WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 Well, good evening, everyone. It's lovely to see you here tonight. I hope that you are doing well. 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:11.500 Let me just thank everybody who's participated so far in our service. It's just lovely to meet together. 00:00:12.359 --> 00:00:18.400 We were going to take in three chapters of Isaiah tonight, but the more that I've spent in Isaiah chapter 30, 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:20.879 there is plenty to keep us occupied here tonight. 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:24.519 So let me encourage you to go to Isaiah chapter 30. 00:00:25.400 --> 00:00:27.620 It's where we'll predominantly be this evening. 00:00:27.620 --> 00:00:32.480 But here's the question I want to ask you as you come here tonight, a bit of honest reflection. 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:40.620 What is the picture of God that you have in your heart and your mind as you come here this evening? 00:00:42.020 --> 00:00:46.520 So it was a theologian back in the day called A.W. Tozer, 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:52.640 who once said that the first thing that comes into our minds when we think of God 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:55.760 is the most important thing about us. 00:00:57.619 --> 00:01:03.359 So let me ask you as you come here tonight, what is the picture of God that you've got in your head and in your heart? 00:01:03.619 --> 00:01:04.120 Who is he? 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:09.920 Is he like, I don't know, the kind of fifth emergency service? 00:01:11.179 --> 00:01:16.859 You've got the card in your wallet, you're signed up, and you're really glad that he's there. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:23.219 If you have a kind of spiritual flat tire, you're really glad that he's there to be called upon in an emergency. 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:24.439 Is he that kind of God? 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:29.039 Is he a kind of cosmic office boss? 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:35.159 The relationship that you have is kind of about attendance and about performance. 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:40.060 But truth be told, there is no relationship really there other than that. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:42.519 Is that the kind of picture of God that you have in your mind? 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:47.039 Or is he like the rugby referee who's kind of just out to spoil your fun? 00:01:47.099 --> 00:01:49.200 He's just there to help you keep the rules. 00:01:49.859 --> 00:01:56.259 Is he like the kind of divine A&E doctor that you call upon him if you're ever in need of assistance? 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:57.099 Who is? 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:03.679 What is the picture of God that you have in your head and your heart tonight as you come here? 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:06.140 Here's what I want us to do. 00:02:06.199 --> 00:02:08.599 I want us to really get into Isaiah chapter 30. 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:17.000 Because what we see here in this passage is a surprisingly magnificent description 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:21.900 that captures the heart of the God of the Bible. 00:02:22.180 --> 00:02:26.419 And it's a picture that I hope deeply confronts us 00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:33.780 and greatly encourages us as we take in the breadth of who he is. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:40.979 Because this passage shows us a God who, despite his people giving him every reason under the sun 00:02:40.979 --> 00:02:43.779 for him to call it quits and walk away, 00:02:44.359 --> 00:02:49.339 this passage shows us a God who is willing to wait. 00:02:51.019 --> 00:02:53.259 A God who is willing to wait. 00:02:54.299 --> 00:02:55.319 And it's incredible. 00:02:56.419 --> 00:03:00.919 Now to see the truth of the wonder of that, we could just jump straight in there. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:06.159 But I think we need to see the context in which Isaiah, God through Isaiah, 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:08.539 gives us this description of who he is. 00:03:08.899 --> 00:03:13.319 And this is what, at this point, I'm going to break my own golden rule in preaching. 00:03:14.619 --> 00:03:15.959 You know, there was in every kind of profession, 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:17.479 they tell you don't do certain things. 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:18.859 This is me breaking one in here. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:20.199 I'm going to talk about politics. 00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:21.359 Right? 00:03:21.879 --> 00:03:22.579 Deep breath. 00:03:22.780 --> 00:03:25.620 I'm going to talk about 600 BC politics. 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:28.780 Now, if we're going to get this, 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:32.500 think of the song that is kind of popular in our days. 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:34.939 Was it Bill Withers who sang this song? 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:36.019 Lean on me. 00:03:36.759 --> 00:03:36.959 Right? 00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:37.719 You've got that in your mind? 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:39.919 Lean on me when you're not strong. 00:03:40.619 --> 00:03:41.899 And I'll be your friend. 00:03:41.979 --> 00:03:43.019 I'll help you carry on. 00:03:43.079 --> 00:03:44.079 You've got those lyrics in your mind? 00:03:45.619 --> 00:03:48.239 It's going to help us with the context of what's going on here politically. 00:03:48.679 --> 00:03:50.060 So we've got the nation of Judah. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:52.339 Isaiah is speaking to the nation of Judah. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:03:56.019 And at this point in history, they are not strong. 00:03:57.099 --> 00:03:58.299 They are not strong. 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:01.900 For a whole host of reasons, I think the biggest one is territorially. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:04.380 Where they are on the map. 00:04:05.320 --> 00:04:08.939 The superpower of the day to the north of them are Assyria. 00:04:10.200 --> 00:04:16.360 And the nation of Judah are geographically sitting in prime spots, 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:21.240 prime territory in the Middle East as the link between the north and the south. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:26.300 So Assyria up top are big, they're massive, they're scary, they're unfriendly. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:32.540 And Judah in the south are really small and have got absolutely nothing really going for them. 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:38.540 And the luring call to lean on me when you're not strong to the people of Judah, 00:04:39.340 --> 00:04:43.319 I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on, comes from Egypt in the south. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:52.220 Now what does Egypt have that is so deeply attractive to King Hezekiah and the people of Judah? 00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:53.879 Have a look at chapter 31. 00:04:54.400 --> 00:04:55.840 We'll just dip our toes in there. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:05:02.159 But you'll see what God knows that his people are looking for in Egypt. 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:02.719 Do you see it? 00:05:02.739 --> 00:05:03.339 What do they have? 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:04.299 They have horses. 00:05:05.539 --> 00:05:06.899 They have chariots. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:10.339 And they have strong riders. 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:11.279 Do you see it? 00:05:11.579 --> 00:05:13.779 Now that seems pretty unimpressive to us today. 00:05:13.919 --> 00:05:15.899 We think, what's the big deal about a horse? 00:05:16.239 --> 00:05:16.399 Yeah? 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:22.959 But this is the equivalent of, I guess, what was the Sherman tank in the 1940s. 00:05:22.959 --> 00:05:26.819 This is the equivalent of the stealth aircraft of the 2000s. 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:31.939 The horse is the most impressive looking and effective defence strategy of the day. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:40.279 So here's the choice that's facing God's people at this particular moment in time. 00:05:40.279 --> 00:05:43.599 So on the one hand, you've got forming an alliance with Egypt. 00:05:45.699 --> 00:05:48.219 Looking to them for safety, everything that they can provide. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:49.239 That's on the one hand. 00:05:49.679 --> 00:05:55.399 Or on the other hand, you've got God's covenant promises to you as his people. 00:05:55.399 --> 00:06:01.699 And particularly you've got them concerning the fact that there will always be a king on David's throne. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:08.219 So will you trust God's promises? 00:06:08.679 --> 00:06:10.259 Will you live by faith? 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:12.919 Or will you live by sight? 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:19.339 And right there is the question of the life of faith, is it not? 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:25.359 Will we live according to what our eyes can see and our minds can fathom? 00:06:26.239 --> 00:06:32.639 Or will we live according to the promises and the unchanging, timeless word of God? 00:06:33.359 --> 00:06:35.919 That's the challenge that faces us all here tonight, isn't it? 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:39.039 Will we live by faith or will we live by sight? 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:44.419 Well, in the first half of chapter 30, taking us up from 1 to 17, 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:51.100 God is speaking to a deaf-eared people who are looking to dead-end saviors. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:54.480 Right? Deaf-eared people, dead-end saviors. 00:06:54.660 --> 00:07:01.560 And track with me, he has got two things that he's got against his people who are living their lives in this day. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:02.360 Here's number one. 00:07:03.420 --> 00:07:04.840 They aren't asking. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:09.259 So come with me to verse 1 and we'll just follow it through again. 00:07:10.139 --> 00:07:10.980 This is what God says. 00:07:10.980 --> 00:07:13.540 He says, woe, and feel the strength of that word. 00:07:13.540 --> 00:07:14.900 As in, what are you playing at? 00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:15.860 What are you doing? 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:17.420 What a foolish decision. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:20.439 Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:24.620 To those who carry out plans that are not mine. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:27.879 Forming an alliance, but not by my spirit. 00:07:28.700 --> 00:07:30.040 Heaping sin upon sin. 00:07:30.100 --> 00:07:33.240 Who go down to Egypt without consulting me? 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:38.300 So the impression you get here is that the nation, God's people, have panicked. 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:39.840 They've panicked. 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:42.300 And they've got just tired. 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:45.780 And you could even argue they've got bored waiting on the Lord. 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:48.520 And what have they done? 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:52.400 They've gone about taking matters into their own hands. 00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:55.739 So let's not wait on God. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:56.879 Wasting your time. 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:00.060 Let's get down to Egypt and see what they've got to offer. 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:01.639 What are they seeking down in Egypt? 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:08.579 Who look for help to Pharaoh's protection to Egypt's shade for refuge. 00:08:08.799 --> 00:08:09.719 What are they seeking there? 00:08:09.799 --> 00:08:11.019 What are they trying to get down in Egypt? 00:08:11.179 --> 00:08:13.599 Help, protection, refuge. 00:08:13.739 --> 00:08:14.759 Now don't miss the point. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:19.379 These are truths that God has used to describe himself. 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:24.639 And what does that mean they're looking for down in Egypt? 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:26.079 They're looking for a God substitute. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.039 Someone else to be the Lord. 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:31.480 Because our God isn't quite cutting it at the minute. 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:33.379 We're looking somewhere else. 