WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.439 Thank you both for your prayer. 00:00:03.500 --> 00:00:08.419 And turn back to the passage that we read together in 1 Samuel chapter 7. 00:00:13.099 --> 00:00:14.759 And we'll read it verse 3. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:19.580 And Samuel said to the house of Israel, 00:00:20.199 --> 00:00:23.480 If ye are returning to the Lord with all your heart, 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:27.260 put away the foreign gods and the ashtoreth from among you, 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:31.760 and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:36.560 And he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. 00:00:37.020 --> 00:00:40.500 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the ashtoreth, 00:00:40.760 --> 00:00:43.719 and they served the Lord only. 00:00:47.020 --> 00:00:50.579 In a sense, I want to carry on just the time that we have, 00:00:50.680 --> 00:00:53.120 just carry on from where we left off on Sunday night. 00:00:53.119 --> 00:00:58.140 And we were in chapter 5 and 6 there. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:02.899 And previously, we had seen that the nation of Israel had gone to war 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:04.879 on their own terms, 00:01:05.420 --> 00:01:08.299 for their own desires to be free from the Philistines. 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:12.719 And then we found out that they lost the Ark, 00:01:12.959 --> 00:01:15.640 as they brought the Ark of God into battle, 00:01:16.179 --> 00:01:17.500 by their own reasonings. 00:01:17.620 --> 00:01:19.840 And they lost it, the Philistines over Canaan. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.960 The Ark ended up in the land of the Philistines. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:27.420 And we saw how God revealed himself to both his own people 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:29.960 and to the Philistines. 00:01:30.040 --> 00:01:34.340 And we thought of God and his characteristics using the fourth catechism. 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:38.080 God was that spirit, infinite, eternal, unchangeable. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:44.260 And in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 00:01:44.260 --> 00:01:49.580 And you could spend as much time as you want thinking about God 00:01:49.580 --> 00:01:51.620 and trying to understand him. 00:01:52.219 --> 00:01:55.219 And we kind of get enriched as we do that. 00:01:55.800 --> 00:01:59.880 We are encouraged by the awesomeness of who God is. 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:03.740 And in a sense, we can't understand truly who he is. 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:05.260 He is incomprehensible. 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:11.360 I want to look now at the passage that we have 00:02:11.360 --> 00:02:13.540 where the people come back to God. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:19.239 And catechism five fits in well with our thoughts as well, 00:02:19.519 --> 00:02:23.519 which is, are there more gods than one? 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:28.000 And the answer is, there is but one only, 00:02:28.699 --> 00:02:31.280 the living and true God. 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:34.939 I'm not sure how far this method will carry on through Samuel, 00:02:35.079 --> 00:02:37.219 but I thought it just fits so well. 00:02:37.399 --> 00:02:40.019 That's what Samuel is saying to the people. 00:02:40.659 --> 00:02:42.539 Remember, come back to the Lord. 00:02:42.539 --> 00:02:42.939 God. 00:02:43.739 --> 00:02:44.099 God. 00:02:44.359 --> 00:02:45.500 Worship the Lord only. 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:48.859 And it's a fundamental teaching. 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:52.379 And you might sit there and be thinking, 00:02:52.519 --> 00:02:54.599 well, this is all something that we believe. 00:02:54.719 --> 00:02:55.959 Of course we do as Christians. 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:59.280 We believe that God is one. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:03.159 God is the only Lord of our lives. 00:03:04.979 --> 00:03:09.780 But there is much for us to learn from this, 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:13.979 as much as to remind ourselves of who God is. 00:03:13.979 --> 00:03:18.159 And we often need reminders because we often forget the basics. 00:03:18.639 --> 00:03:21.299 We often get carried away in our lives, 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:22.879 even if it's in our Christian lives. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:31.599 And this passage was to Israel, 00:03:32.079 --> 00:03:35.319 the Lord's chosen people. 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:38.759 And we are the Lord's people. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:47.079 And it was said before them to put away all other gods and worship the Lord only, 00:03:47.219 --> 00:03:49.439 directing our hearts. 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:56.460 And certainly we as a people must adhere to that as well. 00:03:57.060 --> 00:03:58.419 We must agree with that, 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:05.020 to direct our hearts to the Lord and to serve him only. 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:09.580 And he will be a God that will deliver you. 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:13.740 And in the people of Israel, 00:04:14.660 --> 00:04:17.139 who had gone their own way, 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:18.560 they had gone into battle, 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:22.620 they had disrespected God's presence of the ark. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:27.000 There's a change of thought here in the people. 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:33.139 There's a redirection in their understanding of who God is. 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:35.259 As God revealed who he was, 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:37.459 they began to understand, 00:04:38.060 --> 00:04:39.539 what have we done? 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:43.579 This God is that power, 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:44.519 wisdom, 00:04:44.719 --> 00:04:45.060 holiness. 00:04:45.740 --> 00:04:46.680 He is a just God. 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:47.259 He is good. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:49.199 And he is a true God. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:51.560 And he has become all the more true to them. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:55.819 True enough that they would change their minds and change their direction. 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:58.139 So there is a redirection. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:02.620 And there is a deliverance that we see in the passage. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:12.479 So we'll just pick up on these points of a redirection and a deliverance that comes to them as they come back to God. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:18.199 Verse 2 tells us that a long time has passed. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:20.339 It says in the middle there of verse 2, 00:05:20.339 --> 00:05:22.279 20 years have passed. 00:05:23.099 --> 00:05:23.560 But there was, 00:05:24.479 --> 00:05:25.419 after having this, 00:05:25.979 --> 00:05:28.000 all of a sudden, 00:05:28.599 --> 00:05:31.099 God had acted 00:05:31.099 --> 00:05:33.500 before the Philistines. 00:05:33.679 --> 00:05:35.039 He had declared who he was. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:35.779 And then you've got this 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:39.079 almost silence for 20 years 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:40.500 where nothing happens. 00:05:40.539 --> 00:05:43.059 There's no divine interruption from God like we saw 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:44.579 in the last chapter. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:47.180 But there's a change 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:49.560 that we see that Israel 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:50.839 lamented 00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:52.319 after the Lord. 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:56.060 Samuel saw the people 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:58.000 had gained this understanding 00:05:58.000 --> 00:05:59.079 of who God was. 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:01.699 He was seeing them lamenting 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:02.519 after the Lord. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:04.399 And he came to them. 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:08.839 And they were, 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:09.459 you know, 00:06:09.479 --> 00:06:10.079 they were a people, 00:06:10.159 --> 00:06:11.879 remember they were a people of chapter 6. 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:12.279 He said, 00:06:13.179 --> 00:06:14.859 this God is a holy God 00:06:14.859 --> 00:06:16.000 who can stand, 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:17.719 who can stand in his presence. 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:19.779 They were beginning to understand. 00:06:19.779 --> 00:06:22.399 And Samuel comes to them now 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:22.899 and he's saying, 00:06:23.919 --> 00:06:25.479 if you are returning to the Lord 00:06:25.479 --> 00:06:27.759 with all your heart, 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:30.679 then put away the foreign gods. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:32.279 And he's saying, 00:06:32.359 --> 00:06:33.479 this redirection, 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:35.819 it requires devotion, 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:37.399 complete devotion. 00:06:37.619 --> 00:06:40.259 And God asks for a whole heart. 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:42.879 As he had always done 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:44.739 when he revealed himself 00:06:44.739 --> 00:06:45.919 to the people of Israel 00:06:45.919 --> 00:06:47.059 in Deuteronomy, 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:49.399 chapter 6, 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:50.060 verse 4, 00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:51.879 God says to the people, 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:53.019 hear, O Israel, 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:54.899 the Lord our God, 00:06:54.980 --> 00:06:55.939 the Lord is one. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:06:58.319 You shall love the Lord your God 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.240 with all your heart, 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:00.120 with all your soul 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:01.160 and with all your might. 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:03.879 You shall love the Lord your God 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:05.259 with all your heart, 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:06.899 with all your soul 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:07.980 and with all your might. 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:10.040 He is one 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:13.379 that we must devote ourselves to 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:15.540 entirely as one. 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:17.280 This is a, 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:17.960 this is a, 00:07:17.960 --> 00:07:18.560 this is a, 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:19.860 this is called the Shema 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:21.819 in the Jewish tradition. 00:07:22.520 --> 00:07:23.360 And this is a prayer 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:24.500 that the Jewish people 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:26.100 will pray daily 00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:28.360 to remind themselves 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:30.480 who God is. 00:07:31.140 --> 00:07:32.640 The Lord is one. 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:35.340 So it does us 00:07:35.340 --> 00:07:37.220 entirely beneficial for us 00:07:37.220 --> 00:07:39.400 just to think about more 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:40.759 on who God is 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:42.560 as that one being. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:44.780 and our love to God. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:45.199 It should never, 00:07:45.199 --> 00:07:46.240 it should never be divided. 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:48.519 And that's our ideal. 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:49.519 We don't want to divide 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.280 our love to God, 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:52.379 but we admit that we fail, 00:07:52.459 --> 00:07:53.560 we fail to keep 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:55.040 that devotion. 00:07:56.120 --> 00:07:56.899 We want, 00:07:57.040 --> 00:07:58.199 as the Lord's people, 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:00.300 the people who are chosen 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:00.939 by him, 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:02.600 we want to be near to God. 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:04.160 We want to, 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:05.040 we want to know 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:06.439 as much of God 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:07.220 as we can 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:09.899 by what he has revealed to us. 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:10.120 We want, 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:10.959 we want to feel 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:12.160 the strength of God. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.800 And when our love 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:16.800 and our devotion 00:08:16.800 --> 00:08:17.840 and our hearts 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:19.660 are torn 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:20.620 in another direction, 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:20.939 we, 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:21.860 we lose 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:22.459 that 00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:24.399 ideal. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:25.459 And, 00:08:25.519 --> 00:08:26.780 and we all do it. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.620 We all want 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:30.360 as much of God 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:31.300 when we come 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:31.860 to understand 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:32.720 who he is, 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:32.940 but 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:34.580 we admit that 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:35.440 something else 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:36.180 gets in the way. 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:37.259 We, 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:37.620 we, 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:39.180 we separate ourselves 00:08:39.180 --> 00:08:40.060 from God. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:41.600 We have 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:42.000 our 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:43.480 idols 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:44.220 in a sense 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:44.879 like Israel. 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:46.259 And, 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:48.279 you know, 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:51.100 in my bedroom, 00:08:51.419 --> 00:08:51.740 there's a, 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:53.440 it's like a three pane window. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:54.700 There's one big one 00:08:54.700 --> 00:08:55.139 in the middle 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:56.740 and two on the side. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:56.960 So, 00:08:58.039 --> 00:08:58.919 you know, 00:08:59.039 --> 00:08:59.720 if I 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:01.360 took the things 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.120 in my life 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:03.220 and we can all do it 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.180 and I'm speaking 00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:04.700 to myself 00:09:04.700 --> 00:09:05.419 every time 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:07.500 I look at 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.200 the word of God, 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:09.600 you know, 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:10.180 we can have 00:09:10.180 --> 00:09:11.240 these idols 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:11.740 and things 00:09:11.740 --> 00:09:12.200 that we 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:13.600 place higher 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.280 than we should 00:09:14.280 --> 00:09:14.920 in our lives. 00:09:15.040 --> 00:09:15.640 And I was thinking 00:09:15.640 --> 00:09:16.440 it would be like a, 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:16.900 it would be like 00:09:16.900 --> 00:09:18.060 a different colored paper 00:09:18.060 --> 00:09:19.400 for different things. 00:09:19.680 --> 00:09:20.120 You know, 00:09:20.160 --> 00:09:20.820 if it was football 00:09:20.820 --> 00:09:21.740 or cars 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:22.800 or whatever 00:09:22.800 --> 00:09:23.620 it would be, 00:09:24.020 --> 00:09:24.460 houses 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:24.900 or, 00:09:24.900 --> 00:09:26.140 or carrier 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:27.319 and we can have 00:09:27.319 --> 00:09:27.860 all these different 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:29.100 colored papers 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:30.659 that we place 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:31.179 in our lives 00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:32.720 and when we put 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:33.139 them on, 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:34.299 it restricts 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:34.860 the light 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:36.259 coming through 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:36.819 the window. 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:38.179 And if our, 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:39.000 if our lives 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.779 was the room, 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:41.000 then, 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:41.759 then we are 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:43.120 putting these things 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:44.659 in between 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.139 ourselves 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:45.919 and the source 00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:46.480 of light, 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:47.639 God. 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:49.019 And, 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:51.639 and maybe what we do 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:52.179 is like, 00:09:52.319 --> 00:09:52.980 I was thinking, 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:54.879 I probably cover up 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:56.120 the two side panes 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:57.860 and I leave the main 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:58.259 pane 00:09:58.259 --> 00:09:59.519 in the middle 00:09:59.519 --> 00:09:59.980 clear. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:02.039 I let the light 00:10:02.039 --> 00:10:02.379 in 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.560 and 00:10:03.560 --> 00:10:04.680 that is my, 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:06.180 my main 00:10:06.180 --> 00:10:08.139 window, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:08.759 as it were, 00:10:08.800 --> 00:10:09.500 in my life. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:10.820 This is main 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:11.920 central pane. 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:13.680 But I've got all 00:10:13.680 --> 00:10:14.700 this stuff 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:15.539 on the side 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:16.539 that 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:18.100 restricts 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:18.759 even greater 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:19.700 light coming in. 00:10:20.659 --> 00:10:21.620 And we as 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.840 Christians need to 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:26.660 clear our lives 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:27.519 from these idols 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:28.940 or these things 00:10:28.940 --> 00:10:29.540 that we elevate 00:10:29.540 --> 00:10:30.300 into positions 00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:31.560 that they shouldn't 00:10:31.560 --> 00:10:32.080 be there. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:35.080 We all, 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.040 we are all tempted 00:10:36.040 --> 00:10:36.920 and the devil 00:10:36.920 --> 00:10:38.200 will throw paper 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:38.740 at us 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:38.940 and, 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.080 and we just 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:40.899 automatically put 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:41.240 them on 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:41.720 because we love 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:42.379 them so much 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.899 and we love to 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:44.440 see them 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:45.340 in our lives. 00:10:47.420 --> 00:10:48.460 But even then, 00:10:48.580 --> 00:10:48.940 when we, 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:49.740 we place these 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:51.320 things before us, 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:53.600 the light 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.240 comes through 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:54.480 them. 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:55.180 They're all 00:10:55.180 --> 00:10:56.000 from God 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:56.620 in a sense. 00:10:56.940 --> 00:10:57.420 Everything we 00:10:57.420 --> 00:10:58.100 have is from 00:10:58.100 --> 00:10:58.500 God. 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:00.240 And behind 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:00.840 all these 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:01.280 things, 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.740 light shines. 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:04.540 But if we 00:11:04.540 --> 00:11:05.780 reduce that 00:11:05.780 --> 00:11:06.240 light 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:08.640 in, 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:09.560 within us, 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:12.799 we've spoken, 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:13.259 we've 00:11:13.259 --> 00:11:13.879 prayed about 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:14.439 ones that 00:11:14.439 --> 00:11:15.079 would radiate 00:11:15.079 --> 00:11:15.559 the light. 00:11:16.319 --> 00:11:16.819 And God 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:17.299 has put in 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:17.959 gifts within 00:11:17.959 --> 00:11:18.719 each of us. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:20.359 And if we 00:11:20.359 --> 00:11:21.639 restrict that 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:23.179 light within 00:11:23.179 --> 00:11:23.719 ourselves, 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:24.500 we don't, 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:25.699 the light 00:11:25.699 --> 00:11:26.319 doesn't flood 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:26.959 into the room 00:11:26.959 --> 00:11:27.579 as it should. 00:11:27.699 --> 00:11:28.279 It doesn't flood 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:28.919 into our lives. 