WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:07.940 Can I ask you to open up your Bibles at Job chapter 42 or the app you may have on your phone? 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:09.980 Just give you a second to do that. 00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:20.019 Job chapter 42. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:24.199 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:31.359 I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thought. 00:00:32.379 --> 00:00:35.899 Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:39.659 Therefore I utter what I do not understand. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:44.340 Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know. 00:00:45.120 --> 00:00:47.179 Here and I will speak. 00:00:47.859 --> 00:00:51.960 I will question you and you make it known to me. 00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:59.560 I had heard of you by hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you. 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:05.519 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:14.719 After the Lord has spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to AlphaZah, the Tenamite, 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:19.260 my anger burns against you and against your two friends. 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:25.159 For you have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has. 00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:35.439 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:39.819 And my servant Job and my servant Job and ask you. 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:45.939 For I have accepted his prayers not to deal with you according to your folly. 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:51.879 For you have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:02:05.099 So AlphaZah the Tenamite and Bildad the Shudahite and Sopha the Namanite went and did what the Lord had told them. 00:02:05.099 --> 00:02:08.299 And the Lord accepted Job's prayer. 00:02:09.919 --> 00:02:17.259 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:22.219 And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:33.960 Then he came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before and ate bread with him in his house. 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:42.579 And they showered him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him. 00:02:43.259 --> 00:02:47.199 And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. 00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:53.079 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. 00:02:53.080 --> 00:03:03.700 And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkey. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:08.640 He had seven sons and three daughters. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:12.899 And he called the names of the first daughter, Jemiah. 00:03:13.619 --> 00:03:16.139 And the name of the second, Kaziah. 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:19.679 And the name of the third, Kerehupach. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:25.060 And in all the land there was no woman so beautiful as Job's daughters. 00:03:25.899 --> 00:03:29.459 And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:39.860 And after this, Job lived 140 years and saw his sons, and saw his son's son, four generations. 00:03:40.659 --> 00:03:45.200 And Job died an old man and full of days. 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:47.420 Great. 00:03:47.580 --> 00:03:48.319 Thank you, Bernard. 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:52.640 Let me pray for us briefly as we come and consider this passage. 00:03:52.639 --> 00:04:00.039 So, Heavenly Father, as we've said so many times before, we come to your word not because we want to hear the opinions of man, 00:04:00.679 --> 00:04:04.239 because we want to hear you, we want to encounter you, the living God, in your word. 00:04:04.359 --> 00:04:05.639 Won't you come and speak to us? 00:04:06.279 --> 00:04:08.699 God, you know where each one of us are at this morning. 00:04:08.779 --> 00:04:09.500 You know our heart. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:13.719 You know our worries and our fears and our anxieties, our joys and our delights. 00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:17.860 God, won't you speak to us and minister to us by your word we pray. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:19.719 In your great and gracious name. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:20.539 Amen. 00:04:20.539 --> 00:04:20.699 Amen. 00:04:20.699 --> 00:04:24.000 Let me start off with a question. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:27.579 It's a simple question, but a deep question. 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:30.319 Why should you trust God? 00:04:31.259 --> 00:04:35.420 More particularly, why should you trust God when things go wrong? 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:37.579 When suffering comes your way? 00:04:38.360 --> 00:04:40.399 When God's ways don't make sense? 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:43.539 When God allows hardship and difficulty? 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:47.740 When you get that report from the doctor saying stage four cancer? 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:51.000 Why should you trust God? 00:04:52.620 --> 00:05:02.480 If you're new to church this morning or maybe new to Christianity, one of the simplest things that the Bible says is that Christians are people who live by faith. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:10.720 Which really just means that Christians are people who in the day-to-day realities of life live lives of trusting God. 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:24.220 If you've been coming to Watermark for a while, you'll know that one of our most basic definitions of a Christian is a Christian is someone who is growing to love God, trust God, and therefore obey God. 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:26.840 But why should we trust God? 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:29.200 Why should you trust God? 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:35.420 If you're a high school student here this morning, why don't you ask your parents that question over lunch today? 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:39.599 Mom, Dad, why should we trust God, especially when he allows suffering to come our way? 00:05:40.579 --> 00:05:48.259 Well, we've been working through the book of Job these last seven weeks, and that's the question that the book of Job is provoking us and asking of us. 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:50.099 Why should you trust God? 00:05:50.659 --> 00:05:53.719 And I hope it's been encouraging as we've looked at it. 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:59.120 I hope it's helped us to make sense of the book of Job, and you can read it on your own now in light of this series. 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:02.680 But I hope more than just understanding it, I hope it's been encouraging. 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:06.160 I hope it's comforted us in some ways. 00:06:06.780 --> 00:06:12.040 And the point of the book of Job is that though there is so much in life that we don't understand, 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:15.980 so often the question, why, Lord, doesn't get answered, 00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:22.500 the point of the book of Job is that we still have great reason to trust God, 00:06:22.860 --> 00:06:25.160 even in the midst of difficulty and hardship, 00:06:25.980 --> 00:06:29.280 even when we don't know why God allows the things to happen that He does. 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:32.400 Mark Devers summarized the book of Job saying, 00:06:32.980 --> 00:06:35.220 Sometimes we will suffer greatly. 00:06:36.200 --> 00:06:37.980 Often we will not know why. 00:06:38.840 --> 00:06:42.780 However, we always have reason to trust God. 00:06:42.779 --> 00:06:45.919 I think that's one of the great messages of the book of Job. 00:06:46.539 --> 00:06:48.539 Well, if you're new to church this morning, 00:06:48.619 --> 00:06:52.979 let me briefly summarize for us the last six weeks so that you can catch up with us 00:06:52.979 --> 00:06:54.439 and tell us where we're going. 00:06:54.539 --> 00:06:57.399 And so in chapter 1 and 2, we meet this man called Job. 00:06:57.719 --> 00:07:00.279 He's a very righteous man, a blameless man, 00:07:00.679 --> 00:07:06.199 a man that God Himself commends as an example of faithfulness and devotion. 00:07:06.959 --> 00:07:08.839 And God calls him His servant. 00:07:08.839 --> 00:07:12.159 And one day Satan comes to God and says, 00:07:12.539 --> 00:07:14.419 God, Job doesn't really love you. 00:07:14.619 --> 00:07:15.779 He's just using you. 00:07:16.339 --> 00:07:18.959 He serves you because he thinks that you'll be good to him. 00:07:19.599 --> 00:07:20.339 Strike him. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:22.299 In other words, let difficulty come his way, 00:07:22.539 --> 00:07:24.359 and Job will curse you to your face. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:28.259 And God, for some reason, we still don't know really why, 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:31.519 God allows Satan to strike Job, 00:07:31.679 --> 00:07:34.000 and Satan does so, and he strikes him terribly. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:38.639 Everything that is precious and valuable to him is taken from him. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:42.680 His wealth, his possessions, his status in society, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:47.079 and ultimately his children are all taken from him in one single day. 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:50.040 And Job is unaware of this, why this is happening. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:51.740 He just feels the consequences. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:53.939 He doesn't know about the conversation in heaven. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:07:57.079 And Job has three friends that come to him, 00:07:57.439 --> 00:07:58.839 and they come to comfort him, 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:01.019 except they end up condemning him. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:03.459 And they challenge him. 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:04.479 They confront him. 00:08:05.039 --> 00:08:06.439 And for most of the book of Job, 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.959 there's this back and forth dialogue 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:09.619 where Job's friends say, 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:11.560 Job, you must have sinned terribly. 00:08:12.099 --> 00:08:13.759 You must have done some great thing, 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:16.099 and God is now punishing you because of your sin. 00:08:16.859 --> 00:08:18.079 And Job says, it's not true. 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:19.239 I haven't done anything. 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:21.059 I'm not perfect, okay, I admit that. 00:08:21.399 --> 00:08:24.500 But I haven't done any great sin that you're accusing me of. 00:08:25.159 --> 00:08:27.500 And you can imagine how well that goes well with their friends. 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:29.220 They say, see, you are self-righteous. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:29.899 We told you. 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:32.220 You're defending yourself. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:34.320 And Job defends himself. 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:37.240 And in the end, Job says, 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:39.019 oh, I wish that God would appear. 00:08:39.139 --> 00:08:40.899 I wish that God would speak to me. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:42.860 I wish that I could see God, 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:44.399 that he'd tell me what's going on. 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:47.860 If only I could restore my relationship with God again. 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:51.460 And last week, we saw that God eventually does appear. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:54.460 And he speaks to Job, and he speaks profoundly. 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:56.360 And he says two things. 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:59.039 He says, Job, there are a bazillion things. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:00.659 I don't think that's an actual Greek word, 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:02.159 but if it was, or a Hebrew word, 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:05.480 there are a bazillion things that you don't understand about the world. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:08.879 And you're not in control of because you are not God. 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:10.139 I am. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:17.399 Secondly, God says, Job, there is a reason for suffering and pain and chaos and evil in the world. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:20.259 And that's because there is a source behind it. 00:09:20.460 --> 00:09:21.480 And the source is the Satan. 00:09:22.300 --> 00:09:23.720 But Satan is not my equal. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:25.980 He is a created being. 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:27.160 And I am over him. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:28.440 I am sovereign over him. 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.500 And one day I will defeat him. 00:09:30.540 --> 00:09:33.840 And that defeat happened when Jesus came and died and rose again on the cross. 00:09:34.540 --> 00:09:37.540 And that defeat will ultimately happen when Jesus returns again. 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:44.559 And so we come today to the final chapter of this great book of Job. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:46.039 And let's see how it ends. 00:09:46.099 --> 00:09:49.319 And the main point of today, Job 42, is this. 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:55.220 In the unpredictability of life, in all the ups and downs and the storms and the chaos of life, 00:09:55.640 --> 00:09:59.300 we can and we must humbly trust God. 00:09:59.920 --> 00:10:02.580 We must humble ourselves and trust God, hold on to God. 00:10:03.160 --> 00:10:08.640 Because our hope and our vindication is in him, and he controls the outcome. 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:14.819 In all the ups and downs of life, when we don't know what's going on, let us humble ourselves, 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:17.679 and we can humble ourselves, and hold on to him. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:23.139 Because our hope and our vindication is found in him, and he controls the outcome. 00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:25.399 So, let's look at this passage. 00:10:25.500 --> 00:10:28.179 I hope you got it in front of you, maybe in the bulletin or in your Bible. 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:31.419 In this passage, there are three conversations that happen. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:36.240 There's a conversation between Job and God, between God and Job's friends, 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:38.419 and between the narrator and us. 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:43.060 So, verses 1 to 6, Job speaks to God, and he confesses his sin. 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:51.740 In verse 7 to 9, God speaks to Job's friends about Job, and God defends his servant. 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:55.700 And then finally, in verse 10 to 17, the narrator speaks to us. 00:10:56.340 --> 00:11:00.279 21st century Hong Kong, and he says, hold on to God, keep trusting him. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:02.700 So, let's look at those three sections together. 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:05.000 Look at verse 1 to 6. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:09.440 Job speaks to God, and confesses his sin. 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:15.480 Now, we saw last week that Job encounters God, and he does so in an amazing way. 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:17.960 You know, I said this when I prayed. 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:24.899 One of our goals each Sunday, the reason we come to church is not just to hear the pastor talk. 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.419 Okay, you don't need to hear my opinion. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:27.840 I don't really know anything. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:32.560 The reason we come to church on Sunday is to encounter the living God. 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:36.679 That's our goal, to walk out of here having said, I've met with God. 00:11:37.179 --> 00:11:40.799 Now, I don't know how many of us have met with God like Job meets with God. 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:41.719 That's quite dramatic. 00:11:42.199 --> 00:11:45.259 But still, I hope that we do in some way. 00:11:45.479 --> 00:11:49.559 And that's the first, that's the point of his first speech. 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:51.619 God doesn't answer each and every question. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:55.019 He doesn't explain why he allows things to happen the way that they do. 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.799 But he does reveal himself. 00:11:56.980 --> 00:12:01.360 And so he says, Job, there are a gazillion things you don't know, you can't control. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.360 You are not God. 00:12:02.819 --> 00:12:03.559 I am. 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:07.939 And it's kind of like Job has been looking at God through a viewfinder. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:12.819 You know, if you've got a camera, and you look through the little viewfinder to try and get a picture of the world. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:18.039 And God takes away the camera and says, Job, let me just show you what's really going on. 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.519 And Job sees God. 00:12:21.199 --> 00:12:22.199 And look at how he responds. 00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:22.799 Verse 1. 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:28.279 Then Job answered the Lord and said, I now know that you can do all things. 00:12:28.719 --> 00:12:31.159 That no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:35.219 That means undermined or overcome. 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:41.859 Then Job quotes God and he says, you said, who is this that hires counsel without knowledge? 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:45.839 Job responds, God, I've uttered words that I did not understand. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.839 Things too wonderful for me. 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:50.919 Again, he quotes God, here and I will speak. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:52.279 I will question you, Job. 00:12:52.339 --> 00:12:53.620 You make it known to me. 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:57.939 Job responds, God, I'd heard of you at the hearing of my ears. 00:12:58.479 --> 00:13:00.519 But now my eyes have seen you. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.639 Therefore, I despise myself. 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.860 I repent in dust and ashes. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:13.519 For Christians, confession and repentance is a normal part of the Christian journey and the Christian life. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:16.000 And here we see a great example of it. 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:24.799 How many of us, when you've heard somebody admitting that they've done something wrong, they always say, yes, I'm sorry, but dot, dot, dot, right? 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:28.299 I'm sorry for what I did, but you didn't explain it to me properly. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:32.639 Or I'm sorry for this, but the dog ate my homework, right? 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:40.000 Or I'm sorry, but just when I was walking out of the house, this tornado came and, you know, I'm sorry I'm late. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:43.299 I'm sorry, but dot, dot, dot. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:45.919 Well, but Job doesn't do any of that. 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:47.159 He doesn't make any excuses. 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.419 He doesn't blame his friends. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:53.559 He doesn't blame his upbringing or his childhood drama or trauma or the government or the economy. 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:55.500 He simply says, God, I was wrong. 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:58.139 I said things that I shouldn't have said. 00:13:58.939 --> 00:14:00.960 I uttered words that were too wonderful for me. 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:02.460 God, I repent. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.120 I'm sorry. 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:12.120 But if you hear the last few weeks, it's a little bit confusing because Job repents, but one thing that's confusing, 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:18.720 in most of the book of Job, his friends have been saying to him, Job, you've sinned in some great way and you need to repent. 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:22.720 And Job has been saying for 28 chapters, it's not true. 00:14:23.160 --> 00:14:25.440 I haven't done what you've been saying I've been doing. 00:14:25.500 --> 00:14:26.860 I've got nothing to repent of. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:29.700 And yet here Job suddenly is repenting. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:33.580 So has Job changed his mind and now he's agreeing with the friends? 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:35.240 Well, what's going on? 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:46.080 What we have here is a great example of Christian confession and repentance because Job is not confessing any great action that he's done. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:52.120 He's not saying, listen, I've broken the seventh commandment or I swore at my boss or I lied to the tax man. 00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:56.060 Rather, what he's confessing is an attitude of his heart. 