La Mirada Conference: 1986, Our Present Help (12:27)
Address—G.H. Hayhoe
Like to turn first of all, brethren, to the 12TH chapter of Hebrews. And verse 27. And this word yet once more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming. Fire. And then shall we turn to Proverbs chapter 29? Proverbs chapter 29 and verse 18. Where an old vision is, where there is no vision, the people perish. But he that keepeth the law, happy is he. And if you'll turn over to 1St Corinthians chapter 10. 13th verse. There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man. But God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. And in first Peter chapter 5. Verse 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world, but the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. After that ye have suffered a while. Make you perfect, establish strength and settle you. To Him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen. Well, there's some other scriptures I'd like to look at, but what was on my heart this afternoon to speak about was how God allowed the same circumstances to come in our lives as He often allows in the lives of unbelievers, but that we have something that unbelievers do not have in the midst of these things now. That is, they have no one to stand with them and comfort them. They have no help from above like the believer has and they. Have no glorious future ahead. And I believe that this is what sustains us, brethren, in what we are called upon to go through. It is that which makes us a testimony here in this world too. It's the only thing that will give stability to our walk, who will cause our faces to shine, and also will give us a hope laid before us, a sure and certain hope. And so in the first passage that we read, it tells us that everything that can be shaken is going to be shaken. Yes, all the things that seem stable that God has set up in this world are all being shaken today. And I don't think anyone would question that because we see the business world, we find the our health is being shaken too. We find homes are being. In fact, we find even assemblies where trials are coming in, people are let go by friends, and all these things come upon us in our pathway here. But isn't it very blessed that you and I have one that we can turn to? And this is what Christianity really is. It's to know the one who has come down into this world because the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, came into this world. In order to reveal the heart of God, it tells us no man has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him. Yes, there is One who came down into this world to tell out what was in the heart of God. When God created man, it tells us that His delights were with the sons of man. He surrounded him with everything that was for his good and happiness there in the garden. But man chose to rebel. Adam sinned, Eve's sin. They chose their own way and they decided that they were going to take over things here into their own hands. And we see that instead of things improving, as the Bible says.
And the end approaches. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Yes, everything committed into the hands of man breaks down, but where we began there it says that we have a Kingdom which cannot be moved. Everything that is ours in as a result of our faith in Christ is absolutely sure. We are sure of our salvation because it doesn't rest. Upon anything in us, it rests fully and only upon that glorious work accomplished by the Lord Jesus upon the cross of Calvary. I'm not going to be in glory through anything that I have done. It's all because of what the Lord Jesus did. All the promises of God in him are Yeah, and in him Amen to the glory of God by us. So it's all sure. And then too. To have that assurance that the Lord. Jesus gave to his disciples before he left them. He appointed a place and met with them in that mountain in the end of the 28th chapter of Matthew. But it tells us there when he was about to part with them, he said, and lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the age. Whereas another translation puts it, and lo, I am with you all the days. And then how good it is to know that we're waiting, as we have been reminded, for that? Blessed moment when we'll hear the shout and all that we have talked about and sung about will then be a reality. The things that we have been talking about in the meetings will be in that very place where all is perfection and all is eternal joy. As someone else said, if the path of the Christian were 10,000 times harder than it is, it's worthwhile. Because we have something that the world does not have. If there's anyone here who doesn't know the Lord Jesus as Savior, I'm sorry for you. You don't know the blessedness of having salvation, of having Christ in your heart, having the Holy Spirit indwelling you, that love shed abroad in your heart, having a constant resource that you can come to the Lord at any moment and find grace to help in time of need. And then too, that blessed prospect that soon, very soon, we're going. Going to see our Savior, the captain of our salvation, face to face. I say, if you don't know him, you don't know what you're missing. And the only reason that you don't see it is because the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not. Has someone else said you couldn't help but trust him if you knew him? But Satan doesn't want you to know him. He doesn't want you to know what a wonderful savior he is. He doesn't want you to enjoy those things that belong. To the one who believes in Christ. And so I just want to bring this before you, that we have a Kingdom which cannot be moved. If you're in business, it's not very secure. Your home life may not be very secure. Your your health may fail, but what you have in the Lord Jesus Christ is secure, is secure a Kingdom which cannot be moved. And then the practical result is that we want to serve. As it says, with reverence and godly fear, He gives grace for that. But there is a little warning there in that passage. Our God is a consuming fire, and I just want to warn anyone who hasn't received the Lord Jesus. It's not only what you're missing, but oh, instead of your future being bright and glorious, just think of meeting God as a judge. Just think of hearing those words depart from me. He cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. I hope no one here will hear that those words from the lips of the Savior this afternoon. If you haven't heard it before, He's saying, come unto me. Well, Anna tells us in that passage we looked at in Proverbs where no vision is the people perish or cast off restraint and that is if Satan can hinder us, who are Christians from having a vision of that coming glory. If you can get us bowed down with present things that my job is uncertain, my health is going giving way. There's a lot of troubles in the assembly. Our home life is uneven. We can just get you. With all that, then you lose the vision, you lose that hope before you. And that's what he delights to do with us who are Christians. He can't rob us of the glory that's secure. We have a Kingdom which cannot be moved, but he does his best to keep us from enjoying our portion. He knows very well that he can't rob us of it, but He'll bring all kinds of things into our lives so that we get occupied with them instead of with that altogether lovely.
