WEBVTT

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 Thank you very much, and thank you for the warm welcome we've received on the island.

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 We look forward to getting to know you a little bit, and we ask that the Lord will bless the

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 time together.

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 I bring greetings from our own fellowship, Kilmally and Arden American Free Church, and

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 ahead of the visit, we've very much been praying for you, and we trust God to be gracious to

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 us this weekend.

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 And we're going to look later on in Nehemiah chapter 9, but I want to begin our time just

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 with one verse where the people are told,

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 Bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting.

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 Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

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 Well, we want to bless and praise the Lord together this evening, and we'll do that with

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 our first item of praise as we sing together the metrical version of Psalm 111, and we shall

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 sing the first six verses of Psalm 111.

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 Praise to the Lord, I will extol Him.

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 Praise to the Lord.

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 I will extol Him.

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 Praise to the Lord.

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 Praise to the Lord.

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 and on the ancient times.

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 The whole works of the Lord our God

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 are great above all measure.

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 Slaughter they are of every one

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 at a festive pleasure.

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 His words most honor our God

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 is most glorious and pure,

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 and is undainted by justness

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 forever doth endure.

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 His works most wonderful he hath

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 made to be not upon.

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 The Lord is gracious,

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 and he is full of compassion.

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 He giveth me done to all those

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 that truly do him dear,

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 and evermore his covenant

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 he in his mind will bear.

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 He did the power of his words

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 unto his people show.

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 When he the raven's heritage

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 upon them death he's true.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Well, let's continue now

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 in praying together

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 to the Lord our God.

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 Let us pray.

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 Our gracious God

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 and our loving Heavenly Father,

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 we do gather this evening

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 as a congregation,

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 as a company of your people

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 saved by grace.

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 Lord, we gather to bless,

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 to praise,

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 to extol your name.

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 Father, we praise you for your works

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 in creation,

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 that you have set in their place

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 the sun and the moon and the stars.

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 we thank you that it was you

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 that formed the heights

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 of the mountains

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 and who founded the depths

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 of the sea,

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 that it was you that breathed life

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 into all living creatures,

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 and it is you who sustains

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 our lives.

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 And so we praise you

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 and we worship you

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 for the works about which

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 we have sung,

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 works which are right

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 and true.

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 we thank you, Lord,

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 that you are kind,

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 that you are great,

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 and that you are full of grace.

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 We thank you for the work of grace,

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 for the work of redemption

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 in our world,

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 in our lives.

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 That time and again

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 you have saved your people

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 from all their distress.

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 When they cried,

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 you have heard from heaven

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 and you have answered

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 answered to deliver.

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 Lord, how true that is

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 also of our own lives.

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 How much we want to thank you

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 for the times you have taken us

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 from the mud and mire

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 and set our feet upon the rock.

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 Time and again, Lord,

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 you forgave your people

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 all of their sins.

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 For you are a gracious

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 and merciful God,

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 slow to anger

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 and abounding

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 and steadfast love.

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 You are the one

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 who never forgets

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 and who never forsakes

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 your own people.

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 And how we thank you, Lord,

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 for our redemption in Christ.

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 That the one through whom

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 and for whom

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 all things were made

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 should step into this broken world.

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 That he might make one day

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 all things new.

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 Thank you that the Prince of Glory

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 was willing to bear our shame.

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 That the one in whom

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 there was life

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 was willing to die our death.

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 And that your only begotten Son

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 should be cut off

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 from his heavenly Father

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 in order that we might be welcomed home

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 and become children of the living God.

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 So this evening, this weekend,

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 Father, would you fix our eyes upon Jesus?

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 Would you turn our eyes upon Jesus

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 to look full in his glorious face

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 that the things on earth might seem strangely dim

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 in the light of his glory

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 and his grace?

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 Help us to set our hearts

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 on things that are above

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 to remember that our lives are hidden with Christ

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 who is the hope of glory.

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 So this evening we pray

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 as we turn to your word

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 as we lift up our voices in praise

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 would you refresh our hearts

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 and would you remind us once more

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 of your very great promises

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 and of the plans and the purposes

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 you have for our lives

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 that we might walk in wisdom

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 that we might walk in uprightness

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 for your pleasure

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 and for your praise.

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 And this we pray in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, we're going to sing once more

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 before we read

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 and our second item of praise

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 is Psalm 85

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 from Sing Psalms

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 Psalm 85

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 and we'll sing together verses 1 to 9

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 In times past, Lord, you showed favour

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 to your own beloved land

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 the prosperity of Jacob you restored

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 by your strong hand.

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 That's Psalm 85

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 verses 1 to 9

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 in time

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 in time

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 in time

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 in time

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 past, Lord, you showed

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 favour

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 to your own beloved land

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 the prosperity of Jacob

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 you restored by your strong hand

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 you restored by your strong hand

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 you forgive your people's trespass

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 you were pleased their sins to hide

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 you withdrew all your disfledger

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 from your wrath you turned us high

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 God our Saviour

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 now restore us

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 from us turn away your rage

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 will your anger burn against us

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 will it last from age to age

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 will you not again be

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 will you not again revive us

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 that we may rejoice in you

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 show us, Lord, your covenant verse

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 show us, Lord, your covenant mercy

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 your salvation grant and you

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 I will hear what God the Lord says

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 to his saints he offers peace

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 but his people must not wander

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 and return to foolishness

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 surely for all those who fear him

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 his salvation is at hand

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 so that once again his glory

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 may be seen within our land

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 well I

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 I wanted to look together with you tonight

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 at the ninth chapter of Nehemiah

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 which if you have the same church bible

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 I have before me

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 it should be found on page 483

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 that's Nehemiah chapter 9

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 page 482 and 83

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 it's a lengthy chapter

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 we're not going to read the whole chapter

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 but I hope to reference it in the course

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 of our study together

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 but tonight we're just going to read

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 a few verses from the close of the chapter

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 that's 32 down to the end

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 verse 38

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 this great prayer of confession

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 before God

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 and Nehemiah chapter 9

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 verse 32

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 we come to the conclusion of that prayer

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 let us hear together the word of God

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 now therefore our God the great

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 the mighty and the awesome God

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 who keeps covenant and steadfast love

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 let not all the hardship seem little to you

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 that has come upon us

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 upon our kings

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 our princes our priests our prophets our fathers

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 and all your people

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 since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day

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 yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us

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 for you have dealt faithfully

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 and we have acted wickedly

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 our kings our princes our priests and our fathers

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 have not kept your law

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 or paid attention to your commandments

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 and your warnings that you gave them

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 even in their own kingdom

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 enjoying your great goodness that you gave them

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 and in the large and rich land that you set before them

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 they did not serve you

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 or turn from their wicked works

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 behold we are slaves this day

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 in the land that you gave to our fathers

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 to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts

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 behold we are slaves

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 and its rich yield goes to the kings

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 whom you have set over us because of our sins

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 they rule over our bodies and over our livestock as they please

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 and we are in great distress

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 because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing

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 on the sealed documents of the names of our princes

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 our Levites and our priests

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 and we thank God for his word

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 in this book of Nehemiah

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 before we turn to the word together

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 for a time of study

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 we will sing once more

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 this time from Psalm 36

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 the metrical version of Psalm 36

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 singing together verses 5 to 10

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 a psalm about the mercy and loving kindness of God towards his people

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 thy mercy Lord is in the heavens

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 thy truth doth reach the clouds

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 Psalm 36 5 to 10

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 thy mercy Lord is in the heavens

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 thy truth doth reach the clouds

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 thy mercy Lord is in the heavens

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 thy truth doth reach the clouds

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 thy truth doth reach the clouds

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 thy truth doth reach the clouds

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 thy对

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 thy thy justice di That's what

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 thy justice di E Ais-Blued

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 Lord, thy preserves man and peace, how precious is thy grace.

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 Therefore in shadow of thy wings, men's sunset shall quay.

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 They with the badness of thy heart shall be well satisfied.

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 O rivers of thy pleasures, I will think to them provide.

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 Because of life the fountain pure remains alone with thee.

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 And in the purest light of mine, we clearly light shall see.

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 Thy lovingkindness unto them continue that be known.

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 And still on men, how bright in heart thy righteousness be so.

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 Well, I invite you to keep your Bible open to Nehemiah chapter 9.

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 And although we read from verse 32, I want to survey the whole chapter with you as we think together.

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 And it's a wonderful prayer.

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 It's a prayer of confession.

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 And it's good as we approach this weekend that we come before God and acknowledge and confess our sins to Him,

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 trusting in His great mercies, trusting in His steadfast love and faithfulness.

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 I wonder if you've heard of any occasions in which the leaders of the nation sought to turn a people back to God.

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 It was a little bit before God.

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 It was a little bit before my time, but I believe that during the days of World War II,

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 there was a national day of prayer in advance of the great rescue at Dunkirk.

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 The king himself called the nation to pray.

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 And all over the land, church bells rang out, queues formed as people were eager to pray for the safe deliverance of the British Army.

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 When the time came, the seas were calm, the skies were cloudy, and a great many were delivered.

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 The leaders of a nation leading their people to God.

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 And that's something like the scene in Nehemiah chapter 9.

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 Nehemiah was a leader.

00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:16.119
 We often think of him as something like a civil engineer, rebuilding gates and walls.

00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:24.220
 But he sought also to rebuild the community, the people of the tribes who had returned.

00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:27.439
 He sought to bring the people back to God.

00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:36.059
 And so in Nehemiah chapter 9, he, Nehemiah the governor, turns his people's attention to the living God,

00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:40.400
 rebuilding not only the city, but rebuilding the community.

00:21:42.160 --> 00:21:48.779
 We have in Kilmali and Ardnamurk been studying together the book of Nehemiah over these past months.

00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:55.960
 And it's the kind of book that's often preached if, for example, you're attending a leadership seminar.

00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.779
 You know, the sort of thing, you know, leadership lessons from Nehemiah.

00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:10.019
 And somebody rightly commented, it is perhaps the oldest book, the oldest manual on leadership in the whole of human history.

00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:18.079
 Much to teach us about spiritual leadership, much to teach us about servant leadership, particularly the fifth chapter.

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:22.500
 But it's not just a book about leadership.

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:28.099
 And it's a book that's often preached on, isn't it, just before a building project.

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:34.599
 We are ourselves about to renovate our small church building on the Ardnamurk Peninsula,

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.819
 but that wasn't why we wanted to preach it.

00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:41.279
 It's not just a book about building projects.

00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:44.500
 In fact, building is really only half the story.

00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:51.960
 The books of Ezra and Nehemiah originally circulated as one book, Ezra-Nehemiah.

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:56.420
 And we often concentrate on the physical rebuilding.

00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:58.279
 In Ezra, that is the temple.

00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:02.500
 In Nehemiah, the gates and the walls of Jerusalem.

00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:06.779
 But each book is itself in two halves.

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.839
 The first half, there is a building project.

00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:16.099
 The second half, a rebuilding of the people's lives and their faith and their community around the Word of God.

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:23.240
 And so Nehemiah seeks not only to rebuild the city, which he does under God, but to rebuild the people.

00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:30.660
 To restore not only the gates and the walls of Jerusalem, but to restore their relationship with the living God,

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:33.400
 built on the foundation of the Word of God.

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:39.960
 And in chapter 8, that Word is opened for the first time in a long time.

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.920
 And as the people hear the Word, they weep,

00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:48.339
 because they realize what they'd lost, how their forefathers had behaved.

00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:52.359
 But they're told in that chapter not to weep,

00:23:52.959 --> 00:23:57.679
 because it was a time to celebrate, and a time to celebrate the Feast of Booths.

00:23:58.019 --> 00:24:00.819
 And so in chapter 8, there is feasting, there is a festival.

00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:05.399
 But then in chapter 9, the time comes to weep,

00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:10.439
 to confess their sins before God, to repent of their sins,

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:13.759
 to turn back in faith to the living God.

00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:18.119
 And so in chapter 9, that's what we find happening.

00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:26.740
 On the 24th day, the people assemble with fasting, sackcloth, and with earth on their heads.

00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:29.500
 They separate themselves from the people of the land,

00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:33.119
 and they hear the Word of God for a quarter of a day.

00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.639
 Verse 3,

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:40.379
 And then for another quarter, they make confession and worship the Lord their God.

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:44.399
 It's a remarkable passage.

00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:48.920
 Where we live, we have a nice view of Ben Nevis,

00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:51.100
 from some of the windows of the house.

