Let us worship God, let us sing to his praise from Psalm 34 in Sing Psalms.
It's on page number 40 of the Blue Psalm book, verses 1 to 10, Psalm 34.
At all times I will bless the Lord, I'll praise him with my voice, because I glory in the Lord, let troubled souls rejoice.
Together let us praise the Lord, exalt his name with me. I sought the Lord, his answer came, from fear she set me free.
They look to him and shine with joy, they are not put to shame.
This suffering man cried to the Lord, from him deliverance came.
The angel of the Lord surrounds and guards continually all those who fear and honour him.
He sets his people free.
Come, taste and see, the Lord is good, who trusts in him is blessed.
O fear the Lord, you saints, with need he will not be oppressed.
Young lions may grow weak and faint and hunger for their food, but those who wait upon the Lord will not lack any good.
These stances of Psalm 34 from Sing Psalms to God's praise.
At all times I will bless the Lord.
I'll praise him with my voice.
Because I glory in the Lord, let troubled souls rejoice.
Together let us praise the Lord, exalt his name with me.
I sought the Lord, his answer came, from fear she set me free.
They look to him and shine with joy, they are not put to shame.
This suffering man died to the Lord, from him deliverance came.
The angel of the Lord surrounds and guards continually all those who fear and honour him.
He sets his people free.
Come, taste and see, the Lord is good, who trusts in him is blessed.
O fear the Lord, you saints, with need he will not be oppressed.
Young lions may grow weak and faint and hunger for their food, but those who wait upon the Lord will not lack any good.
Now let us bow our heads in prayer.
Let us call on the Lord's name in prayer.
Lord, we thank you this evening for this wonderful privilege that is ours,
in being able to gather in this way in the courts of your house.
Give us to rejoice as the psalmist of old expressed his voice of thanksgiving when he said,
I joyed when to the house of God go up.
They said to me, Jerusalem within thy gates, our feet shall standing be.
And we find that in this particular psalm we have just been singing,
that God has so filled the psalmist's heart that he says at all times I will bless the Lord.
I'll praise him with my voice.
And give us this evening to be like the psalmist of old,
to bless the Lord,
to honour you in our minds,
and to honour you in our actions,
and to seek to magnify your great name.
You are deserving of all our adoration and praise.
And give us this evening unitedly
to praise the Lord with all of our hearts.
We thank you also, Lord,
that the psalmist was able to look back upon his life
and to relate to us
that he sought the Lord
and that he answered him.
And we praise you that that is still the case
with your people who seek you earnestly
and in truth,
that they will find you.
The Lord Jesus,
in teaching his disciples how to pray,
directed them to ask
and it would be given to them.
Seek and they would find
to knock
and that the door be opened unto them.
So may we also, Lord,
be able to call upon your name in truth this evening
in the secrecy of our hearts
or audibly.
We thank you that you're able
to hear the prayers of your people
and answer them even beyond
their askings and expectations.
We thank you this evening
for the word of God,
which we have in our possession,
the infallible and inerrant scriptures
of the Old and the New Testament.
And we thank you that this is the rule
you have given to direct us
how we may glorify and enjoy you.
And give us to have our ears opened
to what the word of God says.
And give us to have our eyes opened
to behold the glory of the Lord
as he is revealed in the scriptures.
The entrance of your words gives light
and may be so with us this evening
as we gather around your word
and as we seek to worship you.
May we not be left in darkness.
And that's the way we are by nature.
Sin has benighted us
and darkened us
in our affections
and in our thinking.
But without
your own intervention by grace,
we would remain in that
darkened and
hopeless situation.
But we thank you, Lord,
that when you speak
and you say,
let there be light.
light.
And you said that
at the beginning of creation.
And you say it still
in the experience of your people.
When you command the light
to shine out of darkness
in their experience.
And that they might see
the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ.
May that be true
with each one of us here
this evening.
We thank you for this congregation.
We pray for your blessing upon them.
every individual gathered here
this evening
and every home represented.
Every situation and circumstance.
All are known to you.
And we pray that you would bless
those who are in particular need.
Those who may be asking questions
and who cannot find answers.
We ask, Lord,
that you would answer their questions.
Those who are in darkness
seeking light.
That you would command
light to shine.
scattering their darkness.
Those who are weak
and heavy laden.
We ask that you would come
and lighten their burden
with a word of encouragement.
And by the hand of your Holy Spirit
upon them.
