WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.359 Thank you, Brian. 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:05.600 Thank you, Brian. 00:00:07.379 --> 00:00:07.940 Amen. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:11.339 Someone once said that in life, 00:00:12.060 --> 00:00:15.939 ! it often seems like we're either entering a storm, 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:18.559 ! we're in the midst of a storm, 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:20.699 or maybe we're coming out of a storm. 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:24.960 Here in the Carolinas, we are well acquainted with storms, are we not? 00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:29.980 1996, my wife and I were living in Westbrook. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:33.859 I went to bed September 5th, 00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:36.020 knowing that a hurricane was coming 00:00:36.020 --> 00:00:38.219 and going to hit the outer banks of North Carolina, 00:00:38.659 --> 00:00:40.719 never expecting that the eye of the storm 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:42.700 would go over Wake Forest, North Carolina, 00:00:42.960 --> 00:00:43.899 where we were living. 00:00:44.060 --> 00:00:45.880 We woke up about 3 in the morning 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:48.920 to be in the midst of a hurricane. 00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:52.939 And it feels like often life can feel that way. 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:55.380 And certainly at a time like this, 00:00:55.640 --> 00:00:58.120 as what we've been through as a church 00:00:58.119 --> 00:01:00.479 and as a family these last several days, 00:01:00.539 --> 00:01:02.399 can feel a bit like a storm. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:06.319 And I want to spend just a few moments in the Word of God, 00:01:06.759 --> 00:01:09.560 just reminding one another, by God's Word, 00:01:09.859 --> 00:01:12.060 of what you and I are anchored to. 00:01:12.459 --> 00:01:13.780 Because here's the truth. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:16.679 Giving our lives to Jesus and follow Him 00:01:16.679 --> 00:01:19.479 doesn't mean we will live a storm-free life. 00:01:19.480 --> 00:01:23.100 But what it does mean is that Jesus is in the boat with us. 00:01:23.140 --> 00:01:23.340 Amen? 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:25.740 There's an old country song, 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:30.040 and the woman singing to her romantic love interest says, 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:31.620 I beg your pardon, 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:34.480 I never promised you a... 00:01:34.480 --> 00:01:36.600 Oh, you've dated yourself. 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:39.240 Never promised you a rose garden. 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:41.840 The Christian life, it is roses, 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:43.960 but at times it's thorns, is it not? 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:47.939 And I want us to spend just a very brief time together 00:01:47.939 --> 00:01:48.979 in the Word of God, 00:01:49.339 --> 00:01:51.179 being encouraged by God's Word, 00:01:51.659 --> 00:01:53.719 of what you and I are anchored to 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:55.819 in the midst of a storm. 00:01:55.919 --> 00:01:57.500 So I want to invite you to open your Bible 00:01:57.500 --> 00:01:59.639 to the book of Habakkuk. 00:02:00.179 --> 00:02:01.259 It's in the Old Testament, 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:03.719 maybe a book you're not as familiar with, 00:02:03.899 --> 00:02:08.000 so take a moment and find the book of Habakkuk. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:10.219 And we're going to look at Habakkuk chapter 3. 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:13.659 Habakkuk chapter 3. 00:02:13.960 --> 00:02:15.560 And as you turn there, 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:17.960 I'll set the context for us. 00:02:18.140 --> 00:02:22.080 Habakkuk is a prophet of God to God's people, 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:23.920 to the nation of Judah. 00:02:24.560 --> 00:02:27.800 And actually, this little three-chapter book of Habakkuk 00:02:27.800 --> 00:02:30.920 goes really well with the book of Job. 00:02:31.319 --> 00:02:34.200 Because Habakkuk is going to begin to ask the Lord, 00:02:34.340 --> 00:02:36.800 Lord, why do we go through challenging times? 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:38.780 As the people of God, Lord, 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:42.400 why do bad things happen to your people? 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:46.659 Why do you allow suffering and challenges and storms 00:02:46.659 --> 00:02:49.140 to come into the lives of your people? 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:54.520 And he has this brief three-chapter conversation with the Lord 00:02:54.520 --> 00:02:56.920 about going through challenging times. 00:02:57.159 --> 00:02:59.780 And the pinnacle of the conversation 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:01.620 between Habakkuk and the Lord 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:03.040 is what we're going to look at. 00:03:03.140 --> 00:03:06.520 And it's in chapter 3, beginning in verse 17. 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:08.620 And this is what he writes. 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:10.020 He says, 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:12.219 Though the fig tree should not blossom, 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:13.880 nor fruit be on the vines, 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:16.480 the produce of the olive fell, 00:03:16.640 --> 00:03:18.439 and the fields yield no food, 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:21.060 the flock be cut off from the fold, 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:23.480 and there be no herd in the stalls, 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:27.420 yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:31.280 I will take joy in the God of my salvation, 00:03:31.660 --> 00:03:34.820 for God the Lord is my strength. 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:37.939 He makes my feet like the deer's, 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:41.759 and he makes me tread on my high places. 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:43.400 Let's pray together. 00:03:43.519 --> 00:03:49.340 Lord Jesus, we are moved this morning 00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:52.979 by your goodness and your faithfulness 00:03:52.979 --> 00:03:54.780 and your grace. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:00.359 And we are reminded that in the midst of the fiercest storm, 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:01.780 you are with your people. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:04.539 You never leave us nor forsake us. 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:07.099 And in these next few moments, 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:09.000 as we look into your word, 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:10.299 we ask, Holy Spirit, 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:11.719 that you would open our minds, 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:14.519 give us understanding of your word. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:16.560 We pray, Holy Spirit, 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.019 that you would soften our hearts, 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:19.420 that we might be changed 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:21.539 and transformed by your word. 00:04:22.159 --> 00:04:24.279 Speak to us, your people, 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:25.939 we pray in Jesus' name. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:27.219 Amen. 00:04:27.219 --> 00:04:27.360 Amen. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:31.100 If we look at verse 17, 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:33.500 Habakkuk outlines for you and I 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:34.219 the dire situation. 00:04:34.819 --> 00:04:37.659 That God's people find themselves in. 00:04:37.819 --> 00:04:39.180 Notice what he says in verse 17. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:39.680 He says, 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:42.659 Though the fig tree should not blossom. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:45.139 Figs would be a source of food 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:46.620 for God's people at that time. 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:47.639 And so he says, 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:49.279 The fig tree does not blossom, 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:51.120 so there's nothing to eat. 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:52.620 He says, 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:54.420 Nor fruit be on the vines. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:56.420 He's referring to grapes there. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:57.079 And of course, 00:04:57.420 --> 00:04:58.480 they would take grapes 00:04:58.480 --> 00:04:59.480 and press them 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:01.600 and make juice and wine. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:03.180 And so he says, 00:05:03.300 --> 00:05:04.840 There's nothing to eat. 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:06.280 There's nothing to drink. 00:05:06.400 --> 00:05:08.240 The fig tree does not blossom. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:10.160 There is no fruit on the vines. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:10.980 Watch this. 00:05:11.340 --> 00:05:11.740 He says, 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:14.640 The produce of the olive fails. 00:05:15.640 --> 00:05:16.840 Now they would take olives 00:05:16.840 --> 00:05:18.840 and press them into olive oil, 00:05:19.080 --> 00:05:20.819 which primarily they would use 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:21.980 to light their homes. 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:23.040 They would put in lamps. 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:24.259 So stay with me. 00:05:24.580 --> 00:05:25.000 He says, 00:05:25.080 --> 00:05:26.120 There's nothing to eat. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:27.400 There's nothing to drink. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:28.800 And they've turned the power off. 00:05:29.819 --> 00:05:30.240 He says, 00:05:30.300 --> 00:05:31.900 The fields yield no food. 00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:33.340 He emphasizes that again. 00:05:33.340 --> 00:05:34.060 He says, 00:05:34.140 --> 00:05:36.900 The flock be cut off from the fold. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:38.180 It's referring to sheep. 00:05:38.340 --> 00:05:41.060 And the primary function of sheep in that day 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:42.259 would be they would shear them, 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:42.900 take the wool, 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:43.680 and make clothing. 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:45.100 He says, 00:05:45.220 --> 00:05:47.060 There's nothing to eat. 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:48.360 There's nothing to drink. 00:05:48.460 --> 00:05:49.740 They've turned off the power 00:05:49.740 --> 00:05:51.759 and all of my clothes are gone. 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:53.259 And then he says, 00:05:53.340 --> 00:05:55.980 And there be no herd in the stalls. 00:05:56.080 --> 00:05:57.400 He's referring to oxen 00:05:57.400 --> 00:06:00.160 that they would use to work the land. 00:06:00.860 --> 00:06:02.920 So listen to his predicament. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:03.700 He says, 00:06:03.840 --> 00:06:04.800 I have nothing to eat. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:05.960 I have nothing to drink. 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:07.040 I have nothing to wear. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:08.939 They've turned the power off 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:10.540 and I've lost my job. 00:06:11.259 --> 00:06:12.980 Sounds like a country music song, 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:13.680 does it not? 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:15.439 He's lost everything. 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:18.180 But notice this one little word 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:19.040 in verse 18. 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:20.240 He says, 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:21.080 Yet. 00:06:21.980 --> 00:06:25.319 Yet in the midst of losing everything, 00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:27.020 in the midst of the biggest storm, 00:06:27.080 --> 00:06:27.700 what does he do? 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:28.460 He says, 00:06:28.580 --> 00:06:30.520 I will rejoice in the Lord. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:31.220 He says, 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:32.200 I've lost everything 00:06:32.200 --> 00:06:33.700 and I'm going to choir practice. 00:06:33.699 --> 00:06:36.779 And it would be fair to say, 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:37.539 but Habakkuk, 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.439 what do you have to think about? 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:41.459 And he says, 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:43.240 I have three truths 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:44.039 that anchor me 00:06:44.039 --> 00:06:45.439 in the midst of difficult times. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:47.159 And here they are for us, church. 00:06:47.300 --> 00:06:47.839 Number one, 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:49.399 in times of hardship 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:50.480 and difficulty, 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:52.120 we're reminded 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.439 that God is our source 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.120 of salvation. 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:56.500 In times of hardship 00:06:56.500 --> 00:06:57.800 and difficulty, 00:06:57.800 --> 00:06:58.860 we are reminded 00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:01.120 that God is our source 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:02.780 of salvation. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:03.960 Look what he says there 00:07:03.960 --> 00:07:05.120 in verse 18. 00:07:05.280 --> 00:07:05.660 He says, 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:07.300 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:08.600 I will take joy 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:11.740 in the God of my salvation. 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:15.180 The God of my salvation. 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:16.780 The apostle Paul says, 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:18.319 To live is Christ 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:20.280 and to die is what? 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:21.439 Gain. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:23.480 To live is Christ 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:26.439 and to die is gain. 00:07:27.019 --> 00:07:27.899 See, for those of us 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:28.899 who know and love 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:29.839 and follow Jesus, 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.800 even death has been conquered 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.980 by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:34.100 --> 00:07:34.800 Amen, church? 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:37.639 And so death has no hold 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:38.779 on the people of God. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:40.079 And so he says, 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:40.379 Listen, 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:41.980 in the midst of hard times 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:42.680 and difficulties, 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:43.980 never lose sight 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:46.040 that God is your source 00:07:46.040 --> 00:07:47.980 of salvation. 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:49.319 And this life 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:51.220 is but a vapor. 00:07:52.040 --> 00:07:54.159 This life is but a vapor. 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:55.800 Daniel and I have been, 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.160 as we would say in England, 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:58.480 we have been best mates 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:00.520 since the age of 16. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:03.420 Now, you know how it works. 00:08:03.520 --> 00:08:04.199 In my mind, 00:08:04.280 --> 00:08:05.720 Daniel and I are still 16. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:07.439 Right? 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:08.360 When I saw that video, 00:08:08.460 --> 00:08:09.379 I just chuckled. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:11.000 Brian told me this morning, 00:08:11.080 --> 00:08:11.240 he said, 00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:12.280 Oh, Daniel's made a video. 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:13.980 And I literally busted out laughing. 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:15.019 I was like, 00:08:15.080 --> 00:08:15.259 Listen, 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.340 a heart attack's not going 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:17.340 to stop that man 00:08:17.340 --> 00:08:17.840 from talking. 00:08:17.960 --> 00:08:18.139 Amen? 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:19.879 It's not going to do it. 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:20.580 Right? 00:08:20.780 --> 00:08:21.420 I've known him 00:08:21.420 --> 00:08:22.220 my whole life. 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:25.820 Here's what we know. 00:08:26.940 --> 00:08:29.100 Is that life goes by quickly. 00:08:29.700 --> 00:08:30.860 One moment you're 16 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:32.399 and the next moment you're 56. 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:34.080 Right? 00:08:34.160 --> 00:08:35.800 Our life is but a vapor. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:38.820 But salvation in Jesus 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:39.860 is for an eternity. 00:08:40.040 --> 00:08:40.759 Amen, church? 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:42.320 It's for an eternity. 00:08:43.379 --> 00:08:43.800 And so, 00:08:44.060 --> 00:08:46.580 when the storms are brewing, 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:48.220 when the waves are crashing, 00:08:48.440 --> 00:08:49.899 what do we have to sing about? 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:50.860 I'll tell you what, 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.300 we have something to sing about 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:53.159 for all eternity. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.120 And that is, 00:08:54.300 --> 00:08:55.779 we have a home in glory land 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:56.960 that outshines the sun. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:58.300 Do you know that song? 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:00.399 I've got a home in glory land. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.180 If I had a banjo, 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:01.980 I'd start picking it. 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:02.180 Amen? 00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:02.940 Right? 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:05.360 And we've got a home in glory land 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:06.600 that outshines the sun. 00:09:06.800 --> 00:09:08.019 And for that and that alone, 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:09.060 we have all eternity 00:09:09.060 --> 00:09:10.120 to worship Jesus. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.700 In the midst of the storm, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.000 we hold on to the truth 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:17.820 that God is our source 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:19.680 of salvation. 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:21.559 Death has no hold 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:22.559 on the people of God. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:23.459 Secondly, 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.299 he says this, 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:27.339 in the midst of challenging hard times, 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:29.299 we are anchored to the truth 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:32.099 that God is our source of salvation. 00:09:32.099 --> 00:09:32.919 But secondly, 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:34.500 we're anchored to the truth 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.620 that God is our source of strength. 00:09:37.299 --> 00:09:38.659 God is our source of strength. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:39.719 Look what he says there. 00:09:40.239 --> 00:09:40.919 Verse 18, 00:09:41.199 --> 00:09:41.559 he says, 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:43.139 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. 