WEBVTT

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 Now let's pray together.

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 Lord God, we praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, acknowledging your greatness and your glory.

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 Acknowledging, too, that we will only ever catch a brief glimpse of all you are in your absolute perfections.

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 But Lord, we thank you for what we find in your word, teaching us that you are the eternal king, that you rule over all things and over all people, that you are our creator, that you are our sustainer,

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 that you are moving all of history forward in your intended direction until the return of our Lord Jesus, until he comes in judgment and in final salvation and establishes the new heaven and the new earth for his people.

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 Lord, we thank you that you are the God who is mightier than the oceans.

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 We have seen so much of the power of the weather in the storms that have gripped so much of Europe in recent days.

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 But we recognize you are mightier by far.

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 Lord, we praise you that your word is unbreakable, that it is the word of the king and it is unchanging.

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 Lord, we thank you that you are the God who is perfect in holiness.

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 Thank you that you never change, you never diminish in your perfection, that you remain always our holy, holy, holy God.

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 And we thank you that from your glory and your power and your goodness, you are able to strengthen us.

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 And so we pray once again that as you meet with us, that you would meet with us to do us good from your word.

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 That as we see something of your glory, that it would cause our hearts to worship.

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 That it would cause our lives to be lived under your good rule.

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 So guide us in our time together.

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 Guide us in our discussions later.

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 And all for your glory we pray.

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 Amen.

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 So, again, we are going to be thinking about another of our key doctrines.

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 This time it's the glory of God to think about it in God's word and to think about its significance for everyday life.

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 We'll shortly be reading from Isaiah 40, a wonderful text to think about the glory of God.

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 But before that, a couple of introductory questions.

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 First of all, what do we mean when we're talking about the glory of God?

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 Paul Tripp has a helpful definition for us.

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 He says, God's glory is the greatness, beauty and perfection of all that he is.

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 So it's a helpful working definition for us.

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 To speak of the glory of God is to make a declaration that God has majesty, that God is great.

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 And at the same time, that becomes for us an invitation.

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 As we recognize the greatness of the one true God, that we would worship him.

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 So God's glory, seeing God's glory, should lead us to worship.

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 We've already sung from Psalm 93, but we could mention Psalm 48, verse 1,

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 which begins, great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.

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 Psalm 93, which began, the Lord reigns.

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 He is robed in majesty.

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 The Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength.

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 Psalm 95, verse 3, the Lord is the great God, great King above all gods.

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 Psalm 145 testifies to the reality that one generation will say to the other,

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 speak to the other of the glorious splendor of the majesty of God.

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 So the Bible is full and our Psalms are full of the greatness, the beauty, the perfection of God.

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 That being the case, why do we need to see the glory of God is something that we'll think about this evening.

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 And one important reason why we need the glory of God is because within all of our hearts,

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 there is what we might call a glory war.

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 There is a battle for hearts and minds going on.

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 So one thing that is true for all of us as people is that we are hardwired or we are programmed to seek glory

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 and to seek something that is glorious.

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 God made us that way, so ultimately that we would seek him and find him and recognize his supreme glory.

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 But because of sin, so often we become glory thieves.

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 Since Adam and Eve, there is that desire within us to be like God,

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 to want to put ourself at the center, and so we rob God of glory.

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 But also we exchange the creator for created things, and we give glory to those created things.

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 And we might see that when our fascination and obsession is taken up with, let's say, a sports team,

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 or with art, or with a particular person rather than God.

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 But we were made that only seeing and responding to the glory of God would be what would truly satisfy us.

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 Because only God is eternal and infinite and unlimited in his greatness, perfection, and beauty.

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 And so we can chase after these lesser things, and they may satisfy for a while, but they cannot satisfy ultimately.

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 But there is that battle going on in our hearts, and ultimately, only God's grace in the gospel is going to win that battle for us.

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 Only as we see the glory of God in the person and work of the Lord Jesus are we going to be truly captivated by God and his glory above all lesser things.

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 So that's one reason why we need the glory of God, because of that war that goes on in our hearts all the time.

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 We also need it because sometimes in our thinking our God becomes too small.

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 The Bible is very clear that God is unlimited.

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 He's eternal and infinite. He's almighty and perfect.

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 But sometimes, in our own thinking, especially if we lose sight of God's revelation in the Bible,

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 we lose that sense of the infinite gap that is between our great God and ourselves.

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 We bring him, as it were, down to our level.

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 Or, on the other hand, we might apply our limits to God.

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 You know, our wisdom is not perfect.

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 Our understanding is not perfect.

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 Our love is not perfect.

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 So we imagine God being like that.

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 Or we can think of God as being personal, and he is,

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 but we fail to see how majestic and other he is,

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 emphasizing one over the other.

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 And the result when we do that is we begin to lose a sense of worship.

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 And if we lose sight of the greatness and glory of God,

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 it can be very easy then for us to become discouraged,

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 for us to begin to have doubts,

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 for us to begin to wonder,

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 well, can Christ's kingdom really prosper?

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 Can God move in power again?

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 Think about our city or think about our nation?

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 And so we're going to come shortly to Isaiah chapter 40,

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 and that was the reality for the folks that were hearing that word from God.

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 And because they were exiles, and they were discouraged,

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 and they were fearful.

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 But I imagine that we can relate to that in our own time.

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 Two vital steps that we want to take to recover a right sense of God's glory then

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 is on the one hand to remove any thought of limits

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 when it comes to thinking about God.

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 And secondly, and this is where we see it a lot in Isaiah 40,

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 is to compare God with those powers and those forces

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 that we typically think of as great,

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 recognizing that God is greater than.

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 So with that in view, let's turn in our Bibles

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 to the book of Isaiah and chapter 40,

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 and we'll read the whole chapter,

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 and then we will think about it together.

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 And the words are on the screen if you don't have a copy of the Bible yourself.

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 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

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 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

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 and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed,

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 that her sin has been paid for,

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 that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

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 A voice of one calling,

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 in the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord,

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 make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

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 Every valley shall be raised up,

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 every mountain and hill made low,

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 the rough ground shall become level,

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 the rugged places a plain,

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 and the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

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 and all people will see it together,

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 for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

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 A voice says, cry out.

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 And I said, what shall I cry?

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 All people are like grass,

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 and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

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 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

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 because the breath of the Lord blows on them.

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 Surely the people are grass.

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 The grass withers and the flowers fall,

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 but the word of our God endures forever.

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 You who bring good news to Zion,

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 go up on a high mountain.

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 You who bring good news to Jerusalem,

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 lift up your voice with a shout.

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 Lift it up.

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 Do not be afraid.

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 Say to the towns of Judah,

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 here is your God.

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 See, the sovereign Lord comes with power,

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 and he rules with a mighty arm.

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 See, his reward is with him,

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 and his recompense accompanies him.

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 He tends his flock like a shepherd.

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 He gathers the lambs in his arms,

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 and carries them close to his heart.

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 He gently leads those that have young.

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 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

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 or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?

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 Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,

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 or weighed the mountains on the scales,

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 and the hills in a balance?

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 Who can fathom the spirit of the Lord,

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 or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

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 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,

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 and who taught him the right way?

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 Who was it that taught him knowledge,

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 or showed him the path of understanding?

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 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket.

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 They are regarded as dust on the scales.

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 He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

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 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,

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 nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.

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 Before him all the nations are as nothing.

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 They are regarded by him as worthless,

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 and less than nothing.

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 With whom then will you compare God?

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 To what image will you liken him?

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 As for an idol, a metal worker casts it,

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 and a goldsmith overlays it with gold,

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 and fashions silver chains for it.

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 A person too poor to present such an offering,

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 selects wood that will not rot.

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 They look for a skilled worker,

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 to set up an idol that will not topple.

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 Do you not know?

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 Have you not heard?

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 Has it not been told you from the beginning?

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 Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

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 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,

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 and its people are like grasshoppers.

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 He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,

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 and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

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 He brings princes to naught,

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 and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

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 No sooner are they planted,

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 no sooner are they sown,

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 no sooner do they take root in the ground,

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 than he blows on them and they wither,

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 and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

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 To whom will you compare me?

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 Or who is my equal, says the Holy One?

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 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens who created all these.

