WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.399 Father God, we thank and praise you for the chance to gather. 00:00:03.020 --> 00:00:07.140 We thank you for your word and that you are a God who wants us to know him. 00:00:07.560 --> 00:00:09.400 You're a God who has revealed yourself. 00:00:09.740 --> 00:00:19.699 And we ask that as we look at this chapter tonight, that you would give us insight, that your spirit would work, that we might hear what it is you are teaching us, Lord. 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:23.920 And ultimately, we ask that the result would be that we would know you better and see you more clearly. 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:24.839 Amen. 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:31.259 So as I said, we're in the middle of a rosy series in the book of Job. 00:00:31.660 --> 00:00:36.480 It's just a small part of our wisdom series, but we are three weeks in now. 00:00:37.120 --> 00:00:40.939 And so the question that I want to ask us is, what have we learned so far? 00:00:41.820 --> 00:00:47.960 We are 28 chapters into the book, or 27 technically, not including today, chapters into the book. 00:00:48.260 --> 00:00:52.719 We've heard argument and response from Job's friends and then back to Job. 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:57.879 But the question is, have these arguments actually taken us anywhere in this book? 00:00:59.060 --> 00:01:03.719 Is Job any better off now than he was in the first two chapters? 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:10.239 For those of you who possibly are in your own times of difficulty or struggle or trial, 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:17.480 have the words of advice from Job's friends given you any light in your situation? 00:01:17.480 --> 00:01:23.180 Have Job's responses shown you a path through your time of darkness? 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:30.000 I'm guessing probably not, because it feels like after 27 chapters, 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:35.240 the only progress that we've made is that Job's situation is now worse. 00:01:36.659 --> 00:01:43.800 In chapters 1 and 2, we saw him lose his family, his house, his slaves, his livestock, his everything. 00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:49.519 And you would think it can't get any worse, but all that's happened in the 25 chapters after that 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:53.519 is that Job has now a strained relationship with three of his friends, 00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:56.640 because they are arguing with one another about the cause. 00:01:56.739 --> 00:02:00.099 In fact, his own character is now on the line as well, 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:03.120 because they're saying, Job, it's your fault that you're suffering. 00:02:03.459 --> 00:02:05.920 You've done something wrong and God is punishing you. 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:11.439 So rather than making the prospect of suffering seem somehow lighter, 00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:14.300 if anything, the book of Job is making it seem worse. 00:02:15.099 --> 00:02:17.920 Seeming like when you try and fix the problem when you're struggling, 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:21.939 you just spin the wheels and work your way down and down. 00:02:23.420 --> 00:02:28.879 And look, the harsh reality of this book is that even once we reach the end of Job, 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.800 we still don't get an answer to his question, 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:33.080 why am I suffering? 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:37.080 We spent a bunch of time last week trying to figure it out, 00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:41.680 but the reality is at the end of 42 chapters, God doesn't answer. 00:02:42.620 --> 00:02:44.480 At least he doesn't answer that question. 00:02:45.260 --> 00:02:48.360 He doesn't sit Job down and go, well, you know, I've got a plan. 00:02:48.480 --> 00:02:52.000 I'm doing this here and this here and you fit in in this bit and it needs to happen. 00:02:52.300 --> 00:02:53.380 He doesn't answer. 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:56.820 And that might be frustrating for you to hear, 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:00.120 especially if right at the moment you're in a time of your own pain. 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:06.240 But I need to be clear with you that if it's an answer to that question that you need, 00:03:06.939 --> 00:03:07.980 Job won't give it to you. 00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:11.759 If it's an answer to the question, why am I suffering? 00:03:11.920 --> 00:03:13.060 Why is this happening to me? 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:15.740 The Bible does not offer it. 00:03:15.740 --> 00:03:23.240 But chapter 28 has something better. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:28.659 Chapter 28 doesn't give you what you might be looking for, 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:32.660 but I believe firmly that it offers you a better answer. 00:03:33.640 --> 00:03:36.420 This chapter is different to every other chapter in Job. 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:41.759 This chapter jumps out of the conversation that's been happening back and forth between his friends. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:43.639 This chapter is written like a poem. 00:03:44.099 --> 00:03:46.379 It sits there in three distinct sections. 00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:51.519 And it's basically Job's summary of what he has learnt over the course of his suffering. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:55.060 It's Job's summary of his insight. 00:03:55.239 --> 00:03:58.719 After all this back and forth and all this bad advice and everything that's happened, 00:03:59.099 --> 00:04:01.799 this chapter is kind of like the high point of Job. 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:07.540 Even though it's not at the end, this is the pinnacle of his understanding of his situation. 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:13.380 And in this chapter, he gives us the key to growing through suffering. 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:18.720 The things that he shares with us in this chapter are the difference between us growing bitter 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:21.240 instead of growing better. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:26.840 Now, Steve told us last week that suffering is compulsory in life if you're a follower of Jesus. 00:04:27.220 --> 00:04:29.620 Reality is it's going to happen to just about everyone. 00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:32.720 But if you're a follower of Jesus, suffering will come. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:36.879 But he also told us that growing through that suffering is optional. 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:41.579 How you handle it when it comes, how you respond, that is in your court. 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:45.120 And here in this chapter, Job wants to give you his insight. 00:04:45.280 --> 00:04:48.620 He wants to guide you in your time of difficulty and doubt. 00:04:49.340 --> 00:04:53.259 And I've noticed in conversations over the last couple of weeks of this series 00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:57.060 that a lot of us are suddenly realising we don't really know what it means to suffer. 00:04:57.560 --> 00:04:59.240 Now, I'm not presuming that for everyone. 00:04:59.240 --> 00:05:02.879 I know that there are some people in this room who have experienced more pain 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:06.000 than any of us would ever wish on our worst enemy. 00:05:06.699 --> 00:05:09.660 But for some of us, we sit here and we live in comfy houses. 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:10.819 We have good families. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:11.780 We have good jobs. 00:05:11.900 --> 00:05:12.840 We have nice cars. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:14.400 We have good public transport. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:15.660 We have a meal all the time. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:17.319 We have a great after party after church. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:22.560 And it's hard for us to think through what would it mean to experience suffering. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:29.699 But I want to tell you that having this insight now is really, really important. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:32.839 And I'm going to show you why as we work our way through this book. 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:39.120 Two key things in this chapter that Job has discovered that he wants to share with you his insight. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:43.180 First one is there in verse 1 all the way through to 19. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:46.340 Wisdom cannot be found. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:49.519 Wisdom cannot be found. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:53.780 Job begins by marvelling at the incredible advances of man. 00:05:53.840 --> 00:05:58.019 If you look there, he gets excited about how humans have mined the earth, 00:05:58.079 --> 00:06:00.920 how they have discovered the precious riches of the world, 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:05.439 how they have harnessed natural resources as fuel and other things. 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:07.000 We're smarter than the animals. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:09.459 They don't know what's going on under the surface of the ground, 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:11.660 but we can dig down and find things. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:14.699 We've discovered things that no one else knows about. 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:17.600 And if we were to add to this hymn now, 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:20.319 remembering this was written thousands of years before Jesus, 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:23.379 we could add amazing advances like we've walked on the moon. 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:27.920 We've cured diseases and we seem to make progress each and every day. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:30.000 Our capacity is increasing. 00:06:30.199 --> 00:06:31.980 There's new inventions, new cures. 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:33.220 And you have to wonder, 00:06:33.220 --> 00:06:36.759 will there come a time when we've discovered everything there is to discover? 00:06:37.980 --> 00:06:41.279 That's kind of Job's point is we are discovering stuff. 00:06:41.399 --> 00:06:42.600 We are figuring stuff out. 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:44.120 We are the pinnacle of creation 00:06:44.120 --> 00:06:47.779 and we're working out how everything else around us works. 00:06:47.899 --> 00:06:50.860 But in the midst of him going, wow, aren't we good? 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:54.319 His conclusion in verse 12 is still, 00:06:55.660 --> 00:06:57.920 where can wisdom be found? 00:06:59.379 --> 00:07:01.860 Even though we have learned so much, 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:05.019 even though we can figure out that there's things under the earth 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:06.920 that you can't see with your bare eyes, 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:11.120 where can wisdom be found? 00:07:12.019 --> 00:07:13.699 See, we've increased our knowledge, 00:07:14.459 --> 00:07:16.819 but wisdom still eludes us. 