WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.679 The scripture reading comes from 1 Samuel chapter 30. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:10.820 Please follow along on the screen in your bulletin or your own Bible. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:15.060 Starting in verse 1, we read, 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:20.660 Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:25.240 the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negev and against Ziklag. 00:00:25.239 --> 00:00:34.060 They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:38.259 They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. 00:00:39.399 --> 00:00:46.359 And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:53.780 Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. 00:00:53.780 --> 00:01:03.640 David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:11.780 And David was greatly distressed for the people spoke of stoning them because all the people were bitter in soul, 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:14.620 each for his sons and daughters. 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:18.640 But David strengthened himself and the Lord his God. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:24.560 And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of the Himalek, 00:01:24.980 --> 00:01:26.420 Bring me the ephod. 00:01:27.379 --> 00:01:30.079 So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 00:01:30.960 --> 00:01:32.560 And David inquired of the Lord, 00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:34.960 Shall I pursue after this ban? 00:01:35.539 --> 00:01:36.680 Shall I overtake them? 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:38.540 He answered him, 00:01:39.879 --> 00:01:43.680 Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:50.900 So David set out and the six hundred men who were with him and they came to the brook Besaw, 00:01:51.300 --> 00:01:53.680 where those who were left behind stayed. 00:01:54.540 --> 00:01:55.640 But David pursued. 00:01:56.260 --> 00:01:57.860 He and four hundred men, 00:01:58.820 --> 00:02:00.120 two hundred stayed behind, 00:02:00.660 --> 00:02:03.540 who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besaw. 00:02:03.540 --> 00:02:08.800 They found an Egyptian in the open country and brought him to David. 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:11.460 And they gave him bread and he ate. 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:13.439 They gave him water to drink. 00:02:13.939 --> 00:02:18.599 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. 00:02:19.360 --> 00:02:20.560 And when he had eaten, 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:22.219 his spirit revived, 00:02:22.640 --> 00:02:26.560 for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:28.460 And David said to him, 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:30.580 To whom do you belong? 00:02:31.200 --> 00:02:32.240 And where are you from? 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:34.280 He said, 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:36.780 I am a young man of Egypt, 00:02:37.400 --> 00:02:38.879 servant to an Amalekite. 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:42.700 And my master left me behind because I fell sick three days ago. 00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:46.820 He had made a raid against the Negev of the Karathites 00:02:46.820 --> 00:02:48.960 and against that which belongs to Judah 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:50.680 and against the Negev of Caleb. 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:53.020 And we burned Ziklag with fire. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:56.240 And David said to him, 00:02:56.700 --> 00:02:59.160 Will you take me down to this band? 00:02:59.159 --> 00:03:00.799 And he said, 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:06.379 Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hands of my master 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:08.939 and I will take you down to this band. 00:03:08.939 --> 00:03:12.620 And when he had taken him down, 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:13.960 behold, 00:03:14.479 --> 00:03:17.240 they were spread abroad over all the land, 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:19.680 eating and drinking and dancing 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:23.840 because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:25.000 and from the land of Judah. 00:03:25.000 --> 00:03:30.460 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:36.240 and not a man of them escaped except 400 young men who mounted camels and fled. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:40.479 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:42.739 and David rescued his two wives. 00:03:43.799 --> 00:03:45.119 Nothing was missing, 00:03:45.699 --> 00:03:47.280 whether small or great, 00:03:47.679 --> 00:03:48.679 sons or daughters, 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:51.339 spoil or anything that had been taken. 00:03:52.280 --> 00:03:53.659 David brought back all. 00:03:54.899 --> 00:03:57.439 David also captured all the flocks and herds 00:03:57.439 --> 00:03:59.939 and the people drove the livestock before him and said, 00:04:00.339 --> 00:04:02.280 This is David's spoil. 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:08.259 Then David came to the 200 men who had been too exhausted to follow David 00:04:08.259 --> 00:04:10.740 and who had been left at the Brook Besaw. 00:04:11.340 --> 00:04:15.219 And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:17.939 And when David came near to the people, 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:18.779 he greeted them. 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:24.720 Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:27.360 Because they did not go with us, 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:30.300 we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, 00:04:30.300 --> 00:04:34.860 except that each man may lead away his wife and children and depart. 00:04:36.300 --> 00:04:37.240 But David said, 00:04:37.960 --> 00:04:39.819 You shall not do so, my brothers, 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:41.600 with what the Lord has given us. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:43.560 He has preserved us 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:46.639 and given into our hand the band that came against us. 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:49.300 Who would listen to you in this matter? 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:53.340 For as his share is who goes down into the battle, 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:56.480 so shall his share be who stays by the battle. 00:04:57.220 --> 00:04:58.699 They shall share alike. 00:04:58.699 --> 00:05:04.620 And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:06.639 This is the word of God. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:08.639 Great. 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:13.439 Thank you, Celeste, for reading. 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:14.899 And good morning, everybody. 00:05:15.159 --> 00:05:17.339 It is great to be able to see you. 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:19.839 I've really enjoyed seeing so many faces. 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:25.159 This morning, I see Ellie Jen from the USA joining us and tons of others. 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:28.120 It's great to see you this morning. 00:05:28.839 --> 00:05:32.800 In many ways, I really do greet you with something of a heavy heart, 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:34.900 with all that's going on in our world, 00:05:35.020 --> 00:05:36.139 all that's going on in our city, 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:38.579 the increased case numbers, 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:42.199 the hundreds of people that have passed away just this year. 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:47.620 I think of 300 families that are grieving the loss of a loved one in our city. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:50.360 And obviously, the war in Ukraine. 00:05:50.360 --> 00:05:54.319 I so wish this morning that I could look you in the eye. 00:05:54.780 --> 00:05:56.080 I could shake hands with you. 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:57.360 I could give you a hug. 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:01.660 And that together, we could encourage one another in the hope of the gospel. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:06.040 I was just thinking of earlier this week, Psalm 121 says, 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:07.620 I lift my eyes to the heels. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:09.139 From where does my help come? 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:12.160 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:17.080 And I wish we could gather face to face and remind one another of that 00:06:17.080 --> 00:06:19.860 and encourage one another of that this morning. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:23.280 But at last, we will try our best through technology. 00:06:23.760 --> 00:06:29.379 Now, this morning, we come to the end of our series on the book of 1 Samuel. 00:06:30.020 --> 00:06:35.879 And it's an amazing passage of scripture that speaks directly to so much of what's going on 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:37.780 in our world and in our city. 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:42.959 To the frustration, the anguish, the fear, and in many senses, 00:06:43.119 --> 00:06:45.500 the hopelessness of what's going on in our city. 00:06:45.859 --> 00:06:52.019 Because in this passage, David is overwhelmed by the hopelessness of his situation. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:56.919 And it's a passage that has encouraged me this week, and I hope it will encourage you. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:00.799 And so, let's dive in and see what God wants to say to us this morning. 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:02.699 1 Samuel chapter 30. 00:07:03.419 --> 00:07:05.519 And there's a couple of things I think God wants to say to us. 00:07:05.519 --> 00:07:11.459 But the first one I want us to note is take note of God's suffering servant. 00:07:12.060 --> 00:07:13.159 God's suffering servant. 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:18.539 The context is that David and his band of soldiers, about 600 of them, 00:07:18.979 --> 00:07:24.060 have fled Israel and are living in Palestine, in Philistine country. 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:26.740 And they're living in a town called Ziklag, 00:07:26.859 --> 00:07:30.240 which is a city that one of the Philistine kings gave to them. 00:07:30.479 --> 00:07:33.139 And the deal was you can live here, you can stay here, 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:36.959 but if we ever go into battle, you've got to join us and come and fight with us. 00:07:37.659 --> 00:07:43.599 And later on, the Philistines go into battle with Israel, 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:46.500 or they line up their forces to attack Israel. 00:07:46.659 --> 00:07:48.599 That's the context of the story last week. 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:51.919 And this king says to David and his band, you've got to come with us. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:55.019 And David's in a tight spot because he's an Israelite, 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:57.099 but now he might need a fight against the Israelites. 00:07:57.100 --> 00:08:00.060 But fortunately, when they get to the front lines, 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:02.700 the other Philistine kings say to them, 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:06.820 there's no chance we're going to let Israelites come in the midst of us. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:09.260 These guys are going to sabotage our own agenda. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:11.240 They're going to turn around and fight against us. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:16.180 And what better way for David to win over the favor of the Israelites than to turn on us? 00:08:16.660 --> 00:08:19.860 And so they chase them away and say, get out of here, go back to your hometown. 00:08:19.860 --> 00:08:24.879 So David and his men tread three days across the desert to go back to Ziklag. 00:08:25.740 --> 00:08:30.020 And when they get there, there's a devastating scene that awaits them. 00:08:30.960 --> 00:08:34.659 Their town has been raided, has been destroyed. 00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:41.360 And all that remains is the smoldering smoke of the ruins of their city. 00:08:42.580 --> 00:08:46.800 The people are gone, their wives and children are nowhere to be found, 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:49.000 and their homes have been destroyed. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:53.220 And this is obviously a devastating situation. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:55.840 We've all seen the pictures of what's been happening in Ukraine. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:09:00.279 In many ways, this is the situation that David and his men come back to. 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:05.720 But coming off the back of everything that's been happening to David these last 10 years, 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:08.720 constantly on the run, chased by Saul. 00:09:08.820 --> 00:09:11.320 As soon as they get some reprieve, they're chased another way. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:15.420 They're now living in enemy territory, the Philistines, always looking over their back, 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:18.500 always wondering when the next attack is going to come. 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:24.240 And wave after wave of bad news has hit David and his men. 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:26.960 And you can almost sense the exhaustion that they feel. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:30.019 Look at what they say in verse 3 and 4. 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:33.080 Now that their homes have been destroyed and their families have been kidnapped, 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:33.720 it says, 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:35.759 When David and his men came into the city, 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.519 they found it burnt with fire. 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:39.759 Their wives and their children were taken captive. 00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:42.740 David and the men who were with him raised their voices, 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:46.799 and they wept until they had no more strength left to weep. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:52.419 They don't know it at this time, but their families have been kidnapped. 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:54.319 As far as they know, they could have been killed. 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:58.740 And everything around them seems utterly hopeless. 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.779 And as if that's not bad enough, look at verse 6b. 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:04.159 It says, 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:18.139 These soldiers that David had amassed were people that were themselves once bitter in soul. 00:10:18.579 --> 00:10:20.959 Chapter 22 tells us they had come under David's wing. 00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:23.059 David had looked after them and nurtured them. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:26.579 He had been a father to those that were kind of cast out. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:28.720 And now they're talking of Stonyham. 00:10:28.800 --> 00:10:32.000 There's mutiny in the ranks. 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:38.660 Friends, one of the sobering messages for us from this passage is that 00:10:38.660 --> 00:10:43.120 there are times when you think that things can't possibly get any worse. 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:47.500 And then 1 Samuel 30 tells us that yes, they can. 00:10:48.420 --> 00:10:52.640 There are times when you feel like your present situation is the last straw. 00:10:52.800 --> 00:10:54.400 Things can't get any more difficult. 00:10:54.580 --> 00:10:56.000 There can't be any more pressure. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:57.940 You can't take any more. 00:10:58.600 --> 00:10:59.679 And then you come to Ziklak. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:03.100 And it's the last straw after the last straw. 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:06.820 And I thought about this quite a bit after last week's sermon. 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:10.860 Last week's sermon was quite heavy with darkness and hopelessness. 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:12.440 And I thought a lot about it. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.940 The fact that for those of us that are followers of Jesus, 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:18.840 God never promises that because you have followed Jesus, 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:20.799 He will excavate you out of the darkness. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:24.299 He never promises that, yes, there's light in the darkness. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:26.259 Yes, there's hope in the midst of the hopelessness. 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:32.199 But followers of Jesus are not immune or inoculated against the struggles and the difficulties of life. 00:11:33.339 --> 00:11:35.939 This is where God's people have lived for centuries. 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:40.760 And we sometimes look at Saul and say, okay, well, he was a bad guy. 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.460 He deserved it. 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.280 But here's David. 00:11:42.780 --> 00:11:44.100 Here's David's servant. 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.160 The servant of the Lord. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:47.300 The one who's chosen to deliver his people. 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:50.400 The one who lives with integrity and uprightness of heart. 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.340 A good man. 00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:54.540 And yet he's a servant of the Lord who suffers terribly. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.920 He is a suffering servant. 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.060 Friends, what about you? 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.040 How are you feeling this morning and this week? 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:05.980 Have you felt this week like, I don't know if I can take any more? 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:14.360 Maybe you're worried about kids getting tested positive and the possibility of being separated in the coming weeks and months. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:16.519 Maybe you've been reading the news. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:19.480 Maybe there's loved ones that are far away and they are sick. 00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:24.060 With all that's going on, have you felt like, I don't know if I can take any more? 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.639 I've come to the end. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:29.600 Friends, throughout the century, God's people have often dwelt here. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:37.539 And yet, in the midst of the darkness, David, the suffering servant, knows what to do. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:42.039 Because David knows how to strengthen himself in God's grace. 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:44.919 David's back is against the wall. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:47.879 And it seems like everything is utterly hopeless. 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:51.659 It's not just that life has dealt him bad blow after bad blow. 00:12:52.099 --> 00:12:57.639 It's not just that he, God seems to have repaid his integrity with difficulty and harshness. 00:12:58.099 --> 00:13:01.980 And never mind all that you're going to be king when they talk that Samuel once gave him. 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:05.839 That seems like a distant pipe dream into the long way away. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:09.699 But now the men that he took under his wing are plotting against him. 00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:11.099 And so what should David do? 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.339 Friends, what should we do? 00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:19.419 When the darkness closes in and feels claustrophobic, what should we do? 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:23.559 Well, look what David does in verse 6b. 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:29.939 In last week's passage, verse 6 was one of the most lamentable verses in the whole Bible. 00:13:30.099 --> 00:13:33.639 It talks about how Saul cries out to God and all he gets is silence. 00:13:34.339 --> 00:13:37.319 Well, in our passage today, verse 6 is one of the most instructive. 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:38.879 Because look at what it says. 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.360 David was greatly distressed. 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:42.000 The people spoke of stoning him. 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:45.759 Because all the people were bitter in Saul, each for his own sons and daughters. 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:51.259 But David strengthened himself in the Lord is God. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:14:02.319 Now, one of the things that the author of 1 Samuel has done is he's constantly wanting to contrast David versus Saul. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:05.899 That's why the narrative keeps on jumping between the two. 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:14.059 And in this last two chapters, we've seen how Saul and David both experienced this deep crisis in their leadership. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:16.120 Both of them, their lives are on the line. 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:19.860 And yet, you'll remember what Saul did when he's greatly distressed. 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:21.379 He uses the same Hebrew word. 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:27.379 He runs to the medium of Endor to consult the dead in order to try and preserve his life. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.360 But look at what David does here in contrast. 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:32.179 David doesn't run out there. 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:34.259 David doesn't try and preserve his life. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:38.679 David strengthens himself in the Lord his God. 00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:45.959 Friends, this could hardly be more instructive to us than at a time like this. 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:49.899 When so many have felt that things can't get any more difficult. 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:52.519 When things can't possibly get any more restrictive. 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:55.399 When the bad news can't get any worse. 00:14:56.539 --> 00:15:00.239 Maybe some of us, as you said, are fearful for the next few weeks or months. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.799 Maybe some of us are facing job loss. 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:04.699 The online schooling has been difficult. 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.120 Marriage is difficult. 00:15:06.479 --> 00:15:07.439 Relationships are hard. 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:11.520 Where do we turn when the dark night of the soul gets that much darker? 00:15:13.280 --> 00:15:16.640 When David was greatly distressed because the people started smoking him, 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:20.380 he strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.840 And notice the language here. 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:24.600 I don't know if you remember from last week. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:28.440 The passage where Saul eventually does speak to Samuel. 00:15:29.680 --> 00:15:31.720 Saul says to Samuel, he says, 00:15:32.280 --> 00:15:35.420 I'm in distress and God has turned away from me. 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:39.219 And the word he uses for God there is a generic Hebrew word for God. 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:41.299 It's almost as if Saul is saying, 00:15:41.839 --> 00:15:44.779 that deity in the sky, that God that you talk about, 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.319 Samuel, he's not answering me. 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.279 He's silent. 00:15:47.719 --> 00:15:49.779 He's not listening to my cries. 00:15:50.219 --> 00:15:52.279 That God that you've spoken about, where is he? 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:55.919 But look at the language that describes David here. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:59.839 When David was distressed and anguish, he strengthened himself in the law. 00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:01.519 That's the personal name for God. 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.240 Yahweh. 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:04.199 The Lord his God. 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:07.839 One commentator, Alexander McLaren, says, 00:16:08.219 --> 00:16:10.219 Staring at the burning rubble of Ziklag, 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.939 David could no longer say, 00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:12.879 My house. 00:16:13.339 --> 00:16:13.939 My city. 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.099 My possessions. 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:17.259 But he could still say, 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:18.779 My God. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.820 He's drawing near to Yahweh, his God. 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:24.659 The God that has been with him as he's shepherded, 00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:28.040 as he's been a shepherd against the lions and the bear. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:31.700 The living God that's preserved him as Goliath came against him. 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.720 He calls on the Lord, his God, 00:16:33.779 --> 00:16:37.779 who has been with him on the run from Saul in the desert these last 10 years or so. 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:39.820 The God who has proved himself faithful. 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:42.020 David cries out to that God, 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:45.960 the personal God who has walked with him and been with him. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:48.680 That's where David goes for strength. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.820 To the Lord, his God. 00:16:51.820 --> 00:17:00.140 And friends, one of the keys to the Christian life is to know how to dive deep into the waters of God's grace 00:17:00.140 --> 00:17:02.060 and drink of them to fill us all. 00:17:02.660 --> 00:17:06.799 To know how to place ourselves in the stream of God's grace 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:10.460 and to draw deeply on God's grace in our time of need. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.559 When the storms approach, 00:17:12.659 --> 00:17:14.019 when darkness comes in, 00:17:14.399 --> 00:17:18.680 how to lash ourselves to the rock that is Christ and find our strength there. 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:23.440 You know, the picture of a young sapling, a young tree. 00:17:23.919 --> 00:17:26.319 When the T10 storm hits Hong Kong, 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:28.799 it's on the mountainside and it's going to break. 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:31.200 It doesn't have the strength to withstand the storms. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:35.819 But if that sapling, that little tree is bound to a stake, 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:38.640 an iron stake that's firmly rooted in the ground, 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.240 it will withstand the storms. 