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[0:00] Amen. The Prophecy of Hosea, chapter 14, verses 1 and 2.

[0:41] O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

[0:54] Take with you words, and turn to the Lord. Say unto him, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously.

[1:09] So will we render the calves of our lips. Hosea, chapter 14, verses 1 and 2.

[1:21] Looking at this word, and seeking a little meditation on it, my thoughts went immediately to that sweet hymn in our book, 762.

[1:41] How soft the words my Saviour speaks. How kind the promises he makes.

[1:52] A bruised reed he never breaks, nor will he quench the smoking plant. That seemed to me to perfectly describe the word of the Lord here to those who had wondered.

[2:07] For Hosea had some very solemn things to say under the divine guidance of his God.

[2:18] He was speaking to a people who professed to be God's people. He was speaking to those who were named as amongst the chosen people of God.

[2:32] But they had fallen away. And so Hosea, as with some of the other prophets, was sent of God to solemnly reprove them.

[2:47] But not in anger. That's the miracle of it. That's what this hymn seems to speak of. Mercy to poor, rebellious sinners.

[2:57] Mercy to those who are not worthy of the least of his mercy. And yet he still speaks. How soft the words.

[3:10] Oh, and it seemed a little comfort. When perhaps we in our own souls are tried and exercised concerning our profession, our path, our actions, our service to God.

[3:27] We feel sometimes, oh, to be so far. To come so far short. And if he were to condemn us, it would be just.

[3:40] And we should acknowledge it. But, there is a word written by the apostle. And it's a very blessed word when the Lord speaks it and opens it to our view.

[4:00] There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. And they are the characters to whom this word of our text applies.

[4:13] They are the souls to whom this hymn especially applies. And I hope you will forgive me if I do refer to it.

[4:24] But it's so applicable. The humble poor he will not despise. Nor on the contrary, sinner friend.

[4:37] His ear is open to their cry and quickly sends salvation down. He sees the struggles that prevail between the powers of grace and sin.

[4:49] He kindly listens. He kindly listens. Bows down his ear. Even to such. While they tell the bitter pangs they feel within.

[5:02] Though pressed with fears on every side. They know not how the strife may end. Yet he will soon the cause decide.

[5:13] And judgment unto victory sent. Soft word. Kind word. A merciful savior. And Hosea now is sent to this rebellious people.

[5:29] And especially is named in this prophecy. Ephraim. A type. A type of a child of God. A type of one chosen of God.

[5:43] But who had departed. Rebelled. Wandered. Forgotten. The goodness of God.

[5:54] And sought those things which were a birth of the flesh and must perish. Or if you look in the earlier chapters. We will not turn to them now.

[6:06] But you see how God looked upon you. Right. And sent his servant thus. To bring into book as it were. Under gracious.

[6:18] Yet solemn reproof. Ephraim faded on wind. Daily increasing. Lies and decimation. The Lord had a controversy.

[6:29] Oh. And then. In that 13th chapter. When Ephraim spiked trembling. He exalted himself in Israel.

[6:43] There was a time. With Ephraim. When he truly feared God. And he trembled. Before his majesty.

[6:54] Because he knew he was his God. But when he offended. In bile he died. When he turned aside. To other gods.

[7:05] When his heart. Was divided as it were. In its affections. That's the danger. That we are in. In its love. In its love. Their hearts do become.

[7:16] Divided in their affections. And especially. I feel in this day and age. When there is a great measure. Of worldly prosperity.

[7:28] Or how soon does. Satan use it. To divide our hearts. In its love. And therefore. We are brought.

[7:39] In need of reproof. Love not. Other things of this world. For they cannot bring us. Her salvation. They cannot bring us.

[7:51] Peace. They may bring. Her temporal. Joy and prosperity. But that will perish. And there is one thing.

[8:02] It could never bring. And that is a sense. Of pardon and mercy. We sang of in our hymn. Oh speak thy pardon. In love to me.

[8:13] What. Can it be. By such a means. That the world. Oh can give you. Never. But the Lord. In his great compassion.

[8:25] Look still. That upon his ear. And though he saw. A new. The division of his heart. The wandering of his spirit.

