WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.400 Good morning, church. Would you turn with me to 2 Chronicles chapter 20. That is page 346, I believe, in the Pew Bible. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:20.940 ! 2 Chronicles chapter 20, page 346. We are going to look at one of the most exciting stories in the book of 2 Chronicles today. 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:33.820 But this story, it's a story that has a lot to say to us today because it's a story that's all about fear. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:47.760 It's about fear. Many human hearts today, most people, I think, are a wellspring of fears and anxieties and worries. 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:54.379 You know, some of our worries are kind of like familiar friends, aren't they? We carry them around with us wherever we go. 00:00:55.479 --> 00:01:07.400 But sometimes our fears kind of spring up on us, unawares. They surprise us out of nowhere, and they shake our sense of security and stability and our sort of sense of control. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:14.719 Many of our fears get played out in the public square, after all. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:25.800 Is not the increasing anger of our public discourse, those shrill and condemning tones, is that not a great sign of just deep-seated fear? 00:01:25.799 --> 00:01:29.679 We're angry because we're afraid. 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:34.280 Many of our fears haunt us privately. 00:01:35.620 --> 00:01:40.719 These are the ones that only come out in the quiet moments, perhaps, those moments of solitude. 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:43.719 We live with the fear of loneliness. 00:01:45.039 --> 00:01:47.039 We live with the fear of personal failure. 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:53.959 Soren Kierkegaard once said that anxiety is the dizziness of freedom. 00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:59.679 He meant that as modern people, we have almost limitless freedom to choose and to become. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:05.299 But with such freedom comes more choices, which means more opportunities to get it wrong. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:07.719 And we live in fear. 00:02:09.959 --> 00:02:15.740 And underneath all these fears, there perhaps kind of yawns the greatest fear of all, 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:23.099 the fear of death and what may or may not come afterwards. 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:30.080 2 Chronicles was written over 2,500 years ago. 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:36.360 But it was written to people like us, people who live amidst great fears. 00:02:36.360 --> 00:02:47.940 And what 2 Chronicles 20 aims to do is to recount a particular moment in Israel's history when God met His people in their fears 00:02:47.940 --> 00:02:57.480 and showed them what it meant for Him to be their God and for them to be His people, even when they were afraid. 00:02:57.479 --> 00:03:06.379 So we're going to walk through this passage together and see what helps it gives to us today in the midst of our fears. 00:03:07.199 --> 00:03:08.500 So let me pray for us. 00:03:08.819 --> 00:03:11.199 And then we're going to walk through the passage section by section. 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:12.079 Let's pray together. 00:03:12.839 --> 00:03:14.799 Father, as we turn to this ancient story, 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:19.040 we trust that it is the word that You've spoken, 00:03:19.480 --> 00:03:21.240 not just to Your people many years ago, 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:24.060 but the word You continue to speak today. 00:03:25.160 --> 00:03:29.700 For You, God, are the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:03:31.220 --> 00:03:37.180 Lord Jesus, help us to see Your abiding truth and goodness and beauty in this passage 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:39.599 by the help of Your Holy Spirit. 00:03:40.540 --> 00:03:42.099 In Your mighty name we pray. Amen. 00:03:43.099 --> 00:03:46.480 All right, well, let's read verses 1 through 4, and let's set the stage. 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:50.840 2 Chronicles 20, verses 1 through 4. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:55.120 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Mayanites, 00:03:55.900 --> 00:03:57.819 came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 00:03:58.980 --> 00:04:00.760 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:04.780 A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:09.060 And behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar, that is, En-Gedi. 00:04:10.680 --> 00:04:14.580 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord 00:04:14.580 --> 00:04:16.980 and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:20.500 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord. 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:25.579 From all the cities of Judah, they came to seek the Lord. 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:27.519 Okay, context. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:29.720 So at this point in Israel's history, 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:34.720 Jehoshaphat is the king of what we've come to call the southern kingdom. 00:04:35.539 --> 00:04:38.879 After the golden age of David and Solomon, you'll remember, 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:43.199 the kingdom split under the reign of Solomon's reckless son, Rehoboam. 00:04:43.619 --> 00:04:45.359 And then we've seen over the last few weeks, 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:47.059 some of the kings down through the line. 00:04:47.059 --> 00:04:51.479 After Rehoboam, there was Abijah, and then Asa, and now Jehoshaphat. 00:04:52.059 --> 00:04:55.339 And we looked at the first part of Jehoshaphat's reign last week, 00:04:55.679 --> 00:05:00.299 when he entered into an unwise alliance with the northern kingdom. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:05.360 And that alliance led to this spectacular military defeat 00:05:05.360 --> 00:05:07.720 that almost cost Jehoshaphat his life. 00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:13.660 So in chapter 20, or excuse me, in chapter 19, after that great failure, 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:17.259 in chapter 19, Jehoshaphat's rebuked by the prophet Jehu, 00:05:17.840 --> 00:05:20.860 and in response, Jehoshaphat does what? 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:23.240 Well, he actually fears God. 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:29.060 And he begins in chapter 19 a series of reforms in Judah and in Jerusalem. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:34.519 He calls the people back to God, and he begins establishing faithful judges in the land. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:36.620 He starts to do what's right. 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:40.660 But in verse 1 of our chapter, we see these words, 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:44.680 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites and with them some of the Maonites 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:47.280 came against Jehoshaphat for battle. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:53.860 Now, this was an alliance of three kingdoms located to the east of Judah, 00:05:54.000 --> 00:05:55.980 across the Jordan River, across the Dead Sea. 00:05:56.399 --> 00:06:01.300 And this Moabite alliance, we're told, has come around the southern tip of the Dead Sea 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:08.139 and advanced all the way up to En Gedi, which was a small oasis about halfway up the western shore of the Dead Sea, 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:11.180 which was only about 25 miles southeast of Jerusalem. 