WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.400 These words, because you are precious in my eyes and honored and I love you. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:11.800 I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. 00:00:12.380 --> 00:00:14.820 Fear not, for I am with you. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:23.080 Isaiah has quite a vivid picture for us here, especially verse 2 when he speaks about passing 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:27.699 through the waters, through the rivers, through the fire and the flame. 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:35.420 And we sang in Psalm 66 and verse 12 reminds us of a very similar picture there too. 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:40.320 In verse 12 it says, you let us be oppressed, we went through flood and fire. 00:00:41.320 --> 00:00:47.420 But then there are these words after that, but yet you brought us to a place which met 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:49.320 our hearts desire. 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:55.219 It's a beautiful verse reminding us, yes, there are difficulties and challenges, but that 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:59.119 yes, there is a place for God's people. 00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:06.659 And last week we were looking at John chapter 8 where we saw what a precious saviour we have 00:01:06.659 --> 00:01:08.260 in Christ Jesus. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:13.319 As he met with the woman who had been caught in adultery and how he dealt with her in such 00:01:13.319 --> 00:01:16.039 a gracious way, such a gentle way. 00:01:16.040 --> 00:01:21.400 not condoning the sin, but showing such wonderful compassion. 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:24.160 We saw what a precious saviour we have. 00:01:24.880 --> 00:01:28.080 And this evening I want us to think of the other side of that. 00:01:29.160 --> 00:01:35.140 How does God see us and how we are seen as a precious people? 00:01:35.860 --> 00:01:37.100 That's what we read in verse 4. 00:01:37.099 --> 00:01:50.979 The Bible has a great theme running all the way through it, that theme of redemption, of 00:01:50.979 --> 00:01:53.560 God coming to save his people. 00:01:53.659 --> 00:01:58.000 And we see it in so many different ways as we look through scripture. 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:04.039 And one of the ways you see it is as you look back to the Old Testament, there's a time when 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:10.900 you see God making promises to his people, especially you think of Abraham and the covenant promise 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:11.460 with him. 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:16.140 And you see all these promises that God has made with his people, but you find that a 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:18.860 time came when God scattered his people. 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:24.500 And it speaks about them being scattered to north, south, east and west. 00:02:25.700 --> 00:02:32.000 And then you see in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus speaks about his people 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:34.740 eventually being gathered back in. 00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:41.819 And he describes it in that way, of being gathered in from north, south, east and west. 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:48.139 And you think of these two periods, when God has gathered his people on the day when God 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:50.580 is going to come and bring his people back. 00:02:50.699 --> 00:02:53.020 What happens in the interim? 00:02:53.159 --> 00:02:55.319 What happens in the now? 00:02:55.319 --> 00:03:01.099 Now, we are reminded that God doesn't just leave us and abandon us to grope around in 00:03:01.099 --> 00:03:01.680 the darkness. 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:07.359 That he has somehow just let us go away and gone away himself from us and left us to get 00:03:07.359 --> 00:03:07.459 on. 00:03:07.519 --> 00:03:10.400 And then he's going to come back and see how we've got on. 00:03:10.959 --> 00:03:12.299 He doesn't do that. 00:03:12.359 --> 00:03:14.259 He doesn't leave his people. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:18.280 He doesn't cast us away with no thought towards us. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:24.640 Instead, what we see as you read through the scriptures is how precious his people are to 00:03:24.640 --> 00:03:26.060 him at all times. 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:30.659 That he never breaks his promise to us as his people. 00:03:30.780 --> 00:03:34.879 And to every generation, that is true, that God doesn't leave us. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:42.580 And when you read here in Isaiah and you read in chapter 42, the verses we read from verse 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:48.860 18, it's got the heading there, if you've got the ESV, Israel's failure to hear and see. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.740 Israel is God's people. 00:03:53.640 --> 00:03:58.320 And their failure to hear and see is what we read in these verses. 00:03:58.320 --> 00:04:03.220 In verse 20, he sees many things but does not observe them. 00:04:03.260 --> 00:04:06.840 His ears are open but he does not hear. 00:04:07.420 --> 00:04:10.300 And because of this, there's consequences. 00:04:10.300 --> 00:04:17.860 In verse 25, so he poured on him the heat of his anger and the might of battle. 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:21.040 It set him on fire all around. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:23.740 But he did not understand. 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:26.800 There's consequences. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:33.439 If we're not listening, if we're not hearing and seeing what God is saying and what God is 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:38.019 doing, even under punishment, the people would not listen. 00:04:38.019 --> 00:04:45.579 And so you come into chapter 43 and perhaps you're expecting a great announcement of God's 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:49.039 wrath and God's judgment on his people. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:52.339 But what do you read? 00:04:53.359 --> 00:04:56.539 You read of the grace of God. 00:04:57.419 --> 00:05:03.919 Our sins deserve to be punished, just like we saw with that woman last week. 00:05:03.920 --> 00:05:11.480 But how often as we think even of our own sin, we have to keep reminding ourselves we're 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:15.020 not to sin, but that when we do, we have an advocate. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:19.180 One who is able to free us from our sins. 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:21.860 Our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:27.700 And how we remind ourselves that we are precious to him. 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:31.219 And all that he has done for us. 00:05:33.420 --> 00:05:38.759 And what we see in these verses, we want to see three things in particular from chapter 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.379 43, verse 1 to 7. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:47.759 As it speaks about the people of God here, we want to see it as a people who are precious 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:48.560 to God. 00:05:49.319 --> 00:05:52.399 A people who have the presence of God. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:56.239 And a people who know the provision of God. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:05:57.639 These three things. 