WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.580 Alexi rejoices, right? They're freed, they're liberated. 00:00:04.339 --> 00:00:11.740 Now, you probably didn't realize it, but that scene sums up about 200 plus years 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:14.400 of intellectual and cultural history in the West. 00:00:16.080 --> 00:00:18.420 You didn't know that when you were watching Star Wars. 00:00:19.859 --> 00:00:20.859 Here's what I mean. 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:26.240 What is the message in that sort of critical moment 00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:33.219 when the freedom and the happiness of the universe hang in the balance? 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:39.960 When it's all on the line, what's the decisive thing you have to do 00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:46.379 to find and win happiness and real and lasting peace? 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:49.659 Well, here's what you have to do, right? 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:51.799 You have to trust your feelings. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:00:56.119 You have to look inside of yourself, and in the right moment, 00:00:56.119 --> 00:00:58.599 you just have to do what you feel is right. 00:01:01.839 --> 00:01:02.799 Now, here's the thing. 00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:07.679 That belief is so woven into the very fabric of our thinking 00:01:07.679 --> 00:01:11.200 and our living today that we almost never even notice it. 00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:16.379 We take it for granted at such a deep level that we rarely consider 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:21.099 whether or not it might be a belief worth having in the first place. 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:26.939 In fact, we have a hard time thinking of what the alternative might actually be. 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:29.539 We're sort of like fish in the ocean, breathing the water, 00:01:29.879 --> 00:01:33.659 not really able to imagine what it might be like to do anything else. 00:01:35.259 --> 00:01:38.979 Of course trusting my feelings will lead to my happiness and flourishing. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:40.500 What else is there? 00:01:41.679 --> 00:01:43.959 Of course we breathe the water. 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:45.939 What else is there? 00:01:45.939 --> 00:01:55.599 Well, our passage in Proverbs this morning shows us that there is actually a different air to breathe. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:01.379 And it's an air that leads to a flourishing so comprehensive 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:08.079 that it makes our natural desires seem not too big but too small. 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:12.180 So let's come to Proverbs chapter 3. 00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:17.060 And our focus this morning is going to be on verses 1 through 12. 00:02:17.760 --> 00:02:21.020 Later in our Proverbs series, we're going to come back to some of the themes 00:02:21.020 --> 00:02:24.439 that we find in the second half of chapter 3 in verses 13 and following. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:28.960 But this morning, we're just going to concentrate on verses 1 through 12. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:31.060 Let me read this for us. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:37.520 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:41.620 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:45.219 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you. 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:46.659 Bind them around your neck. 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:48.360 Write them on the tablet of your heart. 00:02:49.460 --> 00:02:52.800 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:57.080 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 00:02:57.080 --> 00:03:00.480 In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. 00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:03.199 Be not wise in your own eyes. 00:03:03.319 --> 00:03:04.960 Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 00:03:05.400 --> 00:03:08.180 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:13.020 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce. 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:17.020 Then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine. 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:21.640 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof. 00:03:22.099 --> 00:03:27.560 For the Lord reproves him whom he loves as a father, the son in whom he delights. 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:29.080 Let's pray together. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:38.420 Father, we do ask that you would help our hearts now to be receptive and open. 00:03:38.580 --> 00:03:41.560 Help them to be soft soil, we pray, to the seed of your word. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:48.379 And Lord, we ask that by your spirit you would speak powerfully to us as we consider and meditate on this text together. 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:56.900 And Jesus, that you would be seen with the eyes of faith this morning in a fresh and beautiful way. 00:03:57.460 --> 00:04:00.019 Capture us and our affections, we pray, Lord Jesus. 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:01.419 In your name we pray. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:02.079 Amen. 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:02.160 Amen. 00:04:04.420 --> 00:04:10.580 So quite simply, I think, as we look at this passage, it shows us two big things. 00:04:11.500 --> 00:04:14.200 First, it shows us a greater flourishing. 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:17.199 And second, it shows us a better trust. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:20.600 A greater flourishing, a better trust. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:24.220 Now notice briefly how this passage is put together. 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:28.780 Another, the 12 verses actually form six pairs. 00:04:29.380 --> 00:04:31.300 Six pairs of four lines each. 00:04:31.440 --> 00:04:35.020 So verses 1 and 2 go together, then verses 3 and 4 go together, and so on. 00:04:35.760 --> 00:04:43.280 And you'll notice that in each of these pairs, the odd verse gives an exhortation, an admonition, a bit of fatherly counsel. 00:04:43.799 --> 00:04:49.139 And then the even verse, the second verse, gives an incentive, a sort of motivation for taking it. 00:04:49.439 --> 00:04:51.059 So look at the structure in verses 1 and 2. 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:51.559 You see it there. 00:04:51.619 --> 00:04:52.259 Here's the admonition. 00:04:52.359 --> 00:04:52.839 Here's the counsel. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:53.239 Verse 1. 00:04:53.239 --> 00:04:56.739 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments. 00:04:57.279 --> 00:04:59.379 Then comes the motivation, the incentive to do that. 00:04:59.719 --> 00:05:03.559 For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:07.500 So these 12 verses are all working together. 00:05:07.619 --> 00:05:12.039 All the counsels, all the incentives to try to lift our heads out of the water. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:17.060 So that we can catch a breath of a greater flourishing. 00:05:17.240 --> 00:05:18.960 The flourishing that only God can give. 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:23.360 And so that we might see that there's a better trust. 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:28.100 A trust aimed not inside ourselves, but outside ourselves. 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:30.800 So let's look at the greater flourishing. 00:05:30.939 --> 00:05:35.740 You know, if you run down, if you just sort of read down the passage and just read the even verses, 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:39.240 you sort of catch the sweep of how comprehensive this is. 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:41.240 It's a bit breathtaking, is it not? 00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:44.840 First, we see that it's not just personal, but it's also social. 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:49.980 In verse 2, we're told about length of days and peace. 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:51.860 There's a personal element. 00:05:52.460 --> 00:05:55.620 But in verse 4, we're told about favor and good success. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:06:00.379 And good success there could also mean a good name, a good reputation in the sight of God and man. 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:01.480 So it's personal. 00:06:01.600 --> 00:06:02.639 We live a long life. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:03.560 It's also social. 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:04.620 We enjoy a good name. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:06.819 Then it goes on. 00:06:06.860 --> 00:06:07.560 There's more to it. 00:06:07.560 --> 00:06:12.560 In verses 6 and 8, we see that it's not just a flourishing that's ethically sharpening, 00:06:12.780 --> 00:06:15.379 but it's also deeply rejuvenating. 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.579 He will make straight your paths, we're told in verse 6. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:25.420 Now, in Hebrew thought, your life was pictured as a walk, as a journey. 