WEBVTT

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 Today's Old Testament lesson comes from the book of Isaiah, chapter 30, verses 1 through 18.

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 Stubborn children, declares the Lord, who carry out a plan but not mine,

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 and who make an alliance but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin,

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 who set out to go down to Egypt without asking for my direction,

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 to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt,

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 therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame,

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 and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.

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 For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hames,

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 everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them,

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 that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace.

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 An oracle on the beasts of Negev, through a land of trouble and anguish,

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 from where come the lioness and the lion, the adder and the flying fiery serpent,

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 they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels,

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 to a people that cannot profit them.

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 Egypt's help is worthless and empty, therefore I have called her Rahab who sits still.

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 And now go, write it before them on a tablet and ascribe it in a book,

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 that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever.

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 For they are rebellious people, lying children,

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 children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord,

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 who say to the seers, do not see,

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 and to the prophets, do not prophesy to us what is right.

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 Speak to us smooth things, prophecy illusions.

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 Leave the way, turn aside from the path.

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 Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.

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 Therefore, thus says the Holy One of Israel,

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 because you despise this word and trust in the oppression and perverseness and rely on them,

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 therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall,

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 bulging out and about to collapse,

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 whose breaking comes suddenly in an instant,

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 and its breaking is like that of a potter's vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly

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 that among its fragments not a shard is found,

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 with which to take fire from the hearth or dip up water out of the cistern.

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 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,

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 in returning and rest you shall be saved,

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 in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

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 But you were unwilling, and you said,

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 no, we will flee upon horses.

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 Therefore you shall flee away,

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 and we will ride upon swift steeds.

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 Therefore your pursuers shall be swift.

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 A thousand shall flee at the threat of one.

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 At the threat of five you shall flee

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 till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,

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 like a signal on a hill.

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 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you.

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 And therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

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 For the Lord is a God of justice.

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 Blessed are all those who wait for him.

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 This is the word of the Lord.

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 Thanks be to God.

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 About a month ago, many of us in this room saw a film

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 at the National Gallery of Art by Laura Hinson

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 called Many Beautiful Things.

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 And it's a documentary about Lilius Trotter,

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 a 19th century British painter

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 who left a career that would have brought fame and fortune

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 in order to follow God's calling on our life

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 to be a missionary to the poor and downtrodden in North Africa.

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 In that departure to Africa,

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 she says that holiness, not safety,

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 is the end of our calling.

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 Holiness, not safety,

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 is the end of our calling.

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 That's been a refrain for us

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 these last few weeks in this season of Lent.

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 Holiness.

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 This sermon series is called

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 The Habits of Holiness.

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 We're looking at practices

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 that would build and nurture holiness and virtue within us.

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 The first week, we looked at submission.

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 What does it mean to live under the authority of Christ's lordship?

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 The second sermon we heard

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 was about scripture.

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 And what does it mean that the Bible is God-breathed?

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 Last week, we looked at contentment

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 and Paul's statement.

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 How he has learned in whatever situation to be content.

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 This week, these three themes

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 come together quite beautifully

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 in this 30th chapter of Isaiah

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 that we heard Megan read earlier.

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 We're going to see two problems that Judah had.

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 Self-reliance

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 and a refusal to listen to God's voice.

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 Self-reliance

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 or really failure to rely on God.

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 And a refusal to listen to God's voice.

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 We're going to see how those two faults are shared by us.

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 We have those same faults and sin tendencies.

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 And then lastly, we're going to look at two practices

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 to help us overcome those problems.

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 It would be kind of a black comedy

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 if we're going to talk about listening to God's voice

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 and we weren't to pray to ask God to help us with that.

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 So let's do that right now.

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 Amen.

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 God, thank you for bringing us here.

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 Thank you for guiding us.

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 Thank you that you don't leave us

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 without a knowledge of yourself

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 or how to relate to you as our Father

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 or to submit to you as our Lord.

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 So we would ask your guidance today.

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 Help us to hear your word.

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 Help us to lay aside all of our pride and arrogance

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 and our presuppositions

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 and help us to really, truly hear

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 what you have to say to us tonight.

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 And not just tonight, Lord,

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 but every day of our lives.

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 And in hearing you, trust you

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 with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

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 We pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 So here in Isaiah 30,

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 we find ourselves towards the end of the 8th century BC.

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 And many years earlier, before this account,

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 Israel had split into two kingdoms.

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 The northern kingdom, which had kept the name Israel,

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 has already been conquered by Assyria,

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 and the Israelites have been hauled off into exile.

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 The southern kingdom, now called Judah,

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 finds itself a vassal state of Assyria

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 because of the actions and decisions

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 of the previous king Ahaz.

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 Ahaz's son, the current king, Hezekiah,

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 and by all accounts, a pretty good guy,

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 he wishes to be free of Assyria,

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 and so he seeks protection from Egypt

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 to the south.

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 Egypt, as we heard,

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 was a worthless ally.

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 In battle with Assyria,

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 they would be routed just 100 miles from their home,

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 while Assyria, 600 miles from their home,

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 just completely routed them.

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 God even mocks Egypt in verse 7.

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 It's pretty funny.

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 He calls her Rahab who sits still.

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 In other words,

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 Judah wasn't relying on Egypt,

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 the glorious, beautiful, powerful queen of ages past.

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 Judah was relying on Egypt,

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 the invalid grandmother who sits at home

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 watching Judge Judy and Fox News all day.

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 I'm pretty sure.

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 Ironically, and foolishly,

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 Judah is going back to her old slave master

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 to ensure her freedom.

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 But that isn't what made Egypt the poor choice.

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 Egypt was a poor choice

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 because Judah was to rely on God,

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 and God only for her protection,

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 and safety,

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 and salvation.

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 Judah was to seek God's guidance

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 instead of weaving her own web,

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 as the language here

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 could be literally translated in verse 1.

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 Here in verses 1 and 2,

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 we find the biblical insistence

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 that God's people be guided by God's revelation.