00:14:56.059 --> 00:15:05.139 He's looking at his heart and he's saying, God, when I think about what is going on inside of me, the way I related to you actually was out of line. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:09.899 And that's true of all great confession, Christian confession. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.559 It's not just our actions, it's our motives. 00:15:13.239 --> 00:15:17.000 That's why actually Christians, sometimes we repent of even good things that we do. 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:19.439 Good things done with the wrong motives. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:26.000 And so here he confesses that he had thought of God as somehow being small and insignificant, almost as if God was his equal. 00:15:26.140 --> 00:15:29.340 He says, God, now I know that you can do all things. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.380 You are God. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:36.520 God, I'm sorry that I was so arrogant that I thought that somehow you should answer to me and explain yourself. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:41.840 He says, God, I've uttered things that I didn't understand, things too wonderful for me. 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:44.000 In other words, things that only belong to you. 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.139 Things I didn't know. 00:15:46.699 --> 00:15:52.559 God, I spoke as if you and I were equal, as if I deserve an explanation from you. 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.059 God, I'm sorry. 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:58.919 And what's it brought about, this repentance, this change of thinking? 00:15:59.079 --> 00:15:59.759 Well, he tells us. 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:02.419 He says, previously, I'd heard of you with my ears. 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:04.059 I knew a lot about you. 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:06.699 But now, God, I've seen you with my eyes. 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.979 God, I've encountered you. 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.479 Lord, I'd heard about you. 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.639 I'd heard lots of sermons. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.819 I understood the Bible and theology. 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:16.239 Oh, but God, now I've encountered you. 00:16:16.739 --> 00:16:18.479 I've seen you in a new way. 00:16:20.019 --> 00:16:25.019 You know, it's kind of like if you're sitting in a restaurant or a cafe or coffee shop, 00:16:25.339 --> 00:16:27.500 and there's maybe conversation going on around you. 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:28.879 Sometimes you're distracted, right? 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.799 You're listening to conversation. 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:33.159 But then the TV comes on. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:36.559 Which one's going to win, the TV or the conversation? 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:40.959 Or which one's going to win if you're in your house and you see there's some music playing 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.019 and then the TV's on? 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:45.299 Well, a visual's always going to beat audio, right? 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:48.759 The TV's going to drown out the music every time. 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:54.120 Well, Job says, God, I had heard about you, but now I've seen you. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:57.220 I've encountered you in a profound way. 00:16:57.220 --> 00:17:02.320 What's amazing is that Job hasn't had his camels restored or his sheep restored, 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.759 his children restored. 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:05.039 Nothing's been put right. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:07.400 Job's circumstances haven't changed. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:09.220 He's still sitting in the ash heap. 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:12.539 And yet he has encountered the living God. 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:15.880 He has seen God and his life changes. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.380 Friends, maybe I can ask you this morning. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.680 Have you encountered God like that? 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:25.779 Have you seen God like that? 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:31.220 One of the ways that you know that you've encountered the living God is that you've been humbled, 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:35.740 that you're willing to get to the place where you surrender yourself to God and say, 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:38.220 God, now my eyes have seen you. 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:40.220 You are God and I am not. 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:45.519 Friends, have you ever come to the place where you've handed over your life to God and say, 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.840 you are God and I am not? 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:50.779 Lord, I used to think about you like this, but now I see actually you're like this. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:57.079 Or God, I used to think of life like this, but now actually I see life works like this. 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:00.559 Friends, have you encountered God like that? 00:18:01.439 --> 00:18:03.059 Have you seen him with your eyes? 00:18:03.199 --> 00:18:04.059 Have you been humbled? 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:07.779 If not, there's a chance that you're not actually a Christian. 00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:10.500 You might never be saved. 00:18:11.459 --> 00:18:13.099 You might not actually be born again. 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:22.519 Friends, Jesus Christ has come and God the Holy Spirit has been given to us that we might know him and see him with the eyes of our heart. 00:18:24.439 --> 00:18:25.459 Now here's a question. 00:18:26.159 --> 00:18:28.559 Where did Job see God? 00:18:29.419 --> 00:18:33.159 Because from what we can see in the scripture, he didn't, right? 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:35.139 He hasn't had any heavenly vision. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:38.619 God hasn't appeared to him or stood before him in the form of an angel. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:43.259 He's still sitting on the rubbish heap, scraping himself with pieces of pottery. 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:47.419 So what does Job mean when he says, my eyes have seen God? 00:18:48.219 --> 00:18:52.979 Well, clearly he means he's heard God's voice in such a way that is spoken to his heart, 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:57.819 that the eyes of his heart have been opened, that he sees God differently to how he did. 00:18:58.419 --> 00:19:00.919 His whole worldview has been changed. 00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:07.039 Job encounters the living God in God's words to him. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:10.119 Now, what's the implication for us? 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:12.460 Here's a really challenging implication. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:21.839 You know, up until about 500 years ago, no Christians had the Bible in their own language or their own personal Bibles. 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:24.500 The Bible is only in Latin or Greek or Hebrew. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:27.700 And no Christians could afford Bibles. 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:31.119 And so the only way that you could hear God's word was to go to church, 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:34.879 but often it was read or preached in Latin, which most people couldn't understand. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:40.120 And so up until 500 years ago, most people didn't have access to God's word. 00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:46.340 Friends, you know that most of us here have more access to God's word and God speaking to us 00:19:46.340 --> 00:19:48.440 than most Christians throughout the history of the world. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.600 In addition, we come to church week in and week out, 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:56.820 and we hear God's word read to us and spoken to us and preached and hopefully explained to us. 00:19:56.819 --> 00:20:01.119 And yet, how often do we respond like Job? 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:07.519 Friends, what's our response when God speaks to us by his spirit through his word? 00:20:08.839 --> 00:20:11.859 It's very easy to say, oh, that was okay. 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.480 So I'll talk. 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.980 I thought, you know, Neil said okay today. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.759 Maybe not the best, but all right. 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:19.700 Or maybe in the morning we read our Bible, we check off the Bible reading plan, 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:22.000 put our Bible away, and go on with our day. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:26.779 But friends, do we encounter the living God in his word like Job did? 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:30.500 Do we come to God's word expecting that he will speak to us, 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:32.759 that we will see him with the eyes of our hearts? 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:35.619 Do we, like Job, say, God, I've met you. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.180 I want to live differently. 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:40.019 God, have your way in my life. 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:44.900 Job responds to God, and he confesses his sin. 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:50.759 Now, the second conversation that takes place is that God speaks to Job's friends about Job, 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.819 and he defends Job. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:54.460 So look at what happens here in verse 10. 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:58.859 Well, before we get there, in the New Testament, there's a book of James, 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:01.460 and James was written by Jesus' half-brother, 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:05.799 and it's written to a bunch of Christians that are going through a difficult time. 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:09.799 They are suffering, and James writes to encourage them to keep on going. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:12.420 And at the end of James, he writes this. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:12.819 He says, 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:28.740 We said that earlier, Job 42 is written and says that in the unpredictability of life, 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:30.960 we can trust God and hold on to him. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:33.599 And that's what James wants his listeners to do, 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:37.579 to hold on to God and trust him in the unpredictability of life. 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:40.759 But James gives a very interesting reason. 00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:41.740 He says, 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.859 Hold on to God. 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.359 Why? 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:47.399 Because you have seen that God is merciful and compassionate. 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.079 Well, here's the question. 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:55.099 How in the book of Job do we see that God is merciful and compassionate? 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:59.240 Look at what he does here in verse 7 and 9. 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.839 God doesn't say anything to Job. 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.659 Rather, he speaks to Job's friends. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:06.519 And what he does is he vindicates Job. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:10.720 The word vindicates means to justify somebody, to defend somebody, 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:12.660 to speak to somebody's accusers, 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:16.140 saying that what you're accusing this person of is not true. 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:18.060 They are not guilty of your accusations. 00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.440 God vindicates Job. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.759 Look at verse 7 to 9 with me. 00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:22.140 He says, 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.820 The Lord spoke these words. 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:25.740 After the Lord spoke these words to Job, 00:22:26.300 --> 00:22:28.220 the Lord said to Eliphaz, the Temanite, 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:32.160 My anger burns against you and against your two friends. 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:35.720 For you have not spoken of me what is right, 00:22:35.900 --> 00:22:37.640 as my servant Job has. 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:40.120 Therefore, go and take some animals, 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.400 go to my servant Job, 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:44.519 ask him to offer burnt offerings for you, 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:47.000 and my servant Job will pray for you. 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:50.340 And I will accept his prayer for you 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:53.360 to not deal with you according to your foolishness. 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:55.720 You have not spoken of me what is right, 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:57.100 as my servant Job has. 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:59.779 So they went and they did as the Lord commanded him, 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:02.480 and the Lord accepted Job's prayer. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:07.819 Friends, look at the mercy and the compassion of the Lord to Job, 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:11.119 in the way that he not only accepts Job and affirms him, 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:12.000 but he defends him. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:15.399 Four times God calls Job his servant. 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:18.740 It's a title of affirmation and dignity. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:22.420 It's kind of like when Jesus is baptized, 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.819 God speaks and says, 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.620 This is my beloved son, 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:28.120 with whom I am well pleased. 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.660 With him I, 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.759 with him I, 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.620 sorry, 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.599 this is my beloved son, 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.259 whom I love, 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.500 with him I am well pleased. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:35.859 God is saying, 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.880 This is Job my servant, 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:39.099 with him I am well pleased. 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.160 He's one of my people. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.680 I love him. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:44.900 God sends Job's friends to him, 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.740 in order for Job to pray for them, 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:48.400 and to offer sacrifices. 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.360 You know, 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:49.799 in the Bible, 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.360 only those that are righteous, 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:53.480 can expect their prayers to be heard, 00:23:53.580 --> 00:23:54.740 and received by God. 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.220 And it's amazing, 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.560 Christopher Asher writes and says, 00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.940 If we wrote the book of Job, 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.060 you know how we would do it? 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:02.460 We would have God go to one of Job's friends, 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:02.660 and says, 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:02.980 Listen, 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.500 Eliphaz, 00:24:03.560 --> 00:24:04.539 just come here for a minute. 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:05.580 Listen, 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:06.299 you know, 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:07.180 Job's in a bad way. 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:09.180 He's kind of said some pretty bad things. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.680 He's sinned with his mouth, 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.500 with his mouth, 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:12.480 Eliphaz, 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:14.120 I want you to go and pray for Job. 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:14.920 And listen, 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.860 I want you to go and offer some sacrifices for him, 00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:19.200 and let's see if we can get back on the right track. 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:19.799 Okay, 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.299 can you do that? 00:24:20.320 --> 00:24:20.900 Can you help me? 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.259 Right? 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.700 That's how we would have written Job. 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.320 But what does God do? 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.380 He says, 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.340 Eliphaz, 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:28.120 you need Job's prayers. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.519 God goes to Job and says, 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:30.840 Job, 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.700 will you please pray for your friends? 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:37.039 Will you please ask God to be merciful to them? 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:38.880 It's amazing, 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.080 his grace and his mercy, 00:24:40.920 --> 00:24:41.539 that Job shows, 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.659 God shows to Job. 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:45.259 You've heard of the steadfastness of Job. 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:48.920 You've seen how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:52.240 That even though Job has said some pretty outrageous things, 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:55.899 God accepts his prayer and welcomes him. 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.079 But look at the third reason here. 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.559 God says that twice, 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:00.019 God says, 00:25:00.159 --> 00:25:02.539 Job has spoken rightly of God. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.899 And that's really interesting, 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:05.159 because actually in the book of Job, 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.940 Job says some pretty outrageous things. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.660 He says, 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.559 God is in the wrong. 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.279 God is unjust, 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:11.380 the way that he's treating me. 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.980 And God here says, 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:15.120 Job has spoken well of me, 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:17.100 but his friends haven't. 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.940 What's going on here? 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:20.600 See, 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:25.539 the problem with Job's friends is that they've got a system in which God works, 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:27.700 and they presume to speak on behalf of God, 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:30.039 but they actually don't know God. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:35.559 But Christopher Ashe says that while Job's friends want a theological system, 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:38.539 Job actually wants God himself. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.700 That's why God says, 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:42.059 Job has spoken well of me. 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:42.859 You see, 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.319 Job is, 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.419 he's in pain, 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.460 and he's confused, 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.299 and he's grappling, 00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:47.019 and he's wrestling, 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:51.399 but the one thing he does is he brings his pain and his confusion to God. 00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.599 Job longs for God. 