WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.439 I'll read 1 Samuel chapter 26, trusting that it's God's inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, powerful, sufficient word for you and me, his people. 00:00:12.259 --> 00:00:14.380 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.359 And went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:45.299 And Saul encamped in the hill of Zekala, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:51.140 But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 00:00:52.480 --> 00:00:56.879 David therefore sent out spies, and he understood that Saul had indeed come. 00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:00.800 So David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped. 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:07.379 And David saw the place where Saul had lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the commander of his army. 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:12.780 Now Saul lay within the camp, and the people encamped all around him. 00:01:13.520 --> 00:01:21.280 Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:25.320 Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp? 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:29.199 And Abishai said, I will go down with you. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:36.119 So David and Abishai came to the people by night, and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:42.439 his spear stuck in the ground by his head, and Abner and the people lay all around him. 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:47.659 Then Abishai said to David, God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:55.739 Now therefore please let me strike him at once with the spear right to the earth, and I will not have to strike him a second time. 00:01:56.479 --> 00:02:04.340 But David said to Abishai, do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:15.219 David said, furthermore, as the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go down to the battle and perish. 00:02:15.219 --> 00:02:20.099 The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed. 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:26.120 But please take now the spear and the jug of water that are by his head and let us go. 00:02:26.819 --> 00:02:31.479 So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul's head, and they got away. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:42.079 And no man saw or knew it or awoke, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen on them. 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:50.700 Now David went over to the other side and stood on the top of a hill far off, a great distance between them. 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:57.840 And David called out to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, do you not answer, Abner? 00:02:58.420 --> 00:03:02.340 Then Abner answered and said, who are you calling out to the king? 00:03:03.160 --> 00:03:06.220 So David said to Abner, are you not a man? 00:03:06.540 --> 00:03:08.140 And who is like you in Israel? 00:03:08.139 --> 00:03:12.979 Why then have you not guarded your Lord, the king? 00:03:13.399 --> 00:03:17.159 For one of the people came in to destroy your Lord, the king. 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:20.039 This thing that you have done is not good. 00:03:20.679 --> 00:03:25.919 As the Lord lives, you deserve to die because you have not guarded your master, the Lord's anointed. 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:31.639 And now see where the king's spear is and the jug of water that was by his head. 00:03:31.639 --> 00:03:37.299 Then Saul knew David's voice and said, is that your voice, my son David? 00:03:38.019 --> 00:03:40.599 And David said, it is my voice, O Lord, O king. 00:03:41.459 --> 00:03:44.799 And he said, why does my Lord thus pursue his servant? 00:03:45.399 --> 00:03:48.799 What have I done or what evil is in my hand? 00:03:49.339 --> 00:03:53.379 Now, therefore, please let my Lord, the king, hear the words of his servant. 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:57.919 If the Lord has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:04.319 But if it is the children of men, may they be cursed before the Lord. 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:09.259 For they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, 00:04:09.979 --> 00:04:12.460 Go, therefore, and serve other gods. 00:04:13.359 --> 00:04:18.219 So now do not let my blood fall on the earth before the face of the Lord. 00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:24.640 For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains. 00:04:25.460 --> 00:04:28.040 Then Saul said to David, I have sinned. 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:35.440 Return, my son, for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:41.180 Indeed, I have played the fool and erred exceedingly. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:46.180 And David answered and said, here is the king's spear. 00:04:46.180 --> 00:04:50.040 Let one of the young men come over and get it. 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:55.480 May the Lord repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness. 00:04:55.939 --> 00:05:02.280 For the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the Lord's anointed. 00:05:03.220 --> 00:05:07.519 And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:15.399 so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:21.220 Then Saul said to David, may you be blessed, my son David. 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:26.160 You shall both do great things and also still prevail. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:31.500 So David went on his way and Saul returned to his place. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:33.960 The word of God for the people of God. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:35.680 Thanks be to God. 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:36.540 Please be seated. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:49.220 Let's pray. 00:05:49.220 --> 00:05:49.240 Let's pray. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:49.240 00:05:49.240 --> 00:06:02.540 Oh, Lord, we thank you for your word that's living and active in the hand of the Holy Spirit, sharper than a two-edged sword. 00:06:03.280 --> 00:06:14.240 We pray that your word, Lord, your sword will pierce into our hearts, divide us, expose us like no man, no words of man ever could. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:18.300 Lord, we trust in your providence and your sovereignty. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:20.980 We trust that you speak to your people. 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:27.400 You speak to us as a congregation as we come before you, as we listen, as we pray. 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:37.740 Lord, we ask that by your power, by your ministry, for your glory and for Christ's sake, you will do that for this church today. 00:06:38.400 --> 00:06:38.759 Amen. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:47.340 When is it hardest to wait? 