WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.720 Turn there with me. 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:09.800 Our passage today is a summary of the whole Old Testament in one chapter. 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:15.040 So if you're new to the Bible, maybe this will be a helpful chapter for you. 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:18.580 But this text is also a prayer. 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:22.800 It is a prayer to God for mercy. 00:00:24.480 --> 00:00:28.460 So let's pray, and then I'll read the text for us. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.559 Amen. 00:00:34.380 --> 00:00:38.060 God, what a wonderful thought it is that you are everlasting 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:44.399 and that your glory will outlast and outstrip and exceed 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:50.359 any of the fame that we see in this life. 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:56.600 God, what our hearts are really hungry for is an intimate word from you, 00:00:56.600 --> 00:00:58.359 our Creator and our Redeemer. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.700 So as we draw near to you and your word in this moment, 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:06.180 would you speak, God, through your Holy Spirit by your word 00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:13.319 and help us to see Jesus in fresh ways, Father, we pray. 00:01:14.040 --> 00:01:15.379 In his name, amen. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:18.819 Nehemiah chapter 9. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:26.299 Now, on the 24th day of this month, the people of Israel were assembled with fasting 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:28.759 and in sackcloth and with earth on their heads. 00:01:29.639 --> 00:01:33.759 And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins 00:01:33.759 --> 00:01:35.819 and their iniquities of their fathers. 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:40.399 And they stood up in their place and read from the book of the law of the Lord their God 00:01:40.399 --> 00:01:41.459 for a quarter of the day. 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:45.379 For another quarter of it, they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God. 00:01:45.379 --> 00:01:51.199 On the stairs of the Levites stood Jeshua, Bonnie, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Buni, 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:54.079 Sherabiah, Bonnie, and Chanani. 00:01:54.340 --> 00:01:57.420 And they cried out with a loud voice to the Lord their God. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:03.519 Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bonnie, Hashbaniah, 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:09.699 Sherabiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pathahiah said, 00:02:09.699 --> 00:02:14.780 stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:20.879 Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. 00:02:22.119 --> 00:02:24.019 You are the Lord. 00:02:24.799 --> 00:02:25.539 You alone. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:29.819 You have made heaven, heaven of heavens with all their host, 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:33.839 the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them, 00:02:34.079 --> 00:02:35.659 and you preserve all of them. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:38.280 And the host of heaven worships you. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:43.800 You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:45.159 and gave him the name Abraham. 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:49.060 You found his heart faithful before you and made with him the covenant 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:52.719 to give to his offspring the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, 00:02:52.819 --> 00:02:54.900 the Perizzite, the Jebusite, and the Girgashite. 00:02:55.659 --> 00:02:58.379 And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous. 00:03:00.020 --> 00:03:02.240 And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:03.979 and heard their cry at the Red Sea 00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:07.359 and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants 00:03:07.359 --> 00:03:08.619 and all the people of his land, 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:11.439 for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. 00:03:12.299 --> 00:03:15.579 And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:18.139 And you divided the sea before them 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:21.019 so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, 00:03:21.299 --> 00:03:25.019 and you cast their pursuers into the depths as a stone into mighty waters. 00:03:25.979 --> 00:03:27.879 By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:29.859 and by a pillar of fire in the night, 00:03:30.259 --> 00:03:33.019 to light for them the way in which they should go. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.799 You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven 00:03:36.799 --> 00:03:38.960 and gave them right rules and true laws, 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:40.240 good statutes and commandments. 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:41.939 And you made known to them your holy Sabbath 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:44.259 and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:45.359 by Moses your servant. 00:03:46.060 --> 00:03:48.079 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger 00:03:48.079 --> 00:03:51.379 and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst. 00:03:52.079 --> 00:03:53.620 And you told them to go in, 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:56.359 to possess the land that you had sworn to give them. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:00.639 But they and our fathers acted presumptuously 00:04:00.639 --> 00:04:04.759 and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 00:04:05.859 --> 00:04:08.659 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders 00:04:08.659 --> 00:04:10.219 that you had performed among them. 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:12.840 But they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:14.859 to return to their slavery in Egypt. 00:04:15.639 --> 00:04:18.939 But you are a God ready to forgive, 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:21.420 gracious and merciful, 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:25.000 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, 00:04:25.379 --> 00:04:26.939 and did not forsake them. 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:30.579 Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:33.159 this is your God who brought you up out of Egypt 00:04:33.159 --> 00:04:35.079 and had committed great blasphemies, 00:04:35.459 --> 00:04:38.800 you and your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:41.360 The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way 00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:42.899 did not depart from them by day, 00:04:43.139 --> 00:04:44.579 nor the pillar of fire by night 00:04:44.579 --> 00:04:46.620 to light for them the way by which they should go. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:49.600 You gave your good spirit to instruct them 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:51.819 and did not withhold your manna from their mouth 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:53.399 and gave them water for their thirst. 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:56.299 Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness 00:04:56.299 --> 00:04:58.479 and they lacked nothing. 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:00.839 Their clothes did not wear out 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:02.679 and their feet did not swell. 00:05:04.679 --> 00:05:07.120 And you gave them kingdoms and peoples 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:09.000 and allotted to them every corner. 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:12.359 So they took possession of the land of Sihon, 00:05:12.479 --> 00:05:13.159 king of Heshbon, 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:15.639 and the land of Og, king of Bashan. 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:18.439 You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:20.079 and you brought them into the land 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:22.259 that you had told their fathers to enter and possess. 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:25.000 So the descendants went in and possessed the land. 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:27.719 And you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:28.399 the Canaanites, 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:29.699 and gave them into their hand 00:05:29.699 --> 00:05:31.439 with their kings and the peoples of the land 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:33.500 that they might do with them as they would. 00:05:34.279 --> 00:05:36.620 And they captured fortified cities and a rich land 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:39.539 and took possession of houses full of all good things, 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:41.979 cisterns already hewn, vineyards, 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:44.240 olive orchards, and fruit trees in abundance. 00:05:44.240 --> 00:05:46.759 So they ate and were filled 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:49.660 and became fat and delighted themselves 00:05:49.660 --> 00:05:51.319 in your great goodness. 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:55.860 Nevertheless, they were disobedient 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:58.180 and rebelled against you 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:00.860 and cast your law behind their back 00:06:00.860 --> 00:06:03.800 and killed your prophets who had warned them 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:05.639 in order to turn them back to you. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:08.120 And they committed great blasphemies. 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:11.360 Therefore, you gave them into the hand of their enemies 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:12.240 who made them suffer. 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:14.379 And in the time of their suffering, 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:15.420 they cried out to you, 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:17.120 and you heard them from heaven. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.360 And according to your great mercies, 00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:20.400 you gave them saviors 00:06:20.400 --> 00:06:22.060 who saved them from the hand of their enemies. 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:24.500 But after they had rest, 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.220 they did evil again before you, 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:28.699 and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies 00:06:28.699 --> 00:06:30.680 so that they had dominion over them. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.379 Yet when they turned and cried to you, 00:06:33.420 --> 00:06:34.240 you heard from heaven, 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:35.860 and many times you delivered them 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:37.220 according to your mercies. 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:38.960 And you warned them 00:06:38.960 --> 00:06:40.680 in order to turn them back to your law. 