WEBVTT

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 A voice says, cry.

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 And I said, what shall I cry?

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 All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.

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 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows on it.

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 Surely the people are grass.

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 The grass withers, the flowers fade.

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 But the word of our God will stand forever.

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 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news.

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 Lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news.

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 Lift it up, fear not.

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 Say to the cities of Judah, behold your God.

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 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him.

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 Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.

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 He will tend his flock like a shepherd.

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 He will gather the lambs in his arms.

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 He will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

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 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked off the heavens with a span,

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 enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighted the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

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 Who has measured the spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?

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 Whom did he consult, and who made him understand?

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 Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

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 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales.

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 Behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.

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 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.

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 All the nations are as nothing before him.

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 They are accounted by him as less than nothing in emptiness.

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 To whom, then, will you liken God?

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 Or what likeness compare with him?

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 An idol, a craftsman, casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it silver chains.

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 He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot.

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 He seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move.

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 Do you not know?

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 Do you not hear?

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 Has it not been told to you from the beginning?

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 Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

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 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,

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 who stretches out like the heavens, like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in,

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 who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

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 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown.

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 Scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth.

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 When he blows on them, and they wither, and the temptus carries them off like stubble.

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 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him, says the Holy One?

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 Lift up your eyes on high and see.

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 Who created these?

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 He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might,

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 and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.

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 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel?

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 My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God.

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 Have you not known?

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 Have you not heard?

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 The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth.

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 He does not faint or grow weary.

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 His understanding is unsearchable.

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 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength.

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 Even youth shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted.

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 But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.

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 They shall mount up with wings like eagles.

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 They shall run and not be weary.

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 They shall walk and not faint.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Great.

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 Thank you, Jeremy and Julie.

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 And good morning, Watermark family.

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 It is great to be with you, as it were.

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 Welcome to our third Sunday of Church Online.

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 I want you to know that we are recording this live as we speak, as you're watching it.

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 This isn't some pre-recorded production that we have neatly put together.

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 This is about as real and as raw as it gets,

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 as we as a church family are across the city gathering together,

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 primarily to worship our God and King.

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 In our homes, to lift our voices,

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 to raise our sights onto who God is,

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 to bring Him the worship that He is worth,

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 to adore His name,

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 and to hear Him speak to us from His word.

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 And so it's great to be with you,

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 and we're so glad that you have joined us this morning.

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 Before we do anything else, let's pray.

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 Let's come before our Father in prayer,

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 and ask Him to speak to us this morning.

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 I need it.

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 You need it.

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 We need it.

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 Let's come before our Father.

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 Lord Jesus Christ,

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 Sovereign God,

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 Majestic Father,

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 Holy Spirit,

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 God, we come before you this morning in such need of you.

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 God, as Dan reminded us,

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 God, our world is so full of angst and anxiety at the moment.

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 We are full of angst and anxiety.

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 God, the foundations have been shaken.

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 So many things,

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 so much uncertainty all around us.

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 God, we come before you this morning

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 because we are in such desperate need of you.

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 God, you are the rock upon which you can build our lives.

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 You are a sure and steady anchor for our souls.

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 Christ, this morning as we come to your word,

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 we pray, God, speak to us.

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 Take these words which are on the pages of Scripture

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 and write them on our hearts, God.

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 God, for those of us that are anxious and weary,

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 those of us that are exhausted

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 and are feeling faint,

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 Christ, won't you come and scoop us up, God?

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 Won't you carry us in wings like eagles?

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 Won't you bring us to your throne room, God,

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 and open the eyes of our heart to see you,

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 to behold you,

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 to gaze upon you?

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 God, we're in such desperate need of you today.

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 Come and minister to us, we pray, God.

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 Come and have your way.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 This last week,

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 as I have been thinking about this morning

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 and praying for it and preparing for it,

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 I really have carried this burden on my heart

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 for us as a church.

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 And I feel like God is wanting to do something in us

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 as a church community during this time.

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 In some senses, it's almost like a felt God saying,

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 don't waste the season that you're in.

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 What a pity it would be if,

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 as followers of Jesus,

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 we hunker down,

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 we do what we need to,

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 we get through this difficult season

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 that we as a city and as a world are facing,

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 get through the other side,

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 and then just carry on life as normal.

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 I feel like God is saying,

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 there's something I want to do in you

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 as individuals and as a church.

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 I want to shape you and your heart

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 for my mission in the city.

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 And so as we've been thinking and pondering about this,

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 one of the things that I feel like God wants to do with us

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 is to call us back to himself

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 and to call us to root and to anchor our lives

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 and our souls in who he is,

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 in the bigness and the majesty

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 and the sovereignty of our God.

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 And so in Matthew chapter seven,

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 Jesus tells this very famous parable.

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 He gets the end of a sermon on the mount

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 and he tells this parable where he says,

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 those that listen to my words,

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 follow me, love and trust me,

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 like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

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 And the rain fell and the storms came

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 and the wind blew and the floods increased,

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 but that house rooted on the rock of who I am

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 stood firm.

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 Conversely, those that trust or hope in other things,

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 like a foolish person,

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 built their house on the shifting sands.

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 And the rain falls and the storms come

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 and the winds blow and the floods rise

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 and that house comes crashing down.

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 Jesus unequivocally, unashamedly calls us

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 to bank our lives on him,

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 to root who we are in him,

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 to find our hope and our confidence in him.

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 Friends, it's not hard to see that

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 the time in which we're living,

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 not just with the virus around the world,

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 not just with the deep division

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 that we experienced last year as a city

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 and as a nation,

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 not only with the typhoon of economic uncertainty

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 that's coming our way,

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 but just with general uncertainty,

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 we're very aware that we are in the storm,

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 the storm that Jesus spoke about.

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 And so the question is,

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 how are we going to weather the storm?

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 Jesus makes this radical claim

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 and he calls us to bank our lives on him,

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 to build our lives on him,

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 to find our hope and our confidence,

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 to anchor our soul in who he is.

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 And he says that in doing that,

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 we get to weather the storms of life.

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 Now the question is this,

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 why do we find this so hard?

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 If you are a follower of Jesus this morning,

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 this won't be new to you.

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 Throughout the scriptures,

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 Jesus calls us to find our hope

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 and our confidence in him,

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 to anchor our lives to him.

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 But it's one thing to say that,

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 but to actually do it is so hard.

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 Why do we find it so hard?

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 I don't know if you've ever been hiking

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 or maybe walking along the beach

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 and you're walking amongst the rock pools of the beach

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 and you step on a rock

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 and as you step on it,

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 you think it's secure,

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 but as you stand on it,

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 it topples a little bit

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 and you suddenly realize,

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 oh my goodness,

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 it's not as secure as I thought it was.

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 In times like this,

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 times of uncertainty reveal to us

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 the certainty or the steadfastness

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 of the rocks upon which we are building

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 and banking our lives.

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 The life of the Christian

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 is really a life of growing

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 in certainty and confidence

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 that the rock of Jesus is rock solid

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 and we are able to carry,

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 he's able to carry the weight

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 of our lives and our hopes

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 and our expectations.

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 Jesus is a rock

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 that is not going to topple over

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 when we put the weight of our lives upon him.

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 But as we grow in our faith,

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 we grow in conviction

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 about who Jesus is.

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 And so this morning,

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 as we do that,

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 I want us to look at this passage

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 in Isaiah chapter 40.

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 And it's an amazing passage

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 that helps us to see something

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 of who is this rock

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 that calls us

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 to put the weight of our lives

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 and our hope

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 and our expectation upon him.

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 And so let's examine this rock

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 and see why it is

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 that Christ calls us

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 to anchor our lives in him.

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 Now, the context of Isaiah 40

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 that Jeremy and Julie read to us earlier

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 is very similar to the context of Habakkuk

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 that we looked at last week.

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 The context is that Isaiah,

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 this prophet,

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 is speaking to the nation of Israel.

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 The Babylonians,

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 this hasty and ruthless nation

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 from the north,

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 are going to come down.

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 They are, in the years to follow,

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 going to attack Israel,

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 destroy Jerusalem,

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 bring down the temple.

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 And most of the Israelites

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 are going to be taken back to Babylon

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 as exiled slaves.

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 And so things aren't looking good.

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 Isaiah is warning Israel

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 about this situation.

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 But that doesn't mean

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 that God has abandoned his people

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 because God promises

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 this is only going to be the case

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 for two generations.

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 In 70 years' time,

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 I will bring you back to Israel

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 and I will restore my people.

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 And so while this promises

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 to be a difficult time,

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 a time of pruning,

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 a time of refining,

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 all of this is under the watchful care

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 of the sovereign God.

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 And so look at what God says here

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 in verse 27 of Isaiah chapter 40.

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 He says,

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 Why do you say,

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 Oh, Jacob?

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 Why do you say,

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 Israel,

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 My way is hidden from God.

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 My rights are disregarded by my God.

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 Friends,

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 have you ever felt like that?

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 Have you ever felt like your way

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 is hidden from God?

00:13:00.079 --> 00:13:01.379
 That he's abandoned you?

00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:03.139
 He's forgotten about you?

