and seek my face, then come, and pray for my blessing, all for a watchful spirit, all for, this will be carried out, much upon our knees, in praise,

[10:14] I don't mean literally, but I mean, in prayer, and waiting, and watching, now, again, every trial, that comes upon us, is not of necessity, chastening, there's the trial of faith, God gives us, God gives us faith, and he shows us, how precious it is, how wonderful it is, how indestructible it is, and how does he show it to us, by bringing it through the fire, by bringing it in a way, where you felt, your faith has, everything else has gone, and nearly, nearly, your faith has gone too, but not quite, and bring you in it, and through it, so that, your soul, is confirmed, here am I, trying to meditate on this, as I journeyed down,

[11:25] I had to leave home this morning, because I needed to visit a friend, a dear relative of mine, when I started to ponder this, here am I, you're all here this afternoon, God alone, knows where you are, the path you're treading, it may be, some of you are on the mount, make the most of it friend, rejoice in the Lord, make full use of the harp, that is taken down, from the willow, it may be, some of you, knowing as a thanksgiving service, hardly knew, how to come, feeling so dark, and low, so perplexed, cannot understand, struggling, and what a battle, raging, within you, you say, what do you mean, the old nature, rebelling against God, unbelief,

[12:39] Satan, adding fuel to the fire, where is, your God, and yet, something else, that seeks, submission to the will of God, would bow, under the hand of the Almighty, and pray for grace, to be still, and to trust, in God, here am I, my mind went, and this is just a little, side turn for a moment, when God said to Abraham, Abraham, had been called out, of the Ur of Chaldeas, Abraham had been promised, a land, for his seed, Abraham had been given, a son, it was impossible, viewed in the eyes, of the world, as Sarah was beyond, childbearing, but nothing is too hard, for God,

[13:50] Isaac is given, Isaac is growing, it seems a day of, peace, and quietness, and prosperity, with the dear man of God, and God then says, Abraham, he says, here am I, little does he know, what is God is going to speak, little do you know, but beloved, don't lose sight of this, what God speaks, is in his love, is in his wisdom, is for thy good, he said to Abraham, take now, what is it Lord, my cattle, my silver, my gold, no, no, thy son, what is it, Ishmael, no, thy son Isaac, whom thou lovest, what am I to do Lord, take him, and offer him up, as a sacrifice, on the, altar, what a test of faith,

[14:53] I do not read, at that time, that Abraham, was in a backsliding state, it was a test of his faith, here, here am I, and you dear friend, dear child of God, are no stranger, just here and there in life, where the Lord has come, in such a way, not perhaps speaking, exactly that word, but where you are called, to walk, in a path of testing, look at the obedience, of the man of God, look at how he goes forth, and when he sees the place, afar off, sometimes friend, as you go forward, you see the place, you see it in front of you, and there he, went up the mount, he and his son, father, here's the wood, here's the fire, where's the lamb, my son,

[16:02] God, will provide himself, a lamb, Isaac, is bound, to the altar, never, had Abraham, built, such an altar, as that, you may say, how do you apply that, to a gathering here today, well friend, not that we build, altars, but we look back on life, that circumstance in life, sudden sometimes, unexpected, where we've never been, in such a path as this, never such a trial as this, never such loneliness as this, just for a moment, consider Isaac, I think sometimes, we lose sight of Isaac, I say that,

[17:03] I don't mean that wrongly, we never want to, lose sight of the faith, of Abraham, but Isaac, submitted, I, while he said the lad, he was a man of strength, and I believe, could have resisted, his father, but no, he was bound, to the altar, I see in the words, of our text, this, a believer, spiritually bound, to the purpose of God, am I struggling against it, am I kicking against it, am I rebelling against it, or am I, submissive, to it, again, anticipating death, the voice is called from heaven, spare thy son, Isaac is freed, and a lamb is, a ram, caught with his horns, and the thicket offered in his place, a sight, of Calvary, in the stead of, friend, what a blessing that is, in the trial, that you pass through, when it leads you to the cross, when you have a glimpse, of one hanging on that tree, in your room, and in your place, his love to you, your sin forgiven, blessing you in your soul, friend, what a place to be in, and you have to thank God, for it,

[18:43] I'm going a different way, to what I anticipated, my thoughts so far, I have to leave it with God, but my mind now goes, to the three Hebrew, who stood, fearlessly, before the king, and yet, courteously, don't lose sight of that, a Christian should always be courteous, and we will not bow down, that if, it be that, we should pass over, the Lord will be with us, now, that experience, one might say, surely, the Lord in honour to his servants, would have stopped it, no, he permitted, man to work the hardest he could, to slay those three men, why, the furnace heated seven times hotter, it won't be heated, and the strongest men of that army, to bind those three men,