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:42.680 Yet they acted presumptuously 00:06:42.680 --> 00:06:44.760 and did not obey your commandments, 00:06:45.320 --> 00:06:46.660 but sinned against your rules, 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:47.880 which if a person does them, 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:48.780 he shall live by them. 00:06:49.340 --> 00:06:50.900 And they turned a stubborn shoulder 00:06:50.900 --> 00:06:51.940 and stiffened their neck 00:06:51.940 --> 00:06:52.760 and would not obey. 00:06:53.800 --> 00:06:55.760 Many years you bore with them 00:06:55.760 --> 00:06:57.680 and warned them by your spirit 00:06:57.680 --> 00:06:58.480 through your prophets, 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:00.260 yet they would not give ear. 00:07:01.300 --> 00:07:03.020 Therefore, you gave them into the hand 00:07:03.020 --> 00:07:04.200 of the peoples of the lands. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:08.599 Nevertheless, in your great mercies, 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:11.259 you did not make an end of them 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:12.360 or forsake them, 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:15.699 for you are a gracious and merciful God. 00:07:17.539 --> 00:07:19.039 Now, therefore, our God, 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:21.819 the great, the mighty, and the awesome God 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:24.279 who keeps covenant and steadfast love, 00:07:24.719 --> 00:07:27.180 let not all the hardships seem little to you 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:28.259 that has come upon us, 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:30.639 upon our kings, our princes, our priests, 00:07:30.719 --> 00:07:32.480 our prophets, our fathers, and all your people 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:34.240 since the time of the kings of Assyria 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:34.939 until this day. 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:37.140 Yet you have been righteous 00:07:37.140 --> 00:07:38.520 in all that has come upon us, 00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:40.400 for you have dealt faithfully 00:07:40.400 --> 00:07:42.080 and we have acted wickedly. 00:07:42.640 --> 00:07:45.100 Our kings, our princes, our priests, 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:46.980 and our fathers have not kept your law 00:07:46.980 --> 00:07:48.900 or paid attention to your commandments 00:07:48.900 --> 00:07:50.879 and your warnings that you gave them, 00:07:51.140 --> 00:07:52.640 even in their own kingdom 00:07:52.640 --> 00:07:55.200 and amid your great goodness that you gave them 00:07:55.200 --> 00:07:57.100 and in the large and rich land 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:58.120 that you set before them, 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.360 they did not serve you 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:00.980 or turn from their wicked works. 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:04.700 Behold, we are slaves this day. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:08.680 In the land that you gave to our fathers 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:11.040 to enjoy its fruits and its good gifts, 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:13.040 behold, we are slaves. 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:16.060 And its rich yield goes to the kings 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:17.100 whom you have set over us 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:18.120 because of our sins. 00:08:18.580 --> 00:08:20.220 They rule over our bodies 00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:22.700 and over our livestock as they please, 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:25.000 and we are in great distress. 00:08:26.460 --> 00:08:27.520 Because of all this, 00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:29.659 we make a firm covenant in writing 00:08:29.659 --> 00:08:31.560 on the sealed document 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:32.519 are the names of our princes, 00:08:32.679 --> 00:08:33.799 our Levites, and our priests. 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:40.120 We are in great distress. 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:44.840 Now, on the one hand, 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:46.120 it's a bit surprising 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:48.439 that the people in Nehemiah chapter 9 00:08:48.439 --> 00:08:50.419 would describe themselves this way, 00:08:51.220 --> 00:08:52.500 great distress. 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:55.879 After all, as we've seen this summer, 00:08:56.100 --> 00:08:58.000 God has been at work pretty powerfully 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.700 during this period in Israel's history. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:03.059 After all, aren't these the very people 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:04.480 who can remember how God, 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:05.639 just a generation before, 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:07.539 moved the heart of the Persian king 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:09.220 to bring them home from exile 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:11.100 around 539 B.C.? 00:09:12.220 --> 00:09:14.059 Aren't these the very people 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:15.940 who can remember how not so long ago 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:17.799 God empowered them to overcome opposition 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.919 and rebuild the temple in 516? 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:22.539 And aren't these the very people 00:09:22.539 --> 00:09:23.799 who just a month ago, 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.879 in the sixth month of 445 B.C., 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:27.039 didn't they just see God 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:28.059 bring them together 00:09:28.059 --> 00:09:31.339 and complete the massive rebuilding project 00:09:31.339 --> 00:09:32.879 of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls? 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:35.919 That sounds like a pretty inspiring 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:37.659 string of events. 00:09:38.439 --> 00:09:39.559 You would think that they are 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:41.120 flying high spiritually. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:45.240 And yet here in Nehemiah 9, 00:09:45.599 --> 00:09:46.620 as the people are gathered 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:48.360 on the 24th day of the seventh month, 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:50.080 having just completed celebrating 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:51.080 the Feast of Booths 00:09:51.080 --> 00:09:52.019 for the first time 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:53.180 since the days of Joshua, 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:54.740 here they are, 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:56.480 calling out to God, 00:09:57.480 --> 00:10:00.240 saying that they are in great distress. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:06.360 The key is verse 36. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:10.379 Although the people are indeed 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.779 in the land 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:14.259 that God had promised to Abraham, 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:17.819 yet they are still slaves. 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:21.139 A foreign king rules over them, 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.139 verse 37 says, 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:22.799 over their bodies 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:23.700 and over their livestock 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:24.939 all as they please. 00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.299 On the one hand, 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:28.340 the people are free. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:29.379 They are back home 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.200 in the land of promise 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:31.059 and yet at the same time 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:31.919 they are not free. 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:32.819 They are slaves, 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:34.259 servants of a foreign king. 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:35.980 On the one hand, 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:36.700 God's promises 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.860 are already fulfilled. 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:38.580 Here we are, 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:39.639 we're back in the land 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.460 and yet at the same time 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:41.340 they're not fulfilled. 00:10:41.340 --> 00:10:44.040 They're still in bondage. 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:48.080 Now we have to appreciate 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:49.660 how disconcerting 00:10:49.660 --> 00:10:51.259 that reality would have been 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:52.160 for the Israelites 00:10:52.160 --> 00:10:53.000 in Nehemiah's day, 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:53.940 not just politically 00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:55.000 but spiritually. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:56.780 After all, 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:58.220 what is the basic story 00:10:58.220 --> 00:10:59.060 of the Old Testament? 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.040 It's this, 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:01.259 God frees his people 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:01.840 from slavery 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:02.920 and then he puts them 00:11:02.920 --> 00:11:03.700 in the land of promise. 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:04.920 That's sort of the basic arc. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:07.480 Out of slavery 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:09.120 and into their true home. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:09.940 And now, 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.259 the people are back 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:12.220 in the land of promise. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:12.759 God brought them 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:13.740 back from exile. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.179 They're back in the land 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:18.879 but paradoxically, 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:21.379 they are still slaves. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.939 They are free 00:11:23.939 --> 00:11:25.399 and yet not free. 00:11:25.939 --> 00:11:26.860 They are home 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.519 and yet not home. 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:34.000 And perhaps you've begun 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:34.799 to feel that this 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.980 spiritual experience 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.080 isn't just limited 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:37.960 to the people 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:39.179 in Nehemiah's day. 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:41.719 Isn't that true 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:42.659 of us today as well? 