0:01 [Music] this song, thou it leave thy throne and thy kingly crown. The lady who wrote it was a lady named Emily Steel Elliot um or ES Elliot is a short form of her 0:20 name. And uh Charlotte Elliot, you may also have heard of is uh wrote the hymn Just as I am without one plea. We just sang that uh on Sunday. Very godly family. If you ever read up about them and their parents were also God-fearing 0:38 parents and um they had a brother who was uh also used by the Lord. So a godly family that lived in the 1800s, the mid to late 1800s. So this uh ES Elliott, Emily Elliott, who wrote the song we sang, thou disle Thy throne, wrote an 0:56 this little story. It's called an you can call it an allegory. An allegory means a story about some events. Let's say an imaginary story, but it's a picture of a spiritual lesson of a spiritual story. You can say one of the 1:11 most famous allegorories of time I would say is Pilgrim's Progress. That's an allegory. It's a story of an imaginary person named Pilgrim and how he goes through life as you all know. But it's a picture of the Christian journey. And 1:25 here's another allegory like that that I want to tell you today. I've rewarded it into language that uh we all will understand hopefully even especially the children. But if you want to read it, I can share where that book with you um 1:40 and you can read it up uh in its original language. Um and this is this story is part of another booklet also a small booklet that she wrote. So this story is called a chronicle of the redeemed land. Chronicle means just a story. So you 1:57 could say a story of the redeemed land. So here's the story. Adam's slowman lived in a cottage on the redeemed land which was part of an estate stretching as far as the eye could see. The owner of this land was honored everywhere and 2:13 especially where Adam lived. There was a reason why it was called the redeemed land. There had been a rebellion a long time before which had ruined the land. After that, the owner's own son had actually come and lived like a poor 2:30 villager among them, working hard like the rest of them. He also made a plan for them to return to favor with the owner by personally paying the fine for all their evil doings. A letter was sent up to the lord of the estate asking forgiveness for the past. 2:49 Forever after that, anyone whose name was in the letter asking to be included in the payment worked out by his son received promises of privileges. Each of them was given a lease agreement by which they could be safe for as long 3:05 as they lived in the land. And after their short time living in that land, they would have to give up all they had, but would be taken to a far better permanent home in the actual palace of the owner. I couldn't even describe half the good 3:21 things of this redeemed land which came from the love and kindness of the caring owner. Outside and all around the estate was dry wasteland. But every house within the estate had rights to the purest water. There were also fair 3:38 meadows and quiet woods which all the residents had permission to enter. There were orchards with rich fruit they could ask for and pick. If you look closely on the map, you would see that this redeemed land was actually recorded on the map as the land 3:55 of forgiveness of sin. Adam Slowman had been living there for some time and was well settled in it, but he was a little lazy. He used to grumble that because his eyesight wasn't so good, he couldn't spend time reading the covenant book 4:12 that all who lived in the estate had been given. Still, he kept a physical copy of that covenant book near him. It was his one security for the promises he longingly hoped for. Sadly, Adam lived poor when he could 4:30 have lived rich. His wows were dull and clouded. If only he had rubbed away the cobwebs and dust which darkened them, a glad sunshine would have always brightened every room in the cottage. He complained that he didn't have enough 4:47 fresh water. His next door neighbor often reminded him, however, that all of the homes had a water pipe connected to a living fountain which came from the hills, and all he had to do was make sure his own water pipe was kept clear 5:02 and open. Then sometimes Adam would complain that there wasn't enough food. Another neighbor, her name was Widow Fulljoy, reminded him, "Why man, you almost sound like you're accusing our Lord of keeping us half starved. Isn't 5:19 there enough food for generations to come in his storehouses, which we can see from our windows, and it's all already bought and paid for so that we can have it for free? You know as well as I do that all we have to do is submit the request and get 5:38 it signed and then simply wait for the answer to have enough for every day. The food will only keep you from will not only keep you from starving but will even make you healthier than the children of any other king. 5:55 Ah neighbor Adam would reply drely dreily. You're right. I often do believe, but you seem to get hold of things which I can't. You seem to have the oil of joy for mourning year by year, but I don't see how I'll ever have 6:14 that. I don't think it's written down in my covenant book. The same with the clothes like you seem to have. The other day, someone told me that the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness was the daily clothing we are all 6:29 expected to wear. But that just seems too fancy for a poor and worthless person like me. I do thank him in my poor way for all he's done for me. But but but widowfilled Joy replied, "Do you think it's humbler to sing? Oh come, let us 6:48 sing unto the Lord. Let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation in a dead lamenting way and sorrow it out as if somebody else's it