WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.760 I'm going to read scripture for us. 00:00:02.940 --> 00:00:06.419 The passage that David's going to come and preach to us from 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:12.300 ! is the Old Testament book of Haggai, chapter 2, verses 1 to 9. 00:00:13.620 --> 00:00:15.140 Okay, this is the word of the Lord. 00:00:15.720 --> 00:00:18.679 In the seventh month, on the 21st day of the month, 00:00:18.859 --> 00:00:21.460 the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet. 00:00:22.359 --> 00:00:27.199 Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:31.019 and to Joshua, the son of Jehoshadak, the high priest, 00:00:31.379 --> 00:00:33.479 and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:37.519 Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:39.420 How do you see it now? 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:41.560 Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:45.259 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:49.340 Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehoshadak, the high priest. 00:00:49.899 --> 00:00:52.939 Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. 00:00:53.379 --> 00:00:55.620 For I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts. 00:00:55.619 --> 00:00:59.539 According to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. 00:00:59.919 --> 00:01:01.699 My spirit remains in your midst. 00:01:02.199 --> 00:01:04.420 Fear not, for thus says the Lord of hosts. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:08.400 Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens, 00:01:08.679 --> 00:01:11.019 and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:12.719 And I will shake all nations, 00:01:13.000 --> 00:01:15.239 so that the treasures of all nations shall come in. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:18.859 And I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 00:01:19.299 --> 00:01:23.019 The silver is mine, the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:26.519 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:27.939 says the Lord of hosts. 00:01:28.399 --> 00:01:32.340 And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts. 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:33.199 Amen. 00:01:33.699 --> 00:01:35.519 This is God's holy word. 00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:42.560 Well, we turn this evening to the book of the prophet Haggai in the Old Testament, 00:01:43.679 --> 00:01:46.079 and to our second sermon, 00:01:46.359 --> 00:01:49.959 and what, God willing, will be a four-sermon series. 00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:56.579 It's known as the Bayou Tapestry. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:59.399 Although, when I was reading about it, 00:01:59.479 --> 00:02:03.399 technically, apparently, it's an embroidery rather than a tapestry. 00:02:04.139 --> 00:02:05.659 Who knew these things? 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:09.519 I don't even know the difference between a tapestry and embroidery, 00:02:09.780 --> 00:02:11.219 but apparently that's what it is. 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:12.780 And if you know of it, 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:18.840 it famously depicts events leading up to the Norman conquest of England, 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:22.900 culminating, of course, the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 00:02:24.020 --> 00:02:29.039 The cloth comprises 58 different scenes. 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:33.360 Many of them have captions written below. 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:38.460 And one of those scenes depicts someone known as Bishop Odo. 00:02:38.460 --> 00:02:42.580 He was the stepbrother of William the Conqueror, 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:50.939 forcing his men onward or towards an oncoming kind of hail of arrows. 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:54.620 And underneath, there's an inscription that reads, 00:02:55.379 --> 00:03:01.540 Here, Bishop Odo, holding his club, comforts his men. 00:03:02.860 --> 00:03:07.900 And I suppose that's not really the way that we think of being comforted. 00:03:07.900 --> 00:03:11.120 Someone chasing after us with a club. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:15.780 But the original idea behind the English word for comfort 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:19.020 is the meaning to give strength. 00:03:20.219 --> 00:03:25.099 And in the tapestry, Bishop Odo is seeking to strengthen his troops 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:29.000 by prodding them into action, 00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:32.159 albeit in a somewhat drastic fashion. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:35.540 And perhaps that's a good way for us to think 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:37.540 about the book of the prophet Haggai. 00:03:37.900 --> 00:03:42.580 Because it is in this sense a message of comfort 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:47.259 that Haggai the prophet brings to the people of God of his day. 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:53.960 Robust, vigorous oracles designed to strengthen the Lord's people 00:03:53.960 --> 00:03:58.900 in their faith, and beyond that, to spur them into action. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:04.140 Now, in the previous chapter that we looked at a couple of weeks ago, 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:09.340 we read there of the leaders and the people being stirred up 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:12.780 under Haggai's ministry to faith and good works. 00:04:12.860 --> 00:04:17.879 They renewed their commitment to rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:21.780 They resolved to put worship, the worship of Yahweh, 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:25.459 back at the very top of their agenda. 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:30.060 But notice how chapter 2 of the book opens. 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:31.600 Verse 1, 00:04:31.600 --> 00:05:01.200 And so, what we find here is, 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:05.219 Haggai once again bringing the word of the Lord to the people. 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:10.920 Only this time, it's in a situation of great discouragement. 00:05:11.779 --> 00:05:14.339 We're told the precise date of Haggai's message, 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:17.839 the 21st day of the seventh month. 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:21.019 It's now October 520 B.C. 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:27.180 A month or so has passed since Haggai's initial word to the people from God. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:29.740 And those intervening weeks, it seems, 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:35.879 had seen the people eventually run into a kind of headwind of different discouragements. 