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:36.439 And what you get from verse 6. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:37.659 Kind of weird language. 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:39.419 But follow with me from verse 6. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:42.799 It's a description almost of the peace envoy. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.879 That King Hezekiah, who's the king. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:48.879 Has sent from Judah all the way down to Egypt. 00:08:49.139 --> 00:08:50.519 To try and strike a deal. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:55.779 So do you see how Isaiah's talking about how they're walking a difficult road. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:57.139 That's what they're doing. 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:57.840 They're going down. 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:00.580 They're carrying riches on their backs. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:05.820 Those riches that they're planning on using to try and win the favor of the Egyptians. 00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:08.080 That's what they're doing. 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:11.060 So there's a peace envoy making its way down to Egypt. 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:15.080 Because this is where the people think that they're going to find protection and refuge. 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:18.399 And remember, this isn't any old superpower. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:20.440 This is Egypt. 00:09:21.280 --> 00:09:25.920 Israel's very identity as a nation is wrapped up in the fact that God has saved them. 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:26.460 Out of where? 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:28.180 Out of Egypt. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:31.220 And he said, you're never going back there. 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:32.440 Don't go back there as my people. 00:09:33.060 --> 00:09:35.420 And yet, that's exactly what they're doing. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:40.680 And that's why God says, verse 7, he wants them to know, to Egypt. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.100 Whose help is utterly useless. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:48.660 Therefore, I call her Rehob the do-nothing. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:53.360 You see, God knows that Egypt is a false source of protection. 00:09:53.660 --> 00:09:54.420 This is what God knows. 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:55.959 The all-seeing eternal God. 00:09:56.959 --> 00:09:57.759 All-knowing God. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:01.019 He knows that Egypt are a false source of protection. 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:06.639 And he knows that Assyria are a false threat of destruction. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:09.500 And what's he saying? 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:12.939 He's saying, if only you'd asked. 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:15.379 If only you'd listened. 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:17.779 They aren't asking. 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:20.580 They've not even bothered to stop and pray. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.500 They've just cracked on. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:24.480 Now, just pause here for a minute. 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:26.299 By way of secondary application. 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:30.740 Friends, how easy is it to do that? 00:10:33.919 --> 00:10:35.039 We make plans. 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:37.500 And I do this all the time because I love making plans. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:39.600 Just, I love making plans. 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.500 Thinking about things. 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:41.440 How it's going to map out. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:44.200 Now, this really hit me this week. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:46.540 How often do we make plans? 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:52.300 And then we retrospectively bring them before the Lord and say, Lord, could you bless what we're trying to do? 00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:52.900 No, no, no, no. 00:10:53.280 --> 00:10:54.860 Do you see how this challenges us? 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:59.700 Before the careful planning, we've got to spend time in deep praying. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.480 Do you see the challenge? 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:02.960 How easy is it to do that? 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:06.560 What God would say to us tonight? 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.160 You never asked. 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.460 You never asked. 00:11:11.560 --> 00:11:14.320 Friends, is that, I don't know, God by his spirit moving amongst us tonight. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:17.139 Is that maybe some of us here, we're contemplating a massive decision. 00:11:17.280 --> 00:11:18.500 We're contemplating do something. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:20.920 Have you consulted the Lord? 00:11:22.540 --> 00:11:23.259 What a challenge. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.740 God is saying, you ain't asking. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:28.879 Particularly, I think, as we move forward as a church. 00:11:29.920 --> 00:11:31.400 That's a huge lesson for us, isn't it? 00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:31.940 Corporately. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.820 Have we asked? 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:37.840 I feel the pressure is one of the elders here. 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:40.720 We thought about it as we went a day away recently. 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:41.639 Thinking about all these things. 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:41.980 No, no, no. 00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.720 Have you asked? 00:11:44.060 --> 00:11:45.720 Do you believe that Christ is enough? 00:11:46.660 --> 00:11:47.340 Have you asked? 00:11:49.040 --> 00:11:50.080 They aren't asking. 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:52.980 And number two, they aren't listening. 