WEBVTT

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 Be seated.

00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:07.919
 Well, one of my favorite Advent traditions

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 that I try to do every year is to go and see Handel's Messiah.

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 And last night, Molly and I had the opportunity

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 to go see it at the National Cathedral.

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 And if you've ever gotten the chance to see it there,

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 it's an amazing, beautiful setting

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 to see this masterpiece of music

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 that was written by George Friedrich Handel in 1741.

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 And it has become one of the most well-known,

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 one of the most often performed pieces of music in history.

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 And the music itself is, of course, masterful.

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 But what's so amazing, if you've ever heard it

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 or seen it performed,

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 is that all the words are directly from Scripture.

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 It tells the story of redemption

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 straight from the Bible.

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 Handel set the message of redemption to music.

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 And it is absolutely beautiful.

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 And it about brings me to tears

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 almost every time I listen to it.

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 And three of the very first songs,

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 in fact, there's five in total,

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 that actually, of Handel's Messiah,

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 actually come straight from our text this morning,

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 Isaiah chapter 40.

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 And part of what I love about the Messiah

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 is that I think it beautifully captures

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 the tone and the mood of Isaiah 40,

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 which is one of God speaking words of comfort

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 to his people.

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 And I promise you,

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 I'm not gonna sing Isaiah 40 this morning,

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 much to your joy,

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 but I'm gonna preach it.

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 And hopefully,

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 we'll hear God's words of comfort

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 to us this morning.

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 The background to Isaiah chapter 40

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 is the Babylonian exile.

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 Chapters one through 39 of the prophet Isaiah

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 are about what is happening in Isaiah's day

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 before the exile,

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 when the kingdom of Assyria

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 is the major threat.

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 And there comes this turning point

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 in the book of Isaiah in chapter 39,

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 when King Hezekiah makes a foolish decision.

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 He welcomes ambassadors from the kingdom of Babylon,

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 a kingdom that's not yet a threat.

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 And he gives these ambassadors,

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 these envoys,

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 a tour of his whole palace and armory

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 and the temple.

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 And he shows them all the silver and gold

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 and all his wealth in the palace

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 and all of his storehouses.

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 And by the way,

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 if you happen to work in foreign policy,

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 I would not recommend this as a strategy

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 for foreign policy

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 because chapter 39

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 ends with the prophet Isaiah

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 telling King Hezekiah,

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 the time will surely come

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 when everything that you've just showed,

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 these ambassadors from Babylon,

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 and that all that your predecessors

00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:11.919
 have stored up until this day

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 will be carried off into exile.

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 And a couple generations later,

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 that is exactly what happened.

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 God had sent Israel prophet after prophet,

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 warning after warning,

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 until he finally allowed Jerusalem

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 to be captured by the Babylonians.

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 And his people

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 were forced from their homes

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 and torn from everything

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 that was familiar to them

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 and taken to a foreign land in tears.

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 And Isaiah,

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 though he lived in the time

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 before the exile,

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 God gave him the prophetic task

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 of writing these words

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 to an audience centuries in the future.

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 And it's to people living in the pain

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 and the grief

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 and the disorientation of exile

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 that God speaks these words of comfort

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 here in Isaiah chapter 40.

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 And even though we may not be living

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 in a literal exile today,

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 we need these words of comfort

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 and consolation

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 just as much as they did

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 because all of us,

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 if we're honest,

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 face the pain

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 and grief

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 and difficult circumstances

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 of life in a fallen world,

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 which is in its own way

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 its own experience of exile,

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 of feeling far from home,

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 of feeling like this world

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 is not our true home,

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 it's not the way it's supposed to be.

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 Perhaps this morning,

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 as you come into the season of Advent,

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 you have felt this

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 more heavily

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 this year

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 or in recent months

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 than in any other season of your life.

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 Maybe you're coming into the season of Advent

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 not with celebration and joy,

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 but with tears

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 and with grief

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 and wrestling with God.

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 And if that's you,

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 I wanna invite you to listen

00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.720
 to what's here in Isaiah chapter 40 this morning.

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 I wanna invite you to listen

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 to three voices of comfort.

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 Three voices of comfort.

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 Here in Isaiah 40,

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 we see a voice of assurance,

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 a voice of hope,

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 and a voice of love.

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 A voice of assurance,

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 a voice of hope,

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 and a voice of love.

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 So first of all,

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 we see here in this passage

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 that we are comforted

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 with a voice of assurance.

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 I wonder how you imagine

00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:47.939
 God's voice sounds like.

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 I wonder what the tone is.

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 I wonder what the mood is

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 when you imagine God's voice.

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 Is it a deep bass voice

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 that sounds like Morgan Freeman?

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 Is it super spiritual

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 and high-pitched and angelic?

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 Is it dry and boring?

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 Is it harsh and condemning?

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 It's interesting.

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 Notice how verses one and two

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 start with this.

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 Comfort, comfort my people,

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 says your God.

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 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.

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 The tone in God's voice here

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 is one of tenderness,

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 gentleness, comfort.

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 He's bringing them

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 a message of consolation.

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 And what is that message?