[19:49] I have read, we don't know for sure, that they were bound together, whether so or not, I don't know, they were together, and cast into that fire, friend, what a fire it was, what a blessing it was, what a touch of heaven it was, what communion they had, they weren't alone, they were with another, and the form of the fall, is like the son of God, friend, these things, are deep waters, deep experiences, I don't want to sing a song, to a heavy heart, do I hear somebody saying, ah, I'm in the fire, but there's no relief for me, I'm in the dark, but there's no light shining for me, there's no presence of my God with me, the devil's there, he's tempting me, friend, wait, wait upon thy God, seek grace, to come into this experience, as the words of our text, here am I, let him do to me, as seemeth good unto him, remember this, the hymn of the text, is God, are we going to charge God, with something that, is wrong, unkind, why we know, that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called, according, to his purpose, too wise to be mistaken, he, too good, to be unkind, the length, the depth, the severity, of the testing time, is in the hand, of thy God, the refiner of silver, will stay, and not rest, until, he sees his own reflection, in that silver, he makes, no mistake, it won't be a moment, too long, it won't be a moment, too short, but his grace, all sufficient, and those arms, of his love, are going to carry you, through, you may, well remember, the, dream, of a godly man, who dreamt, of he saw his life, as two sets, of footprints, in the sand, occasionally, as he looked, there was just, one set, as he examined, the matter, it was when, he was in trouble, he was perplexed, he said,

[22:41] Lord, didst thou, leave me then, what did you say, you felt, he'd gone, he felt, he'd forgotten you, he, you feared, he'd forsaken you, but what does God say, know my child, I carried thee, I carried thee, we prove it friend, those everlasting arms, are never withdrawn, but we have to sink, so very, very low, to find them, but they're ever, there, here, am I, come to another word, Moses, of the burning bush, remember, the 40 years, in Egypt, go back, just a step, the preservation, of his life, at three months old, but, refusing, to be called, the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing, rather, to suffer affliction, with the people of God, than to enjoy, the pleasures of sin, for a season, esteeming, the reproach of Christ, far greater riches, than all the treasures, in Egypt, refusing, and choosing, remember,

[24:13] Egypt, was the, land of prosperity, and all power, at that time, you might say, as to use, a worldly expression, the world, was at his feet, he shunned it, he turned from it, another 40 years, what a contrast, backside, of the desert, has God made a mistake, it wasn't 39 years, it wasn't 41 years, there was discipline, there was teaching, as the shepherd, learning, patience, watching, waiting, until, the memorable day came, God's time came, he sees, perhaps not an unusual sight, in the beginning of it, the bush, catching fire, the rays of the sun, but, he looks, and looks again, never has he seen, anything like it, the bush isn't consumed, it's not reduced, to ashes, he turns to see, this great sight, what is this great sight,

[25:34] Christians, walking through the fire, the time of testing, as the grace of God, shines in their heart, he hears the voice, it's the voice of God, speaking to him, and telling him, yes Moses, my people, I've not forgotten them, I know their sorrows, I've heard their cries, I've come down, to deliver, and you Moses, are appointed to go forth, to bring my people, out of Egypt, here am I, did the man, see when he went, out of Egypt, he took matters, in his own hands, and murdered a person, now he's learned, patience, it's not the big Moses now, Lord I'm not sufficient, I can't speak, that's teaching, in serving the Lord, and particularly in the ministry, of the word of God,

[26:36] God's son had to be brought, right down, to a sense of nothingness, to be used, as a vessel, in the hand of the master, here am I, there are other instances, in the word of God, one comes to my mind, of Isaiah, as the Lord touched his lips, and the life called, from the altar, and said, and he said, and they said, who shall go, and here am I, send me, when the Lord comes, when the Lord calls, may grace be given, to be obedient, but this, servant of God, whether a minister, or a believer, in the path, that you're walking, in the exercise, concerning your serving, almighty God, may you be, may I be too, in this place constantly, here am I, let him do, what to me, as seemeth, good, unto him, the Lord knows, the need that we have, of emptying,

[27:51] I want now, just to, speak of this word, as, the child of God, is likened, to a vessel, there was the vessel, marred, in the hands, of the potter, there was the vessel, molded, there was the vessel, made meat, for the master's, use, oh sinner, has God, worked in your heart, I dare not, for a moment, think, because you're here, this afternoon, that you're a child, of God, the Lord alone, knows, there are those, that can be, foolish virgins, tears growing, with the wheat, still, in their, sad, sinful state, in nature, has the Lord, taken hold upon you, in other words, a vessel, formed, for his honor, and for his, glory, made meat, for the master's, use, now that vessel, is in the, it belongs to the master, you're not your own, you're not your own, glorify God, in your body, and spirit, with your heads, you're redeemed, with a price, that vessel, has to be, cleansed, washed, that vessel, has to be, emptied, emptied, before it can be filled, that vessel, cannot go, and fill itself, that vessel, is in the hand, of the master,

