WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:06.520 We continue on in the summer series in the Psalms. This morning we're in Psalm 65. 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:14.599 Psalm 65 is the beginning of a mini set, Psalm 65, 6, 7, 8, and 9. 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:16.359 And they're Psalms of David. 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:21.219 This one especially is a harvest psalm. 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:23.379 But it's not just a harvest psalm. 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:36.140 It seems like there's this allusion to a victory in battle or some sort of redemption that the Lord is doing. 00:00:36.259 --> 00:00:37.719 It's a very interesting psalm. 00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:40.820 And in many ways it's broken up into three sections. 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:42.679 In many ways it seems kind of disconnected. 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:49.219 But it's very much a psalm that is unified in thought and in progression. 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:52.060 So we're going to get into Psalm 65. 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:55.219 If you have a Bible, please follow along with me. 00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:57.140 There should be some Bibles. 00:00:57.260 --> 00:00:59.040 There's no more Bibles left at the back. 00:00:59.380 --> 00:01:00.160 That is okay. 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:05.400 Maybe share with a friend if you don't have a Bible and you want to follow along. 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:09.460 We are in the age of the influencer. 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:15.180 Travel, vlogs, wellness, podcasts, workout gurus, you name it. 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:21.780 You probably follow maybe all those categories and more on social media or YouTube. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:26.420 And there's a lot of good things to glean from such sources. 00:01:26.579 --> 00:01:36.359 However, more often than not, they're not simply advertised as tips and tricks to look and think and feel better. 00:01:36.359 --> 00:01:48.879 But oftentimes they sell a vision of the good life, of utopia, of the key to unlocking human potential. 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:50.840 Full human potential. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:56.140 In some ways, they take on salvific messaging. 00:01:57.700 --> 00:01:59.540 There's a problem with this kind of thinking. 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:08.319 Because it promises eternal satisfaction and eternal life using the tools and resources of this temporal world. 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:11.759 And friends, I'll say this right off the bat. 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:18.439 We are people that have eternal desires and eternal hopes. 00:02:19.539 --> 00:02:23.419 Things that can't be met in the here and now. 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:33.019 There's this interesting line from C.S. Lewis' book, Mere Christianity, that he wrote, I mean, decades and decades and decades ago. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:34.240 And it's a Christian favorite. 00:02:34.320 --> 00:02:35.620 If you haven't read it, I commend it to you. 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:36.980 It would be a great summer read. 00:02:37.600 --> 00:02:38.500 And this is what he says. 00:02:39.500 --> 00:02:40.560 The Christian says, 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:46.159 Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exist. 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:48.140 A baby feels hunger. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:50.500 Well, there is such a thing as food. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:52.420 A duckling wants to swim. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:54.680 Well, there is such a thing as water. 00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:56.920 Men feel sexual desire. 00:02:57.460 --> 00:02:59.480 Well, there is such a thing as sex. 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:05.580 If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, 00:03:06.259 --> 00:03:10.120 the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:16.080 If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:23.740 Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:35.580 Our text today is, like I mentioned, a psalm of David, a song of, it's a harvest song. 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:46.060 But really, it's a song of praise that paints a beautiful picture of what real, eternal satisfaction, real salvation looks like. 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:55.120 It's, in fact, the only picture of utopia that we so desperately want but are unable to achieve. 00:03:55.200 --> 00:03:58.260 It's something that we crave and it's ever so elusive. 00:03:58.259 --> 00:04:06.579 In short, this text praises and extols the triune God for his loving kindness. 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:08.799 Another way to say it, for his grace. 00:04:10.179 --> 00:04:13.859 That thing that God gives us that is completely undeserved, 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:18.259 that he gives us, not because we've curried his favor, 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.099 but because he is a kind, loving, and good God. 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:24.379 And it is provision for our very souls. 00:04:25.200 --> 00:04:29.040 So we'll see God's grace described in our text in three ways. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:34.200 First, how God's grace gives us our only satisfaction. 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:37.280 And we see that in verses 1 to 4, especially in verse 3. 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:43.820 The second thing we'll see is how God's grace is our only hope in this life. 00:04:44.200 --> 00:04:45.860 And we see that in verses 5 to 8. 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:53.420 And finally, how God's grace is greater and more robust than we could ever have imagined or hoped for. 00:04:53.780 --> 00:04:55.580 And we'll see that in verses 9 to 13. 00:04:56.740 --> 00:05:01.460 Another way, if you want to go into a bit more of a deep dive into Psalm 65, 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:05.620 you can look at it also, the temple, the earth, and the harvest. 00:05:06.660 --> 00:05:10.100 And we see God's grace in all three of those as well. 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:14.500 So let's look first at how God's grace gives us our only true satisfaction. 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:17.079 Let's read verses 1 to 4. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:20.240 Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.120 And to you shall vows be performed. 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:25.579 By the way, Zion is shorthand for Jerusalem. 00:05:25.800 --> 00:05:28.060 It's the place where God dwells, His house. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:33.300 O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:38.040 When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:42.160 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near to dwell in your courts. 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:48.000 We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple. 00:05:48.820 --> 00:05:51.260 This harvest song does not begin in the fields. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:57.780 It begins in the temple or the house of God in Jerusalem, in Zion, where God's presence is. 00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:10.019 And it is not taken for granted, David or the people of God, that they have a privileged position based on anything that they have done. 00:06:10.119 --> 00:06:14.619 But rather, it is a means of God's grace that they can even enjoy being in His presence. 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:17.899 This is not the prayer of an entitled people. 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:21.159 God extends His loving kindness. 00:06:21.299 --> 00:06:27.060 He extends His grace to a people that really, truly have no business being in His presence. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:29.959 Yet, it is He who hears prayers. 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:33.179 It is He who beckons all flesh to come to Him. 00:06:34.599 --> 00:06:39.379 It is He who knows the frailty of people and atones for their sins. 00:06:39.379 --> 00:06:43.300 I'll just draw your attention quickly to one bit here. 00:06:44.719 --> 00:06:45.500 Verse 2, it says, 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:47.600 O you who hear prayer. 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:50.699 It seems like an obvious thing. 00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:54.680 But God hears what you have to say to Him. 00:06:55.659 --> 00:07:02.060 It is not an exercise in futility where you pray to the ceiling or to the walls around you 00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:06.319 as if God might hear it but do nothing about it. 00:07:06.319 --> 00:07:11.079 God hears prayers in order for Him to act, to answer the prayers. 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:15.240 This is a means of grace from God. 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:21.019 And we see this in this section because what is it that the people are praying to God for? 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:23.100 Verse 3, 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:27.620 When our iniquities prevail against us, you atone for our transgressions. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.500 It's a people that know their place. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:35.879 A people that know that they don't have what it takes to stand in the presence of God 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:38.819 they are honest about what is happening in their lives. 00:07:39.219 --> 00:07:40.079 That they are sinful. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:42.040 That they have broken commands. 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:43.600 That they have hurt people. 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:44.939 That they have been hurt. 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:47.659 And they need God to intervene. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:53.019 And God, He hears their prayers not to just hear but again, 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:55.019 so that He can answer their prayers. 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:56.879 To meet their needs. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:00.540 To satisfy their longings and their brokenness 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:04.439 that gets in the way of achieving what they desire. 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:08.759 God hears your prayers. 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:12.379 It seems again so elementary to say, 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:15.040 but friends, God hears your prayers. 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:16.899 He hears your prayers. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:19.500 When you pray, God hears. 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:23.079 Sometimes it feels like it's not the case, 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:25.319 but God hears your prayers. 00:08:26.540 --> 00:08:27.759 When will He answer? 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:28.519 How will He answer? 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:29.459 That is up to Him. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:34.179 But God delights when His people pray to Him. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:36.740 God who is lacking nothing, 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:39.519 who does not need to help you 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:42.059 in order to fill some kind of void in His life, 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:46.039 as if He needs to help Daniel 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:48.779 because He has this desire to be a helpful person. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:53.079 God hears your prayers and chooses to act 00:08:53.079 --> 00:08:56.740 because He is a God who is loving. 00:08:57.100 --> 00:08:59.639 That also means that God is not overwhelmed with your prayers. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:02.919 When you bring things to God that overwhelm you, 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:03.860 I mean in verse 3, 00:09:04.299 --> 00:09:05.139 at the very least, 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:11.139 these people have sins and brokenness and hang-ups, 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:15.159 maybe addictions, 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:16.379 who knows what it is. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:19.439 There are many things that overwhelm them, 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:21.639 but nothing overwhelms God. 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:25.559 That's the God who hears our prayers 00:09:25.559 --> 00:09:27.379 and acts out of love, 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:28.740 not out of compulsion, 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:31.120 not out of a desire to fill a void, 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:32.740 but because of His loving kindness, 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:35.080 because of an extension of His grace. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.299 The guilt that troubles you, 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:40.840 the hang-ups that have followed you your whole life, 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:43.199 don't overwhelm God. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:46.199 He hears them and they are not impossible 00:09:46.199 --> 00:09:47.919 for Him to overcome. 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:48.799 In fact, He will. 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:53.279 Nothing that shakes you will shake God. 00:09:53.319 --> 00:09:54.899 And that's a beautiful, wonderful truth. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:55.860 He is able to do it. 00:09:56.919 --> 00:10:00.179 This text also shows us that God is good 00:10:00.179 --> 00:10:01.779 and in Him there is no evil. 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:06.580 He did not create us in order to squash us 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:08.960 or neglect us or abuse us. 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:11.920 There is no ill intent in His design 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:13.600 for you and for me. 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:15.560 In fact, it's the opposite. 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:19.120 Consider that He desires to satisfy the longings 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:21.660 and desires of your heart. 00:10:21.920 --> 00:10:24.600 Not the things that you want because they're shiny, 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.240 but the things that you want that are shiny 00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:29.160 because you want a fulfillment 00:10:29.160 --> 00:10:30.940 that those things will never fulfill. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:33.580 Those longings, those desires, 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:37.900 He knows them and can satisfy them. 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:38.540 Why? 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:42.360 Because He has given you, 00:10:42.420 --> 00:10:44.980 He has created you with such longings, 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:46.020 such desires. 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.100 He has created you with intent 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:49.840 in His image and in His likeness. 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:52.740 And what does He satisfy us with ultimately? 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.560 It's His presence. 00:10:54.900 --> 00:10:56.879 We see this in verse 4. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:11:08.460 The longing of the human heart 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:10.700 is to know God and be known by Him. 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:13.220 And we, again, 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:18.279 alluding to my opening of the influencers, 00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:20.019 not all of them, 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.559 but again, 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:21.539 this idea that 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:24.480 if you follow this program, 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:27.659 if you subscribe to this newsletter, 00:11:27.939 --> 00:11:30.439 if you take in what I have to say, 00:11:31.379 --> 00:11:33.259 you will somehow connect with 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:35.079 something that is transcendent. 00:11:35.120 --> 00:11:35.860 You will be complete. 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:39.059 But because the human heart is made 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:40.879 to know God and be known by Him, 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:42.159 we can be, 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:44.720 we will be incomplete 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.839 until we experience that. 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.580 Until we know that. 00:11:48.680 --> 00:11:50.340 Until God makes a way for us 00:11:50.340 --> 00:11:51.899 to know Him. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:53.980 So what does God, 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:57.639 what does He satisfy us with? 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:58.280 His self. 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.800 But also with a guilt-free, 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:00.580 redeemed soul. 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:03.420 Because that is the entryway 00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:04.280 into His presence. 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:05.180 God is perfect. 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:09.180 And He can't have imperfection 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:10.800 come into His courts. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:12.540 He is a good God. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.580 He can't have evil 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:15.120 come into His courts. 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.500 So what does He do? 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.539 He makes a way 00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.899 to deal with the evil. 00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:20.460 He makes a way 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:22.399 to deal with the impurity. 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.799 He makes a way 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:25.039 to deal with the sin. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:27.320 And we see this in verse 3. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.539 He atones for our transgressions. 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:30.820 Really, this is a picture 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:32.940 of the sacrificial system 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:33.559 in the temple 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:34.919 where the priest, 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.559 on behalf of the people, 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:39.159 would sacrifice an animal. 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.559 The sin would be laid on the animal. 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.639 And the people, 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:44.239 by the shedding of the blood 00:12:44.239 --> 00:12:44.819 of the animal, 00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:47.039 would be made right before God. 00:12:47.099 --> 00:12:48.719 Now, it was not perfect 00:12:48.719 --> 00:12:50.059 because it had to be done 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:51.299 time and time and time again. 00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.919 But it would ultimately point 00:12:52.919 --> 00:12:54.159 to what Christ would do 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:54.699 on the cross 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:56.019 where He would take 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:56.599 the sins 00:12:56.599 --> 00:12:57.559 and the brokenness 00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:58.579 and the evil 00:12:58.579 --> 00:12:59.299 and the junk 00:12:59.299 --> 00:13:00.019 of the world 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:01.139 upon His shoulders 00:13:01.139 --> 00:13:02.379 and die once and for all 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.779 in our stead 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.759 so we would be made 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.899 right in Him. 00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:08.419 And this is what 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:09.379 this first section 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.360 verses 1-4 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.059 is alluding to. 00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:13.079 Friends, the Christian life, 00:13:13.539 --> 00:13:14.679 it may seem 00:13:14.679 --> 00:13:16.459 like it is full of prohibitions 00:13:16.459 --> 00:13:17.659 and doldrums 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.340 and stuffiness. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.579 But that would be 00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:20.899 a false view of the truth. 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:22.179 Because again, 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:22.840 verse 4, 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:23.899 what does it say? 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:24.939 Yeah, I mean, 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.100 pretty good that we get 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:28.139 to be in the courts of God 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:29.699 to be in His presence. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:30.039 It says, 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.860 Blessed is the one 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.419 who you choose 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:34.480 and bring near 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.860 to dwell in your court 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:37.240 so we shall be satisfied 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.500 with the goodness 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.220 of your house, 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:39.740 the holiness 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:40.460 of your temple. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.240 Especially the latter half 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.000 of verses 4, 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:45.019 we shall be satisfied 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.120 with the goodness 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:46.740 of your house, 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.220 the holiness 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.899 of your temple. 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.379 This speaks to 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:51.639 on holidays, 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:52.580 holy days 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.580 in ancient Israel 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.519 how there would be 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.220 sacrifices 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:56.100 but that people would 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:57.100 take and eat the meat. 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:57.800 It would be a time 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:59.240 of rejoicing, 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:00.180 choice drink, 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.100 choice food. 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:03.060 Cares would be 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:05.420 left in the past 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:06.539 and we would celebrate 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:08.799 and it points 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:10.439 to a picture 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:12.219 of a transcendent joy 00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:13.899 that awaits those 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:14.860 who know 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:16.059 and fear the Lord. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.059 A kind of joy 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:19.719 that accompanies 00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:20.599 a glad heart 00:14:20.599 --> 00:14:21.360 and a light spirit. 00:14:21.439 --> 00:14:22.459 A kind of joy 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:24.679 that can transcend 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:26.099 the problems 00:14:26.099 --> 00:14:26.819 in the here 00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:27.299 and the now. 00:14:28.579 --> 00:14:29.299 That's not 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:30.439 a promise 00:14:30.439 --> 00:14:31.319 that we'll be happy 00:14:31.319 --> 00:14:32.659 all the time. 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.259 The Christian life 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.179 can be very difficult. 00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:35.740 It can, 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:36.539 you know, 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.240 it's difficult 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.159 on the very basis 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:40.620 that we want things, 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.240 we are selfish, 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.960 and we will kill 00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:44.620 and steal 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.179 and lie 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:45.559 and destroy 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.039 to get them. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.580 And it's hard 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.500 to fight against that. 