WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.720 Verse 1 and on page 903 of the Church Bible. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:09.419 Hear this, you priests. Pay attention, you Israelites. 00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:13.460 Listen, O royal house. This judgment is against you. 00:00:14.540 --> 00:00:18.500 You have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor. 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:23.580 The rebels are deep in slaughter. I will discipline all of them. 00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:29.000 I know all about Ephraim. Israel is not hidden from me. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.600 Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution. Israel is corrupt. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:38.960 Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. 00:00:39.579 --> 00:00:43.980 A spirit of prostitution is in their heart. They do not acknowledge the Lord. 00:00:45.579 --> 00:00:51.200 Israel's arrogance testifies against them. The Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble in their sin. 00:00:52.179 --> 00:00:54.179 Judah also stumbles with them. 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:59.679 When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him. 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:02.019 He has withdrawn himself from them. 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:04.780 They are unfaithful to the Lord. 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:07.079 They give birth to illegitimate children. 00:01:08.039 --> 00:01:11.400 Now their new moon festivals will devour them and their fields. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:14.900 Sound the trumpet in Gibeah. 00:01:15.659 --> 00:01:16.819 The horn in Ramah. 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:19.640 Raise the battle cry in Beth-Avon. 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:21.480 Lead on, O Benjamin. 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:25.439 Ephraim will be laid waste on the day of reckoning. 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:29.620 Among the tribes of Israel, I proclaim what is certain. 00:01:30.599 --> 00:01:33.900 Judah's leaders are like those who move boundary stones. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:38.620 I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water. 00:01:39.700 --> 00:01:43.700 Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgment, intent on pursuing idols. 00:01:44.800 --> 00:01:48.880 I am like a moth to Ephraim, like rot to the people of Judah. 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:53.280 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his sores, 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:57.480 then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent the great king for help. 00:01:57.480 --> 00:02:02.859 But he is not able to cure you, not able to heal your sores. 00:02:04.020 --> 00:02:08.379 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a great lion to Judah. 00:02:09.140 --> 00:02:11.480 I will tear them to pieces and go away. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:14.319 I will carry them off with no one to rescue them. 00:02:15.219 --> 00:02:19.219 Then I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. 00:02:19.900 --> 00:02:21.620 And they will seek my face. 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.800 In their misery they will earnestly seek me. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:28.360 Come, let us return to the Lord. 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:31.740 He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:35.380 He has injured us, but he will bind up our wounds. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.480 After two days he will revive us. 00:02:38.760 --> 00:02:42.540 On the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. 00:02:43.960 --> 00:02:45.560 Let us acknowledge the Lord. 00:02:46.300 --> 00:02:48.280 Let us press on to acknowledge him. 00:02:49.380 --> 00:02:51.920 As surely as the sun rises he will appear. 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:54.899 He will come to us like the winter rains, 00:02:55.539 --> 00:02:58.019 like the spring rains that water the earth. 00:03:04.599 --> 00:03:05.500 Thanks, Chris. 00:03:07.459 --> 00:03:08.500 Well, let's pray. 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:08.539 Let us pray. 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:25.620 Father, it is our desire that we would know you better, 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:29.239 that we would love you more. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:37.379 And we realize that our hearts can grow cold to you. 00:03:39.540 --> 00:03:41.700 We can turn away from you. 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:46.840 And so we ask, Father, that through your word today, 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:50.160 it would spark that fire, 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:53.500 that a flame would roar, 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:58.379 that we would be drawn closer to you afresh. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:06.159 That your word would be a word of healing to our lives. 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:12.639 That you would bring us back if we need to be brought back. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:17.019 That you would grow us where we need to grow. 00:04:17.019 --> 00:04:21.159 That we would become more like you. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:25.539 So, Father, do your work amongst us today, we pray. 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:27.359 Amen. 00:04:33.859 --> 00:04:38.379 Well, it had been an exhausting and emotional trial. 00:04:39.859 --> 00:04:41.139 Outside the court, 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:43.579 the crowds had gathered, 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:45.819 the press waited anxiously, 00:04:46.599 --> 00:04:48.300 cameras at the ready. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:50.979 Inside the court, 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:53.560 there was complete and utter silence. 00:04:55.180 --> 00:04:56.779 The judge took his seat, 00:04:57.959 --> 00:04:59.259 ready to give his verdict. 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:04.000 The court had heard how a wife who was loved, 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:06.639 cared for and treasured by her husband, 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:09.759 had left the family home and had an affair. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:13.120 And central to the case was when the husband 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:15.620 took the stand to give evidence 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:17.819 against his wife. 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:20.860 Fighting back the tears, 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:23.920 he explained how his wife of many years 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:26.639 had left the marriage time and time again, 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:28.680 refusing to come home. 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:31.879 He took no delight in what he said. 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:33.500 He was heartbroken, 00:05:34.039 --> 00:05:36.319 longing that she would return. 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:42.079 What would be the verdict of the judge? 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:47.159 Well, that's the scene as we step into chapter 5. 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:51.019 On trial is God's wife, Israel. 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:55.659 And giving evidence against his wife is God himself, 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:57.719 the faithful and loyal husband. 00:05:57.720 --> 00:06:03.580 But now the husband must turn and play the role of judge. 00:06:04.580 --> 00:06:07.540 What will be his verdict? 00:06:09.260 --> 00:06:10.380 Well, look at verse 1. 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:14.400 After his deliberations, 00:06:14.940 --> 00:06:18.580 the judge gives his verdict. 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:20.680 Hear this, you priests. 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:23.319 Pay attention, you Israelites. 00:06:24.339 --> 00:06:26.819 Listen, O royal house. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:32.579 This judgment is against you. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:39.500 Now let's remember that this is also our story. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:42.800 Because this story pictures how we, 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:44.600 the whole human race, 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:47.680 have rejected God's good and faithful love. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:51.579 We've ignored his advances towards us. 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:53.839 We've gone in search of other lovers. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:55.779 And now God turns 00:06:55.779 --> 00:06:58.819 to give his verdict. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:02.319 What does he have to say 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:04.100 to us? 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:07.580 Well, it comes in three parts. 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:10.280 First, God says, 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:15.520 I will withdraw my love from you. 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:21.240 Before announcing his judgment, 00:07:21.520 --> 00:07:23.439 God summarizes the evidence 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.220 against his wife. 00:07:25.320 --> 00:07:26.200 Look at verse 3. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:28.560 I know all about Ephraim. 00:07:28.640 --> 00:07:29.460 Ephraim, of course, 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:31.640 is another name for Israel the nation. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:33.240 I know all about Ephraim. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:35.600 Israel is not hidden from me. 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.560 I've seen everything you've done. 00:07:38.319 --> 00:07:40.759 I've watched how you've walked away from me 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:42.480 into the arms of other lovers. 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:46.660 Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution. 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:49.620 Israel is corrupt. 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.840 Perhaps we can remember, 00:07:54.019 --> 00:07:55.500 but we've certainly all witnessed 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:56.759 the vows at a wedding. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:00.259 The groom lovingly 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:02.199 takes the hand of his bride 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:03.879 and makes this promise. 