00:05:36.959 --> 00:05:43.719 All their initial euphoria, enthusiasm, excitement had begun to wane. 00:05:44.259 --> 00:05:47.759 Their strength had begun to kind of seep away. 00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:57.879 And I think that's one of the things that we must be aware of and indeed prepare for in the work of God's kingdom. 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:08.079 Discouragements are inevitable as we seek to move the work of God forward in our particular context. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:14.099 And discouragement is, I think, a favorite stratagem of the evil one, 00:06:14.419 --> 00:06:18.579 as he seeks to oppose God's work and oppose God's people. 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:20.979 So, the question is, 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:25.419 what stimulated these feelings of discouragement and despondency among the people? 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:33.319 I think the key to understanding what's going on here is to be found in verse 3 of the chapter. 00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:38.580 Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? 00:06:39.020 --> 00:06:40.460 How do you see it now? 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:44.240 Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:45.300 What's going on here? 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:56.319 Well, I think what's happening here is that what's being highlighted is that the people were guilty of judging, really, by comparison. 00:06:56.720 --> 00:07:05.220 They looked at what they were doing, and they contrasted it in some way with the former magnificence of Solomon's temple. 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:09.180 And in their eyes, there was simply no comparison. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:14.519 This new temple would never, ever be like the old one. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:21.199 They compared the present very unfavorably with the past. 00:07:21.899 --> 00:07:25.819 And this kind of talk was very discouraging to those who heard it. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:27.000 It cast them down. 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:29.279 They became despondent. 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:30.680 This is no good. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:34.039 We'll never—this is—we're achieving nothing. 00:07:34.539 --> 00:07:37.439 This is never going to be what it once was. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:48.439 I think we need always to be aware of the danger of comparing ourselves to others, past or present. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:55.079 Such an attitude can be very detrimental to God's work. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:08:03.699 When we think that we are nothing, we are powerless, we are insignificant, we are worthless compared with others. 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:15.120 We look back at great times, perhaps in the history of our nation's church, and we think, well, we'll never be like that again. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:17.560 It can be quite depressing. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:22.720 Or maybe we can be guilty, and I've seen this happen over the years. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:28.220 People become always comparing themselves with others. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:34.379 Just look at that church, or that family, or that couple, or those Christians. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:35.940 They have it all together. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:40.740 What faith they display, what resources they have, how blessed they are. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:54.039 Unfavorable comparisons can be hugely destructive in the Christian life, because the truth is, we don't always know what God is doing in the lives of others. 00:08:55.980 --> 00:09:02.440 And so here, the cold rain of discouragement seeping into the muscles and bones of those working on the temple. 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.100 How does God respond? 00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:09.360 Well, through the prophet Haggai, he once more speaks his word. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:14.600 The word of the Lord, verse 1, came through the prophet Haggai. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:20.060 God brings to them a word of great encouragement. 00:09:21.200 --> 00:09:25.139 That's one of the great purposes of God's word to the people of God. 00:09:25.800 --> 00:09:29.240 It comes to strengthen, inspire, motivate. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:33.639 And the essence of his message we have in verse 4. 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:38.340 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:41.940 Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehoshadak, the high priest. 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:46.800 Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:52.680 And so this is the challenge, you see, that Haggai brings before the leaders and the people. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:53.340 Be strong. 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:58.700 Now, you might well be saying, well, that's all well and good. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:06.520 But just exhorting people to be strong, to work hard, doesn't always do the trick, does it? 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:11.580 I mean, if you're feeling down and discouraged, sometimes the very last thing you want to hear 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:15.000 is someone coming along and telling you to cheer up, be strong. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:23.440 Exhortations and commands, challenging words on their own do not necessarily make a difference. 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:31.600 And yet we would be very much mistaken if all we thought that God was saying here to the people 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:36.639 through Haggai was, you lot better pull your socks up and do better. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:40.240 That is not what is happening here. 00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:47.740 You know, sometimes, you know, ministers can be tempted, you know, to take out the big stick 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:49.039 and to beat everybody over the head. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:56.539 I don't mean literally, but that kind of ministry can be very dangerous and damaging. 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:58.759 And that is not what we're seeing here. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:06.139 The verses that follow, we see, yes, we see God prodding His people into action, 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:10.200 but He's doing that by way of His promises. 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:18.580 He strengthens or comforts His people by giving them here three great promises. 