WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.899 and give thanks to God for his grace in your life. 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:13.599 We're going to be looking at our title this morning, 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:16.320 God Has Designed My Suffering. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:20.920 And you'll see on the inside of your new sheet, 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:26.080 there's two books that are available this morning. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:28.600 I've mentioned them before. 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:32.920 And the first one is Invest Your Suffering, 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:35.780 Unexpected Intimacy with a Loving God. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:38.840 So this red one here by Paul Millard. 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:46.400 So he shares throughout the book his experience of his wife's long-term illness 00:00:46.400 --> 00:00:48.159 to which there's no known cure, 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:52.500 and his openness as he wrestles with scripture 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:56.859 and yet trusts in God, him and his family. 00:00:56.859 --> 00:00:59.019 So that's at the back there. 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:02.880 You mightn't have heard of him, but I'm sure you will have heard of Joni. 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:07.000 Erickson Tadda, her book, A Place of Healing, 00:01:07.780 --> 00:01:12.319 Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain and God's Sovereignty. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:15.659 So it tells of her story through life. 00:01:16.539 --> 00:01:19.159 She's wheelchair bound, 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:23.439 and yet God has used her amazingly through her suffering 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:28.519 to reach many people with the good news of Christ across the world. 00:01:28.639 --> 00:01:32.399 And in many nations, people have been helped through her story. 00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:34.280 So these are two books that I've read. 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:38.780 They're specifically written out of experience 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:41.960 and the context of walking through suffering. 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:46.240 So they're both very helpful for that reason. 00:01:46.520 --> 00:01:48.480 And they're 10 euro each, 00:01:48.820 --> 00:01:49.860 so they're available. 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:52.500 There's a few copies of each this morning. 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:59.620 Let's pray together. 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:12.860 Father, thank you for this story of grace 00:02:12.860 --> 00:02:18.539 and your goodness to Mary in the midst of her life 00:02:18.539 --> 00:02:23.359 and going through the storms and struggles that she has. 00:02:24.979 --> 00:02:28.659 Thank you, Father, that you have been her father, 00:02:29.019 --> 00:02:32.659 a rock, one in whom she can trust. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:39.319 We pray now, Father, as we look together at your word, 00:02:39.899 --> 00:02:42.799 as we listen to what you have to say to us, 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:47.959 that for each one of us, you would be that rock 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:50.180 in whom we can trust. 00:02:51.800 --> 00:02:53.900 So help us now, Father, we pray. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:55.379 Amen. 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:02.819 Well, you heard Mary's story, 00:03:02.819 --> 00:03:06.180 and I wonder, how do you respond 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:10.480 when you go through times of suffering? 00:03:11.980 --> 00:03:14.100 If it's an unexpected illness, 00:03:15.100 --> 00:03:16.879 a relationship breakdown, 00:03:16.879 --> 00:03:19.319 a disappointment in life, 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:22.340 what do you do when you suffer? 00:03:24.340 --> 00:03:26.139 Well, I think there's one or two ways 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:28.639 in which we often respond. 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:32.840 First, when suffering comes, 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:35.560 we can run from God. 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:37.680 You see, for many, 00:03:37.859 --> 00:03:40.560 personal suffering has no rhyme or reason. 00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:43.199 God isn't in control, 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:46.299 and he can't do anything to make it stop. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:50.780 The things we go through are just random events, 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:54.079 tragic circumstances that invade our happy lives. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:56.259 It's just the way that life is. 00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:01.060 So suffering can cause us to run from God. 00:04:02.079 --> 00:04:03.579 It can all be flight. 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:10.120 Or sometimes we can fight with God. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:12.620 We get angry and we get bitter 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:15.060 and we blame God for the things that happen. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:17.199 And we shout at him, 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:19.120 you can't let this happen to me. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:21.759 If you really cared for me, 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:23.280 if you really loved me, 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:25.720 you would make it all go away. 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:29.260 And so suffering can cause us 00:04:29.260 --> 00:04:31.740 to fight with God. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:35.520 But there is another way, 00:04:36.960 --> 00:04:38.280 the way of faith. 00:04:39.320 --> 00:04:41.760 We can trust God. 00:04:42.580 --> 00:04:44.040 Have a look with me, please, 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:49.280 at Psalm 139, verse 13. 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:55.140 Psalm 139, verse 13. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:05:11.800 Let's pick it up in verse 13. 00:05:16.320 --> 00:05:19.560 For you created my inmost being. 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:23.100 You knit me together in my mother's womb. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:26.520 I praise you because I am fearfully 00:05:26.520 --> 00:05:28.020 and wonderfully made. 00:05:28.780 --> 00:05:30.200 Your works are wonderful. 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:31.660 I know that full well. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:35.280 My frame was not hidden from you 00:05:35.280 --> 00:05:37.680 when I was made in the secret place, 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:40.060 when I was woven together 00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:41.420 in the depths of the earth. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:46.000 Your eyes saw my unformed body. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:49.600 All the days ordained for me 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:51.640 were written in your book 00:05:51.640 --> 00:05:53.560 before one of them came to be. 00:05:54.580 --> 00:05:57.520 How precious to me are your thoughts, God. 00:05:58.400 --> 00:06:00.879 How vast is the sum of them. 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:03.200 Were I to count them, 00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:06.300 they would outnumber the grains of sand. 00:06:07.020 --> 00:06:08.460 When I am awake, 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:10.939 I am still with you. 00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:15.959 Did you see verse 16? 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:20.620 All the days ordained for me 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:22.839 were written in your book 00:06:22.839 --> 00:06:25.319 before one of them came to be. 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:29.620 Our life is in God's hands. 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:32.759 God ordains the day we are born 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:36.399 and God ordains the day that we die. 00:06:37.659 --> 00:06:39.019 He is the one who gives us 00:06:39.019 --> 00:06:40.459 our very first breath 00:06:40.459 --> 00:06:43.459 and He is the one who takes 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:45.139 our last breath. 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:48.060 And if God controls the beginning 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:48.819 and the end, 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:51.099 then He controls every circumstance 00:06:51.099 --> 00:06:53.379 and every event in between. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:55.259 God knows all things. 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:56.939 God rules all things. 00:06:57.539 --> 00:06:59.480 God is sovereign over all things. 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:02.840 Nothing happens in your life 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:06.100 without God's permission. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:09.939 In fact, the message of the Bible is this. 00:07:11.080 --> 00:07:13.920 God has designed my suffering, 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:16.300 so trust Him. 00:07:17.580 --> 00:07:20.100 God has designed my suffering, 00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:22.220 so trust Him. 00:07:23.200 --> 00:07:24.660 You see, some people think 00:07:24.660 --> 00:07:25.920 that the Christian life 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:28.040 is a blissful journey 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:29.240 from earth to heaven. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:32.000 God's plan for your life 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:33.819 is to be healthy and wealthy. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:36.180 No trials and no troubles. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:39.720 But if you should suffer in some way, 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:42.520 you have somehow moved outside 00:07:42.520 --> 00:07:44.460 of God's plan for your life. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:46.860 No. 00:07:47.900 --> 00:07:51.500 Everything that happens in your life 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:54.819 is ordained by God. 00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:59.060 God has designed the suffering in our life 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:01.879 so that I can trust Him. 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:04.780 Now, to help us see this, 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:07.300 we're going to look at the lives 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:09.040 of four characters 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:10.720 in the Scriptures, 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:13.379 four people who suffered, 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:16.800 and how we see God's design 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:18.120 over it. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:21.519 So the first one we're going to look at 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:22.740 is Joseph 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:26.360 in the place of God. 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:30.399 Have a look back at Genesis chapter 45. 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:33.860 Genesis chapter 45. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:39.919 Joseph, if you know anything about him, 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:42.419 was the youngest of 12 brothers. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:44.820 The problem was, 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:47.000 his father Jacob treated him 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.740 as the favorite. 00:08:47.740 --> 00:08:52.240 And while his brothers were out working, 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:53.200 providing, 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:55.279 slogging away, 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.879 Joseph stayed at home. 00:08:57.720 --> 00:09:00.360 In fact, his father treasured him so much, 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:03.360 he made him a very expensive coat, 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:05.440 the famous coat of many colors. 