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:08.839 I take you to be my lawful wedded wife. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:12.459 To have and to hold from this day forward. 00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:14.159 For better, for worse. 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.879 For richer, for poorer. 00:08:16.219 --> 00:08:18.139 In sickness and in health. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.399 To love and to cherish. 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:23.899 Till death us do part. 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:28.899 And then the bride takes the hand of the groom 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:31.439 and she places a ring on his finger. 00:08:32.439 --> 00:08:34.419 I give you this ring 00:08:34.419 --> 00:08:38.039 as a sign of my love 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:43.220 and the promise that I have made to you today. 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:50.540 Well, Israel had done the same thing with God. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:53.899 In love, God had pursued them. 00:08:54.460 --> 00:08:57.399 He had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. 00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:59.460 He had brought them to himself. 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:02.660 And together they stood at Mount Sinai 00:09:02.660 --> 00:09:05.820 ready to make their marriage vows. 00:09:05.820 --> 00:09:09.240 And God read out the vows before his bride 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:12.560 in what we know as the Ten Commandments. 00:09:14.160 --> 00:09:15.800 And he says to his bride, 00:09:16.879 --> 00:09:20.320 You shall have no other gods before me. 00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:23.620 You shall not bow down to them 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.580 or worship them. 00:09:24.840 --> 00:09:27.180 For I, the Lord your God, 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:29.440 am a jealous God. 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:34.460 I will not share your love with another. 00:09:37.560 --> 00:09:40.760 And now those vows were in tatters. 00:09:41.780 --> 00:09:42.340 Verse 4. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:45.060 Their deeds do not permit them 00:09:45.060 --> 00:09:46.520 to return to their God. 00:09:46.880 --> 00:09:49.440 A spirit of adultery or prostitution 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.060 is in their heart. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:53.900 They do not acknowledge the Lord. 00:09:53.900 --> 00:09:54.920 Verse 7. 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:59.380 They are unfaithful to the Lord. 00:10:00.400 --> 00:10:03.580 They give birth to illegitimate children. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:06.060 They pass on their behaviour 00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:08.480 to the next generation. 00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:11.120 And like Israel, 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:13.800 we too, the human race, 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:16.960 have walked out on the marriage. 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.480 We have not trusted God's goodness 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:20.580 and generosity. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:23.360 We have believed the lies 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.700 that he is not good. 00:10:25.520 --> 00:10:28.080 We have exchanged him for other lovers 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:29.920 and gone to other things 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:30.740 and other people 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:32.400 in search of our joy 00:10:32.400 --> 00:10:33.980 and our happiness. 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:39.379 Well, as we listen to the words of the judge, 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:43.360 let's remember that these are also 00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:45.440 the words of a faithful husband 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:49.000 with tears in his eyes. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:52.340 His response to his people 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:55.840 for persistently walking out on his love, 00:10:57.740 --> 00:11:00.740 sadly, regrettably, 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:05.299 is to withdraw his love from them. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.820 Look at verse 6. 00:11:06.820 --> 00:11:10.420 When they go with their flocks 00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:11.280 and their herds 00:11:11.280 --> 00:11:12.180 to seek the Lord, 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:14.600 when they go to make sacrifice again 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:17.560 and try and get back into God's favour, 00:11:18.280 --> 00:11:21.360 they will not find him. 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:26.840 He has withdrawn himself from them. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:29.019 When they come running back 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.360 from their failed lovers, 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:32.639 when they come knocking on the door, 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:34.240 there will be no answer. 00:11:34.700 --> 00:11:36.000 No one will be at home. 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.879 God has left. 00:11:40.660 --> 00:11:42.660 He has withdrawn his love. 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:46.060 It's tragic. 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:49.300 Now, we might struggle 00:11:49.300 --> 00:11:50.780 with the very thought of that, 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:52.060 but let's remember, 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:54.800 Israel is a serial adulteress. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:58.259 This has gone on for hundreds of years, 00:11:58.539 --> 00:12:00.099 down through the generations, 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:02.000 and it's progressively got worse. 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.159 So, in a sense, 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:04.199 God is giving them 00:12:04.199 --> 00:12:06.179 what they've been asking for all along. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:08.399 You want to live without my love? 00:12:09.319 --> 00:12:11.459 Then a life without my love 00:12:11.459 --> 00:12:12.579 you shall have. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.500 You see, God is jealous for his people. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:18.699 He's not about to give up on them. 00:12:18.959 --> 00:12:20.439 He will fight for them. 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:22.179 He will pursue them. 00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:24.899 He will give his life for his people. 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:30.219 But if we continue to reject his love, 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:34.739 if we continue to push against his advances, 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:38.399 there will come a time 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:43.299 when he will withdraw his love from us. 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.219 And we will come knocking, 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:49.960 but there will be no answer. 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:54.120 The tragic verdict 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:59.220 upon those who continue to push God away. 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.160 And second, 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:05.440 the verdict continues. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.139 God says, 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:08.180 I will bring my judgment upon you. 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.279 Look at verse 8. 00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:11.879 Sound the trumpet in Giver, 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:14.539 the horn in Ramah. 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:17.419 Raise the battle cry in Beth Aven, 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:19.299 the house of wickedness. 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.259 Attention! 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:21.439 Listen up! 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.059 Hear the trumpet call. 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:26.620 Let me show you what will happen 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:29.519 when I withdraw my love from you. 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.179 No one 00:13:31.179 --> 00:13:33.879 will be able to protect you, Israel. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:37.080 The Assyrians are going to come and invade. 00:13:37.080 --> 00:13:39.700 No one will be able to rescue you. 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:41.980 In fact, 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:43.200 it will be terrifying. 00:13:44.660 --> 00:13:46.280 And in a series of images, 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.920 God explains what it will be like. 00:13:50.300 --> 00:13:51.980 This is how it will be 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:55.940 when I withdraw my love from you. 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.980 He says, 00:13:58.060 --> 00:13:59.500 it will be like a flood. 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.800 Look at verse 10. 00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:02.160 Of course, 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.720 this isn't just to Israel, 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:05.000 the northern nation, 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:06.100 but also to Judah, 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.080 the southern nation, 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.399 because they both 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:09.720 had pushed God away. 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.539 So verse 10, 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.320 Judah's leaders are like 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:14.220 those who move boundary stones. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:17.379 I will pour out my wrath in them 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:19.399 like a flood of water. 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.360 Because the leaders 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.879 didn't deal with the sin, 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.919 God responded in wrath. 