00:11:53.680 --> 00:11:54.460 Do you see verse nine? 00:11:54.460 --> 00:12:01.780 For these are rebellious people, deceitful children. 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:06.240 Children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction. 00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:08.220 So the people had it right there. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:13.679 They had how God, what the promises God had made, how God had acted in the past. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.299 They had it. 00:12:15.579 --> 00:12:16.819 His actions throughout history. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:20.279 And yet they are marked by just an unwillingness to listen. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:26.299 And more than that, do you see, they are driven by a preference for lies. 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:31.360 Some of you might remember that, the words of that Fleetwood Mac song. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:34.439 Remember, Dad played it in the car all the time when we were growing up. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:36.280 Tell me lies. 00:12:36.400 --> 00:12:37.760 Tell me sweet little lies. 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:39.940 Remember that song, Fleetwood Mac of your certain generation? 00:12:41.300 --> 00:12:42.800 That's this generation of God's people. 00:12:42.900 --> 00:12:43.700 Tell us lies. 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:45.680 Tell us lies. 00:12:45.780 --> 00:12:48.620 Do you see, they say to their seers, see no more visions. 00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:52.680 And to the prophets, give us no more visions of what is right. 00:12:52.780 --> 00:12:54.060 Tell us pleasant things. 00:12:54.160 --> 00:12:54.600 Do you see it? 00:12:54.700 --> 00:12:55.940 Tell us pleasant things. 00:12:56.780 --> 00:12:57.440 Prophesy illusions. 00:12:57.440 --> 00:12:59.840 Leave this way. 00:13:00.400 --> 00:13:04.220 Get off this path and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel. 00:13:04.380 --> 00:13:06.960 So you can imagine the chat doing the rounds at the time. 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:09.100 Would you just tell us that we're good with God? 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:14.920 Would you just kind of offer us some kind of genetic blessing to let us know that he's on our team? 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:18.760 Would you stop talking about this sin and repentance and turning stuff? 00:13:19.900 --> 00:13:21.240 We're not just all play happy families. 00:13:23.400 --> 00:13:24.280 They won't listen. 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:26.680 They won't listen. 00:13:27.880 --> 00:13:29.180 And what should they have done? 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:31.100 And friends, get this tonight. 00:13:31.160 --> 00:13:33.240 I think this is one of the most important verses in this section. 00:13:33.380 --> 00:13:33.700 Get it. 00:13:33.780 --> 00:13:34.380 Verse 15. 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:38.720 In repentance and rest is your salvation. 00:13:40.340 --> 00:13:43.700 In quietness and trust is your strength. 00:13:43.940 --> 00:13:44.920 So this is what God is saying. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:45.860 This is what you should have done. 00:13:46.660 --> 00:13:47.760 This is what you should have done. 00:13:49.040 --> 00:13:52.520 You know, right now I'm getting emails aplenty. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:14:04.019 I know these emails are, so many of them are offering me the silver bullet to get the church back on track and alive and kicking again after the pandemic. 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:04.620 Right? 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:06.100 Come in left, right and center. 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:11.800 Have you considered this new resource that's going to kick your church back into action? 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:20.399 Have you considered capitalizing on website expertise that we can offer you to kind of get people back into the church again? 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:21.519 Can you do this? 00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:22.279 Can you do that? 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:25.759 Not just church life, but private life as well. 00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:26.740 Home life. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:30.919 Have you thought about what's going on in your bank account? 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:33.459 Have you thought about the interest rates on your mortgage? 00:14:34.160 --> 00:14:35.660 Have you thought about the state of your pension? 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.420 Have you thought about that? 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.759 Have you thought about the gas prices? 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:39.360 Have you thought about everything that's going on? 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:46.400 Friends, how easy is it to run to the place where we think we will find security? 00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:49.500 Listen, many of these, this is the real world, right? 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:55.540 Many of these things are good things, but you see the temptation is to think all these different voices coming in. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.400 That's where I'll be safe. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:59.200 That's where we'll find refuge. 00:14:59.400 --> 00:15:00.340 That's the answer. 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:05.000 That's going to secure our status for the future, surely. 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.740 But here's what I want us to see tonight. 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:10.740 I want us to see what God is calling his people to do then. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:13.139 What God is calling his people to do now. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.540 Where is our strength? 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:17.180 In quietness and trust. 00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:21.080 What's he calling his people to? 00:15:21.780 --> 00:15:22.700 Quietness and trust. 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:27.480 Do you know, I'm so thankful that that is what God is calling us to. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:36.139 Can you just imagine if this verse read, in a spectacular life and an impressive array of gifts, that's where your strength is. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:43.779 Can you imagine if it was your impressive life and your sorted mental health, that that's where your strength was. 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:45.440 Do you see what this God is calling us to? 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:48.360 Where is our strength? 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:53.000 It's found in quietness and trust. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:58.820 Our friends, are we not so thankful that that's what God says to this people? 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:02.220 Quietness and trust will be your strength. 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:06.419 Because it's not about you and who you are and what you can fathom, what you think, what you plan. 00:16:06.659 --> 00:16:07.860 It's about who I am. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.680 I am the Lord. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:12.699 So let me, that encourage you tonight. 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:14.079 Let me just spend a little bit of time here. 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:19.359 If you're here tonight and you feel and you sense that your life is anything but spectacular. 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:23.539 That your Christian life, you're thinking to yourself, if only it was a bit more glitz and glam. 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.059 Nonsense. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:33.919 What God calls us to, is to one day after another, walking with one another in terms of obedience to the Lord. 00:16:33.919 --> 00:16:41.659 Faith that plods along day after day after day, knowing the promises that God has made. 00:16:43.479 --> 00:16:44.839 Because this is what he's calling us to. 00:16:45.079 --> 00:16:50.699 I know some of you tomorrow, the thought of getting up tomorrow and going to work is one that you just don't want to entertain on a Sunday night. 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:55.240 I always think that's why BBC put some of their best and biggest shows at nine o'clock on a Sunday night. 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:57.919 Because it's some kind of switch off from what's going to happen tomorrow morning. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.000 Is it not? 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:06.119 And yet, friends, if you're going to work tomorrow to be a faithful employee who gets up and goes to work. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.099 And does it for the glory of God. 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:11.720 Want you to be encouraged by this tonight. 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:14.039 That quietness and trust is where your strength is. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.980 Doing it because you live for a better king. 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:23.640 If you're a faithful parent whose day tomorrow you know is going to be changing nappies and cleaning dishes. 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:27.000 And you're going to get up the next day and it's going to be exactly the same. 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:30.119 But you keep on going because you're living for a better city. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:33.420 Know how good that is in God's eyes. 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:42.660 If you're here and your tomorrow is going to be you again being just a faithful spouse who's going to care for the person that you love in the hardest of times. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:47.000 Because you know that your life is caught up in the greater marriage between Jesus and the church. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.740 Know that that glorifies God. 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.519 What is he calling us to? 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:54.160 He's calling us to a life of quietness and strength. 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:54.779 Do you see it? 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:57.059 Quietness and strength. 00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:58.859 I hope that encourages you tonight. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:03.680 A life of quiet trust that refuses to be enticed by the glitz and the glam. 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:06.799 That resists trusting in the latest and the new. 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:10.559 But a life that keeps the main thing the main thing. 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:13.440 Remember that old hymn that we used to sing trust and obey. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:19.720 Trust and obey because there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:23.799 God calls his people to quietness and trust. 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:35.360 And yet sadly Isaiah speaks to a people who have fully bought the fact that their future is found somewhere else and they bought it hook, line and sinker. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:40.380 And make no mistake in this passage, it's why the opening word is woe. 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:43.740 Make no mistake that God is going to judge his people for their rebellion. 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:44.420 Right? 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:48.620 He's going to judge them for their foolishness. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:51.480 He'd be compromising on his holiness if he didn't. 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.960 Later in the story, you get that. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.960 The Assyrian army. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:57.279 God is going to miraculously intervene. 00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:59.480 But as people turn to him, you get that in a few chapters time. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:05.440 But make no mistake in the future, the Assyrian army are going to come smashing through as God's agent of judgment. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:09.759 Oh friends, do you feel God's heart here? 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:15.299 Here are a deaf-eared people looking to dead-end saviors. 00:19:16.860 --> 00:19:24.299 And it's against that backdrop of rebellion and folly that we get the marvellous truth about who God is. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:26.700 Because given all that, what would you expect? 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.860 What would you think? 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:32.420 At worst, you'd almost expect a God who would sever ties with his people right there and then. 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.980 Hands off, I've had enough. 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:35.560 Cut his losses. 00:19:35.800 --> 00:19:41.660 Or at best, we might expect a God who would stand at the side with his arms folded like a parent at the side of the playground. 00:19:41.820 --> 00:19:42.880 Thinking, come on son. 00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:44.400 Come on, get your act together. 00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.539 Is that what we'd expect? 00:19:46.840 --> 00:19:47.900 It's how our minds work. 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:51.259 A God who is cutting his losses and touching his lips. 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:52.259 Is that what we'd expect? 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:56.080 Oh, the joy. 00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:57.440 The life. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:20:02.580 Because instead we get a long-suffering God longing for heart-turned sinners. 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:07.460 Verse 18, folks, is the pivot verse of this chapter. 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.799 Have a look at it if you've got it there. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.759 It's a game changer. 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.720 It's the moment changer. 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:16.960 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you. 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:20.519 Therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.900 For the Lord is a God of justice. 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:26.000 Blessed are all who wait on him. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.940 So watch the image of the Lord here. 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.759 Do you get it? 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:30.819 He's like a father on his tiptoes. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:35.599 And he's looking out and he's longing for his child to come back to him. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:39.759 He's like a father, parent who's camped out by the side of the phone. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:43.099 Some of you might remember phones where you couldn't. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.740 It was a cord attached to it. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:47.680 And that's why there was, in our house, there was a seat next to the phone. 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.259 Because you couldn't leave, could you? 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.099 Except on the phone. 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:54.799 I remember getting home at night, realizing that my parents had sat right there waiting for me to call when I was out. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:57.039 That's the image of God, isn't it, that you get here. 00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:57.819 What is he doing? 00:20:58.099 --> 00:21:00.639 He's camped out waiting on his child to call. 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:04.659 The Lord longs for his people to see the folly of their ways. 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:08.659 Turn, repent, and run back to him in no grace. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.659 Do you see verse 19? 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:13.059 How gracious he will be when you cry for help. 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:13.899 And get this. 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:16.680 Get this if you're away from him tonight. 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:18.079 As soon as he hears. 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:18.680 Do you see it? 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:22.799 As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:26.000 Here is a God longing to be found. 00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:29.019 Here is a God longing that his people would come back to him. 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:35.660 Here is a God, despite his people's rebellion, here is a God who is willing to wait. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.200 Praise him that he's that. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:38.640 Okay? 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:40.259 Three quick things he longs to be. 00:21:40.340 --> 00:21:41.880 We get them in the rest of chapter 30. 00:21:43.320 --> 00:21:44.200 Rattle through these. 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:45.700 Verse 20, he longs to be what? 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.759 He longs to be their teacher. 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:49.420 Wants to be their guide. 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:51.140 To instruct them. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.259 To tell them the way to go. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.240 Do you get the language there? 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.960 The intimacy, I think, of this language. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.059 He wants to be what? 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:58.180 The voice that speaks from behind them. 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:02.380 That says, this is the way, walk in it. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:08.259 He wants to be the God who deeply works in the hearts of his people. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:10.920 The idols that have got a grip of their hearts. 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:13.960 They are banished from their lives, never to return. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:19.080 I take it that's a deep work of God that he's going to go do in their hearts of his people. 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:23.940 He's going to transform them so that they did test the thought of idols that would get in the way of God. 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:27.600 As God cleanses them from these God pretenders. 