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:45.859 On the one hand, 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:46.599 living this side 00:11:46.599 --> 00:11:47.259 of the New Testament, 00:11:47.439 --> 00:11:49.000 we see so many 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.839 of God's promises fulfilled. 00:11:51.559 --> 00:11:53.099 The Messiah has come. 00:11:53.459 --> 00:11:54.879 The Spirit has been poured out. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.319 The nations are coming 00:11:56.319 --> 00:11:57.759 into the people of God. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.399 The new creation has begun 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.719 and yet at the same time, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.419 there's still suffering 00:12:02.419 --> 00:12:03.039 and death 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:03.679 and decay 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:04.399 and injustice. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:07.759 And that can cause 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.720 great distress. 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.019 We are living 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.340 in the tension 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:13.659 between the already 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:14.559 and the not yet. 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.079 Already, 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:15.779 God's kingdom 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.980 has come in Christ. 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:18.220 Not yet 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.539 is God's kingdom 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:20.379 fully complete. 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.620 We can feel like 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.059 we're free 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:23.879 and yet not free. 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:25.360 Home and yet not home. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.439 And that often puts us 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:28.899 in a place 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:29.659 of great distress. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:29.860 distress. 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:33.799 But the biggest challenge 00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.259 of all, 00:12:36.199 --> 00:12:36.899 the source of 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:38.959 their greatest distress 00:12:38.959 --> 00:12:41.159 and our greatest distress 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:41.600 today, 00:12:42.959 --> 00:12:44.419 the source of our 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.240 greatest distress, 00:12:45.339 --> 00:12:46.279 even living on this side 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:46.919 of the New Testament, 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:47.759 is it not this? 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:50.299 That in Christ, 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:52.459 our sins have been forgiven 00:12:52.459 --> 00:12:54.159 and yet 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:55.939 we still sin. 00:12:55.940 --> 00:12:59.780 We've been liberated 00:12:59.780 --> 00:13:01.000 from spiritual slavery 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.100 and yet so often 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:04.000 we return to our chains. 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.460 We've been given 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:07.260 an internal inheritance. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:07.920 We've been made 00:13:07.920 --> 00:13:08.800 a new creation 00:13:08.800 --> 00:13:10.320 and yet we so often 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:12.260 live as if we belong 00:13:12.260 --> 00:13:13.280 to the old. 00:13:14.400 --> 00:13:15.480 All of our sins 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.300 have been forgiven 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:17.220 and yet 00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:19.340 we still sin. 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:25.540 does that not cause 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:26.940 great distress 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:28.519 in our hearts? 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:32.040 For some of us 00:13:32.040 --> 00:13:32.899 it causes doubt. 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.440 For some of us 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.160 discouragement. 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.360 For some of us 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:38.820 fear. 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.360 For some of us 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:41.820 loneliness 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:42.700 and isolation, 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:43.720 confusion. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.480 What are we to do? 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.720 Where are we to go? 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:49.080 Well, 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:53.139 Nehemiah chapter 9 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:55.420 points the way. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.139 You see, 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.340 this prayer in Nehemiah 9 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:00.060 is more than just 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:00.700 a recitation 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.899 of Old Testament history. 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:02.980 Although it is 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.899 a beautiful retelling 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.940 of the whole biblical story 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:05.779 up to this point, 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:07.420 it's more than that. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.200 It's a humble prayer 00:14:10.200 --> 00:14:12.340 to the God of mercy. 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:16.220 In our great distress, 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:17.440 we must remember 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:18.940 the inexhaustible 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:20.000 mercy of God. 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.180 So for a few moments 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:23.620 this morning, 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.240 I want to look 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.280 at the mercy of God 00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:26.560 displayed in this prayer. 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.560 And then once we have 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:29.520 God's mercy fully 00:14:29.520 --> 00:14:30.100 in our sights, 00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:30.960 we're going to apply it 00:14:30.960 --> 00:14:31.540 to ourselves 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:32.460 and to our neighbors 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.400 and to our world. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:35.300 But first, 00:14:35.380 --> 00:14:36.460 let's look at the prayer itself. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:37.520 Now, 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:38.360 there are lots of ways 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:39.020 we could approach 00:14:39.020 --> 00:14:40.000 this lengthy prayer 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.680 in chapter 9, 00:14:40.760 --> 00:14:42.140 but I think the simplest way 00:14:42.140 --> 00:14:43.320 is to just take it 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:46.120 in four broad movements. 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.419 And that fourth 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.600 and last movement 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.259 is what we've already 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:49.960 been looking at, 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:52.000 verses 32 through 37. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.899 The people of Nehemiah's day 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:55.519 after the exile 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.039 calling out to God 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:57.740 in the land 00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.820 in their great distress, 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:00.060 confessing their sin. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:07.019 But the first three movements 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:09.059 walk us through 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:10.919 the reasons why 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:13.279 we can call out to God 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.379 in the first place. 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.339 Why should we? 00:15:16.459 --> 00:15:18.699 Why can we go to God 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:20.559 in our great distress? 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.139 And the first movement 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.639 of the prayer 00:15:24.639 --> 00:15:25.839 in verses 6 through 8 00:15:25.839 --> 00:15:26.699 tells us this. 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:29.780 In your great distress, 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:32.740 remember that your Creator 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:34.920 is a merciful God. 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:38.020 Now, in these verses, 00:15:38.140 --> 00:15:39.080 we don't see God's mercy 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:40.340 explicitly referenced. 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:42.720 Compared to verses 16 through 21, 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.780 where God's mercy 00:15:43.780 --> 00:15:44.640 is a major theme, 00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:46.940 or compared to verses 26 through 31, 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.759 where God's mercy 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.280 is referenced 00:15:48.280 --> 00:15:49.620 in nearly every verse, 00:15:49.920 --> 00:15:50.740 this opening movement 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.120 of the prayer 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.120 seems a bit quiet 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.000 on the theme 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.780 of God's mercy. 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:56.039 However, that doesn't mean 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:56.919 that this opening movement 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.399 of the prayer 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.579 is just an introduction. 00:16:00.319 --> 00:16:01.059 After all, 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:02.199 consider everything 00:16:02.199 --> 00:16:03.419 that transpires 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.620 in the biblical story 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.259 between verses 6 and 7 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:07.079 of our prayer here 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:07.720 in chapter 9. 