Remember the preaching of the gospel
in this congregation
and all of our congregations.
We thank you that the word of God
goes forth.
And we pray that the spirit
will accompany it.
and as it goes forth
into the minds and hearts
of our people
that will bear much fruit
even unto holiness
and the end everlasting life.
We pray for the minister
of this congregation
that you would bless him
in every aspect of his work
in the congregation.
And bless all the ministers of grace
throughout our presbytery,
throughout our land
and to the ends of the earth.
May the power of the gospel
be known.
And may the darkness
be dispelled.
And may a time of renewal
and refreshing
and revival come
into our midst
as a people.
Lord, remember our own nation.
A nation that has
to a great extent
turned its back upon the Lord
upon God's word.
We ask, Lord,
that you would have mercy upon us.
Forgive us this great sin of ours.
And come back to us, we ask.
Building up again
the walls that are broken down
and building up your church
among us as a people.
We pray for your blessing
to be upon those who are ill,
laid aside during these days.
We ask that you would heal them.
Remember those who have had
bad news
over past days and weeks.
We pray, O Lord,
that you would bless them.
And those who have
bereavements and heartbreaks
of various kinds.
We ask that you would remember
them in love
and strengthen them
in the face of all adversity.
We pray for your blessing
to be upon us
as a community
during these days coming
with the local government elections.
We ask that people would vote wisely
and that your own name
would be honoured
in everything that is to be done
in relation to local government
and national government.
That people would seek first
the kingdom of God
and his righteousness,
knowing that all other things
will then be added unto them.
We pray for your blessing
upon these parts of the world
where there is turmoil
and strife
and where there is war
and where there is bloodshed.
O Lord, we pray
that you would graciously intervene
in these situations
and that the power of evil
would be broken
and that righteousness
with peace
would be established.
We pray for your blessing now
to be upon us,
each one according to our needs.
Lead us and guide us
as we read your word
and as we meditate upon it
and as we sing your praise together
and forgive every sin we pray.
In Jesus' precious name we ask it.
Amen.
We'll now read together
from the Old Testament scriptures
and the book of Deuteronomy
and at chapter 8.
Deuteronomy and chapter 8.
I'm reading at the beginning.
The whole commandment
that I command you today
you shall be careful to do
that you may live and multiply
and go in and possess the land
that the Lord swore to give
to your fathers.
And you shall remember
the whole way
that the Lord your God
has led you
these forty years
in the wilderness
that he might humble you
testing you to know
what was in your heart
whether you would keep
his commandments or not.
And he humbled you
and let you hunger
and fed you with manna
which you did not know
nor did your fathers know
that he might make you know
that man does not live
by bread alone
but man lives
by every word
that comes from
the mouth of the Lord.
Your clothing did not
wear out on you
and your foot did not swell
these forty years.
Know then
in your heart
that as a man
disciplines his son
the Lord your God
disciplines you
so you shall keep
the commandments
of the Lord your God
by walking in his ways
and by fearing him
for the Lord your God
is bringing you
into a good land
land of brooks
of water
of fountains
and springs
flowing out
in the valleys
and hills
a land of wheat
and barley
of vines
and fig trees
and pomegranates
a land of olive trees
and honey
a land in which
you will eat bread
without scarcity
in which you will
lack nothing
a land whose stones
are iron
and out of whose hills
you can dig copper
and you shall eat
and be full
and you shall bless
the Lord your God
for the good land
he has given you.