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 We see in verse three,

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 and cry to her

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 that her warfare is ended,

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 that her iniquity is pardoned,

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 that she has received

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 from the Lord's hand

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 double for all her sins.

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 God is speaking a word of comfort

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 to his people here

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 about the forgiveness of their sins.

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 The people in Israel knew

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 why they were in exile.

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 They were rightly receiving

00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:06.160
 God's discipline

00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:08.620
 for generations of unfaithfulness,

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 idolatry, rebellion.

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 And I wonder

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 what it would have been like

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 to sit around a Jewish dinner table

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 in exile in Babylon.

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 I wonder what sorts of things

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 would have been said.

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 I wonder what things

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 would have gone unsaid.

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 I wonder what questions

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 would have been asked.

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 I wonder what fears

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 and sorrows

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 would have been expressed

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 around that dinner table

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 in Babylon.

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 And I have to imagine,

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 whether it went said or unsaid,

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 that one of the questions

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 they wrestled with in exile

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 is this,

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 are we beyond God's forgiveness?

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 Did we sin too greatly?

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 Did we go too far?

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 Are we past the boundaries

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 of God's mercy?

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 But God says to his people here

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 in Isaiah 40,

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 not only are you

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 not beyond the scope

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 of my mercy and forgiveness,

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 but in fact,

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 I have already forgiven you.

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 I'm not waiting

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 for your exile to be over,

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 for your sins to be atoned for.

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 It's not the exile

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 that's atoning for your sins.

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 I have already atoned

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 for them myself.

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 And in fact,

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 I have given you double

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 for all your sins.

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 This is the image

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 of a double portion.

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 A double portion

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 is something

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 that is overflowing

00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:40.120
 with extravagance

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 and generosity

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 beyond what is expected

00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:44.919
 or even necessary.

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 God is saying,

00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:47.539
 I've done way more

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 than just forgiven you.

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 In fact,

00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:51.120
 I'm here to comfort you

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 and to assure you

00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.860
 that you're still mine,

00:08:54.919 --> 00:08:56.940
 that you still belong to me,

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 that you're forgiven.

00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:00.159
 Though Israel had to endure

00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:00.960
 God's discipline

00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:02.080
 for a short time,

00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:04.360
 it was impossible

00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.000
 for them

00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.220
 to have sinned

00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:07.779
 too greatly

00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:09.200
 to be beyond God's mercy.

00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:11.340
 And this is a word

00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:11.720
 of comfort

00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:13.419
 that they needed to hear

00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:14.100
 in the exile,

00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:14.820
 and this is a word

00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:15.200
 of comfort

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 that we need

00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:17.259
 to hear today.

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 Do you ever wonder

00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:22.920
 if you can have

00:09:22.920 --> 00:09:23.740
 real

00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:25.400
 and lasting assurance

00:09:25.400 --> 00:09:26.580
 that you are

00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:27.379
 right with God?

00:09:29.320 --> 00:09:30.320
 Have you ever wondered

00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:30.740
 that

00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:32.259
 perhaps

00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:34.540
 maybe he forgave you

00:09:34.540 --> 00:09:35.700
 for those things

00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:36.440
 in your past,

00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:38.180
 but maybe now

00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:38.640
 you've,

00:09:38.720 --> 00:09:40.360
 maybe now you've gone too far.

00:09:40.920 --> 00:09:42.000
 Maybe you've crossed a line.

00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:42.660
 Maybe you've,

00:09:43.020 --> 00:09:44.040
 now you're past

00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:45.299
 the point of no return.

00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:46.379
 You're past the boundaries

00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:47.559
 of God's mercy

00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.699
 that maybe God's patience

00:09:48.699 --> 00:09:49.620
 has run out on you.

00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:52.539
 And if that's you,

00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:54.899
 hear these words

00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:55.579
 of comfort

00:09:55.579 --> 00:09:56.699
 and assurance

00:09:56.699 --> 00:09:58.480
 that is here

00:09:58.480 --> 00:09:59.159
 in this text.

00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.319
 We can know

00:10:00.319 --> 00:10:00.879
 that we can

00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:02.099
 have real assurance

00:10:02.099 --> 00:10:02.759
 in the forgiveness

00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:03.439
 of our sins

00:10:03.439 --> 00:10:04.779
 not because of anything

00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:05.599
 that we have done,

00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:08.519
 but because of what we see

00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:09.259
 here in verse two,

00:10:09.339 --> 00:10:09.799
 that forgiveness

00:10:09.799 --> 00:10:11.019
 is something that comes

00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:13.039
 from the hand

00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:13.759
 of the Lord.

00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:16.039
 It is given

00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:17.579
 and received

00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:18.620
 not something

00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.199
 that is earned

00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:19.759
 or achieved.

00:10:21.219 --> 00:10:22.000
 Our assurance

00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:22.659
 is not based

00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.579
 in our character,

00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:24.839
 but in the character

00:10:24.839 --> 00:10:25.319
 of God.

00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:27.879
 And yes,

00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:28.659
 it's true.

00:10:28.819 --> 00:10:29.279
 Like Israel,

00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.259
 sometimes we do have

00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.339
 to experience

00:10:31.339 --> 00:10:32.199
 the Lord's discipline

00:10:32.199 --> 00:10:32.879
 for a season.