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 Ah, stubborn children

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 who carry out a plan,

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 but not mine.

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 Who make an alliance,

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 but not with my spirit.

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 Who set out to go down to Egypt

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 without asking for my direction.

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 The last bit here in verse 2

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 could be translated literally,

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 you did not inquire for my mouth.

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 You did not inquire for my mouth.

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 This might lead some of you

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 to recall the sermon from two weeks ago.

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 Tommy preached from 1 Timothy,

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 chapter 3, verse 16,

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 which says,

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 all scripture is God-breathed.

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 Well, I mean, that idea wasn't new to Paul.

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 God here is affirming it

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 many hundreds of years earlier.

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 God's revelation isn't static or dead.

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 His revelation is his mouth.

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 And it comes to us by his Holy Spirit.

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 And in that sermon we heard two weeks ago,

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 we heard also 1 Peter, chapter 1, verse 21,

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 which says,

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 for no prophecy was ever produced

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 by the will of man,

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 but men spoke from God

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 as they were carried along

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 by the Holy Spirit.

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 And here in Isaiah 30,

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 it's the prophet Isaiah

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 that is being carried along,

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 delivering God's message.

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 But Judah wouldn't receive it.

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 They would refuse it.

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 As a matter of fact,

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 in verses 9 and 10,

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 God notes how not only is Judah

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 unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord,

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 but they were telling Isaiah

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 to say something else.

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 The people had wanted Isaiah

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 to change his message.

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 They wanted him to lead them astray

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 from the Holy One of Israel.

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 In chapter 6 of Isaiah,

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 the prophet Isaiah has a vision.

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 A vision of God and his temple.

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 Glorious.

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 Breathtaking.

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 Indescribable.

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 So holy and indescribable

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 that Isaiah could only describe

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 the hem of his robe.

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 And Isaiah had devoted his whole career

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 to communicating this message

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 of God's holiness.

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 This beautiful, amazing vision.

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 But Judah wouldn't see it.

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 They didn't want to see it.

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 They wanted Isaiah

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 to just shut up about it.

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 And instead,

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 communicate smooth,

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 affirming things.

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 And not of a God

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 whose splendor

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 demanded

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 the impossible things of them.

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 Does that sound familiar?

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 Yes.

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 It does.

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 Right?

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 That's us.

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 2,700 years later.

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 That's us.

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 I know, because it's me.

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 It's me.

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 Now, if Judah were to listen

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 to this strange man,

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 they would have to alter

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 their view of God

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 and their way

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 of responding to him.

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 But as Flannery O'Connor wrote,

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 the truth does not change

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 according to our ability

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 to stomach it.

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 The truth does not change

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 according to our ability

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 to stomach it.

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 So let's summarize

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 Judah's problems

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 and see how they apply to us.

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 Okay?

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 The first,

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 in the face of trial and danger,

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 Judah devises their own plan

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 to get help

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 instead of seeking God.

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 And that's us.

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 Right?

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 I mean, just think back

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 this week,

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 this month,

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 when an issue arose

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 at work

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 or at home

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 or in your relationships

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 and you had to figure out

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 a solution.

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 Did you ask God for help?

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 Was he the first person

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 you asked?

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 Well,

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 you might say,

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 I'm a surgeon

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 and should I ask God

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 for a magical air

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 to show me where to cut?

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 You know,

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 where the patient

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 is dying on the table?

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 Or like,

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 I'm a musician

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 and should I just

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 wait for God

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 to show me every note

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 on the page to play?

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 Is that the kind of reliance

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 you're talking about?

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 No, no.

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 That's not what I'm talking about.

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 But this is an air trombone,

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 by the way,

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 if you're wondering.

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 So,

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 what scripture teaches,

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 cover to cover,

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 is that God's children

00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:44.379
 live in utter dependence

00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.519
 on their father.

00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:47.659
 Throughout a day,

00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:48.180
 God's children

00:12:48.180 --> 00:12:49.460
 have a spiritual posture

00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:49.960
 of kneeling.

00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.460
 Not physical,

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.639
 but a spiritual posture

00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.180
 of kneeling,

00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:55.860
 hands up,

00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.480
 palms up,

00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:59.100
 in need of God's provision.

00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:02.620
 The posture simply says,

00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:02.960
 help.

00:13:04.259 --> 00:13:04.920
 Help me.

00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:07.240
 Have mercy on me.

00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.399
 Personally,

00:13:08.560 --> 00:13:09.600
 when I get into a bind,

00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:11.300
 if I remember to do this,

00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:12.860
 I say what's called

00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:13.700
 a Jesus prayer,

00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:15.200
 an ancient prayer

00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:17.019
 that helps us focus on God

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.560
 and his helping us,

00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:19.000
 which says,

00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.379
 Jesus,

00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.279
 Son of God,

00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:23.000
 have mercy on me,

00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:23.759
 a sinner.

00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.139
 And I say it a lot.

00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:28.720
 But often,

00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:30.220
 I don't go to that.

00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:30.460
 You know,

00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:32.519
 I get nervous pretty much

00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.799
 every time I play music

00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:34.439
 in front of people.

00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.500
 That would mean on Sundays

00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.439
 when I lead worship.

00:13:37.399 --> 00:13:38.159
 And this is,

00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.899
 I've always had this problem.

00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.299
 And I remember once

00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:42.299
 being asked by a friend,

00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:43.360
 like,

00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:43.919
 what do you do

00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:44.439
 when you get nervous?

00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.259
 How do you get through that?

00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.139
 My response was,

00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:46.299
 well,

00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:46.580
 I just,

00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:47.319
 hmm,

00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:48.100
 what do I do?

00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.139
 I just rely on the things

00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:50.939
 that I've practiced,

00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.379
 things that I've learned

00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.039
 in my training.

00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:55.480
 And then he asked,

00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.500
 do you pray?

00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.659
 And I realized I,

00:13:58.819 --> 00:14:00.899
 I didn't most of the time.