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:16.699 So you see, Jehoshaphat was now doing all the right things, 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:21.900 and still the danger, still the threat, still the trials came. 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:28.360 After this, the chronicler says, that is after Jehoshaphat was trying to bring reform, 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:32.520 after he was calling his officials to fear God and exercise justice, 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:34.819 right when he was doing the right thing, the good thing, 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:37.240 right when he was obeying God, the trials came. 00:06:37.580 --> 00:06:38.460 The enemies invaded. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:43.560 They showed up right in his backyard within striking distance of the Capitol. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:47.400 Now, the same can be true for us today. 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:55.540 You know, obedience to God does not guarantee a trouble-free, a fear-free life. 00:06:55.540 --> 00:07:02.660 And trials aren't always a sign of discipline or disobedience. 00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:07.120 Living in a fallen world means that trials will come. 00:07:07.820 --> 00:07:11.820 Fearful things will come flooding in, often unawares. 00:07:14.020 --> 00:07:15.220 And look at verse 3. 00:07:16.520 --> 00:07:17.460 The chronicler says, 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:28.199 Are you and I able to admit when we are afraid? 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:33.740 Or do we pretend that kind of nothing can shake or rattle us? 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:39.099 You know, we often think that if we ignore our fears, they'll go away. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:42.439 But that's actually not what we see in Scripture. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:47.139 In the narratives of Scripture like this one, we see the acknowledgement of fear. 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:54.300 If we ignore or deny our fears, they'll often grow and then begin to control us. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:59.620 But when we acknowledge our fear, then we can rightly respond. 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:04.980 And that's what we see, actually, in the rest of this chapter. 00:08:06.579 --> 00:08:11.740 2 Chronicles 20 invites us to acknowledge that we live in the midst of a great spiritual battle 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.340 with many and great fears. 00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:19.319 But in the midst of these fears, this chapter gives us three things. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:22.420 Three things in the midst of our fears. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:27.139 First, it gives us a prayer to pray. 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:30.759 Second, it gives us a word to trust. 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:34.139 And third, it gives us a victory to remember. 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:38.700 Here's how we as Christians can rightly respond in the midst of fear. 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:42.660 A prayer to pray, a word to trust, and a victory to remember. 00:08:42.759 --> 00:08:45.340 So let's look at that first thing, a prayer to pray. 00:08:45.420 --> 00:08:46.840 We see this in verses 5 through 12. 00:08:47.020 --> 00:08:49.800 So let's look at those verses together, and I'm going to read them. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:53.000 Let's start back in verse 3, actually, and kind of pick up the context. 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:56.220 So back in verse 3, we'll read through verse 12. 00:08:56.220 --> 00:09:01.440 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast throughout 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:02.060 all Judah. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:05.060 And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord. 00:09:05.660 --> 00:09:08.240 From all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:13.519 And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the Lord before 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:14.580 the new court and said, 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:19.360 O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? 00:09:20.520 --> 00:09:22.639 You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. 00:09:23.300 --> 00:09:26.900 In your hand are power and might so that none is able to withstand you. 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:32.340 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.780 it forever to the descendants of Abraham, your friend? 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:40.140 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name saying, 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:45.840 If disaster comes upon us, the sore or judgment or pestilence or famine, we will stand before 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:50.439 this house and before you, for your name is in this house and cry out to you in our affliction 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:51.980 and you will hear and save. 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:59.379 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade 00:09:59.379 --> 00:10:04.379 when they came from the land of Egypt, whom they avoided and did not destroy, behold, they 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:10.120 reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:14.819 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:20.600 For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:25.860 We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:30.120 We are powerless. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:35.139 We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:43.159 The prayer that Jehoshaphat prays turns our eyes away from ourselves and puts our gaze 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.519 fully on God. 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:50.480 First, you'll notice it's a prayer that highlights God's sovereign power. 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:53.679 O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:57.740 You rule all the kingdoms of the nations. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:11:01.399 In your hand are power and might so that none is able to withstand you. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.539 The threat is knocking at the door. 00:11:05.060 --> 00:11:07.659 The great horde is encamped at En Gedi. 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.440 That sounds pretty gnarly, doesn't it? 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:14.120 There are massive worries in your life. 00:11:16.680 --> 00:11:19.879 But what are they compared to the Lord? 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:23.500 Are they too great for Him? 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:33.120 Are the challenges that face the church today any match for the God who made heaven and earth 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:36.659 and who rules over the kingdoms of the nations? 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:44.559 You know, sometimes Christians can speak about the latest cultural trend or the latest technological 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:52.619 advance or the latest political headline as if this were the issue that's just going to upend 00:11:52.619 --> 00:11:54.779 everything and make or break the church. 