WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:01.300 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:10.080 If you want to know where your heart is, look to where your mind goes when it wanders. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:13.179 Have you heard that kind of saying again? Let me read it again. 00:00:13.480 --> 00:00:19.039 If you want to know where your heart is, look to where your mind goes when it wanders. 00:00:19.740 --> 00:00:21.740 Hopefully your mind isn't going there just yet. 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:27.740 But have you heard this kind of overly sweet, kind of romantic type of comment? 00:00:27.739 --> 00:00:32.079 They're really nice, but I don't think they're that helpful. 00:00:33.019 --> 00:00:35.820 Who knows where my mind goes when it wanders? 00:00:36.739 --> 00:00:41.500 Probably thinking about the cricket and how bad it is in this country at the moment. 00:00:42.039 --> 00:00:45.079 Maybe I'm thinking about the things I have to do when I get home. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:48.799 Maybe about the long list of things I need to fix. 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:56.500 It's a nice and pithy statement, but should this kind of comment really guide my future? 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:03.980 If I'm trying to figure out what I do, I don't think I should trust my wandering brain. 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:07.739 So then, where is our heart? 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:09.540 What brings us joy? 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:12.599 And what should be our guide? 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:20.140 If you don't know Jesus, you might not have any idea what should be bringing you joy and what should be your guide. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:22.879 Maybe that's why you're here with us this morning. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:31.719 Maybe you've been going around in circles looking for joy and satisfaction and purpose, but you haven't found any. 00:01:32.140 --> 00:01:37.159 Maybe you're checking out church and checking out Jesus to see if you can find that. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:43.560 Well, it is wonderful to have you today because Jesus does indeed bring joy. 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:47.219 And he does guide us and bring us purpose in our life. 00:01:48.240 --> 00:01:54.240 If you're a Christian here, I'm hoping you're thinking that kind of classic answer to the question, 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:56.320 what brings you joy and guides you? 00:01:56.439 --> 00:02:00.920 It's the question I hear answered by all the Sunday school kids on a Sunday morning. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:02.939 It's God, Jesus, Bible. 00:02:03.260 --> 00:02:05.700 It's going to be one of those and you remix them together. 00:02:05.700 --> 00:02:09.140 God is the one who satisfies you. 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:12.780 God is the one who brings joy because he's the one that saved me. 00:02:12.860 --> 00:02:14.780 God is the one that guides me. 00:02:15.920 --> 00:02:21.800 But I fear that even for Christians, we know that God should be our joy. 00:02:22.420 --> 00:02:24.900 We know that he should be our guide. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:29.020 But there are things that pull us away from God. 00:02:29.020 --> 00:02:34.380 Today, we're continuing in our series in the summer of Psalms. 00:02:34.760 --> 00:02:37.860 And we've come to the longest Psalm in the Bible. 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:40.240 It's the longest chapter in the Bible. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:45.200 But this chapter takes us to the very heart of this Psalmist. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:51.460 We see his delight, his joy, and what guides his steps. 00:02:52.260 --> 00:02:53.840 It's a wonderful piece of poetry. 00:02:54.240 --> 00:02:56.800 I'm not a particular fan of poetry. 00:02:56.800 --> 00:02:58.960 Is anybody here into poetry? 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:00.860 I have got one. 00:03:00.939 --> 00:03:01.580 Can I get two? 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:02.900 Three, four. 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:03.560 Okay, wonderful. 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:06.200 This is a wonderful piece of poetry. 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:08.900 It's an acrostic poem. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:11.260 Can someone tell me what an acrostic poem is? 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:13.280 Yes, this man down the front. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:18.939 Gary, yes. 00:03:19.300 --> 00:03:20.560 Yeah, you nailed it, brother. 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:26.300 So this chapter is broken up into 22 sections. 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:29.060 There's 22 chapters within this chapter. 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:32.760 And each of the first lines starts with the same letter. 00:03:32.760 --> 00:03:35.680 So the first one is Aleph or A. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:40.420 And every letter, every first word, starts with that same letter. 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:42.019 And it goes all the way through. 00:03:42.019 --> 00:03:46.739 And it's really clever and poetic and wonderful. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:50.339 And it has one consistent theme. 00:03:50.959 --> 00:03:52.019 God's word. 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:56.060 The author uses many different words to describe this theme. 00:03:56.219 --> 00:04:00.339 He uses precepts, commands, word, law. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:02.359 And they're mostly synonymous. 00:04:02.360 --> 00:04:09.960 And this author shows us a meditation on why he needs God's word. 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:13.940 This psalm is going to challenge us today to read our Bibles. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:15.860 It's not going to nag us. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:20.240 It's not just going to be me standing up here for 25-odd minutes saying, 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:21.319 read your Bibles. 00:04:21.319 --> 00:04:25.599 I'm not going to convince you to try and do this. 00:04:25.659 --> 00:04:29.279 But the psalmist reveals why we should read the Bible. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:31.759 Why we should prioritize it. 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:34.199 Why we should get up early and read it. 00:04:34.259 --> 00:04:38.659 Why we should not watch that extra TV show that just comes on automatically with Netflix, 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:41.019 which is both a blessing and a curse. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:45.860 But we should go to bed early to read the Bible. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:49.220 And this is because God's word is a joy. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:51.639 Because God's word is our guide. 00:04:52.080 --> 00:04:54.199 So let me pray as we jump into this. 