00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:47.340 Friends, one of the keys to the Christian life is to know how to dive deep into the rivers of God's grace 00:17:47.340 --> 00:17:51.259 and draw on that grace to strengthen us in times of need. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.360 And friends, in this pandemic, 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:55.000 in this world of bad news, 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:56.559 when life seems overwhelming, 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:02.839 God's word to us in 1 Samuel 30 is that rather than diving into escapist behavior 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:07.480 and rather than binging on things like Netflix and social media, 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:13.339 there is a God in heaven to whom we can run to to strengthen ourselves 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:15.339 when life seems overwhelming. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.839 Now, how do we practically do this? 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:20.319 What does this actually mean? 00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:23.659 What does it mean to strengthen yourself in the Lord your God? 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:25.940 Well, I'm so glad you've asked that question. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:28.200 There's lots of ways to do it. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:31.759 One way to do it is to put on some really good worship music 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:36.079 and to go for a prayer walk and to fill your soul with the lyrics of heaven. 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:39.720 Something I did this week on, I think it was Friday evening, 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:42.579 I just needed to go for a walk and put on some worship music 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:45.179 and just sing of the greatness of God. 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:49.339 You can spend time in prayer. 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:54.039 But one of the very best things to do is to get into God's word. 00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:56.240 Psalm 19 says, 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:58.359 The word of the Lord is perfect. 00:18:58.500 --> 00:19:00.319 It revives my soul. 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:01.700 Revives my soul. 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.879 Psalm 119 says, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:06.899 When my soul cleans the dust, you give me light according to your word. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:09.139 When my soul melts away for sorrow, 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:13.079 you strengthen me according to your word. 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:18.019 And God's word, the scriptures, have a unique ability to cut through the darkness, 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:20.039 to pierce the fog. 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:28.180 When the waves of doubt and the waves of anxiety and the dark clouds seem to roll into our soul, 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:33.119 God's word has a way of piercing through that and speaking straight to our heart 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:37.920 in a way that gives hope and courage and strength in the midst of the difficulty. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:41.680 God's word is unique in that as Hebrews 4 says, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:44.880 it's like a sword that pierces through straight to the heart 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:51.220 and lifts our eyes off of the circumstances around us onto God and who he is and who we are in him. 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:56.460 The scriptures know how to make God big and circumstances small in our lives once again. 00:19:56.460 --> 00:20:00.380 You know, friends, in all my years as a follower of Jesus, 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:08.380 nothing, nothing has so strengthened me, encouraged me, rooted me as coming to God's word 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:12.420 and soaking my heart in who he is in his word. 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:16.519 This word has so often been an oasis in the desert. 00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:20.380 It's so often been a rock in the storms of life. 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:24.920 And the reason we say it is because scripture is not just good advice. 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:26.940 It's not just there to tell you how to live. 00:20:27.060 --> 00:20:28.039 It's good news. 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.740 It reminds you of the steadfastness of God. 00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:33.720 Scripture is going to tell you of the sovereignty of God. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:36.580 Scripture is going to remind you that the life seems out of control. 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:39.320 There is a God in heaven who is seated on the throne. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.680 Scripture is going to come not just with good advice, 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:47.080 but good news that there is a king who loves you and died for you and hasn't given up on you. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:51.800 Recently, I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed by circumstances, 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:55.319 about something in the future towards the end of last year. 00:20:56.059 --> 00:21:00.159 And I opened my Bible one Saturday morning, Psalm 131, and I read the scripture. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.000 I want to share it with you. 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:02.599 Psalm 131 says, 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:24.899 And as I read that, it was like a light just pierced all the anxiety in my heart. 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.320 And God just said to me, 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:29.019 Kevin, there are things that are beyond your control. 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.600 They're too high and lofty for you. 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:33.620 They're too great for you, too marvelous for you. 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.600 Things like the future. 00:21:35.080 --> 00:21:37.600 You don't know what's going to happen in a month or two or three. 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:39.200 You can't control the future. 00:21:39.300 --> 00:21:40.360 That's not in your realm. 00:21:41.100 --> 00:21:42.600 But it is in my realm, says God. 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:48.559 But if you'll come to me and trust me, if you'll let my word soak over you, 00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:54.939 I will give you such peace that like a freshly fed baby in its mother's arms that is fast asleep, 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.799 you will find peace to yourselves. 00:21:57.719 --> 00:22:00.519 And friends, I promise you, I sat down in that chair, anxious and worried, 00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:04.759 and I got up 20 minutes later as light and as free as a bird. 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:07.459 God's word is able to do that. 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:10.819 God's word reminds us of his goodness and his sovereignty. 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:13.319 It reminds us of his faithfulness. 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:18.019 Now, of course, one simple thing is we need to do more than just read God's word. 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:21.639 You can read it like a to-do list and you tick it off and you get on with your day. 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:24.299 But God's word is not a silver bullet. 00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:25.539 It's not a magic potion. 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:30.079 It's not something that we come to just to sort out our problems. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:34.399 God's word is designed to bring us into fellowship and community with God. 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:37.740 As we soak it in, as we meditate on it, as we reflect on it, 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:39.319 as we read it and write it down, 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:41.099 as we think about it and memorize it, 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:43.839 it's able to bring us to his throne of grace. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:48.220 David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.939 Friends, let's do the same. 00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:53.419 Now, ideally, this should be done in community, right? 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:56.359 That's the great hope and treasure of gospel community, 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.799 that we encourage one another. 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:59.639 When the darkness seeps in, 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:02.079 and sometimes you don't even have the strength to do it, 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:04.720 friends can come around and do that with you. 