00:05:57.719 --> 00:05:59.459 A people who are precious to God. 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:02.399 A people who know the presence of God. 00:06:02.739 --> 00:06:07.199 And a people who experience the provision of God. 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:12.019 I want to start then with a people who are precious to God. 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:21.199 And he begins this chapter by reminding the people of just why they are so precious to him. 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:23.860 And it takes them to the past. 00:06:24.680 --> 00:06:27.000 He brings them back to the past. 00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:29.439 God has his people. 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:32.879 And God gives them a status. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:35.019 They are his. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:36.740 They are his children. 00:06:37.959 --> 00:06:40.399 And the way he describes it here in verse 1. 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:42.339 As he's speaking to them. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:46.599 Just as he has in these verses in chapter 42 as well. 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:49.319 He speaks about two names. 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:54.560 He who created you, O Jacob. 00:06:54.899 --> 00:06:57.740 And who formed you, O Israel. 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:00.800 There's two names for us there. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:07.319 And they are two names that remind us of just how precious God's people are to him. 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:12.579 And when you go back to Genesis chapter 32. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:19.300 You read a few verses there that remind us of the meaning behind these two names. 00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:24.560 And it was at the time when Jacob wrestled with God. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:27.560 And it says in verse 27. 00:07:27.659 --> 00:07:28.459 He said to him. 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:30.099 The Lord said to Jacob. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:31.120 What is your name? 00:07:31.919 --> 00:07:33.979 And he said, Jacob. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:38.939 Then he said, your name shall no longer be called Jacob. 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:40.540 But Israel. 00:07:41.540 --> 00:07:44.120 For you have striven with God and with men. 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:46.200 And have prevailed. 00:07:47.540 --> 00:07:52.480 And it was God showing Jacob and all of God's people then. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:56.379 That they were a people precious to God. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:01.200 This was not just the creation of a place. 00:08:02.580 --> 00:08:03.259 Israel. 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:05.980 O Jacob and O Israel. 00:08:06.900 --> 00:08:09.800 It was the creation of not a land. 00:08:10.340 --> 00:08:11.860 But a people. 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:16.100 A people precious to God. 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:19.500 And he formed them. 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:21.300 He created them. 00:08:22.200 --> 00:08:23.560 And he goes on to say in verse 1. 00:08:23.780 --> 00:08:25.480 Fear not for I have redeemed you. 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:27.260 I have called you by name. 00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:28.800 You are mine. 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:31.879 What a wonderful statement. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.960 And that's not the statement you'd expect. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:36.580 Given what's come in chapter 42. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:38.100 When he poured out his heat. 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:39.279 Of his anger. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:41.120 And the might of battle upon them. 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:43.340 There is this burning up. 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:45.340 And yet he's saying. 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:46.420 Don't be afraid. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.879 I have redeemed you. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:49.879 I have saved you. 00:08:49.920 --> 00:08:51.200 I have called you by name. 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:53.300 You are mine. 00:08:55.280 --> 00:08:59.040 And this is what we continue to see throughout scripture as well. 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:03.019 God making his people into what he wants them to be. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:06.240 And that applies to yourself and myself as well. 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:08.940 How God is at work in us. 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:11.400 And it is God who transforms us. 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.080 You read of it in Peter. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:15.259 1 Peter chapter 2 says. 00:09:15.340 --> 00:09:17.019 Once you were not a people. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:19.200 But now you are God's people. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:21.000 Once you had not received mercy. 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:24.519 But now you have received mercy. 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:29.699 And that's almost what we have here as well. 00:09:30.199 --> 00:09:32.199 Yes they were the people of God. 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.559 Israel and Jacob. 00:09:34.199 --> 00:09:36.059 They were God's people. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:37.279 And yet they weren't listening. 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:38.779 They were turning away. 00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:42.460 They were becoming not a people as it were. 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:44.799 But God has reminded them. 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:45.980 You are my people. 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:48.539 And that is what God does. 00:09:48.699 --> 00:09:49.939 With his people. 00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:53.560 He brings us from darkness to light. 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:56.920 Because his people are precious to him. 00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:01.220 And so he's reminding them here of their status. 00:10:02.560 --> 00:10:05.620 Sometimes we forget our past. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:11.440 Sometimes we would wish we would forget our past altogether in some ways. 00:10:11.540 --> 00:10:11.980 Some of it. 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:18.080 But sometimes it's our past that reminds us of how wonderful a redeemer we have. 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:22.039 And that's certainly true here for Israel. 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:23.279 For God's people. 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:26.759 He's reminding them of a past. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:31.480 Of what he has brought them through in so many ways. 00:10:31.480 --> 00:10:34.580 And he's reminding them you are a precious people. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:36.879 You are my people. 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:39.080 I have redeemed you. 