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:22.040 Wisdom and knowledge for Job are not necessarily the same thing. 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:29.079 Knowing information and living wisely are not necessarily directly related. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:31.740 There might often be some overlap, 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:36.339 but here Job is saying all those discoveries don't count towards wisdom. 00:07:37.120 --> 00:07:39.779 Now, it's worth us taking a step sideways at this point 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:43.060 and actually being clear what we mean when we say wisdom. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:46.360 We need to define wisdom because that's what we're looking for. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:48.000 That's what this series is about. 00:07:48.099 --> 00:07:48.839 That's our goal. 00:07:49.419 --> 00:07:52.039 And I want to say that wisdom is defined by purpose. 00:07:52.040 --> 00:07:58.939 So living wisely has to be anchored to an ultimate goal or an ultimate purpose. 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:02.860 And see, our problem is that when we experience suffering in our lives, 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:04.300 our goal becomes immediate. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:06.960 It becomes, I need to survive this suffering. 00:08:07.100 --> 00:08:08.600 I need to escape this suffering. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.120 I need to get to the other side. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:14.860 And we lose sight of the fact that our lives actually have a purpose already. 00:08:15.780 --> 00:08:18.060 Suffering doesn't change the purpose of our lives. 00:08:18.459 --> 00:08:22.139 All of life, all of creation, all of the earth, all of you, 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:26.180 exists from God, for God, and to God. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:31.420 The purpose of everything that exists is to glorify God. 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.460 That's why He made it. 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:36.700 The Bible says it's from Him, for Him, and to Him. 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:43.360 And therefore, wisdom is the ability to do that purpose. 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:47.240 The ability to give God the glory and honor that He deserves 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:52.120 in every situation and circumstance that we face, including suffering. 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:56.700 One writer defines wisdom a little bit more compactly than I do. 00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:00.980 He calls it competence with regard to the realities of life. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.720 The ability to handle reality. 00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:09.440 And that's not a bad definition as long as we understand that the ultimate reality is God. 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:12.940 He is the thing that defines all other reality. 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:18.759 Let me give you a personal example of what this looks like in our own lives. 00:09:19.540 --> 00:09:25.160 When I was about 14, I started to deal with my own family disintegrating. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:28.300 So my parents' marriage fell apart. 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:36.319 My mum, she was already there, I guess, but she started living as an alcoholic. 00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:38.719 My older brother moved out of the house. 00:09:39.479 --> 00:09:43.799 And so me and my younger siblings were left living in the house with Dad's key card. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:45.699 And basically, we went into survival mode. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:50.599 It became about trying to just get through and act like we were normal 00:09:50.599 --> 00:09:53.359 so that people weren't always asking, are you okay? Are you okay? 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:53.519 Okay. 00:09:54.180 --> 00:09:56.139 So we wanted to go to school just like everyone else. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:58.639 We wanted to pretend that we were fine, that everything was normal. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:05.820 And the only way that I could think of to handle that situation was to blame my dad 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:09.539 and to harbor all this hatred towards him so that it was his fault. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:14.980 And if it was his fault, then I was justified to do whatever I wanted without any consideration for him. 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:19.539 And I figured, I'm 14, I can't look after anyone else, so I'm just going to look after myself. 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:22.299 And so I didn't think about anyone else. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:27.419 All I cared about was being normal and trying to pretend that my life was continuing on 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:28.819 and that this didn't affect me. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:33.079 All I cared about was getting to the other side of this divorce and everything that was going on. 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:37.179 But can you see that God has a design that's bigger than that for me? 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:43.759 God's design, according to the Scriptures, is that I would forgive my family in spite of what they've done. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:47.599 That I would honor my parents in spite of the mistakes that they had made. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:49.540 That I would care for my younger siblings. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:55.920 But worldly wisdom, the wisdom that we come up with, excuses me, doesn't it? 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:58.740 And I can see you. 00:10:58.800 --> 00:11:01.639 In your eyes now, you're saying, it's okay, Sam. 00:11:02.300 --> 00:11:03.500 You tried your hardest. 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:05.040 That was a difficult situation. 00:11:05.560 --> 00:11:06.960 You did the best that you could. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:11.519 But this isn't about whether I feel okay about it now. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:18.659 This is to show you that when we figure out a situation, when we apply logic and reason, 00:11:19.319 --> 00:11:24.720 the wisdom that we come up with isn't even close to true wisdom. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:32.799 Because we become so absorbed in our situation and circumstance that we lose sight of the God-given purpose for our lives. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:43.839 And if we fail in the day-to-day circumstances of life, how much more will we struggle when the flame of suffering is added into the process? 00:11:44.959 --> 00:11:51.719 The first thing that Job has learned in his life and in his suffering is that wisdom cannot be found. 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:58.420 No amount of sitting around with his wise friends will enable him to figure out the best path forward. 00:11:59.680 --> 00:12:07.940 No amount of sitting down and reflecting and applying reason will enable him to find wisdom and the path that God has designed for him. 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:12.360 No amount of effort will unveil wisdom for those who seek it. 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:18.660 Now, there's not much arguing this point when you look at the kind of advice that Job's three learned friends were giving. 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:24.959 Wisdom is certainly nowhere to be found in these early pages of Job. 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:28.839 But look at where this discovery leads him. 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:33.159 Having figured out that in his situation he can't find the answer for himself, 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:36.199 have a look at verse 20. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.139 Where then does wisdom come from? 00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:43.079 Where does understanding dwell? 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:46.339 If it can't be found, if I can't attain it somehow, 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:48.800 then where does it come from? 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:51.879 Because some people live wisely. 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:56.280 Some people live the lives that they were designed to by God. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:13:03.100 In fact, I think Job has wisdom even though he doesn't realize it all the way through the book. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:09.180 Job has it all along and so he wants to know where does wisdom come from? 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:15.799 As we wrestle with suffering and difficulty, how can we find a path through? 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:21.099 And the second thing that Job learns asking this question is that wisdom belongs to God. 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:22.099 Look at verse 21. 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:27.279 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:31.080 Destruction and death say only a rumor of it has reached our ears. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:35.379 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells. 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:39.580 For he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:43.500 When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:47.000 when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:49.720 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it. 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:52.720 He confirmed it and tested it. 00:13:54.680 --> 00:13:57.379 Wisdom is the domain of God alone. 00:13:58.700 --> 00:14:01.860 Because if wisdom is understanding the realities of life, 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:05.240 all of those realities being accountable to him, 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:10.680 if wisdom is the ability to understand how our circumstance fits with someone else's circumstance 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:16.220 and how all of history is working together towards the ultimate aim of glorifying God, 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:23.680 then a necessary prerequisite for wisdom is to be able to see all of those circumstances, 00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:27.879 is to have been there from the beginning and to be here till the end. 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:30.060 And God alone can claim that. 00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:32.180 God alone is eternal. 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:37.659 God has laid out his plans and his plans are beyond our understanding. 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:42.219 Even if we could somehow raise ourselves up and look down on all of history, 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:47.359 we would lack the capacity to understand what it is that God is doing. 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:50.319 Even if God was to try and explain it to us, 00:14:51.079 --> 00:14:52.699 it's beyond us. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:56.939 There's a passage in Isaiah 55 that tells us exactly that. 00:14:56.940 --> 00:15:00.120 It says in verse 8 of Isaiah 55, 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:18.800 Wisdom is not found in the details of our lives and our suffering. 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:21.420 It's not found in experience. 00:15:22.380 --> 00:15:23.860 It's not learned from mistakes. 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:28.639 What we learn from mistakes is how to make new mistakes that we hadn't thought of before. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:33.840 Wisdom belongs to God alone. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:37.899 Because he alone can see all. 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.960 He alone knows all. 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:43.200 And he alone has mapped a path through all. 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:45.399 God is wisdom. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:48.159 His ways are beyond our comprehension. 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:50.759 And so the key verse of this book, 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:54.500 and I think the key verse of all the wisdom books in Scripture, 00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:58.100 is here in chapter 28 and verse 28. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:02.240 Having looked at wisdom and appraised it, 00:16:02.339 --> 00:16:04.199 having confirmed it and tested it, 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:05.759 God says to man, 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:09.639 The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:13.799 And to shun evil is understanding. 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:16.539 God's told us what wisdom is. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:19.799 He's unveiled the unfindable mystery. 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:23.580 Fear the Lord, shun evil. 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:26.019 It's so simple. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.980 It's almost frustrating. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:32.860 Maybe even a little unsatisfying. 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:38.940 If you were to put yourself into Job's shoes, 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.580 would this verse be an encouragement? 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:45.460 If you had just lost your family, 00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:46.539 your house, 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.519 your health, 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:49.620 everything that you owned, 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:54.620 would fear me be an encouragement? 00:16:54.620 --> 00:17:02.060 In the dark times in your own life, 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.860 as you wrestle with God, 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:06.259 demanding an answer for why this is happening, 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.740 would fear me be sufficient? 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:19.240 Because that's the only answer that God gives. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:23.880 And the thing is, 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.180 for Job, 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:27.200 it was sufficient. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:32.279 It took him some time to get there, 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.279 but for Job, 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:35.359 fear me was enough 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:38.240 for him to see the wise path 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.120 through his suffering. 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:43.079 And so with the time that we've got left, 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.079 I want to wrestle with you 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.900 with three questions. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:49.160 If fear the Lord, 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.539 is the thing that we need, 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:53.200 not just when we suffer, 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.240 but in all of life, 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.220 if that is wisdom, 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:57.559 if that is the guiding principle 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.900 for us to live well, 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.880 then we need to ask the questions, 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:04.359 what does fear of the Lord look like? 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.740 In my life, 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.660 in my day to day, 00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.700 what does it look like 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.720 to fear the Lord? 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.620 Secondly, 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.720 how do I do it? 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.819 How do I train myself? 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:15.019 How do I teach myself? 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.200 And lastly, 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.500 I just want to see 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:19.220 what difference does it make 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.740 to fear God 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.440 when I'm suffering? 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:24.140 How does that change anything 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:25.480 if I fear God? 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:26.640 Those three questions 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.819 I want to try and answer with you. 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:28.980 Firstly, 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:31.059 what does fear of the Lord look like? 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.039 Now, 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.660 when we hear the word fear 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:35.480 in the same sentence as God, 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.240 those of us 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.140 who have been around church 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.720 for a little while 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:39.279 really quickly want to get God 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:39.819 off the hook. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.839 And so we want to soften off 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:43.180 that idea of fearing God 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.740 and so we add in fear God 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.100 but He's loving. 00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.620 Fear God 00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.480 but He's gracious. 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.160 Fear God 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:50.220 but He's merciful. 00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:53.080 But before we start defining God 00:18:53.080 --> 00:18:53.700 by the things 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.600 that we want to hear, 00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.940 let's look at the Bible 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.720 and see if there are 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.740 some helpful examples 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.560 of what it looks like 00:18:59.560 --> 00:19:00.200 to fear God. 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:01.779 You can scribble these down 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.200 to look at them 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.200 in more detail later on 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:03.720 if you want to. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.420 You could go to Isaiah 6. 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:07.420 When Isaiah's eyes 00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.600 behold God, 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.620 he falls down 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:11.539 on his face 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.400 in terror 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.660 knowing that 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.660 he is unworthy. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:15.720 Knowing that 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.259 he is faced 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.360 with a holy God 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:18.500 who is powerful 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.380 and just 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.360 and has every right 00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:21.140 to destroy Him 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:21.779 in that moment. 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.140 In Luke's gospel 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:25.140 when Jesus helps 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.740 the disciples 00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.600 with a miraculous 00:19:26.600 --> 00:19:27.579 catch of fish, 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.720 suddenly Peter 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.700 is confronted 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.420 with the holiness 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.140 and power 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:31.799 and majesty 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.400 of his Lord 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:32.900 and again 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.980 he falls on his knees 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.440 and he says 00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.740 get away from me Lord. 00:19:36.300 --> 00:19:37.580 I'm a sinful man. 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.019 I don't deserve 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.720 to even be 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.500 in your presence. 00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:43.120 And finally 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.740 and perhaps 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:45.140 the most significant 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.680 example 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:47.200 is Jesus himself 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.420 is said 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.460 to fear the Lord. 