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:55.380
 And if you're familiar with the Nevis Range, you'll know there's a gondola,

00:24:55.800 --> 00:24:59.620
 which is the easiest and the quickest way to get up to enjoy the view.

00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:06.659
 And if you take the gondola in Anakmur, you get a tremendous view of the surrounding mountains.

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:11.859
 Nevis Range, the Memors, all the way across to the west.

00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:17.919
 And in Nehemiah chapter 9, we get a tremendous view of the Old Testament.

00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:21.719
 We're given a summary of Old Testament history.

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:27.419
 We're given a survey of Old Testament events from the creation of the universe in Genesis

00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:31.099
 to the return from exile at the time of Nehemiah.

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:38.439
 And it's not just a register of names and important dates and significant places.

00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:44.459
 It is a record of God's faithful dealings with His unfaithful people.

00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.740
 It's a long passage.

00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:53.399
 But there is a repeated pattern that helps us understand what's at work.

00:25:53.400 --> 00:26:01.740
 Repeatedly, we are told of God's initiative in calling people to Himself, in making a covenant with them.

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:07.960
 You did this, the gracious initiative of God.

00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:12.340
 And then there is then described how the people turned away,

00:26:13.060 --> 00:26:16.400
 how they were ungrateful, how they were disobedient.

00:26:16.780 --> 00:26:18.700
 But we did this.

00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:24.480
 And then they are taught how the Lord showed His mercy and grace,

00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:26.019
 how He persevered with them,

00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:30.180
 and how He pardoned their sins times without number.

00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:36.240
 And so I want to briefly survey this passage,

00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:39.380
 observing three things in the first eight verses.

00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:41.340
 God makes a covenant.

00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:44.340
 In the verses 9 to 31,

00:26:44.340 --> 00:26:47.440
 the people break the covenant and break His commandments.

00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:51.539
 And then in the verses we read, 32 to 38,

00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:54.640
 they seek to remake the covenant.

00:26:57.039 --> 00:27:00.220
 And the opening verses take us right back to the beginning,

00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:02.840
 right back to the beginning of all things,

00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:06.480
 the creation of heaven and earth.

00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.160
 Verse 6,

00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:09.059
 You made heaven, the heaven of heavens,

00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:12.039
 the earth and all that is in it.

00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:17.220
 We live in a beautiful and a wonderful world.

00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:18.639
 You live on Lewis.

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.879
 I don't need to tell you that.

00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:23.079
 The more we learn about the world,

00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:25.599
 the more we marvel at the wisdom and the power

00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:28.019
 of the God who made it.

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:32.599
 The Lord, we're told, made all men and women.

00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:36.819
 And He chose one man, this man, Abram.

00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:40.079
 And He made a covenant with Him.

00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:43.559
 He who made all things made a covenant with this young man,

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.179
 this old man, I should say.

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.740
 And He promised Abram

00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:51.639
 that He would be the father of many peoples.

00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:54.099
 He promised to many descendants,

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:56.539
 though He was at the time childless.

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:58.700
 He promised His own land,

00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.680
 the land of the Canaanites.

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.740
 He promised that He would bless him

00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.879
 and that through His seed,

00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.000
 through His offspring,

00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:08.619
 all the world would be blessed.

00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:13.259
 And immediately, we're told,

00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:15.940
 in these chapters,

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.799
 verse 8,

00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:20.819
 You have kept your promise,

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:23.420
 for you are righteous.

00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:27.220
 The one who made all things made a promise.

00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:30.200
 And undergirding this whole chapter

00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:32.860
 is that the Lord kept His promise,

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:35.820
 for He is righteous.

00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:41.039
 Abram, his heart was found faithful to God,

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:45.920
 but God proved Himself faithful to His people

00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:48.480
 and to His ancestors

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:51.860
 throughout their long and their troubled history.

00:28:53.420 --> 00:28:55.140
 God is faithful.

00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:57.180
 God keeps promises

00:28:57.180 --> 00:28:59.920
 at the very start of this confession.

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:05.720
 Have we ever failed to keep our word?

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.860
 Have we ever broken a promise?

00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:12.039
 Not kept an appointment,

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.880
 an arrangement without telling anyone?

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:17.300
 Not fulfilled a contractual obligation?

00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:19.859
 Not kept a vow,

00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.339
 maybe a baptismal vow,

00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:23.559
 but bringing up the children in the faith?

00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.519
 Are we unwilling,

00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.539
 or more likely unable,

00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:32.019
 to keep the promises we make?

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.720
 It's part of life in the sinful

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.059
 and this fallen world

00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.159
 that people say things

00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:38.440
 and make promises,

00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.779
 but they cannot fulfill them.

00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:42.639
 And yet there is one

00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:45.299
 who kept His promise,

00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:47.480
 who keeps His promise,

00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:50.480
 for He is righteous.

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:56.420
 In the great hymn Amazing Grace,

00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.860
 John Newton has these words,

00:29:57.980 --> 00:30:00.460
 The Lord has promised good to me.

00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:03.039
 His word my hope secures.

00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:06.160
 He will my shield and portion be

00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:09.279
 as long as life endures.

00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:11.079
 He has promised,

00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:13.720
 and He will keep His promise,

00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:16.240
 because He is righteous.

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:22.660
 So, the confession begins

00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:23.960
 with a reminder

00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:27.059
 of the faithfulness of God,

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:29.120
 the favor He showed to Abraham

00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:30.660
 in making this covenant.

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.059
 And in the chapter,

00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.059
 the verses that follow,

00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:36.160
 we move from Genesis

00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:38.099
 into Exodus,

00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:40.519
 the next book of the Pentateuch.

00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:43.359
 And we learn once more

00:30:43.359 --> 00:30:44.660
 of the Lord's deliverance

00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.460
 of His people

00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.720
 from Egypt.

00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.559
 He fulfilled His promise

00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.900
 in multiplying them greatly.

00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.140
 And though He had yet

00:30:54.140 --> 00:30:55.240
 to give them the land

00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.160
 of their inheritance,

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.920
 they multiplied

00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:59.019
 and they lived in Egypt.

00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.740
 And the Egyptians

00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.940
 became afraid

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:03.799
 of the immigrants.

00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.799
 They began to oppress them.

00:31:05.860 --> 00:31:06.480
 They were terrified

00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:07.400
 that they'd take over.

00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:11.120
 And then we have Pharaoh,

00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.640
 who does not let

00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.440
 his people go.

00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:16.539
 And we're told

00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.259
 in Nehemiah

00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.240
 from verse 9

00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.259
 that God saw

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.960
 their affliction

00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.620
 as they worked

00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.180
 as slaves.

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:22.200
 He heard their cry

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.980
 at the Red Sea

00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:24.460
 and He performed

00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:25.100
 these signs

00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:25.539
 and wonders

00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.279
 against Pharaoh,

00:31:27.320 --> 00:31:28.120
 for they acted

00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:28.880
 arrogantly

00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:29.860
 against

00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:31.700
 our fathers.

00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.640
 But Moses

00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:35.420
 went to Pharaoh

00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.340
 and he explained

00:31:36.340 --> 00:31:37.480
 that the God

00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.940
 of heaven

00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.920
 had commanded him

00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:39.940
 to let His people go.

00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:41.840
 Pharaoh said,

00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:43.059
 Exodus 5 verse 2,

00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.019
 Who is the Lord?

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.319
 I do not know the Lord.

00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.939
 He failed to rightly

00:31:48.939 --> 00:31:50.519
 honor the God

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.419
 of heaven.

00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.399
 And so the Lord

00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:54.579
 showed His signs

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.339
 and wonders

00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.220
 and He brought

00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.959
 His people

00:31:56.959 --> 00:31:58.079
 safely out,

00:31:58.399 --> 00:31:58.959
 made a name

00:31:58.959 --> 00:31:59.480
 for Himself,

00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.359
 divided the sea

00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:00.959
 before them.

00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.839
 And there in the wilderness

00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.659
 He fed them

00:32:05.659 --> 00:32:07.699
 daily with manna

00:32:07.699 --> 00:32:08.259
 from heaven.

00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.619
 He led them

00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.200
 day and night

00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:10.720
 with a cloud

00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:11.259
 of fire.

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.019
 And He led them

00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.759
 supremely,

00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.660
 verse 13,

00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:17.879
 by speaking to them

00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.420
 from heaven

00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.839
 and giving them

00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.740
 right rules

00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:22.379
 and true laws,

00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.500
 making known to them

00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.819
 the Holy Sabbath,

00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:26.019
 giving them

00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.599
 the law

00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:27.920
 of Moses.

00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.039
 The Lord

00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:32.200
 liberated them.

00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:33.700
 The Lord

00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.420
 fed them.

00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.099
 He led them.

00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:36.279
 He gave to them

00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.779
 His law.

00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.359
 He did them

00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:38.319
 so much good.

00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.819
 And then in verse 16

00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.639
 we read that word,

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:46.220
 but they and our forefathers

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.539
 acted presumptuously

00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:49.279
 and stiffened their neck

00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.599
 and did not obey

00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:52.160
 your command.

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.859
 How did they respond

00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:57.220
 to the saving initiative?

00:32:57.399 --> 00:32:58.279
 How did they respond

00:32:58.279 --> 00:33:00.099
 to God hearing their cries

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:00.619
 and helping?

00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.599
 How did they respond

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.500
 to His care

00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:04.160
 and His daily guidance?

00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.480
 They stiffened their neck.

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:09.899
 They refused to obey

00:33:09.899 --> 00:33:10.740
 His commandments.

00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.099
 They forgot

00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:15.339
 the miracles,

00:33:15.680 --> 00:33:17.259
 not mindful of the wonders

00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:17.980
 you'd performed

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.579
 among them.

00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:21.119
 They sought to return

00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:22.059
 to their slavery

00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:23.240
 in Egypt.

00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.139
 They committed

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.119
 great blasphemy

00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:27.839
 and they worshipped

00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.579
 an idol,

00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:30.160
 verse 18.

00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:34.540
 They were not mindful

00:33:34.540 --> 00:33:36.600
 of all that the Lord

00:33:36.600 --> 00:33:38.220
 had done for them.

00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:40.720
 Ingratitude,

00:33:41.840 --> 00:33:42.300
 insolent.

00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:43.300
 They could not have been

00:33:43.300 --> 00:33:44.580
 more ungrateful

00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:45.640
 to the Lord.

00:33:46.800 --> 00:33:47.840
 Instead of worshipping Him,

00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:49.240
 they cast for themselves

00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.519
 this golden calf

00:33:50.519 --> 00:33:51.600
 and they said,

00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:52.500
 this is your God

00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.100
 who brought you up

00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.580
 out of Egypt

00:33:53.580 --> 00:33:54.320
 and they committed

00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:56.220
 great blasphemies.

00:33:56.220 --> 00:34:01.319
 I wonder how you

00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:02.640
 or I would respond

00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.960
 in the face

00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.380
 of such ingratitude.

00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:08.480
 Would we say,

00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.079
 after all I've done

00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.519
 for you

00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.920
 and this is how

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.639
 you thank me,

00:34:14.220 --> 00:34:15.500
 how does the Lord

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.159
 respond

00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:17.340
 to their

00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:19.199
 ingratitude?

00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.559
 You

00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:23.559
 are a gracious,

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.260
 a God ready to forgive,

00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:26.460
 gracious and merciful,

00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:27.960
 slow to anger

00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:29.260
 and abounding

00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.460
 in steadfast love.

00:34:30.540 --> 00:34:31.880
 You did not forsake them,

00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:32.680
 verse 17.

00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:36.380
 In your great mercies,

00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:37.960
 you continued

00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.460
 to give them

00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.280
 the pillar of cloud,

00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.240
 the pillar of fire.

00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:41.400
 Verse 20,

00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.820
 you gave your good spirit,

00:34:43.140 --> 00:34:44.300
 you gave the manna.

00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:46.340
 For 40 years,

00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:47.400
 you sustained them

00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.000
 in the wilderness.

00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:49.580
 They lacked

00:34:49.580 --> 00:34:50.480
 nothing.

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:55.300
 The people

00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:56.559
 rejected

00:34:56.559 --> 00:34:57.880
 the Lord.

00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:58.699
 The people

00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.240
 sought to

00:34:59.240 --> 00:35:00.000
 go back

00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.679
 to slavery

00:35:00.679 --> 00:35:01.460
 in Egypt,

00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.019
 yet the Lord

00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:03.179
 persevered with them.

00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.059
 He didn't give up

00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:05.240
 on them.

00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.240
 He didn't give them

00:35:06.240 --> 00:35:06.460
 over.