00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:05.259
 That your life has fallen off

00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.059
 of his agenda?

00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:08.299
 Maybe God has fallen asleep?

00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:10.059
 God, where are you?

00:13:10.459 --> 00:13:11.899
 My way is hidden from you.

00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:13.600
 Can't you see what's going on here?

00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:15.459
 Have you disregarded me?

00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:17.019
 That's how Israel felt.

00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.179
 In light of the storm

00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.500
 that they're staring into,

00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:22.159
 God's people feel like

00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:23.019
 he's forgotten them.

00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.059
 He's abandoned them.

00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:26.139
 He's completely disregarded them.

00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:29.299
 But into this context,

00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:31.000
 God brings a word.

00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.740
 And it's an amazing word

00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:34.500
 of surety and confidence.

00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.960
 And so look at verse 9.

00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:36.960
 Look at what he says.

00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:37.960
 He says,

00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.120
 Go up on a high mountain,

00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.079
 O Zion,

00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.620
 O herald of good news,

00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:43.919
 lift up your voice with strength.

00:13:44.559 --> 00:13:44.959
 Jerusalem,

00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:45.919
 herald of good news,

00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.000
 lift it up.

00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:47.779
 Fear not.

00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:49.899
 So God gives them a message.

00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:50.659
 And he says,

00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.539
 Go on a high mountain

00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.159
 and declare this message

00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.360
 to the people of Israel.

00:13:54.459 --> 00:13:55.539
 I've got a word for them.

00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:56.799
 A gospel.

00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.159
 He calls it good news.

00:13:58.679 --> 00:14:00.459
 And what is this good news gospel

00:14:00.459 --> 00:14:01.480
 that he's going to bring them?

00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:02.419
 Is it,

00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.419
 Don't worry.

00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:05.600
 The stock market is bad now,

00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.759
 but it's all going to be fine.

00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:07.779
 I promise you,

00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:08.819
 you won't lose any money.

00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:11.199
 Is that God's good news message?

00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:13.959
 Is God's good news message,

00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:14.899
 Don't worry,

00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.639
 the Babylonians are only going to get,

00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:18.299
 only going to take out

00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.679
 the really bad guys.

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.539
 But you guys,

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.959
 your lives will be uninterrupted.

00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:22.360
 Don't worry.

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.500
 Everything's going to be fine.

00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:26.340
 Or maybe the good news is,

00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:29.120
 What doesn't kill you

00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.259
 only makes you stronger.

00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.439
 Is that God's message?

00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:34.419
 No, friends.

00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:35.759
 That's not the good news.

00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:38.159
 Look at what he says.

00:14:38.939 --> 00:14:39.079
 He says,

00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:40.080
 O herald of good news,

00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.820
 lift up your voice with strength.

00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.060
 Say to the cities of Judah,

00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:45.379
 say to the people of God,

00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:48.139
 Behold your God.

00:14:48.900 --> 00:14:49.240
 You see,

00:14:49.300 --> 00:14:50.180
 when Isaiah comes with

00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:51.480
 a good news message,

00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:53.280
 it's not a message of health,

00:14:53.420 --> 00:14:53.620
 wealth,

00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:54.220
 and prosperity.

00:14:54.900 --> 00:14:55.680
 It's not a message

00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.800
 of comfort and ease.

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.379
 Don't worry.

00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.860
 Everything's just going to be fine.

00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:01.040
 He calls the people of Israel

00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:02.420
 to lift their sights

00:15:02.420 --> 00:15:03.420
 and to take note.

00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:04.879
 Behold means to look,

00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.420
 to see.

00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:07.060
 Look at who your God is.

00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:08.159
 See who it is

00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.879
 that's in the heavens.

00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:10.659
 Behold your God.

00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:13.000
 He's not a puppy dog God.

00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.559
 He's not a genie

00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.500
 that you rub the lamp

00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.599
 and he gives you three wishes

00:15:16.599 --> 00:15:17.139
 and makes sure

00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.079
 your life's all fine.

00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.339
 He's not a God

00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:20.859
 that is a servant

00:15:20.859 --> 00:15:22.039
 that's trailing behind you,

00:15:22.119 --> 00:15:23.099
 picking up all the pieces,

00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:24.019
 making sure that

00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.739
 your life is neatly manicured.

00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.199
 No, friends.

00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:29.439
 Behold your God.

00:15:29.699 --> 00:15:30.719
 And what about this God?

00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.559
 Look at verse 10.

00:15:32.079 --> 00:15:32.339
 He says,

00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:32.839
 Behold,

00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:34.040
 the Lord God

00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:35.320
 comes with might.

00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.899
 His right arm

00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:38.100
 rules for him.

00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:40.160
 His reward is with him

00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:41.600
 and his recompense

00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.620
 goes before him.

00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:43.800
 It's a picture

00:15:43.800 --> 00:15:45.320
 of a military king

00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.420
 that's just been

00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.220
 on a campaign

00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.040
 and he's won.

00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.220
 He's defeated his enemy

00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:50.360
 and now

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:51.879
 his spoils of war

00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:53.480
 are trailing behind him.

00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.780
 The defeated enemies

00:15:55.780 --> 00:15:57.600
 are in procession

00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.360
 going before him.

00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:59.800
 He comes with his reward

00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:00.860
 with his spoils of war.

00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:02.279
 He is a victorious,

00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.580
 mighty king

00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.940
 and nobody

00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:06.139
 can defeat him.

00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:08.180
 Behold your God.

00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.560
 And in the rest

00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:10.360
 of this passage

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.940
 in Isaiah,

00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.639
 Isaiah is going to employ

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:14.240
 imagery after imagery

00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.080
 after imagery

00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:16.039
 showing us

00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.039
 the bigness

00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:18.379
 and the majesty

00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:21.039
 and the incomparableness

00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:23.080
 and the unrivaledness

00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:24.759
 and the sovereignty

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.899
 of who this God is.

00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.879
 The word sovereign

00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:30.200
 means that God

00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:31.379
 is totally

00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.639
 in control.

00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.460
 There is nothing

00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:36.019
 in all creation,

00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.899
 in all of life,

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.399
 in all of the history

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.120
 of the world

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.899
 which is outside of

00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.820
 or beyond

00:16:42.820 --> 00:16:43.860
 his control.

00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.320
 There's nothing

00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:46.120
 about which God

00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.759
 looks

00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.419
 or thinks about something

00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:49.500
 and wishes

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.740
 that things could be different

00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.820
 but he doesn't know

00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:53.620
 how to bring that about

00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.879
 or how to change things.

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:58.679
 God

00:16:58.679 --> 00:16:59.960
 is sovereign

00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:01.879
 and in this passage

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.899
 he invites us

00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.759
 to consider

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.279
 who he is

00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.599
 and he compares himself

00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:08.339
 to ourselves

00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.119
 and the things

00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.579
 that we hope

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.279
 and trust in.

00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.779
 Look at what he says

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.640
 in verse 13

00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:13.200
 and 14.

00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:14.920
 He invites us

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:16.059
 to consider his wisdom.

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.960
 Look at verse 13.

00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:18.819
 He says,

00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.680
 Who has measured

00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:20.960
 the spirit of the Lord?

00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.680
 Some translations say,

00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.820
 Who has directed

00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:24.860
 the mind of God?

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.779
 Who has told God

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.640
 or given him advice

00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.860
 about how he should

00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.620
 go about things?

00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:30.539
 What man shows him

00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:31.200
 his counsel?

00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:33.500
 Who did God consult?

00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.960
 Who made him

00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.120
 understand things?

00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.980
 Who taught God

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.220
 the path of justice,

00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:40.400
 what's right and wrong

00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.039
 with the world?

00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:43.100
 Who taught him knowledge

00:17:43.100 --> 00:17:44.039
 or showed him

00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:45.700
 the way of understanding?

00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.340
 In other words,

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.759
 has God ever needed

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:50.320
 advice or counsel

00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:51.480
 on how to handle things?

00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.720
 Has there ever been

00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.579
 anything in which

00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:54.680
 God needed somebody

00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.480
 to show him

00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:57.079
 how to go about it

00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:58.579
 or how to do things?

00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.120
 No, friends.

00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:02.019
 This God is sovereign.

00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:03.940
 There is nothing

00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.120
 about which he is confused.

00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.400
 There is nothing

00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.480
 which catches God

00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.099
 off guard

00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:09.500
 which he didn't see coming.

00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.680
 Furthermore,

00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.740
 there is nothing

00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.519
 with which God

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.579
 needs our help

00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:14.640
 or our assistance

00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:16.339
 because it's beyond him.

00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.299
 And what about

00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.079
 the nations?

00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.039
 What about

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.159
 other nations

00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:23.039
 that disregard God

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.700
 and are bent

00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.700
 on destroying

00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.960
 the gospel,

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.500
 wiping out

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.379
 Christians

00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:31.639
 and destroying

00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.359
 God's people?

00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.279
 What about

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.079
 those mighty

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.119
 superpowers,

00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.879
 the nations

00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:36.579
 in the world

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.859
 that have no regard

00:18:37.859 --> 00:18:38.379
 for God

00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:39.740
 and want to trample

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.119
 him and his people

00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:43.319
 and are bent

00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:44.200
 on destroying

00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:44.920
 the work of God

00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.399
 and the nations?