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:58.980 Dear Heavenly Father, as we come before your word this morning, 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:05.939 give us an open heart to understand what your word truly is to us. 00:05:06.580 --> 00:05:13.420 That it is amazing that you speak to us and help us to find joy from reading your word together, Lord. 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:13.980 Amen. 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:22.560 So one of the reoccurring themes in this psalm is the psalmist's love and delight in God's word. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:26.000 It's a little bit like, is it Marie Kondo? 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:26.960 Marie Kondo? 00:05:27.700 --> 00:05:29.160 Has anybody heard of the... 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:30.620 What's her name, Sam? 00:05:31.020 --> 00:05:31.680 Marie Kondo? 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:34.819 She's the Japanese decluttering expert. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:36.640 She's got a new show on Netflix. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:40.219 And she goes into people's houses and says, 00:05:40.539 --> 00:05:44.019 Get rid of your things if it doesn't spark joy. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:44.779 Okay? 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:46.419 So, you know, you find something. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:47.579 Does this spark joy? 00:05:47.659 --> 00:05:48.519 Yes, it sparks joy. 00:05:48.599 --> 00:05:49.300 So I'll keep this. 00:05:49.599 --> 00:05:50.699 This doesn't spark joy. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:51.500 Throw it away. 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:53.300 And it's fascinating. 00:05:53.419 --> 00:05:59.699 But for the psalmist, he grabs God's word and all of it sparks joy. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:04.740 He doesn't want to get rid of any of God's word, even the tough stuff. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:08.360 The psalmist says in verse 97, 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:12.120 Oh, how I love your law. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:15.599 I meditate on it all day long. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:20.060 Verse 103, how sweet are your words to my taste. 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:22.439 Sweeter than honey to my mouth. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:28.279 Verse 112, my heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:32.779 This is a man who deeply meditates on God's word. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:34.360 He devours it. 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:38.839 It's more satisfying than the sweetest thing they had, which was honey. 00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:42.180 You know, for us, it's sweeter than a Krispy Kreme donut. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:46.360 I've had a couple too many of them lately, and they're very sweet. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:53.020 But the fact here is, is God, he is a God who loves his people. 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:57.060 He speaks, and it brings immeasurable joy. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:06:59.120 Our God is not mute. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:01.460 He is not a silent statue. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:05.660 He is not a dead person or ancestor to be worshipped. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:07.680 All of these cannot respond. 00:07:08.960 --> 00:07:13.100 This is the God who has crafted and made a universe. 00:07:13.340 --> 00:07:14.960 He is still involved with it. 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:17.199 He saves it, and he speaks to it. 00:07:18.419 --> 00:07:19.519 It is amazing. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:23.719 And the psalmist rejoices in his words, in his law. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:26.919 He rejoices, and he loves God's law. 00:07:28.659 --> 00:07:29.819 Could we do that? 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:34.319 Sure, we could say that we rejoice in Jesus. 00:07:34.659 --> 00:07:37.159 We rejoice in God. 00:07:37.219 --> 00:07:37.979 We love God. 00:07:39.359 --> 00:07:44.000 We're thankful that Jesus died for us, that he brought us salvation and forgiveness. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.139 He's shown us God's grace. 00:07:46.279 --> 00:07:49.300 We could even sing that old song, which is going to date me a little bit. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:50.500 I'll see if you can finish it. 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:52.759 Rejoice in the Lord always. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.300 Again, I say, rejoice. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:56.860 That wasn't too bad. 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:57.920 That was fine, I suppose. 00:07:58.579 --> 00:08:00.480 That old song, rejoice in the Lord always. 00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:01.620 Again, I say, rejoice. 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:06.040 But the psalmist is not just rejoicing in God. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:11.740 He's rejoicing and being satisfied with God's word. 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:16.480 I saw a good quote recently about God's word. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:24.200 The way we treat the word of God is the way we treat the God of the word. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:30.879 The way we treat the word of God is the way we treat the God of the word. 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:36.159 Well, if we want to know how we treat God, what does our relationship look like with God, 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:41.000 a really good indicator for us is how we treat his word. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:44.879 Do we listen intently to God's word? 00:08:45.580 --> 00:08:48.779 Are we deaf to parts of it that we don't like? 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:53.899 Like any good relationship, it's built on good communication. 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:59.480 I saw an image that illustrates what a breakdown in communication looks like. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.519 It'll come up on the screen. 00:09:02.700 --> 00:09:03.720 You never listen to me. 00:09:03.820 --> 00:09:05.600 You only hear what you want to hear. 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:07.940 Yeah, sure, I'll have a beer. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:10.899 It's selective listening. 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:12.779 It's bad communication. 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:16.240 Does anybody have selective listening in their household? 00:09:16.740 --> 00:09:18.259 Trying not to look at the parents. 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.139 Maybe it's not just parents. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:22.919 Maybe it's husbands and wives finding the same thing. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:26.860 But we shut out voices that we don't like. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:29.139 So how do we treat God? 