[8:36] That sin. Which we have to confess. If we are greatly taught. Doth so easily beset us. Yet he was not condemned.

[8:48] Not cut off. This is one of the. Sacred teachings. That the spirit of the Lord. Bring the child of God.

[8:59] Into. Oh that we could. Feel it. More deeply. And react. To that teaching. More sincerely. In our profession.

[9:12] Whom. Once he loves. He never leaves. He loves them. To the end. If it be an Ephraim. He's my child.

[9:24] Since I spoke against him. I do earnestly remember him still. He's mine. But. I cannot do. What it says.

[9:35] I cannot bear. With those. Evils. That abound. In his heart. There must be.

[9:46] A separation. And God brings that separation. About him. Very mysterious. Ways at times. Sometimes in very painful.

[9:56] Ways too. But the heart. That he loves. That new heart. Will be found under. These. Dealings of God.

[10:08] To be. Wrote. In the place where. God intends to bring. A place of repentance. Of sorrow.

[10:19] Over that. Which is offended. Against God. Not because of what. Has perhaps. Hurt them. Perhaps. Affliction. Has come. No.

[10:30] It's a sin. Against God. That. The soul. Desires. To be. Pardoned. God. Therefore. They shall be.

[10:41] As the morning Jew. The Jew. That passeth away. As chast. That is driven. With the whirlwind. Out of the floor. And smoke.

[10:52] Out of the chimney. Yet. I am the Lord. Thy God. From the land of Egypt. And there shall. Know. No God. But me. For there is no.

[11:03] Saviour. Beside thee. And then there comes. This word. And again. I trust. It's been made of comfort. Sometimes. When we've been. In a dark.

[11:13] And low place. I did know thee. In the wilderness. When you felt. To be far off. And. Like dear Ruth of old.

[11:25] I'm not like. As one of thy handmaidens. We look at some. Of the dear saints. Of God. And they seem to. Live daily. In close proximity. To their Saviour.

[11:36] In sweet union. And we feel. So different. So cold. So earthbound. I did know thee.

[11:48] In the wilderness. In the land. Of great grave. Oh. That's our mercy. He knows. Then. He knows us.

[11:59] Now. If we come. Into such a place. According to their pasture. So were they filled. They were filled. And their heart. Was exalted.

[12:10] Therefore. Have they forgotten. But we must not dwell. Well. On that. But. This is where. Ephraim was. And in this condition. Which is a description.

[12:22] Of. Every child of God. At some stage. In their pathway. It would be a miracle. If they come through. Lois. Without ever entering into it. This word.

[12:33] Of our text. Is spoken. Oh. Israel. My people. Return. To the Lord. The Lord.

[12:43] Every one of them. Those chosen. In eternity past. Those who are given. Unto the dear Lord. And Savior.

[12:53] Jesus Christ. To redeem. From death. And Satan. And hell. But his own. Glorious possession. He's growing. Oh. Israel.

[13:04] My people. Return. Unto the Lord. Thy God. For thou hast fallen. By thine iniquity. How soft the words.

[13:17] My Savior. Speak. Thou hast fallen. But. I will lift thee up. I can lift thee up. I do lift thee up.

[13:31] And in that lifting up. He exerts. An almighty power. And that through the spirit. Of truth. As he writes it.

[13:41] In the heart. Of this poor. Fallen one. And brings them. Once more. Nigh unto him. Thou hast fallen.

[13:53] By thine iniquity. How many times. Have we fallen. I can't speak for others. But I know what I have myself. How many times.

[14:04] Have we fallen. Into. Unbelief. Unbelieving fears. How many times. Have we fallen.

[14:15] Into the snares. Of this world. And instead of putting. In the things of God. First. Which he has shown us. In his. Great mercy.

[14:25] And by his grace. As the way we should go. The path. We should tread. The service. We should render. In spite of that.

[14:37] We have fallen. Fallen. Under temptation. Or. The child of God. Proves. That he has. A great foe.

[14:48] In Satan. And when we are in a fallen state. Our faith is feeble too. For that falls. With the soul.