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 He who brings out the starry host one by one,

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 and calls forth each of them by name,

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 because of his great power and mighty strength,

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 not one of them is missing.

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 Why do you complain, Jacob?

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 Why do you say, Israel, my way is hidden from the Lord?

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 My cause is disregarded by my God?

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 Do you not know?

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 Have you not heard?

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 The Lord is the everlasting God,

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 the creator of the ends of the earth.

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 He will not grow tired or weary,

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 and his understanding no one can fathom.

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 He gives strength to the weary,

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 and increases the power of the weak.

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 Even youths grow tired and weary,

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 and young men stumble and fall.

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 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

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 They will soar on wings like eagles.

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 They will run and not grow weary.

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 They will walk and not be faint.

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 Amen.

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 Wonderful chapter.

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 We're going to begin by thinking about

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 six necessary comparisons

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 as we want to see the glory of God.

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 So here is Isaiah, and he's led by the Spirit,

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 and he's speaking to these discouraged

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 and anxious people of God.

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 And he gives these beautiful words of comfort.

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 Comfort to be found in the glory of God

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 and knowing the God of glory.

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 And the emphasis is on the fact that God has no limits

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 and God has no rivals when it comes to his glory.

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 So six points of comparison or contrast.

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 First in verses six to eight,

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 the glory of the word of God

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 compared to us as people.

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 What does Isaiah, led by the Spirit, say about people?

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 All people are like grass.

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 The grass withers and the flowers fall

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 because the breath of the Lord blows on them.

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 It's the emphasis there.

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 We are frail.

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 We are fragile.

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 As people, we are constantly changing.

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 In some ways, we are growing and developing.

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 In other ways, we are experiencing loss

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 and we are decreasing.

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 And ultimately, what we discover there in verse seven

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 is that our breath is given by God.

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 Our breath is taken by God.

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 Our lives are in the hands of God.

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 But while we are constantly changing

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 and we are marked by fragility,

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 verse eight,

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 but the word of our God endures forever.

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 His word never changes.

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 His is the one word

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 that is never in need of an upgrade,

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 an update, or any form of correction.

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 So in the word of God,

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 we have a glorious stability

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 for our changing lives

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 and in our changing world.

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 So the word of God compared to people.

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 The next comparison to think about

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 so we can see the glory of God

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 is related to the tasks of God.

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 Verses 12 to 14.

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 He goes to these huge things of creation

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 who has measured the waters

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 in the hollow of his hand.

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 So there's the oceans pictured

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 as if they were just in the palm of God's hands

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 or with the breadth of his hand

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 marked off the heavens.

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 We think about the sky and all its vastness

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 as if God measured them so easily

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 with just the breadth of his hand,

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 weighing the mountains on the scales.

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 Compared with the God of glory,

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 all of these acts of creation

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 are small,

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 as wonderful as they are.

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 We may very well find ourselves

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 being amazed by the discoveries

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.860
 that there are within the natural world,

00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:37.660
 amazed by the latest documentary

00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.600
 from David Attenborough.

00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:43.279
 But even as we listen to those documentaries

00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.159
 and we see those scenes,

00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.839
 we recognize that as people

00:16:45.839 --> 00:16:46.799
 there is still so much

00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:48.519
 that we have not explored,

00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:50.699
 there is so much that remains unknown,

00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:52.240
 and beyond all that

00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:54.539
 is the stark reality

00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.860
 that we did not create,

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.419
 but God did.

00:16:59.839 --> 00:17:01.839
 And in verses 13 and 14,

00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:04.079
 in a sense there's a challenge.

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.399
 Who else could do this?

00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.619
 Who else could measure the oceans

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.959
 in the palm of his hand?

00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.079
 Who else has measured

00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:14.259
 the dust of the earth in a basket?

00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:15.219
 Who is big enough?

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.179
 Who is wise enough?

00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:17.519
 Who is creative enough

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.959
 to make all of this?

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:22.339
 And of course the answer is no one.

00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:25.799
 And so the people of God

00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.819
 are invited in verse 9,

00:17:27.919 --> 00:17:29.500
 and we'll come back again and again

00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:31.419
 to recognize and to say,

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:33.459
 here is our God.

00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:35.119
 He is a God of glory,

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:37.779
 and we can see it in his great tasks.

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:41.299
 And we see it also in contrast

00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:43.559
 with the nations.

00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:47.000
 Think again about Israel's national story.

00:17:47.419 --> 00:17:49.399
 Think about their position geographically,

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:51.000
 always being threatened

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:53.079
 by larger empires,

00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:55.199
 more powerful nations all around,

00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.219
 sometimes threatened,

00:17:56.399 --> 00:17:58.359
 sometimes taken into captivity

00:17:58.359 --> 00:18:01.279
 as they have been in their recent history.

00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:03.180
 And we can imagine them

00:18:03.180 --> 00:18:04.960
 looking across their borders,

00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.019
 often with anxiety and fear,

00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.139
 and God says,

00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.740
 remember,

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.079
 surely the nations are like

00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:11.960
 a drop in a bucket.

00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:14.779
 They're regarded as dust on the scales.

00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.859
 Those enemies

00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:19.039
 that you are so fearful of,

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.279
 verse 17,

00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.099
 before him,

00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.379
 before the God of glory,

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.859
 all the nations are as nothing.

00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.660
 They're regarded by him

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:27.099
 as worthless and less than nothing.

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:31.539
 Think about that

00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.639
 when we watch the news.

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.939
 The focus on the news just now,

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.240
 I guess,

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:36.959
 is on the force of Russia

00:18:36.959 --> 00:18:39.259
 and the threat from Russia.

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.279
 Or perhaps if you read

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:45.019
 from items from the persecuted church,

00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:47.740
 you get your stories of mission,

00:18:47.959 --> 00:18:49.480
 and you learn about the governments

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.579
 of Afghanistan and North Korea and Iran

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.099
 and their determination

00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.859
 to try and squeeze out Christianity

00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.759
 within their country.

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:59.319
 We are invited to read Isaiah 40

00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.859
 and to remember that those nations,

00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.819
 and indeed our nation,

00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.920
 is not in control,

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.940
 but God is.

00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.900
 Those nations are not setting

00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.359
 the course of world history.

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:12.019
 Our glorious God is.

00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:14.299
 And so the answer to Israel's fear,

00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.640
 the answer to our fear,

00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:17.420
 is to behold our God

00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:19.940
 and see him in comparison

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:21.400
 to the nations.

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:25.819
 We can move then to verses 21 and 22.

00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:28.559
 Think about God in comparison

00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.379
 with the world.

00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.140
 And we recognize we live

00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:33.019
 in a wonderful world.

00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.019
 It's a vast world.

00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.619
 There are over seven billion people

00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.779
 living in the world.

00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:37.940
 There's incredible variety

00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:39.819
 and complexity in our habitats

00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.859
 and weather systems

00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.660
 and geology.

00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.900
 Compared to us,

00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.859
 we are dwarfed by the world,

00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:49.200
 but God dwarfs his world.

00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:51.819
 So verse 22,

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:54.160
 our God sits enthroned

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.700
 above the circle of the earth

00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.900
 and its people

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:59.160
 are like grasshoppers.

00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:05.779
 What you find in this section

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:09.800
 is the ease with which God creates.

00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:11.680
 He stretches out the heavens

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.540
 like a canopy

00:20:12.540 --> 00:20:14.640
 and spreads them out

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.759
 like a tent to live in.

00:20:18.080 --> 00:20:20.080
 Here is the unlimited glory of God.

00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.560
 Here is the ease with which

00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:24.360
 he created this vast universe.

00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.559
 And here is a picture

00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:27.139
 of his rule as king

00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:29.659
 over his creation.

00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:33.359
 I read an interview this week

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.819
 with Alistair McGrath,

00:20:35.459 --> 00:20:37.779
 who writes a lot on science and faith.

00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.799
 And maybe you've heard him

00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:41.599
 in sort of debates with atheists.

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.379
 And he does a lot on

00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:45.199
 helping people to see

00:20:45.199 --> 00:20:46.799
 that you can be a scientist

00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:48.279
 and have faith.

00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.759
 And he speaks about

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:51.719
 the wonder of the natural world

00:20:51.719 --> 00:20:53.419
 as a gateway to faith.