00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.240
 What about them?

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.900
 Look at verse 15.

00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:50.680
 He says,

00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.019
 Behold,

00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:51.660
 the nations

00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:52.779
 are like a drop

00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.839
 from a bucket.

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.640
 They are accounted

00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.779
 as the dust

00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:58.160
 on the scales.

00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.980
 The imagery here

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.440
 is,

00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.740
 imagine you go

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.460
 to the wet market

00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.400
 and you want to buy

00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.039
 some fruit

00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.859
 and some vegetables

00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:07.539
 and so the fruit seller

00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.500
 gives you a basket

00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.720
 and you pile up

00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.240
 the basket

00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.620
 with your vegetables

00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.359
 or your fruit

00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:13.359
 and you give it back

00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:13.500
 to them

00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.079
 and he puts it

00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.839
 on the scale

00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.559
 to weigh

00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.399
 how much

00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:17.359
 the vegetables are

00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.899
 so that he knows

00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.859
 how much to charge you,

00:19:19.919 --> 00:19:20.679
 how much you must pay.

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.259
 Now imagine you've got

00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.419
 a big basket

00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:25.000
 of oranges there

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:27.359
 and as he's weighing it,

00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:27.759
 you say,

00:19:27.959 --> 00:19:28.419
 Hang on,

00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:28.699
 hang on.

00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.899
 You haven't cleaned

00:19:29.899 --> 00:19:30.379
 the basket.

00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:31.219
 There's still some,

00:19:31.219 --> 00:19:32.000
 there's some specks

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.939
 of dust in there.

00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:34.459
 You're trying to rip me off.

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.259
 You're trying to make it heavier

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.339
 so that I will pay

00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.039
 more money

00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.359
 so that you can get

00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:39.859
 more money.

00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:40.279
 No,

00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:40.919
 you must clean

00:19:40.919 --> 00:19:41.379
 the dust

00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.159
 off the basket.

00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.560
 I don't want to pay extra.

00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.420
 Nobody does that.

00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:45.880
 Why?

00:19:46.560 --> 00:19:47.779
 Because specks of dust

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.040
 are so insignificant,

00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:50.779
 they're so inconsequential,

00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.259
 they're not going to

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.060
 make any difference.

00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.720
 If there's one speck of dust

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.820
 or two specks of dust

00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.920
 or five specks of dust,

00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.720
 that's not going to

00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.420
 change the weight.

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.180
 It's not going to change

00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:58.860
 how much you pay.

00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:00.500
 It's utterly meaningless

00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.220
 in the consequence,

00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.680
 in the grand scheme

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.259
 of what's happening.

00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:04.519
 Friends,

00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:05.120
 look at what God

00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:05.820
 is saying here.

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.800
 He's saying,

00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.840
 all the military

00:20:07.840 --> 00:20:09.440
 and political strength

00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.600
 and the might

00:20:10.600 --> 00:20:11.860
 and the determination

00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.839
 of the nations,

00:20:13.179 --> 00:20:14.359
 at the end of the day,

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.759
 they are like dust

00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.740
 on the scales.

00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.139
 They are utterly

00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:19.199
 inconsequential.

00:20:19.659 --> 00:20:21.359
 They have zero significance

00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:23.059
 as to whether God

00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.979
 is going to accomplish

00:20:23.979 --> 00:20:26.119
 his plans or not.

00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.539
 All the nations

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:29.339
 are as nothing before him.

00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.419
 Their power

00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:31.879
 is accounted by him

00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:33.959
 as less than nothingness

00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:35.099
 and emptiness.

00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:37.579
 This God is sovereign.

00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.839
 Look at what he says.

00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.959
 What about other gods?

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.579
 Things that we are tempted

00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.720
 to hope and trust in.

00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.299
 Sometimes you might think,

00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.000
 okay,

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.519
 I'll worship and trust Jesus,

00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:50.279
 but I'll also have a plan B

00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.879
 in case God doesn't

00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.679
 come through for me.

00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.079
 Maybe I'll worship

00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.919
 and trust Jesus,

00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:56.279
 but I'll also pray

00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.159
 to my ancestors

00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:58.379
 because I don't want to

00:20:58.379 --> 00:21:00.359
 bother the spirits.

00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.919
 I've got to keep them happy.

00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:04.459
 Maybe I'll trust Jesus,

00:21:04.939 --> 00:21:06.259
 but I'll also burn

00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.639
 some jostics at the temple

00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.580
 just in case.

00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.380
 I'll trust Jesus,

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:12.040
 but I'll also just keep

00:21:12.040 --> 00:21:12.840
 this other thing

00:21:12.840 --> 00:21:14.540
 on standby in my life.

00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:16.220
 Look what God says

00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.320
 about those other things

00:21:17.320 --> 00:21:17.920
 that we're tempted

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.720
 to trust in.

00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:19.960
 Verse 18.

00:21:20.520 --> 00:21:21.320
 To whom then

00:21:21.320 --> 00:21:22.220
 will you liken me?

00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:23.560
 What likeness

00:21:23.560 --> 00:21:24.860
 compares with him?

00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.020
 An idol?

00:21:26.560 --> 00:21:27.160
 A temple?

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.400
 A jostic?

00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.520
 Oh, an idol,

00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.900
 a craftsman casts it.

00:21:31.300 --> 00:21:32.660
 A goldsmith overlays it

00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.120
 with gold

00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.780
 and he casts

00:21:33.780 --> 00:21:34.740
 for its silver chains.

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:36.720
 If someone is too impoverished

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.480
 for gold,

00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.500
 he chooses special wood,

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.579
 wood that won't rot.

00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.620
 Then he goes and seeks out

00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:43.839
 a skillful craftsman

00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.799
 and he sets up the idol

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:47.180
 and he makes sure

00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:49.220
 that it will not fall over,

00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.799
 will not topple down.

00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.740
 God is pointing out

00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.519
 the irony here

00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:55.500
 that we look to these gods,

00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:56.859
 these man-made gods,

00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.620
 but then we've got to watch them

00:21:58.620 --> 00:21:59.359
 very carefully

00:21:59.359 --> 00:21:59.940
 to make sure

00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.980
 that they don't fall over.

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:02.180
 If the craftsman

00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.220
 doesn't make it well,

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:04.720
 maybe in the wind

00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.500
 it'll fall over,

00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.680
 it'll topple down.

00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:08.319
 And so we've got to watch it

00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:10.120
 and keep a steady eye on it

00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:11.039
 to make sure

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.779
 that the god

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:13.079
 that we trust in

00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:14.420
 doesn't fall over.

00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.259
 Friends,

00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:18.039
 maybe we don't

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:19.000
 go and burn incidents

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.680
 at the temple,

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.839
 but what are the things

00:22:21.839 --> 00:22:22.860
 we hope and trust in?

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:25.240
 What are those other plan Bs,

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.019
 those other gods

00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.480
 in our life

00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:27.120
 that we think,

00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:28.559
 I just got to keep

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.240
 that on standby?

00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:30.539
 Friends,

00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.279
 are we not the same?

00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.420
 Do we need to watch them,

00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:34.140
 keep a steady eye on them,

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:35.840
 carefully manage them

00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.740
 and analyze them,

00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.060
 stay up late

00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:38.820
 to find out

00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:39.500
 how they're doing

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.080
 in the US

00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:41.279
 or wake up early?

00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:43.100
 Are these things

00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:44.220
 that we hope and trust in

00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.980
 not man-made gods

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.120
 that are just as fallible

00:22:47.120 --> 00:22:48.340
 as the gold

00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:48.860
 and the silver

00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.860
 of ancient days?

00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:51.400
 And yet,

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.820
 contrast that to Yahweh,

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:54.340
 the sovereign God,

00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.580
 who is the maker

00:22:55.580 --> 00:22:56.820
 of heaven and earth.

00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:58.400
 Look at verse 21.

00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:58.840
 He says,

00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.759
 Do you not know?

00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.059
 Do you not hear?

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.839
 Has it been told you

00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.519
 from the beginning?

00:23:04.199 --> 00:23:05.099
 Have you not understood

00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.000
 from the foundation

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.659
 of the earth?

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.980
 It is he

00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:09.299
 who sits above

00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.959
 the circle of the earth

00:23:10.959 --> 00:23:12.379
 and its inhabitants

00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:14.339
 are like grasshoppers.

00:23:15.419 --> 00:23:16.759
 He says in verse 26,

00:23:17.199 --> 00:23:18.379
 Lift up your eyes

00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:19.480
 on high and see.

00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.240
 He's asking them

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.179
 to look at the stars

00:23:21.179 --> 00:23:22.000
 in the night sky.

00:23:22.459 --> 00:23:23.559
 The Babylonian culture

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:25.000
 used to worship the stars.

00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:27.000
 They were an integral part

00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.920
 of their mythology

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.640
 and their worship

00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:30.640
 and they would ascribe

00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.279
 to the stars

00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.220
 divine status.