was somebody else's praise that I did by mistake. If that's the case, we might as 7:06 well put on black covering over our helmets of salvation to show our humility. No. Instead, let's look right up to the one who saved us by proclaiming in song, "He loved me and gave himself for me." "Now, I do think you're a little extreme 7:25 there, neighbor," said poor Adam meekly. "If you were as poor as I am, you'd know how hard it is to say thank you like that." "I won't blame God. No, not for all the world." But you see, you and I are different. We're the same family. I 7:41 know, but but you're from a richer side of the family, I think. Yeah, that's it. I feel as if I am a sort of poor relative of yours and can't have what others like you who have stronger faith seem to have." "What do you mean poor 7:57 relative?" exclaimed widow fulljoy. "You also have money hidden away between the pages of your covenant book. You sound like that poor crazy noble man in that other village who was richer than a prince and yet got the crazy idea in his 8:13 head that he was almost bankrupt. He half starved himself and his family and died after years of living as a pop popper. Dear old friend, widow fulljoy continued gently. Think about how sad it must be 8:29 for our rich Lord who is as loving as he is rich to see his children walking around poorly clothed and complaining of not having enough food. But I think I know the problem. You're weak and growing older and you feel as 8:48 if it is too much to try to think about what we're told in our covenant book of our Lord's plans of provision. I think that you need to send a request for help first just to see what's in the covenant book and then receive its 9:05 promises. I know for certain that if you send such a request to the Lord's great house, he'll see to it himself. But how shall I put it into words? Neighbor asked Adam. Somehow it feels like my requests only get to him every 9:20 now and then. You're so intelligent and good with words, so I'm sure he hears you. But I'm old and can't see well, and I'm slow of understanding. Well, actually, there are words already written for us, answered Widow Full Joy. 9:38 She went to the cupboard in which Adam's covenant book was carefully kept and read from it. Lord, I am oppressed. Undertake for me. Now, these are all verses in scripture. You can look them up later. Plead thou the causes of Okay, 9:55 I'll tell you where they are. How about that? Lord, I am oppressed. Undertake for me. That's Isaiah 38:14. Plead thou the causes of my soul. That's from Lamentations 3:58. Arise, O Lord, plead thine own cause. 10:13 Psalm 74:22. Be shorty unto thy servant for good. Psalm 119 verse 122. Show me thy ways, O Lord. Teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my 10:32 salvation. On thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses, for they have ever been of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. 10:49 According to thy mercy, remember thou me for thy goodness sake, O Lord. That's from Psalm 25:es 4-7. Send those words, Adam, and see what they will bring you. And at the end of your request, add, "This petition comes from my Lord's 11:08 humble servant who is waiting with open door for his Lord's answer." "If only he will bother to read it and send an answer," sighed Adam doubtfully. "What do you mean if only? Why, neighbor, you sound like you're living 11:24 in the land of condemnation instead of the land of forgiveness of sin. Ours is a land of hills and valleys which drinks water of the rain of heaven. A land which our Lord cares for. The eyes of our Lord are always upon it from the 11:43 beginning of the year even until the end of the year. That's taken from Deuteronomy 11 and 12. I remember how I sent that very same petition long ago and how I got back this blessed note postmarked from the our Lord's own 11:59 palace with these words, "Good and upright is the Lord. Therefore, he will teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as 12:17 keep his covenant and his testimonies. That's from Psalm 25 8 through10. Oh, it was so amazing to receive a gift like that, Adam. And every single word is as true as sunlight. Anyway, I hope something will come off it, Adam murmured. I don't want to seem 12:36 ungrateful neighbor, but I have often sent a petition, and I meant it from my heart, but it hasn't seemed to make much difference. I wonder whether you've read the terms of our covenant book carefully, widow Philjoy replied. It's not enough just to 12:53 send the petition. There are three parts to it. See here, Colossians 4:2, it says, "Continue in prayer." And then it says, "Watch in prayer." And then when you've watched, she continued triumphily. Then the thanksgiving. Ah, 13:13 that thanksgiving. It's like all of one's life joy worked up into a song. Adam signed his name to his petition with a half sigh of relief. After he had written it down, he put it into the mailbox that the Lord of the estate had 13:29 set up next to his door. Adam did seem ever so slightly lighter. His old friend showed him in his own covenant book how that same Lord had cared for his people long ago when they were cast down. It's written out here, she said, where it's told how they were 13:48 brought low like me put in Adam. Yes. And they were too discouraged to even remember all that he was ready to give them. too dull to read, too short of memory, and too low down almost to hope. 14:05 But see here what it says. He remembered for them his covenant. Psalm 106:45. He remembered for them his covenant. See, that's what I was saying. He did the remembering as well as the giving. 