00:09:43.359 --> 00:09:46.699 I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 00:09:47.339 --> 00:09:50.119 God the Lord is my what? 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:51.419 Strength. 00:09:52.339 --> 00:09:55.639 God the Lord is my strength. 00:09:56.439 --> 00:09:58.339 In the midst of trying times, 00:09:58.579 --> 00:10:01.739 we worship Jesus for his salvation, 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:02.919 but we are reminded 00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:05.919 that not only is he our source of salvation, 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:09.779 he is our source of strength. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:11.079 The word there in Hebrew 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:13.120 means the force of an army. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:15.319 The force of an army. 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:17.019 There are many names for God 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.299 in the Old Testament, 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:19.899 and one is the Lord of hosts. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.159 It literally means 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.639 the Lord of heaven's armies. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.159 That all the armies of heaven 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:27.799 are at our disposal 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:31.559 as we are strengthened by God himself. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:32.860 And it's lovely 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.940 because he says, 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:35.159 The Lord is my strength. 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:36.180 And the word Lord there 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:38.399 is the personal name for God. 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.220 It's Yahweh. 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.980 It's this personal God 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.460 who knows us 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:45.060 and loves us 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:47.899 and knows the very number of hairs on our head 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:49.899 and cares for us. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:54.240 And he is our strength. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:57.639 Have you ever faced a trial in life 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:58.480 and you just didn't know 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:59.480 if you were going to make it through? 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:03.159 Have you ever cried out to the Lord 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:03.519 and said, 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.399 Lord, I don't know 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:06.060 if I can take it one more day. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.920 Lord, I'm not sure 00:11:08.920 --> 00:11:11.139 if our marriage can bear this. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.159 I'm not sure 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:12.940 if our children 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:14.080 will make it through this. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.860 Lord, I'm not sure 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:18.680 how we're going to endure this. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.139 Can I just say, 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:20.840 take heart. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:22.820 Take heart. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.659 The Apostle Paul 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:26.940 writing of his own storm 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:29.300 in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:31.500 said he called out to the Lord 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.279 three times 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:34.639 to remove it from him. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:36.519 This is the answer 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:37.680 the Lord gave him. 00:11:38.420 --> 00:11:38.700 He said, 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:39.259 Oh, Paul, 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:40.840 don't you know 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:42.860 that my grace is sufficient for you 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:44.279 for my power 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.620 is made perfect 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.480 in weakness. 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:49.820 And Paul says, 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:51.060 for when I am weak, 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:54.000 then I am strong. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.639 Do you know it's okay to be weak? 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:59.259 It's okay to cry. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.620 It's okay to not have 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:02.299 all the answers. 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.000 It's okay. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.639 Because Jesus does. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.419 Amen, church? 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:09.179 And the Bible says, 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.600 when we are weak, 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:12.639 that's when he is strong. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.059 And in fact, 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:15.460 I would go on to say, 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:16.139 I just believe 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:17.120 the weaker I get, 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:18.699 the stronger he gets in me. 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:20.420 And maybe you've had 00:12:20.420 --> 00:12:21.080 that experience 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.080 where you've looked back 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:22.879 on those storms 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:23.879 in your own life 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:25.620 and you don't even recollect 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.520 how the Lord did it, 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:27.540 but what you know is 00:12:27.540 --> 00:12:28.640 that he carried you 00:12:28.640 --> 00:12:29.520 every step of the way. 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.300 He carried you 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:32.160 every step of the way. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.560 He is our source 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:35.420 of salvation. 00:12:36.180 --> 00:12:37.420 He is our source 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:38.280 of strength. 