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:41.320 I have called you by name. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.300 He will not abandon his own. 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:48.340 It's a wonderful reminder to us. 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:53.560 It's like the illustration of the sheep that we see so often through scripture. 00:10:54.560 --> 00:10:57.300 That's scattered in all different directions. 00:10:57.299 --> 00:11:01.859 But the good shepherd, he brings his people to himself. 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.879 Because they are precious. 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:11.899 And as they are precious to him, he also reminds them here that he will be with them. 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:16.599 That the presence of God will be with them at all times. 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:21.740 And that's this vivid picture we have in verse 2. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:27.580 At the end of chapter 42, he's speaking about this fire that's set all round. 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:28.980 That's consuming them. 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.000 It's burning them up. 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:33.180 And yet in verse 2, he says, 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:35.500 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:37.680 And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:40.759 When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:43.879 And the flame shall not consume you. 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:48.259 His presence is promised to his people. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:53.360 Psalm 66, again, which we were singing. 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:56.360 Verse 12, it says, 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:58.740 You let us be oppressed. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:03.279 God let us go through. 00:12:03.899 --> 00:12:09.039 As it goes on to go through flood and fire, as the psalm speaks of there. 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:11.100 You let us go through. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:15.879 But as you are going through, he is with us. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:24.559 It's not if we will go through these situations that he will be with us. 00:12:24.759 --> 00:12:27.399 It's when you go through. 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:31.379 And you will go through these experiences, he's saying. 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:35.580 When you pass through the waters and through the rivers. 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:38.700 When you walk through the fire and the flame. 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:41.879 I will be with you. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:45.480 There is that wonderful promise. 00:12:46.920 --> 00:12:54.580 And when you think of so many passages in the scriptures, you see where this is true for God's people. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:58.060 And perhaps you know it in your own experience as well. 00:12:58.680 --> 00:13:04.180 You've had that assurance as you've gone through difficulties that the Lord has been with you. 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:13.019 Perhaps the most well-known experience of God's people in this kind of fiery situation is when you look at the book of Daniel. 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:16.319 And Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:20.120 When they were before King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:25.319 Who was demanding that they bow before him as a God. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:28.599 That they turn away from their God. 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:31.120 But what do they say to him? 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.740 Daniel chapter 3 verse 16. 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:38.080 O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:42.000 If this be so, when they're being threatened with being thrown into the fire. 00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:48.540 Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:52.620 And he will deliver us out of your hand, O King. 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:56.019 There is this faith. 00:13:56.019 --> 00:14:00.500 But is God only good if he takes us out of trouble? 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:06.059 Well they answer as well to say that in verse 18. 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:16.039 But if not, be it known, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:18.500 We will not do it. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:22.360 God, they say, will be with us. 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:26.779 But even if not, we are not going to turn away from you. 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:34.919 But we have this assurance in this passage and in so many others of God's presence with us. 00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:39.360 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. 00:14:39.839 --> 00:14:42.199 And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:46.199 When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:49.299 And the flame shall not consume you. 00:14:50.439 --> 00:14:52.399 God is with us. 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:57.100 And we have this same God who is with us always. 00:14:58.220 --> 00:15:00.959 Because we are precious to him. 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:09.639 There was a little boy who was once looking forward to a birthday party of a friend. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:12.919 And he was really looking forward to this day. 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:15.179 So excited for this day. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:19.879 But when the day came, there was a snow blizzard outside. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:23.639 The place was white. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:30.500 And the boy's father wasn't very keen on letting his son out. 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:34.220 It wasn't only a short distance to go. 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:37.600 And the boy was pleading, just let me go. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.100 Let me go. 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.819 I'll get there. 00:15:38.820 --> 00:15:39.700 I'll be fine. 00:15:41.640 --> 00:15:47.500 And the father eventually said, okay, I'll let you go. 00:15:48.780 --> 00:15:52.320 And the boy was almost surprised that he was letting him out. 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:54.460 And letting him out by himself. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:59.620 He threw on his jacket and bonnet and scarf and made his way out. 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:06.780 Short distance, but it took him about 15 minutes to walk to the house where the party was. 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:11.720 And just as he was reaching the door to go in, he glanced behind him. 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:16.360 And he saw this figure just disappearing back into the blizzard. 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:24.500 And he realized it wasn't a surprise that his father had just let him go and not caring for him. 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:34.659 But that his father, unknown initially, had been there behind him every step of the way to make sure that he got to the house safely. 