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:24.059 Here is why they can be strong and courageous. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:30.479 Here is why they can rise up and get busy in the work of the Lord. 00:11:31.619 --> 00:11:38.539 And the first promise here, verses 4 and 5, I think is the promise of God's presence. 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:41.519 Be strong, declares the Lord. 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:47.819 I work for, I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:52.819 According to the covenant I made with you when you came out of Egypt, 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:57.680 my spirit remains in your midst, fear not. 00:11:57.820 --> 00:12:00.200 The promise of God's presence. 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:07.420 The people, yes, they've been guilty, perhaps, of comparing the present sorry state of the temple 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:09.340 with the great glories of the past. 00:12:09.900 --> 00:12:16.060 But what God does through His prophet here is point them back not to past memories. 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:21.280 Rather, He points them back to past promises. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:27.779 We all know from our own experience, I suspect, that in some situations, 00:12:28.579 --> 00:12:33.120 the presence of another person can make a huge difference to us. 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:38.720 That's especially perhaps true at a time of fear and anxiety, 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:42.120 just knowing there's somebody with us. 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:44.679 Perhaps we go to a doctor's appointment, 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:47.719 or we go to receive test results, 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:51.759 or maybe we're going somewhere we've never been before, 00:12:51.859 --> 00:12:53.239 maybe in a strange country, 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:59.759 and we draw strength and encouragement from their presence alongside us. 00:13:00.719 --> 00:13:04.599 The presence of another can change our whole attitude and demeanor, 00:13:04.599 --> 00:13:07.500 can bring us a sense of confidence and assurance. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:10.139 And that's kind of what's happening here. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:14.840 God is reminding the people that He will be with them, 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:18.679 whatever they have to face and whatever they have to undertake. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:23.340 Work for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts. 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:27.259 My spirit remains in your midst. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.279 Fear not. 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:34.259 The reference here is, of course, to the Exodus, 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:36.839 the children of Israel coming out of Egypt. 00:13:37.079 --> 00:13:39.500 They faced a very difficult, daunting task. 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:44.799 And the language actually echoes that of Deuteronomy 31, verse 6. 00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:46.179 There we read, 00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:47.860 Be strong and courageous. 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:51.240 Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:54.240 for the Lord your God goes with you. 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:57.500 He will never leave you or forsake you. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:00.600 So, the people here in Haggai's day, 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:03.519 they've been through, many of them, the experience of exile. 00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:07.100 It appeared in the exile that God had abandoned them. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:13.779 But no, God's covenant promises are sure and steadfast. 00:14:14.839 --> 00:14:19.799 That great pillar of God's promise to His people had not been toppled. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:25.579 It remained standing still and standing tall. 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:30.860 God Himself had been at work in the experience of exile. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:37.040 And so now, He once again reminds His people that He will be with them to dwell in their midst. 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:43.340 The temple may well still lie in ruins, but nonetheless, God Himself is with His people. 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:50.220 So, one of the reasons that they could be strong and courageous is because they're not on their own. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:57.899 They are not cast upon their own resources, but on the great and adequate resources of their covenant God. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:59.240 God was with them. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:06.519 He would give them all that they need, including the strength and the desire to do the work. 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:11.279 The Westminster Confession of Faith says of believers, 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:20.460 their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit of Christ. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:23.539 And what was true for them is true for us. 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:30.779 How often we can be tempted to, you know, become paralyzed, discouraged by fears of one kind or another. 00:15:30.939 --> 00:15:31.699 Fear of the future. 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:35.079 Fear of what are other people going to say about us. 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:37.520 Fear of loss, fear of death, fear of witnessing. 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:45.620 But don't you remember God has conquered all these foes and fears? 00:15:45.900 --> 00:15:49.980 He has delivered us in the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ. 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:53.139 He has redeemed us and set us free. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:56.020 He's broken into our lives. 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:59.520 He's come to dwell in our midst and to be our God. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:09.159 And that's why, for example, at the end of Matthew's gospel, when Jesus gives what we know as sometimes as the great commission to the disciples, 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:11.059 He sends them out into the world. 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:11.960 What does He say to them? 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:16.679 Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age. 00:16:16.679 --> 00:16:22.479 And friends, that's something we need to do again and again and again as the Lord's people. 