WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.620 Well, friends, tonight we're looking at 1 Samuel chapter 26. 00:00:07.360 --> 00:00:11.779 That's in the Pew Bible, so long as that Pew Bible has an Old Testament. 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:16.219 If you find the page number, you can shout it out because I forgot to write it down. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:18.940 1 Samuel 26. 00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:21.179 We've been... 00:00:21.179 --> 00:00:23.140 2, 4, 9. 00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:23.839 Is that right, Beth? 00:00:23.900 --> 00:00:24.339 Thanks, Beth. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:25.199 2, 49. 00:00:25.400 --> 00:00:26.160 Go ahead and turn there. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:29.500 We're going to be spending some time in this chapter tonight. 00:00:29.500 --> 00:00:32.880 We'll spend a little bit of time after the sermon just doing some Q&A and some conversation. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:40.000 So if something comes up that piques your interest or that the Lord lays on your heart and you want to ask about that after the sermon, 00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:45.659 go ahead and just make note of that in your mind, and we can come back to that at the end. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:55.579 Well, as we're coming to 1 Samuel 26, I was thinking this week about a book that a guy named Malcolm Gladwell, 00:00:55.579 --> 00:00:59.839 a popular writer published actually a number of years ago called Blink. 00:01:01.239 --> 00:01:05.679 The subtitle of that book was The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:12.479 So this book was about sort of human intuition and decision-making. 00:01:13.039 --> 00:01:23.319 He makes this sort of bold claim in this book that oftentimes our spontaneous decisions are actually better than the decisions that we actually carefully plan or consider. 00:01:23.319 --> 00:01:30.239 He puts forward this idea that he calls thin slicing, which is sort of a lingo-y term that he makes up, 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:39.059 which is basically he says that our ability to gauge what's really important actually comes through just a very narrow period of experience, 00:01:39.139 --> 00:01:42.879 that we're able to do that in a sort of intuitive level as human beings really quickly. 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:50.060 And if we're overloaded by too much information or too much deliberation, we often make worse decisions, he says, 00:01:50.179 --> 00:01:52.239 than if we just trust our instincts and act. 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:56.099 John, is that a fair description of Blink? 00:01:56.299 --> 00:01:57.699 You've read that book before, right? 00:01:57.879 --> 00:01:58.899 Yeah, good, I got it. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:01.219 It's a pretty interesting idea, right? 00:02:01.299 --> 00:02:03.879 And it's a bit kind of counterintuitive if you think about it. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:08.180 And not everyone has actually agreed with Gladwell. 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:13.359 In fact, a year after this book, Blink, was published, someone wrote a book in response called 00:02:13.359 --> 00:02:14.219 Think! 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:18.719 Why Crucial Decisions Can't Be Made in the Blink of an Eye. 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:28.319 This guy sort of said that intuitions and quick decisions is actually no substitute for rationality and deep thinking. 00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:33.400 So which one is it, actually, when it comes to our decision making? 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:36.639 Should we just blink or should we actually think? 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:41.219 Should we trust our gut or should we think long and hard? 00:02:42.959 --> 00:02:43.639 Well, you know, it's interesting. 00:02:43.739 --> 00:02:47.479 When we look at this sort of idea through the lens of the Bible, 00:02:48.019 --> 00:02:53.340 we actually see that there's this unbreakable connection between these two ideas. 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:56.400 Because on the one hand, we know that in our lives, 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:59.340 there's going to be times when we have to make quick decisions 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:01.640 and we have to determine on the spot what to do, right? 00:03:03.540 --> 00:03:06.540 But according to the Bible, the way that you make sure 00:03:06.540 --> 00:03:10.719 that you're the sort of person who can do that well 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:17.759 is through deep thinking and immersion in what's good and true apart from those times. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:20.540 In other words, in order to blink, 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:25.200 it's got to be preceded by a lot of rich and true thinking. 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:29.680 That is, you've got to saturate your mind and heart in what's good and true. 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:34.319 And that's the only way to make sure your intuitions are sharpened and prepared when you need to act. 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:38.780 And of course, that's really critical for the spiritual life, right? 00:03:39.140 --> 00:03:44.680 That we spend time meditating on what's true so that then we can act rightly in the moment. 00:03:46.020 --> 00:03:49.400 That's actually very critical for our life before God. 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:53.680 And we see that actually played out in our passage tonight in 1 Samuel. 00:03:54.980 --> 00:03:59.219 At this point in the story of 1 Samuel, you'll remember David is on the run in the wilderness. 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:04.900 And at this point in the story, he's already been sort of anointed as Israel's future king, 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:06.939 but he's not yet on the throne. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:10.640 And Saul, the current king, well, what's he up to? 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:14.379 Well, he is full of jealousy and rage and he's out to kill David, 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:16.219 which is why David's on the run. 00:04:17.120 --> 00:04:19.839 So in 1 Samuel 26, this chapter we're looking at tonight, 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:24.819 this is the last time that David and Saul are going to meet ever in their lives. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:29.240 And David is again in this final meeting, as we saw a couple weeks ago, 00:04:29.300 --> 00:04:32.079 he's faced with a decision. 00:04:33.079 --> 00:04:35.139 He's faced with a test, really. 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:40.539 And what we're going to see tonight, David has the opportunity, it seems, 00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:43.759 to end his problems once and for all. 00:04:44.919 --> 00:04:49.099 And in that moment of decision, how is he going to respond? 00:04:51.159 --> 00:04:55.419 And for us tonight, how can we learn, what can we learn, 00:04:55.699 --> 00:05:01.939 and how can we learn to face hard decisions when temptations and trials come at us? 00:05:01.939 --> 00:05:05.219 So let's look at 1 Samuel 26. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:08.399 We're going to look at the first half first and the second half second. 00:05:08.740 --> 00:05:13.860 So let me read verses 1 through 12 for us of 1 Samuel chapter 26. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:16.819 The writer says this, 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:19.379 Then the Ziphites, those are the people from Ziph, 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:21.620 came to Saul at Gibeah saying, 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:24.860 Is not David hiding himself on the hill of Hakalah, 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:26.879 which is on the east side of Jeshamun? 00:05:27.339 --> 00:05:29.100 They're basically ratting out David here. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:32.140 So Saul rose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph 00:05:32.140 --> 00:05:36.840 with 3,000 chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 00:05:37.640 --> 00:05:40.580 And Saul encamped on the hill of Hakalah, 00:05:41.140 --> 00:05:44.120 which is beside the road on the east of Jeshamun. 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:46.340 But David remained in the wilderness. 00:05:47.200 --> 00:05:50.939 When he saw that Saul came out after him into the wilderness, 00:05:51.100 --> 00:05:54.500 David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:57.980 Then David rose and came to the place where Saul encamped. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:06:04.060 And David saw the place where Saul lay with Abner, the son of Ner, the commander of his army. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:09.700 Saul was lying within the encampment while the army was encamped around him. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:16.920 Then David said to Ahimelech, the Hittite, and to Joab's brother, Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, 00:06:17.400 --> 00:06:20.259 who will go down with me into the camp to Saul? 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:23.360 And Abishai said, I will go down with you. 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:27.139 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. 00:06:27.900 --> 00:06:33.420 And there lay Saul sleeping within the encampment with his spear stuck in the ground at his head. 00:06:34.080 --> 00:06:36.639 And Abner and the army lay around him. 00:06:37.580 --> 00:06:42.319 Then Abishai said to David, God has given your enemy into your hand this day. 00:06:42.580 --> 00:06:47.160 Now, please, let me pin him to the earth with one stroke of the spear, 00:06:47.460 --> 00:06:49.860 and I will not need to strike him twice. 00:06:49.860 --> 00:06:54.580 But David said to Abishai, do not destroy him. 00:06:55.160 --> 00:06:58.500 For who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless? 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:03.980 And David said, as the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:08.360 or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:12.480 The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:18.240 But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water and let us go. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:23.579 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:29.519 No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:34.560 because a deep sleep from the Lord had fallen upon them. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:40.240 So here's the scene, right? 00:07:40.460 --> 00:07:42.319 Saul gets word of where David's hiding, 00:07:42.800 --> 00:07:46.840 and Saul comes out with a big army to kill David and his men. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:51.179 Saul brings 3,000 to face David's group of 600. 