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:35.980 That quote again, the way we treat the word of God is the way we treat the God of the word. 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:42.279 Here at church, we really value Christ-centered Bible saturation. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:45.360 We read the Bible every week. 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:46.519 We've read it twice today. 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:49.159 We sing songs that have the Bible. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:51.279 We read the Bible in community groups. 00:09:51.839 --> 00:09:54.279 And it shows how much we value it. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:10:00.179 Imagine if that husband and wife flipped their relationship. 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:03.159 If the husband was actually listening to his wife. 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:07.360 She would know how much he loved and appreciated her. 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:12.580 It is clear that this psalmist loves God. 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:15.580 God is what his heart is set on. 00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:18.519 God is the one who satisfies him like honey. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:23.019 Because the very words he speaks, he listens intently. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:25.399 They are a delight to him. 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:30.120 It's still about the middle of January. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:34.819 Many of us would have started a New Year's resolution to read the Bible. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:38.159 Maybe we started in Genesis. 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:41.860 Maybe it's been going well for the 20 or so days. 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.840 Genesis is quite interesting. 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:46.059 But what happens when we get to Leviticus? 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:48.279 What happens when we get to Deuteronomy? 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:50.899 You know, the law. 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:55.179 How easy do we find delighting in God's word? 00:10:56.679 --> 00:11:00.899 I think one of our issues is that we are overfed. 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:04.279 And we become fat with God's word. 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:07.220 And we don't appreciate what we have. 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:11.139 If you can cast your minds back about a month to Christmas. 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:14.159 Did any of us eat too much over Christmas? 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:17.079 I know I certainly did. 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:20.220 I can see some young people being honest. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:20.900 Thank you, brother. 00:11:22.400 --> 00:11:27.580 Christmas, it gets to the point where food is just no longer delicious. 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:33.120 And you're sitting there and there's this giant ham in front of you. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:38.300 And it's just like, well, it's Christmas, so I'll have my fourth serving of ham. 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:44.379 And someone next to you, maybe your husband or wife, you know, puts the elbow in and says, 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:45.840 Why are you having that? 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.279 You don't need that. 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:50.220 And it's just, well, it's there. 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:53.860 It's not really nourishing me at this point. 00:11:54.059 --> 00:11:55.379 It's not bringing me joy. 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:56.600 It's not satisfying. 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:58.120 It's just there. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:02.759 After my fourth bowl of Christmas pudding and ice cream, 00:12:02.759 --> 00:12:05.779 I forget how amazing and delightful it is. 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:08.679 And it's just going into the face. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:16.279 But to a starving person, desperate for any morsel or crumb, 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:21.399 any small piece of bread, regardless of how stale it is, 00:12:21.759 --> 00:12:24.639 is an absolute delight to the senses. 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:27.659 Psalm 119, verse 103, 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:33.699 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:40.959 How are we going delighting in God's word to us, loving and being joyful? 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:46.559 Because the God who is so distant and far from us has made himself known. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:49.659 But not only that, he speaks to us. 00:12:49.719 --> 00:12:51.000 He makes himself known. 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:54.360 And he talks to us, his creation. 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:57.860 Is it possible we need to take a step back 00:12:57.860 --> 00:13:03.320 and to appreciate how privileged we are that God speaks to us? 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:08.419 Of how starved we really are of God's word 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:10.360 and how in need we are. 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:15.580 To realize that in our country we have it easy. 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:18.000 We've got Bibles everywhere. 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:20.320 They don't have to be smuggled into our country. 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:26.879 How would our relationship change to God and to God's word 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:30.140 if we fully understood the gift that we had 00:13:30.140 --> 00:13:35.420 in our Bibles and in our phones that we carry around with us every day? 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:41.660 God's word and the way we treat it reflects our relationship with God. 00:13:42.020 --> 00:13:44.880 It shows whether our joy and delight is in him. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:52.019 The second theme from this psalm is that God guides and teaches us through his word. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:56.720 The psalmist paints an image here that God is a counselor. 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.159 He is a guide. 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:01.860 And he puts the psalmist on the right path. 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:04.919 And he's better than any earthly guide. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:06.700 Have a look from verse 97 with me. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:09.399 I'm going to read this whole letter. 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:12.340 Oh, how I love your law. 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:15.299 I meditate on it all day long. 