WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:11.720 May we begin our praise to God by singing to his name in Psalm 34 of the Scottish Salta. 00:00:12.580 --> 00:00:18.600 Psalm 34 of the Scottish Salta, that's on page 247. 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:25.660 247 of the Blue Books and we'll sing from verse mark 8. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:30.660 Psalm 34, verse mark 8. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:36.659 O taste and see that God is good, who trusts in whom is blessed. 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:42.700 Fear God has since none that whom fear shall be with want oppressed. 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:53.299 The lions young may hungry be, and they may lack their food, but they that truly seek the Lord shall not lack any good. 00:00:53.299 --> 00:00:56.479 And we'll sing down to the end of verse mark 15. 00:00:56.619 --> 00:01:00.079 Depart from ill, do good, seek peace, pursue it earnestly. 00:01:00.839 --> 00:01:05.899 God's eyes are on the just, his ears are open to their cry. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:08.399 So we'll stand and sing together to God's praise. 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:10.959 O taste and see that God is good. 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:26.179 O taste and see that God is good, who trusts in whom is blessed. 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:41.180 O taste and see that God is good, who trusts in whom is blessed. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.660 A Mang, Ahestui, 00:01:46.660 --> 00:02:01.900 Paburs in the champion of the Holy Spirit 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:10.200 The Lord shall not take me good. 00:02:10.200 --> 00:02:25.599 O children, never do ye come, and unto me give me, 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:40.599 I shall you teach to understand how ye the Lord should fear. 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:55.599 What man will see that life decide, new secret would belong. 00:02:55.599 --> 00:03:10.599 Thy lips refrain from speaking good, and from ill words thy tongue. 00:03:10.599 --> 00:03:25.599 Depart from the new sea peace, pursue eternally. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:41.759 God's eyes are on the earth as his ears are open to their cry. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:49.599 May we now come to our garden prayer. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:51.639 Let us pray together. 00:03:51.639 --> 00:04:00.799 Our heavenly Father, you are the one that we can lift our cry to this evening. 00:04:01.659 --> 00:04:06.879 And so we ask that you would prepare our hearts as we come into your presence 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:09.159 and come under the power of your word, 00:04:09.959 --> 00:04:13.219 that it would be a rule to instruct us and to guide us, 00:04:13.619 --> 00:04:15.979 and what duty you require of us. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:21.300 And Lord, may it be an instruction to us in every step that we take, 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:28.199 wherever you shall lead us and wherever we find our lives to go. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:33.419 Our lives are so uncertain at times. 00:04:33.919 --> 00:04:39.959 And we can confess that we are led into places where we never thought we would be. 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:44.539 And into circumstances that are fearful. 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:48.660 Circumstances that we didn't want to experience. 00:04:50.260 --> 00:04:55.020 But Lord, we pray that we would be people that would be reliant upon you. 00:04:55.700 --> 00:04:58.640 And that you would be a God that would be trustworthy. 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:02.879 You would be a God that would be faithful to us. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.500 As we cling to you. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:08.000 As we have nowhere else to go. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:14.160 That you would reveal yourself to us. 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:18.639 And that we may come from every step. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:24.300 And as we look back over the steps that we have taken. 00:05:24.979 --> 00:05:27.259 Or the steps that you have led us through. 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:34.139 That we can see that things were so unclear at the time. 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:39.579 But you are a God who ordained everything and every step for me. 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:44.859 And you are the one that has provided for me. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:48.740 In such a way as I could not have provided for myself. 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:52.860 And you met my fears and you met my needs. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:57.399 And though I was so concerned and anxious over many things. 00:05:57.959 --> 00:06:00.479 You took these things from me. 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:02.740 Lord, we pray. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:04.740 That you would be one. 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:07.240 Known by everyone that is here. 00:06:07.240 --> 00:06:08.040 Likewise. 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:11.980 Someone that they can look back upon. 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:14.460 In their experience. 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:17.840 And say that God has been faithful. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:21.600 God has been my guide. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:24.100 God will be my king. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:28.780 And I will in no wise go to any other place. 00:06:29.019 --> 00:06:29.600 Nor idol. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:30.379 Nor God. 00:06:30.980 --> 00:06:34.060 For none other can take me through. 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:37.319 The uncertainties of this life. 00:06:38.139 --> 00:06:39.720 And give me peace. 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:42.079 You are the prince of peace. 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:44.579 You are the wonderful counselor. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:45.879 The mighty God. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:48.420 Our everlasting father. 00:06:49.220 --> 00:06:52.240 A father that knows what to give to his children. 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:56.959 And so may the cries of your people be heard this night. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:59.000 As we come to you in prayer. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:00.959 Prayer audible. 00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:02.560 And prayer silently. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:07.740 That may you meet us at the needs of our prayers. 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:10.160 You are a God who hears our prayers. 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:13.680 Who casts not our prayers from you. 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:18.139 You are the God abounding in grace. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:21.019 And has not withheld your grace from us. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:25.540 So Lord, we pray you guide our minds as we gather here. 00:07:26.340 --> 00:07:28.439 Keep the evil one from us. 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:31.319 May our focus be upon God. 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:34.959 As we come to consider who he is. 00:07:35.480 --> 00:07:37.500 And the character of God. 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:40.180 Open our eyes, we pray. 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:46.120 Let us be illuminated by your light of your word in our presence. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:51.860 May our hearts be enriched when we look at the riches of God. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:56.819 And our faith grow increasingly. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:56.840 And our faith grow increasingly. 00:07:57.900 --> 00:08:04.379 Leaning upon and trusting in the God of our salvation. 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:09.319 Lord, we pray for every effort made this night in your name. 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:12.879 The preaching of your gospel across our nation. 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:19.319 Lord, we pray that it would go with much blessing and many fruits may come from it. 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:24.279 May the seed be scattered in soil that has been prepared by your spirit. 00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:30.519 Soil that would grow into mighty from little seeds into mighty oaks. 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:35.339 Strong trees for your cause. 00:08:37.199 --> 00:08:43.539 People that will stand firmly upon your truth and not waver from it. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:50.599 And stand and declare the truth of your word to a day that is full of falsehoods. 00:08:50.599 --> 00:08:53.599 A day that is full of false comforts. 00:08:54.299 --> 00:09:02.759 And people are full of ambitions that are leading them in their own selfish desires. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:06.879 People have their own ways of God. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:10.840 Their own thoughts of who God should be or what a God should be. 00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:13.279 We thought of that in the morning. 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:16.080 Of the man that came and behold I thought. 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:18.480 This is the way it should be. 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:22.519 But Lord, we pray you keep us from what we think. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:26.240 And lead us in how you tell us. 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:28.379 And how you guide us in your word. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:30.340 That your word would be that guide. 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:35.460 Lord, we pray for the faith mission that gather in Lox. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:39.660 We pray for their week of work ahead of them. 00:09:39.660 --> 00:09:43.500 We pray that your spirit would be with them. 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:51.899 As they preach and share what the Lord Jesus Christ has done in their lives. 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:54.600 And what he can do for them also. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:10:00.000 We pray for organisations such as these. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:05.540 That have a love and desire to share your word to people that are in need. 00:10:05.660 --> 00:10:08.820 So Lord, we ask you would likewise give us that desire. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:13.920 To share the love of Christ and what he has done for us. 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:15.960 With souls that are lost. 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:21.460 With souls that are going to hell if they are not saved. 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:28.460 Lord, we pray for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:31.580 Lord, we pray for our government. 00:10:31.780 --> 00:10:32.940 We pray for our Queen. 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:36.220 We pray that you would be their ultimate guide. 