00:09:06.440 --> 00:09:06.899 If you like, 00:09:06.940 --> 00:09:09.560 it was a one-off designer item. 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:11.879 And one day, 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.000 while his brothers were out in the fields, 00:09:14.239 --> 00:09:16.059 Jacob sent Joseph out 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:18.059 to see how they were getting on. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:20.839 And as they saw him approach, 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:23.699 they were filled with rage and jealousy, 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:26.359 and they plotted amongst themselves 00:09:26.359 --> 00:09:27.879 how they were going to kill him. 00:09:29.119 --> 00:09:30.039 But instead, 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:32.639 they sold Joseph 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:34.199 as a slave 00:09:34.199 --> 00:09:35.779 to some passing travelers. 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:39.219 They covered his coat in blood, 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:41.259 and told his father 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:43.299 he was killed by a wild animal. 00:09:45.099 --> 00:09:46.739 Joseph suffered. 00:09:48.199 --> 00:09:50.139 He became a slave. 00:09:51.359 --> 00:09:52.319 Not only that, 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:53.959 later on in his life, 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:55.919 he ended up being sent to prison 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:58.219 for a crime that he never committed. 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:01.039 And after 17 years 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:03.379 of one trial and struggle after another, 00:10:04.599 --> 00:10:05.939 Joseph found himself 00:10:05.939 --> 00:10:07.459 in better times. 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:09.160 He became second in command 00:10:09.160 --> 00:10:09.920 to Pharaoh, 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:12.080 ruler of Egypt. 00:10:14.200 --> 00:10:14.879 Now, 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:15.800 at the same time, 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:16.600 his brothers 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:19.420 were facing a severe famine. 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:20.820 So, 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.960 they traveled to Egypt 00:10:21.960 --> 00:10:23.100 in search of food. 00:10:24.060 --> 00:10:25.540 And who did they meet? 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:27.500 Well, 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.100 Joseph. 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:30.600 But look carefully 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:32.040 at what Joseph says 00:10:32.040 --> 00:10:33.280 to his brothers 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:34.319 when they come 00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:35.959 face to face. 00:10:36.579 --> 00:10:37.839 Chapter 45, 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:39.279 verse 4. 00:10:41.179 --> 00:10:42.579 Then Joseph said 00:10:42.579 --> 00:10:43.559 to his brothers, 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:45.379 come close to me. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.919 When they had done so, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:48.480 he said, 00:10:48.839 --> 00:10:51.100 I am your brother Joseph, 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.720 the one who sold you 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:54.720 into Egypt. 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:56.459 The one you sold 00:10:56.459 --> 00:10:57.220 into Egypt. 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:58.820 And now, 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.500 do not be distressed 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:02.480 and do not be angry 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:03.279 with yourselves 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.600 for selling me here 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.600 because it was to save lives 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.899 that God sent me 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:09.560 ahead of you. 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:11.680 For two years now, 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:12.660 there has been a famine 00:11:12.660 --> 00:11:13.240 in the land 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.660 and for the next five years, 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:15.860 there will be no plowing 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.560 and reaping. 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:19.360 But God sent me 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:20.100 ahead of you 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:21.840 to preserve for you 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.960 a remnant on earth 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:25.180 and to save your lives 00:11:25.180 --> 00:11:27.300 by a great deliverance. 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:29.120 Yes, 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.259 the brothers 00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.800 sold him as a slave. 00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:33.900 They plotted it out. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.100 They planned it. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.460 They got money 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.320 for the sale. 00:11:38.840 --> 00:11:39.840 But Joseph knew 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.500 that God 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:41.460 was ultimately 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:42.300 in control. 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:43.320 Look at verse 7. 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:45.400 But God 00:11:45.400 --> 00:11:47.060 sent me 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:48.139 ahead of you. 00:11:49.280 --> 00:11:49.840 You see, 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.019 suffering is not 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:51.900 a random 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:52.959 event. 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.319 It is not a mistake 00:11:55.319 --> 00:11:56.360 or a plan 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.500 that has gone wrong. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:59.039 God not only 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:00.319 allows these things 00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:00.860 to happen, 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.319 he purposes 00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:03.779 them to happen. 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:05.759 Flick on 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:06.659 a couple of chapters 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:07.980 to chapter 50, 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.740 verse 19. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:15.500 Chapter 50, 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.379 verse 19. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:16.799 Again, 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:17.960 Joseph is speaking 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:18.840 to his brothers. 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:24.379 verse 19. 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:24.959 But Joseph 00:12:24.959 --> 00:12:25.679 said to them, 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.539 don't be afraid. 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:29.899 Am I 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.959 in the place 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:31.559 of God? 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:33.939 You intended 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:34.740 to harm me, 00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:36.419 but God 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.220 intended it 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:37.840 for good 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:38.959 to accomplish 00:12:38.959 --> 00:12:39.720 what is now 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:40.360 being done, 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:41.860 the saving 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.899 of many lives. 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:46.460 In my suffering, 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:47.699 says Joseph, 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:50.079 I am in the place 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:51.160 of God. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.540 And in our 00:12:53.540 --> 00:12:54.000 suffering, 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:56.000 we are in the 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.360 place of God. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:59.740 God has designed 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.940 our suffering 00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:01.740 so we can 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.420 trust him. 00:13:05.420 --> 00:13:06.060 Second, 00:13:06.300 --> 00:13:07.420 let's look at 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.040 Job. 00:13:09.540 --> 00:13:10.960 Job chapter 1 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:13.980 comes before, 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.020 just before 00:13:15.020 --> 00:13:15.700 Psalms. 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:17.060 Job chapter 1. 00:13:17.060 --> 00:13:17.100 Job chapter 1. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:17.120 Job chapter 1. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:23.020 We've met 00:13:23.020 --> 00:13:23.800 Job before 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:24.860 in our studies 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:27.020 on this subject. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:27.900 We've seen 00:13:27.900 --> 00:13:28.840 his sufferings. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:30.620 He lost 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.420 his livelihood. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:32.680 All his 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:33.440 animals and 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:33.920 servants 00:13:33.920 --> 00:13:34.560 were taken 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:34.940 away. 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:36.200 His ten 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:37.020 children and 00:13:37.020 --> 00:13:37.639 their husbands 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.340 and wives 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:38.900 were killed 00:13:38.900 --> 00:13:39.660 in a tornado. 00:13:41.020 --> 00:13:41.360 And then 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.639 Job suffered 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.379 a terrible 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.740 skin disease, 00:13:44.900 --> 00:13:45.900 a flesh-eating 00:13:45.900 --> 00:13:46.660 disease that 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.160 left him 00:13:47.160 --> 00:13:47.940 in absolute 00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:48.500 agony. 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:50.600 But look 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:50.940 at how 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:51.779 Job sees 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:52.259 all these 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:53.059 trials and 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:53.580 struggles. 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.419 Verse 20. 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:57.740 At this, 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.659 Job got up 00:13:58.659 --> 00:13:59.080 and tore 00:13:59.080 --> 00:13:59.659 his robe 00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.240 and shaved 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.759 his head. 00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:02.840 Then he 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.480 fell to the 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.440 ground in 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.460 worship and 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:05.899 said, 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.679 Naked I 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:08.299 came from 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:08.940 my mother's 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:09.200 womb, 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:10.559 and naked 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:11.100 I shall 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.580 depart. