WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.060 Well, do have your Bibles open or switched on at Isaiah chapter 10. 00:00:06.540 --> 00:00:09.080 And as you do that, let me pray for God's help. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:16.199 Heavenly Father, I pray that your spirit would give me words to speak 00:00:16.199 --> 00:00:22.559 and would give us all ears to hear from you through your word this evening. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:24.060 Amen. 00:00:24.059 --> 00:00:35.159 What do secondhand car salesmen, journalists and politicians all have in common? 00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:38.739 I think the answer is probably fairly obvious. 00:00:39.179 --> 00:00:40.920 We simply don't trust them, do we? 00:00:41.599 --> 00:00:50.259 In fact, in a recent survey suggested these were the three most or least rather trusted professions in the UK. 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:56.799 I'm sorry if you are a second car salesman, journalist or politician, but we just don't trust you. 00:00:57.219 --> 00:00:59.920 There's no prizes for guessing who topped that list. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:02.979 But trust is important, isn't it? 00:01:03.979 --> 00:01:07.500 Trust is given and it is given for a reason. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:14.239 Through the prophecy of Isaiah, God is asking the nation of Judah, 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:16.799 who are you going to trust? 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:19.640 Will you trust God? 00:01:20.599 --> 00:01:23.679 And maybe we can ask that same question of ourselves. 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:25.200 Who are we going to trust? 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:32.840 Or more specifically, what would God have to be like for us to truly trust him? 00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:36.140 That's the question we will be asking this evening. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:38.900 What sort of God would we trust? 00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:42.039 But where have we got to? 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:44.299 Where have we been in the story of Isaiah? 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:50.459 Well, the first five chapters offered a sort of spiritual health check for the southern kingdom of Judah. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:53.340 They acted as a sort of prologue to the book. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:57.399 They introduced, if you like, the themes of God's judgment and hope. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:04.079 Then in chapter 6, we see Isaiah's vision and his commissioning from the Lord. 00:02:05.259 --> 00:02:11.699 Then in chapters 7 to 9, Isaiah proclaims God's coming judgment on the southern kingdom. 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:18.539 Judgment is coming to Judah, he says, but God will rescue those who trust him. 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:22.679 Then last week, the spotlight sort of shifted. 00:02:23.519 --> 00:02:27.359 Up to this point, Judah has been the main character in the spotlight. 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:31.539 But then last week, the focus shifts to Israel in the north. 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:36.039 Now, I take it this section that we're in is still a warning to Judah. 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:38.659 That's where Isaiah ministered. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:44.340 But I think it's still a warning to Judah, as if to say, see what's going to happen to them. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:50.199 When you see it, don't expect to escape the same sort of judgment. 00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:57.699 And last week, Christian helped us see why God is angry at the northern kingdom of Israel. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:02.119 For turning their back on him, for failing to trust him. 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:09.379 And so in all of this, up to this point, God's really been asking, who are you going to trust? 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:13.979 That's where we've been so far in this book. 00:03:14.079 --> 00:03:19.419 But this oncoming judgment on Israel, as Judah in the south looks north as they look on, 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:23.219 it begs the question, why would they trust this God? 00:03:23.859 --> 00:03:25.740 It's really what we're going to be thinking about this evening. 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:28.060 The Assyrian army is coming. 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:31.419 God just does not look like he's in control. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:37.379 And the Assyrian isn't being judged for his evil or his pride. 00:03:38.119 --> 00:03:40.099 God doesn't look very fair. 00:03:41.359 --> 00:03:44.279 And God has made all these promises to his people. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:46.579 And it looks as though he's breaking them. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:49.939 God doesn't look very faithful. 00:03:50.759 --> 00:03:52.439 Why would they trust this God? 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:57.039 Well, today's passage wonderfully answers those questions. 00:03:57.699 --> 00:03:59.959 And it reassures God's people. 00:03:59.960 --> 00:04:03.520 It reassures faithful people, both then and now. 00:04:04.580 --> 00:04:06.960 Three big reasons that we can trust God. 00:04:07.140 --> 00:04:08.480 Three F's. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:11.100 God is always in full control. 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:13.219 God is always fair. 00:04:13.719 --> 00:04:15.760 And God is always faithful. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:22.000 So the first thing to notice in our passage is that God is always in full control. 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:23.720 Did you see that in our passage? 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:25.680 Have a look at verse 5 with me. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:27.360 How is Assyria described? 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:31.040 The rod of my anger. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:33.300 The club of my wrath. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:38.319 Assyria is being described as a weapon in God's hand. 00:04:38.580 --> 00:04:40.300 Simply as a rod or a club. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:42.560 Certainly effective and powerful. 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:45.580 But without the one wielding it. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:48.199 Simply an inanimate object. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:50.860 Or in verse 6. 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:53.180 God says, I send him. 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:54.879 I dispatch him. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:57.680 Assyria is simply God's errand boy. 00:04:57.920 --> 00:04:58.599 A messenger. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:02.159 Something like a royal envoy sent on the king's behalf. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:05.719 It's God who is in full control here. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:08.879 Verses 15 and 16. 