00:10:36.519 --> 00:10:41.100 And you would be leading us as a nation. 00:10:41.300 --> 00:10:44.720 Lord, we pray that they would come to learn to trust upon you also. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:48.940 Lord, we pray for the governance of our nation. 00:10:49.040 --> 00:10:55.720 That they would set your word before them as their rule likewise. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:11:04.019 And Lord, we thank you for a new ministry to begin within our congregation. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:10.460 We pray for Callum Murdo and the family as they move up to Stornway. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:16.779 We pray that the children would settle in and that they would be warmly welcomed. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:21.379 And Lord, as difficult as it is, we pray that you would keep them from all anxieties. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:24.019 Give them peace in their movements. 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:28.439 Lord, we pray for the congregation of North East as they leave. 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:34.899 That you will be with them and provide for them in ways that they do not expect. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.860 But ways that will be wonderful for them. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:42.840 Lord, we pray that you would just be one that would be with us here tonight. 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:45.559 Let our minds be focused upon you. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:49.039 Let us not be distracted to the left or to the right. 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:55.980 But let us lift our hearts to you and sing praises to your wonderful name. 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:57.719 Amen. 00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:09.659 May we continue in our praise by singing in Psalm 26 of the Scottish Psalter. 00:12:10.079 --> 00:12:12.480 Psalm 26 of the Scottish Psalter. 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:15.000 You'll find that on page 235. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:22.299 Psalm 26, page 235 of the Blue Book. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:26.519 And we'll sing from verse Mark 7 down to verse Mark 12. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:33.600 That I with voice of thanksgiving may publish and declare. 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:38.860 And tell of all thy mighty works that great and wondrous are. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:43.980 The habitation of thy house, Lord, I have loved well. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:47.700 Yea, in that place I do delight. 00:12:48.920 --> 00:12:51.480 Where doth thine honour dwell? 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:54.460 We'll sing down to verse Mark 12. 00:12:54.600 --> 00:13:01.720 My foot upon an even place doth stand with steadfastness within the congregations. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:04.320 The eternal I will bless. 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:07.860 So we'll stand and we'll sing to God's praise from verse 7. 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:11.320 That I with voice of thanksgiving may publish and declare. 00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:11.539 Amen. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:11.639 Amen. 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:11.720 Amen. 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:11.759 Amen. 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:11.800 Amen. 00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:12.159 Amen. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:12.720 Amen. 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:12.759 Amen. 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.980 Amen. 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.159 Amen. 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:45.980 Amen. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:48.279 Amen. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:29.980 With sinners gather not my soul, and such as blood would spill, 00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:46.980 whose lands this chamber's blocks right hand, God hath in Christ to fill. 00:14:46.980 --> 00:15:01.060 But as for thee I will walk on, in my integrity. 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:17.059 To the within, in hand, O Lord, be merciful to me. 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:34.059 My foot upon an evil place, thus stand with steadfastness, 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:50.059 within the congregations, eternal I will bless. 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:58.619 If we can turn now and read from the Word of God. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:04.840 And we'll find our reading tonight in the first book of Samuel, at chapter 5. 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:15.259 The first book of Samuel, chapter 5. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:21.480 We'll read the whole of chapter 5, and we'll read the beginning of chapter 6, 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:25.159 and the final section of chapter 6. 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:29.539 So we'll read chapter 6 down to verse Mark 4, 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:33.600 and then in chapter 6 we'll jump to 12, verse 12, 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:35.759 and continue to the end of the chapter. 00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:39.839 So let us hear the Word of God, 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:43.480 and may it be blessed to everyone who hears it. 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:48.039 When the Philistines captured the Ark of God, 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:51.019 they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashtod. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:53.939 Then the Philistines took the Ark of God, 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:56.079 and brought it into the house of Dagon, 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:58.439 and set it up beside Dagon. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:02.740 And when the people of Ashtod rose early the next day, 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:08.859 behold, Dagon had fallen face down on the ground before the Ark of the Lord. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:12.220 So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:15.299 But when they rose early the next morning, 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:22.039 behold, Dagon had fallen face down on the ground before the Ark of the Lord. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:28.220 And the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. 00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:31.600 Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:36.339 This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:40.959 do not tread on the threshold of Dagon and Ashtod to this day. 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:46.019 The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashtod, 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:50.500 and he terrified and afflicted them with tumour, 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:53.699 both in Ashtod and its territory. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:57.299 And when the men of Ashtod saw how things were, 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:57.879 they said, 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:02.980 The Ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:07.140 for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our God. 00:18:07.780 --> 00:18:12.080 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:16.300 What shall we do with the Ark of the God of Israel? 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:18.220 They answered, 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:22.500 Let the Ark of the God of Israel be brought round to Gath. 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:25.360 So they brought the Ark of God of Israel there. 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:27.259 But after they had brought it round, 00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:29.500 the hand of the Lord was against the city, 00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:31.759 causing a very great panic. 00:18:32.199 --> 00:18:35.139 And he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:37.679 So that tumour broke out on them. 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:41.879 So they sent the Ark of God to Ekron. 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:44.799 But as soon as the Ark of God came to Ekron, 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:46.479 the people of Ekron cried out, 00:18:47.219 --> 00:18:50.259 They have brought round to us the Ark of God of Israel 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:52.119 to kill us and our people. 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:57.419 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:01.339 Send away the Ark of the God of Israel, 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:04.079 and let it return to its own place, 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:06.739 that it may not kill us and our people. 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:10.079 For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:13.000 The hand of God was heavy there. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:17.299 The men who did not die were struck with tumour, 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:20.079 and the cry of the city went up to heaven. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:26.180 The Ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines for seven months. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:32.240 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:35.579 What shall we do with the Ark of the Lord? 00:19:36.700 --> 00:19:41.339 Tell us what we shall send it to its place. 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:43.079 They said, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:46.740 If you send away the Ark of God of Israel, 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.779 do not send it empty, 00:19:49.179 --> 00:19:51.919 but by all means return him a guilt offering. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.720 Then you will be healed, 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:58.259 and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.659 And they said, 00:19:59.939 --> 00:20:03.179 What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him? 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.599 And they answered, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:07.679 Five golden tumours and five golden mice, 00:20:08.159 --> 00:20:10.899 according to the number of the lords of the Philistines. 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:15.980 For the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:20.160 So we'll pick up our reading at verse 12 now. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:24.440 And what the people do is they create these golden images, 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:30.180 and they construct a cart of wood, a new cart, 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:33.980 and they put the Ark on this cart with these golden images, 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:38.100 returning it to the land with two new cows 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:40.199 that would pull those cart. 