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:53.960 He says, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.500 Oh, 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.839 that God would answer me. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.419 Oh, 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:58.659 that God would restore his friendship with me. 00:25:59.159 --> 00:25:59.359 He says, 00:25:59.399 --> 00:25:59.599 God, 00:25:59.659 --> 00:26:00.559 I don't know where you are. 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:01.519 I don't know what you're doing, 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:01.980 but God, 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:04.200 I long to know you again. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:07.659 And Job's friends are content to speak about God, 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:10.460 but they've got no interest in actually knowing God. 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.399 And Derek Kidner says, 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:20.299 God's affirmation of Job reminds us that for all God's rough handling of Job's rude demands, 00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:23.220 God reads between the lines, 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:25.679 and he listens to his servants' hearts. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.200 You see that? 00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:29.639 Job says some pretty outrageous things. 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:31.980 He says some pretty rude things about God, 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:35.779 but the one thing Job does want is he wants God. 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.539 And God sees that, 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.079 and he says, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:40.399 that is a man that I can answer. 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:43.880 Rather than the friends that say all the right things, 00:26:44.300 --> 00:26:47.220 but their hearts are cold and hard towards him. 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.540 Friends, 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:50.780 the mercy and the compassion of God, 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:52.759 that he sees through our foolishness, 00:26:52.800 --> 00:26:54.680 and he sees through the dumb things that we say, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.080 and he sees our hearts, 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.640 and he says, 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.000 let me draw near. 00:26:59.400 --> 00:27:01.860 The mercy and the compassion of God. 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.220 My friends, 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.259 here's a question for us. 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:07.400 Do you find yourself trying to justify yourself? 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:12.120 Are you someone who gets defensive easily, 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:14.900 or comes up with reasons and arguments 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:18.300 why you're not the way that people describe you? 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.220 Friends, 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:22.759 do you constantly feel judged by others? 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:25.480 If someone challenges you, 00:27:25.560 --> 00:27:26.720 do you get defensive quickly? 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:30.220 Are you somebody that other people 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:32.900 think are quite touchy and defensive? 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:35.080 And if so, 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:37.100 why is it that you get defensive so quickly? 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:41.780 For almost 28 chapters in the book of Job, 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.780 Job's friends are accusing him, 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:45.660 and Job is trying to defend himself. 00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.040 And here, 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.500 in two short verses, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.700 God says Job's friends are wrong, 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.820 and he comes to Job's defense. 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:54.700 Friends, 00:27:54.820 --> 00:27:55.519 in Job 42, 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:57.040 we see the good news of the gospel, 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.320 which is that if we, 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.140 like Job, 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:01.019 we'll humble ourselves, 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:04.000 and we can because of God's great mercy and compassion 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:05.599 in the person of Jesus, 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.500 if we will humble ourselves 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:09.400 rather than trying to defend ourselves 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:10.539 and vindicate ourselves 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.819 and justify ourselves, 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:14.420 if we will confess where we've gone wrong 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:14.680 and say, 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.039 God, 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.279 I spoke wrongly. 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:16.879 God, 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:18.059 the words of my mouth, 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:19.180 the actions of my hands, 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:20.279 or the attitude of my heart 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.000 were out of line. 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:21.660 God, 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.559 I have sinned. 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:25.259 If we believe that Jesus went to the cross 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.839 to pay the penalty for us, 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:28.579 we will be justified, 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.480 defended, 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.559 vindicated, 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:32.079 not because we are righteous, 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.779 but because God will defend us. 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:34.899 Friends, 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:36.940 if you are in Jesus Christ, 00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.980 if you've put your hope in him, 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:41.200 you too will experience the mercy 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.460 and the compassion of God 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:44.440 because God will defend you 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.859 against the accusations 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:47.460 that you justly deserve. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.759 God will say of you, 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:51.179 you belong to me, 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:53.259 and you are my people, 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.700 and I love you, 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.019 and with you I'm well pleased 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:58.720 because Jesus went to the cross for you. 00:28:58.720 --> 00:29:00.180 Friends, 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.600 in the words of that great hymn, 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:04.000 when Satan tends me to despair 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:06.100 and tells me of the guilt within, 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.120 I would, 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.420 I look and see him there 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:10.539 who made an end to all my sin. 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.900 Because the sinless Savior died, 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:15.319 my sinful soul is counted free, 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.660 and God the just is satisfied 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:19.120 to look on him 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:20.680 and pardon me. 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.200 Friends, 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:23.559 the reason why you don't need 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.720 to justify yourself 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.779 and defend yourself 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:27.680 and get defensive and touchy 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:29.500 is because the only truly 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:30.619 innocent sufferer, 00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.920 Jesus Christ, 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.879 the Lord of glory, 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.559 lifted up his body 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.460 as a sin offering 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.759 on the cross for you 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:38.579 to pay the price 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.299 for your sin 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.139 and my sin 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:41.200 for all those 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:42.220 who will humble themselves 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.920 and come to him 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:44.000 in confession and repentance 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.259 that we don't need 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.420 to justify ourselves. 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:47.960 Friends, 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.139 do you long to be free 00:29:49.139 --> 00:29:50.440 from the voices in your head 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.740 that accuse you 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.740 and tell you 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.579 what a sinner you are? 00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:55.599 Do you long to be free 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.759 from justifying yourself 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.819 and defending yourself? 