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.360 The Lord 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:13.919 gave, 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.159 and the 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:15.620 Lord is 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.320 taken away. 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:17.860 May the 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.280 name of 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:18.660 the Lord 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:19.420 be praised. 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.180 In all 00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:21.980 this, Job 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:22.500 did not 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.180 sin by 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:24.280 charging God 00:14:24.280 --> 00:14:25.260 with 00:14:25.260 --> 00:14:25.940 wrongdoing. 00:14:27.440 --> 00:14:28.120 Everything 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.900 that happened 00:14:28.900 --> 00:14:29.280 in his 00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:31.060 life was 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.800 not some 00:14:31.800 --> 00:14:32.940 terrible twist 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:33.620 of fate. 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.200 This is not 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:36.080 the result of 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.680 a God who 00:14:36.680 --> 00:14:37.500 is absent 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.400 and powerless. 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:39.820 Look at 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:40.540 verse 21. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.420 The Lord 00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:42.080 gave, 00:14:43.280 --> 00:14:43.800 and the 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:45.220 Lord has 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:45.960 taken away. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.620 And even 00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.520 when Job's 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:49.320 wife begins 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:50.080 to question 00:14:50.080 --> 00:14:51.500 him over 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.460 his ideas 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:52.879 and his 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:53.420 thinking, 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:54.520 look what 00:14:54.520 --> 00:14:55.060 she says 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:56.000 in verse 9, 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.920 chapter 2, 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.620 verse 9. 00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:59.440 His wife 00:14:59.440 --> 00:14:59.960 said to 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.220 him, 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.140 Are you 00:15:02.140 --> 00:15:02.580 still 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.260 maintaining 00:15:03.260 --> 00:15:03.640 your 00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:04.220 integrity? 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.440 Curse God 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:05.960 and die. 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.100 He replied, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.040 You are 00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:09.720 talking like 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.360 a foolish 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:10.740 woman. 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:12.980 Shall we 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:13.840 accept good 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:14.500 from God 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.820 and not 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.240 trouble? 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:18.240 in all 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.600 this, 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.320 Job did 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:19.980 not sin 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.240 in what 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.800 he said. 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:23.660 He 00:15:23.660 --> 00:15:24.379 recognizes 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.160 that God 00:15:25.160 --> 00:15:25.580 brings 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.000 good 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.840 and that 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.140 God 00:15:28.140 --> 00:15:28.720 brings 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.900 troubles. 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:33.420 John 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:33.920 Piper, 00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:36.740 reflecting on 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.340 these verses, 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:37.940 put it 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.720 like this. 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.440 Follow 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.120 along as I 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:41.420 read. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.799 it will 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.319 not do 00:15:43.319 --> 00:15:43.860 to say 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.519 that God 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.360 only uses 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:45.659 our 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.199 suffering 00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:47.519 but does 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:47.759 not 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.240 design 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:48.599 it. 00:15:49.599 --> 00:15:50.459 What God 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.019 permits, 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.439 he permits 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:52.899 for a 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.240 reason. 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:54.740 And that 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.399 reason is 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.259 his design. 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.059 If God 00:15:58.059 --> 00:15:58.659 foresees 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:59.139 suffering, 00:15:59.439 --> 00:15:59.779 he can 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.519 stop it 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.899 or not. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.379 If he 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.120 does not, 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.519 then he 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.199 has purposes. 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:06.420 purposes. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:07.900 And since 00:16:07.900 --> 00:16:08.220 he is 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:08.680 infinitely 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:09.300 wise, 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.220 it is 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:10.720 right to 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.320 call this 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:11.879 purpose 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.379 a design. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:15.960 You see, 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:16.680 Job saw 00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:17.460 his suffering 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.360 as purposed, 00:16:18.540 --> 00:16:19.140 planned and 00:16:19.140 --> 00:16:19.900 designed by 00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:20.259 God. 00:16:20.920 --> 00:16:21.480 Of course, 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.020 that doesn't 00:16:22.020 --> 00:16:22.540 mean that 00:16:22.540 --> 00:16:23.280 Job didn't 00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:23.960 struggle or 00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.280 that he 00:16:24.280 --> 00:16:24.720 didn't have 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:25.240 questions. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.060 the whole 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:26.620 book of 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.120 Job is 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:27.620 full of 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.419 questions and 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.240 his shoutings 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:29.759 at God. 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:31.740 However, 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.460 knowing that 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.480 God ordains 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:34.700 all things 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:36.480 leads him 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.000 to trust 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.799 God. 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.360 Look at 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.019 the conclusion 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.419 of the 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:41.700 book, 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.659 chapter 42. 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:48.139 The very 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.519 end, 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.759 chapter 42, 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:52.200 verse 1. 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.779 Look at 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.360 how Job 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.980 responds to 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.460 all that 00:16:59.460 --> 00:16:59.919 has happened 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:00.320 in his 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:00.799 life. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.880 Then Job 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:11.640 replied to 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:12.180 the Lord, 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.099 I know 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.500 that you 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:14.900 can do 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.700 all things. 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.620 No 00:17:17.620 --> 00:17:18.380 purpose of 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:20.079 yours can 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.940 be thwarted. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.019 Nothing 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:24.059 that happens 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:25.019 in our 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.639 life is 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:27.639 outside of 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:28.119 God's 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.319 plan for 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:29.980 your life. 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:32.059 Nothing 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:33.000 can disrupt 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.720 what God 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:35.440 has designed, 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.680 so we 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.259 trust him. 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.779 So 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.619 Joseph was 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:42.980 in the 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.819 place of 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:44.160 God. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:44.720 Job 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.900 could say 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.639 no purpose 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.299 of yours 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.500 can be 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:49.220 thwarted. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.980 Jeremiah, 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.779 all J's, 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.359 so it's 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.819 easy to 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:55.879 follow and 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:56.379 remember. 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.579 He was 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.179 one who 00:17:59.179 --> 00:17:59.979 trusted the 00:17:59.979 --> 00:18:00.259 Lord. 00:18:00.459 --> 00:18:00.719 Have a 00:18:00.719 --> 00:18:01.000 look at 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.519 Jeremiah 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.719 chapter 17. 00:18:11.459 --> 00:18:12.019 Jeremiah 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.679 was a 00:18:12.679 --> 00:18:13.000 prophet 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.719 called by 00:18:13.719 --> 00:18:14.259 God to 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.399 speak a 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:16.039 message to 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.500 the people. 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:16.939 It wasn't 00:18:16.939 --> 00:18:17.399 an easy 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:17.799 message, 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:18.299 it was a 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:18.839 message of 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.339 judgment. 00:18:20.979 --> 00:18:21.719 His message 00:18:21.719 --> 00:18:22.259 was simply 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:22.879 this because 00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.460 the people 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.420 had persisted 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:24.740 in their 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.279 sin and 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.680 rebelled 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.519 against God. 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:27.720 God was 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.140 going to 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:28.700 take them 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.599 by way of 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.099 discipline 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:31.400 into exile. 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.440 That was 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.140 his message. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.440 It's not a 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.140 nice message 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:36.839 to tell, 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.359 it certainly 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:39.140 wasn't a nice 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.839 message for the 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.379 people to 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:40.779 hear, 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.619 and Jeremiah 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:44.059 suffered for 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.379 it. 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.740 No need to 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.779 look up the 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.180 references, 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:48.700 I'll just 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:49.460 refer to them. 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.059 In chapter 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.539 12, 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.259 verse 6, 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.559 we read 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.100 about his 00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:53.779 own family 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.620 who betrayed 00:18:54.620 --> 00:18:55.160 him and 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:55.920 turned against 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:56.299 him, 00:18:57.600 --> 00:18:58.200 left on 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:58.680 his own. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.319 In chapter 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:00.819 20, 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.500 verse 2, 00:19:01.600 --> 00:19:01.980 we read 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.380 that the 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.480 priest in 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.019 charge of 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.600 the temple 00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:06.360 had beaten 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.759 him up and 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.340 then put him 00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:09.240 into stocks 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.480 for everybody 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.299 to see at 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.980 the entrance 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:13.019 of the 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.420 gates. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.740 In chapter 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.500 26, 00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:17.400 verse 16, 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.600 he endured 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.399 continuous 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:20.319 death threats 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:20.639 of the 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:21.439 people planned 00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:22.119 to try and 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:22.659 kill him. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.179 Chapter 37, 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.059 verse 18, 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.519 he was thrown 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.240 into prison 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:28.919 and punished 00:19:28.919 --> 00:19:29.439 by the 00:19:29.439 --> 00:19:29.740 king. 00:19:31.679 --> 00:19:32.419 And following 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:33.000 that event, 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:33.579 no sooner 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:33.980 was he 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:36.139 released than 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.859 he was thrown 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.439 into a 00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:38.039 disused 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.480 well. 00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:40.539 And this 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.099 is what it 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.500 says, 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:43.099 it had no 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.000 water in it, 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.139 only mud, 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:46.280 water in it, 00:19:46.280 --> 00:19:47.000 and Jeremiah 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.000 sank down 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.140 into the 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:49.440 mud. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.680 I think 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.160 it's fair 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:52.660 to say 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:53.380 that Jeremiah 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.280 suffered 00:19:54.280 --> 00:19:55.480 terribly. 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.280 His whole 00:19:57.280 --> 00:19:58.160 adult life 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.740 was marked 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.300 with one 00:19:59.300 --> 00:20:00.160 trial after 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.560 another. 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.580 He had 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.259 done nothing 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:02.680 wrong. 00:20:02.780 --> 00:20:03.280 He was only 00:20:03.280 --> 00:20:03.980 doing what 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.440 God had 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:04.920 called him 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.400 to do. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.540 Yet through 00:20:06.540 --> 00:20:06.980 it all, 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:07.480 Jeremiah 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:08.580 didn't fight 00:20:08.580 --> 00:20:10.140 God and 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:10.560 he didn't 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:11.220 flee from 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.640 God. 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:13.440 He trusted 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.220 that God 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.800 was over 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:15.980 all things. 00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:18.020 You see, 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.640 in times 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.420 of suffering, 00:20:20.080 --> 00:20:21.220 he looked 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:21.800 to God 00:20:21.800 --> 00:20:22.920 in faith. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.220 Look at 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.720 what God 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.580 says to 00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.300 Jeremiah 00:20:27.300 --> 00:20:30.340 in chapter 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:31.160 17, 00:20:31.580 --> 00:20:32.660 verse 5. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.480 So he's 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.080 already gone 00:20:34.080 --> 00:20:34.860 through suffering, 00:20:35.320 --> 00:20:36.340 he will go 00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:36.920 through more 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.340 suffering, 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:37.860 and in the 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:38.360 midst of it 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:38.540 all, 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:39.100 this is what 00:20:39.100 --> 00:20:39.840 God says. 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:43.179 this is 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:43.579 what the 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.319 Lord says. 00:20:45.439 --> 00:20:45.919 Cursed 00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:46.319 is the 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.799 one who 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.720 trusts in 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.099 man, 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.559 who draws 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.359 strength from 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.039 mere flesh 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.500 and whose 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.199 heart turns 00:20:52.199 --> 00:20:52.699 away from 00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:53.139 the Lord. 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:54.879 That person 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.480 will be like 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.039 a bush in 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.899 the wastelands. 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.000 They will 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.519 not see 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.519 prosperity when 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:00.079 it comes. 