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:43.459 So let's pick up our reading at verse 12. 00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:47.399 And the cows went straight in the direction of Beth Shemeth, 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.519 along the highway, 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:50.379 lowing as they went. 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:53.159 They turned neither to the right nor to the left, 00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:55.240 and the lords of the Philistines 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:58.579 went after them as far as the border of Beth Shemeth. 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:05.919 Now the people of Beth Shemeth were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:08.939 And when they lifted up their eyes and saw the Ark, 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:10.899 they rejoiced to see it. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:16.220 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemeth and stopped there. 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:18.079 A great stone was there. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.279 And they split up the wood of the cart 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:22.980 and offered the cows that burnt offering to the Lord. 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:26.259 And the Levites took down the Ark of the Lord 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:28.400 and the box that was beside it, 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:31.200 in which were the golden figures, 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:33.460 and set them upon the great stone. 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:37.259 And the men of Beth Shemeth offered burnt offerings 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:41.079 and sacrificed sacrifices on that day to the Lord. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:44.200 And when the five lords of the Philistines saw it, 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:46.099 they returned that day to Ekron. 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:50.259 These are the golden tumours that the Philistines returned 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.859 as a guilt offering to the Lord. 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:54.420 One for Ashtod, one for Gaza, 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:57.920 one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron. 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.859 And the golden mice, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:02.720 according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.319 belonging to the five lords. 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:08.299 Both fortified cities and unwalled villages. 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:12.900 The great stone beside which they set down the Ark of the Lord 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:17.640 is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemeth. 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:21.320 And he struck some of the men of Beth Shemeth 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:24.259 because they looked upon the Ark of the Lord. 00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:26.660 He struck 70 men of them. 00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:30.480 And the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.340 with a great blow. 00:22:32.040 --> 00:22:33.940 Then the men of Beth Shemeth said, 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:38.180 Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? 00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:41.620 And to whom shall he go up away from us? 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:46.739 So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirath-Jerim, 00:22:47.219 --> 00:22:47.579 saying, 00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:50.459 The Philistines have returned the Ark of the Lord. 00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:53.699 Come down and take it up to you. 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.079 Amen. 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:59.979 We'll leave our reading there and pray that it would be blessed to each of us. 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:03.779 We'll continue in singing praise to God 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:08.299 by singing in Psalm 98 of the Sing Psalms. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:12.160 Psalm 98 of the Sing Psalms. 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:15.620 And you'll find that on page 129 of the Blue Book. 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:18.920 We'll sing at the beginning of that psalm. 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:24.240 Psalm 98, Sing Psalms at the beginning. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:30.059 We'll sing down to the end of the double verse, Mark 3. 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:32.660 O sing a new song to the Lord. 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:34.359 For wonders he hath done, 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:36.480 his right hand and his holy arm, 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.339 the victory hath won. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:40.839 The Lord declared his saving work 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.220 and made it to be known 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:44.680 to all the nations of the world 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:46.660 his righteousness is shown. 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:49.200 His steadfast love and faithfulness 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.579 he has remembered well. 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:52.599 The covenant he made with them, 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.759 the house of Israel. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:56.240 And all the nations of the earth 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:57.900 have seen what God has done, 00:23:58.420 --> 00:24:00.380 our God who brings deliverance 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:03.079 by his right hand alone. 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.640 So we'll stand together 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:06.880 and sing these words to God's praise. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.900 O sing a new song to the Lord. 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:19.120 O sing a new song to the Lord. 00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:20.119 O sing a new song to the Lord. 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:21.119 O sing a new song to the Lord. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:23.119 The Lord declared his holy arm, 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:26.119 the Lord declared his holy arm, 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.119 his holy arm, the Lord declared his holy arm, 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:28.119 for wonders he hath done. 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:30.119 His right and land is holy arm, 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:32.119 his holy arm, the victory hath won. 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:42.119 The Lord declared his holy arm, the victory hath won. 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:47.119 The Lord declared his saving work, 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:59.119 and made it to be Lord. 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:08.119 To all the nations of the world, 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:15.119 His righteousness is sure. 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:26.119 His death was love and faithfulness, 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:33.119 He has remembered well. 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:43.119 Our covenant he made with them, 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:49.119 the hands of Israel. 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:52.119 His holy arm, the Lord declared his holy arm, 00:25:52.119 --> 00:26:01.119 and all the nations of the earth, 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:08.119 have seen what God has done. 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:18.119 Our God who brings deliverance, 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:25.119 my Israel's right hand alone. 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:37.119 If we could turn back to the passage that we read together, 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:45.119 and our text for our thoughts will be verse 20 from chapter 6. 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:52.119 Then the men of Beth Shemeth said, 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:58.119 Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? 00:26:58.119 --> 00:27:05.119 Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? 00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:09.119 Now the last time I was with you, 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:12.119 we looked at the previous chapter, 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:16.119 and many of you hopefully recall if you were present, 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:22.119 that we thought about the battle that Israel led against the Philistines, 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:26.119 and how they did it to fulfill their own desires. 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:29.119 But the bombshell, they didn't succeed, 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:34.119 and they received a bombshell back of great death. 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:39.119 The ears of Israel would tingle at their ignorance, 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:41.119 it was, to the word of God. 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:42.119 They didn't listen to the word of God. 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:46.119 And it was a reminder to us to take heed of what God says, 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:48.119 and what God has revealed to us. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:52.119 And we thought that when we do that, 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:55.119 and we use God's word as a rule to direct us, 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:59.119 we would know the fulfilling of the first catechism, 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:03.119 which is that our chief end would be to glorify God, 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:06.119 and to enjoy him forever. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:13.119 And I wanted to continue through in the following accounts that we read here tonight. 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:17.119 And pondering over the passage, 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:21.119 and taking a step back from the passage of what's happening here, 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:23.119 it kind of became clear to me that, 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:27.119 well, there's many different ways you could look at it. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:31.119 But really what's happening is, God is at work. 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:36.119 God is revealing who he is to the people, 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:39.119 to the Philistines and to the Israelites. 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:42.119 He's showing them who he is. 