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:27.340 Your life was headed somewhere. 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:35.420 And the word straight there means correct or right or even upright. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:42.200 Not just smooth as in sort of the right way, but actually ethically, the upright, the correct 00:06:42.200 --> 00:06:42.819 thing to be doing. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:48.399 So this is an image of one's life, one's path, one's journey becoming more and more upright. 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:53.899 In other words, that you reach the goal of becoming a person of character, of integrity. 00:06:55.740 --> 00:07:00.600 But at the same time, in verse 8, this growth and moral character, this ethical sharpening 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:04.439 is not ultimately something that wears us down or tires us out. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:06.420 Just the opposite. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:09.279 It's healing to our flesh. 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:11.439 It's refreshment to our bones. 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:13.639 Imagine that. 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:21.839 Where your character is actually being refined, and yet it's also bringing refreshment to you. 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:26.339 Like a cool drink on a hot summer day. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:32.139 Except this drink doesn't just cool your tongue, it brings refreshment down into your very bones. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:40.459 But then we see in verses 10 and 12 that this flourishing is not just material, it's also spiritual. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:48.599 In verse 10 we're shown barns stacked high and wine vats just bursting at the seams. 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:51.379 An image of prosperity. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:56.819 But then in verse 12, we're shown the crown of them all. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:08:06.839 We're told that here, that God, the Lord, will delight in us the way a father delights in his son. 00:08:09.719 --> 00:08:12.899 And of course, that's worth all the barns and all the vats in the world, isn't it? 00:08:14.539 --> 00:08:16.379 To know that God delights in you. 00:08:17.219 --> 00:08:18.279 That he loves you. 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:22.079 Worldly wealth fades, doesn't it? 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:28.859 But you see, friends, the fatherly love of the eternal God can never grow old. 00:08:31.059 --> 00:08:35.360 God's delight in his children, that's the true satisfaction of our souls. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.919 Do you know that this morning? 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:43.840 Have you been chasing barns full of grain? 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:48.700 But it seems empty, no matter how high it gets stacked. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:58.419 Perhaps you're missing the fact that it's really the love of God that is meant to satisfy you. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:06.459 Now, maybe as you take stock of these six verses that we sort of quickly have run through here, 00:09:06.839 --> 00:09:08.539 these six motivations, these six incentives, 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:10.439 maybe this starts to make you feel a little uncomfortable. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:14.879 I know it sort of does for me when I first read it. 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:19.159 It sort of sounds a bit like some kind of prosperity gospel, doesn't it? 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:23.259 Is Proverbs telling us that if we just play our cards right spiritually, 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:25.899 or have enough faith, or act in the right ways, 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:29.120 God will make us healthy and rich and comfortable. 00:09:30.819 --> 00:09:32.100 Is that what this passage is saying? 00:09:36.079 --> 00:09:38.740 Well, in a word, no. 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:42.620 That's not what this passage, or the book of Proverbs as a whole, is saying. 00:09:44.039 --> 00:09:49.659 You know, first off, nowhere in the Bible is a believer promised a life free of suffering or trouble, right? 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:52.159 Read the Gospels. 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:54.779 Jesus tells his disciples time and time again 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:57.879 that you're going to experience trouble and conflict in this life. 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:02.199 Look at every single believer in the rest of the New Testament. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:07.179 And they didn't live a life just merely of health, wealth, and happiness, right? 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:08.720 There was hardship. 00:10:08.939 --> 00:10:09.419 There was trial. 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.079 There was suffering. 00:10:12.079 --> 00:10:15.059 Now, the book of Proverbs does give us a pattern 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:20.139 for how wisdom generally works in the world, right? 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:22.899 That if you're a person of integrity, 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:28.179 your relationships tend to work out better than if you're a person who's deceptive, 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.399 on the whole. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:35.679 But we also have to remember another wisdom book in the Old Testament, don't we? 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:36.379 The book of Job. 00:10:36.379 --> 00:10:42.600 And the book of Job is sort of like a helpful counterbalance to the book of Proverbs, 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:46.039 reminding us that sometimes life is more complicated than we understand, 00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:49.379 and sometimes unexpected afflictions come our way. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:54.679 And in fact, Proverbs itself isn't even ignorant of that fact. 00:10:55.019 --> 00:10:57.539 Even in our passage here this morning, don't we see that tension? 00:10:58.340 --> 00:10:59.379 Look at verses 9 and 10. 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:00.740 Everything's going great there. 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.039 Barns are filled. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:03.019 Vats are bursting. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:06.779 But then in verses 11 and 12, everything's not so great. 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:08.360 There's discipline. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:09.159 There's reproof. 00:11:09.319 --> 00:11:09.819 There's suffering. 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.500 There's affliction. 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:15.100 As if to say, sometimes your days will be cut short, 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:17.879 and sometimes your good name will be trampled on, 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:20.139 and sometimes your paths will seem crooked, 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.879 and sometimes your bones will feel worn out, 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:23.100 and sometimes your barns will be empty. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.500 But through it all, 00:11:27.919 --> 00:11:32.319 the Lord does not and has not and will not 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.040 disown his children. 00:11:36.640 --> 00:11:39.560 We're still, as verse 1 and verse 11 say, 00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:41.000 kind of bracketing this whole passage, 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:43.140 we are still his sons, his daughters. 00:11:44.560 --> 00:11:46.860 And what that means is that even if we don't find 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:48.720 all these patterns working themselves out 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.940 in our lives here and now, 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:53.060 we know that the comprehensive flourishing 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:56.620 described here will still one day be ours. 00:11:56.620 --> 00:12:01.179 Because you see, it's not just for this life 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:01.960 that we hope. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:07.299 Our hope and our goal isn't just for 70 or 80 years 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:08.399 of relatively good health, 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.220 a full bank account, 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:10.179 and a comfortable lifestyle. 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:12.080 If that's all we're living for, 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:13.740 then are we not most to be pitied? 