WEBVTT 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:09.439 Let's begin our worship this evening by singing to God's praise in Psalm 121, in the Scottish 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:15.839 Psalter version, Psalm 121, page 416 of the Psalm books. 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:18.219 I'm going to sing the whole of this Psalm. 00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:20.420 The tune is The Bees of Harris. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:25.080 We'll sing from verse 1, I to the hills will lift mine eyes. 00:00:25.080 --> 00:00:26.980 From whence doth come my need? 00:00:26.980 --> 00:00:31.960 My safety cometh from the Lord, who heaven and earth hath made. 00:00:32.020 --> 00:00:33.380 We'll sing the whole of this Psalm. 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:35.980 To God's praise we stand to sing. 00:00:41.120 --> 00:00:49.920 I to the hills will lift mine eyes. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:56.920 From whence doth come my need? 00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:15.020 My safety cometh from the Lord, who heaven and earth hath made. 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:33.519 Thy foot he'll not bless, lie nor will, his number that he keeps. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:51.299 Behold, he that keeps Israel, he slumbers no more sleep. 00:01:51.299 --> 00:02:02.159 The Lord, the gate, the Lord, thy chief. 00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:09.359 On thy bright hand doth stay. 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:28.360 The moon, thy night, he shall not smile, nor yet the sun hide him. 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:47.760 The Lord shall keep thy soul, he shall preserve thee from all ill. 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:58.060 Hent for thy going out and in. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:05.759 God keep forever will. 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:13.500 Let's join our hearts together in prayer. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:14.219 Let us pray. 00:03:14.219 --> 00:03:14.299 Amen. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:23.060 Lord, our gracious God, we come singing praise to you. 00:03:23.859 --> 00:03:28.159 Thankful for these words that we have sung, words that we may be very familiar with, 00:03:28.959 --> 00:03:33.079 and yet words that remind us of just how great and an awesome God you are. 00:03:33.899 --> 00:03:37.959 We thank you that we come to you in the midst of all our different needs. 00:03:38.739 --> 00:03:45.680 We can come wondering where we can turn to, where we can look for help in all our different circumstances. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:52.480 But we come reminded in this psalm that we can lift up our eyes to you. 00:03:52.980 --> 00:04:01.080 That we can look to you as the one who is able to give us that safety, that security in all our different needs. 00:04:01.640 --> 00:04:07.580 The one who has made the heaven and the earth and all that is contained in them. 00:04:07.580 --> 00:04:10.580 We thank you for the wonder of these words. 00:04:10.880 --> 00:04:13.460 That you have power over all things. 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:17.000 In all the questions that this world so often asks. 00:04:17.460 --> 00:04:21.819 In all the information that is put out in so many different ways. 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:24.840 With people telling us how we came to be. 00:04:25.340 --> 00:04:28.360 How we are formed in this world. 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:31.879 People telling us the different purposes we have. 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:35.400 But all of them focused on self. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:40.340 We thank you that your word reminds us of where we are from. 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:43.300 Who has made us and who has made all things. 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:48.680 And the more we see you, the more we recognize how frail we are. 00:04:49.340 --> 00:04:51.780 The more we see that your ways are above our ways. 00:04:51.900 --> 00:04:54.460 Your thoughts so far above ours. 00:04:55.080 --> 00:04:57.180 That there is none who compares to you. 00:04:57.180 --> 00:05:01.340 The greatest wisdom and intelligence among men in this world. 00:05:01.720 --> 00:05:04.780 Is so minute in comparison to you. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.480 But we recognize too Lord. 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:11.840 That in the smallness that we see ourselves in. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:14.079 That that is not how you see us. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:17.199 You see each of us formed by you. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:18.780 Made in your image. 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:20.460 And made with that purpose. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:25.060 Made with that shape in our heart. 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:26.519 That so often we lack. 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:28.139 So often we do not see. 00:05:28.859 --> 00:05:32.099 That God shaped void as is so often spoken about. 00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:36.500 Nothing else in this world can fill and satisfy our hearts. 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:39.039 And until we come and see you. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:41.120 As Lord and God of all. 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:43.500 And Lord and God for us. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:45.779 Then there is always that void. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:48.859 There is always that one thing missing. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.399 In our life. 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.359 And so we pray and thank you for the way. 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:56.979 That you have made yourself known to all people. 00:05:57.659 --> 00:06:00.159 We thank you that down through all the generations. 00:06:00.779 --> 00:06:01.659 Of mankind. 00:06:02.099 --> 00:06:04.959 That you have revealed yourself to us. 00:06:05.239 --> 00:06:06.959 That you have spoken to us. 00:06:07.419 --> 00:06:08.599 And through your word. 00:06:09.299 --> 00:06:10.139 That you have spoken. 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:11.620 In times past. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:12.560 As the word says. 00:06:12.659 --> 00:06:13.459 Through prophets. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:15.399 Throughout the Old Testament. 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:16.000 We see. 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:17.459 How that was. 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:18.859 The way that you spoke. 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:20.419 To so many different people. 00:06:21.099 --> 00:06:22.339 But we see too Lord. 00:06:22.419 --> 00:06:23.519 That your word reminds us. 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:24.439 That in these days. 00:06:24.579 --> 00:06:25.899 You have spoken to us. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:27.299 Through your son. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:28.299 Christ Jesus. 00:06:29.159 --> 00:06:30.039 And we thank you. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:31.579 That we continue to hear. 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:33.379 What he is saying to us. 00:06:33.500 --> 00:06:34.219 Through your word. 00:06:34.299 --> 00:06:35.359 And by your spirit. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:38.019 And yet our ears are so often deaf. 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:39.740 To what you are saying. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:42.759 So often we just listen to our own hearts. 00:06:43.400 --> 00:06:45.220 We listen to our own thoughts. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:47.199 But may you give us. 00:06:47.400 --> 00:06:48.360 Ears to hear. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:49.960 And hearts to understand. 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:52.300 All that you are saying to us. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:54.840 Even in the days in which we live. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.860 Days which we despair of so often. 00:06:59.519 --> 00:07:01.400 But yet days that we can rejoice. 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:02.460 In your goodness. 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:04.660 That you are still the same. 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:06.439 That you are the same yesterday. 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.660 Today and forever. 00:07:07.660 --> 00:07:10.300 And that even as in the days of old. 00:07:10.400 --> 00:07:12.520 And we see it so often in your scriptures. 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:15.439 When people had wandered away from you. 00:07:16.080 --> 00:07:17.360 That there is a promise. 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:18.500 That if we return. 00:07:18.939 --> 00:07:20.360 That you are able to bless. 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:23.160 And so we pray that you will help us. 00:07:23.840 --> 00:07:25.320 Individually and collectively. 00:07:26.140 --> 00:07:27.040 As a nation. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:28.820 And as nations of this world. 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:31.540 To recognize who you are. 00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:33.280 To turn to you. 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:35.860 To seek you with all our hearts. 00:07:35.860 --> 00:07:37.340 To look to you. 00:07:37.400 --> 00:07:38.160 And to recognize. 00:07:38.160 --> 00:07:39.280 That you are the one. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:41.680 Who is able to keep us. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.000 That you are the one. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:43.600 With whom. 00:07:44.199 --> 00:07:45.740 We find all that we need. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:47.300 And so we pray. 00:07:47.460 --> 00:07:48.759 Even in our midst this evening. 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:50.480 That if there are any. 00:07:50.600 --> 00:07:52.259 Who do not know you in that way. 00:07:53.080 --> 00:07:54.040 If there are any. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:55.560 Who do not know you. 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.939 As a very personal savior. 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:00.639 That Lord you would speak to us. 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:02.759 That you will help us to see. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:04.759 That Jesus calling. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:06.680 We pray too Lord. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:07.639 That as a church. 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:09.159 You would give us a burden. 00:08:09.599 --> 00:08:11.219 That you would give us a burden. 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:13.199 For all around us. 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:14.639 That you would give us. 00:08:14.719 --> 00:08:15.740 In the midst of a burden. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:16.259 A vision. 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:17.740 To be a church. 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:18.659 That serves you. 00:08:18.719 --> 00:08:19.539 To all ends. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:20.860 Of the earth. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.759 That we would look beyond. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:24.000 Our walls here. 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:25.639 That we would look beyond. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.199 The walls of our own homes. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:28.659 But that we would look. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:30.219 With eyes of faith. 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:32.000 To all we see around us. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:33.759 That you would help us. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:34.200 Oh Lord. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:34.799 To see. 00:08:35.620 --> 00:08:37.360 Through eyes of faith. 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:39.000 A people perishing. 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:40.980 A world that is lost. 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:41.919 And in turmoil. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:44.159 A world that does not know. 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:45.059 Where to turn. 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:46.000 Or where to look. 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:47.440 And we pray. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:47.899 Oh Lord. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:49.019 That you will help us. 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.159 As a people here. 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:51.840 That you will help us. 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:52.700 To serve you. 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:54.480 To honor your word. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:56.120 To fulfill your call. 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:57.679 Upon your church. 00:08:57.740 --> 00:08:58.779 For these days. 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:00.500 To be a people. 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:02.039 Who show forth. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:02.799 The wonders. 00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:04.699 Of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:06.319 To be a people. 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:06.779 Who. 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:08.879 From our own doorstep. 00:09:08.959 --> 00:09:10.500 To wherever you will take us. 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:12.319 That we would take the wonder. 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:13.319 Of your gospel. 00:09:13.699 --> 00:09:15.639 The truth contained therein. 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:17.279 And that you would make us. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:18.519 Lord your disciples. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.319 That you will make us. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.360 Your servants. 00:09:22.039 --> 00:09:23.779 For all the different tasks. 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:25.000 That are involved. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:25.980 In your church. 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:27.759 We pray oh Lord. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:28.840 That you will burden us. 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:29.500 With a vision. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:31.480 A vision for people. 00:09:32.080 --> 00:09:33.399 A vision for God. 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:35.580 And a vision to trust you. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:37.519 And so we pray Lord. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:38.759 For your church today. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:40.200 Here in our town. 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.220 We pray for all your people. 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:43.940 That you will encourage us. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:45.519 And build us up in our faith. 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:47.240 That you will enable us. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:47.879 To know. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:50.220 The wonder of your gospel. 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:51.620 That you will enable us. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:53.560 To know the wonder of your truth. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:54.420 More and more. 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:56.559 We thank you for every opportunity. 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:57.500 That we have. 00:09:58.000 --> 00:09:59.240 To learn from you. 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:01.240 We thank you for the. 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.299 Conference that took place. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:04.479 Yesterday in Inverness. 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:05.979 And for the many women. 00:10:05.979 --> 00:10:06.759 Who were there. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.079 Sharing in fellowship. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.279 And around your word. 00:10:09.979 --> 00:10:11.019 We pray that they would have been. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:12.899 Inspired and blessed by you. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.139 That in the midst of praise. 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:15.699 And worship. 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:16.620 That they would feel. 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:17.559 In their own hearts. 00:10:18.099 --> 00:10:18.740 Your nearness. 00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:20.319 And your presence with them. 00:10:20.699 --> 00:10:22.539 We thank you for these occasions. 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:23.419 That so often. 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:24.839 Stir us up in our hearts. 00:10:24.839 --> 00:10:26.360 To serve you more and more. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:28.000 And we pray Lord. 00:10:28.099 --> 00:10:30.019 That each and every one of us. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:30.620 Even today. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:31.740 As we have worshipped you. 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:32.779 And this evening anew. 00:10:33.219 --> 00:10:33.919 That your word. 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:35.620 Will stir us up in our hearts. 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:36.339 All the more. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:37.799 To go into the week ahead. 00:10:38.699 --> 00:10:40.419 Delighting and rejoicing in you. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.319 And seeking to serve you. 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.899 With all our hearts. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:45.779 We pray for all that the week. 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:47.099 May entail for us. 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:48.540 We thank you for. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:50.200 Opportunities of worship. 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:51.460 And bible study. 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:52.500 We pray for the. 00:10:52.560 --> 00:10:53.680 The Wednesday evening. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:56.040 As a more informal. 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:57.440 Bible study resumes. 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:58.320 We ask for. 00:10:58.920 --> 00:11:00.480 Encouragement around your word. 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:00.820 There. 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:02.560 And blessing to flow from it. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.519 We thank you too Lord. 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:05.779 For a communion season. 00:11:05.920 --> 00:11:06.420 In our midst. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.019 We thank you for our own. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:09.680 Communion services last week. 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.759 And for new members. 00:11:10.899 --> 00:11:11.399 In our midst. 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.480 We pray blessing to follow. 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:15.220 All that was done in your name. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:16.879 And to continue to. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.800 Bless the communion season. 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:19.379 Throughout. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.139 Our town and villages. 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.660 At this time. 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.040 That there will be days. 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.220 Of great encouragement. 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:26.879 Great days of refreshing. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.279 And blessing from you. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:30.019 We pray for those. 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:30.980 With different needs. 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.060 Today as well. 00:11:32.759 --> 00:11:33.759 We are reminded. 00:11:34.060 --> 00:11:35.000 Day after day. 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.320 Lord. 00:11:35.420 --> 00:11:36.080 How quickly. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:38.160 Our life circumstances. 00:11:38.160 --> 00:11:39.139 Can change. 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:40.860 We are reminded today. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:42.000 That there are always. 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:43.600 Those who mourn. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.759 Around the world. 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.059 And in our own communities. 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:46.899 And sometimes. 00:11:47.259 --> 00:11:48.779 It comes closer to home. 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:49.879 Than at other times. 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.200 But we thank you. 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:51.879 That in the midst. 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.220 Of sorrow and sadness. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.279 That you are the one. 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:56.399 Who is able to comfort. 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:57.319 To comfort. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.059 Beyond all the comfort. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.059 That we can offer. 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:01.720 And we pray Lord. 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:03.639 For those who are broken hearted. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.740 Those who are grieving. 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:06.700 The loss of loved ones. 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:07.519 At this time. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.500 We pray oh Lord. 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:09.679 For you to surround them. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.240 To uphold them. 00:12:11.319 --> 00:12:12.399 To be near to them. 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:13.980 In a special way. 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:15.180 We pray too. 00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:16.480 For those who are unwell. 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:17.980 Those who are laid aside. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.039 At this time Lord. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.480 Those who have concerns. 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.360 And anxieties. 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.200 Over health. 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:24.039 Or over loved ones. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:26.519 Or different addictions. 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.460 And different problems. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.539 We face in life. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.460 We pray oh Lord. 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.019 Your encouragement. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:32.340 Your help to us. 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:34.899 We remember our world as well. 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.920 We have seen so much. 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.220 In these. 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:38.659 Even these last few weeks. 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:40.659 Of natural disasters. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:42.839 And ongoing conflicts. 00:12:42.839 --> 00:12:43.539 And all that. 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:45.100 Seems to be coming. 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:46.120 More and more regular. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.919 In our world. 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:48.579 We pray oh Lord. 00:12:48.579 --> 00:12:49.899 That you will awaken us. 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:51.439 That you will stir us up. 00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:53.719 That in the midst of all that goes on. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.620 That your voice is speaking to us. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.000 And yet. 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:58.259 So often we seem deaf to it. 00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.879 We pray oh Lord. 00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:00.919 That from our leaders. 00:13:01.539 --> 00:13:03.159 Down through governments. 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:04.039 And parliaments. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:06.339 And all who rule over us. 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:06.600 Lord. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:08.480 That you will come in your power. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:10.379 That you will open their hearts. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.899 To receive your word. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.299 And receive it gladly. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.839 We know that you can change. 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.719 Even the hardest. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:18.759 The cruelest of hearts. 00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:20.860 And so we look to you Lord. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.379 To have mercy upon us. 00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:24.219 We ask oh Lord. 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:26.699 Lacking faith. 00:13:26.819 --> 00:13:28.459 So often even in our own hearts. 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.480 In our own prayers. 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:31.879 We often ask oh Lord. 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:32.740 Do we believe. 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.939 In all that we're asking. 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:35.720 And Lord you see. 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:36.820 Even if you have faith. 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:38.439 The size of a mustard seed. 00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:40.340 That we can overcome. 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:42.439 And so we pray Lord. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:43.960 That you will give us faith. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.299 That you will help us. 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.460 To pray earnestly. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:48.200 And to pray believing. 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:50.019 That all that we ask. 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:50.679 Or imagine. 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:53.059 You can do so much more. 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:55.299 Lord hear our prayers. 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:57.159 Pardon all our sin. 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:58.899 And continue with us now. 00:13:58.899 --> 00:14:00.379 As we keep worshipping you. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.120 In praise. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.340 In your word being read. 00:14:03.460 --> 00:14:05.139 And sharing together around it. 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.139 Bless us. 00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:08.200 Help us to lift our hearts to you. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.600 In all that we do. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.639 As we ask it in Jesus name. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.700 Amen. 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.799 We'll again sing to God's praise. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.759 This time in Psalm 37. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:23.560 In the Scottish Psalter version. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:25.399 Psalm 37. 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:28.080 Page 252. 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:31.700 We'll sing from verse 1. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:33.400 Down to verse 7. 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.060 And the tune is Denfield. 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:39.500 Psalm 37 at verse 1. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.240 For evildoers. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.460 Fret thou not. 00:14:42.560 --> 00:14:44.100 Thyself unquietly. 00:14:44.520 --> 00:14:45.680 Nor do thou envy. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.759 Bear to those. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.460 That work. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.680 Iniquity. 00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.820 Verse 4 says. 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:51.860 Delight thyself in God. 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:54.660 He'll give thine heart's desire to thee. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:56.919 Thy way to God commit. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:57.879 Him trust. 00:14:58.339 --> 00:14:59.600 It bring to pass. 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:00.559 Shall he. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:02.319 We'll sing from verse 1 to 7. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:04.100 To God's praise. 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.179 Amen. 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:05.339 Amen. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:06.559 Amen. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.199 Amen. 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:07.639 Amen. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.219 Amen. 00:15:08.219 --> 00:15:08.659 Amen. 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.139 Amen. 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.659 Amen. 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:10.139 Amen. 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:10.659 Amen. 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:10.719 Amen. 00:15:10.719 --> 00:15:11.659 Amen. 00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.659 Amen. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.659 Amen. 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.659 Amen. 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.659 Amen. 00:15:15.659 --> 00:15:16.659 Amen. 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.659 Amen. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.659 Amen. 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.659 Amen. 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.659 Amen. 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.659 Amen. 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.659 Amen. 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.779 Amen. 00:15:23.779 --> 00:15:24.659 Amen. 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.199 Amen. 00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:25.259 Amen. 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.639 Amen. 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:27.179 Amen. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:27.199 Amen. 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:27.480 Amen. 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:28.100 Amen. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.240 Amen. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.179 Amen. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:29.419 Amen. 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:31.620 Amen. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:33.019 Amen. 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.759 Amen. 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:34.879 Amen. 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.939 Eat. 00:15:35.939 --> 00:15:36.179 Amen. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.620 Amen. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.980 Amen. 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.719 Amen. 00:15:38.719 --> 00:15:39.620 Amen. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.759 Amen. 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:40.919 Amen. 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:40.959 Amen. 00:15:40.959 --> 00:15:41.199 Amen. 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:41.740 Amen. 00:15:42.039 --> 00:15:42.339 Amen. 00:15:42.339 --> 00:15:43.339 Amen. 00:15:43.339 --> 00:15:44.899 Amen. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.039 Amen. 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:45.259 Amen. 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:47.519 Even the obedSniff Theatrelyn. 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:49.059 amanhe salads interval. 00:15:49.059 --> 00:15:49.459 Amen. 00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:49.720 Amen. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:51.159 Amen. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.059 Amen. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:52.120 washed. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.399 Amen. 00:15:52.399 --> 00:16:06.840 Unlike the green and tender hair, they withers shall await. 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:21.779 Set thou thy trust upon the Lord, and be thou doing good. 00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:36.379 And so the wind, the land shall dwell, and verily have been. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:51.379 Delight thyself in God he'll give, thine heart's desire to thee. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:17:05.380 Thy way to God, commit in trust, faith bring to pass shall be. 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:19.940 And like unto the plight he shall thy righteousness display. 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:34.940 And he thy judgments shall bring forth, like noontide of the day. 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:49.940 Raised in the Lord, and patiently, we hold him, do not pray. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:18:05.600 For him who bows clean in his way, sucks their sins in the gates. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.599 Amen. 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:15.539 We turn to read God's word in the Old Testament and in the book of Nehemiah. 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:18.259 Reading in chapter 1. 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.759 Nehemiah chapter 1. 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:24.419 And we're going to read the whole of this chapter together. 00:18:25.919 --> 00:18:33.019 And indeed our focus this evening is going to be on what we see here in this first chapter of Nehemiah. 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:36.879 Nehemiah chapter 1. 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:40.859 The words of Nehemiah, the son of Hakaliah. 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:47.879 Now it happened in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa, the capital, 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:53.079 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:19:01.440 And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:03.480 And they said to me, 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:11.820 The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:18.820 The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire. 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:26.179 As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned for days. 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:30.439 And I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:32.200 And I said, 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:52.160 Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:20:01.860 For the people of Israel, your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:06.019 Even I and my father's house have sinned. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:16.400 We have acted very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:21.400 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:26.460 If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:31.080 But if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:36.500 though you are dispersed and under the farthest skies, 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:43.720 I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen to make my name dwell there. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:47.500 They are your servants and your people, 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:52.940 whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:57.960 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant 00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:02.420 and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:05.559 and give success to your servant today 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:09.940 and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:14.259 Now I was a cupbearer to the king. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.960 And so on. 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:18.640 And may God bless that reading from his word. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:23.259 Before we turn back to look at this passage, we'll sing in Psalm 40. 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:26.559 Again, Scottish Psalter version, Psalm 40. 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:30.720 We'll sing down from verse 1 to the end of the double, verse 5. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:36.680 I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear at length. 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:41.200 To me he did incline my voice and cry to hear. 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:45.920 The tune is Balerma and we'll sing from 1 to double, verse 5. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:22:13.840 I waited for the Lord my God and patiently did bear at length to me. 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:27.000 He did incline my voice and cry to hear. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:45.119 He put anew of the fearful pain and from the mighty clay. 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:55.199 And on a rock he set my feet. 00:22:55.199 --> 00:23:03.119 He established in my way. 00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:13.799 He put a new song in my mouth. 