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:39.779 And that's the kind of image that we have here as well. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:48.079 That there are these experiences that we may go through, but that the Lord is always with us. 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:52.320 That great psalm we sing so often, Psalm 23. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.980 Even when you go through the valley of the shadow of death. 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:59.440 Fear not, for I am with you. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.420 And we are afraid. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:05.220 We are afraid of so much. 00:17:05.319 --> 00:17:09.660 And yet God is saying here in verse 1, as we go into all these situations, 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:11.240 Fear not. 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.420 Don't be afraid. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.259 I will be with you. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:21.259 So we have the nature of being precious to God. 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:24.220 We have the promise of his presence with us. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:27.820 But then we ask ourselves, well, where does this all come from? 00:17:27.880 --> 00:17:32.860 Well, it all comes from the promise of God's provision to his people. 00:17:32.859 --> 00:17:38.759 How is God able to provide for all of our needs? 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:41.079 Well, he gives us the answer in verse 3. 00:17:42.219 --> 00:17:45.359 For I am the Lord, your God. 00:17:45.679 --> 00:17:49.879 The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. 00:17:51.479 --> 00:17:54.659 I am the Lord, your God. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:57.899 I am your Saviour. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:03.480 There is nothing that will stand between God and his people. 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:06.060 And the redemption of his people. 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:10.880 You think of Egypt here as he speaks in verse 3. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:15.860 I give Egypt as you ransom Cush and Seba in exchange for you. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:18.620 All these nations that had power. 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:20.500 That had authority. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.220 That were to be feared. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:24.780 Well, God is saying, don't fear them. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:28.180 They will not defeat you. 00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:33.639 And there is this reminder that he is going to bring his people. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.160 In verse 5, fear not. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.440 Again, that reminder, I am with you. 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:41.319 I will bring your offspring from the east. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:43.160 And from the west I will gather you. 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:45.379 I will say to the north, give up. 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:48.220 And to the south, do not withhold. 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:50.920 Bring my sons from afar. 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:54.440 And my daughters from the end of the earth. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:57.680 They will all be mine. 00:18:58.779 --> 00:19:03.480 No nation, no people can have power over God's people. 00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:05.440 He will not allow it. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:09.220 And even when we think of our own day and age just now, 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:14.119 when we think of all the powers that seek to arise against the Christian faith, 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:17.180 whether it's other religions or other ideas, 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:21.839 secularism and all of these things that are trying to overwhelm 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:24.059 and defeat the Christian faith, 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.619 nothing will. 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:31.359 Because, as it says here, 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:34.240 I am the Lord your God, 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.740 the Holy One of Israel, 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.779 your Savior. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:42.379 Missionary Hudson Taylor, 00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:47.839 he had complete trust in God's faithfulness. 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:51.339 He had strong faith. 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:53.159 And in his journal, 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.139 he wrote this, 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:58.220 Our Heavenly Father is a very experienced one. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.179 He knows very well 00:20:00.179 --> 00:20:01.879 that his children 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:04.559 will wake up with a good appetite 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.720 every morning. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:09.660 You look at the children of Israel 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.259 in the wilderness. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:12.900 He sustained three million Israelites 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:14.019 there in the wilderness 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:16.079 for 40 years. 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:17.400 Miraculously, 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.660 every day, 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.819 they were kept. 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.480 And he said, 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:23.299 we do not expect 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.779 he will send 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.059 three million missionaries 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.759 to China. 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.599 But, he says, 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.339 if he did, 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.579 he would have ample means 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:33.559 to sustain them all. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:36.220 What faith he had. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:38.160 And he went on to say, 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.319 depend on it. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:42.200 God's work done in God's way 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:43.740 will never lack 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:45.299 God's supply. 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:48.500 God is able to meet 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.720 every need. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:52.860 And we see 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.900 the greatest need of all 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.660 has been met for us 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.680 in Christ. 