[14:59] When that falls. Christ. And we cannot then. When Satan. Comes in like a flood. Or lift up a standard. Against him. Because we lost sight of it.

[15:10] And we haven't the strength. And therefore. We are brought to fear. That was fallen. By thine iniquity. Then what is the remedy?

[15:24] What is God's remedy? That he sends his servant. Broke life. Take with you. Words. Oh. No great actions. No turning over.

[15:36] A new leaf. Every day. And then falling again. And that without shame. Many would say. That is the right way. That's maybe the easy way.

[15:48] But what does the. Word of the Lord. Say. Take with you. Words. And turn. To the Lord. That only one can help.

[16:00] Only one can deliver. Only one who is able to bring you out of that misery of the fall. And oh how the children of God through the ages.

[16:12] Approved. The efficacy of that one Saviour. The psalmist. The psalmist. Knew what it was to fall. But he knew what it was to be lifted up.

[16:27] To be raised again. From his low sky. And when he was raised. It created. A fear. A dread in his heart. That he should fall again.

[16:39] Lest I be like unto those. That go down into the pit. Oh Lord prevent. By thy grace.

[16:49] And in thy mercy. Prevent. Me from falling. Ah such. Will be the prayer. That's wrought. In the soul. And it's just such a cry as that.

[17:03] That you are to take to your God. Bring to the mercy scene. Say unto him. Take away all iniquity. Take away all my sin.

[17:17] Ah. But that is his covenant promise. To those given unto him. Ah to redeem. I will take all their sin. Remove it far from them.

[17:30] Cast it into the depths of the sea. But all. We. Who are who fall. To know. To know. To know. To know. And feel.

[17:41] The power of that removing. In our own. Souls experience. To know. That deliverance. From bondage.

[17:52] That sin brings. To allow those fears. That conscience brings. Because of those many falls. Take away all iniquity.

[18:04] Receive us. Receive us graciously. What can this be expected. Well says one.

[18:18] My sins deserve. Endless hell. But this. Dear Savior. Dear Savior. Came to save.

[18:28] Such as I. My sins deserve. And he will be just and right. In condemning me forever. But Jesus. Shed his precious blood.

[18:41] To save those. For whom. Oh he came forth. From the father. He came. For this. Expressed purpose. To save poor sinners.

[18:53] From their sin. Receive us graciously. Why this is a miracle. Indeed. Even in natural things.

[19:04] If we were. To bitterly. Offend. A friend. Or one. In high position. Could we.

[19:15] Truly expect them. To receive us. Graciously. Kindly. In love. Ah. That would be the opposite.

[19:26] Of our expectation. Or our desert. But this is a work. That Jesus. Kindly does. And it is this.

[19:37] That the gospel proclaims. And therefore. And therefore. We will look for a moment. At our chapter. Because here we have. A wonderful. Example.

[19:49] Of our text. In operation. And it is a testimony. Of the faithfulness. Of this dear.

[19:59] Savior. Because. It proceeded. From his own lips. It was part. Of that. Ministry. Of the dear Lord Jesus.

[20:11] Here upon earth. And we ought. To. Give thanks unto God. Often. But the record. Of that ministry.

[20:23] That is left. Ah. For air. Ah. Instruction. And comfort. And so. Let us. For a moment or two. Apply.

[20:34] Ah. This. Text. To the experience. Of a poor sinner. Such as Ephraim. Who had fallen. And not to cast stones.

[20:51] But to think upon this. And I feel this. As I. Mentioned in prayer. Lord. That mercy.

[21:03] Came to me. And if it's come to you. Then you will. Render the cards of your lips. Then you will be able to show forth praise for it.

[21:15] And then there will be. Ah. No. Ah. As it were. Hanging back. To give glory to him. To whom all is due. Lord.

[21:26] Have mercy. Came. To me. Well. The Lord Jesus. In this. Chapter. That we read.

[21:36] He speaks of one or two things. Ah. Before. Ah. He comes to the. Parable of the. Ah. Prodigal. That they each speak the same truth.

[21:48] They each testify. Of that wondrous love. That brought the Savior from on high. To seek and to save. That which was lost.