14:24 It's almost like he pleaded with himself for what he knew was promised in his own mind for them and he gave it to them not because they were clever in asking but because he saw in his own words everything that they couldn't understand 14:43 but which he wanted to give them for his own sake. Why Adam, there are rights and privileges in our covenant which are as much greater than anything we can understand as heaven itself is above earth. I realized long ago how much my Lord 15:01 would be honored by my having more of his riches. I realized long ago how much my Lord would be honored by my having more of his riches and living more like a king's daughter and having a song always 15:19 telling of the fullness of his goodness. I thought how much more there was in his promises than I could even remember. So with each petition I said, "Oh my Lord, there is even more in what you've promised than I can think or tell. But 15:35 it was your idea to give and it's your own riches in glory. So please remember me. Remember for me your covenant and send the answer accordingly. Your servant's door will be open for your gifts. My heart expecting and my 15:52 eyes waiting for your arrival. I'm telling you, Adam, I got such a rich supply and I'm constantly receiving more that I've realized that he means what he says. So you do the same, Adam. And then don't forget, thank him. As Widowfilled 16:11 Joy went out into the sunshine and back into her own little house full of God's blessing, Adam could hear her singing her favorite song. When long ago I took thee at thy word, my sins were washed away. Now for all else I claim thy promise, Lord, as mine 16:29 for every day. Be mine the stream from everlasting hills, thy spirits boundless grace. Be mine the peace which lowliest temple fills where thou hast dwelling place. Be mine with rich provision to 16:47 show forth the bounty of my king. Full stores of grace should tell his boundless worth whose royal love I sing. Oh, for receiving that shall glorify the Lord whom I implore. My listening soul entreats him to draw nigh and waits with 17:07 open door. Adam didn't have to wait long after sending in his petition to the great house when a messenger came through his open door quietly to his side with words of blessing and peace. You called for me in your petition and 17:24 wrote, "Show me your ways and teach me your paths. So I have come, Adam, but your house is dark and empty, and you seem starved and poorly clothed instead of living like the king's own son." Adam looked sad and ashamed. "It's all 17:41 true, my lord," he said. "I seem too low down to help myself and too unworthy to get hold of better better things. Yet I I really do love my kingly master and I do praise him for putting me in this redeemed land and for so freely 17:58 forgiving all my debt and letting me look up to him as my friend and sovereign king. The messenger looked sadly upon Adam and then went to the window and breathed upon it. A little sunlight streamed in right upon Adam and lit up the page 18:15 where his covenant book lay open. The words, "All things are yours." 1 Corinthians 3:22, stood out in new fresh light to Adam's eyes. And from widow fulljoy cottage, he could hear these words from a hymn 18:33 sounding out. Thy blessed uncction from above is comfort, life, and fire of love. Enable with perpetual light the dullness of our blinded sight. That's from a very old hymn. Uh the title of the hymn is Come Holy Ghost, our souls 18:52 inspire. Written by we think by a man named Rabanos Marus back in around 800 AD. I think it's one of the oldest hymns I have ever heard of. Then the messenger looked to the little pot with clouded water which explained why Adam was so 19:07 weak and low. He walked over to the to the connection to the supply from the hill fountains and cleaned out lots of rubbish from the pipe. It's no wonder he couldn't get enough water to live on, let alone thrive. The clear stream with life and healing 19:23 in every drop began to flow freely in, and the messenger brought him a full jar. After drinking it, you wouldn't have recognized Adam. Such light came to his eyes and such strength to his limbs, which he used to shake like he had 19:39 pulsy. Already you could see that he was being nourished from the king's country. The messenger looked at the cupboard and found a few bits of bread which had been lying there for a long time. It was good, pure bread indeed, but there was 19:54 so little of it and it had been sitting there for so long that again one wondered how Adam was even alive. Stale bread isn't our Lord's plan for his tenants. He said, "The Lord has new corn of the land for his people. bread 20:10 from his own palace. It seems to me, Adam, that it has been a long time since you had a fresh supply. Why, even in the rebellious lands, they talk about how the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. "It's all true, my Lord," Adam replied 20:27 and glanced shamefully at his shelves. "But but whatever I do have there, I'm thankful for because I'm not fully starved." "Fully starved, man," was the reply. fully starved. Yet you are living in the redeemed land. And the store wagons come 20:45 past your day door each day with mercies new every morning written up in large letters on them. All who have a receipt ready receive a package with great is thy faithfulness written on them. 21:03 Those are verses from Lamentations 3:22 and 23. Great is thy faithfulness. Thy mercies on you every morning. Starved when the fruits are there from the Lord's own gardens. Starved when the Lord plans and cares and puts so much 21:18 forethought into making sure that each one of his tenants has everything that they need every day. If you could see that opening and taking out these new mercies that he sends and holding them up to the light and seeing 21:33 them unfolding and using them exactly when you need them at any time of day