00:07:52.119 --> 00:07:57.799 You can tell at this point in the story that Saul is more than a bit paranoid and fueled by jealousy. 00:07:57.939 --> 00:08:01.959 He's bringing 3,000 men into the army to off David once and for all. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:07.259 And you'll remember, this sounds a lot like chapter 24 that we looked at a few weeks ago, doesn't it? 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:10.719 You know, Saul's coming out to get David in the wilderness. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:15.680 But David catches word that he's being hunted again, and he goes and he spies out their camp, 00:08:15.880 --> 00:08:20.940 and then looking down, probably from a cliff above Saul's camp, sees them there all laid out, 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:27.400 with Saul in the middle, and Abner, his right-hand man, sort of laying beside him, protecting him, 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:29.260 and the rest of the men encamped around. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:33.500 And then David makes this split decision. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:36.399 Who wants to come with me into the camp? 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:42.279 He says this to two guys, Ahimelech and Abishai, two of his young soldiers. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:48.259 And Abishai, apparently ready for a crazy adrenaline-fueled adventure, says, 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:50.399 heck yeah, take me, I'll go. 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:56.919 Now look, there's 3,000 men down there, ready to just kill these guys. 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:59.220 And Abishai's like, yeah, sign me up for that job. 00:09:00.419 --> 00:09:05.500 You know, we need to remember when we read the Bible that these are some pretty tough, audacious guys. 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:08.860 This wasn't like, you know, yeah, well, whatever. 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:12.299 Of course, Abishai thinks they're going on this seek-and-destroy mission, right? 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:15.500 He's thinking that we're going to go in, kill Saul, and get out. 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:16.720 In, out, done. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:22.080 And once they get into the camp, Abishai sees his chance to make all their problems go away. 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:24.139 In verse 8, he says, David, I got this. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:24.820 Here's our chance. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:30.279 I'll pull out the spear, pin Saul to the earth with one stroke, and we're done. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:33.080 And trust me, I'm not going to need to swing twice. 00:09:34.540 --> 00:09:35.019 It's interesting. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:37.700 It's possible that Abishai there, saying, I don't need to hit him twice, 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:42.660 is sort of remembering how Saul used to throw his spear at David and would always miss. 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:46.100 And Abishai's basically saying, trust me, David, I ain't going to miss. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:55.360 Wouldn't it be poetic justice for me, David, to stick Saul with the very spear he used to throw at you? 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:00.120 And you've got to give it to a guy like Abishai. 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:00.940 He's brave. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:01.960 He's loyal. 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:04.160 He might be a little bit cocky. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:04.540 Okay. 00:10:05.220 --> 00:10:08.139 But in fact, he's wrong. 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.320 David says, don't do it. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:20.480 Saul is still the Lord's anointed and will be the guilty ones if we touch him. 00:10:22.700 --> 00:10:30.140 Now, what I really want us to focus on tonight is what empowers that sort of obedience to God. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:37.519 How is it that David, given the opportunity to make all his troubles to go away, 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:41.139 he's got to give one little word to his friend Abishai, and it's done. 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:43.139 No more people hunting them. 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:45.019 No more 3,000 men they need to hide from. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:48.720 Nothing else blocking him from the throne, from the crown, from the glory. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:55.480 How is it that with that chance right before David, he refrains? 00:10:55.480 --> 00:11:00.500 How is he able to maintain his obedience to God in that kind of test? 00:11:05.180 --> 00:11:07.820 I mean, don't you want to know, to be honest? 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:13.159 Don't you wish you knew what could actually help you and me to actually do what God says, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:18.159 to obey and follow the Lord, even in the teeth of trial and temptation like that? 00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:26.740 I mean, just think, how many times have we failed to do that this month? 00:11:27.839 --> 00:11:29.139 How many times this week? 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:36.659 In what way this week have you and I seen the proverbial spear right in front of us 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:42.299 and reached out like Adam and Eve in the garden, grabbed it, and have tried to do things our own way? 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:48.000 Tried to solve our problems our own way, tried to get happiness our own way, 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:51.079 and to do it all apart from God? 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:55.039 Isn't it true that we need help? 00:11:58.219 --> 00:12:01.399 And the question that we often have is, what help is there for us? 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:03.099 What help is there for us? 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:07.839 We know, of course, that in Jesus Christ, as we've been singing about and reading about tonight, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:12.100 we know that in Christ, all of our sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven. 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:16.960 But what help does Jesus give us to battle sin in the everyday? 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:18.800 How do we grow in holiness? 00:12:18.920 --> 00:12:20.300 How do we become more like him? 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:27.300 And I want to focus on just two big ideas that we see in the chapter tonight 00:12:27.300 --> 00:12:29.320 that help us along those lines. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:36.440 And we read the first one already in chapters, in verses 11, 10, and 11, here in our chapter. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:40.900 Verses 10 and 11, here are the sort of main speech of this first half of the chapter. 00:12:41.020 --> 00:12:43.740 And what we see here, like two sides of a coin, 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:48.420 something that helps us in the face of trial and temptation is this. 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:54.560 It's confidence in God's sovereignty to deliver us from our troubles. 00:12:56.060 --> 00:13:00.760 And the flip side of the coin is clarity about our responsibility in the meantime. 00:13:03.040 --> 00:13:04.620 Let's look a little closer at that. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:09.179 David knows that as long as Saul lives, his own life will be in danger, right? 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:12.600 And as many times as Saul says, I'm sorry, David knows he can't be trusted. 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.759 But in verse 10, what does David do? 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:22.580 David expresses this incredible confidence that God's will, in God's own timing, deliver him from Saul. 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:28.220 And David actually imagines any number of ways that Saul could come to an end, 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:29.500 that God could deliver him. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:32.080 Maybe the Lord will strike Saul directly. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:34.419 Maybe Saul will die naturally. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:36.899 Maybe God will strike him down in battle. 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:42.440 If you were here a couple weeks ago, you'll remember in the last chapter of 1 Samuel, 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:45.399 that the Lord did just that to Nabal, struck him down. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:53.320 It seems that David had learned an important lesson from that event about the Lord's sovereignty, 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.559 and he's applying it here. 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:57.739 Now, what's the point for us? 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:01.500 David knew that there were all sorts of ways that God could deliver him from Saul. 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:04.539 He even seems to have articulated them in his mind. 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:08.559 Now, okay, that concrete example seems a little bit morbid to us, right? 00:14:08.599 --> 00:14:12.079 Like David's running over in his mind all the ways that Saul's going to meet his end. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:15.139 But think about the principle underneath that. 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:17.599 What is David doing there? 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:28.540 You know, he's actually working out in his mind ways in which his sovereign and good God 00:14:28.540 --> 00:14:35.720 could work in his freedom and in his power in all sorts of ways for his good. 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:41.220 Because God's powerful and good and keeps his promise, 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:45.580 David knows that there are all sorts of ways that God could deliver him. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:49.840 And friends, when we're in the face of trial and in temptation, 00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:58.100 do we have that kind of reflective confidence when we consider God's ways? 00:15:00.280 --> 00:15:05.500 Do we exalt God in the midst of our trials and increase our trust in him by saying, 00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:09.280 God, look, I know and trust that you can do this. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.660 You can heal my marriage. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:16.219 You can give saving faith to my kids. 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:19.059 You can deliver me from lust and addiction. 00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:22.899 Because God, you're God and you can do it in all sorts of ways. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:27.799 And of course, we need to let God be God, right? 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:31.659 God is not confined to the ways we might think he could or should act. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:34.480 God's not in any way constrained by our desires. 00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:38.839 But, you know, when we pray and when we concretely consider the ways God could work, 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:42.420 it's actually an act of worship of him when done rightly. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:48.720 You're turning over in your mind and heart the greatness of God, the trustworthiness of God. 00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:53.120 And in doing that, your faith in God begins to increase. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:57.799 But let's notice the other side of the coin here, too. 00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:03.799 David's confident in God's sovereignty in verse 10, but he's also crystal clear about his own responsibility in verse 11. 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:06.720 He is not to put out his hand against the Lord's anointed. 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.779 One writer put it this way. 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:13.940 Although David did not know how providence would work, he knew what obedience required. 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:23.620 Third, God's ways will frequently baffle us, but God's will is sufficiently clear to lead us in the meantime. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:28.620 What would that look like today? 00:16:31.880 --> 00:16:34.300 Let's say, for instance, that I'm battling loneliness. 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:35.840 That that's a trial. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:38.320 That's a sort of issue going on in my life. 00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:39.660 If I'm battling loneliness. 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:43.039 Well, if we're going to apply this, it would look like this. 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:50.759 It would look like praying and worshiping God for all the ways that God could meet my need for friendship and fellowship. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:59.719 Praying and praising God that he's a good God, that he can bring people into my life from all sorts of avenues and venues. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:04.319 It will look like praying for him to change my own heart and to be satisfied in him more. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:09.579 It would look like praying that God would make me into a better friend to others. 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:14.720 All of these things would be a prayer about God's sovereignty and goodness. 00:17:15.600 --> 00:17:22.440 But also, at the same time, I'll be crystal clear about what God says in his word. 00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:33.580 That even as I pray for God to meet my relational need for friendship and fellowship, at the same time, I draw a line in the sand based on God's word that says, 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:34.240 You know what? 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:37.920 I'm not going to seek comfort in ungodly relationships. 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:43.820 Even though I'm incredibly lonely, I'm not going to go for the false comfort of pornography. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:49.000 Or I'm not going to go out and I'm not going to date non-Christians, even though that might fill a need. 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:52.519 No, I'm actually going to be faithful to the Lord in this. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:18:02.700 And I'm going to be faithful in investing in my spiritual family in the church and finding a smaller group that I can work with and fellowship with. 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:08.019 These are all the sorts of things that I want to have clear before me. 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:16.220 And you know, that clarity, whatever it is for you, whatever the sort of issue is for you, where God's word speaks, you know, that clarity is critical, isn't it? 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:23.180 And that clarity needs to be thought through and trusted deeply beforehand. 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:32.100 Because as you and I know, in the moment of trial and in the moment of temptation, that's not the time to start deliberating. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.039 You know, think about it. 00:18:35.100 --> 00:18:37.319 David sees Saul come out with his 3,000 men. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.900 He's staring at them over the cliff. 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:47.120 You know, David at that point had already discerned with incredible clarity what God's revealed will was for him to not kill Saul. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:52.940 You know, he didn't wait until Saul was at his doorstep to say, okay, guys, quick, let's do a Bible study. 00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:55.500 Let's figure out what we should do right now. 00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.500 Because I'm not so sure. 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:56.980 Saul's here. 00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:57.600 Maybe we can kill him. 00:18:57.620 --> 00:18:57.940 Maybe not. 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.340 Let's quick. 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.340 Let's do a Bible study. 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:06.840 I mean, don't you and I know that it's way too easy to justify our sinful desires in moments like that? 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.980 God's word's very clear, friends. 00:19:11.060 --> 00:19:14.740 But our minds can often become unclear in the moment of temptation. 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.780 So we need to get this clarity beforehand. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.940 And we need to meditate on it. 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:22.000 So that when the trials come, we're ready. 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:31.400 And as we meditate on what God's word says, we also need to meditate on how God's will and how God's revealed law are actually good for us. 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:43.940 Just think of how often the Psalms are filled with verses about the sweetness and goodness of God's revealed will, his commands for our lives. 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:49.460 Here's one example from David himself from Psalm 19, 7 through 11. 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:53.540 He says, the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:56.420 The testimony of the Lord is sure. 00:19:56.540 --> 00:19:57.660 It makes wise and simple. 00:19:57.660 --> 00:20:00.740 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:04.560 The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:08.100 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:12.880 The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:23.019 They're more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:27.819 There's Saul looking at God's commands and saying, they are good. 00:20:29.859 --> 00:20:31.279 And you know, that's not legalism. 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:35.639 That's not David saying, oh man, I really have to earn God's favor by keeping his law. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:40.740 No, that's David saying, God made us and God loves us and God knows how life works best. 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:44.000 And to follow his word is to live in tune with how he made us. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:49.660 And to do so is to find great joy in him, even when it's hard. 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:57.300 So friends, I wonder, do you reflect on the goodness of God's commands in scripture for you? 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:02.480 God isn't out to try to destroy your joy. 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:04.019 In fact, just the opposite. 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:08.259 His word is there so that we know how to walk in the paths of life. 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:17.799 Okay, so there's the first big thing that we learn about how to obey and follow the Lord in the face of temptation and trial. 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:24.440 That we need to cultivate that two-sided truth of confidence in God's sovereignty and clarity about our God-given responsibility. 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:30.539 But as you and I all know, that's really only the first step, right? 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:32.619 It's necessary. 00:21:32.879 --> 00:21:33.619 It's helpful. 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:36.940 But don't you and I know that there needs to be something more? 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:42.839 Because I'm sure that you, like me, have been in the place when you're doing both of those things. 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:44.940 You've got a really clear grip on God's power. 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:47.059 You've got a tight grasp on God's will for you. 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:49.779 But you still give in. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.420 Is there anything else we can do? 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:57.319 Well, let's look at the rest of the chapter. 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.759 Let's pick up in verse 13. 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:06.819 Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill with a great space between them. 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:10.039 And David called to the army and to Abner, the son of Ner, saying, 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:11.680 Will you not answer, Abner? 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.399 Then Abner answered, 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:15.319 Who are you who calls to the king? 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.240 And David said to Abner, 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.740 Are you not a man? 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.180 Who's like you in Israel? 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:23.700 Why then have you not kept watch over your lord, the king? 