[22:01] But when poor lost sinners get a view. Of this redeeming love. This work of salvation. Then it is.

[22:12] That they wonder in amazement. When they. Get a view. That this was.

[22:24] Done for them. Now. In the opening of the chapter. We read this. There drew near unto him.

[22:36] The publicans and sinners. For to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes. Murmured. Saying. This man receive his sinners. And eat it with them.

[22:47] They objected. And. Why. Because. They were self-righteous. They. Were amongst those.

[22:58] Uh. Who. In their own. Feelings. And in their own spirit. Uh. Had no fault in themselves. Therefore.

[23:10] They charged. Uh. The dear Savior. This man. Receives sinners. Blessed be.

[23:20] God. It was for sinners. He kind. For sinners. He lived. For sinners. He prayed. For sinners.

[23:31] He died. For sinners. He rose again. All was for sinners. Saved by grace. Sinners brought to true.

[23:43] Godly sorrow. Heartfelt repentance. With a repentance. That need not be repented of. It was these. Uh. The dear Savior.

[23:54] Came for. And so. Although they charged him. With that which was unjust. He spiked this parable.

[24:06] And said. Concerned in the sheep. He loosed one. He leaves the ninety and nine. And goes after that one.

[24:16] Which was lost. Until he find it. Oh. There's no question of. Uh. Not finding it. He knows where they are.

[24:27] Everyone. For he knows the path. They die. He knows their falls. He sees them. When they slip.

[24:39] Oh. He knows them. When they're wounded. And need. Care. And attention. And healing. He finds them out. Some from the ends.

[24:50] Of the earth. Have been brought forth. By this kind. Shepherd of the sheep. And. When he findeth it. He layeth it on his shoulders.

[25:02] Rejoicing. I have found my sheep. Which was lost. Oh. Think. Of that. Philippian. Jailer. Yeah.

[25:13] Found. And there was rejoicing. In heaven. For he was found. In a spirit. Of true repentance. And so you.

[25:24] Oh. Could trace out. Oh. The dear saviour's dealings. Oh. With. Many. Recorded. In the word of God. He found them.

[25:37] He knew. Where they were. He said. I will seek. And save. That which was lost. And then. The woman. That lost.

[25:47] The piece of silver. One piece. Was lost. Oh. But she was. Could not be content. With what was left. She must needs.

[25:58] Go. And search. For the. Missing. And when she found it. She calls her neighbours. And says. Rejoice with me. Oh.

[26:09] It is this. Rejoicing over. A poor sinner. Found. Discovered. By the grace of God. And rescued.

[26:19] As it were. From the power of Satan. He saw me ruined. In the fall. Yet loved me. He found me. He delivered me. He brought me.

[26:30] Safely to himself. And it is this. That we. Desire. To cry. Earnestly for. That we might see.

[26:41] This effectual calling. A worth. In an hour. Die. In the hearts. Of his. Dear lambs. And sheep. Especially.

[26:51] Amongst. The wandering. Women. For their hearts. Are sad. There are some. Of whom. We had a hope. Of better things. But they.

[27:01] Of present. Seem. Quite content. In a wandering. In a wandering. Place. Are we not. To pray for them.

[27:13] Are we not. To. Plead. With this dear. Shepherd. Of the sheep. If it be his sovereign. Will he will yet. Cause them to come. In the language.

[27:24] We have read. As our text. Return unto the Lord. Take with you words. Seek. Forgiveness. And oh.

[27:35] When. Such a soul. Is turned about. Not they turn about. When they're turned about. Then there is rejoicing.

[27:46] In the midst of the. Church of God. Then there can be. Truly. A singing together. To praise. The mercy. That is found.

[27:57] And then he comes. To the parable. Of the prodigal. And here we have the teaching.

[28:10] So clear. Take with you words. Turn to the Lord. Say unto him. Take away all iniquity.

[28:22] Receive us graciously. The prodigal. Is this time. He received.

[28:36] Of a loving father. Bounty. He devoided to them. His living. All that he had. Was given. But he was despised.

[28:53] Wasting. Used. Used. For. The satisfaction. Of the lust. Of the flesh. With a prodigal son.