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:09.139 In other words, 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.120 consider all that happens 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:10.860 between the creation 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.419 of all things 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.360 in Genesis 1 and 2 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.100 and the covenant 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:13.639 with Abraham 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.459 in Genesis 12. 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.259 What happens? 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.159 The fall of Adam and Eve, 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:20.279 the murder of Abel 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.259 by his brother Cain, 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.139 the worldwide judgment 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.799 of the flood, 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:24.819 the building 00:16:24.819 --> 00:16:26.000 of the Tower of Babel. 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:29.080 What does God, 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:29.939 our Creator, 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.379 do in the face 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.200 of humanity's 00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:33.580 constant rebellion 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.539 against his goodness? 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.679 Well, 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:40.019 he makes a covenant 00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.679 with Abraham. 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:42.960 Now, a covenant 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.679 is a binding promise, 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:46.120 and God binds himself 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.840 to Abraham 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.279 and Abraham's family, 00:16:48.679 --> 00:16:49.759 promising to give them 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:50.799 a place to dwell 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:52.120 and to bless them 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.719 in order that the effects 00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.919 of curse and sin 00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:56.059 might be overcome. 00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.219 That's what God promised 00:16:58.219 --> 00:16:59.620 Abraham from the very beginning, 00:16:59.979 --> 00:17:00.559 that in Abraham 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.679 and in his offspring, 00:17:01.939 --> 00:17:02.799 all the world 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:04.000 would one day be blessed. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.019 So this story 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:06.399 of creation and covenant 00:17:06.399 --> 00:17:07.539 in verses 6 through 8 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.599 is really a story 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.440 of God's mercy. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.440 When the world stood 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.819 under the curse of sin, 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.099 God made a covenant 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:17.099 to bring blessing. 00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:20.599 Notice how verse 8 ends. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.619 And you've kept 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.319 your promise 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.200 for you are righteous. 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.519 The people in Nehemiah's day 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.539 were indeed living 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.159 in the land. 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.480 God kept his promise. 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:32.539 And did that not mean 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:34.899 that God would also 00:17:34.899 --> 00:17:35.859 keep his promise 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:38.480 to be merciful to them, 00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:41.220 to forgive their sin, 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.980 to liberate them 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.700 once for all? 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:48.779 Indeed, if this is the God 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.960 who created heaven 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:51.380 with all their hosts, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.160 the earth and all that is in it, 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.860 the seas and all that is in them, 00:17:54.900 --> 00:17:55.740 if this is the God 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.680 who not just creates 00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:58.019 but preserves 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.319 every living thing 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.700 every second of every day, 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.900 if that is who God is, 00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:04.480 how could he not 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.600 keep his promise? 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:08.880 What would stop such a God 00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:10.020 from keeping his promise? 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:15.040 And if this God promises 00:18:15.040 --> 00:18:16.100 to be merciful, 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:19.080 then indeed he will show mercy. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.440 So our creator 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.880 is a merciful God. 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:26.760 But the prayer goes on. 00:18:26.820 --> 00:18:27.940 In verses 9 through 21, 00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:29.140 we find the second movement 00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.740 of the prayer. 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.380 And in the second movement, 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.040 we find this. 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.579 It tells us, 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:34.000 in your distress, 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.359 remember that your Redeemer 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:39.480 is a merciful God. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.680 Remember that your Redeemer 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.399 is a merciful God. 00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.559 These verses retell 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.460 the story of the Exodus 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:48.279 when God liberated, 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.599 when he redeemed his people 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.559 from slavery in Egypt. 00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:51.799 And after liberating them, 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:53.379 he led them with a cloud and fire. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.599 He gave them his law at Sinai, 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:56.279 even fed them with bread and water 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:56.779 in the wilderness. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:59.279 God sees our affliction. 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:01.819 He sympathizes with our slavery 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.019 and he rescues us. 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:04.980 Our creator is our Redeemer. 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.799 But in verse 16, 00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:09.740 we see that the people 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.359 acted presumptuously, 00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:14.220 stiffened their necks, 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.779 and would not obey. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:18.839 They even had the audacity 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.480 when God had just told them 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.359 for their own good 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.659 not to make idols, 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:24.599 that is carvings of false gods, 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.599 and worship them. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.240 When God had just told them 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.939 not to do that, 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.819 they had the presumption 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:31.259 to make a metal calf statue 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.879 and say, 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.579 here's the Lord 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.839 who brought you out of Egypt. 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:36.420 Behold your God, Israel. 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.879 And what does God do? 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.000 Does he leave them 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:45.420 to wander in the wilderness alone? 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.759 Does he revoke his law? 00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:49.019 Does he allow them to starve? 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.019 No. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.900 No. 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.079 Verse 19, 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:56.200 you in your great mercies 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.980 did not forsake them 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.460 in the wilderness. 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:01.379 The cloud and the fire remained. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.500 God even imparted his spirit 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.700 to instruct them in the law. 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:06.460 The manna continued to appear 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:08.119 morning after morning 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:11.639 because our Redeemer 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:12.900 is a merciful God. 00:20:12.900 --> 00:20:17.120 And how could he not be 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.060 at this point? 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.440 Having redeemed his people, 00:20:20.560 --> 00:20:20.759 you see, 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:22.320 God's name, as it were, 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.840 was on this people now. 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.440 They were the Lord's people. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.820 And how was he going 00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:27.360 to forsake them? 