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:18.360 Now, friends, take a step back 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:20.440 and catch a glimpse once more 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.639 as we take it in its entirety 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:23.680 of what's being held out for us here. 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:26.559 Are not all these incentives, 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.899 are not all these motivations 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:31.339 pointing us to something even more lasting? 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:35.099 Don't they speak of a peace, 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:36.519 as verse 2 says, 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:40.339 a shalom that can only finally be realized 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:42.959 when God comes and makes all things new? 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:48.620 You see, any favor we experience now 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:52.259 is just a foretaste of the new creation, 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.639 of the eternal life 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.200 that Christ won for us 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.159 in His death and resurrection. 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:58.200 And one day, all who are in Christ 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:00.279 will share in His resurrected life 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:02.059 in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:13:03.700 --> 00:13:05.740 And then the motivations of chapter 3 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:08.100 won't just be general patterns anymore, 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:10.960 but they'll be certain realities. 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:15.179 Then God's children will experience peace 00:13:15.179 --> 00:13:16.679 and favor and healing without measure. 00:13:16.679 --> 00:13:22.359 So do you see how this is a greater flourishing 00:13:22.359 --> 00:13:23.879 than we often imagine for ourselves? 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.159 C.S. Lewis famously said, 00:13:27.239 --> 00:13:29.079 we're busy making mud pies in the puddles 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:31.519 when God is there beckoning us 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:34.519 to come to a holiday at the sea. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.279 But now here's where our passage 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.579 becomes very countercultural. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:46.860 Surely the path to that sort of holistic flourishing, 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:47.759 that kind of happiness, 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.180 must be, we think, 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:52.240 through some sort of self-discovery, 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:54.480 through some sort of just self-expression. 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:55.920 Surely it's got to come through 00:13:55.920 --> 00:13:58.100 some sort of trust of our feelings 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:59.320 to lead us on the right path. 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:01.120 If we look inside of ourselves, 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:02.860 then we'll get the key, right? 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:08.440 But that's not what the writer of Proverbs says, 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.000 not at all. 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:12.220 In order to truly know wisdom, 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.960 as Proverbs speaks of, 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.720 in order to embark on this life, 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.360 we must not, 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:19.259 and we cannot look inside ourselves, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:21.100 but outside of ourselves. 00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.519 We need a better trust. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.300 Our trust must not be in our own feelings 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:29.120 or our own desires, 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:30.560 but in the Lord. 00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:32.480 Look at verse 5. 00:14:32.480 --> 00:14:35.120 Have trust in the Lord with all your heart 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:37.500 and do not lean on your own understanding. 00:14:40.920 --> 00:14:44.480 Now notice first that this is an intensely personal trust, 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:45.500 right? 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:48.639 Our trust here isn't in some kind of moral code. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:52.060 It's not in a set of timeless principles. 00:14:52.800 --> 00:14:55.080 It's not in a pervasive energy 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:57.220 or force that flows through the cosmos. 00:14:58.560 --> 00:15:00.980 No, our trust is in the Lord. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:07.759 And when our English Bible spell Lord with all capital letters, 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.600 you know what that means, right? 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:11.019 That means it's a translation of the name 00:15:11.019 --> 00:15:13.899 that God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:19.259 When God showed himself to be the redeeming God, 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:21.620 when God showed himself to be the God 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:23.740 who takes a people to himself, 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.860 an everlasting covenant, 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:28.399 that's what this name Lord speaks of, 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.019 signifies. 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:31.699 This is the Lord or Yahweh, 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:33.059 as sometimes we pronounce it. 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:37.220 And it's the same Lord who in the fullness of time 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:39.419 took on flesh and lived among us. 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:44.039 That same Lord who redeemed Israel 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:46.299 out of slavery in Egypt 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:48.639 was the same God who came in flesh 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:50.079 full of grace and truth 00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:51.459 in the person of Jesus Christ, 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.979 fully God and fully human. 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:55.259 It's the same Lord who came 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.819 and lived an utterly sinless life 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:58.819 on behalf of sinful people, 00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.799 fulfilling the demands of that covenant. 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:04.419 It's the same Lord who on the cross 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:06.059 as our substitute bore all the penalties 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:07.879 that we deserve for breaking God's covenant. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.439 And who three days later 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:14.139 was raised from the dead, 00:16:15.979 --> 00:16:17.059 demonstrating that his sacrifice 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.619 and his work was complete for us 00:16:19.619 --> 00:16:22.359 and that forgiveness and new life 00:16:22.359 --> 00:16:24.439 had been won for all who would turn 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:25.579 and trust in him. 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:29.339 This is the Lord we're told to trust in Proverbs, 00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:30.919 this personal God 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:33.639 who revealed himself to Israel, 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:35.059 who became fully human 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:36.059 in the person of the Son 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:37.939 and who even now is being poured out 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:38.739 into our hearts 00:16:38.739 --> 00:16:40.019 in the person of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:44.219 Trust in the Lord. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.859 Not in a principle, 00:16:48.119 --> 00:16:48.959 not in a cause, 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:50.039 not in a set of rules, 00:16:50.099 --> 00:16:52.219 but in this very personal God. 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:52.959 You know, it's very interesting 00:16:52.959 --> 00:16:55.179 when Jesus was interacting 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.279 with the Pharisees once. 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:58.519 The Pharisees were very good 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.379 at knowing their Bibles. 