00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:56.539
 that as Christians,

00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:57.359
 we should be looking

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.439
 at the world around us

00:20:58.439 --> 00:20:59.699
 and it should be leading us

00:20:59.699 --> 00:21:00.819
 to worship.

00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:04.159
 He had that wonderful thought

00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.039
 that they're thinking

00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.500
 about the most beautiful thing

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.359
 that we can imagine,

00:21:07.479 --> 00:21:08.779
 whether that's the beauty

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.199
 of the Alps

00:21:10.199 --> 00:21:10.779
 or the beauty

00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:12.240
 of the Great Barrier Reef,

00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.659
 whatever it might be,

00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:15.339
 that glory is real,

00:21:15.439 --> 00:21:16.399
 but it's tiny compared

00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:17.679
 to the infinitely greater

00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:19.459
 grandeur and glory of our God.

00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:21.299
 And so the natural world

00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:22.219
 becomes a gateway

00:21:22.219 --> 00:21:23.719
 to worship

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.600
 when we remember

00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:26.160
 here is our God

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.960
 in contrast

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.700
 with the world

00:21:27.700 --> 00:21:28.519
 that he made.

00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.240
 Moving from there,

00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.839
 in verse 23 and 24,

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.920
 there is this comparison

00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.759
 between God

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:36.339
 and the great rulers

00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:38.180
 of the world.

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.400
 God brings princes

00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:41.360
 to naught

00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:43.160
 and reduces the rulers

00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.980
 of this world

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.860
 to nothing.

00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.019
 And again,

00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:47.600
 there's that image

00:21:47.600 --> 00:21:49.100
 of planting

00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:50.140
 and taking root

00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:51.040
 and then he blows

00:21:51.040 --> 00:21:51.420
 on them

00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.320
 and they wither

00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:53.640
 and a whirlwind

00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.360
 sweeps them away

00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:55.040
 like chaff.

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:57.420
 History is full of

00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:58.620
 the stories

00:21:58.620 --> 00:21:59.700
 of powerful rulers,

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.920
 some achieving fame,

00:22:01.040 --> 00:22:03.020
 some achieving infamy.

00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.220
 There have always been

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.080
 great leaders

00:22:06.080 --> 00:22:07.759
 in every generation,

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:09.820
 in every century,

00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:11.040
 in every nation,

00:22:11.040 --> 00:22:12.380
 but the common theme,

00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:13.880
 according to Isaiah 40,

00:22:14.020 --> 00:22:14.800
 is that God

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.279
 reduces them all

00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.200
 in the end

00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:18.220
 to nothing.

00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.500
 But the achievements

00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.180
 of the great

00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.659
 and the good,

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.259
 the achievements

00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.639
 of the evil dictators

00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.819
 did not spare them

00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:26.079
 from death.

00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:27.960
 And again,

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:29.119
 it's helpful for us

00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:29.599
 to remember

00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.240
 that while there will

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.139
 always be princes

00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:32.119
 and presidents

00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.619
 and dictators

00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:35.480
 and dot-com billionaires

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:35.879
 and there'll be

00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:36.740
 powerful people

00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.240
 in the world,

00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.579
 they don't determine

00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.240
 ultimately

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.519
 how the world goes.

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:44.079
 only the eternal,

00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:44.700
 unlimited,

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.740
 glorious God

00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.379
 does that.

00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.319
 Proverbs 21,

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:48.839
 verse 1,

00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.599
 the king's heart

00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.299
 is like a stream

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.759
 of water

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.500
 in God's hand.

00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.839
 He directs

00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:54.379
 as he pleases.

00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.299
 He is greater

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:58.099
 than the greatest

00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:59.440
 men and women

00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.700
 who have ever lived.

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.799
 And then the last

00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.480
 comparison,

00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.379
 and it's maybe,

00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:05.720
 I think,

00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.339
 for many

00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:08.400
 where we find ourselves

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.000
 when we think

00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:09.779
 about the glory

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.460
 of God

00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.900
 in the natural world.

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.460
 He goes to the stars.

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.600
 To whom will you

00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.240
 compare me

00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.440
 or who is my equal,

00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.360
 says the Holy One.

00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.039
 Lift up your eyes

00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.019
 and look to the heavens.

00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:22.079
 Who created all these?

00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.480
 He who brings out

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.240
 the starry host

00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:25.079
 one by one

00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.160
 and calls them forth

00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.400
 each by name

00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:29.279
 because of his great power

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.240
 and mighty strength

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.039
 not one of them

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.559
 is missing.

00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:34.920
 Nothing,

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.440
 on the one hand,

00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.259
 can make us feel

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.039
 smaller

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.799
 than standing

00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.779
 under a canopy

00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.759
 of stars.

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:41.940
 But perhaps

00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.660
 nothing too

00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.440
 reminds us

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.039
 of the glory

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.559
 of God

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.420
 than that same

00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.920
 night sky.

00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:48.200
 Even the language

00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.059
 of galaxies

00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.920
 and light years

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.000
 serves to put us

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.440
 in our place

00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:54.139
 as people.

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.680
 Our galaxy,

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.399
 the Milky Way,

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.639
 were we to leave

00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:03.240
 to this very moment

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.460
 to try and get

00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.119
 to the center

00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.920
 of our galaxy,

00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.600
 it would take us

00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:09.060
 25,000 light years.

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.920
 And a light year

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.660
 is moving at the speed

00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:13.380
 of 186,000 miles

00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:14.140
 per second.

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.400
 Scientists tell us

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.340
 we can see on average

00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:18.700
 6,000 stars

00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.820
 with the naked eye

00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.779
 as we look up

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:22.340
 if the night is clear.

00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.420
 For each one

00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:25.019
 of those 6,000 stars

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.880
 there is for each

00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:27.039
 of them 20 million

00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.420
 that we cannot see.

00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.680
 There is glory

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.460
 but it's tiny

00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:33.340
 compared to the glory

00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.000
 of God.

00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.439
 God who brings

00:24:35.439 --> 00:24:36.139
 out the stars,

00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.799
 who sets them

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.539
 on their course.

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.980
 God who names them

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.899
 including the trillions

00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.079
 that we will never see

00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.439
 and his power

00:24:42.439 --> 00:24:44.279
 keeps them shining.

00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:44.899
 So again,

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.959
 our telescopes

00:24:45.959 --> 00:24:48.799
 function as powerful

00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.879
 tools for worship

00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:52.419
 as they encourage us

00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:53.000
 to see

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.199
 behold

00:24:54.199 --> 00:24:55.459
 our God,

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.279
 the God

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.419
 of glory.

00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.480
 So when we

00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:01.279
 look

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.539
 and when we

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.039
 see the God

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.399
 of glory

00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.220
 what happens?

00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.399
 Is it we get

00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.220
 a new lens

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:08.759
 through which

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.700
 to view life?

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.799
 So we watch

00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.240
 our news

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.799
 or we read

00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:14.019
 our newspapers

00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.359
 and

00:25:14.359 --> 00:25:16.019
 where

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.899
 perhaps our

00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:17.660
 natural tendency

00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.720
 is towards anxiety

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.519
 or sadness.

00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:21.240
 We're invited

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:21.879
 to turn

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.660
 those stories

00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:23.500
 and those situations

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.259
 and those nations

00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.819
 to God

00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.639
 in prayer

00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.399
 and to remind

00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.139
 ourselves

00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:27.740
 of the God

00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.299
 who sits

00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:28.899
 enthroned

00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:30.400
 in glory

00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:30.960
 who is

00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.820
 working out

00:25:31.820 --> 00:25:32.880
 his purposes

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.720
 even when we

00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.580
 struggle to see

00:25:34.580 --> 00:25:35.800
 how that can be.

00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.360
 It changes

00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:39.180
 how we look

00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:40.640
 at the natural world

00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:42.060
 whether that's

00:25:42.060 --> 00:25:42.620
 sunsets

00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:43.580
 or whether that's

00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.240
 the flurry

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.259
 of snowflakes.

00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.420
 They are opportunities

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:48.920
 for our praise.

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.800
 Opportunities

00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:51.120
 for us

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:52.280
 to have conversations

00:25:52.280 --> 00:25:53.320
 about God

00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:53.920
 as creator

00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.759
 about the reality

00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.080
 of intelligent design.