00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:08.260
 He persevered

00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:08.740
 with them.

00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:10.579
 Disciplined,

00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:10.920
 yes,

00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:12.460
 but not abandoned.

00:35:13.860 --> 00:35:14.280
 Still

00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:15.740
 fed with the manna,

00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.320
 still led

00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:16.800
 with the

00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:17.679
 pillar of cloud

00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:18.139
 and fire,

00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:19.159
 still sustained

00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:20.420
 by his spirit

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:23.859
 for 40 years

00:35:23.859 --> 00:35:24.920
 in the wilderness.

00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.779
 And the answer

00:35:28.779 --> 00:35:29.559
 and the reason

00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:29.879
 why,

00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.480
 verse 19,

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.019
 is that word

00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.699
 will meet again,

00:35:31.779 --> 00:35:32.279
 these words,

00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:34.239
 your great mercies.

00:35:35.619 --> 00:35:36.599
 He made a promise

00:35:36.599 --> 00:35:37.799
 to Abraham

00:35:37.799 --> 00:35:39.420
 that he would

00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.519
 bless his descendants

00:35:40.519 --> 00:35:42.179
 and he kept

00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:42.739
 his promise

00:35:42.739 --> 00:35:43.539
 because he

00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.420
 is righteous,

00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:45.940
 he is faithful

00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:47.500
 even when

00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.199
 his people

00:35:48.199 --> 00:35:50.039
 are unfaithful.

00:35:52.839 --> 00:35:53.759
 The opening

00:35:53.759 --> 00:35:54.659
 psalm,

00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:56.460
 reading a little

00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:57.159
 further down

00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:57.980
 to verse 9,

00:35:58.779 --> 00:35:59.799
 Psalm 111,

00:35:59.899 --> 00:36:00.619
 this time in the

00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.319
 Sing's Praise

00:36:01.319 --> 00:36:02.319
 version,

00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:02.939
 has this

00:36:02.939 --> 00:36:03.579
 stanza.

00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:05.279
 He sent

00:36:05.279 --> 00:36:05.739
 redemption

00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:06.599
 for his people.

00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.799
 His covenant

00:36:07.799 --> 00:36:09.399
 remains the same,

00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:11.199
 ordained by him

00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:12.319
 throughout all ages,

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:12.879
 holy

00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:14.160
 and awesome,

00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:16.260
 is his name.

00:36:16.380 --> 00:36:17.519
 He is faithful

00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:18.920
 even when they

00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:21.119
 are unfaithful.

00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:24.119
 And we see that

00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:24.700
 same pattern

00:36:24.700 --> 00:36:25.280
 play out

00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:26.220
 in the next

00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:26.680
 verses,

00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:28.260
 moving this time

00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:28.860
 from Exodus

00:36:28.860 --> 00:36:29.880
 into the historical

00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.300
 books,

00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:31.240
 the conquest,

00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:31.800
 Joshua,

00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:32.700
 all the way

00:36:32.700 --> 00:36:33.539
 through to the end

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:35.019
 of 2 Kings.

00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:37.519
 Verse 22,

00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:38.519
 he gives them

00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:39.019
 kingdoms.

00:36:39.720 --> 00:36:40.539
 Verse 22,

00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.900
 they possess the land

00:36:41.900 --> 00:36:42.739
 he had pledged

00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.779
 to give to them.

00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.779
 And it's a lovely land,

00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.400
 rich,

00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:47.820
 fertile land,

00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.980
 houses and cities

00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:49.759
 they didn't build,

00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:51.219
 flowing with milk

00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:51.739
 and honey.

00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.099
 The people

00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:55.380
 delight themselves

00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:57.440
 in God's

00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:59.200
 great goodness.

00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:02.480
 And how do they

00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:02.940
 respond?

00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:04.820
 Well, it's

00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:05.420
 depressingly

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:05.980
 predictable,

00:37:06.180 --> 00:37:06.519
 isn't it?

00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:07.559
 Verse 26,

00:37:08.300 --> 00:37:08.760
 nevertheless,

00:37:10.260 --> 00:37:10.660
 they were

00:37:10.660 --> 00:37:11.480
 disobedient

00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.760
 and rebelled

00:37:12.760 --> 00:37:13.539
 against you

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:15.059
 and cast your law

00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:16.119
 behind their back.

00:37:17.360 --> 00:37:18.079
 Not with

00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:18.760
 gratitude

00:37:18.760 --> 00:37:20.300
 and rejoicing

00:37:20.300 --> 00:37:20.840
 at the Lord's

00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:21.340
 great goodness,

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:22.440
 not with worship

00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:23.320
 and obedience

00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:24.059
 to his word.

00:37:24.160 --> 00:37:24.940
 On the contrary,

00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.920
 they cast

00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.619
 his law

00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.280
 behind their

00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:27.840
 back,

00:37:28.659 --> 00:37:29.980
 going so far

00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.639
 as to kill

00:37:30.639 --> 00:37:31.559
 the prophets

00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.280
 that came

00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:32.880
 and spoke

00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.240
 to them

00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:33.780
 and warned

00:37:33.780 --> 00:37:34.139
 them.

00:37:38.440 --> 00:37:39.360
 The Lord

00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.440
 doesn't give up

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:40.740
 on them.

00:37:42.659 --> 00:37:43.440
 Verse 23,

00:37:44.500 --> 00:37:45.200
 he'd multiplied

00:37:45.200 --> 00:37:46.059
 them as the

00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:46.940
 stars of heaven,

00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:48.200
 as he'd promised

00:37:48.200 --> 00:37:48.679
 to do.

00:37:50.260 --> 00:37:50.740
 And though they

00:37:50.740 --> 00:37:51.380
 give themselves

00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.260
 over once more

00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:53.300
 to idolatry

00:37:53.300 --> 00:37:55.720
 and blasphemy,

00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.640
 he doesn't

00:37:56.640 --> 00:37:57.680
 give them up.

00:37:58.680 --> 00:37:59.300
 He does

00:37:59.300 --> 00:37:59.820
 give them over

00:37:59.820 --> 00:38:00.440
 to the hands

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.019
 of their enemies,

00:38:01.140 --> 00:38:01.560
 but he doesn't

00:38:01.560 --> 00:38:01.980
 give them up

00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.840
 fully and

00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:03.340
 finally.

00:38:05.100 --> 00:38:06.100
 And verse 27,

00:38:06.220 --> 00:38:07.039
 when they cry

00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:07.620
 out to him

00:38:07.620 --> 00:38:08.560
 in their distress,

00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:09.640
 once more he

00:38:09.640 --> 00:38:10.420
 hears their

00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:10.940
 affliction

00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:12.320
 and he responds.

00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:14.920
 And there's

00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:15.300
 that little

00:38:15.300 --> 00:38:15.860
 phrase

00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.720
 again

00:38:16.719 --> 00:38:18.819
 in verse 27,

00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:20.980
 according to

00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:21.939
 your great

00:38:21.939 --> 00:38:23.139
 mercies.

00:38:24.719 --> 00:38:25.639
 He made a

00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:26.019
 promise

00:38:26.019 --> 00:38:27.119
 to their

00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:27.759
 forefather.

00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:29.039
 He kept

00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.819
 that promise

00:38:29.819 --> 00:38:30.739
 because he

00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:32.339
 is faithful.

00:38:34.899 --> 00:38:35.859
 And the people

00:38:35.859 --> 00:38:36.819
 just go downhill.

00:38:37.599 --> 00:38:38.519
 Things get worse

00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:39.639
 and worse.

00:38:40.899 --> 00:38:41.459
 We're told

00:38:41.459 --> 00:38:42.039
 that they

00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:42.639
 acted

00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:43.319
 presumptuously.

00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.099
 It's the same

00:38:44.099 --> 00:38:44.500
 language,

00:38:44.639 --> 00:38:45.199
 verse 29,

00:38:45.199 --> 00:38:45.799
 that was used

00:38:45.799 --> 00:38:46.339
 of Pharaoh.

00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:47.919
 So this

00:38:47.919 --> 00:38:48.559
 unbelieving

00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:48.899
 Pharaoh,

00:38:49.059 --> 00:38:49.719
 who didn't

00:38:49.719 --> 00:38:50.159
 know the

00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:50.460
 Lord,

00:38:50.919 --> 00:38:51.279
 acted

00:38:51.279 --> 00:38:51.919
 arrogantly

00:38:51.919 --> 00:38:52.639
 towards him.

00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:54.399
 And sometime

00:38:54.399 --> 00:38:54.799
 later,

00:38:54.879 --> 00:38:55.379
 the Lord's

00:38:55.379 --> 00:38:55.839
 own people

00:38:55.839 --> 00:38:56.199
 act

00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:57.199
 presumptuously,

00:38:57.419 --> 00:38:58.000
 as if they

00:38:58.000 --> 00:38:58.439
 didn't know

00:38:58.439 --> 00:38:58.919
 the Lord.

00:39:02.239 --> 00:39:03.000
 They keep

00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:03.559
 on sinning.

00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:05.359
 They turned

00:39:05.359 --> 00:39:06.000
 a stubborn

00:39:06.000 --> 00:39:06.579
 shoulder.

00:39:06.739 --> 00:39:07.419
 They stiffened

00:39:07.419 --> 00:39:07.960
 again their

00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:08.299
 neck.

00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:09.139
 They closed

00:39:09.139 --> 00:39:09.859
 their ears

00:39:09.859 --> 00:39:10.739
 to the pleas

00:39:10.739 --> 00:39:11.599
 of the prophets.

00:39:11.879 --> 00:39:12.299
 And this

00:39:12.299 --> 00:39:12.819
 wasn't an

00:39:12.819 --> 00:39:13.839
 occasional wobble.

00:39:13.939 --> 00:39:14.419
 This wasn't

00:39:14.419 --> 00:39:15.079
 a one-off.

00:39:15.199 --> 00:39:17.379
 We're told

00:39:17.379 --> 00:39:17.899
 it was a

00:39:17.899 --> 00:39:18.639
 pattern of

00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.419
 behavior that

00:39:19.419 --> 00:39:20.339
 continued for

00:39:20.339 --> 00:39:21.819
 many years,

00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:23.619
 decades,

00:39:24.199 --> 00:39:24.739
 centuries.

00:39:28.019 --> 00:39:29.179
 They tried

00:39:29.179 --> 00:39:29.819
 his patience

00:39:29.819 --> 00:39:30.759
 time and

00:39:30.759 --> 00:39:31.179
 again.

00:39:32.759 --> 00:39:33.219
 And yet he

00:39:33.219 --> 00:39:33.939
 never made

00:39:33.939 --> 00:39:34.359
 an end of

00:39:34.359 --> 00:39:34.500
 them,

00:39:34.559 --> 00:39:35.539
 verse 31.

00:39:36.539 --> 00:39:37.000
 And he

00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:37.719
 never forsook

00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:37.980
 them,

00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:39.519
 for he is a

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.879
 gracious and

00:39:40.879 --> 00:39:42.359
 merciful God.

00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:43.639
 He kept

00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:44.259
 his promise,

00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:45.580
 because he

00:39:45.580 --> 00:39:46.120
 is righteous.

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:47.700
 He is the

00:39:47.700 --> 00:39:48.600
 God of

00:39:48.600 --> 00:39:49.760
 great mercy,

00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:50.540
 slow to

00:39:50.540 --> 00:39:51.680
 anger and

00:39:51.680 --> 00:39:53.020
 abounding in

00:39:53.020 --> 00:39:54.580
 steadfast love.

00:39:58.080 --> 00:39:58.840
 Perhaps

00:39:58.840 --> 00:40:00.480
 you've known

00:40:00.480 --> 00:40:01.020
 the experience

00:40:01.020 --> 00:40:01.740
 in your life

00:40:01.740 --> 00:40:03.940
 where you've

00:40:03.940 --> 00:40:04.340
 sought to

00:40:04.340 --> 00:40:04.900
 support a

00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:05.740
 wayward child

00:40:05.739 --> 00:40:08.439
 or a

00:40:08.439 --> 00:40:09.519
 testing spouse

00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:10.519
 or in the

00:40:10.519 --> 00:40:10.939
 workplace,

00:40:11.059 --> 00:40:11.699
 a difficult

00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:12.399
 employee,

00:40:12.759 --> 00:40:13.339
 a manager,

00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:15.500
 member of

00:40:15.500 --> 00:40:16.059
 the department.