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.880 In Isaiah chapter 11 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:53.040 this is prophesying 00:19:53.040 --> 00:19:54.060 that Jesus would come 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:55.140 and it says this 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.240 the spirit of the Lord 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.140 will rest on him 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:58.220 the spirit of wisdom 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.240 and of understanding 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.340 the spirit of counsel 00:20:00.340 --> 00:20:01.100 and of power 00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:02.460 the spirit of knowledge 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.940 and of the fear 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:04.539 of the Lord. 00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:05.279 And verse 3 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:07.240 and he will delight 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.539 in the fear 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.259 of the Lord. 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.160 Fear is not 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:13.860 necessarily 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:15.240 a negative description 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.380 in a relationship. 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.299 Jesus delights 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.039 in his fear 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.559 of God. 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.380 He delights 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:21.840 in it 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:22.620 and it's 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:24.500 the appropriate 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.620 response to God. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.360 It's the inevitable 00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.299 response to God. 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:27.680 When you 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.779 meet God 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.559 and you see him 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.839 for his glory 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.639 and majesty 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:32.299 and power 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.919 the creator 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:33.579 of the universe 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.440 the sustainer 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:35.159 of the universe 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:36.119 the one who is 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:37.039 over all things 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.399 the only right response 00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:39.079 is to fall 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.799 on your knees 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.579 in fear. 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.200 But that doesn't 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.359 make it a negative thing. 00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:48.519 It's not dissimilar 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.379 really to the way 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:49.960 that we relate 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.859 to our parents. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:52.859 Our parents 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.419 love us 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:54.539 and care for us 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.240 mostly 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.099 love us 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:57.139 and care for us 00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:58.079 and provide for us 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:58.700 and do all those 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.120 sort of things 00:20:59.120 --> 00:20:59.819 but they also 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.799 discipline us 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.240 and we know 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.360 we have a healthy 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:03.920 fear 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.799 that we need 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.340 to live 00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:06.539 according to the rules 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.400 that they have given us 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.500 or there are consequences. 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:10.420 It doesn't mean 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.420 that there's no love 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.880 but fear 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.620 is the right 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.779 way to relate 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.319 to somebody 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:16.940 who has 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:18.240 power and authority 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.960 over us 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.920 and that is the relationship 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.480 we have 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.259 with God. 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.039 So the result 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.960 of fearing God 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.600 is that we get 00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:25.559 to see God 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.620 as most important. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.080 We get to see 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.939 Him as the one 00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.839 who is driving 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.439 the agenda 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:31.099 of our lives. 00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:31.779 We get to see 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.960 Him as the one 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.139 whose agenda matters. 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.619 Fear of the Lord 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.539 enables us to care 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.539 about what He cares 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:37.879 about 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:39.119 and not just 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:40.119 what we care about. 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.639 It lifts our eyes 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.159 to Him 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:43.059 who is powerful 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:45.019 Him who is sovereign 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.759 Him who is in control 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:49.179 and fear of the Lord 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:49.839 enables us 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.579 to not need 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.559 all the answers 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.799 as to when 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.700 and why. 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.799 The answer 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.480 God gives 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.019 to Job 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.579 in this book 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:58.919 is 00:21:58.919 --> 00:22:00.299 it's me. 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.720 I'm in control. 00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:03.960 You don't need 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.279 to know 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:04.659 what's going 00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:05.460 in this situation. 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:05.940 You just need 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.379 to remember 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.639 I'm God. 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:09.879 I've got 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:10.559 all the power 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.099 in the world. 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.740 There is nothing 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.460 that compares 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:12.859 to me. 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.980 I am good 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.059 beyond your wildest 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.399 dreams 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:16.180 and I love you 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.839 more than anything. 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.559 That's all 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.200 you need to know. 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:22.500 For Jesus 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.440 fearing God 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.480 meant trusting Him 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.420 and obeying Him 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.039 all the way 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.680 to the cross. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.100 And for us 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:29.740 in our lives 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.200 it means 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.100 we trust God 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:32.080 and we obey Him 00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:33.039 even when 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.759 and especially 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.559 when He doesn't 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.420 give us the details. 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.960 When He says 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.360 go 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.100 we go. 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:38.720 When He says 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.640 stop doing something 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.519 we stop doing it. 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.660 It means we trust God 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:43.059 even when He doesn't 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.920 need to give us 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.580 all the answers. 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.220 Can you see 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.819 that wisdom 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.920 cannot be 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.880 simply about 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.340 knowledge? 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.300 You cannot 00:22:52.300 --> 00:22:53.320 learn this. 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.420 We don't come 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.200 to know God 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.320 simply by studying 00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:57.180 not even just 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:58.220 by reading the Bible. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.360 It's part of it 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:00.060 but not until 00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:01.340 God reveals 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:01.660 Himself 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.700 in the Bible 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:04.259 by His Holy Spirit 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.019 are we able 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.519 to know His heart 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.259 and His mind 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.120 and His character. 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:09.960 And see 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.620 wisdom then 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.380 is more about 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.000 revelation. 00:23:12.860 --> 00:23:13.340 It's more about 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.539 God showing us 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:14.940 Himself 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.740 and that becoming 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.680 the guiding principle 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.600 for our lives 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:20.720 because God 00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.720 alone is wisdom 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:23.560 and only 00:23:23.560 --> 00:23:24.279 as He makes 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.920 Himself known 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.799 can we share in it. 00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:27.860 As I was studying 00:23:27.860 --> 00:23:28.500 this passage 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.000 this week 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.500 and trying to 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.840 understand 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.340 what does this 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:31.100 mean in our 00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:31.779 circumstances 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.299 what keeps this 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.000 from being just 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.820 a trite slap 00:23:34.820 --> 00:23:35.380 in the face 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:35.799 that says 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.320 suck it up 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:36.620 when you're 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:36.980 suffering. 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:39.000 and I came 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.460 across this 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:39.880 story 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:41.099 which was 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.860 really helpful. 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.160 Apparently 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:44.140 in Wales 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.259 there's a 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.720 valley in 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:45.960 Wales 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.519 where they 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:48.460 raise sheep 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.059 tend sheep 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.460 whatever they 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.059 do with sheep 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:51.420 and they have 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.779 an issue 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.240 there with a 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:52.640 parasite 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.279 and if it's 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.519 left untreated 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.240 effectively 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.759 these sheep 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.220 will be eaten 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.059 alive by these 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.579 parasites. 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:58.740 And so what 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.200 the shepherds 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.779 are forced to 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.099 do 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:01.039 is once a 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.380 year they 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:01.920 gather the 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.259 sheep 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.940 and they 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.279 have to 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.920 submerge 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.380 them into 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:05.120 antiseptic. 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.900 This is not 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.440 something that 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.759 the sheep 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.240 look forward 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.500 to. 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:10.019 Sheep are 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.660 not swimmers 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.880 and in the 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.320 story they 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:12.980 explain that 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.660 basically the 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.300 shepherd's got to 00:24:14.300 --> 00:24:15.000 force these 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.560 sheep into 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:16.080 the vat 00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:16.960 and the dog 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.279 is on the 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.720 other side 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.320 barking at 00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:18.560 them to 00:24:18.560 --> 00:24:18.920 make sure 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.200 they don't 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.580 jump out 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:19.860 the other 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.220 side 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.480 and the 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:20.720 sheep's 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:20.980 trying to 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.539 spin around 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.000 and climb 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.480 back out 00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:23.080 and the 00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:23.600 shepherd has 00:24:23.600 --> 00:24:24.140 to force 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.519 it under 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.080 head and 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:25.500 everything 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:25.940 eyes, 00:24:26.060 --> 00:24:26.240 nose, 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:26.600 mouth, 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.320 all under 00:24:27.320 --> 00:24:27.539 in the 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.180 antiseptic 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.920 before it 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.380 can be let 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.060 out and 00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.680 put back out 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.240 to pasture 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.300 and you 00:24:32.300 --> 00:24:32.800 feel this 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.700 tension that 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.480 the shepherd 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.240 cares for 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.720 his sheep. 00:24:36.899 --> 00:24:37.700 He probably 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.359 wants to 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.740 explain why 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.339 he has to 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:40.980 do this. 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.119 If you could 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.639 just let 00:24:42.639 --> 00:24:43.240 them know 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.039 why this 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.539 is helping 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:44.839 them. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.919 But have 00:24:46.919 --> 00:24:47.220 you ever 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.639 tried to 00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.180 explain 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.940 something to 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.379 a sheep? 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:51.700 It doesn't 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.119 matter how 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.460 much you 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.799 want to 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.180 do it, 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.119 it's not 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.339 going to 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.519 work because 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.319 we operate 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:56.700 on a 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.379 different level 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.079 of reality 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.740 to sheep. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.180 We understand 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:00.859 things that 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.159 they will 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:02.079 never understand. 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:03.259 We interact 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:03.740 with things, 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.279 we reason, 00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:05.039 we logic in 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.460 ways that 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:05.919 they are not 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.819 capable of. 