WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:16.859 The year is 701 B.C. 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:26.120 The armies of mighty Assyria under the direction of their king Sennacherib are laying waste 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:29.460 to one city after another in the Middle East. 00:00:30.060 --> 00:00:36.000 And 20 years earlier, they've wiped out the northern kingdom of Israel, taken survivors 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:37.280 into captivity. 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:44.620 And more recently, they've marched through one town after another in Judah, all the way 00:00:44.620 --> 00:00:47.560 up now to the gates of Jerusalem. 00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:54.260 They've been ruthlessly pillaging, destroying, just like the prophets said would happen as 00:00:54.259 --> 00:00:59.820 God's judgment came on his prosperous and promiscuous people. 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:02.640 Nothing has slowed them down. 00:01:02.739 --> 00:01:09.759 And here they are outside Jerusalem laying siege to the capital city of God's people. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:15.540 King Hezekiah in Jerusalem has sought alliance with Egypt. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:20.280 He's sought to buy off Assyria and pay them to go away. 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:29.340 Now he and the prophet Micah ministering there in Jerusalem and all the soldiers standing on 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:39.120 the wall afraid hear the taunts from Sennacherib as we read them in 2 Kings 18. 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:45.300 Do not let Hezekiah deceive you for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. 00:01:46.040 --> 00:01:51.840 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh by saying, Yahweh will surely deliver us and 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:55.200 this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. 00:01:55.200 --> 00:02:02.359 Do not listen to Hezekiah for thus says the king of Assyria, make your peace with me, come 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:03.400 out to me. 00:02:04.060 --> 00:02:08.060 Each one of you will eat of his own vine and each one of his own fig tree and each one of 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:10.120 you drink the water of his own cistern. 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:16.379 And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, Yahweh will deliver us. 00:02:17.580 --> 00:02:23.599 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand that Yahweh should 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:26.680 deliver Jerusalem out of my hand. 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:33.560 Pretty hopeless situation it seems, right? 00:02:33.959 --> 00:02:35.400 We've been way outmatched. 00:02:36.359 --> 00:02:37.759 We've run out of allies. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:40.199 We've exhausted all our resources. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:47.479 Micah told us this would happen if we kept running after our idols and trusting in human 00:02:47.479 --> 00:02:48.379 strength. 00:02:48.379 --> 00:02:55.519 Boy, looking out there at that Assyrian army makes us feel small and helpless. 00:02:57.379 --> 00:02:59.740 It seems we've reached the end of the road. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:03.299 The end, in fact, of God's protection. 00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:07.539 Have you felt like that before? 00:03:07.539 --> 00:03:11.419 I felt that a little bit this week. 00:03:11.679 --> 00:03:14.639 Just to be honest with you, a heavy weight. 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:18.500 Mostly from last week's passage. 00:03:18.959 --> 00:03:24.379 Feeling the conviction of my sin and my weakness. 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:29.459 Failures in leading God's people as I should. 00:03:29.739 --> 00:03:31.699 How can you be a senior pastor? 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:33.780 You don't have what it takes. 00:03:33.780 --> 00:03:40.199 You deserve God's just judgment for not even living passionately for him. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:41.939 You can hardly call yourself a Christian. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:48.840 Maybe you've been struggling to pray recently. 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:53.920 And you've thought, what a pathetic Christian I am. 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:57.259 I'm the weakest Christian in the world. 00:03:57.259 --> 00:04:00.859 I can't even find words to talk to God. 00:04:04.019 --> 00:04:09.679 Maybe you're feeling outnumbered on campus or at work. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:16.939 And you hear us say that God tells us to live for him all the time, everywhere. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:20.219 And you think, that's a losing battle where I am. 00:04:20.420 --> 00:04:21.339 What a joke. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:23.899 How could I even begin to do that? 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:29.000 Maybe you hear me talk about revival. 00:04:30.219 --> 00:04:34.060 Praying for God to do great things in us and in our community. 00:04:34.459 --> 00:04:38.019 And what you really think is, seriously? 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:40.299 I don't talk like that. 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:44.319 That's way too big for little people like us. 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:50.519 Pastor, I'm just open for one good conversation about God with my family. 00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:53.139 Like, just one night would be great. 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:57.079 One encouraging interaction with an unbeliever, revival. 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:11.259 Whether it's the reality of our sin, the strength of our enemies, the struggle in the battle of faith, 00:05:11.659 --> 00:05:15.620 there are many real reasons to feel hopeless, aren't there? 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:19.500 If you need more help coming up with one, I can give you more later. 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:24.379 Reasons we feel small and weak. 00:05:24.579 --> 00:05:28.280 And as a result, sometimes give up spiritually. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:32.040 And focus on somewhere else I can feel more successful. 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:34.939 Feel better about myself, right? 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:40.019 And Micah comes to us this morning and says, 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:40.719 You know what? 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:41.939 Those things are true. 00:05:43.779 --> 00:05:46.540 But they're not all that's true. 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:48.319 I've got a message of hope. 00:05:48.480 --> 00:05:51.100 When you feel most hopeless, 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:56.720 I've just finished saying that Mount Zion will be flattened, 00:05:56.819 --> 00:05:59.019 Jerusalem will be a heap of ruins. 00:05:59.019 --> 00:06:01.240 That's the last verse of chapter 3. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:05.360 But that's not all that's true. 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:08.199 He says, lift up your head. 00:06:09.540 --> 00:06:15.199 Listen to a hope that will sound too good to be true. 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:17.759 It's Micah chapter 4. 00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:22.280 I'll read the first five verses for now, 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:25.240 and then we'll pray and talk about the whole passage. 00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:29.579 It shall come to pass in the latter days 00:06:29.579 --> 00:06:31.840 that the mountain of the house of the Lord 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:35.019 shall be established as the highest of the mountains, 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:37.680 and it shall be lifted up above the hills, 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:40.280 and people shall flow to it. 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:42.579 And many nations shall come and say, 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:45.560 Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:47.259 to the house of the God of Jacob, 00:06:47.960 --> 00:06:49.480 that he may teach us his ways, 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:51.300 and that we may walk in his paths. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:54.660 For out of Zion shall go forth the law, 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:56.500 and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 00:06:57.200 --> 00:06:59.100 He shall judge between many peoples, 00:06:59.280 --> 00:07:02.000 and shall decide for strong nations afar off. 00:07:02.260 --> 00:07:04.439 And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:06.060 their spears into pruning hooks. 00:07:06.820 --> 00:07:09.120 Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, 00:07:09.640 --> 00:07:11.200 neither shall they learn war anymore. 