WEBVTT

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 Beginner worship singing in Psalm 116. Psalm 116, this is in the Scottish Psalter, that's on page 395.

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 Over onto the next page. The tune is Bays of Harris.

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 I love the Lord because my voice and prayers he did hear. I, while I live, will call on him who bowed to me his ear.

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 Of death the cords and sorrows did about me compass round. The pains of hell took hold on me.

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 I grief and trouble found. Upon the name of God the Lord, then did I call and say,

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 Deliver thou my soul, O Lord, I do thee humbly pray.

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 Singing verses 1 to 8 of Psalm 116. I love the Lord. Let's stand to sing.

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 I love the Lord because my voice and prayer cheated here.

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 I, while I live, will call on him who bowed to me his ear.

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 Of death the cords and sorrows did about me compass round.

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 The pains of hell took hold on me. I keep my trouble found.

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 Upon the name of God the Lord, then did I call and say,

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 Deliver thou my soul, O Lord, I do thee humbly pray.

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 O mercy full of righteousness,

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 In graciousness our Lord,

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 Of sins of me, I was the Lord.

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 O mercy full of righteousness,

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 In graciousness our Lord, then did I help my Lord.

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 O Lord, my soul, do thou return,

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 O Lord, my soul, do thou return,

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 Unto thy quiet rest.

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 For thou art she loath, the Lord to thee,

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 Isbam Jiham express.

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 For my distresses soared from death,

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 Deliver what I be.

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 Thou bless my heart,

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 Thou bless my heart,

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 In high-dive eyes from tears,

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 My feet from falling free.

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 Let's now engage in prayer.

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 Let's join together as we pray to God.

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 Lord our God,

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 Lord our God, as we give thanks for our gathering together here in your name this evening.

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 We give thanks for the many ways in which these psalms that we sing,

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 And so often speak of the way in which you have come to save people from the extremities of life.

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 We thank you especially that you have come into this world to save us from our sins,

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 And to deliver us from the various effects of sin in our lives,

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 Which ultimately you will bring to completion in your salvation in heaven.

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 And we thank you Lord tonight that we have so much to give thanks for.

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 And we thank you as we look into our lives,

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 And realize the number of ways in which you bless us,

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 Even the practical daily issues of life.

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 We give thanks, O Lord, for your remembrance of us,

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 For the way that your eye is constantly toward us,

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 And for the way in which we find through the word of the gospel,

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 That invitation directed to us all,

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 To come and to lay our burdens upon you,

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 To come to you that we might find peace and help,

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 And find rest for our souls.

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 Lord, we ask that you would bless us here this evening.

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 We come before you as a confessing people,

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 A people who confess, Lord, our sins anew in your presence,

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 A people who seek your forgiveness, your cleansing, your acceptance of us.

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 A people, Lord, who come to give you thanks,

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 Who come to express our thanksgiving,

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 Not only in the words of our mouth, but in the manner of our life.

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 And Lord, we pray that as we come before you,

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 We may also come humbly.

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 We may come realizing that we deserve none of those things by which you bless us,

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 None of the very gifts that you give us in life.

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 Lord, we confess that as we express our unworthiness,

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 So, we pray that you would enable us day by day

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 To increase in our sense of amazement,

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 As well as thanksgiving,

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 That the great and holy God should remember us in this way.

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 We come before you too tonight, Lord, as a congregation,

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 And we join, we know, with so many others this evening,

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 Not only locally, but throughout our nation,

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 And indeed on this day throughout the world,

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 Many people who come to worship you as we do.

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 And while we recognize, Lord, the many differences in the circumstances of people who worship you today,

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 Nevertheless, we give thanks that your word teaches us that you have but one church,

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 That you have but one people, one family.

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 And Lord, we give thanks that, as we know the blessings of belonging to that,

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 So help us, we pray, to remember your people elsewhere in the world.

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 Remember those especially who are tonight caught up in different circumstances to ours,

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 Many more tragic and trying circumstances to ours.

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 And while, Lord, we do know that at times in your providence we find challenging and even painful circumstances,

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 We know that as we hear of others throughout the world,

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 That ours are very small and pale into almost insignificance, O Lord, compared to theirs.

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 And we pray tonight that you bless your people wherever they are caught up in war,

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 In different parts of the world,

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 Where the devastation of war has reached into their lives,

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 Where they are forced into fleeing not only their homes but sometimes their countries.

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 And we pray, Lord, wherever that is the case tonight,

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 That your own blessing will be with your people.

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 Remember them in Ukraine, remember them in Yemen,

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 Remember them in every other place in the world where there is presently conflict and strife,

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 And where the native hatred of human hearts is expressed towards their fellow human beings.

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 We ask, O Lord, that you would come to intervene in those situations,

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 That you would bless your people especially,

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 And that whatever, Lord, you guide them into,

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 You would accompany them and you would be a means of comfort and assurance and strengthening to them.

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 And we ask your blessing, Lord, to be with all in situations of poverty, of distress, of famine, of floods, of natural disaster.

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 We find that so often, Lord, throughout the world.

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 We pray for the people of this island of Hawaii that has been devastated by raging fires.

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 Gracious Lord, we pray for the many who have lost loved ones as well as property.

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 We ask that you would draw near to that community.

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 We pray, Lord, that your Holy Spirit will bring blessing.

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 And out of the devastation that you would enable them to rebuild their lives and rebuild their community.

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 We pray for all such, Lord, throughout the world who face difficulties of this kind.

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 Situations that we can scarcely imagine.

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 And we ask, Lord, that you would hear the prayers of those who are praying to you tonight,

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 Along with ourselves, so that you would remember those people throughout the world.

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 We pray, too, Lord, for those who have challenges in the gospel.

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 Challenges in reaching their own people.

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 Challenges in taking the gospel to other parts of the world.

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 We pray that your blessing will be with all, O Lord, who have gone forth with the gospel to other lands,

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 As well as in their own native communities.

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 And we pray that your blessing will accompany the preaching of your word,

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 The witness of your people, the declarations of your church as to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.

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 That he is the way, the truth, and the life.

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 That no one comes to the Father except through him.

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 Lord, we pray for those who are with us this evening.

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 We thank you for Pastor Alex.

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 We thank you for his family.

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 We pray for him here in his time here in the island.

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 We pray for him in his ministry in Moldova.

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 We ask that you would continue to bless him, to bless his family, to protect them, and to care for them.

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 We pray, Lord, for his flock, for all those who are ministered to by him.

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 And we ask that your blessing will accompany the gospel there greatly and throughout that nation.

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 And we ask, Lord, tonight that you would bless those who mourn the passing of loved ones.

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 Lord, we know that there are so many, even tonight in our communities,

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 Who experience that such a loss as comes with death and with the removal of those who were loved from the scene of time.

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 Remember them, Lord, we pray.

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 And when we gather, as we often do at funeral services and meet with families,

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 Gracious Lord, help us, we pray, and help these families especially,

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 To surmount the difficulties that attend such bereavements that come our way from time to time.

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 Lord, we ask that you would comfort their hearts,

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 And that you would unite them together in that bond of trust and reliance upon yourself.

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 We pray, too, Lord, for those who have health issues.

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 Remember those tonight who have worries over themselves, anxious over loved ones,

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 Those suffering from mental health issues, those suffering from various addictions.

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 We commit them to you and ask for all who make an effort, Lord,

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 To reach them and help them in their situation of need.

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 We pray for those involved in pregnancy crisis.

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 We ask, O Lord, for all in our community who have these situations,

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 And for all who seek to bring them help.

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 Be with them, we pray.

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 Encourage them, Lord, in the work that they do.

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 And we ask that you would be with us as a nation when we find so many things blighting our society,

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 From the horrors of abortion through to the dangers that now are faced by those who face the possibilities of euthanasia.

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 Lord, so many things that are presently marks of our society in its fallenness and its sinfulness.

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 And we pray that you would come and restore us, O Lord.

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 We pray that you would come and bring to us the power of the gospel,

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 And that you would encourage us as your people to continue to pray to you.

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 Now receive our thanks, we pray.

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 Continue to bless us throughout the remainder of our service of worship.

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 And accept us freely and pardon our sins.

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 For Jesus' sake. Amen.

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 We're going to sing again to God's praise, singing this time in Psalm 15.

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 We'll sing the whole of Psalm 15 on page 16.

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 The tune is Amazing Grace.

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 Lord, who may stay within your tent, your sacred dwelling place,

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 And who upon your holy hill may live before your face?

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 Whoever walks a blameless path, who acts in righteousness,

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 And who will always from the heart sincerely truth express.

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 That's Psalm 15.

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 The tune is Amazing Grace.

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 Lord, who may stay within your tent.

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 Lord, who may stay within your tent.

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 Lord, who may stay within your tent,

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 Your sacred dwelling place,

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 Your sacred dwelling place,

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 Undo upon your holy hill may live before your face.

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 Who ever walks a blameless path,

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 Who acts in righteousness,

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 And who will always from the heart,

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 To cheerfully truth express.

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 He has no sign from anyone,

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 Nor does His name one more.

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 He has no sign within His heart,

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 For standing of His child.

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 He honors those who give the Lord,

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 The word bless Him despite.

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 He keeps the hope which He has borne,

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 The word bless Him despite.

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 He is the Lord,

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 The word bless Him despite.

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 He has no sign,

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 The word bless Him despite.

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 He is the Lord.

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 He is the Lord.

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 If такие, I love you.

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 O Christian, Savior.

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 Let's turn now to read from God's Word.

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 And our reading tonight is in the book of Genesis.

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 The book of Genesis, chapter 21.

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 And we can read down as far as verse 21.

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 So that's Genesis, chapter 21, reading verses 1 to 21.

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 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised.

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 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.

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 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.

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 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

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 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

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 And Sarah said, God has made laughter for me.

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 Everyone who hears will laugh over me.

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 And she said, Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?

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 Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.

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 And the child grew and was weaned.

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 And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

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 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.

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 So she said to Abraham, Cast out this slave woman with her son,

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 for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.

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 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son.

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 But God said to Abraham, Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman.

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 Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you.

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 For through Isaac shall your offspring be named.

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 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.

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 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and the skin of water and gave it to Hagar,

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 putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away.

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 And she departed and wandered into the wilderness of Beersheba.

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 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes.