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.299 Sometimes it feels 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:51.720 difficult and hard 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:53.740 and it's not a happy life 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.539 all the time 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.080 but it will be 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:56.439 a joy-filled life 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:58.120 because we know 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:58.799 that whatever 00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:00.100 we have gone through, 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:00.939 whatever we will 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.460 go through, 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.420 the worst 00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:03.640 that we have 00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:04.160 gone through. 00:15:04.880 --> 00:15:05.460 And it's not 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.340 the end of our story. 00:15:07.580 --> 00:15:08.680 It's not the thing 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:09.440 that will come 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:10.340 to define us. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:10.860 Rather, 00:15:11.520 --> 00:15:12.300 eternity will. 00:15:14.400 --> 00:15:14.880 Joy, 00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:15.980 unspeakable 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.800 and full of glory 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:19.400 is our destination 00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:20.360 as it is said 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.540 in other parts 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:22.280 of Holy Scripture. 00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:24.540 When your spirit 00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:25.360 is heavy laden 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.140 with guilt 00:15:26.140 --> 00:15:27.320 from sin, 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.600 exhausted 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.780 with the inability 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.720 to overcome, 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:31.779 when you are 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:32.500 beaten down 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:34.000 by iniquities, 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.079 know that there 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:36.600 is a God 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.259 that hears 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:37.939 your prayers 00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:38.799 and delights 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.439 in atoning 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:41.199 your sins 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:42.679 and welcoming 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:43.419 you into 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.240 his very presence. 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:47.399 That's a thing 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.600 we come to realize 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:50.779 in greater depths 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:51.299 more and more 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:51.799 as we walk 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.480 through the Christian life 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.439 but friends, 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.459 this is our life. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:55.879 This is what 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.519 we can expect. 00:15:57.519 --> 00:16:00.139 what 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.740 rivals 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:02.659 that kind of grace 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.960 of the risen Lord 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.579 Jesus Christ? 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:04.840 What 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:07.240 influencer 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.360 did you watch 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:08.980 yesterday 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.620 on YouTube 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.740 that offers you 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:13.340 what the scriptures 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.259 offer you 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.100 and guarantee 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:19.079 I would put forward 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:19.439 to you that 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:20.000 there isn't 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:20.919 anything 00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.679 that holds a candle 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.079 to that. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.259 He does 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:24.879 what we cannot 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.600 do 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.060 and how 00:16:26.060 --> 00:16:26.320 do we 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.120 then respond 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.200 with trust 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:28.920 and praise 00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:29.639 that expresses 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.200 itself in 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:30.680 obedience, 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:31.600 prayer, 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.399 and constantly 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.460 returning to 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.540 him when we 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.320 falter, 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.080 when we sin. 00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:37.420 The life 00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:38.139 of confession 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.940 is a life 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:39.379 of throwing 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:39.759 ourselves 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.320 once again 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:40.680 at the 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.460 kindness 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:42.139 and grace 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:42.779 of the Lord. 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:43.779 But God 00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:44.279 doesn't only 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.940 extend his 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.259 kindness 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.960 to his people. 00:16:47.040 --> 00:16:48.240 Is he 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.659 the God 00:16:48.659 --> 00:16:49.700 of all 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.340 the cosmos 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.259 but only acts 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.759 in a regional 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.019 way? 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:52.879 Put it 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.259 another way, 00:16:53.540 --> 00:16:54.100 is he the God 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.460 of the whole 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:54.920 world but 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:55.399 it's only 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.060 for Israel? 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:57.180 Because this 00:16:57.180 --> 00:17:00.159 is a psalm 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:00.500 that was written 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.220 by King David 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:01.800 to the people 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.279 of Israel. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.420 The answer is 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:03.680 no. 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:04.440 Look with me 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:06.000 in verses 5 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.259 and 8. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:07.000 God is indeed 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.460 the creator 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.079 of the cosmos, 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.160 everything that 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.759 is created. 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.819 Therefore he 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.400 is indeed 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.900 the God 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.640 of all people. 00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:14.019 So this next 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.299 section, 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:15.180 verses 5 to 8, 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.019 will help us 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.019 to see how 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:17.420 he is not 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:19.000 only our hope 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.539 as people 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.940 that put their 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:21.660 faith and trust 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.440 in Jesus Christ 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.200 but he's actually 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.620 the hope 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:24.180 of all the 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.460 nations. 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:24.900 Look with me, 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.759 verses 5 to 8. 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:28.740 By awesome deeds 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.600 you answer us 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.320 with righteousness, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.640 O God 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.720 of our salvation, 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:33.240 the hope 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:34.680 of all the 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.120 ends of the 00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.340 earth 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:36.360 and of the 00:17:36.360 --> 00:17:36.759 farthest 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.140 seas, 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:37.680 the one 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.920 who by his 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:39.259 strength 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:39.759 established 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.320 the mountains 00:17:40.320 --> 00:17:41.580 being girded 00:17:41.580 --> 00:17:42.220 with might, 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.519 who stills 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:43.980 the roaring 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.660 of the seas, 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.259 the roaring 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.100 of their waves, 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:46.700 the tumult 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.320 of the peoples, 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.720 so that 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.660 those who dwell 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:50.680 at the ends 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.160 of the earth 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.700 are in awe 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.580 at your signs. 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:54.580 You make 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:54.980 the going 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.680 out of the 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:55.980 morning 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.500 and the 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:56.860 evening 00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:57.820 to shout 00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:58.700 for joy. 00:18:04.040 --> 00:18:04.740 In this 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.080 section, 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:06.400 we see how 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.320 God is active 00:18:07.320 --> 00:18:07.960 in the world 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.860 from the 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.279 farthest 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.680 seas 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:11.220 and the 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:11.600 ends of 00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.019 the earth. 