00:16:22.739 --> 00:16:30.479 We need to go back to the promises of God, to remember that we are His covenant people. 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:35.199 He has pledged Himself towards us with these amazing promises. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:46.440 And on the cross itself, Jesus Christ has written, if I can put it this way, a covenant of grace in the indelible ink of His own blood. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:49.600 And do you know what it says? 00:16:49.660 --> 00:16:51.920 It says, I love you with an everlasting love. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:54.640 It says, you will be mine forever. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:59.840 And whatever happens, I will be with you. 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:07.339 He is the God who watches over us, our going out and our coming in. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:13.420 He's the God who sees us and who knows us and who's with us. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:19.539 Old Puritan homes often had an embroidery hanging on the wall. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:23.279 Thou, God, seest me. 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:30.480 His eyes are upon us as a lover upon the beloved. 00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:38.320 He's the God who sees His people, sees us in our troubles, in our failures, in our weakness, 00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:43.700 sees us in the mess that we sometimes make of our lives. 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:48.320 He sees us and He cares for us. 00:17:50.040 --> 00:17:53.080 Perhaps like the people of Haggai's day, we feel down and discouraged. 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:56.500 Surrounded by a hostile world. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:00.899 Surrounded by all manner of enemies and opponents. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:04.539 And sometimes we can feel that God has deserted us. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:08.339 Or things will never be like the good old days. 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:12.379 We think our efforts are going to be in vain. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:15.679 We're tempted to throw in the towel. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:21.640 Friends, what can keep us standing in such days when the enemy comes in like a flood? 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:26.120 What can keep us persevering in the way of faith? 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:29.200 What can strengthen us and embolden our witness? 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:32.180 It is the very presence of God Himself. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:36.480 The God who sees, the God who loves, the God who cares. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:45.860 And so we need, all of us, we need to remember and cling to those great and wonderful promises that God has made to us. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:50.019 Our covenant God who has said to us, 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:52.019 I am with you. 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.779 Not some of the time. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:57.660 I am with you always. 00:18:57.660 --> 00:19:03.540 Nothing beats His presence with His people. 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:09.220 And how often we need to hear that again and again and again. 00:19:10.060 --> 00:19:13.180 The promise here of God's presence. 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:20.019 Then secondly, the promise of God's purpose in verses 6 through 9. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:48.200 And so, 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:54.700 these words that follow, outline God's purpose for this new temple. 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:57.840 In a short while, He will shake heaven and earth, 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.980 sea, dry land, 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:02.000 shake all the nations of the world. 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:07.819 And the language used here is that of an earthquake or an earth tremor. 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:10.380 The whole earth shaking and moving. 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:14.519 I don't know, maybe some of you have experienced an earthquake, 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:17.960 and that's a pretty frightening thing to go through. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:25.160 The earth's stability disrupted by great, powerful forces at work in the earth's crust. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:28.140 And that's what's being conveyed here. 00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:30.259 God is going to shake the nations. 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:32.620 He's going to bring dramatic change. 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:36.700 And in fact, the language He uses here, used here by Haggai, 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:39.120 is used elsewhere in the Old Testament. 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:42.719 And it's used often in the context of warfare. 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:45.339 It's the language of battle and conflict. 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:51.219 We saw that terminology used by Deborah in the book of Judges, 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:53.119 by David in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:58.059 It was used of great, significant events in the history of God's people. 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:00.779 When the nations around seemed to have the upper hand, 00:21:00.979 --> 00:21:03.779 looked as if they would crush and destroy the people of God, 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:07.539 then God would come to their aid, really, as a divine warrior, 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:09.059 the God of battles. 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:12.179 And He would defend His people from attack 00:21:12.179 --> 00:21:16.399 by dramatic and unusual manifestations of His power. 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:24.480 In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews talks about God shaking the heavens and the earth. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:29.080 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:33.680 let us be thankful and worship God acceptably, with reverence and awe. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:40.740 You see, the movements of this world, 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:46.120 which men and women lay so much store by, 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:49.160 will actually come to nothing. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.160 They will disappear. 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:58.259 The powerful kingdoms of men and women will crumble and fall. 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:03.660 Only the kingdom that God is building is going to last. 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.940 You'll notice here that God shakes the nations. 00:22:08.280 --> 00:22:13.180 He says that the treasures of all the nations will come and fill this house with glory. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:18.740 People from all nations coming into the house of God, 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:24.680 bringing with them worship and tribute to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:30.320 The nations will come and empty their pockets, 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:33.900 says Haggai, and fill this house with glory. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:36.620 It's an absolutely amazing picture. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:39.920 These beleaguered saints, 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.200 despondent, 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.340 in Jerusalem, 00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:44.000 facing an uncertain future, 00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:46.400 little money, perhaps, or resources, 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.100 and yet, 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:48.680 a despised minority. 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:50.440 In human terms, 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.340 their task, 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.860 a hopeless one. 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:54.340 And yet, 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:56.080 God speaks to them 00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:58.299 and tells them one day 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.060 that the building, 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:01.120 that the temple they are building, 00:23:01.320 --> 00:23:03.980 into it will stream all the nations of the world, 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:05.600 bringing great riches and wealth. 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:07.340 Silver is mine, 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.299 and the gold is mine, 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.000 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:13.200 Our God is not one who wants for resources. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:17.480 A greater glory is to come, 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:23.039 one that will put Solomon and his temple in the shade. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:26.120 God is reminding them 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:32.420 that He is establishing an unshakable kingdom, 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:36.880 that He is at work in their building of the temple. 00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:42.000 Do you see what He's doing? 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.220 He's reminding them 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:46.099 that what they are doing 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:51.140 is part and parcel of God's overarching purpose. 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.359 There's a famous story, 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.740 often beloved of preachers, 00:23:57.539 --> 00:24:00.019 of the days when Sir Christopher Wren 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:02.059 was building St. Paul's Cathedral in London, 00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:04.059 and on one occasion, 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:06.799 he was making a tour of the work that was in progress, 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.019 and he came upon a man at work, 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.579 and he asked him, 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.259 what are you doing? 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.460 And the man said, 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:14.900 I'm cutting this stone to a certain size and shape. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.360 He then came to a second man 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.720 and asked him what he was doing. 00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:19.660 The man said, 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:22.779 I'm working hard to earn money at my work. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.259 He came to a third man, 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.740 and he asked him what he was doing. 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.180 The man paused for a moment, 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.180 straightened himself, 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.680 and answered, 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:38.240 I am helping Sir Christopher Wren build St. Paul's Cathedral. 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:42.160 Perspective is important. 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:44.840 What are we doing in church? 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:47.740 Helping with teas and coffees, 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:48.880 we're painting the kitchen, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.200 teaching the children, 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.660 offering hospitality, 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.740 giving our tithes, 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.600 saying our prayers, 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.200 sharing faith with others. 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:59.120 But in all these things, 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:01.440 we are part of something much greater. 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:04.799 We're part of the ever-advancing kingdom of God. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:07.220 We're part of the growing church of God. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:10.980 We're part of the fruitful gospel of God. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:11.960 And you see, 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:14.180 this despised temple of Haggai's day 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.620 was in fact the beginning, 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.460 a sense of God's great kingdom. 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.779 And the truth is this, 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:22.139 that we don't know what God will do 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:23.940 with our work and service. 