00:17:00.739 --> 00:17:02.379 You know, they had it down to a T. 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:04.279 And Jesus says, 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.480 you know, you spend all of your time 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:08.700 reading and memorizing 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:11.299 and trying to live what the Torah says. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:14.019 And yet you've missed the point 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.359 because it's about me. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.140 Friends, could it be that even us 00:17:20.140 --> 00:17:22.700 who love the Bible, 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.740 and rightfully so, 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:25.819 and want to live the Bible rightfully so, 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:27.700 can sometimes miss the point 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:30.200 that it's about engaging 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:32.279 with the very personal God. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.900 And the sort of trust 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:38.360 that this God deserves and demands 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:40.340 is a wholehearted trust. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:42.480 Trust Him with all your heart. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.279 Put your whole weight into it. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.180 Hold nothing back. 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:47.840 Throw yourself upon it. 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:51.440 And the opposite of that 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.779 is to lean on your own understanding, 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.500 as verse 5 says. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.299 Now picture a person 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:56.080 with sort of a broken crutch 00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:58.179 about to lean their full weight into it. 00:17:58.199 --> 00:17:59.000 That's the image here. 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:00.859 And to lean on our own understanding 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.759 is to do just that. 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:03.439 To put our weight onto something 00:18:03.439 --> 00:18:05.379 that just can't hold. 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:06.339 One commentator wrote, 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.699 one is a fool 00:18:07.699 --> 00:18:10.799 to rely on his thimble of knowledge 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:14.039 before its vast ocean. 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:18.460 Friends, why is it that we think, 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:21.079 why do we think that trusting in ourselves, 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.599 ourselves, 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:24.240 with our ever conflicting desires, 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.500 not really knowing what we want 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.379 one day to the next, 00:18:26.899 --> 00:18:28.240 with our limited perspective, 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:31.039 with our finite amount of knowledge, 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:33.720 why do we think that trusting in ourselves 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.619 is a better course of action 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.759 than trusting in the eternal, 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.799 infinitely wise, 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.159 infinitely good God? 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:44.619 Unless you're here 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:46.079 and you never have conflicting desires 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.919 and you don't have limited perspective 00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:49.399 and you have an infinite amount of knowledge. 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.100 If that's you, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.600 then this sermon's not for you. 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.759 You can listen to something else. 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:54.640 But if you're with the rest of us 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.700 who experience conflicting desires 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.800 and know that we're limited, 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:01.400 why do we think that trusting in ourselves 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.280 is a better idea 00:19:02.280 --> 00:19:03.900 than trusting in the God of the universe? 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.180 Verse seven goes a little further. 00:19:08.280 --> 00:19:09.560 Be not wise in your own eyes. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:11.780 Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.100 So you see, 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:13.440 it's not just about refusing 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.400 to lean on our own understanding 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:16.120 in light of God's perfect knowledge. 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:17.379 It's also about refusing 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:19.399 to entertain our own pride 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:20.739 and our own self-will 00:19:20.739 --> 00:19:23.299 and things that are evil 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:25.759 in light of God's perfect holiness. 00:19:29.219 --> 00:19:30.419 So we're to trust in the Lord 00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:32.439 with all our heart. 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:36.439 But what does that practically look like 00:19:36.439 --> 00:19:37.039 on the ground? 00:19:37.919 --> 00:19:40.079 What does this wholehearted trust look like? 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:43.500 Well, I think our passage gives us 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.679 three snapshots 00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:46.500 of what that looks like. 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:50.419 Here's one thing that that looks like. 00:19:51.439 --> 00:19:52.699 First, do you let the teaching 00:19:52.699 --> 00:19:54.019 of God's word in Scripture 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.759 challenge, change, 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:58.099 and even overrule your thinking? 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:01.000 You know, it's easy to say 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.919 that we trust God 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:03.179 when there's no friction 00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:04.099 between our thoughts 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.839 and what we think of God's thoughts. 00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:09.379 But what about when what we want to do 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:10.780 and what God says we ought to do 00:20:10.780 --> 00:20:11.380 are at odds. 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.440 In verses one and three, 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.360 we get a picture of the Father 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.600 admonishing his son 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.640 not to forget his teaching, 00:20:18.760 --> 00:20:19.840 to keep guard 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:21.340 and to keep his commandments. 00:20:22.300 --> 00:20:24.280 To not let steadfast love 00:20:24.280 --> 00:20:25.020 and faithfulness, 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.260 which are the embodiment 00:20:26.260 --> 00:20:27.520 of God's teaching and commands 00:20:27.520 --> 00:20:28.580 because they're the embodiment 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.400 of God's own character. 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:31.100 To not let steadfast love 00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:32.620 and faithfulness forsake you. 00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:35.200 This admonition to listen 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.280 to the word, 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:38.240 to shape your life around the word. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.019 But what happens 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:40.099 when your will 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.680 and God's will 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.259 are written in Scripture 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.819 at odds? 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.700 When God commands you 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:46.279 to forgive, 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.420 for example. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.380 Or when he commands you 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.099 to be generous 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:55.140 to those who have less than you. 