[29:59] I'm not, an authority, for a moment, on, vessel making, from clay, but, is the work, of the potter, and, doubtless, there's heat applied, and, shaping, preparing, some great vessels, some, small vessels, all who fear God, both small, and great, mark that, in the hand, of the potter, the vessel, emptied, passing, through the fire, and then, as you think, some vessels, are decorated, there's a beauty, what beauty, of you, ugly worm, sinner, of the earth, yes, I'm that, by nature, but when, in the hand, of the master, the beauty, of the Lord, our God, is upon us, oh friend, what an honor, what a privilege, but then, further, that vessel, is to be filled, the master, takes it, whether it's a great vessel, or little vessel, and uses, and uses that vessel, where he will, according to his sovereign purpose, what of, an honor, and I'm not just speaking, of ministers,

[31:32] I'm speaking, of God's dear children, we all, if born again, are vessels, all should be living, lives, of some usefulness, not that we're saying, what we're doing, for the Lord, I'm not going to make a man, offended for a word, I know what some people, mean by that, and they don't mean, that they're doing it, for merit to heaven, but I prefer it, the other way around, what the Lord, is doing for me, and doing through me, I'm but the vessel, I'm nothing, but what a privilege, to be used, and I often pray, Lord, if ever my, life is used, in any way, whatsoever, cover the poor vessel, with thy loving hand, that he may not be seen, out of sight, I remember once, at Tamworth Road, preaching one Lord's Day evening, and dear Mr. Stanley Dells, joined us, he'd been preaching, morning and afternoon, elsewhere, at the time, his sight was affected, I spoke to him, after the service, he said, you know, he said, he sat at the back of the chair, he said,

[32:35] I couldn't see you, in the pulpit, and we, I shared with him, I said to him, first of all, my dear friend, that, I sympathize with him, in his affliction, don't misunderstand that, but as it's spiritually, that's just what, when we, we fully agreed with it, prayed for, loved, carried in the arms, of the prayers, of the people, in the hand of the master, but used, for his glory, that, that we should be, out of sight, that all the praise, should be his, vessel, to be in his hand, then I want to use, just one more illustration, the Lord's people, are likened, to a garden, and there are plants, in that garden, but they're living plants, they've got a root, the work of grace, wrought in their heart, plants, they're planted there, by the, the Lord himself, every plant, that my heavenly father, hath not planted, he will root up, but those, planted by the Lord, in the house of the Lord, we seek, shall bring forth, fruit to the praise, of the Lord, and be fat, and flourishing, in old age, that tries me,

[33:56] I feel to come, so short, solemnly short, but, the plant, you go into, a beautiful garden, and some flower, immediately, perhaps, attracts your attention, but if you go, round that garden, and look, carefully, admiring, the wonderful works, of God, as we've been singing, and we see, the beautiful roses, we see other plants, and yet, as we look around, and hidden there, in the corner, in the shade, is something, very, very small, and yet, it's beautiful, it's lovely, it's all got to win, and look, there's those, that as I understand, their perfume, or scent, is observed, or felt, or smelt, at night, in the dark, friend, you, in your small corner, and I, in mine, to be used, to grow, and, that our lives, may not speak of self, but may speak of him, may speak of his grace, may speak of his love, may speak of his mercy, and so, and I know,

[35:16] I haven't touched, the background here, perhaps, we should do that now, David, was reaping, what he'd sown, the sin of his life, he was forgiven, Psalm 51, wet, with the tears of repentance, springs out, of that, dreadful sin, but God has said, the sword would not leave him, tremble, believer, what of a man soweth, a godly man, that shall he also, reap, God is not mocked, there's much, instruction here, just earlier, we read that, or before, God had said, that they were not, to keep chariots, why, because it was the known, army might, in those days, they were not, to go down to Egypt, they were not, to trust in, horses and chariots, they were trusting, their God, now in a battle, they destroyed, the chariot, but,

[36:43] David, reserved, ten, no, a hundred, I think it was, a hundred, that gave him trouble, Absalom, lifted up with pride, later on, took chariot, stole the heart, of the people, David flees, for his life, and this is what we have, in our subject, which I did not enlarge, you should know it well, what an experience, but we see now, the grace of God, now I said, some afflictions, maybe through chastening, correction, I, among many things, that I dread, is to be brought, into a trial, with a heart, of rebellion, against God, you say, surely, you would never, be guilty, of such a sin, friend, that seed, is in our heart, we need that to be, we need to be preserved, from it,