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:00.039 How he speaks here 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.940 of giving up men 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.500 in return for you. 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:05.140 Peoples in exchange 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:06.420 for your life. 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:07.640 In verse 4, 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.120 because you are precious 00:21:09.120 --> 00:21:10.440 in my eyes 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.279 and I love you. 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.860 Where is that love 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:14.920 seen at its greatest? 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.940 It is seen 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.839 at the cross 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:20.679 where God gives 00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:24.159 not just peoples 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:26.240 but his son. 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:30.419 I will exchange 00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:32.919 peoples for your life. 00:21:33.919 --> 00:21:35.240 Well, God has given 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.480 his son 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.819 for our life. 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.339 And that is 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:41.039 how we are so precious 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:42.299 to him. 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:44.419 As Romans 8.32 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.200 puts it, 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.500 he who did not 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:48.259 spare his own son 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.680 but gave him up 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.700 for us all, 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:52.180 how will he not 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.180 also with him 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.879 graciously give us 00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:56.220 all things? 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.980 We have so many 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.460 wonderful promises 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:02.200 in God's word. 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.279 So many powerful 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.440 reminders 00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.559 to us 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:07.480 in God's word. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:09.120 you let us 00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:10.259 be oppressed, 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.460 the psalmist said. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.700 We went 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.740 through flood 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.720 and fire 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:16.620 but yet 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:18.120 you brought us 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:19.440 to a place 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:20.880 which met 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.680 our hearts 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.579 desire. 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.259 What a precious 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.900 word. 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:26.740 Yes, 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.579 he lets us 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.440 go through 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.480 flood 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.480 and fire 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:32.039 but it is 00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.339 with that promise 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.660 when you pass 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.059 through 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.759 I will be with you. 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.799 fear not 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:38.960 for I am 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.539 with you. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.319 Why? 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.079 Because you are 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.859 precious in my eyes 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.559 and honoured 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:46.119 and I love you 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:47.759 and I have given 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:49.140 my son 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:50.660 in exchange 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:52.440 for your life. 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.640 We see 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.859 a precious 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.559 saviour 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:59.319 but we remind 00:22:59.319 --> 00:22:59.920 ourselves 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:01.359 that he sees us 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.900 as a precious 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.720 people. 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.140 A people 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.539 he loves. 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:10.140 it is great 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.980 to be loved 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.140 in life 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:12.920 and sometimes 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:13.519 you wonder 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.980 how can someone 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.920 love me? 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.200 But when you think 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.759 of the love 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.500 of God 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:21.500 and you think 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.240 of yourself 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.779 you ask 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:24.640 how could 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.779 God love me? 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.720 Me in all 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.599 of my sin. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.119 He loves us 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:32.879 because he created 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.299 us. 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.200 He formed us. 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:36.880 he has redeemed 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.400 us. 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.580 He has called 00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:39.360 us by name. 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.059 We are his. 