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.019 And it's 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:09.480 the same 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.039 with God 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.819 when he's 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:12.019 interacting with 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.439 us. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:15.299 God exists 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.159 in a reality 00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:16.919 that we 00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:17.500 can't even 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.220 begin to 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.599 comprehend. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.919 He is 00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.899 eternal and 00:25:20.899 --> 00:25:21.419 infinite. 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.259 And so 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:24.879 even if he 00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.500 was to try 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.379 and explain 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:27.759 to us 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.659 why he's 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:29.319 doing things, 00:25:29.939 --> 00:25:30.639 we couldn't 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.199 understand it 00:25:31.199 --> 00:25:31.559 anyway. 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:34.779 And so 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.139 all we're 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:35.659 left with 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:36.000 is to 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.379 just look 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:36.639 at the 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.139 shepherd and 00:25:37.139 --> 00:25:37.519 know that 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.000 the shepherd 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.019 looks after 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.419 us, 00:25:40.699 --> 00:25:41.439 feeds us, 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.319 provides for 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.720 us, 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.500 and to 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.960 trust. 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:46.799 There is a 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.319 lot for us 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:47.960 to learn from 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.779 Job's journey 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:50.059 about what it 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.619 looks like to 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.199 fear God 00:25:51.199 --> 00:25:52.179 because he 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:52.879 does go on 00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:53.299 a journey. 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.079 This book 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.659 is 42 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.319 chapters long 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:56.740 because it 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.480 takes time 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.019 to wrestle 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.379 with the 00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:58.879 things that 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.199 he is 00:25:59.199 --> 00:26:00.039 wrestling with. 00:26:00.039 --> 00:26:03.019 The truth 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.599 of God's 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:04.019 sovereignty 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:05.019 and character 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:06.139 doesn't switch 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.920 off the pain 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.720 that Job 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.200 is feeling. 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.539 It doesn't 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.240 make everything 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.099 suddenly better. 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:16.240 In fact, 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:16.960 if you look 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.319 at Job 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.980 chapter 1, 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.079 one of the 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:19.599 first things 00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:19.899 we learn 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.379 about Job 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:20.799 is that he 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.339 fears the 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:21.619 Lord. 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.359 He's had 00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.899 the wisdom 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.599 all along, 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:26.419 but it's 00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:26.959 taken him 00:26:26.959 --> 00:26:28.059 time for 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.559 that wisdom 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.619 to apply, 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:30.899 that wisdom 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.519 to shape 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.279 his steps. 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.259 He's been 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:33.639 through the 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:34.099 steps of 00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.839 crying out 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.359 and yelling 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:35.819 at God 00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.439 and demanding 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.139 answers. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:39.359 And so 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:39.819 the Bible 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.259 is not 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.639 saying 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:40.980 wisdom 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.399 solves 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:41.919 everything. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.859 The Bible 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:44.279 is not 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.639 saying 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.339 live well 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:46.039 and everything 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.439 will be 00:26:46.439 --> 00:26:46.879 fine. 00:26:47.959 --> 00:26:48.639 In your 00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.319 pain and 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.599 in your 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.139 depression 00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:50.559 and in 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.159 your suffering, 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.859 it is right 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.500 to grieve 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.240 and to mourn 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.679 and to feel 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.279 sad and 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:54.820 to cry 00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:55.640 and everything 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.100 else that 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:56.500 goes with 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.100 dark times 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:57.380 in your 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.740 life. 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:58.620 What wisdom 00:26:58.620 --> 00:27:00.180 does is 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.519 it shows 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:00.779 you the 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.380 path through 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:02.039 those times. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:04.960 The Bible 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.920 licenses you 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.519 to feel 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.180 how you 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.580 feel. 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:09.640 As 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.060 Christians, 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.460 if anyone 00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.180 ever says 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.400 to you, 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:11.660 you need 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.259 to smile 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.700 because the 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.180 Bible says 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.720 rejoice, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.360 I give you 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:15.940 permission to 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.400 slap them 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:17.000 lovingly. 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.539 Because 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.580 Job is 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:23.160 red from 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.620 weeping. 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:25.279 he's 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.680 sitting on 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.060 the ground 00:27:26.060 --> 00:27:26.779 scratching at 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.320 his saws 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:27.580 with a 00:27:27.580 --> 00:27:27.980 piece of 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.299 pottery 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.740 and it 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.560 takes time 00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.500 to process 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.160 things. 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:34.880 Job's 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:35.340 fear of 00:27:35.340 --> 00:27:35.580 God 00:27:35.580 --> 00:27:36.100 allows him 00:27:36.100 --> 00:27:36.480 to ask 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.180 questions 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:38.799 but not 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.560 deny God. 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.700 Job refuses 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.320 to curse 00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:42.779 the God 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.140 who made 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.560 heaven and 00:27:43.560 --> 00:27:44.039 earth even 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.420 though his 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.019 wife says 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.360 that's what 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:45.600 he should 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:45.900 do. 