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:51.060 We have to wait a lot in life. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:55.160 For me, it's hardest when I'm not comfortable. 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:59.740 I had inflammation in one of my knees the last week or so. 00:06:59.820 --> 00:07:02.240 You probably noticed me limping a little bit last week. 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:06.820 And it's hard even to drive from one place to the other and wait when you're not comfortable. 00:07:07.620 --> 00:07:11.180 It's also hard to wait when there is no end in sight. 00:07:11.900 --> 00:07:14.400 Some of you might feel like you're stuck on that right now. 00:07:14.580 --> 00:07:19.260 I can't tell when this hard, stressful season will come to an end. 00:07:19.259 --> 00:07:31.920 It might also be hard for you to wait when friends or other voices in your life or voices online are telling you that it's been long enough. 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:35.980 And they're giving you advice to say, you don't need to wait anymore. 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:39.300 Take matters into your own hands. 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:52.639 I think it's also very hard for us to wait in a lot of different settings when we we seem to recognize a broken pattern and we see it repeating itself. 00:07:53.860 --> 00:07:56.240 It's hard to wait upon the Lord. 00:07:56.240 --> 00:08:02.240 In this chapter, these 25 verses, David faces each of those temptations. 00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:07.660 So waiting upon the Lord gets harder and harder and it's compounded upon him. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:18.199 My goal in moving through this passage with you one more time is to analyze this chapter in its broader context in five different ways. 00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:20.840 There's even more ways we could, but five for today. 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:33.799 And with God's help, I want to highlight and put before you a central theme, which is an encouragement for us who love and long for more of the Messiah's kingdom. 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:35.559 That theme is this. 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:39.000 Wait upon the Lord. 00:08:40.699 --> 00:08:41.839 David's in the wilderness. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:45.360 As Jonathan prayed in our opening prayer. 00:08:46.819 --> 00:08:49.559 It's a wilderness out there in this world. 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:50.839 There's much trouble. 00:08:51.739 --> 00:08:54.459 It's a parched and weary land and we get tired. 00:08:55.379 --> 00:09:00.659 So my encouragement from this passage is that we wait upon the Lord in the wilderness. 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:03.639 Well, let's begin our analysis. 00:09:03.859 --> 00:09:13.919 The first observation I want to bring to you is to notice all the parallels between this chapter 26 and the chapter that was two before this one. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:17.399 Flip back in your copy of God's word to chapter 24. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:23.419 And as you're scanning that, let me let me trace the connections between the two. 00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:29.659 It's a repeat of all the same events and broad strokes in the exact same order. 00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:31.980 And we just have to pay attention to that. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:38.879 So I'll give you the verses in chapter 26 and you can flip between the two and see them for yourselves in chapter 24. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:46.019 In both chapters, David is hiding in the wilderness in Judah in the southern region. 00:09:47.019 --> 00:10:01.539 In both chapters, spies or informants come up from the wilderness in the land of Judah like the Ziphites to inform Saul way up in Gibeah, the headquarters of his Benjamin tribe up north. 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:04.879 And they come to tell Saul of David's location. 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:11.559 In both chapters, Saul travels with 3000 chosen men like we see in verse two. 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:16.759 Then David finds Saul vulnerable in chapter 26. 00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:17.559 It's verse seven. 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:20.799 He's vulnerable because he's in a deep sleep. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:25.179 And in chapter 24, it's because he's in a cave going to relieve himself. 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:33.620 In both chapters, David's soldiers are the ones who tempt David to kill Saul or to let them kill him. 00:10:34.599 --> 00:10:36.759 To take matters into their own hands. 00:10:38.719 --> 00:10:43.959 And they claim that God has delivered the enemy into his hand like verse six. 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:53.060 But in both chapters, David refuses to strike and he insists that no one can stretch out their hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.360 Like in verse nine. 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:58.920 In both chapters, David takes something that is Saul's. 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:04.040 In chapter 26, verse 12, it's the spear and the jug of water that were both by his head. 00:11:04.780 --> 00:11:06.660 In chapter 24, do you remember what it was? 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:09.240 He cut off the corner of the rope. 00:11:09.240 --> 00:11:19.500 And then in both chapters from a safe distance, like in verse 13, David calls out over the camp and to Saul's entire army. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:22.600 And then Saul recognizes David's voice. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:26.060 And he asked, is this your voice, David, my son? 00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:27.539 Like in verse 17. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:30.539 Then David presents his defense. 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:33.360 And he asks, what evil did I do? 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:34.560 He claims he's innocent. 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:36.220 Like in verse 18. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:42.200 In both cases, David compares himself to a nothing like a flea or a bird in the mountains. 00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:46.080 Being hunted by a powerful, mighty king that has a whole army. 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:50.879 In both chapters, like in verse 21, Saul admits, I have sinned. 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:53.180 He says that with his lips, at least. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.100 And he blesses David. 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:57.500 They go on their separate ways. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.300 And that's how the chapter comes to a close. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:03.660 In verse 25 of chapter 26. 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:05.579 Aren't those parallels remarkable? 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:07.559 We have to pay attention now. 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:12.059 This is a literary device using historical narrative to draw our attention. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:15.459 24 and 26 parallel. 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:18.519 There's David. 00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:20.039 He's in the wilderness. 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:25.019 He's maybe more comfortable now in 26 because he's not hiding in a cave. 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:29.139 And maybe he's living in his new home now that he's married to Abigail. 00:12:29.699 --> 00:12:31.699 Or the other wife he took from Judah. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:36.679 But he's still not in the land that God has promised. 00:12:36.840 --> 00:12:38.059 He's not ruling as king. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.579 He's still in the wilderness. 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:42.379 He's still outside of the beaten path. 00:12:43.100 --> 00:12:44.240 He's in a period of waiting. 00:12:45.579 --> 00:12:49.899 And it seems like for David, at least by the end of the chapter, there is no end in sight. 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:54.759 He's waiting upon the Lord, but he doesn't know when the Lord is going to take Saul out. 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:57.959 He just knows it's not his time to do that right now. 00:12:59.819 --> 00:13:09.759 And the third observation is that David's flesh could have easily been stirred up by the words of these soldiers and these men that come with him in both chapters. 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:21.340 And if we can recognize that pattern so clearly now in reading these chapters and briefly reflecting on it, how much more for David and all his men living through that? 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:24.299 There is a broken pattern here with King Saul. 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.740 And it's so obvious. 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:29.360 How can King Saul miss this? 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:34.679 And how can the rest of the nation continue to support this wicked, broken king? 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:38.679 Yet David waits upon the Lord. 00:13:40.219 --> 00:13:45.359 And the simple application is that the Lord is pleased with this response from David. 00:13:46.079 --> 00:13:51.299 Even from the lips of his enemy, the Lord blesses David for waiting upon him. 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:56.139 That's the first analysis, the parallels between chapters 24 and 26. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:14:01.039 The second analysis I'd like to walk us through are now the differences. 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:11.779 When these two chapters are set up so similarly, it's almost like you've done those things when you get a menu, like a kid's menu, and you see two pictures that at first glance they look identical. 00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:14.699 And it forces you to pay attention and see differences now. 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:20.919 And the purpose of this is to highlight the emphasis given to what's new now the second time. 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:24.079 Sometimes we'll get this with just two lines of parallelism. 00:14:24.599 --> 00:14:27.939 It seems like the same theme almost word for word but intensified. 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:34.600 And so those details in which they're different intensifies what we're supposed to notice and pay attention to. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:40.440 Let me point out at least three important differences now in chapter 26 compared to chapter 24. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:43.680 I think you've already recognized these two. 00:14:43.780 --> 00:14:45.500 Let me just make sure we're tracking together. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:49.560 The first one, there's a difference in what David takes from Saul. 00:14:49.760 --> 00:14:50.660 You notice that one. 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:56.939 In chapter 24, he takes that little corner of Saul's robe. 00:14:57.860 --> 00:15:01.879 And now in chapter 26, he takes the jug of water and the spear. 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:11.339 Some have pointed out that this shows an intensification or a movement of progression highlighting Saul's demise. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:15.679 Saul is getting weaker and weaker and he is on his way out. 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:27.219 Saul not only lost the office and the dignity by having the robe, the corner of the robe torn away, a symbol of the king, kingly garment with the law attached to the corner. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:30.039 Now the spear represents his power. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.259 He's powerless. 00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:35.719 And the jug of water represents basic life support. 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:39.840 He has the title of king. 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:43.560 He's honored as the one the Lord anointed for this office. 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:56.940 But now in David's hands are not only the anointing, but also every symbol of actual survival, authority, life and power. 00:15:56.940 --> 00:16:05.040 The second difference between these two chapters is is how the Lord protected David in chapter 24. 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:10.140 The Lord protected David by putting Saul in a vulnerable position alone inside a cave. 00:16:10.580 --> 00:16:15.300 But now in chapter 26, Saul isn't going to make that mistake anymore. 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:18.700 Did you notice Saul's in the middle in the midst of the people? 00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:26.000 It says the people are these 3000 chosen men and his right hand man Abner is the bodyguard. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:29.279 But he's not going to be caught all alone in a cave this time. 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:33.620 It's almost asking, you know, OK, bring it on now, David. 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:35.960 Let's see if the Lord will help you in this case. 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:38.200 And certainly the Lord does. 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:46.440 David in verse 12, along with Abishai, were able to enter all the way past. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:52.879 At least if it's like the radius, it's 1500 chosen men to get to the middle and then all the way back out. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:57.179 That's a lot of sleeping soldiers you have to tiptoe past. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:17:05.440 And if he had hung his robe up in the cave and that's how you didn't hear the sound of cloth being cut, the spear and the jug are both by his head. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:11.539 Right close to your ear where you should be able to if you don't see something because you're you're sleeping the night watch. 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:14.839 You would hear it at least and be startled to wake up. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:26.539 But the Lord puts not only saw and Abner is right hand man, but the entire army of 3000 chosen soldiers into a deep sleep. 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:30.619 Sleep. A deep sleep, we're told from the Lord. 00:17:31.659 --> 00:17:42.619 It's the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 221 when Adam was put into a deep sleep and the Lord took from Adam's side and formed woman. 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:46.680 And it's also the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 1512. 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:55.600 A dreadful darkness or a deep sleep fell upon Abraham and the Lord passed through to solidify the covenant. 00:17:56.560 --> 00:17:58.640 So this wasn't just physical exhaustion. 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:07.860 This was God demonstrating his power, divine providence shooting his anointed one for God's purposes. 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:18.639 David's safety did not depend on him being stealthy or a good soldier, but on God's active protection. 00:18:20.359 --> 00:18:23.439 Doesn't that just draw out the irony here? 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:33.439 Saw thought that by bringing 3000 children chosen men and keeping watch for David around the clock, he would be safe. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:40.320 Yet God made it so that not a single eye could stay open to accomplish his purpose. 00:18:41.340 --> 00:18:47.360 And then the third difference that I want to highlight for today, at least, is who David addresses at the end of it. 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:54.779 Chapter 24, David is speaking directly to King Saul and talking about the advice he got from others. 00:18:54.920 --> 00:18:59.220 But did you notice in chapter 26, David addresses someone different. 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:03.140 He speaks directly now to Abner first. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:05.100 Abner was Saul's cousin. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.840 He was the commander of the army. 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:14.539 He was the most powerful military figure in the kingdom of Saul and his role in this chapter. 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:19.600 It's a critique of Saul's reliance on human power. 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:22.920 In verses 15 and 16, notice what David does. 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:25.799 He publicly shames Abner. 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:30.480 He says, are you not a man who in Israel is like you? 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:39.039 David points out that Abner deserves to die because he failed to guard the Lord's anointed. 00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:50.819 David, who Saul regards as an enemy, proved to be a better protector of the king's life than the man that Saul considered his most loyal commander. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:59.839 David's restraint by the grace of Saul did more to keep Saul alive than Abner, along with 3,000 of his men. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:06.139 He's showing that protection is best left in the hands of God. 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:11.519 Divine protection will far outweigh anything human effort can bring. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:24.139 Abner, for Israel, represents the peak of human military strength, yet he's rendered useless by the active power of God, putting him all into this deep sleep. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:28.940 And it reinforces the theme that Samuel has preached to the nation. 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:30.379 And they've so quickly forgotten. 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:36.119 Israel, your God is the Lord of hosts, the Lord of armies. 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:38.699 The battle belongs to the Lord. 00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.879 Don't you see it now? 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:45.259 So the conclusion in these differences is the same. 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:49.439 Wait upon Yahweh, Lord of hosts. 00:20:50.679 --> 00:20:51.919 He will fight for you. 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.239 The battle is the Lord's. 00:20:56.259 --> 00:21:03.399 The third analysis I'd like to draw your attention to is on two different relationships with God. 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:08.940 First, Saul's relationship with God and the next, David's relationship with God. 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:11.940 And it's revealed in the theology of this chapter. 00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:22.360 Think of the picture painted for us of King Saul with these men in the deep sleep at nighttime in the dark of the wilderness. 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:31.300 It highlights the failure of Saul's pattern of ruling the nation depending on himself. 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:37.599 And it also shows us the spiritual state of the kingdom under King Saul. 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:50.359 Just as the camp was physically asleep and Abner is unaware of the danger, Saul and this nation of Israel that wanted him as king, they are asleep to God's will. 00:21:52.419 --> 00:21:54.740 Psalm 63 is a wonderful psalm. 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:59.240 We're told it's a psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah at this moment. 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:05.620 And notice to some of the language David, David cries out and sings. 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:13.960 If not in the moment, then in retrospect, he says the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped. 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.460 God will stop their mouths. 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.480 He will shut them up. 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:22.880 And those who seek my life to destroy it shall go to the underground. 