Take care
lest you forget
the Lord your God
by not keeping
his commandments
and his rules
and his statutes
which I command you
today
lest when you have
eaten and are full
and have built
good houses
and live in them
and when your herds
and flocks
multiply
and your silver
and gold
is multiplied
and all that you have
is multiplied
then your heart
be lifted up
and you forget
the Lord your God
who brought you
out of the land
of Egypt
out of the house
of slavery
who led you
through the great
and terrifying wilderness
with its fiery serpents
and scorpions
and thirsty ground
where there was
no water
who brought you water
out of the flinty rock
who fed you
in the wilderness
with manna
that your fathers
did not know
that he might
humble you
and test you
to do you good
in the end
beware lest you say
in your heart
my power
and the might
of my hand
have gained me
this wealth
you shall remember
the Lord your God
for it is he
who gives you power
to get wealth
that he may confirm
his covenant
that he swore
to your fathers
as it is
this day
and if you forget
the Lord your God
and go after
other gods
and serve them
and worship them
I solemnly warn you
today
that you shall
surely perish
like the nations
that the Lord makes
to perish before you
so shall you perish
because you would not
obey the voice
of the Lord
your God
Amen
and may God bless
to us
that reading
from his holy word
and to his name
be all the praise
let us further praise
his name
this time
from Psalm 31
in sing Psalms
Psalm 31
and verses 1 to 8
in you I have taken
refuge Lord
you are my shelter
in distress
oh let me never
be ashamed
but save me
in your righteousness
Lord turn your ear
to hear my cry
come quickly
to deliver me
and be my rock
and firm defense
my stronghold
and security
you are my fortress
and my rock
for your namesake
be my sure guide
preserve me
from the trap
that's set
you are the refuge
where I hide
redeem me Lord
oh God of truth
my spirit
I commit
to you
I hate all those
who trust false gods
I trust the Lord
for he is true
I will rejoice
and take delight
in all the love
that you have shown
for my affliction
you have seen
to you
my soul's distress
is known
you have not
left me
to my foe
or given me
into his hand
but you have set
my feet within
a spacious place
where I may stand
these stanzas
of Psalm 31
from sing Psalms
verses 1 to 8
in you I have taken
refuge Lord
in you I have taken
refuge Lord
you are thy shelter
in distress
oh let me never
are being ashamed
but save me
in your righteousness
Lord turn good ear
to hear my cry
come quickly to deliver me
and be my rock
and firm defense
my stronghold
and security
you are my fortress
and my God
for your name
save me
my sure guide
preserve me
from the trap
that's set
you are the refuge
where I hide
redeem me
Lord
O God
of truth
my spirit
I
commit
to you
I
hate
the Lord
who trust
us
God
I trust
the Lord
on me
is true
I will
rejoice
and take
delight
in all the love
that you
have shown
for my
affliction
you
have seen
to you
my soul's
distress
is old
you
have
not
let me
do
to you
my soul
forgiven
me
into
his hand
but you
have set
my feet
within
a
spacious
place
when I
miss
his hand
now as the
Lord enables
us let us
turn to the
Song of Solomon
and chapter
eight
Song of Solomon
and chapter
eight
and reading
at verse
five
this question
who is
that
coming
up
from the
wilderness
leaning
upon
her
beloved
Song of Solomon
and chapter
eight
and the
first part
of verse
five
who is
that
coming up
from the
wilderness
leaning
on her
beloved
in
Deuteronomy
chapter
eight
where we
read
together
we have
brought
before us
there
a
summary
I suppose
one could
say
of the
wilderness
experiences
of the
children of
Israel
during the
days of
Moses
and
many years
after that
Solomon
was moved
by the
Lord
to write
this particular
song
the song
of Solomon
among others
he wrote
this song
which is
the song
of songs
as it
says
at the
beginning
in other
words
it must
be the
number one
song
that Solomon
wrote
he wrote
1005 songs
and he wrote
3000 proverbs
songs
but this
seems to
be the
number one
song that
he wrote
under the
direction and
leading of the
Holy Spirit
of God
and it's a
song of
love
the word
love is
used 26
times
throughout
this
fairly short
book of the
song of Solomon
and there
are
expressions
of love
made between
a man
and a
woman
in chapter
4 for
example
at verse
1
he says
behold
you are
beautiful
my love
and in
chapter 5
verse 16
she says