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 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off,

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 about the distance of a bow shot.

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 For she said, Let me not look on the death of the child.

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 And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.

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 And God heard the voice of the boy.

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 And the angel of the Lord called to Hagar from heaven and said to her,

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 What troubles you, Hagar?

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 Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

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 Up! Lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.

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 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.

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 And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

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 And God was with the boy and he grew up.

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 He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow.

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 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took him a wife from the land of Egypt.

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 Amen. May God bless to us that reading of his word.

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 Before we look at part of this passage, let's sing again, this time in Psalm 103.

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 That's in the Scottish Psalter, page 369.

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 And we're singing verses 6 to 13 to the Chulkilmarnock.

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 God's righteous judgment executes for all oppressed ones.

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 His way is to Moses.

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 He is acts made known to Israel's sons.

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 The Lord our God is merciful and he is gracious,

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 long-suffering and slow to wrath, in mercy plenteous.

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 He will not chide continually, nor keep his anger still.

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 With us he dealt not as we sinned, nor did requite our ill.

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 So that's Psalm 103, 6 to 13, God's righteous judgment executes.

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 For all righteous judgment executes.

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 For all oppressed ones.

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 For all oppressed ones.

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 His way is to Moses.

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 For all oppressed ones.

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 For all oppressed ones.

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 For all oppressed ones.

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 His way is to Moses.

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 And his way is to Moses.

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 For all oppressed ones.

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 And his way is to Moses.

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 For all oppressed ones.

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 He is like faithful to angels' sight.

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 The Lord, the Lord is merciful and He is gracious.

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 Of suffering and slow to wrath, in mercy ventia.

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 The King will not shine continually, nor be peace and mercy still.

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 With us He dealt, not as we sinned, nor with me fight the will.

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 For us, the heaven in its height, the earth's our mountain fire.

00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:48.960
 So great to those that do in fear, its tender, their cheese are.

00:23:48.960 --> 00:24:04.960
 But God has ceased this distance from the west so far by the east.

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:19.960
 From the tree who live in His love, all our inequity.

00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:35.960
 God's pity has the Father come unto His children near.

00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:51.640
 Like when He chose the Lord to such a worship in Him.

00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:58.740
 Please turn with me to Genesis 21.

00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:05.660
 And tonight we're going to look at the verses from verse 14, or really from verse 15.

00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:09.600
 Down through most of that section of the chapter.

00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:13.620
 We can read from verse 14.

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:18.360
 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar,

00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:21.740
 putting it on her shoulder along with the child and sent her away.

00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:26.400
 And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:31.900
 And when the water and the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes.

00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:35.519
 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off.

00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:37.799
 About the distance of a bow shot.

00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:41.279
 For she said, let me not look on the death of the child.

00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:46.240
 And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept.

00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:50.940
 And God heard the voice of the boy.

00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:59.779
 Well, we've called our study this evening, God's care for a single mother.

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:07.240
 That's effectively what Hagar is in this account that we have of her in this incident.

00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:12.160
 And all the other accounts we have of her as the mother of Ishmael.

00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:20.600
 Ishmael by this time was a teenager, 14, 15, 16 years of age or so.

00:26:21.540 --> 00:26:35.660
 And we know that God's care for him at this instance is something that reminds us that God cares for those that we perhaps would not think he would take time over.

00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:38.220
 Here is a single mother.

00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:45.660
 Here is a mother in the wilderness who doesn't belong herself natively to the covenant people of God.

00:26:46.360 --> 00:26:51.240
 Here is a mother whose son is not going to be the heir of Abraham.

00:26:52.100 --> 00:27:02.540
 Yet here we find God specifically looking towards this child and his mother in compassion, in mercy, in care.

00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:07.899
 And that really challenges ourselves tonight, even at that very level itself.

00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:17.639
 We don't really need to go into the theology of such a passage as this to find that it challenges us towards our views in regard to our views,

00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:25.079
 towards those in our society who are deprived, who have challenges like this woman as a single mother.

00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:30.700
 Challenges that we find in our society, challenges that we find facing us in our community,

00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:34.940
 because there are many such people in our community.

00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:41.720
 Circumstances that led to this involved both Abraham and Sarah.

00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:49.279
 And as you look right back to chapter 16, where the tension between Sarah and Hagar began,

00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:56.460
 where Sarah had specified to Abraham that because she was childless,

00:27:56.460 --> 00:28:00.940
 Now she said, Abraham said,

00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.720
 Behold now, Sarah said to Abraham,

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:06.100
 Behold now the Lord has prevented me from having children.

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.779
 Go into my servant.

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:11.000
 It may be that I shall obtain children by her.

00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:14.500
 In other words, they were departing, even at that stage,

00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:18.019
 from the intention and the purpose and the promise of God,

00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:21.079
 and taking things, as it were, into their own hands.

00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:23.359
 And that's always problematic for us.

00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:25.579
 It always ends up with some trouble or other.

00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:28.639
 And that's where the troubles of this household began.

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:33.879
 The tension, at least, between Sarah and Hagar began with that decision,

00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:36.319
 and Abraham's own involvement in it as well.

00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:41.279
 So neither Abraham nor Sarah are free from fault by any means

00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:47.619
 in the circumstances that lead up to this woman with her young son

00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:52.399
 coming to be in the wilderness and deprivation and in danger.

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:59.460
 And as you look at that, and as you find that this really brings before us

00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:01.879
 the challenges of our age as well,

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:05.339
 we're reminded that we have to look around us as well

00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:09.500
 and see that perhaps some of those that we might not think

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:15.599
 as immediately needy and immediately recipients of our compassion

00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:19.159
 and of our love, people that we might say most of us

00:29:19.159 --> 00:29:23.980
 might think of in some way or other as just somebody else's problem.

00:29:24.699 --> 00:29:27.619
 Well, here is a passage of the Bible that tells us

00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:32.319
 those in whatever deprivation they are in around us are our problem.

00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:34.879
 They are something, not in the sense of a problem,

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:39.179
 but a problem in the sense in which we can, as far as possible,

00:29:39.799 --> 00:29:42.159
 give ourselves to alleviate their distress

00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:44.319
 and help them with their distress.

00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:52.079
 There are all kinds of reasons why we find single mothers in our society.

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:56.740
 I'm not going to go into these reasons, but they're always there.

00:29:57.279 --> 00:30:01.399
 Some of them are due to the tragic breakdown of marriage.

00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:04.420
 Some of them are due to the death of a husband.

00:30:05.280 --> 00:30:07.620
 Some of them are due to other reasons as well.

00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:10.580
 It's not really the reasons that we look at.

00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.940
 It's the fact that that faces us.

00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.060
 The fact that here is the gospel.

00:30:15.560 --> 00:30:16.880
 Here is the Word of God.

00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:18.120
 Here is God saying,

00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:20.400
 I have something to say to you about that.

00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:25.680
 I have something to actually say in regard to unwanted pregnancies, for example.

00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:31.799
 It's an issue that exists in our community.

00:30:32.560 --> 00:30:36.039
 It's something perhaps we think, well, that's somebody else's business.

00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.840
 Others are dealing with that.

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:40.799
 There's not really anything for me to do in regard to it.

00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:46.400
 So perhaps we tend to just push it aside or just not really think of it very deeply.

00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:51.720
 But those here tonight are involved in the likes of pregnancy crisis.

00:30:52.920 --> 00:31:02.920
 And that, in fact, is one of the means by which an attempt is made to prevent abortions being carried out unnecessarily.

00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:08.580
 And then, of course, afterwards you find that there's a need for a support mechanism.

00:31:09.300 --> 00:31:17.240
 Not just for single mothers who have brought children into the world and who don't have a father with them to look after them, to help care for them.

00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:24.240
 There are also fathers like that whose wives have passed away, who are left with younger children to actually bring up.

00:31:24.300 --> 00:31:26.360
 And that's a great issue, the great problem.

00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:29.680
 That's something that we ourselves must take account of as well.

00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:37.500
 So wherever you find social problems, wherever you find this kind of situation, wherever you find single mothers for whatever reason,

00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:40.279
 God is saying to us, take note of that.

00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:45.480
 And take note of it in such a way that asks yourself, what can I do?

00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:50.799
 What can I contribute towards helping these people?

00:31:50.799 --> 00:32:01.059
 And of course, the primary emphasis in the passage is on God's interest in this woman and her boy.

00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:04.659
 It is God who is before us.

00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:09.200
 He is the main figure, not Hagar, not Ishmael, but God.

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.339
 She went into the wilderness.

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:15.480
 Abraham gave her this skin of water.

00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:19.360
 And then after that had gone.

00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:23.500
 After some time, she took her son.

00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:24.299
 She supported him.

00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:28.160
 You can imagine by this time, both of them would probably be very weak.

00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:33.519
 No water left, having wandered in the wilderness, in the heat and in the deprivation.

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:37.319
 And here they are, really exhausted.

00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:42.359
 And she puts him under, guides him under, probably leaning on each other.

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:47.819
 As you look at the imagery there, she placed him under one of the bushes.

00:32:48.500 --> 00:32:52.019
 Then she went and sat down opposite him, but not beside him.

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:55.980
 A long way off, a good way off, a bow shot, which is a fair distance.

00:32:56.859 --> 00:33:02.079
 And her words were, let me not look on the death of the child.

00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:08.179
 And she sat opposite him and lifted up her voice and wept.

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:17.359
 What a distressing situation for anyone to be in, especially for a mother to be in.

00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:22.779
 A child that she had brought into the world, now on the verge of becoming a young man.

00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:27.139
 And here he is, as far as she's concerned, in the process of dying.

00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:31.199
 And probably herself to die with him.

00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:33.240
 And then what happens?

00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:38.539
 God actually comes into the situation.

00:33:38.679 --> 00:33:40.059
 He's never actually been out of it.

00:33:40.679 --> 00:33:45.399
 But as she sat opposite him and there's, God heard the voice of the boy.

00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:48.599
 Now that's itself very interesting, isn't it?

00:33:48.939 --> 00:33:50.439
 Here is Hagar weeping.

00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:53.439
 Here is the child obviously weeping as well.

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:56.880
 And yet it's saying here, God heard the voice of the boy.

00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:59.500
 The boy was related to Abraham.