00:40:18.319 --> 00:40:19.099
 Perhaps in

00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:19.599
 your family,

00:40:19.699 --> 00:40:20.419
 there's a

00:40:20.419 --> 00:40:20.799
 member of the

00:40:20.799 --> 00:40:21.299
 family who

00:40:21.299 --> 00:40:22.099
 year after

00:40:22.099 --> 00:40:22.899
 year causes

00:40:22.899 --> 00:40:23.439
 nothing but

00:40:23.439 --> 00:40:24.139
 heartache.

00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:25.779
 They don't

00:40:25.779 --> 00:40:26.179
 listen to

00:40:26.179 --> 00:40:26.619
 advice.

00:40:26.799 --> 00:40:27.059
 They go

00:40:27.059 --> 00:40:27.419
 their own

00:40:27.419 --> 00:40:27.739
 way.

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:29.419
 They make

00:40:29.419 --> 00:40:30.079
 mistakes,

00:40:30.339 --> 00:40:31.099
 foolish decisions,

00:40:31.239 --> 00:40:31.699
 bringing nothing

00:40:31.699 --> 00:40:32.559
 but shame and

00:40:32.559 --> 00:40:34.039
 dishonor upon

00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:34.639
 the family.

00:40:36.139 --> 00:40:37.000
 And yet you

00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:37.519
 bear with

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:37.699
 them.

00:40:38.800 --> 00:40:39.759
 You persevere

00:40:39.759 --> 00:40:40.480
 with them

00:40:40.480 --> 00:40:41.059
 because you

00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:41.739
 love them

00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.980
 and they're

00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:43.579
 part of your

00:40:43.579 --> 00:40:44.099
 family.

00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:46.679
 Or maybe a

00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:47.159
 spouse,

00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:49.360
 maybe

00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:51.079
 neglecting you

00:40:51.079 --> 00:40:51.739
 emotionally,

00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:54.059
 maybe never

00:40:54.059 --> 00:40:54.639
 having anything

00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:55.400
 positive to

00:40:55.400 --> 00:40:55.639
 say,

00:40:56.119 --> 00:40:56.840
 never anything

00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.500
 encouragement,

00:40:57.500 --> 00:40:59.860
 and yet you

00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.280
 bear with

00:41:00.280 --> 00:41:01.460
 them because

00:41:01.460 --> 00:41:01.860
 you love

00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:02.099
 them.

00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:03.179
 And you

00:41:03.179 --> 00:41:04.119
 made a

00:41:04.119 --> 00:41:04.460
 promise,

00:41:04.619 --> 00:41:05.360
 you made a

00:41:05.360 --> 00:41:05.800
 vow to

00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:06.260
 them to

00:41:06.260 --> 00:41:06.940
 love them

00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:07.920
 till death

00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:08.320
 do you

00:41:08.320 --> 00:41:08.699
 part.

00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:11.699
 Sometimes

00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:12.260
 in life,

00:41:12.480 --> 00:41:13.000
 we're called

00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:13.380
 to be

00:41:13.380 --> 00:41:14.139
 long-suffering

00:41:14.139 --> 00:41:14.739
 with those

00:41:14.739 --> 00:41:15.539
 we love,

00:41:15.619 --> 00:41:15.940
 to bear

00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:16.480
 with them.

00:41:17.599 --> 00:41:18.239
 And the

00:41:18.239 --> 00:41:19.159
 Lord here

00:41:19.159 --> 00:41:19.820
 is depicted

00:41:19.820 --> 00:41:21.139
 as long-suffering

00:41:21.139 --> 00:41:21.539
 with His

00:41:21.539 --> 00:41:21.880
 people.

00:41:22.639 --> 00:41:23.280
 We marvel

00:41:23.280 --> 00:41:23.619
 at His

00:41:23.619 --> 00:41:24.000
 patience

00:41:24.000 --> 00:41:25.139
 century after

00:41:25.139 --> 00:41:26.360
 century as

00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:27.139
 He comes

00:41:27.139 --> 00:41:27.739
 after them

00:41:27.739 --> 00:41:28.000
 and they

00:41:28.000 --> 00:41:28.519
 turn away

00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:29.039
 from Him

00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:29.960
 for many

00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:30.559
 years.

00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:33.059
 And yet He

00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:33.500
 doesn't make

00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:33.920
 an end to

00:41:33.920 --> 00:41:34.099
 them.

00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:35.480
 He doesn't

00:41:35.480 --> 00:41:35.839
 forsake

00:41:35.839 --> 00:41:36.059
 them.

00:41:37.139 --> 00:41:37.599
 He doesn't

00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:38.019
 forget the

00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:38.599
 promise that

00:41:38.599 --> 00:41:39.679
 He made

00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:40.519
 to their

00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:41.000
 ancestor

00:41:41.000 --> 00:41:41.500
 Abraham,

00:41:41.639 --> 00:41:42.259
 the covenants

00:41:42.259 --> 00:41:42.539
 that He

00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.500
 made with

00:41:43.500 --> 00:41:44.339
 their forefathers.

00:41:47.539 --> 00:41:48.319
 You or I

00:41:48.319 --> 00:41:48.659
 might be

00:41:48.659 --> 00:41:49.039
 tempted,

00:41:49.779 --> 00:41:50.719
 if treated

00:41:50.719 --> 00:41:51.139
 that way,

00:41:51.199 --> 00:41:51.480
 to say,

00:41:51.539 --> 00:41:51.719
 fine,

00:41:51.799 --> 00:41:52.259
 that's it.

00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:53.359
 Have it

00:41:53.359 --> 00:41:53.799
 your way.

00:41:54.779 --> 00:41:55.179
 Washing

00:41:55.179 --> 00:41:55.799
 my hands

00:41:55.799 --> 00:41:56.219
 of you,

00:41:56.319 --> 00:41:56.539
 that's

00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:56.879
 enough.

00:41:56.880 --> 00:41:57.880
 I quit.

00:41:59.099 --> 00:41:59.640
 We'll go

00:41:59.640 --> 00:42:00.180
 our separate

00:42:00.180 --> 00:42:00.720
 ways.

00:42:02.519 --> 00:42:03.140
 Not the

00:42:03.140 --> 00:42:03.440
 Lord.

00:42:03.559 --> 00:42:03.840
 He made

00:42:03.840 --> 00:42:04.380
 a promise.

00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:05.820
 He made

00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:06.260
 a covenant.

00:42:07.340 --> 00:42:07.880
 He is the

00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:08.579
 God of

00:42:08.579 --> 00:42:09.460
 great mercies.

00:42:09.760 --> 00:42:10.079
 He is

00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:10.640
 righteous,

00:42:10.960 --> 00:42:11.180
 and He

00:42:11.180 --> 00:42:11.579
 will keep

00:42:11.579 --> 00:42:12.140
 that promise.

00:42:15.099 --> 00:42:15.720
 And so

00:42:15.720 --> 00:42:16.160
 it's against

00:42:16.160 --> 00:42:16.740
 that background

00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.380
 that we come

00:42:17.380 --> 00:42:17.940
 to the verse.

00:42:18.059 --> 00:42:18.539
 We looked

00:42:18.539 --> 00:42:18.980
 at verse

00:42:18.980 --> 00:42:19.480
 32,

00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:20.700
 and in

00:42:20.700 --> 00:42:21.360
 these verses

00:42:21.360 --> 00:42:22.380
 the leaders

00:42:22.380 --> 00:42:22.900
 of the people

00:42:22.900 --> 00:42:23.599
 seek to

00:42:23.599 --> 00:42:24.700
 renew the

00:42:24.700 --> 00:42:25.000
 covenant

00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:26.059
 with God.

00:42:27.679 --> 00:42:28.300
 They've

00:42:28.300 --> 00:42:28.760
 rehearsed

00:42:28.760 --> 00:42:29.199
 the whole

00:42:29.199 --> 00:42:29.960
 story

00:42:29.960 --> 00:42:31.780
 from creation

00:42:31.780 --> 00:42:33.300
 to exile,

00:42:34.179 --> 00:42:34.800
 and they

00:42:34.800 --> 00:42:35.599
 now confess

00:42:35.599 --> 00:42:36.360
 their sins,

00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:36.980
 the sins

00:42:36.980 --> 00:42:37.340
 of the

00:42:37.340 --> 00:42:37.679
 people,

00:42:38.079 --> 00:42:38.500
 the sins

00:42:38.500 --> 00:42:38.940
 of their

00:42:38.940 --> 00:42:39.920
 forefathers,

00:42:39.920 --> 00:42:40.059
 sins,

00:42:40.599 --> 00:42:42.280
 and they

00:42:42.280 --> 00:42:43.460
 remind one

00:42:43.460 --> 00:42:44.099
 another of

00:42:44.099 --> 00:42:44.500
 God's

00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:44.840
 covenant,

00:42:44.840 --> 00:42:47.059
 but also of

00:42:47.059 --> 00:42:47.880
 His steadfast

00:42:47.880 --> 00:42:49.139
 love and

00:42:49.139 --> 00:42:50.039
 of His mercy

00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:51.139
 and grace.

00:42:51.139 --> 00:42:53.900
 they cast

00:42:53.900 --> 00:42:54.239
 their minds

00:42:54.239 --> 00:42:54.920
 back to the

00:42:54.920 --> 00:42:55.299
 time of

00:42:55.299 --> 00:42:55.739
 the exile,

00:42:55.859 --> 00:42:56.559
 verse 32,

00:42:57.639 --> 00:42:58.039
 when the

00:42:58.039 --> 00:42:58.599
 northern kingdom

00:42:58.599 --> 00:42:59.079
 was taken

00:42:59.079 --> 00:42:59.639
 to Syria

00:42:59.639 --> 00:43:00.119
 and then the

00:43:00.119 --> 00:43:00.779
 southern kingdom

00:43:00.779 --> 00:43:01.819
 off into the

00:43:01.819 --> 00:43:02.359
 Babylonian

00:43:02.359 --> 00:43:02.900
 captivity,

00:43:04.359 --> 00:43:04.859
 the result

00:43:04.859 --> 00:43:05.279
 of the Lord

00:43:05.279 --> 00:43:05.980
 disciplining

00:43:05.980 --> 00:43:06.699
 His wayward

00:43:06.699 --> 00:43:07.259
 people for

00:43:07.259 --> 00:43:07.719
 their breaking

00:43:07.719 --> 00:43:08.500
 of the

00:43:08.500 --> 00:43:08.819
 covenant.

00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:11.159
 And they

00:43:11.159 --> 00:43:11.739
 acknowledge

00:43:11.739 --> 00:43:12.659
 that in all

00:43:12.659 --> 00:43:13.059
 of this,

00:43:13.119 --> 00:43:13.859
 verse 33,

00:43:14.079 --> 00:43:14.599
 He has

00:43:14.599 --> 00:43:14.920
 been

00:43:14.920 --> 00:43:15.879
 righteous,

00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:18.359
 He has

00:43:18.359 --> 00:43:18.699
 been

00:43:18.699 --> 00:43:19.579
 faithful,

00:43:20.579 --> 00:43:21.419
 and they

00:43:21.419 --> 00:43:22.379
 have acted

00:43:22.379 --> 00:43:23.480
 wickedly.

00:43:25.699 --> 00:43:26.359
 And it's

00:43:26.359 --> 00:43:26.839
 not a few

00:43:26.839 --> 00:43:27.679
 rotten eggs,

00:43:27.759 --> 00:43:28.219
 it's not a few

00:43:28.219 --> 00:43:28.899
 bad apples

00:43:28.899 --> 00:43:30.099
 among the

00:43:30.099 --> 00:43:30.399
 people.

00:43:31.279 --> 00:43:32.079
 Verse 34,

00:43:32.239 --> 00:43:32.619
 the kings,

00:43:32.759 --> 00:43:33.299
 the priests,

00:43:33.939 --> 00:43:34.500
 the fathers

00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.079
 have not

00:43:35.079 --> 00:43:35.619
 kept your

00:43:35.619 --> 00:43:36.000
 law.

00:43:37.039 --> 00:43:37.480
 It's all

00:43:37.480 --> 00:43:37.779
 of them

00:43:37.779 --> 00:43:38.139
 from the

00:43:38.139 --> 00:43:38.679
 top to

00:43:38.679 --> 00:43:39.219
 the bottom,

00:43:39.359 --> 00:43:39.639
 from the

00:43:39.639 --> 00:43:40.719
 greatest to

00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:41.119
 the least,

00:43:41.219 --> 00:43:41.599
 the whole

00:43:41.599 --> 00:43:42.379
 nation has

00:43:42.379 --> 00:43:42.779
 turned their

00:43:42.779 --> 00:43:43.199
 back on

00:43:43.199 --> 00:43:43.500
 God.