00:11:57.259 --> 00:12:02.279 Have we forgotten what we mean when we say the name God? 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:11.739 In your hand are power and might so that none is able to withstand you. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:17.100 God upholds the universe by the word of His power. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:21.019 In Him we live and move and have our being. 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:26.259 Friends, God is God, the sovereign Lord. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:36.980 So, Christian, pray passionate prayers about the greatness of God 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:44.899 and the fears of our hearts will begin to be put into perspective. 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:50.920 But this prayer doesn't just highlight God's sovereign power. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:54.600 It also highlights God's faithful promises. 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:59.860 Verses 7 through 9 speak of God's promises to Abraham and to Abraham's descendants 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.940 to establish them in the land. 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:07.200 And it speaks of how God made good on that promise and how God continued to promise that 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:11.340 if they called out to Him, whether in times of sword or judgment or pestilence or famine, 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:14.040 if they called out to Him, He would hear them. 00:13:15.300 --> 00:13:17.820 And so, in verses 10 through 11, Jehoshaphat does just that. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:20.440 He brings the current situation before God. 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:22.040 And what does he talk about? 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:26.320 He says, you know, the nations that Israel didn't attack when they left Egypt and traveled 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:29.340 to the land of Canaan, those nations that Israel refused to attack, 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:32.860 the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Edomites, they're now attacking them. 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:36.160 Some way to return the favor, right? 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:41.780 But Jehoshaphat brings it back to God's own promises. 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:44.800 You gave us this land, God. 00:13:45.920 --> 00:13:48.879 They're trying to drive us out of the land you gave us to inherit. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:51.580 Surely you must do something about this. 00:13:51.580 --> 00:14:01.020 So, this is a prayer that drives us to the nature of God and to the character of God. 00:14:02.060 --> 00:14:08.280 God is incomparable in His power, and God is unshakable in His promises. 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:15.240 It is this sort of God-centeredness that we must seek in our prayers. 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:20.580 And when our prayers take us into the nature and character of God like this, 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:23.279 you know, our fears won't just magically disappear, no, 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:26.740 but they will start to lose their grip on us. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:32.019 And when we start to exalt God like this in our prayers, 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.580 you know, something else starts to happen. 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:38.860 Then we start to admit the truth about ourselves as well. 00:14:40.279 --> 00:14:41.580 Notice where the prayer ends. 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:43.500 We are powerless. 00:14:44.300 --> 00:14:45.840 We do not know what to do. 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:51.280 You know, admitting our inability and our ignorance 00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:55.379 is probably the hardest thing to do as human beings. 00:14:56.160 --> 00:14:58.540 We are so good at being self-sufficient, 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:05.180 and we are often rewarded in the world for presenting ourselves as wise and capable. 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:09.500 But in order to really pray, 00:15:10.299 --> 00:15:14.779 in order to have a genuine relationship with the one true God 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:18.979 who is incomparable in power and unshakable in His promises, 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:23.000 we have to admit that at the end of the day, 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:27.799 we are powerless, and we do not know what to do. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:31.779 Now, at first, that seems like the opposite 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:34.059 of what we should do in the face of our fears, right? 00:15:34.059 --> 00:15:35.659 Shouldn't we believe in ourselves? 00:15:36.359 --> 00:15:38.259 Shouldn't we trust that we've got what it takes? 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:44.719 Well, that strategy works for a while 00:15:44.719 --> 00:15:48.419 until it doesn't, right? 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:51.019 Until you realize that you don't have what it takes. 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:56.659 Until you realize that in the face of the deepest fears of the heart, 00:15:56.659 --> 00:16:03.740 the fear of alienation, the fear of death, the fear of judgment, 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:10.279 before these proper fears, we are powerless, 00:16:10.959 --> 00:16:12.980 and we do not know what to do. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:20.679 That our only hope rests not in ourselves, but in God. 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:27.079 You see, this prayer that we are invited to pray has us admit 00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:34.419 that we really cannot move these fears one inch in our own strength, 00:16:34.979 --> 00:16:37.859 in our own power, in our own knowledge. 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:43.620 But rather than this realization casting us into despair, 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:52.139 it casts us into the arms of the almighty and faithful God of the gospel, 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.620 the God who made promises to Abraham 00:16:55.620 --> 00:17:00.120 and who kept those promises from generation to generation 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:03.279 until the great offspring of Abraham appeared, 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:08.319 the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all God's promises were fulfilled. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:13.359 It casts us into the arms of that God. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.960 And that brings us to our second point. 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:21.119 2 Chronicles doesn't just give us a prayer to pray 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:22.399 in the midst of our fears. 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:27.099 It also gives us a word to trust, a word to trust. 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:29.279 This is verses 13 through 19. 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:30.619 Let's pick up the story there. 