00:21:00.959 --> 00:21:01.339 They will 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:01.879 dwell in 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:02.599 the parched 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.359 places of 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.919 the desert, 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.519 in a salt 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:06.139 land where 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:06.559 no one 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.039 lives. 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:09.199 But, 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:11.220 blessed is 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.600 the one 00:21:11.600 --> 00:21:12.539 who trusts 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.180 in the 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.539 Lord, 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:14.980 whose 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.720 confidence 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.440 is in 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:16.799 him. 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.620 They will 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:19.180 be like a 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.900 tree planted 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.880 by water 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.940 that sends 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:22.440 out its 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.019 roots by 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.640 the stream. 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:24.980 It does 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.720 not fear 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.420 when heat 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.019 comes. 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:28.220 So no 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.640 matter what 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:29.319 the storm 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.680 or the 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.140 struggle, 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:31.940 he does 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.539 not fear. 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.220 It leaves 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.980 are always 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.400 green. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:36.640 It has 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.240 no worries 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.819 in a year 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.319 of drought. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.819 And never 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.380 fails to 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.120 bear fruit. 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:45.039 Trust me 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.559 with your 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.220 life, 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.559 God says. 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:49.000 Whatever you 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.559 are going 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:49.980 through, 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.620 don't run 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.140 to other 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.860 things and 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.240 to other 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.660 people. 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.000 Trust me. 00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:56.740 And look at 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.420 Jeremiah's 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.980 response, 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.900 verse 14. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.480 Heal me, 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.299 Lord, 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:04.100 and I 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:04.680 shall be 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.180 healed. 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.880 Save me, 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:08.260 and I 00:22:08.260 --> 00:22:08.900 shall be 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.380 saved. 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.260 For you 00:22:11.260 --> 00:22:12.120 are the 00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:12.580 one I 00:22:12.580 --> 00:22:13.160 praise. 00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:15.800 Jeremiah 00:22:15.800 --> 00:22:16.360 would go 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.760 on to 00:22:16.760 --> 00:22:17.460 suffer much 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.160 more after 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.800 he said 00:22:18.800 --> 00:22:19.100 that, 00:22:19.520 --> 00:22:19.940 but it 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.260 was a 00:22:20.260 --> 00:22:20.740 mark of 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:21.360 his life. 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:22.820 We 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:23.280 mightn't 00:22:23.280 --> 00:22:23.800 understand 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.480 everything. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.440 We 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:25.860 mightn't 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.600 make sense 00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.100 of what's 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:27.640 going on 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:27.920 in our 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:28.260 life. 00:22:28.260 --> 00:22:28.820 Our 00:22:28.820 --> 00:22:29.340 suffering 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:29.660 may 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.220 continue 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.560 through 00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:30.940 all of 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.140 our 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:31.640 prayers, 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:33.240 yet we 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.860 trust 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:35.420 that God 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:35.780 is in 00:22:35.780 --> 00:22:36.300 control 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:37.560 of all 00:22:37.560 --> 00:22:37.759 that 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.380 happens. 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.620 God 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:40.900 has 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.460 designed 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:41.759 our 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.259 suffering 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:44.100 so we 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:44.320 can 00:22:44.320 --> 00:22:44.700 trust 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:44.980 him. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.180 So 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.620 Joseph 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:49.300 understood 00:22:49.300 --> 00:22:49.820 that he 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:50.180 was in 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.700 the place 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.220 of God. 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.060 Job 00:22:53.060 --> 00:22:53.580 came to 00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.100 see that 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.740 no plan 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.420 of God's 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.920 could be 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.560 thwarted, 00:22:57.780 --> 00:22:58.920 and Jeremiah 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.660 knew what 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.259 it was 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.799 to trust 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.460 the Lord 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.599 in the 00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:03.980 midst of 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.160 his 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:04.579 suffering. 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:08.539 This 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:08.779 has 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.440 changed 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:09.940 slightly 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.579 the title. 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.299 Well, 00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.700 Jesus 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.299 is still 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.680 right, 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.559 but the 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.019 next bit 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.240 is 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.700 into 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.019 your 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.619 hands 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.740 I 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.160 commit 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.559 my 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:18.220 spirit. 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.500 Turn 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:19.740 to 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.119 Acts 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.779 chapter 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.180 2 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.460 with 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:21.779 me. 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.259 Acts 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.660 chapter 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.119 2. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:36.019 Jesus 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.019 is the 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.579 supreme 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.180 example 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.039 for us 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.579 that we 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.240 can trust 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.720 God 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.819 in the 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.059 midst 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.420 of our 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:43.859 suffering. 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:45.480 Jesus 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.039 was one 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.500 who did 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:46.960 suffer. 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.359 Isaiah 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:48.940 the prophet 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:50.059 reminds us 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:51.599 he was 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.579 despised 00:23:52.579 --> 00:23:54.839 and rejected 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.940 by mankind, 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:57.680 a man of 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.559 suffering and 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.480 familiar with 00:23:59.480 --> 00:23:59.879 pain. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:02.480 Jesus 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.119 knew what 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:03.500 it was 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.000 to be a 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.420 refugee. 