On the Lord Jesus, the Savior, the Friend, the home that awaits us. Well then we also turn to the passage in First Corinthians. It says there is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man. And I say that because I believe it's important to remember that there's no promise that because you are saved, that you're going to be exempted from those things that we have been talking about. Yes, you might lose your job. Yes, you might have problems in your home. The assembly where you live might get upset or your health may give way. Some friends may let you down. Or even the nation in which we live, which, thank God, is. Quite stable at this time there are those who love the Lord Jesus are living in countries where everything's very unstable, yet they love the Lord, but no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man. We have to expect that those kind of things that the world has to meet, we meet too. But I say again, for I want to bring home this point to my own soul and to yours that the difference between the person of the world. In ourselves is that the person of the world has no help, as King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes. He said he beheld the oppressions that are done under the sun and the tears of such as were oppressed and on the side of their oppressors there was power and they had no comforter. They had no comforter, no one to turn to. Oh yes, you can turn to psychology, but you know very well that when the real point comes by, just trying to think positively is not the answer. It doesn't really lift you, but. There is a person, there is one, and he's right there. He holds your hand when you go through the fire, when you're in a difficulty that no one seems to understand. He says I understand, He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are but dust. And then too, how many unsaved people, when they get into these difficulties, it's all darkness ahead. Many there are many more suicides in their. Were because people think that's the way out of trouble, but it's not. It's not. To end your life here if you don't know the Lord as your Savior is only to have something far, far worse. For in this world there are many tokens of God's goodness and kindness. It was said to the rich man who lifted up his eyes in hell. Thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus, a believer. Evil things. But oh, it has all changed around. After he was comforted that his Lazarus was comforted, he died in faith. But the rich man lifted up his eyes in hell. What was all the comforts? What did they all mean? Those comforts that he had in life when he died in his sins, Oh how terrible he. And what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? But I want to say again, if you're facing some trial as a believer, remember that you and I get the same diseases. We have the same problems, we have the same temptations as those of the world. But God shows what He can do in sustaining us and comforting us and in giving us the assurance that it's only but for a moment. Elohim says. But for a moment, this valley of sorrows. Yes, it's only for a moment. And a man who had perhaps more than the average share of trouble, said, our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. He had these afflictions, but his eye was on the glory, he said, having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is very far better. Then we also looked there at the passage in Peter. And in this passage in Peter, it says casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Yes, he cares. It's very nice when you're in a trial, you sometimes say, and I guess we've all said it, nobody is talking to that person. They just never understand. They never seem to see themselves in the position that I'm in.