00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:39.640 But then lastly, 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.140 church, 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.020 we see this 00:12:41.020 --> 00:12:42.720 in times of hardship 00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:43.780 and difficulty. 00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:45.480 God is our source 00:12:45.480 --> 00:12:46.200 of security. 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:48.640 God is our source 00:12:48.640 --> 00:12:50.180 of security. 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:51.660 Look at verse 19 again. 00:12:52.180 --> 00:12:52.500 He says, 00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:53.759 God, the Lord, 00:12:53.840 --> 00:12:54.940 is my strength 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:56.780 and he makes my feet 00:12:56.780 --> 00:12:57.860 like the deers, 00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:58.800 like the feet of a deer, 00:12:59.040 --> 00:13:00.720 and he makes me tread 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:02.700 on my high places. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.220 The word deer there 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.100 is more akin 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.100 to what we would think of 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.080 as a mountain goat. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.780 Now, we don't have 00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:10.680 many of those. 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:11.860 At Table Rock, 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:13.060 you have to go 00:13:13.060 --> 00:13:13.920 more out west, 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.360 Wyoming or Montana 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.580 or somewhere like that. 00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:17.980 And a mountain goat 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:20.200 is a spectacular animal. 00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:21.659 They live in an altitude 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:22.620 usually of about 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:24.180 13,000 feet. 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:25.500 They're the largest 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:26.440 living animal 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:27.300 at that altitude. 00:13:27.960 --> 00:13:29.460 And if you've ever seen 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:31.259 a nature documentary 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:32.200 of mountain goats, 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.759 they have this ability 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.659 to climb 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:37.379 near vertical cliffs. 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.659 And their security, 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.820 the way they're able 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:40.420 to get away 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:41.200 from their predators, 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:42.700 they're not poisonous, 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:44.200 they don't have big horns, 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.820 they're not very fast, 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:47.040 but what they can do 00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:48.680 is they can climb. 00:13:49.420 --> 00:13:50.600 And their security 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:52.560 is in their feet. 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:54.540 They know they can go places 00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:55.860 that their enemy can't. 00:13:56.640 --> 00:13:58.000 They know they can go places 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:00.040 that their enemy can't. 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:01.180 Those that are hunting them. 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:01.960 A mountain lion 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:02.920 can't climb 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:03.800 like a mountain goat. 00:14:04.140 --> 00:14:04.980 And so David here 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.580 is saying 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:07.600 that just like 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.780 that mountain goat 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:10.100 finds its security 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:11.000 in its feet, 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.820 look what he says. 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.560 He says, 00:14:12.660 --> 00:14:14.379 the Lord makes my feet 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:15.100 like the feet 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:15.920 of the mountain goat. 00:14:16.160 --> 00:14:17.460 He makes me tread 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.500 on the high places. 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:19.860 He's talking about 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:20.860 being secure 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:23.140 in the Lord. 00:14:23.800 --> 00:14:24.420 Being secure 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:24.840 in the Lord. 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:25.400 The Lord 00:14:25.400 --> 00:14:26.760 is our salvation, 00:14:27.020 --> 00:14:27.900 He is our strength, 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:28.940 and He is 00:14:28.940 --> 00:14:30.980 our security. 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:32.320 David says it 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.280 this way 00:14:33.280 --> 00:14:34.180 in Psalm 91. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:34.660 He says, 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.520 whoever dwells 00:14:35.520 --> 00:14:36.100 in the shelter 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:37.480 of the Most High 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.100 will rest 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.720 in the shadow 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.580 of the Almighty. 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:40.900 And I will say 00:14:40.900 --> 00:14:41.440 of the Lord, 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:43.440 He is my refuge 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:44.980 and my fortress, 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.940 my God 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:47.100 in whom 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.980 I 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.340 trust. 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.379 Our 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:53.060 security 00:14:53.060 --> 00:14:53.680 as followers 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:54.320 of Jesus 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:56.320 is not 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:57.200 in the stock market, 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.440 it's not in the bank, 00:14:58.520 --> 00:14:59.680 it's not in the White House. 