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.339
 And God says,

00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.519
 Lift up your eyes

00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.279
 in the heavens

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.680
 and see these stars.

00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.660
 Who created all these?

00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.880
 Who brings out

00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.900
 their host by number?

00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:43.039
 Who calls them by name?

00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.279
 And by the greatness

00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.140
 of His might

00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.259
 because He is strong,

00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.960
 not one is missing.

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.420
 Friends,

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.680
 in contrast to the gods

00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.380
 and the idols

00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:53.359
 that we're tempted

00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.539
 to hope and trust in,

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.039
 the sovereign God

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.559
 doesn't need our assistance

00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:59.779
 to manage and make sure

00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.220
 that He's still on the throne

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.659
 and He doesn't topple over.

00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:03.559
 Rather,

00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.159
 it is He

00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:05.059
 who is holding

00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:06.039
 the universe together.

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.960
 It's He

00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.480
 who's holding

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.680
 the cosmos together.

00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.720
 The stars

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.480
 and the galaxies

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.519
 are held together

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.119
 by Him.

00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:12.980
 Friends,

00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.480
 do you not see

00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.119
 what He's saying here?

00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.720
 In times like these,

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.899
 we may feel like,

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.200
 God,

00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.879
 I've got to keep

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:18.659
 my life together

00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:20.039
 and God is inviting us

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.420
 to see He's the one

00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.119
 who's holding

00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:22.819
 our lives

00:24:22.819 --> 00:24:24.299
 in His hands.

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:26.619
 Look at

00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:28.639
 verse 23 here.

00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.419
 He talks about

00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:31.339
 rulers and nations.

00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:31.960
 He says,

00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.419
 this God brings

00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:34.019
 princes,

00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.700
 kings and premiers

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.659
 and presidents

00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.859
 to nothing.

00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.319
 He makes the rulers

00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.899
 of the earth

00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.399
 as emptiness.

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.559
 There's this amazing passage

00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.599
 in the book of Daniel,

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.539
 chapter 5.

00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.680
 Daniel was a young man

00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.960
 and he was taken

00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.639
 to Babylon

00:24:48.639 --> 00:24:49.779
 as part of

00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:51.079
 one of the exiled slaves.

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.180
 And so,

00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.599
 Babylon attacks Jerusalem,

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.399
 they take all these

00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.079
 young men,

00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.299
 or they take everyone

00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:56.839
 as slaves,

00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.799
 but they take a bunch

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.480
 of the young men

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.759
 and enroll them

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.459
 in the palace

00:25:00.459 --> 00:25:00.980
 of Babylon

00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.159
 to teach them

00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:03.299
 Babylonian mythology

00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:04.019
 and ways

00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.500
 and to try and get them

00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.639
 to adopt the culture.

00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:07.119
 And so,

00:25:07.439 --> 00:25:08.339
 Daniel is one of these

00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:08.819
 young men

00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.139
 that is in the palace.

00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.559
 And he lives

00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.079
 in the palace

00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.079
 70 years.

00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.399
 And Nebuchadnezzar

00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:16.139
 is the king

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:17.419
 that brought Israel

00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:18.079
 to Babylon.

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.639
 And Daniel

00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.619
 is having a conversation

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:22.119
 with Nebuchadnezzar's son,

00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.480
 a king called Belshazzar.

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:25.179
 And he says to Belshazzar,

00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:25.659
 he says,

00:25:25.719 --> 00:25:26.179
 O king,

00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:28.079
 the most high God

00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.359
 gave your father,

00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:30.419
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.119
 kingship and greatness,

00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.399
 glory and majesty.

00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:35.179
 And because of the greatness

00:25:35.179 --> 00:25:36.079
 that he gave him,

00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.379
 all peoples,

00:25:37.619 --> 00:25:38.339
 all nations

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.000
 and languages

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.219
 trembled and feared

00:25:40.219 --> 00:25:41.179
 before your father.

00:25:41.919 --> 00:25:42.759
 Whomever he would,

00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.619
 he killed.

00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:45.000
 Whomever he would,

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.139
 he kept alive.

00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.399
 Whom he would,

00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.319
 he raised up.

00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.419
 And whom he would,

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.000
 he humbled.

00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.339
 So Daniel's saying,

00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.539
 Belshazzar,

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.240
 don't you realize

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:54.059
 your father,

00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.819
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.940
 was sovereign

00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.900
 over the known world.

00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.099
 He was the king

00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.380
 of the superpower.

00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.900
 Whatever he said

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.400
 went.

00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.819
 If he wanted somebody

00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.200
 dead,

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.180
 they were dead.

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.359
 If he wanted somebody

00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:06.759
 alive,

00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.819
 they were kept alive.

00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.559
 There was nothing

00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.839
 that your father

00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:11.220
 wanted

00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.480
 that didn't happen

00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:14.259
 in all of the known world

00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.200
 throughout the

00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.220
 Babylonian empire.

00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:18.920
 talk about supreme

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.420
 authority.

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.539
 But then look at

00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.180
 the next line.

00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.220
 He says,

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.200
 but when his heart

00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:25.079
 was lifted up

00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.279
 and his spirit

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:26.900
 was hardened

00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.680
 that he dealt

00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.259
 proudly,

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:30.079
 he was brought down

00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:31.079
 from his kingly throne.

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.600
 His glory was

00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.440
 taken from him

00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:35.259
 until he knew

00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.220
 that the one

00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.140
 true God,

00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.259
 the most high God,

00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.319
 rules the kingdom

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.180
 of mankind

00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.980
 and sets over it

00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.240
 whom he will.

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.460
 That happened

00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:45.160
 to Nebuchadnezzar.

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.779
 At one stage,

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.819
 he stands

00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.500
 on the balcony

00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.119
 of his palace

00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.619
 and he looks

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.339
 over his kingdom

00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:50.579
 and he says

00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.119
 to himself,

00:26:51.379 --> 00:26:51.680
 ah,

00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.980
 my great kingdom

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:54.740
 that I have made

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.500
 by the greatness

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.420
 of my hand.

00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.059
 And God says,

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.879
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.920
 I'm going to humble you.

00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:01.359
 And he drives him

00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.059
 from the throne.

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.660
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.700
 is taken off the throne

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.299
 and he goes

00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.879
 and he wanders

00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.720
 for seven years

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.460
 until he acknowledges

00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.579
 that God is God

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.460
 and that he is not.

00:27:09.839 --> 00:27:10.819
 And God restores him

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.500
 to the throne

00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.899
 of Babylon.

00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.599
 And Daniel's saying

00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.759
 here to Belshazzar,

00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.240
 he's saying

00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.539
 even the most powerful,

00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:19.180
 most important monarch

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:20.160
 on the planet,

00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.059
 even his life

00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.759
 is still subject

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.920
 to the sovereign God.

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.279
 I am God,

00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.019
 there is no other.

00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:26.740
 I am God,

00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.519
 there is none

00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.900
 like me.

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.000
 And friends,

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:32.160
 this passage,

00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:32.920
 Isaiah 40,

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.740
 we've just skimmed over it.

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.000
 I mean,

00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:36.059
 we really should have done this

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.240
 in four or five weeks.

00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.240
 But the Bible

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.900
 is full of these passages

00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.759
 exclaiming

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.059
 that the God

00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.839
 that we worship,

00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.839
 the God of Abraham,

00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:44.339
 Isaac,

00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:44.899
 and Jacob,

00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:45.639
 Yahweh,

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.259
 is the sovereign God

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.079
 over all the world.

00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.459
 There is no one

00:27:49.459 --> 00:27:50.919
 and nothing like him.

00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.699
 He is in control

00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:52.599
 of everything

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.339
 and everyone.

00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.119
 And the Bible

00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.000
 is full of this.

00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.099
 Isaiah 46

00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.299
 says this,

00:27:58.399 --> 00:27:59.039
 I am God,

00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.859
 there is no other.

00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.779
 I am God,

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.000
 there is none like me.

00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.179
 I declare

00:28:03.179 --> 00:28:04.819
 the end

00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.720
 from the beginning

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:07.439
 and from ancient times

00:28:07.439 --> 00:28:08.439
 things that have not

00:28:08.439 --> 00:28:09.220
 yet been done.

00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.100
 In other words,

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.720
 God is saying,

00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.960
 I know what's going

00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.819
 to happen next year.

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.880
 I know what's going

00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.720
 to happen in Hong Kong

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.720
 in three years time,

00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.819
 in 30 years time,

00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.880
 in 300 million years time.

00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.059
 I know it all.

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.420
 And friends,

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.759
 sometimes we can think,

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:22.960
 yes,

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.180
 God knows everything.

00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.500
 He foreknows things.

00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.220
 But that doesn't mean

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:26.940
 he's in control

00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.539
 of everything.

00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:28.740
 Well,

00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.920
 look at what he says here.

00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:31.480
 I declare the end

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.120
 from the beginning,

00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.500
 from ancient times

00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.500
 things not yet done,

00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:35.500
 because

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:37.319
 my counsel

00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.180
 will stand,

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.620
 I will accomplish

00:28:39.620 --> 00:28:41.420
 what I have purposed.

