WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.359 We'll read together from Psalm 19, and one of our elders, Hamish, is going to come and read for us. 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:16.719 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. 00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:22.219 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:27.179 There is no speech, nor are there words whose voice is not heard. 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:33.539 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:40.259 In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, 00:00:40.420 --> 00:00:44.359 and like a strong man runs its course with joy. 00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:49.500 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:52.039 and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:56.960 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. 00:00:57.859 --> 00:01:01.939 The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:06.599 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:11.140 The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:15.120 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:20.620 The rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:30.560 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold, sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. 00:01:31.860 --> 00:01:34.680 Moreover, by them is your servant warned. 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:39.360 In keeping them, there is great reward. 00:01:40.080 --> 00:01:41.660 Who can discern his errors? 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:45.280 Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:50.320 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. 00:01:51.100 --> 00:01:53.440 Let them not have dominion over me. 00:01:54.100 --> 00:01:57.260 Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression. 00:01:57.260 --> 00:02:03.780 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:07.300 O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:08.319 Amen. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:13.360 Let's pray. 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:23.920 Our Father in heaven, we thank you that you have communicated with us. 00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:27.500 You have declared your glory in creation. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:35.439 You have spoken to us in many ways, but ultimately, Lord, we thank you that you have given us your word. 00:02:36.619 --> 00:02:41.959 And we pray that right now you would open up our eyes to behold wonderful things from your law. 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:47.359 I pray, Father, that we would not just find maybe some interesting facts or, 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:54.400 or, Lord, please don't help let us get bored with what's being said from your word. 00:02:55.040 --> 00:03:01.120 But, Father, that you would help us to see your glory as you have revealed yourself specifically in your word. 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:05.940 And, Father, we thank you for Jesus Christ, who is the word. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:08.080 And the word became flesh. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:11.740 And so we pray that you would be lifted up today. 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:19.380 So let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. 00:03:19.600 --> 00:03:22.060 O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:24.120 We pray this in the name of Jesus. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:25.040 Amen. 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:30.200 Today we are starting our summer psalm series. 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:36.339 And I'm excited that I get to actually preach from one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 19. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:41.039 And we've been singing about how God has declared his glory in creation. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:46.859 And ultimately, what we're going to talk about today is that God has communicated to us. 00:03:47.419 --> 00:03:53.919 God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, has chosen to speak in a way that we can understand who he is. 00:03:54.179 --> 00:03:58.859 Most of you probably know that at one point, Scotland was known as the land of the book. 00:03:58.860 --> 00:04:03.620 Now, I wasn't able to find exactly when that started or who coined that phrase. 00:04:03.760 --> 00:04:14.020 But by the 19th century, it was pretty much well known that Scotland was known as the land of the book because of her love for the Bible. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:16.780 The Reformation was a turning point in that. 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:23.240 And John Knox and others wanted ordinary people to be able to study the scriptures for themselves. 00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:27.500 And so they created one of the most literate nations on the face of the planet. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:31.620 All that so that people could read the Bible for themselves. 00:04:32.680 --> 00:04:38.180 Why were the reformers so convinced that everyone should read the Bible for themselves, 00:04:38.500 --> 00:04:45.079 that they made they did their best to make education available for all so people could learn to read the Bible? 00:04:45.500 --> 00:04:56.399 Or in the same way, why is it that some people were willing to die in order for the Bible to be translated into their native language? 00:04:56.399 --> 00:05:00.219 Was it simply they were just overzealous or fanatical? 00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:07.979 Maybe they were, as some have said, just wanting more power or trying to control the people? 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:12.839 Why would someone like William Tyndale give his life? 00:05:13.299 --> 00:05:16.799 He lost his life saying things like this. 00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:18.840 I defy the Pope and all his laws. 00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:24.620 If God spare my life, ere many years, I will cause a boy that driveth the plow, 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:27.980 that he shall know more of the scripture than thou dost. 00:05:29.060 --> 00:05:29.540 Why? 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:36.100 Why would people be so committed to get the scriptures into our hands so that we could read them? 00:05:37.060 --> 00:05:38.480 It's because God has spoken. 00:05:39.340 --> 00:05:43.720 God has communicated himself through creation, as we're going to look at very shortly. 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:48.560 He's communicated through the scriptures and ultimately through Jesus Christ. 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:54.600 The heart of what I want us to actually talk about today is verses 10 and 11, 00:05:55.020 --> 00:06:04.040 where David here says that your word and all these descriptors are more to be desired than gold, 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:09.820 even the much fine gold, sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:13.740 In keeping your word, there is great reward. 00:06:13.899 --> 00:06:17.139 Do we value God's word in that way? 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:24.120 Do we understand how incredible it is that God has communicated himself to us? 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:28.219 So today we're looking at the God who communicates. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:33.000 The creator of this and sustainer of the universe who needed nothing from us 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:37.240 has decided to reveal himself to us. 00:06:37.240 --> 00:06:42.300 Now, some of you may be thinking, great, yeah, another sermon making me feel guilty 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:47.759 for not reading my Bible enough or not rejoicing in creation as I should and all these things. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:50.019 Hopefully that's not what you'll get out of today. 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:55.920 But instead that we will say we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:57.480 And I want more of that. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:02.540 So we start out in chapter 19 verses 1 through 6, 00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:06.860 where what we refer to as general revelation, 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:11.300 that God has revealed himself in a general way through creation. 00:07:11.400 --> 00:07:14.400 It says the heavens are telling of the glory of God 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:17.640 and the sky proclaims his handiwork. 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:23.379 Day to day pours out speech and night to night reveals knowledge. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:25.560 Creation is revealing God. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:29.439 God has communicated to us through his world. 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:31.860 That is one thing that we need to understand. 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:33.639 It's one way he's communicated to us. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:36.699 So when we go up to the highlands or down to the Lake District 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:41.840 or even just walking out our front doors and seeing the stars at night 00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:45.240 or seeing the sunrise or the beauty of the grass 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.840 or even a spider web that's glistening in the light, 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:53.439 all of these things are declaring the glory of God. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:56.279 God is telling us that there is a God. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:59.620 And when we pay attention, we'll feel a sense of awe. 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:03.540 Recently, we were driving down to Cornwall and I would just be like, 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:05.219 Kelly, Kelly, look at this view. 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:08.540 It's just like I'm in awe of what's going on. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:13.279 And if we're thoughtful, we instinctively know that there is something going on 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:15.459 that is way much bigger than us. 