WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.780 Amen. You may be seated, kids. You are excused to your King's Kids class. 00:00:03.779 --> 00:00:08.480 And if you would open up your Bibles to Psalm 23. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:12.019 It's on page 541 of your Pew Bible. 00:00:15.619 --> 00:00:18.440 I'm going to read Psalm 23 in its entirety one more time. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:23.580 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 00:00:25.860 --> 00:00:29.780 He makes me lie down, settle down in green pastures. 00:00:29.960 --> 00:00:31.980 He leads me besides the waters. 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:34.240 He restores my soul. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:41.159 He leads me in paths of righteousness for His namesake. 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:46.060 Even though I walk to the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:49.420 For you are with me. 00:00:49.939 --> 00:00:53.100 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:56.140 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:57.560 You anoint my head with oil. 00:00:58.299 --> 00:00:59.840 My cup overflows. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:07.620 Surely, goodness and mercy, your goodness and mercy, shall follow me, pursue me, all the days of my life. 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:12.520 And I shall dwell in the house of Yahweh, the great I am, forever. 00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:15.200 May God bless the hearing of His word. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:25.079 Well, this past Wednesday, Charlie Kirk, an outspoken conservative activist, a Christian, was murdered in broad daylight in Utah. 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:31.519 And we've been living in the shadow of his murder since in a variety of different ways. 00:01:32.039 --> 00:01:41.159 Later that afternoon, a 16-year-old gunman walked into a Colorado high school and started firing, wounding two classmates, then taking his own life. 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:55.439 In late August, a confused young man opened fire through the windows of a Catholic school in Minneapolis, killing an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old and wounding 18 others, then killing himself. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:08.659 On August 22nd, the Ukrainian refugee, Irina Zarushka, was stabbed to death by a deranged man on a train. 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:22.759 On June 14th, Minnesota Democratic Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered by a man posing as a police officer after that same man tried to kill two other people in their homes. 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:29.199 These are just some of the murders from this summer. 00:02:31.019 --> 00:02:34.939 We're not even talking about the murders in cities. 00:02:36.139 --> 00:02:37.819 These are high-profile murders. 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:45.959 These murderous death cast a shadow over the last four months. 00:02:47.340 --> 00:02:52.280 We've been walking through the valley of the shadow of death or the valley of deep darkness. 00:02:52.759 --> 00:03:02.639 And if you aren't walking through a ravine of deep darkness regarding death, maybe the death of someone or maybe your own death, 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:14.619 how about the deep darkness of just being disoriented, of your health declining, of despair? 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:20.099 The valley of the shadow of death is real. 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:24.759 And we walk through it. 00:03:26.259 --> 00:03:31.759 Last week, we looked at Psalm 23, 1 and 2, our shepherd who goes before us. 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:35.039 And so we say, I lack nothing. 00:03:36.519 --> 00:03:41.799 Next week, we're going to look at Psalm 23, 5 and 6, our shepherd who comes after us. 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:47.500 So we can say, surely, your goodness and your mercy follow us, pursue us all the days of our lives. 00:03:49.260 --> 00:03:55.620 This morning, we're looking at Psalm 23, 3 and 4, our shepherd who is with us. 00:03:56.540 --> 00:04:01.800 So we say, even in the valley, I will fear no evil. 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:08.060 Here's what I want you to walk away with this morning. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:10.100 Fear not. 00:04:11.780 --> 00:04:13.280 Our shepherd is with us. 00:04:14.700 --> 00:04:15.500 Fear not. 00:04:15.600 --> 00:04:16.759 Our shepherd is with us. 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:17.620 Three points. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:19.319 Our shepherd restores us. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:21.120 Our shepherd leads us. 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:23.500 And our shepherd comforts us. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:27.879 So let's work through these two verses so that you can rest assured. 00:04:28.040 --> 00:04:35.800 So you fear not for Yahweh, the great incarnate I am, Jesus, is with us. 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:41.480 In 23, verse 3, the first four words, we read this. 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:43.860 He restores my soul. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:48.199 Notice, it's the third person singular. 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:53.339 He restores my soul. 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:59.459 And just to remind you of who this he is, last week we looked at that verse 1, 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:03.420 the Lord, all caps, is my shepherd. 00:05:04.660 --> 00:05:08.519 It's the personal name of God, the memorial name of God, Yahweh. 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:11.079 I am who I am, the great I am. 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:15.040 David is saying, he's making quite a declaration, quite a claim. 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:18.259 The great I am is my shepherd. 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:20.279 He's saying, I'm his sheep. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:21.240 I follow him. 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.060 He's my leader. 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:26.360 I trust in him for daily provisions of green pasture and still water. 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:31.560 And last week, I wanted to show you that in multiple places in the gospel of John, 00:05:31.620 --> 00:05:37.180 but in particular, John 8, 58, Jesus claims to be the great I am incarnate. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:40.540 Remember when he said before Abraham was, I am? 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:43.019 There's no missing the grammar. 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:48.060 He's claiming to be the God of Exodus 3, 14. 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:49.740 In the flesh. 00:05:53.479 --> 00:05:54.539 The good shepherd. 00:05:55.919 --> 00:06:00.979 He claimed to be two chapters later in John, the good shepherd who lays his life down for his sheep. 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:06.540 The great incarnate I am has laid his life down for his sheep. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:14.259 And now his sheep who hear his voice, follow him wherever he would lead us, whatever path he leads us down. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:17.439 That's the he. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:22.340 He restores my soul. 00:06:22.339 --> 00:06:26.279 Your soul is your inner being. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:34.279 And at the very center of your soul is your heart, not your physical blood pumper. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:35.099 Thump, thump, thump. 00:06:36.479 --> 00:06:39.099 It's your central operating system. 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:43.039 In the West, we tend to separate our heads and our hearts. 00:06:43.159 --> 00:06:43.959 We think with our heads. 00:06:44.039 --> 00:06:44.899 We feel with our hearts. 00:06:44.899 --> 00:06:47.539 But David would have thought about it this way. 00:06:47.959 --> 00:06:51.479 He thinks, feels, makes decisions out of one place. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.019 His heart. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:54.739 His central operating system. 00:06:56.299 --> 00:06:57.659 His inner being. 00:06:58.159 --> 00:07:00.500 The very animation of his soul. 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:02.599 The implication here is this. 00:07:05.299 --> 00:07:07.259 David's soul needed to be restored. 00:07:09.419 --> 00:07:11.399 Our souls need restoring. 00:07:11.739 --> 00:07:13.279 Our souls need renewing. 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:15.799 Our souls need refreshing. 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:21.519 And our souls need only what our shepherd can give. 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:22.599 And do you know what that is? 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:23.939 Himself. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:29.819 Augustine or Augustine, depending on your circles, 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:33.419 is well known for this quote. 00:07:34.479 --> 00:07:36.619 You have made us for yourself, O Lord. 00:07:37.659 --> 00:07:42.119 And our hearts are restless until they rest in you. 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:49.639 All of us have a God-shaped vacuum in our souls that only God can fill. 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:51.939 We need God. 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:57.379 And so when we talk about this idea of restoring, 00:07:57.519 --> 00:07:58.879 you restore my soul. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:06.100 Soul restoration is going to come from eating your fill from His green pasture, 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:09.300 from drinking deep from His still waters. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:10.600 And I made an argument last week. 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:13.540 That is God's Word given to us, 00:08:13.779 --> 00:08:15.620 and God's Word gives us God. 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:19.199 He gives us Himself through the Word. 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:29.939 When your heart is content, 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:31.740 satisfied, 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:34.439 in God alone, 00:08:35.179 --> 00:08:38.340 you are going to find your soul restored. 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:43.160 restored in a right relationship to God, 00:08:43.540 --> 00:08:44.320 refreshed, 00:08:44.800 --> 00:08:45.340 renewed, 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:48.980 because you have the life of Jesus pumping through you. 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:52.540 Jesus went into the tomb dead, 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:56.180 and He came out of the tomb alive, 00:08:56.460 --> 00:09:01.280 so that your restless heart can find its resting place in Him. 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:04.799 find life, 00:09:06.319 --> 00:09:07.439 find peace. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:12.639 So our great incarnate I Am, 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:15.120 our good shepherd, 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:17.600 is on a mission. 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:23.319 He is on a seek and restore mission. 00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:25.720 Your soul is His target, 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:29.220 and His purpose is to give you Himself, 00:09:29.580 --> 00:09:30.620 to restore you, 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:31.800 to refresh you, 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:33.200 to renew you. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:37.399 If you want to listen to a passage from the Gospel of Luke, 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:43.540 Jesus is being watched by Pharisees, 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:44.620 and they accuse Him of, 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:47.120 this man receives sinners and eats with them. 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:50.919 to which Jesus gives this parable. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:53.960 What man of you, 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:55.240 having a hundred sheep, 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:57.019 if he has lost one of them, 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:59.740 does not leave the 99 in the open country, 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:01.519 and go after the one that is lost, 00:10:02.060 --> 00:10:02.940 until he finds it? 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:06.340 And when he has found it, 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.679 he lays it on his shoulders, 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:08.980 rejoicing. 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:11.940 He's rejoicing. 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:17.060 And when he comes home, 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.220 he calls together his friends and his neighbors, 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.060 saying to them, 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:21.519 rejoice with me, 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:24.080 for I have found my sheep that was lost. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:27.679 Just so I tell you, 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:29.279 there will be more joy in heaven 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.879 over one sinner who repents 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:33.159 than over 99 righteous persons 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:35.060 who have no need of repentance. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:36.940 Here's what I want you to see. 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:39.500 Your good shepherd 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:42.259 is on a seek and restore mission. 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:43.500 If you're lost, 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:44.899 if you've never become a Christian, 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:47.720 could it be that the good shepherd, 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.919 the great I am, 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:50.919 is calling you to himself 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:54.120 to enter into a relationship with him, 00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:55.059 to be restored, 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:56.319 and you can find life? 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.399 Or maybe you are a Christian, 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:59.459 but you've been wandering. 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:03.000 You've been wandering in the desert places, 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:05.319 and your good shepherd's saying, 00:11:05.579 --> 00:11:06.120 come back. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:06.679 Come back. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:08.440 Come back. 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:11.139 And there's reunion. 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.659 There's restoration 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:14.679 in your relationship with God. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:16.519 And maybe you are a faithful follower, 00:11:16.779 --> 00:11:18.240 a sheep of the shepherd, 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:20.740 but we are prone to wander. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:22.860 Lord, we know it. 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:25.139 Prone to leave the shepherd we love. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.240 Here's what this means. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:29.919 We need our shepherd, 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:33.480 and our shepherd restores us to himself. 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:35.879 He restores my soul. 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:38.639 And that's really important 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:41.039 when walking through the valley 00:11:41.039 --> 00:11:43.320 of the shadow of death. 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:47.620 That means whether we're walking 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.659 through green pasture, 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:51.840 or we're walking through dark valley, 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:54.659 we always get to say, 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.759 blessed be your name. 00:11:56.759 --> 00:12:02.019 Our shepherd restores us. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:04.200 Fear not, brothers and sisters. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.580 Our shepherd, 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:09.139 he restores us to himself. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:13.480 Second point is our shepherd leads us. 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:17.419 We read in the second part of verse three, 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:19.000 he leads me in path of righteousness 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.679 for his name's sake. 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:25.079 When you experience soul restoration of Christ, 00:12:25.319 --> 00:12:29.379 and you are in a vibrant relationship with him, 00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:33.859 you've essentially responded to his call. 00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:35.099 If anyone would come after me, 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:36.299 let him deny himself, 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.219 take up his cross, 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:38.239 and follow me. 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.939 And when you follow me, 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.479 when you say yes to Jesus, 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:44.299 you are going to follow your shepherd 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:45.579 where he leads you. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:48.280 And he's going to lead you on his paths. 00:12:48.780 --> 00:12:50.860 He's going to direct you in his ways. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:54.360 And they are called paths of righteousness here. 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:56.360 He leads me in paths of righteousness 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.980 for his name's sake. 00:12:59.280 --> 00:13:01.280 So what are these paths of righteousness 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:02.920 that our shepherd leads us on? 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.480 Well, back in the day, 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.320 David wrote this, 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:08.940 and he was writing it in a dry, 00:13:09.160 --> 00:13:11.020 desolate, rocky, hilly climate 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:15.699 with many paths crisscrossing the landscape. 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:19.439 But not all those paths were right paths. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.840 Think of these paths of righteousness 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:28.639 as moral pathways our good shepherd leads us on. 00:13:29.319 --> 00:13:32.079 And he tells us these good ways. 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:35.240 He reveals these good paths to us 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.519 through the scriptures. 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:39.620 These paths of righteousness aren't mysterious. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:43.899 They're not something that you've got to meditate on 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:45.679 and say, oh, Lord, show me your path. 00:13:46.199 --> 00:13:47.659 He's shown us his path. 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.620 He's revealed them to us in the scriptures. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:56.879 Let me make a case from Psalm 119. 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.179 Let me just show you 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:02.879 how Psalm 119 talks about paths. 00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:05.659 I love Psalm 119. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:11.399 I think I'm in the eighth round through it this year. 00:14:11.839 --> 00:14:13.279 I can't get enough of it. 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:16.120 Listen to Psalm 119. 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:18.379 This is on page 606 of your Pew Bible. 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:22.500 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:25.699 who walk in the law of the Lord. 00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:30.659 Blessed, happy, joyful, 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:34.199 experiencing goodness of blamelessness, 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:34.839 of integrity, 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.939 of walking in the way, 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.219 the law of the Lord, 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.579 right out of the gate. 00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:42.159 Psalm 119 starts talking about 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:45.379 following God in terms of pathways. 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:47.819 Verse 9, 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:49.379 How can a young man keep his way pure? 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:51.659 By guarding it according to your word. 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:51.699 Lord, 00:14:52.579 --> 00:14:55.779 we pursue sexual holiness 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:59.559 by walking along the path of God's ways 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:00.620 revealed in the scriptures. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.339 Verse 33, 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:04.139 Teach me, O Lord, 00:15:04.199 --> 00:15:05.379 the way of your statutes, 00:15:05.439 --> 00:15:06.679 and I will keep it to the end. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:07.959 Verse 35, 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:10.139 Lead me in the path of your commandments, 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.059 for I delight in it. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.899 Incline my heart to your testimonies 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.860 and not to selfish gain. 00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:16.299 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things 00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:18.500 and give me life in your ways. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:20.419 Life, 00:15:21.299 --> 00:15:21.759 delight, 00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:23.139 joy, 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.299 goodness, 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.840 blamelessness. 00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:29.220 It's his path, 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:29.960 his ways. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.419 Verses 59 and 60, 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:35.159 When I think on my ways, 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.940 I turn my feet to your testimonies. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.600 I turn my feet to your ways. 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.399 I think on my ways. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.659 I turn my feet to your ways. 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:41.419 And then, 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.720 I hasten and do not delay 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.779 to keep your testimonies, 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.320 your commandments. 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.580 I get at it. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.580 I hustle. 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.299 I'm quick to obey. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.600 Because your commandments are not burdensome. 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.159 We could go on and on. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:53.419 105, 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.200 Your word is a lamp to my feet 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:56.220 and light to my path. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.000 If you flip over to the book of Proverbs, 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.460 Proverbs 3, 5, and 6, 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.019 familiar to many of you, 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:04.179 trust in the Lord with all your heart 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:05.960 and do not lean on your own understanding. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.559 In all your ways, 00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:08.320 acknowledge him 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:09.799 and he will make straight your paths. 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:11.919 He will light up your paths with his paths. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.059 The way of wisdom. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:17.159 To be a follower of Jesus, 00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:19.139 to follow after the good shepherd 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:21.919 is to walk on his paths. 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:24.219 The path of God's blessing 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:26.360 outlined in the scriptures. 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:29.480 Let me drill down a little bit more. 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.959 We live in a culture 00:16:31.959 --> 00:16:35.639 in which one's sexuality and gender 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:36.980 is under assault. 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:40.100 There's a lot of confusion out there. 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:43.279 In Genesis 1, 27, 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:45.220 we learn that God says 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:47.060 that he has created 00:16:47.060 --> 00:16:48.519 in his image 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.740 both male and female. 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:51.960 He created them 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.899 biologically sexed. 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:57.200 And that's a way for us to walk. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:01.320 We think about sex and gender 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:04.140 in terms of biologically defined. 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:07.960 There's only two sexes 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:10.940 that are biologically determined. 00:17:12.060 --> 00:17:13.280 And this is a way 00:17:13.280 --> 00:17:14.960 of righteousness. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.640 Genesis 2, 24 through 25, 00:17:18.780 --> 00:17:19.700 when it comes to marriage, 00:17:21.040 --> 00:17:21.920 it's very clear. 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:24.020 One biological man 00:17:24.020 --> 00:17:26.640 is joined by God 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:28.800 to one biological woman 00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:30.320 for an exclusive 00:17:30.320 --> 00:17:32.580 one flesh union for life. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:34.899 It's a path we walk. 00:17:35.679 --> 00:17:37.000 It's a good way. 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:38.059 It's blameless. 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:42.000 Ephesians 4, 29 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.759 shows us a way to walk 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.119 in terms of our speech. 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:47.299 Let no unwholesome talk 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.579 come from your mouth. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:51.139 Don't go off the path 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.399 with gossip. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.819 Don't go off the path 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:57.679 with scornful, hateful speech. 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:59.659 Stay on the path 00:17:59.659 --> 00:18:00.859 of God's blessing. 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:04.119 Build up those around you. 00:18:04.979 --> 00:18:06.259 Give grace to those who hear. 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:10.259 John 13, 34 through 35. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.679 Another pathway. 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:14.000 Jesus gives us the great, 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:14.979 the new commandment. 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.299 A new commandment I give to you 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:17.299 that you love one another 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:19.279 just as I have loved you. 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.659 You also love one another. 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.279 And by this, 00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:23.219 all people will know 00:18:23.219 --> 00:18:24.039 that you're my disciples 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:25.279 if you have this kind of love 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:25.839 for one another. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.619 And so it is a path, 00:18:27.919 --> 00:18:29.699 a good way to walk. 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:32.799 These paths of righteousness 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.360 in 23, 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:36.400 they're not mysterious. 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.819 They're very clear. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.980 They're good paths. 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:42.059 They're right paths. 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:44.980 But did you notice 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.680 at the end of verse 3, 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.940 for his name's sake, 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:53.720 that seems a little odd. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.339 God, 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:55.880 because maybe you're thinking 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:58.660 something like this. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.980 He leads me in paths 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.680 of righteousness 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:04.019 for my good. 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.819 Or this is going to be 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:07.440 tongue-in-cheek. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:09.279 He leads me in his paths 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.860 of righteousness 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:11.279 so I can be the best version 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.920 of myself. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.600 No. 00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:18.259 He leads me in paths 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.980 of righteousness 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:22.220 for his name's sake. 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.160 Remember, 00:19:25.360 --> 00:19:26.920 this psalm starts 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:29.480 with the name of God. 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.940 The great I am 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.640 is my shepherd. 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.480 And it ends 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:35.420 with the name of God. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.120 I shall dwell 00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:37.819 in the house 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.980 of the great I am 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:39.420 forever. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.240 And here in the middle 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.059 is another reference 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.839 to his name. 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:43.920 He leads us 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.440 on paths 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.160 of righteousness 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:47.800 for his name's sake. 00:19:49.300 --> 00:19:50.300 For the name 00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:52.200 of Yahweh 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.500 or the incarnate 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:53.940 Yahweh, 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:54.580 Jesus. 