00:11:28.979 --> 00:11:29.779 The word of God 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:30.399 should flood 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:30.959 into our lives 00:11:30.959 --> 00:11:32.079 as much as we 00:11:32.079 --> 00:11:34.039 can receive 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:34.859 from God. 00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:35.399 That's our 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:35.939 ideal, 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:36.800 that we 00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:38.200 see as much 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:38.780 of God 00:11:38.780 --> 00:11:39.360 and the beauty 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.080 of God 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:42.080 as that light 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:43.900 comes upon 00:11:43.900 --> 00:11:44.320 us. 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:45.980 And as we 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:46.160 say, 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.080 God creates 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:48.460 us and 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:49.900 God gifts 00:11:49.900 --> 00:11:50.340 us. 00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:51.460 And it's like 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:51.820 as if there 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:52.420 were jewels 00:11:52.420 --> 00:11:53.140 in the room 00:11:53.140 --> 00:11:54.340 that God 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:54.940 has placed 00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:55.460 within our 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.060 lives. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:57.280 And as the 00:11:57.280 --> 00:11:58.100 light of God 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:58.740 comes in, 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.340 people will 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:00.900 see these 00:12:00.900 --> 00:12:01.580 jewels that 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:02.240 will reflect 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:03.380 out the 00:12:03.380 --> 00:12:04.180 glory of God 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:04.900 from us. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:05.039 us. 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:08.259 So we, 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:09.740 in a sense, 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:13.159 need to have 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:13.959 the redirection 00:12:13.959 --> 00:12:14.539 that Israel 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:14.899 had. 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:16.419 We need 00:12:16.419 --> 00:12:18.079 to come 00:12:18.079 --> 00:12:18.639 back to 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.899 God and 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.699 lament over 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:21.240 the things 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:21.659 that are in 00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:22.340 our lives 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:22.679 that we 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.879 place on 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.340 the side 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:24.819 windows. 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:25.879 Maybe we're 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.360 keeping them, 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:27.579 maybe what the 00:12:27.579 --> 00:12:28.139 world are doing 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:28.620 is covering 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.019 the whole 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:29.899 window and 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:30.439 restricting 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:30.960 their view of 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:31.699 God entirely 00:12:31.699 --> 00:12:32.460 and saying 00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:32.899 he's not 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:33.139 there. 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:34.019 But we as 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:34.460 Christians, 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:34.879 maybe we 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:35.059 we're 00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:35.639 clutching up 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.159 the sides 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:36.419 and we're 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:36.959 not allowing 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:37.620 God in as 00:12:37.620 --> 00:12:37.980 much as 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.480 we should. 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:40.539 We need to 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:40.879 put these 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.059 things, 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.459 we need to 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:42.259 have redirection, 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:42.559 we need to 00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:43.279 remind ourselves 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:44.019 every day, 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:45.720 the Lord, 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.639 our God, 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.059 the Lord 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:48.819 is one 00:12:48.819 --> 00:12:49.939 and one 00:12:49.939 --> 00:12:50.319 that is 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:50.779 worthy 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:53.259 of one 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.799 entire 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:55.659 devotion 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.100 from us. 00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:58.220 He is one 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:58.600 that we 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:59.319 must concentrate 00:12:59.319 --> 00:13:00.159 on as one 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.079 and give 00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:01.500 all that 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.039 we can 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:02.379 to. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:05.820 there are 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:06.259 things in 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:06.720 our lives 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:07.340 that we 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:07.720 shouldn't 00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:09.539 keep and 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:09.840 we just 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.159 need to 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:10.500 put them 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:10.759 away, 00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:11.720 things that 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.080 are not 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:12.519 good for 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:12.820 us. 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:14.279 We just 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:14.539 need to 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:14.939 put them 00:13:14.939 --> 00:13:15.259 away. 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:17.200 Israel 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:18.019 delighted to 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.320 have the 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.039 ask returned 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:19.439 to them 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.159 after 20 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:20.700 years, 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:23.200 but they 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:24.160 still held 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:24.540 on to 00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:25.300 the gods. 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:28.080 They were 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.640 delighted to 00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:28.879 have the 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.400 ask returned 00:13:29.400 --> 00:13:29.660 to them, 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:29.920 but they 00:13:29.920 --> 00:13:30.500 still held 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:30.879 on to 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.340 their gods 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.080 for 20 00:13:32.080 --> 00:13:32.680 years. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.080 Samuel 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:34.480 is saying 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:34.720 to them, 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:35.420 put them 00:13:35.420 --> 00:13:35.780 away, 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:37.220 get rid 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.680 of these 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.160 gods, 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:38.759 clear the 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:39.300 window and 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:39.560 let the 00:13:39.560 --> 00:13:40.480 light of 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:40.980 the Lord 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:41.820 your God 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:43.480 enter into 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.240 your hearts. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:47.060 the Lord 00:13:47.060 --> 00:13:47.840 is a 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:48.560 jealous God 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:48.840 and he 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:49.180 will not 00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:49.740 be worshipped 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:50.240 alongside 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.299 any 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.100 other. 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:53.799 He is 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.159 the one 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:54.620 and only, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.299 he is 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:55.840 living and 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:56.139 he is 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.560 true. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:58.860 And this 00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.539 redirection 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.100 as we see 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.360 in the 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:00.700 people, 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:01.500 it comes 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.100 with a 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:03.259 confession 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.379 of our 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:04.680 error, 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:05.940 confessions 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.419 of our 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:07.940 sins as 00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:08.259 we see 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:08.840 the people 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.860 doing in 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.680 verse 6. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.240 We have 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.039 sinned against 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.580 the Lord. 