Preached on 29th April, 1883.
(Taken down by a Hearer.*)
* These outlines were issued in leaflet form by one of the Daviot congregation. They are slightly revised, but with no material alteration.—Ed.
I.—Their Character—They “feared the Lord;”
II.—Their Conduct—”They spake often one to another;”
III.—The Listener—”The Lord hearkened and heard;”
• IV.—The Record—”A book of remembrance was written before him, etc.”
I.—Their Character—They “feared the Lord.”
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The fear of the Lord was the Old Testament term for genuine piety. Such persons, under the New Testament, were called disciples or believers. The knowledge of Christ and the Gospel, as then revealed, wrought effectually by the power of the Spirit upon men’s hearts to cleave to God, to fear Him, and to depart from evil. They were to be spared, “when wrath burned as an oven,” (chapter 4), and they spoke of it together in evil times beforehand. Surely a wise, beneficial practice—a safe example to follow.
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Godliness then was called the fear of the Lord, because the Spirit of adoption was not so abundantly given to believers, as under the New Testament. “The Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Christ was not yet glorified.” It was meet that when Christ himself received the fulness of the Spirit, the Church should receive more of this sweet blessing. Precious grace! implanted in the heart by the Spirit of all grace. A promise of the New Testament Church, “I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication.”—(Zech. 12, 10.) It was a time of pouring then!
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They feared the Lord, not man. Christ said—”I will show you whom to fear,” etc. The more of His love in the heart, the more will they fear to offend Him. “Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king; but if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods.” They stand in awe of the judgments which may befall the Church and the world because of sin. This fear implies the true knowledge of God, love to God, and fear of His holiness and goodness. “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.” How ready are we to be cowed by the fear of man!
II.—Their Conduct—”They spake often one to another.”
It appears they knew each other, which the world will deny. If another is within reach, they will find him. Grace has an affinity for grace. “He honoureth them that fear God.”—(Ps. 15, 4.) This is the qualification grace looks for—not whether they be rich or noble. It was said to the imbecile, Angus Macleod, “You might well wonder, Angus, that Mr. Lillingston brought you into his dining-room.” “Ah,” was the reply, “he might wonder that he ever got the grace to humble him so to act.” There was a time when “the Lord was coming to his temple”—a time of high-handed iniquity. Even in such a time the Lord had a few who felt for His cause and for His glory.
They loved one another, and held meetings, to talk together of the state of the Lord’s cause, to enquire of Him by prayer, and to mourn for the backsliding of the Church. Such meetings are highly profitable and mutually edifying—greatly called for in our day!
Such will speak of the gracious experiences of the divine life in the soul. You can only speak of that to one who fears the Lord—others cannot understand it. “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul.”—(Psalm lxvi. 16.) Oh, I should like to hear you on the subject. The Lord’s people are ready to forget the sweet seasons they have had and the truths which revived their hope. In order to that, they must have their memories quickened by the Holy Ghost, which is one of His offices. “But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, which the Father shall send in my name, shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.”—(John xiv. 26.) How ready to forget what He said, owing to their infirmities and cares, and trusting too much to their own memory and understanding! How often was Christ away, before you understood what His teaching meant! Oh, what need of this work of the Spirit, as well as His comforting and sanctifying! Consider your helplessness and need, and He will bring to your remembrance, and then the truth is as warm and fresh as ever in your heart. Do you pray for the Spirit as a Remembrancer?
It is the same with regard to the dispensations of the Lord’s providence. We are deeply moved by some trying dispensation, and ready to suppose we shall never forget this. But how soon the impression becomes dim, except the Spirit affect us with it anew! It was after a long interval Jacob said to his household—”Let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.”—(Gen. xxxv. 3.) His doings are intended to be remembered.
III.—The Listener—”The Lord hearkened and heard.”