00:10:35.579 --> 00:10:36.539
 Sometimes we do have

00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.439
 to face the real

00:10:37.439 --> 00:10:38.480
 painful consequences

00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.339
 for our sin.

00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:42.480
 but even still,

00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:44.720
 we cannot

00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.879
 out-sin

00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:46.960
 the mercy

00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:47.460
 of God.

00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:49.800
 There is more

00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:51.300
 mercy in God

00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:52.740
 than there is sin

00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.620
 in us.

00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:55.840
 And the tender

00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:57.600
 heart of God

00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:00.060
 longs to comfort us

00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:01.100
 with the news

00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:03.440
 that our sins

00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:03.879
 are forgiven,

00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:06.299
 to assure us

00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:07.659
 that we are His,

00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.639
 that we belong

00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:10.059
 to Him.

00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:12.480
 And that's the first

00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.379
 voice that we see.

00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:15.159
 We are comforted

00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:15.939
 with a voice

00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:17.379
 of assurance

00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:19.139
 about God's forgiveness.

00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:21.360
 But the second voice

00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:22.000
 that we see

00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:22.980
 is a voice

00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:23.820
 of hope.

00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:25.659
 We are comforted

00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:26.279
 with a voice

00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.320
 of hope.

00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:29.659
 During my first year

00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:31.620
 in seminary

00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.379
 in St. Louis,

00:11:32.959 --> 00:11:34.299
 I found myself

00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:35.000
 in a room

00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:36.980
 with a counselor.

00:11:37.699 --> 00:11:38.539
 And it was that,

00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.199
 in that first year

00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:39.779
 of seminary

00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:40.639
 that I was

00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:41.639
 stumbling

00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:43.219
 for the first time

00:11:43.219 --> 00:11:44.639
 and trying to unpack

00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.379
 the complexity

00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:48.500
 of my inner life.

00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.639
 And part of

00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:51.459
 what that counselor

00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:51.959
 helped me do,

00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:52.939
 and maybe a counselor

00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:53.379
 has helped

00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.439
 do this for you,

00:11:54.519 --> 00:11:55.379
 but part of what

00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.059
 he helped me do

00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:57.339
 is to learn

00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:58.240
 how to name

00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.259
 and process

00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:02.220
 my grief.

00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.259
 I didn't realize it,

00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:04.860
 but there were

00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:06.259
 a lot of things

00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:06.980
 that I was grieving.

00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:09.060
 And as a good counselor

00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:09.460
 does,

00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.960
 he picked up on it.

00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:11.919
 And I distinctly

00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:12.779
 remember him saying

00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:14.779
 one thing to me

00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.620
 in one of our sessions,

00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:16.159
 and he says,

00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:16.480
 Jeff,

00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.399
 it sounds like

00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.220
 you think

00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.500
 that your best days

00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.159
 are behind you.

00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.539
 And I'll always

00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.060
 remember that

00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:24.620
 because he hit

00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.440
 the nail on the head

00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:26.759
 because he was able

00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.539
 to articulate

00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:28.679
 my grief

00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:29.159
 in a way

00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.059
 that I wasn't.

00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.299
 And that named

00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:32.899
 for me

00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.159
 what I felt like

00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.980
 was the grief

00:12:34.980 --> 00:12:35.779
 under the grief.

00:12:36.719 --> 00:12:37.579
 And the grief

00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:38.339
 under the grief

00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:39.699
 was I felt like

00:12:39.699 --> 00:12:41.219
 that the glory days

00:12:41.219 --> 00:12:41.679
 were gone

00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.819
 never to return again.

00:12:44.079 --> 00:12:44.599
 And I think

00:12:44.599 --> 00:12:45.299
 if we go back

00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:46.039
 to that Jewish

00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.759
 dinner table

00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.299
 in Babylon

00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:47.860
 in exile,

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.399
 I wonder

00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.959
 if this was a question

00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:50.679
 on their minds

00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:51.159
 as well.

00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:54.059
 Are the glory days

00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:54.899
 behind us?

00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:58.120
 Is our story over?

00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.139
 Has it come to an end?

00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:00.939
 Israel, of course,

00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.220
 had a clear sense

00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:03.000
 of its own story.

00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:03.679
 They were the people

00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:05.220
 that God had rescued

00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:05.959
 from slavery

00:13:05.959 --> 00:13:06.500
 in Egypt

00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:07.059
 and brought

00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:08.199
 into the wilderness,

00:13:08.459 --> 00:13:09.159
 brought through the wilderness

00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.159
 into the promised lands

00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.779
 to be a light

00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.579
 to the nations.

00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.019
 And yet now

00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:15.720
 it seemed like

00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.259
 they were

00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:19.120
 back in slavery,

00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:19.879
 back in the wilderness.

00:13:21.319 --> 00:13:22.159
 It seemed to them

00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.339
 that maybe their story

00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:25.199
 had come to an end,

00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.179
 that maybe their best days

00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:28.000
 were behind them,

00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:28.860
 that the glory days

00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.740
 were over.