that he
is altogether
lovely
and between
these
two kind
of statements
there are
expressions
of love
given
throughout
the whole
of the
song of
Solomon
now the
song of
Solomon
has been
variously
described
but
as far
as we
can understand
it
from a
scriptural
and
spiritual
point of
view
it is
an
allegory
that
brings
before
us
the
love
between
Christ
and
the
believer
Christ
and his
people
so when
we go
back to
chapter 4
verse 1
Jesus
says
behold
you are
beautiful
my love
Christ
is saying
of his
people
they are
beautiful
and then
in chapter
516
she says
you are
altogether
lovely
you are
altogether
lovely
and in
the middle
of all
of these
expressions
of love
we find
this
question
asked
in chapter
8
at verse
5
who is
that
coming up
from the
wilderness
leaning
upon
her
beloved
although
there is
this
marvelous
love
relationship
between
the
believer
and
his
or her
Lord
there is
also
a wilderness
experience
that is
mentioned
in this
verse
what does
that mean
a wilderness
experience
well when
John Bunyan
starts
writing his
marvelous book
the pilgrim's
progress
he speaks
about
him walking
in the
wilderness
of this
world
and by
that he
describes
this
fallen
world
in which
we live
a world
that has
nothing
spiritually
beneficial
for us
it is
a world
where sin
dominates
it is a
world
that has
so many
hindrances
to those
traveling to
the celestial
city
it is a
world
that's got
darkness
and animosity
and
unspirituality
and godlessness
and the
question
is asked
against
that
background
who is
that
coming up
from the
wilderness
leaning
on her
beloved
and just
like to say
two or three
things under
three headings
as this
verse I
believe
speaks
of the
believer
the church
of Christ
coming up
from the
wilderness
leaning
upon
the arm
of Christ
leaning upon
her beloved
first point
is the
church
her
location
she's
in
the
wilderness
secondly
her
heading
in other
words
what direction
is she
traveling
and it
says here
that she
is coming
up
from the
wilderness
and thirdly
her posture
as she
travels
up
out of
this
wilderness
it says
that she
is leaning
upon
her beloved
just three
things
her location
her direction
of travel
and
her posture
her location
Solomon
says
that she
is
coming up
from the
wilderness
that's where
she is
in the
wilderness
when you
go back
to the
book of
Exodus
you find
that
when the
Lord
took his
people
out of
the land
of Egypt
with all
the tyranny
and slavery
they experienced
there
he led
them
into the
wilderness
and they
spent 40
years
in the
wilderness
before they
actually reached
the land
of Canaan
that was
flowing
with milk
and honey
but the
church is
in the
wilderness
and what
is the
reason for
that
why
has the
Lord
taken her
into the
wilderness
well it
says in
the prophecy
of Hosea
I will
allure her
and bring
her into
the wilderness
and here
we have
the church
in the
wilderness
because the
Lord
has taken
her there
why
well
going back
to Deuteronomy
chapter 8
we see
that there
are reasons
mentioned
in that
particular
chapter
for which
the Lord
brought
the church
into the
wilderness
see for
example
at
chapter 8
and verse 2
you shall
remember
the whole
way that
the Lord
your God
has led
you these
40 years
in the
wilderness
that he
might
humble
you
testing
you
to know
what was
in your
heart
whether you
would keep
his commandments
or not
and he
humbled you
and let
you hunger
and fed
you with
manna
and so on
the Lord
brought the
church
into the
wilderness
that he
might
humble
her
that she
might not
be
self-sufficient
that she
might not
be
focusing
upon
herself
and
feel that
she is
able to
make her
own way
in her
own
strength
no
she
was
in some
respects
totally
impoverished
in the
wilderness
she was
taken
to realize
that she
was totally
dependent
upon the
Lord
for everything
and those
of us
who have
come to
realize
that
we have
understood
a real
lesson
about
ourselves
we have
nothing
to commend
us
we have
no
resources
of our
own
to make
our way
through
this
wilderness
into
the
heavenly
Canaan
we are
totally
dependent
upon
the
Lord
himself
they
were
dependent
on him
for the
manna
that they
had to
go and
collect
every day
apart from
the
Sabbath
day
they were
dependent
upon him
for the
water
from the
rock
and Moses
had to
be
commanded
to strike
the rock
and the
water
gushed
forth
they were
dependent
upon the
Lord
for
directing
them
because he
gave them
a pillar
of cloud
by day
and a
pillar of
fire
by night
and they
were only
allowed to
move