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:48.119 So I thought, well, it's entirely fitting that we employ another catechism, 00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:54.119 just like the people of Westminster that constructed the catechisms and confessions. 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:58.119 They looked at the word of God was a priority of everything. 00:28:58.119 --> 00:29:02.119 And then they looked secondly at who God is. 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:06.119 So as God reveals himself in this next chapter, 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:11.119 it is fitting that we can apply catechism for, to our thoughts. 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:13.119 What is God? 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:19.119 God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:29.119 In his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:39.119 And in the time that we have, there's no way we can satisfactorily touch on each point that we have there. 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:43.119 But I would like to just touch on it. 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:47.119 And many of you will be familiar with the idea of a tapas style restaurant, 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:53.119 where you go into the restaurant and you don't get a full meal, single meal. 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:57.119 You get lots of different meals, tasters as it were. 00:29:57.119 --> 00:30:00.119 And you taste it and see if you like it. 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:03.119 And in a sense, that's kind of what I want to do tonight. 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:09.119 I just touch on these characteristics of God, these attributes of God, 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:13.119 so we get a taste of who God is. 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:21.119 And that would be a taste that would leave us longing for more of that taste. 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:31.119 That would leave us coming back in our own time and our own readings to fulfill what is God. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:37.119 And when you look at the, this is just the shorter catechism version of who God is. 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:44.119 And it is concise and in its most basic form, but when you go to the confession of faith, 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:48.119 it is fulfilled with all these wonderful descriptions. 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:50.119 And when you read them and keep reading them, 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:56.119 it's almost like it enriches every time you read it to who God is. 00:30:56.119 --> 00:31:10.119 So I'd like to give you a taste of God using these points of his being, his wisdom, his power, his holiness, his justice, his goodness, and his truth. 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:16.119 So it will just be a taste of each in the time that we have. 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:20.119 So let us look at the being of God first. 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:25.119 And the being and wisdom of God will kind of fit into the background of our passage. 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:33.119 God's being is completely different to what we know as a being or our being. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:39.119 Where we see our beginnings, we see our ends, we see the changes on our being. 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:41.119 We grow old. 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:44.119 We can only be in one place at one time. 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:46.119 We can be here. 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:50.119 We can come to be. 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:53.119 Or we may have been. 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:57.119 And our being is limited, ultimately. 00:31:57.119 --> 00:32:00.119 Our being will stop. 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:06.119 It will be a being that will have been, in a sense. 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:19.119 But God's being is eternal, infinite, always existing, eternally being, never come to have been, always his. 00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:26.119 Infinite in his being, so that he is not limited to be in a place. 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:37.119 Infinite in the ability to be anywhere, not restricted to a body, to a time. 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:43.119 He is a God that can be here, even as we sit under his word. 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:48.119 He is a God that does not change. 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:49.119 We change. 00:32:49.119 --> 00:32:51.119 We grow old. 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:57.119 But God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, thankfully. 00:32:57.119 --> 00:33:08.119 So we can be assured by the words that God has given to us, describes a God who still is. 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:10.119 It's not a God that has changed. 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:14.119 So we get a clearer picture of who God is. 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:19.119 And we can gain a knowledge of him by reading his scripture. 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:28.119 God of Israel is the same God for our day. 00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:33.119 But Israel, in our passage, they forgot God. 00:33:33.119 --> 00:33:36.119 They neglected God and they turned away from God. 00:33:36.119 --> 00:33:37.119 They sought other gods. 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:40.119 They sought the gods of Canaan. 00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:43.119 They sought the Baals, the other gods. 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:53.119 So God, in his wisdom, reminded them of who they had forgotten. 00:33:53.119 --> 00:34:02.119 It was God's wisdom being revealed to remind them, in such a way, of who he was. 00:34:02.119 --> 00:34:08.119 So let us jump to our next taste of God's wisdom. 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:18.119 The nation of Israel had been left in a hopeless position now that the ark of God had been captured. 00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:23.119 The symbol of the symbol that represented God's presence had been taken from them. 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:28.119 And the tabernacle in Shiloh was left without a heart, in a sense. 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:34.119 And we must realize that it was not the Philistines who stole the ark, although they did. 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:38.119 It was God really allowing them to take it. 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:43.119 It was his choice, his providence, that they took the ark. 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:50.119 The ark was, in its day, a representation of God's presence. 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:54.119 That's how he revealed himself to the people then. 00:34:54.119 --> 00:35:02.119 It was his choice that he appointed the Philistines to take it. 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:09.119 And God's departure to that nation would have been a clear message to them. 00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:12.119 They had fallen from his favor. 00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:17.119 They did not rightly give God the honor that he was worthy of. 00:35:17.119 --> 00:35:19.119 And it was the root of the problem. 00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:22.119 They didn't realize who he was. 00:35:22.119 --> 00:35:26.119 They had lost the knowledge of God by neglecting his word. 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:31.119 But they were a people that were chosen by God. 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:32.119 They were a people. 00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:34.119 Israel was his treasured possession. 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:38.119 Israel were people of God's favor. 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:41.119 If they would obey him. 00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:43.119 But they never. 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:45.119 They forgot him. 00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:47.119 They lost knowledge. 00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:52.119 And he was a God that promised to be faithful to them. 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:54.119 He would be faithful to this Israel. 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:58.119 If they would be obedient to him. 00:35:58.119 --> 00:36:01.119 That comes from Deuteronomy chapter 7. 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:05.119 And that chapter lays down a lot of terms for them. 00:36:06.119 --> 00:36:07.119 As a people. 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:09.119 Of being obedient to God. 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:12.119 And what God expected from them as a people. 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:16.119 And now the ark has been taken from them. 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:19.119 It may seem like they've, in a sense, blown it with God. 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:22.119 The glory of God has departed. 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:24.119 And they would have been asking themselves. 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:27.119 Well, what can we do now? 00:36:27.119 --> 00:36:33.119 God's wisdom outworking. 00:36:33.119 --> 00:36:36.119 Is beyond our understanding. 00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:42.119 This may have seemed for them such an empty place. 00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:44.119 Without the presence of God. 00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:45.119 God. 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:49.119 But it was much as in God's chastisement. 00:36:49.119 --> 00:36:51.119 To the people. 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:53.119 As it was correction. 00:36:53.119 --> 00:36:56.119 As it was cultivation. 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:57.119 Within them. 00:36:57.119 --> 00:37:01.119 And though they were sad days for the nation. 00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:06.119 Though it would have seemed like their future had been robbed from them by the Philistines. 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:09.119 And their security swept from under their feet. 00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:11.119 And their security swept from under their feet. 00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:13.119 It was all in God's plan. 00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:16.119 It was all in God's plan. 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:19.119 And we need to remember that as a people. 00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:23.119 Regardless of what our circumstances are. 00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:25.119 God is all wise. 00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:30.119 And knows how to outwork all our situations. 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:32.119 If we trust in him. 00:37:32.119 --> 00:37:35.119 Stephen Lawson describes it. 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:36.119 That he says. 