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.860 How could he allow his name 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:30.240 to be dishonored in that way? 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.940 He had bound himself 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.580 to this people 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.420 to be their God, 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.400 to be their Redeemer. 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:35.100 In other words, 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:36.400 his own reputation 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.580 was at stake now 00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.160 with his people. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.960 He didn't just look 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.600 at their affliction 00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.500 and have sympathy on them. 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.900 He bound himself to them 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:42.119 and said, 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.220 this is my people now. 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.319 So all the nations 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.599 looking on would not just 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:45.960 see what happened 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.599 to that people, 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.460 but would see what 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.700 this God was like. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:52.559 God's own reputation 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.640 was at stake now 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.279 with his people 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:54.859 in the world. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.900 And if that was true, 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.700 how could God forsake them? 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.880 How would his mercy 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.539 not remain on them? 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.220 Our Redeemer 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.279 is a merciful God. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.019 But the prayer goes on. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:14.380 In verses 22 through 31, 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.480 we find the third movement 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:15.940 of the prayer. 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:19.019 And as it walks through 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.680 Israel's history, 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.380 it tells us this. 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.740 It says, 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.420 in your distress, 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:24.299 remember that your glorifier 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:25.799 is a merciful God. 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:29.119 Now these verses tell the story 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.119 of how God gave Israel 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:30.920 the land of Canaan 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:32.920 and how he made good 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:34.460 on all of his promises 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.480 to fight for them 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.480 and give them a home, 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:38.140 to make them a numerous people, 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.839 as numerous as the stars of heaven, 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.179 and how he filled them 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:42.039 with good things. 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.139 You see, 00:21:43.199 --> 00:21:44.500 God not only creates us 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.419 and redeems us, 00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.699 but he also glorifies us. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:46.980 That is, 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:49.159 he brings all of his promises 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:50.059 to completion, 00:21:50.439 --> 00:21:50.839 to consummation. 00:21:51.959 --> 00:21:53.319 He is our goal 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:53.839 and our end 00:21:54.439 --> 00:21:55.539 and our delight. 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.740 God saves us 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.879 to bring us somewhere 00:21:58.879 --> 00:22:00.240 and he brings us there 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.000 to glory. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:06.420 But in verse 26, 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.880 we see that although God 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.819 had given the people 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.559 everything, 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.519 they still rebelled. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:17.559 So throughout what's called 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:18.599 the period of the judges, 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:21.220 a downward spiral takes place 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.019 in Israel's history. 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:23.359 The people would begin 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.380 serving other gods, 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.680 the Lord would give them 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.599 over to their enemies, 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.880 the people would cry out 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.420 to the Lord, 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:29.320 and then the Lord 00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:30.120 would send a judge 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.759 or a savior, 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:32.019 as verse 27 puts it, 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.039 and the people would be 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.960 liberated for a while. 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:35.500 But then the same thing 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.519 would happen all over again. 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.120 They would go back 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.740 to other gods 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.759 and experience defeat 00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.660 and cry out for help 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.980 and another rescuer would come 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:41.800 and it would keep going 00:22:41.800 --> 00:22:42.960 and going on and on. 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.440 The downward spiral went. 00:22:45.580 --> 00:22:46.140 And when Israel 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:47.440 eventually became a monarchy 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.100 under Saul 00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:48.779 and then ultimately 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.700 under King David, 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.080 it seemed like maybe 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:51.800 things would be different 00:22:51.800 --> 00:22:52.380 at that point. 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.880 It seemed like maybe 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.380 God would be able 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.259 to get them out 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.180 of the downward spiral 00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:57.360 and yet as the generations 00:22:57.360 --> 00:22:58.259 of kings went on, 00:22:58.580 --> 00:22:59.200 the kings proved 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.080 just as fickle 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:00.680 as the people. 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.840 Until eventually 00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.900 God ultimately gave them 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.860 up to the Assyrians 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:08.700 and then the Babylonians 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.140 to be ejected 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:10.820 from the land, 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:12.620 to be sent out 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:13.320 into exile. 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.460 And it seemed like 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:17.880 that might be 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.640 the end of the story. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.180 Had God simply 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.820 had enough, 00:23:24.080 --> 00:23:25.180 was God done 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:26.080 once and for all 00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:27.299 with his rebellious people? 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.420 No. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.140 Look at verse 31. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.380 Nevertheless, 00:23:35.580 --> 00:23:37.080 in your great mercies, 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.580 you did not make 00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:39.299 an end of them 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.259 or forsake them, 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.580 for you are a gracious 00:23:42.580 --> 00:23:44.100 and merciful God. 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.860 Our creator 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.799 and redeemer 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.920 and glorifier 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:50.180 is a merciful God. 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.500 A remnant survived 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.080 the exile 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.259 and eventually 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.299 God brought them home. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.779 And that's the story 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.699 of Ezra and Nehemiah, 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:58.980 right, 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.939 that we've been looking at. 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.720 And you see, 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.599 it's on the basis 00:24:02.599 --> 00:24:03.879 of this history, 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.960 this history 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.960 of inexhaustible mercy 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.960 that the people 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:09.199 in Nehemiah's day, 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.859 knowing their own sin 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.299 and sensing 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:12.240 their own slavery 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.740 and feeling the dislocation 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.899 of being in between 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:15.399 the already 00:24:15.399 --> 00:24:16.059 and the not yet, 00:24:16.199 --> 00:24:17.019 it's on the basis 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.639 of that history 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.519 that they call out 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:18.939 to God 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:20.740 and ask for mercy. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:24.019 And friends, 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:24.779 it's on the basis 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:26.319 of that same history 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:28.700 that you and I 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:30.380 can call out to God 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.700 for mercy as well. 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.500 It means we can be honest 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.380 with our sins 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.440 and our failings. 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.500 We don't have to try 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.319 to hide them 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:42.299 or cover them up. 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:45.299 Don't try to excuse them 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.420 or pass them off 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.880 or stuff them down. 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:50.700 After all, 00:24:50.760 --> 00:24:51.760 God is an almighty. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.280 God is the almighty creator. 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.260 There's no use hiding 00:24:54.260 --> 00:24:55.340 from a God like that. 00:24:57.560 --> 00:24:59.880 He keeps your DNA running. 00:25:00.760 --> 00:25:01.320 I'm pretty sure 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:02.360 you can't keep your secrets 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:02.860 from Him. 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.840 But God's also 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:06.900 the almighty redeemer 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:08.040 who loves you 00:25:08.040 --> 00:25:09.300 and longs to receive you 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:10.660 and enters into your pain 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.460 and your suffering. 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:13.840 You don't have to keep secrets 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:15.040 from a God like that. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:17.859 You can be confident 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:19.139 to go to a God like that 00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:20.000 and ask for mercy 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:21.059 because He knows you. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:22.960 And what's more, 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.500 God is your glorifier. 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:25.920 He has a plan for you 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:27.799 and He has a future for you. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.279 A plan and a future 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.740 that actually no sin 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:33.180 and no shame 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:34.500 can stand in the way of. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:41.420 But perhaps this morning 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:43.180 your sins seem too great. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:47.560 Perhaps you know 00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:48.060 what it's like 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:48.600 like the people 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:48.960 at the beginning 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.519 of this chapter 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.680 to maybe you're not 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.759 literally throwing dirt 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.440 on your head 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.400 and tearing your clothes 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.100 because your heart 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.740 is so broken 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:56.320 but maybe at a spiritual 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:57.480 or existential level 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.440 you can feel that. 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:03.680 Perhaps doubt 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:04.799 and great distress 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.980 still haunt you. 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.860 Could God still love me? 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.160 Could God still receive me? 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.480 Have I not sinned 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.200 too greatly? 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:12.319 Have I not acted 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:13.380 too presumptuously? 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.720 Have I not actually 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.600 stiffened my neck? 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.440 Have I not refused 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.319 to obey even when 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:18.259 I knew better? 00:26:19.600 --> 00:26:20.559 How could God 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.779 be merciful to me? 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.220 You know, 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.180 we've been looking back 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:29.080 over the story 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:29.819 of the Old Testament 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:31.680 but for a moment 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:33.620 look ahead. 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.019 Look at what 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:37.180 the New Testament holds 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:39.279 and what do you see there? 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.640 The almighty creator 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:45.140 takes flesh 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:46.840 and becomes a creature 00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:49.580 weak and in a manger. 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:53.080 The compassionate redeemer, 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.340 the one who rescues 00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:55.120 from slavery 00:26:55.120 --> 00:26:57.200 with a strong arm 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.320 takes the form 00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:59.140 of a servant. 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:02.299 The glorifier, 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:03.519 the one who lives 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.480 in perfect beauty 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.339 and goodness 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:06.980 is put to shame. 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:09.720 Why? 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:12.460 Why would such a great, 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.019 mighty, 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.299 and awesome God, 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:15.299 as our chapter says, 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.599 why would that God 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.400 do such a thing? 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:19.180 Why would Jesus 00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.059 come and suffer 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.740 and die? 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:24.279 It's mercy. 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:27.380 It's mercy for you, 00:27:27.579 --> 00:27:27.799 friend. 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.920 He was forsaken 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:33.539 so that you 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:35.200 would never have to be. 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.980 No matter how great 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.779 your sins, 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.160 there's mercy for you 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:42.120 in the arms of Christ. 00:27:48.300 --> 00:27:49.380 So how should we apply 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.120 this great prayer 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.019 of Nehemiah 9? 00:27:52.340 --> 00:27:52.779 First, 00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:53.480 to ourselves. 00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.980 And the key word here 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.660 is peace. 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:01.160 For all who are in Christ, 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.640 the mercy of God 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:04.680 covers all your sins, 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:05.279 past, 00:28:05.540 --> 00:28:05.820 present, 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.480 and future. 00:28:07.340 --> 00:28:08.860 So confess your sins 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:09.380 to God. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.380 Go to Him 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:12.440 in sorrow 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.240 and repentance. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.860 Cry out to Him 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:15.519 for mercy 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:17.000 and you will find it. 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.380 And let the words 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.200 of God's mercy 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.440 bring your heart peace. 00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.259 And you know, 00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:26.580 this is the sort of peace 00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:28.320 that doesn't give you 00:28:28.320 --> 00:28:28.779 a license 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.420 to sort of do 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:30.019 whatever you want. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.000 This is the sort of peace 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.660 that causes you 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.819 to sin less and less. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.920 Let me use a somewhat 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:37.639 simple illustration. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:41.059 When I go to the grocery store 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.599 hungry, 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.759 what do I usually 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.579 come home with? 00:28:46.819 --> 00:28:47.759 What do you usually 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.440 come home with? 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.059 I'll tell you 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.879 what I come home with. 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.319 Ice cream. 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.460 Those New England 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.480 barbecue chips 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.339 that are so crunchy 00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:58.980 and delicious. 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.440 Some form of baked good 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.299 that probably has 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.299 a high fat content. 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:05.880 Oreos. 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.799 Do you know they make 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:08.440 mega stuffed Oreos now? 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.880 I think when you open up 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.279 the package 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.319 it's just white stuff. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:11.860 There's not even 00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:12.620 a cracker in there. 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.519 That's what happens 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.200 when I go 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.339 to the grocery store 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:18.700 hungry 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:20.039 and all that food 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:20.900 ends up in my cart 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:21.660 because my stomach 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.319 is growling 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.019 and it all looks 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.740 so good. 00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:26.940 But what about 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:28.120 when I go to the grocery store 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:29.319 after I've already 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.799 had a satisfying meal? 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.140 Well, 00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.819 I usually come home 00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.740 with what's on my list. 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.440 Do you see 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.480 the spiritual truth here? 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.000 When your heart 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.799 is full 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:47.779 of the peace 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:48.700 and mercy 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.640 of Christ, 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:52.380 when you're able 00:29:52.380 --> 00:29:52.860 to look back 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:53.480 and recite 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.600 the mercy of God 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:55.259 not just through 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.920 biblical history 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.340 but on into your own history 00:29:57.340 --> 00:29:57.940 and to the history 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.840 of those around you, 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.720 when your heart 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.400 is full of that 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.340 mercy and peace 00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:02.060 and when you have 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:03.259 fellowship with God 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.900 your creator 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.540 and redeemer 00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.259 and glorifier 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.680 and you know 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.620 that he looks upon you 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.480 not with condemnation 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.300 but with favor, 00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:10.360 when your heart 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:10.780 is full 00:30:10.780 --> 00:30:11.880 with that satisfying 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:13.360 peace of forgiveness, 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:16.180 then your heart 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.700 doesn't need 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.880 the junk food anymore. 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:24.160 Now, 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.640 if that peace 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.880 seems elusive to you, 00:30:27.280 --> 00:30:28.520 find an older, 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.760 more mature believer 00:30:29.760 --> 00:30:31.460 or come talk 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:32.200 to one of the pastors 00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:32.780 or elders 00:30:32.780 --> 00:30:34.140 or maybe your small group leader 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:36.220 and open your heart 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.700 to them. 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.640 That can be a very 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:39.060 vulnerable thing to do 00:30:39.060 --> 00:30:43.480 but in that safe place 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.640 of a trusted brother 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.160 or sister, 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.260 open your heart 00:30:46.260 --> 00:30:46.660 to them 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.760 because sometimes 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.140 we need the word 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:49.759 of mercy 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.599 to come from the outside 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.879 so we can really 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:53.700 get down deep 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.599 on the inside. 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.839 That's the beauty 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:59.039 of confessing 00:30:59.039 --> 00:30:59.500 your sins 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.240 to one another 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:01.680 in the spiritual family 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.299 of the church. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.819 Open up your heart 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:05.079 to another trusted friend 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.879 but that's often 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.400 the way 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.779 to experience 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.599 this mercy 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.460 and peace 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:10.319 in a fresh way, 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:10.779 the peace 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:12.059 that satisfies you. 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:16.399 second, 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.399 let's apply this mercy 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.220 to our neighbors. 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:21.019 If the word 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:21.579 to ourselves 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.259 was peace, 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.759 the word 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.659 toward our neighbors 00:31:23.659 --> 00:31:24.500 is patience. 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.200 When we know 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:28.359 God has been merciful 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:29.200 to us, 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.859 when we've experienced 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:32.619 that over time, 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:34.179 we become much 00:31:34.179 --> 00:31:35.220 more patient 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.220 towards others. 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:38.240 not perfectly, 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:40.079 but gradually. 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.759 Because let's be honest, 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.900 people sometimes 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:44.759 annoy us. 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.819 People sometimes 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.620 disappoint us. 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.160 People sometimes 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.860 hurt us. 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:52.059 And we wonder, 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.240 how long 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:53.920 do we really 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.600 have to put up 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:54.980 with them? 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:59.400 But in those moments, 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.339 it's good to pause 00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:01.879 and consider 00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.459 how long 00:32:02.459 --> 00:32:03.319 God has put up 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:03.899 with us. 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:06.980 How many of your sins 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.879 has God overlooked? 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:09.159 How many of your failures 00:32:09.159 --> 00:32:10.519 has He patiently endured? 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.079 How often 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.099 has He taken you back 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:14.319 again and again 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:16.480 with no contempt 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.419 and no conditions 00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:18.439 but with gentleness 00:32:18.439 --> 00:32:19.419 and love? 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:20.980 Now, 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.559 this isn't saying 00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.139 we don't need to have 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:22.699 good boundaries 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:23.679 at times with people, 00:32:23.679 --> 00:32:27.679 but those who know mercy 00:32:27.679 --> 00:32:29.519 become patient people. 