00:18:12.320 --> 00:18:12.820 8b, 00:18:13.340 --> 00:18:15.800 verse 8b, 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.400 so the second 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.400 part of verse 8, 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.220 you make 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:18.640 the going 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.200 out of the 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.700 morning and 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.100 the evening 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.460 to shout 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:20.800 for joy. 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.779 That's a 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:22.539 picture really 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:25.059 of everything 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:25.700 that stretches 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.180 from east 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:26.539 to west. 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:26.980 It's a picture 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.559 of the entire 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:27.960 world. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.980 God is the 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.720 hope of all 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:31.099 people, 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:31.879 verse 5, 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.700 and all 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.279 people who 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.919 see the 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.919 signs of 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.500 God are 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.240 in awe 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:36.680 of him. 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.839 I'll just 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.500 mention something 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:38.879 and maybe 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.419 this is helpful 00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:40.000 for you guys 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.379 in your own 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.019 Bible reading. 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.079 If you look 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:46.559 at verse 5, 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.500 the second 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.019 part of it, 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.299 it says, 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.039 O God of our 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.500 salvation, 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.460 the hope 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:50.940 of all, 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:51.480 and here it 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:51.619 is, 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.200 the ends 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.480 of the 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:52.720 earth, 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.539 and you 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.399 go down 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.879 to the 00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.359 first part 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:56.879 of verse 8 00:18:56.879 --> 00:18:57.379 and it says 00:18:57.379 --> 00:18:57.619 this, 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.259 so that those 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.799 who dwell 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.500 at the 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.000 ends of 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.420 the earth 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.259 are in 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.680 awe at 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.240 your signs. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:03.180 Whenever you 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.259 see the 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.779 same 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.940 sentence 00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.440 or the 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.319 same set 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:08.920 of words 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.119 or a 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:10.639 title or 00:19:10.639 --> 00:19:11.039 something like 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.399 that, 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.159 and it kind 00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:12.899 of sandwiches 00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.779 a section, 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:15.379 that is 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:16.500 something that 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:18.420 should draw 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:18.960 your attention 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:20.039 to the 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.720 message of 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.379 a portion. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:22.940 So here, 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.359 talking about 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:24.680 the ends 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:24.899 of the 00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:25.079 earth, 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:25.599 this is a 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.180 picture of 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.599 God 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.980 extending 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.819 his grace 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.420 not just 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.200 to a region 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:30.619 but to 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.019 everywhere. 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.220 And everything 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:32.859 in between 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.379 is going to 00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:33.980 fill in 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.740 the gap. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.139 So when you 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.639 read something 00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:36.200 like this, 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.359 your ears 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:37.899 perk up and 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.279 you see the 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.619 ends of 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:38.940 the earth, 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:39.920 you see at 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:40.200 the end 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:40.500 the ends 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.700 of the 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:40.940 earth, 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:41.920 go back, 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:42.500 take a look 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:42.720 at what 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.160 it says 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:43.700 and see 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.700 the meaning, 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.140 what is 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:45.660 God getting 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:45.980 at when 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.319 he says 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:46.819 the ends 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.119 of the 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:47.359 earth. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.099 It's a bit 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.319 of an 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:48.680 aside, 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.880 that's a 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:52.180 little Bible 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.980 reading tool 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.480 that's very, 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.019 very helpful. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:54.960 But here, 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.440 it's just 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:55.740 that. 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.200 The ends 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.460 of the 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:56.880 earth is 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:58.400 God's 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.940 domain as 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.160 well. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:01.039 He extends 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:03.359 his grace 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:05.119 across the 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:06.579 known world. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:07.759 And what's 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.480 really interesting 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.480 here is that 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:11.240 this is actually 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.819 speaking of 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.000 us. 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.259 I mean, 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.460 we, 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:13.119 on one 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:13.359 hand, 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.619 we are 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:13.980 the people 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.420 of God. 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:14.920 Whenever we 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.420 read something 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:16.140 about Israel, 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.879 in many ways, 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.099 we are 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.859 Israelites 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.900 ourselves in 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:20.680 a spiritual 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.019 way. 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:21.599 We are the 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:21.980 people of 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.240 God. 00:20:23.859 --> 00:20:25.579 But we 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:27.960 live six 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.700 time zones 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.480 away from 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:31.140 Jerusalem here. 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.559 We are very 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:32.859 far. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.379 We are the 00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:33.799 ends of the 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.379 earth here in 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.700 Canada. 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.500 And God 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:38.619 has confirmed 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:40.000 his word by 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.920 this very church 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.500 service this 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:41.740 morning. 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.599 God has 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.400 extended his 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.120 grace out 00:20:44.120 --> 00:20:46.400 to the 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.019 ends of 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.579 the earth. 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.440 Friends, 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:48.839 this is the, 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.079 I mean, 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.120 it might seem 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:50.599 like we are 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.160 the center of 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.460 the earth, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:51.740 okay? 