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:39.119 He will bring about the best purpose. 00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:41.119 By the best means. 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:46.119 God will do it in a way that no one else can. 00:37:46.119 --> 00:37:48.119 No one else would have thought of even. 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:51.119 And we see that ultimately in salvation. 00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:56.119 How God outworks his wisdom and salvation through Jesus Christ. 00:37:56.119 --> 00:37:59.119 And we see it here in this passage. 00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:05.119 Maybe we can see that we need to be taught something. 00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:11.119 Maybe we don't acknowledge that we need to be taught by God. 00:38:11.119 --> 00:38:16.119 But God knows what we need to be taught. 00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:21.119 And knows how to administer that teaching to us. 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:24.119 Whether it be by chastisement. 00:38:24.119 --> 00:38:30.119 Whether it be by a revealing of his loving cultivating of our hearts. 00:38:30.119 --> 00:38:32.119 Whatever it is. 00:38:32.119 --> 00:38:33.119 Or correction. 00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:34.119 Or whatever. 00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:42.119 It is all teaching to sanctify the people of God. 00:38:42.119 --> 00:38:45.119 To bring us closer to God. 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:49.119 To make us his people that he promised he would be. 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:52.119 And it may take us to dry places. 00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:53.119 Hard places. 00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:56.119 Places that are hopeless. 00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:58.119 Like Israel. 00:38:58.119 --> 00:39:01.119 Where the hope is robbed from them. 00:39:01.119 --> 00:39:03.119 Take us to sad places. 00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:09.119 Where we can even lose all hope for the future that is ahead of us. 00:39:09.119 --> 00:39:12.119 And ask, well, what now? 00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:17.119 God has a plan. 00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:20.119 He is the God of all wisdom. 00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:23.119 And his plans are for good. 00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:30.119 And only that plan can be outworked because he has a power to do it. 00:39:30.119 --> 00:39:31.119 For what if there is a plan with no power? 00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:32.119 It is useless. 00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:33.119 Let us look at the power of God. 00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:47.119 Now we come to a passage that we read. 00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:49.119 We have done the background of the people. 00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:50.119 We have done the background of the people. 00:39:50.119 --> 00:39:52.119 Forgetting who God was. 00:39:52.119 --> 00:39:54.119 Forgetting the being of God. 00:39:54.119 --> 00:39:57.119 Not trusting in the wisdom of God. 00:39:57.119 --> 00:40:00.119 But seeing how God outworked his wisdom. 00:40:00.119 --> 00:40:02.119 And teaching the people what they needed to be taught. 00:40:02.119 --> 00:40:09.119 Let us read from chapter 5, verse 2. 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:15.119 Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon. 00:40:15.119 --> 00:40:17.119 And set it up beside Dagon. 00:40:17.119 --> 00:40:20.119 And when the people of Ashland rose early the next day. 00:40:20.119 --> 00:40:25.119 Behold, Dagon had fallen on the ground before the ark of the Lord. 00:40:25.119 --> 00:40:30.119 So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 00:40:30.119 --> 00:40:40.119 God displays his power in this quiet, almost humorous wisdom. 00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:43.119 In a way we couldn't have thought of. 00:40:43.119 --> 00:40:48.119 God works with his power. 00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:55.119 The Philistines brought this ark of God from the Israelites into the palace. 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:58.119 The presence of their God, Dagon. 00:40:58.119 --> 00:41:00.119 We don't know why. 00:41:00.119 --> 00:41:02.119 Were they thanking God? 00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:10.119 Were they thanking their God, Dagon, for enabling them to overpower this God of the Israelites? 00:41:10.119 --> 00:41:17.119 Were they giving this ark of God to Dagon as a sacrifice? 00:41:17.119 --> 00:41:23.119 As a sacrifice or giving it to him as thanks to this God? 00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:26.119 We're not entirely sure. 00:41:26.119 --> 00:41:29.119 But we know, just to give you a picture. 00:41:29.119 --> 00:41:34.119 This God, Dagon, was like half man, half fish. 00:41:34.119 --> 00:41:35.119 Like a lower half fish. 00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:39.119 So it was like a male version of a mermaid, if you'd like. 00:41:39.119 --> 00:41:44.119 So it would make it a mere man, in a sense. 00:41:44.119 --> 00:41:53.119 And they brought this ark of Israelites before Dagon. 00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:56.119 And you would never have expected this to happen. 00:41:56.119 --> 00:41:59.119 I couldn't see how big Dagon was. 00:41:59.119 --> 00:42:05.119 And just to picture what was happening here, I couldn't find any sort of sizes, relevance. 00:42:05.119 --> 00:42:07.119 You know, was it a small statue? 00:42:07.119 --> 00:42:10.119 Was it a big statue that would have been difficult to fall over? 00:42:10.119 --> 00:42:13.119 We're not sure on it. 00:42:13.119 --> 00:42:16.119 But it did fall. 00:42:16.119 --> 00:42:19.119 It fell on its face before the ark. 00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:24.119 Just as if Dagon was submitting worship to God. 00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:29.119 Philistines come in the next morning and resurrected. 00:42:29.119 --> 00:42:32.119 They stick it back up again. 00:42:32.119 --> 00:42:33.119 They stand it back up. 00:42:33.119 --> 00:42:38.119 And I don't know where they're asking, how did that fall over? 00:42:38.119 --> 00:42:39.119 Maybe we don't know. 00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:45.119 And then the next morning, the same thing happens. 00:42:45.119 --> 00:42:50.119 Dagon falls before this ark of God. 00:42:50.119 --> 00:43:02.119 Now, we can easily have idols in our lives. 00:43:02.119 --> 00:43:07.119 And God can't take them from us. 00:43:07.119 --> 00:43:11.119 God can make them difficult for us to live with. 00:43:11.119 --> 00:43:20.119 But what we must be aware of is when God corrects us for them. 00:43:20.119 --> 00:43:26.119 And when we make things that are maybe not bad, but we make them idols, 00:43:26.119 --> 00:43:35.119 we need to understand if God is trying to correct us in the time that we give to them, 00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:40.119 the place that we put them on in our lives. 00:43:40.119 --> 00:43:47.119 And we must not try to resurrect them like the Philistines did. 00:43:47.119 --> 00:43:55.119 Because God has power over them. 00:43:55.119 --> 00:43:59.119 The Philistines were greeted with the God in this worse condition. 00:43:59.119 --> 00:44:04.119 His fallen flat on his face, his hands and heads, 00:44:04.119 --> 00:44:07.119 his head and his hands detached this time. 00:44:07.119 --> 00:44:12.119 As if God was saying to Dagon and the Philistines, 00:44:12.119 --> 00:44:16.119 your God has no wisdom, his head's been cut off. 00:44:16.119 --> 00:44:20.119 Your God has no power, his hands have been cut off. 00:44:20.119 --> 00:44:27.119 My power overcomes your gods. 00:44:27.119 --> 00:44:34.119 See, the Lord will not be worshipped alongside any other God or any other idols. 00:44:34.119 --> 00:44:39.119 There is none besides God, but the one true living God. 00:44:39.119 --> 00:44:41.119 And he's a God full of power. 00:44:41.119 --> 00:44:44.119 And power is a quality that enables someone to conquer. 00:44:44.119 --> 00:44:53.119 The Lord God Almighty is full of power, infinite in power, omnipotent. 00:44:53.119 --> 00:45:01.119 He has a power over everything and everyone, every God, every evil, every sin, even death itself. 00:45:01.119 --> 00:45:09.119 And God revealed his power over the Philistines as well as their God. 00:45:09.119 --> 00:45:11.119 God revealed himself to the nation. 00:45:13.119 --> 00:45:18.119 A nation that came with, you can imagine the pride they had taking this ark back. 00:45:18.119 --> 00:45:24.119 It would have felt so confident. 00:45:24.119 --> 00:45:29.119 We've conquered the God of the Philistines. 00:45:29.119 --> 00:45:30.119 They would have been saved. 00:45:30.119 --> 00:45:36.119 But God will not allow that. 00:45:36.119 --> 00:45:40.119 God plagued the people with tumour. 00:45:40.119 --> 00:45:43.119 His heavy hand was upon them in verse 6. 00:45:43.119 --> 00:45:48.119 Wherever this ark went, whatever town it went to, 00:45:48.119 --> 00:45:55.119 Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, the people felt the hand on the power of God overwhelming them, suppressing them. 00:45:55.119 --> 00:46:01.119 A power that was uncontrollable. 00:46:02.119 --> 00:46:07.119 These tumours kept taking over, killing people. 00:46:07.119 --> 00:46:10.119 They couldn't do anything about it. 00:46:10.119 --> 00:46:12.119 It caused a deathly panic. 00:46:12.119 --> 00:46:16.119 They felt powerless before the power of God. 00:46:17.119 --> 00:46:21.119 And have we seen the full extent of his power today? 00:46:21.119 --> 00:46:23.119 Not fully. 00:46:24.119 --> 00:46:30.119 The Lord will show us might and power by conquering all evil one day. 00:46:30.119 --> 00:46:33.119 A day unknown to us. 00:46:33.119 --> 00:46:38.119 He has promised that he will conquer death for the one that believes in him. 00:46:38.119 --> 00:46:41.119 He believes in his son. 00:46:41.119 --> 00:46:45.119 And the power that is within him. 00:46:45.119 --> 00:46:47.119 As one God. 00:46:47.119 --> 00:46:52.119 Is the power of God on your side tonight? 00:46:52.119 --> 00:46:57.119 Or are you one that opposes the power of God? 00:46:57.119 --> 00:47:04.119 There is nobody in this world that can escape the plagues of life. 00:47:06.119 --> 00:47:08.119 The plagues of life will come. 00:47:08.119 --> 00:47:10.119 The experiences of life will come to us. 00:47:10.119 --> 00:47:15.119 But ultimately God has a power that will overcome every power. 00:47:15.119 --> 00:47:18.119 Even if it is a tumour. 00:47:19.119 --> 00:47:21.119 God will overcome that for us. 00:47:21.119 --> 00:47:28.119 But the power of God is too much for this people to bear. 00:47:28.119 --> 00:47:32.119 And so they called a meeting together in verse 2 of chapter 6. 00:47:32.119 --> 00:47:33.119 And said. 00:47:33.119 --> 00:47:35.119 What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? 00:47:38.119 --> 00:47:39.119 Send it away. 00:47:40.119 --> 00:47:41.119 Send it away. 00:47:41.119 --> 00:47:44.119 The power of this God. 00:47:44.119 --> 00:47:46.119 Sets him apart from all other gods. 00:47:46.119 --> 00:47:49.119 And above all any other God or being. 00:47:49.119 --> 00:47:59.119 But it is a power that enriches and complements the holiness of his being. 00:48:03.119 --> 00:48:04.119 God is holy. 00:48:04.119 --> 00:48:07.119 Let us move on to the taste of holiness. 00:48:08.119 --> 00:48:11.119 Holiness means that God is separated. 00:48:12.119 --> 00:48:13.119 He is set apart. 00:48:13.119 --> 00:48:15.119 He is one in perfection and purity. 00:48:16.119 --> 00:48:17.119 Because he is holy. 00:48:17.119 --> 00:48:20.119 The God that is full of wisdom. 00:48:20.119 --> 00:48:21.119 Almighty in power. 00:48:21.119 --> 00:48:24.119 He demands a holy reverence. 