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:26.340 He says it's going to be 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:28.100 like a dam that bursts 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:29.820 and everything in its path 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:31.240 will be swept away. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:35.480 Not only will it be a flood, 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.940 it will be like a rot. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.639 Verse 11, 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.000 Ephraim is oppressed, 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:42.039 trampled in judgment, 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.620 intent on pursuing 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.700 their other lovers. 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:47.340 I am like a moth to Ephraim, 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:50.240 like rot to the people of Judah. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:53.580 Just like a rot will eat away, 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:55.080 corroding and breaking, 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:58.220 so God will come and destroy them. 00:14:58.220 --> 00:15:01.740 He goes on, 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:03.879 he says it will be like a sickness. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.259 Verse 13, 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:07.759 when Ephraim saw his sickness 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.740 and Judah his sores, 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:12.139 then Ephraim turned to Assyria 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:14.259 and sent to the king for help, 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.620 come and help us. 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:19.639 But he is not able to cure you, 00:15:20.420 --> 00:15:23.120 not able to heal your sores. 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:26.680 And so when God's judgment comes, 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:28.879 it will be like a sickness or disease 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.479 that they cannot cure. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:32.519 They'll turn to the other nations 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.639 and to other people 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:36.559 looking for their intervention and help, 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.859 but they will not save. 00:15:41.239 --> 00:15:42.659 It'll be like a flood. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.919 It'll be like a rot. 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.819 It'll be like sickness. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.939 Verse 14, 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.279 it'll be like a lion. 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:51.719 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:53.839 like a great lion to Judah. 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:55.960 I will tear them to pieces 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:57.899 and go away. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.720 I will carry them off 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:03.320 with no one to rescue them. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:06.759 Just like a lion hunting down 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:08.080 its weakened prey, 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:10.080 so God will come 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:13.019 and nothing will be able 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:14.300 to protect you, Israel. 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:17.679 You see, 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:20.039 when God withdraws his love, 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:23.620 when he withdraws his hand 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:25.599 that is upon his people, 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.179 it's not freedom. 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:30.939 It's terrifying. 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:34.719 But notice how all this happens. 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:39.279 This is deeply personal to God. 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:42.699 Yes, he may use the Assyrian nation 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:44.699 to come in upon Israel 00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:45.919 and Babylon, 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.959 the nation that will come into Judah, 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:51.000 but it's God 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:53.459 who is behind this judgment. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.439 Look at verse 14 again. 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:59.179 For I will be like a lion. 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:03.299 I will tear them to pieces. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:07.119 I will carry them off. 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.719 You see, 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.599 God's wrath, 00:17:09.719 --> 00:17:10.239 his anger, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.959 is not some kind of 00:17:11.959 --> 00:17:14.339 uncontrollable temper. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:16.259 It's not a fit of rage. 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.979 No, it's God's just, 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.319 fair, 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:22.619 and personal response 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:25.059 to our persistent rejection 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.199 of him. 00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:29.879 I remember meeting 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.959 with a young couple, 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.899 not in this church. 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:36.840 They hadn't been married long 00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:39.440 and she had discovered 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.940 that her new husband 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.720 had been sleeping around. 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:45.500 She sat on the couch, 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.540 told her story. 00:17:47.780 --> 00:17:49.860 The tears flowed down her face. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.140 She was heartbroken. 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:55.940 But they were also tears of anger 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:59.320 and she had every right to be. 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:01.839 He had broken the marriage, 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.980 destroyed the trust, 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:06.099 abused her love. 00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:09.599 And that's how it is with God. 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.500 He is the faithful, 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.720 loyal husband 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:14.859 with tears in his eyes. 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:18.259 But he's also the judge 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.339 who will not put up 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.599 with continued rebellion. 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:22.759 You see, 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.659 when there is no love for God, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:27.120 it doesn't mean 00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:28.320 that the world all now 00:18:28.320 --> 00:18:29.279 loves one another. 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.980 When we don't love God, 00:18:32.320 --> 00:18:33.580 there is no love 00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:34.620 for others. 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:36.740 Remember the evidence? 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.480 Have a look back 00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:39.060 at chapter 4, verse 2. 00:18:41.560 --> 00:18:42.860 This was the evidence 00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:44.120 against God's people. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:46.000 Chapter 4, verse... 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.320 Sorry, 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.420 the end of verse 1 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:48.340 of chapter 4. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.620 God says, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.900 there's no faithfulness, 00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.220 no love, 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.539 no acknowledgement 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.860 of God in the land. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.920 And in its place, 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.120 there is only cursing, 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.140 lying, 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.339 and murder, 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.720 and stealing, 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.079 and adultery. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.140 They break all bounds, 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.519 and bloodshed 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:09.120 follows bloodshed. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.240 It's the picture 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.500 of the world 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.640 we live in today. 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.259 Now, 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.740 as God views 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.600 all of this 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.779 over the centuries, 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:18.160 He doesn't sit there 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.600 and say, 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:19.380 you know what, 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.180 it doesn't matter. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.000 Just continue 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.359 to do what you like. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.299 Don't worry 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.660 about all the abuse 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:28.019 and the trafficking 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.059 and the slavery. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.579 Don't bother 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:31.839 about all the stealing 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:32.680 and the lies 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.839 and the harsh words. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.940 All the wars 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.940 and all the violence, 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.200 it doesn't matter. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:41.000 It does matter. 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.400 This is personal 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.119 to God 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:45.299 because He is 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.119 our Creator. 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.539 He owns us. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.779 He rules us. 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.220 He loves us. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.319 God is so patient, 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.220 longing for us 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.259 to return to Him, 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.660 but He will not 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:59.039 put up with it 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.740 forever. 00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:03.099 To face 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.240 an invading nation 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.279 like Israel did 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.079 is one thing. 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.819 For us 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.460 to stand 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.720 face to face 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.660 with our personal 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.880 God as judge 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:15.500 is another thing 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.079 altogether. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:19.799 Jesus described 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.439 that day 00:20:20.439 --> 00:20:21.599 like this. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.500 Speaking of Himself, 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.599 when the Son of Man, 00:20:28.699 --> 00:20:29.480 the Son of Man 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.319 is a title 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.980 for the one 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.119 with all power 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.480 and supreme authority. 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.639 When the Son of Man 00:20:35.639 --> 00:20:36.259 comes 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.779 in His glory 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:40.279 and all His angels 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.919 with Him, 00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:42.099 He will sit 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.279 on His throne 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:45.180 in heavenly glory, 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:48.180 all the nations, 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:51.519 all the nations 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:53.559 will be gathered 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.359 before Him. 00:20:55.160 --> 00:20:56.000 And He will 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.240 separate the people 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.720 one from another 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.740 as a shepherd 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.099 separates the sheep 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:02.220 from the goats. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.660 He will put the sheep 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.420 to His right, 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.279 the goats 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.819 to His left. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:11.279 And He will say 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.639 to those on His left, 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:14.400 depart from Me, 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:15.820 you are cursed, 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:19.000 into the eternal fire 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:21.380 prepared for the devil 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:22.200 and His angels. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.920 Then they will go away 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:27.780 to eternal punishment, 00:21:29.060 --> 00:21:30.440 but the righteous 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:31.780 to eternal life. 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:36.560 When God withdraws 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.140 His love, 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:39.780 it is not freedom. 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:42.079 we face 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.920 the terrifying 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.500 prospect 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:45.759 of an eternity 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.339 in hell. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.460 But that's not 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.779 the final verdict. 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:57.460 There is a surprising 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.299 statement 00:21:58.299 --> 00:22:00.440 of hope 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:03.779 because God says, 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.799 I will come 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:07.319 and heal you. 00:22:07.319 --> 00:22:09.059 look at verse 15. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.019 Chapter 5, 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:11.779 verse 15. 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.019 God is saying, 00:22:14.159 --> 00:22:15.259 I will go back 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.220 to my place 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.799 until they admit 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.659 their guilt 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:21.740 and they will 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:23.079 seek my faith. 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.899 In their misery 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:26.279 they will earnestly 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.220 seek me. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.720 God's desire 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.379 is that the judgment 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.220 that He will bring 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:32.179 upon His people 00:22:32.179 --> 00:22:33.859 is a form of discipline. 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:35.679 He will withdraw 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.619 His love 00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.639 only 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:39.379 to cause His people 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.039 to return 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.699 in repentance 00:22:40.699 --> 00:22:41.399 to Him. 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:43.299 For God 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.319 longs 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:46.299 to see the marriage 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:46.819 restored. 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.719 God 00:22:48.719 --> 00:22:49.559 will 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.419 heal 00:22:50.419 --> 00:22:51.859 His people. 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:54.099 There is 00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:55.359 a promised 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:55.819 healing. 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.459 Look at verse 1. 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:58.339 Come, 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.000 let us return 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.119 to the Lord. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:03.559 He has torn 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.399 us to pieces 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:07.159 but He 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:09.299 will heal us. 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.500 He 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:12.179 has injured 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:12.739 us 00:23:12.739 --> 00:23:14.539 but He 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:16.119 will bind 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:17.000 up our wounds. 00:23:18.699 --> 00:23:20.039 It's a very 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.439 strange tension. 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.239 Did you read it? 00:23:25.239 --> 00:23:26.539 God is the one 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:28.119 who tears 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.859 to pieces. 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:31.579 God is the one 00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.679 who injures 00:23:32.679 --> 00:23:34.839 only for God 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.539 to heal 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:37.219 and to bind 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:38.079 up our wounds. 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.799 Let me show you 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.579 two ways 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:43.559 God does this. 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.439 First, 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.339 and I want you 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.019 to engage 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.639 with this. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:49.659 Maybe you are 00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:50.199 going through 00:23:50.199 --> 00:23:51.199 a hard time 00:23:51.199 --> 00:23:52.779 right now. 00:23:53.939 --> 00:23:54.679 Life is 00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:55.179 difficult. 00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:57.779 Circumstances 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.459 are painful. 