00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:03.860
 I realized that I'm much more

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:04.679
 of an orphan

00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:06.199
 than a son of the Father.

00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.419
 At least that's how I behave.

00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.539
 An orphan who relies

00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:10.519
 on his instinct,

00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:12.620
 the strategies,

00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:14.360
 strategies and coping measures

00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.679
 he's learned on the streets,

00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:18.199
 never fully trusts anyone,

00:14:18.339 --> 00:14:19.899
 even after being received

00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:21.219
 into a loving family

00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.100
 and given parents

00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.200
 who truly love him.

00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:26.220
 We see overtones of this

00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.720
 in verse one,

00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:28.220
 right?

00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.120
 God says,

00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:29.460
 aha,

00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.240
 stubborn children.

00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:35.060
 So that's Judah's

00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:35.759
 first problem,

00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.279
 self-reliance.

00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.580
 And Judah's other problem

00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:41.180
 is that they don't listen

00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:42.800
 to their father's voice.

00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.960
 We've touched on this.

00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:46.120
 They either ignore God's voice

00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.440
 or because of their pride

00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:48.240
 and arrogance,

00:14:48.460 --> 00:14:49.620
 they twist his words

00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:51.379
 to support their own agenda,

00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.100
 to support their own

00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.019
 systems of belief,

00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.340
 or to prevent God

00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.220
 from interfering

00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.000
 with the things

00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.659
 that they desire.

00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:01.460
 So what should have Israel done?

00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.980
 Verse 15 says,

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.539
 For thus said the Lord God,

00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:08.019
 the Holy One of Israel,

00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:10.440
 in returning and rest

00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:11.879
 you shall be saved.

00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:15.100
 In quietness and in trust

00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.759
 shall be your strength.

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:19.399
 Again,

00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.360
 he's addressing

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.639
 posture.

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:24.960
 Returning

00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.439
 means repentance.

00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:28.639
 And once we've

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.480
 returned

00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.960
 to the Father's presence,

00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.759
 we become quiet

00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:34.500
 and still.

00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:37.159
 And in that silence,

00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:39.379
 God gives

00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.340
 to us

00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:41.159
 of himself.

00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.039
 We find strength.

00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:43.079
 faith.

00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.759
 So what does that mean

00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.439
 for us today?

00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:49.740
 Does it mean we literally

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.819
 need to find times

00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.419
 of silence

00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.120
 and solitude?

00:15:53.599 --> 00:15:54.419
 Well, yes.

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.679
 Yep, of course.

00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.039
 And I think that's

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.899
 exactly what it means.

00:15:57.959 --> 00:15:58.559
 And Jesus knew

00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.620
 how critical it was, too.

00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.719
 He knew how critical

00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:02.539
 it was to find times

00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.139
 of silence

00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.799
 and solitude.

00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.199
 And if the Son of God,

00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.240
 the Son,

00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:07.639
 who had known

00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.639
 intimacy

00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.240
 with the Father

00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:12.519
 in a perfect

00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.179
 dance

00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:14.439
 of never-ending love,

00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.679
 if he

00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.860
 needed to

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.960
 find time

00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:19.439
 alone

00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.779
 with the Father

00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:21.779
 to be intimate,

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.240
 in silence

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.879
 and solitude,

00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.539
 how much more

00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:24.860
 do we?

00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:25.480
 Right?

00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.240
 The world is

00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.639
 so noisy.

00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.019
 You know this.

00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:30.980
 It's noisier

00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:32.059
 than it's ever been.

00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:33.740
 Audio,

00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:34.919
 visually,

00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:36.580
 informationally,

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.240
 we're drowning

00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.500
 in information.

00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.540
 We seek it

00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.360
 on our smartphones

00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.520
 as soon as we wake up

00:16:43.520 --> 00:16:44.840
 and just before

00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.520
 we go to sleep.

00:16:46.020 --> 00:16:47.180
 As we walk on the street

00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.040
 or wait in a line,

00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:49.500
 a ubiquitous

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:51.060
 din of words

00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.620
 resulting

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.080
 in an epidemic

00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:54.320
 of numbness.

00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.000
 And I think

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.700
 you've felt that.

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:57.460
 I have.

00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:59.240
 And for whatever reason,

00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.900
 we prefer the noise

00:17:01.900 --> 00:17:04.240
 because it's so much

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.319
 more preferable

00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:06.240
 to the alternatives

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:08.140
 the hard work

00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:09.339
 of recognizing

00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:10.120
 the true

00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:11.259
 aesthetic beauty

00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.220
 that surrounds us,

00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.500
 the hard work

00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.519
 of empathy,

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.859
 recognizing that

00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.819
 every human soul

00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:17.400
 we encounter

00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.220
 is both made

00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.140
 in the image of God

00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:20.180
 and suffers the weight

00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.240
 of a broken humanity,

00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:24.359
 the hard work

00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:24.960
 of living with

00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.740
 our own thoughts

00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.339
 and feelings

00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.640
 and neuroses

00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.640
 and hurt.

00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.099
 And there's

00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.620
 an alternative

00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:32.859
 that's more frightening

00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:33.400
 than the three

00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:33.980
 of those.

00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.640
 and that's

00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:37.140
 plain old silence.

00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.839
 Silence is frightening.

00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:41.720
 I know this

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.400
 because I watch

00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:42.960
 science fiction.

00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:45.799
 I really don't

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.640
 reference science fiction

00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.339
 in every sermon.

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:47.819
 I know this

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.599
 because I remember

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.579
 cutting the science fiction

00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.680
 reference from my last sermon.

00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.680
 Anyway, bear with me.

00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.140
 Science fiction

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:54.660
 has a way

00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.220
 of tapping

00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.299
 into our fears

00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.680
 through the enemies

00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:58.519
 it projects.

00:17:58.519 --> 00:18:00.440
 Now some of you

00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.480
 may remember

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.059
 the Borg

00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.200
 from Star Trek

00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.920
 Next Generation.