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:19.039 That God, there is a God and he is doing something. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:25.479 And if we just admit that, we will see that life is just more than our little worlds 00:08:25.479 --> 00:08:28.299 that we tend to live in, our little bubbles. 00:08:28.799 --> 00:08:34.199 But what exactly is God communicating through his creation? 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:38.659 Paul actually addresses this in Romans chapter 1 verses 19 and 20 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:39.639 when he says, 00:08:39.819 --> 00:08:44.839 For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:50.480 For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and his divine nature, 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:55.219 have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world 00:08:55.219 --> 00:08:58.980 in the things that have been made. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.379 For they are without excuse. 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:04.379 In other words, God has given us a knowledge about him that is enough 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:06.379 so that we're without excuse. 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:08.840 We can't say, well, we didn't know there was a God. 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:10.779 He didn't reveal himself to me. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:16.019 And scripture tells us that God is telling us about himself in creation 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:20.840 in a way that we know he exists and that he is powerful and divine. 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:24.879 But we, as his creation, will twist that. 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:27.700 We will suppress it, deny his existence. 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:31.139 We actually try to make ourselves as God. 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:33.580 But look at verses 3 and 4. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.280 It says, 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:37.660 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:40.759 Their voice has gone out through all the earth, 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:42.200 and their words to the end of the world. 00:09:42.420 --> 00:09:44.840 So in one sense, it's saying like, 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:46.780 like we have heard, 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:48.480 in another sense, we haven't heard. 00:09:48.560 --> 00:09:49.940 Like what's he talking about there? 00:09:50.040 --> 00:09:54.020 Like this general revelation doesn't reveal everything 00:09:54.020 --> 00:09:56.259 or doesn't reveal enough. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:59.200 It's like I heard someone say recently 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:03.100 that it's kind of like when you hear music through a wall. 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:05.560 Where it's like I hear something's going on, 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:07.740 but I can't quite make out what it is. 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:09.500 It's kind of like in just a minute, 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.800 you'll hear some bagpipes, 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:14.580 and you might not understand what in the world they're playing. 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:17.180 Now, I will admit when I hear thunderstruck, 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:19.200 I'm like, okay, I know what's being played there. 00:10:19.200 --> 00:10:23.660 But a lot of times we'll start hearing this muffled sound, 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:25.560 and it's like it's enough to know it's there, 00:10:25.560 --> 00:10:29.160 but it's not quite communicating precisely. 00:10:29.660 --> 00:10:31.080 Maybe that's a bad illustration, 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:33.540 but I believe that's a little bit of how creation 00:10:33.540 --> 00:10:35.220 is communicating to us. 00:10:35.280 --> 00:10:35.980 It's unclear. 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:37.640 It's unspecific. 00:10:38.700 --> 00:10:43.280 Therefore, God has communicated to us through his word. 00:10:44.199 --> 00:10:46.199 There goes the bagpipes right now. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:47.919 Right on cue. 00:10:48.699 --> 00:10:51.659 God has communicated to us through his world, 00:10:51.839 --> 00:10:56.419 but he has also communicated to us through his word. 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:59.620 Isaac Watts, the great English minister 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:01.419 who wrote Joy to the World, 00:11:01.539 --> 00:11:03.120 and When I Surveyed the Wonders Cross, 00:11:03.699 --> 00:11:04.620 he says this, 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:21.259 In other words, we're able to understand who God is 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:25.080 because he's communicated himself through his word. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:28.460 Now, the next five verses are incredibly profound. 00:11:28.879 --> 00:11:33.080 There's like six nouns, six descriptors, six verbs. 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:37.240 And someone has said it's kind of like facets of a diamond. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:40.759 I mean, we see these intricacies in these words. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:43.560 Don't want us to get lost in the beauty of the diamond 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:47.420 by trying to parse out the definitions of each of these words. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:50.480 However, we are going to talk about that. 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:54.080 I mean, we've got this beautiful description of God's word, 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:58.379 but often when I'm going to go through some of these things, 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:02.200 for some of us, it may sound like Charlie Brown's teacher. 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:04.120 They're like, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah. 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:06.360 It's like, okay, keep moving, go to something else. 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:08.440 We can just even get bored 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:12.480 when we hear these incredible things from Scripture, 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:16.420 because right now we still have these bodies of sin. 00:12:17.140 --> 00:12:20.160 We still want to twist and suppress. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:22.580 Even when we don't want to, we still do it. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:26.780 When God is telling us these amazing things about his word. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:30.120 Some commentators have pointed out how in verse 1, 00:12:30.579 --> 00:12:34.399 David uses the word El or Elohim for God, 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:37.519 which is kind of this general name or title for God. 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.459 But when we get down to verse 7, 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:42.879 David switches to the Hebrew Yahweh, 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:46.360 the specific covenant name of God, 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.959 translated in our Bibles as Lord, 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.639 usually with all caps. 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.419 Verse 1 through 6, 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:55.759 creation has given us a general sense of who God is 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.979 that everyone can see. 00:12:58.479 --> 00:12:59.819 But verses 7 through 11, 00:13:00.319 --> 00:13:02.639 God specifically reveals himself, 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:04.620 revealing his covenant love. 00:13:04.839 --> 00:13:06.439 It's like one pastor said, 00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:08.519 he said, when you look at creation, 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:10.500 you don't think God is a God of love. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:11.860 If you're just looking at creation, 00:13:12.099 --> 00:13:15.579 you might see the power and terror of a natural disaster, 00:13:15.579 --> 00:13:17.339 or you might see the violence 00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:19.019 in the predator-prey relationship, 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:21.939 or you might see the majesty in the mountains 00:13:21.939 --> 00:13:24.600 and the stars and sunsets. 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:26.179 But how do we know God's love? 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:28.439 I mean, you don't get attacked by midges 00:13:28.439 --> 00:13:31.100 and be like, oh, God loves me deeply, right? 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:34.319 So how do we know these things? 00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:37.539 It's because God has revealed that to us, 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:40.819 that he is a God of love in his scriptures. 00:13:41.579 --> 00:13:44.960 He speaks to us through the scriptures. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:48.879 Peter addresses this briefly in 2 Peter 1, 00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:50.080 where he says, 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:52.860 no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:55.060 but men spoke from God 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:57.820 as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:00.639 So these words of who God is 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:04.540 were written down, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit 00:14:04.540 --> 00:14:06.440 so that we can know him. 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:08.420 And one of the things I want you to hear 00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:11.360 as we start saying words like law and precepts 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.220 and rules and things like that, 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:16.500 I want you to understand that when David is writing this, 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:18.240 he is excited. 