00:07:12.320 --> 00:07:13.960 But they shall sit, every man, 00:07:14.080 --> 00:07:16.600 under his vine and under his fig tree. 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:19.540 And no one shall make them afraid, 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:22.540 for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. 00:07:22.540 --> 00:07:24.420 For all the peoples walk, 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:25.700 each in the name of its God, 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:29.920 but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God, 00:07:30.460 --> 00:07:32.460 forever and ever. 00:07:33.640 --> 00:07:34.340 Let's pray. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:41.960 Father, thank you for a message of hope. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:43.200 We need it. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:45.939 Holy Spirit, 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:48.920 help our hearts be not only desperate, 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:52.779 but able to hear it this morning. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:55.779 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:05.039 This morning, I just want to walk through Micah's promise of hope together, 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:11.560 and then we'll talk about how God's people should respond to such a message. 00:08:12.520 --> 00:08:13.500 What's he saying, 00:08:13.640 --> 00:08:16.060 and what should we do in light of that? 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:19.439 So first, as this chapter begins, 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:23.640 this prophet who has been full of doom and gloom, right? 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:25.540 That's about all we've gotten so far, 00:08:25.700 --> 00:08:28.960 as he addresses idolatrous people like us. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:32.019 He's laid us low, right? 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:34.279 If we're honest, if we've been listening, 00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:35.960 and now he wants to lift us up, 00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:39.360 lift up our heads with an inspiring hope. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:44.460 It shall come to pass in the latter days. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:46.819 Before we go any further, 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:49.279 that's now, you know, right? 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:50.699 The latter days. 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:53.240 As you turn into the New Testament, 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:56.139 we see that the last days or the latter days 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:59.620 actually begin with the death and resurrection of Jesus 00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:03.100 and continue on until he comes again. 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:06.860 So what we're talking about is what we're living in right now. 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:10.039 Peter pronounces that reality at Pentecost. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:12.700 Paul reiterates it many places, 00:09:12.940 --> 00:09:14.519 like 1 Corinthians 10, 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:17.080 where he says all these Old Testament stories 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:21.379 are written down as examples for us now. 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:27.220 Those upon whom the end of the ages has come. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:29.259 That's now. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:32.659 The inspiring hope Micah's talking about 00:09:32.659 --> 00:09:35.519 is for future completion, for sure. 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:38.939 But in many ways, it's already begun today. 00:09:40.939 --> 00:09:42.539 It shall come to pass in the latter days 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:45.559 that the mountain of the house of the Lord 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:49.100 shall be established as the highest of the mountains 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:52.920 and shall be lifted up above the hills. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:55.060 Remarkable, right? 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:58.340 Micah, you just said it was going to be devastated. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:00.120 And now it's growing taller? 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:03.139 Mount Zion, Jerusalem, 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:07.159 that's representative for God's people as a whole. 00:10:07.340 --> 00:10:09.639 They're not just alive and present, 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:12.940 but prominent and impactful. 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:16.700 And although it does sometimes seem to be happening, 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:20.680 the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, right? 00:10:22.920 --> 00:10:27.840 In fact, it's not merely for ethnic Israel to be flourishing, 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:31.240 but nations turning to God. 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:34.840 The glorious vision here of a global worship service. 00:10:35.020 --> 00:10:37.960 Every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:40.720 Peoples shall flow to it. 00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:44.279 And many nations shall come and say, 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:47.060 come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:49.080 to the house of the God of Jacob, 00:10:49.420 --> 00:10:51.120 that he may teach us his ways 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:54.540 and that we may walk in his paths. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:56.800 And we've seen that happen, haven't we, 00:10:56.940 --> 00:10:58.700 over the last 2,000 years. 00:10:59.560 --> 00:11:04.440 As Christianity begins with this small band of followers 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:07.720 in one small town in the Middle East, 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:11.040 and all of the sudden it begins to explode 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:14.200 and spread all over the globe. 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:17.100 And maybe you don't feel that as much 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:19.759 because we've got this Western mindset, right? 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:20.899 It can be very limited. 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:23.779 But the Pew Research Center tells us 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:27.480 not only has the number of those professing faith in Christ 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:30.220 quadrupled in the last 100 years, 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:32.700 you know where a quarter of those people live? 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:36.700 One quarter of them in sub-Saharan Africa. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:39.280 You may not be seeing all of it. 00:11:39.640 --> 00:11:42.240 Millions of them living as a minority in China. 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:44.000 Millions more in India. 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:48.140 Nations are flowing to Mount Zion, right? 00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:51.340 And that's not merely a geographical statement. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.580 It's not getting on a plane to get there. 00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:57.280 It's primarily a spiritual statement. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:58.840 Right? 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.840 How do they get there? 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.100 End of verse 2. 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:05.600 Out of Zion shall go forth the law 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:09.560 and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:13.500 The good news about Yahweh and who he is 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:15.420 is spread by his people. 00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:18.800 They, the nations, come in as we go out 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:20.759 with the word of God. 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:26.620 What an awesome global movement of God 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:29.519 showing himself to be the one true king overall. 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:33.460 What an exciting thing to be a part of a movement like that. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:37.460 And then what does Yahweh's kingdom look like? 00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:38.899 Verse 3. 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:41.879 He shall judge between many peoples 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:45.919 and shall decide for strong nations afar off. 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:48.240 Perfect justice, right? 