00:43:46.439 --> 00:43:47.059
 And so

00:43:47.059 --> 00:43:47.480
 now the

00:43:47.480 --> 00:43:47.799
 whole

00:43:47.799 --> 00:43:48.619
 leadership

00:43:48.619 --> 00:43:49.699
 of the

00:43:49.699 --> 00:43:50.460
 nation seeks

00:43:50.460 --> 00:43:50.900
 to turn

00:43:50.900 --> 00:43:51.460
 back to

00:43:51.460 --> 00:43:51.839
 God,

00:43:52.380 --> 00:43:52.960
 and to

00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:53.339
 turn the

00:43:53.339 --> 00:43:53.659
 people

00:43:53.659 --> 00:43:54.839
 back to

00:43:54.839 --> 00:43:55.380
 God.

00:43:58.500 --> 00:43:59.239
 Those who

00:43:59.239 --> 00:43:59.819
 knew the

00:43:59.819 --> 00:44:00.059
 law,

00:44:00.920 --> 00:44:01.339
 those who

00:44:01.339 --> 00:44:01.639
 should have

00:44:01.639 --> 00:44:02.179
 known the

00:44:02.179 --> 00:44:02.559
 Lord,

00:44:02.859 --> 00:44:03.519
 who should

00:44:03.519 --> 00:44:04.019
 have taught

00:44:04.019 --> 00:44:04.579
 the law,

00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:06.259
 ignored it,

00:44:06.359 --> 00:44:07.380
 they broke

00:44:07.380 --> 00:44:07.940
 it.

00:44:09.139 --> 00:44:09.579
 Though He

00:44:09.579 --> 00:44:10.259
 had fulfilled

00:44:10.259 --> 00:44:11.079
 every one of

00:44:11.079 --> 00:44:11.699
 His promises,

00:44:11.900 --> 00:44:12.339
 giving them

00:44:12.339 --> 00:44:13.139
 descendants,

00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:13.699
 giving them

00:44:13.699 --> 00:44:14.239
 the land,

00:44:14.460 --> 00:44:15.039
 blessing them

00:44:15.039 --> 00:44:15.699
 with good

00:44:15.699 --> 00:44:16.299
 fruit and

00:44:16.299 --> 00:44:16.920
 good gifts,

00:44:17.019 --> 00:44:17.380
 they failed

00:44:17.380 --> 00:44:17.799
 to honor

00:44:17.799 --> 00:44:18.239
 the giver.

00:44:18.619 --> 00:44:19.960
 And they

00:44:19.960 --> 00:44:20.440
 turned away

00:44:20.440 --> 00:44:20.819
 and threw

00:44:20.819 --> 00:44:21.219
 His law

00:44:21.219 --> 00:44:21.719
 behind their

00:44:21.719 --> 00:44:22.119
 back.

00:44:24.639 --> 00:44:25.239
 And the

00:44:25.239 --> 00:44:25.960
 irony is,

00:44:26.199 --> 00:44:26.659
 they ended

00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.679
 up in the

00:44:27.679 --> 00:44:28.420
 same state

00:44:28.420 --> 00:44:28.839
 they were

00:44:28.839 --> 00:44:30.119
 in before.

00:44:31.839 --> 00:44:32.619
 Verse 36

00:44:32.619 --> 00:44:33.699
 tells us that

00:44:33.699 --> 00:44:35.199
 we are slaves

00:44:35.199 --> 00:44:35.880
 this day

00:44:35.880 --> 00:44:37.279
 in the land

00:44:37.279 --> 00:44:37.900
 you gave to

00:44:37.900 --> 00:44:38.500
 our fathers.

00:44:38.779 --> 00:44:39.359
 We are

00:44:39.359 --> 00:44:40.599
 slaves.

00:44:40.599 --> 00:44:40.779
 slaves.

00:44:43.159 --> 00:44:44.139
 They inherited

00:44:44.139 --> 00:44:44.839
 towns and

00:44:44.839 --> 00:44:45.480
 cities they

00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:46.119
 hadn't built,

00:44:46.279 --> 00:44:46.860
 olives and

00:44:46.860 --> 00:44:47.440
 vineyards they

00:44:47.440 --> 00:44:48.059
 hadn't planted.

00:44:48.639 --> 00:44:49.259
 It was a

00:44:49.259 --> 00:44:50.299
 wonderful land

00:44:50.299 --> 00:44:50.940
 rich in

00:44:50.940 --> 00:44:51.440
 produce.

00:44:53.179 --> 00:44:53.579
 And now

00:44:53.579 --> 00:44:54.139
 their tenants

00:44:54.139 --> 00:44:54.799
 giving the

00:44:54.799 --> 00:44:55.699
 taxes and the

00:44:55.699 --> 00:44:56.360
 tributes to

00:44:56.360 --> 00:44:56.980
 the kings,

00:44:57.980 --> 00:44:58.719
 even their

00:44:58.719 --> 00:44:59.440
 own bodies,

00:44:59.980 --> 00:45:00.380
 are the

00:45:00.380 --> 00:45:01.900
 possession of

00:45:01.900 --> 00:45:02.519
 the kings

00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:03.380
 far away in

00:45:03.380 --> 00:45:03.799
 Persia.

00:45:03.800 --> 00:45:04.019
 home.

00:45:06.140 --> 00:45:06.760
 And you see

00:45:06.760 --> 00:45:07.180
 the irony,

00:45:07.320 --> 00:45:07.620
 when the

00:45:07.620 --> 00:45:08.700
 Lord heard

00:45:08.700 --> 00:45:09.640
 their cries,

00:45:09.780 --> 00:45:10.080
 they were

00:45:10.080 --> 00:45:11.180
 slaves in

00:45:11.180 --> 00:45:11.539
 Egypt.

00:45:12.760 --> 00:45:13.320
 And He

00:45:13.320 --> 00:45:13.820
 brought them

00:45:13.820 --> 00:45:14.180
 out with

00:45:14.180 --> 00:45:15.240
 these miraculous

00:45:15.240 --> 00:45:15.840
 signs,

00:45:16.039 --> 00:45:16.660
 these wonders,

00:45:17.019 --> 00:45:17.480
 brought them

00:45:17.480 --> 00:45:17.960
 out of Egypt,

00:45:18.080 --> 00:45:18.480
 brought them

00:45:18.480 --> 00:45:19.140
 to Himself

00:45:19.140 --> 00:45:19.940
 at Sinai.

00:45:19.940 --> 00:45:22.740
 And while

00:45:22.740 --> 00:45:23.440
 they enjoyed

00:45:23.440 --> 00:45:24.260
 their good

00:45:24.260 --> 00:45:24.599
 gifts,

00:45:24.700 --> 00:45:25.059
 they forgot

00:45:25.059 --> 00:45:25.519
 about the

00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:25.780
 giver.

00:45:26.960 --> 00:45:27.300
 And they

00:45:27.300 --> 00:45:27.639
 went their

00:45:27.639 --> 00:45:28.099
 own way.

00:45:29.059 --> 00:45:29.440
 And they

00:45:29.440 --> 00:45:29.860
 ended up

00:45:29.860 --> 00:45:30.980
 back in

00:45:30.980 --> 00:45:31.480
 slavery,

00:45:31.659 --> 00:45:32.019
 not in

00:45:32.019 --> 00:45:32.380
 Egypt,

00:45:32.700 --> 00:45:33.119
 but in

00:45:33.119 --> 00:45:33.539
 Israel,

00:45:33.679 --> 00:45:34.019
 in their

00:45:34.019 --> 00:45:34.760
 own place.

00:45:39.099 --> 00:45:39.679
 It's one

00:45:39.679 --> 00:45:39.880
 of the

00:45:39.880 --> 00:45:40.280
 ironies,

00:45:40.360 --> 00:45:40.720
 isn't it,

00:45:40.720 --> 00:45:40.940
 in the

00:45:40.940 --> 00:45:41.440
 modern world

00:45:41.440 --> 00:45:41.880
 that people

00:45:41.880 --> 00:45:42.460
 think becoming

00:45:42.460 --> 00:45:43.059
 a Christian

00:45:43.059 --> 00:45:45.240
 means some

00:45:45.240 --> 00:45:45.700
 kind of

00:45:45.700 --> 00:45:46.900
 loss of

00:45:46.900 --> 00:45:47.480
 personal

00:45:47.480 --> 00:45:48.340
 freedoms.

00:45:49.940 --> 00:45:50.659
 In some

00:45:50.659 --> 00:45:51.019
 way, if we

00:45:51.019 --> 00:45:51.500
 become a

00:45:51.500 --> 00:45:51.960
 Christian, we

00:45:51.960 --> 00:45:52.320
 have to

00:45:52.320 --> 00:45:52.860
 give up

00:45:52.860 --> 00:45:53.599
 the freedoms

00:45:53.599 --> 00:45:53.960
 that we

00:45:53.960 --> 00:45:54.460
 might have

00:45:54.460 --> 00:45:55.220
 to enjoy.

00:45:57.539 --> 00:45:57.840
 And of

00:45:57.840 --> 00:45:58.079
 course,

00:45:58.300 --> 00:45:58.800
 becoming a

00:45:58.800 --> 00:45:59.340
 Christian is

00:45:59.340 --> 00:46:00.099
 dying to

00:46:00.099 --> 00:46:00.500
 self.

00:46:01.440 --> 00:46:02.960
 It is a

00:46:02.960 --> 00:46:03.579
 path of

00:46:03.579 --> 00:46:04.619
 saying no

00:46:04.619 --> 00:46:05.099
 to self

00:46:05.099 --> 00:46:05.539
 and saying

00:46:05.539 --> 00:46:05.980
 yes to

00:46:05.980 --> 00:46:06.380
 Christ.

00:46:07.460 --> 00:46:08.099
 But it

00:46:08.099 --> 00:46:08.579
 is in

00:46:08.579 --> 00:46:09.139
 Christ that

00:46:09.139 --> 00:46:09.800
 we find

00:46:09.800 --> 00:46:10.539
 freedom.

00:46:10.860 --> 00:46:11.119
 It is

00:46:11.119 --> 00:46:11.920
 outside of

00:46:11.920 --> 00:46:12.220
 Christ,

00:46:12.320 --> 00:46:12.539
 Scripture

00:46:12.539 --> 00:46:13.079
 tells us,

00:46:13.119 --> 00:46:13.340
 that we

00:46:13.340 --> 00:46:14.179
 are enslaved.

00:46:15.659 --> 00:46:16.519
 It is in

00:46:16.519 --> 00:46:17.039
 Christ that

00:46:17.039 --> 00:46:17.639
 we find

00:46:17.639 --> 00:46:19.480
 fullness of

00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:19.980
 life.

00:46:20.079 --> 00:46:20.320
 John

00:46:20.320 --> 00:46:21.119
 chapter 10

00:46:21.119 --> 00:46:21.860
 verse 10.

00:46:23.519 --> 00:46:24.139
 The people

00:46:24.139 --> 00:46:24.880
 were slaves.

00:46:26.139 --> 00:46:26.960
 God heard

00:46:26.960 --> 00:46:27.159
 them.

00:46:27.260 --> 00:46:28.039
 He heard

00:46:28.039 --> 00:46:28.539
 their cries.

00:46:28.659 --> 00:46:29.340
 He delivered

00:46:29.340 --> 00:46:29.820
 them out of

00:46:29.820 --> 00:46:30.159
 slavery.

00:46:30.300 --> 00:46:30.719
 He brought

00:46:30.719 --> 00:46:31.159
 them to a

00:46:31.159 --> 00:46:31.539
 place of

00:46:31.539 --> 00:46:32.340
 abundance and

00:46:32.340 --> 00:46:33.059
 blessing and

00:46:33.059 --> 00:46:33.639
 goodness.

00:46:35.079 --> 00:46:35.659
 And they

00:46:35.659 --> 00:46:36.280
 turned away.

00:46:37.420 --> 00:46:37.780
 And so they

00:46:37.780 --> 00:46:38.579
 found themselves

00:46:38.579 --> 00:46:40.920
 slaves once

00:46:40.920 --> 00:46:41.340
 more.