00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:42.480
 Friends,

00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:44.340
 God foreknows everything

00:28:44.340 --> 00:28:46.259
 because he is sovereign

00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.560
 over everything.

00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:49.860
 And again and again

00:28:49.860 --> 00:28:50.340
 and again,

00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:52.120
 the scriptures proclaim,

00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.460
 this is the God

00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.660
 that we come to.

00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.680
 Behold your God,

00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.860
 the sovereign,

00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.840
 majestic one.

00:28:59.539 --> 00:28:59.799
 Friends,

00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:00.320
 this is the God

00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:00.900
 we read about

00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.380
 in the scriptures

00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.200
 and we've sung about

00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.740
 this morning.

00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:03.940
 This is the God

00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:04.700
 we pray to

00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.940
 and we worship

00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.160
 and that we put

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.799
 our hope in.

00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.019
 And whose glory

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.700
 we live for.

00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:11.000
 God is not

00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.799
 slightly better

00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.440
 or stronger

00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.480
 than the other gods

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.039
 around us.

00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:15.320
 He's not a slightly

00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:16.279
 better or stronger

00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:17.380
 version of the other

00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.039
 things we tempt

00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.120
 to hope and trust in.

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:21.160
 He is the uncreated one.

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:23.380
 He is the incomparable one.

00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:25.120
 He is the rock of ages.

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.420
 There's never been a time

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.420
 when he did not exist

00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.460
 or he was not sovereign.

00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.299
 He is the sovereign

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.019
 God of all.

00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:31.799
 And therefore,

00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.400
 friends,

00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.680
 we can bank

00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.420
 our lives on him.

00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:36.100
 We can put the full weight

00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:36.759
 of our hope

00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.400
 and our trust

00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.380
 and our lives on him.

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.980
 He is a steady rock

00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.240
 upon which we can stand

00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.019
 because he will not

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:43.340
 topple over or fall

00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:44.360
 when our weight

00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.259
 is placed upon him.

00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:47.600
 He is the rock of ages.

00:29:48.580 --> 00:29:49.360
 Joel Spurgeon

00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:51.240
 said this quote.

00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:51.580
 He said,

00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:53.140
 I've learned to kiss,

00:29:53.580 --> 00:29:54.519
 to love,

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:57.320
 the waves that drive me

00:29:57.320 --> 00:29:59.160
 back onto the rock of ages.

00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.360
 I'm so grateful

00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.240
 for these times,

00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:02.320
 these storms of life,

00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:02.900
 says Spurgeon,

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.080
 because they remind me

00:30:04.080 --> 00:30:04.540
 once again

00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.960
 what is the one true rock

00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:07.560
 upon which I can build

00:30:07.560 --> 00:30:08.600
 and bank my life.

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:10.720
 Now,

00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:13.220
 as we come towards the end,

00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.400
 I want to just tackle

00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.160
 one or two things.

00:30:16.320 --> 00:30:17.560
 This truth about God's

00:30:17.560 --> 00:30:18.600
 supreme sovereignty

00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:20.340
 is an anchor for the soul.

00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:22.080
 But if we're honest,

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:23.080
 it also raises

00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:24.279
 some difficult questions

00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:26.300
 because if God is sovereign

00:30:26.300 --> 00:30:27.080
 over everything,

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.620
 why does he allow

00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.479
 hardship to happen?

00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:31.959
 Why is there so much

00:30:31.959 --> 00:30:33.059
 wickedness and brokenness

00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.579
 in our world?

00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.319
 What about disease

00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:36.039
 and cancer

00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:37.399
 and death

00:30:37.399 --> 00:30:38.539
 and famine

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.759
 and war?

00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:41.159
 Why does God

00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:41.879
 allow these things

00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.439
 to happen?

00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.799
 Those are big questions.

00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.699
 The Bible

00:30:47.699 --> 00:30:49.219
 doesn't give us

00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:50.500
 a simple,

00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:53.239
 neatly packaged answer

00:30:53.239 --> 00:30:54.599
 with a ribbon

00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.779
 and a bow tied on it.

00:30:56.459 --> 00:30:57.439
 There's no Bible verse

00:30:57.439 --> 00:30:58.259
 that in one sentence

00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:58.599
 says,

00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.299
 here you go,

00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.259
 here's the answer.

00:31:01.419 --> 00:31:01.799
 In fact,

00:31:01.839 --> 00:31:02.519
 if we're honest,

00:31:03.199 --> 00:31:04.059
 it's one of the difficult

00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.699
 things in the Bible

00:31:04.699 --> 00:31:05.279
 that the Bible

00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:05.959
 leaves it,

00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.779
 it's a bit of a mystery.

00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.419
 And God says,

00:31:08.699 --> 00:31:10.019
 I'm asking you to trust me.

00:31:11.479 --> 00:31:12.000
 And so friends,

00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:13.159
 it's a big question

00:31:13.159 --> 00:31:13.839
 and we don't have

00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.579
 simplistic,

00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:16.219
 neatly packaged

00:31:16.219 --> 00:31:16.979
 answers for it.

00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.179
 The Bible does say

00:31:18.179 --> 00:31:19.039
 a lot about it.

00:31:19.979 --> 00:31:20.179
 It does,

00:31:20.479 --> 00:31:21.039
 God gives us

00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.619
 the resources

00:31:21.619 --> 00:31:22.319
 to lament.

00:31:23.199 --> 00:31:24.000
 He does give us

00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.099
 a vision for the future

00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:26.039
 of an eternity

00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.559
 where there'll be

00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.240
 no more pain,

00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.819
 no more wickedness,

00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.220
 no more sickness,

00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.119
 no more anxiety,

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:33.079
 no more anxiousness,

00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.039
 no more angst

00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.579
 in our heart,

00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.359
 no more saying goodbye

00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.220
 to loved ones,

00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.899
 no more tears.

00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.399
 C.S. Lewis said

00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:41.440
 that this life

00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.099
 and this world

00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:43.899
 is like the contents page

00:31:43.899 --> 00:31:44.779
 of a great novel

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.879
 and the story

00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:47.059
 hasn't even yet started.

00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.920
 It's about to start

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.879
 one day in eternity.

00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.799
 But why eternity

00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.799
 takes so long?

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.000
 Why are we not there yet?

00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.799
 Why God doesn't

00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.460
 click his fingers?

00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.139
 God doesn't tell us

00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:56.980
 the exact answer

00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.960
 for why he's doing

00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:59.960
 exactly what he's doing.

00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.879
 But he calls us

00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.359
 and he says,

00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.440
 in the midst

00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:04.059
 of the storms of life,

00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.700
 you can trust me.

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.960
 But here's another thing

00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.660
 that God says.

00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:10.420
 While we don't know

00:32:10.420 --> 00:32:11.420
 why exactly

00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.899
 he allows these things

00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.420
 to happen,

00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.960
 we do know

00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:17.480
 or we can be certain

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:19.900
 of one of the reasons

00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:21.019
 why it's not the case.

00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:23.759
 We know that it's not

00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:24.800
 because he doesn't care.

00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:27.140
 Throughout the scripture,

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.100
 if there's one thing

00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:29.640
 God tells us again and again,

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:31.019
 it's that he is sovereign

00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.560
 and Lord,

00:32:32.060 --> 00:32:33.240
 but it is a father

00:32:33.240 --> 00:32:35.220
 who cares for his people.

00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.380
 And so,

00:32:36.820 --> 00:32:38.740
 look at how Isaiah 40 ends.

00:32:38.820 --> 00:32:40.500
 Look at verse 27 with me.

00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.880
 He says here in verse 27,

00:32:43.060 --> 00:32:43.680
 Why do you say,

00:32:43.820 --> 00:32:44.140
 O Jacob,

00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.680
 and speak,

00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.140
 O Israel?

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.240
 My way is hidden

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.880
 from the Lord.

00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:48.540
 My right is disregarded

00:32:48.540 --> 00:32:49.140
 by God.

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.460
 We spoke about that earlier.

00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.120
 Have you not known?

00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.000
 Have you not heard?

00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:55.380
 The Lord is the everlasting God,

00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.460
 the creator

00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:57.759
 of the ends of the earth.

00:32:58.280 --> 00:32:59.380
 He does not faint.

00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.960
 He does not get weary.

00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:02.060
 Dan read that scripture

00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:02.720
 to us earlier,

00:33:02.840 --> 00:33:03.960
 Psalm 121,

00:33:04.340 --> 00:33:04.940
 about the Lord

00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.700
 never sleeps.

00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:06.880
 He never slumbers.

00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.759
 He never gets tired.

00:33:09.300 --> 00:33:10.000
 He never needs

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.860
 to take a rest.

00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:12.059
 He's never put

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.979
 his phone on silent.

00:33:13.479 --> 00:33:14.099
 He never says,

00:33:14.199 --> 00:33:15.079
 I just need some time

00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:15.479
 to myself.

00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.319
 I can't help you.

00:33:16.679 --> 00:33:18.779
 He never grows faint

00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.559
 or weary.

00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.079
 He's never exhausted

00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.099
 about what's going on

00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:22.599
 in the world.

00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.959
 His understanding

00:33:23.959 --> 00:33:25.299
 is unsearchable.