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:51.180 This king who knows how it should be, 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.740 he makes it right. 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:55.200 And they shall beat their swords into plowshares 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.720 and their spears into pruning hooks. 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:59.360 Nations shall not lift up sword against nation. 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:01.460 Neither shall they learn more anymore. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.840 Y'all, world peace! 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.759 And we're not even at a beauty pageant. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.919 Like, it's coming! 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:09.919 It's not all the way here yet, right? 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:14.240 But world peace globally. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:14.919 How? 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:19.779 Yahweh is the one ruling. 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:22.419 That's how we know it's coming. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.440 Yahweh will bring it. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:25.299 Rest of verse 4. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:28.539 They shall sit every man under his vine 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.779 and under his fig tree 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:32.940 and no one shall make them afraid. 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:35.440 You remember Sennacherib promised that to God's people, 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:36.399 the words I read earlier? 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:38.940 This abundant security, 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:40.860 this great provision. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:41.860 And Micah says, 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:43.480 you know where it's actually gonna come from? 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:44.740 Yahweh. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:48.539 He is the one who will. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:50.620 The great king of hosts, 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.300 the king of heaven promises, 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:55.480 the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:59.180 For all the peoples walk each in the name of its God. 00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:02.480 But we will walk in the name of Yahweh, 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.820 our God, 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:06.740 forever and ever. 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:14.600 A colorful gathering of the people enjoying the fruits of this kind king 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:18.180 with no one to make us afraid 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:22.000 because our God is greater and stronger 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:27.039 and brings peace and justice and eternal security. 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:34.459 That's not at all what we feel at our lower points, is it? 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:38.740 And yet Micah says it's coming. 00:14:39.059 --> 00:14:41.240 In fact, in many ways, it's already started. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:44.360 And don't you want to be a part of something like that? 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:47.319 Fearful, small soldier on the wall 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:49.740 thinking the end has come. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:51.220 And he says, no, there's hope. 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:54.180 We want to be a part of that, right? 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:59.360 Well, not me, right? 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:02.620 I mean, the high priest, maybe, yeah. 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.620 Billy Graham, sure. 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:07.080 Mother Teresa, maybe. 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:17.080 But little, weak, struggling, insignificant, me? 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:19.879 No way. 00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:23.520 You've got to listen to what Micah says next. 00:15:23.780 --> 00:15:25.080 This is so great. 00:15:25.160 --> 00:15:26.560 It's not just hope out there somewhere 00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:28.340 for somebody who's really good. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:32.280 This hope is for an astounding people. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:33.820 Verse 6. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.560 In that day, declares the Lord, 00:15:35.660 --> 00:15:36.980 I will assemble the strong 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:39.259 and reward those who have been successful. 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:41.980 Nope, nope, sorry. 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.020 That's not it. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.800 That's not what he says, is it? 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:47.179 Let me try one more time. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:49.779 In that day, declares the Lord, 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.240 I will assemble the lame 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.859 and gather those who have been driven away 00:15:54.859 --> 00:15:56.979 and those whom I have afflicted 00:15:56.979 --> 00:16:00.479 and the lame I will make the remnant. 00:16:01.359 --> 00:16:02.959 And those who are cast off, 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.740 a strong nation, 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:07.120 and the Lord will reign over them. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.579 Really? 00:16:10.099 --> 00:16:10.939 The lame? 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.399 Isn't this glorious? 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:15.019 I mean, we hardly know what to do 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.220 with a statement like that 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:18.699 because in every area of our life, 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:20.659 we get what we earn, don't we? 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:24.679 We reward strength and competence. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.959 We honor achievement. 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:32.340 And God's heart is for the outcast 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:35.299 and the undeserving. 00:16:35.639 --> 00:16:37.759 Just because he's building a strong nation 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:40.240 doesn't mean he's looking for all the strong people. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.840 That's how I do it. 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:44.080 But no, incredibly, 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.919 he's so strong 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:48.120 that he will choose the weak 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:49.060 and the foolish 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:50.500 and the insignificant 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:53.820 and make them a strong nation. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.340 Kids, that's not how you pick a team 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.299 on the playground, is it? 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.120 You're gonna lose. 00:16:58.779 --> 00:16:59.799 Nobody wants to lose. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:02.019 You pick the strong people, 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:03.399 the big guys. 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:09.379 But it is how God builds his church. 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:12.339 To the astonishment of all the nations 00:17:12.339 --> 00:17:15.660 who value and depend on human strength, 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:19.200 he gathers the lame and the castoffs. 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.379 And then, y'all, 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.740 those are actually the ones 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.099 who go out with the message 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.859 of Yahweh's greatness and goodness 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:26.519 that brings world peace. 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.160 That's how it comes. 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:30.360 It brings the nations flowing 00:17:30.360 --> 00:17:33.500 to this gracious, condescending God 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.480 of the Bible 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:36.120 who has welcomed them in. 