But there's a person who says these wonderful words. They're so precious to me, He says trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart before him. Isn't that lovely? There's not a person in the world, I don't think that you can fully pour out your heart to that fully understands that fully cares. But isn't it wonderful that the creator of this universe who upholds all things by the word of his power, who has, as it says, all power in heaven and earth says just come into. My presence and you can tell me everything. You can just pour out your heart because I know all about you. I know your weaknesses, I know your friends, I know your business, I know your home. Yes, that's the one. He says pour out your hearts before him, casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. But then he goes on to tell us that we have to watch because the devil doesn't like us to do that. And he likely says in our ear when we're in trouble, He says, why, if God loves you, would he allow that? The Bible doesn't tell you because your Savior not going to have those troubles, He tells you will have them in the world. Ye shall have tribulation. Jesus said unto you, It is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but it sucks. There is no temptation taking you, but such as it is common to man, the same afflictions are accomplished. In your brethren that are in the world, God doesn't promise you and IA smooth path. But I've often said I'd rather go over a rough Rd. in good company than over the finest Rd. in poor company. And if your Rd. is rough, you'll have good company if you have Jesus. Those two on the road to Emmaus were feeling pretty rough. They had lost the one in whom all their hopes were he had been crucified and they didn't know he was risen. They didn't know they had a living Savior. And the Lord Jesus came said, why are you sad? There was a Savior right beside them. The Creator, the upholder of all things was there. And so we have the same afflictions as those that are in the world, but it tells us here in first Peter it says. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, is a roaring lion, walketh the boat, seeking whom he may devour. That is, Satan doesn't want us to enjoy our portion. And sometimes I've heard the application of science of of Satan as a roaring lion in connection with persecution. But as far as I can see in the scripture, Satan is spoken of as the roaring lion in discouragement. I don't know of a scripture that speaks of him as the roaring lion. In connection with persecution because. When Paul and Silas were persecuted and put in prison for the name of Christ, they were singing Satan didn't get the victory, God got the victory and they were just rejoicing because the Lord was with them and the jail keeper got saved and his household got blessed that night. So Satan didn't get the victory. But I want to tell you if Satan succeeded in getting you discouraged, if you're sitting in your seat here this afternoon and saying. Everything's gone wrong in my life and the Lord doesn't seem to help me. Satan's got the victory, He's got the victory. I want to tell you He's there to help you. He's there. He wants to lift your spirit. He looked unto him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed. Sometimes we need to talk to ourselves like the psalmist did in the 42nd Psalm, he said to himself. Why art thou cast down all my soul? And why? Why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. And perhaps you have noticed that in the same Psalm He got some help from the Lord's countenance. And if you read the last verse of that Psalm, there is another verse that is slightly different, but it's very beautiful. A difference it says in the last verse. Why art thou cast down all my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me? Hopefully thou in God. For I shall yet praise him. Listen, who is the health of my countenance and my God. Moses went up onto the mountain pretty discouraged. The people had fallen to the worship of the golden calf, and they were rejecting him. And he felt pretty badly. And I think when he went up there he must have been pretty sad, but he wasn't when he came down.
40 days with the Lord, and the Lord telling him how he had made provisions so that the people could come into His presence. He came down and his face was shining so much that the people had to tell him about his shining face. He didn't know it himself, but they had to tell him. So he put a veil over his face that was shining so much. Oh, you couldn't be in the presence of the Lord without it reflecting in your own countenance. We all with open face beholding. The glory of the Lord are changed into the same image. In our chapter in Romans 12, we've been talking about that. It says be not conformed to this world. Don't think like them. They just get down and they have no one to lift them up. But it tells us be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. And in His presence we are transformed. Brethren, it's the same word that's used for the Mount of Transfiguration. And the Mount of Transfiguration, the Lord Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, was transformed, and his face shone as the sun, and he gave the disciples a little vision of the coming glory. That's what He wants to do for us. He wants to give us a little vision of the coming glory. Well, brethren, I'd like to look at a few passages that have to do with the breakdown of things here. And perhaps the corresponding thing of how the Lord can help us. First of all, let us look at the Prophet Habakkuk. And the last chapter, perhaps I could refer this to business? Because I would like you to notice that God lets us go through all kinds of things where their business failures, the job is terminated, that job or you were banked everything on it. And then finally you get noticed that your job has failed or the business has failed. It's quite a let down. But listen to what Habakkuk says here in the last chapter and the 17th verse. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labor of the olives shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat. The flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind's feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places to the chief singer on my stringed instruments. Quite a few farmers here, and I'm sure that if everything collapsed as badly as this, the fig tree, the vines, the labor of the olive, the crops didn't come and the flock was cut off and there's no herd, you'd say that's a complete collapse of all that you had counted upon for your income. Well, did this make Habakkuk feel totally cast down and say, what's the use? My God doesn't care about me or he wouldn't have allowed. All this to come upon me. What does he say brethren, I'm sure you're thrilled as you read it. He says yet I will rejoice in the Lord. The Lord hadn't failed, business had failed, everything that he had counted on for income had broken down thought, isn't this lovely yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. How could he do it the. Lord God is my strength. Oh, isn't that lovely? He'll give you the strength if you look to Him, if you just look away from those circumstances and know that the one who has allowed those circumstances is the possessor of heaven and earth. All power is given unto Him and heaven and earth. He hasn't yet taken that power, but He'll give you present help in that situation. And what's more? Will point you on to another day. There's another passage, I believe it's in the end of Zephaniah, but it says He will joy over thee with singing, He will rest in His love. Now that is, there's a a day coming when you won't depend upon the crops, you won't depend upon the herd, when you'll be in His blessed presence, and all these things will be matters of the past. But is He sufficient for this time?