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:10.699 We see the same thing again. 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:12.360 Have a look at verse 15 with me. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:18.020 Does the axe raise itself above the person who swings it? 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:21.360 Or the saw against the person who uses it? 00:05:22.580 --> 00:05:26.960 God says, Assyria is just like a simple tool in my hand. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:31.400 And a tool has no control over the one using it. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:37.939 That famous saying, a bad workman blames his tools, couldn't be more inappropriate at this stage. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:41.160 God's tool simply carries out his purposes. 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:43.959 For God is in full control. 00:05:44.819 --> 00:05:48.019 Even when it looks like the opposite is true. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:52.480 So the Assyrian army is coming to conquer Israel. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:57.360 It looks as though this God and his people are totally defeated. 00:05:58.699 --> 00:06:01.420 And yet it is God who is in full control. 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:04.699 God is saying to Judah, you can trust me in this. 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:07.040 I am in full control. 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:13.579 I think there's something that we need to be really careful about here this evening. 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:15.079 As we think about this. 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:22.819 It's really important, I think, that we don't jump to try and describe all sorts of things today as God's judgment on a sinful world. 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:23.579 Have you seen? 00:06:23.639 --> 00:06:25.220 I don't know if you've seen this. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:29.079 People trying to say that about COVID or about various governments or whatever. 00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:30.980 And that might be true. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.300 We just don't know. 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:39.319 But I'm not sure we'd be wise to try and play the role of the prophet in that way. 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:47.339 What is key for us today is that in all of this, God is in full control. 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:52.379 There are lots of things in this world today that we don't have control over, aren't there? 00:06:52.379 --> 00:06:56.920 Sometimes even in the small things of our everyday. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:06:59.540 And that can feel really overwhelming. 00:06:59.540 --> 00:07:05.160 Often in it all, it's really hard to see God's purposes. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:11.360 But we can be absolutely certain that he has a purpose in it all. 00:07:11.460 --> 00:07:12.860 Whatever we're facing. 00:07:13.320 --> 00:07:15.220 The oncoming Assyrian war machine. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:16.740 He is in control. 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.980 God is always in full control. 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:26.240 And nowhere is this more apparent than in the person of Jesus. 00:07:27.480 --> 00:07:33.660 At the cross, the very people that his followers thought Jesus had come to free them from, 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:40.879 the oppressive Roman Empire, those very people execute Jesus in a most horrific way. 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:43.580 He just looks totally defeated. 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:46.680 God does not look like he is in control in that moment. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:53.079 But of course, that was the moment that God was fully in control. 00:07:54.100 --> 00:07:58.519 That was the moment his plans reached fulfillment at the cross. 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:07.120 Where the power and majesty of King Jesus was made so clear in his weakness and his humanity. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:13.160 When God looked most defeated, he was in full control. 00:08:13.160 --> 00:08:21.520 And so for us, on this side of Jesus, as we struggle to see God's purposes in the world today. 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:28.080 As we struggle to see his purposes in the hurt and the pain of everyday life. 00:08:28.960 --> 00:08:30.720 Whatever it is that we're facing. 00:08:31.840 --> 00:08:32.960 Know this. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:35.840 When God looked his weakest. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:38.820 When he looked most defeated. 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:41.300 When it looked as though the world had won. 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:44.899 In that moment, he was in full control. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:49.540 In that moment, he was making a way for you and for me. 00:08:49.680 --> 00:08:55.580 Despite our sins and our failures, he was making a way for us to know him. 00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:59.420 And that is good news, isn't it? 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:01.320 That is really good news. 00:09:01.420 --> 00:09:02.900 Would we trust this God? 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:05.540 He is in full control. 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:10.379 We also see in our verses this evening that he is always fair. 00:09:11.540 --> 00:09:13.560 Maybe you remember that feeling. 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:15.040 It happened to me all the time. 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:19.139 Accused by your teacher or your parents for something that you simply did not do. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:20.360 Just so unfair. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:25.460 Or maybe when your big sister gets a much nicer, bigger, more expensive Christmas present than you. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:27.540 It's just so unfair, isn't it? 00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:30.940 And we feel that because we all want justice. 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:34.180 We all want to live in a world that is governed fairly. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:40.599 How reassuring then that our God is always fair. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:51.100 Judah, the southern kingdom, as they look at this unfolding judgment on the north, they've got to be asking, what is God going to do about Assyria? 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:53.420 Isn't he going to judge them too? 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:58.180 Assyria is famously evil, famously anti-God. 00:09:58.179 --> 00:10:01.139 This all just seems so unfair. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:05.439 And their answer comes in verse 12. 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:07.739 Do you see what God says in verse 12? 00:10:08.839 --> 00:10:16.059 I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes. 00:10:16.059 --> 00:10:21.539 This is the only bit of our passage that isn't written in Hebrew poetry. 