00:29:58.879 --> 00:29:59.939 The irony is 00:29:59.939 --> 00:30:01.039 the only way 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:02.059 to be free from that 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:02.919 is to not try 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.799 and justify yourself 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.419 but to admit, 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.559 God, it's true. 00:30:06.279 --> 00:30:06.839 I'm a sinner 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:07.759 in need of your grace. 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.339 And for those of us 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.379 who can do that 00:30:10.379 --> 00:30:12.039 because we've seen Jesus, 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.699 because we've seen 00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:13.599 what he did on the cross, 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.259 because of the great mercy 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:16.519 and compassion of God, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.539 God says, 00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.480 my son, my daughter, 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.299 with you I'm pleased. 00:30:19.399 --> 00:30:20.279 I love you. 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.759 God, 00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.519 God, 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.099 God, 00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:23.359 Job humbled himself 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:23.799 when he saw 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.019 the majesty of God. 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:25.980 Friends, 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.599 how much more 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.660 shall we humble ourselves 00:30:27.660 --> 00:30:28.119 when we see 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:28.920 the great mercy 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.079 and compassion of God 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.879 in Jesus on the cross, 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.940 that Jesus died for us? 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.420 In the unpredictability 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.119 of life, 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:39.019 let's humble ourselves 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.799 and hold on to God. 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.500 And we can 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.579 because of the great mercy 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.740 and compassion of God, 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.460 knowing that in the end 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.879 he will vindicate us 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.099 and the outcome 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:49.059 is in his hands. 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:51.859 Job speaks to God 00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:53.059 and confesses his sin. 00:30:53.679 --> 00:30:55.259 God speaks to Job's friends 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.779 and defends Job 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.220 against their accusations. 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.940 But thirdly, 00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:01.539 the narrator speaks to us. 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:02.759 And so let's see 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.460 what happens here 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.559 as we come to an end. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:08.059 In the final section 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:09.119 of the book of Job, 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.919 the narrator speaks to us. 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:12.179 And what we see here 00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:12.779 is that Job 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.899 is not only justified 00:31:13.899 --> 00:31:14.559 and defended, 00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.519 he is completely restored. 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.119 And he's restored 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.179 even more so 00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:19.799 than he was 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.579 in the beginning. 00:31:21.439 --> 00:31:22.299 As great 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:23.039 and as blessed 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:24.319 and as abundantly fruitful 00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:24.919 as he was 00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:25.419 in the beginning, 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.500 he's even more so 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.000 at the end. 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:28.139 Look at verse 10 with me. 00:31:28.679 --> 00:31:28.839 It says, 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.759 The Lord restored 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.879 the fortunes of Job. 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:32.339 The Lord gave Job 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.239 twice as much 00:31:33.239 --> 00:31:34.019 as he had before. 00:31:34.679 --> 00:31:35.779 Then came to him 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.539 all his brothers 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.159 and sisters 00:31:37.159 --> 00:31:37.819 and all who had 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.599 known him before 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:39.639 and they ate bread 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.500 with him in his house. 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:40.899 In other words, 00:31:40.919 --> 00:31:41.779 they had a great meal, 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.259 a feast. 00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:43.419 Each of them 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.539 gave him a piece of money 00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.579 and a ring of gold. 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.519 Verse 12, 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.559 And the Lord blessed 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.799 the latter days of Job 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:50.299 more than in the beginning. 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:51.460 In other words, 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:53.039 the narrator wants us to know 00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:54.420 things were great 00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:54.879 in the beginning, 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.759 they're even better 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.299 at the end. 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:56.619 Okay? 00:31:56.920 --> 00:31:57.980 Job is more than 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:59.079 abundantly restored 00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.660 and blessed 00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.579 in the end. 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.579 Verse 16, 00:32:02.180 --> 00:32:02.980 And after this, 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.379 Job lived 140 years. 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.660 He saw his sons 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.559 and his sons' sons 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.819 down to the fourth generation. 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.099 Job died, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.599 an old and happy man 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.680 full of days. 00:32:13.379 --> 00:32:14.200 One of the reasons 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.259 why God blesses Job 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.140 is because contrary 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:17.420 to Satan's accusations, 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.099 it's been proven 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:20.099 that Job's hope 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.279 is not in his wealth 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.980 or his possessions 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:23.180 but in God himself. 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.400 One of the interesting things 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:25.900 about the way 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:27.059 that the book of Job ends 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:27.839 in chapter 42 00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:29.099 is that Satan 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:31.180 doesn't appear at all. 00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.660 He makes no appearance. 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.319 It's almost like 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:34.460 he's been banished 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.660 from the story, right? 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.119 He's just disappeared. 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:38.980 He's nowhere in the chapter. 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.619 And after causing 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.539 so much chaos 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:43.200 and difficulty 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.660 in the whole of Job, 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:46.120 suddenly he's gone. 00:32:47.400 --> 00:32:48.460 Why is that? 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.920 Very, very deliberate. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:52.140 There's a reason for this. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.880 You see what's going on here? 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:56.400 The story of Job 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.080 is really, 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.460 in a microcosm, 00:32:58.940 --> 00:33:00.740 the story of the Bible. 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.240 You see, 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:03.279 Job 1 starts 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:05.880 with paradise, right? 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.400 Everything is wonderful. 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.600 There's this wonderful man 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.480 and he's righteous 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.179 and he's blessed 00:33:10.179 --> 00:33:11.059 and he's prosperous 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:12.819 and the world is as it should be. 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.480 Kind of like the Garden of Eden. 