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:07.960 And you'll remember Chris quoted the scripture two weeks ago. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:11.600 In 1 Samuel 23, David is in the cave. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.680 Saul is pursuing him. 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.759 Things are not looking good. 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:15.180 And it says this, 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:19.720 Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:22.160 and strengthened his hand in God. 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.799 It's the last time David will see his friend, 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:26.420 Jonathan, before Jonathan dies. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.720 And what does he do? 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.259 He strengthens David, 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.440 but he doesn't just tell him, 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.559 listen, you're a good guy. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.180 I'm sure things will work out. 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:36.460 He doesn't just try and give him pithy sayings. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:38.559 He strengthens his hand in God. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:40.319 He brings him to God's throne and says, 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.119 God is with you. 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.059 And how does he do that? 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.799 Well, the next verse tells us, 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:46.500 he reminds David of God's promises to him. 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:48.480 He goes back to God's word. 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:50.900 He says, David, don't you know what God has said? 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.900 God has spoken. 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.000 He has promised things. 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:56.039 You can bank yourself on God's faithfulness. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:24:00.579 As Christians, even more in times like this than ever before, 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:03.000 we need desperately gospel community. 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:08.619 And yet the point of this passage is that sometimes community is not there. 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:12.480 I mean, friends, just imagine with me, hypothetically, 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:14.759 imagine one time in the future, 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:16.720 we have this worldwide pandemic, right? 00:24:17.159 --> 00:24:18.859 Where we can't gather on Sundays 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:21.659 and we can't see one another face to face 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:24.039 and we can't gather in community groups 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:26.379 because there are social distancing restrictions. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:30.180 And friends, just imagine that there comes a time in the future 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:33.259 where you can't gather and read the Bible with others around you. 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:35.899 What's going to keep us grounded and rooted? 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:38.339 David is all alone here. 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:40.339 And yes, he's had Jonathan in the past, 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:42.299 but in this moment, Jonathan's not there. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:45.279 And the people that should be there are turning on him. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:49.180 David knows how to strengthen himself 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:51.460 in the Lord his God. 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:55.000 Friends, yes, gospel community is extremely important, 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:57.100 but it can't be the basis of your faith. 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:59.299 You've got to encounter God. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.559 You've got to know how to find the strength in his word 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:04.019 and in his grace. 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:07.779 David knew how to strengthen himself in the Lord his God. 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:11.579 Now, if we just left it there, 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:14.220 this passage wouldn't be very encouraging. 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:15.340 It would be instructive, 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:17.140 but it wouldn't be very encouraging. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:19.400 So far we've heard life is tough. 00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:21.280 Sometimes life is very tough. 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:23.780 So strengthen yourself in God. 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:26.700 But all the onus is on us. 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.620 And yet, friends, as we've often said, 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:31.380 the Bible is not just good advice, 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.960 it's good news. 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:35.880 So where is the good news in this passage? 00:25:36.780 --> 00:25:38.860 Well, look thirdly with me 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:41.140 at not just God's suffering servant, 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:43.620 not just God's strength and grace, 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:46.040 but thirdly, God's perfect providence. 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:48.899 If you're new to church with us this morning, 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:52.119 providence means the way that God orchestrates 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:54.779 the ordinary issues of life 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:56.339 in accordance with his will. 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:58.319 Sometimes the arbitrary, 00:25:58.559 --> 00:26:00.079 the mundane things of life, 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:02.220 God is working them 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:04.859 to bring about his redemption and restoration, 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.899 his glory and our good. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:10.639 And so David in verse 8, 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.559 he seeks God and says, 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.460 God, what should I do? 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:15.579 And he has been reminded of God's promise. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.759 He's drawn God's presence. 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.220 And now God speaks to him. 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.079 Verse 8 says, 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.640 David inquired of the Lord, 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:22.019 shall I pursue this band? 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.799 And shall I overtake them? 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.819 And God answers them, 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.279 overtake them, pursue them, 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:28.059 for you shall surely rescue. 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.980 And so they set out, 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:31.240 David and his 600 men, 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:33.460 and they go to this brook Besor, 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.880 and two of them say, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.600 we are done. 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.299 We're exhausted. 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.360 We don't have any energy. 00:26:37.620 --> 00:26:38.840 We can't do this anymore. 00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:40.720 And so they rest, 00:26:41.199 --> 00:26:42.639 and the other 400 say, 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.639 let's carry on. 00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:45.099 Now remember, 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:48.039 they don't know who's taken their families. 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:49.699 They don't even know if their families are alive. 00:26:50.179 --> 00:26:50.419 I mean, 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.319 it probably is the Amalekites, 00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:53.819 but they don't know. 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:55.639 It could be some other raiding army. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.439 And they don't know where they've gone. 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:57.859 I mean, 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.799 as one commentator said, 00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:01.339 it's not like raiding armies leave their name card, 00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:02.240 their calling card, 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:04.279 on the smoldering ruins of Ziklag, 00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:04.639 right? 