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:27.500 I don't know if your translation makes that obvious, but this verse is clearly really important. 00:10:28.239 --> 00:10:32.759 Because God is saying he's going to humble prideful Assyria. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:34.879 He's saying here, you can trust me. 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:38.339 I am always fair. 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:48.000 Now, at this stage, you might be asking the question, if Assyria is simply a tool in God's hand, how can he blame them? 00:10:48.800 --> 00:10:52.680 Is God a bad workman for blaming his tools? 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:57.899 Honestly, I don't have a really good answer to that question. 00:10:58.560 --> 00:11:01.500 I'm not sure the Bible really gives us one explicitly. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:04.519 But the Bible is clear. 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:09.419 God has made us human beings with the ability to make decisions. 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:14.139 And there are two things that the Bible is really clear on all the way throughout the Bible. 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:16.799 God is in full control. 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:18.659 He's sovereign over all. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:22.960 And God is also fair throughout the Bible. 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:25.440 He holds humans to account for our decisions. 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:31.220 The Bible holds these two things in tension without any difficulty. 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:34.340 Maybe we can do that too. 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:41.419 Last week, we saw that God was fair to bring his righteous anger to bear on Israel. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:43.179 And he uses Assyria to do that. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.679 He's in full control. 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:51.179 But in our verses today, we see that Assyria was not content with God's purposes. 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.059 This is the key here. 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.580 Have a look at verse 7. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.759 God is speaking about Assyria. 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:59.460 This is not what he intends. 00:11:59.460 --> 00:12:01.700 This is not what he has in mind. 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:06.480 His purpose is to destroy, to put an end to many nations. 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:12.980 Assyria wants more than to exercise judgment under God's restraint. 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:17.759 He's maybe a bit like a prefect that's been asked to supervise detention, 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:21.220 but can't help but start beating the other pupils. 00:12:22.040 --> 00:12:24.420 He's been given the job of disciplining by God, 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:28.179 but he can't help but take it further, take things into his own hands. 00:12:29.839 --> 00:12:35.899 And Assyria is such a dominant power on the world stage at this moment in history. 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:38.099 Have a look at verse 8. 00:12:38.819 --> 00:12:39.639 The Assyrian says, 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:54.340 Keep reading with me in verse 9. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:57.199 Has not Kalno fared like Carchemish? 00:12:57.419 --> 00:13:01.059 Is not Hamath like Arpad and Samaria like Damascus? 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:05.279 These are all places that the Assyrian Empire has already conquered. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:08.519 He says we have a track record. 00:13:08.959 --> 00:13:11.279 Our war machine will not be stopped. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:17.439 Assyria is so confident in his own power and majesty. 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:22.559 And then the whole thing, it comes to a head in verses 10 and 11. 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:23.959 Read those with me. 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:28.720 As my hand seized the kingdoms of the idols, 00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:32.580 kingdoms whose images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:38.960 Shall I not deal with Jerusalem and her images as I dealt with Samaria and her idols? 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:46.480 Assyria says that he has destroyed all these other kingdoms and their idols, their gods, 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:48.980 and he will do the same to Jerusalem. 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:54.080 See, he thinks nothing of this nation or this God. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:58.620 In fact, he thinks himself bigger than this God. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:01.560 Just think about how ridiculous that is. 00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:04.420 Bigger than the God of the universe. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:10.659 And as if to underline this pride, in verse 13, have a look at verse 13. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:12.539 This is the king of Assyria speaking. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:17.059 By the strength of my hand, I have done this. 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:20.219 And by my wisdom, because I have understanding, 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:22.139 I removed the boundaries of nations. 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:24.419 I plundered their treasures like a mighty one. 00:14:24.719 --> 00:14:26.419 I subdued their kings. 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:29.279 It's just so full of pride. 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:33.319 In verse 14, he says it was so easy for him, 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:36.719 like stealing eggs from an abandoned nest, 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:39.000 like stealing candy from a baby. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:42.679 It's just so arrogant, so prideful. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:49.679 We desperately want people like that to get fair justice, don't we? 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:55.779 And in verses 16 to 19, we get a picture of what God is going to do. 00:14:56.740 --> 00:15:01.299 The pride and the pomp of the Assyrian empire will be utterly destroyed. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:07.120 So thoroughly that in verse 19, all that will be left is a few trees. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:10.720 So few that even a child could count them. 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:18.060 At the very end of our passage, in verses 33 and 34, come there with me, says this. 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:24.419 See, the Lord, the Lord Almighty will lop off the bows with great power. 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.840 The lofty trees will be felled. 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:28.700 The tall ones will be brought low. 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:31.680 He will cut down the forest thickets with an axe. 