makes the whole day like a gift day. Then you too will sing whoever is wise and will observe these things even he shall understand the loving kindness of 21:51 the Lord. That's from Psalm 119. Psalm 107 verse 43. The problem, Adam, is that your door has been shut or only half open now and then. The stores have been there for you, but you haven't been looking out to take them in day by day. You've opened 22:09 your door every now and then, just a crack, enough for a bit of bread here and a stray fruit there, but that will only just keep you from starving. You've discredited your royal lord by little expecting and little receiving. You've 22:26 discredited your royal lord by little expecting and little receiving. Then your petitions Adam also have had so many ifs and buts and I don't expects and perhapses and so many I don't know whether this will ever get into my 22:45 Lord's hands and if it does I don't know whether he'll hear me that they've actually been half insults to his goodness even if you didn't mean it that way when he paid such a price to set up his royal posts. How can you doubt that 23:01 he would receive and answer any petition sent out to him in due time when you ask according to his orders and make them in his son's name? How can he refuse you? I never meant I I don't think I ever put such words into my petitions, Adam 23:18 weekly replied. I know they were often badly written because I'm not very intelligent. And what do you mean intelligent? His messenger interrupted. Our Lord receives thousands and thousands of letters which go straight into his dead letter office which are 23:37 made up of dictionary words and of what people outside call intelligent. They go right to that dead letter office. Nobody ever opens them. The only thing you need to know is this. Remember your word unto your servant 23:55 upon which you have caused me to hope. That's from Psalm 119:49. Remember your word unto your servant upon which you have caused me to hope. Remember your word unto your servant upon which you have caused me to hope. 24:12 When for his son's sake he gave you the free pardon and the place on this property long ago, you received it not with any fine words but simply God be merciful to me the sinner. Humility and confession of sin are the first lessons 24:28 which are taught in your Lord's own school set up for those who live on his estate. The next lessons are humility again and trust on and on. Look in your covenant book at him and see what is the intelligence that is required for the 24:45 petitions that get in and are heard by him. Simply, this poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and delivered him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I rise, 25:04 sayeth the Lord. That's all you need. The cry and the size followed by the watching and the praise. Why? You know, Adam, that your Lord's own son, who paid such a price to free you and get you a place on this estate, makes it his 25:20 business to sign every petition sent in his name. When you send the petition and he in his name, he puts his signature to it. Look how he is longing to give each one what is best and needful. The last night that he was here, on the basis of 25:38 his own suffering, he worked out a right to his father's love and gifts of blessing for all who would seek pardon through him. In these words, truly, truly, I say unto you, whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, he will give 25:57 it to you. Up to now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full. That's from John 17. That's what you may call a fine money bill for 26:17 anyone who lives on the royal estate. But remember that when you're sending in a petition, every if and but I doubt I'll be heard and I don't feel feel as if my prayer would get much higher than the ceiling and I don't think I'm likely 26:31 to have an answer comes out like a great blot and sometimes covers up the writing on your letter so that the petition can't be read. That's a beautiful picture, isn't it? Every time you doubt or have unbelief or you add at the end of your prayer, you 26:49 you think the Lord's not really going to hear me, that's like a blot over the what you wrote. The Lord can't read it. He can't work with unbelief. There are no ifs and buts about your those words in your covenant book. The 27:07 Lord upholds all that fall and raises up all those who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee, and you give them their meat in due season. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in 27:24 all his ways and holy in all his works. The Lord is near to all that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him. He also will hear their cry and will save them. Beautiful words from 27:42 Psalm 145 14-19. That's the way the supplies come in for those who see to it that there's nothing between them and their receiving from the royal storehouse. My soul wait only upon God for my ex expectation is from him. There Adam put down in plain 28:02 figures how much you've expected from him and you'll see why you've gone on in this shabby half-life fashion. Now come with me. Soon Adam found himself carried away to a part of the estate which he had heard about but which he had never 28:17 expected to see. He saw a long range of storehouses from which heavily loaded wagons were going forth to all parts of the property. They were carrying supplies sometimes exactly according to the petitions sent in from the tenants 28:35 themselves and which were kept recorded carefully in a book for reference. Often they were gifts which the Lord who knew everything about each one saw would be better suited for them than the very things they asked for. over these 28:51 storehouses were written in large letters, "The Lord