00:23:58.859 --> 00:24:00.519 You might 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.359 even describe 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.019 it as being 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.779 dark. 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.719 It's like 00:24:04.719 --> 00:24:05.639 God has 00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:07.219 withdrawn 00:24:07.219 --> 00:24:07.839 His love 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.379 from you. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.439 It can 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:11.319 feel like 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:11.979 God is 00:24:11.979 --> 00:24:13.079 even tearing 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:13.959 you to pieces. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.679 You can 00:24:15.679 --> 00:24:16.819 feel crushed 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:18.599 and broken. 00:24:20.939 --> 00:24:21.639 Have you 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.099 ever felt 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.619 like that? 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:26.959 God has 00:24:26.959 --> 00:24:27.659 to 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:28.459 God 00:24:28.459 --> 00:24:29.899 has 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:31.679 allowed it 00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:33.119 not to 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:33.659 get back 00:24:33.659 --> 00:24:34.099 at you 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:36.359 but because 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:36.819 He loves 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:37.179 you. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.299 His wounds 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:39.799 are not 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.359 harsh 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.899 and vindictive 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:44.179 but to 00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:44.879 cause our 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.479 hearts 00:24:45.479 --> 00:24:47.139 to turn 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:47.639 to Him. 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:49.380 the 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.300 circumstances 00:24:50.300 --> 00:24:50.759 and the 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.180 events 00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:51.540 that we 00:24:51.540 --> 00:24:52.180 go through 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.920 may be 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.480 painful 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:56.840 but by 00:24:56.840 --> 00:24:57.340 trusting 00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:57.920 God 00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:59.580 they become 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.720 loving wounds 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:02.259 so that we 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.780 in turn 00:25:02.780 --> 00:25:03.380 run 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.960 to our 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.420 healer. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.160 He has 00:25:08.160 --> 00:25:08.720 torn us 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.320 to pieces 00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:11.759 but He 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.259 will yet 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:13.580 heal us. 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:17.679 sometimes 00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:20.179 God 00:25:20.179 --> 00:25:20.659 has to 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:21.259 draw us 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.859 back to 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.299 Himself 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:22.980 because we're 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.819 walking away 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:25.279 and it's 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.699 like a 00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:26.079 finger 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.500 on our 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.059 lives 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:29.839 just a 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.299 wound 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:32.119 to say 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:33.799 come back 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.980 come back 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.419 to me. 00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:38.480 Sometimes 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.199 it can 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:40.779 be simply 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.199 that 00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:42.299 it's a 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:42.699 way of 00:25:42.699 --> 00:25:42.980 God 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.640 to draw 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:43.920 us 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.480 closer 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.319 to Him 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:45.500 in 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.099 dependence 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:46.559 upon 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:46.779 Him 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.259 not 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.420 that 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:47.660 we've 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:47.839 done 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.200 anything 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:48.700 wrong 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:52.140 but to 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:52.579 grow our 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:52.819 love 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.000 our 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.599 dependence 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.120 upon 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.440 Him. 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.819 He 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.299 injures 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.799 us 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:01.380 but He 00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:01.940 will bind 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.380 up our 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:02.799 wounds. 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.240 Now I 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.640 understand 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.160 that that 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.440 can be 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.160 very hard 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.500 for us 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.960 to take 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.140 in 00:26:09.140 --> 00:26:09.420 and you're 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:09.720 thinking 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.680 does He 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.120 really 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.500 injure 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:11.860 us? 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.799 does He 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.079 really 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.519 wound 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.959 us? 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.639 Well let 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.079 me show 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.500 you the 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.159 second way 00:26:17.159 --> 00:26:18.240 God tears 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.919 to heal. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.379 Remember 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:21.979 the verdict 00:26:21.979 --> 00:26:22.559 we've just 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.000 looked at? 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.559 We all 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.479 stand under 00:26:24.479 --> 00:26:25.099 the just 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.839 judgment 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.559 of God 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.819 and when 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.339 God's 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:28.679 judgment 00:26:28.679 --> 00:26:29.199 comes 00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:30.159 it will 00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.839 be like 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.839 being torn 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.559 to pieces 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:35.099 but here 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.679 He's telling 00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:37.159 us that 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.479 He will 00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:38.019 tear us 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.539 to pieces 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.299 us but 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.559 at the 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.119 same time 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.899 heal us. 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:42.519 How can 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:42.839 He do 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.359 that? 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.000 Torn 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.079 but healed 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.899 injured 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:48.720 but made 00:26:48.720 --> 00:26:49.059 well. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:51.639 The 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.139 tension 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:53.980 is resolved 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.379 at the 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:54.819 cross. 