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.779 He is gushing with excitement 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:23.920 as he is talking about God revealing himself 00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:27.139 in creation and now in his word. 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.279 Look at what he says. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.680 The law of the Lord is perfect, 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:34.019 reviving the soul. 00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:36.860 That word law means instruction. 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:41.200 It's teaching man all that he needs to know to flourish. 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:44.660 It's like the manual sent by the manufacturer. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:47.720 The scriptures create a standard 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:50.780 that must be obeyed in order for us to flourish. 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:51.600 God has said, 00:14:52.160 --> 00:14:53.640 here is how you should live. 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:56.620 It says the law of the Lord is perfect. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.840 That word perfect means complete, 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.060 comprehensive. 00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:02.740 It covers all aspects of a thing. 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:05.060 It's everything we need to know 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:06.780 for life and godliness, 00:15:07.040 --> 00:15:08.640 as Peter says in 2 Peter 1. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:11.319 God has communicated himself 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:15.360 through his word in a complete way 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:17.000 where we can know him 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:20.139 and know what he desires from us. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.439 And it says the law of the Lord is perfect, 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:23.960 reviving the soul. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:25.980 This word can also be translated as 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.580 restoring the soul. 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:30.759 It's the same words that are used in Psalm 23. 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:33.500 He restores my soul. 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:36.500 This word restore means to turn back, 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.919 to get back to the state it should be. 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:42.519 One translation says converting the soul. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:44.820 It means a change that happens. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.720 And he says in this soul, 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.500 it's that Hebrew word nephesh 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:50.519 that means the inner person. 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:53.059 Who you really are, 00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:54.879 the self, the mind, the heart, 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.740 your person, who you are. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:16:00.340 It's saying God's word transforms us 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:03.039 totally in the inner person. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:05.799 And when you hear this word 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:07.219 that he restores my soul, 00:16:07.319 --> 00:16:10.120 we hear the intimacy of it in Psalm 23. 00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:11.959 We don't necessarily hear it as well 00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:14.059 here when it says the law of the Lord 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:17.000 is perfect, restoring or reviving the soul. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:19.099 But what we hear when it says 00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:20.699 that God is giving us 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:24.199 what will transform and restore our souls, 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:27.099 he's inviting us into a relationship with him. 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:30.159 It's only that relationship 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:32.159 where this language makes sense, 00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:33.740 like we see in Psalm 23, 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:36.679 that he restores, revives the soul. 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:41.179 It's not just some cold written law. 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:44.579 It is God revealing himself to us. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:47.059 The law of the Lord is perfect, 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:48.639 reviving the soul. 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.620 Hopefully you're not hearing 00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:51.319 wah, wah, wah, wah, wah. 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:51.639 Right? 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:54.399 Anyway, the testimony of the Lord, 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:56.199 he says, is sure. 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.360 Making wise the simple. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.620 This word testimony, 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.000 it means what God has testified 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:03.299 to be his will. 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:06.180 It's a witness to who God is 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.839 and what he desires for us, 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.700 what he wills. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.680 The scriptures are an expression 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:12.059 of God's own heart, 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.220 his nature, his attributes. 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:16.639 And it says the testimony of the Lord 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:17.279 is sure. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.440 It's reliable. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.279 It can be trusted. 00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:23.539 The testimony of the Lord is sure, 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.299 making wise the simple. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.960 Now this word simple 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:30.039 is a word that literally means open-minded. 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.820 And what it means by that 00:17:31.820 --> 00:17:33.340 is someone who's not able 00:17:33.340 --> 00:17:35.600 to close their mind off 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:37.500 to what is good and what is bad. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.860 And what David is saying here 00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:41.860 is that the word of God, 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.539 the testimony of God, 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.279 of the Lord, 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:46.980 helps us to discern what is right. 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:48.740 Help us, helps us to discern 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.900 the words of life 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:52.360 versus what is wrong. 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.860 What will lead us astray? 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:55.960 What will lead us away from him? 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:57.319 We don't just need to be 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.660 completely open-minded. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.980 We need discernment, 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.740 not naively open-minded, 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:04.360 but discerning through his scriptures. 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:06.099 And the scriptures give us 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:08.960 that discernment and wisdom for life. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:10.000 I mean, you can just, 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:11.460 we could go to so many 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.259 different Proverbs 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.220 or so many different places 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:15.160 in scripture where we get wisdom. 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:17.460 But one of my favorite Proverbs 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:19.240 is Proverbs 38 and 9 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.620 where he says, 00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:22.640 Give me neither poverty nor riches. 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.440 Feed me with the food 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:25.800 that is needful for me, 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:28.019 lest I be full and deny you 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.160 and say, who is the Lord? 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:31.420 Or lest I be poor and steal 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:34.000 and profane the name of my God. 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:35.300 He's saying like, 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:37.960 we instinctively want to pursue riches, 00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:41.200 but that can be bad for us. 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:44.980 He says, if you give me all this wealth, 00:18:45.140 --> 00:18:47.059 I might deny you and say, 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.880 who is God? 