overall is rich unto all that call upon him." And underneath the expectation of the poor shall not perish. But Adam's guide turned him toward a a huge building some distance 29:09 off in the shade and said, "Do you know what this is, Adam?" "No, my Lord," was the answer. "This," said the messenger, "is the mist blessings office." The mist blessings office. Here are kept stores and gifts which were already to be sent 29:25 forth for many who for some reason or another never received them. One common reason is that the door was closed when the store wagons came round. You'll be amazed that many keep that door of expectation shut even when they have 29:42 sent in a request for the very thing which is supplied for their need. And though they write in their petition, "On thee do I wait all the day," when the wagons show up at their door, they find the door shut. Adam looked shy and uneasy at these 29:56 words, and even more when his guide opened the gate of the outer court and led him through the large halls. There were so many parcels, all with the date of their sending out, and alas, each one telling of its having missed the owner. 30:13 Over one department of these stores where there was a large quantity of raw material piled up was written, "You have not because you ask not." Over a second, "Your sins have held back good things from you." Over a third, "They limited 30:32 the Holy One of Israel." Over another, "Let not the man who doubts think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." And underneath were the words, "Doors found closed and no entrance for special gifts." Over another was the inscription, 30:53 "Conditions unfulfilled." And a plaque card underneath was the notice, "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Bring all the tithes into the storehouses that there may be meat in my 31:12 house. And prove me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to 31:31 receive it. Over one darkly and distantly seen store was written forfeited blessings and underneath you ask and receive not because you ask with wrong motives that you may consume it upon your lusts. Meanwhile, Adam's face grew more and 31:50 more downcast as he saw the riches, the royal provisions, the packages prepared with rich care which would have made thousands rich and happy lying neglected. But he had yet more to learn. His guide led him quickly into the large court and 32:04 there arranged in order were what seemed endless parcels. They were all sorted on cell shelves with the names written above of those for whom they had been sent out and who had yet never received them. The messenger stopped in front of one of 32:23 the shelves on top of which was written the name Adam Slom. Adam gazed in quiet surprise. Those crowded shelves, the very things packed closely together for which he had wished and asked. He he had asked once 32:42 in a while, many of them with a blot of unbelief on his petition, such treasures which though they were there for him, he had not received. I thought that the line was just blocked often, he said as he glanced at the labels outside the parcels and read 32:59 strength for work on one parcel, support in sickness, extra comforts for the winter, seed for sewing, opportunities for service, gifts with which to bless others. Underneath one parcel were the words, "If you being evil, know how to 33:17 give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him." How Adam longed now to open that box. Then he saw that it was it was dated three years before when he had 33:34 been so low down, so ill and poor that he kept saying over and over, "You have covered yourself with a cloud that my prayer cannot pass through." The block was at your own door, Adam. You see, the messenger observed gravely, 33:49 "That box is the kind which your Lord uses for his choicest gifts." "And wow!" exclaimed Adam in amazement. There's a shiny silvery garment exactly as I had told Widow Philjoy might be for her, but couldn't be for one low and 34:06 poor like me. Sure enough, high above his head sparkled a glistening robe made exactly to his size, bearing the label, the garment of praise for Adam's slow man. And there's something else, he said with a sorrowful surprise, already 34:22 labeled for me in that crystal bottle. How little I knew. Oil of joy for mourning and more and more. What's that up there? If my eyes don't deceive me, that's the very thing I went mourning and groaning about until I wore out the 34:39 patience of everyone around me. He pointed to a beautiful flower basket made so tenderly that you could see love and planning in every bit of it. But the flowers had now faded and the moss withered. on it were the words abundance 34:54 of peace. That's our Lord's own handwriting, said the messenger sadly. You see, it was dated in the drought season years ago. My sore time of need, said Adam. And that day I had written down in my journal. Instead of peace, I have 35:13 bitterness because I thought my Lord was displeased and hiding his favors from me and that he hadn't read my petition. But you kept your door shut, Adam. You never went to your covenant book and saw that peace was your birthright or remembered 35:29 that the petition was taken from your Lord's own promise. You forgot that if he was true, all you had to do was to look out for it as sure as the sun shines because his son brought it for you himself. And that lamp up in the 35:46 corner and those reading glasses, "They've got my name on them, too," continued Adam, exploring further and further in the store with a sort of sadness in his voice. His guide took them down and said, "These glasses were 36:01 meant for you. Here is a bit of your own writing tacked to the parcel. And he read the words, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." "Oh, that's what I always used to say before I read my covenant book," said 36:19 Adam. "And I've sometimes longed to understand more, but I've seemed to see so little." "My neighbor, though, she's always boasting off her reading glasses. She seems to be able to read so much that my poor eyes can never understand. 