WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.540 About 500 years ago, a new theory regarding the world started to emerge. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:12.339 People used to think the planet Earth is the center of the universe, 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:15.080 and everything revolves around it. 00:00:16.179 --> 00:00:21.839 But through observing the sky and recording the location of few known stars over time, 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:27.120 a few scientists concluded that the sun is the center of our galaxy, 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:30.179 and we revolve around the sun, 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:35.179 and there is something much bigger that is at the center of the universe. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:41.539 Scientists and astronomers continue to explore the night sky 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:45.500 in order to find out the size of our neighboring planets 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:48.719 and their exact distance between each other 00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:51.980 in order to work out the size of the solar system 00:00:51.979 --> 00:00:57.799 and hopefully to work out the size of the Milky Way galaxy and the universe. 00:00:58.779 --> 00:01:06.340 In early 1700s, astronomer Edmund Haley proposed that 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:11.679 one way to calculate the exact distance between each planet of our solar system 00:01:11.679 --> 00:01:17.420 is to observe Venus moving across in front of the sun 00:01:17.420 --> 00:01:19.939 from different parts of the world. 00:01:19.939 --> 00:01:26.379 So in 1769, Lieutenant James Cook travelled to Tahiti 00:01:26.379 --> 00:01:30.019 to observe the transits of Venus in front of the sun. 00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:35.879 The answer to great scientific question is in observing. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:38.239 By observing the sky, 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:42.099 scientists were able to work out the exact distance 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:44.859 between planets of our solar system. 00:01:44.859 --> 00:01:48.819 After his work at Tahiti was done, 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:51.980 Lieutenant Cook carried on his forager, 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:56.319 down south to survey and charter what they can find. 00:01:57.180 --> 00:01:59.239 And in April 1770, 00:01:59.900 --> 00:02:03.799 he landed on a huge uncharted landmark stand under, 00:02:04.420 --> 00:02:07.640 and he named his landing place Botany Bay. 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:12.580 The planet Venus not just helped scientists 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:15.919 to work out exact distance between planets. 00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:19.379 It also led to the landing of which Australia, 00:02:19.920 --> 00:02:21.599 the land down under, was found. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:25.960 Today, Psalms also tell us that 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:29.080 the heaven and skies will help us to find out 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:32.219 something very important for each one of us too. 00:02:32.219 --> 00:02:36.460 something as important as the finding of a new country 00:02:36.460 --> 00:02:37.439 and a new life. 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:39.020 So let's pray. 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:44.579 Father, as we start the new year 00:02:44.579 --> 00:02:46.060 and looking into your words, 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:49.039 please help us to have attentive ears 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:51.539 and an open heart for your words. 00:02:52.079 --> 00:02:54.219 Please help us in this coming year 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:57.599 to keep searching and looking for who you really are 00:02:57.599 --> 00:02:59.840 and have a true relationship with you. 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:01.479 In Jesus, I pray. 00:03:04.519 --> 00:03:07.340 Please turn with me to Psalm 19 again. 00:03:09.259 --> 00:03:11.379 I would like to use today's passage 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:13.560 to answer the question, 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:15.359 how do we know God? 00:03:16.519 --> 00:03:20.180 There are three areas that I want to explore with you. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:21.740 First one is, 00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:24.219 how is it possible to know God? 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:25.819 Secondly, 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:28.919 what does nature say about God? 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:30.939 And lastly, 00:03:31.479 --> 00:03:32.900 what is the way to know God? 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:35.520 So let's start from Psalm 19, 00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:36.579 first one to four. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:43.900 The heavens declare the glory of God. 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:46.979 The skies proclaim the work of his hands. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:48.520 Day after day, 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:50.319 they pour forth speech. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:51.939 Night after night, 00:03:52.400 --> 00:03:53.539 they reveal knowledge. 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:56.139 They have no speech. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:57.859 They use no words. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:04:00.199 No sound is heard from them. 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:03.699 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:06.800 Their words to the ends of the world. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:11.120 When we start thinking about God, 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:13.900 what does that make you feel? 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:16.079 If I tell you, 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:18.560 you are now in the presence of God, 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:21.199 does that wake you up 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:23.180 and cause you to sit up straight? 00:04:24.120 --> 00:04:25.399 Or does it make no difference 00:04:25.399 --> 00:04:26.300 because you think 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:27.759 you already know God 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:30.339 and be in his presence all the time? 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:32.959 For many cultures, 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:36.079 God is someone who hovers above us, 00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:39.399 waiting to send down thunder and lightning 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:41.819 when we do something that he disapproves. 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:44.819 We often associate God 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:47.040 with punishment and retribution. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:51.779 How often do you think about the glory of God 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:53.439 and the works of his hands? 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:57.600 The heavens declare the glory of God. 00:04:58.159 --> 00:05:00.579 The skies proclaim the works of his hands. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:05.379 Do you believe God as a personal God 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:07.000 that you can approach 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:10.339 or a mysterious, powerful force 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:11.899 that you need to reckon with? 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:15.240 The Jewish tradition believed 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:16.839 the divine name of God 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:18.579 is too sacred to be uttered. 00:05:19.599 --> 00:05:22.000 So they used an equivalent of the Lord 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:23.839 instead of calling God directly. 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:28.319 They do not dare to call God's name directly 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:30.159 out of fear and respect. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:34.039 The Chinese believe the realm of God 00:05:34.039 --> 00:05:36.279 is about three feet above our heads. 