00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:07.559
 And being part of Abraham's wider circle of the family, God has a particular regard for this child

00:34:07.559 --> 00:34:10.000
 because of his link to Abraham himself.

00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:17.679
 And in any case, whatever you might say the reason is, it's an amazing thing that God heard the voice of the boy.

00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:24.519
 That God took note of that one individual young teenage boy in the wilderness of Beersheba.

00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:29.219
 Out of all the people in the world at that very moment, not that God wasn't aware of the others,

00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:33.419
 but the focus in the passage is, God heard the voice of the boy.

00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:40.000
 God was actually interested, concerned with this boy.

00:34:40.919 --> 00:34:42.779
 God had a future for this boy.

00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:46.059
 And there's another point that we need to bear in mind.

00:34:46.459 --> 00:34:53.039
 Because very often when we find people in certain circumstances in this world that have fallen on hard times,

00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:56.779
 we might say, well, poor so-and-so, there's not much hope for them.

00:34:56.840 --> 00:35:00.559
 What can they possibly contribute to society in a pathetic way?

00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:06.019
 We must never, ever come to such conclusions about people.

00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:12.820
 Because some of the greatest saints in history arose out of a deprived background

00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:20.559
 or a background where they began a life of excess such as Augustine so many years ago.

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:25.840
 Well, here is God coming to speak here to this woman.

00:35:26.900 --> 00:35:33.099
 And the angel that God used, the angel called to Hagar and said to her,

00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:34.519
 What troubles you, Hagar?

00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:40.000
 And there are two things that God revealed through the angel that Hagar needed to do.

00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:43.400
 First of all, she needed to rouse herself.

00:35:44.579 --> 00:35:46.079
 She needed to rouse herself.

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:49.440
 Because what God said to her, fear not.

00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:52.300
 For God has heard the voice of the boy.

00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:52.960
 Up!

00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:54.539
 Get up!

00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.960
 He's saying lift the boy.

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:57.300
 Take hold of him.

00:35:57.740 --> 00:35:58.260
 Go to him.

00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.380
 Take hold of him.

00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:03.380
 And you see, verse 17 there, you find him saying,

00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:06.679
 What troubles you, Hagar?

00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:08.240
 Fear not.

00:36:08.740 --> 00:36:10.940
 For God has heard the voice of the boy.

00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:14.360
 And then he says, at the end of verse 18,

00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.480
 Lift him up.

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:18.240
 I, for I will make him a great nation.

00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:26.839
 See, there's such an emphasis there on what you might say the imperative that God is giving,

00:36:26.919 --> 00:36:29.399
 the command, the instruction that God is giving,

00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:32.099
 but it's accompanied with the instructive.

00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:34.799
 And you'll always find that throughout Scripture.

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:42.159
 When God gives us a command, even though that command, because it's from God, should itself be enough for us to comply with,

00:36:42.599 --> 00:36:43.940
 and to give obedience to,

00:36:44.239 --> 00:36:48.400
 God in his kindness so very frequently gives an added explanation.

00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:50.259
 What's the purpose of this command?

00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:52.180
 Why am I commanding you this?

00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:53.920
 What is the meaning of this command?

00:36:54.180 --> 00:36:56.200
 What is attached to this command?

00:36:58.000 --> 00:37:00.840
 And here he is coming to this woman and saying,

00:37:01.260 --> 00:37:02.480
 Go and lift up your boy,

00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:05.400
 for I will make him a great nation.

00:37:05.540 --> 00:37:08.040
 There is really a great incentive for her.

00:37:08.300 --> 00:37:09.800
 Instead of as she thinks,

00:37:10.060 --> 00:37:11.560
 this boy is just going to die,

00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:13.140
 I don't want to see him die,

00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:16.800
 and therefore I'm going to remove myself from a distance from him,

00:37:17.020 --> 00:37:19.340
 so that I won't see such a traumatic thing happening.

00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.440
 Here is God saying,

00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.380
 No, he's not going to die.

00:37:21.620 --> 00:37:23.380
 I have a great future for him.

00:37:26.360 --> 00:37:27.519
 You see, God's command,

00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:30.880
 as it's accompanied by his explanations,

00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:37.780
 he really wants us to understand something of why he commands certain things from us.

00:37:38.480 --> 00:37:40.820
 He doesn't just give us a bare command and say,

00:37:41.200 --> 00:37:41.880
 Do that.

00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:43.079
 Or,

00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:44.340
 Don't do that.

00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:45.820
 He will always say,

00:37:46.140 --> 00:37:48.380
 Here's why I'm commanding you to do this.

00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:50.840
 Here is why I'm commanding you not to do that.

00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:55.619
 He tells us something of the importance of the actions attached to this,

00:37:55.680 --> 00:37:57.039
 the promise attached to it,

00:37:57.180 --> 00:37:59.380
 the purpose that God has in it.

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:03.000
 Isn't that a great kindness from God?

00:38:03.740 --> 00:38:08.000
 That he doesn't just throw out a command at you and say,

00:38:08.280 --> 00:38:09.660
 Here is what I want you to do.

00:38:09.740 --> 00:38:10.619
 Here is my command.

00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:11.380
 Do this.

00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:12.720
 No, he'll say,

00:38:12.719 --> 00:38:14.819
 This is my command to you,

00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:16.799
 but this is why I want you to comply.

00:38:17.259 --> 00:38:19.379
 This is why it will be good to you to comply.

00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:21.179
 Good for you to comply.

00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:23.799
 There is the kindness of God

00:38:23.799 --> 00:38:26.459
 as he adds these explanations,

00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:27.839
 these instructions

00:38:27.839 --> 00:38:30.759
 to accompany his imperatives,

00:38:30.859 --> 00:38:31.480
 his commands,

00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:33.980
 so that together we will see

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:35.760
 the purpose of God

00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:39.179
 and the way that God's interest in us

00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:40.500
 as human beings

00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:43.800
 is one that takes a very genuine interest in us.

00:38:44.179 --> 00:38:46.139
 He wants what is best for us.

00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:48.240
 He explains the commands to us

00:38:48.240 --> 00:38:49.079
 because he says,

00:38:49.539 --> 00:38:50.820
 I want what is best for you.

00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:53.119
 My purpose is what is best for you,

00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:55.619
 and therefore this is what it will lead to.

00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:57.859
 If you will obey me,

00:38:58.319 --> 00:38:59.400
 keep my commands.

00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:03.539
 And that's when he says to her,

00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:06.500
 Up, lift up the boy

00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:08.699
 and hold him fast with your hand.

00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:11.859
 Now, there's a lot of instruction in that itself,

00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:14.019
 and sometimes the Bible,

00:39:14.179 --> 00:39:15.119
 as you very well know,

00:39:15.239 --> 00:39:17.980
 does give us words from God

00:39:17.980 --> 00:39:21.359
 that are intended to rouse us into action,

00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:24.460
 are intended to just give us a push,

00:39:24.460 --> 00:39:24.940
 if you like.

00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:27.340
 Sometimes they're words that are very difficult,

00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:28.179
 very challenging.

00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:31.300
 Sometimes they're words that are really rebukes.

00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:33.539
 Why does God do that?

00:39:34.220 --> 00:39:35.880
 Well, because here is this woman.

00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:37.880
 She's no use to her son as she is.

00:39:38.639 --> 00:39:41.380
 She's lying here weeping herself.

00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:43.720
 She's withdrawn from her son,

00:39:44.179 --> 00:39:45.840
 but she needs to take action,

00:39:46.119 --> 00:39:47.740
 and the first action she needs to take

00:39:47.740 --> 00:39:49.119
 is action about herself.

00:39:50.280 --> 00:39:51.400
 She needs to get up.

00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:52.200
 She needs to rouse.

00:39:52.200 --> 00:39:53.480
 She needs to think.

00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:55.639
 Instead of looking in upon herself,

00:39:56.240 --> 00:39:58.380
 which is what you and I very often do as well,

00:39:59.219 --> 00:40:02.659
 she actually needs to take a grip of herself

00:40:02.659 --> 00:40:07.760
 and think about what God is saying about her son

00:40:07.760 --> 00:40:09.420
 and to go to her son.

00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:13.539
 Isn't that how very typical we are ourselves at times?

00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:19.680
 Instead of accepting things and just trying to move ahead

00:40:19.680 --> 00:40:20.720
 and get on top of things,

00:40:21.220 --> 00:40:24.119
 well, there's times when we just sometimes go into a bit of a slump,

00:40:25.360 --> 00:40:27.079
 when we really just look in on ourselves

00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:29.380
 and feel sorry for ourselves,

00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:31.259
 and when we,

00:40:31.960 --> 00:40:34.860
 even like others,

00:40:35.019 --> 00:40:35.880
 as we'll see in a minute,

00:40:36.579 --> 00:40:40.719
 begin to think even of God Himself somewhat critically

00:40:40.719 --> 00:40:44.619
 and really are not prepared to face the situation.

00:40:45.299 --> 00:40:46.500
 I'm not saying from that that

00:40:46.500 --> 00:40:48.639
 what you need to do with somebody

00:40:48.639 --> 00:40:50.099
 who's really having difficulties,

00:40:50.259 --> 00:40:52.380
 whether they're mental difficulties especially,

00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:54.579
 you just don't go to that sort of person

00:40:54.579 --> 00:40:55.119
 and come on,

00:40:55.200 --> 00:40:56.240
 get a grip of yourself.

00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:58.140
 That's not the way to handle it,

00:40:58.180 --> 00:40:59.320
 but here is God coming.

00:40:59.760 --> 00:41:01.440
 Here is God coming to this woman,

00:41:01.740 --> 00:41:03.140
 and what He's saying to us really is,

00:41:03.320 --> 00:41:03.720
 come on,

00:41:03.820 --> 00:41:04.320
 get up.

00:41:05.360 --> 00:41:06.360
 Deal with this.

00:41:07.320 --> 00:41:09.760
 Go and take a hold of your son,

00:41:09.760 --> 00:41:12.440
 because I have a great future for Him.

00:41:14.320 --> 00:41:16.820
 And maybe tonight that's your problem and mine.

00:41:17.900 --> 00:41:20.080
 Maybe we're thinking the problem lies with God.

00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:23.140
 Maybe we're thinking the problem lies with society.

00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:26.020
 Maybe it's the weight of the world around us.