00:46:44.039 --> 00:46:44.940
 And realizing

00:46:44.940 --> 00:46:45.440
 their sorry

00:46:45.440 --> 00:46:45.920
 state, they

00:46:45.920 --> 00:46:46.719
 confessed their

00:46:46.719 --> 00:46:47.420
 sins to

00:46:47.420 --> 00:46:47.980
 God, the

00:46:47.980 --> 00:46:48.400
 sins of

00:46:48.400 --> 00:46:49.019
 their fathers,

00:46:49.019 --> 00:46:49.739
 the sins of

00:46:49.739 --> 00:46:50.179
 their leaders.

00:46:51.559 --> 00:46:52.380
 They cry

00:46:52.380 --> 00:46:52.820
 out to

00:46:52.820 --> 00:46:54.559
 Him for

00:46:54.559 --> 00:46:55.259
 His love

00:46:55.259 --> 00:46:55.599
 and His

00:46:55.599 --> 00:46:56.400
 mercy and

00:46:56.400 --> 00:46:57.079
 His grace.

00:46:58.579 --> 00:46:59.159
 And they

00:46:59.159 --> 00:46:59.860
 promise to

00:46:59.860 --> 00:47:00.579
 change their

00:47:00.579 --> 00:47:01.500
 ways to

00:47:01.500 --> 00:47:02.340
 demonstrate

00:47:02.340 --> 00:47:02.940
 their

00:47:02.940 --> 00:47:03.840
 repentance.

00:47:05.719 --> 00:47:06.460
 Verse 38,

00:47:06.579 --> 00:47:06.980
 they make

00:47:06.980 --> 00:47:07.400
 this firm

00:47:07.400 --> 00:47:08.980
 covenant and

00:47:08.980 --> 00:47:09.539
 the obligations

00:47:09.539 --> 00:47:09.980
 of the

00:47:09.980 --> 00:47:10.500
 covenant are

00:47:10.500 --> 00:47:10.940
 there for

00:47:10.940 --> 00:47:11.400
 us just

00:47:11.400 --> 00:47:11.800
 over the

00:47:11.800 --> 00:47:12.159
 page.

00:47:13.599 --> 00:47:14.460
 They resolve

00:47:14.460 --> 00:47:15.159
 not to turn

00:47:15.159 --> 00:47:16.099
 away but to

00:47:16.099 --> 00:47:17.759
 turn back to

00:47:17.760 --> 00:47:18.180
 the living

00:47:18.180 --> 00:47:18.720
 God, not

00:47:18.720 --> 00:47:19.580
 to cast

00:47:19.580 --> 00:47:20.220
 His law

00:47:20.220 --> 00:47:20.820
 behind their

00:47:20.820 --> 00:47:21.420
 backs but to

00:47:21.420 --> 00:47:22.120
 open it before

00:47:22.120 --> 00:47:23.960
 their eyes and

00:47:23.960 --> 00:47:24.740
 to hide it in

00:47:24.740 --> 00:47:25.520
 their hearts and

00:47:25.520 --> 00:47:26.600
 to walk in the

00:47:26.600 --> 00:47:27.200
 ways He has

00:47:27.200 --> 00:47:27.740
 commanded them

00:47:27.740 --> 00:47:28.120
 to do.

00:47:30.340 --> 00:47:30.980
 And they

00:47:30.980 --> 00:47:32.660
 appeal once

00:47:32.660 --> 00:47:33.420
 more to His

00:47:33.420 --> 00:47:35.180
 great mercy.

00:47:36.040 --> 00:47:37.080
 They appeal to

00:47:37.080 --> 00:47:37.960
 the promise He

00:47:37.960 --> 00:47:38.760
 made to their

00:47:38.760 --> 00:47:39.440
 forefather,

00:47:39.820 --> 00:47:40.120
 Abraham.

00:47:40.240 --> 00:47:40.960
 They appeal to

00:47:40.960 --> 00:47:41.920
 His steadfast

00:47:41.920 --> 00:47:42.980
 love and His

00:47:42.980 --> 00:47:43.900
 faithfulness.

00:47:43.900 --> 00:47:46.619
 And in a

00:47:46.619 --> 00:47:47.119
 sense they're

00:47:47.119 --> 00:47:47.539
 saying to

00:47:47.539 --> 00:47:47.980
 Him, Lord,

00:47:48.059 --> 00:47:48.460
 as You

00:47:48.460 --> 00:47:49.760
 treated our

00:47:49.760 --> 00:47:50.800
 forefathers when

00:47:50.800 --> 00:47:51.599
 they sinned,

00:47:51.780 --> 00:47:52.300
 when You

00:47:52.300 --> 00:47:52.980
 welcomed them

00:47:52.980 --> 00:47:54.559
 back, when

00:47:54.559 --> 00:47:55.039
 You showed

00:47:55.039 --> 00:47:55.360
 them Your

00:47:55.360 --> 00:47:56.039
 mercy and

00:47:56.039 --> 00:47:56.519
 grace, when

00:47:56.519 --> 00:47:57.119
 You pardoned

00:47:57.119 --> 00:47:57.680
 them all of

00:47:57.680 --> 00:47:58.360
 their sins and

00:47:58.360 --> 00:47:59.300
 trespass, would

00:47:59.300 --> 00:47:59.820
 You do it

00:47:59.820 --> 00:48:00.240
 again?

00:48:02.360 --> 00:48:02.900
 Would You do

00:48:02.900 --> 00:48:03.320
 it in our

00:48:03.320 --> 00:48:03.599
 day?

00:48:03.720 --> 00:48:04.220
 Would You do

00:48:04.220 --> 00:48:05.340
 it in our

00:48:05.340 --> 00:48:05.920
 lives?

00:48:05.920 --> 00:48:06.320
 Would You

00:48:06.320 --> 00:48:06.920
 do it in

00:48:06.920 --> 00:48:08.000
 our lives?

00:48:10.800 --> 00:48:11.420
 Will You

00:48:11.420 --> 00:48:11.900
 not again

00:48:11.900 --> 00:48:12.579
 revive us,

00:48:12.660 --> 00:48:13.480
 says Psalm 85?

00:48:13.480 --> 00:48:14.340
 That we may

00:48:14.340 --> 00:48:15.320
 rejoice in You.

00:48:16.159 --> 00:48:17.139
 Show us, Lord,

00:48:17.219 --> 00:48:17.860
 Your covenant

00:48:17.860 --> 00:48:19.199
 mercy, Your

00:48:19.199 --> 00:48:20.719
 salvation grant

00:48:20.719 --> 00:48:21.740
 anew.

00:48:21.840 --> 00:48:22.539
 That is their

00:48:22.539 --> 00:48:23.380
 prayer.

00:48:25.840 --> 00:48:26.559
 They're asking

00:48:26.559 --> 00:48:27.380
 God to forgive

00:48:27.380 --> 00:48:28.039
 them as He

00:48:28.039 --> 00:48:29.500
 forgave their

00:48:29.500 --> 00:48:30.519
 forefathers.

00:48:33.619 --> 00:48:34.079
 And so the

00:48:34.079 --> 00:48:34.460
 chapter,

00:48:36.260 --> 00:48:37.280
 lengthy chapter,

00:48:38.719 --> 00:48:39.240
 very helpful

00:48:39.240 --> 00:48:40.039
 review of the

00:48:40.039 --> 00:48:40.559
 history of

00:48:40.559 --> 00:48:41.139
 Israel, a

00:48:41.139 --> 00:48:41.740
 survey, a

00:48:41.740 --> 00:48:42.159
 summary of

00:48:42.159 --> 00:48:42.639
 Old Testament

00:48:42.639 --> 00:48:43.079
 history.

00:48:43.079 --> 00:48:44.159
 But a rich

00:48:44.159 --> 00:48:45.119
 revelation of

00:48:45.119 --> 00:48:45.759
 the character

00:48:45.759 --> 00:48:46.380
 of God.

00:48:49.119 --> 00:48:49.840
 Slow to

00:48:49.840 --> 00:48:50.219
 anger,

00:48:51.239 --> 00:48:52.519
 gracious and

00:48:52.519 --> 00:48:53.000
 merciful,

00:48:53.299 --> 00:48:54.239
 faithful to

00:48:54.239 --> 00:48:54.840
 His promises,

00:48:55.039 --> 00:48:55.819
 abounding in

00:48:55.819 --> 00:48:56.719
 steadfast love.

00:48:58.940 --> 00:48:59.719
 He is the

00:48:59.719 --> 00:49:00.380
 one who takes

00:49:00.380 --> 00:49:00.940
 the initiative,

00:49:01.119 --> 00:49:02.500
 who makes and

00:49:02.500 --> 00:49:03.179
 who keeps His

00:49:03.179 --> 00:49:03.440
 promise.

00:49:03.759 --> 00:49:04.159
 He is the

00:49:04.159 --> 00:49:04.900
 one who delivers

00:49:04.900 --> 00:49:05.559
 people from

00:49:05.559 --> 00:49:06.139
 their distress

00:49:06.139 --> 00:49:06.900
 when they cry

00:49:06.900 --> 00:49:07.400
 to Him.

00:49:09.259 --> 00:49:10.000
 He is the

00:49:10.000 --> 00:49:10.679
 one that gives

00:49:10.679 --> 00:49:11.639
 to His redeemed

00:49:11.639 --> 00:49:12.519
 people good

00:49:12.519 --> 00:49:14.500
 gifts and

00:49:14.500 --> 00:49:14.879
 who is with

00:49:14.879 --> 00:49:16.219
 them day and

00:49:16.219 --> 00:49:16.699
 night.

00:49:18.019 --> 00:49:18.759
 He is the

00:49:18.759 --> 00:49:19.679
 one who forgives

00:49:19.679 --> 00:49:20.859
 the unfaithful,

00:49:20.980 --> 00:49:21.879
 for He is

00:49:21.879 --> 00:49:22.739
 faithful.

00:49:24.719 --> 00:49:25.659
 And they say to

00:49:25.659 --> 00:49:26.440
 Him, Lord, would

00:49:26.440 --> 00:49:27.179
 you do it again?

00:49:27.279 --> 00:49:27.859
 Would you give us

00:49:27.859 --> 00:49:28.679
 another chance?

00:49:29.639 --> 00:49:30.299
 Do it again,

00:49:30.440 --> 00:49:30.699
 Lord.

00:49:30.699 --> 00:49:30.980
 Lord.

00:49:36.419 --> 00:49:37.279
 We mustn't lose

00:49:37.279 --> 00:49:37.639
 sight of the

00:49:37.639 --> 00:49:38.319
 goodness of God.

00:49:39.460 --> 00:49:40.059
 He blessed the

00:49:40.059 --> 00:49:40.879
 people abundantly.

00:49:42.919 --> 00:49:43.759
 I stayed with a

00:49:43.759 --> 00:49:44.399
 friend last night

00:49:44.399 --> 00:49:44.919
 in Ullapool,

00:49:45.960 --> 00:49:47.119
 and just late at

00:49:47.119 --> 00:49:48.059
 night we were

00:49:48.059 --> 00:49:49.019
 chatting, and

00:49:49.019 --> 00:49:50.259
 then again this

00:49:50.259 --> 00:49:51.460
 morning, and he

00:49:51.460 --> 00:49:52.119
 just out of the

00:49:52.119 --> 00:49:52.559
 blue said,

00:49:52.639 --> 00:49:53.279
 do you know if we

00:49:53.279 --> 00:49:54.099
 thanked the

00:49:54.099 --> 00:49:54.839
 Lord for all His

00:49:54.839 --> 00:49:55.739
 gift stuffs, we'd

00:49:55.739 --> 00:49:56.960
 never have time to

00:49:56.960 --> 00:49:57.659
 talk about anything

00:49:57.659 --> 00:49:58.059
 else.

00:49:58.059 --> 00:49:59.840
 just awareness of

00:49:59.840 --> 00:50:01.500
 the goodness of

00:50:01.500 --> 00:50:03.400
 God, the God who

00:50:03.400 --> 00:50:04.199
 gives so much that

00:50:04.199 --> 00:50:05.920
 we delight in His

00:50:05.920 --> 00:50:07.480
 great goodness.

00:50:09.579 --> 00:50:10.539
 But we mustn't

00:50:10.539 --> 00:50:11.380
 lose sight of the

00:50:11.380 --> 00:50:12.199
 grace of God.

00:50:14.000 --> 00:50:15.340
 It was God's grace

00:50:15.340 --> 00:50:16.460
 that called Abraham,

00:50:18.320 --> 00:50:19.480
 God's grace that

00:50:19.480 --> 00:50:20.259
 took the initiative,

00:50:20.500 --> 00:50:21.380
 God's grace that

00:50:21.380 --> 00:50:22.619
 made the promise

00:50:22.619 --> 00:50:23.559
 to Him.