00:13:30.579 --> 00:13:31.639
 And it's to this group

00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.019
 of people

00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:32.579
 that God,

00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.019
 through the prophet Isaiah,

00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:35.000
 speaks a comforting

00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:35.620
 word of hope.

00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.659
 Verse three,

00:13:37.659 --> 00:13:39.299
 a voice cries

00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:40.179
 in the wilderness,

00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.039
 prepare the way

00:13:42.039 --> 00:13:42.539
 of the Lord.

00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.000
 Make straight

00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.519
 in the desert

00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.519
 a highway

00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.259
 for our God.

00:13:46.339 --> 00:13:47.039
 Every valley

00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:48.279
 shall be lifted up

00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:48.959
 and every mountain

00:13:48.959 --> 00:13:49.319
 and hill

00:13:49.319 --> 00:13:50.079
 be made low.

00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:51.800
 the uneven ground

00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:52.800
 shall become level

00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:54.720
 and the rough places

00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:55.379
 a plain.

00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:57.540
 And the glory

00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:58.040
 of the Lord

00:13:58.040 --> 00:13:58.860
 shall be revealed

00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.820
 and all flesh

00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:01.180
 shall see it together

00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:02.360
 for the mouth

00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:02.920
 of the Lord

00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:03.400
 has spoken.

00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.660
 This image

00:14:05.660 --> 00:14:06.940
 of a highway

00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:09.900
 is an ancient image

00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:11.160
 for when a road

00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:12.800
 would be constructed

00:14:12.800 --> 00:14:14.200
 over rough terrain

00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:16.160
 as a processional route

00:14:16.160 --> 00:14:17.280
 for a king

00:14:17.280 --> 00:14:18.600
 coming into a city

00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.800
 so that all

00:14:19.800 --> 00:14:20.759
 of his chariots

00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:21.300
 and horses

00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:22.080
 and soldiers

00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:23.560
 could pass through

00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:24.940
 on smooth ground.

00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:26.940
 And Isaiah says

00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:27.840
 that this is what

00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:28.840
 is going to happen

00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:30.720
 when God comes.

00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:33.060
 He is going to come

00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:33.860
 as a king

00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.860
 and he is going

00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.320
 to come

00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.100
 and reveal

00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:37.240
 his glory

00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.259
 to the world.

00:14:39.560 --> 00:14:41.200
 And that when he does,

00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:42.800
 his rule

00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:44.480
 is gonna transform

00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.740
 the whole creation.

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:48.480
 all of the unjust

00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:49.299
 power structures

00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:50.820
 that oppress people,

00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.100
 all of the sin

00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:53.980
 and idolatry

00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.820
 that dehumanize people,

00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:56.879
 all of the hatred

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:58.580
 and all of the violence

00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.680
 that divide people,

00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:02.480
 all of the rough terrain

00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:04.659
 is gonna be smoothed out

00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:07.279
 when God the king

00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:08.500
 comes and reveals

00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:09.980
 his glory.

00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.240
 And this is an incredible

00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:11.980
 word of hope

00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.659
 that God is speaking

00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.139
 to Israel

00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.179
 that their story

00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:16.779
 doesn't end

00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:17.539
 in exile

00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.639
 but with the glory

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.199
 of God

00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:20.100
 transforming

00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.899
 the whole creation.

00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.740
 And not just them

00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:24.899
 but all flesh,

00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:25.620
 all creation,

00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.579
 all the nations

00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:27.100
 of the earth

00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:28.620
 are gonna see it.

00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:31.419
 And God offers us

00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.779
 the same hope

00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.839
 that if we,

00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.919
 if you belong to him

00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.659
 that your story,

00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.779
 your individual story

00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:41.839
 is bound up

00:15:41.839 --> 00:15:42.620
 in the transformation

00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.519
 of all things

00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:45.480
 and the revelation

00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.500
 of the glory of God

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.179
 to all people.

00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.519
 And because that's true,

00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.419
 your story

00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:52.120
 is far from over.

00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:54.220
 Your best days

00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:55.139
 aren't behind you,

00:15:55.939 --> 00:15:56.959
 they're ahead of you.

00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:59.980
 And so if life for you

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.779
 feels like

00:16:01.319 --> 00:16:01.779
 exile

00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:04.199
 or wilderness

00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:04.860
 right now

00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:08.000
 because of grief

00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:10.419
 or pain

00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:13.460
 or difficult circumstances,

00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:17.000
 if that's you,

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.879
 let me invite you

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.080
 to see what is here

00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.779
 in this text.

00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:23.460
 That it's in those places.

00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.960
 It's in the wilderness.

00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.779
 It's in exile

00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:31.460
 where God comes

00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:32.600
 to reveal

00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.740
 his glory

00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:35.980
 and to smooth out

00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:37.600
 the rough places.

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.240
 He comes

00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:41.300
 in the desert.

00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.660
 He comes

00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:44.900
 in the valleys.

00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.600
 He comes

00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.519
 in the rough places

00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:49.080
 to reveal

00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.040
 his glory

00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:51.040
 to the world.