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.180 Job's 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.640 fear of 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:49.160 God means 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:49.500 that he 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.039 will not 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.660 doubt the 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.240 character of 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:51.539 God's 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.160 goodness and 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:52.860 mercy even 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:53.279 though his 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.579 friends spend 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:56.039 27 chapters 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.539 trying to 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.099 convince him 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.399 that it's 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.959 his fault 00:27:57.959 --> 00:27:58.379 and God 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:58.799 is angry. 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.939 That's a 00:28:00.939 --> 00:28:01.459 really crude 00:28:01.459 --> 00:28:01.979 summary of 00:28:01.979 --> 00:28:02.339 the first 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:02.699 part of 00:28:02.699 --> 00:28:03.139 Job but 00:28:03.139 --> 00:28:03.479 it's not 00:28:03.479 --> 00:28:03.939 that far 00:28:03.939 --> 00:28:04.240 off the 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.579 mark. 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.579 But because 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.439 Job fears 00:28:06.439 --> 00:28:06.699 God, 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.379 because Job 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.299 knows God, 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.259 he refuses 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.539 to doubt the 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.179 character of 00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:12.479 God's 00:28:12.479 --> 00:28:12.759 goodness. 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:14.979 And Job's 00:28:14.979 --> 00:28:15.439 fear is 00:28:15.439 --> 00:28:16.319 enough of an 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.819 anchor to 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.479 keep him from 00:28:17.479 --> 00:28:18.059 falling into 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.059 complete despair 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.879 and giving 00:28:19.879 --> 00:28:20.279 up on 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.039 life itself. 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.779 One of the 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.500 amazing things 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:24.740 through the 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.039 book of 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.440 Job, and 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.019 Steve pointed 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.639 it out last 00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:27.059 week, is 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.059 that progressively 00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.720 as Job 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.339 responds to 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:29.899 his friends, 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:30.319 he gets 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.099 more confident. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:32.899 At the 00:28:32.899 --> 00:28:33.440 beginning he 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:33.819 wants to 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.119 die. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:34.960 He says, 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.419 God, just 00:28:35.419 --> 00:28:35.819 kill me. 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:36.559 That'd be 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:36.839 better. 00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:38.079 But by 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.879 the end, or 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:39.500 by chapter 00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.500 19 even, 00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:42.220 he's able to 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.779 cry out, 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.179 my Redeemer 00:28:44.179 --> 00:28:45.240 lives. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:48.240 And do 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.380 you know 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.779 why? 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.779 Each time 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.359 his friends 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.740 try and 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.339 accuse him 00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:52.839 of something, 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:53.799 each time 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.319 his friends 00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.059 offer false 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.660 wisdom and 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.500 bad advice, 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:57.660 he's forced 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.160 to go back 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.720 to the God 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.079 who he 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.539 fears. 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:00.740 He's forced 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.220 to go back 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.519 to the 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.359 ultimate reality 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:02.819 for his 00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:03.279 life, the 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:03.559 ultimate 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.559 purpose, and 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:04.980 he starts 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.299 saying, 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:05.799 no, you're 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.359 wrong because 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.019 my God is 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.380 loving. 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.460 No, you're 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:09.019 wrong because 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.539 my God 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.180 saved his 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.700 people out 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.120 of Egypt. 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:11.960 No, you're 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.440 wrong because 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.339 I know my 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:13.799 God. 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:15.619 And as 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.159 he reminds 00:29:16.159 --> 00:29:16.799 himself of 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.119 God's 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.579 character, 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.039 he's able 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.519 to say with 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.039 confidence, 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.799 my Redeemer 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.339 lives. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.059 He knows 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.559 that God 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.099 will save 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.740 him because 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.339 that's who 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.059 God is. 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:33.859 On the 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:35.079 basis of 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.500 the God 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.799 that he 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.200 followed, 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:36.539 Job 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.279 persevered. 00:29:37.919 --> 00:29:38.460 Even though 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.019 by the end 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.359 of the book 00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:39.779 he still 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.299 can't see 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.639 why it 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.019 happened, 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.200 even though 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:42.519 he still 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:42.899 can't see 00:29:42.899 --> 00:29:43.319 what God 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.639 is doing 00:29:43.640 --> 00:29:44.000 and remember 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.360 we get 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:44.700 to see 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.200 behind the 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.560 scenes. 00:29:46.040 --> 00:29:46.380 We know 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:46.780 that God 00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:47.200 is showing 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.560 off. 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.400 It's what 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:48.700 the book 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.040 of Job 00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:49.320 is. 00:29:49.560 --> 00:29:49.960 It's God 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.600 showing off 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:50.980 that he 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.440 is more 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.080 satisfying 00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:52.860 than anything 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:53.340 in the 00:29:53.340 --> 00:29:53.640 world. 