00:05:37.719 --> 00:05:39.159 So as we grow up, 00:05:39.659 --> 00:05:42.039 we are told we need to sit properly 00:05:42.039 --> 00:05:43.199 at our dining table 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:45.819 and do not hit the table with our chopsticks 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:49.039 because it will upset the gods above us. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:51.219 And what God will do is 00:05:51.219 --> 00:05:52.399 he will send us nightmares 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:55.699 and make our teeth fall off when we sleep. 00:05:55.699 --> 00:06:00.599 Some believe God is localized 00:06:00.599 --> 00:06:02.439 in each particular culture. 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:04.959 So the God of the Bible 00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:06.879 is a Western God 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.099 and people from Asia 00:06:09.099 --> 00:06:11.000 should believe Buddha 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:13.079 or people from Middle East 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:14.019 should follow Allah. 00:06:14.019 --> 00:06:18.339 as if God is how human beings 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:19.399 make him out to be, 00:06:20.180 --> 00:06:22.859 as if we control how God is to be known. 00:06:23.799 --> 00:06:25.859 Just like what people used to believe 00:06:25.859 --> 00:06:29.180 the world revolves around the planet Earth, 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:32.539 we believe we are the center of the universe 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:35.000 and everything revolves around us. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:39.300 If we hold to a very unhealthy 00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:41.420 and unrealistic view of God, 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:43.060 how is it possible 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:45.079 for you to know God? 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:49.680 The heavens declare the glory of God. 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:52.240 The skies proclaim the work of his hands. 00:06:52.779 --> 00:06:53.919 Day after day, 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:55.439 they pour forth speech. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:57.060 Night after night, 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:58.379 they reveal knowledge. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:02.000 The knowledge of the glory of God 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:03.779 and the work of his hands 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:05.139 is revealed to us 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:06.399 through God's creation. 00:07:07.719 --> 00:07:09.319 It is possible to know God 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:11.120 because God has revealed 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:12.560 that knowledge to us. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:14.939 the heavens and the skies 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:16.259 are calling out to us 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:18.439 to say that there is much more 00:07:18.439 --> 00:07:19.500 to what we think 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:21.079 we know about God. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:24.879 In verse 3, 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:26.699 they have no speech. 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:28.300 They use no words. 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:30.699 The sound is heard from, 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:32.279 no sound is heard from them. 00:07:32.699 --> 00:07:34.959 Yet their voice goes out into the earth. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.360 Their words to the end of the world. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:41.399 There is something very fundamental about God. 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:43.479 It is so fundamental 00:07:43.479 --> 00:07:45.659 that we humans often miss it. 00:07:46.679 --> 00:07:48.239 We are often too busy 00:07:48.239 --> 00:07:50.419 working out how to keep the world 00:07:50.419 --> 00:07:51.779 revolving around us 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:54.120 that we forget to observe 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.759 the fundamental truth. 00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:58.719 It is there in the second half 00:07:58.719 --> 00:07:59.419 of verse 4. 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:01.579 In the heavens, 00:08:02.219 --> 00:08:04.560 God has pitched a tent for the sun. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:08.199 The God of the universe, 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:09.759 the God of our world, 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:11.939 has everything under control, 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.399 even the sun. 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:17.160 God has pitched a tent for the sun. 00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:19.800 He has set the course for nature 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:21.519 in place of his glory 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:23.180 to reveal the knowledge 00:08:23.180 --> 00:08:24.480 of the work of his hands. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:28.000 God is not a concept 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.519 of human imagination 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:32.000 to somehow make us feel better 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:32.980 about ourselves 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:34.220 or to help us 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:37.139 to parenting our kids. 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:38.539 God, 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:39.620 not us, 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:40.939 not you or me, 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:43.059 is the center of our universe 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:44.819 and he is active 00:08:44.819 --> 00:08:46.120 in reaching out to us 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:47.659 for us to know him better. 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:49.819 So, 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:50.860 how is it possible 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:51.679 to know God? 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:53.079 It is possible 00:08:53.079 --> 00:08:53.779 to know God 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.459 because God 00:08:54.459 --> 00:08:55.139 has revealed 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:56.360 that knowledge to us. 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:57.919 It is possible 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:58.600 to know God 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.299 because God 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:00.220 is much bigger 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.779 than what we can imagine 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:02.459 him to be 00:09:02.459 --> 00:09:04.439 and he is under control. 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:06.980 Everything in nature 00:09:06.980 --> 00:09:08.639 has its proper course 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:10.039 for us to know God. 00:09:11.959 --> 00:09:13.019 In the heavens, 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:14.259 God has pitched a tent 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:14.980 for the sun. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:16.539 It is like a bridegroom 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:17.959 coming out of his chamber, 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.959 like a champion 00:09:19.959 --> 00:09:21.659 rejoicing to run his course. 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:23.799 It raises at one end 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:25.120 of the heavens 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:26.279 and makes its circuits 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:26.939 to the other. 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:28.500 Nothing is deprived 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:29.259 of its warmth. 00:09:30.860 --> 00:09:31.500 God has said 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:33.120 the most powerful thing 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:33.719 in nature, 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:34.339 the sun, 00:09:34.899 --> 00:09:35.519 in a circuit. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.139 God has pitched 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.039 a tent for it. 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:40.179 What is the meaning 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.079 of that to us? 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.740 What does that say 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:43.500 about God? 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:46.079 I believe 00:09:46.079 --> 00:09:47.299 it says that 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:48.579 no matter how powerful 00:09:48.579 --> 00:09:50.039 we think the nature is, 00:09:50.500 --> 00:09:51.459 it is not God. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:53.360 For many years 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:54.100 and even now, 00:09:54.439 --> 00:09:55.399 many cultures 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.679 worship nature. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:58.240 They worship 00:09:58.240 --> 00:09:58.860 the sun, 00:09:59.059 --> 00:09:59.559 the moon. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:00.939 However, 00:10:01.219 --> 00:10:02.039 nature is only 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:02.779 the reflection 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.519 of the glory of God. 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:06.860 God has a power 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:07.860 and ability 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:09.379 to manipulate nature 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.600 to achieve 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.319 his goals. 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:13.839 But not every 00:10:13.839 --> 00:10:15.779 natural phenomenon 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:17.019 is a result 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.279 of God's manipulation. 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:21.539 when natural disasters 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:22.079 strike, 00:10:22.539 --> 00:10:23.240 like a tsunami 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:23.959 or earthquake, 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.839 to attribute them 00:10:25.839 --> 00:10:26.439 to God 00:10:26.439 --> 00:10:27.419 and saying God 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:28.799 is pronouncing judgment 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.699 is very irresponsible 00:10:30.699 --> 00:10:31.399 and wrong. 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:34.720 The same attitude 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:35.539 can be applied 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:36.419 to our lives, 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:37.480 ups and downs. 00:10:38.339 --> 00:10:39.579 Not all the ups 00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:40.699 are the reward 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:41.240 of God 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.620 and not all the downs 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:43.539 are the punishment 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:44.240 from God. 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:44.940 God 00:10:44.940 --> 00:10:45.580 is not 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:47.980 the purpose 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:48.680 of the sun 00:10:48.680 --> 00:10:49.960 to run its course 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:51.080 is that nothing 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.000 is deprived 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:52.879 of its warmth. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.879 The presence 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:56.039 of the sun 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:57.379 is unavoidable. 00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:58.899 It hits 00:10:58.899 --> 00:10:59.580 every senses 00:10:59.580 --> 00:11:00.360 of our body. 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:02.779 The bright light 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:04.059 hits your eyes, 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:05.080 the warmth 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:05.620 you feel 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.340 on your skin. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:07.919 The presence 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:08.480 of God 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.419 is even more 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.480 unavoidable 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.840 and undeniable. 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:14.480 My family 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:14.980 went to 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:15.439 Hokkaido, 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:15.899 Japan 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.399 on Christmas Eve 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.259 and we got back 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.940 just after 00:11:18.940 --> 00:11:19.639 the New Year. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.259 In Hokkaido, 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:22.559 there is no 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:23.259 New Year Eve 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:24.860 countdown 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.740 or firework. 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:27.120 So we followed 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:28.200 the Japanese tradition 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:29.019 and we got up 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.399 around 5 in the morning 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:31.319 on New Year Day. 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:33.360 We caught the cable car 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.200 to man 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:34.899 Mao 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:36.100 and 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:37.620 to welcome 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:38.539 the first sunrise 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:39.819 of 2019. 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:41.840 The sun 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:42.819 meant to come out 00:11:42.819 --> 00:11:43.860 at 7 or 3 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:44.500 in the morning 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:46.139 but it was 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:46.759 very windy 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.519 and stormy. 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.580 The snow 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.360 was just blowing 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.120 very heavy. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.539 So we didn't 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:52.120 see the sun 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:54.539 until about 00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.279 8 o'clock. 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.600 But we feel 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:57.399 the sky 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.139 brighten up. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.580 The temperature 00:11:59.580 --> 00:12:00.200 when we get up 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:00.720 to the mountain 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:01.759 is negative 3. 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.620 Just before 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:04.240 the sun rises 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:04.560 it drops 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.500 to negative 6. 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:06.779 But after 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.279 the sun rises 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:07.700 it becomes 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:08.379 0 degrees. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.220 So we feel 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:09.580 the warmth 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:10.460 swell a little bit. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.480 The presence 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:13.100 of God 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:14.120 like the sun 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.039 is undeniable. 