00:24:04.700 --> 00:24:04.759 He 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.519 experienced 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.059 hunger, 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:06.700 sleepless 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.099 nights, 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:07.640 he faced 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.220 opposition 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.500 and 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.000 rejection, 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:12.200 and 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.920 primarily 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.559 and most 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:13.960 of all 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.559 he suffered 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.200 the judgment 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.779 of God 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.119 on the 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.700 cross for 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.160 us. 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.180 He 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.599 suffered 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.259 the reality 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.859 of hell 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.359 for you 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.720 and for 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:20.980 me. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.400 But all 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:22.660 this 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.180 suffering 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.759 that took 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.200 place 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.700 was all 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.339 designed 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.200 by God. 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.019 Peter 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.779 tells us 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.559 that Jesus 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.980 was chosen 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:31.420 before the 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.160 creation of 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.779 the world, 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:34.240 before this 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.900 universe 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.960 existed. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.440 Jesus 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.259 was chosen. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:40.960 The plan 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.440 was in 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:41.960 place. 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.140 The plan 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:43.259 was in 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.980 place. 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:53.680 Peter is 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.339 preaching, 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:56.400 preaching about 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:57.000 Jesus. 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:59.259 It's after the 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.539 death and 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.380 resurrection of 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:01.700 Jesus. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.339 And look what he 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.480 says, verse 22. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.620 fellow 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:05.099 Israelites, 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:05.819 listen to 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.200 this. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.860 Jesus of 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:08.599 Nazareth was 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.019 a man 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.839 accredited by 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.339 God to 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:10.660 you by 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.160 miracles, 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:11.700 wonders, 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.440 and signs, 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.799 which God 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.319 did among 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:14.860 you through 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.440 him as 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.099 you yourselves 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:16.480 know. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.279 This man 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.799 was handed 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.319 over to 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.620 you by 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:20.059 God's 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.440 deliberate 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.099 plan and 00:25:21.099 --> 00:25:21.839 foreknowledge, 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:22.880 and you 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.200 with the 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.620 help of 00:25:23.620 --> 00:25:24.120 wicked men 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.539 put him 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.000 to death 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.680 by nailing 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:25.980 him to 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.519 the cross. 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.059 But God 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.620 raised him 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:28.960 from the 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.220 dead, 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:29.940 freeing him 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.299 from the 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.880 agony of 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:31.440 death because 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:31.759 it was 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.620 impossible for 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.159 death to 00:25:33.159 --> 00:25:33.579 keep its 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.079 hold on 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:34.319 him. 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.619 So who 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.379 is responsible 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.899 for the 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.319 death of 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.659 Jesus? 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.099 Well, we 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.639 could say 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.319 the people 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:46.139 and the 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.419 Roman 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:47.119 soldiers, 00:25:48.239 --> 00:25:48.659 and we 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.019 would be 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.339 right, 00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:49.619 wouldn't 00:25:49.619 --> 00:25:49.859 we? 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.039 But, look 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:52.319 what it 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:52.699 says in 00:25:52.699 --> 00:25:53.539 verse 23. 00:25:54.739 --> 00:25:55.619 This man, 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:56.500 Jesus, 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.299 was handed 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.959 over to 00:25:57.959 --> 00:25:59.359 you by 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.099 God's 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.599 deliberate 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:02.339 plan and 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:03.159 foreknowledge. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.220 Before the 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.019 creation of 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.500 the world, 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:07.539 God planned 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.720 and ordained 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.659 and designed 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:11.179 the death 00:26:11.179 --> 00:26:11.859 of Jesus. 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.699 Have a look 00:26:14.699 --> 00:26:15.099 at Acts 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.939 chapter 4. 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.879 Peter has 00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.359 just been 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.439 released from 00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:26.839 prison. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.659 He's been 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.099 put in 00:26:28.099 --> 00:26:28.659 prison for 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:29.480 teaching about 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:29.880 Jesus, 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.460 and the 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.220 disciples are 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.860 now facing 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.279 great 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.860 opposition. 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:36.839 Peter's 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.339 just come 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.700 out of 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.160 prison and 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:38.579 they begin 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.200 to pray 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.319 in verse 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.160 24, 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:42.160 Acts 4, 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.160 verse 24. 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.500 When they 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.259 heard this, 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.819 that is, 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.839 when Peter's, 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.819 when they'd 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.200 heard of 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:52.640 Peter's 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.200 release from 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.559 prison, 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:54.779 they raised 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.380 their voices 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.160 together in 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:56.640 prayer to 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:56.960 God, 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.000 sovereign 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.480 Lord, 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.220 they said, 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.360 you made 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.920 the heavens 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.300 and the 00:27:01.300 --> 00:27:01.780 earth and 00:27:01.780 --> 00:27:02.480 the sea and 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:03.400 everything in 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:03.520 them. 00:27:03.520 --> 00:27:04.080 In other 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:04.280 words, 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.000 you're in 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.680 control of 00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.640 all things. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.259 And you 00:27:09.259 --> 00:27:10.700 spoke by 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.280 the Holy 00:27:11.280 --> 00:27:12.160 Spirit through 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.740 the mouth 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.560 of your 00:27:13.560 --> 00:27:14.220 servant, 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.220 our father 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.740 David. 