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:16.180 we have 00:14:16.180 --> 00:14:16.860 sinned against 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.440 the Lord. 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.860 But if we 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:22.779 look at 00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:23.299 our lives 00:14:23.299 --> 00:14:23.779 and we see 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.460 these side 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:24.759 windows 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.820 cluttered, 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:27.580 we say 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.320 we have 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:28.639 sinned 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.120 against the 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.419 Lord. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.680 But he 00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:32.120 is one 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:32.779 that if 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.480 we confess 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.159 our sins, 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.039 he is 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.659 faithful and 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:36.379 just to 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.000 forgive us 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.019 them and 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.820 cleanse us 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.180 from all 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:41.279 unrighteousness. 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.379 1 John 1 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.000 verse 9. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:46.320 we confess 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:46.740 all of 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.299 these things 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:47.840 and bring 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.419 them before 00:14:48.419 --> 00:14:49.240 and we 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:49.659 lament 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.240 over them 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:50.580 and we 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.259 confess we 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:51.860 have sinned, 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.279 he will 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:54.100 cleanse us, 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:55.919 which is 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:56.419 something we 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:56.919 struggle to 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.519 grasp here, 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:58.799 that he 00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.519 will cleanse 00:14:59.519 --> 00:14:59.740 us. 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.180 And our 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:01.379 redirection, 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:01.899 we as our 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.560 people must 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:02.960 direct 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:03.539 ourselves 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:05.659 to the 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:05.960 Lord 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:06.560 entirely, 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:07.440 to that 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:07.860 light. 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:09.100 so let's 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:09.480 look at 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:09.759 the 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.840 deliverance 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.220 that the 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.360 people have 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:12.659 in this 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:13.279 passage as 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:13.460 well. 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.159 People 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.000 confess their 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.500 sins and 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:16.919 Samuel, 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.139 in a sense, 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.680 he's like an 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:19.960 intercessor for 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:20.500 them on their 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:20.940 behalf. 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.580 The situation 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.080 that they 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:24.539 have, 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:25.539 they've 00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:26.220 gathered at 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:26.680 Mishpana, 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.300 it's turned 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:27.639 on its 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.259 head when 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:30.820 Israel are 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.519 faced with 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.500 the threat 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:33.820 of the 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.420 Philistines. 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.699 the 00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.240 Philistines 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.179 reappear in 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.099 this passage 00:15:38.099 --> 00:15:38.479 again. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:40.839 And just 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:41.279 as it took 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:41.939 20 years 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:42.379 for Israel 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.000 to return 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.299 to the 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.479 Lord, 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:43.759 it took 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.439 20 years 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:44.779 for the 00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:45.339 Philistines 00:15:45.339 --> 00:15:45.919 to forget 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.339 about the 00:15:46.339 --> 00:15:47.360 power that 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.120 God had 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.219 before them 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:49.599 in the 00:15:49.599 --> 00:15:49.899 ark. 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:51.419 It's 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:51.819 interesting 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.599 what time 00:15:52.599 --> 00:15:53.099 can do 00:15:53.099 --> 00:15:53.699 to us 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:55.179 as people. 00:15:58.039 --> 00:15:58.899 It reads 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.779 that they 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.459 came against 00:16:00.459 --> 00:16:01.079 Israel in 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:01.639 verse 7. 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.860 Israel feared 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.639 this nation 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:07.919 was gathered 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:08.580 not for 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:09.000 battle, 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:10.399 they were 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.279 gathered to 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:12.060 devote themselves 00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:12.580 and return 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.300 themselves to 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:13.480 the Lord. 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:14.080 They didn't 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.139 have any 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.560 armory, 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:15.860 they didn't 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.180 have any 00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:16.779 weapons to 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:18.460 fight the 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.139 Philistines as 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:19.480 they came, 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.120 but the 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.580 Philistines 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.259 are probably 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.200 and they 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:23.399 understand to 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.419 be a 00:16:24.419 --> 00:16:26.000 strong nation. 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:28.120 There's 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.899 chariots and 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.899 irons with 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.340 the strength 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:30.779 of iron, 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.700 far stronger 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:33.259 than Israel. 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:34.500 So they 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.000 had a right 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.539 to fear 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.139 that they're 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:36.679 trapped, 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.039 they're 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.340 gathered 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.379 together and 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.360 this threat 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:39.779 is coming 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.319 upon them. 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:41.879 In every 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.279 sense of 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:42.620 the word, 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.039 they've 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.419 lost. 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:43.939 There's a 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.220 prospect that 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.759 they are 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.539 losing this 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:49.179 and you 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:49.639 can't help 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.100 but wonder 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.319 what are 00:16:51.319 --> 00:16:51.799 they thinking? 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:54.120 They came 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.600 before the 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:55.000 Philistines, 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:55.679 before they 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:56.319 defeated them 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:56.500 and they 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:56.879 went back 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.159 to the 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:59.100 ark in the 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.879 previous passages. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.240 what are 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.519 they going 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:01.899 to do? 00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.439 Where are 00:17:03.439 --> 00:17:03.759 they going 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.200 to go? 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.400 Will they 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.480 find confidence 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.059 in themselves 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.039 again to go 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:10.960 against the 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.579 Philistines? 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.000 They don't. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.480 Maybe they're 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.779 just in a 00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.440 position where 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.779 they're completely 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:22.940 at ends for 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.359 themselves. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.740 like we 00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.359 cannot do 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:25.699 anything. 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:26.819 We are, 00:17:27.439 --> 00:17:27.979 we have 00:17:27.979 --> 00:17:28.379 lost. 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.259 And so 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.919 they cry 00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:33.119 out to 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:33.599 Samuel, 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.379 do not 00:17:34.379 --> 00:17:34.939 cease to 00:17:34.939 --> 00:17:35.519 cry out 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:35.799 for us. 00:17:35.979 --> 00:17:37.000 We can 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.459 do nothing 00:17:37.459 --> 00:17:38.159 for ourselves. 00:17:39.719 --> 00:17:39.979 They've 00:17:39.979 --> 00:17:40.359 come to 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:40.659 devote 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:41.019 themselves 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.199 to the 00:17:41.199 --> 00:17:41.439 Lord and 00:17:41.439 --> 00:17:42.859 they're 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:43.339 trusting 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.740 that God 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.879 will free 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:46.119 them. 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.139 The Lord 00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:47.479 will be 00:17:47.479 --> 00:17:48.159 faithful to 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:48.399 them. 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:49.879 And they 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.579 rely upon 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:50.899 him. 00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:53.000 some 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.820 people may 00:17:53.820 --> 00:17:54.540 portray the 00:17:54.540 --> 00:17:55.360 Christian life 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:55.800 that, you 00:17:55.800 --> 00:17:56.100 know, when 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:56.360 you become 00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:56.860 a Christian, 00:17:57.040 --> 00:17:57.860 it's easy. 00:17:59.340 --> 00:17:59.940 God's on 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.560 your side and 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:00.980 you'll have no 00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:01.759 problems, you'll 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.040 have no 00:18:02.040 --> 00:18:02.780 anxieties 00:18:02.780 --> 00:18:03.500 whatsoever, 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.140 which is 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:05.780 not, which 00:18:05.780 --> 00:18:06.160 is not 00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:06.400 true. 00:18:07.780 --> 00:18:08.500 Many people 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.200 as Christians 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:09.840 go through 00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:11.320 very difficult 00:18:11.320 --> 00:18:12.140 circumstances. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.000 And even 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.200 when we 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:15.860 stand for 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:18.100 God, as 00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:18.480 this deal 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:18.900 we're doing 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.440 here, they 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:19.740 are making 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.280 us stand 00:18:20.280 --> 00:18:20.880 for God. 00:18:21.560 --> 00:18:21.860 We can 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:22.240 be sure 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.580 that the 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.019 devil will 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.420 not be 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:23.940 far away. 00:18:24.320 --> 00:18:24.600 We can 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.019 be sure 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.320 that there 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:25.759 will be a 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.660 test awaiting 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:26.920 us. 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.360 When we 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:28.680 devote our 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:29.300 lives like 00:18:29.300 --> 00:18:30.040 Israel did, 00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:31.200 they came 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.780 with their 00:18:31.780 --> 00:18:32.920 hearts to 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.540 devote them 00:18:33.540 --> 00:18:34.400 to Israel. 00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.280 We can 00:18:35.280 --> 00:18:35.800 be sure 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:36.140 that there 00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:36.420 will be 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:37.160 something to 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.180 challenge us 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.320 in our 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:39.800 lives. 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:44.960 Maybe you 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.360 can think 00:18:45.360 --> 00:18:46.960 back when 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:47.400 you became 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:47.980 a Christian. 00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:49.720 Things that 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.319 were thrown 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:50.720 thrown in 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.579 your way, 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.539 things that 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.259 came before 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.120 you, that 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:54.440 made you 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.000 question, 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:56.980 well, am 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.380 I on the 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.019 right path? 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.539 Is it going 00:18:59.539 --> 00:18:59.960 to be this 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:00.660 difficult all 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.019 the way? 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:05.559 And we 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.339 can start in 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:06.960 our faith and 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.460 we can think 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:07.980 that, well, I 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.460 don't have the 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.240 strength to do 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.420 it. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.519 I can't go 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.480 on, I can't 00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.160 go on in my 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.620 faith. 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.579 there's no 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.259 way I can 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.879 do this. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.579 But God 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.439 shows himself 00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:21.779 to be 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.459 faithful as 00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:22.879 he did to 00:19:22.879 --> 00:19:23.419 the people. 00:19:23.979 --> 00:19:24.419 God was 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:25.099 their protector. 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:27.139 They trusted 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:27.719 in God 00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:29.719 and God 00:19:29.719 --> 00:19:30.219 left them 00:19:30.219 --> 00:19:30.859 in awe 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.739 at what he 00:19:31.739 --> 00:19:31.979 did. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:33.579 There's no 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.139 doubt that 00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:34.979 God surprised 00:19:34.979 --> 00:19:35.479 them by the 00:19:35.479 --> 00:19:36.299 means of his 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.879 protection. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:38.919 Verse 10 00:19:38.919 --> 00:19:39.539 tells us that 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:39.979 the Lord 00:19:39.979 --> 00:19:40.659 thundered a 00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:41.359 mighty sound 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:41.699 and threw 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.440 the Philistines 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.340 into confusion. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.160 Maybe the 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.720 world will 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.299 come against 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.279 us in a 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.920 certain way. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:51.900 But when the 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.799 world go their 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.480 own way, 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:54.660 there's a 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.299 confusion. 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:55.900 It was 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.799 mentioned in 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.100 prayer. 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.460 Confusion 00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.279 rules in a 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.799 people I 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:00.460 forget about 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.980 God. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.140 But when we 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.220 remember God, 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.460 he will 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.819 clearly direct 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.160 us. 