Time. Well, I say we have two things the world doesn't have. We have a present resource and we have a prospect, a home above from all defilement free. And when it says he makes my feet like Hinds feet, I like to think of it like that little hind, that little deer. When it comes to an obstacle, you've probably watched it. It comes to perhaps a fairly high fence or Bush or something. You don't have to remove the obstacle for that. That little animal, it just has enough spring in its back feet to just go right over it. Yes, it's got Hines feet and a wonderful spring. Well, you know, that's what the Lord is, enables us to do. He may not remove the obstacle. The oil may fail. Maybe there is no herd in the stall. He doesn't promise that he's going to put them back there, but he says, I'll give you the strength to rise above it. To us, that strength. And so we see perhaps we could say the collapse of that which we might call our income or our business. There may be some right here. And perhaps you say, well, I just got noticed that our company is going to fold up or something's happened and you're really upset because you don't have a real security in your job, but you have the Lord. And he'll give you the strength and then more. He'll give you a prospect for an old vision is the people perish, but you and I have a vision, a vision of coming glory that is as sure as God himself because those promises are yeah and Amen in him. Well, then perhaps we could turn to another one that perhaps would represent the family, and that's in the book of Job. I don't think I need to read all the verses here about Job because probably most of us are acquainted with it. But. The 13th verse of the first chapter. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, and there came a messenger unto Job and said the oxen were plowing, and the *** is feeding beside them. And the Sabeans fell upon them and took them away. The 16th verse While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, The fire of God has fallen from heaven, and had burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them. 17th verse. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away. Yeah, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only. Am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house. And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young man, and they are dead. And I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose and read his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. I don't think there could be a greater family collapse than that. I don't think any of us can hardly visualize such a thing happening as losing all your wealth and worst of all, all his ten children in one day bad enough to lose one or two. Lost all his ten children in one day. All you say there's so much trouble in our family. This one, that one was you just had so many troubles. Job lost, oh, his family in one day. On top of this is wealth. Did he have any support in this? Must he say, as Satan said he would, that he would curse God and die? Or even, sad to say, his wife said to him that he should curse God and die? There was no use, He said. God had turned against him. God hadn't turned against him. God had greater blessing in store for him.