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:29.519 And you see the language there? 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.620 What would they say? 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:31.840 They would say, be gone. 00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:32.900 Get out of my life. 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.779 Because I want the Lord. 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:36.460 He longs to be their teacher. 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.120 Do you see? 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:43.000 And so sovereign is he that he will even be their teacher through adversity. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:45.859 That's how good this God is. 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:47.720 That's how sovereign his purposes are. 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.079 He longs to be their teacher. 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.440 He longs to be their provider. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.200 Do you see it? 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:58.220 The imagery here of rain, of livestock, of running water, of sun shining. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:23:02.579 His people healed from the scars by the suffering they've endured. 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:05.359 I take it these are all marks of the new creation. 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:07.599 The renewed creation that God is going to bring in. 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:13.579 Of course in the context that this is the covenant blessings that God has promised his people. 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.960 This is the future. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.079 This is where he's taken them. 00:23:16.179 --> 00:23:17.399 He longs to be their provider. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.439 And he longs to be their victor. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:30.539 Because what you get from verse 27 is a description of what God will do to the nations who come after Judah, who come after the Lord's people and try and destroy them. 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.500 Namely the Assyrians. 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:36.819 As God thunders his majestic voice. 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:38.619 As they know the fire of his justice. 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:42.940 As he banishes his enemies to the place he's prepared for them. 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:47.599 And we've got to feel the strength of the language that's used there. 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:49.460 That God's, I mean we thought about right at the start. 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.880 God will have the last laugh. 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.059 He will have the last say. 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:54.200 This is, he is the God of justice. 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:59.600 And his people celebrate the fact to know that he is the rock of Israel. 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.819 He is the rock of Israel. 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:06.480 So did you see friends, he longs to be these things for his people. 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.740 He longs to be their teacher. 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.519 He longs to be their provider. 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:11.620 And he longs to be their victor. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.980 And not to do too quick a jump. 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:19.620 But friends, as we, as New Testament people. 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:23.759 Do you see how God holds out all of those things tonight for us in Jesus? 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:26.799 To be our teacher. 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:31.220 When we put our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God, lives in our lives. 00:24:32.120 --> 00:24:34.680 Helping us to say no to sin and yes to Jesus. 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.640 Yes to Christ. 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.400 We're talking about guidance. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:39.440 The Holy Spirit living inside of us. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.880 Longs to be our provider. 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.299 Isn't it? 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:46.940 In Christ we have a wonderful heritage ahead of us, don't we? 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:51.140 We've got a wonderful vision of the future that he has sealed for us on the cross. 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.380 We'll be thinking about that later. 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:56.260 And he longs to be, in fact, sorry, he is our victor. 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.820 Defeating our sin at the cross. 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:03.180 And he will have the final say in all people. 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:09.880 And to see how God holds all of these things out tonight for us in Christ. 00:25:09.880 --> 00:25:19.340 And yet also, when we think of the person of Jesus, friends, is he not the one who also reveals the father who is waiting? 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:27.200 I'm sure some of you have made that connection perhaps between this passage and Luke 15. 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:30.779 Parable of the prodigal son. 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:33.720 It's one of the most loved parables that Jesus tells. 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:37.140 And it's a father whose heart is ripped in two. 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:41.860 That's quite literally the word that God's heart is ripped in two. 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:46.580 The father, as he hands his son who wants to go on the run, half of his estate. 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:54.879 As the son leaves the father's house in search of something better, of some kind of better future for himself. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:26:01.220 Believing the lie that a better source of life is found in the things that his eyes can see and his mind can fathom. 