00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:25.619 It may seem small. 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.420 It may seem insignificant. 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:30.039 But it is all being built 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:33.160 into part of God's unshakable kingdom. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.940 And it's very important 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:38.139 that we have that perspective 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:40.059 in public worship. 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:41.519 You know, 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:43.700 this is a dress rehearsal for heaven. 00:25:44.359 --> 00:25:45.819 One day we will be lost 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:48.500 in wonder, love, and praise 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.319 in our praying for others. 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.119 An unseen work. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.019 It's not flashy. 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.039 It's not showy. 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:56.059 Yet wonderfully, amazingly, 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:58.119 God uses our prayers 00:25:58.119 --> 00:26:00.200 to bring people to faith. 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.400 Faithful living for God 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.599 in a difficult place. 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.180 Work, education. 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.799 Who knows 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:12.420 how God might use your testimony? 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.680 And the truth is that none of us 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:17.339 know what God will do. 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:20.160 with what we offer Him. 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:24.000 But in His grace and mercy, 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:27.599 He may choose to magnify it 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:30.039 and brush it with His glory. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:34.940 Remember the promise of God's presence. 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:38.680 Remember the promise of God's purpose. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:41.819 Finally, and as time disappears, 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:45.859 the promise of God's peace. 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.960 Right at the end there. 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:49.660 And in this place, verse 9, 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.860 I will give peace, 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:54.440 declares the Lord of hosts. 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:58.539 And with this fractured, 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.279 discordant world, 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:04.120 God has promised to bring peace. 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:06.779 He will shake the nations in judgment, 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.640 and peace will reign. 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:12.819 Remember Isaiah's famous words, 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:15.339 He shall judge between the nations 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:17.579 and decide disputes for many peoples. 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:20.399 They shall beat their swords into plowshares, 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:22.559 their spears into pruning hooks. 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:25.659 Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:27.759 neither shall they learn war, 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.980 any war. 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.720 And Haggai's contemporary, 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.419 Zechariah, 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:33.259 he spoke of the day when the Messiah 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.919 would come and put down His enemies 00:27:34.919 --> 00:27:36.700 and bring security and peace 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.599 to the Lord's people. 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:39.959 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.259 Zechariah 9.10, 00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:42.959 the war horse from Jerusalem, 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:45.079 the battle bow shall be cut off, 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:47.199 and he shall speak peace to the nations. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:50.000 His rule shall be from sea to sea 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:53.279 and from the river to the ends of the earth. 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.599 And Haggai says here, 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.079 in this place, 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:59.579 I will give peace. 00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:02.159 Here is the promised peace 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:03.459 of the great day of the Lord. 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:05.059 God has promised it, 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:07.000 and God has secured it. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.400 Because the amazing thing is 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:11.220 we can enter into and enjoy 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:13.039 something of this peace now, 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.539 today, 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.860 in our own lives. 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:16.980 Because in that very temple 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:19.680 in which Haggai was speaking about, 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:22.500 Jesus Christ wrought peace with God. 00:28:23.400 --> 00:28:25.039 This was the temple to which 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:27.220 Jesus was taken as a young boy. 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.840 This was the temple out of which 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:32.420 He drove the moneylenders. 00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:34.019 This was the temple 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:36.200 in whose courts He taught. 00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.840 This was the temple 00:28:38.840 --> 00:28:39.920 where the curtain 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:42.320 before the Holy of Holies 00:28:42.320 --> 00:28:44.840 was torn in two at His death. 