[29:07] And off he went. And oh. What a state. He was left in. What a state. He came to. Because of his iniquity.

[29:20] Thou hast fallen. By thine iniquity. And the Lord Jesus. Here is teaching. To these proud Pharisees. As well.

[29:30] As to the. Dear publicans. And sinners. He was preaching to. How deep a fall. Even his dear children. Might come. If he leaves them.

[29:42] For a moment. Do you feel that need. Sometimes. Sometimes. If it. A great pressure. On your heart. Oh Lord. Preserve me. Keep me.

[29:54] Hold me up. For thou shouldst leave me. I must fall. And how great a fall. We.

[30:05] Cannot always comprehend. We see it. We saw. And we read of it. Of others. But what about ourselves. Do we. Fear.

[30:16] Do we dread it. Not because of its consequences. Naturally. But because of its consequences. Eternally. When he had spent all.

[30:32] He arose. There arose. A mighty famine. In the land. And he began to be in want. And he went. And joined himself. To the citizens.

[30:42] Of that country. And he sent him. To feed swine. And he got lower. And lower. And lower. And the more.

[30:54] We are left. To heed. The temptations. Of this world. And the inclinations. Of our carnal heart. The lower we shall fall.

[31:04] And he came. To this place. He fine would have. Filled his belly. With the husks. That the swine did eat. And no man gave to him.

[31:17] There was no help there. No kindness. From the world. And so it is. When a man falls. In worldly things.

[31:28] He's despised. Cast off. Those who were once. His friends. Leaving. We see that. Again and again. And we hear of him. But not.

[31:40] With this. Our dear Savior. Who our text. Sets forth. So blessedly. When he came.

[31:51] To himself. He began. Her to commune. With his own heart. He felt then. The degradation.

[32:02] To which is. Iniquity. Of wounded. He was helpless. He was perishing. He was starving. And if no one appeared.

[32:14] For his help. He must perish. But there was no one. Not sure. In this far country. To which he had gone.

[32:27] To enjoy his life. He found always distress. And despair. What a lesson. This parable sets. Before the world.

[32:39] But especially. Before those. Who have heard of him. Who have learned of him. Who know. From his own word. Those things.

[32:49] That God has declared. Are concerning. Of the sinner. The sinner lost. If he depart from me.

[33:04] I will depart from you. Oh how careful. Wary this should keep us. In our ways. If we are truly fear of God.

[33:17] His departure. Would be to us. The deepest grief of all. And it would be. He began to commune.

[33:27] With himself. And when he came to himself. He said. How many hired servants. Of my fathers. How great enough. In despair. When I perish with hunger. I will arise.

[33:42] And go to my father. And will say unto him. Father. I have sinned.

[33:55] Against heaven. And before me. Take with you words. O Israel. Return unto the Lord thy God.

[34:08] Who has fallen. Take with you words. And turn to the Lord. And what words. More suitable.

[34:20] Could be found. In the heart of a returning. Fallen. Rebellious man. And yet. In whose heart.

[34:31] There dwell. The grace of God. Though hidden deep. Though clouded over. Yet brought to this. State and condition. God be merciful to me.

[34:47] Father. I have sinned. Against heaven. And before thee. And he. Is led. In this.

[34:59] Petition. To put it in. Its right order. Oh. It was not. That he would. Just seek. Forgiveness. For his sin.

[35:11] Oh. In. Temple thing. Against the love. Of his father. That he had abused. No. It was against heaven. That showed.

[35:23] In this confession. In this word. He comes with. That there was a light. That shone with him. An evidence. Of a teaching.

[35:34] Not of man. I have sinned. Against heaven. And before thee. And am no more. Worthy. To be called. Thy son. Make me.

[35:47] As one of thy hired servants. Take with you words. Turn to the Lord. Sigh unto him. Take away.

[35:59] All iniquity. Receive us. Graciously. So will we render. The cause of our life.

[36:13] Well. Without. Inward. Communion. With his own soul. The effect. Oh. Was this. He was turned.

[36:26] He turned about. He sought. Now. That which could bring. True relief. He arose.