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:29.640 They shall fall by the sword and they shall be the feast of jackals. 00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:34.000 A jackal is like an Israeli coyote. 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:37.220 It's a scavenger dog of the wilderness. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:44.860 And that's the fate of Saul and those that rely on the pattern of the world. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:52.880 If you do not wait on the Lord, you take matters into your own hands and you think you're the king forever for your own glory. 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.559 You have death coming your way. 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.180 It's the way that perishes. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:23:05.140 See the broken relationship between Saul and God and how it affects everything under Saul's jurisdiction. 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:10.060 But by contrast, look at David's relationship with God. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:15.360 In the dark of the night, a deep sleep over the entire army. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.660 David is the only one awake. 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:21.460 Physically and spiritually in that moment, you can say. 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:28.840 David's discerning God's timing and refusing to take matters into his own hands. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.000 And this is complex. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:34.000 And we have to understand here what God's given us. 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:37.039 Raises maybe more questions than we have answers for. 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:41.380 Was it the Lord that caused David to go and tiptoe? 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.640 And he was he was leading. 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:44.620 Who will come with me to go do this? 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.200 We don't know. 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.799 Was it the Lord stirring him? 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:48.559 Was that a moment of weakness in his flesh? 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:53.839 We certainly know it was the Lord restraining David in that moment, standing over Saul. 00:23:54.799 --> 00:24:01.500 And we can let our imagination just just, you know, think through the dominoes as they would have tipped the other way. 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:05.919 If Abishai with David would have taken that spear. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:11.339 And like he said, with one fell swoop, pinned Saul into the earth. 00:24:12.659 --> 00:24:15.519 Most likely Saul would have let out a great scream. 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:23.759 The entire nation's army, the 3,000 chosen men, if God would have allowed them, could have woken up in that moment. 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:32.240 And if in the cave David had the opportunity to walk out to the edge of the cave like that with the head of Saul dangling there. 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:35.680 And pronouncing now I'm your new king, follow me. 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:38.319 Those soldiers would have followed him. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.700 What would have been the reaction now? 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:42.180 Here's Saul pinned to the earth. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.619 Crazy Saul. 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:46.559 And here's David with his right hand man. 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:48.479 They probably would have taken out Abner too. 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:52.599 And now receive your new king and your new commander. 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:57.619 And here's 3,000 men now ready to go to battle and follow David. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.099 God had anointed him, by the way. 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:05.659 Since we don't have more details here, let's turn again to Psalm 63. 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:10.759 And hear these words beginning at verse 19 and then also verse 24. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:14.700 David says, if the Lord has stirred you up against me. 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:17.019 This is in our own passage. 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.680 Verse 19. 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:21.519 Let the Lord accept an offering. 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:25.240 An insight into David's relationship with God. 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:29.960 He says, if I have sinned and God is sending you to judge me and punish me. 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:32.299 I know the Lord is compassionate. 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:35.700 There's forgiveness of sins for sinners like me. 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:38.759 Let the Lord accept the sacrifice that he's provided. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.700 That's his way of showing mercy. 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:46.480 But if the children of men are the ones stirring you up against me, let them be cursed before the Lord. 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:55.360 For they have driven me out this day from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, go serve other gods. 00:25:56.700 --> 00:26:04.100 You see, in verse 19 of 1 Samuel 26, David is saying, I was kicked out of the land by the nation. 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:08.319 They're saying, we don't want you to be a servant of God here. 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:10.080 Go serve pagan gods. 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:14.940 You don't have any inheritance from the Lord in this land. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.700 They've excommunicated David. 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:25.940 In verse 24 of 1 Samuel 26, David says, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:34.240 So let my life be valued much in the eyes of the Lord and let him deliver me out of all tribulation. 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:45.240 His relationship with the Lord is trusting God's grace through the sacrificial system and trusting in God's forgiveness and restoration. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:47.680 The Lord will value my life. 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:50.019 The Lord wants to take me out. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.299 May he do it. 