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:52.859 You might 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:53.299 feel that 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.620 way. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.500 You have a 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.980 complex. 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:56.259 You are at 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.779 the ends of 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.180 the earth. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.720 And God 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.059 here has 00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.779 extended his 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.680 grace to 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.259 the ends 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.339 of the 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:02.740 earth. 00:21:03.140 --> 00:21:03.620 It is a 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:03.980 wonderful, 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.880 beautiful picture 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:05.700 of God 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.960 confirming what 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.400 the scriptures 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:07.819 say. 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:09.700 there is a 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.599 specific focus 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.399 here also on 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:11.839 creation. 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:12.579 Verses 6 and 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.759 7 speak of 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.579 God creating 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.359 the land and 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:16.019 bringing chaos 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.419 to order. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:18.159 Both themes 00:21:18.159 --> 00:21:18.679 that we see 00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:19.240 in Genesis, 00:21:19.939 --> 00:21:20.439 the opening 00:21:20.439 --> 00:21:21.039 chapters of 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.379 Genesis. 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.019 And we see 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.519 two things 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.059 about this, 00:21:24.439 --> 00:21:25.379 about God 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:25.980 being creator. 00:21:26.919 --> 00:21:27.319 That God 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.839 has left his 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.740 fingerprints all 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.460 over creation 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.179 in terms of 00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:31.079 the complexity 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.899 of creation. 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:31.980 creation. 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.380 But it also 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:34.100 speaks of 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:34.540 God's 00:21:34.540 --> 00:21:35.320 infiniteness. 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.880 So here 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:38.160 we see that 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:39.620 especially if we 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.200 go to verse 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.820 8 where it 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.640 says that the 00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:42.340 ends of the 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:42.800 earth will be 00:21:42.800 --> 00:21:43.460 in all the 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:43.940 signs of 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.240 God. 00:21:45.060 --> 00:21:45.560 That God 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:46.340 has created 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.920 mountains where 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.680 there weren't 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:48.920 any. 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.300 He has 00:21:49.300 --> 00:21:50.400 calmed the 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.080 seas that 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:52.259 were raging. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:52.980 He has 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.420 taken what 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.800 didn't exist 00:21:55.800 --> 00:21:56.360 and made 00:21:56.360 --> 00:21:56.940 something out 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.220 of it. 00:21:57.320 --> 00:21:58.140 He is the 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.680 creator of 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.259 all things. 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:00.920 And just to 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.240 put it in 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:01.740 perspective, 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.820 how infinite 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.660 God is, 00:22:05.300 --> 00:22:05.540 I mean, 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.040 don't fact 00:22:06.040 --> 00:22:06.540 check me. 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.120 Maybe you 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:07.460 should fact 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:07.860 check me. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.480 I don't 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:08.740 know. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.840 But in 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:10.240 terms of 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.519 what we 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.100 have discovered 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:11.460 in the 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:11.840 known 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.560 universe, 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:15.380 if we 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:15.600 were to 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.160 take all 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:16.380 of the 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:16.660 universe, 00:22:16.780 --> 00:22:16.920 sorry, 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.220 I'll say 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.420 it this 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:17.519 way, 00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:17.780 if we 00:22:17.780 --> 00:22:18.160 were to 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.940 take all 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.160 of the 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:19.540 universe 00:22:19.540 --> 00:22:21.420 and kind 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:21.780 of equal 00:22:21.780 --> 00:22:22.100 it to 00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.560 all of our 00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:22.880 oceans, 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.340 the size 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:23.580 of all 00:22:23.580 --> 00:22:23.780 of our 00:22:23.780 --> 00:22:24.140 oceans, 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:25.360 we have 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:25.900 discovered 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.380 the equivalent 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.140 to a 12 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.940 ounce glass 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.440 of water 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.759 compared to 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.040 the rest 00:22:31.040 --> 00:22:31.259 of the 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.580 oceans. 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.300 Universe, 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.380 the cosmos, 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:34.920 what God 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.620 has created, 00:22:36.540 --> 00:22:36.840 I mean, 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.400 does it have 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.060 an end to it? 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:39.600 I'm sure it 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:39.860 does, 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.320 but it's 00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:42.420 mind-boggling. 00:22:42.580 --> 00:22:43.259 It's impossible 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:43.820 for us to 00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:44.380 understand. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.500 And God 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:45.759 has, 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.140 he has spoke 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:47.780 this out 00:22:47.780 --> 00:22:48.620 into existence. 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:48.859 existence. 00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.399 And this 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:51.859 God, 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:52.899 who has 00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.259 left his 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.779 fingerprints 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.599 all over 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.079 creation, 00:22:55.219 --> 00:22:55.359 his 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.239 infiniteness 00:22:56.239 --> 00:22:57.339 all over 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:57.939 creation, 00:22:58.899 --> 00:23:00.539 what does 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:00.839 he want 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.159 to do? 00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:02.859 He wants 00:23:02.859 --> 00:23:03.479 to create 00:23:03.479 --> 00:23:04.399 in his 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.479 image for 00:23:05.479 --> 00:23:05.879 the purpose 00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.439 of extending 00:23:06.439 --> 00:23:07.219 his love 00:23:07.219 --> 00:23:07.939 and his 00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:08.339 kindness 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:08.819 and his 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.299 grace to 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:09.459 you. 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:11.500 We are, 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:12.979 just in terms 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.459 of matter, 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.379 like a 00:23:14.379 --> 00:23:14.859 nothing 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.559 compared to 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.440 the infiniteness 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.139 of space. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.079 And yet, 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:18.659 God 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:20.700 welcomes you 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.259 into his 00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:21.659 presence. 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:22.960 He is making 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.759 a way for 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.559 you to 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.159 come and 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:26.460 enjoy his 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.179 very presence. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.480 He has 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.519 atoned for 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.279 your sins 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.099 and he 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.059 calls us 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:32.779 his own. 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.299 This is the 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:36.980 grace of God 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.759 displayed to 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.200 the ends 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:38.700 of the earth. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.659 And really, 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.220 it is the 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.460 only hope 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.319 that anybody 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:43.399 truly has. 