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:34.679 Meanwhile, all Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.939 their wives, and their children. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:39.039 And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jehaziel, 00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:41.559 the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:44.259 the son of Jael, the son of Mataniah, 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:47.799 a Levite of the sons of Asaph in the midst of the assembly. 00:17:48.459 --> 00:17:49.299 And he said, 00:17:50.179 --> 00:17:53.119 Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.879 and King Jehoshaphat, 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:57.159 thus says the Lord to you, 00:17:57.160 --> 00:18:02.400 Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:06.320 for the battle is not yours, but God's. 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:09.060 Tomorrow, go down against them. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:11.259 Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz, 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:13.080 and you will find them at the end of the valley, 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.740 east of the wilderness of Jeruel. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:17.480 You will not need to fight in this battle. 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:20.880 Stand firm, hold your position, 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:26.300 and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:28.600 O Judah and Jerusalem. 00:18:29.760 --> 00:18:33.160 Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:36.060 Tomorrow, go out against them, 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:38.300 and the Lord will be with you. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:43.960 Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, 00:18:44.040 --> 00:18:45.720 and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:47.240 fell down before the Lord, 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.460 worshiping the Lord. 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:51.120 And the Levites of the Kohathites and the Korahites 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:53.259 stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:55.400 with a very loud voice. 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.480 A word to trust. 00:18:58.620 --> 00:19:01.840 Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:05.660 for the battle is not yours, but God's. 00:19:07.259 --> 00:19:09.460 Through these words given through the prophet Jehaziel, 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:13.880 God committed himself to fight this battle 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.759 on the people's behalf. 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:17.259 They were the ones who were going to march out. 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:19.140 They were going to stand firm. 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.480 They were going to hold their positions, 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:22.759 but they would not need to fight 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:25.420 because the battle isn't theirs. 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.960 It's God's. 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:29.539 God will fight in their place, 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.839 and he will do what they cannot do. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:34.400 They will go out, 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:37.500 and the Lord will be with them. 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:42.319 And because the Lord will be with them, 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.759 they need not be afraid. 00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.519 Do not be afraid, 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.519 and do not be dismayed, 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:51.339 even at this great horde. 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.980 In Romans 8, the apostle Paul says, 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.440 if God is for us, 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:58.680 who can be against us? 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:02.880 Brother, sister, what are you afraid of today? 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:06.720 It can be a scary thing, you know, 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:08.960 to really take the lid off of our fears 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:10.580 and kind of stare them in the face. 00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:15.020 But listen to what God says here to his people 00:20:15.020 --> 00:20:17.120 nearly 2,500 years ago, 00:20:17.780 --> 00:20:20.060 and listen to what God has continued to say 00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:21.640 to his people throughout the ages. 00:20:22.820 --> 00:20:23.460 He says, 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:27.579 I will be with you. 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:33.400 Do you remember what the resurrected Jesus says 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.700 at the end of Matthew's gospel? 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.019 He says, 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.480 All authority on heaven and on earth 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.460 has been given to me. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:38.840 There are the risen... 00:20:53.460 --> 00:21:07.700 In the times of fear, 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.039 in the times of worry, 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:11.539 I'm with you always, 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.559 the Lord Jesus says. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.860 When you face financial fears 00:21:15.860 --> 00:21:17.500 and job insecurity, 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.799 the Lord will be with you. 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:24.180 When you face emotional and relational fears, 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:26.779 like when a new child is born 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:29.180 or when a marriage is struggling 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:31.819 or when a friendship is growing cold, 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:34.619 the Lord will be with you. 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:39.559 But what about when you face those deeper fears, 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:42.339 those fears of ultimate concern, 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:44.539 those fears that we're too often afraid to admit, 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.740 fears that our lives aren't as good 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:49.460 or as purposeful as we try to make them seem. 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:53.599 Fears that if the books of our lives 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:56.399 were opened up before a holy God, 00:21:58.099 --> 00:22:00.619 if the movie of our life was played 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:03.419 before the gaze of His perfect and good judgment, 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:06.119 if all of our deeds were brought before Him, 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.619 we wouldn't just be embarrassed. 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.700 We'd be undone. 