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.020 He spoke 00:27:18.020 --> 00:27:19.040 about the 00:27:19.040 --> 00:27:19.940 opposition that 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.320 there would 00:27:20.320 --> 00:27:21.680 be towards 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.140 Jesus. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.320 Jesus. 00:27:23.600 --> 00:27:24.160 And he 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.580 quotes, 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.240 why do 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.800 the nations 00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:26.560 rage and 00:27:26.560 --> 00:27:27.160 the people's 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.640 plot in 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:27.920 vain? 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:29.400 The kings 00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:29.740 of the 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.420 earth rise 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:30.800 up and 00:27:30.800 --> 00:27:31.360 the rulers 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.220 band together 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.880 against the 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.400 Lord and 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.040 against his 00:27:34.040 --> 00:27:34.860 anointed one. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.140 And it 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.800 did come to 00:27:37.800 --> 00:27:38.240 pass, 00:27:38.360 --> 00:27:39.200 verse 27, 00:27:39.600 --> 00:27:40.500 indeed Herod 00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.120 and Pontius 00:27:41.120 --> 00:27:41.880 Pilate met 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.480 together with 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.280 the Gentiles 00:27:43.280 --> 00:27:44.100 and the 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:44.560 people of 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:45.080 Israel in 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:45.700 the city to 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.700 conspire against 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.220 your holy 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.120 servant Jesus 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.060 whom you 00:27:49.060 --> 00:27:49.540 anointed. 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.440 They did 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.900 what your 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.559 power and 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.059 will had 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:53.559 decided 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.220 beforehand 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.559 should 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:54.920 happen. 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.820 So again, 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.259 who is 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.279 responsible for 00:27:59.279 --> 00:27:59.840 the suffering 00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:00.440 of Jesus? 00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:02.880 Well, we 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:03.420 could say, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.360 verse 27, 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:04.860 that it's 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:06.580 Herod and 00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:06.960 his little 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.600 chat with 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.059 Pontius 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.660 Pilate, 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.320 the religious 00:28:10.320 --> 00:28:11.019 authorities, 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.720 they put 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.460 Jesus to 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.840 death. 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:14.740 And we 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.100 would be 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.539 right. 00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.380 But look 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:17.720 at verse 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.400 28. 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.559 They only 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.380 did what 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.640 your power 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.880 and will 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.940 had decided 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.860 beforehand 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.840 should 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.280 happen. 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.720 God 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.480 designed 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.740 the 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.140 suffering 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.420 of 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:32.760 Jesus. 00:28:36.760 --> 00:28:37.640 The 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.120 lash 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:38.780 on his 00:28:38.780 --> 00:28:39.240 back, 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:40.600 the 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:41.200 thorns 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.940 on his 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.340 head, 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.900 the spit 00:28:43.900 --> 00:28:44.660 on his 00:28:44.660 --> 00:28:45.160 cheek, 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.700 the bruises 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:47.440 on his 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:47.920 face, 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.040 the nails 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.980 in his 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.539 hands, 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:51.700 the spear 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.500 in his 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.039 side, 00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:54.079 the scorn 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.720 of rulers, 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.779 the betrayal 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.159 of his 00:28:56.159 --> 00:28:56.639 friends, 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.899 the desertion 00:28:57.899 --> 00:28:58.420 by his 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.019 disciples. 00:29:00.399 --> 00:29:01.019 These were 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:01.500 all the 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.180 results of 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.519 sin, 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.659 and all 00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:05.359 designed 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.259 by God 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.700 to destroy 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.399 the power 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.559 of sin. 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:12.420 You see, 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.200 in Jesus, 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:16.420 we see 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.140 the true 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:18.519 Joseph, 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.620 the better 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.100 Joseph, 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.779 who was 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.620 sent by 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.140 God, 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.360 planned 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:25.259 by God, 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:25.980 designed 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:26.960 by God, 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.960 to come 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.640 and save 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:30.940 many people 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:32.120 through his 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:32.819 sufferings. 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:35.379 Jesus is 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:35.919 our better 00:29:35.919 --> 00:29:36.379 Job, 00:29:36.439 --> 00:29:36.899 isn't he? 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.059 The one 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.399 who is 00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:38.899 ultimately 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.559 innocent, 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.599 and suffered 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.439 the ultimate 00:29:42.439 --> 00:29:43.399 suffering for 00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:43.879 us, 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.159 judgment 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:45.919 and hell, 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.339 so that 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.819 we don't 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.339 have to. 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:51.059 Jesus is 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.519 the true 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.039 and better 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.720 Jeremiah, 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:54.179 the one 00:29:54.179 --> 00:29:55.000 who trusted 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:56.000 the Lord 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.460 with his 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.980 life, 00:29:58.159 --> 00:29:58.960 when nothing 00:29:58.960 --> 00:29:59.559 seemed to 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.319 make sense. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.379 He committed 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:03.060 his life 00:30:03.060 --> 00:30:04.280 to God. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.860 You see, 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.560 knowing his 00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:08.080 suffering, 00:30:09.460 --> 00:30:10.160 knowing that 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.280 his way 00:30:11.280 --> 00:30:11.680 to the 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.140 cross 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:13.240 was all 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:13.820 designed 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:14.500 by God, 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:14.980 Jesus 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.680 prayed. 00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:17.280 Do you 00:30:17.280 --> 00:30:17.720 remember what 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.140 he prayed 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:18.460 in the 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:18.800 garden? 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:20.520 Father, 00:30:21.260 --> 00:30:21.880 if you 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:22.420 are willing, 00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:24.400 take this 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:24.860 cup, 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.280 take this 00:30:26.280 --> 00:30:26.780 cup of 00:30:26.780 --> 00:30:27.260 suffering 00:30:27.260 --> 00:30:28.020 from me, 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.540 yet not 00:30:29.540 --> 00:30:30.240 my will, 00:30:31.420 --> 00:30:32.280 but yours 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.359 be done. 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.720 Jesus, 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.200 as he 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:37.039 faces into 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.759 his suffering, 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:39.240 entrusts his 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.859 life to 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:40.420 the Father. 