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.819 Or when he tells you 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.519 not to have sex 00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:00.380 outside of marriage. 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.900 When his word 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:05.440 runs counter to our desires, 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.359 what do we do? 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:11.979 Again, this is what it looks like 00:21:11.979 --> 00:21:12.799 to trust the Lord 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:14.199 wholeheartedly. 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.359 Be not wise 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.339 in your own eyes. 00:21:17.979 --> 00:21:18.759 Fear the Lord. 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:20.399 Turn away from evil. 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:23.539 And do you see the reward 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.299 in verse 8? 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.500 Not misery, 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.000 but healing. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.059 Not anguish, 00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:29.359 but refreshment. 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:34.559 Ray Ortlund, 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.240 in his commentary 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.859 on Proverbs, 00:21:35.979 --> 00:21:36.579 puts it this way. 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:36.939 He says, 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.179 you know, 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.059 here's the irony. 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.259 The more you fear the Lord, 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:43.139 the less you will fear man. 00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:45.099 The more you depend 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.559 on the Lord, 00:21:45.659 --> 00:21:46.359 the more independent 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.939 you will be. 00:21:47.459 --> 00:21:48.939 The more you resemble Christ, 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.839 the more of an individual 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.379 you will be. 00:21:50.459 --> 00:21:51.479 The more you obey him, 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.619 the freer you will be. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.399 Life will work for you 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:55.019 with healing 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.559 and refreshment. 00:21:56.559 --> 00:22:01.679 So there's one way 00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:03.500 wholehearted trust 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.480 takes shape practically. 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.619 We obey his word 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:07.039 even when it crosses 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.799 our desires. 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.019 We see another way 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.779 in verse 9. 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.119 Verse 9 says, 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.019 honor the Lord 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.799 with your wealth 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:15.500 and with the first fruits 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.500 of all your produce. 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:18.200 When times are going well, 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.379 when you're in a season 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.299 of prosperity, 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.220 of plenty, 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.720 wholehearted trust 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.700 looks like honoring 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:25.000 the Lord with your wealth. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:28.259 Now you have to see 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.839 that some of the most 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:31.220 spiritually challenging times 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.019 that we will face 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.399 aren't when things 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.099 are really difficult. 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.720 It's actually when things 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.679 are going really well. 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:40.599 It's in those moments 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.759 when our less than 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.500 wholehearted trust 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:42.919 in the Lord 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:44.200 can sometimes be revealed. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.980 When we don't 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.720 honor the Lord 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:50.119 or even think of the Lord. 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:55.559 But how should we 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:55.979 honor the Lord 00:22:55.979 --> 00:22:56.839 when things are going well? 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:57.559 When we're in a season 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.559 of plenty or prosperity? 00:22:58.679 --> 00:22:59.559 The second half of verse 9 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.059 tells us, 00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.399 we honor the Lord with 00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.479 or literally from 00:23:02.479 --> 00:23:03.799 the first fruits 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.179 of all our produce, 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.059 from our wealth. 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.739 Giving the first fruits 00:23:08.739 --> 00:23:09.479 in the Old Testament 00:23:09.479 --> 00:23:10.659 meant giving to God 00:23:10.659 --> 00:23:11.899 literally the first part 00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:12.539 of your harvest. 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:14.059 You were growing things, 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:15.419 the first thing that came up, 00:23:15.659 --> 00:23:16.299 that's what you gave 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:16.819 to the Lord. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:20.619 And that act of giving 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:22.299 the very first of your crops, 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:24.939 whatever the initial thing was, 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.899 the best of it, 00:23:25.939 --> 00:23:26.899 the first of it, 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.779 that act of giving 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.779 the very first of your crop 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.879 was a symbolic way 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:33.359 of saying that ultimately 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.639 it all belonged to God. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.799 That it was all His. 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:40.559 And that we are simply stewards 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:42.339 of what He's given us. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.359 So friends, 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.039 do you give 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.839 of what the Lord 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.500 has given you? 00:23:50.119 --> 00:23:50.839 Of your money, 00:23:51.159 --> 00:23:51.919 of your time, 00:23:52.199 --> 00:23:52.939 of your energy? 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.299 Proverbs is going to have 00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.139 a lot more to say 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:56.799 about our money 00:23:56.799 --> 00:23:57.479 and we're going to come 00:23:57.479 --> 00:23:58.099 back to it. 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.899 But are you giving Him 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.859 your first fruits? 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.919 Notice again 00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:07.099 the motivation in verse 10, 00:24:07.219 --> 00:24:08.259 barns full of grain, 00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.599 vats full of wine. 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:13.199 Matthew Henry said this 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:13.779 about that verse. 