00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:04.480
 If you remember

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.000
 when the Borg

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.740
 was created

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.639
 it was at the end

00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.759
 of the Cold War, right?

00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:09.119
 The Borg was an enemy

00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.779
 that was likened

00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.019
 to the communist state

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.539
 in which

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.819
 individuality

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:15.099
 and self-identity

00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.920
 is eradicated

00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.759
 and all members

00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.079
 are in complete service

00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.139
 to the collective, right?

00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:19.779
 It's a very

00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.960
 Cold War fear.

00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:22.940
 Now one thing

00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.319
 that was supposed

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:23.799
 to be frightening

00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.859
 about that enemy

00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:26.019
 is that if you

00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.799
 were assimilated

00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.440
 you could never

00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.139
 keep the voices

00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:28.680
 and thoughts

00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.299
 of the other

00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:29.819
 individuals

00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:30.559
 out of your head.

00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:31.940
 Nowadays

00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.899
 that's so much

00:18:32.899 --> 00:18:33.720
 more preferable

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.519
 than the alternative.

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.799
 And the alternative

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.879
 is the antagonist

00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:39.639
 in season six

00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.259
 of Doctor Who.

00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.559
 Anybody know

00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.059
 who that is?

00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.240
 The silence!

00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.079
 Right?

00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.819
 The silence.

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.440
 Frightening.

00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:47.899
 And the members

00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.379
 of the silence

00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.200
 look like that guy

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.119
 from The Scream

00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:50.559
 you know that

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.960
 expressionist painting

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.399
 that guy?

00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:53.879
 Like that's what's frightening.

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.940
 It's just silence.

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.259
 It's tapped into our fear

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.639
 and silence represents

00:18:59.639 --> 00:19:00.579
 our deepest fears.

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:02.099
 Who knows what monsters

00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:03.799
 and devils

00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:05.299
 we would find

00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.359
 in a vacuum

00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.319
 of sound waves

00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.579
 in the space

00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.619
 of our own

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.579
 minds and hearts.

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.680
 But silence

00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:15.279
 is exactly

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.440
 what God prescribes

00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:17.039
 for his people.

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.960
 For this reason

00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:20.259
 we need

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.279
 to hear from God.

00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.279
 We need to hear

00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.720
 from God.

00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.200
 Jesus often said

00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:25.299
 he who has ears

00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.059
 to hear

00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.879
 let him hear.

00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.319
 Our minister

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:29.740
 of care

00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.480
 and community

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.839
 Melissa Litwiller

00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.940
 met with our

00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.519
 core group leaders

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.519
 this past Wednesday night

00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.119
 and she made

00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:36.039
 this profound point.

00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:36.859
 If our God

00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.839
 is a God who speaks

00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.700
 and we truly believe that

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.659
 then in order

00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:41.720
 to hear that voice

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:43.440
 we need to offer God

00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.500
 the hospitality

00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.460
 of silence.

00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.079
 Isn't that beautiful?

00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:46.899
 The hospitality

00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:48.519
 of silence.

00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:50.200
 Silence is the space

00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.059
 in which we welcome

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.819
 God to speak.

00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.299
 Soren Kierkegaard

00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.799
 said the first thing

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.559
 the unconditional condition

00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.960
 the very first thing

00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.000
 that must be done

00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.759
 is create silence.

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.940
 Bring about silence.

00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.359
 God's word

00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.399
 cannot be heard

00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.980
 in the hullabaloo.

00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.059
 Create silence.

00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.759
 The kind of silence

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.480
 we need for listening

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.980
 is not that momentary silence

00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.839
 of turning your attention

00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.319
 to someone.

00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.579
 It's much more than that.

00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.539
 It's the act

00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.740
 of self-emptying

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.440
 and bringing our

00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.539
 whole selves

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.319
 before God.

00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:24.319
 It's not a stupid silence.

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:26.539
 It's more a question

00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.460
 of mobilizing

00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.099
 our knowledge

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:29.220
 and our experience

00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:31.240
 and making them

00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:31.859
 fluid

00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:33.139
 and lively

00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:34.279
 so that they will

00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.399
 serve the attention.

00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.039
 So that they will

00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.200
 serve the attention

00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:40.240
 instead of replacing it.

00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.240
 Now many of us

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.779
 can be good

00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.519
 at reading the Bible

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:45.079
 but silence

00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:46.039
 is the space

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.899
 in which the Bible

00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.579
 reads me.

00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:50.299
 It's the place

00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.539
 where we put to death

00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.079
 our pride

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:53.659
 and we truly listen.

00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:55.139
 One author writes this,

00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.699
 reading these pages

00:20:56.699 --> 00:20:57.799
 that form the Bible

00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:59.059
 written and transmitted

00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.299
 by men of the past

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:02.139
 thus becomes

00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:03.319
 listening to the voice

00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.199
 of God in them.

00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.679
 A process

00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:07.159
 that requires

00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:08.720
 a particular attention,

00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.279
 vigilance,

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.500
 and availability.

00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:13.440
 This attention,

00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:15.440
 this vigilance,

00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.960
 this availability

00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.660
 are contrary

00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.579
 to the hardened

00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.279
 pride

00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.380
 in which I presume

00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.099
 to know better

00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.500
 than others

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.160
 what they're saying

00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:25.039
 and what they mean

00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:27.019
 and better than God

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.980
 how he may act

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.220
 and how he may

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.960
 reveal himself.

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.099
 Right?

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.119
 Just an issue

00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:32.599
 of pride

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.099
 and humility.

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.160
 Silence

00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.819
 is a posture

00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.420
 of humility

00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:36.720
 before a God

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.160
 who speaks.

00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:39.300
 and we've talked

00:21:39.300 --> 00:21:39.640
 about

00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:41.440
 Judah's two problems.

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.259
 Self-reliance

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.779
 and failing

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.400
 to hear

00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:46.540
 God's voice.

00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.759
 And we've explored

00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.400
 how we wrestle

00:21:48.400 --> 00:21:49.300
 with the same things.