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:44.460 The God 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:44.740 of our 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.440 salvation is 00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:45.840 the hope 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.320 of all 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:46.779 the earth 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.860 which leads 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.500 us also 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:48.860 to an 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.200 uncomfortable 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.720 truth. 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:50.860 If the 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.259 triune 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.759 God is 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.100 the God 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:52.740 of salvation 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.080 and the 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:53.400 hope of 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.220 all the 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.460 earth, 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:54.960 that means 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.640 other 00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:56.320 faiths and 00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:56.539 other 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.320 philosophies 00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.680 that offer 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.519 salvation and 00:23:59.519 --> 00:23:59.920 claim to 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.920 satisfy our 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.519 deepest 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:03.019 longings, 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:03.880 they're 00:24:03.880 --> 00:24:04.320 false. 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.080 Again, 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.440 that's a 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.120 very uncomfortable 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:07.620 take. 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.019 There's no 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.680 eternal hope 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.200 in religions 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:11.220 and philosophies 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.240 that cannot 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.920 atone for 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.320 sins, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.220 that do 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:14.740 not look 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.440 to Christ 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.460 as the 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.480 once and 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:17.839 for all 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.620 sacrifice 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.220 on our 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.680 behalf. 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.579 God of 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:20.980 God, 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.299 very God 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.759 of very 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.160 God. 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.720 Who else 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.120 can still 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:26.539 the roaring 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:26.940 seas? 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.259 Who else 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.140 can still 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:29.779 the tumult 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.160 of the 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.539 peoples 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.339 in our 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:31.740 hearts, 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.500 our souls? 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.799 Who can 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.160 bring an 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.599 end to 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.400 all the 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.000 violence, 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.319 an end to 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:38.720 all the 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.140 oppression, 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:39.819 an end to 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.160 all the 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.960 slavery and 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.559 poverty and 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.220 idolatry 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:44.619 that finds 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.579 itself growing 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.419 in measures 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:46.879 in our 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.299 world? 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.119 And it's 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:48.700 the hope 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:48.919 of the 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:49.059 earth, 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:49.279 it's 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.539 Jesus 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:49.960 Christ. 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.259 And we 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.859 don't see 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.500 that end 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:53.960 to the 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.679 oppression and 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.240 the violence 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:55.980 and the 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:56.740 slavery and 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.259 the poverty 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.539 and the 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.240 idolatry, 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.119 but it 00:24:59.119 --> 00:24:59.619 will come 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.220 to pass. 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.460 And this 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:00.980 actually leads 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:01.419 us to our 00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:02.220 third and 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:02.980 final section, 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.740 looking at 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.619 how the 00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:06.059 grace of 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.599 God is 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:08.200 greater and 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.619 bigger than 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:08.859 we could 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.779 ever have 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.159 imagined. 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:10.480 Look with 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:10.840 me, verses 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.640 9-13. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.000 It says 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.360 this, 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.320 You visit 00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:14.680 the earth 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.080 and water 00:25:15.080 --> 00:25:15.420 it, you 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:15.820 greatly 00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:16.420 enrich it. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.180 The river 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.620 of God 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.180 is full 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.759 of water. 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.080 You provide 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:20.680 their grain, 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.920 for so you 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.519 have prepared 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:22.680 it. 00:25:23.060 --> 00:25:23.759 You water 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.560 its furrows 00:25:24.560 --> 00:25:25.100 abundantly, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.840 settling its 00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.200 ridges, 00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:26.880 softening it 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.519 with showers, 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.800 blessing its 00:25:28.800 --> 00:25:29.180 growth. 00:25:29.840 --> 00:25:30.380 You crown 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:30.759 the year 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.100 with your 00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:31.480 bounty, 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:32.019 your wagon 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.000 tracks overflow 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.920 with abundance. 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.920 The pastures 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.620 of the wilderness 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.220 overflow, 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.400 the hills 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.060 gird themselves 00:25:39.060 --> 00:25:39.580 with joy, 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.199 the meadows 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.159 clothe themselves 00:25:41.159 --> 00:25:42.519 with flocks, 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.679 the valleys 00:25:43.679 --> 00:25:44.460 deck themselves 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.919 with grain, 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.559 the joy, 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.399 the shout, 00:25:47.199 --> 00:25:48.059 they shout 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.579 and sing 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.779 together for 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.099 joy. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.460 This section, 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.500 again, it might 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:52.960 seem kind of 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:53.539 out of place. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.079 We've moved 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:55.779 from the house 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.500 of God to a 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:57.379 snapshot of God 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.819 as creator, 00:25:57.939 --> 00:25:58.460 and now we find 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.079 ourselves in the 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.319 harvest. 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:00.799 So how is this 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.619 connected to the 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:02.619 other two sections, 00:26:02.699 --> 00:26:04.220 and how is this 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.000 the answer 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:08.180 to all of 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.380 the brokenness 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.039 in the world? 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:12.539 All the 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.000 heartache, 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.460 all of the 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:14.740 evil, 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.220 all of the 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.500 pain. 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:16.279 It's connected 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.779 in at least 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.299 three ways. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.740 It's connected 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.319 to the previous 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.059 section as it 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.620 tells us that 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.279 God doesn't 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.100 only create the 00:26:22.100 --> 00:26:22.700 world, but he 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.339 sustains it. 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.259 He is actively 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.799 involved in the 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:27.940 ongoing life 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.819 of his creation. 