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:00.740 Our security 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.840 is firmly placed 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.820 at the foot of the cross. 00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:03.680 Amen, church? 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.560 And it's in Christ 00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:06.660 and Christ alone 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:08.039 that we find 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.459 our security. 00:15:10.719 --> 00:15:12.299 So let me encourage us 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:13.319 this morning. 00:15:13.959 --> 00:15:15.639 Wherever you might be, 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.919 maybe things for you 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:18.500 this morning 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.439 are smooth sailing 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:20.899 and praise the Lord 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.620 and make sure you 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.620 praise Him for that. 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:24.059 But maybe for you 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:25.519 the waters are a bit choppy. 00:15:26.339 --> 00:15:28.019 Maybe things are not 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:29.439 as you would like them to be 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:30.899 and you find yourself 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.980 in the midst of a storm. 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.939 Can I encourage you 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:34.659 to rejoice? 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:35.399 To rejoice? 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:37.419 Can I encourage you 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:38.699 to be reminded 00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:40.120 that even in the 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.419 biggest challenge 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:43.219 that the Lord Jesus 00:15:43.219 --> 00:15:44.439 is your salvation, 00:15:45.579 --> 00:15:47.019 He is your strength 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.139 and He is your 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.559 security. 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:53.199 We have 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.500 two children. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.319 Our daughter is 22 00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:58.839 and our son 00:15:58.839 --> 00:16:00.259 is 20. 00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:02.759 And we've spent most, 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.139 they spent most of their lives 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:04.600 in England. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.159 We've been living overseas 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:07.600 for 18 years now. 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:09.519 We spent 17 years of that 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.299 living in Birmingham, 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:10.720 England. 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.740 And when our kids 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.500 were quite little, 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.899 our son was probably 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:15.039 about four years old, 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.439 we went to go do 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:17.179 a fun day out 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:17.759 as a family. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.399 And we went up 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.039 to the mountains 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:21.840 and there's a place there 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:23.840 not far from our home 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.679 called the Heights 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.179 of Abraham. 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.419 And it's an old 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.279 lead mine 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.240 and it's about 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.480 4,000 feet up 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.179 and you have to ride 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:30.960 a chairlift. 00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:32.340 We ride this chairlift up 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.519 and we spend the day 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.300 taking a tour 00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:35.000 of this mine. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:36.019 So we're about 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.620 500 feet underground 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.560 in the earth 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:39.500 and we have hard hats 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.360 on with lights 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.340 and we're taking 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:41.820 this tour 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:42.660 of this lead mine. 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:44.200 And there's about 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:44.860 20 people 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.680 in our tour group 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:46.920 and we're at the 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:47.620 deepest part 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.180 of the mine 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:50.080 and the tour guide 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:50.379 says, 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:50.639 look, 00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.600 I'm going to 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.300 instruct them 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.100 to turn the lights 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.120 off and you're going 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.800 to turn your lights 00:16:54.800 --> 00:16:55.560 off and I want you 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.379 to appreciate 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.800 just how dark 00:16:57.800 --> 00:16:58.360 it would be 00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.259 if you were a miner 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.740 here in the 1800s. 