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.559 You see 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:56.960 at the 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.500 cross we 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.399 see God 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.539 torn to 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.379 pieces for 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:02.119 us so 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.639 that we 00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.039 can be 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.379 healed. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:04.879 Peter 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.700 explains it 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.299 like this 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.319 1 Peter 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.100 chapter 2 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:09.080 verse 24 00:27:09.080 --> 00:27:10.140 says this 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.759 He 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.340 himself 00:27:11.340 --> 00:27:12.080 speaking of 00:27:12.080 --> 00:27:12.500 Jesus 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.720 bore our 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.400 sins in 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.000 his body 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.380 on the 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:15.740 tree 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.519 that we 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.220 might die 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.880 to sin 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:19.080 and live 00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.920 for righteousness 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:22.440 by his 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.080 wounds 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:25.140 you have 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.759 been healed. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.700 Jesus 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.360 stood in 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:28.960 for us 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.819 He took 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.460 the judgment 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.220 we deserve 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.059 He is 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.799 torn to 00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.180 pieces 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.740 for us 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.620 He suffers 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.100 hell 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.799 for us 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.519 so that 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.119 we might 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.859 be forgiven 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.779 that we 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.279 might be 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.439 bound up 00:27:40.439 --> 00:27:41.519 forgiven 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.740 restored. 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:46.159 Now let's 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:46.599 put that 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.339 all together. 00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:49.439 If God 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:49.919 can be 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.839 torn apart 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.459 for you 00:27:51.459 --> 00:27:51.839 and for 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:52.099 me 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:54.359 if God 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:54.939 is willing 00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:55.500 to put 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:55.980 himself 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.899 in that 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.419 place 00:27:57.419 --> 00:27:58.299 where he 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.500 is inflicted 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.119 with the 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.599 greatest 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.319 wound 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:02.079 possible 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:02.959 hell 00:28:02.959 --> 00:28:03.719 itself 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:05.079 if God 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.539 will do 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.000 that for 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.240 you 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.600 and for 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:06.880 me 00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:09.620 then I 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.400 can trust 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.819 him 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:12.640 with every 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.680 other painful 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.400 wound and 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.480 trial that 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.299 he allows 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.059 into my 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.519 life 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:19.700 to draw 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.380 me back 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:20.940 to him 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:23.019 to draw 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.819 me closer 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.680 to him. 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:28.880 promised 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.820 healing. 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.180 But there 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:32.740 is something 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.680 even greater. 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:34.140 Look at 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:34.740 verse 2. 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.120 After two 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:37.759 days he 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.100 will 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:39.519 revive us. 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:40.940 On the 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.720 third day 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.940 he will 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.140 restore us 00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.920 that we 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.640 may live 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.380 in his 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:47.100 presence. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.640 Hosea is 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.799 hearing what 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:50.460 God is saying. 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.180 God had 00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:51.580 promised 00:28:51.580 --> 00:28:52.180 judgment 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.840 upon his 00:28:52.840 --> 00:28:53.759 people but 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.640 Hosea knew 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.400 that God 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:57.019 promised that 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.539 he is going 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.220 to revive 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.539 them. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.460 Yes they 00:28:59.460 --> 00:28:59.900 would be 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.620 cut down 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:02.220 but only 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.640 to be 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.180 restored. 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.539 Yes they 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:04.960 would be 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.400 crushed 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:07.180 but only 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.620 to be 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:08.060 revived. 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.940 It's like 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:12.039 a promised 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.220 resurrection. 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:14.519 Look at 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.120 verse 2. 00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:17.039 After two 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.640 days he 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.320 will revive 00:29:18.320 --> 00:29:18.700 us. 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.740 On the 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.480 third day 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:22.200 he will 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.480 restore us. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.420 Now I'm 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.160 not suggesting 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:26.900 Hosea had 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.299 in mind 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.500 the 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.120 resurrection 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:31.079 but Hosea 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:31.860 knew full 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.400 well that 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:32.880 God had 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.319 promised 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:33.920 somehow 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:36.299 that what 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:36.680 he would 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.420 tear down 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.860 he could 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.240 heal. 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.019 What he 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.680 could crush 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.460 he could 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:41.960 revive. 