00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.159
 But,

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:26.359
 oh,

00:33:26.439 --> 00:33:27.099
 don't you know,

00:33:27.479 --> 00:33:28.639
 he gives power

00:33:28.639 --> 00:33:29.899
 to the faint.

00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.619
 To those that have

00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.279
 no might,

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.899
 he increases their strength.

00:33:34.279 --> 00:33:34.579
 Friends,

00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.699
 do you feel like that today?

00:33:36.140 --> 00:33:36.940
 You feel faint.

00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.400
 You feel tired.

00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.880
 You feel worn out

00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.799
 about what's going on

00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.299
 in our world.

00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:42.759
 He promises to come

00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.660
 alongside us

00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:44.960
 and to strengthen us,

00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.559
 to give might

00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.700
 to those that feel weak.

00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:48.360
 Even youths

00:33:48.360 --> 00:33:49.840
 shall faint

00:33:49.840 --> 00:33:50.440
 and be weary.

00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.160
 Even young men

00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:53.440
 fall down exhausted.

00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:54.799
 Those who look like

00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:55.860
 they've got it all together,

00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.240
 those who look strong

00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.860
 on the outside

00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.779
 and they'll persevere,

00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.160
 even they get

00:34:00.160 --> 00:34:01.180
 to the end of themselves.

00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.819
 Even they eventually

00:34:02.819 --> 00:34:04.000
 don't have what it takes.

00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:05.200
 But God,

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.099
 the sovereign God,

00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.160
 never tires.

00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:09.099
 He never gets worn out.

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.440
 Those who wait

00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.300
 for the Lord

00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.679
 will renew

00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:13.659
 their strength.

00:34:14.579 --> 00:34:15.260
 They'll mount up

00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:16.460
 on wings like eagles.

00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.039
 They'll run

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.880
 and not be weary.

00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:20.380
 They'll walk

00:34:20.380 --> 00:34:21.400
 and they'll not grow faint.

00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:22.940
 It's a picture

00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:23.539
 of someone

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:25.420
 who is on a long journey

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:27.440
 and they start off

00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:28.460
 confident and strong.

00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:28.980
 They're going to get

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.679
 to the other side.

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:30.739
 They've got this thing.

00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.599
 But by the end,

00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:33.300
 they're exhausted

00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:34.019
 and they're weary

00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.940
 and they can't take

00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.980
 one more step.

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.400
 They're absolutely finished.

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.380
 Friends,

00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.960
 how many of us

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:42.720
 feel like that?

00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.820
 After nine months

00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.580
 of difficulty

00:34:45.580 --> 00:34:46.180
 in our city

00:34:46.180 --> 00:34:47.360
 and who knows

00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:48.380
 when it's going to end,

00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.200
 feel exhausted.

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.600
 And God comes

00:34:52.600 --> 00:34:53.460
 and He swoops up

00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.100
 underneath and He says,

00:34:54.160 --> 00:34:54.880
 I'll carry you.

00:34:55.440 --> 00:34:56.160
 I'll get you

00:34:56.160 --> 00:34:56.720
 to the end.

00:34:57.480 --> 00:34:58.080
 You don't have

00:34:58.080 --> 00:34:58.880
 to rely on yourself.

00:34:59.620 --> 00:35:00.140
 You don't have

00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:01.039
 to look to yourself.

00:35:01.160 --> 00:35:01.660
 Look to me.

00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:03.239
 I'm the sovereign God.

00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.099
 I'll carry you

00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:04.859
 to the end.

00:35:05.839 --> 00:35:06.759
 Charles Spurgeon said,

00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:08.460
 He who counts

00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.259
 the stars

00:35:09.259 --> 00:35:10.099
 and calls them

00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.099
 each by name

00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:12.739
 is in no danger

00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:13.500
 of forgetting

00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.440
 his own children.

00:35:15.379 --> 00:35:15.739
 Friends,

00:35:15.839 --> 00:35:16.679
 this majestic

00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:17.739
 sovereign God

00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:18.739
 is in no danger

00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.239
 of forgetting

00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:19.839
 your needs

00:35:19.839 --> 00:35:20.659
 and where you're at,

00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.259
 of being unaware

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:23.259
 of your challenges

00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:24.859
 and your fears

00:35:24.859 --> 00:35:25.659
 and your anxieties.

00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.579
 He's the sovereign God

00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.139
 who cares

00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:28.859
 for His children.

00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:30.120
 Friends,

00:35:30.220 --> 00:35:31.059
 this rock of ages,

00:35:31.220 --> 00:35:31.960
 this is Christ,

00:35:32.079 --> 00:35:32.800
 the solid rock

00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.820
 upon which we stand.

00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:34.840
 Yes,

00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.680
 He is rock solid

00:35:35.680 --> 00:35:36.559
 and He's trustworthy.

00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:38.039
 But don't you see

00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.980
 He's also tender.

00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:40.140
 Yes,

00:35:40.160 --> 00:35:41.480
 He's a warrior king.

00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.780
 He's vanquishing

00:35:42.780 --> 00:35:43.340
 His enemies.

00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:45.240
 But He's also a shepherd

00:35:45.240 --> 00:35:46.340
 that gently cares

00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.019
 for His people.

00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:48.599
 And so let's finally

00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.840
 look back at verse 9.

00:35:50.140 --> 00:35:50.860
 We read this earlier.

00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:51.120
 It says,

00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:51.719
 O Zion,

00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:52.719
 herald of good news,

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.019
 lift up your voice

00:35:54.019 --> 00:35:54.659
 with strength.

00:35:55.099 --> 00:35:56.359
 Say to the cities of Judah,

00:35:56.759 --> 00:35:58.179
 behold your God.

00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:00.500
 Your God comes with might.

00:36:00.839 --> 00:36:02.420
 His arm rules for Him.

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.420
 But then look at verse 11,

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.179
 the next verse.

00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:06.000
 He says,

00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.619
 He will tend His flock

00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:08.420
 like a shepherd.

00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:10.719
 He will gather the lambs,

00:36:10.779 --> 00:36:11.519
 the young ones,

00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.219
 in His arms.

00:36:12.579 --> 00:36:13.759
 He will carry them

00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:15.039
 in His bosom.

00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:17.559
 He will gently lead those

00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:19.199
 that are with young.

00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:21.000
 Friends,

00:36:21.399 --> 00:36:22.699
 the sovereign God

00:36:22.699 --> 00:36:24.099
 who is sovereignly

00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:24.919
 in control

00:36:24.919 --> 00:36:26.059
 of the whole world

00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:27.639
 is the same God

00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:29.099
 who in His sovereignty

00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:30.619
 will take care

00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.619
 of your soul

00:36:31.619 --> 00:36:33.259
 in the midst of challenges

00:36:33.259 --> 00:36:35.119
 and the midst of difficulties.

00:36:35.739 --> 00:36:36.839
 Verse 10 speaks about

00:36:36.839 --> 00:36:37.779
 this warrior king

00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:38.859
 who defeats his enemies,

00:36:39.299 --> 00:36:40.559
 who has the spoils of war

00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.599
 trailing behind him.

00:36:42.179 --> 00:36:43.399
 There's no one and nothing

00:36:43.399 --> 00:36:44.759
 that's too powerful for him,

00:36:44.819 --> 00:36:45.799
 that's too strong for him,

00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:47.139
 that causes him anxiety

00:36:47.139 --> 00:36:47.899
 or uncertainty.

00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:49.619
 There's nothing over which

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:50.860
 he does not have control,

00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:53.139
 but this majestic warrior king

00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:53.980
 is also a shepherd.

00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:56.059
 And He lifts up those

00:36:56.059 --> 00:36:56.660
 that are weak.

00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:58.420
 And He comes alongside

00:36:58.420 --> 00:36:59.320
 those that are weary.

00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:01.180
 And those that are exhausted

00:37:01.180 --> 00:37:02.139
 have come to the end

00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.720
 of themselves.

00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:04.460
 He swoops them up

00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:05.300
 and He picks them up

00:37:05.300 --> 00:37:06.559
 and He carries them home.

00:37:07.320 --> 00:37:07.680
 Friends,

00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:09.320
 this great and glorious God,

00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:11.280
 this anchor for our soul

00:37:11.280 --> 00:37:13.340
 is also gracious and tender.

00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:14.960
 He's compassionate

00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.960
 and kind

00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:16.740
 and caring.

00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.619
 He knows the fears

00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.380
 of our hearts.

00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:21.380
 He knows what bothers us.

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.820
 And He comes alongside

00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.539
 and He says,

00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:24.440
 I'm with you.

00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:27.280
 In the Gospels,

00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:28.179
 Jesus picks up

00:37:28.179 --> 00:37:29.220
 on Isaiah chapter 40

00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:30.400
 when He describes Himself.

00:37:31.119 --> 00:37:32.099
 And He describes Himself

00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:33.400
 as the sovereign God.

00:37:33.519 --> 00:37:33.780
 He says,

00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.320
 I've come

00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:36.380
 and there's nobody

00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:37.720
 that can control my life.

00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:39.079
 I have utter control

00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.539
 of my life,

00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:40.440
 even over life

00:37:40.440 --> 00:37:41.300
 and death.