when the
pillar of
cloud
moved
and stopped
when the
pillar of
cloud
stopped
they
were
humbled
into
servanthood
and
commit
themselves
to the
Lord
who was
able to
do all
things
for them
and they
were also
tested
this is
still
Deuteronomy
8
verse 2
that he
might humble
you
testing you
to know
what was
in your
heart
he brought
them into
that
situation
to show
them
their own
limitations
to show
them
how sinful
they were
to show
them how
unable
they were
to do
anything
to extricate
themselves
from the
many trials
and afflictions
that came
their way
in the
wilderness
journey
and
isn't
that still
true
in the
experience
of those
whom the
Lord calls
to himself
he brings
them into
a wilderness
experience
to prove
to them
how
inadequate
they
themselves
are
without
his grace
they are
humbled
so that
they come
day by
day
in prayer
begging
for grace
begging
for mercy
begging
for strength
begging
for spiritual
food
begging
for everything
because nothing
in their
hands
can they
bring
and also
not only
does he
still humble
us but he
tests us
he shows
us
the amount
of dross
that we
have
in our
lives
the impurities
of our
hearts
he shows
us
there are
so many
things
in our
secret
lives
that are
of no
consequence
that are
really
offensive
to the
Lord
when the
word of
God
shines
into our
heart
he shows
us
how impure
we are
when he
shows us
our
motives
we see
how
far
they are
from being
just
and noble
he proves
to us
that we
are sinners
day by
day
we are
in a
wilderness
situation
but then
he goes
on
in chapter
8 in
Deuteronomy
at verse
15
he brings
something
else
before
us
who
led
you
through
the
great
and
terrifying
wilderness
with
its
fiery
serpents
and
scorpions
not
only
is he
dealing
with us
in the
inner
man
humbling
us
and
showing
us
how
inadequate
and
sinful
we
are
but
we
are
surrounded
by
various
dangers
like
they
were
surrounded
by
fiery
serpents
and
scorpions
physically
in the
wilderness
journey
as they
journeyed
on the
way to
the land
of
Canaan
there
are
still
fiery
serpents
Satan
is
still a
serpent
and he
will come
and his
intention
is to
sting
you
with the
sting
of death
and there
are scorpions
of various
kinds
you may
stand on
one
somewhere
you go
and something
happens
and you
are wounded
and you
are poisoned
I'm talking
about
spiritually
speaking
sin
has been
able to
enter
into your
life
because of
associations
and we
see
this is
what happens
in the
wilderness
and Solomon
is asking
who is
that
coming up
from the
wilderness
who is
that
he says
it also
in chapter
6
and I
think it's
verse 3
I'm sorry
not verse 3
chapter 3
I think it's
verse 6
I'm sorry
what is
that coming
up from the
wilderness
like
columns
of smoke
perfumed
with
myrrh
and
frankincense
with all
the fragrant
powders
of the
merchant
what is
that
he says
it's
as if
he has
another
angle
on
the
people
of
God
coming
up
from
the
wilderness
surrounded
by these
dangers
and humbled
in
themselves
nevertheless
there is
a fragrance
of them
the fragrance
of heaven
because they
have been
made fragrant
with the
powders
of the
merchant
in other
words
the Holy
Spirit
is with
them
giving
them
grace
in the
face
of every
situation
and they
are
witnesses
for God
in the
wilderness
journey
isn't
that still
the case
that the
people of
God
in the
midst of
the wilderness
experience
that I've
just
described
they
nevertheless
are
fragrant
with the
fragrance
of heaven
and when
you draw
near them
and associate
with them
you'll know
what I'm
talking about
they are
a people
heading
for glory
so that's
the first
thing I
want to
do
to mention
who is
this
coming up
from the
wilderness
the church
in that
place of
difficulty
secondly
the heading
or the
direction
of her
travel
it says
here
that she
is
coming up
from the
wilderness
she's coming
up
the Lord
has brought
her
into the
wilderness
to humble
her
to prove
her
and so
on
but as
with Israel
of old
that's not
the Lord's
final intention
for his
people
his final
plan is
to have
them brought
through the
wilderness
and at
last
into glory
he had
promised
Abraham
long before
this
that his
people would
inherit the
land of
Canaan
a land
flowing with
milk and
honey
and I
believe that's
a picture of
the glory
into which
the people
of God
are taking
at last
having passed
through this
wilderness
journey
they will
be received
into glory
and that's
why her
direction of
travel
is so
significant
it says
here
that she
is coming
up
from the
wilderness
she's not
happy