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:50.319 But I also don't want to be poor 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.880 because it'll look like you're unfaithful. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:54.400 And I might steal and profane 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.500 your name in that. 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.940 That's wisdom to know 00:18:57.940 --> 00:19:00.299 that we don't need to pursue riches, 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:02.360 that we don't need to think 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:04.299 that more is always better. 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:06.720 And that is the wisdom 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:09.240 that Scripture makes plain 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.299 to the simple-minded. 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:13.000 The testimony of the Lord is sure, 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:14.980 making wise the simple. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.019 He then says, 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:18.019 The precepts of the Lord are right, 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.400 rejoicing the heart. 00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:21.180 Precepts are what God 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:22.720 has appointed to be done. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.180 It refers to doctrine 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.500 and absolute truths, 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:27.339 principles for life. 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.940 And he says, 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.720 The precepts of the Lord are right. 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:32.860 This is not right versus wrong here. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:36.059 This is, it leads us on the right path. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.759 It's the way that we are 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.519 to navigate the world. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.220 David is saying, 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.519 You've revealed that to us. 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.679 You've shown us how to live. 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.279 The right path. 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:47.339 And when we follow your word, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:49.299 it leads us on the right path. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.359 And it says, 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.599 when we do that, 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:53.740 rejoicing the heart. 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:56.339 True joy comes 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.759 from following God 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.000 in the paths of righteousness. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:02.419 True joy is what we're talking about here. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.819 Just like Jesus said 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:05.759 in Luke chapter 11, verse 28, 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:06.980 Happy, 00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:09.319 blessed are those 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:11.379 who hear the word of God 00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:12.339 and keep it. 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.220 Jesus is telling us 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:18.399 the way to a flourishing life 00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:20.859 is by obeying God's word, 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.940 hearing his word, 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.859 and keeping it. 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.839 So the scriptures 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.119 are wise principles 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.519 and truths for living 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:28.819 that perfectly fit our need 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:30.039 and our condition. 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:33.759 God's word is for our good. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:34.900 And again, 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.779 David is excited about this. 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:39.720 I hesitate to walk through all this 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.700 because I don't want this 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.279 to sound boring. 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:43.339 David is gushing over here. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.660 The word of God, 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.359 God has spoken to us 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:49.200 and has communicated to us. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.779 And that is anything but boring. 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.799 The commandment of the Lord, 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.400 he says, 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.160 is pure, 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.759 enlightening the eyes. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.779 Commandment here, 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.420 divine decrees, 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.379 they're binding. 00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.520 There's this idea 00:21:00.520 --> 00:21:01.880 and commandments of judgment 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:02.960 versus reward. 00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:04.060 In other words, 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:06.080 when you obey God, 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.940 there is reward. 00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:08.340 When you don't follow him, 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.060 there is judgment. 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:10.400 In other words, 00:21:10.620 --> 00:21:11.580 God's word sits 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:13.360 as an authority over us, 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.560 able to tell us 00:21:14.560 --> 00:21:15.140 what we should 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.040 and should not do. 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:18.000 And he says, 00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:19.580 that commandment is pure. 00:21:19.780 --> 00:21:20.460 It's clear. 00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:21.760 It's free from corruption. 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:24.220 And it enlightens the eyes. 00:21:24.280 --> 00:21:24.740 In other words, 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.040 it helps us to see 00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:27.820 the way things really are. 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:29.879 It helps us to understand 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:31.200 what is true. 00:21:31.399 --> 00:21:32.619 What is reality? 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:36.339 David says in Psalm 119, 105, 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:39.179 your word is a lamp to my feet 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:40.960 and a light to my path. 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:42.039 It shows me the way 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.779 that I should go. 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:45.259 David loves God's word. 00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:45.819 He says here, 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:46.679 the fear of the Lord 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:47.740 is clean, 00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:48.579 enduring forever. 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.119 Fear is this idea 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.779 of awe and reverence 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.419 in scripture. 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.579 One of the things 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.359 that we can take away 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.419 from this is that 00:21:56.419 --> 00:21:57.740 he's saying it reveals 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.920 how to worship God 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.720 as we should. 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:01.059 It's free from corruption. 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:02.099 It's clean. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.559 The fear of the Lord 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.079 is clean, 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.039 enduring forever. 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.640 In other words, 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.819 God's word 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:07.720 and the way he says 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:09.079 to approach him 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.099 in fear, 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:10.880 in awe, 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.500 in reverence, 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.000 in other words, 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.559 in worship, 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:15.039 this is something 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:17.620 that never gets stale. 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:19.160 It never gets old. 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.339 They're permanent. 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:22.319 It never becomes irrelevant. 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.680 It's relevant 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:25.299 for every generation. 