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:26.619 For one of the people came in to destroy the king, your lord. 00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:28.859 This thing that you have done is not good. 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:34.000 As the lord lives, you deserve to die because you have not kept watch over your lord, the lord's anointed. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:38.959 And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:42.699 Saul recognized David's voice and said, 00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:45.179 Is this your voice, my son, David? 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.579 And David said, 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:51.000 And David said, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:53.799 Why does my lord pursue after his servant? 00:22:54.419 --> 00:22:55.419 For what have I done? 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:57.199 What evil is on my hands? 00:22:57.960 --> 00:23:00.919 Now, therefore, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:05.019 If it is the lord who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering. 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:07.059 But if it is men, 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.439 may they be cursed before the lord. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.599 For they have driven me out this day, 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:14.219 that I should have no share in the inheritance of the lord, saying, 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.779 Go serve other gods. 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:21.599 Now, therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the lord. 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:26.159 For the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea, 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.919 like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:31.680 And Saul said, 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:33.320 I have sinned. 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:35.019 Return, my son, David, 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:37.279 for I will no more do you harm, 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:40.480 because my life was precious in your eyes this day. 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:43.539 Behold, I have acted foolishly and have made a great mistake. 00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:46.180 And David answered and said, 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:48.240 Here's the spear, O king. 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:50.779 Let one of the young men come over and take it. 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:54.740 The lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:56.380 for the lord gave you into my hand today, 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:59.220 and I would not put out my hand against the lord's anointed. 00:24:00.560 --> 00:24:04.680 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:08.440 so may my life be precious in the sight of the lord, 00:24:09.260 --> 00:24:11.340 and may he deliver me out of all tribulation. 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.640 And Saul said to David, 00:24:14.300 --> 00:24:15.740 Blessed be you, my son, David. 00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:17.740 You will do many things and will succeed in them. 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.760 So David went his way, 00:24:20.540 --> 00:24:22.280 and Saul returned to his place. 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:28.000 So after David and Abishai get clear from the camp, 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:30.059 we see here that David wakes them up. 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:32.819 First, he starts taunting Abner. 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:35.879 And the taunt is really David making a point, right? 00:24:36.139 --> 00:24:37.700 Abner fell asleep on the job, 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.019 put his king at risk, 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.420 but David stayed utterly faithful. 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.399 He's demonstrating, 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:44.460 David's demonstrating his innocence here. 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.660 Then Saul wakes up and says, 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.399 David, is that you? 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:49.059 And David says in verses 19 through 20, 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:52.919 Look, Saul, if the lord is driving you to hunt me down, 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:54.960 then we should offer the lord a sacrifice 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.319 and get things right with him. 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:59.500 But if it's men who are driving you to do it, 00:25:00.399 --> 00:25:01.339 well then, Saul, they're cursed 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:03.019 because you're forcing me to leave the land, 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:05.500 and you're driving me away from the worshiping assembly. 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.960 And you know, all that, 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.679 that sort of speech of David right there 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:14.299 is sort of a not-so-subtle way for David to indict Saul. 00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:16.960 Because after all, it's Saul himself who's driving David out. 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:19.900 He's the man coming after him like a madman. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:23.220 And David's speech actually does what he intends it to do. 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:25.799 It gets Saul to publicly confess. 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.160 Right? 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:29.579 In verse 21, Saul admits that he's in the wrong 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.960 and David's in the right. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:35.559 And that's probably why David stole the spear 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.519 in the first place. 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.319 That's probably why, 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:40.500 that's probably what David was trying to accomplish 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.279 in all of this. 00:25:41.340 --> 00:25:44.840 You see, that spear was symbolic of Saul's kingly power. 00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:47.159 And David grabs it as if to say, 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:49.699 look, Saul and everyone else, 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:53.859 I've taken Saul's life and his kingly power. 00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:56.539 I could have taken it right out of his hand 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:59.559 and I could have had it in a second. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.279 But I didn't. 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.419 In other words, 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:06.019 this whole adventure with the spear 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:08.980 is David's way to demonstrate his innocence 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:12.759 and to get Saul to publicly admit 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:17.140 before the whole army that Saul has gathered 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:19.000 and everyone who's listening, 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:22.220 he's getting Saul to admit that Saul's guilty 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.900 and he himself is righteous. 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.299 Because once Saul makes that confession, 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.920 David says, 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:28.099 okay, come get the spear. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:28.860 Here it is. 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.240 I've made my point. 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.319 But you know, 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:35.400 it's what David says after that 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:37.960 that I think is really the highlight of the passage. 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:40.620 In this last speech, 00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:42.500 that's where we see what's going on 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.120 down in David's heart. 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.580 Here's what's keeping him 00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.800 from actually harming Saul. 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:50.700 Here's what David had been meditating on 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:53.460 to keep him from sinning against the Lord, 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.380 even in the face of trial. 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.620 Look again at verse 24. 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.580 David says to Saul, 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.340 behold, 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:01.500 as your life was precious this day in my sight, 00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:03.860 so may my life be precious 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.980 in the sight of the Lord. 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:07.500 And may he deliver me out of all tribulation. 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:10.280 Do you notice what David doesn't say there? 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:10.840 He doesn't say, 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.560 as your life was precious in my sight, 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.580 now Saul, 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:15.180 may my life be precious in your sight. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:16.720 It's not what he says. 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.000 He says, 00:27:18.560 --> 00:27:19.600 may my life be precious 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:21.080 in the sight of the Lord. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.840 That's what David really cares about. 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:28.019 What Saul thinks of him 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:29.640 is a secondary matter. 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.940 Saul, after all, 00:27:32.040 --> 00:27:32.740 can't be trusted. 