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:19.299 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:25.100 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:29.740 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:36.539 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:41.120 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:46.419 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:52.480 I gain understanding from your precepts, therefore I hate every wrong path. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:58.539 This is an awesome picture of God's teaching being better than any other. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:02.259 God makes the psalmist wiser than any elder. 00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:06.079 He's better than any philosopher or teacher. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:09.320 Even at school or university, God is wiser. 00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:16.960 And the psalmist knows how to follow God in the midst of a world that is against God. 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:23.680 He knows how to avoid going down evil paths because God's word is a guide. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:29.840 And then we have the most famous line from this psalm, verse 105. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:36.680 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:40.320 The ancient world didn't have lights like we do. 00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:44.519 They didn't all have an iPhone, a Samsung, a Huawei phone in their pocket. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:47.120 They could just come out and flick the torch on. 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:54.139 They carried little clay dishes which had oil and a wick in them. 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:59.200 And the light from it illuminated their feet and their step. 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.299 There will be a picture here. 00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:03.539 Imagine it's pitch black outside. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:08.839 There's no moon to light the path to the toilet outside. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:12.159 And you've got this little clay dish. 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.419 It fits in your hand. 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.659 You can see there's a little wick. 00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:16.039 There's a little bit of oil. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:18.360 And there's a very small light. 00:16:19.599 --> 00:16:20.740 And what does it show? 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.519 It shows your feet. 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:26.079 And it shows one step ahead. 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:29.980 God's word is a lamp to my feet. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.659 Literally feet. 00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:34.639 It's a light for the path ahead. 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:36.919 But we don't see the whole route. 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:40.740 We see one step at a time. 00:16:41.079 --> 00:16:47.879 God's word is not a high-powered, you know, kangaroo-spotting, shoulder-mounted torch 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:51.059 to see, you know, a kilometer in the distance. 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:55.759 It doesn't shoot down the pathway of light and go, 00:16:56.039 --> 00:17:00.740 this is every step that you have to take in the next 50 years of following God. 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:06.119 God's word to us shows us a picture of what the future will be like. 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:08.019 That God is in control. 00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:09.259 That we'll be with him. 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:14.039 That he has an eternity for us who follow him. 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:18.279 But it doesn't point out every single step of the way. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:24.440 We walk following God one step at a time. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:29.420 Each act of obedience shows us the next step. 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:30.920 And the next step. 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:36.279 It's not much light, but it is trustworthy. 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.200 It does not run out of oil. 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:39.720 It does not run out of battery. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:49.600 Jesus, when he was tempted by Satan, is a wonderful illustration of how the word of God is an awesome guide. 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:56.940 If you remember the scene, Jesus has been starving for 40 days and 40 nights. 00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:58.880 And Satan comes to him at the end. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:02.779 And Jesus, human, is hungry. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:06.220 I can imagine how I get after four hours. 00:18:06.379 --> 00:18:08.119 Jesus had been there for 40 days. 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:09.059 He was hungry. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.859 And the devil turns up to tempt him. 00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:18.019 And he says, come on, if you're really God, turn this stone into bread. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:22.160 He's tempted with a physical, fleshly desire. 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.720 And where does Jesus turn? 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:27.759 He goes back to God's word to light his path. 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:32.720 No, I don't need to satisfy my physical cravings. 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:34.700 He quotes Deuteronomy to him. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:38.319 What we might find a particularly difficult book to read. 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:42.400 Tested by the devil to see if God is again faithful. 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:45.240 Jesus goes back to his guide and defense. 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:47.859 I don't need to prove anything. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:50.279 And he quotes Deuteronomy again. 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:54.559 Finally, the devil says, I'll give you everything if you just bow down to me. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:19:00.119 Trying to get Jesus to take the easy path of ruling the world. 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:04.000 Jesus doesn't give in to the prideful and easy option. 00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:08.879 But again, Deuteronomy is his guide and defense. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:14.779 God's word is readily available as his defense. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:17.259 And it guides Jesus out of temptation. 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:27.819 It is easy in one sense to say, go, read God's word, follow him, follow like Jesus. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:31.879 But it can be really difficult not knowing what's ahead. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:40.099 If we are in a painful season of life, a season of loneliness, a season of despair, 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:45.419 it can be hard following God, not knowing what is ahead. 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:51.439 Being guided and satisfied with his word that says, I'm enough, I'm your joy. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:56.980 It can be hard when we don't know what our position in life is. 00:19:58.059 --> 00:20:03.240 We can hear in one word, you know, God says, I love you, you are my child. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:07.500 But when we are in a season of despair, it can feel tough. 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:15.140 There can be a struggle when we don't know what the next year will hold for us, let alone the next day. 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:20.200 Following God means that God is in control. 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:23.259 And we won't always know what's ahead. 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:26.579 It is tempting to go in the opposite direction. 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:36.579 Instead of following God with that very small light, I'm going to turn around and I'm going to use a high beam torch to chase my own desires. 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.279 Because do you know what? 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:41.179 I can set my own path away from God. 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:48.740 To follow God is to trust that he knows the path ahead for us. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:51.699 That God knows what he has in store. 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:57.160 Against that bright light of satisfying our own desires. 00:20:57.380 --> 00:21:00.140 Because it's easier when we are in control. 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:05.799 God has given us his word to use as a guide for the path ahead. 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.700 But we are not in control. 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:13.120 God doesn't always say, these are the exact next 35 steps you need to take in life. 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.140 Buy this house. 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.700 Marry this person. 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.900 Get this job. 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.900 Eat this for breakfast. 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:24.180 First, more often than not, God will say, I'm in control. 00:21:25.300 --> 00:21:26.019 Trust me. 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:27.100 I know it's scary. 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:29.460 But this is the way to go. 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:37.560 If we know God's word like Jesus, it will show how much we value God. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:40.680 And he will help guide us. 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.800 Now, I could stop there. 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:47.119 I could stop there saying, you know, know God's word. 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.960 Delight in God's word. 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:53.619 Know God's word so that he can guide you in those tough seasons. 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.759 I could stop there. 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:57.659 We could think, yes, I've got some things to work on. 00:21:58.139 --> 00:22:00.180 I'm going to go home and meditate on God's word. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:02.159 I've been challenged and encouraged. 00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:03.319 You know, new year, new me. 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:05.419 I'm going to read God's word a bit more. 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:05.940 Great. 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:09.259 But there is something that can get in the way. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:12.720 Something we may not even be aware of. 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:17.339 It's the air that we live and breathe in here in Sydney. 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:22.420 It's the cultural phenomenon of being post-truth. 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:25.200 Have you heard this term, post-truth? 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:29.819 It was the Oxford Dictionary's word of the year in 2016. 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:33.119 I wasn't even really aware that they had their favorite word. 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:36.159 How do you decide which word of the year is? 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:39.859 But the Oxford Dictionary defines it as this. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:46.059 Objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:49.819 than appeals to emotion and personal belief. 00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:56.059 So post-truth is where personal preferences and emotions 00:22:56.059 --> 00:23:00.719 shape our opinions more than facts. 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:04.620 Objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:08.059 than appeals to emotion and personal beliefs. 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:12.620 You only have to think about the US President, Donald Trump, 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.500 and his war against fake news. 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:16.900 Here's one of his many, many tweets. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:20.120 The fake news media is officially out of control. 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:23.860 They will do or say anything in order to get his attention. 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:25.559 Never been a time like this. 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:29.480 I thought about trying to do his accent, but I'm glad I didn't. 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:31.160 Nick will do it for us later. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.620 Don't worry. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:38.980 So Trump, you know, the aim of good reporting is that it reports truth, 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.000 objective truth. 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:45.480 But there's a line been drawn now between news and fake news. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:48.740 Fake news is anything I don't like. 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:53.480 It's not unlike those many magazines that we see, 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.839 men and women's magazines, 00:23:54.839 --> 00:24:00.339 but they seem to craft fictional stories about celebrities dating or breaking up. 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:04.439 You know, they have the hot goss on the latest, you know, 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:07.639 royal marriage or, you know, this person's pregnant. 