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:16.620 David 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.159 in another 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.620 psalm 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:18.940 in Psalm 139 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:21.400 verse 7 00:12:21.400 --> 00:12:21.840 to 10 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:22.480 says this. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.080 Where can I 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:24.540 go from 00:12:24.540 --> 00:12:25.220 your spirit? 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.720 Where can I 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.060 flee 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:27.920 from your 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:28.340 presence? 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:29.980 If I go up 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:30.520 to the heaven 00:12:30.520 --> 00:12:31.420 you are there. 00:12:31.880 --> 00:12:32.420 If I make 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:32.920 my bed 00:12:32.920 --> 00:12:33.580 in the death 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:34.360 you are there. 00:12:35.040 --> 00:12:35.820 If I rise 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:36.540 on the wings 00:12:36.540 --> 00:12:37.180 of the dawn 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:38.400 if I settle 00:12:38.400 --> 00:12:39.300 on the far 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:40.160 side of the sea 00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:41.500 even there 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.380 your hand 00:12:42.380 --> 00:12:43.160 will guide me. 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.380 Your right hand 00:12:44.380 --> 00:12:45.320 will hold me 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:45.820 fast. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:48.060 nature 00:12:48.060 --> 00:12:48.660 tell us 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.420 that God 00:12:49.420 --> 00:12:50.379 like the sun 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:53.520 will surely 00:12:53.520 --> 00:12:54.260 rise after 00:12:54.260 --> 00:12:54.700 a long 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.440 dark night 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:56.320 to provide 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:56.879 us with 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.340 warmth. 00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:58.900 God is 00:12:58.900 --> 00:12:59.600 everywhere 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.740 and he knows 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.320 our coming 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:01.980 and going 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.800 and the works 00:13:03.800 --> 00:13:04.820 of his hand 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:05.540 is to guide 00:13:05.540 --> 00:13:06.260 us and hold 00:13:06.260 --> 00:13:07.120 fast to us. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:09.800 You might 00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:10.700 for some reason 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:11.580 want to run 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:12.380 away from God. 00:13:13.180 --> 00:13:13.700 You might want 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:14.300 to go from 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:15.139 his spirit 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.039 and flee 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:16.879 from his presence 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:18.039 but no matter 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:18.819 where you run 00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:19.199 to 00:13:19.199 --> 00:13:20.000 he will be 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.339 there 00:13:20.339 --> 00:13:21.659 up to the 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:22.099 heavens 00:13:22.099 --> 00:13:22.879 or down 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.240 to the 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.079 death. 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:25.059 God is 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:25.379 there 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.479 not to 00:13:26.479 --> 00:13:27.240 punish you 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.039 but to 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:28.419 celebrate 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:29.039 your life 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:29.679 with you 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.759 like a 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.279 bridegroom 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.959 running out 00:13:32.959 --> 00:13:33.259 of his 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:33.679 chamber 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.519 like a 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:34.979 champion 00:13:34.979 --> 00:13:35.679 rejoicing 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:36.240 in running 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:36.859 his course. 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:38.419 God will 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:38.879 go from 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.399 one end 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:39.679 of the 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:40.139 heavens 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:40.799 to the 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.339 other end 00:13:41.339 --> 00:13:42.000 to make 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.359 sure you 00:13:42.359 --> 00:13:42.939 fulfill the 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:44.060 course that 00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:44.540 he set 00:13:44.540 --> 00:13:44.940 for your 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:45.340 life 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:46.300 and declare 00:13:46.300 --> 00:13:46.880 the glory 00:13:46.880 --> 00:13:47.460 of God. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:49.300 Do you 00:13:49.300 --> 00:13:49.640 look at 00:13:49.640 --> 00:13:49.960 God 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:51.220 with this 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:51.680 kind of 00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:52.320 understanding? 00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:54.040 What do you 00:13:54.040 --> 00:13:55.360 think is 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:55.860 the purpose 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:56.600 of life 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.080 God has 00:13:57.080 --> 00:13:57.740 intended for 00:13:57.740 --> 00:13:58.060 you? 00:13:59.360 --> 00:13:59.920 Or are you 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:00.860 currently trying 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.760 to flee and 00:14:01.760 --> 00:14:02.340 hide from the 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:02.880 presence of 00:14:02.880 --> 00:14:03.180 God? 00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:07.120 One other 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:07.660 thing we can 00:14:07.660 --> 00:14:08.140 learn from 00:14:08.140 --> 00:14:08.900 the metaphor 00:14:08.900 --> 00:14:09.340 of the 00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:10.140 son is 00:14:10.140 --> 00:14:10.780 that God 00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:11.600 is concealed 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.200 from human 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:12.920 sight for 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:13.460 a reason? 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.399 In our 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.200 stupidity, 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:17.879 we often 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.600 think that 00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:20.300 we can 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:20.879 handle the 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.240 ray of 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:21.700 the sun 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.960 blinding 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:24.399 ourselves. 