00:24:13.859 --> 00:24:14.059 He said, 00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:15.059 God will bless you 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.819 with an increase 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:18.099 of that which is for use, 00:24:18.399 --> 00:24:19.240 not for show, 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.220 for giving away, 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.200 not for hoarding. 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:24.179 Those who do good 00:24:24.179 --> 00:24:25.220 with what they have 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.819 shall have more 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:28.379 to do good with. 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:29.639 To do more good with. 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.039 Again, a principle. 00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:33.440 Not a hard and fast promise, 00:24:33.679 --> 00:24:34.919 but a principle. 00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.480 It's not about, 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.319 verse 10 isn't simply 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.279 about giving 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:40.339 so we can get more. 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.779 It's about God 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.740 giving to the generous 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.740 so they can be generous 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.399 all the more. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.839 So what does it look like 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.519 to trust the Lord 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.179 with all of our heart? 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.299 First, in verse 7, 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.319 we're shown that it's 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.359 fearing the Lord 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:55.299 and living in reverence 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.019 of Him and His word. 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:56.500 And then next, 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:56.939 in verse 9, 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.599 we're shown that it's 00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.379 honoring the Lord 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.319 in times of prosperity 00:24:59.319 --> 00:25:00.019 with our wealth. 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:01.220 And then in verse 11, 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.939 last, we're shown 00:25:01.939 --> 00:25:03.019 that it's not despising 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.740 the Lord in times 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.000 of affliction and discipline. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:08.420 That we don't just trust 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.059 Him wholeheartedly 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.519 in plenty, 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:11.279 but we actually trust 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.099 Him wholeheartedly 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.079 in pain. 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:18.500 And the deep reality here, 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:18.759 friends, 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.799 in verses 11 and 12 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.500 is that God 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:23.299 loves us 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.559 too much 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:26.240 to let us alone 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.720 in our lives. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.660 In all the trouble 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.960 and suffering of our life, 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:33.140 God is working out 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:33.820 His loving, 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.460 fatherly purposes 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.400 for our good. 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.240 As verse 12 says, 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.560 it's the Father's 00:25:40.560 --> 00:25:42.540 delight in us 00:25:42.540 --> 00:25:44.759 that leads Him 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.540 to discipline us, 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.200 to correct us, 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.900 to train us. 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:51.180 Again, I think C.S. Lewis 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:52.140 captured this so well. 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.140 He gives the illustration 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.700 of an artist 00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:54.340 and he says, 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.640 you know, 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.420 an artist might not 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.320 take much trouble 00:25:57.320 --> 00:25:58.320 over a picture 00:25:58.320 --> 00:25:59.420 that he or she 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:00.500 just sort of scribbles down 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.460 to amuse a child. 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.580 Have you done that? 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:04.119 If you had a little kid 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.980 you were watching maybe, 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.859 maybe you're babysitting 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:07.139 your, I don't know, 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:08.460 your brother's kids 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.919 or something 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:09.419 and you're like, 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.099 what do I do with these kids? 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.759 They're driving me crazy. 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:12.059 Here, here's a tic-tac-toe board. 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:12.859 Quick, fill it out. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:15.259 You don't take much time 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.559 to scribble down 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.500 a drawing 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.359 just to amuse a child, 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:18.799 but 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.859 an artist 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.339 will take 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.519 endless effort 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:25.240 over a great work 00:26:25.240 --> 00:26:25.519 of art 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.259 that he loves. 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.279 Now, imagine, 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:29.819 Lewis says, 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.980 imagine this artist 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:33.039 has a magnum opus 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.539 and this great work of art. 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.659 Imagine this great work of art 00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:36.679 actually was conscious, 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.279 was sentient, 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.839 was alive. 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.859 And you can imagine 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.839 such a piece of art, 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:41.960 he says, 00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:43.480 after being rubbed 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.519 and scraped 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.679 and recommended 00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:46.939 for the tenth time 00:26:46.939 --> 00:26:48.439 wishing that it were 00:26:48.439 --> 00:26:49.799 only a thumbnail sketch 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.399 whose making 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.399 was over in a minute. 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.480 In the same way, 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:54.879 he says, 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.140 it's natural for us 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.780 to wish 00:26:56.780 --> 00:26:58.040 that God 00:26:58.040 --> 00:26:59.200 had designed us 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.720 for a less glorious 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:03.060 and less arduous destiny, 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.880 but then 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:07.040 we are wishing not 00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:08.080 for more love 00:27:08.080 --> 00:27:09.380 but for less. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:14.060 Do you see what Lewis is saying? 