00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:50.200
 And I hope

00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.120
 I've made a compelling

00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:52.140
 case for the need

00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.900
 to rely on God

00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.480
 and for the need

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.660
 to seek silence

00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.600
 but I've prayed

00:21:55.600 --> 00:21:56.460
 a lot about this sermon.

00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.200
 I walked down

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.540
 the streets

00:21:57.540 --> 00:21:58.240
 of Mount Pleasant

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.220
 actually saying

00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.120
 Jesus,

00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.680
 Son of God,

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.440
 have mercy on me,

00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:01.800
 a sinner.

00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:05.100
 And I feel like

00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:06.540
 I need to

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.279
 present

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:09.399
 real concrete

00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.579
 applications

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:12.000
 on how to rely

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.460
 on God

00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:14.220
 and how to hear

00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.720
 his voice.

00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.700
 Habits of holiness

00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.379
 that would deepen

00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:19.339
 our trust in God

00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.519
 by remembering

00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.180
 God's works

00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.759
 of provision

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.700
 for us

00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:23.539
 and that would

00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.319
 create a space

00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.399
 to hear God's voice.

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.639
 So let's start

00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.420
 with a habit

00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:28.940
 that would deepen

00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.799
 our trust in God.

00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:33.639
 We see all

00:22:33.639 --> 00:22:34.240
 throughout the Bible

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.099
 God exhorts us

00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:35.720
 to remember

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:37.440
 to remember

00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.120
 God's works

00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:38.779
 for us.

00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.799
 And as a matter of fact,

00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:41.559
 Jesus gave us

00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.880
 this table,

00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.900
 a sacred memorial

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:47.299
 where we remember

00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.519
 and enact

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.640
 Jesus' death,

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:49.960
 life,

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.559
 and resurrection.

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.759
 Over the course

00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.539
 of hundreds of years,

00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.420
 the church has given

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.120
 us practices

00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.480
 to help us remember

00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.640
 God's active presence

00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.360
 in our lives.

00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.640
 One of those

00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.059
 is called

00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.620
 the Daily Examen,

00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:04.859
 E-X-A-M-E-N.

00:23:06.859 --> 00:23:07.539
 It is to be done

00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:09.059
 at the end of a day.

00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.019
 A really great time

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.959
 of day to do it

00:23:12.959 --> 00:23:14.139
 is just before

00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:14.919
 you fall asleep.

00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.879
 The things we

00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.899
 think about

00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.279
 right before

00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.959
 we fall asleep

00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:20.179
 are often the things

00:23:20.179 --> 00:23:21.099
 that are close

00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.859
 to our hearts,

00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.459
 aren't they?

00:23:23.979 --> 00:23:24.759
 They're the idols

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.419
 that we covet,

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.399
 the things we desire,

00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.679
 things that we think

00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.479
 would bring us happiness.

00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:31.019
 or there are

00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.759
 deepest fears.

00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.259
 And the examine

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.279
 pushes those things

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.240
 out of our minds

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.180
 and brings God

00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.759
 to the forefront.

00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.539
 There's basically

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.319
 five steps

00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:40.940
 to an examine.

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.599
 The first is

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.259
 to become aware

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.180
 of God's presence.

00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.579
 Become aware

00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.319
 of God's presence.

00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:48.319
 It's helpful to remember

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.920
 that God is a Father

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.740
 who is always

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.620
 waiting for us,

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.819
 always ready

00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:53.660
 to welcome us,

00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.900
 no matter

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.460
 what we've done.

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:58.360
 The second step

00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.960
 is to review

00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.860
 the day with gratitude.

00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.539
 Now there's

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:04.140
 four different things

00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.880
 that will come to mind

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.940
 as you review the day.

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.700
 All right?

00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.259
 The first is

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.340
 ways that you

00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.059
 have obeyed God.

00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.340
 And when that

00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:11.940
 comes to mind,

00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:12.900
 give God thanks

00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.620
 for the strength

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.620
 to be able to obey.

00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:16.000
 The second is

00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.900
 ways that you've

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.460
 failed God,

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.480
 ways that you've

00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:19.860
 sinned.

00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.840
 So confess those things,

00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.160
 ask for forgiveness,

00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.380
 and move on.

00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:26.000
 The third thing

00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:28.260
 is a way God

00:24:28.260 --> 00:24:28.620
 has shown

00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:29.280
 his faithfulness

00:24:29.280 --> 00:24:29.620
 to you,

00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.480
 how he's provided

00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:30.940
 for you,

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:31.980
 a way that

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:33.220
 God has shown up

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.220
 and it's been obvious.

00:24:35.260 --> 00:24:36.040
 And a fourth thing

00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:36.800
 that will come to mind

00:24:36.800 --> 00:24:38.200
 is a time when

00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:39.900
 God didn't seem

00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.360
 to be there.

00:24:42.020 --> 00:24:43.180
 A difficult time

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.660
 in trial.

00:24:45.040 --> 00:24:46.240
 And you didn't

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.460
 notice his presence.

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:52.660
 And then

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:55.019
 you look to see

00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.740
 ways that God

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.460
 was present

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.220
 even in that

00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.279
 difficult situation.

00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.160
 Like, wow,

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.360
 this,

00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.680
 even despite

00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.340
 like the pain

00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:02.819
 or the sadness

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.720
 of the situation,

00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.860
 this person

00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:06.000
 really cared for me.

00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.440
 Right?

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.620
 Or I,

00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.279
 my prayers

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.180
 became more passionate,

00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.860
 maybe more angry,

00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.899
 and God

00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.679
 seemed really

00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.699
 much more real

00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:16.119
 to me

00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:17.439
 than he ever has.

00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:22.819
 So,

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.899
 beware of God's presence,

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.500
 review the day

00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.039
 with gratitude.

00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.579
 Third is pay attention

00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.319
 to your emotions.

00:25:27.919 --> 00:25:28.719
 The fourth is

00:25:28.719 --> 00:25:30.039
 choose one feature

00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.479
 of the day

00:25:30.479 --> 00:25:31.359
 and pray from it.