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:35.100 Lebanon will fall before the mighty one. 00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:39.360 This is what awaits prideful Assyria. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:44.820 He will be brought low, chopped down like a lumberjack fells a tree. 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:50.620 God will raise up a new tool, a new axe, and execute judgment on the Assyrian empire. 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:58.659 And of course, history tells us that the Babylonian empire was used by God for exactly that purpose. 00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:02.659 This God is always fair. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.219 And it's good news. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:07.579 Because we all want justice, don't we? 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:10.079 We want to live in a fair world. 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:13.779 If you use that silly example, it's really obvious in children, 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:18.559 as they scream how unfair it is that their big sister got a bigger portion of chips than them, 00:16:18.959 --> 00:16:20.899 or that they're not allowed ice cream for pudding. 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:25.459 But in the world more generally, perhaps more seriously, 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:31.779 as we read horrible headlines about women being abducted and killed, 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:38.620 or closer to home, when we think about the people in our own lives that have wronged us in some way, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:43.019 For some of us, this might be really painful. 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:45.679 And we desperately want justice. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:48.879 We desperately want God to be fair. 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:53.600 How reassuring, then, that God is always fair. 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:58.039 That people will get final justice, 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:04.720 if not in this life, the far more lasting, eternal justice. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:09.940 Maybe even as we think about where we have wronged others. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:13.640 Maybe sometimes we're a bit like the Assyrian. 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:16.200 Perhaps even unknowingly. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:20.079 And as we think about our own pride, or our arrogance, 00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:23.720 or even our own misdirected motives, 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:28.339 we have to see, don't we, that if God is always fair, 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:31.799 then we too deserve to be judged by him. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:35.259 God is always fair. 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:39.079 And again, nowhere is this more apparent than in Jesus. 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:44.500 Think at first glance, the cross of Jesus looks to completely deny this. 00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:47.599 It just looks totally unfair. 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:50.359 All of our sin for all of his goodness. 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:57.680 But nowhere is God's justice more apparent than in Jesus, at the cross. 00:17:57.680 --> 00:18:04.320 Romans chapter 6, verse 23, Paul tells us that the wages for sin is death. 00:18:05.580 --> 00:18:10.160 When we say that we deserve to be judged by God, that's what we're saying. 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:11.100 That is what we're saying. 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.680 We deserve death. 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:16.340 But that verse wonderfully continues. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:21.400 But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:24.380 Because he paid that price. 00:18:24.580 --> 00:18:27.140 He received the wages for our sin. 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:29.600 He died in our place. 00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:34.800 And so God's justice, his desire to be absolutely fair, 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.200 was totally satisfied in that moment. 00:18:38.800 --> 00:18:41.860 If you're listening in tonight and you're not a Christian, 00:18:42.520 --> 00:18:46.080 if you're not trusting in Jesus for your right standing before God, 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:49.000 this is really, really good news. 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.800 You can trust this God. 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:52.640 He is absolutely fair. 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:56.280 Whatever it is that you have done, he's paid the price. 00:18:56.279 --> 00:19:02.740 And if we do trust him, his promise is that we will not permanently die, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:06.440 but that we will have eternal life with him. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:09.759 God is in full control. 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.759 God is always fair. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:15.480 And finally, God is always faithful. 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:19.460 And this was just so important to the people of Judah. 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:23.420 This is the God who has made great promises to his people. 00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:30.640 Promises through Abraham that they would be a great nation and that through them other nations would be blessed. 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:37.200 That promise doesn't look like much in light of the oncoming Assyrians, does it? 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:40.600 They're about to be completely squashed. 00:19:42.300 --> 00:19:43.980 Have a look at verse 20 with me. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:48.960 In that day, the remnant of Israel, the survivors of Jacob, 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:52.160 will no longer rely on him who struck them down, 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:58.280 but will truly rely, truly trust on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:03.500 God says that as the Assyrians will be judged, 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:09.180 so then on that day, a remnant of Israel will return to trust in him. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:12.799 Think Israel here is referring to those who trust in him. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.839 Faithful Israel, if you like. 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:18.119 Despite all of faithful Israel's failings, 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:20.379 despite God's judgment on them, 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:23.200 despite the might of Assyria, 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:28.799 God will restore a faithful remnant to himself. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:32.539 And he says to them in verse 24, 00:20:33.340 --> 00:20:34.539 do not be afraid, 00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:37.420 because in verse 25, 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:41.360 very soon my anger against you will end, 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:44.720 and my wrath will be directed to their destruction. 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:50.440 And you know, God is just so well placed to make a promise like that, 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:52.539 because he's done it before. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:55.700 He's overcome his enemies for his people before. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:57.580 Do you see that in verse 26? 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.779 It's what he's reminding them of. 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:02.400 There's a sort of mini retelling of the Exodus story here. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.900 A story of God's faithfulness to his people, 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:08.460 bringing them out of slavery in Egypt 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:11.059 and providing everything they needed on the way. 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.940 And I don't know if you noticed, 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:17.640 God uses that name for himself throughout this section. 00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:20.960 Whenever we see the word Lord written in capitals like that, 00:21:21.020 --> 00:21:22.940 it's the covenant name of God, 00:21:23.140 --> 00:21:26.960 the name revealed to Israel in the wake of the Exodus story. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:30.320 God says, I am who I am, 00:21:30.380 --> 00:21:32.400 or I will be who I will be. 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:36.300 It's the name of a God who is who he is, 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:38.400 utterly faithful to his promises. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.640 God says, I've done it before. 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:44.200 You can trust me that I'll do it again. 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:47.480 I am faithful to my promises. 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:53.400 Verses 28 to 32 give us an almost comical picture 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:55.120 of what he is promising to do. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:58.200 The Assyrian is going to march through all these places. 00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:00.000 Do you see them there? 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:02.440 Ayath, Migron, Michmash, and so on. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.680 But then in verse 32, 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:06.480 when he gets to daughter Zion, 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.160 the hill of Jerusalem, 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:10.039 which I take again just to be a picture 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:11.500 of those faithful to God, 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:14.480 all Assyria can do is stand there 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:16.460 and shake his fist at them in frustration. 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:20.119 God says, you are my people. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.500 Do not be afraid. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:25.420 I am faithful to my promises. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.779 I have done it before. 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.720 I will do it again. 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.759 Again, it's important to say here 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:35.299 that we are not the prophet. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:38.279 We do not know what our future holds. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:42.000 Perhaps we will face trials in this world. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:45.440 Trials that make our God seem very small 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:47.839 and this world seem all-consuming. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:51.339 It's possible with recent legislation 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:53.399 that we would be criminalized 00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:55.440 for sharing the gospel in this country. 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:58.099 It might not come to that, 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.259 but even if it doesn't, 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:01.859 with our families or at school or university 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.660 or in our workplace, 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:06.399 as we go about our everyday lives, 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:10.780 I'm aware that God can feel very small 00:23:10.780 --> 00:23:14.100 and the world around us can feel very scary 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:17.360 or even just like it demands all our attention. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:21.040 But if we trust in this God, 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:24.400 we know that he will be faithful to his people. 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.980 He says here, do not be afraid. 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:29.640 I've done it before 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:31.560 and there is coming a day 00:23:31.560 --> 00:23:33.200 when I will do it all again, 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:37.480 finally and once for all who trust me. 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:40.759 What will that day be like? 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.720 Well, have a look at verse 27. 00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:44.380 It says, 00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:45.539 In that day, 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:48.539 their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:51.080 their yoke from your neck. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:54.080 Maybe that's familiar imagery for you. 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:56.160 Jesus says something similar, doesn't he, 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:58.000 in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 11. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:00.579 His yoke is easy. 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:03.140 His burden is light. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:06.079 See, God is always faithful 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:09.240 and nowhere is that more apparent 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.660 than in Jesus. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.599 Come to him. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.859 No longer be afraid 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:18.480 for his yoke is easy. 