00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.559 Unlike the apps 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.039 of our phones 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.119 that always need updating, 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.319 this is God's word 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:31.440 that does not need 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.240 an update. 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.960 It does not need 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.819 improvement. 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.799 The fear of the Lord 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.399 is clean, 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.720 enduring forever. 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:39.859 Scriptures are 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:41.139 permanently relevant, 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:41.799 written down 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:42.720 for all time, 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.740 for every place. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.659 They show us 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.379 how to worship God 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.119 in spirit and truth. 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.319 How can we approach 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.519 this God 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.039 that satisfies our souls? 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.200 And then lastly, 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.480 the rules of the Lord 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.500 are true 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.360 and righteous 00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.140 all together. 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.039 Rules. 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:58.080 These are divine, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.360 what the divine judge 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:01.180 has ruled as right. 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.340 Now this is the word 00:23:02.340 --> 00:23:03.740 that's right versus wrong. 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:05.200 His verdicts, 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.860 his word, 00:23:07.100 --> 00:23:09.660 it's never guilty 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.340 of injustice 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:11.539 or unfairness, 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.380 but his word 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:13.980 is always righteous 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.980 all together. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.680 It's true relative. 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.319 In the age of relativity, 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.279 it stands firm. 00:23:19.279 --> 00:23:20.960 All of these things 00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:21.599 that says 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:23.759 we can rely on it. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.940 Comprehensive righteousness, 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.399 the way that is right. 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.359 This is the word 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:29.799 of the Lord. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.180 Now, 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:33.940 he's not saying 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:35.680 the love of the Lord 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.599 is this. 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:38.000 The mercy of the Lord 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.559 is this. 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:41.139 The grace of the Lord. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.839 The hope in the Lord. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.619 He's using words 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.339 like law, 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.119 testimony, 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.299 precepts, 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:47.879 commandments, 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:48.799 fear, 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.480 rules, 00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:50.859 all these things 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.440 that we're like, 00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:53.000 that sounds awful. 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.879 Don't bind me 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.879 with those things. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.879 And David is saying, 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.460 you don't understand. 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.279 This is the way 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:02.279 we get life with God. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.359 He's telling us 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:04.940 in creation 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.799 that he's there 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.000 and we should pursue him. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.799 Listen, 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:10.399 he's actually revealed himself 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:12.779 specifically in his word. 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.639 David's really pumped 00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.119 about this. 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.319 Like, 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.759 the language is one 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.819 of satisfaction 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.140 and joy 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:20.960 in God's word. 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.500 God has spoken 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.819 through his word. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.940 He has communicated 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.519 with us who he is. 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.599 He's communicated 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:29.140 to us who we are 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.519 and how to live 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:31.660 and step with him. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.180 It's not just 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:34.200 how to live a better life 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:34.740 or how to live 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.960 your best life, 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:38.200 but how do we get God? 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:40.200 Through God's word, 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.619 we get him. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.519 That's why David 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.680 is so excited. 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.860 I'm currently reading 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.580 a book called 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:48.080 Heart Aflame for God 00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:49.400 and it's about 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:51.340 spiritual formation 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:53.460 from the Reformation. 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.060 Like, 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.440 how did the Reformers 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:57.920 view spiritual formation? 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:00.100 And they use words 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:01.480 like aflame. 00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.539 And it was all how 00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.240 the word of God 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.580 sets our hearts 00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:07.660 on fire. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.720 Passion. 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.680 Aflame for God. 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.820 It's just like 00:25:12.820 --> 00:25:13.640 what we've been hearing 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:15.060 in the last four weeks 00:25:15.060 --> 00:25:16.080 from the sermons 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.680 on the road to Emmaus 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:19.180 where they said, 00:25:19.520 --> 00:25:20.500 did not our hearts 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.900 burn within us 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:24.120 while he opened up 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.759 the scriptures? 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:27.560 Do our hearts 00:25:27.560 --> 00:25:28.640 burn within us 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:30.160 when the scriptures 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.240 are opened up 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.980 to us? 00:25:32.040 --> 00:25:32.620 Our hearts 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.740 should be set aflame 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.400 for God 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:36.780 pursuing him 00:25:36.780 --> 00:25:38.240 through his word. 00:25:38.820 --> 00:25:39.580 And going back 00:25:39.580 --> 00:25:40.680 to verse 10 and 11 00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.420 that we mentioned 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.980 at the beginning, 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.559 he says, 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.539 more desirable 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.319 than gold, 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.839 than much fine gold. 