00:16:52.280 --> 00:16:53.879
 That is where God comes

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:55.560
 and transforms

00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:57.639
 the rough terrain

00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.840
 of our lives

00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.080
 and our world

00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.680
 into places

00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.240
 of beauty

00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.860
 and glory.

00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:05.019
 And this hope

00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.859
 is not dependent

00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:07.680
 upon human ability

00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.480
 or wisdom

00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.099
 or power,

00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:11.099
 but on the wisdom

00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.859
 and power

00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.500
 of God's word.

00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.480
 And that is what we see

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.680
 next in verses

00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.700
 six through eight.

00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:18.099
 All flesh

00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.140
 is grass

00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:20.920
 and all its beauty

00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:21.720
 like the flowers

00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.460
 of the field.

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.200
 The grass

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.039
 withers

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:26.599
 and the flower

00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.220
 fades,

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.740
 but the word

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.400
 of our God

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.420
 will stand forever.

00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.240
 people are

00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.660
 as fragile

00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:36.019
 and as frail

00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:37.339
 as grass.

00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.740
 Here today,

00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.620
 gone tomorrow.

00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.500
 Kingdoms rise

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.079
 and fall,

00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.660
 political leaders

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.920
 come and go.

00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.359
 Ideas

00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.420
 and technology

00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:51.900
 come and go.

00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:54.300
 It's frail.

00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:54.320
 It's frail.

00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.660
 It's momentary.

00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:57.700
 And that is why

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.360
 we can't place

00:17:58.360 --> 00:17:59.220
 our ultimate hope

00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.040
 in any person

00:18:00.040 --> 00:18:01.180
 or any of the

00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:02.259
 thousand things

00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:02.980
 that human beings

00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.700
 put their hope in,

00:18:03.820 --> 00:18:05.140
 whether it's kings

00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:07.120
 or presidents

00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:09.780
 or historical circumstances

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:11.220
 or intellect

00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:11.960
 or all beauty.

00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.399
 They're all

00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:13.319
 too frail.

00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:14.980
 They're all

00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.559
 too temporary.

00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.019
 They're all

00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:17.059
 too momentary.

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.819
 But God's word

00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.539
 is eternal.

00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.200
 And that is where

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.839
 true hope

00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.559
 is to be found.

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.799
 And if he said

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.339
 it's true,

00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:27.619
 it's going to come true.

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.639
 Isaiah says,

00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.339
 the mouth

00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.680
 of the Lord

00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.799
 has spoken.

00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:33.980
 That was the

00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.559
 original mic drop.

00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.440
 Right?

00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.779
 The mouth

00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.220
 of the Lord

00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.039
 has spoken.

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.839
 And when we

00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.980
 see what's

00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:42.779
 promised to us

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.019
 here,

00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.079
 the transformation

00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:46.019
 of all creation,

00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:47.599
 that's incredible

00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.000
 comfort.

00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.200
 It's going to happen

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.680
 because it's based

00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:52.639
 on God's word.

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.019
 So first of all,

00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.960
 we're comforted

00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.019
 with a voice

00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.799
 of assurance

00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:59.159
 about God's

00:18:59.159 --> 00:18:59.519
 forgiveness.

00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:00.919
 Second,

00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.659
 we are comforted

00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.100
 with a voice

00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.720
 of hope

00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.660
 about God's

00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:04.980
 glory.

00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:06.580
 Thirdly,

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.060
 finally,

00:19:07.340 --> 00:19:08.519
 we see

00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.680
 a third voice,

00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:10.980
 that we are

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.580
 comforted with

00:19:11.580 --> 00:19:12.120
 a voice

00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:12.840
 of love.

00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.140
 A voice

00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.580
 of love.

00:19:15.040 --> 00:19:15.840
 If we go back

00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:16.740
 to that Jewish

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.279
 dinner table

00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:17.680
 in Babylon

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.540
 one more time

00:19:18.540 --> 00:19:19.500
 and we look

00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.220
 outside

00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:21.779
 and we see

00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.620
 an unfamiliar

00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.340
 place,

00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:24.759
 an unfamiliar

00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.340
 culture,

00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.060
 unfamiliar

00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:27.279
 food,

00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:27.880
 unfamiliar

00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.779
 language,

00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:30.880
 I would

00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.400
 imagine,

00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:31.840
 again,

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.460
 spoken or

00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:32.940
 unspoken,

00:19:33.060 --> 00:19:33.360
 that a

00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:33.760
 question

00:19:33.760 --> 00:19:35.760
 that arose

00:19:35.760 --> 00:19:36.280
 around that

00:19:36.280 --> 00:19:36.840
 dinner table

00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:38.760
 was,

00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.260
 are we

00:19:40.260 --> 00:19:40.740
 alone?

00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.960
 Has God

00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.840
 forgotten us?

00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.560
 Has he abandoned

00:19:44.560 --> 00:19:44.820
 us?

00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:45.460
 Has he forsaken

00:19:45.460 --> 00:19:45.800
 us?

00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.480
 Look at verse

00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.860
 10 and 11.

00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:52.120
 Behold,

00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.520
 the Lord God

00:19:53.520 --> 00:19:54.860
 comes

00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.200
 with might

00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.400
 and his

00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.400
 arm rules

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.880
 for him.