00:25:56.079 --> 00:26:00.279
 reflecting on

00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.939
 the glory

00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:01.939
 of God

00:26:01.939 --> 00:26:02.539
 and the fact

00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:02.879
 that he is

00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:03.359
 unlimited

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.519
 should give us

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.240
 comfort as we

00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.879
 consider our

00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:06.919
 uncertain future

00:26:06.919 --> 00:26:07.399
 each day

00:26:07.399 --> 00:26:08.079
 because it's not

00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.319
 uncertain to God

00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:10.939
 and so there's

00:26:10.939 --> 00:26:11.379
 an invitation

00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.679
 to learn to rest

00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.720
 and to trust

00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:16.019
 into who he is

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.399
 and to his

00:26:17.399 --> 00:26:17.819
 governing

00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.019
 and caring

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.619
 for us.

00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:22.960
 To see

00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.819
 the glory

00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.359
 of God

00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:24.719
 I think

00:26:24.719 --> 00:26:25.319
 is to change

00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.859
 our prayer

00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.639
 lives as well.

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.179
 In the one

00:26:27.179 --> 00:26:27.599
 hand

00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:29.159
 we will praise

00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:29.619
 as much

00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.159
 as perhaps

00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.740
 we say

00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.439
 please.

00:26:32.479 --> 00:26:33.079
 We'll just

00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.519
 want to

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:33.899
 worship

00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:36.259
 but also

00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.959
 as we understand

00:26:36.959 --> 00:26:37.539
 who is our

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:37.799
 God

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.079
 it's going

00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.439
 to encourage

00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:39.159
 us to ask

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:40.339
 more boldly

00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:41.139
 in our prayers.

00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.839
 Sometimes

00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.740
 our prayers

00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.399
 are too small

00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:44.859
 because our

00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:45.500
 God is too

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:45.979
 small.

00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.299
 Our God

00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.599
 and his

00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:47.879
 grace

00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.419
 are not

00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:48.799
 small

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.099
 and so

00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:49.319
 we are

00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.659
 invited

00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:50.219
 to pray

00:26:50.219 --> 00:26:50.839
 boldly

00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.099
 and with

00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.659
 confidence.

00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:54.440
 And when

00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:54.900
 we consider

00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:55.500
 the glory

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:55.800
 of God

00:26:55.800 --> 00:26:56.040
 it should

00:26:56.040 --> 00:26:56.480
 also

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.540
 be shifting

00:26:57.540 --> 00:26:58.519
 our priorities.

00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.220
 Why are we

00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.540
 here?

00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.240
 What's life

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.900
 all about?

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.540
 Sometimes

00:27:01.540 --> 00:27:02.300
 we lose

00:27:02.300 --> 00:27:03.100
 sight of

00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:04.080
 our primary

00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:04.800
 calling to

00:27:04.800 --> 00:27:05.600
 glorify the

00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.019
 God of

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.480
 glory.

00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.120
 So there's

00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.600
 a question

00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.080
 for us

00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:10.640
 to ask

00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.259
 ourselves

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.900
 regularly

00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.740
 how can

00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.460
 I see

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.140
 and enjoy

00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.620
 the glory

00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:15.240
 of God?

00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:15.940
 How can

00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.460
 I give

00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.340
 God glory

00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.480
 in this

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.400
 moment?

00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.920
 So there's

00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.519
 those six

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:24.440
 necessary

00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.800
 comparisons.

00:27:27.040 --> 00:27:27.380
 But we're

00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:27.560
 going to

00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:28.120
 look briefly

00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:28.720
 at three

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.279
 necessary

00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.880
 corrections

00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:30.200
 that we

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.620
 find in

00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.580
 our text

00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:33.320
 as well.

00:27:34.040 --> 00:27:34.660
 So Isaiah

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.380
 again inspired

00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.800
 by the Holy

00:27:35.800 --> 00:27:36.800
 Spirit is

00:27:36.800 --> 00:27:37.600
 using the

00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:38.240
 smallness of

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.779
 human language

00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.180
 trying to

00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.500
 put the

00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:39.940
 hugeness

00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:40.500
 of God's

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.640
 glory to

00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.019
 us so

00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.200
 that we

00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.680
 can catch

00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.360
 a glimpse

00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.340
 of it and

00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:44.740
 he does

00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.220
 that for

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.300
 good reason.

00:27:47.800 --> 00:27:48.140
 There are

00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.800
 three questions

00:27:48.800 --> 00:27:49.040
 well there's

00:27:49.040 --> 00:27:49.320
 more than

00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:49.920
 three questions

00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.220
 but we're

00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.240
 going to

00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.460
 look at

00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.180
 three questions

00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.600
 in our

00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.080
 text to

00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:52.480
 show us

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.480
 why over

00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:53.799
 and over

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.259
 again the

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:54.680
 people of

00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.460
 God are

00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.080
 being invited

00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:56.799
 to behold

00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.340
 their God

00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:57.660
 and to

00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.160
 see his

00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.600
 glory.

00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.519
 The first

00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:02.600
 question by

00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:02.980
 way of

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:04.580
 correction we

00:28:04.580 --> 00:28:05.080
 find in

00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:05.799
 verse 18

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.900
 and verse

00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.799
 25.

00:28:08.820 --> 00:28:09.600
 To whom

00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.440
 will you

00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.519
 compare me

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:13.500
 or who

00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:13.920
 is my

00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.460
 equal

00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:16.120
 says the

00:28:16.120 --> 00:28:16.840
 Holy One.

00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:18.619
 God

00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:21.039
 is God

00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.339
 doing

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:21.559
 through

00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:21.980
 Isaiah

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.319
 there?

00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:22.859
 He's

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.119
 speaking

00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.480
 to that

00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:23.819
 human

00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.539
 tendency

00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:24.919
 that we

00:28:24.919 --> 00:28:25.419
 have

00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.799
 either to

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.699
 apply our

00:28:27.699 --> 00:28:28.240
 weaknesses

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.879
 and our

00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.659
 limits to

00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:30.279
 our thinking

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.980
 about God

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:32.839
 or looking

00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:33.220
 at verse

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.819
 18 to

00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.379
 make lesser

00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:35.199
 things equal

00:28:35.199 --> 00:28:35.720
 to him

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.899
 in the

00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:37.839
 establishing of

00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.379
 idols in

00:28:38.379 --> 00:28:38.859
 our hearts

00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:39.099
 and in

00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.899
 our lives.

00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:42.600
 And so

00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:42.960
 we need

00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.500
 that question

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:43.860
 with whom

00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.240
 then will

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.019
 you compare

00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.000
 God so

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.220
 that we

00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.980
 would recognize

00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.519
 truly that

00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:47.920
 God is

00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.800
 incomparable,

00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.220
 that God

00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.980
 truly is

00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:51.840
 unlimited,

00:28:53.040 --> 00:28:56.240
 that his

00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.180
 love for

00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:57.940
 his people

00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.019
 is steadfast

00:28:59.019 --> 00:28:59.860
 and constant,

00:29:00.800 --> 00:29:01.259
 that we

00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.920
 don't judge

00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.920
 God's love

00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.580
 by the measure

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:03.980
 of our

00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.759
 fluctuating

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.220
 love,

00:29:06.080 --> 00:29:06.740
 that his

00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.660
 wisdom is

00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:09.060
 complete and

00:29:09.060 --> 00:29:09.700
 absolute,

00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.200
 past,

00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:10.779
 present,

00:29:11.100 --> 00:29:11.580
 future,

00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:13.400
 there is

00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.100
 nothing hidden

00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:15.380
 from God,

00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:16.880
 that his

00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:18.279
 power is

00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:19.039
 absolute,

00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:19.620
 that he has

00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.740
 no rivals,

00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.340
 there is no

00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:21.720
 one who's

00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.200
 going to come

00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.759
 along and

00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.539
 set God's

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.340
 plan off

00:29:24.340 --> 00:29:25.120
 course,

00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:26.319
 and that

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.080
 his ways,

00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:27.880
 all his

00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.539
 ways,

00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.340
 are good.

00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:34.380
 Luther once

00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:35.160
 wrote to

00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.059
 Erasmus

00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.420
 to say,

00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:38.080
 your thoughts

00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:38.580
 of God

00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.180
 are too

00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.779
 human,

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.500
 and Isaiah

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:43.000
 40 is

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.200
 written to

00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:44.779
 warn us

00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.860
 against that.