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:16.259 But very quickly, 00:33:16.419 --> 00:33:17.419 things go horribly, 00:33:17.599 --> 00:33:18.219 horribly wrong. 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.500 And suddenly, 00:33:19.699 --> 00:33:21.500 paradise is turned to hell 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:23.639 where Job suffers terribly. 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.419 And why does God 00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:27.179 allow Satan to do this? 00:33:27.939 --> 00:33:28.159 You know, 00:33:28.219 --> 00:33:29.339 we're never really told. 00:33:29.919 --> 00:33:30.919 We're given a couple of clues. 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.699 There's this conversation. 00:33:32.119 --> 00:33:33.279 But why doesn't God just say, 00:33:33.619 --> 00:33:34.500 Satan, get lost? 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.740 Don't do that. 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.679 Just you're talking nonsense. 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.419 Just get lost. 00:33:38.100 --> 00:33:39.400 Why does God allow Satan 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:41.060 to bring this agony on Job? 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.860 We're never really told. 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:45.660 Why does God allow Satan 00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:46.820 to tempt Adam and Eve 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:48.060 and to bring about the fall 00:33:48.060 --> 00:33:48.539 and the world 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.620 and chaos and destruction? 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.960 We're never really told. 00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:54.640 And so most of the book of Job, 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.400 there's this chaos, 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:56.120 there's this pain, 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.000 there's this wrestling, 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:57.820 there's this agony, 00:33:58.300 --> 00:33:58.620 there's this, 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.279 why Lord? 00:33:59.360 --> 00:34:00.420 How long, oh God? 00:34:00.600 --> 00:34:01.900 How can you let this be? 00:34:02.560 --> 00:34:03.820 And there's this difficulty 00:34:03.820 --> 00:34:05.240 as life is not the way 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:05.940 it's meant to be. 00:34:06.800 --> 00:34:07.120 And friends, 00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:08.319 isn't that true for our lives? 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.920 Isn't that true for much 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.420 of the Bible? 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.880 There's this, 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:12.179 how long, oh Lord? 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:14.059 Why is it the way that it is? 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.940 God, why did you allow evil 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.639 and injustice to happen? 00:34:18.719 --> 00:34:19.659 And then at the end 00:34:19.659 --> 00:34:20.579 of the book of Job, 00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.480 God comes down, 00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:23.039 as it were, 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.199 and appears. 00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:25.839 And he shows 00:34:25.839 --> 00:34:27.119 that there's a reason 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:28.239 for the chaos in the world. 00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:29.900 But he shows that Satan 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:30.900 is not sovereign. 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.699 That Satan will be defeated. 00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:34.659 And that God is sovereign 00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.599 over all things, 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.500 including evil 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.579 and justice and Satan. 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:38.839 And friends, 00:34:38.879 --> 00:34:39.559 at the end of the Bible, 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:41.159 God comes down. 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.619 And he shows 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.239 that sin 00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:44.299 and suffering 00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:45.239 and Satan 00:34:45.239 --> 00:34:46.159 and death 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:47.699 do not have the final word. 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.339 Because Jesus died 00:34:49.339 --> 00:34:50.099 and rose again. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.019 And in his death, 00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:51.980 he defeated 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:53.359 sin. 00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:54.579 And in his resurrection, 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:55.579 he defeated death 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:56.219 and Satan. 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:58.339 And the book of Job ends 00:34:58.339 --> 00:35:00.139 and Satan is banished 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:00.919 and he's nowhere. 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.659 And the book of Job ends 00:35:02.659 --> 00:35:04.179 with things much more better 00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:05.139 than they were in the beginning. 00:35:05.539 --> 00:35:06.579 Infinitely more so 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:08.359 in paradise again. 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:09.339 Friends, 00:35:09.399 --> 00:35:10.279 you know how the Bible ends? 00:35:10.899 --> 00:35:11.480 The Bible ends 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.480 with Satan banished 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:13.899 into a lake of fire 00:35:13.899 --> 00:35:14.919 forever and ever. 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.859 And there is no evil 00:35:15.859 --> 00:35:16.759 and there is no tears 00:35:16.759 --> 00:35:17.659 and there is no death 00:35:17.659 --> 00:35:18.619 and there is no more suffering 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.599 and there is no more sin. 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:21.099 There is no more Satan. 00:35:21.899 --> 00:35:23.339 And things in that day 00:35:23.339 --> 00:35:24.459 when Christ returns 00:35:24.459 --> 00:35:25.559 will be infinitely, 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:26.739 infinitely better 00:35:26.739 --> 00:35:27.340 than they were 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:28.599 even in the Garden of Eden. 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:30.460 You see that? 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.539 The book of Job 00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.420 is a microcosm 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.539 of the story of the Bible. 00:35:34.779 --> 00:35:35.639 Sorry about the mic. 00:35:35.679 --> 00:35:36.279 And what God 00:35:36.279 --> 00:35:37.139 is telling us here, 00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:38.239 he's saying, 00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:39.299 hold on to me. 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.719 Trust me. 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.480 Because in the end, 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:44.099 not only will I vindicate you 00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:45.079 and justify you, 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:46.179 I am the one 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:47.199 who controls all things 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:47.980 and in the end, 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:49.460 I hold the end in my hand. 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:50.679 Friends, 00:35:50.699 --> 00:35:51.099 if you've read 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.380 the Lord of the Rings, 00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:53.279 there's a great line 00:35:53.279 --> 00:35:55.440 where Sam, 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:57.420 wakes up from a horrible dream 00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:57.920 and he says, 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:59.920 it seems as if everything sad 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:01.460 is becoming untrue. 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:03.119 That's what's going to happen 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.639 in the end. 00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:05.539 Everything wrong with our world, 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.440 everything sad 00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:07.380 is going to become untrue 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:08.380 and as Tim Keller said, 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:09.759 and it will somehow 00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:10.460 be greater 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.840 for having once been broken 00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:13.099 and lost in the first place. 00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:14.139 Friends, 00:36:14.179 --> 00:36:14.880 what's the point here? 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:16.639 When I watch a movie 00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:17.320 with my kids, 00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:19.420 sometimes my daughters, 00:36:19.639 --> 00:36:20.440 they get scared 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.119 and one daughter 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:21.699 in particular, 00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:23.099 as soon as the music 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:24.559 rises more than 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:26.239 minus 100 decibels, 00:36:26.339 --> 00:36:27.319 she gets really nervous 00:36:27.319 --> 00:36:29.419 and she gets very scared 00:36:29.419 --> 00:36:30.279 and she wants to run away 00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:31.500 and I don't like this movie 00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:33.539 and we always pull her in close 00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:33.779 and say, 00:36:33.879 --> 00:36:34.279 don't worry, 00:36:34.359 --> 00:36:34.699 don't worry, 00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:36.219 I know how the story ends. 00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:37.219 Don't worry, 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:39.119 Simba's going to be alive again, 00:36:39.199 --> 00:36:39.339 right? 00:36:39.379 --> 00:36:40.419 He's going to stay alive 00:36:40.419 --> 00:36:42.259 or whatever it is, 00:36:42.299 --> 00:36:42.519 right? 00:36:42.919 --> 00:36:44.439 I know how the story ends. 00:36:44.919 --> 00:36:45.579 Don't worry. 