00:37:41.720 --> 00:37:42.840
 He says to His disciples,

00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.720
 I'm going to die.

00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:44.579
 But it's not because

00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.320
 Pontius Pilate

00:37:45.320 --> 00:37:46.140
 is taking my life.

00:37:46.600 --> 00:37:47.240
 It's not because

00:37:47.240 --> 00:37:48.039
 the Jewish people,

00:37:48.140 --> 00:37:49.200
 the scribes and the Pharisees

00:37:49.200 --> 00:37:49.980
 are jealous of me.

00:37:50.360 --> 00:37:50.820
 It's not because

00:37:50.820 --> 00:37:52.160
 the Romans are tired of me.

00:37:52.680 --> 00:37:54.039
 I have authority

00:37:54.039 --> 00:37:55.079
 to lay it down.

00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:57.079
 No one takes it from me.

00:37:57.120 --> 00:37:57.680
 I lay it down

00:37:57.680 --> 00:37:58.559
 of my own accord,

00:37:58.620 --> 00:37:58.980
 He says.

00:37:59.100 --> 00:37:59.940
 I have authority

00:37:59.940 --> 00:38:00.820
 to lay down my life

00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:01.720
 and I have authority

00:38:01.720 --> 00:38:02.820
 to take it up again.

00:38:03.360 --> 00:38:04.360
 I will die,

00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:04.940
 says Jesus,

00:38:05.100 --> 00:38:05.700
 on the day

00:38:05.700 --> 00:38:06.559
 that has been determined

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.539
 by me and my Father

00:38:07.539 --> 00:38:08.600
 and I will raise

00:38:08.600 --> 00:38:09.079
 on the day

00:38:09.079 --> 00:38:09.720
 that my Father

00:38:09.720 --> 00:38:10.420
 and I have determined.

00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:12.260
 We are utterly sovereign

00:38:12.260 --> 00:38:13.900
 over life,

00:38:14.039 --> 00:38:14.539
 over death,

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.300
 over everything.

00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.800
 Nobody takes it from us.

00:38:17.180 --> 00:38:18.260
 It's in my hands.

00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:20.700
 But then He also says,

00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:22.760
 I'm a gentle shepherd.

00:38:24.079 --> 00:38:24.960
 And so in verse 11

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.900
 of John chapter 10,

00:38:25.980 --> 00:38:26.480
 He says,

00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.559
 why is He going to die

00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.059
 on the cross?

00:38:30.260 --> 00:38:31.480
 Why is His life going to be,

00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.200
 why is He going to lay

00:38:32.200 --> 00:38:32.700
 His life down?

00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:33.840
 Because I'm a good shepherd.

00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:35.320
 The good shepherd

00:38:35.320 --> 00:38:36.420
 lays down His life

00:38:36.420 --> 00:38:36.980
 for His sheep.

00:38:37.599 --> 00:38:38.740
 I am the good shepherd,

00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:39.320
 says Jesus.

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:40.480
 I know my own

00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:41.600
 and my own know me.

00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.680
 Just as the Father knows me

00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:44.600
 and I know the Father

00:38:44.600 --> 00:38:46.660
 and I lay down my life

00:38:46.660 --> 00:38:48.000
 for my sheep.

00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.340
 Friends,

00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:49.760
 Jesus,

00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:51.019
 the sovereign God,

00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:52.620
 sovereignly went

00:38:52.620 --> 00:38:53.220
 to the cross

00:38:53.220 --> 00:38:54.640
 and chose

00:38:54.640 --> 00:38:55.539
 to give us grace.

00:38:56.720 --> 00:38:57.200
 Jesus went

00:38:57.200 --> 00:38:58.140
 and died on the cross

00:38:58.140 --> 00:38:59.160
 because He knew

00:38:59.160 --> 00:38:59.880
 this was the way

00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.680
 for Him and His Father

00:39:00.680 --> 00:39:01.720
 to rescue and redeem

00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:02.620
 a broken world.

00:39:03.100 --> 00:39:04.340
 A world full of anxiety

00:39:04.340 --> 00:39:05.160
 and anxiousness.

00:39:05.700 --> 00:39:06.800
 A world full of fear

00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:07.680
 and brokenness.

00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:09.399
 A world full of sinners

00:39:09.399 --> 00:39:10.159
 like you and I

00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:11.899
 because He loved us

00:39:11.899 --> 00:39:12.759
 and He's calling us

00:39:12.759 --> 00:39:13.659
 to Himself.

00:39:14.679 --> 00:39:14.980
 Friends,

00:39:15.059 --> 00:39:15.519
 why does God

00:39:15.519 --> 00:39:16.059
 allow these things

00:39:16.059 --> 00:39:16.379
 to happen?

00:39:16.500 --> 00:39:17.279
 We don't know exactly

00:39:17.279 --> 00:39:18.899
 but one thing we do know

00:39:18.899 --> 00:39:19.460
 it's not because

00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.179
 He doesn't care.

00:39:21.359 --> 00:39:21.899
 It's not because

00:39:21.899 --> 00:39:22.480
 He doesn't care.

00:39:22.579 --> 00:39:23.379
 The cross of Christ

00:39:23.379 --> 00:39:24.000
 proves it.

00:39:24.839 --> 00:39:26.119
 Jesus loves us enough

00:39:26.119 --> 00:39:27.079
 to go and lay down

00:39:27.079 --> 00:39:28.139
 His life on the cross

00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:29.019
 to be nailed there

00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:30.960
 and to die for us.

00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:34.419
 And this majestic tender God

00:39:34.419 --> 00:39:36.519
 promises to carry us home.

00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:37.619
 Friends,

00:39:37.679 --> 00:39:38.340
 this morning God

00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:39.119
 is calling us,

00:39:39.159 --> 00:39:39.699
 each one of us,

00:39:39.759 --> 00:39:41.360
 to build and bank our lives

00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:42.820
 on Christ the solid rock.

00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:44.679
 Christ the solid rock.

00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:45.860
 And why should we trust Him?

00:39:46.380 --> 00:39:47.280
 Why should we do it?

00:39:47.800 --> 00:39:47.960
 Well,

00:39:48.000 --> 00:39:49.280
 because He's the sovereign God

00:39:49.280 --> 00:39:49.619
 of all.

00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:51.539
 He's Lord of all creation

00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:52.860
 but also because

00:39:52.860 --> 00:39:54.699
 He's a tender shepherd,

00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:56.480
 a Father that loves

00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.079
 His children.

00:39:57.699 --> 00:39:58.659
 We can trust Him.

00:39:59.539 --> 00:40:00.179
 Let's come to Him

00:40:00.179 --> 00:40:00.559
 in prayer.

00:40:01.059 --> 00:40:01.519
 Let's pray.

00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:03.340
 Oh,

00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:05.780
 great and glorious God.

00:40:07.179 --> 00:40:07.860
 Father,

00:40:07.980 --> 00:40:09.119
 we confess that

00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:10.800
 so often we read

00:40:10.800 --> 00:40:11.719
 Your Word,

00:40:12.139 --> 00:40:13.259
 we read scriptures

00:40:13.259 --> 00:40:13.960
 like this

00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:15.420
 and we just gloss

00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.099
 over them.

00:40:17.219 --> 00:40:17.880
 God,

00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:19.259
 we don't often

00:40:19.259 --> 00:40:20.259
 give thought

00:40:20.259 --> 00:40:21.259
 or time,

00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:22.739
 consideration

00:40:22.739 --> 00:40:24.579
 to Your majesty

00:40:24.579 --> 00:40:25.480
 and Your sovereignty.

00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:27.619
 Father,

00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:28.340
 forgive us.

00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:30.740
 Father,

00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.280
 forgive us

00:40:31.280 --> 00:40:31.880
 for the times

00:40:31.880 --> 00:40:33.300
 when we want

00:40:33.300 --> 00:40:34.320
 to control our lives.

00:40:34.380 --> 00:40:35.480
 We've trusted ourselves

00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:36.260
 more than You.

00:40:37.660 --> 00:40:38.039
 God,

00:40:38.100 --> 00:40:38.440
 forgive us

00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:38.900
 for the times

00:40:38.900 --> 00:40:40.160
 we've trusted our idols,

00:40:40.300 --> 00:40:41.380
 our man-made gods

00:40:41.380 --> 00:40:42.220
 rather than You.

00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:44.019
 God,

00:40:44.079 --> 00:40:44.480
 forgive us

00:40:44.480 --> 00:40:45.000
 for the times

00:40:45.000 --> 00:40:46.220
 when we've trusted

00:40:46.220 --> 00:40:47.140
 our own wisdom

00:40:47.140 --> 00:40:48.720
 more than You.

00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:50.440
 God,

00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.039
 this morning,

00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:51.740
 forgive us

00:40:51.740 --> 00:40:52.880
 but don't just forgive us.

00:40:53.140 --> 00:40:53.620
 God,

00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:55.180
 pour faith into our hearts.