00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.519
 Isaiah

00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.620
 40 should

00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:49.960
 have that

00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.480
 purpose of

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.440
 renewing our

00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.519
 mind to

00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.940
 see God's

00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.640
 glory so

00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:54.940
 that we

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.320
 wouldn't

00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:56.320
 compare him

00:29:56.320 --> 00:29:57.240
 with anything

00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.000
 within his

00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.700
 creation.

00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.259
 Second

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.840
 question to

00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:03.440
 think about,

00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.519
 verse 27,

00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:07.539
 why do you

00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:07.920
 complain,

00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.299
 Jacob?

00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:09.119
 Why do you

00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:09.579
 say,

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.099
 my way

00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:12.099
 is hidden

00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:13.460
 from the

00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:13.859
 Lord?

00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.579
 My cause

00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.480
 is disregarded

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:17.960
 by my

00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.339
 God.

00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.139
 So the

00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.839
 circumstances

00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.460
 of God's

00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.400
 people are

00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:23.059
 causing them

00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:23.599
 to doubt,

00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.720
 causing them to

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.000
 think, well,

00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:25.440
 either God

00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.000
 can't see,

00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:26.619
 God can't

00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:26.839
 know,

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.440
 God can't

00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:27.799
 care,

00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:28.700
 he's forgotten

00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.160
 us.

00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.360
 Maybe those

00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:32.840
 are questions

00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.440
 and feelings

00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:33.759
 that we

00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:34.640
 relate to

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.880
 in our

00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.400
 own personal

00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.700
 lives,

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.039
 maybe we

00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.440
 look at our

00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.840
 national

00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:39.039
 condition and

00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:39.340
 we think,

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.000
 has God

00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.819
 simply

00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:41.799
 forgotten

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.500
 us?

00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.120
 And the

00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.400
 response of

00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.460
 Isaiah 40

00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.440
 is again

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:52.200
 to draw

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.880
 the minds

00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.460
 of those

00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.080
 hearers and

00:30:54.080 --> 00:30:54.580
 those readers

00:30:54.580 --> 00:30:55.880
 towards the

00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:56.519
 glory of

00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.440
 the Lord,

00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:58.620
 the person

00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.119
 O God,

00:30:59.199 --> 00:30:59.839
 the powerful

00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.239
 God,

00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:00.859
 the covenant

00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:01.299
 making,

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:01.759
 covenant

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.959
 keeping God,

00:31:03.439 --> 00:31:04.019
 the one

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.779
 who will

00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.199
 not and

00:31:05.199 --> 00:31:05.539
 cannot

00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.079
 abandon

00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.739
 his people,

00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:08.419
 to a

00:31:08.419 --> 00:31:08.959
 saviour who

00:31:08.959 --> 00:31:09.500
 will never

00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.059
 abandon

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.359
 his sheep.

00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:15.019
 We need

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.779
 to understand

00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.519
 that while

00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:18.059
 our circumstances

00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.579
 can cause

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.459
 us to fear,

00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.319
 there is that

00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.219
 bedrock

00:31:22.219 --> 00:31:23.359
 certainty that

00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:23.839
 our way is

00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.500
 never hidden,

00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.159
 that God is

00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.299
 working his

00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:27.859
 purposes out.

00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:32.339
 for us,

00:31:32.679 --> 00:31:33.339
 in the time

00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:33.599
 that we

00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:34.319
 find ourselves,

00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.179
 we go to

00:31:35.179 --> 00:31:35.959
 the cross

00:31:35.959 --> 00:31:37.159
 to recognise

00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:37.779
 that and to

00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.279
 take heart

00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.699
 in that,

00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:39.459
 and we

00:31:39.459 --> 00:31:40.179
 understand

00:31:40.179 --> 00:31:41.119
 there,

00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:41.579
 Jesus,

00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.239
 the perfect

00:31:42.239 --> 00:31:42.719
 sinless

00:31:42.719 --> 00:31:43.139
 Son of

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.579
 God,

00:31:43.979 --> 00:31:44.339
 went to

00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:44.659
 the cross

00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:45.079
 and felt

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:45.599
 that sense

00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:46.000
 of being

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.799
 abandoned

00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.619
 and forsaken

00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.059
 by his

00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.579
 Father as

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.199
 he became

00:31:49.199 --> 00:31:50.639
 our sin

00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.159
 bearer,

00:31:51.419 --> 00:31:51.779
 carrying

00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.599
 our sin

00:31:52.599 --> 00:31:53.559
 and guilt.

00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.139
 why?

00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.099
 So that as

00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:57.019
 he faces

00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:58.220
 the punishment

00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:58.579
 that we

00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:58.980
 deserve,

00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.319
 we will

00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.879
 never be

00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.139
 condemned,

00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:00.659
 we will

00:32:00.659 --> 00:32:01.539
 never be

00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.619
 forsaken.

00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.639
 Our sin

00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:05.220
 is paid

00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.500
 so there

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.039
 is nothing

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.679
 that can

00:32:06.679 --> 00:32:07.339
 separate us

00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:07.599
 from the

00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:07.960
 love of

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.359
 God that

00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:08.799
 is in

00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.639
 Christ

00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.639
 Jesus.

00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:14.420
 So even

00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:14.720
 if we

00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.100
 feel it,

00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:15.360
 there is

00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:15.820
 a truth

00:32:15.820 --> 00:32:16.120
 that we

00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:16.540
 need to

00:32:16.540 --> 00:32:17.040
 know that

00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:17.500
 our way

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.040
 is never

00:32:18.040 --> 00:32:18.540
 hidden

00:32:18.540 --> 00:32:20.300
 from our

00:32:20.300 --> 00:32:20.720
 glorious

00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.380
 God.

00:32:24.140 --> 00:32:24.940
 Third

00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:26.080
 question that

00:32:26.080 --> 00:32:26.640
 helps to

00:32:26.640 --> 00:32:27.560
 correct our

00:32:27.560 --> 00:32:28.540
 thinking.

00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.860
 Verse 28,

00:32:32.620 --> 00:32:33.020
 do you

00:32:33.020 --> 00:32:34.060
 not know,

00:32:34.780 --> 00:32:35.259
 have you

00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:36.320
 not heard,

00:32:37.100 --> 00:32:37.960
 the Lord

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.840
 is the

00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.560
 everlasting

00:32:39.560 --> 00:32:40.180
 God,

00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:41.940
 the creator

00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:43.240
 of the

00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.799
 ends of

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.279
 the earth.

00:32:45.060 --> 00:32:45.299
 He will

00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:45.680
 not grow

00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.500
 tired or

00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:46.860
 weary,

00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:48.200
 and his

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.019
 understanding

00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.279
 no one

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.140
 can fathom.

00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.259
 Of course

00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:53.640
 the idea

00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:54.340
 of God

00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:54.539
 being

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.180
 everlasting,

00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:55.680
 God

00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:55.880
 being

00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:56.259
 eternal,

00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.740
 is hard

00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.060
 for us

00:32:58.060 --> 00:32:58.539
 to process

00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:58.860
 and we'll

00:32:58.860 --> 00:32:59.360
 never get

00:32:59.360 --> 00:32:59.900
 our minds

00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.900
 around it,

00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.140
 but we

00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:01.480
 need to

00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.100
 hold our

00:33:02.100 --> 00:33:02.880
 grip on

00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.660
 that reality

00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.220
 that God

00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:06.200
 is everlasting.

00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:08.120
 Especially

00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:10.080
 to think

00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:10.759
 for ourselves

00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.119
 as the

00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.619
 people of

00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:11.939
 God

00:33:11.939 --> 00:33:12.980
 about his

00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:14.139
 everlasting

00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:14.779
 love.

00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:15.919
 The

00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:16.579
 everlasting

00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.679
 God has

00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:18.240
 everlasting

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.139
 love for

00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.779
 his children.

00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:21.500
 God's love

00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:21.960
 for us

00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.699
 is eternal,

00:33:22.839 --> 00:33:23.399
 it has no

00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:23.899
 beginning,

00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:25.460
 it has no

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.659
 end.