00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.279
 And the fifth

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.839
 is to look

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.559
 toward tomorrow.

00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:34.839
 Now,

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:36.000
 if you fall asleep

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:37.240
 while you're doing this,

00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.319
 like,

00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.500
 if you don't finish

00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:41.899
 and you fall asleep,

00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.859
 don't feel bad.

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.059
 What

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.480
 father or mother

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.939
 would feel hurt

00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:48.919
 or offended

00:25:48.919 --> 00:25:50.220
 if in talking

00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.879
 to the child

00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.579
 in their arms,

00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.439
 the child falls asleep?

00:25:54.179 --> 00:25:55.019
 What a gift

00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:56.159
 to be able

00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:56.779
 to fall asleep

00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.519
 during the examine.

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.200
 Now,

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.639
 the examine

00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:01.179
 is a practice

00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:01.639
 you can do

00:26:01.639 --> 00:26:02.319
 as a family.

00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.500
 I know that

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.279
 not every one

00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.639
 of us here

00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.519
 has children,

00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.039
 but I think

00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.480
 this will still

00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.259
 be helpful for you

00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.640
 if you can't

00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.680
 remember five steps,

00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.519
 you can remember this.

00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.440
 The fact that

00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:12.960
 we go throughout

00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.400
 the day

00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.319
 and we experience

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.039
 God in both

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.440
 positive and

00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.440
 negative moments

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:19.400
 in our lives,

00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.559
 that's a paradox,

00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.140
 right?

00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:23.359
 And paradox

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.339
 sounds like

00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:26.420
 a pair of ducks.

00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:30.480
 And this is a,

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:32.259
 this duck is dirty

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.879
 and this is a,

00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.700
 this is a clean duck.

00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.740
 And our,

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.619
 our family does

00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.140
 the examine

00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:39.920
 every day,

00:26:40.020 --> 00:26:40.720
 every time we sit

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.280
 down for dinner

00:26:41.280 --> 00:26:41.700
 together

00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:43.560
 and we say,

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:43.800
 okay,

00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:44.440
 what were your

00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.120
 yay ducks?

00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.500
 And what were

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.180
 your yuck ducks?

00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.800
 And the kids love it.

00:26:48.860 --> 00:26:49.500
 They love to talk

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.200
 about the positive

00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.920
 things that happen

00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.400
 in the day

00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.520
 and then we talk

00:26:52.520 --> 00:26:53.200
 about the negative

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.780
 things that have

00:26:53.780 --> 00:26:54.480
 happened in the day

00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.560
 and then we help

00:26:55.560 --> 00:26:56.380
 the children to see,

00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.080
 well,

00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:57.560
 okay,

00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:58.160
 that might have

00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.460
 happened,

00:26:58.560 --> 00:26:59.200
 but did you see

00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.800
 how like,

00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.940
 mommy really cared

00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.420
 for you in that

00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:01.900
 situation?

00:27:02.020 --> 00:27:02.500
 Isn't it great

00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:02.940
 that God has

00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.800
 provided you a mommy

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.599
 that's like really

00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.059
 loving,

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.559
 generous,

00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.319
 compassionate,

00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.299
 like,

00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:08.960
 or,

00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.519
 or in that situation

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:10.960
 you had to stay

00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.500
 at your friend's

00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.700
 house.

00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:12.200
 Isn't it nice

00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:12.960
 to have a friend?

00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.359
 See what we do?

00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:18.759
 Now,

00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.759
 with all of the change

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.659
 our family has gone

00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:22.339
 through the last six

00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:22.819
 years,

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.799
 this has been a helpful

00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.740
 practice in keeping

00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.440
 God's goodness

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.059
 at the center

00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.839
 of our thoughts.

00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:29.980
 As a family,

00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:30.799
 we've seen God's

00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.199
 presence and faithfulness

00:27:32.199 --> 00:27:32.779
 every day

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.859
 in all situations.

00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:35.379
 It's been a practice

00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.159
 that's helped us

00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:37.000
 to know contentment.

00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:37.919
 All right,

00:27:37.939 --> 00:27:38.500
 so that's the first

00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:38.959
 practice,

00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:39.879
 the examine,

00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:42.159
 or yay ducks,

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.639
 yak ducks,

00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:43.559
 however you choose

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.119
 to remember it.

00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.859
 And the second practice

00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:48.879
 that we're going

00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.519
 to talk about

00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.559
 is a practice

00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.319
 to help us hear

00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:51.740
 and listen to

00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.399
 the word of God,

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.199
 and that's called

00:27:53.199 --> 00:27:54.179
 the Lectio Divina.

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.759
 There are many

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.720
 variations on this

00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.120
 practice.

00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.220
 The one I like to use

00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.920
 is produced by the

00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.640
 Irish Jesuits,

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.180
 and it's called

00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.000
 Sacred Space.

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.880
 You can find it

00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:04.579
 at sacredspace.ie,

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.700
 and they frame it

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.839
 as a structured way

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.600
 of entering into

00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.360
 a disciplined,

00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.940
 fruitful silence.

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.480
 Let me review

00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.500
 the second steps.

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.600
 If you forget it,

00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.140
 just go to

00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.000
 sacredspace.ie.

00:28:16.860 --> 00:28:17.240
 It's that,

00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.100
 because it's produced

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.079
 by the Irish Jesuits.

00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.480
 So the first step

00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.920
 is entering into silence.

00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.360
 Relax,

00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:23.039
 slow down,

00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.779
 and become centered

00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.440
 in Jesus.

00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.720
 Let the thoughts

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.319
 and the stresses

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.140
 of the day go.

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.279
 Be still.

00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.960
 The second step,

00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.360
 encounter the

00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.140
 presence of God.

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.539
 Jesus says,

00:28:35.620 --> 00:28:35.860
 Behold,

00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.940
 I stand at the door

00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.339
 and knock.