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:33.860 No matter how many times 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.780 Saul is going to admit 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:36.119 that he's going to have 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.899 a great change of heart 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.740 at this point in the story, 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:39.240 David knows that he can't trust him. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:41.259 But what really matters 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:43.200 is the sight of the Lord. 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.139 You see, 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.399 David is living 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:48.940 in a dynamic relationship 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.180 with God 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.420 that is about 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:53.359 more than just God's power 00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:54.680 and God's commands, 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.240 but it's about 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.839 an intimate, 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.940 vital walk 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:59.599 with the Lord God, 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:02.159 the creator of heaven 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:02.819 and earth. 00:28:04.419 --> 00:28:05.759 And in that relationship 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.500 that David has, 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.799 David cares more 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:09.519 about God's pleasure 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.519 over his life 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.779 than any amount 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.559 of earthly comfort. 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:14.519 David is saying 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:16.839 that no other delight 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:18.579 possibly compares 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.799 to the delight 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.819 of my God 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.480 over me. 00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:24.279 You know, 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.000 I actually see this 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.740 all the time 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.719 in my kids 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:28.079 as an illustration. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.419 My son Jack 00:28:29.419 --> 00:28:30.579 just had his fourth birthday. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:33.099 He had a Spider-Man birthday. 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:34.579 So, 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:35.220 there you go. 00:28:35.399 --> 00:28:36.319 We had never even watched 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:37.179 a Spider-Man cartoon 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.960 and somehow, 00:28:38.199 --> 00:28:38.619 some way, 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:40.699 he wanted a Spider-Man birthday. 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.500 And the thing 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.659 that he was enamored with 00:28:42.659 --> 00:28:43.619 the most this year 00:28:43.619 --> 00:28:44.319 about his birthday 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:46.819 was the gifts, 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.299 the presents. 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:49.980 I'd ask him, 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.399 oh, Jack, 00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:51.139 what are you looking forward to 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:51.720 about your birthday? 00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:52.059 Or, 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:52.899 what'd you like best 00:28:52.899 --> 00:28:53.419 about your birthday? 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.119 And it wasn't, 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.740 oh, Dad, 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:55.639 that you're so great. 00:28:55.639 --> 00:28:56.419 Or, you know, 00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.179 oh, that cake 00:28:57.179 --> 00:28:57.720 that Mommy made me 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.259 was awesome. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.559 The thing he would say is, 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.559 the presents, 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.740 that's what I like best 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.519 about my birthday. 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.480 But, you know, 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.120 here's the truth. 00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:08.000 After a couple days 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.600 of my son 00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:09.539 being surrounded 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.579 with those presents 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.160 and enamored with them 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:13.319 and focused on them, 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:13.740 you know, 00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.600 after a couple days 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.019 of that, 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:18.000 what he really wanted, 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:20.819 what he really wanted 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.600 was for me 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:23.039 or for my wife, 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.500 Beth, 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:25.440 to sit down 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.960 and to actually 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:28.180 play with him. 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.539 That what he actually 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.980 wanted as our son 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:34.240 was for us 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.460 to delight in him 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:37.099 and delight with him 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:39.180 in relationship. 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.259 That's what his little heart 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.079 is hungry for, 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:45.039 that delightful gaze 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.420 of his mom and dad, 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.900 that fellowship with us. 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.680 And, friends, 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.380 isn't that true 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.780 of you and I too? 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.080 I mean, 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.680 at the end of the day, 00:29:54.780 --> 00:29:55.660 wouldn't we rather 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.800 have the Lord say 00:29:56.800 --> 00:29:57.940 to us, 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:59.100 the sovereign Lord, 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.820 wouldn't we rather 00:30:00.820 --> 00:30:02.280 have him look over our life 00:30:02.280 --> 00:30:02.600 and say, 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.960 you're precious in my sight 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.920 than to have all 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:06.860 the comforts 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:07.660 and pleasures 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.360 of this life? 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.300 Wouldn't we rather 00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:11.360 have Jesus say to us 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:12.360 at the end of our lives, 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.560 well done, 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:15.200 good and faithful servant? 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:17.000 Isn't that 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:18.620 infinitely more important 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.500 and satisfying 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.560 and lasting 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:22.480 than anything else? 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.159 May my life 00:30:26.159 --> 00:30:27.079 be precious 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:28.099 in the sight 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:29.200 of the Lord. 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.679 And again, 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.859 this isn't legalism, 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.460 this isn't 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.779 works righteousness, 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.839 this isn't David saying, 00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.039 oh, 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.000 I hope I can earn 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.599 God's favor. 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.339 No, 00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:40.919 it's not that. 00:30:42.099 --> 00:30:42.940 How do we know 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.500 that actually? 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.339 How do we know 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:44.899 it's not that? 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.079 Well, 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.819 I think one little hint 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.460 there is that 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:50.379 David calls God 00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.740 here, 00:30:51.439 --> 00:30:51.960 the Lord. 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.619 And the Lord 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.299 is actually 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:57.279 God's covenant name. 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:57.819 It's actually 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.799 Yahweh. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:02.000 That was the name 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.399 of God 00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:03.240 that reminded 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.980 Israel 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.439 of his intimate 00:31:05.439 --> 00:31:06.639 relationship with them. 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.599 That was the name 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.179 that reminded 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:08.659 his people 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.740 of when he had come 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.559 and rescued them 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.039 from Egypt. 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:13.000 That was the name 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:14.019 that reminded them 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.419 of the time 00:31:14.419 --> 00:31:15.339 when God fulfilled 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.079 his promises 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.659 to them 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.899 out of his own 00:31:17.899 --> 00:31:18.539 good pleasure. 00:31:19.439 --> 00:31:20.079 That was the name 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.779 that reminded 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.240 his people 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:22.720 of his steadfast 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.459 love. 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.179 So David isn't 00:31:24.179 --> 00:31:24.419 saying, 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:24.599 oh, 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:25.459 I want to obey God 00:31:25.459 --> 00:31:26.299 so God might 00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:26.980 maybe one day 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:27.500 love me. 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:27.659 No, 00:31:27.679 --> 00:31:27.980 he's saying 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.980 that the Lord, 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:29.759 this covenant 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.079 God, 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.399 loves me. 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:33.899 And I want 00:31:33.899 --> 00:31:34.579 his gaze 00:31:34.579 --> 00:31:35.799 to fall over me. 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:36.659 And I want 00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:37.039 to be found 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.439 precious in his sight. 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:40.839 That's what 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.659 matters most. 00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:44.560 And friends, 00:31:44.620 --> 00:31:45.519 if that was true 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:46.220 of David 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.019 then, 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.300 given what he knew 00:31:48.300 --> 00:31:48.940 about God, 00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:50.700 how much more 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.440 should that be true 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:52.060 of us today, 00:31:52.140 --> 00:31:53.420 given what we know 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.820 about the same God? 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.680 Given what we know 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.660 about God's 00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.380 gracious 00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.640 and holy 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.580 character 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.920 and his steadfast, 00:32:03.320 --> 00:32:04.019 satisfying love, 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.340 don't we see it 00:32:05.340 --> 00:32:05.840 more clearly 00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:06.320 than David 00:32:06.320 --> 00:32:07.120 ever did? 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.400 Because we see 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.480 God's love 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.059 displayed 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:13.200 on a cross. 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.220 We see God 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.240 fulfilling all 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:18.200 of his fatherly 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:19.180 promises to us 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.000 through the death 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.519 and resurrection 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.559 of his own son. 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.200 And you know, 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.279 now we know God 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.900 not just as the Lord, 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.759 but as the Lord Jesus, 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.640 the one who came 00:32:29.640 --> 00:32:30.579 and bled for us 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.500 and rose again 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:31.900 for us 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.019 so that all who repent 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.480 and believe 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:35.000 would know new life 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.240 and know the fatherly 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:37.240 favor forever. 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.259 And friends, 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.240 knowing God's 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:41.839 love in Christ, 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.799 how much more 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.880 should we delight 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:45.000 in the gaze 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.180 of God over us, 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:48.279 bought at such a cost, 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:49.279 freely given 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:49.940 through the Spirit, 00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.099 and received 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:52.120 simply through faith? 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.980 If the burning 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.859 passion of God 00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:59.259 is so rich 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.620 and so deep 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:01.299 that he would 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:02.079 pour it out 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:02.779 on a cross 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.279 for sinners 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.940 like you and me, 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:05.240 how could we not 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.019 want to get 00:33:06.019 --> 00:33:06.859 as close 00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.659 as we possibly 00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:08.079 could 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:08.959 to delighting 00:33:08.959 --> 00:33:09.339 in that? 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.279 If that's how 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.119 profound God's 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.799 mercy is, 00:33:15.679 --> 00:33:16.439 how could it 00:33:16.439 --> 00:33:17.259 not be more 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:17.919 worthwhile 00:33:17.919 --> 00:33:19.259 and more 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.559 satisfying to us 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.619 than anything else? 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.399 To be found 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:24.899 precious 00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:26.539 in the Lord's sight, 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:28.679 that would 00:33:28.679 --> 00:33:29.359 thrill 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.139 our hearts 00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:30.939 for eternity. 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:34.580 Listen to another 00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:35.279 psalm by David, 00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:36.000 Psalm 16. 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:37.539 He says, 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:38.600 Therefore my heart 00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.420 is glad 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.900 and my whole 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:42.460 being rejoices. 00:33:42.580 --> 00:33:43.220 My flesh 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.279 also dwells secure 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:45.420 for you will not 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.279 abandon my soul 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:46.820 to Sheol 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:47.640 or let your Holy 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.460 One see corruption. 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.980 You make known 00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.740 to me the paths 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.240 of life. 00:33:51.620 --> 00:33:52.799 In your presence 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:54.120 there's fullness 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:55.120 of joy 00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:56.600 and at your right 00:33:56.600 --> 00:33:57.500 hand are pleasures 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.220 forevermore. 00:33:58.220 --> 00:34:01.200 Friends, 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:01.779 this is what 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.500 will give us 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.380 the power 00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:04.700 to obey 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.900 in trial 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.880 and temptation, 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:08.320 to meditate 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:09.220 on that 00:34:09.220 --> 00:34:10.220 deep 00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:11.139 everlasting 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.780 truth. 