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:21.119 Our God to magnify. 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:31.939 Many shall see it and shall fear. 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:39.119 And on the Lord rely. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:58.119 O blessed is the man whose trust upon the Lord rely. 00:23:58.119 --> 00:24:28.099 He put a new song in my mouth. 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:36.099 The wonders love has done 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:46.099 Thy gracious thoughts to us were far 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:55.099 Above all thoughts are gone 00:24:55.099 --> 00:25:05.099 In order none can record them 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:12.099 To Thee if them declare 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:17.099 And speak of them 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:23.099 I would be more than can be 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:29.099 And can be number one 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:39.099 We can turn back to our reading in Nehemiah chapter 1. 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:49.099 As we look at this chapter together this evening, Nehemiah chapter 1. 00:25:49.099 --> 00:26:19.099 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:21.099 We look at this chapter 2. 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:29.099 We look at the world together and how they come to a point where at the end they are worshipping and praising God. 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:33.099 They are disastrous in their midst to something wonderful taking place. 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:39.099 There is devastation in Jerusalem as you read here and the walls are broken down. 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:49.099 You think of our own last few weeks and how we have seen so much devastation around the world in different places. 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:53.099 So much devastation caused by fire in different places. 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:57.099 So much devastation caused by flooding in other places. 00:26:57.099 --> 00:27:01.099 In other places there have been hurricanes leaving places devastated. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:07.099 Almost destroyed by the power of destruction involved in these things. 00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:15.099 And often the question when you see these kinds of situations is how can things possibly get back to where they once were. 00:27:15.099 --> 00:27:17.099 How they once were. 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:22.099 But what it takes is a people to see the need for restoration. 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:25.099 The need for rebuilding. 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:30.099 The need for getting back on their feet again. 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:35.099 And not just wallowing in the circumstances that they are in. 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:38.099 Well as you look at Nehemiah here. 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:42.099 What we see is a situation of devastation in Jerusalem. 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:45.099 Walls broken down by fire. 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:49.099 Much that would leave a people feeling despondent. 00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:55.099 But then as we said at the end of the book there is a situation of praise. 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.099 Worshipping God. 00:27:56.099 --> 00:28:02.099 And so the question we ask is how do they go from one situation to another? 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:09.099 Well they themselves needed a vision restored. 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:14.099 They needed their hearts encouraged for the work that lay ahead of them. 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:20.099 They needed someone to come in with a vision to help them go forward. 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:23.099 And the restoration work to begin. 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:27.099 We have a lot of buzz words in our society. 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:31.099 Sometimes they are words that we have been familiar with for maybe a long time. 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:34.099 But they are maybe used in a new way. 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:36.099 And they mean something new. 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:39.099 Buzz words that people like to use. 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:40.099 For example. 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:46.099 You think of people speaking about climate change and all these things just now. 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:49.099 A buzz word is net zero. 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:54.099 When people are talking about net zero they are meaning we need to get the balance right. 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:57.099 If we are using fossil fuel in so much quantity. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:29:00.099 We need to offset it by using renewables. 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:03.099 So you have this net zero. 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:09.099 In the world of technology just now the buzz word is artificial intelligence. 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:16.099 So much is being said about this artificial intelligence that is going to be able to do so much for us. 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:22.099 And yet there is so much fear around it as well that it could potentially take over. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:27.099 In the world of sport as well you get buzz words from time to time. 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:30.099 One just now is on a journey. 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:35.099 How different teams or different groups are on a journey. 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:40.099 And all of these buzz words they call something to mind. 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:46.099 Many of them speak into a situation that needs to change. 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:53.099 And they also speak about how that change is going to come about. 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:59.099 And they are connected so often to another buzz word. 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:02.099 And that buzz word is vision. 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:05.099 A people of vision. 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:10.099 It is spoken so much of in the world around us. 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:15.099 But how much does it impact us here in the church? 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:19.099 Maybe we don't like buzz words in the church. 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:24.099 Buzz words like change so often fill us with fear. 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:27.099 And yet when we think of the word vision. 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:33.099 It is a word that we all need to have when it comes to church. 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:37.099 When it comes to looking at what is going on around us. 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:44.099 When it identifies and sees a need for something to happen. 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:48.099 When it looks at how we are going to go about doing that. 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:49.099 When it looks ahead. 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:53.099 When it looks forward to what we would hope would come from it. 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:58.099 Vision is something that we always have to have. 00:30:58.099 --> 00:31:05.099 And what we see in Nehemiah is a man of vision. 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:12.099 A man who was burdened and who had a vision. 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:18.099 A man whose whole life changed with a simple question. 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:23.099 When you read here in the middle of verse 2. 00:31:23.099 --> 00:31:27.099 Hanani, one of his brothers, had come to him. 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:28.099 And it says there, 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:31.099 And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped. 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:33.099 Who had survived the exile. 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:35.099 And concerning Jerusalem. 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:38.099 Asking, how are they? 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:40.099 And they said to me, 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:49.099 The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:52.099 The wall of Jerusalem is broken down. 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:56.099 And its gates are destroyed by fire. 00:31:56.099 --> 00:32:04.099 As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days. 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:07.099 A simple question. 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:10.099 How are they? 00:32:10.099 --> 00:32:16.099 Leads to this huge change in Nehemiah's life. 00:32:16.099 --> 00:32:19.099 But also this vision. 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:25.099 And this visionary that you see throughout the rest of the book of Nehemiah. 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:28.099 It sounds as if he's despondent. 00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:29.099 He's dismayed. 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:32.099 And there is a time for that. 00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:35.099 A time to weep and to mourn. 