00:48:26.119 --> 00:48:28.119 But this attribute of God. 00:48:28.119 --> 00:48:29.119 The holiness of God. 00:48:29.119 --> 00:48:31.119 Is hard for us to put a finger on. 00:48:33.119 --> 00:48:35.119 I don't think we get it. 00:48:36.119 --> 00:48:37.119 Because if we did. 00:48:38.119 --> 00:48:40.119 I think we would live our lives completely differently. 00:48:41.119 --> 00:48:42.119 To the way that we do. 00:48:42.119 --> 00:48:47.119 We may not grasp God. 00:48:48.119 --> 00:48:49.119 He is incomprehensible. 00:48:50.119 --> 00:48:51.119 In many levels. 00:48:52.119 --> 00:48:53.119 But we can see the holiness. 00:48:53.119 --> 00:48:55.119 Revealed to us through a scripture. 00:48:56.119 --> 00:48:57.119 And the effect it had on the people. 00:48:58.119 --> 00:49:00.119 You can be mindful of Moses. 00:49:00.119 --> 00:49:01.119 At Mount Sinai. 00:49:02.119 --> 00:49:03.119 When the glory of God. 00:49:04.119 --> 00:49:05.119 Appeared over that mountain. 00:49:06.119 --> 00:49:07.119 The fear. 00:49:07.119 --> 00:49:08.119 Fell upon the whole people. 00:49:08.119 --> 00:49:09.119 That they trembled. 00:49:09.119 --> 00:49:10.119 They trembled. 00:49:10.119 --> 00:49:11.119 This whole nation. 00:49:11.119 --> 00:49:12.119 Trembled. 00:49:12.119 --> 00:49:13.119 Because God appeared. 00:49:15.119 --> 00:49:16.119 We can think of Moses. 00:49:16.119 --> 00:49:18.119 After the tabernacle had been built. 00:49:19.119 --> 00:49:20.119 He wasn't allowed. 00:49:20.119 --> 00:49:22.119 Into the presence of God. 00:49:23.119 --> 00:49:24.119 Initially. 00:49:25.119 --> 00:49:26.119 He had to prepare himself. 00:49:29.119 --> 00:49:30.119 We can think of Isaiah. 00:49:30.119 --> 00:49:31.119 We thought of Isaiah. 00:49:31.119 --> 00:49:32.119 We thought of Isaiah. 00:49:32.119 --> 00:49:33.119 And services recently. 00:49:33.119 --> 00:49:34.119 Who stood before. 00:49:34.119 --> 00:49:35.119 The presence of God. 00:49:35.119 --> 00:49:36.119 Came to him. 00:49:36.119 --> 00:49:37.119 And he said. 00:49:37.119 --> 00:49:38.119 Woe is me. 00:49:38.119 --> 00:49:39.119 I am lost. 00:49:39.119 --> 00:49:40.119 I am a man of unclean lips. 00:49:40.119 --> 00:49:42.119 I dwell in the midst of unclean lips. 00:49:43.119 --> 00:49:44.119 Ezekiel. 00:49:44.119 --> 00:49:45.119 Who fell on his face. 00:49:45.119 --> 00:49:46.119 Before God. 00:49:46.119 --> 00:49:47.119 He could not look upon him. 00:49:47.119 --> 00:49:49.119 John in the revelation. 00:49:49.119 --> 00:49:51.119 Who fell as his one dead. 00:49:53.119 --> 00:49:54.119 Matthew Henry says. 00:49:54.119 --> 00:49:56.119 That there is no attribute of God. 00:49:56.119 --> 00:49:57.119 More dreadful to sinners. 00:49:57.119 --> 00:49:59.119 Than his holiness. 00:49:59.119 --> 00:50:02.119 And the holiness of God. 00:50:02.119 --> 00:50:04.119 Invoques within us. 00:50:04.119 --> 00:50:05.119 A feeling of. 00:50:05.119 --> 00:50:06.119 Fear. 00:50:06.119 --> 00:50:07.119 A dread. 00:50:09.119 --> 00:50:11.119 It invokes a feeling of complete loss. 00:50:11.119 --> 00:50:13.119 Where we call out. 00:50:13.119 --> 00:50:14.119 Woe. 00:50:14.119 --> 00:50:15.119 To me. 00:50:15.119 --> 00:50:17.119 What am I. 00:50:17.119 --> 00:50:18.119 Before this. 00:50:19.119 --> 00:50:20.119 Almighty. 00:50:20.119 --> 00:50:21.119 Holy. 00:50:21.119 --> 00:50:22.119 God. 00:50:22.119 --> 00:50:23.119 Infinite. 00:50:23.119 --> 00:50:24.119 Eternal. 00:50:24.119 --> 00:50:25.119 And unchangeable. 00:50:25.119 --> 00:50:26.119 Pure. 00:50:26.119 --> 00:50:27.119 Perfect. 00:50:27.119 --> 00:50:28.119 Undefiled. 00:50:28.119 --> 00:50:29.119 If we. 00:50:29.119 --> 00:50:30.119 Realized. 00:50:30.119 --> 00:50:31.119 The holiness of God. 00:50:31.119 --> 00:50:34.119 We would be a different people. 00:50:39.119 --> 00:50:41.119 The holiness of God. 00:50:41.119 --> 00:50:42.119 Could not be. 00:50:42.119 --> 00:50:43.119 Be. 00:50:43.119 --> 00:50:44.119 Beared. 00:50:46.119 --> 00:50:47.119 Of the natural man. 00:50:47.119 --> 00:50:49.119 They put him away. 00:50:49.119 --> 00:50:52.119 They can't bear it. 00:50:52.119 --> 00:50:54.119 But the one who trusts in him. 00:50:54.119 --> 00:50:55.119 Will humble his heart. 00:50:55.119 --> 00:50:58.119 And change his ways. 00:50:58.119 --> 00:51:00.119 And listen to him. 00:51:00.119 --> 00:51:02.119 And give worship. 00:51:02.119 --> 00:51:03.119 And praise. 00:51:03.119 --> 00:51:05.119 To this God. 00:51:05.119 --> 00:51:06.119 Who is so holy. 00:51:06.119 --> 00:51:09.119 That they cannot comprehend his holiness. 00:51:09.119 --> 00:51:12.119 And the holiness of God's character. 00:51:12.119 --> 00:51:14.119 Is shown in the passage. 00:51:14.119 --> 00:51:16.119 Where Dagon fell on his face. 00:51:16.119 --> 00:51:18.119 It wasn't a power that knocked him on his back. 00:51:18.119 --> 00:51:19.119 Or his side. 00:51:19.119 --> 00:51:21.119 He fell on his face. 00:51:21.119 --> 00:51:22.119 As if. 00:51:22.119 --> 00:51:23.119 He was. 00:51:23.119 --> 00:51:24.119 Worshipping. 00:51:24.119 --> 00:51:25.119 God. 00:51:25.119 --> 00:51:26.119 Because he was. 00:51:26.119 --> 00:51:27.119 Holier. 00:51:27.119 --> 00:51:28.119 Than any other. 00:51:28.119 --> 00:51:29.119 God. 00:51:29.119 --> 00:51:31.119 And wherever this ark went. 00:51:31.119 --> 00:51:33.119 It terrified the people of God. 00:51:33.119 --> 00:51:35.119 This panic that came upon the people. 00:51:35.119 --> 00:51:37.119 And they said that this God. 00:51:37.119 --> 00:51:39.119 Is a God that is unbearable. 00:51:39.119 --> 00:51:42.119 He cannot remain with us. 00:51:44.119 --> 00:51:46.119 And it even cost them. 00:51:46.119 --> 00:51:47.119 To send this God away. 00:51:47.119 --> 00:51:49.119 It was that unbearable. 00:51:49.119 --> 00:51:52.119 The holiness of God's presence. 00:51:52.119 --> 00:51:54.119 Amongst the sinful people. 00:51:54.119 --> 00:51:56.119 But they did what they could. 00:51:56.119 --> 00:51:57.119 They made this. 00:51:57.119 --> 00:51:58.119 Golden mice. 00:51:58.119 --> 00:51:59.119 Golden tumour. 00:51:59.119 --> 00:52:00.119 They made this new cart. 00:52:00.119 --> 00:52:02.119 They sent it away with new cows. 00:52:02.119 --> 00:52:06.119 Away from me. 00:52:09.119 --> 00:52:10.119 Are you doing that. 00:52:10.119 --> 00:52:11.119 Tonight. 00:52:11.119 --> 00:52:12.119 With God. 00:52:12.119 --> 00:52:13.119 It's what people did. 00:52:13.119 --> 00:52:15.119 When Jesus came. 00:52:16.119 --> 00:52:18.119 They did away with him. 00:52:18.119 --> 00:52:20.119 They couldn't bear him. 00:52:20.119 --> 00:52:21.119 To be amongst them. 00:52:22.119 --> 00:52:24.119 They silenced him. 00:52:25.119 --> 00:52:26.119 They killed him. 00:52:30.119 --> 00:52:31.119 But they could not overcome him. 00:52:32.119 --> 00:52:37.119 And even when the ark returned to Israel. 00:52:37.119 --> 00:52:38.119 There is. 00:52:38.119 --> 00:52:39.119 There is a holiness seen there. 00:52:41.119 --> 00:52:43.119 This ark was specific. 00:52:43.119 --> 00:52:46.119 Within specific instructions from God. 00:52:48.119 --> 00:52:50.119 And it says that the people looked upon it. 00:52:50.119 --> 00:52:52.119 When it came into the village of Beth Shemeth. 00:52:52.119 --> 00:52:53.119 Beth Shemeth. 00:52:53.119 --> 00:52:55.119 And whether they looked upon it. 00:52:55.119 --> 00:52:56.119 Just looking at it. 00:52:56.119 --> 00:52:58.119 Or whether they looked into it. 00:52:58.119 --> 00:52:59.119 We are unclear. 00:52:59.119 --> 00:53:02.119 And the ark should have been covered anyway. 00:53:03.119 --> 00:53:04.119 We are not sure. 00:53:04.119 --> 00:53:06.119 But it says in Numbers 4 verse 20. 00:53:07.119 --> 00:53:10.119 They shall not go in and look on the holy things. 00:53:10.119 --> 00:53:11.119 Even for a moment. 00:53:11.119 --> 00:53:12.119 Lest they die. 00:53:12.119 --> 00:53:13.119 They die. 00:53:15.119 --> 00:53:16.119 This was the Lord's command. 00:53:16.119 --> 00:53:17.119 This was the holy things. 00:53:17.119 --> 00:53:19.119 One of the things was the ark of God. 00:53:19.119 --> 00:53:22.119 And when this returned. 00:53:23.119 --> 00:53:24.119 To dwell amongst their people. 00:53:24.119 --> 00:53:25.119 There was no allowances. 00:53:25.119 --> 00:53:27.119 There was no change of who God was. 00:53:28.119 --> 00:53:29.119 An unchangeable God. 00:53:31.119 --> 00:53:34.119 Ignorance to the word of God was no excuse. 00:53:34.119 --> 00:53:38.119 Israel needed to relearn who God was. 00:53:38.119 --> 00:53:40.119 Who is this God? 00:53:40.119 --> 00:53:42.119 What is God to them? 00:53:43.119 --> 00:53:45.119 And they learned. 00:53:45.119 --> 00:53:48.119 That God was a holy God. 00:53:48.119 --> 00:53:51.119 That they could not stand before. 00:53:53.119 --> 00:53:54.119 If you remember. 00:53:54.119 --> 00:53:55.119 There were people that took this ark. 00:53:55.119 --> 00:53:57.119 So casually into battle. 00:53:57.119 --> 00:53:58.119 In the last chapter. 00:53:58.119 --> 00:54:00.119 But now they are saying. 00:54:00.119 --> 00:54:02.119 Who can stand before this? 00:54:02.119 --> 00:54:03.119 God is teaching them. 00:54:03.119 --> 00:54:05.119 God does not leave his people. 00:54:06.119 --> 00:54:07.119 Holiness of God. 00:54:07.119 --> 00:54:09.119 It elevates his purity. 00:54:09.119 --> 00:54:10.119 This uprightness. 00:54:10.119 --> 00:54:11.119 And this righteousness. 00:54:13.119 --> 00:54:15.119 And in order for there to be righteousness. 00:54:15.119 --> 00:54:16.119 There must be justice. 00:54:17.119 --> 00:54:19.119 So let us move to the next taste. 00:54:19.119 --> 00:54:20.119 Of justice. 00:54:22.119 --> 00:54:24.119 The thought of a God who is just. 00:54:24.119 --> 00:54:26.119 It kind of has fallen out of favor. 00:54:26.119 --> 00:54:27.119 In our day. 00:54:28.119 --> 00:54:29.119 Something that's maybe not fair. 00:54:29.119 --> 00:54:30.119 Is God not love? 00:54:30.119 --> 00:54:33.119 Why is he chastising of? 00:54:33.119 --> 00:54:34.119 Why is he chastising of? 00:54:35.119 --> 00:54:37.119 But justice is actually a good thing. 00:54:37.119 --> 00:54:38.119 When you think about it. 00:54:38.119 --> 00:54:39.119 No one likes to see injustice. 00:54:40.119 --> 00:54:42.119 No one likes to see someone who. 00:54:43.119 --> 00:54:45.119 Is convicted of an offense. 00:54:45.119 --> 00:54:47.119 That he can walk away from it. 00:54:47.119 --> 00:54:49.119 Or he can hide from it. 00:54:49.119 --> 00:54:51.119 That punishment is administered. 00:54:51.119 --> 00:54:54.119 To the person who has committed the crime. 00:54:54.119 --> 00:54:56.119 And that is the justice of it. 00:54:56.119 --> 00:54:58.119 Although even our justice isn't perfect. 00:54:59.119 --> 00:55:01.119 God's justice is perfect. 00:55:02.119 --> 00:55:04.119 Nor in a sense. 00:55:04.119 --> 00:55:05.119 That someone could be convicted. 00:55:05.119 --> 00:55:07.119 That hasn't committed a crime. 00:55:08.119 --> 00:55:09.119 That would be injustice. 00:55:09.119 --> 00:55:10.119 In the same sense. 00:55:10.119 --> 00:55:14.119 Justice is as much as what is right. 00:55:14.119 --> 00:55:16.119 As is what is deserved. 00:55:17.119 --> 00:55:19.119 People want to see justice. 00:55:19.119 --> 00:55:21.119 It's just justice is hard. 00:55:21.119 --> 00:55:23.119 When it comes knocking at our door. 00:55:24.119 --> 00:55:25.119 Because of convictions. 00:55:26.119 --> 00:55:27.119 In our life. 00:55:29.119 --> 00:55:31.119 God's justice is one of his qualities. 00:55:32.119 --> 00:55:34.119 But the idea of God being just. 00:55:35.119 --> 00:55:36.119 Says just that well. 00:55:36.119 --> 00:55:37.119 He's going to act. 00:55:37.119 --> 00:55:39.119 On his justice. 00:55:40.119 --> 00:55:42.119 He implements justice. 00:55:42.119 --> 00:55:43.119 Or he administers justice. 00:55:43.119 --> 00:55:44.119 To his people. 00:55:47.119 --> 00:55:48.119 God took the ark from them. 00:55:49.119 --> 00:55:50.119 In order to teach them. 00:55:51.119 --> 00:55:52.119 He was very particular. 00:55:52.119 --> 00:55:53.119 About this ark. 00:55:53.119 --> 00:55:54.119 As we said. 00:55:56.119 --> 00:55:57.119 It should be carried. 00:55:57.119 --> 00:55:58.119 In a specific way. 00:55:58.119 --> 00:55:59.119 It should be placed. 00:55:59.119 --> 00:56:00.119 In a certain place. 