00:41:26.880 --> 00:41:29.600
 Maybe it's the difficulties of the journey that we're on.

00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:32.060
 Maybe the difficulties really are ourselves.

00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:34.920
 Maybe we've just come to slump

00:41:34.920 --> 00:41:37.160
 into a measure of despondency.

00:41:37.159 --> 00:41:39.719
 Maybe we're expecting God to do something

00:41:39.719 --> 00:41:40.639
 and it hasn't happened.

00:41:41.980 --> 00:41:44.779
 And maybe we're just like this woman,

00:41:45.799 --> 00:41:47.579
 feeling very sorry for ourselves.

00:41:48.739 --> 00:41:50.839
 Well, God is saying to us tonight,

00:41:50.940 --> 00:41:51.359
 come on,

00:41:52.159 --> 00:41:52.679
 get up.

00:41:53.779 --> 00:41:56.539
 Think about what your life's about.

00:41:56.739 --> 00:42:00.139
 Think about God's purpose for His people.

00:42:00.659 --> 00:42:03.099
 Think positively, not negatively about the issue.

00:42:04.019 --> 00:42:05.299
 Up, He says to her.

00:42:05.299 --> 00:42:06.079
 Go.

00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:09.539
 And take hold of the boy.

00:42:09.679 --> 00:42:13.139
 Lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand.

00:42:14.359 --> 00:42:17.379
 Now that happens to the best of us.

00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:20.319
 And you'll find that in Scripture itself.

00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:22.099
 Let me just pick up a couple of examples.

00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:24.739
 Joshua chapter 7, for example,

00:42:25.319 --> 00:42:26.039
 verse 10.

00:42:26.460 --> 00:42:27.599
 You know the context there

00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:29.799
 where the people of Israel were defeated

00:42:29.799 --> 00:42:32.460
 as they tried to take the town of Ai.

00:42:32.460 --> 00:42:35.900
 They were defeated because they had disobeyed God.

00:42:36.780 --> 00:42:43.260
 And in the way in which the thing that God himself said was accursed,

00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:46.679
 they had taken that which was banned by God.

00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:53.400
 And Achan had taken this wedge of precious metal and hidden it.

00:42:53.400 --> 00:42:56.039
 And so God, in His displeasure,

00:42:56.160 --> 00:42:58.460
 was directing His displeasure against the people.

00:42:58.559 --> 00:43:00.660
 They were defeated at Ai.

00:43:02.139 --> 00:43:07.000
 And God actually dealt with it in a way that is interesting.

00:43:07.119 --> 00:43:07.780
 Here is Joshua.

00:43:07.780 --> 00:43:08.880
 Joshua, when this happened,

00:43:08.980 --> 00:43:10.039
 he tore his clothes

00:43:10.039 --> 00:43:12.599
 and he fell to the earth on his face

00:43:12.599 --> 00:43:15.259
 before the ark of the Lord until the evening.

00:43:16.039 --> 00:43:17.279
 He and the elders of Israel,

00:43:17.779 --> 00:43:19.199
 and they put dust on their heads.

00:43:19.239 --> 00:43:20.659
 And you might think just reading that far,

00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:25.380
 that here is Joshua really coming to positively face the issue

00:43:25.380 --> 00:43:27.619
 and wrestling with God in prayer.

00:43:27.759 --> 00:43:29.199
 Yes, he's speaking to God,

00:43:29.239 --> 00:43:30.079
 but what is he saying?

00:43:30.579 --> 00:43:30.900
 He said,

00:43:30.980 --> 00:43:32.800
 Oh, alas, O Lord God,

00:43:33.119 --> 00:43:35.039
 why have you brought this people

00:43:35.039 --> 00:43:37.860
 out of over the Jordan at all

00:43:37.860 --> 00:43:41.599
 to give us into the hands of the Ammonites to destroy us?

00:43:41.900 --> 00:43:45.140
 Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan.

00:43:46.240 --> 00:43:47.099
 What is he saying?

00:43:47.360 --> 00:43:48.160
 He's saying to the Lord,

00:43:48.360 --> 00:43:49.960
 It had been better for us, Lord,

00:43:50.220 --> 00:43:52.260
 had we never come to this place,

00:43:52.260 --> 00:43:53.820
 had we never crossed the Jordan.

00:43:54.140 --> 00:43:56.400
 He really is saying to the Lord effectively,

00:43:56.940 --> 00:43:58.400
 Lord, it would have been better for us

00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:00.820
 if your promise had been in another direction.

00:44:02.180 --> 00:44:03.720
 How does the Lord deal with him?

00:44:06.039 --> 00:44:07.740
 The Lord said to Joshua,

00:44:08.559 --> 00:44:09.200
 Get up.

00:44:10.220 --> 00:44:12.420
 Why have you fallen on your face?

00:44:13.000 --> 00:44:14.180
 Israel has sinned.

00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:16.079
 They have transgressed my covenant.

00:44:16.579 --> 00:44:18.460
 They have taken some of the devoted things.

00:44:18.840 --> 00:44:20.360
 They have stolen it and lied

00:44:20.360 --> 00:44:22.460
 and put them among their own belongings.

00:44:22.880 --> 00:44:24.660
 What is he saying to Joshua?

00:44:25.000 --> 00:44:25.360
 He's saying,

00:44:25.620 --> 00:44:26.960
 Don't lie there despairingly.

00:44:27.380 --> 00:44:28.860
 Don't lie there disconsultingly.

00:44:29.320 --> 00:44:31.160
 Don't lie there thinking that somehow or other,

00:44:31.539 --> 00:44:35.620
 I have had some measure of blame

00:44:35.619 --> 00:44:37.920
 and what I've done in leading you as a people in here.

00:44:38.339 --> 00:44:38.900
 Get up.

00:44:39.179 --> 00:44:40.079
 Deal with this.

00:44:41.380 --> 00:44:42.699
 Be positive about it.

00:44:44.440 --> 00:44:46.679
 Deal with the situation as it is.

00:44:48.019 --> 00:44:49.339
 Stop lying on the ground.

00:44:49.340 --> 00:44:53.800
 You can't redo what's happened,

00:44:54.480 --> 00:44:56.860
 but you can do something about it.

00:44:57.660 --> 00:44:59.980
 And you remember Elijah the same way.

00:45:01.039 --> 00:45:03.880
 Similarly, at least in 1 Kings chapter 19,

00:45:03.880 --> 00:45:07.280
 when he fled after the contest on Mount Carmel,

00:45:07.280 --> 00:45:09.680
 and then there was a message sent to him

00:45:09.680 --> 00:45:11.440
 that Jezebel was going to kill him.

00:45:12.460 --> 00:45:13.100
 And he ran,

00:45:13.600 --> 00:45:15.220
 and he made his way into the wilderness.

00:45:16.400 --> 00:45:17.060
 And what did he do?

00:45:17.120 --> 00:45:19.060
 He lay under a tree there

00:45:19.060 --> 00:45:22.120
 and complained to the Lord,

00:45:22.200 --> 00:45:24.060
 Alas, Lord, it is enough.

00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:26.920
 Now, Lord, take away my life,

00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:28.780
 for I am no better than my father's.

00:45:28.920 --> 00:45:30.440
 In other words, he's really saying to the Lord,

00:45:30.680 --> 00:45:31.880
 My ministry is useless.

00:45:33.360 --> 00:45:35.120
 Nothing's happening in response

00:45:35.119 --> 00:45:36.940
 to what I'm saying to these people.

00:45:37.199 --> 00:45:39.239
 They're not turning to obey you, Lord.

00:45:39.500 --> 00:45:41.179
 They're not turning to listen properly

00:45:41.179 --> 00:45:42.400
 to what I have to say to them.

00:45:42.599 --> 00:45:44.559
 They go on in the rebellion against me.

00:45:44.619 --> 00:45:46.259
 What is the point of going on?

00:45:47.400 --> 00:45:48.339
 What did the Lord do?

00:45:49.279 --> 00:45:50.119
 Well, he came to him,

00:45:50.119 --> 00:45:51.440
 an angel, and said,

00:45:52.279 --> 00:45:55.380
 What are you doing here, Elijah?

00:45:57.359 --> 00:45:58.659
 Twice he said that.

00:45:59.799 --> 00:46:01.480
 Once before the angel came

00:46:01.480 --> 00:46:03.920
 and brought him some food and so on,

00:46:03.960 --> 00:46:04.739
 and once afterward.

00:46:05.119 --> 00:46:06.039
 But this is the question

00:46:06.039 --> 00:46:07.039
 that God put to him.

00:46:07.440 --> 00:46:09.460
 What are you doing here, Elijah?

00:46:10.159 --> 00:46:11.259
 What's leaving you here?

00:46:11.539 --> 00:46:13.679
 What's the meaning of you being here

00:46:13.679 --> 00:46:15.099
 rather than where I put you

00:46:15.099 --> 00:46:16.420
 to be a leader,

00:46:16.599 --> 00:46:18.259
 to be a voice to these people

00:46:18.259 --> 00:46:19.279
 of my will?

00:46:22.059 --> 00:46:22.819
 And so,

00:46:23.400 --> 00:46:25.400
 what he said to him then was,

00:46:26.619 --> 00:46:27.920
 Get up, go on your way.

00:46:28.980 --> 00:46:29.980
 Back on your journey.

00:46:30.179 --> 00:46:31.619
 Back to where you should be.

00:46:31.619 --> 00:46:33.739
 And it's similar

00:46:33.739 --> 00:46:34.940
 what he's saying here

00:46:34.940 --> 00:46:35.639
 to Hagar,

00:46:36.219 --> 00:46:36.599
 up,

00:46:37.279 --> 00:46:38.639
 lift up the boy.

00:46:39.400 --> 00:46:39.980
 Go to him.

00:46:40.500 --> 00:46:41.579
 Get up from where you are.

00:46:42.000 --> 00:46:43.219
 Deal with the situation.

00:46:44.799 --> 00:46:45.719
 And here we are tonight,

00:46:45.799 --> 00:46:47.719
 whatever situation in life

00:46:47.719 --> 00:46:48.319
 we're facing,

00:46:49.079 --> 00:46:49.799
 and there are some

00:46:49.799 --> 00:46:51.199
 much more difficult

00:46:51.199 --> 00:46:52.319
 than other situations.