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.099 Life that 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.420 he could 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:44.920 take 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.759 he could 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.360 restore. 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:48.279 And that 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:49.059 is what 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.679 God has 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:50.240 done for 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:50.619 us. 00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.460 Jesus 00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:52.440 was torn 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.179 to pieces 00:29:53.179 --> 00:29:54.039 on the 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.579 cross for 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.099 us. 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.579 Three days 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.000 later 00:29:59.000 --> 00:30:01.240 he rose 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.859 again to 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.419 life and 00:30:02.419 --> 00:30:03.200 walked out 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.519 of that 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:03.819 tomb. 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.179 Look at 00:30:06.179 --> 00:30:06.460 the end 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.759 of verse 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.079 2. 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.759 That we 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.659 may live 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.659 in his 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:10.700 presence. 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.279 Jesus 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.879 is the 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:13.700 fulfilment 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.220 of what 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:14.940 Hosea 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:16.059 longed 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.619 for the 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.000 people. 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.519 Raised 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.119 to life 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.339 that people 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.980 like you 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.359 and me 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:22.299 might enjoy 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.139 his presence 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:24.339 now and 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.519 forever so 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:26.679 that we 00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:27.539 would never 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.899 ever ever 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.859 be separated 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.519 from his 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:30.899 love. 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.559 And know 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.480 his love 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.460 not just 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:36.359 today but 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:36.859 for an 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:37.319 eternity. 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.440 You see 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.139 this is our 00:30:41.139 --> 00:30:41.659 story. 00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:44.079 This is 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.220 my story. 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.799 This is 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.480 what God 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.179 can do 00:30:48.179 --> 00:30:49.759 for us. 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:51.899 But how 00:30:51.899 --> 00:30:52.399 do we 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:53.319 experience 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:54.419 this healing? 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.599 How can 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.419 I experience 00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:58.019 it? 00:30:58.339 --> 00:30:58.740 Well look 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.099 at verse 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.559 1 of 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.299 chapter 6. 00:31:00.699 --> 00:31:01.079 Come 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.220 let us 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.519 return to 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.099 the Lord. 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.299 Verse 3 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.119 let us 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.879 acknowledge 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:07.939 the Lord. 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:08.759 Let us 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.639 press on 00:31:09.639 --> 00:31:10.319 and acknowledge 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:10.720 him. 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.599 Press on 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:16.019 pursue 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.759 God. 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:18.779 Chase 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.639 after 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:20.019 him. 00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:20.879 Seek 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.259 him. 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.159 Long 00:31:22.159 --> 00:31:22.740 for him. 00:31:25.219 --> 00:31:25.719 Maybe 00:31:25.719 --> 00:31:26.219 you've done 00:31:26.219 --> 00:31:26.779 that with 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.139 a lover. 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:28.500 You've 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:28.939 known what 00:31:28.939 --> 00:31:29.459 it is to 00:31:29.459 --> 00:31:29.980 pursue 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.619 someone. 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.559 To chase 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:31.759 them. 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.299 To seek 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:32.659 for them. 00:31:32.919 --> 00:31:33.519 Not to 00:31:33.519 --> 00:31:33.899 give up. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.359 To long 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:34.679 for them. 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.559 This is 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.059 what God 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.639 is calling 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.119 us to 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:37.399 do. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:37.839 To get 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.599 real with 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:39.019 God. 00:31:40.199 --> 00:31:40.980 To do 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.659 business 00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.339 with God. 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:43.500 to wrestle 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.019 with him 00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.579 in your 00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:45.220 struggles. 00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:47.379 To hear 00:31:47.379 --> 00:31:48.220 his voice 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.879 speak to 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:49.599 you as 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.240 you read 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.879 the word. 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:52.839 To talk 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.220 to him 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.559 as you 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.539 cry out 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.119 in prayer. 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.419 To come 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:57.959 to him 00:31:57.959 --> 00:31:59.159 in repentance. 00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:01.379 To turn 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.000 back to 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.459 God and 00:32:02.459 --> 00:32:02.879 say you 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.379 are the 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:03.959 source of 00:32:03.959 --> 00:32:04.859 all my 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:05.480 joy and 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.159 all my 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.519 goodness. 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:08.919 To come 00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:09.659 in faith 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.180 afresh 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.240 and trust 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.120 that nothing 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:12.779 else and 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.320 no one 00:32:13.320 --> 00:32:13.759 else will 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.980 satisfy you 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.840 but God 00:32:15.840 --> 00:32:16.259 alone. 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.480 And as 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.180 we turn 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:20.880 back to 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:21.360 Christ 00:32:21.360 --> 00:32:22.580 and as 00:32:22.580 --> 00:32:23.540 we press 00:32:23.540 --> 00:32:24.460 on towards 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.000 Christ 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.740 look at the 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.120 rest of 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:26.720 verse 3 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:28.560 as surely 00:32:28.560 --> 00:32:29.480 as the 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.420 sun rises 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:32.360 he will 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:32.840 appear. 