00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:38.099 But what you see as you go on is that he was encouraged. 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:42.099 And that then he was an encourager. 00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:44.099 He was given a vision. 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:48.099 And he shared this vision with others. 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:52.099 George Barna is an American writer. 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:55.099 You may read some of his material. 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:58.099 You might agree with some of it or disagree with some of it. 00:32:58.099 --> 00:33:03.099 But he has this idea of seeking to encourage, especially churches, 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:07.099 how to look at themselves and their situations and think, 00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:09.099 how can we improve? 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:12.099 How can we be better? 00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:16.099 And so much of what he says is about having a vision. 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:19.099 Having a burden. 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:22.099 And in one place he says this. 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:31.099 Vision is the ability to understand the history, the present condition, and the potential of the church. 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:37.099 And to conceive a plan for action that will maximize the ministry potential. 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:46.099 More often than not, vision is a result of having spent much time absorbing the facts about the community. 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:49.099 Knowing the resources upon which the church can call. 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:53.099 People, funding, facilities, equipment, etc. 00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:58.099 And devising sound but creative strategies for moving forward. 00:33:58.099 --> 00:34:03.099 Vision always entails progress. 00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:08.099 It is never satisfied with the status quo. 00:34:08.099 --> 00:34:14.099 He is speaking there of the church and the journey it should be on. 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:19.099 Not happy, not satisfied with the status quo. 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:24.099 But vision always entails progress. 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:27.099 Nehemiah was a visionary. 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:31.099 He wasn't happy with how things were in Jerusalem. 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:38.099 But instead of just talking about it or moaning about it, he took action. 00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:47.099 And through his vision, he led the people of God and inspired them in the work, in the Lord's work. 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:59.099 And if we were to capture this vision too, this burden too, it would help keep driving us forward in the Lord's work as well. 00:34:59.099 --> 00:35:05.099 And in chapter 1, I want us to see three aspects of the vision that Nehemiah has. 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:07.099 They appear in this chapter. 00:35:07.099 --> 00:35:14.099 We're not looking at them in the order of importance, but just the order that they come in the chapter itself. 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:19.099 And the three aspects of the vision that Nehemiah has is this. 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:22.099 First of all, his vision for the people. 00:35:22.099 --> 00:35:25.099 The second thing you see is his vision of God. 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:29.099 And the third thing you have is his vision of trust. 00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:35.099 So first of all, you have his vision for a people. 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:41.099 At the very end of this chapter, you have almost like a throwaway remark. 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:44.099 The last words of chapter 1. 00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:47.099 Now I was cupbearer to the king. 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:49.099 This is Nehemiah. 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:52.099 I was cupbearer to the king. 00:35:52.099 --> 00:35:54.099 It just seems to be thrown in there. 00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:56.099 But why is it there? 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:59.099 What's important about this? 00:35:59.099 --> 00:36:03.099 Well, it helps us to tie things together. 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:07.099 Now I was a cupbearer for the king. 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:14.099 A cupbearer was one who spent his life working beside the king at that time. 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:23.099 A cupbearer would test everything that the king was going to eat or to drink to make sure that it was safe for the king to consume. 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:25.099 He lived in the palace. 00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:27.099 He lived alongside the king. 00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:31.099 In many ways, he lived a good life. 00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:35.099 He had everything that he needed here. 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:43.099 Maybe the last thing he thought he needed was change or something more challenging or something more difficult. 00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:48.099 So him being a cupbearer to the king shows that he was well off. 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:52.099 That he was in a very comfortable position. 00:36:52.099 --> 00:37:04.099 But the danger with being in that kind of situation in life, the danger of having the good life is that it's so easy to become complacent. 00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:08.099 It's so easy to take things for granted. 00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:13.099 And Nehemiah here in the midst of his good life. 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:16.099 His world is shaken. 00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:22.099 And he's about to become unsettled in so many ways. 00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:31.099 And this comes through Hanani, a news that he brings of Jerusalem. 00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:44.099 This simple question that Nehemiah asks about those who had returned from exile, those who had gone back to Jerusalem, those who were very far away from where he was. 00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:50.099 This question is about to turn his world upside down. 00:37:50.099 --> 00:38:01.099 When you meet up with friends and family, it's one of the most natural questions to ask, especially if you haven't seen them for a while or if there's others you're concerned about. 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:06.099 It's a most natural question in the world to ask, how are they? 00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:08.099 To ask after people. 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:12.099 It's something we do on a very regular basis. 00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:16.099 And this can lead to sometimes hearing good news. 00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:22.099 Perhaps you've not heard that so-and-so got married or so-and-so's had a child. 00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:28.099 Sometimes we hear things we hadn't heard and we're delighted to hear good news. 00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:31.099 But other times we hear sad news. 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:33.099 People who are unwell. 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:35.099 People who have passed away. 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:38.099 People who are struggling in different ways. 00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:39.099 Maybe we've not heard it. 00:38:39.099 --> 00:38:41.099 We've asked, how are they? 00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:44.099 And it leaves us then feeling down. 00:38:44.099 --> 00:38:48.099 Feeling a sense of maybe burden for them. 00:38:48.099 --> 00:38:53.099 But it's in asking that question, how are they? 00:38:53.099 --> 00:39:01.099 And hearing perhaps someone struggling, someone's lost a loved one, someone is unwell, all of these things. 00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:06.099 The question is, does it leave a lasting impression? 00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:11.099 Does it stay with us as a lasting concern? 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:17.099 When you look at verse 2 here as he asks about them. 00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:24.099 I ask them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile and concerning Jerusalem. 00:39:24.099 --> 00:39:30.099 As he's asking this question, he is concerned for the people. 00:39:30.099 --> 00:39:42.099 And as he's asking this question, he's asking about those who have escaped, those who have survived the exile. 00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:45.099 The remnant it uses in verse 3. 00:39:45.099 --> 00:39:48.099 These kinds of words that are thrown in here. 00:39:48.099 --> 00:39:51.099 But behind this question is so much meaning. 00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:58.099 When you see that word, escaped or remnant, there's so much meaning behind it. 00:39:58.099 --> 00:40:04.099 In Isaiah chapter 10, it speaks there in verse 20 about a remnant. 