00:36:46.699 --> 00:36:46.899 Friends, 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.960 God is looking us in the eye 00:36:47.960 --> 00:36:48.460 and he says, 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.740 I know you're suffering. 00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:50.559 I know it's hard. 00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:51.880 I know it's difficult. 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:53.940 I know how the story ends. 00:36:54.820 --> 00:36:55.059 Yes, 00:36:55.099 --> 00:36:56.099 I defeated sin 00:36:56.099 --> 00:36:57.599 and death on the cross 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.099 but one day 00:36:58.099 --> 00:36:59.440 I'm going to defeat Satan forever. 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:00.880 Hold on to me. 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:02.079 Trust me. 00:37:03.180 --> 00:37:04.039 Know the great mercy 00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:05.160 and the compassion of God. 00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:06.320 Friends, 00:37:06.420 --> 00:37:07.200 God is coming to us 00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:07.800 with his word 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:08.579 and he's telling us 00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.780 we can't trust him 00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:10.940 and so maybe you, 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.400 like Job, 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.019 on the middle, 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:13.860 feel like in the middle chapters. 00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:15.200 God's face seems hidden. 00:37:16.079 --> 00:37:16.460 One day, 00:37:16.460 --> 00:37:17.139 it will be restored 00:37:17.139 --> 00:37:18.440 and you'll see him face to face. 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:19.360 Friends, 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:20.800 when Job is in the middle chapters, 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:22.639 that's not the end of his story 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:24.139 and your suffering 00:37:24.139 --> 00:37:25.440 is not the end of your story. 00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:26.860 Friends, 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:27.679 maybe like Job, 00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:28.500 you too feel like 00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:29.480 you're having all your questions 00:37:29.480 --> 00:37:30.000 unanswered. 00:37:30.099 --> 00:37:30.480 One day, 00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:32.019 you will see him face to face 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:33.179 and you will have 00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:34.079 your questions answered 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:35.720 and it will be better 00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:37.340 for having gone through the storm. 00:37:38.280 --> 00:37:38.400 Friends, 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.800 are you suffering this morning? 00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:41.480 Are you struggling? 00:37:42.440 --> 00:37:43.579 Don't do life on your own. 00:37:44.300 --> 00:37:45.320 Don't harden your heart. 00:37:45.320 --> 00:37:47.720 Don't let your heart get bitter. 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:50.400 See the many compassions, 00:37:50.580 --> 00:37:51.980 the multitude of mercies 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:52.539 of our Lord 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:54.300 and see how it's going to end. 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:56.780 James chapter 5 says this, 00:37:56.900 --> 00:37:57.640 Be patient, 00:37:57.820 --> 00:37:58.620 brothers and sisters, 00:37:58.760 --> 00:37:59.960 until the coming of the Lord. 00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.420 You know how a farmer, 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:03.059 he waits for the precious fruit 00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:04.080 of his labors, 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.480 being patient about it. 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.740 You also be patient. 00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.100 You have heard 00:38:08.100 --> 00:38:09.740 of the steadfastness of Job 00:38:09.740 --> 00:38:10.800 and you've seen 00:38:10.800 --> 00:38:11.860 the purpose of the Lord, 00:38:11.860 --> 00:38:13.880 how the Lord is compassionate 00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:15.220 and merciful. 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.519 Friends, 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.840 why should we trust God? 00:38:18.680 --> 00:38:19.280 In particular, 00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.480 why should you trust God 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.460 when life is difficult, 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.940 when things go wrong, 00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:24.700 when suffering comes our way, 00:38:25.280 --> 00:38:26.140 when God's ways 00:38:26.140 --> 00:38:27.980 don't seem to make sense to us? 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:28.980 Friends, 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:30.780 in the unpredictability of life, 00:38:31.320 --> 00:38:33.260 we can and we must 00:38:33.260 --> 00:38:34.680 humble ourselves, 00:38:35.200 --> 00:38:36.099 hold on to God, 00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:37.920 knowing that our vindication, 00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:39.280 our defense is in Him 00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:41.240 and ultimately He controls 00:38:41.240 --> 00:38:43.280 the outcome of all things. 00:38:44.080 --> 00:38:44.700 Let's come to Him 00:38:44.700 --> 00:38:45.280 in prayer now. 00:38:48.560 --> 00:38:49.760 Oh, Heavenly Father, 00:38:50.580 --> 00:38:51.940 God, thank You so much 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:53.220 for giving us the book of Job. 00:38:54.100 --> 00:38:55.180 God, sometimes it's hard 00:38:55.180 --> 00:38:56.200 to read the whole Bible 00:38:56.200 --> 00:38:57.580 and we get lost 00:38:57.580 --> 00:38:58.540 in all the details. 00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.519 God, thank You for giving us 00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:01.320 the book of Job 00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:02.540 and the story of Job 00:39:02.540 --> 00:39:03.840 to hold on to 00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:04.660 and to give us hope 00:39:04.660 --> 00:39:05.860 and to encourage us 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:06.680 to hold on to You. 00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:08.140 Lord Jesus, 00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:09.379 I pray for each 00:39:09.379 --> 00:39:10.219 and every one of us 00:39:10.219 --> 00:39:10.759 this morning 00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:11.819 that God, 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:13.099 whether we are struggling 00:39:13.099 --> 00:39:13.759 or suffering, 00:39:13.980 --> 00:39:15.500 whether we are in the middle chapters 00:39:15.500 --> 00:39:16.799 or whether life is going well, 00:39:17.339 --> 00:39:17.920 that God, 00:39:18.119 --> 00:39:18.739 this week, 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:20.199 Monday morning, 00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:21.379 Tuesday afternoon, 00:39:21.599 --> 00:39:22.239 Wednesday evening, 00:39:22.339 --> 00:39:22.500 God, 00:39:22.599 --> 00:39:24.000 we will hold on to You. 00:39:24.699 --> 00:39:25.940 When life is unpredictable 00:39:25.940 --> 00:39:26.619 and hard, 00:39:27.219 --> 00:39:28.819 when the storms of life come, 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:29.319 God, 00:39:29.400 --> 00:39:31.139 may we lift our eyes 00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:31.719 onto You 00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:33.379 and hold on to You 00:39:33.379 --> 00:39:34.719 and trust You. 00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:37.039 Lord, 00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:37.919 I pray that we will, 00:39:38.879 --> 00:39:40.299 in light of Your great majesty 00:39:40.299 --> 00:39:40.939 and mercy, 00:39:41.119 --> 00:39:41.939 humble ourselves, 00:39:42.779 --> 00:39:44.699 that we will come before You 00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.679 and get on our knees 00:39:45.679 --> 00:39:48.319 in confession and repentance. 00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:51.480 God, 00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:52.559 won't You forgive us 00:39:52.559 --> 00:39:54.199 where we've uttered words 00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:55.379 too wonderful for us, 00:39:55.919 --> 00:39:57.339 where we've taken on things 00:39:57.339 --> 00:39:58.219 that belong to You. 00:39:58.219 --> 00:39:58.319 God, 00:40:01.959 --> 00:40:02.779 won't You forgive us, 00:40:02.780 --> 00:40:03.019 God, 00:40:03.080 --> 00:40:04.780 where we've treated You 00:40:04.780 --> 00:40:05.580 as our equal, 00:40:06.400 --> 00:40:08.000 demanded that You speak to us 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:09.000 and respond to us. 00:40:12.180 --> 00:40:12.620 Father, 00:40:12.700 --> 00:40:14.580 where we've tried to justify ourselves 00:40:14.580 --> 00:40:15.700 and defend ourselves, 00:40:17.140 --> 00:40:17.980 vindicate ourselves, 00:40:18.160 --> 00:40:18.360 God, 00:40:18.440 --> 00:40:20.019 we come and we open ourselves 00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:20.680 with open hands. 00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:21.840 We come before You this morning. 00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:23.540 God, 00:40:23.580 --> 00:40:24.200 we confess 00:40:24.200 --> 00:40:26.240 we are sinners in need of grace. 00:40:27.860 --> 00:40:28.140 Jesus, 00:40:28.240 --> 00:40:29.440 won't You come and flood our hearts 00:40:29.440 --> 00:40:30.000 with the gospel? 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:33.320 Won't You show us, 00:40:33.400 --> 00:40:33.500 God, 00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:35.159 that it's only as we humble ourselves 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:36.039 before You 00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:38.820 that we really are defended 00:40:38.820 --> 00:40:40.579 and vindicated 00:40:40.579 --> 00:40:42.639 and justified. 00:40:46.159 --> 00:40:46.500 God, 00:40:46.539 --> 00:40:47.579 won't You come and speak to us, 00:40:47.639 --> 00:40:47.960 I pray, 00:40:48.179 --> 00:40:51.480 as we come to the communion table now, 00:40:51.539 --> 00:40:51.679 Lord, 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:52.719 as we come and take the elements, 00:40:52.880 --> 00:40:53.659 won't You come 00:40:53.659 --> 00:40:55.960 and open the eyes of our hearts? 00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:57.380 May we not just hear about You, 00:40:57.380 --> 00:40:58.980 but may we see You 00:40:58.980 --> 00:41:01.280 and may You change us. 00:41:03.519 --> 00:41:05.160 We pray this in Your great name. 00:41:06.280 --> 00:41:06.599 Amen. 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:06.760 Amen.