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:26.180 We often 00:14:26.180 --> 00:14:26.659 think that 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:26.920 we can 00:14:26.920 --> 00:14:27.240 handle 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:27.759 God. 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:29.000 We say 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.580 things like, 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.320 if God 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:30.680 is so 00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:31.100 loving, 00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:32.040 why did 00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:32.420 he allow 00:14:32.420 --> 00:14:33.019 suffering 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:33.680 to exist 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:34.379 in this 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.080 world or 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:35.500 in my 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:35.860 life? 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:37.720 If God 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.060 is for 00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:38.379 me, 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:39.240 why don't 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:39.700 things go 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.360 my way? 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:45.860 God is 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.320 the most 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:46.800 important 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:47.340 thing of 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:47.560 this 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:48.019 universe. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.519 He set 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:49.980 everything 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:50.340 into 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:50.840 motion. 00:14:51.700 --> 00:14:52.039 He is 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.220 in 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:52.759 control, 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:53.659 and he is 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:53.980 the only 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.519 one that 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.159 really knows 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:55.680 what is 00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.139 best for 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:56.620 you and 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:56.820 me. 00:14:58.080 --> 00:14:58.680 So let 00:14:58.680 --> 00:14:59.259 me encourage 00:14:59.259 --> 00:14:59.620 you to 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.100 look into 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:01.500 nature and 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.279 be amazed 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:02.759 of the 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.240 glory of 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:03.860 God that 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.720 he declares 00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.560 and proclaims. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:06.779 Let me 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.639 encourage you 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.159 to run 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.559 towards 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:09.399 him and 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.019 not away 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:10.559 from him, 00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:11.419 for he 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:11.919 will guide 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:12.419 you and 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.039 hold fast 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:13.519 to you. 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:15.439 We can 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:16.080 know God 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:17.559 because God 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:18.259 has revealed 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.960 himself to 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:19.740 us through 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.519 his creation, 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:21.879 through the 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.600 heavens and 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.139 the skies. 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:25.120 The nature 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:25.980 tells us God 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.779 is much bigger 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.340 than what we 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:28.139 can imagine 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.819 him to be. 00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.340 God is 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.179 everywhere and 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:32.120 all-powerful, 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:32.899 and he 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.740 controls even 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.279 the sun. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.179 So how do 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.759 we really 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.399 know God? 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.620 Is 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.539 looking at 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.360 nature and 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:40.679 God's 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:41.600 creation enough 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.740 to let us 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.340 know God 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.939 intimately? 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:46.720 Let's 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.200 read on 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:47.700 from Psalm 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.519 19, 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.220 verse 7. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.639 And we 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.139 look at the 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.659 last point, 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.480 what is the 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:54.840 way to 00:15:54.840 --> 00:15:55.319 know God? 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.539 Verse 7. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.220 The law 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:58.519 of the 00:15:58.519 --> 00:15:58.960 Lord is 00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.500 perfect, 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:00.700 refreshing 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.360 the soul. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.259 The 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.879 statue of 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.059 the 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:03.620 Lord are 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.259 trustworthy, 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.139 making 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.799 wise the 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.200 simple. 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.559 The 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.259 precepts of 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:08.439 the 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:10.200 Lord are 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:10.919 bright, 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.039 giving joy 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.480 to the 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:12.840 heart. 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:13.600 The 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.220 commands of 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:14.399 the 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:14.879 Lord are 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.340 radiant, 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:16.399 giving light 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:16.779 to the 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:17.340 eyes. 