with the
best that
this world
can offer
or there
are many
people who
are happy
with that
they are
happy if
their bank
balance is
healthy
they are
happy if
they have
a lovely
home
and a roof
over their
head
they are
ultimately
happy when
they have
a family
around them
and everybody
is well
and that
means the
whole world
to them
nothing else
really matters
and all
these are
blessings
but those
whom the
Lord blesses
they aren't
really
totally
completely
satisfied
with these
things of
time and
sense
they are
seeking
something
better
and that's
why her
direction of
travel is
coming up
from the
wilderness
she has
her thoughts
and affection
set upon the
things that are
above
not on the
things that are
on the earth
she has
tasted that
the Lord is
gracious
she has
tasted of
fellowship with
him in a
day of
grace
and that
has given
her an
appetite
for the
glory that
God promises
because he
gives grace
and glory
and will
withhold no
good from
them who
live up
rightly
she's coming
up
from the
wilderness
and
a number
of things
I'd like
to highlight
here
she has
been called
with a
heavenly
calling
the Lord
from heaven
has come
into her
experience
and he
has given
her a
desire for
better things
even things
that are
good in
this world
she wants
something even
better than
that
she wants
eternal
fellowship
with the
Lord Jesus
Christ
two or
three examples
of people
who are like
the church
here
who are
coming up
from the
wilderness
remember
the account
we have
of Abraham's
call
it says
in the
book of
Acts
chapter 7
that the
God of
glory
appeared
to Abraham
in Ur
of the
Chaldees
and he
told him
to get
out of
where he
was
to a
place
that he
would show
him
and by
faith
Abraham
responded
went out
of Ur
of the
Chaldees
not knowing
where he
was going
Bible
says that
and you
see
that is
what the
Lord does
he
calls
people
to turn
their
back
upon
the
lifestyle
they've
had
the
priorities
they may
have had
in their
lives
that may
have been
legal and
honorable
enough
nevertheless
he asks
people to
turn their
back
upon
these
things
and turn
to
himself
oh
Abraham
lived
among
idolatry
in Ur
of the
Chaldees
and the
Lord called
him away
from that
think also
of Saul
of Tarshish
how
dedicated
Saul of
Tarshish
was
trying to
eliminate
every
Christian
from the
scene
he tried
everything
in his
power
to stifle
the work
of the
gospel
until
one day
on the
road to
Damascus
and the
light of
God
shone
not only
around him
but I
believe
shone
right into
his heart
and life
and he
fell
and he
said
Lord
what do
you want
me
to do
he was
resolved
to turn
his back
upon
the ways
that he
had been
walking
confesses
sin
forsakes
sin
and
give
his
life
now
to
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
think
also
of
Lydia
the
seller
of
purple
the
account
we
have
in
the
book
of
Acts
chapter
16
and
she
was
there
down
at
the
riverside
meeting
with
others
for a
prayer
meeting
and
it
says
that
the
Lord
opened
her
heart
that
she
gave
heed
to
the
words
spoken
by
Paul
and
you
see
also
in
that
same
city
of
Philippi
the
Philippian
jailer
who
was
with
all
his
might
scourging
Paul
and
Silas
and
then
put
them
into
the
innermost
prison
and
their
feet
fast
in
the
stocks
but
when
the
earthquake
came
that
shook
the
prison
it
actually
reached
his
very
heart
and
soul
and
he
leapt
in
asking
to
have
a
question
answered
what
must
I
do
to
be
saved
believe
on
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and
thou
shalt
be
saved
the
church
here
she
is
coming
up
from
the
wilderness
the
people
of
God
have
turned
their
back
upon
the
things
that
have
pleased
their
worldly
appetites
the
things
that
have
pleased
their
rebellious
nature
the
things
that
have
been
embraced
by
them
down
through
the
years
things
like
carnality
and
sensual
activities
worldliness
of
every
kind
because
they
have
now
tasted
something
better
and
they
have
turned
their
back
just
like
the
Thessalonians
when
they
heard
the
gospel
they
turned
to
God
from
idols
to
serve
the
living
and
through
God
and
wait
for
his
son
from
heaven
who
is
this
that's
coming
up
from
the
wilderness
I
wonder
what
kind
of
gradient
the
wilderness
journey
presents
to the
people
of
God
I
mean
if
you're
going
up
surely
there
must
be
some
kind
of
climbing
involved
and a
gradient
to be
negotiated
well
there
are
certain
hills
called
difficulty
according
to
John
Bunyan's
pilgrim
he
came
to
the
hill
difficulty
and
there
may
be
a
difficulty
in
your
own
life
this
evening