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:11.259 But a lot of it is, it's post-truth. 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:13.459 They're creating stories. 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:17.619 And so we live in a post-truth age 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:21.619 where truth is true as long as it fits me. 00:24:21.939 --> 00:24:25.839 That is true if I like it and it fits my personal preferences. 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:29.539 If the evidence fits what I already believe 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:31.619 and what I want to believe, then it's good. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:36.459 If I see evidence for something that doesn't fit my preferences, 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.379 well, it's offensive. 00:24:38.239 --> 00:24:40.399 And I'm against that and you're wrong. 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:47.259 We let our desires and our feelings decide what our version of truth is. 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:50.960 And then we pick and choose the facts to support us. 00:24:52.300 --> 00:24:55.100 I've recently started using Twitter a little bit more. 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.420 Does anybody use Twitter? 00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:58.540 Yeah, yeah. 00:24:58.740 --> 00:25:01.960 Well, we've got, you know, one man who's all about Twitter. 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.720 I really like it. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:09.160 I really like seeing what my favorite cricket players are talking about, 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:12.860 what my favorite TV and movie celebrities are going on about. 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:16.759 I've realized one of the reasons why I enjoy it 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:21.080 is because I can carefully curate what I want to see. 00:25:22.080 --> 00:25:24.720 I only see things from people that I like. 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:30.360 And I only hear from voices that I want to hear from. 00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:34.700 So I'm not seeing any celebrities who have a different opinion to me. 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:36.779 It's just the ones that I like. 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.779 No wonder I like it so much. 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:41.600 No wonder I'm not going to make any comments about our dear brother Jacob 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.420 and why he likes it. 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:45.480 Facebook's a bit more hit and miss 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:50.340 because Facebook is about what my, you know, friends believe. 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:52.519 And so they're going to put on different things. 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:56.240 But Twitter, it's a little bit more about what I believe. 00:25:56.240 --> 00:26:02.980 And what it can easily do is create this thing called confirmation bias. 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:08.299 Confirmation bias is where I see articles that confirm what I believe. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:13.839 Okay, so I believe that, let's go with, what's something, 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.660 bacon is good for you. 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.880 Can I get an amen? 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.080 Amen? 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:18.800 No. 00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:22.040 Let's see, I believe, I want to eat a lot of bacon. 00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:26.300 And so I'm going to believe that bacon is good for me. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:29.840 And then whenever I see an article that says bacon's good for me, 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.620 I'm like, yes. 00:26:31.260 --> 00:26:35.440 Pork fat has recently been in the news that it's a superfood. 00:26:35.780 --> 00:26:36.800 So I'm going to believe that. 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:40.399 And then if I see an article that says bacon's bad for you, 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.039 I'm just going to ignore that. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.519 Confirmation bias. 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:46.659 I'll believe the things that suit my preferences. 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:51.960 On Twitter, I can just engage with people that agree with me. 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:55.680 In life, I can just engage with people that agree with me, 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:57.279 friends who are like me. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:03.259 It is easy for us to let our feelings and desires 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:05.960 take over and usurp the truth. 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:08.259 Whether this is on Twitter, 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:10.379 whether this is talking with people in our lives, 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:15.419 only reading the newspaper about things that I agree on, 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:20.200 our preferences and our emotions cloud the truth. 00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:26.359 The problem for us is that I've made two very strong truth claims. 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:31.639 First, we should delight in God's word. 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:35.919 And second, God's word should be our guide. 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:39.660 These are both big truth claims. 00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:45.140 It would be easy for us to chop and change and take parts out of the Bible 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.500 that don't delight us. 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:50.640 Maybe we'll just end up with the parts of the Bible that we like, 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:53.080 the parts about love and forgiveness and joy. 00:27:53.320 --> 00:27:55.640 And we're going to cut out all those things about wrath. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:59.600 But if we cut out those parts, 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:02.180 we'll miss seeing God's wrath, 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:06.300 but also God's grace and love at the same time. 00:28:07.040 --> 00:28:08.759 We can't make sense of the cross 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:11.920 if we don't understand the consequence for sin. 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:15.660 If we read the Bible in a post-truth way, 00:28:16.060 --> 00:28:18.120 we won't let God's word be our guide. 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:22.919 We'll just pick and choose the parts that already support my view. 00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:28.899 Jesus clarifies all of this for us when he says in John 14, 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:45.200 There is only one truth, 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:47.540 that God has made the world. 