00:50:25.619 --> 00:50:26.420
 And as we're

00:50:26.420 --> 00:50:27.299
 sitting here tonight,

00:50:27.400 --> 00:50:28.019
 we mustn't lose

00:50:28.019 --> 00:50:28.759
 sight of the grace

00:50:28.759 --> 00:50:29.539
 of God and the

00:50:29.539 --> 00:50:30.559
 initiative of God

00:50:30.559 --> 00:50:31.440
 in our lives.

00:50:34.000 --> 00:50:34.960
 How did you come

00:50:34.960 --> 00:50:35.519
 to be in this

00:50:35.519 --> 00:50:35.920
 place?

00:50:37.059 --> 00:50:37.739
 How did you come

00:50:37.739 --> 00:50:38.800
 to be in Christ?

00:50:40.960 --> 00:50:41.840
 Was it through a

00:50:41.840 --> 00:50:42.659
 praying relative,

00:50:43.739 --> 00:50:44.500
 maybe a granny,

00:50:45.259 --> 00:50:46.619
 or a grandfather

00:50:46.619 --> 00:50:47.579
 that prayed for you

00:50:47.579 --> 00:50:49.139
 by name every day?

00:50:51.300 --> 00:50:52.159
 Was it through a

00:50:52.159 --> 00:50:53.119
 godly influence in

00:50:53.119 --> 00:50:53.679
 the home, a

00:50:53.679 --> 00:50:54.539
 mother or father

00:50:54.539 --> 00:50:56.179
 that taught you,

00:50:56.559 --> 00:50:57.139
 prayed with you,

00:50:57.259 --> 00:50:57.920
 sang with you,

00:50:58.019 --> 00:50:59.480
 brought you Lord's

00:50:59.480 --> 00:51:00.280
 day by Lord's

00:51:00.280 --> 00:51:01.000
 day to church?

00:51:02.900 --> 00:51:03.579
 Was there a

00:51:03.579 --> 00:51:04.159
 teacher in the

00:51:04.159 --> 00:51:04.480
 school?

00:51:05.480 --> 00:51:06.000
 Was there a

00:51:06.000 --> 00:51:06.579
 Sunday school

00:51:06.579 --> 00:51:06.980
 teacher?

00:51:07.759 --> 00:51:08.500
 Was there a

00:51:08.500 --> 00:51:09.340
 Christian friend

00:51:09.340 --> 00:51:10.519
 who came into

00:51:10.519 --> 00:51:11.340
 your life and

00:51:11.340 --> 00:51:12.219
 showed great

00:51:12.219 --> 00:51:13.079
 faithfulness to

00:51:13.079 --> 00:51:13.320
 you?

00:51:15.320 --> 00:51:16.119
 Was it through

00:51:16.119 --> 00:51:17.440
 the ministry of a

00:51:17.440 --> 00:51:18.900
 minister, perhaps a

00:51:18.900 --> 00:51:19.639
 visiting missionary?

00:51:21.579 --> 00:51:22.639
 Or was it simply a

00:51:22.639 --> 00:51:23.340
 prompting of the

00:51:23.340 --> 00:51:24.880
 Spirit to go into a

00:51:24.880 --> 00:51:25.759
 building at the time

00:51:25.760 --> 00:51:26.880
 of a service and to

00:51:26.880 --> 00:51:27.660
 see what was going

00:51:27.660 --> 00:51:28.300
 to happen there?

00:51:30.840 --> 00:51:32.060
 The Lord in His

00:51:32.060 --> 00:51:33.780
 grace takes the

00:51:33.780 --> 00:51:34.640
 initiative, sending

00:51:34.640 --> 00:51:35.420
 people into our

00:51:35.420 --> 00:51:37.080
 lives to share with

00:51:37.080 --> 00:51:38.300
 us the gospel, to

00:51:38.300 --> 00:51:39.360
 share with us the

00:51:39.360 --> 00:51:40.500
 encouragement to keep

00:51:40.500 --> 00:51:41.900
 living as a

00:51:41.900 --> 00:51:42.260
 Christian.

00:51:46.300 --> 00:51:47.120
 Because of that

00:51:47.120 --> 00:51:49.160
 grace, He

00:51:49.160 --> 00:51:50.080
 welcomed His people

00:51:50.080 --> 00:51:51.080
 back time and

00:51:51.080 --> 00:51:51.480
 again.

00:51:51.480 --> 00:51:54.360
 And that's true of

00:51:54.360 --> 00:51:54.740
 us.

00:51:57.619 --> 00:51:59.119
 Before He went to

00:51:59.119 --> 00:52:00.079
 Calvary's cross, the

00:52:00.079 --> 00:52:00.820
 Lord made a new

00:52:00.820 --> 00:52:02.800
 covenant in His

00:52:02.800 --> 00:52:03.960
 blood, the covenant

00:52:03.960 --> 00:52:05.000
 the Old Testament

00:52:05.000 --> 00:52:05.740
 prophets had looked

00:52:05.740 --> 00:52:06.440
 forward to.

00:52:08.019 --> 00:52:08.740
 And He made a

00:52:08.740 --> 00:52:09.519
 promise that all who

00:52:09.519 --> 00:52:10.960
 trusted in Him would

00:52:10.960 --> 00:52:12.199
 receive forgiveness

00:52:12.199 --> 00:52:14.360
 and freedom and

00:52:14.360 --> 00:52:15.679
 fullness of life.

00:52:15.679 --> 00:52:15.799
 life.

00:52:18.799 --> 00:52:19.699
 And yet we can

00:52:19.699 --> 00:52:20.940
 often lose sight of

00:52:20.940 --> 00:52:21.219
 that.

00:52:22.599 --> 00:52:23.539
 As the people in

00:52:23.539 --> 00:52:24.579
 Nehemiah's day might

00:52:24.579 --> 00:52:25.159
 not have been

00:52:25.159 --> 00:52:27.059
 mindful of the

00:52:27.059 --> 00:52:27.879
 great works the

00:52:27.879 --> 00:52:28.759
 Lord had done.

00:52:28.839 --> 00:52:29.699
 We can forget to be

00:52:29.699 --> 00:52:30.799
 mindful of the

00:52:30.799 --> 00:52:32.359
 great work done at

00:52:32.359 --> 00:52:32.940
 Calvary.

00:52:35.819 --> 00:52:36.940
 It might be a

00:52:36.940 --> 00:52:37.919
 simple thing, just

00:52:37.919 --> 00:52:38.899
 busy with life,

00:52:40.299 --> 00:52:41.019
 busy with job,

00:52:41.179 --> 00:52:41.899
 busy with career,

00:52:43.419 --> 00:52:44.059
 busy with raising

00:52:44.059 --> 00:52:45.099
 up children or

00:52:45.099 --> 00:52:46.420
 grandchildren, vital

00:52:46.420 --> 00:52:48.659
 role, vital

00:52:48.659 --> 00:52:50.039
 responsibilities, but

00:52:50.039 --> 00:52:51.719
 we can crowd out

00:52:51.719 --> 00:52:53.739
 the things of God.

00:52:54.940 --> 00:52:55.960
 We can let the

00:52:55.960 --> 00:52:56.920
 devotional time

00:52:56.920 --> 00:52:58.019
 slide.

00:52:58.159 --> 00:52:58.679
 We can let the

00:52:58.679 --> 00:52:59.920
 family devotion

00:52:59.920 --> 00:53:00.400
 slip.

00:53:00.519 --> 00:53:01.579
 We can find

00:53:01.579 --> 00:53:02.480
 ourselves not

00:53:02.480 --> 00:53:04.519
 regularly in the

00:53:04.519 --> 00:53:05.179
 Lord's house.

00:53:07.679 --> 00:53:08.639
 We might just

00:53:08.639 --> 00:53:09.599
 prioritize other

00:53:09.599 --> 00:53:10.360
 things over our

00:53:10.360 --> 00:53:11.039
 Christian walk.

00:53:12.099 --> 00:53:13.519
 We might enjoy all

00:53:13.519 --> 00:53:14.519
 the good things God

00:53:14.519 --> 00:53:15.340
 gives, but we might

00:53:15.340 --> 00:53:16.420
 enjoy them perhaps in

00:53:16.420 --> 00:53:17.739
 the wrong priorities,

00:53:17.920 --> 00:53:18.800
 hobbies, good in

00:53:18.800 --> 00:53:21.840
 themselves, but which

00:53:21.840 --> 00:53:23.099
 seem to expand to

00:53:23.099 --> 00:53:24.280
 fill all the

00:53:24.280 --> 00:53:25.460
 available time, which

00:53:25.460 --> 00:53:27.280
 draw our best

00:53:27.280 --> 00:53:28.159
 affections, which

00:53:28.159 --> 00:53:29.980
 concentrate our best

00:53:29.980 --> 00:53:30.800
 attentions.

00:53:30.800 --> 00:53:30.920
 things.

00:53:33.740 --> 00:53:35.480
 Or it may be we want to

00:53:35.480 --> 00:53:36.060
 play down our

00:53:36.060 --> 00:53:36.880
 Christian life, keep

00:53:36.880 --> 00:53:38.400
 it quiet, keep it

00:53:38.400 --> 00:53:40.920
 private, don't want any

00:53:40.920 --> 00:53:42.920
 friction at home or in

00:53:42.920 --> 00:53:43.940
 the workplace or among

00:53:43.940 --> 00:53:44.640
 friends.

00:53:46.720 --> 00:53:48.000
 Or it may be you're here

00:53:48.000 --> 00:53:48.460
 tonight.

00:53:49.880 --> 00:53:50.980
 Maybe you're surprised to

00:53:50.980 --> 00:53:51.860
 be here tonight because

00:53:51.860 --> 00:53:53.620
 you've openly and very

00:53:53.620 --> 00:53:54.680
 deliberately turned away

00:53:54.680 --> 00:53:55.840
 from your Christian faith,

00:53:55.840 --> 00:53:55.900
 faith.

00:53:57.400 --> 00:53:59.180
 Like the people in

00:53:59.180 --> 00:54:01.340
 verse 26, you've cast

00:54:01.340 --> 00:54:03.019
 God's law behind your

00:54:03.019 --> 00:54:03.500
 back.

00:54:05.100 --> 00:54:06.360
 You were raised in the

00:54:06.360 --> 00:54:07.840
 church, been prayed for

00:54:07.840 --> 00:54:09.900
 and taught, but you

00:54:09.900 --> 00:54:10.740
 shy away from the

00:54:10.740 --> 00:54:11.500
 claims of Christ.

00:54:12.579 --> 00:54:14.039
 The call to deny

00:54:14.039 --> 00:54:15.320
 self, the call to take

00:54:15.320 --> 00:54:16.640
 up your cross, the call

00:54:16.640 --> 00:54:18.519
 to be a stranger in this

00:54:18.519 --> 00:54:18.920
 world.

00:54:21.240 --> 00:54:22.400
 And you think that more

00:54:22.400 --> 00:54:23.940
 peace and happiness and

00:54:23.940 --> 00:54:24.980
 freedom will be found

00:54:24.980 --> 00:54:27.199
 outside of Christ and in

00:54:27.199 --> 00:54:28.099
 Him and among His

00:54:28.099 --> 00:54:28.440
 people.

00:54:33.320 --> 00:54:35.099
 The Lord warns us that

00:54:35.099 --> 00:54:37.320
 He may discipline those

00:54:37.320 --> 00:54:37.780
 He loves.

00:54:38.920 --> 00:54:40.119
 He warns us that if we

00:54:40.119 --> 00:54:41.119
 turn from the freedom

00:54:41.119 --> 00:54:41.920
 we have in Christ, we

00:54:41.920 --> 00:54:42.480
 might, like the

00:54:42.480 --> 00:54:43.119
 Israelites, find

00:54:43.119 --> 00:54:44.000
 ourselves back in

00:54:44.000 --> 00:54:44.360
 slavery.

00:54:47.519 --> 00:54:48.719
 But He gives a word of

00:54:48.719 --> 00:54:51.280
 encouragement that He

00:54:51.280 --> 00:54:52.780
 keeps His promise, that

00:54:52.780 --> 00:54:54.880
 He is faithful, that

00:54:54.880 --> 00:54:56.840
 His mercies are great.

00:54:57.000 --> 00:54:58.280
 They are new every

00:54:58.280 --> 00:54:58.740
 morning.