How little is this considered, what is fit to be spoken before God and even before men! Is what you say fit for you to utter, fit for God to hear? This ought to be a restraint upon tongues on Sabbath and week-days. Do we live under the belief that men shall render an account for every idle word spoken? The Lord noticed a conversation going on—for His love is upon these people, and He will observe all that is said by them. He listened and heard every word distinctly. He might listen long before He heard anything good spoken of Himself in many a family. “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another as ye walk, and are sad?”—(Luke xxiv. 17.) They were the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Take heed, man, what He hears from you. He hears enough about the world and vanity, but little about Himself. “If ye see him, tell him I am sick of love.” Oh, He knows it. There is nothing done to His people but He will hear. “Jesus heard that they had cast Him out.” Whoever tells it, He hears all.
What reason have we all to feel ashamed, and lie low in the dust, for what we have uttered amiss before Him! O, that we had spoken more of the Eternal King’s beauty and love—more about His sufferings and death—pouring out His soul on “the cross” unto death. If we felt this aright, our talk would oftener turn upon the grand theme of “the cross.”
• IV.—The Record—”A book of remembrance was written before him, etc.”
It seems that the Listener thought what He heard worthy to be written down and recorded. He keeps a book, then, the book of His remembrance, and they have a book. His book is “for them.” A book between Him and them is kept.
He gives them the book of conscience to keep, which at present is but an imperfect copy of the book of His remembrance. However, we can efface nothing from it, though in our own keeping. When conscience is touched by omnipotent power, it then faithfully records for or against us.
But there is many a thing in their book against themselves, which is not in God’s book. The foul deeds and sins of youth, which you remember, have been blotted out of God’s book, if you have come to the blood of Christ with them. “I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy transgressions,” etc.—(Isaiah xliv. 22.) He will not leave the awful debt standing against them, when forgiven. “In those days, and at that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none,” etc.—(Jeremiah i. 20.)
God’s book is written for them, i.e., on their behalf. Their good things are written in it, because they are ready to forget them themselves. “Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee?”—(Matt. xxv. 37.) Ah, the cup of cold water will be recorded. Every good word and good thought for Christ is there. The time of their espousals to Christ is in this register; and where and when converted.—(Acts xvii. 34; Psalm lxxxvii. 4.)
Every injury done to them is noted in the book. He hath a bottle for their tears and a book for their sorrows. “Put my tears into thy bottle; are they not in thy book?” Every kindness done to them is remembered; so the benefactors will not be losers.
But here we see, the Lord exerciseth the faith of His people in this life. Matters written in a book are not for immediate settlement. “The just shall live by faith;” the formalist from hand to mouth. They often pray and see little appearance of being heard—they suffer and seem to be forgotten. Ah! but it comes to the same thing, or rather better for you; your prayers and deeds are recorded, and will surely be answered in the Lord’s good time. “The book of records of the chronicles” was read before King Ahasuerus. Mordecai’s good deed for the king turned up; and the king said—”What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this?” “Nothing.” But the deed was recorded, and now Mordecai begins to reap the reward.—(Esther vi.) Be not discouraged, dear believer, your wrong is not forgotten, your prayer is not forgotten, it shall be heard. He has a tear of yours in His bottle, a wrong of yours in His book! It will turn up to your account. If He do not openly reward you with temporal deliverance, you shall soon have the comfort of it before His throne. O brethren, He is now hearing and booking.
Their thoughts are recorded; “that thought upon his name.” Why the thoughts? Because there is, perhaps, more grace, more of Christ in your thoughts than in any service you ever gave Him outwardly. Take heed to your thoughts. Some of your thoughts are more performed by the Holy Ghost than any outward obedience rendered. The best service ever given to Christ has not come up to the desire in your thoughts. “But the Lord said to David, forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart.”—(2 Chron. vi. 8.) “I will take that for the building.” David’s thoughts were as good in the estimation of the Lord as Solomon’s temple in all its glory. The thoughts of your heart are “your treasure.”
Inferences.—(1) We are deeply concerned to order our thoughts and words before the Lord. (2) His infinite delight in His people, and the care exercised over their interests. (3) Their “Advocate” faithfully records their prayers and their trials, and will plead them on their behalf.