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.740 God doesn't 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.740 create as a 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.460 watchmaker would 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.220 create, where he 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.340 creates all the 00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:35.019 components, he 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.319 puts them 00:26:35.319 --> 00:26:35.860 together, he 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.900 sets the watch 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.779 and then leaves 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.240 it, because it's 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:38.940 going to go on 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.340 whether he 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:39.900 touches it or 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.160 not. 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.240 He's not like a 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.380 watchmaker in 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:42.940 terms of how he 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.360 creates. 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:46.079 Instead, he 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.940 creates everything 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.620 and everything 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:49.960 has its being 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.460 held together 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.039 and has its 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.740 being in him. 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:53.259 He sustains 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.039 everything. 00:26:57.100 --> 00:26:58.380 He cares for 00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.160 and nourishes 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.720 all that he has 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.039 created. 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.059 He gives and 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.940 sustains life. 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.339 The second 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.679 thing that 00:27:04.679 --> 00:27:05.240 connects this 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.799 section to the 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.399 previous section 00:27:06.399 --> 00:27:07.119 is that Jesus 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.059 has described 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.899 the evangelization 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.740 of all people 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.759 to a harvest. 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:12.179 And we see 00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:13.000 that in Matthew 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.700 chapter 9, 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.159 starting in 00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:14.679 verse 35, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.059 and it says 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.359 this, 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.319 And Jesus 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.039 went throughout 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.759 all the cities 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.359 and villages, 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.579 teaching in 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.359 their synagogues 00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:21.940 and proclaiming 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.700 the gospel of 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.119 the kingdom, 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.099 and healing 00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.859 every disease 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.240 and every 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.659 affliction. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.099 When he saw 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:27.679 the crowds, 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.159 he had 00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:29.839 compassion for 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.579 them, because 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.619 they were harassed 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.019 and helpless, 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:32.659 like sheep 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.539 without a shepherd. 00:27:34.459 --> 00:27:35.099 Then he said 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:35.839 to his disciples, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.899 The harvest is 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.979 plentiful, but 00:27:37.979 --> 00:27:38.619 the laborers are 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:38.859 few. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.599 Therefore, pray 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:41.000 earnestly to the 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.899 Lord of the harvest 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.979 to send out laborers 00:27:42.979 --> 00:27:43.979 into the harvest. 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.979 The God, the Father, 00:27:45.459 --> 00:27:46.599 draws all people 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.819 to his Son 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.719 through his Spirit. 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.099 He has compassion 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:50.859 on the crowds, 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.439 compassion on all 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:52.759 people. 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.099 Why? 00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:54.459 Because they are 00:27:54.459 --> 00:27:54.859 hopeless. 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.299 They are helpless. 00:27:56.459 --> 00:27:57.079 They are like sheep 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.859 without a shepherd 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:59.159 who cannot defend 00:27:59.160 --> 00:28:00.019 themselves, who 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:01.720 cannot find clean 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:03.700 water or lush 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.519 meadows to eat. 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.759 He desires to see 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.759 a rich and bountiful 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:09.440 harvest of the souls 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.320 of men and women, 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.980 young and old, 00:28:12.040 --> 00:28:12.640 and he draws all 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.340 people from the 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.540 farthest corners 00:28:14.540 --> 00:28:15.580 of the earth, 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:17.300 including Canada. 00:28:19.300 --> 00:28:20.580 He causes grain to 00:28:20.580 --> 00:28:21.440 grow where it ought 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:22.420 not to grow, which is 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:23.360 this beautiful picture 00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:25.740 of God doing only 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:27.180 what God can do, 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.140 making the impossible 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.620 happen. 00:28:28.780 --> 00:28:29.540 Flocks of sheep 00:28:29.540 --> 00:28:31.020 thrive where they 00:28:31.020 --> 00:28:32.060 ought not to. 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.540 He really, truly 00:28:33.540 --> 00:28:35.320 does the impossible. 00:28:36.520 --> 00:28:37.480 Finally, this section 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.200 connects to the 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.920 previous section 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.660 because what we see 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.460 here isn't just 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.540 an annual harvest, 00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:44.200 but a picture of 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.940 the end of the age 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.880 or the eschaton 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.720 or the culmination 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.400 of all salvation. 00:28:48.520 --> 00:28:48.920 And this is where 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.840 it answers the question 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:51.520 of the problem of evil 00:28:51.520 --> 00:28:52.040 ultimately. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.020 The river of God 00:28:54.020 --> 00:28:55.580 that is mentioned 00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:56.320 here, where is it? 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:58.539 In verse 9, 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:00.179 the river of God 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:01.119 is full of water. 00:29:01.179 --> 00:29:02.179 Now that might seem 00:29:02.179 --> 00:29:03.759 very much like a 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.279 redundancy. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.519 The river of God 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.579 is full with water. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.019 Well, of course it is. 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:10.599 But, it isn't a 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.139 redundancy. 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.839 It is a picture 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:15.059 of something that we 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:16.179 see elsewhere in 00:29:16.179 --> 00:29:16.439 Scripture. 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.879 In fact, it is a 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:19.099 picture of the 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.119 healing and salvation 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:21.000 that comes to the 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.700 nations that only 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:24.179 can come from God 00:29:24.179 --> 00:29:24.500 Himself. 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.420 And we see it at 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.079 the very end of 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.500 the Bible. 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.839 Revelation chapter 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.319 22, which is a 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.619 picture of all 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:31.839 things being made 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.119 right. 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.259 All evil being 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.859 overcome. 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.259 All sin being 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.819 destroyed. 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.799 Our enemy being 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:39.440 cast away and us 00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:40.380 dwelling in God's 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:41.019 presence forever. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.700 And this is what it 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:41.960 says. 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.720 Revelation chapter 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:45.299 22, verses 1 to 5. 00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:47.380 Then the angel 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.559 showed me the river 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.599 of the water of 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:49.920 life. 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.779 There it is. 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:53.759 bright as crystal 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.839 flowing from the 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:55.720 throne of God and 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.299 out of the Lamb 00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.720 through the middle 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.619 of the streets of 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.000 the city. 00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.759 It's the heavenly 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.119 city. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.819 Also on either side 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.420 of the river, the 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.399 tree of life with 00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:04.899 its twelve kinds of 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:05.819 fruits yielding its 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.879 fruit each month. 