00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.140
 Behold,

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.880
 his reward

00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.500
 is with him

00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:01.900
 and his

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:02.559
 recompense

00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.500
 before him.

00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:04.039
 He will

00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.180
 tend his

00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.779
 flock

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.500
 like a

00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:06.799
 shepherd.

00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:08.360
 He will

00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:08.940
 gather the

00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.360
 lambs in

00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:09.819
 his arms,

00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.140
 he will

00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:10.620
 carry them

00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:10.920
 in his

00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.259
 bosom

00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.100
 and gently

00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.860
 lead those

00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:13.319
 that are

00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:13.980
 with young.

00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:14.960
 This

00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:16.640
 is the

00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.200
 image of

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.600
 God

00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:19.539
 as a

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.279
 warrior

00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.340
 shepherd.

00:20:22.420 --> 00:20:22.840
 God

00:20:22.840 --> 00:20:23.340
 promises

00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.220
 to come,

00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:24.679
 yes,

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.559
 as a

00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.079
 conquering

00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.759
 king

00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.759
 who reigns

00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:29.720
 and who

00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.319
 rewards

00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:30.959
 his people

00:20:30.959 --> 00:20:31.659
 with victory.

00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:35.079
 But don't

00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:36.159
 miss that

00:20:36.159 --> 00:20:36.740
 the end

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.519
 goal of

00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.179
 the reigning

00:20:38.179 --> 00:20:38.919
 conquering

00:20:38.919 --> 00:20:39.959
 king is

00:20:39.959 --> 00:20:40.619
 to dwell

00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.319
 with his

00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.359
 people in

00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.399
 love as

00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:43.799
 a shepherd.

00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.259
 This is

00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.500
 one of the

00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.039
 most intimate

00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.079
 images in

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.539
 scripture about

00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.220
 God's loving

00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:49.839
 presence with

00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.319
 his people.

00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.759
 He gathers

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.500
 them into

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.099
 his arms.

00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:55.599
 And brings

00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.339
 them close

00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:57.639
 to his

00:20:57.639 --> 00:20:58.119
 chest.

00:20:58.859 --> 00:20:59.459
 He says

00:20:59.459 --> 00:20:59.899
 to Israel,

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.599
 I haven't

00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.419
 forgotten you,

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:01.859
 I haven't

00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.359
 forsaken

00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:02.720
 you,

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.179
 you are

00:21:04.179 --> 00:21:04.879
 not alone.

00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.500
 My whole

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.740
 purpose is

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.299
 to come

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:08.939
 and to dwell

00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:09.779
 with you

00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.359
 in love.

00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.039
 And he

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.459
 says the

00:21:12.459 --> 00:21:12.919
 same thing

00:21:12.919 --> 00:21:13.399
 to us.

00:21:14.159 --> 00:21:14.399
 God

00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:15.299
 longs to

00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:15.759
 dwell with

00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.959
 us in

00:21:16.959 --> 00:21:17.539
 a loving

00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.139
 relationship

00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:19.099
 as a

00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.319
 shepherd,

00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:19.759
 to be

00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.779
 present with

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.159
 us,

00:21:21.699 --> 00:21:22.519
 to lead

00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:22.879
 us and

00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.319
 to guide

00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:23.700
 us,

00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.259
 to nourish

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.660
 us,

00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:26.440
 and to

00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:26.779
 bind up

00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:26.940
 our

00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.319
 wounds.

00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.639
 And if

00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.079
 you're here

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.740
 this morning

00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:34.359
 and you

00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:35.359
 are especially

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:37.799
 grieving or

00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.319
 suffering,

00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:42.379
 look at

00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.039
 this image

00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.660
 here in

00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.319
 Isaiah 40

00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:44.779
 that the

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.460
 God of

00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.180
 Isaiah 40

00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.299
 is not

00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.259
 a God

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.859
 who has

00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.460
 left you

00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.120
 alone,

00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:52.900
 but who

00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.460
 gathers

00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.299
 you into

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.920
 his arms

00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:57.579
 and who

00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.140
 holds you

00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:59.600
 close to

00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.240
 his chest.

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.059
 There is

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.819
 incredible

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:05.120
 comfort for

00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:06.059
 us here in

00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:06.680
 this image

00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.299
 of our

00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.160
 God as

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.720
 a shepherd,

00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:09.539
 warrior,

00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:09.940
 king.

00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.160
 And so

00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:15.019
 there's

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.600
 incredible

00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.240
 comfort here.

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.579
 There's

00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.100
 comfort all

00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:18.440
 over this

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:18.920
 passage and

00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.360
 in fact,

00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:20.480
 if you

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:20.880
 read the

00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:22.019
 rest of

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.340
 Isaiah

00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:23.060
 chapter 40,

00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.340
 there's

00:22:24.340 --> 00:22:24.640
 more

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.039
 comfort.

00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:25.759
 There's

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.580
 comfort that

00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.539
 is extravagant

00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.039
 and poured

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.200
 out.

00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:28.519
 And I

00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.519
 wish I

00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:29.960
 had time

00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.320
 to preach

00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:30.759
 the rest

00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.000
 of the

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.519
 chapter because

00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.220
 the entire

00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.019
 chapter of

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.600
 Isaiah 40

00:22:33.600 --> 00:22:34.279
 is glorious.