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:39.320 It actually gets even crazier 00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:41.060 and even better than this. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:44.440 Not just the lame being the remnant, 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:49.259 but those that God himself cast off, 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.660 brought back. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:55.160 The exiles away from his land. 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.759 They were hopeless, right? 00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.240 They're actually made secure. 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:01.940 Listen at verse 9. 00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:03.059 He's going to make 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:05.680 a significant time shift. 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:08.519 You may not notice it as well in English, 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:10.379 but I'll point it out to you. 00:18:10.819 --> 00:18:11.400 He says, 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:14.140 no longer in those future latter days, 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.519 but now. 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:18.240 700 B.C. 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:20.720 What are God's people facing now? 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:21.740 Verse 9. 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:24.019 Now, why do you cry aloud? 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.619 Is there no king in you? 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:27.779 Has your counselor perished 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:29.099 that pain seized you 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.179 like a woman in labor? 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.679 Writhe and groan, 00:18:33.459 --> 00:18:34.439 O daughter of Zion, 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.379 like a woman in labor. 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:37.399 For now you shall go out 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:38.239 from the city 00:18:38.239 --> 00:18:39.939 and dwell in the open country. 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:41.779 You shall go to Babylon. 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:45.859 There you shall be rescued. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:48.679 There the Lord will redeem you 00:18:48.679 --> 00:18:50.659 from the hand of your enemies. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.759 He's speaking to them 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:53.319 of real suffering, isn't he? 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:55.819 Because real suffering is coming. 00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:57.539 They really will be taken into exile. 00:18:57.720 --> 00:19:00.319 There's reason for great grief over that. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:02.779 But even there, 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:06.839 he's at work to redeem them, isn't he? 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.899 Right in the midst of Babylon, 00:19:09.179 --> 00:19:10.419 when they've lost all hope 00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:11.899 and they can't see anything good, 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:15.259 there he works to redeem. 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.500 Verse 11. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:21.779 Now, many nations are assembled against you 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.180 saying, 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.460 let her be defiled 00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:26.380 and let our eyes gaze upon Zion, 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.700 Assyria, 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.400 and others looking around, 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.400 taunting and saying, 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:31.839 aha, 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.940 we have the upper hand. 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.599 They're stronger. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:38.000 But, 00:19:38.219 --> 00:19:40.319 they do not know 00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:42.219 the thoughts of the Lord. 00:19:42.659 --> 00:19:44.199 They do not understand his plan 00:19:44.199 --> 00:19:45.259 that he has gathered them 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:47.199 as sheaves to the threshing floor. 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.819 Arise and thresh, 00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:49.859 O daughter of Zion, 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.579 for I will make your horn iron, 00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:52.899 your hoofs bronze. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.219 You shall beat in pieces 00:19:54.219 --> 00:19:55.019 many peoples 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.459 and shall devote their gain 00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:57.599 to the Lord, 00:19:57.959 --> 00:19:58.719 their wealth, 00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.779 to the Lord 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:01.939 of the whole earth. 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:04.680 The promise of God's discipline 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:07.000 right alongside the promise 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:09.320 of his restoration. 00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:11.600 Nothing can happen to you 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.720 so bad 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.740 that he can't redeem it. 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:16.759 There is no pit so deep 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:19.640 that he is not deeper still, 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.019 Corrie ten Boom. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:25.140 If you will trust this great king, 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:28.340 even those of you who feel so far, 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:29.880 so distant from him 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:31.539 that he sent you away, 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:33.440 if you will yet return 00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:34.700 and trust him, 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:37.819 you will find an eternal security 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:40.319 against all the evidence 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.339 of your circumstances. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:44.079 Despite everything you look around 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.460 and see, 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.500 despite what your heart 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.039 tells you to feel, 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:48.960 you'll find an eternal security 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.059 that will never, 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:52.659 ever let you down. 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:56.539 See, that's really the reason 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:58.539 that this astounding people 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:01.220 people who really don't have 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.220 much reason for hope 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:05.180 can have this inspiring hope, 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:05.839 isn't it? 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:10.319 It's all through this amazing king. 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.399 Already, as we've been reading, 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.759 we've seen, 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:14.700 I hope you've noticed, 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.460 every time, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:17.440 this is what Yahweh will do. 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.339 He keeps saying, 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:19.000 I'll do this, 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.599 I'll do this, 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:20.399 he will assemble, 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.299 he will gather, 00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.659 he'll make the remnant, 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.839 he'll reign over them forever. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:26.919 And chapter 5 opens 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.919 with one more, 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:28.659 now, 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.240 but. 00:21:31.459 --> 00:21:32.299 Verse 1, 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:34.439 now muster your troops, 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.419 O daughter of troops, 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:37.259 siege is laid against us. 