00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:29.259
 When we are

00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.139
 trusting in

00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:30.579
 the Lord

00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.460
 Jesus Christ

00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:31.960
 as our

00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:32.460
 saviour,

00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.579
 we have

00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.519
 always and

00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.119
 we will

00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:36.399
 always enjoy

00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:37.140
 the glorious

00:33:37.140 --> 00:33:38.140
 love of

00:33:38.140 --> 00:33:38.640
 God.

00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.360
 Our

00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:42.980
 creator,

00:33:43.580 --> 00:33:43.820
 the

00:33:43.820 --> 00:33:44.600
 all-powerful

00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:44.860
 one,

00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.480
 the all-wise

00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:46.820
 one,

00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:48.340
 is there

00:33:48.340 --> 00:33:49.840
 as our

00:33:49.840 --> 00:33:51.160
 loving God

00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.460
 to give

00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.019
 us strength,

00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:54.580
 to renew

00:33:54.580 --> 00:33:55.420
 our strength.

00:33:57.580 --> 00:33:58.040
 And so

00:33:58.040 --> 00:33:58.700
 we need to

00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.140
 remind

00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.940
 ourselves,

00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:00.840
 and Isaiah

00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:01.480
 40 is so

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.980
 helpful of

00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:02.140
 this,

00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:02.720
 we need to

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.400
 remind ourselves

00:34:03.400 --> 00:34:03.720
 of the

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.440
 majesty of

00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:04.580
 God,

00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.140
 the beauty

00:34:05.140 --> 00:34:05.519
 of God,

00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.640
 the perfection

00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:07.360
 of our

00:34:07.360 --> 00:34:07.840
 God.

00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.380
 As we

00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.240
 fight against

00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:10.920
 that sin

00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.280
 in our

00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:11.720
 lives where

00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:12.019
 we would

00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.659
 make God

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.500
 small,

00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.820
 or we

00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:15.460
 would take

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.159
 glory from

00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:16.579
 God because

00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:16.940
 we give

00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:17.220
 it to

00:34:17.220 --> 00:34:18.280
 other things,

00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.500
 it's that

00:34:19.500 --> 00:34:20.159
 powerful

00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:21.079
 antidote

00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.740
 against

00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:22.920
 idolatry

00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:24.599
 and against

00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.340
 discouragement

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.139
 and fear.

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.340
 We need

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:28.200
 to see

00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:29.300
 who our

00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:29.800
 God

00:34:29.800 --> 00:34:30.619
 is.

00:34:30.619 --> 00:34:34.599
 two

00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:35.400
 necessary

00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.480
 comforts

00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:37.400
 as we

00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:38.400
 close,

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:39.519
 the two

00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.279
 bookends

00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:40.819
 to this

00:34:40.819 --> 00:34:41.500
 wonderful

00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:42.139
 chapter.

00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:43.339
 And we'll

00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:43.679
 get there

00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:43.940
 in a minute,

00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:44.960
 but before

00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.619
 we go

00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.099
 there,

00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:47.400
 just to

00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:47.819
 remind

00:34:47.819 --> 00:34:48.460
 ourselves,

00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.500
 in verses

00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.279
 10 and

00:34:50.279 --> 00:34:50.739
 11,

00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:51.900
 we have

00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.199
 this

00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:53.039
 surprising

00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.159
 and wonderful

00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:55.000
 image.

00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:56.480
 See,

00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.299
 the sovereign

00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:58.359
 Lord comes

00:34:58.359 --> 00:34:59.119
 with power

00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.519
 and he

00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.159
 rules with

00:35:00.159 --> 00:35:00.759
 a mighty

00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.159
 arm.

00:35:01.239 --> 00:35:01.599
 So here's

00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:01.940
 the God

00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.460
 of glory,

00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:03.199
 the God

00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.420
 who is

00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:03.699
 king,

00:35:03.799 --> 00:35:04.199
 the God

00:35:04.199 --> 00:35:04.619
 with all

00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:05.099
 power,

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:06.559
 and what

00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:06.799
 does he

00:35:06.799 --> 00:35:07.000
 do?

00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.579
 He tends

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.179
 his flock

00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:08.559
 like a

00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:08.880
 shepherd.

00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:10.239
 He gathers

00:35:10.239 --> 00:35:11.539
 the lambs in

00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.079
 his arms

00:35:12.079 --> 00:35:12.659
 and carries

00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:13.400
 them close

00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.000
 to his

00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.380
 heart.

00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:15.779
 We're used

00:35:15.779 --> 00:35:16.059
 to the

00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:16.579
 idea of

00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.639
 all-powerful.

00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.799
 We don't

00:35:19.799 --> 00:35:20.279
 tend to

00:35:20.279 --> 00:35:20.619
 think that

00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:21.000
 those who

00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.759
 are all-powerful

00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.239
 are also

00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:23.119
 fully loving.

00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:24.299
 Perhaps

00:35:24.299 --> 00:35:24.739
 we're used

00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:26.380
 to loving

00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:26.859
 someone,

00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.599
 but we lack

00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:28.319
 power to

00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.200
 help them.

00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:30.820
 But here

00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.160
 is the

00:35:31.160 --> 00:35:31.700
 God of

00:35:31.700 --> 00:35:32.180
 glory and

00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:32.420
 he is

00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:32.900
 powerful

00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.840
 ruler and

00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.160
 he is

00:35:34.160 --> 00:35:34.640
 tender

00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:35.140
 shepherd

00:35:35.140 --> 00:35:35.720
 saviour

00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:36.240
 at the

00:35:36.240 --> 00:35:36.580
 same

00:35:36.580 --> 00:35:37.140
 time.

00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:38.340
 And out

00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.680
 of that

00:35:38.680 --> 00:35:39.160
 loving

00:35:39.160 --> 00:35:39.680
 kindness

00:35:39.680 --> 00:35:40.220
 he's given

00:35:40.220 --> 00:35:40.600
 us this

00:35:40.600 --> 00:35:41.240
 beautiful

00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:41.800
 chapter.

00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.120
 A

00:35:43.120 --> 00:35:43.680
 wonderfully

00:35:43.680 --> 00:35:44.280
 encouraging

00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:44.800
 comforting

00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:45.220
 chapter.

00:35:46.680 --> 00:35:47.240
 And let's

00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:47.620
 look at the

00:35:47.620 --> 00:35:48.200
 bookends

00:35:48.200 --> 00:35:49.340
 just as we

00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:49.840
 finish our

00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.200
 time.

00:35:51.600 --> 00:35:52.120
 Verse

00:35:52.120 --> 00:35:52.620
 one.

00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:54.940
 Comfort,

00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:56.220
 comfort my

00:35:56.219 --> 00:35:56.659
 people,

00:35:57.239 --> 00:35:57.980
 says your

00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.480
 God.

00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.480
 There is

00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.879
 comfort in

00:36:00.879 --> 00:36:01.599
 knowing the

00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.419
 God of

00:36:02.419 --> 00:36:02.980
 glory.

00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:05.799
 Here is

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:06.419
 God and

00:36:06.419 --> 00:36:06.879
 he's coming

00:36:06.879 --> 00:36:07.259
 to his

00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:07.839
 dispirited

00:36:07.839 --> 00:36:08.699
 people and

00:36:08.699 --> 00:36:09.359
 he's revealing

00:36:09.359 --> 00:36:10.139
 his glory

00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:11.719
 to them.

00:36:12.379 --> 00:36:13.259
 And he is

00:36:13.259 --> 00:36:14.219
 reminding them

00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:14.879
 and comforting

00:36:14.879 --> 00:36:15.679
 them with the

00:36:15.679 --> 00:36:16.539
 reality of

00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:17.459
 his redemption.

00:36:18.899 --> 00:36:19.480
 That he has

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.000
 come to

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:21.219
 renew their

00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:22.039
 strength,

00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.059
 to give

00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:24.099
 strength to

00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:25.299
 their faith.

00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:26.440
 Verse

00:36:26.440 --> 00:36:26.719
 five.

00:36:26.799 --> 00:36:27.339
 The glory

00:36:27.339 --> 00:36:27.759
 of the

00:36:27.759 --> 00:36:28.639
 Lord will

00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:30.339
 be revealed.

00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.739
 And here

00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:33.440
 is where we

00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:34.019
 are invited

00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:35.239
 to rest.