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:31.619 Patient because God 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.859 has been so mercifully 00:32:32.859 --> 00:32:33.980 patient with us. 00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.879 But last, 00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.859 this mercy applies 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:41.319 in our relationship 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.000 to the world. 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.220 Peace, 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:45.799 patience, 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.639 but the word here 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:47.180 when we look out 00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:47.599 at the world 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.099 is hope. 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.420 You know, 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:50.980 it's easy to look out 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.339 at the world 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:52.460 and get pretty discouraged. 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.619 Things like poverty 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:55.220 and racism 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.799 and violence 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:56.359 and corruption, 00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.759 they never seem to end. 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:59.579 And the longer 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.299 you care about 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.779 these things 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.440 as we should 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.619 as followers of Christ, 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.279 you know, 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:04.019 the longer you care 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.519 about these things, 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.460 the harder it can be 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.460 because so often 00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.640 good plans for change 00:33:07.640 --> 00:33:08.359 don't often bring 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:08.940 change about. 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.920 But a people 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:14.559 in touch with God's mercy 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.900 will always have hope. 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:17.940 Why? 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.640 Because hope, 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:23.240 you see, 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:23.960 is something much 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.839 different than a wish. 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:29.900 You wish for something, 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:33.660 but you hope in someone. 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:36.200 Do you see the difference? 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:40.799 We often wish for something, 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.519 but hope, 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.380 real hope, 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.620 is hoping in someone. 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:47.180 Now, wishes aren't bad. 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:47.920 It's good to have 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:49.559 and good to desire 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.319 specific, 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.559 concrete changes 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.339 that we'd like to see. 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.240 It's good to work for them 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.119 and long for them. 00:33:55.159 --> 00:33:56.159 But the reality is, 00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:56.339 friends, 00:33:56.379 --> 00:33:57.099 in a fallen world, 00:33:57.179 --> 00:33:57.899 often these wishes 00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:59.240 will not materialize. 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.779 But hope is different. 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.720 Even when things 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.799 don't go as we planned, 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:11.380 hope in God 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:12.679 grows. 00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:15.739 We may not know 00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.920 how or when 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.940 God will come 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:19.099 and make all things new. 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:19.860 We don't know 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.519 when His kingdom 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.579 will break forth 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.739 and give us signs 00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.659 of the coming day. 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.320 But we know 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:25.860 that it will. 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.079 How do we know? 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.340 Because our Creator 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:33.259 and our Redeemer 00:34:33.259 --> 00:34:34.280 and our Glorifier, 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.099 the Lord Jesus, 00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:36.079 is a God of mercy. 00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:39.340 He will bring to completion 00:34:39.340 --> 00:34:40.460 the good work He began. 00:34:40.940 --> 00:34:42.119 Justice will roll down 00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:42.619 like waters 00:34:42.619 --> 00:34:43.199 and righteousness 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.960 will come 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:45.099 like an ever-flowing stream 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.380 and that kind of hope 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.340 will sustain us 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:48.320 even when our wishes 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:49.340 don't materialize 00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:50.100 the way we want. 00:34:51.120 --> 00:34:52.760 The people who know mercy, 00:34:53.820 --> 00:34:54.360 in other words, 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.700 are a hopeful people. 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.940 So peace 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.320 and patience 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.460 and hope. 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.280 It is possible 00:35:02.280 --> 00:35:04.039 even in our great distress 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.300 to know these things, 00:35:05.400 --> 00:35:06.019 to know peace 00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:06.500 and patience 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:06.880 and hope. 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.220 Why? 00:35:08.140 --> 00:35:08.940 Because our God 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:09.960 is a merciful God. 00:35:11.620 --> 00:35:12.360 And the more 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:13.420 you know this God, 00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:15.579 the more you'll be able 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.720 to say with the psalmist, 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.639 surely goodness 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.719 and mercy 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:19.699 shall follow me 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:20.919 all the days of my life 00:35:20.919 --> 00:35:22.799 and I shall dwell 00:35:22.799 --> 00:35:23.679 in the house of the Lord 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.139 forever. 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.239 Let's pray. 00:35:32.879 --> 00:35:33.679 Why don't we take 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.299 just a moment 00:35:34.299 --> 00:35:37.419 and ask the Holy Spirit 00:35:37.419 --> 00:35:38.039 to come 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:40.179 and show us 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:40.759 in our hearts 00:35:40.759 --> 00:35:41.419 where we need 00:35:41.419 --> 00:35:42.359 in particular 00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:43.159 to feel 00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:44.599 and to experience 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.539 God's mercy? 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.440 Perhaps it's sins 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.659 that you've been wrestling with, 00:36:01.779 --> 00:36:03.059 something in your past, 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:04.360 something even 00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:04.960 in your present. 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:10.259 Perhaps it's a relationship 00:36:10.259 --> 00:36:12.599 that's been bringing out 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.420 the worst in you. 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.219 Perhaps it's a weariness 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:23.239 because your labors 00:36:23.239 --> 00:36:23.719 in the world 00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:24.420 seem to be bearing 00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:25.199 so little fruit. 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.059 Lord Jesus, 00:36:35.179 --> 00:36:35.739 we praise you 00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.420 that you are a God 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:36.940 of mercy. 00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:40.400 would you 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:43.300 equip us 00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:44.980 and encourage us 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.500 this week 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.159 to go forth 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:47.000 from this place 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:49.240 to really live 00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:50.220 into and press 00:36:50.220 --> 00:36:51.039 into that mercy 00:36:51.039 --> 00:36:52.079 in a way perhaps 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:52.579 that we've never 00:36:52.579 --> 00:36:53.159 done before. 00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:56.220 You must do 00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:56.679 this work, 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.039 God. 00:36:57.780 --> 00:36:58.740 You must do it 00:36:58.740 --> 00:36:59.340 by your Spirit 00:36:59.340 --> 00:37:00.200 so we look to you. 00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:03.300 We yield to you, 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:03.599 God, 00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:04.740 and ask you to come. 00:37:04.739 --> 00:37:08.079 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:37:08.839 --> 00:37:09.199 Amen. 00:37:10.579 --> 00:37:11.099 Well, church, 00:37:11.179 --> 00:37:11.500 let's stand.