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:18.399 The 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:18.819 fear of 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:18.980 the 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.399 Lord is 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:19.779 pure, 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:20.740 enduring 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.259 forever. 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.139 The 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.899 decrees of 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.059 the 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.500 Lord are 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:23.840 firm, 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:24.659 and all 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.039 of them 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:25.299 are 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:25.659 righteous. 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.399 The 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:27.960 Psalms tell 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:28.460 us that 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.000 by our 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.340 serving 00:16:29.340 --> 00:16:29.960 nature, 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:30.720 it's not 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.299 enough to 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:31.939 know God 00:16:31.939 --> 00:16:32.639 intimately. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.299 We need 00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:35.460 something more 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.139 from God. 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:37.700 The 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:38.120 law, 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.759 statutes, 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.360 percepts, 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:42.160 commands, 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:42.920 and decrees 00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:43.900 of God 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:45.000 referring to 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.800 his words. 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:47.400 These are 00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:47.840 what we can 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.480 find in the 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:48.840 Bible. 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.379 Nature is 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.860 only a 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.300 pointer, 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.019 pointing us 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:54.879 to the 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.420 specific 00:16:55.420 --> 00:16:56.400 revelation of 00:16:56.400 --> 00:16:57.160 God through 00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:57.900 his words. 00:16:58.940 --> 00:16:59.440 The 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.040 Bible is 00:17:00.040 --> 00:17:00.580 given to 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.420 us as 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:01.800 the most 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.400 reliable 00:17:02.400 --> 00:17:03.740 source of 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.359 knowing God 00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.019 intimately 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.140 to build 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:06.759 a personal 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.440 relationship 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.079 with God. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.539 The 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.279 Bible is 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.859 perfect, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:11.940 it's 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.559 trustworthy, 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.160 it's right, 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.380 it's radiant, 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.180 it's firm. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.319 It 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:18.240 refreshes the 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:18.579 soul, 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:19.740 it makes 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:20.380 simple people 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:20.960 wise, 00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.019 it gives 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.579 joy to 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.180 the heart, 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.339 gives light 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.000 to the eyes, 00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.700 and all of 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.079 it are 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.480 righteous. 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.799 As we 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.299 know God 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.960 intimately, 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.079 as we 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.480 build a 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:31.859 personal 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:32.500 relationship 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.240 with God, 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.319 we shall 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:34.680 have a 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:35.140 sense of 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:35.559 fear 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.099 towards 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:36.519 God 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.480 growing 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:37.940 within 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.279 us. 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:39.980 This is 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.619 not the 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:41.319 same fear 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:41.859 that most 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.519 cultures 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.740 don't know 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.299 about God 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:44.839 personally 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.220 have. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.759 It's not 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.160 a fear 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.920 of punishment 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.779 or retribution. 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.859 As we 00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.539 experience the 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.460 greatness and 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.160 glory of 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:53.500 God, 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.359 as we 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.740 come to 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.339 realize how 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.119 precious is 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.259 our 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:56.740 relationship 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.279 with God, 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.759 how sweet 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.380 it is to 00:17:59.380 --> 00:17:59.880 be loved 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.619 by the 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:01.299 creator of 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.019 the universe, 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.799 his word 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.619 warns us 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.339 that in 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.119 obeying God 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:06.640 there's 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.519 great reward. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.420 Do you 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:10.759 find it 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.519 strange that 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.119 we are 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.819 warned about 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.440 a great 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:13.900 reward? 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:15.680 Wouldn't it 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.200 make more 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.799 sense to 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.519 say in 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.359 disobeying 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.140 there's a 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:19.420 great 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:19.920 punishment? 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:21.859 But instead 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.400 say that's 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:23.700 a great 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.079 reward. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.619 God is 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:27.859 not 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.660 hovering above 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.079 us, 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.059 waiting to 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:30.740 punish us, 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.539 but he 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.720 knows that 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:32.980 we are 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:33.740 so feeble 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.620 that we 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:34.940 cannot 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.440 discern 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:35.960 our own 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:37.120 error or 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:37.339 keep 00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:37.680 ourselves 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:37.920 from 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:38.339 sinning 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:38.740 against 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.000 him. 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:40.839 So he 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.400 became 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:41.940 one of 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:43.079 us and 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.720 lived among 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.700 us and 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.079 paid the 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.640 price for 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:45.819 our 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.759 disobedience 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.539 on the 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:47.920 cross. 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:49.779 God 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.259 had done 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:50.440 the 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.079 impossible 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.960 to make 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.519 it possible 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.059 for us 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.460 to be 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:53.920 in loving 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.539 relationship 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.079 with him. 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:57.259 by trusting 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.439 him for 00:18:58.439 --> 00:18:59.099 his grace, 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.240 he will 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.039 forgive our 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.359 hidden 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:01.799 thoughts 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:03.319 because the 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.119 punishment for 00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:05.139 our disobedience 00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.699 has fully 00:19:05.699 --> 00:19:06.419 paid out. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:07.839 There are 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.679 only rewards 00:19:08.679 --> 00:19:09.599 left within 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.339 our relationship 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:10.980 with God. 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:12.980 Apostle 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.879 Paul is 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.659 so overwhelmed 00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:15.159 by the 00:19:15.159 --> 00:19:15.799 greatness and 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.439 majesty of 00:19:16.439 --> 00:19:16.720 God, 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.419 he breaks 00:19:17.419 --> 00:19:17.819 out with 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.359 these words 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:18.899 in Romans 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.500 11, 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.859 verse 33 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.679 to 36. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:23.740 O the 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.320 death of 00:19:24.320 --> 00:19:24.759 the riches 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.220 of the 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.720 wisdom 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.259 and 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.640 knowledge 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.180 of God! 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.360 How 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.180 unsearchable 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:29.720 is his 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.140 judgment, 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.840 his path 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:32.600 beyond 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.140 tracing 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.580 out! 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.019 Who has 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.519 known the 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.000 mind of 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.560 the Lord, 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.400 or who 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:37.840 has been 00:19:37.840 --> 00:19:38.120 his 00:19:38.120 --> 00:19:38.620 counselor, 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:39.940 who has 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.460 even given 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:41.160 to God 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:41.960 that God 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.180 should 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:42.600 repay 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:43.160 them? 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.940 For 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.560 from him 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.400 and through 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.220 him and 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.980 for him 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:48.460 are all 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:48.860 things, 00:19:49.360 --> 00:19:49.820 to him 00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.320 be the 00:19:50.320 --> 00:19:50.660 glory 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.220 forever. 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.140 Amen. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.299 By 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.960 treasuring 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.240 our 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.720 relationship 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.160 with God 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.720 like pure 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.440 gold and 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.019 honey from 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.160 the 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.700 honeycomb, 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:00.000 God will 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.640 keep you 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:01.200 from 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.960 willful 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.480 sins, 00:20:03.080 --> 00:20:04.180 from being 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:04.960 ruled over 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.740 by evil. 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:06.700 He will 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.100 make you 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:07.700 blameless 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:08.600 and keep 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:08.920 you in 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:09.500 relationship 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:09.980 with him 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.440 forever. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.140 This is 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.460 the right 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:12.880 kind of 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.160 fee, 00:20:13.600 --> 00:20:14.019 the right 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.500 kind of 00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:14.900 attitude 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.500 towards 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.440 the almighty 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.039 creator 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.500 of this 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:17.920 universe. 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.019 Take 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.640 courage 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.600 that God 00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:22.100 is full 00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:22.840 of wonders, 00:20:23.580 --> 00:20:24.000 big with 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.480 mercy, 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:25.900 and because 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.400 of what he 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:26.820 had done 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.340 for you, 00:20:27.780 --> 00:20:28.320 he looks 00:20:28.320 --> 00:20:29.000 upon you 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.480 with a 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.320 smiling face. 00:20:32.080 --> 00:20:32.900 We can 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.620 find God 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.620 because he 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.180 has revealed 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.920 himself to 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.860 us through 00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.660 his creation, 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:38.940 used them 00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.320 as a 00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:40.360 pointer to 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:40.840 point us 00:20:40.840 --> 00:20:41.180 to his 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.580 words, 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.240 the Bible. 00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.520 The creation 00:20:44.520 --> 00:20:45.100 of God, 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:46.400 nature of 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.860 itself, 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:47.519 cannot 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.419 help us 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:49.119 to build 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:49.959 an intimate 00:20:49.959 --> 00:20:50.879 personal 00:20:50.879 --> 00:20:51.439 relationship 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:52.000 with God. 00:20:52.679 --> 00:20:53.199 The word 00:20:53.199 --> 00:20:53.740 of God 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.339 is the 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:54.779 way to 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.000 know 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.419 God. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.740 How are 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.039 we to 00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.219 know 00:20:58.219 --> 00:20:58.579 God? 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.119 God is 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:00.500 his own 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.099 interpreter 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.859 and he 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.159 will make 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:02.599 it plain 00:21:02.599 --> 00:21:03.159 to us. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.019 So 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.719 forgive my 00:21:06.719 --> 00:21:07.019 hidden 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.500 thoughts. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.439 Keep 00:21:08.439 --> 00:21:08.979 your servant 00:21:08.979 --> 00:21:09.679 also from 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.079 willful 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:10.519 sins. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.699 May they 00:21:11.699 --> 00:21:12.240 not rule 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:12.879 over me, 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.699 then I 00:21:13.699 --> 00:21:14.079 will be 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.639 blameless, 00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:15.599 innocent, 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.339 of great 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:16.980 transgression. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.480 May these 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:18.980 words of 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.539 my mouth 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.339 and this 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.159 meditation of 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:21.579 my heart 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.119 be pleasing 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.539 to your 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:22.859 sight, 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.240 Lord, 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.379 my rock 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.039 and my 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.719 redeemers. 00:21:26.399 --> 00:21:27.099 My wishes 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.599 for you 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:27.939 in the 00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:28.500 new year 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.299 are to 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.740 discover 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.159 God 00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:30.439 through 00:21:30.439 --> 00:21:30.699 his 00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:31.079 word, 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:31.980 to 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.459 discover 00:21:32.459 --> 00:21:32.799 your 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.219 rock 00:21:33.219 --> 00:21:33.740 and your 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.279 redeemer, 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.500 to have 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.139 a pleasing 00:21:36.139 --> 00:21:37.059 personal 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.699 relationship 00:21:37.699 --> 00:21:38.480 with God.