00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.039
 If anyone hears

00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.539
 my voice

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.360
 and opens the door,

00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.779
 I will come into him

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.360
 and eat with him

00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:42.039
 and he with me.

00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:44.519
 Jesus always arrives

00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.160
 before me,

00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.360
 desiring to connect

00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:46.680
 with me,

00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.400
 even before,

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.559
 even more than

00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.740
 my most intimate friend.

00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.360
 The third step

00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.940
 is freedom.

00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.960
 I remind myself

00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.660
 that there are things

00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.900
 God has yet to teach me

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:58.500
 and I ask for the grace

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.279
 to hear them

00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.980
 and to be changed

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.400
 by them.

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.940
 The fourth is consciousness,

00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.600
 which is really

00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:04.180
 the examine,

00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.279
 which we've just discussed.

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.200
 The fifth

00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.259
 is scripture.

00:29:09.040 --> 00:29:09.759
 So I take time

00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.900
 to read a scripture passage

00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:11.519
 slowly,

00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.820
 a few times.

00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:13.860
 Now,

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.440
 what word,

00:29:14.540 --> 00:29:14.920
 a phrase,

00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.980
 captures my attention?

00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:16.980
 So like,

00:29:17.040 --> 00:29:17.680
 enjoying a piece

00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.519
 of hard candy,

00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.879
 I slowly let

00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.680
 that word

00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.200
 or phrase

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.740
 slowly circulate

00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.259
 in my mouth

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.799
 as my tongue

00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.460
 explores

00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:26.379
 and savors its surface.

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.440
 I allow myself

00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:27.900
 to dwell

00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:28.379
 on anything

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.139
 that strikes me.

00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:30.799
 The sixth

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.720
 is conversation.

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.240
 What feelings

00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:34.079
 rise up in me

00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:35.059
 as I pray

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.500
 and reflect

00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.160
 on this passage?

00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.460
 I imagine

00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.200
 Jesus himself

00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:39.039
 sitting in a chair

00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:39.700
 opposite me

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.579
 and I open

00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.619
 my heart to him

00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:43.039
 and share with him

00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.579
 my thoughts,

00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:43.980
 feelings,

00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:44.579
 and reflections.

00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:47.039
 And then I conclude.

00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.420
 It's the seventh step.

00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:49.559
 With this,

00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.299
 now may the God

00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.639
 have peace

00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:51.319
 through the blood

00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.180
 of the eternal covenant

00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.759
 brought back

00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.420
 from the dead,

00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.460
 our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:55.940
 that great shepherd

00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.460
 of the sheep.

00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.859
 May he equip you

00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.619
 with everything good

00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.440
 for doing his will

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.400
 and may he work in us

00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.319
 what is pleasing to him

00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:02.319
 through Jesus Christ

00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.379
 to whom be glory

00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.079
 forever and ever.

00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:04.859
 Amen.

00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.559
 The idea of listening

00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.539
 may be nerve-wracking

00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.400
 for many of us.

00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.920
 I don't know about you,

00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.759
 but to sit down

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.740
 and to be silent

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.440
 by myself

00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.440
 causes anxiety.

00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:19.140
 The staff

00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.860
 has been doing

00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:21.480
 the Lectio Divina

00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.000
 now

00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.059
 for a while

00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:24.420
 and still,

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:24.640
 like,

00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.820
 every time I sit down

00:30:25.820 --> 00:30:26.160
 to do this,

00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:27.080
 my heart rate goes up.

00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:29.200
 Ah,

00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.000
 this is so quiet.

00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:31.200
 I need to be doing something

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.059
 or looking at something

00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:33.100
 or hearing something

00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:35.360
 or what have you.

00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.660
 But over time,

00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.960
 I've really looked forward

00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.539
 to this time

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:40.680
 because I know

00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.460
 it's going to be a time

00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.160
 where I'm really

00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.160
 richly fed.

00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.880
 It also might be

00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.340
 nerve-wracking

00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:48.140
 because it begs

00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.500
 the question,

00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.539
 if I listen to God,

00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:50.220
 what am I going to hear?

00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:50.680
 Is it going to be

00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.860
 the sound of my voice?

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.380
 Is it going to be

00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.740
 the voice of Morgan Freeman?

00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.200
 The exhortation

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.600
 to listen to God

00:30:58.600 --> 00:31:00.819
 is very much the same

00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:01.779
 as listening to a spouse

00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.860
 or friend, okay?

00:31:03.340 --> 00:31:04.480
 So we go to Scripture

00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:06.759
 and we listen

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:08.039
 the same way

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.740
 we're to listen

00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.360
 to a friend,

00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.079
 discerning

00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.039
 what is my friend

00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.259
 really trying to say

00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.979
 in the things

00:31:12.979 --> 00:31:13.679
 that he's telling me?

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.799
 Does that make sense?

00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:17.199
 Like, what's really

00:31:17.199 --> 00:31:18.359
 at the source

00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:18.839
 and core

00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.399
 of what he's trying

00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:19.959
 to communicate?

00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.359
 That's listening to God.

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.959
 Offering to God

00:31:25.959 --> 00:31:26.559
 the hospitality

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.399
 of listening

00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:28.899
 is the opposite

00:31:28.899 --> 00:31:29.679
 of giving God

00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.859
 the pitiful offering

00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.559
 of an instant

00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.259
 of our attention.

00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.819
 It's relinquishing

00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.599
 our arrogance,

00:31:35.419 --> 00:31:36.740
 inclining toward God,

00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:38.179
 and offering to Him

00:31:38.179 --> 00:31:38.799
 our whole being.

00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:43.240
 Speaking of anxiety,

00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.500
 you might feel

00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.099
 some anxiety

00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.079
 as we talk about this

00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:47.740
 because you feel

00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.779
 guilty or ashamed.

00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:52.079
 Because you know

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.039
 you should do this

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.599
 and you haven't done it.

00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.719
 Or you don't do this enough.