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.700 The leaves of the 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:10.259 tree were for the 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.079 healing of the 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.480 nations. 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.960 No longer will 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:13.579 there be anything 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:14.079 accursed. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.639 But the throne of 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:17.279 God and of the Lamb 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.180 will be in it and 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.039 His servants will 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.619 worship Him. 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.419 They will see His 00:30:21.419 --> 00:30:21.839 face. 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:24.059 That's a proximity. 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.239 Talking about our 00:30:25.239 --> 00:30:26.139 proximity to God. 00:30:26.199 --> 00:30:26.959 They will see His 00:30:26.959 --> 00:30:28.239 face and His name 00:30:28.239 --> 00:30:28.839 will be on their 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:30.379 foreheads and night 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.500 will be no more. 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:33.079 They will need no 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:35.019 light of lamp or 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:35.979 sun for the Lord 00:30:35.979 --> 00:30:36.799 God will be their 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.319 light and they will 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.219 reign forever and 00:30:39.219 --> 00:30:39.359 ever. 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.539 Friends, this is a 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.859 picture of abundance 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:43.979 and of perfection and 00:30:43.979 --> 00:30:46.099 of true utopia and 00:30:46.099 --> 00:30:46.719 satisfaction. 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.699 Especially verses 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:50.559 11 to 13 we see 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:50.960 this. 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.860 It has all of this 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.279 in view. 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:54.559 A ridiculous haul. 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.759 A bounty that 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:57.299 points to richness 00:30:57.299 --> 00:31:01.180 that is overflowing. 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:02.640 Look in verse 11 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.279 and on. 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:04.500 You crown the 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:05.059 year with your 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.360 bounty. 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.220 And I love this 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.620 imagery. 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:07.980 Your wagon tracks 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.840 overflow with 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.200 abundance. 00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:10.840 It's like a wagon 00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.819 going through as 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.819 people are harvesting 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.380 fruit or grain. 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:14.980 It's just getting 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.799 piled on. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:17.680 It can't hold 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.039 anymore. 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:19.299 It just falls down. 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:21.000 It's a harvest that 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.240 is completely 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:23.099 overflowing. 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.180 It's a picture of 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.119 bounty. 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.819 Something that we 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.919 could never hope 00:31:26.919 --> 00:31:28.200 for but we 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:29.200 desperately need. 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.299 It continues on. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.339 The pastures of the 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.319 wilderness overflow. 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.879 The hills gird 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.879 themselves with joy. 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:37.339 Meadows clothe 00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:38.299 themselves with 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:38.720 flock. 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.619 Valleys deck 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:40.259 themselves with 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.599 grain. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.319 They shout and 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.720 sing together for 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:44.039 joy. 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:45.640 A picture of all 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.680 things made right. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:52.779 And that age to 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:54.140 come can only be 00:31:54.140 --> 00:31:54.839 through Jesus 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.339 Christ. 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.559 Through the cross 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.680 of Christ. 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.400 Jesus himself is 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.220 the source of 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.519 life. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.279 On the cross 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.319 Jesus is strung 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:04.819 up as a 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.980 sacrifice for us 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:07.500 and out of his 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.539 side, out of his 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:10.160 hands, feet, 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:12.779 brow, flow life 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:14.899 giving blood that 00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:16.240 so nourishes and 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.819 feeds and grows 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:19.399 all them that put 00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.019 their faith and 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.839 trust and hope in 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:21.139 Jesus. 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:23.000 His life poured 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:24.379 out so that our 00:32:24.379 --> 00:32:25.379 life may flourish. 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:26.799 And that is the 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.480 good news of the 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.259 cross of Christ. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.279 Friends, we are 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:31.660 saved for eternity 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:33.000 to enjoy the 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.579 harvest with the 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.059 Lord of the 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:35.460 harvest. 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:36.980 The life that is 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.859 offered to anyone 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.879 that would hear 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:40.460 his voice, forsake 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:42.000 their ways, and 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.039 follow after him. 00:32:43.579 --> 00:32:44.160 Friends, this is 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.819 not a life of 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.119 lack. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.039 It is not a 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.880 life of lack. 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.640 It is a life of 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.200 bounty and 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.940 abundance and 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.160 joy that is 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:52.319 hard to comprehend. 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.799 But it is ours, 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.039 in a sense, for the 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.359 taking. 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.019 It's a beautiful 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.579 extension of his 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.980 goodness, loving 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.819 kindness of his 00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.579 grace that he 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:04.339 gives to his 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:04.680 people. 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.960 Father, help us 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:09.059 to be people that 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.700 look to you for 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.840 true satisfaction. 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:13.559 Lord, we are 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.319 people that so 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:15.880 quickly forget and 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.360 look to other 00:33:16.360 --> 00:33:17.340 things to satisfy, 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.519 other things to 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.740 heal, other things 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:21.180 to atone for our 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.200 sins, to distract 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:23.600 from the 00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:24.200 difficulties. 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:25.100 But Lord, help us 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:25.900 to come afresh to 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:27.779 you, to trust in 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.380 you, and to look 00:33:28.380 --> 00:33:28.799 to you. 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:31.200 Lord, that we 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:32.580 would trust in the 00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:33.519 life-giving blood 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:35.059 of your Son poured 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:36.460 out for us so that 00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.480 we may have eternal 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:37.840 life. 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:40.319 Lord, we ask that 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.019 you would help us 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:42.980 to trust in him. 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.720 And Lord, as we 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:47.299 go our way this 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.279 morning, Lord, help 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:50.419 us also to be a 00:33:50.419 --> 00:33:51.240 joyful people and 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.959 extend that invitation 00:33:52.959 --> 00:33:54.919 to others around us, 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.720 to our friends and 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.399 our family, our 00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:57.819 co-workers, our 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:59.119 neighbors, the 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.019 strangers that we 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:01.240 interact with, all 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.519 those that we may 00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.159 come in contact 00:34:03.159 --> 00:34:03.519 with. 00:34:04.639 --> 00:34:05.659 Lord, remind us 00:34:05.659 --> 00:34:06.599 constantly that you 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:07.459 are a God of 00:34:07.459 --> 00:34:07.839 bounty. 00:34:09.279 --> 00:34:09.860 And this is 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.500 because of Christ 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.339 Jesus we pray. 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.159 Amen. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.779 Amen.