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:16.319 That fear that as sinners, 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:19.279 condemnation is the rightful sentence 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.140 that we deserved. 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.819 Here, 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:26.460 in that most ultimate of fears, 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:28.500 here, 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:31.220 the Lord Jesus also says, 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.940 I will be with you. 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:36.600 I will stand with you. 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:38.719 You know, 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:41.519 when that great horde of your sins 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:43.179 comes flooding in from behind, 00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:45.059 though you've tried so hard 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:46.240 to reform yourself 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:47.719 and reform your family 00:22:47.719 --> 00:22:49.039 and reform your neighborhood, 00:22:49.199 --> 00:22:50.039 though like Jehoshaphat, 00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:51.679 you've redoubled your effort 00:22:51.679 --> 00:22:52.819 to do the right thing, 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.639 when the great horde of your sins 00:22:54.639 --> 00:22:55.639 comes rushing in 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.899 and you stand powerless, 00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.719 not knowing what to do, 00:22:59.219 --> 00:23:00.500 when you stand condemned, 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.339 there the Lord Jesus says, 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:04.159 I'll be with you. 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:09.720 Do you see how this God, 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.639 the God of the Bible, 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.799 is so very different 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.319 from the God of every other religion? 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.299 Every other religion says, 00:23:17.439 --> 00:23:18.639 if you do the right things, 00:23:18.939 --> 00:23:20.059 then I'll be with you. 00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.119 If you do the right things, 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:23.500 then maybe you can be with me. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.839 But the gospel says, 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:30.199 you're condemned in your sins 00:23:30.199 --> 00:23:31.379 without hope. 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:34.259 But God stands with you 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.179 in your sin 00:23:35.179 --> 00:23:36.919 so that you might be rescued 00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:37.799 by His grace 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:39.659 and not by your works. 00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:43.919 And friend, don't you see, 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:46.119 if God is with you 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:48.459 in your sin and condemnation, 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.679 if He promises to take 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.720 His stand with you 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.939 in your sin and death, 00:23:52.459 --> 00:23:54.059 if He's gone down 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.199 into that for you 00:23:55.199 --> 00:23:55.939 and with you, 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:58.019 if He's made that battle His own, 00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:01.839 then is there any other battle 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:02.819 that's too big for Him? 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.699 Is there any other battle 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:10.859 that now, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.819 now that that battle's been won, 00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:14.279 will ultimately be redeemed 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.019 for your good, 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.819 regardless of the outcome? 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:21.759 can even death itself 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:24.599 steal your greatest joy 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:26.759 if God has promised 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.619 to be with you? 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:32.419 What now are you afraid of? 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.240 You know, the waves, 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.019 they rise, 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:37.740 and the waves crash, 00:24:38.159 --> 00:24:38.939 and like Peter, 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.179 when our eyes turn 00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:40.859 from our Savior 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:42.000 to the crashing waves, 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.259 we begin to sink, right? 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:47.400 But Jesus' hand 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.700 takes firm hold of ours, 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.420 and He pulls us up. 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:53.359 Oh, you of little faith, 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.059 why did you doubt? 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.819 Why were you so afraid? 00:24:58.680 --> 00:25:00.119 The Lord will be with you. 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.839 This is a word to trust, 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.839 a word to trust 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:08.079 with your whole life forever. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:11.980 And that brings us 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.759 to our last point. 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.899 2 Chronicles gives us 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.699 a prayer to pray, 00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:17.159 a word to trust, 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.359 and last, 00:25:18.419 --> 00:25:19.279 it also gives us 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.639 a victory to remember, 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.599 a victory to remember. 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.980 Let's read the rest 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.139 of our passage 00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:26.659 from verse 20 to verse 30. 00:25:27.679 --> 00:25:28.199 Verse 20, 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.859 And they rose early 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.259 in the morning 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.799 and went out 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.379 into the wilderness 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.059 of Tekoa. 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.419 And when they went out, 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.720 Jehoshaphat stood and said, 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.199 Hear me, 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.319 Judah and the inhabitants 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.939 of Jerusalem, 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:38.000 believe in the Lord your God. 00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:39.879 and you will be established. 