00:27:15.040 --> 00:27:16.760 God has a destiny 00:27:16.760 --> 00:27:17.540 for you, 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.200 his children, 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:20.720 that is more glorious 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.380 than you can imagine, 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:24.580 and he is exercising 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:26.760 all of his fatherly 00:27:26.760 --> 00:27:28.620 care and power 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.280 and discipline 00:27:29.280 --> 00:27:30.320 to bring you there. 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:32.000 Like an artist 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:34.520 painstakingly chipping away 00:27:34.520 --> 00:27:36.500 at a beautiful piece of art. 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.920 And wholehearted trust 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:43.040 in the Lord's discipline 00:27:43.040 --> 00:27:44.160 looks like neither 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.560 despising it 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:48.240 nor being weary of it. 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:48.860 You see, 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.620 one is an active 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.800 response of anger 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.859 the other 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.559 is a passive 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.680 response of despair. 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.899 Aren't those both ways 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.799 that we can respond 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.599 when we're in seasons 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.700 of trouble and trial? 00:27:59.419 --> 00:27:59.919 Anger 00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:01.359 or despondency. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.539 But rather, 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.659 wholehearted trust 00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.240 says 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.099 and believes, 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.500 no, 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.399 the Lord 00:28:07.399 --> 00:28:08.279 reproves 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:09.099 those whom 00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:10.500 he loves. 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.779 And of course, 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.159 that may be 00:28:15.159 --> 00:28:15.759 the hardest test 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.039 of all, 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.359 isn't it? 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:18.960 Yes, 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.740 when our desires 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.480 are crossed 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.380 by God's word, 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.240 that can be tough. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.240 And yes, 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:24.759 when we're 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.259 in a season of, 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:26.740 you know, 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.680 things are going well, 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.360 it can be hard 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:29.599 to honor the Lord 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.539 and bring our hearts 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.200 back to him, 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:33.440 but suffering, 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.819 trial, 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.099 affliction, 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.819 that may be 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.640 the hardest of all, 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.180 isn't it? 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.440 But friends, 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.339 here's the good news. 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:48.099 if you are in Christ, 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.740 then you can look 00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:52.339 to one 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:53.939 who knows 00:28:53.939 --> 00:28:56.099 exactly what it's like 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.419 to be tested 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.980 and to suffer. 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:01.220 Look 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:02.559 to Jesus, 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.179 the book of Hebrews 00:29:04.179 --> 00:29:05.319 says in chapter 12, 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.839 the founder 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:08.459 and the perfecter 00:29:08.459 --> 00:29:09.599 of our faith, 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.500 our trust, 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:13.220 who for the joy 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.220 that was set before him 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.099 endured the cross, 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:16.200 despising the shame 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:16.799 and is seated 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.720 at the right hand 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.160 of God. 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.319 Consider him 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.039 who endured 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.640 from sinners 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.619 such hostility 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.420 against himself 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:23.380 so that you 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.859 may not grow weary 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.980 or faint-hearted. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.539 And then Hebrews quotes 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:29.079 Proverbs chapter 3, 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:30.940 verses 11 and 12. 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.900 Have you forgotten 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.700 the exhortation 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.799 that addresses you 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.920 as sons? 00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:37.900 My son, 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.960 do not regard lightly 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.440 the discipline 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:39.940 of the Lord, 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.680 nor be weary 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.740 when reproved by him, 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.460 for the Lord disciplines 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.600 the one he loves. 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.200 Christian, 00:29:47.320 --> 00:29:49.000 you have a high priest 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.940 in the Lord Jesus 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.340 who knows every trial 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:52.640 and every struggle 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.300 that you face. 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.779 He knows exactly 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.640 what it's like 00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:57.240 to be perfected 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.680 for his task 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.740 through suffering. 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.400 Just as you 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:05.860 are being perfected 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:07.139 for your task 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:08.019 through suffering. 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:11.379 And he blazed 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:12.439 that trail 00:30:12.439 --> 00:30:13.199 before you. 00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:15.099 He is the founder 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.679 and the perfecter 00:30:16.679 --> 00:30:17.859 of your faith. 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.259 In fact, 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.579 he went to the cross 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.219 for you 00:30:21.219 --> 00:30:22.759 so that any affliction 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.319 that you face 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.919 can now only do you good 00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:26.679 and never do you harm. 