00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:50.720 He is sovereign over it. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:54.019 And he is known in only one way, 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:56.700 and that's through his son who died 00:28:56.700 --> 00:29:00.620 so that we could be brought into God's family. 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:03.720 It doesn't really matter how we feel about this. 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:06.740 Our emotions don't change this truth 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:10.100 because Jesus says he is truth. 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:13.200 So regardless of how we feel about Jesus, 00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:14.579 he is still God's son, 00:29:14.860 --> 00:29:15.839 he still loves us, 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:17.200 and he still died for us. 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:20.600 So for us to go anywhere, 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:24.339 we need to submit to God's truth. 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.779 We need to submit to God. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:30.559 The post-truth mindset comes out of a selfish desire 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.600 to be in control 00:29:31.600 --> 00:29:34.380 so that we're not ruled by other people. 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.440 I'm going to ignore that evidence. 00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:38.079 I want to eat this food, 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.299 so I'm going to ignore that. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:42.620 I can see how Donald Trump is doing that. 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:45.900 He doesn't want to have people contradicting him. 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:48.620 I can see how I do that myself. 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:51.179 I don't want to read this part of the Bible 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:53.179 because it disagrees with me 00:29:53.179 --> 00:29:54.579 and how I want to live my life. 00:29:54.979 --> 00:29:57.000 It speaks hard truth to me. 00:29:58.319 --> 00:30:00.039 I had a situation recently 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:02.799 where I was trying hard 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:05.059 to block out the truth of God's word to me. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.339 About six weeks ago, 00:30:07.919 --> 00:30:09.139 we bought a new TV. 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:11.759 There was the Black Friday sales 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:13.460 in our country for some reason. 00:30:13.560 --> 00:30:14.420 I'm not really sure 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:17.000 why we have Thanksgiving sales. 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:19.080 We have this new tradition 00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:20.000 brought in by the Americans. 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:22.020 But Alyssa and I bought a new TV 00:30:22.020 --> 00:30:23.700 for Christmas. 00:30:24.540 --> 00:30:26.220 It was one of those OLED TVs, 00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:26.960 very fancy, 00:30:27.600 --> 00:30:29.460 and I loved it very, very much. 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:32.040 You can probably see where this is going. 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.220 Hopefully not. 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:37.279 And my dear son, 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:40.680 one of my sons who I love very much, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.039 while I was out, 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.640 I was at the gym 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.920 and I came back home 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.680 and we were about to go 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.759 to visit another church 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.579 last Sunday morning. 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.380 And the time was about, 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:51.720 no, I don't remember that much detail. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.740 And I came home 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:54.059 and there's my very good wife 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.140 standing at the door saying, 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:57.319 one of your sons has done something. 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.700 Micah has done something. 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.640 It's very bad. 00:31:00.120 --> 00:31:00.799 Everything's okay, 00:31:00.799 --> 00:31:01.680 but something's happened. 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:05.339 And Micah likes to hit things. 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:09.819 And he had taken a knife sharpener. 00:31:09.879 --> 00:31:11.859 You know those really thick, 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.940 heavy blocks of steel 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:15.359 that you sharpen your knives with? 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.700 And they make that great noise. 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.740 Shing, shing. 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:19.299 He'd taken one of those 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:22.759 and in an effort to gain attention, 00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:23.960 because that's what we all do, 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:25.819 in an effort to gain attention, 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:28.119 he'd taken it to the TV. 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.680 You're starting to feel my pain. 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.419 That's good. 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:31.960 That's good. 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:36.039 And he'd put an almighty crack in it. 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:37.899 And modern TVs, 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.639 the way they are, 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.759 they're very fragile. 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:42.259 And it stopped working. 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.839 So I came home 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:46.099 and my good wife 00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:47.359 confronted me with this news 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:48.740 and I just tried to block it out. 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:49.559 No, we've got to go to the, 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.419 we're going to church. 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.220 So we went to church. 