I
don't
know
what
it
is
and
you
wonder
how
am
I
going
to
be
able
to
put
one
foot
forward
and
then
another
one
to
make
my
way
inching
my
way
upwards
it's
tough
maybe
it's
some
sin
or
other
that
refuses
to
let
go
of
your
mind
and
of
your
heart
and
life
or
maybe
it's
a
hardness
of
heart
that
you
just
cannot
cope
with
when
you
come
under
the
sound
of
the
gospel
and
the
gospel
seems
to
be
bouncing
right
off
your
heart
it's
not
going
through
as it
were
as it
used
to
you
can't
remember
when you
wiped
a tear
under
the
sound
of the
preaching
of the
gospel
that's
difficult
for the
people
of
God
or
it
may
be
the
gradient
of
unbelief
and the
word
of
God
says
something
and you
feel
you
just
cannot
embrace
it
for
yourself
but you
still feel
that you
need to
go on
there is
no
hope
if you
turn back
you need
to go
on
onwards
and upwards
one
of the
American
preachers
I
heard
some
time
ago
he's
talking
about
the
way
preachers
have to
preach
into
the
wind
today
it's
as if
the wind
of
worldliness
and the
wind
that's
blowing
throughout
our
society
it's
so
adverse
to the
things
of
God
that we
have to
preach
into
the
wind
and if
you're going
to preach
into the
wind
the wind
is so
strong
that you
have to
shout
as loud
as you
can
and that
can be
applied to
the
Christian
witness
ask the
Lord to
make your
witness
as clear
and as
consistent
as it
possibly
can
because
our day
and our
age
needs it
you are
my witnesses
says the
Lord
that I
am God
but the
church is
coming up
from the
wilderness
leaning
upon
our
beloved
that's
the
third
and
last
point
she
is
leaning
upon
our
beloved
one
of the
commentators
James Durham
who wrote
a commentary
on the
song of
Solomon
he goes
at length
talking about
the way
she leans
that it
talks about
what she's
like herself
that she's
weak
she's weak
in herself
just like
somebody who
is ill
and weakened
by illness
weakened
by circumstances
they're so
thankful to
have a
shoulder to
lean on
an arm
to lean
on
when they're
going
somewhere
they cannot
make it
on their
own
and so
the church
is here
we cannot
make it
on our
own
but she
has
discovered
one who
loves her
and she
has tasted
of his
love
and she
knows
something
of his
peace
and she
knows
something
of his
blessedness
and she
like Peter
says when
Jesus asked
the disciples
when some
were going
away
will you
also go
away
to whom
shall we
go
you have
the words
of eternal
life
and this
is the way
she is
that she
is coming
up from
the wilderness
leaning
upon her
beloved
have you
started
leaning
upon the
arms of
Christ yet
how else
do you
expect
to be
accepted
with God
except
through faith
in Jesus
Christ
that's
really
the meaning
of the
word
leaning
here
that she
is
exercising
faith
in
Jesus
Christ
that she
is
trusting
him
he has
said
come unto
me
all you
who
labor
and are
heavy
laden
and I
will give
you rest
and she
has taken
him
at his
word
and she
has come
and leaned
upon these
arms
that are
so
graciously
extended
to those
who are
feeling
their
need
she
has
discovered
him
to be
a
mediator
a
savior
and you
remember
that the
catechism
highlights
for us
that Jesus
as mediator
exercises
the offices
of prophet
and priest
and king
and those
who are
leaning on
him
as they
come up
from the
wilderness
oh they
are so
thankful
that he
as their
prophet
teaches
them God's
will
for their
salvation
by his
word
and by his
spirit
they hear
what he
says
and they
are so
thankful
for the
way he
teaches
them
as their
mediator
their
prophet
and what
about their
priest
oh surely
she is
leaning upon
him
as a
priest
who gave
himself
a sacrifice
to satisfy
divine
justice
in her
room
and in
her stead
and now
who is
at the
right hand
of God
making
continual
intercession
for his
people
what hope
do we
have
apart from
a saviour
and a
mediator
like that
and then
of course
he is our
king
isn't he
and she
leans
on his
arm
just like
Esther
went in
to king
Ahasuerus
and he
extended to
her the
royal scepter
meaning she
was so
accepted by
him
and so
it is
with the
people of
God
Christ
as the
king
mediator
rules
and defends
them
and subdues
all his
own
and their
enemies
what an
amazing
saviour
he is
what a
discovery
that she
has made
that she
is there
leaving upon
such a
one
who says
I have
loved you
with an
everlasting
love
and she
readily
casts
herself
upon
him
oh the
wilderness
and its
tragedy
and trials
are eased
so much
when she
speaks to
us
when he
speaks to
us
a word
in season
sometimes
we feel
friendless