36:32 It always amazes me how much she finds out in her book. Did you ever expect to get these glasses or look out for fresh light to be sent to you based on your Lord's own word? asked his guide. Why, man, there are promises and promises in that covenant 36:50 book and lots of money bills hidden in the pages. Your Lord has written in it all that he wants to do for you in making you his friend. But you can only see it with his extra light from this very lamp and with this 37:09 second sight with these glasses which are called opening of eyes to the blind. But now it is time to come away. Only remember, Adam, that our Lord is so good and gracious that I still have hope that 37:28 these treasures can yet find their way to your cottage. The next time he passes by and looks at it, he will no it will no longer bring such credit on his love as it does now. As they kept walking, a large detached building caught Adam's glance, which he 37:47 had not noticed before. "May I know what's in that fine storehouse?" he asked. The royal crown is above the entrance, so I assume it must belong to our Lord. His guide turned towards it. It is a royal exchange office, Adam, he replied. 38:02 Many petitions can't be answered exactly as poor, short-sighted people think best. If they got exactly according to their prayers, it would often be to their own misery. the build. This building is where our Lord himself 38:17 considered these these petitions and changes them into what is really most for their good. Some pray for life now and they get instead life forever and ever beyond. Some ask for success and immediate deliverance and instead they 38:35 get disappointments which bring them nearer to him who will deliver them gloriously in trouble if not always out of trouble. Some ask for help of body and they get help of spirit instead. Through all of these exchanges, they gain the greatest 38:54 gift of a submitted will, which brings permanent peace and is worth more than all the temporary prosperity put together. I want to read that again. Through all of these exchanges where God gives me something 39:13 else different from what I asked for, we gain the greatest gift of all, which is a submitted will. And that brings permanent peace and is worth more than all the temporary prosperity put together. Oh, if only 39:32 people knew how much care our Lord puts into those into these exchanges he does for his own. He calls it the commuted petitions department. And he does all this for their good without failing even once. Adam then saw a wellsheltered building 39:49 toward which some empty wagons were driving rapidly and asked, "May I ask one more question? What is the name of that store in the distance which has a large and peculiar sort of clock over it and a sund dial in front over the 40:05 gates?" The inscription looks to me like though it tar wait that said the guide is the delayed blessings store office. Take these glasses and you will read underneath the words therefore will the Lord wait that 40:22 he may be gracious unto you and therefore will he be exalted that he may have mercy upon you. For the Lord is a God of judgment. Blessed are all they that wait for him. That clock, Adam, never goes too fast or too slow and is 40:40 so constructed that when the shadow on the dial shows that the time of the promise draws near, it sounds like an alarm to inform the messengers to be ready at once for the delivery of the stored blessings. As soon as the fullness of the time is 40:59 come, they are sent from the gates. Sometimes the petitioner's doors aren't found open because delayed blessings often come as a surprise even to the to some of the Lord's most faithful followers. If they are still found waiting and 41:17 expecting at their doors, even after long waiting, they receive a great is thy faith. Be it unto thee, even as thou wilt. It takes a long time for some to learn that delays are not denials. Zachcharias would not believe even when 41:35 the angel messenger who told him the blessing was on its way to his house. As a result of his unbelief, his tongue was tied for some months and was only loosed so that he could give thanks. When Peter showed up at the door of Mary 41:50 of Jerusalem from prison, the very people who had been day and night sending out petitions for him to be set free couldn't believe that their Lord had actually heard them. And while the answer was knocking at the closed gate outside, they mocked the 42:07 servant girl who told them about it. You are mad. You remember that story? They were praying for it and they were so busy praying that they couldn't believe the answer was actually there at the door. The church in Rome had been praying for 42:20 three years that Paul might come to them. There were good reasons why the blessing was delayed. God had used a storm, a hurricane, and a shipwreck to bring him to their doors, bound as a prisoner. their petition that he might have a 42:36 prosperous journey by the will of God in order that he might impart unto them some spiritual gift because Paul says that's what he they prayed for him was fulfilled even though it wasn't in a way that he or they had expected the delay 42:50 only made the blessing far richer as Onesimus and Phileiman found out ah there are secrets of love and wisdom in the workings of the delayed blessings department, which you can't even imagine, added the guide gravely. Men 43:08 want to pluck their mercies