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.660 And as Corrie was reminding us 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.860 a few weeks ago in the morning, 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.880 that curtain was no flimsy 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:52.039 piece of material. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:55.000 Thick, heavy, and substantial. 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.800 Almost like a wall. 00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.680 Separating people 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:01.039 from the presence of God. 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:04.559 At the very moment of Jesus' death 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.240 on the cross, 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.960 that massive curtain 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:11.000 was ripped from top to bottom, 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.799 torn asunder, 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:14.279 the barrier gone, 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:16.599 so that through faith 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:18.720 in a crucified Savior, 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:22.740 you and me 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:24.659 can come to God. 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:27.320 And that way is open, 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.740 you see, 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:29.460 for people of every tribe 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.720 and nation and language 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:33.620 to come into a relationship 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:34.700 with the living God. 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:37.500 On Calvary's cross, 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:39.320 Jesus blazed a path 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:41.640 into God's presence, 00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:43.480 drenched in His own blood. 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:46.980 And so this poor house 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.079 of Haggai's day 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:50.120 would indeed see 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:51.039 a greater glory. 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.099 It would see one 00:29:53.099 --> 00:29:54.240 greater than Solomon 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:56.079 appear and walk 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:57.039 within its walls, 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.640 one who would be known 00:29:58.640 --> 00:30:01.099 as the Prince of Peace, 00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:04.319 one who would come 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.480 on that first Easter 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:08.059 as a pure, spotless lamb 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:10.519 prepared for sacrifice, 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:12.859 to bring to guilty sinners 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:14.879 like us peace with God. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:18.000 And all of that temple's 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.119 sacrificial system 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:21.400 found its fulfillment 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:22.819 in Jesus Christ 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:24.400 and in Him crucified. 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.960 The blood of animals 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.759 was unworthy 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.139 and powerless to achieve. 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:32.539 Jesus accomplished 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:34.980 by sacrificing Himself 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:37.220 on the altar of Calvary. 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:40.299 And many today 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:43.039 are searching for peace, 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.319 for peace, 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.980 peace from a guilty conscience, 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:48.059 peace from a troubled mind, 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.799 peace amid the cares 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.960 and worries of this life, 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.900 peace in the face 00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:54.220 of the inevitability 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.400 of death and judgment. 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.779 But friends, 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.860 you can never have peace 00:30:58.860 --> 00:31:00.900 outside of Jesus Christ. 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:03.900 His is a peace 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.220 that passes all understanding. 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:07.000 He alone 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:08.660 is our peace with God. 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.680 And through faith in Him 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.819 we can come to know 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.620 and experience 00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:13.579 something of that 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.279 last day peace 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:17.680 in the very here 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.579 and now. 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:22.960 Like a river glorious 00:31:22.960 --> 00:31:25.960 is God's perfect peace, 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:27.880 over all victorious 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:30.019 in its bright increase. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:31.940 Perfect yet it floweth 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:33.319 fuller every day. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:35.079 Perfect yet it groweth 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:36.639 deeper all the way. 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:38.699 Stayed upon Jehovah, 00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:40.899 hearts are fully blessed, 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:43.419 finding as He promised, 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:46.699 perfect peace and rest. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:50.199 Jesus Christ is our peace. 