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.720 We've all probably 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:48.039 had dreams of maybe 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.160 winning the lottery 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.519 or having that rich uncle 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.120 that leaves us 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.779 a bunch of money. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.180 I'm going to go 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.519 a little full American here. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.720 Yesterday was 4th of July. 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.240 I'm going to, 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.539 you know, 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.940 just go for it. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.640 But there was a show 00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.720 growing up called, 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:00.099 well, 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.759 I think it was on 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.360 when my parents 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:02.880 were growing up, 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.339 but it was called 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.420 the Beverly Hillbillies 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:04.900 if any of you 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.839 have ever heard that show. 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:07.440 And it's about 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.180 how this guy 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.120 finds oil 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:10.099 on his property 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:11.319 and they moved 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:12.319 to Beverly Hills, 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.399 Beverly Hillbillies, 00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:13.639 right? 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:15.939 But they found this oil 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:17.139 and now they're rich. 00:26:17.959 --> 00:26:18.279 And so, 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.599 we used to have this game 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.459 with my grandmother 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:21.559 who had some land. 00:26:21.679 --> 00:26:21.839 It's like, 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.500 what if we found oil 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.559 on your property? 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.619 What would be 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.559 the first thing we would buy? 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.639 I know you might not 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:29.779 understand this in Scotland, 00:26:29.879 --> 00:26:30.319 but we were like 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.359 a swimming pool, 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:31.679 you know, 00:26:31.719 --> 00:26:32.500 because Alabama's 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.119 really hot. 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.839 But, 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:36.639 we used to dream 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:38.500 how much better 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.899 our lives would be 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:41.319 if we were able 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:42.699 to be rich. 00:26:42.939 --> 00:26:44.299 We dream like that. 00:26:45.199 --> 00:26:45.719 Apparently, 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.939 they dreamed like that 00:26:46.939 --> 00:26:48.079 back then as well. 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.119 That's not a new 00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:50.319 human condition thing. 00:26:50.439 --> 00:26:51.419 That is something 00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:52.799 that has always been. 00:26:54.239 --> 00:26:55.039 And he's saying, 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.939 the Word of God, 00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:58.339 because it reveals 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.519 who God is, 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:00.919 is much better 00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:02.119 than all of that. 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.859 He's speaking 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.899 to our deepest desires 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.939 of what we think 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:06.899 will make us happy. 00:27:08.719 --> 00:27:10.039 We have the words 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.779 of life 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:12.000 that lead us to Him 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.979 and in His presence 00:27:12.979 --> 00:27:14.339 there's fullness of joy. 00:27:14.679 --> 00:27:14.879 So, 00:27:14.979 --> 00:27:16.000 it's more to be desired 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.459 than gold, 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.500 than much fine gold. 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.399 And then he says, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.539 and sweeter also 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.059 than honey 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.639 in the drippings 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.379 of the honeycomb. 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.799 I get this. 00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.039 Like, 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.759 I'm the guy 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.899 that always has room 00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.379 for dessert, 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:25.839 right? 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:26.439 It's like, 00:27:26.479 --> 00:27:26.579 hey, 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.000 do you want to get 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.619 some ice cream? 00:27:27.739 --> 00:27:27.899 Ah, 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:28.039 no, 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.519 I'm not hungry. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:29.279 That has nothing 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.959 to do with it. 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.239 There's, 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.579 I think it was Isaac 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.179 that was telling me 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:33.379 there's a second compartment 00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.079 for dessert, 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.480 right? 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.759 There's always room 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.319 for pudding. 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:37.299 Apparently, 00:27:37.419 --> 00:27:38.319 that's not a new thing 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.679 either. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:38.980 Like, 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.699 they desired sweetness. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:42.500 Sweeter also 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.159 than honey 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:44.000 and the drippings 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.699 of the honeycomb. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.879 We're talking like 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:47.740 genuine cravings here. 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:48.619 I don't know 00:27:48.619 --> 00:27:49.199 if you're like me, 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.179 but after I eat a meal, 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.720 sometimes like, 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:51.779 I just need to end 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.779 with something sweet. 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:56.299 It's something I crave. 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.599 Our bodies will crave. 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.919 Sugar is super addictive, 00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.480 you know. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.180 But when we talk 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.880 about sweets, 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.640 a lot of times 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.420 we even joke 00:28:04.420 --> 00:28:05.140 about how it's good 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:05.840 for the soul. 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:08.060 Kind of the stereotypical 00:28:08.060 --> 00:28:08.940 breakup thing 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.240 is like, 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:09.500 oh, 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.160 we broke up. 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.640 I'm going to eat 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.880 a pint of ice cream. 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.300 You know what I'm 00:28:12.300 --> 00:28:12.880 talking about? 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.279 It's like, 00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:15.259 we understand 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.340 that there's something, 00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.740 a craving deep 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.420 within us 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.279 and a lot of times 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.600 it turns to sugar, 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.600 to the sweet things. 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:23.080 But David is speaking 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.880 to our cravings 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.660 and saying the word 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:25.360 of God, 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:26.839 it fulfills 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.959 that deepest desire 00:28:27.959 --> 00:28:28.659 and it should be 00:28:28.659 --> 00:28:29.579 our craving. 