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.060 Satan's 00:29:55.060 --> 00:29:55.340 trying to 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:55.860 convince him, 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.420 no, Job 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:56.700 will give 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.040 up on 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:57.400 you, he 00:29:57.400 --> 00:29:57.780 won't go 00:29:57.780 --> 00:29:58.360 the distance, 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:58.800 but God 00:29:58.800 --> 00:29:59.040 says, 00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:00.060 no, I 00:30:00.060 --> 00:30:00.640 know Job 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:00.980 and he 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.560 knows me 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:02.380 and no 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:02.680 matter what 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.080 you take 00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:03.440 off him, 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:03.740 if he 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.140 has me, 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.460 he will 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.000 stay true. 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.900 And our 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.340 hope's no 00:30:08.340 --> 00:30:08.720 different. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:11.380 we don't 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:11.759 need 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.860 details 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:13.220 in our 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.660 life 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:15.079 because we've 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.620 got plenty 00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:16.140 to base 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:16.680 our trust 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.059 in God 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.279 on. 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.360 In good 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:20.100 times and in 00:30:20.100 --> 00:30:20.620 bad times, 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.140 we can look 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:21.660 to Jesus. 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.460 When we 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.240 suffer, we can 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:24.620 look to the 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:24.940 one who 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:25.680 suffered for 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.120 us. 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.259 When we are 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.120 unsure, we can 00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:29.500 look to the 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.360 one who reveals 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.400 God completely. 00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.420 We can look 00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:32.779 to the one 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.360 who shows us 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.019 the character 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:34.640 of God, 00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:35.460 who shows 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:36.059 the mercy 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:39.879 and the compassion and the holiness and the majesty and the humility 00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:43.220 and the sovereignty and the power and the unfailing love, 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:45.259 we can look to Jesus. 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:51.940 As followers of Jesus, you can be sure that suffering will come. 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:57.059 We can be sure that life will kick us when we're down, 00:30:57.159 --> 00:31:01.799 but in Jesus we find the wisdom of God so that we can not just survive, 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:08.839 but we can live and flourish and rejoice even in those deepest, darkest moments. 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:15.019 I think it's really important that Job begins, 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:18.879 the book of Job begins by telling us that Job feared the Lord, 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:21.019 that he already had the wisdom. 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:25.279 I want you to think right now, you are not yet facing suffering. 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:29.779 You are Job in chapter 1 before Satan rocks up and starts causing trouble. 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:35.180 It matters that we learn to fear the Lord in the good times and the mediocre times 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:38.980 and the middle of the road times in preparation for when suffering comes. 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:45.559 Because the God that you know now is the God that will need to sustain you 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:47.480 when everything else is gone. 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:54.359 The Bible more than allows you to have sad emotions. 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:56.440 If anything, I think it affirms it. 00:31:56.440 --> 00:32:00.120 So if you need to cry sometimes, do it. 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:05.660 But I think the key in this chapter to growing wise in suffering 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:09.980 is being able to let go of that question, why? 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:15.299 Being able to let go of that need to know the details. 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:22.099 Because God hasn't answered that question. 00:32:23.579 --> 00:32:26.859 God hasn't promised to give you the details and even if he did, 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.639 you couldn't do anything with them. 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:30.839 You couldn't comprehend them. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:34.379 The key to growing wise in suffering, 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:38.879 the key to being wise in your life is not knowing everything that's coming. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:42.680 It's fixing your eyes on Jesus. 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:46.940 Fixing your eyes on a God who is love. 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:49.380 On a God who is just. 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:53.800 On a God who gave his only son 00:32:53.800 --> 00:32:56.820 so that you would know how much you matter to him. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:33:01.259 Maybe like Job, when you face trial, 00:33:01.399 --> 00:33:03.939 you will need to remind yourself of the God that you follow. 00:33:04.639 --> 00:33:08.799 Of his love and of his grace and of his sacrifice. 00:33:10.439 --> 00:33:12.779 And so I want to finish up by reminding you tonight 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:14.740 because I'm sure that some of us, 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.899 even now, 00:33:17.179 --> 00:33:18.399 are crying out to God, 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:18.859 why? 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:21.500 Why is this happening? 00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:25.419 And so I want you to hear the words of hope and confidence 00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:30.000 and peace that we have in our risen Savior from Romans chapter 8. 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:38.000 What then shall we say in response to this? 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:41.699 If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:33:42.139 --> 00:33:44.139 He who did not spare his own son, 00:33:44.459 --> 00:33:46.000 but gave him up for us all, 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:50.420 how will he not also along with him graciously give us all things? 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:54.380 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:56.640 It is God who justifies. 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.599 Who is he that condemns? 00:33:58.900 --> 00:34:00.380 Christ Jesus who died. 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:02.380 More than that, who was raised to life, 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:04.059 is at the right hand of God 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:06.220 and is also interceding for us. 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:09.159 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:12.019 Shall trouble or hardship or persecution 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:15.239 or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:17.239 As it is written, 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:19.719 for your sake we face death all day long. 00:34:20.099 --> 00:34:22.420 We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.159 But no, 00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:28.179 in all these things we are more than conquerors 00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:29.659 through him who loved us. 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:32.920 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:34.699 neither angels nor demons, 00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:36.400 neither the present nor the future, 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.519 nor any powers, 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:39.119 neither height nor depth, 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:41.260 nor anything else in all creation 00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:43.440 will be able to separate us 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.580 from the love of God 00:34:44.580 --> 00:34:47.600 that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:53.480 Nothing can separate us 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:54.480 from the love of God. 00:34:56.700 --> 00:34:58.440 When suffering comes, 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.760 fear God. 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:03.880 Remember the God 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:05.860 who gave everything for you 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:10.860 and he and his answer 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:12.100 will be sufficient. 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:14.119 That's why it is出来uma 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:16.179 not on purpose, 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.500 happen to life. 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:18.360 Inheritory 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:20.339 Everybody 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:25.960 Got 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.920 What 00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:27.819 what 00:35:27.819 --> 00:35:28.579 what 00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:29.739 what 00:35:29.739 --> 00:35:29.960 what 00:35:29.960 --> 00:35:30.779 What 00:35:30.779 --> 00:35:31.519 what 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:31.980 what 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:33.339 the 00:35:33.339 --> 00:35:33.380 both 00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.039 imagine 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:34.980 we 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:35.400 Video