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.819 With a rod they strike 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.819 the judge of Israel 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.539 on the cheek. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.019 It's not looking good, 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.500 is it? 00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:44.899 I know what you're facing, 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.240 I know how you're feeling, 00:21:46.699 --> 00:21:47.339 but, 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:50.039 you, O Bethlehem, 00:21:50.199 --> 00:21:50.839 Ephrathah, 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.519 who are too little 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:54.779 to be among the clans of Judah. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:57.379 From you shall come forth for me 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:59.200 one who is to be ruler in Israel, 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:01.359 whose origin is from of old, 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.319 from ancient days. 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.400 There's a verse you recognize, 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.000 isn't it, kids? 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.279 You hear that one at Christmas time, 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:07.639 don't you? 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:09.319 You know what that's about, right? 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.819 The Messiah, 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.680 the promised one, 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.180 the king, 00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.339 he's gonna be born 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:15.639 in the little town of Bethlehem. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:19.059 See, it's not just the people 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:22.879 who find power in weakness, 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.480 but that's actually the model 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:26.980 of power for the true king. 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.759 His great strength 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:31.000 will come from apparent weakness. 00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:33.139 How do you know 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:37.059 that weak, failing, insignificant you 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:39.179 can really be a part of this kingdom? 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:43.320 The king comes from 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:46.019 too small Bethlehem. 00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:51.279 But his rule will be magnificent. 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.900 Verse 3. 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.600 Therefore he shall give them up 00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:56.180 until the time she who is in labor 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:57.039 has given birth. 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.720 Then the rest of his brothers 00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:00.660 shall return to the people of Israel, 00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:03.220 and he shall stand 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:05.180 and shepherd his flock 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:06.660 in the strength of the Lord, 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:09.080 in the majesty of the name 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:10.860 of the Lord his God, 00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:13.519 and they shall dwell secure. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:15.420 For now he shall be great 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.900 to the ends of the earth, 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:21.840 and he shall be their peace. 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:26.600 In the power of the one true God, 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:29.100 Yahweh, the one true king, 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.300 the promised one, 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.880 will shepherd his flock 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:33.660 of lame outcasts 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:38.019 who have become beloved children. 00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:41.400 And the fact that he is great 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:43.800 is what brings world peace. 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.740 The fact that he is great 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:47.279 to the ends of the earth 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:49.000 is what makes them secure. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:52.480 The fact that this unparalleled king 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:55.080 reigns with justice and grace 00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:57.019 makes this inspiring hope 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:59.519 that Micah promises even possible. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:02.080 It's his reign. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:05.019 Their hope is not in their own strength, 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.939 their own greatness. 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:09.000 They are weak, 00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:12.559 but he is strong. 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.659 To be clear, 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:19.480 no matter what current powerful leaders may say, 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:22.839 there is one great king for Israel 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:25.079 and for all nations. 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:29.019 There is one chosen one 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:33.039 in whom they and we all find hope. 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.879 He doesn't live in the White House 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.599 and he doesn't find strength 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:38.000 in human power. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:40.240 To suggest otherwise 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.179 is dangerously distracting 00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:44.099 from the true king. 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:48.399 See, we are to look for our hope 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:50.720 to no one else 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.700 and nowhere else 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.759 but the king 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:55.380 born in Bethlehem 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.900 whose greatness 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:58.460 no one can fathom, 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.940 no one can equal. 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.799 He is our hope. 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.059 Amen? 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:07.940 It's what God's people learned then. 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:08.759 It was 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:11.120 looking pretty bleak 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:12.860 for God's people 00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:14.140 in Micah's day. 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:16.180 Stuck 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:18.380 before Sennacherib's 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.280 powerful army. 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.480 Human weakness 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.780 has led them to face 00:25:21.780 --> 00:25:22.660 judgment. 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.720 Human power 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:25.540 has failed to deliver them. 00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.520 Most of them 00:25:26.520 --> 00:25:27.759 are utterly hopeless. 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.960 And finally, 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.880 King Hezekiah surrenders. 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:35.160 But not to the 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:36.480 might of Assyria. 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.660 Instead, 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.680 he surrenders 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:41.440 to the unparalleled 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:43.259 power of Yahweh. 