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.059 And he 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.480 gave the 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:15.100 people who 00:20:15.100 --> 00:20:15.980 trusted in 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.039 him a 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.900 strength and 00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:19.160 ability to 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:20.120 overcome the 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.840 challenges that 00:20:20.840 --> 00:20:21.240 were set 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:21.980 before him. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.080 He gave 00:20:24.080 --> 00:20:24.360 them the 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.100 ability and 00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:25.700 the strength 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.380 to overcome 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.039 the challenges 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.640 that were set 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.180 before them 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:28.759 as a nation. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.160 It seemed 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.180 that everything 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.799 was against 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.160 them and they 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:32.720 were defeated 00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.160 already. 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.680 But God 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.640 was faithful 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.519 to him. 00:20:37.100 --> 00:20:37.860 They asked, 00:20:38.080 --> 00:20:38.880 do not cease 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.680 to cry out 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.220 for us. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.400 And God 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:42.900 is one who 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:43.339 will not 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:43.839 turn out 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:45.079 prayer from 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:46.100 him and 00:20:46.100 --> 00:20:46.579 will not 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.339 withhold his 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.279 grace from 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.600 me. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.059 Psalm 66. 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.500 And maybe, 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:56.700 well, maybe 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:56.980 they would 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.380 have been so 00:20:57.380 --> 00:20:57.839 relieved. 00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:01.079 God has 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.740 been faithful. 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.420 God has 00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.059 been my 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:04.539 protector. 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.519 And Samuel 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.140 comes and he 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.860 puts up this 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:10.019 Ebenezer. 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:14.140 stone, a 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.039 reminder to 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.640 the people 00:21:15.640 --> 00:21:16.460 of what 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.019 happened. 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.140 Remember the 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.579 time the 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.360 Philistines came 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:21.180 amongst us 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.200 and God 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.519 freed us 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.339 from the 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.720 threat. 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:26.720 But if you 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.079 remember, 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.019 probably don't 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.380 remember, 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.019 but if you 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.799 go back 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.140 to, 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.180 I can't find 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.880 it, at the 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.440 beginning when 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.000 they came to 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.740 battle against 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.400 the Philistines 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:37.820 in chapter 00:21:37.820 --> 00:21:38.200 four, 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.620 the people 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:39.860 of us 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:40.620 encamped 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.360 at Ebenezer. 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.220 It says in 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.300 chapter four, 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:44.940 verse one, 00:21:45.340 --> 00:21:45.980 they encamped 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.720 at Ebenezer 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.940 when they 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.280 went on 00:21:48.280 --> 00:21:48.660 their own 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.160 strength. 00:21:50.540 --> 00:21:51.019 And then 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.140 it says 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.700 later on 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:52.920 in the 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.640 passage that 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.720 the Philistines 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.320 took the 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:56.940 ark from 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.640 Ebenezer. 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:59.960 I can't 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.360 find the 00:22:00.360 --> 00:22:00.800 verse there. 00:22:02.300 --> 00:22:03.200 So this 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.640 stone, not 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.000 only a 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.780 reminder of 00:22:05.780 --> 00:22:08.220 what God 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.620 had done 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:08.980 for them, 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.380 it was a 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:10.900 reminder of 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.900 themselves and 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.820 what they 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.160 had done, 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.580 the errors 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:14.060 they had 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.300 made. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.600 A reminder 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.240 that they 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.440 were before 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:20.420 God, a 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.820 reminder 00:22:20.820 --> 00:22:22.500 that they 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.180 had to 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:23.720 acknowledge, 00:22:24.020 --> 00:22:24.520 it was a 00:22:24.520 --> 00:22:25.080 reminder that 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:25.360 they were 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:25.860 acknowledging 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.600 this day, 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:26.900 that they 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.300 were putting 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.440 all their 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.599 gods behind 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:29.879 them. 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.480 And they 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.700 were going 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.159 to trust 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:32.539 in this 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.500 God, they 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:33.899 had made 00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:34.440 their stakes, 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:35.180 we have 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.940 sinned before 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:39.659 you, and 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:41.279 we will be 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.079 faithful today 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.099 to you. 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:43.779 We will be 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.460 faithful to 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.559 you, our 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.599 Lord and 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.180 our God, 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.059 you are 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.759 one. 00:22:49.419 --> 00:22:50.859 This stone 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:53.500 may be a 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:54.159 reminder of 00:22:54.159 --> 00:22:54.659 when God 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.519 departed from 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.720 them, but 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.059 they didn't 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.680 leave them, 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.180 gods that 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.799 came back 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.220 to them, 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.440 God that 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:03.079 was fighting 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:03.579 for them 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.660 even when 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:04.960 he was in 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.360 a land 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:05.600 where they 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:05.860 couldn't 00:23:05.860 --> 00:23:06.380 see it. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:10.120 God was 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:10.860 long-suffering 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:11.400 with them, 00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:12.059 and he was 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.759 faithful to 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:13.160 them, and 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:13.460 he came 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:15.559 back as 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:15.880 their 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.180 salvation. 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.579 And again, 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:20.940 what we 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.440 mentioned in 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.620 prayer, we 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.220 can have many 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:23.759 stones of 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.460 remembrance in 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.059 our lives. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.400 There are 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.579 places that 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.220 are good for 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.680 us to come 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.180 back to and 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.980 remember what 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.460 God has 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:30.779 done. 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.460 And the 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.059 stone was 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.620 set up for 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.120 the people, 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:35.360 as I 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:35.960 reminded and 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.839 witnessed before 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.600 them, this is 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.220 what God has 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.860 done for you. 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.579 And they 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:40.900 would come 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.460 back there 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.220 time and 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:42.779 time and 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.059 see, 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:45.620 remember the 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:47.059 time that 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.799 we made all 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.660 our mistakes, 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.940 that God 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:50.580 was faithful 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:52.100 to us, and 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.080 God delivered 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:55.519 us from a 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.120 time that we 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.880 thought we 00:23:57.880 --> 00:23:58.560 were at loss, 00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.160 a time that 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.980 we had been 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:04.460 overcome, but 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:04.720 he was 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.160 faithful. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.420 And in a 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:09.779 sense, Christ, 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.420 our great 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.400 intercessor, has 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:11.960 set up a 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.320 stone of 00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.060 remembrance for 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:14.700 us in the 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.140 Lord's 00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.860 Supper, that 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:17.759 we come and 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.640 confess ourselves 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.500 and who we 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:19.759 are. 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:21.160 We examine 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.780 ourselves. 00:24:22.620 --> 00:24:23.140 We are 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.800 thankful for 00:24:23.800 --> 00:24:24.420 all that he 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.220 has done for 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:26.360 us, and we 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.300 praise him, 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:29.800 that he is 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:30.400 the one that 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.180 has overcome 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.900 death for 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:33.500 us, and he 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.060 has been our 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:35.540 protector, and 00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:36.420 he is one 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.860 that will go 00:24:37.860 --> 00:24:38.420 with us. 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.360 But notice 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.240 also, before 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.040 we finish, that 00:24:42.040 --> 00:24:43.800 there was 00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:44.460 peace in the 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:44.740 land. 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.340 When they 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.780 came and 00:24:46.780 --> 00:24:47.160 devoted 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.900 themselves, 00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:49.280 you know, 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:49.480 they have 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.920 been through 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.460 all this 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.020 fighting, 00:24:52.020 --> 00:24:54.300 with the 00:24:54.300 --> 00:24:55.060 ark coming 00:24:55.060 --> 00:24:55.660 back, and 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.320 God showing 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:56.660 them who 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:58.120 he was, and 00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:58.920 then when 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.580 they come and 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.060 consecrate 00:25:00.060 --> 00:25:00.640 themselves, when 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.420 they give the 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.360 entirety of 00:25:02.360 --> 00:25:02.980 their being 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.980 to God, he 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.380 gives them 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:06.060 peace. 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.140 It says in 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.720 verse 13, 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:08.259 that the hand 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:08.740 of the Lord 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.140 was against 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:09.980 the Philistines 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:12.880 all the days 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.460 of Samuel. 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:13.860 There was 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:15.620 peace between 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:17.079 Israel and 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.839 the Amorites. 00:25:20.719 --> 00:25:21.479 I think I 00:25:21.479 --> 00:25:21.819 put that 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.059 wrong. 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:24.019 There was 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:25.319 peace in 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:25.759 the land. 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.439 There was 00:25:27.439 --> 00:25:27.899 peace in 00:25:27.899 --> 00:25:28.359 the land. 00:25:29.979 --> 00:25:30.639 Desires of 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.259 the people, 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:31.739 when they 00:25:31.739 --> 00:25:32.399 went to 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:32.839 fight to 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.259 be set 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.639 free from 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.500 the Philistines 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.179 in chapter 00:25:35.179 --> 00:25:35.819 four, when 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.139 they went 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:36.739 to fight, 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.639 this is what 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:39.179 they tried to 00:25:39.179 --> 00:25:39.619 do on their 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.119 own strength, 00:25:40.219 --> 00:25:40.399 but they 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:40.919 didn't gain 00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:41.119 it. 00:25:41.439 --> 00:25:41.819 They forgot 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.459 about God, 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.539 they didn't 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.720 respect God, 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.079 they didn't 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.840 honour God 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:46.259 the way they 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.660 should have 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:46.920 and they 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:47.700 were defeated. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.559 But God 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.220 is one that 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.220 gave them 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.200 what they 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.539 desired when 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:53.880 they came 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.299 back to 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.519 him. 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.360 Delight 00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.940 yourself in 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.319 the Lord 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:56.620 and he 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.000 will give 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:57.240 you the 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:57.819 desires of 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.299 your heart, 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.299 Psalm 37. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.759 Peace is 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.680 found with 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.100 God. 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.759 The believer 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.519 will have 00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.880 peace when 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:06.500 he gives 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:08.539 everything that 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:10.039 he has to 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.480 God. 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:12.279 and we 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.779 look back 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.180 over our 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.720 lives and 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.180 we see, 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:14.759 yes, we've 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.099 done many 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.799 things wrong, 00:26:16.599 --> 00:26:17.900 many sins 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.319 in us and 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:19.860 they continue 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:21.980 with us and 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.360 we want to 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:22.960 put all these 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:23.700 things away 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.640 from us. 