00:40:56.140 --> 00:40:56.340
 Oh,

00:40:56.519 --> 00:40:56.860
 Jesus,

00:40:56.980 --> 00:40:57.460
 I pray,

00:40:57.579 --> 00:40:57.720
 God,

00:40:57.719 --> 00:40:58.459
 pour faith

00:40:58.459 --> 00:40:59.099
 into our hearts

00:40:59.099 --> 00:41:00.379
 that we will be those

00:41:00.379 --> 00:41:01.799
 that see the bigness

00:41:01.799 --> 00:41:02.579
 and the majesty

00:41:02.579 --> 00:41:04.299
 and the sovereignty

00:41:04.299 --> 00:41:05.119
 of our God.

00:41:05.519 --> 00:41:05.819
 God,

00:41:05.919 --> 00:41:07.079
 show us what that means,

00:41:07.159 --> 00:41:07.519
 I pray.

00:41:08.579 --> 00:41:08.839
 Lord,

00:41:08.879 --> 00:41:09.559
 I pray that these

00:41:09.559 --> 00:41:10.879
 won't just be words

00:41:10.879 --> 00:41:12.779
 that are in a theology textbook

00:41:12.779 --> 00:41:13.819
 or words that are

00:41:13.819 --> 00:41:14.779
 in our Bible

00:41:14.779 --> 00:41:15.679
 but these are words

00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:16.259
 that are written

00:41:16.259 --> 00:41:17.319
 deep in our hearts

00:41:17.319 --> 00:41:18.279
 that God,

00:41:18.339 --> 00:41:18.859
 our hearts

00:41:18.859 --> 00:41:21.000
 will sink their anchors

00:41:21.000 --> 00:41:23.119
 deep into the rock of ages.

00:41:24.779 --> 00:41:25.279
 God,

00:41:25.339 --> 00:41:26.039
 open our eyes

00:41:26.039 --> 00:41:27.500
 to behold our God.

00:41:28.159 --> 00:41:28.919
 Open our eyes,

00:41:29.019 --> 00:41:29.139
 God,

00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:30.039
 to see You

00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:30.959
 for who You are.

00:41:31.739 --> 00:41:32.000
 God,

00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:32.819
 help us to see

00:41:32.819 --> 00:41:33.919
 that You're not

00:41:33.919 --> 00:41:34.859
 just a puppy dog,

00:41:34.939 --> 00:41:35.239
 God.

00:41:35.439 --> 00:41:36.299
 You're not just

00:41:36.299 --> 00:41:36.939
 a genie

00:41:36.939 --> 00:41:37.939
 that wants to

00:41:37.939 --> 00:41:39.059
 give us three wishes

00:41:39.059 --> 00:41:39.939
 to make our lives

00:41:39.939 --> 00:41:41.099
 slightly more comfortable

00:41:41.099 --> 00:41:42.219
 and convenient.

00:41:42.379 --> 00:41:43.599
 You are the sovereign God.

00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:45.019
 There is no other like You.

00:41:45.959 --> 00:41:46.239
 Oh,

00:41:46.339 --> 00:41:46.599
 God,

00:41:46.679 --> 00:41:47.159
 we pray,

00:41:47.299 --> 00:41:48.000
 give us faith.

00:41:48.739 --> 00:41:49.439
 Open our eyes

00:41:49.439 --> 00:41:50.379
 to see that,

00:41:50.500 --> 00:41:50.819
 God.

00:41:52.819 --> 00:41:53.099
 God,

00:41:53.179 --> 00:41:53.980
 help us to pray.

00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:57.380
 O Lord,

00:41:57.440 --> 00:41:58.000
 we need You.

00:42:01.099 --> 00:42:01.519
 God,

00:42:01.579 --> 00:42:02.260
 we need You.

00:42:08.800 --> 00:42:09.240
 God,

00:42:09.300 --> 00:42:09.719
 this morning

00:42:09.719 --> 00:42:10.519
 we confess

00:42:10.519 --> 00:42:10.980
 that

00:42:10.980 --> 00:42:12.679
 we are full of fears

00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:13.380
 and anxieties,

00:42:14.079 --> 00:42:16.179
 full of worries.

00:42:16.179 --> 00:42:18.419
 God,

00:42:18.460 --> 00:42:19.599
 we bring those fears

00:42:19.599 --> 00:42:20.440
 to Your feet.

00:42:22.000 --> 00:42:22.919
 We bring them

00:42:22.919 --> 00:42:25.619
 to the foot of the cross.

00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:36.839
 God,

00:42:36.940 --> 00:42:37.679
 Watermark Church

00:42:37.679 --> 00:42:38.779
 does not need

00:42:38.779 --> 00:42:39.819
 me

00:42:39.819 --> 00:42:41.639
 or the other elders

00:42:41.639 --> 00:42:42.539
 or the other pastors.

00:42:45.539 --> 00:42:46.019
 God,

00:42:46.099 --> 00:42:46.699
 no pastor

00:42:46.699 --> 00:42:47.460
 is going to get us

00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:47.779
 through

00:42:47.779 --> 00:42:49.019
 the challenges

00:42:49.019 --> 00:42:49.699
 we face.

00:42:51.239 --> 00:42:52.219
 We need You,

00:42:52.380 --> 00:42:52.619
 God.

00:42:52.619 --> 00:42:52.679
 God,

00:42:52.679 --> 00:42:52.719
 God,

00:42:52.719 --> 00:42:52.739
 God,

00:42:52.739 --> 00:42:52.779
 God,

00:42:52.779 --> 00:42:55.599
 God,

00:42:55.619 --> 00:42:57.400
 Christ,

00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:57.960
 I pray

00:42:57.960 --> 00:42:58.579
 once You do

00:42:58.579 --> 00:42:59.519
 something profound

00:42:59.519 --> 00:42:59.940
 in us

00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:00.579
 as a church,

00:43:01.359 --> 00:43:04.119
 God,

00:43:04.219 --> 00:43:05.279
 take our hearts

00:43:05.279 --> 00:43:06.480
 and drive

00:43:06.480 --> 00:43:07.159
 our anchor

00:43:07.159 --> 00:43:08.059
 deep into You.

00:43:09.079 --> 00:43:09.559
 God,

00:43:09.659 --> 00:43:10.339
 change us,

00:43:10.639 --> 00:43:11.299
 shape us,

00:43:12.039 --> 00:43:12.699
 mold us,

00:43:14.839 --> 00:43:16.159
 call us

00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:16.699
 to You,

00:43:16.739 --> 00:43:17.139
 we pray.

00:43:17.139 --> 00:43:24.859
 God,

00:43:24.940 --> 00:43:25.759
 come and have Your way.

00:43:29.259 --> 00:43:29.659
 Christ,

00:43:29.719 --> 00:43:30.039
 thank You

00:43:30.039 --> 00:43:30.539
 that You are

00:43:30.539 --> 00:43:31.319
 a cornerstone.

00:43:32.639 --> 00:43:33.500
 You're not just

00:43:33.500 --> 00:43:34.239
 a stone

00:43:34.239 --> 00:43:34.859
 in a building.

00:43:35.819 --> 00:43:36.460
 You are

00:43:36.460 --> 00:43:37.400
 the cornerstone,

00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:38.379
 the rock of ages.

00:43:39.579 --> 00:43:40.400
 You're the sure

00:43:40.400 --> 00:43:41.319
 foundation.

00:43:44.599 --> 00:43:45.159
 You're a sure

00:43:45.159 --> 00:43:45.859
 and steady anchor

00:43:45.860 --> 00:43:46.519
 for us all.

00:43:48.360 --> 00:43:48.720
 God,

00:43:48.780 --> 00:43:49.360
 we look to You.

00:43:51.500 --> 00:43:52.300
 We look to You,

00:43:52.360 --> 00:43:52.579
 God.

00:43:54.079 --> 00:43:54.680
 Holy Spirit,

00:43:54.760 --> 00:43:55.440
 as we sing

00:43:55.440 --> 00:43:57.059
 these next two songs,

00:43:57.200 --> 00:43:57.740
 we ask You

00:43:57.740 --> 00:43:58.420
 to come and minister

00:43:58.420 --> 00:43:59.019
 to our hearts

00:43:59.019 --> 00:43:59.480
 and souls,

00:43:59.640 --> 00:43:59.840
 God.

00:44:00.800 --> 00:44:01.180
 God,

00:44:01.240 --> 00:44:01.519
 won't You

00:44:01.519 --> 00:44:02.539
 still the

00:44:02.539 --> 00:44:05.300
 voices in our head,

00:44:05.420 --> 00:44:06.480
 still the anxiety

00:44:06.480 --> 00:44:07.280
 in our minds

00:44:07.280 --> 00:44:07.880
 and our hearts,

00:44:08.019 --> 00:44:08.280
 God?

00:44:09.380 --> 00:44:09.760
 Won't You

00:44:09.760 --> 00:44:10.920
 quieten the fears,

00:44:11.120 --> 00:44:11.380
 God?

00:44:12.780 --> 00:44:13.360
 Holy Spirit,

00:44:13.460 --> 00:44:14.140
 come and minister

00:44:14.879 --> 00:44:15.319
 profoundly,

00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:16.000
 we pray.

00:44:21.259 --> 00:44:22.239
 Come and have Your way.