[36:37] And he came. To his life. The one. Who would come. Into his mind. And heart. As the only means. Of relief. Of salvation.

[36:50] Of deliverance. From his. Awful state. Of will. Truly. I believe.

[37:00] He fell. He must perish. If he stayed. Where he was. And if he came. To his father. And he rejected him. It was his deserve.

[37:13] But I must go. There was no other way. No other path. Open before him. It was death.

[37:25] Or an hope. Of pardon. An hope. Of life. Through that pardon. And so he arose. And came to his father.

[37:37] And there he was. Watching. He sees. The struggles. That prevail. Between the powers.

[37:47] Of grace. And sin. He kindly listens. While they tell. The bitter pangs. They feel within. This is experience.

[37:59] And it's our mercy. If we know something of it. We may not know it. To the depths. That the prodigal knew it. But if we know it. In sufficiency. That it's turned.

[38:11] Our heart. To seek him. For mercy. Then. You are a favored soul. And because the Lord. Does not impart. That.

[38:22] To every man. This is only a gift. Given. To those. Whom he loves. In his dear son. All that gift.

[38:34] Through his dear son. Is eternal life. Is that. When the soul. To whom that gift. Is given. Cannot perish.

[38:47] The gift. Cannot be destroyed. Eternal life. Is that. Which is bestowed. Eternal life. Is that. Which they shall.

[38:58] Possess. Missed all. Are the strange paths. Though pressed. With fears. On every side. Know not. How the strife.

[39:09] Will end. Yet still. Must come. He arose. And came. To his father. And when he was yet. A great way off.

[39:20] His father saw him. And had compassion. That's so lovely. Compassion. When the Savior knew.

[39:34] The price of pardon. Was his love. That mercy. That mercy. That mercy. Never withdrew. Never took his love. Always.

[39:44] Friend. What shall I do unto thee? What will he do? It will give him a heart. Of repentance. He will turn his feet.

[39:55] To Zion's ways. He will watch him. As he approaches. The mercy seat. And then he will grant him. A touch of divine love.

[40:07] Pardoning mercy. That is what. Is exalted here. He had compassion. He had compassion. And ran. Fell on his neck.

[40:17] And kissed him. And the son said. Father. I have sinned. Against heaven. And in thy sight. I am no more worthy.

[40:29] To be called thy son. But the father would hear no more. He was welcomed. I say unto you.

[40:40] That likewise. Joy shall be in heaven. Over one sinner. That repenteth. More than over ninety and nine. Just persons. Which need.

[40:51] No repentance. Sons. Self righteous. Souls. Will never. Heal this need. Never be brought. Under this divine.

[41:02] Sovereign influence. That causes them. To seek. Pardon. Never know. What it is. To be brought. Into humility.

[41:14] Of spirit. To bear. As the son did now. Before. A loving father. And say. I am not worthy. To be called. Those are. But.

[41:27] You know. As we have read it. And it's familiar to us. The issue. The best robe. The ring on his hand.

[41:38] The shoes on his feet. Receive us graciously. God. The dear Saviour.

[41:55] How. Oh. The dear saviour.

[42:09] ever receives graciously those that come in this right spirit true repentance contrite hearts the Lord loves put it on him put a ring on his hand shoes on his feet bring the fatty calf let us feast let us rejoice for this my son which was lost his family there we have a very clear and beautiful setting forth I feel might be made so to us take with you words seek forgiveness not worthy Lord we must confess of the least of thy mercy especially of thy pardon and mercy but take me to these words God be merciful to me a sinner and that from the heart feeling it knowing it as the prodigal knew it turn to the Lord say unto him take away all iniquity receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips now we do not read particularly in that parable of the rendering of the calves of the lips but this we do read that there was a rejoicing together and I believe there will be a testifying of that mercy for him and that from a soft heart and a full heart because when the Lord gives a contrite heart and broken having broken it he heals it he fills it with his love and when he fills that heart with his love then the very stones would cry were there not a testimony any gift although close his few thoughts may the Lord add his blessing to them and help us encourage us even as we feel our danger now many fears we might cry with the psalmist hold up my goings in thy past that my footsteps slip now works

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