00:25:40.919 --> 00:25:42.019 Believe His prophets 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.480 and you will succeed. 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.480 And when He had taken 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.439 counsel with the people, 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.399 He appointed those 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.619 who were to sing to the Lord 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.299 and praise Him 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.059 in holy attire 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:51.279 as they went before the army 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:51.799 and say, 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.500 Give thanks to the Lord 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.279 for His steadfast love 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.059 endures forever. 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.539 And when they began 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.679 to sing and praise, 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:00.000 the Lord set an ambush 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.059 against the men of Ammon, 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.639 Moab, and Mount Seir 00:26:02.639 --> 00:26:04.319 who had come against Judah 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.939 so that they were routed. 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.879 For the men of Ammon and Moab 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:09.120 rose against the inhabitants 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.920 of Mount Seir, 00:26:10.520 --> 00:26:11.660 devoting them to destruction. 00:26:12.020 --> 00:26:13.700 And when they had made an end 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:15.140 of the inhabitants of Seir, 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.540 they all helped 00:26:16.540 --> 00:26:17.780 to destroy one another. 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.260 When Judah came 00:26:20.260 --> 00:26:20.880 to the watchtower 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.400 of the wilderness, 00:26:21.540 --> 00:26:22.540 they looked toward the horde 00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:23.900 and behold, 00:26:24.780 --> 00:26:25.680 there were dead bodies 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.500 lying on the ground. 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.200 None had escaped. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.240 When Jehoshaphat 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.700 and his people 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.820 came to take their spoil, 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.720 they found among them 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.420 in great numbers 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.440 goods, clothing, 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.480 and precious things 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.519 which they took 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.100 for themselves 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.980 until they could carry 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.480 no more. 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.299 They were three days 00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.180 in taking the spoil. 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.960 It was so much. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.420 On the fourth day, 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:43.940 they assembled 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.640 in the valley of Barakah, 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.460 for there they blessed 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.019 the Lord. 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:48.720 Therefore, 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.759 the name of that place 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.299 has been called 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.480 the valley of Barakah 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.400 to this day. 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.480 Then they returned, 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.279 every man of Judah 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.839 and Jerusalem 00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:56.620 and Jehoshaphat 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.220 at their head, 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.620 returning to Jerusalem 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.339 with joy, 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.539 for the Lord 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.439 had made them rejoice 00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:02.339 over their enemies. 00:27:02.959 --> 00:27:03.819 They came to Jerusalem 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.919 with harps and lyres 00:27:04.919 --> 00:27:05.439 and trumpets 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:06.419 to the house of the Lord, 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.980 and the fear of God 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.859 came on all the kingdoms 00:27:09.859 --> 00:27:10.579 of the countries 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.259 when they heard 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.879 that the Lord 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:12.399 had fought 00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:13.179 against the enemies 00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:13.779 of Israel. 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.439 So the realm 00:27:15.439 --> 00:27:16.119 of Jehoshaphat 00:27:16.119 --> 00:27:16.879 was quiet, 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:19.220 for God gave him rest 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.559 all around. 00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:23.939 The chronicler wanted 00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:24.959 the people of his day 00:27:24.959 --> 00:27:26.759 to remember this victory, 00:27:26.959 --> 00:27:28.779 a victory when God intervened 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.180 and caused their enemies 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.700 to turn upon each other 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.740 and destroy themselves, 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.899 a victory when God 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:35.920 did all the fighting, 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.859 when God won the battle, 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.940 but the people 00:27:39.940 --> 00:27:41.399 got the spoils. 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.960 God triumphed, 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.759 and the people 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.599 got the reward. 