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.660 He looks to God, 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.660 repents, 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.019 and cries 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.579 for God's help. 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:51.519 He prays this way, 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:52.900 O Lord, 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.819 the God of Israel 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.700 who is enthroned 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.700 above the cherubim, 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.740 You are the God, 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.359 You alone 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.379 of all the kingdoms 00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:59.420 of the earth. 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.359 You have made 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.940 heaven and earth. 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.500 Incline Your ear, 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:03.859 O Lord, 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.339 and hear. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.220 Open Your eyes, 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.640 O Lord, 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.220 and see. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.819 And hear the words 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.660 of Sennacherib 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.460 which he has sent 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.119 to mock 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:11.640 the living God. 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.960 Now, 00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:13.300 O Lord, 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:13.700 our God, 00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:14.460 save us, 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.340 please, 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.420 from His hand 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.660 that all the kingdoms 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.380 of the earth 00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:19.560 may know that You, 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.360 Yahweh, 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:22.980 are God alone. 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:26.460 And the angel 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:26.960 of the Lord 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.920 that night 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.540 with no help 00:26:29.540 --> 00:26:30.720 from the army 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.259 of Judah 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:33.000 strikes down 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:35.160 185,000 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.740 mocking Assyrians. 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:39.559 and mighty Sennacherib 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.140 flees 00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.099 and soon 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.259 dies himself. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.420 God protects 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.460 His people. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.720 Repentance 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.859 and revival 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:49.019 spreads through 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.700 Jerusalem 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.620 and it will be 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:52.259 over a hundred years, 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.640 multiple generations 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:56.640 before Babylon 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:58.000 comes to take 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.740 Judah into exile 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.740 for their idolatry. 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.740 History is altered. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.380 altered. 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:05.779 Listen, 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:07.019 Micah has been clear 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:08.900 about the just judgment 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.599 coming upon those 00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:11.559 who don't repent 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.799 even among 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:14.039 God's people. 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:15.640 But now, 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.920 he's reminding us, 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.160 y'all, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.400 that there's not just 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.240 merely a way 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.180 to escape 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.839 by the skin 00:27:20.839 --> 00:27:21.460 of your teeth 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:22.579 and maybe you'll survive, 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:24.480 but there is grace 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.480 and hope 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:27.720 beyond your wildest dreams 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:29.440 for those who turn back 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:31.319 to the true King. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:36.400 So what? 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.420 What are we supposed 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.700 to do? 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.960 How should we now 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.140 as God's people 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.779 respond? 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.660 Just repent again? 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:46.880 That's what you say 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.480 every week. 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.579 But yes, 00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:51.640 that is the call again. 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.240 Repent. 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.920 Return to God. 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.640 Repentance 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:55.400 and revival 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.960 come to God's people 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:58.319 as they lift their heads 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.279 and hope 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.279 in Yahweh, 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.079 their King, 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.960 in nothing 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.180 and in no one else 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.740 do they find strength. 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.299 Just as last week 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.980 the awfulness of sin 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.059 drives us 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.960 to repent, 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:13.140 so does the kindness 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:14.079 of God 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.700 lead us to repent. 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:16.720 Both of those things 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:18.200 take us to the same place. 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:18.900 We realize 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.400 we're face down 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:21.460 in the pigsty, 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.460 unworthy 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:22.960 and desperate 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.559 desperate 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:26.100 and we remember 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:27.519 the love of the Father 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:29.360 eager to welcome us 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:30.620 home and so 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.819 because we remember 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.740 both of those things 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.299 we run back to Him, 00:28:34.340 --> 00:28:34.600 right? 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.259 That's repentance. 