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.099 We don't 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:26.599 want to have 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.279 any idols, 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:29.640 but they 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.200 will come 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.079 and we 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.360 will give 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:32.779 them a 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.400 position that 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.059 we shouldn't 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:36.120 and we 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:36.860 must come 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.400 back and 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.120 confess our 00:26:38.120 --> 00:26:38.579 failure, 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.900 confess our 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.420 sins, 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:42.519 realizing the 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:44.640 need of 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:46.339 his son and 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:46.980 the sacrifice 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.380 that he 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:48.019 paid for 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.299 us, 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:49.960 calling out 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.480 to him 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.360 that he 00:26:51.360 --> 00:26:52.140 would intercede 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.839 for us, 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.799 that he 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.360 would remember 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:56.220 us and 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.839 not cease 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.579 to pray for 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:57.900 us. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.140 We would 00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.720 call out to 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.039 him because 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.759 we are weak 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.180 and we are 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.620 desperately 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.839 in need 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:04.740 of strengthening 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:06.799 to face the 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.500 battle that we 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.120 have against 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.799 this world, 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:10.759 death is 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.159 an evil 00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:11.500 that will 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:11.919 overcome 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:12.339 me, 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:12.799 but he 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.339 is one 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.839 that has 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.539 delivered 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.680 us from 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.119 death. 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.599 He is not 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.019 one that 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:19.599 will fail 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:19.839 you. 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.659 He is 00:27:21.659 --> 00:27:22.759 our great 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.639 intercessor 00:27:23.639 --> 00:27:24.519 that stands 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:24.980 there on 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.740 our behalf 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:29.019 before God 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:30.839 and he 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.299 does not 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.019 dismiss our 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.559 confession 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.000 when we 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.440 cry to 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:33.759 him for 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.299 our help 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:35.519 and he 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:35.799 is one 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.059 that will 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.519 set us 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:36.960 free from 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.119 our 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.559 innings 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.720 and it 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:38.960 will be 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.440 true 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.879 that as we 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:41.379 look back 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:41.859 over our 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.359 lives 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:43.639 and even 00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:43.939 as we 00:27:43.939 --> 00:27:44.459 sit here 00:27:44.459 --> 00:27:45.039 tonight we 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.639 can say 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:46.839 till now 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:48.159 the Lord 00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:48.779 has helped 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:50.199 us and 00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:50.859 every day 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.559 we can look 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.240 back saying 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:53.599 the Lord 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.179 has helped 00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:54.759 us every 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.459 step that 00:27:55.459 --> 00:27:55.679 we have 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.139 taken. 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.439 He has 00:27:57.439 --> 00:27:58.119 been faithful 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:58.779 to us. 00:27:59.319 --> 00:27:59.579 He has 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.679 not dismissed 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.579 my pleas 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.859 and my cry 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.519 for help. 00:28:03.719 --> 00:28:03.979 He has 00:28:03.979 --> 00:28:04.379 been my 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:04.899 protector. 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.279 He has 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.719 been my 00:28:05.719 --> 00:28:06.419 deliverer 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.599 and he 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.299 is one 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:09.219 that is 00:28:09.219 --> 00:28:10.079 worthy 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:12.019 of trusting. 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:13.799 He is 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.099 all 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.899 powerful. 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:15.559 He is 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.220 all wise. 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:16.579 He is 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:17.319 all holy. 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:17.720 He is 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.500 all just. 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:18.839 He is 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:20.199 good and 00:28:20.199 --> 00:28:20.539 he is 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.799 true and 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.359 true to 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:22.919 his people. 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.299 There is 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.500 none 00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.379 besides 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:25.799 him. 00:28:26.699 --> 00:28:27.119 He is 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:27.500 one. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.799 And maybe 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.819 when you 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.199 go home 00:28:33.199 --> 00:28:33.480 you can 00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:34.059 read through 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.659 Hannah's 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.919 prayer and 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:36.139 you can 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:37.759 see when 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.619 Samuel comes 00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.099 into his 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:39.699 own here 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.500 and delivers 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.120 the people. 00:28:41.620 --> 00:28:41.779 There are 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.480 elements of 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:42.960 Hannah's 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.039 prayer that 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.880 just fit in 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.299 with this 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.120 passage so 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:46.460 well. 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.600 Where he 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.299 delivers him 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:48.519 and there is 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.120 a thundering 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.480 of the 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:49.779 Lord. 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:50.940 Hannah's 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.340 got that 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:52.160 focus on 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.940 who the 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.620 Lord is. 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:55.400 She knows 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.680 who the 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.319 Lord is. 00:28:57.840 --> 00:28:58.279 And God 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.660 honoured 00:28:58.660 --> 00:29:00.779 his name 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.779 through his 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.160 people. 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.940 God will 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.380 vindicate his 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:04.840 name through 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:05.500 his people. 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.740 God will 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.680 not leave 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.240 you or 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.080 forsake you. 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.079 Amen. 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.179 May we 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:12.879 conclude in 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.980 praise by 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.639 singing in 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:17.000 Psalm 143 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.519 of the 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:18.819 Scottish 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:18.899 Church.