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.399 And friends, 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.059 does this victory 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.059 not point us 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:53.160 to the even greater victory 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:54.539 that God fought 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.279 for his people, 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:58.200 the victory that God's 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.200 only son fought 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:00.120 on the hillside 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:01.500 outside of Jerusalem. 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.460 But this battle 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:05.120 involved more than 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:06.680 turning the enemies 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.580 against themselves. 00:28:08.580 --> 00:28:09.220 On that day, 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.140 that battle involved 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:10.759 God Himself 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:12.299 going down into defeat. 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.420 Jesus Christ 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.140 was stricken 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.500 and afflicted 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.000 for the sin 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.620 of His people. 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.019 He stood 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.059 in the midst 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.140 of the great horde 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.400 of sin and wrath 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:21.960 and judgment. 00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:22.940 The sinless one 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:24.039 was crushed 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:25.080 for our iniquities, 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:26.539 and upon Him 00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:28.339 was the chastisement 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:29.559 that brought us peace. 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.079 Jesus Christ 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.720 was crucified 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.819 and buried, 00:28:34.699 --> 00:28:35.480 paying the penalty 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:35.939 of death 00:28:35.939 --> 00:28:37.039 for all who believe. 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:39.259 And three days later, 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.199 God raised Him 00:28:40.199 --> 00:28:40.799 from the dead. 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.759 The grave could not 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.759 hold the victorious 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.480 Son and King 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:45.679 because His death 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:46.619 had paid for sin. 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.819 Death itself 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:48.480 was undone. 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:50.680 And now, 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.759 even though He 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.519 fought the battle, 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:56.700 we get the spoils. 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.559 The battle was 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.960 not ours, 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:02.180 but His, 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.039 and yet we are 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.900 given the reward. 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.220 For all who admit 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.079 their powerlessness 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.220 and place their trust 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.779 in Christ, 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.599 we gather up 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.620 the greatest 00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.339 of treasures, 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.319 the forgiveness 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.200 of sins, 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.500 and complete 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.140 reconciliation 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:20.039 with God. 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.759 Spiritual 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.860 regeneration 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:24.120 by the Holy Spirit, 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:24.740 a new heart 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.340 that desires 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:26.299 the things of God. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:28.680 Membership 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.500 in His people, 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.000 the church, 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.940 where we live together 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.460 with Christ 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.019 as our King 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:33.539 and pursue His kingdom, 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.200 a purpose 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:35.019 and mission 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.259 to live for His glory. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.380 And when a race 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:39.840 is run 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.620 and Christ the King 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.160 returns, 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:43.140 He will grant us 00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:43.720 the resurrection 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.559 of the body 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.660 and the life 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.039 of the world 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.539 to come 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.159 and the healed 00:29:47.159 --> 00:29:48.720 and new creation 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.299 where peace 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.819 and justice 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.599 dwell forever. 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.740 You see, friends, 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.279 in the midst 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.039 of our fears, 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:56.079 this is the victory 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:57.059 we must remember. 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.680 When our fears 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.420 are running high, 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.379 when our anxieties 00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:00.859 and worries 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:01.740 are pressing in, 00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.779 we have to return 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.559 to the valley 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.180 of Barakah, 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:04.879 the valley 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.740 of blessing, 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.599 the place 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.000 where God 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.680 fought the battle 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.339 and His people 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.200 got the reward. 