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.939 And as soon as 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.580 he said that, 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:03.059 I thought, 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.519 where is Max? 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.619 That's our son. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.440 Now Max is a 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.220 four-year-old 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.160 full of life 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.700 and energy. 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.900 He was climbing 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:12.000 stalactites 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.779 and hanging from 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.680 stalagmites 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.319 or whatever you do 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.099 on those things, 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.299 running everywhere 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.299 around this mine 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.140 and I immediately 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:18.539 thought, 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:20.160 where is Max? 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.359 And as soon as 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.400 the thought hit my mind, 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.279 the lights went out. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.700 And I've never 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.799 experienced 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.940 that level 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.619 of darkness. 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.059 Didn't know it existed. 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:33.000 500 feet 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.159 underground 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.639 in the middle 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:35.220 of the earth, 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.879 no natural light. 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.200 You couldn't 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:38.779 see a thing 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.659 and as a dad, 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.799 my heart 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.460 was beating 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.359 out of my chest. 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:43.839 And I'm thinking, 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.759 has he fallen? 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.259 What has happened? 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.440 Because I hear nothing. 00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.839 And in the midst 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.759 of the darkness, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.019 I feel 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:56.379 five little fingers 00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:57.240 grab my hand 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:59.700 and pull me down. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.700 And I came down 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.539 and in my ear, 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.599 I hear this, 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:04.880 Dada, 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.900 is that you? 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.819 I said, 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.279 yes son, 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:09.839 it's me. 00:18:10.920 --> 00:18:11.660 And he said, 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.099 then I'm going 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.720 to be okay. 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.980 I'm going to be okay. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.539 Maybe this morning 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:19.480 you need to reach out. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:23.120 Take the hand 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.000 of your Heavenly Father 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:26.240 and say, 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.539 Dad, 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.119 is that you? 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.660 And he'll say, 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.460 yes it is. 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.859 And I promise you, 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:35.220 you're going to be okay. 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.160 Let me pray for us. 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.720 Lord Jesus, 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.559 we love you. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.259 We praise you. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.779 We thank you for your word. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:45.700 God, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.420 I just pray 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:49.000 for one who would be here 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:49.539 this morning 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.440 who find themselves 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.059 in the midst 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:52.359 of a trial, 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.879 of a storm, 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.500 of a hardship. 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.740 I pray that this morning 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.759 they would reach out, 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.940 take your hand, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.019 and that they would know 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:06.440 they're going to be okay. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.519 Okay. 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.759 Bless us, 00:19:10.819 --> 00:19:11.279 your people. 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.220 We humbly ask 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.200 in Jesus' name. 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.639 Amen. 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.079 Let's stand together. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.279 We're going to sing 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:20.079 and Jeff is here. 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.420 If you'd like to come 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:22.359 and speak to him 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.099 to pray 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:24.879 however the Lord leads 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.619 and you obey 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:26.879 as we sing together.