while they are still green when their Lord wants them to have them when they are ripe. If only they knew the preciousness in his sight of the faith that can wait and trust in the dark, they would understand 43:22 more of his words, strengthened according to his glorious power unto all patience. Wait, I say on the Lord. Then they went back into the sunshine, leaving behind the various buildings connected with the mix mist blessings 43:39 office. Then they again walked past the royal storehouses which they had first seen. A wag wagon was being loaded in the front court by the servants who were ready to depart. Based on how carefully they were loading the wagons, Adam knew 43:53 that those must be some very special packages for a very special person. To his surprise, he saw the name of his old neighbor written on some of the packages. Widow fulljoy. Is this your afternoon delivery? His guide asked the servants. No, these are 44:09 morning and afternoon and evening deliveries for that villager was the answer. We have nicknamed her home expectation corner. Our Lord himself pays personal attention to each package going to her door that you'd think he 44:26 hardly has anyone else to care for. Her petitions come up so fast that if there were many others like her, we would feel like we we'd go bankrupt. But the word here is ask and ye shall receive. Riches in glory don't lessen by giving. And our 44:44 Lord's orders are, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint." Every time we pass by Widow Full Joyy's door, we find her waiting for us with a smile and a receipt ready and with arms stretched out for her gifts. She always ends with 45:01 this psalm of thanks. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits. You know what, Adam? Her home will soon be empty as she moves to her future permanent home. So, her petitions will stop coming in, and much of our work in 45:19 that part of the estate will probably be over soon. So, her call is near at hand, said Adam's guide as he glanced at the parcels directed to her. Yes, we heard that our Lord has almost finished preparing the rooms in his own palace 45:36 where she will live royally with him. then we'll see the results of all the petitions which she has been sending in these sending in these years and years. She won't be needing us anymore to serve her. Adam glanced at the labels on one or two 45:50 of the packages which bore widow full joyy's name. On the first a crystal cup containing some precious sweet drink was written strength for endurance. Underneath was written, "In the day when you called, I answered you and 46:07 strengthened you with strength in your soul." As was the custom when the parcels were sent away from the royal storehouses, the original request in her own handwriting was also attached to the gift. Adam recognized it immediately 46:21 when he read the words, "I will go in the strength of the Lord God. I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. Oh God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also, 46:38 when I am old and gay-headed, oh God, forsake me not until I have showed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to everyone that is to come. The next label was labeled, The next parcel was labeled, view of the heavenly city 46:54 and its delights. Underneath the label you could read, I have not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his 47:12 spirit. Ah, said the guide, she will have a wonderful time with those views, the evidence of things not seen. See, the Lord himself has written an autograph note fastened to it. Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be 47:28 a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Adam noticed another gift because of its peculiar shape and because under the widow's name was written, "Poor of this world, rich in faith and heir of the 47:44 kingdom." It looked like a wind harp. And as he gazed on it, his guide breathed on the strings that brought forth sounds of such exquisite harmony that they seemed to Adam too ravishing for mortal ears. It seemed like the 48:00 chords almost formed themselves into words which sounded like the echo of a distant chorus singing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing." 48:18 "She is favored," said his guide. Like in times past, the musical instruments of God are given out to only a select few of those who praise him. The music and the hymns of the royal palace will be echoed around her home to the end 48:33 until the messenger choirs come down with the royal chariots to her own door and sing the bridal song during her procession home. Lo, the winter is passed. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of 48:48 the singing of the birds is come. My beloved spoke and said unto me, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Adam could clearly read a line or two of widow Fuljoyy's original request which was attached to the parcel. 