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:31.719 He took the sting 00:30:31.719 --> 00:30:32.500 and the poison 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:34.719 out of every bite, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.940 every thorn 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:37.420 that you will face. 00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:42.400 And that's what God promises, 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.500 your ultimate good, 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:45.400 the joy set before you, 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:47.460 as Hebrews 12 says. 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.740 Or as Proverbs 3 says, 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.460 the delight 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.380 of a father 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.039 for his son, 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:51.620 for his daughter, 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.880 healing to your flesh, 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.620 refreshment to your bones. 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:58.339 Do you long for that 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:59.759 this morning? 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:03.099 life deep down 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.079 in your bones 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:05.920 that nothing 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.660 in this world 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.180 can harm 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:07.759 or take away. 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.240 Don't you see 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:08.819 that's the picture 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:09.480 where we end? 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.819 Whether things are great 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.599 or whether things 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.319 are not so great. 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:14.140 You have something. 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:17.180 You have a flourishing 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.259 that circumstances 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:20.000 cannot shake. 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:24.140 And if you sense 00:31:24.140 --> 00:31:24.779 in your heart 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.779 a desire for that, 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.420 a longing 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.940 for that sort of flourishing, 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.920 a greater flourishing 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:30.119 than this world offers, 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:30.859 the flourishing 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.759 that only can be found 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.480 in Christ, 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:33.640 friends, 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.119 if your heart 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:35.119 is longing for that, 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.819 then know that God 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.460 is calling you, 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.099 even now, 00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:38.339 to a better trust, 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.660 to take your trust 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:41.099 off of yourself, 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.920 to stop looking 00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.880 and trusting 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.700 your desires 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.539 that you think 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:45.900 will lead you 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.440 to happiness 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:47.319 because that hasn't 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:47.940 ever worked, 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.420 has it? 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:51.080 and instead 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:52.600 to place your trust 00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.840 in the risen Lord Jesus, 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.940 to go to him 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.400 in prayer, 00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:57.860 to cast yourself 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:58.539 before him, 00:31:58.640 --> 00:32:00.039 to trust in the Lord 00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:01.300 with all your heart 00:32:01.300 --> 00:32:03.700 and to know 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.120 that he will 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:04.759 in no way 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.560 cast you out. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.380 Come to me, 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.320 Jesus told 00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:12.000 the crowds. 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.640 You're weary. 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.360 You're heavy laden. 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:17.300 Come to me 00:32:17.300 --> 00:32:18.400 and I will give you 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:18.920 rest. 00:32:19.380 --> 00:32:20.120 I will give you 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:20.600 peace. 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:22.140 I will make sure 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:24.100 that you flourish. 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.140 Let's pray. 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.040 Lord Jesus, 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:31.620 we acknowledge 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.280 and we know 00:32:32.280 --> 00:32:33.080 that we need 00:32:33.080 --> 00:32:33.920 your Holy Spirit 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.380 to do what this text 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:36.560 tells us we need to do, 00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.259 to trust in you 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.040 with all our heart. 00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:39.060 So, Lord, 00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.440 help us by your Spirit 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:42.160 to see the fact 00:32:42.160 --> 00:32:42.940 that you have died 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:43.380 and risen, 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:43.840 that you, 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.360 Lord Jesus, 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.180 are an utterly 00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:47.320 trustworthy Savior. 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:50.099 and a trustworthy Lord, 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.659 that your goodness 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:53.039 and your power 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.939 know no limit 00:32:53.939 --> 00:32:55.899 and that we can 00:32:55.899 --> 00:32:56.720 throw ourselves 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:58.339 wholeheartedly upon you. 00:32:59.419 --> 00:32:59.740 Lord, 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.879 help us to do that 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:02.079 in the thick 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:02.679 and the thin 00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:03.519 and the extremities 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.119 of life. 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.639 And Lord, 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.839 as we experience 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.700 that deep joy 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.119 and peace 00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:09.679 that you bring, 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:11.220 would it roll back, 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.399 would it redound forth, 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.700 would it ring out 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:15.059 to your glory? 00:33:16.539 --> 00:33:17.480 Would our neighbors 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.259 and our friends 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.480 see in us 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:21.860 a resilience 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.960 and a trust 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:24.880 that makes them say, 00:33:25.080 --> 00:33:25.720 what a great God 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:26.500 they must serve. 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.000 We pray this 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.720 in Jesus' name. 00:33:30.080 --> 00:33:30.299 Amen.