[37:48] David here, is in a sweet place, spiritually, he's fleeing, for his life, he's fleeing, from Jerusalem, and, he, and he, yet he's resting, as he says here, that, if the Lord, has favour upon him, he'll bring me back, but, what the Lord's will, is for me, as it were, David says, I don't know, but this thing, I do know, here am I, let him, do to me, what, as seemeth good, unto him, a little later, that, wicked man, what was his name now, shimmy eye, through stones, and dirt, and dust, that David, again, David, no retaliation, bears it, friend, this is grace, this is gold, coming out of the fire, one, little detail here, in the midst, of his sorrows, we have an outstanding case, of loyalty,

[39:02] Etii, the Gittite, I take it, he was a Philistine, come over, to serve David, you belong to Satan, you a newborn sinner, belong to Christ, are you going to go unto him, without the camp, bearing his reproach, are you going to go, and bear that cross, I say, Etii, David said to him, you've only just joined me, I don't want to involve you, with all my pain, and suffering, I don't know what is going to involve me, you may go back, I cannot expect you, to tarry with me, he is a man, that speaks, with such courage, and bravery, and loyalty, and he, said, that this is, that he would abide, by the king, as the Lord liveth, surely, in what place, my Lord the king, shall be, whether in death, or life, even there, shall also, thy servant be, may we be faithful, even unto death, may we cleave, close to our Lord, may we serve him, with all our heart, love him, with all our heart, and mind, and soul, and so on,

[40:11] I come solemnly, sure, Lord, this is my desire, and as you come, into old age, as you look, at the blessings, of your God, upon your life, as you come today, to give thanks, to God, for every blessing, that you've received, in your life, then, surely, our desire is, Lord, take this life, of mine, may it be, to thy praise, may it be, to thy glory, use me, deal with me, lead me, may I, may my desire, be, that Christ, might be magnified, in my body, whether for life, or for death, in my body, so that my very physical being, though drenched with sin, may be used, for the honor, and the glory of God, I beseech you, therefore, brethren, that by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies, your bodies, a living sacrifice, acceptable, unto God, which is your reasonable service, for to me, to live, is Christ, and to die, is gain, so beloved, is this our desire, is this our prayer, and though, at times, as I've said, it may be, in correction, and chastening, and again,

[41:21] David, later, you remember, he sinned again, in old age, the devil tempted him, David, count your people, and lift it up with pride, he did it, even Joab, protested, and then his sin, was charged upon him, and when God said, now David, here are three alternatives, and as God gave those alternatives, I won't take the time, it's gone now, but, he said, let me not fall, into the hand of man, let me fall, into the hand of God, friend, it's the safest place, you see, it's a wonderful experience, in our trials, and I think of the last words, my dear wife spoke to me, among the last words, pretty well the last words, safe, in the arms of Jesus, but friend, do we say that, when the Lord is leading us, the way we don't want to go, we want to go that way, the Lord says, no, this way, fear thou not, for I am with thee, for the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not,

[42:37] I will help thee, why I've rambled along, this afternoon in this way, I do not know, I've gone, step by step, as the Lord has given me a word, I have to leave it with him, if I've disappointed some, hoping for a thanksgiving service, my friend, I hope that by the end of the day, yes, in the path that you walk, you'll bless him, and praise him, as you've never praised him, for what, for that path of trial, why you've praised him, for health and strength, you've praised him, when you've had promotion, you've praised him, for the gift of your home, you've praised him, when you've had a larger home, you've praised him, for this little place, now to meet in, you praise him, for every blessing, that you've received, you praise him, and rightly so, but sometimes, the loudest praises, have been when, God has done such, great things for us, in leading us, in those paths, that we've said, no Lord, but he says, yes my child, and in that path, has brought out, such a blessing, wherein, ye greatly rejoice, so now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness, through manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith, being much more precious, than of gold that perisheth, might be found, unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing, of Jesus Christ, let's just touch, heaven for a moment, look at the redeemed, do I see them, yes,

[44:09] I see the redeemed, spirits in glory, do I hear, what the question was asked, what are these, which are arrayed, in white robes, and whence came they, and the answer is given, these are they, which have come out, not been submerged, not been destroyed, not been overcome, have come out, heaven's side, have come out, of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, in the blood, of the Lamb, all to be there, a dear old saint, near the end said, it's sweating work, getting, to heaven, he'll bring you through, poor soul, he'll bring you through, he won't fight you, it won't be easy, confirming the souls, of the disciples, and exhorting them, to continue in the faith, that is through, much tribulation, that we shall, we shall, enter, into, the kingdom, amen.

[45:17]  Thank you. Thank you.