00:40:04.099 --> 00:40:09.099 The remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob. 00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:18.099 And it speaks there that they will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:24.099 There is this question behind Nehemiah's, what he's saying here as well. 00:40:24.099 --> 00:40:34.099 It's not just how are they in a general sense, but how are they in a spiritual sense? 00:40:34.099 --> 00:40:39.099 And who are they leaning on? 00:40:39.099 --> 00:40:43.099 Who are they finding help with? 00:40:43.099 --> 00:40:47.099 Are they finding their help in the Lord? 00:40:47.099 --> 00:40:52.099 And what he hears is this, in verse 3. 00:40:52.099 --> 00:41:02.099 They said to me, the remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. 00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:08.099 And this is what unsettles Nehemiah. 00:41:08.099 --> 00:41:13.099 This is what deeply concerns Nehemiah. 00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:16.099 He has been complacent. 00:41:16.099 --> 00:41:19.099 He has been getting on well. 00:41:19.099 --> 00:41:23.099 But unbeknown to him, there are many who are struggling. 00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:28.099 Many who are in despair. 00:41:28.099 --> 00:41:37.099 And the hearing of this, it says, as soon as I heard these words, I sat down and wept. 00:41:37.099 --> 00:41:42.099 He has this vision for a people. 00:41:42.099 --> 00:41:47.099 He has this burden for a people. 00:41:47.099 --> 00:42:02.099 And when we think for ourselves today, even of the town in which we're living in, do we have a vision and a burden for those who are around us? 00:42:02.099 --> 00:42:09.099 Do we just ask in a general way, how is so-and-so doing? 00:42:09.099 --> 00:42:14.099 And we hear they're struggling and do nothing about it. 00:42:14.099 --> 00:42:17.099 Are we asking these questions? 00:42:17.099 --> 00:42:19.099 Are we praying these prayers? 00:42:19.099 --> 00:42:24.099 You think of how often we pray to see these pews filled. 00:42:24.099 --> 00:42:28.099 Is it a real burden for us? 00:42:28.099 --> 00:42:31.099 Or is it a throwaway prayer? 00:42:31.099 --> 00:42:35.099 Who do we want to see in these pews? 00:42:35.099 --> 00:42:40.099 Are we praying for a certain kind of person to come in? 00:42:40.099 --> 00:42:43.099 Those just like ourselves? 00:42:43.099 --> 00:42:46.099 Would we mind who came in through our doors? 00:42:46.099 --> 00:42:51.099 Do we have a vision for the people around us? 00:42:51.099 --> 00:42:53.099 All the people. 00:42:53.099 --> 00:42:57.099 We hear so many problems in our town, in our island. 00:42:57.099 --> 00:43:03.099 And those who have these problems, would we welcome them through the door? 00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:10.099 Would we welcome them and say, come, take a seat and hear of the gospel? 00:43:10.099 --> 00:43:12.099 Come, take a seat. 00:43:12.099 --> 00:43:15.099 What can I do to help you? 00:43:15.099 --> 00:43:22.099 When was the last time we wept and mourned over the people of this town? 00:43:22.099 --> 00:43:29.099 Nehemiah here, his vision begins with the people. 00:43:29.099 --> 00:43:31.099 A simple question. 00:43:31.099 --> 00:43:33.099 How are they? 00:43:33.099 --> 00:43:38.099 They are in trouble and in great shame. 00:43:38.099 --> 00:43:41.099 And he weeps and mourns. 00:43:41.099 --> 00:43:50.099 For ourselves as a church, when we think of the troubles around us, are we concerned? 00:43:50.099 --> 00:43:52.099 Do we have a vision? 00:43:52.099 --> 00:43:54.099 Do we have a burden? 00:43:54.099 --> 00:43:58.099 And where does that lead us? 00:43:58.099 --> 00:44:04.099 Well, for Nehemiah, there is this powerful vision, this powerful burden for the people. 00:44:04.099 --> 00:44:10.099 And where you see it leads him is to our second point, his vision of God. 00:44:11.099 --> 00:44:13.099 His vision of God. 00:44:13.099 --> 00:44:17.099 The people are in trouble, he hears. 00:44:17.099 --> 00:44:19.099 And where does it take him? 00:44:19.099 --> 00:44:21.099 It takes him to God. 00:44:21.099 --> 00:44:25.099 You see that as he sat and wept in verse 4. 00:44:25.099 --> 00:44:32.099 He mourned for days and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 00:44:32.099 --> 00:44:36.099 Before the God of heaven. 00:44:36.099 --> 00:44:41.099 I'm not just going to move on quickly, he's saying. 00:44:41.099 --> 00:44:44.099 I haven't just asked that question. 00:44:44.099 --> 00:44:46.099 And I'm going to forget I asked. 00:44:46.099 --> 00:44:48.099 I forget the response I heard. 00:44:48.099 --> 00:44:51.099 I am taking this to the Lord. 00:44:51.099 --> 00:44:55.099 And I am not going to just take it to the Lord for a time. 00:44:55.099 --> 00:44:57.099 I'm going to keep praying. 00:44:57.099 --> 00:44:59.099 Day and night. 00:44:59.099 --> 00:45:02.099 Crying out to the Lord until something happens. 00:45:02.099 --> 00:45:10.099 Our greatest help in our greatest need is always our great God. 00:45:10.099 --> 00:45:15.099 And that's what Nehemiah reminds us of here. 00:45:15.099 --> 00:45:21.099 Again and again throughout scripture we're reminded that there is no one who can help us like God. 00:45:22.099 --> 00:45:26.099 You think of the disciples in John chapter 6. 00:45:26.099 --> 00:45:29.099 There were many who were finding Jesus' teaching too difficult. 00:45:29.099 --> 00:45:31.099 They turned away. 00:45:31.099 --> 00:45:34.099 And Jesus turned to the disciples and said to them, 00:45:34.099 --> 00:45:37.099 Do you want to go away as well? 00:45:37.099 --> 00:45:40.099 Well Peter responded for them and said, 00:45:40.099 --> 00:45:43.099 Lord, to whom shall we go? 00:45:43.099 --> 00:45:47.099 You have the words of eternal life. 00:45:47.099 --> 00:45:50.099 And so where can we go? 00:45:50.099 --> 00:45:54.099 With a burden for a people who are perishing, where can we go? 00:45:54.099 --> 00:46:00.099 We go to the Lord who has the words of eternal life. 00:46:00.099 --> 00:46:04.099 He turns to God in prayer. 00:46:04.099 --> 00:46:13.099 And as you read through his prayer here, it reminds us of the power that there is in prayer. 00:46:13.099 --> 00:46:18.099 He is the God of heaven. 00:46:18.099 --> 00:46:22.099 The great and awesome God it says in verse 5. 00:46:22.099 --> 00:46:25.099 There is none like him. 00:46:25.099 --> 00:46:26.099 There is none like him. 00:46:26.099 --> 00:46:31.099 He praises God for who he is. 00:46:31.099 --> 00:46:38.099 And when we think ourselves of our prayers, do we recognize who it is we are praying to? 00:46:38.099 --> 00:46:42.099 Every week we repeat the Lord's prayer here. 00:46:42.099 --> 00:46:47.099 Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 00:46:47.099 --> 00:46:52.099 We can so easily repeat these words, but do we realize what the words mean? 00:46:52.099 --> 00:46:55.099 Who it is we are speaking about? 00:46:55.099 --> 00:46:59.099 Our Father who art in heaven. 00:46:59.099 --> 00:47:04.099 The God of heaven, as Nehemiah says here. 00:47:04.099 --> 00:47:11.099 The great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him. 00:47:11.099 --> 00:47:15.099 The one who remembers his people. 00:47:15.099 --> 00:47:19.099 Nehemiah prays to the God of heaven. 00:47:19.099 --> 00:47:22.099 And that's the God we look to too. 00:47:22.099 --> 00:47:25.099 His vision is towards God. 00:47:25.099 --> 00:47:30.099 His perseverance, his prayer is there for us to see as well. 00:47:30.099 --> 00:47:41.099 Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel. 00:47:41.099 --> 00:47:47.099 You see his burden for the people still there as he looks to God day and night. 00:47:48.099 --> 00:47:51.099 He speaks about repentance. 00:47:51.099 --> 00:47:59.099 Again, when we look to God, we have to acknowledge how we can so easily turn away from him. 00:47:59.099 --> 00:48:02.099 And our need of repentance. 00:48:02.099 --> 00:48:08.099 When you read these verses here of the sins of the people. 00:48:08.099 --> 00:48:12.099 It says there in the middle of verse 6. 00:48:12.099 --> 00:48:22.099 I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel, your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel which they have sinned against you. 00:48:23.099 --> 00:48:26.099 You know, we look at the state of Jerusalem here. 00:48:26.099 --> 00:48:27.099 How they'd lost hope. 00:48:27.099 --> 00:48:28.099 They were despairing. 00:48:28.099 --> 00:48:31.099 They turned away from God. 00:48:31.099 --> 00:48:34.099 We look at our own world, our own situation today. 00:48:34.099 --> 00:48:37.099 And the church and where we find ourselves in. 00:48:37.099 --> 00:48:40.099 What is our repentance like? 00:48:40.099 --> 00:48:47.099 When you read these verses, do you look away from yourself first? 00:48:47.099 --> 00:48:53.099 Think the situation in the church is because of what's going on away from myself. 00:48:53.099 --> 00:48:57.099 Or do you look within? 00:48:57.099 --> 00:49:07.099 When you look at Nehemiah here, he's praying in a way, he says, which we have sinned against you. 00:49:07.099 --> 00:49:13.099 Even I and my father's house have sinned. 00:49:13.099 --> 00:49:17.099 Repentance begins with ourselves. 00:49:17.099 --> 00:49:20.099 Not blaming someone else for the state of the church. 00:49:20.099 --> 00:49:26.099 But looking at ourselves and our own heart before God. 00:49:26.099 --> 00:49:33.099 We have to ask ourselves, do we need to repent? 00:49:33.099 --> 00:49:37.099 How we become complacent like Nehemiah? 00:49:37.099 --> 00:49:41.099 Comfortable in our circumstances, in our situation. 00:49:41.099 --> 00:49:44.099 Like he was as a cup bader to the king. 00:49:45.099 --> 00:49:47.099 He was away from his home. 00:49:47.099 --> 00:49:48.099 Away from his people. 00:49:48.099 --> 00:49:52.099 Was he serving God as he should? 00:49:52.099 --> 00:49:53.099 No. 00:49:53.099 --> 00:49:56.099 But he's looking to God. 00:49:56.099 --> 00:50:00.099 And his vision is towards God. 00:50:00.099 --> 00:50:10.099 And what you see too is, he is looking at God in this way, where he is grasping the promises of God. 00:50:10.099 --> 00:50:19.099 In verse 8, remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses saying, if you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. 00:50:19.099 --> 00:50:31.099 But if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though you are dispersed and under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there. 00:50:31.099 --> 00:50:37.099 He is grasping the promises of God. 00:50:37.099 --> 00:50:47.099 His vision for the people who are perishing leads him to the vision of God and grasping all of his promises. 