00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:34.660
 It's one of

00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:34.800
 the most

00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:35.440
 amazing

00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.779
 chapters in

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:36.960
 all of

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.140
 scripture.

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.480
 And so I

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.180
 encourage you

00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:38.840
 later today

00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.340
 to go home

00:22:39.340 --> 00:22:39.620
 and read

00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:39.920
 the whole

00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.480
 chapter because

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.380
 it is just

00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:42.660
 overflowing

00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:44.160
 with comfort.

00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:46.200
 But here in

00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.820
 these verses we

00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.560
 see that we're

00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.800
 comforted with a

00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:49.140
 voice of

00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:50.920
 assurance about

00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.279
 God's

00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.660
 forgiveness,

00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.860
 that we're not

00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:54.360
 beyond his

00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:54.700
 mercy.

00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.440
 We're comforted

00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.019
 with a voice of

00:22:58.019 --> 00:22:59.860
 hope about

00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.519
 God's glory,

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.080
 that our

00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:02.680
 story's not

00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:02.960
 over.

00:23:03.820 --> 00:23:04.480
 And we're

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.259
 comforted with a

00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.200
 voice of love

00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:08.000
 about God's

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.860
 presence who

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.539
 comes to dwell

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:10.819
 with his

00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.139
 people,

00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.859
 that we are

00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.539
 not alone.

00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.500
 And centuries

00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:20.199
 later, these

00:23:20.199 --> 00:23:21.959
 words of

00:23:21.959 --> 00:23:24.439
 comfort would

00:23:24.439 --> 00:23:26.159
 leap off the

00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:27.699
 page and

00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:29.079
 take on

00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.939
 flesh.

00:23:30.959 --> 00:23:31.819
 In Mark

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.679
 chapter 1,

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.219
 our gospel

00:23:33.219 --> 00:23:33.919
 reading, John

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.299
 the Baptist

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.399
 says, that

00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.479
 voice in Isaiah

00:23:36.479 --> 00:23:37.259
 chapter 40

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.319
 calling in the

00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.219
 wilderness to

00:23:39.219 --> 00:23:39.719
 prepare,

00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.919
 the way for

00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.339
 the Lord.

00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.259
 That's me.

00:23:42.979 --> 00:23:43.679
 That is my

00:23:43.679 --> 00:23:43.979
 voice.

00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:44.639
 I am the

00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.659
 voice of one

00:23:45.659 --> 00:23:46.479
 calling in the

00:23:46.479 --> 00:23:47.479
 wilderness that

00:23:47.479 --> 00:23:48.539
 God is here.

00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:49.979
 That the God of

00:23:49.979 --> 00:23:50.659
 comfort who was

00:23:50.659 --> 00:23:51.299
 promised and

00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.579
 foretold in Isaiah

00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:53.799
 chapter 40 is

00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:54.219
 here.

00:23:54.479 --> 00:23:55.299
 He has come.

00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.519
 Repent and

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.719
 believe the

00:23:59.719 --> 00:24:00.259
 good news.

00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.559
 Repent and

00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.000
 receive the

00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:05.099
 comfort and the

00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:06.299
 consolation that

00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.259
 has taken on

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.039
 flesh.

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.039
 forgiveness.

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.279
 In Jesus

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:10.759
 Christ.

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:14.599
 Jesus Christ is

00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:16.279
 God's ultimate

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.319
 word of

00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.240
 assurance to us

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.159
 about God's

00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:19.920
 forgiveness.

00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.519
 It is through

00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:22.019
 his finished work

00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.680
 on the cross

00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:24.879
 that we can know

00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:25.440
 with great

00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.859
 assurance, beyond

00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.619
 the shadow of a

00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.819
 doubt, that our

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.399
 sins are forgiven.

00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.400
 God's ultimate

00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.060
 love of a

00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:32.400
 God's ultimate

00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.400
 salvation.

00:24:33.400 --> 00:24:34.080
 He is

00:24:34.080 --> 00:24:35.220
 not because of

00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.160
 everything in him,

00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.280
 because his work

00:24:37.280 --> 00:24:39.500
 was full and

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.400
 final and

00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:42.660
 complete and

00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:44.280
 satisfactory in his

00:24:44.280 --> 00:24:45.680
 death on the cross

00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:47.040
 in our place.

00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:50.080
 And in Jesus, we

00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:51.300
 find God saying to

00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:53.460
 us, your

00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:55.360
 warfare is

00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:55.600
 ended.

00:24:55.599 --> 00:25:00.000
 your iniquity is

00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.639
 pardoned.

00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:03.039
 You have received

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.939
 from the Lord's

00:25:03.939 --> 00:25:05.279
 hand a double

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.559
 portion, not only

00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.559
 the forgiveness of

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.240
 sins, but the

00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.740
 transfer of his

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.980
 righteousness to

00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:12.079
 us, our adoption

00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.459
 as his sons and

00:25:13.459 --> 00:25:14.339
 daughters, our

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.319
 justification, the

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.919
 indwelling of the

00:25:15.919 --> 00:25:16.939
 Holy Spirit, and

00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:18.219
 all the spiritual

00:25:18.219 --> 00:25:19.000
 blessings that come

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.439
 in Christ.