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.799 It's sweeter 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.279 than the sweetest thing 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.179 you can think of. 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.099 King David could have 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:37.179 anything that he wanted 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:38.359 and he says, 00:28:38.479 --> 00:28:39.659 this is what I crave. 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:41.599 It's the word of God. 00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:43.639 One preacher said, 00:28:43.699 --> 00:28:44.759 the scriptures are greater 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.959 than honey and money. 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.879 It's what we crave 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.740 and what we seek 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.419 and it's greater 00:28:49.419 --> 00:28:50.619 than all of those things. 00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.459 So what? 00:28:53.979 --> 00:28:54.899 What's the big deal? 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:57.419 Our God is a God 00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:59.759 who communicates to us. 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:00.939 He reveals himself 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:03.139 so that we can know 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:04.659 the one that our souls 00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:05.939 are craving. 00:29:06.939 --> 00:29:08.439 And the primary way 00:29:08.439 --> 00:29:10.399 that we communicate with him 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:12.399 is through his word. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:14.139 We know who God is 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:14.879 through his word. 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:16.319 We know how to pray 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.719 because of God's word. 00:29:17.899 --> 00:29:19.439 We understand how to navigate 00:29:19.439 --> 00:29:20.299 this life 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:22.659 because of God's word. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.979 And he speaks to us today 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:26.579 through his world. 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.339 We are seeing 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:28.819 and it's telling us 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.440 of his glory 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.920 through his word. 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.799 All these things 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:33.220 that we've just talked about. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.900 But all of history 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.539 culminated 00:29:37.539 --> 00:29:39.420 at the moment 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.539 that God communicated 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:42.000 himself through his sign. 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.380 John 1.1 00:29:44.380 --> 00:29:46.300 in the beginning 00:29:46.300 --> 00:29:47.260 was the word 00:29:47.260 --> 00:29:49.120 and the word 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:49.940 was with God 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.620 and the word 00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:51.520 was God. 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.720 The word 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.940 became flesh 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:56.520 and made his dwelling 00:29:56.520 --> 00:29:57.560 among us. 00:29:58.520 --> 00:30:00.280 I love John 1.18 00:30:00.280 --> 00:30:01.220 as it goes through 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:01.840 that passage 00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:02.360 and he says, 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:04.000 no one has ever seen God. 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:04.820 God, 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.760 the only son 00:30:05.760 --> 00:30:07.360 who is at the father's side, 00:30:07.800 --> 00:30:09.620 he has made him known. 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:11.739 That word there 00:30:11.739 --> 00:30:12.379 in the Greek 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:14.159 says that Jesus 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:16.319 exegetes God. 00:30:16.479 --> 00:30:17.359 What does that mean? 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.259 It means he explains 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.179 him to us. 00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:23.500 The ultimate revelation 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:25.119 of who God is 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.779 is found 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:27.019 in Jesus Christ. 00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:29.859 God so wanted 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:31.159 to communicate himself 00:30:31.159 --> 00:30:32.219 to us 00:30:32.219 --> 00:30:33.639 that he came 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.559 himself. 00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:36.119 He came 00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:37.000 in the flesh. 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.519 Jesus is the word 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.700 and he shows us 00:30:40.700 --> 00:30:41.619 what God is like, 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.720 what God desires, 00:30:42.859 --> 00:30:43.779 how to live, 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.099 how to find life. 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.880 And Jesus says 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.960 in John 15 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.799 that the way 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.900 we abide in Jesus 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:50.339 is through God's word, 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.380 through obeying 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.039 his commands, 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.019 letting the word 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:54.619 dwell in us. 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:57.740 Do you see 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.420 how much love 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.279 God has for us 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.900 that he would go 00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:00.779 to these lengths 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:02.940 to reveal himself 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.339 to us? 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:04.400 And he didn't have to. 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:07.480 He wanted to go 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.960 to these lengths 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.560 so much 00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:09.160 that he sent, 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.600 he came himself. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.120 He sent his son, 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.500 Jesus. 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:14.200 Jesus lived the life 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.080 that we couldn't live, 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.640 died the death 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.880 that we deserve to die 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:17.960 so that we could 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:18.960 know this God 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.860 fully 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:21.640 and one day 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.380 be with him 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:22.960 forever. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:26.060 Do we understand 00:31:26.060 --> 00:31:27.019 the treasure 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:27.900 that we have 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.840 in front of us? 00:31:29.780 --> 00:31:30.740 That we actually 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.720 now carry 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:32.840 in our pockets? 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:36.179 Do we get numb 00:31:36.179 --> 00:31:37.000 to the fact 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.639 that we have 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.359 the word 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.220 of the living God 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:41.000 revealing himself 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.639 to us? 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.559 We have it 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:44.259 and it's greater 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.220 than any treasure 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.319 that we own. 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:48.119 Do we spend time 00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:49.419 mining this treasure 00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:51.139 so that we can grow 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:51.799 in our relationship 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:52.259 with God? 