depending on
our
circumstances
but what a
friend we
have in
Jesus
all our
sins and
griefs to
bear
let us
carry
everything
to him
in prayer
if you
have
questions
maybe you've
asked other
people and
they can't
help you
with your
question
what should
I do in
this situation
should I go
or should I
not go
what am I
supposed to
say
and people
sometimes are
unable to
help you
however well
intentioned they
might be
but we
have him
as our
counselor in
heaven
and his
word of
counsel is
always relevant
and ask him
to show you
what counsel
he means
for you to
follow
wonderful
counselor
the mighty
God
everlasting
father
prince of
peace
what do
you do
with your
hard
heartedness
I'm
talking to
Christians
what do
you do
when you
feel your
heart is
so hard
well
Jesus
is the
great
physician
and you
tell him
about it
and he's
able to
give you
advice
a word
from him
will
soften
your
hard
heart
and what
if you
feel
that your
feet are
getting so
tired
and that
the journey
is too
much for
you
and you
have to
go and
tell him
and he
says
my grace
is sufficient
for you
and my
strength is
made perfect
in a
weakness
what if
you feel
a little
bit
lost
and
needing
guidance
well he's
the good
shepherd
who leads
his people
every step
of the way
and you
keep close
to him
this is
what the
church here
is doing
she's
leaning
upon her
beloved
what about
his promises
regarding the
end of the
road
regarding the
end of the
wilderness
experience
what does
he say
well he
said to
the disciples
I am
going
to prepare
a place
for you
and if I
go and
prepare a
place for
you
I will
come again
and receive
you unto
myself
so that
where I
am
there
you may
be also
what an
amazing
promise
that is
I am
going to
prepare a
place
in heaven
for you
and I
will not
leave you
but I
will come
again
and take
you out
of your
wilderness
experience
what an
amazing
saviour
he is
and he
has said
to the
disciples
to the
father in
the presence
of the
disciples
father I
will
that they
also whom
you have
given me
be with
me where
I am
that they
may behold
my glory
talk about
a transition
from
difficulty
and trial
in the
wilderness
to victory
and glory
at last
and that is
true
regarding
every single
one of
God's
people
whom he
has
effectually
called
who has
he has
justified
them
he will
sanctify
them
holy
and at
last
he will
glorify
them
and take
them
to where
the sun
shall no
more go
down
neither
shall the
moon
withdraw
itself
the
Lord
will be
the glory
in
Emmanuel's
land
so these
three points
then
who is
this
coming up
from the
wilderness
leaning
on her
beloved
the
wilderness
difficult
as it
is
is a
wilderness
through
which all
of God's
people
will
successfully
pass
because
they are
leaning
upon
the
beloved
who has
from all
eternity
purposed
that they
be with
him
in glory
forever
let us
pray
help us
Lord
to take
to heart
the
promises
of your
word
and may
they be
words
that will
encourage
and
strengthen
us
in our
most holy
faith
we pray
for your
blessing
upon
all that
we have
sought
to do
in your
name
this
evening
that you
would
bless
us
as we
once again
have met
in the
house of
God
bless
oh Lord
the singing
of your
praise
in conclusion
and forgive
our sins
in Jesus
name
Amen
now we'll
bring our
worship to
our
close
at this
time
singing
from
Psalm 17
in the
Scottish
Psalter
Psalm 17
in the
Scottish
Psalter
and
verses
5
to
9
hold up
my
goings
Lord
me
guide
in
those
thy
paths
divine
so that
my
footsteps
may not
slide
out of
those
ways
of
thine
I
call it
have
on
thee
O
God
because
thou
will
not
me
hear
thou
mayst
hearken
to
my
speech
to
me
incline
thine
ear
thy
wondrous
loving
kindness
show
thou
that
by
thy
right
hand
saves
them
that
trust
in
thee
from
those
that
up
against
them
stand
as
the
apple
of
the
eye
may
keep
in
thy
wings
shade
me
close
from
lud
oppressors
compassing
me
round
as
deadly
foes
17
verses
5
to
9
to
God's
praise
O
God
my
God
will
storm
be
guide
and
host
thy
paths
divine
so
that
my
fruit
steps
may
not
slide
out
of
those
ways
of
time
I
call it
up
on
thee
O
Lord
oct
plus
than
ه
woes
To my feet, to the even kind, my dear.
Thy wondrous love, in kindness show, Thou art by thy right hand.
Since then the trust will be promised, Thou art by grace and stand.
As the apple hawk, the eye be king, And thy wings shed me rose.
From whom the blessed compassing May round us any hope.
Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, Rest upon and abide with you all, now and forevermore.
Amen.