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.240 The next day, 00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:54.000 I call up Panasonic 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.919 in the repair center 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:57.740 and the guy said, 00:31:57.900 --> 00:32:00.480 it's going to cost more to fix it 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:02.340 than to buy a new one. 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:05.779 And so I've got this wonderful paperweight now 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.600 that is worth nothing. 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:09.859 And all the while, 00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:12.240 I was feeling so much pain. 00:32:12.459 --> 00:32:13.959 This thing I love 00:32:13.959 --> 00:32:16.879 is gone. 00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:19.559 This thing I spent money on, 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.459 a fair chunk of cash, 00:32:21.699 --> 00:32:22.980 it is destroyed. 00:32:23.219 --> 00:32:24.419 And all the while, 00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:26.819 I've got ringing in the back of my head, 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:29.399 is this an idol? 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:32.519 What do you really value? 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:35.599 Do you really love me 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:38.059 and love my son who died for me? 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:40.279 Or do you love this pretty TV? 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:43.679 Is Jesus really 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:46.099 the thing that brings you joy? 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.839 Does my word bring you joy? 00:32:47.939 --> 00:32:49.159 Is it sweeter than honey? 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.679 Or is it just this thing 00:32:50.679 --> 00:32:52.299 you devour with your eyes? 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.439 And do you know what? 00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:56.799 I tried hard not to listen. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.740 to God because 00:32:57.740 --> 00:33:01.599 because it was an issue. 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.899 But this was me 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:06.240 trying to 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:08.279 shut out God's word 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:10.299 and think that 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:12.679 my truth that this thing is valuable 00:33:12.679 --> 00:33:14.379 was more important 00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:16.299 than what God says is valuable. 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:19.319 We need to submit to God 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:22.619 and that means submitting to the truth 00:33:22.619 --> 00:33:24.139 that His word 00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:26.139 is the way that He speaks to us. 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:28.039 So let's go back 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:29.179 to that first quote 00:33:29.179 --> 00:33:30.899 that we started today with. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:33.000 If you want to know 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:34.119 where your heart is, 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:37.039 look to where your mind goes 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.980 when it wanders. 00:33:39.639 --> 00:33:40.819 I don't think that was 00:33:40.819 --> 00:33:41.740 a very good quote 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.799 so let's change that. 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:44.939 If you want to know 00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:47.019 where your heart should be, 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:49.200 look to the one 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.200 who guides it 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.319 in His word. 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.359 If you want to know 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:53.759 where your heart should be, 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.000 where your joy 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:56.299 is found, 00:33:56.599 --> 00:33:57.720 look to the one 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.599 who guides it 00:33:58.599 --> 00:33:59.519 in His word. 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:02.159 That is our Lord, 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.439 that is our God 00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:04.419 who speaks to us. 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.019 Let me pray. 00:34:06.279 --> 00:34:07.399 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:34:08.299 --> 00:34:09.440 we live in a time 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:09.819 where 00:34:09.819 --> 00:34:11.880 truth has become 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.440 movable, 00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:14.480 where we believe 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.500 things dependent 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:17.199 upon our desires. 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:19.159 remind us 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:19.819 that Jesus 00:34:19.819 --> 00:34:21.139 is truth. 00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.899 That He helps us 00:34:22.899 --> 00:34:23.919 to see the world 00:34:23.919 --> 00:34:25.679 for what it really is. 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:27.399 Lord, 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:28.219 please help us 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:28.839 to delight 00:34:28.839 --> 00:34:29.759 in Your words 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.379 to us, 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.259 to store them 00:34:31.259 --> 00:34:32.699 deep in our hearts 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:34.679 so that when times 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.579 of testing 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:36.839 or question 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.199 come, 00:34:38.359 --> 00:34:39.059 that You would 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:39.559 guide us, 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:39.819 Lord. 00:34:40.379 --> 00:34:40.739 Amen. 00:34:40.739 --> 00:34:40.879 Amen. 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:41.739 Amen. 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:41.799 Amen. 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:42.839 Amen. 00:34:42.839 --> 00:34:42.879 Amen. 00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:42.899 Amen. 00:34:42.899 --> 00:34:42.939 Amen. 00:34:42.939 --> 00:34:42.960 Amen. 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:42.980 Amen. 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.000 Amen. 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.019 Amen. 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:43.039 Amen. 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.059 Amen.