00:50:48.099 --> 00:50:53.099 Are we grasping the promises of God ourselves? 00:50:54.099 --> 00:50:59.099 Are we pleading the promises of God before him? 00:50:59.099 --> 00:51:10.099 Maybe our desires are not fulfilled because we fail to see the greatness of God in what we ask. 00:51:11.099 --> 00:51:23.099 What we need, as well as a vision for the people, is a vision for God who has promised to abundantly bless when we come in faith. 00:51:23.099 --> 00:51:28.099 That leads us to our third and final point. 00:51:28.099 --> 00:51:31.099 His vision of trust. 00:51:31.099 --> 00:51:38.099 Trusting in God who was able to make things happen. 00:51:38.099 --> 00:51:43.099 The closing verses, they show us a vision of God. 00:51:43.099 --> 00:51:55.099 Because he knows no matter how much he has a burning desire in his heart to help the people, that apart from God, he can do nothing. 00:51:56.099 --> 00:51:58.099 But God has a purpose for him. 00:51:58.099 --> 00:52:03.099 And what he does is he puts himself into God's hands. 00:52:03.099 --> 00:52:09.099 He pleads to God to let his servant prosper. 00:52:09.099 --> 00:52:11.099 In verse 11. 00:52:11.099 --> 00:52:12.099 In verse 11. 00:52:12.099 --> 00:52:20.099 Oh Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name. 00:52:20.099 --> 00:52:23.099 And give success to your servant today. 00:52:24.099 --> 00:52:28.099 Grant him mercy in the sight of this man. 00:52:28.099 --> 00:52:35.099 He was open to change in his life. 00:52:35.099 --> 00:52:40.099 His journey was about to take a very different direction. 00:52:40.099 --> 00:52:46.099 From the comfort of being alongside a king who could provide everything for him. 00:52:47.099 --> 00:52:50.099 He was about to return to Jerusalem. 00:52:50.099 --> 00:52:54.099 A place where there was much despair and despondency. 00:52:54.099 --> 00:52:56.099 Where the wall was broken down. 00:52:56.099 --> 00:52:58.099 Where there was much work to be done. 00:52:58.099 --> 00:53:04.099 And yet his vision, his burden, could allow him to do nothing else. 00:53:06.099 --> 00:53:15.099 When you're driving, or when you're learning to drive, one of the things we're often told is to anticipate the road ahead. 00:53:15.099 --> 00:53:18.099 Not just to look directly in front of us. 00:53:18.099 --> 00:53:20.099 In the here and now. 00:53:20.099 --> 00:53:21.099 But to look further on. 00:53:21.099 --> 00:53:26.099 And to see what dangers there may be in the road ahead. 00:53:26.099 --> 00:53:32.099 Well, Nehemiah's vision of trust is anticipating the road ahead. 00:53:32.099 --> 00:53:37.099 Knowing that there's going to be many different challenges along the way. 00:53:37.099 --> 00:53:41.099 But seeing God who is able to help. 00:53:41.099 --> 00:53:45.099 When we look at ourselves as a congregation. 00:53:45.099 --> 00:53:46.099 When we look at our town. 00:53:46.099 --> 00:53:49.099 When we look at the church throughout our land today. 00:53:50.099 --> 00:53:53.099 What are we anticipating on the road ahead? 00:53:54.099 --> 00:53:58.099 What do we see that lies ahead for us? 00:54:01.099 --> 00:54:02.099 Are our eyes open? 00:54:03.099 --> 00:54:06.099 Or are we just looking at the here and now? 00:54:06.099 --> 00:54:09.099 Is our faith for today? 00:54:09.099 --> 00:54:11.099 Or are we looking further ahead? 00:54:11.099 --> 00:54:14.099 Are we ready for the journey that we're on? 00:54:15.099 --> 00:54:19.099 Are we ready in the midst of all the challenges that are around us? 00:54:19.099 --> 00:54:21.099 Are people who are perishing? 00:54:22.099 --> 00:54:24.099 Do we have a vision for them? 00:54:25.099 --> 00:54:26.099 Do we have a vision of God? 00:54:27.099 --> 00:54:31.099 Do we have a vision to trust him for the way ahead? 00:54:31.099 --> 00:54:32.099 Do we have a vision for the way ahead? 00:54:32.099 --> 00:54:34.099 Do we have a vision for the way ahead? 00:54:34.099 --> 00:54:37.099 Nehemiah was given a position. 00:54:37.099 --> 00:54:39.099 He was given resources. 00:54:40.099 --> 00:54:42.099 He was given opportunity. 00:54:43.099 --> 00:54:48.099 But for anything to happen, he needed a vision of trust for God. 00:54:49.099 --> 00:54:52.099 Do we want to be like that ourselves? 00:54:52.099 --> 00:55:01.639 that ourselves. I was once on a train journey to Glasgow and as we were making our way along, 00:55:02.039 --> 00:55:07.420 we were stopping in different stations and at one station this woman came on in the same carriage 00:55:07.420 --> 00:55:13.739 as I was sitting in. I was sitting at a table on one side of the carriage and she sat on the other 00:55:13.739 --> 00:55:19.839 side of the carriage of the table. The train hadn't long moved off when she got up from the 00:55:19.840 --> 00:55:24.840 seat that she'd sat in and swapped sides. She went to sit on the other side of the table 00:55:24.840 --> 00:55:31.640 and as she sat down, she noticed that I was looking at her, possibly wondering why she'd moved 00:55:31.640 --> 00:55:43.480 and she said to me, I'd rather see where I'm going than where I've been. And that always stuck with me. 00:55:43.480 --> 00:55:52.519 I thought there's a lesson in that for us all. Are we a people who rather looking back to the past 00:55:52.519 --> 00:55:59.340 or are we a people who enjoy or want to look forward to where we're going? 00:55:59.340 --> 00:56:13.260 Do any of us need to change seat tonight? In our vision for our church, for our people, 00:56:13.760 --> 00:56:23.079 for our community, are we a people who only look back? And look back in the sense of the days of 00:56:23.079 --> 00:56:31.420 old when things were better. Or do we look forward with our burden? What do we want in the future? 00:56:32.519 --> 00:56:42.980 What do we want for our church in the years ahead? What do we want for this town in 10, 20, 30 years' time? 00:56:43.539 --> 00:56:52.659 What do we see? What's our vision for this place? The church in Jerusalem was in trouble. 00:56:53.079 --> 00:57:03.739 And there was great shame. Our town is in trouble and great shame. There is perishing all around us. 00:57:05.079 --> 00:57:16.099 But are we just looking back? Or are we looking forward? The church is in trouble. Do we want 00:57:16.099 --> 00:57:31.400 to see it restored? Do we have vision? And what is our vision? Is it for self or is it for others? 00:57:32.639 --> 00:57:44.239 Is it towards God? And are we trusting in him? About 350 years ago, a shipload of travelers 00:57:44.239 --> 00:57:51.099 left the United Kingdom. And they made their way to the northeast coast of America. 00:57:52.579 --> 00:57:57.599 And there they came ashore and established a town on the shores there. 00:57:59.599 --> 00:58:08.919 In the first year, they elected a town government. In the second year, the town government planned 00:58:08.920 --> 00:58:19.440 to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness. In the third year, the people of the town 00:58:19.440 --> 00:58:26.139 tried to impeach the government, take over the government because they thought these plans 00:58:26.139 --> 00:58:34.400 were a waste of public money. To build a road five years into the wilderness, five miles into the 00:58:34.400 --> 00:58:45.000 wilderness. Just seemed such a waste. Who needed to go there anyway? Here were a people who had 00:58:45.000 --> 00:58:55.220 traveled 3,000 miles across an ocean and all the dangers that that contained. In a few years, 00:58:55.219 --> 00:59:05.839 they were not able to see five miles past their own town. They had lost their vision. They had lost their 00:59:05.839 --> 00:59:19.619 pioneering vision. Where are we with our vision? How we become complacent with where we are? Complacent 00:59:19.619 --> 00:59:29.059 with what we have. As George Barnas said, vision always entails progress. 00:59:31.539 --> 00:59:44.480 Do we want progress? A vision is never satisfied with the status quo. Are we satisfied with the status quo? 00:59:44.480 --> 00:59:56.460 vision entails moving forward, seeing a need, and looking to how that need can be met. 00:59:57.460 --> 01:00:06.519 So instead of status quo, may we always pray for the vision of Nehemiah, a vision for the people, 01:00:06.519 --> 01:00:14.599 a vision of God, a vision that trusts in him. Let us pray. 01:00:17.239 --> 01:00:24.079 Lord our God, our Father in heaven, we thank you for the burdens that you lay upon the hearts of your 01:00:24.079 --> 01:00:31.480 people. And may we, O Lord, have a burden in our own hearts, have a burden for the place where you have 01:00:31.480 --> 01:00:39.240 placed us, and for the people we see around us, and have a burden for the gospel, and for the good news of 01:00:39.240 --> 01:00:48.079 Jesus. We pray, Lord, that you will give us a vision for our people, and a vision even greater of God, 01:00:48.820 --> 01:00:58.360 and that you will enable us, through eyes of faith, to trust in him, as we seek to do all for your glory. Amen. 01:01:01.480 --> 01:01:09.780 We're going to conclude by singing to God's praise in Psalm 37. 01:01:11.820 --> 01:01:18.079 We're singing from verse 23 down to verse 27. 01:01:20.039 --> 01:01:24.079 Psalm 37 at verse 23, the tune is Kilmarnock. 01:01:24.079 --> 01:01:32.719 A good man's footsteps by the Lord, I order it aright, and in the way wherein he walks, he greatly doth delight. 01:01:32.819 --> 01:01:37.019 We'll sing from verse 23 to 27 to God's praise. 01:01:37.019 --> 01:01:38.019 Amen. 01:01:38.019 --> 01:02:08.000 A good man's footsteps by the Lord, I order it aright, and in the way wherein he walks, he will be the Lord. 01:02:08.000 --> 01:02:15.000 He greatly doth delight. 01:02:15.000 --> 01:02:31.260 Although he fall, yet shall he, Lord, be cast down utterly. 01:02:31.260 --> 01:02:48.980 Because the Lord with his own hand, opposed him mightily. 01:02:48.980 --> 01:03:06.980 I have been your hand of a mole, yet have I never seen. 01:03:06.980 --> 01:03:24.800 The just man left, nor left his seat, or break the man's been. 01:03:24.800 --> 01:03:41.800 He's ever merciful and lends his seat, his place, therefore. 01:03:41.800 --> 01:03:59.800 Depart from evil and do good and well forevermore. 01:03:59.800 --> 01:04:04.060 After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my left. 01:04:04.160 --> 01:04:05.840 We'll close with a benediction. 01:04:06.539 --> 01:04:16.180 Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 01:04:16.179 --> 01:04:16.980 Amen.