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.759 Just as 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.300 we wait 00:32:35.300 --> 00:32:35.700 for the 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.720 sunrise each 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.740 morning to 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.740 banish the 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:41.039 darkness so 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.579 God is 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:42.819 saying your 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.900 healing will 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.339 come. 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:46.160 The joy of 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.120 forgiveness will 00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:47.960 be restored. 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.000 Our hearts 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.859 will sing as 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.900 we enjoy his 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.980 presence afresh. 00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.299 The parched 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.700 barren wilderness 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.500 that we have 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.319 walked through 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:57.680 in this season 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.779 of life will 00:32:58.779 --> 00:33:00.200 flourish and 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.099 bloom again. 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:01.740 Look at the 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.299 rest of verse 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:02.620 3. 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.720 He will come 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.579 to us like 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.220 the winter 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:06.420 rains and 00:33:06.420 --> 00:33:07.240 the spring 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.000 rains that 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.559 water 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.700 the earth. 00:33:12.139 --> 00:33:13.000 I don't 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.460 know where 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:13.879 you are 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.579 today in 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:14.740 your 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.299 relationship 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:15.779 with the 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.079 Lord. 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.279 Whether 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:18.259 you've 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:18.940 wandered 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.619 away from 00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:20.099 him as 00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:20.659 the source 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:21.059 of all 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.619 joy and 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.099 goodness. 00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:24.460 Or whether 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:24.759 you're 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.559 struggling to 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.139 trust him 00:33:26.139 --> 00:33:27.059 that nothing 00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:27.879 else and no 00:33:27.879 --> 00:33:28.259 one else 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.980 will satisfy 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.700 but him 00:33:29.700 --> 00:33:30.480 alone. 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.220 Well he 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.720 says come 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.200 back. 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:35.559 Come back 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:36.440 and experience 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.420 my healing. 00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:38.900 Let the 00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:39.759 rain of 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.559 my grace 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.539 fall upon 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:43.320 you and 00:33:43.320 --> 00:33:43.940 where the 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.620 desert has 00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:45.940 been barren 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.440 let it 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:48.100 bloom once 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:48.500 again. 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:53.100 But you 00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.440 know what 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:53.940 the healing 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.580 that we can 00:33:54.580 --> 00:33:55.700 experience right 00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:58.980 now is 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.840 also only 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:00.420 partial. 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:02.100 It's not 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:02.740 complete. 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:04.960 the dark 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.740 clouds can 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.480 still weigh 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.220 heavy upon 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.460 us. 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.460 In a sense 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:10.199 there's always 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.940 going to be 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.619 those grey 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.239 clouds. 00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.159 But one 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.619 day we 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.840 will experience 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.780 our full 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:17.840 and complete 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:19.139 healing just 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.059 as the sun 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.980 rises in the 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.900 morning as 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:23.219 sure as the 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:24.079 early morning 00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:25.199 sun comes. 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.940 So Jesus 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.659 says one 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.500 day I 00:34:28.500 --> 00:34:29.159 will come 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:29.940 and the 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.599 Lord Jesus 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.539 will appear 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.279 in the 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:33.340 heavens not 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.920 just to 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.159 bring 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:34.679 judgment 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:37.440 but for 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.199 his people 00:34:38.199 --> 00:34:38.820 to bring 00:34:38.820 --> 00:34:39.699 healing. 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:42.739 His light 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.980 will banish 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:44.659 the darkness 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.519 of all evil 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.079 and sin. 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.340 His rains 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.159 will fall 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:50.059 on the dry 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.000 broken and 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.820 cursed land 00:34:51.820 --> 00:34:52.739 and it will 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.800 burst into 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.219 life. 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:56.320 And God's 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:56.960 people will 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:57.820 rejoice in 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.659 his presence 00:34:58.659 --> 00:35:00.279 forever and 00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:01.539 forever and 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.000 forever. 00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:03.279 All suffering 00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:04.399 will end. 00:35:04.899 --> 00:35:06.199 Death will be 00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:07.199 no more. 00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.579 We will be 00:35:08.579 --> 00:35:09.379 healed 00:35:09.379 --> 00:35:11.619 at last. 00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:13.639 The day 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:15.119 is coming. 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.739 His invitation 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:19.719 is for us 00:35:19.719 --> 00:35:20.019 now. 00:35:21.339 --> 00:35:23.399 Let the 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.139 grace of 00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:24.480 God 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.460 reign upon 00:35:25.460 --> 00:35:27.220 us and 00:35:27.220 --> 00:35:28.360 experience 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:30.220 that reviving, 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:31.180 that healing 00:35:31.180 --> 00:35:32.440 that he 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.480 alone can 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:33.780 bring. 00:35:35.300 --> 00:35:36.119 Let's do 00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.579 that right 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:37.559 now as 00:35:37.559 --> 00:35:38.039 we pray.