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:58.000 A shepherd's reputation 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.160 depended on his 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.779 careful leading 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.860 of his sheep. 00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.880 And so when we walk 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:06.279 on his paths 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.200 of righteousness 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:09.080 that have been revealed 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:10.320 in his word, 00:20:10.580 --> 00:20:11.519 it's not just good 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.200 for us, 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:14.140 it gives him glory. 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:15.460 It magnifies 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.220 his name. 00:20:16.540 --> 00:20:17.200 It says 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.560 to a watching world, 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.060 this is legit. 00:20:22.020 --> 00:20:23.220 Being a follower 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.740 of Jesus, 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.480 being a sheep 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.940 of his sheepfold 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.500 changes things. 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:31.140 We experience 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.800 his goodness 00:20:31.800 --> 00:20:34.720 and he gets 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.360 the glory. 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.360 Have you strayed? 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.720 Have you strayed 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.360 off his path? 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:44.459 Are you 00:20:44.459 --> 00:20:46.139 doing what's right 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:47.079 in your own eyes? 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:48.279 That's not his path. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.159 You want to stay 00:20:51.159 --> 00:20:51.939 on his path 00:20:51.939 --> 00:20:52.740 and if you've strayed 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.479 from his path, 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.779 you have a gentle, 00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:55.619 loving Savior 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.259 who's saying, 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:57.319 baby, 00:20:57.439 --> 00:20:57.919 come back. 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.039 Come back 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.359 to the path 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:01.919 of blessing. 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.419 Come back 00:21:03.419 --> 00:21:04.679 to blamelessness 00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:05.479 and goodness 00:21:05.479 --> 00:21:06.500 and experience 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.919 the goodness 00:21:06.919 --> 00:21:07.659 of my ways 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:08.259 for the glory 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.000 of my name. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:12.480 So far, 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.880 we've seen 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.579 we are to fear 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.160 not because 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:15.720 our shepherd 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.619 restores us 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.519 to himself. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:18.960 We are to fear 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.480 not because 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.000 our shepherd 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.799 leads us 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:22.740 on his paths 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.420 and those paths 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:26.140 of righteousness, 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.740 they go through 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:31.019 both green pastures 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:33.200 and dark valleys. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:34.740 So let's look 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.600 at the last point. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.400 Our shepherd 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:40.700 comforts us. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.160 Fear not. 00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:43.740 Our shepherd 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.000 comforts us 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.640 in the valley. 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.420 Verse 4. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.580 Even though 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:50.900 I walk 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.360 through the valley 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:51.860 of the shadow 00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.319 of death, 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:54.160 I will fear 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:54.740 no evil 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.900 for you are 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.299 with me. 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:56.799 Your rod 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.340 and your staff, 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.039 they comfort me. 00:21:59.100 --> 00:21:59.480 There are a number 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.080 of things I want 00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.400 you to see 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.059 in verse 4 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.539 designed to comfort 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:04.379 here's the first thing. 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.119 I want you to see 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.579 the connection. 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:07.500 I just said it. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.799 Verse 3 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.639 and verse 4. 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.700 He leads me 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.180 in paths 00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.740 of righteousness 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.960 for his namesake. 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:16.859 There's not 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:18.359 a full stop there. 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:21.180 The psalm continues 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:24.019 and that path 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.720 of righteousness 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.980 will lead 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.259 through the valley 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.000 of the shadow 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.659 of death. 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:30.579 He leads us 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.299 through the valley 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:31.899 of the shadow 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.359 of death. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.920 God's paths 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.940 of righteousness 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.200 lead through 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.799 dark valleys. 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.119 It's part 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:42.119 of his design. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.599 It's part 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.379 of his active 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:45.319 leading of us 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.420 in this world 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:47.440 at this time. 00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.500 And yes, 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.839 there will be times 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:51.139 that are bright 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.200 and good, 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:53.859 ease and plenty, 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.920 and there will also 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.480 be times 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.379 of difficulty 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.579 and hardship 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:59.240 when things get dark 00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.039 and we start 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.240 feeling a threat, 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.460 a danger. 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.960 In other words, 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:06.980 God purposefully 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.480 leads us 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.099 through valleys. 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.319 And here's the comfort. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.539 It's not random. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:19.599 God is always 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.859 at work for our good 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.460 and his glory. 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.279 He's always 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.940 at work. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.279 He is sovereignly 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.000 overseeing 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.019 all things, 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:27.279 whether it's 00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:28.779 on the global 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.279 front, 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.099 whether it's 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.980 on the national 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.420 front, 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:32.500 or in just 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.359 your world. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.559 He is sovereignly 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.240 orchestrating 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.819 over all things 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:38.399 in ways 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:38.899 that we do 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.700 not comprehend. 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:42.980 but we know 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.759 the great I am. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.000 God is sovereignly 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.600 at work 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.340 in our midst, 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:51.299 even in the valley. 00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:53.460 The second thing 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.220 I want you to see 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.819 is actually 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.759 just make a statement. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.319 Dark valleys 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:01.160 are real. 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.500 The valley 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:04.940 of the shadow 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.319 of death 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.519 can also be translated 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.420 the valley 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.680 of deep darkness. 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.920 And in my study 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.620 this past week, 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.480 scholars think 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.279 that this valley 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.140 being talked about 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:14.860 is not so much 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:15.620 of a broad 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.740 and wide valley, 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:20.060 but a narrow ravine. 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:24.759 And in the Middle East, 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.960 there would be 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.019 seasonal rainfalls 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.200 that would fall down 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.880 and it would cut out. 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.140 It's like a slot canyon 00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:31.840 out west. 00:24:32.560 --> 00:24:35.799 Just this very narrow ravine. 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.180 And if you're a shepherd 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.259 leading your sheep 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.460 going from one pasture 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.079 to the next, 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.079 sometimes you had 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.619 to bring your sheep 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.180 through these 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:44.319 narrow ravines. 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.980 They're dry creek beds, 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:52.359 sheer walls, 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:54.779 that once you descend 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.779 into them, 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.420 it is very hard 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.319 to escape them. 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.140 They're narrow, 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.779 you feel confined, 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:03.960 they can be very dangerous 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:05.259 in light of this. 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.740 If there is a flash flood, 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.920 those narrow ravines 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.539 can fill with water 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:13.480 and they can roll down rocks, 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.180 big rocks. 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.920 And so if you are a shepherd 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:16.799 of a herd of sheep, 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:19.700 you can lose your herd 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:22.340 in one flash flood. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:26.460 Another danger is wild beasts 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:28.259 lurking in the nooks and crannies 00:25:28.259 --> 00:25:29.720 of these dark ravines. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:32.299 Another threat are bandits 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:34.339 who in that day 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.740 would use these ravines 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:37.240 to trap people, 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:41.160 to take advantage of them, 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.860 to rob them, 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.700 to beat them. 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:49.180 Last week I told you 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:51.019 that sheep by nature 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.000 are defenseless. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:55.500 They are easily disoriented. 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:58.000 They are on the duller side 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:01.460 of the intellectual spectrum 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.039 of animals 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:04.440 and they are skittish. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.559 And if you're bringing sheep 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.980 through a dark ravine, 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:12.500 they would be quite nervous. 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.680 And we, like sheep, 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.759 get nervous 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:21.299 in dark and threatening places 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.379 or seasons. 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.539 Death is one of them. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.640 Whether it's the death 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.980 of Charlie Kirk this week 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:30.359 or other people 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.279 that have been murdered 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.819 in the past several months 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.839 or several years. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.140 Maybe it's the death 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.500 of someone close to you, 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:38.460 their pending death, 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.440 a possible death. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.640 Maybe it's even thinking 00:26:40.640 --> 00:26:41.900 about your death. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:44.059 Your body is declining. 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:48.220 That can insert fear 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.379 and anxiety. 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.500 And if you have lost 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.339 someone close 00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:53.139 or if you're in a nation 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:54.419 that is going through turmoil, 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.480 it can lead to grief. 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.879 Grief is a dark valley. 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:01.519 But there's also 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:03.019 other kinds of deep darknesses 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.319 that we need to go through. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.559 Despair. 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:08.799 When you find yourself 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:10.700 trapped in a ravine of life 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.319 and there is no escape, 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.119 you feel like you're 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:14.199 at a dead end, 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.659 you are hopeless 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:17.159 because you feel helpless, 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:19.959 that's a dark place. 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:23.099 And you can start feeling 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.539 acutely aware 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.579 of being alone, 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.219 of being fearful, 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:32.179 being disoriented. 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:38.719 Disorientation is a dark place. 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:42.660 I'm in my 50s 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:44.660 and I've seen our nation 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:46.019 change dramatically 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.880 over the last three decades, 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.559 four decades. 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:52.839 There's a disorienting effect to it. 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:54.839 What has been happening 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.799 to our nation? 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.180 What's taking place? 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:02.019 I believe that we are being 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:03.620 handed over by the living God 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:05.700 to the sinful desires 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.980 of the greater people 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.900 that we live amongst. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.620 I believe that we are living 00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:12.000 in a day and age 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.980 that's changed. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.539 That we are living 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.539 at a time when 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:20.640 people are not looking 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:22.100 to the king of the universe, 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.680 but they're doing 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.140 what's right 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:25.019 in their own eyes. 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:28.900 And that kind of disorientation, 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.100 that kind of change, 00:28:30.680 --> 00:28:31.960 is hard to bear 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.980 and hard to process. 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:35.000 And then there's 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.579 the deep darkness 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.779 of disappointments, 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:39.079 whether someone 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:41.299 has disappointed you, 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.559 whether it's a person 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.299 or a group 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:45.120 or an organization, 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:47.019 or there's another 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.860 kind of disappointment, 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.339 is that you are living 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:50.799 in fear of disappointing 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.579 other people. 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:54.220 And it is like this 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:56.180 cavern without a top, 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:56.940 a ravine. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:58.940 You feel enclosed, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.660 you are regularly anxious, 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.880 you are wondering 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:04.160 what people are going to do, 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:06.279 and it is a very difficult 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:07.180 place to live. 00:29:09.840 --> 00:29:11.120 And wouldn't it be nice 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:13.620 if these valleys 00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:15.200 took their turns? 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:19.319 That's not the way 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.319 these things unfold. 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.680 Oftentimes death, 00:29:24.080 --> 00:29:24.559 despair, 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.920 disorientation, 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.720 disappointment, 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:28.220 declining bodies, 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:29.740 they all hit at once. 00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:33.539 All under God's 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.880 sovereign purview. 00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.180 And the effect 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:38.580 of these deep, 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.819 dark places, 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:41.120 these ravines, 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:43.519 is isolation. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:45.420 fear, 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.180 anxiety. 00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:51.000 And God gives paths 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.480 to lead us 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:53.440 right through them. 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:55.839 He has paths 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.779 for us to walk 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.440 through deep, 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.579 dark places, 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.920 through the valleys. 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:02.160 And we must walk them, 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.059 and we must walk them 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.500 individually, 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:05.119 and we must walk them 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.099 corporately 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:07.119 as a church. 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.740 And we must walk 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.240 the valleys real. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:18.279 These dark places 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.839 are real. 00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:21.059 Let's not minimize them. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.539 Here's what else 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:25.900 is real. 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.839 You're not alone 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.359 in the valley. 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:32.519 Here's the good news. 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:35.000 Even though I walk 00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.440 through the valley 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.299 of the shadow of death, 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.359 you have led me here. 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.839 I will fear no evil, 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.940 for you are with me. 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.139 You are with me, 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:43.360 for you are with me. 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.380 There are a number 00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.060 of promises 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.900 throughout the Bible. 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.800 And this one 00:30:47.800 --> 00:30:48.980 in which God promises 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.840 to be with us, 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.960 and to fear not, 00:30:51.060 --> 00:30:52.140 for he is with us, 00:30:52.360 --> 00:30:53.860 is a glorious one. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.800 Let me share with you 00:30:55.800 --> 00:30:56.300 a few. 00:30:57.060 --> 00:30:57.920 Here's some of my faves. 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.740 Joshua chapter 1, 00:30:59.780 --> 00:31:00.160 I'm going to start 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.720 in verse 6. 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.240 Skip to verse 9. 00:31:02.560 --> 00:31:04.300 I have this passage 00:31:04.300 --> 00:31:05.340 taped up 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:06.220 at different places 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.200 in my house 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:08.320 because I'm regularly 00:31:08.320 --> 00:31:08.759 tempted 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.660 to be afraid 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.160 of things. 00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:10.520 I'm afraid 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:13.840 be strong 00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:14.340 and courageous, 00:31:14.560 --> 00:31:15.060 for you shall 00:31:15.060 --> 00:31:15.900 cause this people 00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.740 to inherit the land 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.920 that I swore to their fathers 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.560 and to give them. 00:31:19.020 --> 00:31:19.740 Only be strong 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.460 and very courageous, 00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:21.500 being careful to do 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:23.240 according to all the law 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.800 that Moses, 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:24.300 my servant, 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:24.880 commanded you. 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:26.180 Do not turn from it 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.400 to the right hand 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:28.060 or to the left. 00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:29.500 That's pathway talk. 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.720 That you may have 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.400 good success 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.180 wherever you go. 00:31:33.280 --> 00:31:34.040 This book of the law 00:31:34.040 --> 00:31:34.620 shall not depart 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.220 from your mouth, 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.420 but you shall meditate 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.400 on it day and night 00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:38.420 so that you may be 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.000 careful to do 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.759 according to all 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.700 that is written in it, 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.779 for then you will 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.819 make your way prosperous 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.640 and then you will 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.400 have good success. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.600 Have I not commanded you? 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.160 Joshua, 00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:47.759 Mike, 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.960 have I not commanded you? 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.120 Christ the King Church, 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:51.400 have I not commanded you? 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.480 Be strong 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.500 and courageous. 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:55.160 Do not be frightened 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:56.600 and do not be dismayed 00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:57.720 for the Lord 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.799 your God 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.799 is with you 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:01.000 wherever you go. 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:01.920 Give me an amen. 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:04.120 I need that. 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:04.680 Amen. 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.480 Wherever you go, 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:11.599 Isaiah 41.10. 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.180 Fear not 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:14.039 for I am with you. 00:32:14.140 --> 00:32:14.900 Be not dismayed 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.779 for I am your God. 