00:46:52.320 --> 00:46:53.760
 But what God is saying is,

00:46:54.700 --> 00:46:56.340
 here is my word to you.

00:46:57.140 --> 00:46:58.760
 Don't just brood over it.

00:46:59.420 --> 00:47:00.880
 Don't keep it all inside.

00:47:01.980 --> 00:47:03.340
 Don't look in on yourself.

00:47:05.559 --> 00:47:06.400
 Get up.

00:47:06.980 --> 00:47:07.600
 Be positive.

00:47:09.100 --> 00:47:09.880
 Deal with it.

00:47:11.039 --> 00:47:12.820
 Do what the Scripture says to you.

00:47:13.700 --> 00:47:14.580
 Bring it to God.

00:47:14.900 --> 00:47:15.600
 Pray over it.

00:47:15.599 --> 00:47:18.219
 Act as God would have you

00:47:18.219 --> 00:47:19.259
 to act

00:47:19.259 --> 00:47:21.219
 in regard to it.

00:47:22.440 --> 00:47:23.019
 So there is,

00:47:23.279 --> 00:47:23.659
 she needed

00:47:23.659 --> 00:47:24.860
 to rouse herself.

00:47:25.000 --> 00:47:25.539
 The second thing,

00:47:25.819 --> 00:47:27.299
 the time is passing fast,

00:47:27.460 --> 00:47:28.519
 and I need to move on

00:47:28.519 --> 00:47:29.219
 to the second point,

00:47:29.299 --> 00:47:29.619
 which is

00:47:29.619 --> 00:47:31.400
 that she needed to give attention

00:47:31.400 --> 00:47:32.239
 to her son.

00:47:32.400 --> 00:47:32.639
 Of course,

00:47:32.679 --> 00:47:33.400
 we've mentioned that

00:47:33.400 --> 00:47:35.279
 in the course of her study so far.

00:47:35.360 --> 00:47:35.819
 But she says,

00:47:36.219 --> 00:47:37.139
 Lift up the boy.

00:47:37.819 --> 00:47:39.480
 Hold him fast with your hand,

00:47:39.779 --> 00:47:40.559
 for I will make him

00:47:40.559 --> 00:47:41.400
 into a great nation.

00:47:41.460 --> 00:47:41.799
 In other words,

00:47:42.119 --> 00:47:43.099
 take hold of him.

00:47:43.699 --> 00:47:44.500
 Take hold of him

00:47:44.500 --> 00:47:46.400
 and hold him fast

00:47:46.400 --> 00:47:47.079
 is really the meaning

00:47:47.079 --> 00:47:47.619
 of the words.

00:47:47.699 --> 00:47:48.119
 Now imagine

00:47:48.119 --> 00:47:49.400
 what that would have meant

00:47:49.400 --> 00:47:50.480
 at that stage

00:47:50.480 --> 00:47:51.519
 for Ishmael.

00:47:51.579 --> 00:47:52.219
 Here he was.

00:47:52.440 --> 00:47:53.480
 His mother had left him there.

00:47:53.539 --> 00:47:54.880
 She went a distance from him.

00:47:55.199 --> 00:47:56.239
 He could hardly see her.

00:47:56.280 --> 00:47:57.000
 Here he was,

00:47:57.420 --> 00:47:59.179
 faced with the prospect of death

00:47:59.179 --> 00:47:59.920
 and his mother is

00:47:59.920 --> 00:48:01.179
 nowhere near him.

00:48:01.480 --> 00:48:02.039
 Imagine now,

00:48:02.119 --> 00:48:02.960
 here's his mother coming

00:48:02.960 --> 00:48:04.239
 and taking him up

00:48:04.239 --> 00:48:05.000
 and holding him

00:48:05.000 --> 00:48:05.900
 and leading him on

00:48:05.900 --> 00:48:06.699
 and supporting him.

00:48:06.880 --> 00:48:07.380
 What a difference

00:48:07.380 --> 00:48:08.619
 that would have made

00:48:08.619 --> 00:48:10.280
 to his mind,

00:48:10.400 --> 00:48:11.460
 to his mental state,

00:48:12.099 --> 00:48:12.860
 would have made to him

00:48:12.860 --> 00:48:13.659
 at that moment.

00:48:14.500 --> 00:48:15.880
 And that's really

00:48:15.880 --> 00:48:17.480
 something that is

00:48:17.480 --> 00:48:18.340
 so important

00:48:18.340 --> 00:48:20.099
 because you can actually

00:48:20.099 --> 00:48:21.079
 take that in its

00:48:21.079 --> 00:48:23.179
 spiritual dimensions as well

00:48:23.179 --> 00:48:24.400
 and its moral dimensions.

00:48:24.960 --> 00:48:25.980
 We're in the world,

00:48:26.340 --> 00:48:26.679
 friends,

00:48:26.980 --> 00:48:28.920
 to actually be in a position

00:48:28.920 --> 00:48:29.820
 wherever possible

00:48:29.820 --> 00:48:31.500
 to take hold of other lives,

00:48:31.579 --> 00:48:32.480
 to lift them up,

00:48:32.639 --> 00:48:33.900
 to bring them support,

00:48:34.039 --> 00:48:34.880
 to remember them

00:48:34.880 --> 00:48:35.960
 in such a way

00:48:35.960 --> 00:48:37.599
 that would do everything

00:48:37.599 --> 00:48:38.639
 possible for them

00:48:38.639 --> 00:48:39.760
 and especially to lead them

00:48:39.760 --> 00:48:40.440
 to the Lord.

00:48:40.440 --> 00:48:40.639
 Lord.

00:48:43.000 --> 00:48:43.320
 I mean,

00:48:43.360 --> 00:48:44.619
 one of the greatest

00:48:44.619 --> 00:48:46.320
 instances of that

00:48:46.320 --> 00:48:48.280
 is in the parable

00:48:48.280 --> 00:48:49.260
 of the prodigal son

00:48:49.260 --> 00:48:49.820
 as we call it

00:48:49.820 --> 00:48:50.599
 in Luke 15.

00:48:52.420 --> 00:48:54.019
 And there is the prodigal

00:48:54.019 --> 00:48:55.079
 having returned home

00:48:55.079 --> 00:48:56.740
 as he had come to realize

00:48:56.740 --> 00:48:57.720
 his foolishness.

00:48:58.519 --> 00:48:59.300
 He had come back

00:48:59.300 --> 00:49:01.480
 to confess to his father

00:49:01.480 --> 00:49:02.480
 that he'd done wrong.

00:49:02.820 --> 00:49:03.159
 And remember,

00:49:03.240 --> 00:49:03.900
 the father there

00:49:03.900 --> 00:49:06.539
 is really symbolical

00:49:06.539 --> 00:49:07.019
 of Jesus,

00:49:07.179 --> 00:49:08.500
 represents Jesus

00:49:08.500 --> 00:49:09.539
 who receives sinners

00:49:09.539 --> 00:49:10.360
 and eats with them.

00:49:10.920 --> 00:49:12.019
 What did the father do?

00:49:12.420 --> 00:49:14.639
 His father embraced him.

00:49:15.599 --> 00:49:17.059
 He hugged him closely

00:49:17.059 --> 00:49:17.860
 to his bosom.

00:49:18.260 --> 00:49:19.199
 You imagine the difference

00:49:19.199 --> 00:49:19.980
 if his father

00:49:19.980 --> 00:49:20.880
 had just stood at the door

00:49:20.880 --> 00:49:21.219
 and said,

00:49:21.519 --> 00:49:22.719
 well, it's good that you're back, son,

00:49:22.760 --> 00:49:23.760
 but go and wash yourself

00:49:23.760 --> 00:49:24.900
 and then I might think

00:49:24.900 --> 00:49:26.340
 about accepting you.

00:49:27.739 --> 00:49:29.059
 He took him as he was.

00:49:29.940 --> 00:49:31.380
 He threw his arms around him.

00:49:31.579 --> 00:49:32.480
 He fell on his neck

00:49:32.480 --> 00:49:33.320
 and kissed him

00:49:33.320 --> 00:49:34.280
 are the words

00:49:34.280 --> 00:49:35.280
 of the Scripture there.

00:49:35.280 --> 00:49:39.680
 And that must have been

00:49:39.680 --> 00:49:43.380
 such an immensely important moment

00:49:43.380 --> 00:49:44.260
 for that son.

00:49:45.640 --> 00:49:47.340
 Because there is the warmth,

00:49:48.040 --> 00:49:49.420
 not just of a touch,

00:49:49.540 --> 00:49:51.180
 but of a wonderful hug

00:49:51.180 --> 00:49:52.740
 from the father.

00:49:53.880 --> 00:49:55.080
 The touch that says,

00:49:55.720 --> 00:49:57.260
 I am so pleased

00:49:57.260 --> 00:49:57.940
 that you're back,

00:49:58.100 --> 00:49:59.220
 genuinely delighted

00:49:59.220 --> 00:50:01.120
 that you've come back home,

00:50:01.600 --> 00:50:02.060
 my son.

00:50:02.059 --> 00:50:04.079
 And Rembrandt,

00:50:04.159 --> 00:50:04.860
 the great painter,

00:50:05.380 --> 00:50:06.759
 has a wonderful painting

00:50:06.759 --> 00:50:08.599
 of the return of the prodigal

00:50:08.599 --> 00:50:09.299
 as it's called.

00:50:09.860 --> 00:50:10.860
 And you'll find it easily enough

00:50:10.860 --> 00:50:11.279
 on Google.

00:50:11.380 --> 00:50:11.960
 Have a look at it.

00:50:12.039 --> 00:50:13.659
 It's a wonderful study

00:50:13.659 --> 00:50:14.900
 of that passage

00:50:14.900 --> 00:50:16.219
 in the form of a painting.

00:50:16.719 --> 00:50:17.579
 There is the prodigal

00:50:17.579 --> 00:50:18.420
 on his knees

00:50:18.420 --> 00:50:19.179
 before the father

00:50:19.179 --> 00:50:19.920
 in his rags.

00:50:20.360 --> 00:50:21.639
 His father has his hands

00:50:21.639 --> 00:50:22.139
 around him,

00:50:22.400 --> 00:50:25.079
 his hands on his back shoulder.