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.320 In those moments 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.840 when we need 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.440 to blink, 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.059 as it were, 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:16.519 when we need 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.000 to make those 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.820 quick decisions, 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.780 when we're confronted 00:34:18.780 --> 00:34:19.480 with challenges 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.139 to obey, 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:21.860 these are the things 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:22.740 we need to have been 00:34:22.740 --> 00:34:24.860 thinking deeply upon. 00:34:27.159 --> 00:34:27.880 Not just 00:34:27.880 --> 00:34:28.900 confidence in God's 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.740 sovereignty to deliver, 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:31.160 not just the clarity 00:34:31.160 --> 00:34:31.860 of His word, 00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:32.880 but lastly, 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.280 the delight 00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.660 of His gaze 00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.680 upon us 00:34:36.680 --> 00:34:38.980 to find that view 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.519 more precious 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.440 than anything else. 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:44.280 So as we wrap up then, 00:34:44.340 --> 00:34:44.920 what trials 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.660 or temptations 00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:46.360 are you going to face 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:46.880 this week? 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.240 What trials 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:49.740 or temptations 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.380 are you going to face 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:50.720 tonight? 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.840 Let's go to God 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.599 in prayer right now 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:55.059 and ask Him 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.320 to sink these truths 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:57.539 deep into our hearts 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.239 by His Spirit 00:34:58.239 --> 00:34:59.380 so that we could 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:00.000 follow Him 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:00.880 and know the joy 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:01.559 that comes 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:02.960 from obeying 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:03.400 our Lord. 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.659 Let's pray. 00:35:07.699 --> 00:35:08.099 God, 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:08.820 that's what we ask 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:09.659 right now tonight. 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.440 Lord, 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.019 so many of us 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:12.639 are facing 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:14.599 seemingly 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:15.759 difficult 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:17.400 temptations 00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:19.180 and Lord, 00:35:19.240 --> 00:35:19.900 we're facing 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:23.420 tests 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:24.420 where it seems 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:25.099 like we can 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:26.700 snatch pleasure 00:35:26.700 --> 00:35:28.099 right at our fingertips 00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:29.840 just like David 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:30.300 could have ended 00:35:30.300 --> 00:35:31.280 all of his problems 00:35:31.280 --> 00:35:31.720 seemingly 00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:33.139 in this chapter. 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:35.700 Oh Lord, 00:35:35.780 --> 00:35:36.360 I pray 00:35:36.360 --> 00:35:38.139 for us tonight 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:40.480 that we would 00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:41.180 count 00:35:41.180 --> 00:35:42.480 Your 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.660 gracious 00:35:43.660 --> 00:35:44.740 presence 00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.679 and fellowship 00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:46.599 and walking 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.059 with You, 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:47.339 God, 00:35:47.379 --> 00:35:47.759 that we would 00:35:47.759 --> 00:35:48.299 count that 00:35:48.299 --> 00:35:49.000 more worth 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:50.000 than anything 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:50.339 else, 00:35:50.459 --> 00:35:50.679 Jesus. 00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:52.579 Lord, 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:53.399 grant that 00:35:53.399 --> 00:35:53.979 to be the case 00:35:53.979 --> 00:35:54.659 by Your Spirit. 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:55.919 Amen. 00:35:57.919 --> 00:35:58.699 The music team 00:35:58.699 --> 00:35:59.279 is going to come up 00:35:59.279 --> 00:35:59.899 and we're going to 00:35:59.899 --> 00:36:00.839 continue worshiping 00:36:00.839 --> 00:36:01.199 together. 00:36:01.899 --> 00:36:02.079 So, 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.139 let's do that. 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.299 We've got a couple 00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:07.519 minutes left. 00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:09.059 If anyone has 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:09.539 any questions 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:10.159 about our passage 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:10.459 tonight, 00:36:10.519 --> 00:36:10.899 we can talk 00:36:10.899 --> 00:36:11.419 about those. 00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:15.099 if I don't 00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:15.619 know the answer, 00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.300 I will 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:17.059 happily 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:18.400 bunt 00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:19.039 and confess 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.740 my ignorance 00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.539 and 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:22.680 but 00:36:22.680 --> 00:36:27.559 yeah, 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.760 good to see you 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:28.980 again. 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:35.519 Yeah. 00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:44.280 Yeah, 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:45.039 good question. 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:45.239 So, 00:36:45.300 --> 00:36:45.800 the question is, 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.900 here Saul says 00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.360 he's sorry, 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:47.759 I'm not going 00:36:47.759 --> 00:36:48.280 to hurt you 00:36:48.280 --> 00:36:49.039 and then in 00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.780 chapter 27, 00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:51.219 David goes 00:36:51.219 --> 00:36:51.559 the opposite 00:36:51.559 --> 00:36:52.019 direction. 00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:52.559 What's going 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:52.759 on? 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:53.159 Does he not 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:53.759 believe Saul? 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.559 I think that's 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:55.159 exactly right. 00:36:55.259 --> 00:36:55.619 I think he 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:56.300 doesn't trust 00:36:56.300 --> 00:36:56.800 Saul as far 00:36:56.800 --> 00:36:57.119 as he can 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:57.420 kick him 00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:57.719 at this 00:36:57.719 --> 00:36:58.059 point in 00:36:58.059 --> 00:36:58.539 the story 00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:59.619 because this 00:36:59.619 --> 00:37:00.579 actually isn't 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.159 the first 00:37:01.159 --> 00:37:02.739 time in 00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:03.559 1 Samuel 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.440 that Saul 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.000 has said, 00:37:05.000 --> 00:37:05.900 I'm sorry, 00:37:06.079 --> 00:37:06.599 I'm wrong, 00:37:06.719 --> 00:37:07.199 come back, 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:07.539 David, 00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:08.300 and then we 00:37:08.300 --> 00:37:08.800 find a chapter 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.260 later that 00:37:09.260 --> 00:37:09.579 Saul's out 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:09.980 to kill him 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:10.260 again. 00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:10.739 So, 00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:11.019 this has 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.260 happened 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:12.179 numerous times 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:12.460 at this 00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:12.679 point. 00:37:12.760 --> 00:37:12.820 So, 00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.019 I think 00:37:13.019 --> 00:37:13.340 at this 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:13.679 point, 00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:14.500 David is 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:14.760 saying, 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.380 that's 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:15.599 great, 00:37:15.719 --> 00:37:15.880 Saul, 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:16.639 that you're 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.139 saying you're 00:37:17.139 --> 00:37:17.480 sorry and 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:17.699 wrong, 00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:17.980 but I'm 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.219 not going 00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:18.599 to trust 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:19.320 you right 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:19.539 now. 00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:21.820 So, 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:22.860 yeah, 00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:23.420 I think 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:24.739 he's just 00:37:24.739 --> 00:37:25.539 being wise 00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:26.699 and realizing 00:37:26.699 --> 00:37:27.079 that Saul 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:27.460 can't be 00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:27.780 trusted. 