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:05.759 As opposed to just having life with the father at home. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:10.359 And the running son realizes the error of his ways. 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.480 He turns. 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.900 And what's the father doing? 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.500 He's looking. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.740 And he's longing. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:21.799 That his son would come home. 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.220 He's there. 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.539 He's waiting on his call. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:28.539 The son who deserves the full fury of the father. 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:31.019 Gets the fattened calf. 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:34.220 The son who deserves humiliation. 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.879 Gets a ring in his finger. 00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.579 600 BC. 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:43.000 Friends, you see in 2021 AD. 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:45.460 The heart of this God hasn't changed. 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.599 Longing that people would repent. 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.720 Maybe that's you tonight. 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.480 You need to do that. 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.099 Stop. 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.859 And listen. 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.579 And turn. 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:57.559 And run to this God with nothing in your hands. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:01.559 This is what this God is longing for us to do. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:04.960 For this God is willing to humiliate himself to get his son. 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.579 Win his people. 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.019 It's exactly what he does in Jesus. 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:08.900 Exactly what we see. 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:12.140 He is the one who takes the bread of affliction. 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:15.500 He is the one who takes the adversity that his people deserve. 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:17.799 And he takes it for us on the cross. 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:23.859 So that we would know the joy of that restored relationship with our heavenly father. 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.079 Folks, as we close. 00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:30.119 What picture of God do you have in your mind? 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:32.700 And in your heart tonight as you come here? 00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:39.919 You see, here is a God, despite his rebellious people giving him every reason to quit. 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:42.980 Because of the rejection of him. 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:47.200 Here is a God who is willing to wait. 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.960 Let me encourage you tonight. 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:51.600 Don't pass this opportunity by. 00:27:52.300 --> 00:27:55.320 Here is a God who is calling us to run to him. 00:27:55.519 --> 00:28:00.860 Longing that his people would enter that place of quietness and trust. 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:05.240 Let me just finish with these words of, I think it was Chris Bullwater. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:08.219 I remember finding these so powerful. 00:28:08.919 --> 00:28:11.159 Growing up, thinking about who this God is. 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.159 Just read them to you. 00:28:12.719 --> 00:28:15.399 God of grace, I turn my face to you. 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:18.339 I cannot hide my nakedness. 00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:20.719 My shame, my guilt are all before your eyes. 00:28:21.719 --> 00:28:25.339 Strivings and all anguished tears in rags lie at my feet. 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:29.000 And only grace provides the way for me to stand complete. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:32.460 And your grace clothes me in righteousness. 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:35.740 And your mercy covers me in love. 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:39.700 Your life adorns and beautifies. 00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:43.279 I stand complete in you. 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:44.960 Friends, this is our God. 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.519 Let's pray. 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:56.579 And so, Father, we would think of the words, the promise of the Lord Jesus, 00:28:56.579 --> 00:29:03.240 who would beckon the crowd, helpless, harassed, a sheep without a shepherd, 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:08.079 who would say, come to me, all you who are wearied and heavy burdened, 00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:10.579 and I will give you rest. 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:16.480 And so, Father, we thank you for this glorious picture of who you are tonight. 00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:21.339 Lord, thank you that we, even though we have given you countless reasons to quit on us, 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:26.500 Father, that your steadfast and your covenant love for us endures forever. 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:29.500 Thank you, Lord, for who Jesus is tonight. 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:33.899 And I pray, Father, that your spirit would be moving amongst us, 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:39.919 helping our eyes, the eyes of our hearts, be fixed on him. 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:46.199 So, Father, we pray that you'd just be with us now as we turn to take communion together. 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:50.960 Father, may we be strengthened by the grace that's found in Jesus Christ. 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:54.319 Pray these things in his worthy and his precious name. 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:55.200 Amen.