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.480 We are precious 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.799 in his eyes. 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.580 We are honoured. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.319 He loves us 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.920 and he has given 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:49.400 his son 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.640 for us. 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:52.920 We are precious 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:54.500 to him. 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.100 Let us pray. 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:59.599 our Father 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.219 in heaven 00:24:00.219 --> 00:24:00.679 we do 00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:01.519 rejoice 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:02.059 in all 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.619 your goodness 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:03.339 to us. 00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:04.059 We thank you 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.319 that despite 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.199 what we are 00:24:06.199 --> 00:24:06.480 Lord 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.359 despite our 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:07.959 deafness 00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:08.299 and our 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.799 blindness 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.539 at so many 00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.179 times 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:11.539 despite us 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.259 not listening 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.819 to you 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.799 or heeding 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.539 your word 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.299 or trusting 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:15.879 in you 00:24:15.879 --> 00:24:17.119 and despite 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:18.219 us deserving 00:24:18.219 --> 00:24:19.419 none of 00:24:19.419 --> 00:24:20.059 your mercy 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:21.579 yet as we 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.019 have read 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.419 in this 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:22.879 passage 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.339 we see 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:23.919 the wonder 00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:25.099 of your 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:25.599 grace. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.059 We see 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.619 the wonder 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.559 of the 00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.019 reminder 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.379 of how 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:28.699 you have 00:24:28.699 --> 00:24:29.379 made us 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:29.859 you have 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.519 formed us 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:30.859 you have 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.599 loved us 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.720 that we are 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.759 precious to 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.079 you 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.519 and we thank 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.259 you for that 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.659 love 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.679 a love 00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.099 that will 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.480 never 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.519 let us 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:39.899 go 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:41.079 and so we 00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:41.759 pray Lord 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.259 that you 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.980 will encourage 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.720 us and build 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.199 us up 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:44.779 that you will 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.959 stir us up 00:24:45.959 --> 00:24:46.199 Lord 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:46.919 to share 00:24:46.919 --> 00:24:48.000 your love 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.539 with those 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.139 around us 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:49.539 people 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.639 who feel 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.279 unloved 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.079 people 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:52.579 who feel 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:52.839 that they 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.299 could never 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.799 be loved 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.460 and especially 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:55.460 by a holy 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:55.940 God 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.159 we pray 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:57.460 Lord 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:57.720 that you 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.220 will help 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:58.579 us to 00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.019 show 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.799 undeserving 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.319 as we 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:01.720 are 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.879 how God's 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.319 love is 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.819 for all 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.159 who will 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:04.599 hear 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:05.720 and listen 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.299 and obey 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.339 so Lord 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:07.879 bless your 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.759 word to us 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.299 and continue 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:09.859 with us 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:10.440 as we ask 00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.000 all these 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.440 things 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.220 in his 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.659 precious 00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.079 name 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.059 Amen 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:16.460 and we're 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:16.859 going to 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:17.299 conclude