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.879 I was reminded 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:53.539 of a video 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.639 that I saw 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.459 about 10 years ago 00:31:55.459 --> 00:31:56.279 and it's this tribe 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:56.959 in Indonesia 00:31:56.959 --> 00:31:58.679 that was holding 00:31:58.679 --> 00:32:00.079 this massive celebration 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:01.199 as a math plane 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.960 comes in 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.360 and is delivering 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:03.980 to them 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.259 the full New Testament 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.700 for the first time. 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:08.480 They're crying, 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.680 they're celebrating 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:11.140 this moment 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:12.420 that we've been waiting on. 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.840 We have God's word 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:14.819 to us. 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:17.220 And every time 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.900 I watch that 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:19.360 or hear that video, 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:21.440 it just reminds me 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:23.400 of how little 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.380 I can treasure 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.319 the word of God. 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.559 That it, 00:32:26.840 --> 00:32:28.039 how often 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.819 I can read it 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:30.000 and it not impact 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.799 my day. 00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.200 Peter says 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.000 in 2 Peter, 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:35.679 I've quoted that 00:32:35.679 --> 00:32:36.480 a couple of times already, 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.359 in 2 Peter 1, 00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:37.939 maybe you go read 00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.500 that this week, 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.279 it's a good passage. 00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:40.960 Peter says, 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.419 we saw his majesty, 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:43.799 we even heard 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.939 the voice of God, 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:45.960 yet, 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.879 he says in verse 21, 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:49.939 sorry, 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.819 not in verse 21, 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:53.879 I forget which verse 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.099 it is, 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:54.519 I wrote the wrong 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.000 verse down, 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.159 but he says 00:32:56.159 --> 00:32:57.659 that we have, 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.620 even though we've seen 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.300 and heard, 00:33:00.100 --> 00:33:01.440 we have the prophetic 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:03.700 word more fully confirmed. 00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:05.880 And he's talking 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.560 about the scriptures. 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:10.220 We have this word 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:10.800 of how God 00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:11.600 has revealed himself 00:33:11.600 --> 00:33:12.519 to us so that 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:14.380 David says in Psalm 119, 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.860 oh how I love your law, 00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.860 it is my meditation 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.620 all the day. 00:33:18.060 --> 00:33:18.500 He says, 00:33:18.580 --> 00:33:19.380 my soul keeps 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:20.160 your testimonies, 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:22.180 I love them exceedingly. 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.800 He even says, 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.820 it was good for me 00:33:24.820 --> 00:33:25.920 that I was afflicted, 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:27.400 that I might learn 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.940 your statutes. 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.620 Do we love God's word 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.279 like this? 00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.519 Do we seek 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:35.519 to keep God's word 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:36.600 with our whole hearts? 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.519 Can my friends 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.220 and my family 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:40.420 say that Ryan, 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.400 dad, 00:33:41.840 --> 00:33:43.180 loves God's word? 00:33:43.400 --> 00:33:44.000 Would that be 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.660 the testimony 00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:46.240 because it's such 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.500 a part of our lives? 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:50.820 May we treasure 00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:51.580 this word 00:33:51.580 --> 00:33:52.960 knowing that it is 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.940 the greatest treasure 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.960 that we have? 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.480 May we meditate 00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.740 on it day and night 00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:00.059 as it tells us to? 00:34:00.580 --> 00:34:01.259 And maybe a good 00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:02.080 exercise this week 00:34:02.080 --> 00:34:02.940 would be to go read 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:04.120 Psalm 119, 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:06.220 176 verses, 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.740 break it up, 00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:09.440 it's actually broken up 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.420 into 22 sections, 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.119 and just see what 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.820 the word says 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.599 about itself 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.920 and the benefits 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.639 of it. 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.300 It can change 00:34:17.300 --> 00:34:17.960 our lives. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.639 Let's pray. 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:23.119 God, 00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:23.980 we do thank you 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:25.460 that you are the God 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.500 that communicates, 00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:27.980 that you have revealed 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:29.420 yourself in your world 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.359 so that we see 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:30.960 your beauty, 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.420 your glory in creation. 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.179 We marvel 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.400 at some of the things 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:34.859 we see. 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.980 We hear about the number 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:36.920 of the stars 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:38.519 in the galaxy, 00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:39.400 the universe, 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:41.059 like we can't even 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.559 comprehend your greatness, 00:34:42.759 --> 00:34:44.059 your divine power, 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.460 your divine nature, 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:49.360 yet you have given us 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:50.000 your word 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:51.539 so that we can know you, 00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:53.460 so that we will seek you 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.159 and find you. 00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:55.400 You sent Jesus. 00:34:56.240 --> 00:34:57.539 The word became flesh 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.740 so that we could have 00:34:58.740 --> 00:35:00.039 that relationship with you 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:01.320 that will fulfill 00:35:01.320 --> 00:35:02.220 our every desire. 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:04.539 Help us to treasure 00:35:04.539 --> 00:35:05.440 your word. 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:06.699 Help us to seek you. 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:10.240 Help us to hold fast 00:35:10.240 --> 00:35:11.579 to what your word says 00:35:11.579 --> 00:35:12.500 because we know, 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:14.340 as the disciple said, 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.320 you have the words of life. 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.660 Where else are we going to go? 00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:19.500 Help us to value your word 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.200 in that way. 00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:22.260 We pray all these things 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:23.059 in Jesus' name. 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:23.700 Amen.