And I say, if there's anyone here and you're going through home problems, think about Job. Ask yourself if it's quite as bad as what happened to Job, and just think the Lord has allowed it. I think this is most wonderful. What Job could say, the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away. Paul was a prisoner in a Roman prison, and this is what he said. I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ. He didn't call himself the prisoner of Nero or the prisoner of the Roman government. He called himself the prisoner of Jesus Christ. He had a presence, support. He even said later on, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. He had one to lean upon, and so are you. You will never get lower than the everlasting arms. They're always underneath. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And what was this hope? I know that by Redeemer Liveth, and I shall see him in a latter day. Mine eyes will behold him for myself and not another. Was he supported? Did he have help? Would you have the same person? And you really know him in a better way than Job did because he's been revealed in a much fuller way in Christianity. So if business has failed, something's happened and you just feel so distraught and cast down about your family, just think God has recorded this. It's common to man didn't just happen in your family, it's happened in other families too. But you have someone to support you, and you have a glorious hope ahead, a hope that you're going to see that one. And God blessed Job in the end. And it tells us that God gave him twice as much as he had before. And then it tells us he had ten children here, and he just had ten children afterwards. Why didn't God give him twice as many children? Well, I think I'm going to meet the whole family of job and. Heaven, I really believe so and so 10 just went ahead and the other 10 followed afterwards. I believe that when God brings things, it's wonderful. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house. Don't count on yourself for your own training, count on God. Seek to be faithful, but remember the blessing comes from Him. Then let's turn over to something that might happen in the assembly. 3rd Epistle of John. John is addressing here what he did to the assembly, the ninth verse of the Third Epistle of John. I wrote unto the Church about the atrophies, who loveth to have the preeminence among them receiveth us not. Perhaps, you say, I wouldn't like to live in an assembly where there was a dominating person like that. Perhaps there is an assembly that has a kind of a dominating person was gay as to give up, because this was the condition. Let's notice that the first here in the third verse. But I rejoice greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth. Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren and to strangers. I'm just reading this, brethren, because I think all of us have a little tendency when things develop in the assembly that become very distressing and upsetting. We we sort of feel like giving up. We say it's no use, but I think it's very lovely to see in this assembly where there was a domineering character called the Autrophies, that here was a man who didn't get discouraged by it. He sought to go on and bring up his family. And John could say, I rejoice, your children are walking in the truth. Remember, I may say this to fathers. If you get discouraged, your children are going to get discouraged too. But if you show a spirit of rising above the situation, it's going to be a blessing to your children. I don't like to speak about my own home, but I can say that about my father, that no matter what happened in the assembly, he rose above it in his soul. And I believe that's the secret. Brethren, there's many assemblies that are having difficulties and troubles today, and they're quite depressing too at times. But may we not give up going on for the Lord? And do it. What present hope do we have? Well, I like that verse. In the second kings, we haven't time to turn to it, but when a division came in, in the time of King Rehoboam, the Lord gave a very reassuring word. He said, I'll preserve a light in Jerusalem for my servant David's sake. And that's always been an encouragement to me. Brethren, difficulties come, divisions come.
How is the testimony preserved? We have a faithful God. Count upon him. Look to him in the midst of trial and he won't fail. He is going to have a light. For whose sake? Well, we know David pictures the Lord Jesus, and for his beloved son's sake he's going to preserve a testimony. Not because I'm faithful, because I'm not always faithful, but for my servant David's sake, he said alight. There, and he's going to preserve it. May we not get discouraged when the difficulties come. And do we have a vision? Yes, I love that passage in Ephesians 5. The church will be presented A glorious church without having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. And next time you feel just cast down about those situations that trouble you and cause you sadness. And just look on and think how the Lord is going to rejoice when he has the whole. Redeem company around them, and not one fault in the whole company. A glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. We have a vision, brethren, a vision of coming glory. Well then, our health might fail. Let's turn to Romans chapter 8. Verse 22. And we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together. Until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves grown within ourselves. Waiting for the adoption to with the redemption of our body. For we are saved by or in hope. But hope that is seen as not hope. For what a man seeth whiteth he yet hoped for. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities. God has allowed a lot of his people to get sick, very serious sicknesses, and as we hear about them, our hearts are bowed in sorrow because remembers one of another. But are we like the world? When the world faces sickness, they don't have someone to turn to. But I think this is so beautiful. The Spirit helps our infirmities. He helps and doesn't say he'll remove them, but He helps them. And so in the midst of these infirmities, why we can get help. And it's very lovely to see a person who is going through something where the Lord doesn't remove the infirmity and what is sustaining. What is making them happy? They're getting help. They're getting help. And so it says the Spirit helps our infirmities. There may be somebody sitting here in the meeting this afternoon and you feel just miserable as far as your health is concerned. But I'm sure that if the Spirit of God has occupied you with the Lord Jesus and reminded you that he's there and He knows all about your problems and He's there to help you, that it's helped you. To rise above that weakness of body, He helps our infirmities, and He makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. That sympathy isn't awfully nice. When someone comes that you feel really understands how you feel, enters right into it with you, well, you have such a friend. You have such a friend, one who's above, who walked through this world. Felt sorrow like no other person ever felt sorrow. Felt pain like no other person ever felt pain. And that's the one who says he's he's there to supply grace to help in time of need. So we're in trouble. The world's in trouble too, even with health. But we have help, we have support. We have one who understands the document. I understand the Lord does, the Lord does. He knows our frame. And do we have a promise of deliverance? Do we just have to look forward to death? No, brethren, we're waiting for the redemption of the body. As our brother said here a few moments ago in the other meeting, it might be this very afternoon. That every sick believer will have a body of glory. Fashioned like Christ's glorious body. They're not going to see any of those ones that have gone before who have passed away because of a weak body that was completely worn out under suffering and trial. I'm going to see them in all the likeness of Jesus that day.