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:55.539 But if the Lord preserves me, it's because of his favor to me. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:27:07.519 In Psalm 63, David cries out, I will meditate on you, Lord, in the night watches. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:10.680 Everyone's asleep. 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:12.619 It's the night watch. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.599 David's using spies. 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.379 He's staying awake. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:19.119 He's finding out the strategic moment to advance. 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:25.159 And in that moment, according to Psalm 63, David is waiting upon the Lord. 00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:27.179 He's seeking God's mind. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:34.680 In these two relationships with God, in this contrast, we can learn as well. 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:37.940 We need to wait upon the Lord in the wilderness. 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.519 Ask the Lord to search us. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:43.880 Confess any sins the Lord exposes. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:47.820 Be quick to own our part in our weakness. 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:52.560 And we look to the offering that the Lord accepts, just like David. 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:57.000 And we trust God's word, his promise that God values your life. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:28:00.159 He sees you in the eyes of the Lord. 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.720 Your life is precious. 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.659 You who wait upon God. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:10.059 Let God deliver you out of tribulation, but let him do it in his own way. 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.779 He will sustain you. 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:16.419 Abide in your relationship with him. 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:25.720 Well, the fourth analysis of this chapter, hopefully the part you've all been looking forward to by now, 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:31.560 are shadows or pointers to the anointed one, to Jesus Christ, the Messiah. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:36.000 I'd like to draw out four of those for us from this chapter. 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:44.039 The first one, think of how David now, in these previous three chapters, was tempted in the wilderness. 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:48.159 In chapter 24, tempted to take matters into his own hands. 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:52.139 Chapter 25, tempted to take matters into his own hands. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:56.879 In chapter 26, the same temptation, but wait upon the Lord. 00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:07.259 And this foreshadows our Lord Jesus Christ, the great anointed one, three times tempted in the wilderness to take matters into his own hands. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:11.259 And instead, our Lord Jesus refuses any shortcut. 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:15.559 He waits upon the Lord to deliver him in God's way. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:20.799 He does not bow to the kingdom of this world, the kingdom of Satan. 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:26.859 Instead, he entrusts himself to God and the timing of his father. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:31.920 The second pointer and shadow of the Messiah is this. 00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:37.200 David had the power to kill his enemy, but he chose mercy instead. 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:47.740 Just like in chapter 24, David could have brought his mighty men with him and put up a fierce fight in trusting the help of God. 00:29:47.740 --> 00:29:53.740 But instead, he deferred to God's power to avenge him the way God would want to. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:30:04.900 Our Lord Jesus, in the same way, had the power to call down 12 legions of angels, we're told in Matthew 26, 53, to destroy those who hunted him down. 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:14.019 But instead, Jesus submitted to God's timing and allowed his enemies to live while he took the path of suffering in the wilderness. 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:17.559 Outside of the people. 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:25.539 The third shadow is that David stands up from a distance and shouts, declaring his victory. 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:36.379 Not by the sword or the spear, but by the grace of God, causing him to practice a righteous restraint. 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:46.500 Think of how our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, he did not come as a military zealot to overthrow earthly kings and topple the Roman Empire by force. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:53.799 But he conquered sin and death through his own humiliation and meekness and gentleness. 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:56.920 As we're reminded in 2 Corinthians 10, 1. 00:30:58.579 --> 00:31:04.819 David spared Saul, who was a flawed king, but God the Father did not spare his own perfect son. 00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:13.180 God struck Jesus on the cross so that we, his enemies, could be reconciled to God. 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:20.560 Like in verse 19, our Lord Jesus Christ was driven out from sharing in the inheritance of the Lord. 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.340 He was banished. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:24.000 They said, go serve other gods. 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:31.759 In Psalm 63, verse 7, David cries out, because you have been my help. 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:36.019 Therefore, in the shadow of your wings, I will rejoice. 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:41.480 Think of our Lord Jesus crying out these words, praying Psalm 67. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:44.960 My soul follows close behind you, Lord. 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:48.160 Your right hand upholds me. 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:52.480 The king shall rejoice in God. 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:56.940 And God accepted Jesus Christ's offering. 00:31:56.940 --> 00:32:07.220 Using the language of verse 24 of our chapter, Jesus Christ passed through all tribulation in our place. 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:09.380 He died and he was buried for us. 