00:55:01.539 --> 00:55:03.000
 The Apostle John in his

00:55:03.000 --> 00:55:04.440
 first letter says, if we

00:55:04.440 --> 00:55:06.559
 claim we have no sin, we

00:55:06.559 --> 00:55:08.000
 deceive ourselves and the

00:55:08.000 --> 00:55:09.119
 truth is not in us.

00:55:10.579 --> 00:55:12.200
 But if we confess our

00:55:12.200 --> 00:55:14.700
 sins, as the men and

00:55:14.700 --> 00:55:15.940
 women of Nehemiah's day

00:55:15.940 --> 00:55:17.720
 confessed their sins, He is

00:55:17.720 --> 00:55:20.579
 faithful and just to

00:55:20.579 --> 00:55:22.720
 forgive us our sins and to

00:55:22.719 --> 00:55:24.679
 cleanse us from all

00:55:24.679 --> 00:55:26.179
 unrighteousness.

00:55:29.179 --> 00:55:30.679
 God's great mercies

00:55:30.679 --> 00:55:32.859
 sending forth Christ, the

00:55:32.859 --> 00:55:34.959
 Son of Abraham, to make

00:55:34.959 --> 00:55:36.319
 the new covenant in His

00:55:36.319 --> 00:55:37.779
 blood and so for the

00:55:37.779 --> 00:55:39.179
 blessings of the gospel to

00:55:39.179 --> 00:55:41.000
 flow to the whole world.

00:55:41.000 --> 00:55:47.619
 God doesn't mean we can be

00:55:47.619 --> 00:55:48.260
 presumptuous.

00:55:50.719 --> 00:55:53.179
 A philosopher once wrote,

00:55:53.340 --> 00:55:55.159
 God will forgive me, that's

00:55:55.159 --> 00:55:55.940
 His job.

00:55:56.780 --> 00:55:58.139
 It's what God does, what He

00:55:58.139 --> 00:55:58.500
 did.

00:55:59.920 --> 00:56:00.980
 But we mustn't be

00:56:00.980 --> 00:56:01.679
 presumptuous.

00:56:03.280 --> 00:56:06.099
 But we can be confident that

00:56:06.099 --> 00:56:08.179
 if we come before Him as the

00:56:08.179 --> 00:56:10.219
 people of Nehemiah's day came

00:56:10.219 --> 00:56:13.219
 before Him and acknowledge

00:56:13.219 --> 00:56:16.899
 and confess our sins and

00:56:16.899 --> 00:56:19.440
 own our sins and say, Lord,

00:56:19.559 --> 00:56:21.779
 we have strayed, we have

00:56:21.779 --> 00:56:23.239
 wandered, we have gone our

00:56:23.239 --> 00:56:23.899
 own way.

00:56:25.539 --> 00:56:27.599
 But as you forgave our

00:56:27.599 --> 00:56:28.759
 forefathers, would you

00:56:28.759 --> 00:56:29.639
 forgive us?

00:56:31.119 --> 00:56:32.359
 Would you remember again your

00:56:32.359 --> 00:56:32.699
 covenant?

00:56:32.899 --> 00:56:35.219
 Would you show once more your

00:56:35.219 --> 00:56:38.639
 great mercies and forgive us

00:56:38.639 --> 00:56:40.500
 and cleanse us from all

00:56:40.500 --> 00:56:41.539
 unrighteousness?

00:56:44.980 --> 00:56:46.639
 I will hear what God the

00:56:46.639 --> 00:56:48.139
 Lord says to His saints.

00:56:48.279 --> 00:56:50.619
 He offers peace, but His

00:56:50.619 --> 00:56:52.299
 people must not wander and

00:56:52.299 --> 00:56:53.619
 return to foolishness.

00:56:55.019 --> 00:56:56.779
 Surely for all those who fear

00:56:56.779 --> 00:56:58.239
 Him, His salvation is at

00:56:58.239 --> 00:57:00.899
 hand so that once again His

00:57:00.899 --> 00:57:04.639
 glory may be seen within our

00:57:04.639 --> 00:57:05.339
 land.

00:57:06.900 --> 00:57:09.079
 He offers peace tonight to the

00:57:09.079 --> 00:57:10.059
 troubled conscience.

00:57:11.319 --> 00:57:12.980
 He offers us a way out of

00:57:12.980 --> 00:57:14.319
 returning to foolishness.

00:57:17.099 --> 00:57:18.659
 And He offers once more His

00:57:18.659 --> 00:57:21.619
 grace to any whose hearts have

00:57:21.619 --> 00:57:23.500
 gone astray to welcome us back

00:57:23.500 --> 00:57:25.099
 as the Father welcomed back the

00:57:25.099 --> 00:57:27.519
 prodigal so that His glory may be

00:57:27.519 --> 00:57:29.259
 seen once more within our land

00:57:29.260 --> 00:57:31.260
 and within our lives.

00:57:33.580 --> 00:57:35.200
 Well, may God give us the grace

00:57:35.200 --> 00:57:41.040
 to respond in faith and to look

00:57:41.040 --> 00:57:43.420
 into our hearts and then to look

00:57:43.420 --> 00:57:44.980
 to Him this weekend.

00:57:46.560 --> 00:57:48.500
 I just want to pray once more

00:57:48.500 --> 00:57:51.560
 before we sing our final item of

00:57:51.560 --> 00:57:51.920
 praise.

00:57:51.920 --> 00:57:51.980
 praise.

00:57:53.559 --> 00:57:56.760
 And we'll just pray together now.

00:58:06.019 --> 00:58:07.440
 Gracious God, we do bless your

00:58:07.440 --> 00:58:09.139
 name, the name that is exalted above

00:58:09.139 --> 00:58:10.400
 all blessing and praise.

00:58:13.180 --> 00:58:16.220
 Bless you as our Creator, the Maker of

00:58:16.219 --> 00:58:17.179
 the heavens and earth.

00:58:19.000 --> 00:58:21.179
 I bless you as the one who made all

00:58:21.179 --> 00:58:24.639
 things and the one who made covenant

00:58:24.639 --> 00:58:27.219
 with your people.

00:58:29.559 --> 00:58:31.119
 Father, we thank you that in a world

00:58:31.119 --> 00:58:33.839
 of lies and fake news, your word is

00:58:33.839 --> 00:58:34.279
 true.

00:58:35.319 --> 00:58:37.339
 In a world of broken promises and

00:58:37.339 --> 00:58:39.119
 broken dreams, your promises are

00:58:39.119 --> 00:58:42.519
 sure for you are righteous.

00:58:42.519 --> 00:58:46.739
 We thank you that you're kind to us

00:58:46.739 --> 00:58:49.679
 hearing our prayers, providing for

00:58:49.679 --> 00:58:52.440
 our every needs, giving to us more

00:58:52.440 --> 00:58:54.079
 than we could ever ask or imagine.

00:58:56.679 --> 00:58:58.099
 And we thank you, Lord, for your

00:58:58.099 --> 00:59:00.840
 mercy and your grace that you are

00:59:00.840 --> 00:59:03.800
 patient, long-suffering.

00:59:05.460 --> 00:59:07.500
 Lord, even when we stiffen our necks,

00:59:08.679 --> 00:59:10.559
 even when we turn a stubborn shoulder

00:59:10.559 --> 00:59:12.860
 towards you, even when we cast your

00:59:12.860 --> 00:59:14.860
 words behind our back or stop our

00:59:14.860 --> 00:59:17.259
 ears to hear what you have to say to

00:59:17.259 --> 00:59:20.440
 us, that you bear with us.

00:59:22.019 --> 00:59:23.619
 You do not make an end to us.

00:59:23.679 --> 00:59:24.980
 You do not forsake us.

00:59:26.259 --> 00:59:28.900
 For you are gracious, merciful, slow to

00:59:28.900 --> 00:59:32.440
 anger and abounding in steadfast and

00:59:32.440 --> 00:59:33.219
 covenant love.

00:59:35.599 --> 00:59:37.440
 Lord, tonight and this weekend we ask

00:59:37.440 --> 00:59:40.519
 that you would teach us the height, the

00:59:40.519 --> 00:59:42.099
 depth, the breadth, the length of that

00:59:42.099 --> 00:59:42.400
 love.

00:59:46.019 --> 00:59:48.320
 And as we look at our lives, as we

00:59:48.320 --> 00:59:53.500
 inspect the state of our hearts, that in

00:59:53.500 --> 00:59:55.099
 your goodness and mercy you would forgive

00:59:55.099 --> 01:00:00.700
 us from our ingratitude, from our

01:00:00.700 --> 01:00:04.940
 insolence, even from our indifference,

01:00:04.940 --> 01:00:09.260
 from our apathy to the things that are

01:00:09.260 --> 01:00:09.679
 eternal.

01:00:12.780 --> 01:00:15.220
 Would you not again revive us that we may

01:00:15.220 --> 01:00:16.000
 rejoice in you?

01:00:17.019 --> 01:00:19.240
 Lord, show us your covenant mercy, your

01:00:19.240 --> 01:00:20.920
 salvation grant anew.

01:00:23.000 --> 01:00:25.220
 So, Lord, this night, this weekend, this is

01:00:25.220 --> 01:00:29.260
 our prayer, that you will be glorified,

01:00:29.260 --> 01:00:34.340
 that we might respond to your grace, come

01:00:34.340 --> 01:00:37.100
 to you to be refreshed, come back to you

01:00:37.100 --> 01:00:39.760
 after perhaps a time away.

01:00:41.060 --> 01:00:43.260
 I'll come to you, Lord, even for the first

01:00:43.260 --> 01:00:47.940
 time, and to taste and see that you, our

01:00:47.940 --> 01:00:48.660
 Lord, are good.

01:00:50.220 --> 01:00:52.300
 And so we thank you for your amazing grace

01:00:52.300 --> 01:00:55.020
 given to us in Christ, in whose name we

01:00:55.020 --> 01:00:55.300
 pray.

01:00:55.300 --> 01:00:56.780
 Amen.

01:01:09.580 --> 01:01:11.940
 Well, to end our time together, I wanted to

01:01:11.940 --> 01:01:16.200
 sing the metrical version of Psalm 126,

01:01:16.760 --> 01:01:19.560
 Psalm that speaks of the return from exile

01:01:19.559 --> 01:01:23.920
 and from joy emerging from sorrow.

01:01:24.079 --> 01:01:27.179
 Psalm 126, the metrical version,

01:01:27.299 --> 01:01:29.539
 when Zion's bondage God turned back,

01:01:30.059 --> 01:01:32.039
 as men that dreamed were we, then filled

01:01:32.039 --> 01:01:34.519
 with laughter was our mouth, our tongue

01:01:34.519 --> 01:01:35.619
 with melody.

01:01:35.779 --> 01:01:38.779
 We sing to close to God's praise.

01:01:38.780 --> 01:01:39.780
 Psalm 126, the metrical version,

01:01:39.780 --> 01:01:55.160
 when Zion's bondage God turned back, as in a tree

01:01:55.160 --> 01:01:57.780
 in her way.

01:01:57.780 --> 01:02:09.160
 When filled with laughter was our mouth, our tongue

01:02:09.160 --> 01:02:12.340
 with melody.

01:02:12.340 --> 01:02:27.980
 They mount the need and said, the Lord, with things more than

01:02:27.980 --> 01:02:29.340
 the throne.

01:02:29.340 --> 01:02:38.340
 The Lord has done, the Lord has done, the Lord has done, the King's bondage God,

01:02:38.340 --> 01:02:43.360
 when joy to us is done.

01:02:43.360 --> 01:03:04.360
 As streams of water in the south are haunted sharply gall,

01:03:04.360 --> 01:03:21.360
 whose soul endures the leaping time of joy and joy they shall.

01:03:21.360 --> 01:03:37.360
 That man who hailing precious seed, enrolling for the corn,

01:03:37.360 --> 01:03:53.360
 the earth is bringing at his sheep, rejoicing shall return.

01:03:57.860 --> 01:04:02.160
 So may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

01:04:02.920 --> 01:04:05.300
 and the love of God our Heavenly Father,

01:04:05.300 --> 01:04:13.060
 and the fellowship of his Holy Spirit be with us now, this evening, and forevermore.

01:04:14.180 --> 01:04:14.580
 Amen.

01:04:35.300 --> 01:04:39.580
 Amen.

01:04:43.980 --> 01:04:44.260
 Amen.

01:04:44.340 --> 01:04:46.180
 Amen.

01:04:46.180 --> 01:04:48.320
 Amen.

01:04:48.380 --> 01:04:52.200
 Amen.