00:50:25.079 --> 00:50:28.500
 And then there's a dark figure

00:50:28.500 --> 00:50:30.119
 on the right of the painting,

00:50:30.940 --> 00:50:31.779
 well-dressed,

00:50:32.719 --> 00:50:33.880
 wringing his hands,

00:50:35.299 --> 00:50:38.279
 looking with a sense

00:50:38.279 --> 00:50:41.019
 of deep, deep abhorrence

00:50:41.019 --> 00:50:42.679
 at what's happening

00:50:42.679 --> 00:50:43.480
 in front of him.

00:50:44.219 --> 00:50:45.400
 This is the elder brother.

00:50:46.460 --> 00:50:47.279
 This is the one

00:50:47.279 --> 00:50:48.319
 who didn't want the son

00:50:48.319 --> 00:50:49.679
 really back at all

00:50:49.679 --> 00:50:50.299
 in the family,

00:50:50.659 --> 00:50:52.159
 who resented the fact

00:50:52.159 --> 00:50:53.059
 that he'd come back

00:50:53.059 --> 00:50:55.519
 after all that he had done.

00:50:57.099 --> 00:50:58.639
 And the painting represents

00:50:58.639 --> 00:51:00.219
 just the dark,

00:51:00.880 --> 00:51:01.639
 foreboding,

00:51:02.679 --> 00:51:06.079
 and critical attitude

00:51:06.079 --> 00:51:07.299
 of that elder brother.

00:51:08.679 --> 00:51:10.019
 What he's really saying is,

00:51:10.579 --> 00:51:11.920
 how can my father

00:51:11.920 --> 00:51:13.500
 ever receive

00:51:13.500 --> 00:51:15.380
 such a person back again

00:51:15.380 --> 00:51:16.940
 after all he's done?

00:51:17.179 --> 00:51:18.199
 Well, it's representative,

00:51:18.420 --> 00:51:19.299
 as we said, of Jesus.

00:51:19.299 --> 00:51:21.480
 This man receives sinners

00:51:21.480 --> 00:51:22.799
 and eats with them.

00:51:23.059 --> 00:51:24.340
 That's the difference

00:51:24.340 --> 00:51:26.139
 between the Lord's mind,

00:51:26.500 --> 00:51:27.880
 between God's attitude,

00:51:28.320 --> 00:51:29.500
 and that of the critic,

00:51:29.960 --> 00:51:30.679
 that of the person

00:51:30.679 --> 00:51:31.299
 who says,

00:51:31.699 --> 00:51:33.539
 no, that's just not right.

00:51:34.920 --> 00:51:36.119
 And here is God looking

00:51:36.119 --> 00:51:38.900
 at this woman and her son

00:51:38.900 --> 00:51:41.480
 and showing compassion

00:51:41.480 --> 00:51:43.480
 and saying,

00:51:43.639 --> 00:51:44.239
 lift up the boy

00:51:44.239 --> 00:51:45.380
 and hold him fast

00:51:45.380 --> 00:51:46.199
 with your hand.

00:51:47.380 --> 00:51:48.440
 Do for him

00:51:48.440 --> 00:51:50.559
 what God does for sinners.

00:51:50.559 --> 00:51:53.099
 do for him

00:51:53.099 --> 00:51:54.920
 what will assure him

00:51:54.920 --> 00:51:57.420
 that all is well,

00:51:58.420 --> 00:51:59.519
 for I will make him

00:51:59.519 --> 00:52:01.219
 a great nation.

00:52:02.360 --> 00:52:03.500
 Friends, today we have

00:52:03.500 --> 00:52:04.960
 great challenges

00:52:04.960 --> 00:52:06.119
 facing us

00:52:06.119 --> 00:52:07.119
 as far as our children

00:52:07.119 --> 00:52:07.739
 are concerned,

00:52:07.820 --> 00:52:08.299
 especially

00:52:08.299 --> 00:52:10.000
 when we think of

00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:10.639
 all the challenges

00:52:10.639 --> 00:52:11.340
 facing them

00:52:11.340 --> 00:52:13.099
 in the society of today.

00:52:13.840 --> 00:52:14.960
 We have to take hold

00:52:14.960 --> 00:52:15.320
 of them

00:52:15.320 --> 00:52:16.599
 in a spiritual sense,

00:52:16.639 --> 00:52:17.619
 in a prayerful sense,

00:52:17.619 --> 00:52:18.880
 and hold them up.

00:52:19.219 --> 00:52:20.079
 That's what we're doing

00:52:20.079 --> 00:52:21.420
 in terms of the work

00:52:21.420 --> 00:52:22.259
 of the congregation

00:52:22.259 --> 00:52:23.539
 and other congregations

00:52:23.539 --> 00:52:24.659
 that have activities

00:52:24.659 --> 00:52:25.599
 for young people,

00:52:25.679 --> 00:52:26.279
 for children.

00:52:26.699 --> 00:52:27.900
 We've just had a holiday club

00:52:27.900 --> 00:52:29.259
 with a marvelously

00:52:29.259 --> 00:52:30.380
 encouraging attendance

00:52:30.380 --> 00:52:31.619
 of some 80 children

00:52:31.619 --> 00:52:32.299
 throughout the whole

00:52:32.299 --> 00:52:32.940
 of that week.

00:52:33.159 --> 00:52:33.960
 What is that doing

00:52:33.960 --> 00:52:34.619
 to our hearts?

00:52:34.699 --> 00:52:35.239
 It's doing this.

00:52:35.440 --> 00:52:36.519
 We're holding these children

00:52:36.519 --> 00:52:37.279
 up to the Lord.

00:52:37.380 --> 00:52:37.839
 We're saying,

00:52:38.400 --> 00:52:39.619
 as we take hold of them

00:52:39.619 --> 00:52:40.359
 in that sense,

00:52:40.980 --> 00:52:41.500
 we're saying,

00:52:41.579 --> 00:52:41.859
 Lord,

00:52:42.059 --> 00:52:43.679
 please bless these children.

00:52:43.900 --> 00:52:44.579
 Make them great

00:52:44.579 --> 00:52:45.239
 in your kingdom.

00:52:46.759 --> 00:52:47.440
 Make it to be

00:52:47.440 --> 00:52:48.699
 that just like this boy,

00:52:49.900 --> 00:52:50.559
 you will make them

00:52:50.559 --> 00:52:51.500
 into a great nation.

00:52:53.500 --> 00:52:54.420
 Take hold of them.

00:52:54.500 --> 00:52:55.059
 Hold them up.

00:52:55.799 --> 00:52:56.039
 And you know,

00:52:56.099 --> 00:52:56.799
 one of the great things

00:52:56.799 --> 00:52:58.219
 to have noted

00:52:58.219 --> 00:52:58.920
 over the course

00:52:58.920 --> 00:52:59.440
 of that week,

00:52:59.519 --> 00:53:01.039
 not that it's anything new

00:53:01.039 --> 00:53:01.719
 by any means,

00:53:01.799 --> 00:53:03.679
 is the number of yourselves

00:53:03.679 --> 00:53:04.460
 as adults,

00:53:04.559 --> 00:53:05.119
 and some of you,

00:53:05.259 --> 00:53:06.319
 even in the later stages

00:53:06.319 --> 00:53:06.840
 of life,

00:53:07.099 --> 00:53:08.460
 if you don't mind my saying so,

00:53:08.819 --> 00:53:09.559
 like myself,

00:53:10.699 --> 00:53:11.659
 who really took

00:53:11.659 --> 00:53:12.599
 such an interest

00:53:12.599 --> 00:53:14.659
 in that holiday club,

00:53:14.739 --> 00:53:15.460
 in these children,

00:53:16.159 --> 00:53:17.199
 in all the preparations

00:53:17.199 --> 00:53:18.239
 and in the aftermath.

00:53:18.679 --> 00:53:19.559
 And I know you're following

00:53:19.559 --> 00:53:20.460
 with your prayers.

00:53:20.539 --> 00:53:21.119
 What are you doing?

00:53:21.519 --> 00:53:22.860
 You're actually taking hold

00:53:22.860 --> 00:53:24.000
 of these children.

00:53:24.099 --> 00:53:24.960
 You're taking hold of them

00:53:24.960 --> 00:53:25.980
 and placing them

00:53:25.980 --> 00:53:26.839
 before the Lord,

00:53:27.739 --> 00:53:28.339
 and you're seeking

00:53:28.339 --> 00:53:29.639
 God's continued blessing

00:53:29.639 --> 00:53:30.739
 for them.

00:53:31.199 --> 00:53:31.440
 Up,

00:53:31.779 --> 00:53:32.799
 take hold of the boy.

00:53:32.900 --> 00:53:33.380
 Lift him up.

00:53:33.679 --> 00:53:34.940
 Hold him fast with your hand,

00:53:35.559 --> 00:53:36.400
 for I will make him

00:53:36.400 --> 00:53:37.039
 a great nation.

00:53:37.139 --> 00:53:37.839
 And then what you see

00:53:37.839 --> 00:53:40.039
 is that God opened her eyes

00:53:40.039 --> 00:53:41.579
 and she saw a well of water.

00:53:42.599 --> 00:53:43.839
 And she went and filled the skin

00:53:43.839 --> 00:53:45.759
 and gave the boy a drink.

00:53:48.380 --> 00:53:49.759
 She needed to give attention

00:53:49.759 --> 00:53:50.440
 to her son,

00:53:50.559 --> 00:53:50.880
 but you see,

00:53:50.920 --> 00:53:51.819
 as we said at the beginning,

00:53:52.440 --> 00:53:53.319
 the great figure

00:53:53.319 --> 00:53:55.299
 in the passage is God.

00:53:56.559 --> 00:53:58.139
 God showed her

00:53:58.139 --> 00:53:59.980
 a well of water.

00:54:00.119 --> 00:54:01.259
 He opened her eyes.

00:54:02.019 --> 00:54:03.219
 She obviously wasn't aware

00:54:03.219 --> 00:54:04.839
 of this well of water

00:54:04.839 --> 00:54:05.759
 and it couldn't have been

00:54:05.759 --> 00:54:06.679
 very far away.

00:54:07.339 --> 00:54:08.019
 And there's a meaning

00:54:08.019 --> 00:54:09.099
 in that for us as well,

00:54:09.239 --> 00:54:10.719
 without stretching the point

00:54:10.719 --> 00:54:11.439
 too far.