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:04.880 I mean, 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:05.600 so, 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:07.280 and David and his men have, 00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:10.020 have evaded Saul for 10 years in the wilderness. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:12.300 They know how easy it is to hide in the wilderness. 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:15.780 And so they three days journey behind these guys. 00:27:16.100 --> 00:27:17.220 They've got to find them. 00:27:17.320 --> 00:27:18.440 They don't know who they're looking for, 00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.660 and they don't know where to go. 00:27:19.800 --> 00:27:19.960 I mean, 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.740 they should go south, 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.000 sure, 00:27:21.080 --> 00:27:22.080 but do they go to the west? 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.820 Do they go to the east? 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:25.500 Where are they going to find these guys? 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.980 Where do you start looking? 00:27:28.540 --> 00:27:28.720 Well, 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.680 look at verse 11. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:37.320 They stumble across an Egyptian slave who just so happens to be part of the Amalekite army. 00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:38.600 Verse 11 says, 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:40.660 They found an Egyptian in the open countryside, 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.400 and they brought him to David. 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.799 They gave him bread, 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.140 and he ate. 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.539 They gave him water to drink, 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.539 and he revived. 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.120 And they say to him, 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.160 Where are you from? 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.660 What are you doing? 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.560 And he says, 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:53.200 I'm part of the Amalekite army. 00:27:53.320 --> 00:27:54.900 I got discarded a few days ago, 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.560 and I fell sick. 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.799 And he says, 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:57.460 verse 14, 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:59.120 We made a raid against the Negev. 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:00.819 We burned Ziklag with fire. 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:04.200 He has one of the very guys that was part of the army. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:04.920 I mean, 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:07.220 if there's one person that can give you military intelligence, 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.420 it's someone who was there. 00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:17.920 And this discarded Egyptian servant ends up taking David and his men right into the very campsite of the Amalekites. 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:19.759 And friends, 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.340 think about it. 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:25.840 Here is the key to God fulfilling his promise to David back in verse 8. 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.119 I mean, 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:31.459 here is the key to David rescuing and redeeming his people, 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.599 God's people. 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:38.519 And it all rests on the unlikely event of finding this random man. 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.419 And yet in verse 11, 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:42.339 which is filled with God's providence, 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:45.879 God's divinely orchestrating ordinary events in life, 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:48.500 and yet there's no theological bells and whistles. 00:28:49.060 --> 00:28:49.920 They find this guy, 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.400 but there's no, 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.820 you know, 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:53.100 angel singing Gloria and Excelsis Deo. 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.020 There's no halos, 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:54.240 no, 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.480 no, 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:54.740 no, 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.300 no signs and wonders, 00:28:56.880 --> 00:29:01.680 just an ordinary servant to chance and counsel with the discarded piece of Malachite machinery. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:08.220 And yet on that simple piece of providence hangs the key to David's redemption, 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:10.560 to the salvation of his people, 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:13.799 and to the turning point in David's career. 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.820 Because at this point, 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.720 David has been downhill his whole life. 00:29:17.860 --> 00:29:18.960 And from this point on, 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:19.460 David, 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.019 Saul is going to die in battle, 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.880 and David's going to become the king. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.680 This is the turning point in David's life. 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.120 Friends, 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:29.840 do you know how often it is that God works like this? 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:32.420 That his perfect providence, 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:35.360 his guiding and ordaining of arbitrary, 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.700 ordinary events in life, 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:38.420 according to his purpose, 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:41.840 brings about the redemption and the rescue of people. 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.220 Friends, 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.019 it happens so often, 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:46.000 God orchestrates things that seem random, 00:29:46.460 --> 00:29:48.039 even unjust things, 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:50.480 in order to save and rescue his people. 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:53.720 I think one of the greatest examples of this is Joseph in Egypt, 00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:54.080 right? 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.399 Do you remember the story? 00:29:55.539 --> 00:29:55.899 Joseph, 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.619 his brothers are jealous of him, 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:59.199 so they decide to get rid of him. 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:05.379 They sell him as a slave to a bunch of traders that are coming past Israel on their way to Egypt. 00:30:05.699 --> 00:30:07.399 So he goes to Egypt as a slave. 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:08.500 When he's in Egypt, 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:09.579 things go bad for him. 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:12.439 He gets thrown into jail because of the jealousy of Potiphar's wife. 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.819 While he's in jail, 00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:16.279 he meets somebody who can rescue him. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.899 And he says, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.319 remember me when you get out. 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:20.039 And the guy forgets about him. 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:22.819 And everything seems to be going from bad to worse. 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:24.319 And yet, 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:25.779 at the perfect time, 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.879 the cupbearer to the king remembers Joseph, 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.700 restores him. 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:32.099 Joseph becomes prime minister of Egypt, 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:34.539 and saves not only Egypt, 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:36.279 but all of Israel. 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:40.159 And you remember what Joseph says to his brothers when he meets them at the end of his life? 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.259 He says, 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:44.319 what you meant as evil against me, 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:46.619 God intended for good, 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:49.799 to bring about the saving of his people. 