00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:28.900 Yeah, 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:29.659 which plays 00:37:29.659 --> 00:37:30.139 itself out 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:30.699 in the next 00:37:30.699 --> 00:37:30.980 couple of 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.239 chapters. 00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:31.639 So, 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:32.440 yeah, 00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.579 good question. 00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:34.480 Any others? 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.039 No? 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:55.099 No? 00:37:55.099 --> 00:37:59.739 Stephen, 00:37:59.819 --> 00:38:00.259 is that Jude? 00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:01.500 Is that your 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:01.699 son? 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:02.799 He's giving 00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:03.039 a good 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:03.659 hallelujah back 00:38:03.659 --> 00:38:04.059 there to my 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:04.259 sermon. 00:38:04.360 --> 00:38:04.699 I appreciate 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:05.059 that. 00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:08.539 All right, 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:08.699 well, 00:38:08.719 --> 00:38:08.880 friends, 00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:09.380 let's close 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:09.599 then. 00:38:10.259 --> 00:38:10.519 Hey, 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:10.839 did you get 00:38:10.839 --> 00:38:11.299 a bulletin 00:38:11.299 --> 00:38:11.819 on the way 00:38:11.819 --> 00:38:12.219 in? 00:38:13.259 --> 00:38:13.799 Did you see 00:38:13.799 --> 00:38:14.039 him back 00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:14.219 there? 00:38:14.319 --> 00:38:14.539 Good. 00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:15.259 Let me 00:38:15.259 --> 00:38:16.099 point out 00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:16.559 just one 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.199 thing in 00:38:17.199 --> 00:38:17.739 the bulletin. 00:38:17.839 --> 00:38:18.319 If you 00:38:18.319 --> 00:38:18.860 are a 00:38:18.860 --> 00:38:19.239 member 00:38:19.239 --> 00:38:20.159 here at 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:20.460 Trinity, 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:21.739 in a couple 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:22.219 of weeks, 00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:22.480 we're going 00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:22.779 to have a 00:38:22.779 --> 00:38:23.400 congregational 00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:23.739 meeting. 00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:24.440 And this 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:24.900 is probably 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:25.300 our most 00:38:25.300 --> 00:38:25.700 important 00:38:25.700 --> 00:38:26.240 congregational 00:38:26.240 --> 00:38:26.599 meeting of 00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:26.940 the year 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.440 because we're 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:27.639 going to 00:38:27.639 --> 00:38:28.220 look at 00:38:28.220 --> 00:38:29.280 our ministry 00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:30.099 priorities for 00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:30.400 the coming 00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:30.840 year through 00:38:30.840 --> 00:38:31.160 the lens 00:38:31.160 --> 00:38:31.400 of our 00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:31.700 budget. 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:31.940 So, 00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:32.180 this is 00:38:32.180 --> 00:38:32.400 when we're 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:32.619 going to 00:38:32.619 --> 00:38:33.200 finalize 00:38:33.200 --> 00:38:33.559 our annual 00:38:33.559 --> 00:38:33.860 budget. 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.760 And also, 00:38:35.220 --> 00:38:35.860 on top of 00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:36.039 that, 00:38:36.099 --> 00:38:36.579 we're also 00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:37.280 going to be 00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:38.559 voting on 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.139 officers, 00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:39.860 on deacons, 00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:40.460 and also 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:40.820 there's an 00:38:40.820 --> 00:38:41.420 elder candidate. 00:38:41.660 --> 00:38:41.800 So, 00:38:42.160 --> 00:38:42.579 take a look 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.000 at that. 00:38:43.420 --> 00:38:43.900 If you don't 00:38:43.900 --> 00:38:44.500 know those 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:44.840 officer 00:38:44.840 --> 00:38:45.500 candidates and 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:45.780 you're a 00:38:45.780 --> 00:38:46.000 member, 00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:46.800 try to get 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:47.039 to know 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.280 them in the 00:38:47.280 --> 00:38:47.639 next couple 00:38:47.639 --> 00:38:47.960 of weeks. 00:38:48.059 --> 00:38:48.320 At least 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:48.740 talk to 00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.019 them and 00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:49.340 introduce 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:49.880 yourself to 00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:50.120 them. 00:38:50.660 --> 00:38:50.960 But come 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:51.300 out to the 00:38:51.300 --> 00:38:51.820 congregational 00:38:51.820 --> 00:38:52.680 meeting and 00:38:52.680 --> 00:38:53.000 we'll have a 00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:53.539 good fellowship 00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.220 dinner together 00:38:54.220 --> 00:38:54.880 and we'll 00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:55.940 vote on our 00:38:55.940 --> 00:38:56.400 budget and 00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:56.660 on our 00:38:56.660 --> 00:38:57.300 officers for 00:38:57.300 --> 00:38:57.620 the coming 00:38:57.620 --> 00:38:57.920 year. 00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:00.079 On the 00:39:00.079 --> 00:39:00.519 back of the 00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:00.900 bulletin, 00:39:00.980 --> 00:39:01.940 there's space 00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:03.180 for small 00:39:03.180 --> 00:39:03.460 groups. 00:39:03.559 --> 00:39:03.900 A bunch of 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:04.300 small groups 00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:04.539 are there 00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:04.820 listed. 00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.180 So, 00:39:05.260 --> 00:39:05.480 if you're 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:05.820 looking for 00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.260 ways to get 00:39:06.260 --> 00:39:06.840 more connected 00:39:06.840 --> 00:39:07.260 here at 00:39:07.260 --> 00:39:07.519 Trinity, 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.500 these are 00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:08.880 times that 00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:09.200 meet throughout 00:39:09.200 --> 00:39:09.660 the week for 00:39:09.660 --> 00:39:10.400 Bible study and 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:10.940 prayer and 00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:11.579 fellowship and 00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:11.960 all that good 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:12.180 stuff. 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:12.440 So, 00:39:12.660 --> 00:39:12.840 if you have 00:39:12.840 --> 00:39:13.360 questions about 00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:13.720 a group that 00:39:13.720 --> 00:39:14.039 might be a 00:39:14.039 --> 00:39:14.539 good fit or 00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:14.900 you want to 00:39:14.900 --> 00:39:15.820 just inquire, 00:39:15.820 --> 00:39:16.300 you can ask 00:39:16.300 --> 00:39:16.600 me, 00:39:17.140 --> 00:39:17.880 you can ask 00:39:17.880 --> 00:39:18.100 Neil, 00:39:18.180 --> 00:39:18.539 he's a small 00:39:18.539 --> 00:39:19.019 group leader, 00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:19.860 Nord leads 00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:20.140 one of the 00:39:20.140 --> 00:39:20.440 studies, 00:39:20.580 --> 00:39:20.980 so you can 00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:21.620 ask a bunch 00:39:21.620 --> 00:39:21.940 of us and 00:39:21.940 --> 00:39:22.280 we'd be happy 00:39:22.280 --> 00:39:22.660 to point you 00:39:22.660 --> 00:39:22.900 in the right 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:23.240 direction. 00:39:24.080 --> 00:39:24.440 Alright, 00:39:24.580 --> 00:39:24.940 let's close 00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:25.120 with a 00:39:25.120 --> 00:39:25.500 benediction 00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:28.220 from 2nd 00:39:28.220 --> 00:39:28.700 Corinthians. 00:39:30.120 --> 00:39:30.640 Paul says 00:39:30.640 --> 00:39:30.940 it's the 00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:31.539 grace of the 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:31.980 Lord Jesus 00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:32.980 Christ and 00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.519 the love of 00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:34.460 God and 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.059 the fellowship 00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:35.559 of the Holy 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:36.300 Spirit be with 00:39:36.300 --> 00:39:36.680 you all. 00:39:37.220 --> 00:39:37.480 Friends, 00:39:37.539 --> 00:39:37.940 go in peace.