00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.939
 He is God's double

00:25:20.939 --> 00:25:21.519
 portion, his

00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.879
 overflowing, extravagant

00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:23.559
 grace to us.

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.839
 He is God's word of

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:25.379
 assurance.

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.599
 to us.

00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.519
 And if we put our

00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.099
 faith in him, we

00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.679
 don't have to doubt

00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:31.919
 for a second that

00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:32.359
 our sins are

00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.159
 forgiven and that

00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:34.059
 we belong to God.

00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.519
 Jesus Christ is

00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.599
 God's word of hope.

00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.599
 He is God's ultimate

00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.559
 word of hope to us

00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:41.619
 about the coming of

00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.259
 God's glory.

00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.839
 In his incarnation,

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:45.539
 God revealed his

00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.879
 glory to the world.

00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:50.240
 Wherever Jesus

00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:55.099
 went, valleys were

00:25:55.099 --> 00:25:55.659
 raised up.

00:25:57.659 --> 00:25:59.480
 Mountains were brought

00:25:59.480 --> 00:25:59.759
 low.

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:03.159
 Rough places were

00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:03.699
 smoothed.

00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.919
 The sick were healed.

00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.899
 The blind saw.

00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.279
 The lame walked.

00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:10.099
 Sinners repented and

00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:11.559
 received forgiveness.

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:15.779
 Wherever Jesus goes, the

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:17.219
 transformation of the

00:26:17.219 --> 00:26:19.439
 glory of God goes too.

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.799
 God's glory to God's

00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.440
 God's glory to the

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.440
 glory of God.

00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.920
 And the amazing hope that we

00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:27.720
 have is that we can be united to Jesus' story of cosmic transformation by faith.

00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:39.460
 Jesus loves to reveal his transforming glory in the wilderness and in the exile of our lives.

00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:43.600
 And we're gonna hear a story about that later in the service.

00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:49.360
 He can reveal his glory in the rough places of our lives and of our city even now.

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.819
 That is why he came.

00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:55.420
 And that's why in Jesus we hear God speaking a word of comfort to us.

00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:58.080
 Your story is not over.

00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.880
 God's not done with you.

00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:07.320
 And thirdly, finally, Jesus Christ is God's ultimate word of love to us about God's presence

00:27:07.320 --> 00:27:12.640
 because he is the shepherd king in Isaiah 40 who has come to dwell with his people in love.

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:15.940
 And to carry them in his chest.

00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:18.980
 To lead them by the hand.

00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:22.200
 To bind up their wounds.

00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:28.060
 And it's in Jesus that we hear God saying to us,

00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.820
 you are not alone.

00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.000
 I am with you.

00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.560
 You are loved.

00:27:35.340 --> 00:27:40.320
 Jesus Christ is God's ultimate word of comfort to us.

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.420
 He is our assurance.

00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.580
 He is our hope.

00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:45.100
 And he is the presence of God in love.

00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:50.780
 And the invitation of the season of Advent is that even though we may feel like Israel,

00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:52.120
 that we are waiting in exile.

00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:56.540
 In a world where we can sometimes feel far from home.

00:27:56.540 --> 00:27:58.020
 In a world of sin.

00:27:58.820 --> 00:28:00.040
 In a world of pain.

00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.800
 A world of grief.

00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.740
 A world of tears.

00:28:07.540 --> 00:28:08.740
 A world of loneliness.

00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:11.580
 A world of waiting.

00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:18.980
 A world where it feels like consolation is never gonna come.

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:26.099
 The invitation of the season of Advent is that in that world, in this world,

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:31.740
 there is incredible comfort to be found because God came.

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:33.200
 Behold your God.

00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:38.480
 He came in Jesus Christ and took on flesh.

00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:49.720
 He left all the glory and the comfort of heaven to experience the pain and the difficulty and the grief of exile with us and for us.

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:55.960
 He was exiled for us to purchase our eternal comfort.

00:28:55.960 --> 00:29:00.960
 And it's in Jesus Christ that we hear God speaking to us.

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.960
 And so, I'm so much more in the week.

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.319
 I'm so much more deeply.

00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:10.860
 I'm so much more in that world.

00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.579
 Comfort.

00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:16.000
 Comfort, my people.

00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.960
 I have forgiven you.

00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.779
 Your story is not over.

00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.980
 You're not alone.

00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:29.360
 And when we receive this word with open hearts of faith,

00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:32.980
 this comfort can truly become ours.

00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:35.079
 Let's pray.

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:44.279
 Lord Jesus Christ,

00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:49.980
 bring the comfort and the consolation

00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:52.599
 of your coming into our lives.

00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.299
 Reveal your glory.

00:29:58.660 --> 00:30:02.099
 Lord, comfort us with your incredible assurance.

00:30:02.339 --> 00:30:03.700
 Comfort us with your incredible hope.

00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.599
 Comfort us with your incredible love.

00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:12.539
 We pray this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:13.279
 Amen.