00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.240
 Or you don't see

00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:00.179
 how you could ever

00:32:00.179 --> 00:32:01.119
 possibly do it

00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:02.079
 because life

00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:03.019
 and circumstances

00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:04.619
 seem to prevent

00:32:04.619 --> 00:32:05.679
 even a moment

00:32:05.679 --> 00:32:06.779
 of silent reflection.

00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:09.819
 I totally get you.

00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:10.500
 Okay?

00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.319
 I feel this too.

00:32:12.339 --> 00:32:12.980
 And here's what you

00:32:12.980 --> 00:32:13.579
 and I both need

00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.019
 to remember.

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.059
 These practices

00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:18.079
 have never bought

00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:19.319
 anyone favor with God.

00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:22.460
 Because Christianity

00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.940
 is not about

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:25.220
 what we do for God.

00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:26.960
 It's about what God

00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.859
 has done for us.

00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:30.339
 The Father

00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:31.399
 is always waiting

00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:32.019
 for us,

00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.319
 ready to give

00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.559
 Himself to us.

00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:37.619
 Isaiah chapter 30

00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.719
 verse 18,

00:32:38.939 --> 00:32:39.859
 what we heard earlier,

00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.079
 says this,

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.559
 Therefore,

00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:43.919
 the Lord waits

00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:44.559
 to be gracious

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.139
 to you

00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:46.539
 and therefore

00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:48.539
 He exalts Himself

00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.839
 to show mercy

00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.359
 to you.

00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:51.919
 For the Lord

00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:53.000
 is a God of justice.

00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.919
 Blessed are all

00:32:54.919 --> 00:32:55.439
 those who wait

00:32:55.439 --> 00:32:55.819
 for Him.

00:32:57.419 --> 00:32:58.460
 God shows us

00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.119
 His justice

00:32:59.119 --> 00:33:00.159
 in that everything

00:33:00.159 --> 00:33:01.199
 we could feel

00:33:01.199 --> 00:33:02.079
 shamed about

00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:03.000
 or guilty over

00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:04.139
 He's taken care

00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:04.839
 of on the cross.

00:33:06.359 --> 00:33:07.759
 There's no judgment

00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.839
 or wrath

00:33:08.839 --> 00:33:10.459
 or disapproval

00:33:10.459 --> 00:33:12.079
 that awaits

00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.799
 God's children.

00:33:13.179 --> 00:33:13.619
 There's nothing

00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:14.199
 left of that.

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.819
 We go to Him

00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.480
 in silence

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:19.119
 not to give

00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:20.139
 but to receive,

00:33:20.299 --> 00:33:21.379
 to receive a work

00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:21.859
 that's already

00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:23.039
 been done for us,

00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:25.099
 accomplished for us,

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.240
 the work of Christ's

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.959
 life,

00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:27.819
 death,

00:33:28.179 --> 00:33:28.919
 and resurrection

00:33:28.919 --> 00:33:31.039
 which has brought us

00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:32.159
 into God's family

00:33:32.159 --> 00:33:33.599
 and into the relationship

00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.259
 with the Father.

00:33:35.679 --> 00:33:36.240
 Coming to Him

00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.879
 in silence

00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:38.480
 is not climbing

00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.279
 a high chair

00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:41.339
 and hoping to receive

00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:42.319
 one or two

00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.259
 small spoonfuls

00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.140
 of God's grace.

00:33:45.860 --> 00:33:46.640
 Coming to Him

00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.360
 in silence

00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:48.640
 is jumping

00:33:48.640 --> 00:33:49.740
 into an ocean

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.620
 of God's grace.

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.220
 That grace

00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.180
 is what awaits us

00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.980
 in returning

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:57.440
 and rest,

00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.400
 in quietness

00:33:59.400 --> 00:34:00.640
 and trust.

00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.079
 In the name

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:02.680
 of the Father

00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.440
 and of the Son

00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.480
 and of the Holy Spirit.

00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:05.039
 Amen.

00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.539
 Let's pray.

00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:06.620
 Amen.

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:18.380
 Lord, we would want

00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:18.900
 to be holy.

00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:26.740
 We recognize that

00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:27.619
 as your calling

00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:28.340
 in our lives.

00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:34.579
 So we first

00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.059
 thank you

00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:35.960
 for making us holy,

00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:37.480
 for declaring us

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.900
 forgiven,

00:34:38.199 --> 00:34:39.579
 for declaring us

00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:40.559
 justified,

00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:42.000
 for declaring us

00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:43.300
 to be righteous

00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:46.240
 because of what

00:34:46.240 --> 00:34:47.480
 your Son did for us.

00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:53.900
 Give us faith

00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.960
 to receive that.

00:34:58.659 --> 00:35:00.179
 And then give us faith

00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:01.960
 to pursue you

00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:02.880
 in silence

00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:04.599
 and then to be

00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:05.079
 pursued

00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:06.240
 by your word,

00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:07.280
 to be read by it,

00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:08.720
 changed by it,

00:35:09.140 --> 00:35:10.039
 and transformed

00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.760
 by it.

00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:13.660
 God,

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:14.920
 thank you

00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:16.740
 for speaking to us

00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.320
 through your word

00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:19.240
 and for

00:35:19.240 --> 00:35:21.039
 speaking to us

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:22.240
 and transforming us

00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:23.099
 by your sacrament.

00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:23.960
 We look forward

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:24.820
 to that even now.

00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.920
 We pray in Jesus' name.

00:35:26.700 --> 00:35:26.960
 Amen.

00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:27.099
 Amen.

00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:27.119
 Amen.

00:35:27.119 --> 00:35:27.140
 Amen.

00:35:27.140 --> 00:35:27.180
 Amen.

00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.200
 Amen.

00:35:27.200 --> 00:35:27.220
 Amen.

00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:27.240
 Amen.

00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:29.180
 Amen.

00:35:29.180 --> 00:35:29.200
 Amen.

00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:31.140
 Amen.

00:35:31.140 --> 00:35:31.160
 Amen.

00:35:31.160 --> 00:35:32.860
 Amen.