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.799 By faith He has us 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:56.139 in His everlasting arms, 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:58.019 and He will never let us go. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.639 He will never let us 00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.139 in His presence. 00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:00.240 Therefore, 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:02.680 whatever He has called us to, 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:04.240 to serve Him, 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.619 in whatever way that is, 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.799 we can be strong 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.839 and courageous. 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:13.799 God speaks a word of comfort 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:16.279 to His weary people. 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:20.359 The promise of His presence, 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:21.980 the promise of His purpose, 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:23.960 the promise of His peace. 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:26.519 And we stand today 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.500 on the other side 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.579 of those great promises 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:29.420 in a sense. 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:31.220 Paul tells us that 00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.640 all the promises of God 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:34.319 are yes and amen 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.279 in Jesus Christ. 00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.600 So maybe, 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:39.360 maybe you're feeling down 00:32:39.360 --> 00:32:40.600 and discouraged this evening. 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:42.519 Maybe you're struggling 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.380 for motivation. 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:45.779 Maybe you're finding 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:47.340 that the going is tough. 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:49.659 But friends, 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.379 let's remember 00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:51.099 that we worship 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:52.119 and serve a God 00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:54.220 who always keeps 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:54.819 His promises. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:57.459 He can always be trusted, 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.799 even in the most difficult 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:02.220 and trying of circumstances. 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.579 He can be trusted 00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.879 because He has kept 00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:07.799 His most difficult 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:10.439 to keep promise of all. 00:33:11.699 --> 00:33:13.039 He did not spare 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:14.459 even His own Son, 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.779 but gave Him up for us all. 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:19.539 And if He did not withhold 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:21.139 His own Son from us, 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:26.059 then what will He keep from us 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:28.240 that we really need? 00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:31.899 What have I to dread? 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.099 What have I to fear? 00:33:33.899 --> 00:33:35.740 Leaning on the everlasting arms. 00:33:36.579 --> 00:33:38.139 I have blessed peace 00:33:38.139 --> 00:33:39.539 with my Lord so near, 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:43.000 leaning on the everlasting arms. 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:46.920 come and lean upon those arms 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.559 this evening. 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:49.720 Know His peace 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:52.759 and experience His comfort. 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:54.119 Let's pray together. 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.160 Lord, we pray that You, 00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:58.420 by Your Holy Spirit, 00:33:58.579 --> 00:34:00.640 would prompt us 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:06.160 and prod us into action 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:09.460 as we reflect on 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:11.639 Your wonderful promises to us. 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:14.300 That promise that You will 00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.820 always be with us 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:17.960 and that You will never leave us. 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.900 And indeed, 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:20.519 that nothing can separate us 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.260 from Your love 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:22.820 in Jesus Christ, 00:34:22.900 --> 00:34:23.380 our Lord. 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:26.639 From the promise of Your purpose 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:29.260 that we are caught up in. 00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:32.600 Lord, we often feel weak 00:34:32.600 --> 00:34:34.080 and tired and useless. 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:37.620 Lord, give us a proper perspective 00:34:37.620 --> 00:34:40.400 that we see that what we are doing 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:42.000 is actually part of something 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.640 much bigger, 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.580 much greater, 00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:45.240 and far more wonderful. 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:49.120 And Lord, remind us afresh 00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:51.140 of that promise of peace 00:34:51.140 --> 00:34:53.000 that is ours in Jesus Christ. 00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:55.860 Peace that this world 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.680 can never give 00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:58.500 and a peace 00:34:58.500 --> 00:35:00.839 that can never be taken from us. 00:35:01.539 --> 00:35:02.679 We pray these things 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:03.659 in Jesus' name. 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:04.480 Amen.