00:54:11.839 --> 00:54:12.899
 But isn't it the case

00:54:12.899 --> 00:54:14.319
 that when we slump

00:54:14.319 --> 00:54:16.779
 into a sense of despondency

00:54:16.779 --> 00:54:17.379
 and gloom

00:54:17.379 --> 00:54:18.819
 and look in upon ourselves

00:54:18.819 --> 00:54:20.439
 and really then,

00:54:20.579 --> 00:54:21.279
 just as we said

00:54:21.279 --> 00:54:22.279
 with this woman,

00:54:23.199 --> 00:54:24.719
 just feel sorry

00:54:24.719 --> 00:54:25.419
 for ourselves

00:54:25.419 --> 00:54:26.739
 and look inwardly

00:54:26.739 --> 00:54:27.859
 instead of looking positively,

00:54:28.699 --> 00:54:29.859
 we don't actually see

00:54:29.859 --> 00:54:30.819
 where the water is.

00:54:31.259 --> 00:54:32.359
 Our eyes are blinded

00:54:32.359 --> 00:54:33.059
 to the source

00:54:33.059 --> 00:54:34.079
 of our blessing.

00:54:34.379 --> 00:54:35.719
 We lose sight of God himself

00:54:35.719 --> 00:54:37.519
 to an extent.

00:54:39.379 --> 00:54:41.179
 And we need to be redirected

00:54:41.179 --> 00:54:44.500
 and we need to be shown

00:54:44.500 --> 00:54:45.619
 by God himself.

00:54:46.179 --> 00:54:47.259
 Actually, you've traveled

00:54:47.259 --> 00:54:49.059
 a bit from the well,

00:54:49.159 --> 00:54:50.639
 but it's not that far from you.

00:54:51.439 --> 00:54:52.019
 Here it is.

00:54:52.099 --> 00:54:53.159
 Go and take a drink of it.

00:54:54.759 --> 00:54:56.239
 It's for our refreshment,

00:54:56.339 --> 00:54:58.059
 the well of God's truth,

00:54:59.039 --> 00:55:00.439
 the well that God's salvation

00:55:00.439 --> 00:55:01.939
 is for us.

00:55:02.840 --> 00:55:04.300
 And we always need

00:55:04.300 --> 00:55:05.340
 to keep that in view,

00:55:05.440 --> 00:55:05.840
 don't we?

00:55:06.679 --> 00:55:08.460
 That was the problem

00:55:08.460 --> 00:55:08.960
 with Peter

00:55:08.960 --> 00:55:10.300
 when he stepped out

00:55:10.300 --> 00:55:11.039
 onto the sea

00:55:11.039 --> 00:55:11.920
 and began to walk

00:55:11.920 --> 00:55:12.860
 towards Jesus.

00:55:13.900 --> 00:55:15.220
 And the first few steps,

00:55:15.280 --> 00:55:16.360
 he was very successful.

00:55:18.059 --> 00:55:18.800
 And then what happened?

00:55:18.880 --> 00:55:20.619
 He heard the wind

00:55:20.619 --> 00:55:21.960
 and he saw the waves

00:55:21.960 --> 00:55:23.000
 and he looked around him

00:55:23.000 --> 00:55:24.260
 and he began to panic.

00:55:24.480 --> 00:55:25.460
 And as he began to panic,

00:55:25.679 --> 00:55:26.820
 he took his eye off the Lord.

00:55:26.980 --> 00:55:28.400
 And as he took his eye

00:55:28.400 --> 00:55:28.880
 off the Lord,

00:55:29.039 --> 00:55:30.159
 he began to sink.

00:55:30.159 --> 00:55:33.159
 And so it is with ourselves.

00:55:33.319 --> 00:55:34.399
 You take your eye off the Lord,

00:55:34.480 --> 00:55:36.460
 inevitably you're going to sink.

00:55:36.980 --> 00:55:38.039
 You're not going to be actually

00:55:38.039 --> 00:55:40.019
 going forwards in your life.

00:55:41.219 --> 00:55:42.359
 Keep your eye on the Lord.

00:55:42.819 --> 00:55:43.559
 Keep your eye on him

00:55:43.559 --> 00:55:44.619
 as far as possible

00:55:44.619 --> 00:55:46.199
 in all the circumstances of life,

00:55:46.239 --> 00:55:47.420
 even in the difficult ways,

00:55:47.699 --> 00:55:49.059
 in the challenging ways.

00:55:49.759 --> 00:55:51.219
 Don't take your eye off Jesus.

00:55:51.940 --> 00:55:53.239
 Isn't that what Hebrews tells us?

00:55:53.339 --> 00:55:54.619
 Well, let's run the race

00:55:54.619 --> 00:55:55.879
 that is set before us,

00:55:56.239 --> 00:55:57.719
 looking unto Jesus,

00:55:57.719 --> 00:56:00.059
 the author and finisher

00:56:00.059 --> 00:56:01.119
 of our faith,

00:56:02.000 --> 00:56:04.299
 looking unto him.

00:56:04.699 --> 00:56:06.059
 Because he's always ahead of us.

00:56:07.159 --> 00:56:07.839
 I think that's such

00:56:07.839 --> 00:56:09.699
 a marvelous emphasis.

00:56:10.139 --> 00:56:11.539
 Again, going back to Elijah,

00:56:12.459 --> 00:56:13.139
 where Elijah,

00:56:13.759 --> 00:56:14.539
 and here is again

00:56:14.539 --> 00:56:16.119
 God's command coming to him

00:56:16.119 --> 00:56:16.879
 as he's there

00:56:16.879 --> 00:56:17.839
 at the brook Kareth,

00:56:18.500 --> 00:56:19.879
 being fed by the ravens,

00:56:20.079 --> 00:56:21.219
 miraculously by God,

00:56:21.539 --> 00:56:22.419
 God's care for him.

00:56:22.639 --> 00:56:23.579
 But then God comes

00:56:23.579 --> 00:56:24.539
 and says to him one day,

00:56:24.539 --> 00:56:26.420
 get out from here

00:56:26.420 --> 00:56:28.860
 and go to Zarephath.

00:56:30.360 --> 00:56:32.440
 For I have commanded

00:56:32.440 --> 00:56:34.440
 a widow woman there

00:56:34.440 --> 00:56:35.579
 to feed you,

00:56:35.639 --> 00:56:36.599
 to look after you.

00:56:37.500 --> 00:56:39.219
 You see, it doesn't matter

00:56:39.219 --> 00:56:42.320
 what God is leading you to

00:56:42.320 --> 00:56:43.300
 as a Christian

00:56:43.300 --> 00:56:45.059
 from day to day,

00:56:45.139 --> 00:56:46.079
 from moment to moment,

00:56:46.400 --> 00:56:47.099
 from month to month,

00:56:47.159 --> 00:56:48.000
 from year to year.

00:56:48.519 --> 00:56:49.800
 But you will always find

00:56:49.800 --> 00:56:51.599
 that whatever is his purpose

00:56:51.599 --> 00:56:52.199
 for you,

00:56:52.199 --> 00:56:53.920
 he's always there before you.

00:56:55.079 --> 00:56:56.179
 He's always going ahead

00:56:56.179 --> 00:56:57.639
 to prepare the way for you.

00:56:58.880 --> 00:57:00.099
 You will always find him,

00:57:00.519 --> 00:57:02.000
 even if you're at the brook Kareth,

00:57:02.559 --> 00:57:03.099
 and he's saying,

00:57:03.179 --> 00:57:04.559
 I want you to go to such and such,

00:57:05.159 --> 00:57:06.119
 you will always find him

00:57:06.119 --> 00:57:06.900
 there ahead of you.

00:57:07.440 --> 00:57:08.219
 You will always find

00:57:08.219 --> 00:57:09.360
 his preparation there

00:57:09.360 --> 00:57:10.739
 before you reach it.

00:57:11.860 --> 00:57:13.139
 What a great God we have.

00:57:14.259 --> 00:57:15.279
 What a marvelous God

00:57:15.279 --> 00:57:16.480
 to care for us

00:57:16.480 --> 00:57:17.820
 in such a detailed way,

00:57:18.639 --> 00:57:19.960
 in such a wonderful,

00:57:20.779 --> 00:57:21.860
 compassionate way.

00:57:21.860 --> 00:57:24.599
 Well, she opened her eyes,

00:57:25.180 --> 00:57:26.099
 God opened her eyes,

00:57:26.200 --> 00:57:28.320
 and she saw this well,

00:57:29.460 --> 00:57:30.340
 and she went and filled

00:57:30.340 --> 00:57:31.220
 the skin with water

00:57:31.220 --> 00:57:33.320
 and gave the boy a drink.

00:57:35.720 --> 00:57:37.140
 And the boy grew.

00:57:38.240 --> 00:57:39.059
 He lived in the wilderness,

00:57:39.280 --> 00:57:40.300
 and God was with him.

00:57:41.440 --> 00:57:42.880
 And he lived in the wilderness

00:57:42.880 --> 00:57:44.500
 of Paran.

00:57:44.660 --> 00:57:45.640
 He became himself

00:57:45.640 --> 00:57:47.620
 a great nation,

00:57:47.720 --> 00:57:48.840
 the head of a great people.

00:57:48.840 --> 00:57:52.019
 But it's all due to God.

00:57:53.620 --> 00:57:54.440
 And here is God

00:57:54.440 --> 00:57:55.340
 saying to us tonight,

00:57:55.940 --> 00:57:57.640
 where are you in relation

00:57:57.640 --> 00:57:58.500
 to my will,

00:57:58.600 --> 00:57:59.320
 to my command?

00:58:00.200 --> 00:58:01.720
 Are you just hiding from it?

00:58:02.620 --> 00:58:04.200
 Do you think it's too much for you?

00:58:04.920 --> 00:58:05.840
 Do you think I don't have

00:58:05.840 --> 00:58:07.220
 the resources to help you

00:58:07.220 --> 00:58:08.620
 to face whatever it is

00:58:08.620 --> 00:58:09.820
 I'm commanding you to do,

00:58:10.240 --> 00:58:11.400
 however much of a challenge

00:58:11.400 --> 00:58:12.420
 you may think it is?