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.180 And from there, 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:13.779 follow that same God 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:15.339 to the empty tomb 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:17.099 where God 00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.579 fought an even 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.339 greater battle 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.619 and we received 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:20.759 an even greater reward. 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.759 And as you remember 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.619 this victory 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:26.779 and the grace 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.799 that you've been given, 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.859 as you remember 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:31.420 that victory, 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.639 then you can come back 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:34.160 to the Word. 00:30:34.539 --> 00:30:36.079 I will be with you. 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:38.039 And you can know 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:39.819 that you can trust it. 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:42.519 And then you can come 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.480 back to the prayer 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:45.019 and you can make it 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:45.559 your own. 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.179 That the God 00:30:47.179 --> 00:30:48.899 of incomparable power 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:50.559 and unbreakable promises 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.759 is your God. 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:55.159 And you can admit 00:30:55.159 --> 00:30:55.859 that you don't 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:57.359 need to be powerful. 00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.700 And you can admit 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.419 that you don't 00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:01.659 have it all figured out. 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:03.839 Instead, 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.759 you can say, 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:07.139 our eyes are on you. 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:09.500 Our eyes are on you, 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:09.800 Lord, 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:12.320 and we will not be afraid. 00:31:13.560 --> 00:31:14.220 Let's pray. 00:31:22.780 --> 00:31:23.180 Father, 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.620 in this moment, 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.340 our eyes 00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:27.740 are on you. 00:31:29.060 --> 00:31:29.740 We pray 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.800 that by your Holy Spirit 00:31:30.800 --> 00:31:31.900 you would allow us 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:35.160 to do just what 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.740 this passage 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.740 invites us to do. 00:31:37.140 --> 00:31:39.980 to see that 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.540 you are the God 00:31:40.540 --> 00:31:41.020 who has fought 00:31:41.020 --> 00:31:41.800 the greatest battle 00:31:41.800 --> 00:31:42.600 on our behalf, 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.300 won the victory, 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:46.240 and offered us 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:46.900 the greatest 00:31:46.900 --> 00:31:48.280 of treasures. 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:51.880 Lord, 00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.800 we take just a moment 00:31:52.800 --> 00:31:54.040 to confess our fears 00:31:54.040 --> 00:31:54.540 to you, 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.640 our worries, 00:31:56.780 --> 00:31:57.520 our anxieties. 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.340 We lay them 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:00.940 before you. 00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:04.520 Some of them 00:32:04.520 --> 00:32:05.259 seem small, 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:05.600 God, 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:07.879 and we've got ideas 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.439 of how to try 00:32:08.439 --> 00:32:09.339 to figure them out. 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.939 Some of them 00:32:11.939 --> 00:32:12.740 seem so great 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.419 that we're not sure 00:32:13.419 --> 00:32:14.059 what to do, 00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.000 and it's easy 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.679 for us to say, 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.319 we're powerless. 00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:20.059 God, 00:32:20.119 --> 00:32:20.740 help us now 00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.319 in this moment 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:21.980 to see 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:24.419 that underneath 00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:25.519 all of these fears 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.419 that we wrestle with 00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:27.259 and engage with, 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:30.179 the greatest fear 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.640 of all. 00:32:33.640 --> 00:32:35.420 The fear of our exclusion 00:32:35.420 --> 00:32:36.080 from you, 00:32:37.640 --> 00:32:39.320 the fear that our sins 00:32:39.320 --> 00:32:40.500 would put us forever 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.480 under your wrath, 00:32:42.580 --> 00:32:42.799 Lord, 00:32:42.820 --> 00:32:44.080 that that great fear 00:32:44.080 --> 00:32:45.820 has been met 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:48.460 by an even greater gospel. 00:32:50.340 --> 00:32:51.080 Lord Jesus, 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.400 help us to see you 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:54.860 as our rescuer 00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.580 and our redeemer. 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:58.179 God, 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.980 draw our hearts out 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.460 in faith 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.619 and trust to you again. 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.439 Help us to keep 00:33:02.439 --> 00:33:03.679 our eyes fixed on you. 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.599 We pray this 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.500 in Christ's mighty name. 00:33:08.699 --> 00:33:08.919 Amen. 00:33:08.919 --> 00:33:09.019 Amen.