49:05 As the deer panteth after the water brooks, so pantth my soul after thee, oh God. Psalm 42:1. The Lord will command his loving kindness in the daytime and in the night his song shall be with me. But he couldn't stay any longer. His guide 49:25 brought him swiftly back to his cottage. There it was, poor and sadl looking. But sunlight streamed in at the window, and it had been a long time since that had happened. And on the table where he had left it lay Adam's covenant book. The 49:41 wind from the open window was gently turning the pages of the book. As he and his guide came back into the room, the words bathed in sunshine glittered into sight. He that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how 49:58 shall he not with him also freely give us all things? It is Christ that died, yay, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate 50:16 us from the love of Christ? It's Romans 8:32, 333, and 34. Then he could hear singing, sounding out the words, "The Lord fulfill all thy petitions." And when Adam turned around, his visitor was gone. Uh, Miss Elliot writes this epilogue at 50:39 the end of the story. I wish you could see Adam slowman. Now, you would think that Widow Fulljoy, when she had been taken to the palace in the royal carriages, had left him a legacy of songs of praise. You could often hear 50:52 from his open open door her favorite words now ringing out. When long ago I took thee at thy word, my sins were washed away. Now for all else I claim thy promise, Lord as mine for every day. If you could look into his cottage, you 51:12 would see evidence of his Lord's love and care on every shelf and in every corner. You would hear of the mercy which had forgiven past doubts and unbelief regarding his royal master's care. He would tell you of how blessings 51:25 which he had missed for so long have been graciously given to him. He would go on joyfully to say how day by day he looks out for the king's messengers and welcomes the king's store wagons. He would tell you of the green 51:41 pastures and still waters outside into which he can freely enter because he is a resident of the redeemed land and using his precious pass key which has the Lord is my shepherd graven on the handle. Previously he had allowed that 52:00 key to get so rusty that it would hardly work when he tried to open the gates to different areas of the royal estates. He would tell you of the rich fruits which grow for him in the enclosed gardens and of the sacred meetings with 52:14 his lord's own messenger and more importantly with his lord himself. He would tell you how through it all that same gracious king has heard his petition and has remembered for him his covenant. The Lord has made it good to 52:29 him even when he has been weak and shortsighted to know the full meaning. even when he has been too weak and short-sighted to know the full meaning. He would tell you all of this and much more. But I must pause. I hope that the 52:45 thought which has gone into this little story is clear. I perish with hunger isn't the cry of just the prodigal son. Many of the Lord's own children when they compare how much they have received with how much he has promised will have to ask 53:03 themselves whether those promises are theirs in their fullness and freshness. Whether they have really received everything that was in the original promise from the king. Dear friend, what about your ships of desire sent out to 53:18 the land of spices and pearls? What is the state of your traffic with heaven? My expectation is from him. Is this really as much our motto as it is that of business people awaiting the return of their treasure laden ships? Is our 53:37 watchword on thee do I wait all the day? See how really the Apostle Paul sent out specific petitions and looked for and received the supplies. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, he wrote. And he writes, I 53:54 know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ according to my earnest expectation and my hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed. There is no doubt here that the line of 54:10 communication was wide open between Paul on earth and heaven. It may be that this little book has fallen into the hands of one of the royal family of God, of one of his own children, living in the land of forgiveness of sin, and yet leading a 54:26 life of spirit poverty. Dear friend, are you poor when you should be rich? Are you mourning over empty vessels while your Lord longs to pour out for you a blessing that there shall not be 54:44 room enough to receive it? If so, will you think over what is written for you in your own covenant book, God's holy word of promise. Remember that no heart position sent up in the name of Jesus Christ, our sinbearer and intercessor, 55:00 can lose its way between earth and heaven. Remember that he is more ready to hear us than we are to pray. Remember that he still says, "According to your faith, be it unto you." And that if you ask for the faith, he loves and longs to 55:17 even give you faith. Shall we not then now take up our stand at expectation corner outside our own house more diligently than ever before? Shall we not ask him to enable us to live as children of the king should live, showing forth his praise, who has made 55:34 us kings and priests unto God? We may be low down, aged, weak in body, slow of speech, stricken with sorrow, but let's remember what stands written for us by Jonah the prophet. When he was so far down that from the depths of the sea he 55:52 cried, "The depths closed me round about. The weeds were wrapped about my head. Didn't he find that even from the ocean bed there was a path to heaven and to the ear of his father? When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord 56:10 and my prayers came in unto thee unto thine holy temple. Didn't he also find out to his joy that there was in the same way a path for the Lord's mercy and help from the heights of heaven to the depths of the sea. And when the deliverance came, he didn't 56:29 forget the praise. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord. You can read that in Jonah 2. So for us, let the clear psalm note ring out today. 56:45 My soul wait only upon God. My expectation is from him. And may the secret of heaven which the Lord told the disciples when he was about to leave them in a cold and dark world be proved an ever fresh assurance by us, his 57:02 chosen ones to whom it has been handed down from generation to generation. And this is what the Lord said, "Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full." Amen. 57:19 [Music]