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:14.900 And the life of Christ was valued much in the eyes of God. 00:32:16.100 --> 00:32:23.820 Our Lord Jesus rose from the dead and he claimed his victory and all the blessings God had promised him for it. 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:31.240 The fourth shadow fulfilled in Christ, the substance is verse 15. 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:40.539 Having won this victory in God's way in this moment, David made a show of Abner openly. 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:47.939 Having secured the victory in the wilderness, he comes back and pronounces his victory to the entire army. 00:32:47.940 --> 00:33:01.400 Think of how our Lord Jesus Christ in Colossians 2.15, having spoiled principalities in darkness, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in his victory. 00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:05.539 Our Lord Jesus waited on the Lord. 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:12.740 He waited on God, the Father, and he was richly rewarded for his obedience and his faith. 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:30.740 Just like David brought an end to being hunted in this chapter, at least, our Lord Jesus brought an end to the law of sin and death, which were hunting down his people, but now have no power over those who have found favor with God, their king. 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:36.359 You see these wonderful shadows of the coming anointed one in this chapter? 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:42.799 Well, the fifth and final observation for today is a question for you and for me. 00:33:44.879 --> 00:33:47.339 Which covenant has your heart? 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:51.319 Which covenant has your heart? 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:54.459 Would you flip back to the previous chapter? 00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:58.479 And let me remind you, looking at verse 37. 00:33:58.480 --> 00:34:09.599 Because we have to go back now to the midpoint between these two chapters that are parallel one to another, each one following the other almost verse by verse. 00:34:09.719 --> 00:34:11.639 It has to send us back to the middle of them. 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.920 Chapter 25. 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:16.420 And what is the great theme that's highlighted as the focal point? 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:18.619 By God's own design. 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:26.179 I want to show you this connection with one last verse from chapter 26. 00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:28.139 Look at verse 21. 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:38.639 In verse 21, Saul is left with nothing but this confession that he has played the fool. 00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:40.719 Do you see that in verse 21? 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:50.019 When you hear that word, the fool, in Hebrew, Saul has played Nabal. 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:55.000 And it throws you right back to the middle of these two parallel chapters. 00:34:55.000 --> 00:35:01.159 So from scripture itself, we now have to go back again to chapter 25. 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:05.860 Which reminds us, there's a theme. 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:08.800 God is slowly developing and deepening. 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:10.139 And it's a glorious theme. 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:12.639 Saul and Nabal. 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.239 Much in common. 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:16.920 Both are pawns of Satan. 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:19.460 Opposing the advancing of God's kingdom. 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:22.480 Both are fools on the way that perishes. 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:24.400 Like Psalm 1 says. 00:35:25.820 --> 00:35:27.519 They feast in luxury. 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:30.900 They enjoy all this world has to offer them. 00:35:32.320 --> 00:35:36.119 Their way of living is patterned after worldliness. 00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:41.679 But both are blind to the coming of Messiah's kingdom. 00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:46.500 And as David foreshadows Christ in these three chapters. 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:52.879 The people of Israel and every believer is to identify ourselves with Abigail. 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:56.779 Abigail is given wisdom from above. 00:35:56.919 --> 00:35:58.699 Like James 3.17 says. 00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:00.159 She recognizes. 00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:02.839 She's not blind like Nabal and Saul. 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:07.799 But she recognizes that the world and its lusts are passing away. 00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:11.620 But the one who does the will of God will abide forever. 00:36:12.260 --> 00:36:13.000 Psalm 1. 00:36:13.640 --> 00:36:14.560 It's the way of wisdom. 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:18.220 And she believes in David's enduring house. 00:36:19.120 --> 00:36:22.400 That's her words to David encouraging him of God's promises. 00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:25.460 And she shows that her eyes are fixed. 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.380 Not on the things which are seen. 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:30.100 But on the things which are unseen right now. 00:36:31.080 --> 00:36:32.700 Things that are not temporal. 00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:35.160 But things which are eternal. 00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:39.839 It's the language of 2 Corinthians 4.18 for us, the church. 00:36:41.319 --> 00:36:43.839 And notice in chapter 25, verse 37. 00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:47.159 When Nabal's heart dies within him like a stone. 00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:52.739 Abigail is liberated from that old pattern of life. 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:58.159 She chooses, using the language of Hebrews 11.25. 00:36:58.159 --> 00:37:03.440 Rather to suffer the affliction with the anointed one. 00:37:03.859 --> 00:37:05.139 And the true people of God. 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:08.139 She rejects this world and that old way of life. 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:10.039 When she was married to the fool. 00:37:10.119 --> 00:37:13.199 Because the true king has her heart. 00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:16.039 This is the covenant that has gripped her. 00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:21.099 She chooses the God of covenant faithfulness. 