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.440 In these terms 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.039 this morning, 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.799 briefly, 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:42.059 surrender. 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.019 Quit trying 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.440 to be the strong one. 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:49.460 Micah's message 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.180 clearly 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:51.420 calls for us 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.340 to give up hope 00:28:52.340 --> 00:28:53.140 in ourselves 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.320 trying to manage 00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:55.340 our struggles. 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.500 True repentance 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:59.240 means that we quit 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.920 doing penance. 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:04.019 I'm so prone 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.600 to this. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:06.400 I see my weakness 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.500 and my sin, 00:29:07.600 --> 00:29:09.059 I call that bad will 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:11.740 and I resolve 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.700 to actually 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:14.019 instead of being bad will, 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.379 I'm going to be good will, 00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:16.539 right? 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.519 It's actually 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.879 just another idol. 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.940 I'll try harder. 00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.220 I'll preach better 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.920 next week. 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.879 I'll lead stronger 00:29:24.879 --> 00:29:25.720 next time. 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.660 Then maybe 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:27.799 I'll be good enough. 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.339 No. 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.180 Repentance, 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.279 that's penance. 00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.240 Repentance 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.660 turns 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:36.099 from my weakness 00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:37.839 to God's 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.700 strength. 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:40.839 From my sin 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.839 and idolatry 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:43.619 to His forgiveness 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:46.339 and His righteousness. 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.399 It means 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:48.699 I pray more 00:29:48.699 --> 00:29:50.419 and more desperately. 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:51.699 Not just 00:29:51.699 --> 00:29:52.759 add 10 hours 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.259 of study 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.759 next week 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.779 to perfect the sermon. 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.619 It means 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.119 I read about 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:57.879 God's grace 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.859 being sufficient 00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:00.439 for my weakness. 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.599 Not just try 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.559 to convince myself 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.259 I'm strong enough 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.979 not to need Him. 00:30:05.719 --> 00:30:06.399 It means 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:07.259 you plead with Him 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.979 to forgive your failings 00:30:08.979 --> 00:30:09.679 and then in the 00:30:09.679 --> 00:30:11.000 joy of His grace 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.939 you plead with Him 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:13.059 to strengthen you, 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:15.059 to live for His glory 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:16.220 and quit chasing 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.039 your own idols 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.099 for your own pleasure. 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:19.859 That's repentance. 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.200 And our repentance 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:22.359 looks like something 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:22.779 doesn't it? 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.819 It has fruit. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:26.220 We actually surrender 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.700 and then strangely enough 00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.519 having surrendered 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.480 we then fight. 00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:31.919 Strange. 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:34.079 But the same passage here 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.740 that tells us 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:35.919 to embrace our weakness 00:30:35.919 --> 00:30:37.019 and find strength 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:38.159 only in God 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:38.899 also says 00:30:38.899 --> 00:30:40.139 now we walk 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.899 in the name 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:42.380 of the Lord our God. 00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:43.720 Living out 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.720 day by day 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.420 the life 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:47.160 of a well cared for 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.620 child 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.740 who now has 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.340 the freedom 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:50.060 and the resources 00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:50.960 to be an instrument 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:52.100 of hope 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:53.040 and justice 00:30:53.040 --> 00:30:53.900 and peace 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.600 in the lives 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:55.700 of others. 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.220 That's not just 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.780 for pastors 00:30:57.780 --> 00:30:58.700 that's for all of us 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:58.920 right? 00:30:59.420 --> 00:31:00.060 That's what we get 00:31:00.060 --> 00:31:00.500 to do. 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.380 This passage 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:01.900 tells us 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.940 arise and muster 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.500 the troops 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.840 and fight together 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:05.840 against the darkness 00:31:05.840 --> 00:31:06.640 and sin. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.940 All idols 00:31:07.940 --> 00:31:08.540 that would set 00:31:08.540 --> 00:31:09.300 themselves up 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.139 against Yahweh. 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.339 We're to be fighting. 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:12.700 By the way 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.379 that's why you need 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:14.339 gospel community. 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:16.079 What Mark and Anna 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.740 were talking about 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.539 in the video earlier. 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.099 That's why we need 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.460 each other 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.720 to fight together 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.359 in each other's lives 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:23.680 for King Jesus 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.119 right? 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:25.200 You need that 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:26.379 I need that. 