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:51.700 Friends, 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:53.579 doesn't that remind you of Jesus Christ? 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.539 In his death on the cross, 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:58.160 Pontius Pilate and Herod are jealous. 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.180 The Jews are jealous. 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:01.000 They're conspiring against him. 00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:03.200 Jesus Christ ends up on the cross. 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:04.779 What you meant for evil, 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:06.660 God has worked out for good, 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:09.620 to bring about the saving of many people. 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.019 Friends, 00:31:11.080 --> 00:31:12.019 if you're a Christian this morning, 00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:13.860 just think about the way that you became a Christian. 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:16.519 It might look like some chance encounter. 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:19.220 Maybe you went overseas to go study abroad, 00:31:19.300 --> 00:31:21.460 and you stayed with a host family that were Christians, 00:31:21.560 --> 00:31:22.759 and they shared the gospel with you. 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:23.660 Friends, 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:25.259 I heard a story of somebody recently, 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.720 who went on a business trip, 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:27.759 he was all alone, 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.740 he was in his hotel one night, 00:31:29.820 --> 00:31:32.380 and he picks up a Bible on the hotel bedside table, 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.100 and reads it, 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.380 and he encounters God, 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:36.540 and becomes a Christian there in his hotel room. 00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:37.540 Friends, 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:38.960 maybe you go overseas, 00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:40.460 and you meet somebody randomly, 00:31:40.560 --> 00:31:41.800 and they share the gospel with you. 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:42.620 Friends, 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:45.660 maybe you've come to Hong Kong for such a time as this, 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:49.260 because God is orchestrating what might seem arbitrary to you, 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:52.740 to bring you to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:52.860 --> 00:31:54.220 Those events aren't chance. 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:57.780 That's not just a chance happening. 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:01.080 You've met those people for a reason. 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:06.240 God is working out things to bring about your salvation and his glory. 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:09.740 And here seems like such a small piece of providence, 00:32:09.939 --> 00:32:11.639 finding this random Egyptian guy, 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.879 this down and out servant, 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:15.159 who's been tossed out like a discarded rag, 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:19.079 and yet God is working all things to bring the salvation of his people. 00:32:20.679 --> 00:32:21.139 Well, 00:32:21.179 --> 00:32:21.460 friends, 00:32:21.679 --> 00:32:23.539 that should be great encouragement, 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.000 but that's not the greatest thing. 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:26.220 The fourth and the final thing, 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:31.319 the greatest encouragement from this passage is surely found in God's emphatic victory. 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.920 God's emphatic victory. 00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.579 Look at what happens here, 00:32:34.620 --> 00:32:35.200 and we're almost done. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:38.559 The Egyptian helps David and his men find their way to the Amalekites. 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:41.140 They are celebrating their victory. 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:45.140 They are literally drinking and dancing and eating. 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:47.019 They are having an amazing party, 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:52.420 and they are not suspecting David and his men coming and risking their people. 00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.559 And the next day, 00:32:54.639 --> 00:32:56.420 David and his men attack the Amalekites, 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:58.460 and they utterly defeat them. 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:00.259 Some of them are killed. 00:33:00.460 --> 00:33:02.920 Some of them flee and run away, 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:06.099 and they utterly defeat their enemy. 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:09.940 And notice how emphatic the scripture is to demonstrate 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:13.359 the totality of the victory that David achieves. 00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:17.240 Hebrews scholars actually tell us that the grammar of the Hebrew here is written 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:20.039 to emphasize just how emphatic, 00:33:20.179 --> 00:33:21.879 just how absolute this victory was. 00:33:21.959 --> 00:33:23.039 Look at verse 18. 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.419 It says, 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:27.019 David rescued all that the Amalekites had taken. 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.719 David rescued his two wives. 00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:30.579 Nothing was missing, 00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:32.159 whether small or great, 00:33:32.279 --> 00:33:33.099 sons or daughters, 00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:35.539 spoil or anything that had been taken. 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:38.099 David brought back everything. 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:42.000 David also captured all the flocks and the herds, 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:44.579 and the people drove the livestock before him saying, 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:46.440 this is David's spoil. 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.400 Friends, 00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.839 you see what's going on here? 00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.579 God is trying to say to us, 00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:54.079 in the darkest moment of David's life, 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:56.579 when things felt like they couldn't get any worse, 00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:57.339 and then they did. 00:33:57.819 --> 00:34:00.339 When David is utterly down and out, 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:02.539 and depressed beyond despair, 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:05.539 when there's nothing to lift his spirits, 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:07.960 David goes from the darkest moments 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:10.320 to one of his most emphatic victories. 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:12.920 David didn't just defeat his enemies. 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:14.760 He actually plundered them. 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:16.920 David didn't just win the battle. 00:34:17.240 --> 00:34:19.220 He completely trounced his enemies. 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.200 He plundered them, 00:34:20.340 --> 00:34:21.980 not only from what they had taken from him, 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:23.860 but from what they had taken from everyone. 00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:26.300 And just a few days earlier, 00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:29.400 what had looked like one of the lowest moments in his life, 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:33.380 turns out to be one of the highest moments of victory for David, 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:37.860 and for all those who trusted him and followed him. 00:34:39.740 --> 00:34:40.220 Friends, 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:43.460 do you notice the grace that David gives the 200 people 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:45.039 that are stuck at the Brook Abyssal? 00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.860 David comes back, 00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.320 and are they excluded? 00:34:48.860 --> 00:34:49.860 Are they cast out? 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.260 No ways. 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.519 David says, 00:34:52.640 --> 00:34:54.019 our victory is your victory. 00:34:54.160 --> 00:34:56.900 The victory we've achieved will be credited to you. 