00:56:00.119 --> 00:56:02.119 People should have approached them. 00:56:02.119 --> 00:56:03.119 With certain clothes on. 00:56:03.119 --> 00:56:07.119 And if they didn't meet. 00:56:07.119 --> 00:56:08.119 The requirements. 00:56:08.119 --> 00:56:09.119 Of what God specified. 00:56:10.119 --> 00:56:12.119 It was met with the condition. 00:56:12.119 --> 00:56:13.119 Lest they die. 00:56:14.119 --> 00:56:16.119 If they didn't listen. 00:56:16.119 --> 00:56:18.119 To how God had ordered things to be. 00:56:18.119 --> 00:56:19.119 And approach him. 00:56:19.119 --> 00:56:21.119 As he had ordered. 00:56:22.119 --> 00:56:24.119 It was largely conditioned. 00:56:24.119 --> 00:56:25.119 Upon. 00:56:26.119 --> 00:56:27.119 The thought. 00:56:27.119 --> 00:56:28.119 Of lest they die. 00:56:28.119 --> 00:56:29.119 Should they not. 00:56:29.119 --> 00:56:30.119 Not. 00:56:32.119 --> 00:56:33.119 So it was justifiable. 00:56:33.119 --> 00:56:34.119 In a sense. 00:56:34.119 --> 00:56:35.119 Of what God had done. 00:56:35.119 --> 00:56:37.119 That death. 00:56:37.119 --> 00:56:38.119 Took place. 00:56:38.119 --> 00:56:39.119 To the people. 00:56:39.119 --> 00:56:40.119 Of Israel. 00:56:40.119 --> 00:56:42.119 In the last passage. 00:56:42.119 --> 00:56:43.119 That we read through. 00:56:48.119 --> 00:56:49.119 The Lord. 00:56:49.119 --> 00:56:50.119 By no means. 00:56:50.119 --> 00:56:51.119 Will clear the guilty. 00:56:52.119 --> 00:56:53.119 And all sin. 00:56:53.119 --> 00:56:54.119 Deserves punishment. 00:56:54.119 --> 00:56:55.119 Of God. 00:56:55.119 --> 00:56:56.119 The wages of sin. 00:56:56.119 --> 00:56:57.119 Is death. 00:56:57.119 --> 00:56:58.119 In us. 00:56:58.119 --> 00:56:59.119 We deceive ourselves. 00:56:59.119 --> 00:57:01.119 We deserve to die. 00:57:01.119 --> 00:57:02.119 Because of our sin. 00:57:02.119 --> 00:57:03.119 We deserve. 00:57:03.119 --> 00:57:04.119 God's justice. 00:57:04.119 --> 00:57:06.119 We are full. 00:57:06.119 --> 00:57:07.119 Short. 00:57:07.119 --> 00:57:08.119 Of the glory. 00:57:08.119 --> 00:57:09.119 Of God. 00:57:09.119 --> 00:57:10.119 The wages. 00:57:10.119 --> 00:57:11.119 We gather. 00:57:11.119 --> 00:57:12.119 Results. 00:57:12.119 --> 00:57:13.119 In death. 00:57:13.119 --> 00:57:14.119 In our lives. 00:57:14.119 --> 00:57:15.119 But the free gift. 00:57:15.119 --> 00:57:16.119 Of God. 00:57:16.119 --> 00:57:17.119 Is eternal life. 00:57:17.119 --> 00:57:18.119 Through Christ. 00:57:18.119 --> 00:57:19.119 Jesus. 00:57:19.119 --> 00:57:20.119 Christ. 00:57:20.119 --> 00:57:21.119 Is a key. 00:57:21.119 --> 00:57:22.119 Christ. 00:57:22.119 --> 00:57:23.119 Frees us. 00:57:23.119 --> 00:57:24.119 From punishment. 00:57:24.119 --> 00:57:25.119 Of God. 00:57:25.119 --> 00:57:26.119 Our. 00:57:26.119 --> 00:57:27.119 Redeemer. 00:57:27.119 --> 00:57:28.119 Who paid. 00:57:28.119 --> 00:57:29.119 The wages. 00:57:29.119 --> 00:57:30.119 For the sins. 00:57:30.119 --> 00:57:31.119 That we accumulate. 00:57:31.119 --> 00:57:32.119 In this life. 00:57:32.119 --> 00:57:33.119 At the cross. 00:57:33.119 --> 00:57:34.119 Of Calvary. 00:57:34.119 --> 00:57:35.119 But it does not mean. 00:57:35.119 --> 00:57:36.119 That he frees us. 00:57:36.119 --> 00:57:37.119 From God's justice. 00:57:37.119 --> 00:57:38.119 God's justice. 00:57:38.119 --> 00:57:39.119 God's justice. 00:57:39.119 --> 00:57:40.119 Will always be. 00:57:40.119 --> 00:57:41.119 Christ. 00:57:41.119 --> 00:57:42.119 Satisfies. 00:57:42.119 --> 00:57:43.119 God's justice. 00:57:43.119 --> 00:57:44.119 For us. 00:57:44.119 --> 00:57:46.119 He became sin. 00:57:46.119 --> 00:57:47.119 So that we. 00:57:47.119 --> 00:57:48.119 May. 00:57:48.119 --> 00:57:49.119 Know. 00:57:49.119 --> 00:57:50.119 No sin. 00:57:50.119 --> 00:57:51.119 And that we. 00:57:51.119 --> 00:57:52.119 May be righteous. 00:57:52.119 --> 00:57:53.119 Before God. 00:57:53.119 --> 00:57:54.119 Before God. 00:57:54.119 --> 00:57:55.119 There's no other way. 00:57:55.119 --> 00:57:56.119 That we can stand. 00:57:56.119 --> 00:57:57.119 Before God. 00:57:57.119 --> 00:57:58.119 That's right. 00:57:58.119 --> 00:57:59.119 If Christ does not. 00:57:59.119 --> 00:58:00.119 Take. 00:58:00.119 --> 00:58:01.119 Our sins. 00:58:01.119 --> 00:58:02.119 And we. 00:58:02.119 --> 00:58:03.119 Confess them. 00:58:03.119 --> 00:58:04.119 To him. 00:58:04.119 --> 00:58:05.119 And he. 00:58:05.119 --> 00:58:07.119 Deals with them. 00:58:07.119 --> 00:58:08.119 At the cross. 00:58:08.119 --> 00:58:09.119 And at Calvary. 00:58:09.119 --> 00:58:11.119 He takes them. 00:58:11.119 --> 00:58:12.119 From us. 00:58:12.119 --> 00:58:13.119 And the judge. 00:58:13.119 --> 00:58:14.119 Can. 00:58:14.119 --> 00:58:15.119 The judge. 00:58:15.119 --> 00:58:16.119 Can say. 00:58:16.119 --> 00:58:17.119 That you're free. 00:58:17.119 --> 00:58:18.119 To go. 00:58:18.119 --> 00:58:19.119 Because. 00:58:19.119 --> 00:58:20.119 Christ has. 00:58:20.119 --> 00:58:21.119 Done the. 00:58:21.119 --> 00:58:22.119 Sentence. 00:58:22.119 --> 00:58:23.119 To. 00:58:23.119 --> 00:58:24.119 Christ. 00:58:24.119 --> 00:58:25.119 Has paid. 00:58:25.119 --> 00:58:26.119 The cost. 00:58:26.119 --> 00:58:27.119 And met. 00:58:27.119 --> 00:58:28.119 The requirements. 00:58:28.119 --> 00:58:29.119 Of justice. 00:58:29.119 --> 00:58:30.119 Christ. 00:58:30.119 --> 00:58:31.119 Is. 00:58:31.119 --> 00:58:32.119 Our escape. 00:58:32.119 --> 00:58:34.119 From the wrath. 00:58:34.119 --> 00:58:35.119 Of God. 00:58:35.119 --> 00:58:38.119 And it's a free gift. 00:58:38.119 --> 00:58:40.119 Of his free grace. 00:58:40.119 --> 00:58:41.119 And it is of the goodness. 00:58:41.119 --> 00:58:42.119 Of his nature. 00:58:42.119 --> 00:58:43.119 So briefly. 00:58:43.119 --> 00:58:45.119 The goodness of God. 00:58:45.119 --> 00:58:47.119 And the truth of God. 00:58:47.119 --> 00:58:48.119 God. 00:58:48.119 --> 00:58:49.119 And. 00:58:49.119 --> 00:58:50.119 What is good. 00:58:50.119 --> 00:58:52.119 In its essence. 00:58:52.119 --> 00:58:53.119 The dictionary says. 00:58:53.119 --> 00:58:54.119 It's morally excellent. 00:58:54.119 --> 00:58:55.119 Virtuous. 00:58:55.119 --> 00:58:56.119 And righteous. 00:58:56.119 --> 00:58:57.119 And we met. 00:58:57.119 --> 00:58:58.119 We met. 00:58:58.119 --> 00:58:59.119 Righteousness. 00:58:59.119 --> 00:59:00.119 Already. 00:59:00.119 --> 00:59:01.119 And all these things overlap. 00:59:01.119 --> 00:59:02.119 And interweave. 00:59:02.119 --> 00:59:04.119 And crisscross over each other. 00:59:04.119 --> 00:59:05.119 That they. 00:59:05.119 --> 00:59:06.119 Tie each other together. 00:59:06.119 --> 00:59:07.119 Strengthen each other. 00:59:07.119 --> 00:59:09.119 Into this God. 00:59:09.119 --> 00:59:10.119 That is so. 00:59:10.119 --> 00:59:11.119 Good. 00:59:11.119 --> 00:59:12.119 And strong. 00:59:12.119 --> 00:59:13.119 And powerful. 00:59:13.119 --> 00:59:14.119 And almighty. 00:59:14.119 --> 00:59:15.119 And wise. 00:59:17.119 --> 00:59:18.119 God is. 00:59:18.119 --> 00:59:19.119 Good. 00:59:19.119 --> 00:59:20.119 And the. 00:59:20.119 --> 00:59:21.119 Whole account. 00:59:21.119 --> 00:59:22.119 Of what happens here. 00:59:22.119 --> 00:59:23.119 Is. 00:59:23.119 --> 00:59:24.119 People have disobeyed God. 00:59:24.119 --> 00:59:25.119 They've rejected God. 00:59:25.119 --> 00:59:27.119 They dishonored the ark of God. 00:59:27.119 --> 00:59:28.119 And. 00:59:28.119 --> 00:59:29.119 They should have died. 00:59:29.119 --> 00:59:30.119 Lest they die. 00:59:30.119 --> 00:59:31.119 They deserve. 00:59:31.119 --> 00:59:32.119 In a sense. 00:59:32.119 --> 00:59:33.119 To die. 00:59:33.119 --> 00:59:34.119 And. 00:59:34.119 --> 00:59:35.119 But God. 00:59:35.119 --> 00:59:36.119 Out of his goodness. 00:59:36.119 --> 00:59:37.119 Out of his grace. 00:59:37.119 --> 00:59:38.119 Did not. 00:59:39.119 --> 00:59:40.119 Ultimately. 00:59:40.119 --> 00:59:41.119 Kill all of them. 00:59:41.119 --> 00:59:42.119 He did not. 00:59:42.119 --> 00:59:43.119 Entirely. 00:59:43.119 --> 00:59:44.119 Abandon them. 00:59:44.119 --> 00:59:45.119 God came back. 00:59:45.119 --> 00:59:47.119 God came back. 00:59:47.119 --> 00:59:48.119 God came back. 00:59:48.119 --> 00:59:49.119 In his goodness. 00:59:49.119 --> 00:59:50.119 And he renewed. 00:59:50.119 --> 00:59:51.119 Their understanding. 00:59:51.119 --> 00:59:52.119 And taught the people. 00:59:52.119 --> 00:59:53.119 Again. 00:59:53.119 --> 00:59:54.119 Who he. 00:59:54.119 --> 00:59:55.119 Is. 00:59:55.119 --> 00:59:56.119 And what he required. 00:59:56.119 --> 00:59:57.119 Of them. 01:00:00.119 --> 01:00:01.119 God works. 01:00:01.119 --> 01:00:02.119 All things. 01:00:02.119 --> 01:00:03.119 For good. 01:00:03.119 --> 01:00:04.119 Even when we don't. 01:00:04.119 --> 01:00:05.119 Understand. 01:00:05.119 --> 01:00:06.119 What's going on. 01:00:06.119 --> 01:00:07.119 And it is all. 01:00:07.119 --> 01:00:08.119 For his purpose. 01:00:08.119 --> 01:00:09.119 For his people. 01:00:09.119 --> 01:00:10.119 As well. 01:00:12.119 --> 01:00:13.119 God. 01:00:13.119 --> 01:00:14.119 God. 01:00:14.119 --> 01:00:15.119 God. 01:00:15.119 --> 01:00:16.119 Is not only good. 01:00:16.119 --> 01:00:17.119 In himself. 01:00:17.119 --> 01:00:18.119 His creation. 01:00:18.119 --> 01:00:19.119 Is good. 01:00:19.119 --> 01:00:20.119 And. 01:00:20.119 --> 01:00:21.119 We. 01:00:21.119 --> 01:00:22.119 As his people. 01:00:22.119 --> 01:00:23.119 Should emulate. 01:00:23.119 --> 01:00:24.119 Goodness. 01:00:24.119 --> 01:00:25.119 And devoting ourselves. 01:00:25.119 --> 01:00:26.119 To good works. 01:00:26.119 --> 01:00:28.119 The goodness. 01:00:28.119 --> 01:00:29.119 That is. 01:00:29.119 --> 01:00:30.119 Instilled. 01:00:30.119 --> 01:00:31.119 Within us. 01:00:31.119 --> 01:00:33.119 Should come out of us. 01:00:33.119 --> 01:00:34.119 In good works. 01:00:34.119 --> 01:00:35.119 If we believe. 01:00:35.119 --> 01:00:36.119 And trust. 01:00:36.119 --> 01:00:37.119 In the Lord. 01:00:37.119 --> 01:00:38.119 Jesus Christ. 01:00:38.119 --> 01:00:39.119 In God. 01:00:39.119 --> 01:00:40.119 And. 01:00:40.119 --> 01:00:41.119 Everyone. 01:00:41.119 --> 01:00:42.119 Who knows. 01:00:42.119 --> 01:00:43.119 The goodness. 01:00:43.119 --> 01:00:44.119 Everyone. 01:00:44.119 --> 01:00:45.119 In a sense. 01:00:45.119 --> 01:00:46.119 Knows. 01:00:46.119 --> 01:00:47.119 Of God. 01:00:47.119 --> 01:00:48.119 You're sitting here. 01:00:48.119 --> 01:00:49.119 His grace. 01:00:49.119 --> 01:00:50.119 His goodness. 01:00:50.119 --> 01:00:51.119 We do not deserve. 01:00:51.119 --> 01:00:52.119 These things. 01:00:53.119 --> 01:00:54.119 And we see. 01:00:54.119 --> 01:00:55.119 The goodness. 01:00:55.119 --> 01:00:56.119 Of God. 01:00:56.119 --> 01:00:57.119 Again. 01:00:57.119 --> 01:00:58.119 Christ. 01:00:58.119 --> 01:00:59.119 Jesus. 01:00:59.119 --> 01:01:00.119 He did not. 01:01:00.119 --> 01:01:01.119 God did not. 01:01:01.119 --> 01:01:02.119 Abandon. 01:01:02.119 --> 01:01:03.119 His people. 01:01:03.119 --> 01:01:04.119 To. 01:01:04.119 --> 01:01:05.119 To save. 01:01:05.119 --> 01:01:06.119 People. 01:01:06.119 --> 01:01:07.119 From their sins. 01:01:07.119 --> 01:01:08.119 To meet. 01:01:08.119 --> 01:01:09.119 The. 01:01:09.119 --> 01:01:10.119 Wages. 01:01:10.119 --> 01:01:11.119 Of sin. 01:01:11.119 --> 01:01:12.119 That they had. 01:01:12.119 --> 01:01:13.119 Built up. 01:01:13.119 --> 01:01:14.119 God. 01:01:14.119 --> 01:01:15.119 Sent. 01:01:15.119 --> 01:01:16.119 His son. 01:01:16.119 --> 01:01:17.119 Graciously. 01:01:17.119 --> 01:01:18.119 Now. 01:01:22.119 --> 01:01:23.119 People. 01:01:23.119 --> 01:01:24.119 Can tell you. 01:01:24.119 --> 01:01:25.119 Many good things. 01:01:25.119 --> 01:01:26.119 People. 01:01:26.119 --> 01:01:27.119 Can tell you. 01:01:27.119 --> 01:01:28.119 Things. 01:01:28.119 --> 01:01:29.119 We like to hear. 01:01:29.119 --> 01:01:30.119 Now. 01:01:30.119 --> 01:01:31.119 If you are told. 01:01:31.119 --> 01:01:32.119 Something. 01:01:32.119 --> 01:01:33.119 That was good. 01:01:33.119 --> 01:01:34.119 Found it out. 01:01:34.119 --> 01:01:35.119 To be a lie. 01:01:35.119 --> 01:01:36.119 You would. 01:01:36.119 --> 01:01:37.119 You would. 01:01:37.119 --> 01:01:38.119 The thing. 