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:41.839 And when 00:30:41.839 --> 00:30:42.379 he is on 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:42.960 the cross, 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.940 having gone 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.700 through all 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.279 the suffering 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.779 that he 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.319 endured, 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.200 Jesus called 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:48.819 out in a 00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.539 loud voice, 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.559 Father, 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.420 into your 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.059 hands, 00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.480 I commit 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.180 my spirit. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.980 And when 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.420 he said 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:57.940 this, 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.680 he breathed 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.539 his last. 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:03.380 Because God 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.240 has planned 00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:05.100 and designed 00:31:05.100 --> 00:31:05.480 his 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.279 sufferings, 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.799 Jesus 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.259 could 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:08.920 entrust 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.740 his life 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:11.519 to the 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:11.880 Father. 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:13.840 You see, 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.380 as Jesus 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.120 prays, 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:16.759 he's 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.400 praying for 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:17.960 us. 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.539 Jesus 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.460 is standing 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.220 in for 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.660 us, 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.820 entrusting 00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:24.160 our lives 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:25.560 into the 00:31:25.560 --> 00:31:26.140 Father's 00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:26.519 sovereign 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.140 hands. 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:28.080 He 00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:28.880 prays the 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.520 prayer for 00:31:29.520 --> 00:31:30.520 our eternal 00:31:30.520 --> 00:31:31.259 salvation, 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:32.180 so that 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:32.900 we can 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.660 trust him 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:34.160 with our 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.580 life. 00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:35.940 He 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.000 entrusts us 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.540 into the 00:31:37.540 --> 00:31:38.040 Father's 00:31:38.040 --> 00:31:38.340 care, 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.180 so that 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:39.560 when 00:31:39.560 --> 00:31:40.200 suffering 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.060 comes into 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:41.500 our 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:41.920 life, 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.800 we too 00:31:43.800 --> 00:31:44.560 can pray, 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.200 Father, 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.140 not my 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.440 will, 00:31:49.540 --> 00:31:50.240 but your 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.660 will be 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:50.920 done. 00:31:52.340 --> 00:31:53.020 Father, 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:55.060 into your 00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:55.640 hands, 00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:56.540 I 00:31:56.540 --> 00:31:56.860 commit 00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:57.180 my 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:57.720 spirit. 00:32:00.280 --> 00:32:01.340 If God 00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:02.759 willed and 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.740 decided all 00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.180 that should 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:04.880 happen to 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.500 his son 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.759 would be 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.240 for our 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.720 good and 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.440 for our 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.980 ultimate 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.759 salvation, 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.000 how much 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.580 more then 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.080 can we 00:32:13.080 --> 00:32:14.000 trust him 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.340 with the 00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.160 sufferings in 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:16.980 our life? 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:20.740 In the 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.380 coming weeks, 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:21.900 we're going 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.400 to be 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.720 seeing how 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.600 God uses 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:24.959 our 00:32:24.959 --> 00:32:25.399 suffering 00:32:25.399 --> 00:32:26.139 for our 00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:26.519 good and 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:26.879 the many 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:27.839 benefits and 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:28.659 blessings that 00:32:28.659 --> 00:32:29.319 come through 00:32:29.319 --> 00:32:29.740 that. 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.219 But as we 00:32:32.219 --> 00:32:32.939 close, I'd 00:32:32.939 --> 00:32:33.459 like us to 00:32:33.459 --> 00:32:34.099 listen to the 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:35.039 testimony of 00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:36.000 Joni Erickson 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.419 Tada. 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.599 It comes from 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.839 the book that I 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.699 mentioned earlier. 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:42.899 Joni suffered a 00:32:42.899 --> 00:32:43.919 terrible injury as 00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:45.740 a teenager that 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.179 left her 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:47.099 paralyzed from 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.459 the neck 00:32:47.459 --> 00:32:47.859 down. 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:50.979 Joni trusts 00:32:50.979 --> 00:32:52.659 God who 00:32:52.659 --> 00:32:53.659 has designed 00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:55.179 her suffering. 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.619 Listen to 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.079 what she 00:32:57.079 --> 00:32:57.459 says. 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:57.979 These are 00:32:57.979 --> 00:32:58.759 her words. 00:33:00.439 --> 00:33:01.399 So many 00:33:01.399 --> 00:33:02.459 have tried to 00:33:02.459 --> 00:33:03.099 get me to 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.919 say that my 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:04.859 accident of 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.859 43 years 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:07.159 ago was 00:33:07.159 --> 00:33:08.159 never part of 00:33:08.159 --> 00:33:08.939 God's plan, 00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:10.659 that my 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:12.500 paralysis was 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.099 never his 00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:13.659 intention, 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:16.460 that quadriplegia 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.240 was never 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.920 necessary, 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.640 that chronic 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.560 pain didn't 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.300 have to be, 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.080 that suffering 00:33:23.080 --> 00:33:24.060 was never part 00:33:24.060 --> 00:33:24.820 of his plan, 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.500 that the many 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.340 tears and 00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:28.160 groans and 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:29.080 struggles and 00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:30.160 sleepless nights 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:31.860 were needless and 00:33:31.860 --> 00:33:32.740 a waste of my 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.860 energy and my 00:33:33.860 --> 00:33:34.320 life. 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:34.419 life. 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.220 But I know 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:37.779 differently. 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.200 It was all 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.059 planned long 00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:43.079 ago and God 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:44.000 brought it about 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.799 in his perfect 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.980 faithfulness. 00:33:47.939 --> 00:33:48.939 And because he 00:33:48.939 --> 00:33:50.679 allowed it and 00:33:50.679 --> 00:33:51.579 permitted it, 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.179 because he has 00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:54.019 walked with me 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:54.639 through every 00:33:54.639 --> 00:33:55.500 moment of it, 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:58.519 his plan has 00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.740 been marvellous 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:01.399 for Joni 00:34:01.399 --> 00:34:02.139 Erickson 00:34:02.139 --> 00:34:02.659 Tadda. 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:07.320 God has 00:34:07.320 --> 00:34:08.159 designed my 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:08.760 suffering. 00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:11.139 God has 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:12.460 designed your 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.000 suffering. 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.519 And we can 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.099 trust him. 00:34:17.700 --> 00:34:18.639 Let's pray. 00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:18.820 Amen. 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:36.619 Father, we 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:36.980 look in 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.000 your 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.259 heart. 00:34:37.259 --> 00:34:37.599 Amen. 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:37.659 Amen. 00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:37.719 Amen. 00:34:37.719 --> 00:34:37.759 Amen. 00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:37.839 Amen. 00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:37.940 Amen. 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.039 Amen.