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:58.180 Even though you're too tight, 00:34:58.220 --> 00:34:59.400 even though you didn't lift a finger, 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:04.420 you will enjoy the spoils of my victory on your behalf. 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:05.840 Friends, 00:35:05.880 --> 00:35:07.039 don't you see what's going on here? 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:10.639 This picture is not just, 00:35:11.220 --> 00:35:14.760 this story is not just an episode in Israel's history. 00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:17.139 It's a picture of the gospel. 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:20.240 It's a promise of what would happen 00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:23.719 when God's true and great Messiah King, 00:35:24.199 --> 00:35:26.139 the one that Isaiah would later call 00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:27.879 the true suffering servant, 00:35:28.379 --> 00:35:29.619 would come into the world. 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:32.279 At the moment when Jesus Christ 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:34.819 seemed like his lowest moment in the world, 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:36.839 when his friends had abandoned him, 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:38.859 when through jealousy they arrested him, 00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:42.059 when the brutality and the evil of wickedness 00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:43.459 had conspired against him 00:35:43.459 --> 00:35:45.399 to crucify him on the cross, 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:49.019 when Jesus Christ suffered so bitterly 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:50.639 that rather than just weeping, 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:53.900 his perspiration turned to blood. 00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:56.719 The moment of his greatest weakness 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:59.420 and the lowest moment of his life 00:35:59.420 --> 00:36:02.280 was actually the moment of his greatest victory. 00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:03.460 Friends, 00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.400 Jesus Christ, 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.639 the true suffering servant, 00:36:05.880 --> 00:36:08.259 trusted the providence of God the Father, 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:10.780 knowing that what men meant for evil, 00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:12.320 crucifying the Son of God 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.699 out of jealousy and disdain, 00:36:14.259 --> 00:36:17.099 God had planned before the creation of the world 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:17.679 for good, 00:36:18.319 --> 00:36:19.619 to bring about the saving 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:21.659 and the redemption and healing of men. 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.860 Friends, 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:23.539 Jesus Christ, 00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:24.699 the true suffering servant, 00:36:25.199 --> 00:36:26.519 would be nailed to a cross 00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:28.420 in what seemed like a defeat 00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:31.559 and walk out of the grave three days later 00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:33.079 in his greatest victory, 00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:34.599 not only over his enemies, 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:36.199 but over the greatest enemy, 00:36:36.659 --> 00:36:37.319 over sin, 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:38.659 over Satan, 00:36:39.339 --> 00:36:39.900 over death. 00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.119 Friends, 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:42.099 here in this story, 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:44.460 from the lowest moment in his life 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:46.339 to this great victory is a picture. 00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:48.239 But it's also a promise. 00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:51.000 It's a pledge of what God is doing in the world 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:52.380 through Christ his Savior, 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:54.039 plundering the gates of hell 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:56.579 and rescuing and redeeming his people. 00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:58.299 And you know what that means? 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.319 Friends, 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:01.019 it means that when we encounter 00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:02.639 the dark night of the soul, 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:05.079 when the waves of doubt roll in, 00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:06.719 when we are utterly at despair, 00:37:06.839 --> 00:37:09.099 when we feel we are too weak to even weep, 00:37:09.159 --> 00:37:10.739 when life gets overwhelming, 00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.879 friends, 00:37:11.939 --> 00:37:13.359 when you and I are bitter in soul, 00:37:14.339 --> 00:37:16.000 we can draw near to the one 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:18.599 who bled and died and rose again, 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:21.399 the one who won on the cross. 00:37:21.919 --> 00:37:23.939 And we too can strengthen ourselves 00:37:23.939 --> 00:37:26.359 in Christ the Lord our God. 00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.239 Let's pray together. 00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:31.739 Oh, Heavenly Father, 00:37:31.879 --> 00:37:33.879 Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:37.779 God, this word that you orchestrated 00:37:37.779 --> 00:37:39.279 when we planned this months ago, 00:37:39.280 --> 00:37:40.760 not knowing what was going to go on 00:37:40.760 --> 00:37:41.980 in our world at this time, 00:37:42.380 --> 00:37:44.080 before this fifth wave even came, 00:37:44.140 --> 00:37:45.220 we planned this passage. 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.440 And yet, God, 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:48.920 it seems like your providential timing 00:37:48.920 --> 00:37:51.880 as we should look at 1 Samuel 30 today. 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:54.500 With all the darkness in our world, 00:37:54.560 --> 00:37:55.620 with all that's going on, 00:37:56.140 --> 00:37:57.120 God, I pray 00:37:57.120 --> 00:38:00.360 that you will show us and help us 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:01.820 how to strengthen ourselves 00:38:01.820 --> 00:38:02.860 in the Lord our God. 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:03.840 That God, 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:05.760 when we suffer and life is hard, 00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:07.900 we will remember there is a God 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:08.640 on the throne, 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:10.140 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:38:10.800 --> 00:38:12.320 the one who has achieved 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:14.840 this emphatic and encouraging victory 00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:16.120 so that, God, 00:38:16.200 --> 00:38:18.240 the storms and the waves 00:38:18.240 --> 00:38:19.580 don't need to overwhelm us, 00:38:19.740 --> 00:38:20.600 but that we, God, 00:38:21.260 --> 00:38:22.080 can turn to you. 00:38:22.540 --> 00:38:24.120 God, I pray for my brothers and sisters. 00:38:24.260 --> 00:38:25.640 I pray for my friends this morning. 00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.880 I pray for those in Watermark 00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:28.120 and those that are looking in. 00:38:28.600 --> 00:38:29.120 That, God, 00:38:29.200 --> 00:38:31.240 you will draw near to us 00:38:31.240 --> 00:38:32.540 and help us to draw near to you. 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:34.579 God, won't you lift our sights this morning. 00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:36.019 God, for those of us 00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:37.460 that feel so discouraged 00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.699 that we don't even know 00:38:38.699 --> 00:38:39.320 how to do that, 00:38:39.400 --> 00:38:40.960 won't you bring a Jonathan, 00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:42.159 a friend around us 00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:44.360 who can strengthen us in God 00:38:44.360 --> 00:38:45.699 and point us to you 00:38:45.699 --> 00:38:47.059 and open the scriptures to us 00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:47.820 and with us 00:38:47.820 --> 00:38:48.940 and remind us 00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:50.340 of your great sovereignty. 00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.559 God, I pray, 00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:53.000 come and draw near 00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:54.099 and strengthen us today. 00:38:54.840 --> 00:38:55.880 In your awesome, 00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:57.820 your sovereign, 00:38:58.440 --> 00:38:59.800 and your tender name we pray. 00:39:00.800 --> 00:39:01.199 Amen.