00:36:36.319 --> 00:36:37.279
 To rest

00:36:37.279 --> 00:36:38.539
 in this

00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:39.639
 God of

00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:40.779
 infinite glory

00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.699
 who holds

00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.259
 the church

00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:42.900
 in his

00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.299
 hands.

00:36:43.699 --> 00:36:43.980
 We are

00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:45.019
 precious to

00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:45.319
 him.

00:36:45.759 --> 00:36:46.339
 He loves

00:36:46.339 --> 00:36:46.920
 us and

00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:47.400
 he loves

00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:48.639
 us always.

00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.420
 And so

00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.000
 the glory of

00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.320
 God is

00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.059
 intended to

00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:55.760
 comfort us.

00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.699
 It's

00:36:57.699 --> 00:36:58.280
 intended to

00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:58.840
 give our

00:36:58.840 --> 00:36:59.340
 faith

00:36:59.340 --> 00:37:00.820
 backbone.

00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:02.019
 As we

00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:02.579
 live on the

00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.280
 margins like

00:37:03.280 --> 00:37:03.780
 the people in

00:37:03.780 --> 00:37:04.639
 Isaiah's day,

00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:05.539
 as we can

00:37:05.539 --> 00:37:06.159
 perhaps feel

00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.739
 forgotten,

00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:07.239
 as we can

00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:07.940
 easily be

00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:08.480
 discouraged,

00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:09.619
 we need to

00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:10.380
 find comfort

00:37:10.380 --> 00:37:11.119
 from knowing

00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:11.840
 the God of

00:37:11.840 --> 00:37:12.300
 glory.

00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:14.760
 That's one

00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.179
 bookend.

00:37:15.260 --> 00:37:15.519
 The other

00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:15.940
 bookend,

00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:16.820
 verse 31,

00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:18.159
 those who

00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:18.980
 hope in

00:37:18.980 --> 00:37:19.619
 the Lord

00:37:19.619 --> 00:37:21.199
 will renew

00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:22.039
 their

00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:22.919
 strength.

00:37:23.139 --> 00:37:23.319
 Our

00:37:23.319 --> 00:37:23.719
 hope,

00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.079
 where does

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.439
 it come

00:37:24.439 --> 00:37:24.619
 from?

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:24.799
 Our

00:37:24.799 --> 00:37:25.599
 hope rests

00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:27.099
 in the

00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:27.679
 glory of

00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.039
 God,

00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:28.960
 in the

00:37:28.960 --> 00:37:29.839
 God of

00:37:29.839 --> 00:37:30.579
 glory.

00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:32.619
 Unlike

00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.059
 us,

00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:33.480
 God is

00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.179
 unlimited in

00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:34.579
 his power,

00:37:34.699 --> 00:37:34.899
 in his

00:37:34.899 --> 00:37:35.199
 wisdom,

00:37:35.299 --> 00:37:35.480
 and in

00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.099
 his love.

00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.079
 And in

00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:37.659
 our God

00:37:37.659 --> 00:37:37.960
 there is

00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.619
 this promise

00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.339
 of strength

00:37:39.339 --> 00:37:40.059
 for today

00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.319
 and bright

00:37:41.319 --> 00:37:41.859
 hope for

00:37:41.859 --> 00:37:42.359
 tomorrow

00:37:42.359 --> 00:37:44.500
 because this

00:37:44.500 --> 00:37:44.799
 is our

00:37:44.799 --> 00:37:45.239
 God.

00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:46.859
 The God

00:37:46.859 --> 00:37:47.279
 who moved

00:37:47.279 --> 00:37:47.639
 heaven and

00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.039
 earth to

00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:48.419
 save his

00:37:48.419 --> 00:37:48.819
 people in

00:37:48.819 --> 00:37:49.239
 the sending

00:37:49.239 --> 00:37:49.559
 of his

00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:50.639
 son will

00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:51.239
 ensure that

00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:51.679
 he gives

00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.059
 us the

00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:52.659
 strength that

00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.359
 we need

00:37:53.359 --> 00:37:54.139
 to soar

00:37:54.139 --> 00:37:54.439
 and to

00:37:54.439 --> 00:37:54.859
 run and

00:37:54.859 --> 00:37:55.339
 to walk

00:37:55.339 --> 00:37:56.099
 all the

00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:57.079
 way to

00:37:57.079 --> 00:37:57.879
 eternal

00:37:57.879 --> 00:37:59.879
 glory with

00:37:59.879 --> 00:38:00.259
 him.

00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:03.919
 One final

00:38:03.919 --> 00:38:04.419
 word,

00:38:04.879 --> 00:38:05.539
 to go back

00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.000
 to verse

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:06.739
 five where

00:38:06.739 --> 00:38:07.079
 we read

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.359
 and the

00:38:07.359 --> 00:38:07.839
 glory of

00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:08.239
 the Lord

00:38:08.239 --> 00:38:08.559
 will be

00:38:08.559 --> 00:38:09.919
 revealed and

00:38:09.919 --> 00:38:10.579
 all people

00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:11.159
 will see

00:38:11.159 --> 00:38:11.819
 it together.

00:38:11.959 --> 00:38:12.259
 When is

00:38:12.259 --> 00:38:12.979
 God's glory

00:38:12.979 --> 00:38:13.699
 most fully

00:38:13.699 --> 00:38:14.239
 revealed?

00:38:15.379 --> 00:38:16.159
 The gospel

00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:17.079
 writers tell

00:38:17.079 --> 00:38:17.479
 us this

00:38:17.479 --> 00:38:19.000
 passage is

00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:19.940
 fulfilled in

00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:20.480
 the coming

00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.280
 of Jesus.

00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.199
 Luke chapter

00:38:22.199 --> 00:38:22.699
 three.

00:38:23.739 --> 00:38:24.019
 It's the

00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:25.159
 testimony of

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:25.480
 John.

00:38:25.599 --> 00:38:25.739
 We have

00:38:25.739 --> 00:38:26.480
 seen his

00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:27.079
 glory, the

00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:27.559
 glory of

00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:27.900
 the one

00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.340
 and only,

00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.079
 full of

00:38:29.079 --> 00:38:30.719
 grace and

00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:31.699
 truth.

00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:33.579
 The glory

00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:33.940
 of the

00:38:33.940 --> 00:38:34.519
 Lord is

00:38:34.519 --> 00:38:35.280
 revealed in

00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.780
 a new

00:38:35.780 --> 00:38:36.900
 way in

00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:37.480
 the coming

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.239
 of the

00:38:38.239 --> 00:38:38.980
 Lord Jesus.

00:38:40.800 --> 00:38:41.440
 Jonathan

00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:41.940
 Edwards,

00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:43.960
 that Puritan

00:38:43.960 --> 00:38:44.599
 theologian,

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.460
 wrote a

00:38:45.460 --> 00:38:45.639
 little

00:38:45.639 --> 00:38:46.280
 treatise on

00:38:46.280 --> 00:38:46.800
 why did

00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:48.059
 God create

00:38:48.059 --> 00:38:49.139
 the world.

00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:50.420
 And his

00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:51.599
 wonderful and

00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:51.940
 kind of

00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:52.820
 startling

00:38:52.820 --> 00:38:53.960
 observation is

00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:54.860
 that God

00:38:54.860 --> 00:38:55.619
 created the

00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.099
 world that

00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:57.539
 Jesus Christ

00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.320
 his son

00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:59.279
 would have

00:38:59.279 --> 00:38:59.980
 an outlet

00:38:59.980 --> 00:39:00.980
 for all

00:39:00.980 --> 00:39:01.619
 the love

00:39:01.619 --> 00:39:02.639
 in his

00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:03.159
 heart.

00:39:04.440 --> 00:39:04.739
 That he

00:39:04.739 --> 00:39:05.039
 would have

00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:05.980
 the opportunity

00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:06.779
 to pour

00:39:06.779 --> 00:39:07.299
 out his

00:39:07.299 --> 00:39:08.719
 love on

00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:10.000
 his church.

00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:12.019
 And that

00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:12.519
 makes sense

00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:12.739
 when you

00:39:12.739 --> 00:39:13.039
 think about

00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:13.500
 how is the

00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:14.239
 climax of

00:39:14.239 --> 00:39:14.940
 God's glory

00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.500
 revealed?

00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:15.780
 world.