00:58:13.760 --> 00:58:15.059
 Here is God saying to you,

00:58:15.480 --> 00:58:16.820
 these circumstances you're in,

00:58:16.880 --> 00:58:17.740
 yes, they're difficult.

00:58:17.739 --> 00:58:19.639
 I know their difficulties,

00:58:19.779 --> 00:58:21.679
 because I have ordained them for you.

00:58:22.139 --> 00:58:23.719
 I have chosen them for you.

00:58:24.199 --> 00:58:24.919
 Don't despair.

00:58:25.119 --> 00:58:25.739
 Fear not.

00:58:27.819 --> 00:58:29.959
 Because for all of my people,

00:58:30.379 --> 00:58:31.619
 I'm with them.

00:58:31.819 --> 00:58:32.719
 I'm ahead of them.

00:58:33.139 --> 00:58:34.000
 I'm behind them.

00:58:34.059 --> 00:58:34.839
 I'm beneath them.

00:58:36.679 --> 00:58:38.479
 And here is God saying to us too,

00:58:39.399 --> 00:58:40.819
 that we need to give attention

00:58:40.819 --> 00:58:42.659
 all the time to those

00:58:42.659 --> 00:58:43.239
 who are in need,

00:58:43.299 --> 00:58:45.479
 very often greater than ourselves,

00:58:45.599 --> 00:58:46.459
 whether it's around us

00:58:46.460 --> 00:58:47.199
 in our community,

00:58:47.720 --> 00:58:49.179
 whether it's in our nation,

00:58:49.300 --> 00:58:50.139
 whether it's overseas.

00:58:52.019 --> 00:58:54.280
 But God will always provide

00:58:54.280 --> 00:58:54.880
 the resources

00:58:54.880 --> 00:58:58.000
 for what He leads His people into.

00:58:59.220 --> 00:59:00.440
 And as we take note

00:59:00.440 --> 00:59:01.619
 of those who are deprived,

00:59:02.500 --> 00:59:03.400
 and as we take note

00:59:03.400 --> 00:59:04.280
 of our own need

00:59:04.280 --> 00:59:05.960
 and seeking to help them,

00:59:06.679 --> 00:59:08.199
 we have the great

00:59:08.199 --> 00:59:09.820
 and glorious God

00:59:09.820 --> 00:59:11.559
 on our side.

00:59:12.559 --> 00:59:13.440
 And there is therefore

00:59:13.440 --> 00:59:14.400
 no need to fear

00:59:14.400 --> 00:59:15.840
 that somehow

00:59:15.840 --> 00:59:17.000
 His resources

00:59:17.000 --> 00:59:18.860
 will not be enough.

00:59:19.700 --> 00:59:20.320
 Let's pray.

00:59:22.320 --> 00:59:23.059
 Almighty God,

00:59:23.140 --> 00:59:23.920
 we thank You

00:59:23.920 --> 00:59:25.460
 for the resources

00:59:25.460 --> 00:59:26.240
 that are Yours

00:59:26.240 --> 00:59:27.039
 in abundance

00:59:27.039 --> 00:59:28.539
 that You bring

00:59:28.539 --> 00:59:29.500
 to Your people

00:59:29.500 --> 00:59:30.740
 in all our circumstances.

00:59:30.739 --> 00:59:32.659
 We pray that You

00:59:32.659 --> 00:59:33.179
 would help us,

00:59:33.299 --> 00:59:33.379
 Lord,

00:59:33.419 --> 00:59:34.119
 at all times

00:59:34.119 --> 00:59:36.319
 to resort to the well

00:59:36.319 --> 00:59:36.899
 that You are

00:59:36.899 --> 00:59:37.579
 for Your people

00:59:37.579 --> 00:59:39.500
 and to throw out water

00:59:39.500 --> 00:59:40.719
 daily for the spiritual

00:59:40.719 --> 00:59:42.759
 vitality of our lives.

00:59:43.500 --> 00:59:44.159
 We thank You

00:59:44.159 --> 00:59:44.979
 for the constancy

00:59:44.979 --> 00:59:45.799
 of Your care.

00:59:46.599 --> 00:59:47.039
 We thank You

00:59:47.039 --> 00:59:48.019
 for Your concern

00:59:48.019 --> 00:59:49.699
 for those who are deprived,

00:59:50.279 --> 00:59:51.019
 for those who may be

00:59:51.019 --> 00:59:52.439
 outcast in our society

00:59:52.439 --> 00:59:52.979
 or elsewhere.

00:59:54.019 --> 00:59:54.619
 We give thanks

00:59:54.619 --> 00:59:55.139
 for the love

00:59:55.139 --> 00:59:55.699
 that You give

00:59:55.699 --> 00:59:56.379
 to Your people

00:59:56.379 --> 00:59:57.779
 to look towards

00:59:57.779 --> 00:59:58.659
 those who are in need.

00:59:59.299 --> 00:59:59.960
 We pray that You would

00:59:59.960 --> 01:00:01.039
 help us to follow out

01:00:01.039 --> 01:00:01.659
 that urge

01:00:01.659 --> 01:00:03.379
 to be of help to them.

01:00:04.179 --> 01:00:05.259
 Graciously bless us now,

01:00:05.339 --> 01:00:05.619
 we pray,

01:00:05.699 --> 01:00:06.519
 and be with the fellowship

01:00:06.519 --> 01:00:08.239
 and with Pastor Alec

01:00:08.239 --> 01:00:09.039
 and his family

01:00:09.039 --> 01:00:10.379
 as they address

01:00:10.379 --> 01:00:10.920
 the fellowship.

01:00:11.079 --> 01:00:11.940
 Be with the young people

01:00:11.940 --> 01:00:13.099
 and grant to them,

01:00:13.259 --> 01:00:13.359
 Lord,

01:00:13.460 --> 01:00:14.519
 that Your own presence

01:00:14.519 --> 01:00:15.440
 and blessing

01:00:15.440 --> 01:00:16.639
 might be evident to them.

01:00:17.299 --> 01:00:17.779
 Hear us now,

01:00:17.819 --> 01:00:18.179
 we pray,

01:00:18.279 --> 01:00:19.219
 for Jesus' sake.

01:00:19.719 --> 01:00:20.059
 Amen.

01:00:22.179 --> 01:00:23.259
 We're going to conclude

01:00:23.259 --> 01:00:24.179
 our worship this evening

01:00:24.179 --> 01:00:25.879
 singing in Psalm 139,

01:00:26.599 --> 01:00:28.199
 139,

01:00:28.659 --> 01:00:30.539
 sing Psalm's version

01:00:30.539 --> 01:00:32.079
 on page 181

01:00:32.079 --> 01:00:35.299
 and verses 15 to 18.

01:00:37.879 --> 01:00:39.579
 It's such a precious Psalm

01:00:39.579 --> 01:00:41.299
 in regard to the way

01:00:41.299 --> 01:00:42.339
 in which God knows

01:00:42.339 --> 01:00:43.619
 and cares for His people

01:00:43.619 --> 01:00:46.179
 and how His knowledge of us

01:00:46.179 --> 01:00:49.139
 extends even to our time

01:00:49.139 --> 01:00:50.299
 before our birth.

01:00:51.299 --> 01:00:53.279
 And we come then

01:00:53.279 --> 01:00:54.579
 to sing these verses

01:00:54.579 --> 01:00:56.099
 thankful to God

01:00:56.099 --> 01:00:56.960
 for that reality.

01:00:56.960 --> 01:00:58.460
 when in the secret place

01:00:58.460 --> 01:00:59.880
 my frame was made

01:00:59.880 --> 01:01:00.840
 before my birth,

01:01:01.460 --> 01:01:02.539
 You saw my body

01:01:02.539 --> 01:01:03.460
 yet unformed

01:01:03.460 --> 01:01:05.320
 within the depths of earth.

01:01:05.720 --> 01:01:06.699
 And all the days

01:01:06.699 --> 01:01:07.599
 that I should live

01:01:07.599 --> 01:01:09.500
 which You ordained for me

01:01:09.500 --> 01:01:11.539
 were written in Your book,

01:01:11.679 --> 01:01:12.159
 O Lord,

01:01:12.780 --> 01:01:14.980
 before they came to be.

01:01:15.059 --> 01:01:15.639
 So we'll sing

01:01:15.639 --> 01:01:18.059
 verses 15 to 18

01:01:18.059 --> 01:01:18.760
 in conclusion.

01:01:18.760 --> 01:01:32.080
 with Scripture,

01:01:32.080 --> 01:01:32.520
 about the foundation

01:01:32.520 --> 01:01:35.660
 and ascended in

01:01:35.660 --> 01:01:37.380
 if you would

01:01:37.600 --> 01:01:37.680
 أو

01:01:37.679 --> 01:01:43.799
 champion of Big交響

01:01:43.819 --> 01:01:52.440
 Ch결X

01:01:53.519 --> 01:01:59.480
 Total

01:01:59.480 --> 01:02:10.740
 And all the days that I should have

01:02:10.740 --> 01:02:18.420
 Which you are in for me

01:02:18.420 --> 01:02:28.980
 Where written in your beautiful dark

01:02:28.980 --> 01:02:36.980
 Before they came to thee

01:02:36.980 --> 01:02:46.980
 O God, how precious I am, God

01:02:46.980 --> 01:02:54.980
 I stand and walk above

01:02:54.980 --> 01:03:04.980
 And as I see you come and walk

01:03:04.980 --> 01:03:12.980
 I have found, for let me die

01:03:12.980 --> 01:03:22.980
 Where I took her that day would be

01:03:22.980 --> 01:03:30.980
 O God, the rain of sand

01:03:30.980 --> 01:03:36.980
 When I am with you

01:03:36.980 --> 01:03:42.980
 I am with you

01:03:42.980 --> 01:03:44.980
 Till the sea

01:03:44.980 --> 01:03:48.980
 Within you

01:03:48.980 --> 01:03:54.980
 After the benediction I will go to the main door

01:03:54.980 --> 01:03:56.980
 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

01:03:56.980 --> 01:03:58.980
 The love of God, the Father

01:03:58.980 --> 01:04:00.980
 And the communion of the Holy Spirit

01:04:00.980 --> 01:04:02.980
 Be with you

01:04:02.980 --> 01:04:04.980
 Now and evermore