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:21.099 And it's at the cross, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:24.119 the place where all the promises of Scripture 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.980 are fulfilled, 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:27.480 where Jesus paid the price 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:29.279 to redeem his people, 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:32.680 where those great promises were fulfilled. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.319 He did it then. 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.240 He did it at the cross. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:39.839 And we can trust that he will do it all again. 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:43.940 Friends, if God is faithful to his promises, 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:45.259 then we can be certain 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:47.579 that the final victory is his. 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:51.919 And so as your body aches, 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:55.019 as your mind is tired, 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:58.299 fed up of lockdown, 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:01.720 in your most painful relationships, 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:04.000 in your greatest anxieties, 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:06.099 frustrated at your own sin, 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:08.259 trust in this God. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.699 His promise is that one day 00:25:11.699 --> 00:25:13.480 we will be with him. 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.799 No more tears. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.619 No more pain. 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.440 New creation. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.659 New body. 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.119 No more sin. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:24.359 We can trust this God. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.779 He's always faithful. 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.359 He's done it before. 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.099 He'll do it again. 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:32.720 Finally, once and for all 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.700 who trust him. 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:38.000 We might not trust the politician 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.659 or the car salesman 00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:40.359 or the journalist. 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:42.220 Certainly, I hope we don't trust them 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.480 with our eternity. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:48.740 But this God is always in full control. 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.700 He is always fair 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:52.519 and he is always faithful. 00:25:54.099 --> 00:25:54.819 And in Jesus, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.960 we see these characteristics of God 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:59.620 most clearly revealed to us. 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.839 At the cross, 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:04.160 where he looked most defeated 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:06.240 but was in full control. 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:08.779 At the cross, 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:10.039 where the punishment 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:11.740 looked anything but fair 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:14.359 and yet satisfied the justice 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:16.079 of a perfectly fair God. 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.359 At the cross, 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:20.200 where all his promises 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:22.160 to redeem a people for himself 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.500 were fulfilled. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.880 He did it then. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:28.039 He did it at the cross. 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:30.660 And he will do it all again. 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:34.519 We're about to sing a song 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:36.040 that speaks of that day. 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.920 When he returns, 00:26:38.400 --> 00:26:40.120 when every eye shall see, 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.759 every tongue confess 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:43.940 that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:46.320 Some will shout with joy. 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:49.460 Some will fall in fear. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:53.460 All will bow before the throne. 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:56.100 So tonight, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:58.380 who are you going to trust? 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:02.220 He is always in full control, 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.480 always fair 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.840 and always faithful. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:07.680 Will you trust this God? 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.900 Let me pray. 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.519 Heavenly Father, 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:18.460 we thank you for your word. 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:20.680 Thank you that through it 00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:22.779 we see that you are 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.960 in full control, 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.399 that you are always fair 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:26.079 and that you are 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.059 always faithful 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.879 to your promises. 00:27:29.399 --> 00:27:30.559 Lord, help us to be 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:32.379 a church and a people 00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:34.019 who hold tight 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.079 to those promises. 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:37.000 Help us to be 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:39.039 a people who really trust 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.639 in you 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:41.399 for our eternal security. 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:43.220 And Lord, 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.119 help us be a people 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:45.420 who are not afraid 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:47.339 to share this good news 00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.960 with the world around us. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:52.000 For it's in your son's 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.180 precious name 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.859 that we pray. 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.539 Amen.