What a prospect. Isn't it worthwhile to be a Christian? Isn't it wonderful to belong to such a Savior and to know what do we have more than the world, you say? We share the same sicknesses, we share the same problems, but they can't share what we have. Help in the midst of it all, and the assurance that it's not forever. There's a final deliverance that is coming. Well, then we might have friends that disappoint us, perhaps you. Just look at that for a minute in Psalm 55. Verse 12. For it was not an enemy that reproached me then I could have borne it. Neither was it he that hated me, that did magnify himself against me. Then I would have hid myself from him. But it was thou. A man mine equal, my guide and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked into the House of God in company. Has some friend let you down? Somebody you really counted on? You never thought that friend would fail you? Well, there's another friend that will never fail you. That's the Lord Jesus. God lets us go through these experiences. Earthly friends may prove untrue. Doubts and fears assail. 1 still loves and cares for you, and he will not fail. That person who is the friend that sticks closer than a brother and who does more, who calls you his friend. That's one of the greatest thrills to me. I can easily talk about myself being a friend of the Lord Jesus, but that He should call me His friend is almost beyond anything. I can understand that. He would call me His friend and He'll never fail. He'll never. Even our failures don't change that loving care and concern that He has for us. And then what a glorious day it will be. When all those who are his friends are introduced into the. Father's house, listen to these words. Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Just as though when we entered heaven, the Lord introduces us into that glorious home and says, Here are my friends, These are the children that God has given to me. Well, it does hurt when some friend lets you down. The Lord Jesus felt it terribly when Judas was so untrue and when Peter denied him. But oh, how blessed for us. He'll never leave us nor forsake us. Well, and we know too that nations may fail. I won't turn to the scripture. We know a nation shall rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom. We can expect to see the breakdown even of nations and see those nations that once were considered stable see things beginning to crumble. But all there's a day coming when the Lord Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has. Place. But what does our present help? Do we have to try and arrange some kind of a way of stabilizing the government? Oh no, brethren, the most high rules in the Kingdom of man, you and I have one. Is the government being a little unstable? Do we feel sometimes that things that are allowed or that pass are not just what they should be? Well, isn't it lovely to know that there is one who is above and he sees all that? And he's in control. He's in control. He said, all power is given unto me. And heaven on in earth, there's not a law can be passed. There's not a ruler can assume his place without the Lord knowing. And when difficulties come like they did in the time of Daniel, and he was put in a position where he was expected to do something that he felt he couldn't do. Why he? Continued But he counted upon God, and God took care of him. God took care of him, and he's able to take care of us too. He'll never leave us. He made us go through the fire, but he'll be with us in the fire. And is there a day coming when everything will be set right in the nations? Yes, the Lord Jesus is going to reign. And you read in the end of the 21St chapter of Revelations. That all the nations will come up to Jerusalem to worship the king. Oh, there's. Wonderful day coming. Everything's going to be set right.
Every problem, whether it's in the home or whether it's your health or whether it's in the assembly or whatever the problem may be, everything's going to be set right another day. That's our hope. But more than that, brethren, let's not forget it. We have present hope in every one of those situations. And if there are any who find themselves in some of these situations, perhaps your business or your health or the assemblies in problems or. Some friends let you down or something like this. Remember, you're not without a true friend, a true helper. May we turn to him with that confidence of faith. And I just want to give you that verse I mentioned to the young people last night in Hebrews 1035. It says cast not away there for your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. I often say I marvel at that because. I I wondered that the Lord would reward me for being confident. It's only what I should be. But he says I value that confidence and if you'll just trust me, I'm actually going to reward you for trusting me. It's all that we should do, but there will be a reward. Well, may the Lord encourage us brethren, to go on in the pathway of faith. He's not going to fail us all the way.