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.700 I will strengthen you. 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:17.759 I will help you. 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.120 I will uphold you 00:32:19.120 --> 00:32:20.160 with my righteous 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.480 right hand. 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.019 Do you know 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.700 what the Apostle Paul 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.740 writes in 2 Corinthians 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:25.059 chapter 1? 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.279 For all the promises 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.759 of God 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.700 find their yes 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:28.500 in Christ. 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.339 Amen. 00:32:30.339 --> 00:32:30.599 Amen. 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:34.019 Be not dismayed. 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.660 Do not fear 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:36.220 your great 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.299 incarnate. 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.480 I am 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.799 is with you. 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.019 Unbelievable. 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.200 No, no, no. 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:44.600 Believable. 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:49.059 The Gospel of Matthew 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:50.160 starts with this 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.160 fulfillment of 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:52.440 Isaiah 7.14. 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.019 There's Emmanuel 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.579 coming, 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.539 God with us. 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.279 Wah! 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.600 Jesus the baby! 00:32:59.360 --> 00:33:00.160 God, 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.860 the I am 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:03.160 incarnate. 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.299 And then the book 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:04.700 of Matthew 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.339 closes 00:33:05.339 --> 00:33:06.480 with Jesus 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.000 risen 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.039 and glorious. 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:08.939 All authority 00:33:08.939 --> 00:33:09.740 on heaven and earth 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.659 has been given to him 00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.639 and the last thing 00:33:11.639 --> 00:33:12.419 he tells us 00:33:12.419 --> 00:33:13.740 is I am with you 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.459 always. 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:16.139 Even to the end 00:33:16.139 --> 00:33:16.699 of the age. 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:19.079 The God of the universe, 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.019 brothers and sisters, 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:22.279 the God of the universe 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:24.039 is with us 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.980 in the valley. 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:27.059 The creator of all, 00:33:27.139 --> 00:33:28.000 the sustainer of all, 00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:28.879 the savior of all, 00:33:28.959 --> 00:33:29.799 the judge of all, 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.279 who knows all things, 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:32.399 who's all powerful, 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.859 who's all wise, 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.959 who's all good, 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:36.219 who's everywhere present, 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.099 he's with us. 00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.799 That's why David says, 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:43.000 I will fear no evil. 00:33:45.459 --> 00:33:46.459 Let's just be clear. 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:48.979 He's not saying 00:33:48.979 --> 00:33:50.359 that evil will not 00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:50.979 befall him. 00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:53.719 Let's be clear. 00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.559 He's not saying 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:55.439 that he will not 00:33:55.439 --> 00:33:56.500 experience evil. 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.240 He's saying, 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.980 I will not fear evil 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:02.200 because the great I am 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:02.960 is with me 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.559 and the great I am 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:06.339 is greater than any evil 00:34:06.339 --> 00:34:07.599 that I would face. 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.940 Be strong and courageous 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:13.719 for I am with you. 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.119 This past Wednesday, 00:34:16.239 --> 00:34:16.780 I was at 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:19.480 Frank and Sharon Schneider's house 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:23.219 and they're sitting 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:23.880 on the porch 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.980 and me and another guy 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.480 are helping out 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.219 doing some stuff 00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:28.840 and I asked Frank 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:30.019 who's got Parkinson's. 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.320 I said, 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:30.579 Frank, 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:32.179 how is God using 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.599 your Parkinson's 00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:34.059 in your life? 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:35.340 And his immediate answer 00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:35.599 was, 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:36.280 well, 00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:36.880 I pray more. 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.800 I pray all the time. 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:39.380 I pray for my family. 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.340 I pray for other people 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:42.000 and then I said, 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.119 well, 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.019 Frank, 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.579 what's your favorite 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.099 Bible verse? 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:44.559 And he's like, 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.420 Psalm 23. 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:45.900 And I'm like, 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.460 yes, 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:47.599 I'm preaching that right now. 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:49.279 And then he adds, 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.000 when I was 10, 00:34:51.059 --> 00:34:52.299 I memorized Psalm 27. 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.639 And then he goes on. 00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.119 He's standing, 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:57.179 standing in his driveway 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:59.699 and he starts reciting 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:00.519 Psalm 27 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:02.239 and he's not just reciting it. 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.519 He's weeping 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.759 while he's reciting it. 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:06.599 Our brother with Parkinson's 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:08.579 is weeping in his driveway 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:10.719 while reciting Psalm 27 00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:12.199 and here's what that says. 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:17.119 The Lord is my light 00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:17.880 and my salvation. 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.739 Whom shall I fear? 00:35:19.819 --> 00:35:20.859 The Lord is the stronghold 00:35:20.859 --> 00:35:21.380 of my life. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.500 Of whom shall I be afraid? 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:24.299 When evildoers assail me 00:35:24.299 --> 00:35:25.219 to eat up my flesh, 00:35:25.319 --> 00:35:26.559 my adversaries and foes, 00:35:26.819 --> 00:35:28.239 it is they who stumble and fall. 00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:30.539 Though an army encamp against me, 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.980 my heart shall not fear. 00:35:32.359 --> 00:35:33.799 Though war rise against me, 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:35.139 yet I will be confident 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:36.739 and it closes by him saying, 00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:38.440 I believe that I shall look upon 00:35:38.440 --> 00:35:39.319 the goodness of the Lord 00:35:39.319 --> 00:35:40.099 in the land of the living. 00:35:40.339 --> 00:35:41.659 Surely goodness and mercy 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.579 shall follow me 00:35:42.579 --> 00:35:44.239 all the days of my life. 00:35:44.239 --> 00:35:46.099 wait for the Lord. 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:48.019 Be strong. 00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:50.000 Let your heart take courage. 00:35:50.859 --> 00:35:51.779 Wait for the Lord. 00:35:51.879 --> 00:35:52.279 Do you know who 00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.459 he was ministered to on Wednesday? 00:35:54.219 --> 00:35:54.599 Me. 00:35:55.919 --> 00:35:57.239 By our brother with Parkinson's. 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:57.759 By way, 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.699 there's another brother 00:35:58.699 --> 00:35:59.619 with Parkinson's 00:35:59.619 --> 00:36:00.419 serving the brother 00:36:00.419 --> 00:36:01.319 with Parkinson's. 00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:03.659 Unbelievable. 