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.819 See repentance 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.859 means I give up 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:32.279 hope in myself. 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:34.319 It means when I run 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.359 back desperately 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.139 to God 00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:37.440 I find a restored 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.819 relationship with Him 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:40.139 worth shaping 00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:41.039 my life around 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.619 no matter what 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.500 it costs. 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.559 And then it means 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.339 I hope 00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:49.039 this may be 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.819 the most encouraging 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.359 part. 00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.819 Give me 30 more 00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:53.159 seconds. 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.599 I hope because 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.839 I'm on His team 00:31:55.839 --> 00:31:57.419 I'm in His 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.720 family now 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.720 and the promises 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.539 of my Father 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.399 are incredible. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.159 Did you hear them? 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:04.059 I look out 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.259 from the wall 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:07.000 and all of a sudden 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.720 the Assyrians 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.299 are routed. 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.339 I go home 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:11.819 and my neighborhood 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:13.099 and my family 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:14.559 they're turning to God 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:16.440 they're praising Him. 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.899 My kids 00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:18.619 and their friends 00:32:18.619 --> 00:32:19.720 and my grandkids 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.759 worship Him 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.579 faithfully 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:23.299 because they see 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.740 how great He is. 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:25.899 Friends 00:32:25.899 --> 00:32:27.440 the future vision 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.259 that God paints 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:28.680 for us 00:32:28.680 --> 00:32:29.779 is glorious. 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.919 That's what He's doing. 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:34.000 I may be lame 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.700 afflicted 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.559 cast off 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.279 undeserving 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.160 outnumbered 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.940 inconsistent 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.340 too weak 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:39.819 too young 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.340 too old 00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:40.980 too sinful 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.360 too ashamed 00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:43.120 too damaged 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:45.240 and that may be true 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.940 but it's not all 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.580 that's true. 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.180 Jesus has come 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:50.420 and He is so strong 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:53.120 and so glorious 00:32:53.120 --> 00:32:55.200 and so gracious 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.840 that He will use 00:32:56.840 --> 00:32:57.680 me 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:59.779 and us 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:02.340 to bring revival 00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:04.539 to see nations 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.660 come to worship Him 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.740 to see people 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.620 with no interest 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:08.140 in Him today 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:08.779 tomorrow 00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.840 run back 00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:10.560 to Him 00:33:10.560 --> 00:33:11.779 to see neighbors 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.940 who are running away 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.519 from God 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.460 and don't want to talk 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:14.880 to you 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:16.700 seated at His table 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:18.180 with you 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:19.780 at peace 00:33:19.780 --> 00:33:21.080 forever. 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:23.120 He says that's what 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:23.840 He's going to do 00:33:23.840 --> 00:33:25.440 and we'll be there 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:25.920 with them 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:27.520 and have all we ever need 00:33:27.520 --> 00:33:27.920 why? 00:33:28.320 --> 00:33:29.280 Because He 00:33:29.280 --> 00:33:30.880 is there 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:31.880 and what a day 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.920 that will be. 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.560 That day's coming. 00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:37.700 Hopeless 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.560 brothers 00:33:38.560 --> 00:33:39.440 and sisters 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.200 that day 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.480 is coming 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:42.300 see it 00:33:42.300 --> 00:33:44.380 it's coming 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:46.540 because we are weak 00:33:46.540 --> 00:33:49.080 but He is strong. 00:33:49.620 --> 00:33:50.060 Let's pray. 00:33:53.080 --> 00:33:54.080 God our hope 00:33:54.080 --> 00:33:55.060 is in You. 00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:00.320 Turn our hearts 00:34:00.320 --> 00:34:02.140 back towards You 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:03.520 even in this moment 00:34:03.520 --> 00:34:05.540 as we reflect 00:34:05.540 --> 00:34:06.320 on our weakness 00:34:06.320 --> 00:34:09.099 as we reflect 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:10.380 on Your greatness 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.079 and grace. 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.200 as we look ahead 00:34:15.200 --> 00:34:17.480 to a day 00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.360 we can hardly 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.180 imagine 00:34:19.180 --> 00:34:19.780 will be 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:21.320 anywhere near 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:21.900 as glorious 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:23.039 as You promise 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.920 us it will be. 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.099 Give us hope 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:27.440 in that 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:28.360 in Jesus' name. 00:34:29.220 --> 00:34:29.519 Amen. 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:35.039 For more information 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.340 visit us online 00:34:36.340 --> 00:34:37.639 at southwood.org 00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:39.500 Send a Bible 00:34:40.859 --> 00:34:41.259 and like get Laurie 00:34:41.259 --> 00:34:42.739 and I hope 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.379 when he embracered 00:34:43.379 --> 00:34:43.579 and eventually 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.119 send me 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:45.599 at prince 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.440 by chicken