00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:23.619 Through his servant, the anointed one. 00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:27.079 Church, Romans 6.6 tells us. 00:37:27.279 --> 00:37:31.359 We know that our old self was crucified with Jesus Christ. 00:37:31.359 --> 00:37:34.460 In order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing. 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:38.259 So that we no longer would be enslaved to sin. 00:37:39.239 --> 00:37:41.059 2 Corinthians 5.17 says. 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:44.400 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ. 00:37:44.779 --> 00:37:45.980 He is a new creation. 00:37:46.440 --> 00:37:48.039 The old has passed away. 00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:49.159 It's perished. 00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:51.400 Behold, the new has come. 00:37:51.400 --> 00:37:53.720 Ephesians 4.22. 00:37:53.860 --> 00:37:55.740 We're to put off that old self. 00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:58.200 Which belongs to your former manner of life. 00:37:58.400 --> 00:38:00.160 And its corrupt ways. 00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:03.539 And instead, we put on the new self. 00:38:03.660 --> 00:38:05.660 Created after the likeness of God. 00:38:05.740 --> 00:38:06.780 In true righteousness. 00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:08.000 In holiness. 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:11.139 And in union to Christ. 00:38:11.180 --> 00:38:13.599 We can go back to Psalm 63. 00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:16.380 And we can pray as Christ prayed. 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:18.440 His righteousness covering us. 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:21.700 These words as his followers. 00:38:21.700 --> 00:38:22.900 Oh God. 00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:25.559 You are my God. 00:38:26.460 --> 00:38:28.119 Early will I seek you. 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:30.800 My soul thirsts for you. 00:38:31.220 --> 00:38:32.740 My flesh longs for you. 00:38:32.840 --> 00:38:34.840 In a dry and thirsty land. 00:38:34.960 --> 00:38:35.900 Where there is no water. 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:39.119 So I have looked for you in the sanctuary. 00:38:39.619 --> 00:38:41.159 To see your power. 00:38:41.539 --> 00:38:42.280 And your glory. 00:38:42.659 --> 00:38:44.659 Because your loving kindness. 00:38:45.079 --> 00:38:46.599 Is better than life. 00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:49.319 My lips shall praise you. 00:38:50.139 --> 00:38:51.779 Thus I will bless you. 00:38:52.279 --> 00:38:53.239 While I live. 00:38:53.420 --> 00:38:55.400 I will lift up my hands in your name. 00:38:56.179 --> 00:38:58.599 My soul shall be satisfied. 00:38:59.239 --> 00:39:01.519 And my mouth shall praise you. 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:03.519 With joyful lips. 00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.380 Amen. 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:07.880 Brothers and sisters. 00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:10.420 Beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus. 00:39:11.819 --> 00:39:13.099 Be like Abigail. 00:39:13.099 --> 00:39:16.219 See God's covenant faithfulness. 00:39:16.960 --> 00:39:18.699 Receive his word of promise. 00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:19.920 Trust him. 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:21.980 See his love. 00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:23.199 For you and me. 00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:25.079 Who were his enemies. 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.559 In Christ Jesus. 00:39:27.559 --> 00:39:30.400 Watch him work out his covenant faithfulness. 00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:31.599 In your life. 00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:35.279 Enjoy true communion with God. 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:36.159 The living God. 00:39:37.179 --> 00:39:39.599 A true covenant bond. 00:39:39.599 --> 00:39:41.940 What scriptures calls the marriage. 00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:42.839 Of Christ. 00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:43.739 To the church. 00:39:44.940 --> 00:39:46.099 United to him. 00:39:47.319 --> 00:39:48.579 Abide in the peace. 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:50.759 Of his spiritual kingdom church. 00:39:51.400 --> 00:39:53.559 Even as you wait upon the Lord. 00:39:54.099 --> 00:39:54.659 In the wilderness. 00:39:55.440 --> 00:39:55.679 Amen. 00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:58.679 Let's pray and thank our Lord. 00:39:58.779 --> 00:39:59.920 For his great faithfulness. 00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:01.720 O God. 00:40:04.240 --> 00:40:06.519 You are wise beyond all words. 00:40:08.139 --> 00:40:09.680 You are kind Lord. 00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:11.599 In ways we can't even understand. 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:14.800 You are so gracious Father. 00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:17.980 We pray that you'll press home. 00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:19.420 The reality of your kingdom. 00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:21.340 Onto the hearts of us. 00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:21.860 Your people. 00:40:22.720 --> 00:40:23.920 Push through our weakness. 00:40:24.700 --> 00:40:25.559 Through our brokenness. 00:40:25.700 --> 00:40:26.500 Through our limitations. 00:40:27.420 --> 00:40:28.680 Grab hold of us Lord. 00:40:28.679 --> 00:40:31.579 Bring us into covenant with you. 00:40:31.699 --> 00:40:33.659 Remind us of your covenant faithfulness. 00:40:34.619 --> 00:40:36.440 And stir our hearts to respond. 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.119 Like Abigail. 00:40:37.259 --> 00:40:39.519 We throw ourselves at your feet. 00:40:41.299 --> 00:40:42.779 We feast with you. 00:40:43.159 --> 00:40:43.879 And your army. 00:40:44.379 --> 00:40:45.719 With bread and wine. 00:40:46.839 --> 00:40:48.419 And it's a pleasure and a joy. 00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:49.919 To wash the feet. 00:40:50.419 --> 00:40:51.279 Of your soldiers. 00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:52.579 Your church. 00:40:53.460 --> 00:40:55.279 This is a work only you can do Lord. 00:40:55.799 --> 00:40:56.559 Please do it. 00:40:56.859 --> 00:40:57.679 In my life. 00:40:58.119 --> 00:40:59.139 In the life of each one. 00:40:59.179 --> 00:41:00.859 That's hearing these words today. 00:41:00.859 --> 00:41:01.799 By your providence. 00:41:01.980 --> 00:41:03.139 And in our life. 00:41:03.139 --> 00:41:03.759 As a congregation. 00:41:03.759 --> 00:41:04.539 We ask. 00:41:04.539 --> 00:41:05.699 For your glory. 00:41:05.699 --> 00:41:06.460 For our good. 00:41:07.000 --> 00:41:08.480 And for Christ's sake alone. 00:41:08.539 --> 00:41:08.899 We pray. 00:41:09.339 --> 00:41:09.779 Amen. 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.779 --> 00:41:09.779 00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:09.880 Amen.