00:36:04.359 --> 00:36:04.979 Believable! 00:36:04.979 --> 00:36:05.079 Unbelievable! 00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:10.299 The final piece 00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:11.099 I want you to see 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:13.619 from this verse 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:18.519 is a monosyllabic word. 00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:23.519 For you are with me. 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:31.139 I quoted Spurgeon last week 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:32.400 and he said that his, 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:33.960 he thinks the most important 00:36:33.960 --> 00:36:35.720 monosyllable of verse 23 00:36:35.720 --> 00:36:37.099 is the my of verse 1. 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:39.000 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.740 I find myself saying, 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:41.960 00:36:43.240 --> 00:36:44.720 Mr. Spurgeon, 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:48.199 this you is pretty significant. 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:50.320 Did you notice 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:52.300 the change? 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:55.179 Did you notice it? 00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:59.579 He restores my soul. 00:36:59.579 --> 00:37:03.119 He leads me in paths 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:03.599 of righteousness 00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:04.579 for his namesake. 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:06.739 Even though I walk 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:07.219 through the valley 00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:07.940 of the shadow of death, 00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:08.819 I will fear no evil 00:37:08.819 --> 00:37:10.579 for you are with me. 00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:13.079 Your rod and your staff, 00:37:13.179 --> 00:37:13.659 they comfort me. 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:15.000 He moves from he 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:16.299 to you. 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:18.159 He moves from talking 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:19.779 about God, 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:20.500 his shepherd, 00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:21.980 now to talking to 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:22.599 God, 00:37:22.719 --> 00:37:23.199 his shepherd. 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:23.880 And you know what 00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:24.480 brought it about? 00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:25.920 The valley. 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:28.900 The hardness, 00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:31.760 the difficulty, 00:37:32.360 --> 00:37:32.980 the fear. 00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:36.539 God uses valleys 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:39.420 to draw us to himself, 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:41.920 to cultivate in us 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:43.360 a dependence on him, 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:45.019 to call out to him, 00:37:45.180 --> 00:37:45.500 you, 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:47.119 you are with me, 00:37:47.380 --> 00:37:48.420 you deliver me, 00:37:48.680 --> 00:37:50.240 you make straight my paths. 00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:51.740 I look to you. 00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:54.459 We look to you. 00:37:57.019 --> 00:37:58.979 That you is a covenant you. 00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:03.019 We can call God 00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:04.699 our you shepherd 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:06.579 because of the blood 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.759 of Jesus built for us, 00:38:07.879 --> 00:38:08.479 our Emmanuel, 00:38:08.739 --> 00:38:09.459 our good shepherd, 00:38:09.839 --> 00:38:10.819 laid down his life 00:38:10.819 --> 00:38:11.739 and has bound himself 00:38:12.379 --> 00:38:13.179 to us. 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.500 And now we can say, 00:38:14.919 --> 00:38:16.659 for you are with me, 00:38:16.799 --> 00:38:17.119 Jesus, 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:18.739 no matter what valley 00:38:19.259 --> 00:38:20.259 you are in. 00:38:20.260 --> 00:38:21.780 No matter what. 00:38:23.080 --> 00:38:24.200 David goes on to say 00:38:24.200 --> 00:38:25.300 that your rod 00:38:25.300 --> 00:38:25.980 and your staff, 00:38:26.100 --> 00:38:26.880 they comfort him, 00:38:27.100 --> 00:38:27.660 comfort me. 00:38:29.060 --> 00:38:30.020 These were the two 00:38:30.020 --> 00:38:31.520 implements of a shepherd 00:38:31.520 --> 00:38:32.540 back in the day. 00:38:33.620 --> 00:38:34.760 The rod was 00:38:34.760 --> 00:38:36.040 about a two foot club 00:38:36.040 --> 00:38:37.720 and it was used to 00:38:37.720 --> 00:38:39.080 beat against 00:38:39.080 --> 00:38:40.340 wild animals 00:38:40.340 --> 00:38:41.020 and bandits. 00:38:43.200 --> 00:38:44.140 The staff was 00:38:44.140 --> 00:38:45.820 a shepherd's crook, 00:38:46.180 --> 00:38:46.900 a wooden pole 00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:47.600 with a little hook 00:38:47.600 --> 00:38:48.140 on the end 00:38:48.140 --> 00:38:49.240 to pull and push 00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:50.299 sheep in the way 00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:51.079 that they should go 00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:52.599 and they were 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:53.219 a comfort 00:38:53.219 --> 00:38:54.319 to sheep. 00:38:57.259 --> 00:38:58.379 Brothers and sisters, 00:38:59.319 --> 00:39:00.339 our Lord Jesus 00:39:00.339 --> 00:39:01.299 isn't carrying 00:39:01.299 --> 00:39:02.239 a beat stick. 00:39:04.719 --> 00:39:06.219 But his cross, 00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:09.159 oh, it's a club. 00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:12.379 His cross defeated 00:39:12.379 --> 00:39:13.919 sin, death, 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:14.619 and the devil, 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:15.739 our enemies. 00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:17.099 He clobbered him 00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:17.659 with the club 00:39:17.659 --> 00:39:18.379 of the cross. 00:39:19.819 --> 00:39:21.000 And his cross, 00:39:21.819 --> 00:39:23.159 oh, it pulls us, 00:39:24.139 --> 00:39:24.939 pushes us. 00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:27.399 It hooks us 00:39:27.399 --> 00:39:28.259 to himself. 00:39:28.699 --> 00:39:29.839 We're bound to him 00:39:29.839 --> 00:39:31.379 along his path. 00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.459 His path 00:39:32.459 --> 00:39:34.539 is a cruciform path. 00:39:34.879 --> 00:39:35.679 We walk 00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.759 his path 00:39:36.760 --> 00:39:38.280 and he leads us 00:39:38.280 --> 00:39:40.560 and his cross 00:39:40.560 --> 00:39:41.060 is a comfort 00:39:41.060 --> 00:39:41.540 to us. 00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:43.640 It tells us 00:39:43.640 --> 00:39:44.600 that we are his 00:39:44.600 --> 00:39:46.400 and he is ours. 00:39:48.180 --> 00:39:49.040 And if he has 00:39:49.040 --> 00:39:49.840 died for you, 00:39:50.500 --> 00:39:51.320 how much more 00:39:51.320 --> 00:39:52.180 along with that 00:39:52.180 --> 00:39:52.640 death 00:39:52.640 --> 00:39:53.660 will he give you 00:39:53.660 --> 00:39:54.420 everything you need 00:39:54.420 --> 00:39:55.340 for life and godliness 00:39:55.340 --> 00:39:56.620 even in the valley? 00:39:57.940 --> 00:39:58.660 He's never going 00:39:58.660 --> 00:39:59.220 to let you go. 00:40:02.220 --> 00:40:03.000 Fear not. 00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:06.679 Our shepherd 00:40:06.679 --> 00:40:07.820 restores us 00:40:07.820 --> 00:40:09.440 to himself. 00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.500 Fear not. 00:40:12.579 --> 00:40:13.460 Our shepherd 00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:14.420 leads us 00:40:14.420 --> 00:40:15.820 on his paths. 00:40:17.340 --> 00:40:18.119 Fear not. 00:40:19.380 --> 00:40:20.059 Our shepherd 00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:21.679 comforts us 00:40:21.679 --> 00:40:23.239 with his presence. 00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.539 I will fear 00:40:25.539 --> 00:40:26.059 no evil 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.099 for you are with me 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:28.699 in the valley. 00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:30.900 Brothers and sisters, 00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.599 fear not. 00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:32.099 Fear not. 00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:33.639 Your shepherd 00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:34.639 is with you 00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:35.880 wherever you go. 00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:37.780 Green pasture 00:40:37.780 --> 00:40:39.760 or dark valley, 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:41.579 nothing is random. 00:40:42.800 --> 00:40:43.800 He is for you 00:40:43.800 --> 00:40:45.539 and with you 00:40:45.539 --> 00:40:47.119 for your good 00:40:47.119 --> 00:40:49.400 and for his glory. 00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:52.480 So we walk 00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.000 through the valley 00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:53.739 with confidence. 00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:55.559 Let's pray. 00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.440 God, 00:40:57.539 --> 00:40:58.460 thank you so much 00:40:58.460 --> 00:40:59.539 for Psalm 23. 00:40:59.920 --> 00:41:00.420 Lord Jesus, 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:01.320 thank you so much 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:02.019 for being our 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:02.980 ever-present help 00:41:02.980 --> 00:41:04.780 in time of trouble, 00:41:05.659 --> 00:41:07.519 for being our shepherd 00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.440 in the midst 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.099 of the valley, 00:41:09.820 --> 00:41:11.019 and we confess 00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:11.940 that we will gladly 00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:12.659 follow you 00:41:12.659 --> 00:41:13.480 on your paths 00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:14.260 because you are 00:41:14.260 --> 00:41:15.019 wise and good. 00:41:16.019 --> 00:41:16.880 Lead on, 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:17.940 good shepherd. 00:41:18.760 --> 00:41:19.099 Amen. 00:41:19.099 --> 00:41:19.280 Amen. 00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:19.300 Amen. 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.300 00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:21.300 Amen. 00:41:21.300 --> 00:41:21.300 00:41:21.300 --> 00:41:23.300 Amen.