01:01:38.119 --> 01:01:39.119 Would just be written off. 01:01:39.119 --> 01:01:40.119 In your head. 01:01:40.119 --> 01:01:41.119 It wouldn't be good. 01:01:41.119 --> 01:01:42.119 At all. 01:01:42.119 --> 01:01:43.119 It would be worthless. 01:01:43.119 --> 01:01:44.119 Because it was a lie. 01:01:44.119 --> 01:01:45.119 It's lost all. 01:01:45.119 --> 01:01:46.119 It's goodness. 01:01:48.119 --> 01:01:51.119 And that's where the truth of God comes in. 01:01:51.119 --> 01:01:52.119 This good. 01:01:53.119 --> 01:01:54.119 News. 01:01:54.119 --> 01:01:55.119 Is. 01:01:55.119 --> 01:01:56.119 Entirely. 01:01:56.119 --> 01:01:57.119 Truth. 01:01:57.119 --> 01:01:58.119 It's no lies. 01:01:58.119 --> 01:02:00.119 It is great above all. 01:02:00.119 --> 01:02:01.119 Because it is. 01:02:01.119 --> 01:02:02.119 True. 01:02:02.119 --> 01:02:03.119 And finally. 01:02:03.119 --> 01:02:04.119 Truth. 01:02:04.119 --> 01:02:05.119 Very briefly. 01:02:05.119 --> 01:02:08.119 He is true to his word. 01:02:08.119 --> 01:02:10.119 He is true to his promise. 01:02:10.119 --> 01:02:11.119 He is true to his people. 01:02:11.119 --> 01:02:12.119 He is true to his people. 01:02:12.119 --> 01:02:14.119 He is truth in its entirety. 01:02:14.119 --> 01:02:17.119 Never to digress from truth. 01:02:17.119 --> 01:02:19.119 Of what truth is. 01:02:19.119 --> 01:02:20.119 You see. 01:02:20.119 --> 01:02:21.119 Truth. 01:02:21.119 --> 01:02:23.119 Cannot be changed. 01:02:23.119 --> 01:02:25.119 Truth stands. 01:02:25.119 --> 01:02:26.119 Truth. 01:02:26.119 --> 01:02:29.119 Truth is like this wall of salvation. 01:02:29.119 --> 01:02:30.119 This wall. 01:02:30.119 --> 01:02:32.119 That no one can move. 01:02:32.119 --> 01:02:34.119 Truth does not change. 01:02:34.119 --> 01:02:36.119 You cannot change the truth. 01:02:36.119 --> 01:02:38.119 It stands. 01:02:38.119 --> 01:02:40.119 We can cover the truth. 01:02:40.119 --> 01:02:42.119 We can hide the truth. 01:02:42.119 --> 01:02:45.119 People don't like the truth. 01:02:45.119 --> 01:02:47.119 And don't look at the truth. 01:02:47.119 --> 01:02:48.119 But the truth. 01:02:48.119 --> 01:02:49.119 But the truth. 01:02:49.119 --> 01:02:50.119 Is an unmovable. 01:02:50.119 --> 01:02:51.119 Thing. 01:02:51.119 --> 01:02:52.119 Truth. 01:02:52.119 --> 01:02:53.119 Stands. 01:02:53.119 --> 01:02:54.119 And so. 01:02:54.119 --> 01:02:55.119 This word of God. 01:02:55.119 --> 01:02:56.119 Has stood through. 01:02:56.119 --> 01:02:57.119 All time. 01:02:57.119 --> 01:02:58.119 As an undeniable. 01:02:58.119 --> 01:02:59.119 Truth. 01:02:59.119 --> 01:03:00.119 And the believer. 01:03:00.119 --> 01:03:01.119 Holds it. 01:03:01.119 --> 01:03:02.119 As a truth. 01:03:02.119 --> 01:03:03.119 That they can trust. 01:03:03.119 --> 01:03:04.119 People put false assurances. 01:03:04.119 --> 01:03:05.119 In front of us. 01:03:05.119 --> 01:03:06.119 And there's a quote. 01:03:06.119 --> 01:03:07.119 From Walter Chantry. 01:03:07.119 --> 01:03:08.119 That says. 01:03:08.119 --> 01:03:09.119 When truth is silent. 01:03:09.119 --> 01:03:10.119 False views become plausible. 01:03:10.119 --> 01:03:11.119 When truth is silent. 01:03:11.119 --> 01:03:12.119 False views become plausible. 01:03:12.119 --> 01:03:15.119 Is the truth of God. 01:03:15.119 --> 01:03:16.119 In the heart of the believer. 01:03:16.119 --> 01:03:18.119 Silent tonight. 01:03:18.119 --> 01:03:19.119 The truth of God. 01:03:19.119 --> 01:03:20.119 Is the truth of God. 01:03:20.119 --> 01:03:21.119 In the heart of the believer. 01:03:21.119 --> 01:03:22.119 Silent. 01:03:22.119 --> 01:03:23.119 Tonight. 01:03:23.119 --> 01:03:24.119 The truth of God. 01:03:24.119 --> 01:03:25.119 Within each of us. 01:03:25.119 --> 01:03:27.119 Is it a silent truth. 01:03:27.119 --> 01:03:29.119 Dwelling within us. 01:03:29.119 --> 01:03:31.119 Or are we. 01:03:31.119 --> 01:03:32.119 Lifting up. 01:03:32.119 --> 01:03:33.119 The truth of God. 01:03:33.119 --> 01:03:35.119 With the nature of us. 01:03:35.119 --> 01:03:36.119 Is it a silent truth. 01:03:36.119 --> 01:03:37.119 Dwelling within us. 01:03:37.119 --> 01:03:40.119 Or are we. 01:03:40.119 --> 01:03:42.119 Lifting up. 01:03:42.119 --> 01:03:47.119 The truth of God. 01:03:47.119 --> 01:03:49.119 Within us. 01:03:49.119 --> 01:03:50.119 As we go out. 01:03:50.119 --> 01:03:52.119 Amongst this world. 01:03:52.119 --> 01:03:53.119 That is full. 01:03:53.119 --> 01:03:55.119 Of falsehoods. 01:03:57.119 --> 01:03:59.119 Do we lift up the truth. 01:03:59.119 --> 01:04:01.119 Of who God is. 01:04:01.119 --> 01:04:03.119 What he is to me. 01:04:06.119 --> 01:04:07.119 Because the world. 01:04:08.119 --> 01:04:09.119 Are distracted. 01:04:09.119 --> 01:04:10.119 And consumed. 01:04:10.119 --> 01:04:11.119 With these falsehoods. 01:04:11.119 --> 01:04:13.119 That seem so plausible. 01:04:14.119 --> 01:04:15.119 And people are lost. 01:04:15.119 --> 01:04:17.119 And people are chasing. 01:04:17.119 --> 01:04:18.119 The wind. 01:04:18.119 --> 01:04:19.119 Because they can't. 01:04:19.119 --> 01:04:20.119 Find the truth. 01:04:20.119 --> 01:04:23.119 We need to be prepared. 01:04:23.119 --> 01:04:25.119 To tell them the truth. 01:04:25.119 --> 01:04:26.119 And not be ashamed. 01:04:26.119 --> 01:04:27.119 To speak of the truth. 01:04:27.119 --> 01:04:28.119 And I say to myself. 01:04:28.119 --> 01:04:30.119 As much as anyone. 01:04:30.119 --> 01:04:31.119 We need to be people. 01:04:31.119 --> 01:04:32.119 That dig for the truth. 01:04:32.119 --> 01:04:34.119 We need to be people. 01:04:34.119 --> 01:04:35.119 That search out the truth. 01:04:35.119 --> 01:04:36.119 We need to be people. 01:04:36.119 --> 01:04:37.119 That uncover the truth. 01:04:37.119 --> 01:04:39.119 And share the truth. 01:04:39.119 --> 01:04:42.119 And in conclusion. 01:04:42.119 --> 01:04:44.119 Matthew Henry wrote. 01:04:44.119 --> 01:04:46.119 That without truth. 01:04:46.119 --> 01:04:47.119 There is no goodness. 01:04:47.119 --> 01:04:49.119 Which reverses the way we went. 01:04:49.119 --> 01:04:51.119 We went from goodness to truth. 01:04:51.119 --> 01:04:52.119 Matthew Henry had this quote. 01:04:52.119 --> 01:04:53.119 Without truth. 01:04:53.119 --> 01:04:54.119 There is no goodness. 01:04:55.119 --> 01:04:56.119 But in the sense of God. 01:04:56.119 --> 01:04:57.119 That can be. 01:04:57.119 --> 01:04:58.119 That's true. 01:04:58.119 --> 01:04:59.119 Without truth. 01:04:59.119 --> 01:05:00.119 There is no goodness. 01:05:01.119 --> 01:05:03.119 But you can continue it through. 01:05:03.119 --> 01:05:04.119 With all these attributes. 01:05:04.119 --> 01:05:05.119 That we have in the shorter chasm. 01:05:05.119 --> 01:05:06.119 Without goodness. 01:05:06.119 --> 01:05:08.119 There is no justice. 01:05:08.119 --> 01:05:10.119 It might take a bit of thought. 01:05:10.119 --> 01:05:11.119 But without goodness. 01:05:11.119 --> 01:05:12.119 There is no justice. 01:05:12.119 --> 01:05:13.119 Because there is no good. 01:05:13.119 --> 01:05:14.119 There is no justice. 01:05:14.119 --> 01:05:15.119 Without justice. 01:05:15.119 --> 01:05:17.119 There is no holiness. 01:05:17.119 --> 01:05:18.119 The righteousness. 01:05:18.119 --> 01:05:19.119 Without justice. 01:05:19.119 --> 01:05:20.119 There is no holiness. 01:05:20.119 --> 01:05:21.119 Without holiness. 01:05:21.119 --> 01:05:23.119 There is no power. 01:05:23.119 --> 01:05:24.119 There is God who is holy. 01:05:24.119 --> 01:05:25.119 Without holiness. 01:05:25.119 --> 01:05:26.119 There is no power. 01:05:26.119 --> 01:05:27.119 Without power. 01:05:27.119 --> 01:05:29.119 There is no wisdom. 01:05:29.119 --> 01:05:32.119 And if we take any of these. 01:05:32.119 --> 01:05:34.119 Characteristics of God. 01:05:34.119 --> 01:05:36.119 And we dilute any of them. 01:05:36.119 --> 01:05:38.119 To an incomplete sense. 01:05:38.119 --> 01:05:40.119 Or an imperfect sense. 01:05:40.119 --> 01:05:43.119 We lose sight of who God is. 01:05:43.119 --> 01:05:46.119 We lose sight of who God is. 01:05:46.119 --> 01:05:50.119 This is only a taste of God. 01:05:50.119 --> 01:05:53.119 There is much more to enjoy. 01:05:53.119 --> 01:05:56.119 May this taste. 01:05:56.119 --> 01:05:58.119 Nourish you. 01:05:58.119 --> 01:06:00.119 And build you up. 01:06:00.119 --> 01:06:02.119 And may you seek a greater taste. 01:06:02.119 --> 01:06:03.119 That is hidden. 01:06:03.119 --> 01:06:05.119 Within his truth. 01:06:05.119 --> 01:06:07.119 May it be blessed. 01:06:07.119 --> 01:06:08.119 To us. 01:06:08.119 --> 01:06:09.119 As we part. 01:06:09.119 --> 01:06:10.119 Amen. 01:06:10.119 --> 01:06:15.119 If we could conclude. 01:06:15.119 --> 01:06:16.119 By singing. 01:06:16.119 --> 01:06:17.119 In Psalm 46. 01:06:17.119 --> 01:06:19.119 Of the Scottish Sorta. 01:06:22.119 --> 01:06:23.119 46. 01:06:23.119 --> 01:06:24.119 Of the Scottish Sorta. 01:06:26.119 --> 01:06:27.119 And from. 01:06:27.119 --> 01:06:28.119 Vrlmacht 8. 01:06:28.119 --> 01:06:29.119 Vrlmacht 8. 01:06:29.119 --> 01:06:31.119 Vrlmacht 8. 01:06:31.119 --> 01:06:33.119 That is on page 271. 01:06:33.119 --> 01:06:34.119 271 of the Blue Book. 01:06:38.119 --> 01:06:40.119 Page 271 of the Blue Book. 01:06:40.119 --> 01:06:41.119 Psalm 46. 01:06:41.119 --> 01:06:45.119 Vrlmacht 8. 01:06:45.119 --> 01:06:48.119 Down to the end of the psalm. 01:06:48.119 --> 01:06:49.119 1. 01:06:49.119 --> 01:06:55.119 Come and behold what wondrous works have by the Lord been wrought. 01:06:55.119 --> 01:06:59.119 Come see what desolations he hath on earth hath brought. 01:06:59.119 --> 01:07:00.119 2. 01:07:00.119 --> 01:07:01.119 3. 01:07:01.119 --> 01:07:02.119 4. 01:07:02.119 --> 01:07:03.119 5. 01:07:03.119 --> 01:07:04.119 5. 01:07:04.119 --> 01:07:05.119 5. 01:07:05.119 --> 01:07:06.119 5. 01:07:06.119 --> 01:07:07.119 5. 01:07:07.119 --> 01:07:08.119 6. 01:07:08.119 --> 01:07:09.119 6. 01:07:09.119 --> 01:07:10.119 6. 01:07:10.119 --> 01:07:11.119 7. 01:07:11.119 --> 01:07:12.119 7. 01:07:12.119 --> 01:07:13.119 8. 01:07:13.119 --> 01:07:15.119 8. 01:07:15.119 --> 01:07:17.159 High on earth will be exalted high. 01:07:18.019 --> 01:07:21.599 Our God, who is the Lord of hosts, is still upon our side. 01:07:22.239 --> 01:07:26.579 The God of Jacob, our refuge, will forever abide. 01:07:26.880 --> 01:07:30.099 We'll stand together and sing to God's praise these verses. 01:07:30.319 --> 01:07:32.079 Come and behold what wondrous works. 01:07:32.079 --> 01:07:42.079 Come and behold what wondrous works. 01:07:42.079 --> 01:07:50.360 Up by the Lord in glory. 01:07:50.699 --> 01:07:59.079 Come sing what desolations. 01:08:00.079 --> 01:08:06.500 He only hath a throne. 01:08:06.500 --> 01:08:17.899 But to the hands of all the earth, 01:08:17.899 --> 01:08:25.579 Watched to peace in dirt, 01:08:25.579 --> 01:08:35.300 The holy grace, the spirit, he comes, 01:08:35.300 --> 01:08:42.920 And fire the child's birth. 01:08:42.920 --> 01:08:54.239 May still and hope that I am God 01:08:54.239 --> 01:09:08.920 Among the heathen I will be exalted high. 01:09:08.920 --> 01:09:38.899 The holy grace, the Lord of hosts, is still upon our side. 01:09:38.899 --> 01:09:55.899 The God of Jacob, our refuge forever will abide. 01:09:57.899 --> 01:10:06.939 Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are the one who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. 01:10:06.939 --> 01:10:12.119 You are the one who you are revealed to be in the word of scripture. 01:10:12.279 --> 01:10:15.939 And so we ask that you would remain with your people. 01:10:16.419 --> 01:10:18.919 You would be a God who is faithful to his people. 01:10:19.000 --> 01:10:25.619 As we go in obedience to you, open our eyes to see who you are. 01:10:25.619 --> 01:10:33.059 And that we may give you all the praise that we can afford to you. 01:10:33.059 --> 01:10:34.720 You are worthy of it. 01:10:35.220 --> 01:10:36.099 You are holy. 01:10:36.599 --> 01:10:41.239 You have many attributes that are unfathomable for us. 01:10:41.500 --> 01:10:46.140 But we pray that you would reveal yourself to who you are to us. 01:10:46.140 --> 01:10:52.860 We ask these things all in the name of your power and in your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 01:10:52.980 --> 01:10:53.180 Amen. 01:10:53.180 --> 01:10:53.340 Amen. 01:10:53.340 --> 01:11:23.319 Thank you. 01:11:23.340 --> 01:11:53.319 Thank you.