00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:17.340
 It's

00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:18.079
 revealed in

00:39:18.079 --> 00:39:18.460
 Jesus,

00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:19.119
 the perfect

00:39:19.119 --> 00:39:19.579
 sinless

00:39:19.579 --> 00:39:19.960
 son of

00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.699
 God dying

00:39:20.699 --> 00:39:21.300
 on the

00:39:21.300 --> 00:39:22.039
 cross to

00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:22.940
 complete God's

00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:23.480
 plan of

00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:24.079
 salvation,

00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:25.820
 to bring

00:39:25.820 --> 00:39:26.440
 his people

00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:27.260
 into that

00:39:27.260 --> 00:39:27.760
 eternal

00:39:27.760 --> 00:39:28.500
 fellowship

00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:30.000
 of love.

00:39:30.760 --> 00:39:31.420
 So that in

00:39:31.420 --> 00:39:31.840
 the coming

00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.340
 of Jesus,

00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:32.719
 in the

00:39:32.719 --> 00:39:33.360
 ministry of

00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:33.619
 Jesus,

00:39:33.800 --> 00:39:34.420
 God's glory

00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:35.199
 goes further

00:39:35.199 --> 00:39:35.739
 and shines

00:39:35.739 --> 00:39:36.380
 brighter than

00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:36.760
 it ever

00:39:36.760 --> 00:39:37.619
 has done

00:39:37.619 --> 00:39:38.639
 before.

00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:40.079
 The glory

00:39:40.079 --> 00:39:40.699
 of God

00:39:40.699 --> 00:39:42.380
 is revealed

00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:43.599
 in Jesus.

00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:45.400
 And so

00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:46.660
 with Isaiah

00:39:46.660 --> 00:39:47.059
 and the

00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:47.519
 people of

00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:48.140
 his day,

00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:49.460
 we're invited

00:39:49.460 --> 00:39:50.300
 once again

00:39:50.300 --> 00:39:51.099
 to behold

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:53.119
 our God.

00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:54.559
 So let me

00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:55.500
 pray about

00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:56.400
 that and

00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:56.800
 then we'll

00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:58.019
 sing and

00:39:58.019 --> 00:39:58.400
 then after

00:39:58.400 --> 00:39:58.760
 that we'll

00:39:58.760 --> 00:39:59.000
 have a

00:39:59.000 --> 00:39:59.880
 chance for

00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:00.260
 those of

00:40:00.260 --> 00:40:00.519
 us who

00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:00.800
 are able

00:40:00.800 --> 00:40:01.240
 to stay

00:40:01.240 --> 00:40:02.700
 to discuss

00:40:02.700 --> 00:40:03.920
 together the

00:40:03.920 --> 00:40:04.400
 glory of

00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:04.599
 God.

00:40:04.680 --> 00:40:05.079
 So let's

00:40:05.079 --> 00:40:06.500
 pray together.

00:40:07.680 --> 00:40:08.340
 Lord, we

00:40:08.340 --> 00:40:08.920
 thank you

00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:10.019
 for this

00:40:10.019 --> 00:40:10.800
 part of your

00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:11.240
 word.

00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:12.299
 and we

00:40:12.299 --> 00:40:12.819
 thank you

00:40:12.819 --> 00:40:13.219
 for the

00:40:13.219 --> 00:40:13.739
 way it

00:40:13.739 --> 00:40:14.659
 reminds us

00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:15.379
 that you

00:40:15.379 --> 00:40:15.679
 are a

00:40:15.679 --> 00:40:16.339
 God without

00:40:16.339 --> 00:40:17.779
 limits and

00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:18.339
 a God

00:40:18.339 --> 00:40:19.500
 without rivals,

00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:20.579
 that you

00:40:20.579 --> 00:40:21.199
 are a God

00:40:21.199 --> 00:40:22.419
 of great

00:40:22.419 --> 00:40:22.959
 glory,

00:40:23.899 --> 00:40:24.319
 that you

00:40:24.319 --> 00:40:24.599
 are the

00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:25.059
 God of

00:40:25.059 --> 00:40:25.759
 almighty

00:40:25.759 --> 00:40:26.339
 power,

00:40:27.159 --> 00:40:27.439
 but at

00:40:27.439 --> 00:40:27.859
 the same

00:40:27.859 --> 00:40:28.379
 time the

00:40:28.379 --> 00:40:29.099
 God of

00:40:29.099 --> 00:40:29.759
 tender,

00:40:30.359 --> 00:40:30.619
 loving

00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.139
 care.

00:40:31.879 --> 00:40:32.579
 We thank

00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:32.919
 you for

00:40:32.919 --> 00:40:33.339
 the way

00:40:33.339 --> 00:40:34.179
 your glory

00:40:34.179 --> 00:40:35.000
 is revealed

00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:35.519
 in the

00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:35.939
 natural

00:40:35.939 --> 00:40:36.599
 world.

00:40:37.179 --> 00:40:37.679
 We thank

00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:37.959
 you that

00:40:37.959 --> 00:40:38.579
 your glory

00:40:38.579 --> 00:40:39.399
 is revealed

00:40:39.399 --> 00:40:39.959
 in your

00:40:39.959 --> 00:40:40.539
 word.

00:40:41.239 --> 00:40:41.739
 And we

00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.219
 thank you

00:40:42.219 --> 00:40:42.579
 that your

00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:43.179
 glory was

00:40:43.179 --> 00:40:44.479
 revealed in

00:40:44.479 --> 00:40:44.959
 the coming

00:40:44.959 --> 00:40:45.539
 of the

00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:46.239
 Lord Jesus

00:40:46.239 --> 00:40:47.019
 our Savior.

00:40:47.839 --> 00:40:48.279
 Thank you

00:40:48.279 --> 00:40:49.519
 for your

00:40:49.519 --> 00:40:50.799
 glorious love

00:40:50.799 --> 00:40:52.279
 demonstrated to

00:40:52.279 --> 00:40:53.679
 us in

00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:55.819
 his sacrificial

00:40:55.819 --> 00:40:57.559
 self-giving

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:59.539
 death on

00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:00.159
 the cross.

00:41:01.699 --> 00:41:02.039
 And Lord,

00:41:02.079 --> 00:41:02.819
 we pray that

00:41:02.819 --> 00:41:03.419
 you would

00:41:03.419 --> 00:41:04.239
 help us to

00:41:04.239 --> 00:41:04.939
 keep your

00:41:04.939 --> 00:41:05.739
 glory in

00:41:05.739 --> 00:41:06.239
 view,

00:41:06.239 --> 00:41:11.419
 hope and

00:41:11.419 --> 00:41:12.779
 confidence and

00:41:12.779 --> 00:41:13.459
 comfort.

00:41:14.359 --> 00:41:14.719
 We

00:41:14.719 --> 00:41:15.679
 recognize

00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:16.979
 all too

00:41:16.979 --> 00:41:18.479
 easily that

00:41:18.479 --> 00:41:19.639
 our hearts

00:41:19.639 --> 00:41:20.179
 are pulled

00:41:20.179 --> 00:41:20.899
 away from

00:41:20.899 --> 00:41:21.179
 you,

00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:22.500
 that we

00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:23.599
 are captivated

00:41:23.599 --> 00:41:24.379
 by lesser

00:41:24.379 --> 00:41:25.139
 things.

00:41:26.259 --> 00:41:26.599
 So Lord,

00:41:26.679 --> 00:41:27.439
 please renew

00:41:27.439 --> 00:41:28.419
 our hearts

00:41:28.419 --> 00:41:28.899
 and our

00:41:28.899 --> 00:41:30.539
 minds as

00:41:30.539 --> 00:41:31.119
 we consider

00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:31.759
 your far

00:41:31.759 --> 00:41:32.619
 greater glory.

00:41:32.619 --> 00:41:34.000
 we pray in

00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:34.259
 Jesus'

00:41:34.519 --> 00:41:34.739
 name.

00:41:35.199 --> 00:41:35.519
 Amen.

00:41:37.859 --> 00:41:38.599
 So we

00:41:38.599 --> 00:41:39.159
 will close

00:41:39.159 --> 00:41:40.920
 singing together

00:41:40.920 --> 00:41:42.239
 the hymn

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 Behold Our

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 God and

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 let's stand

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 together to

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 sing.

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 Amen.