WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.980 Well, thank you, Greg. 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:14.019 We're certainly very glad to be here, too. 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:16.600 It's been such a blessing being a part of this church. 00:00:18.740 --> 00:00:26.480 Well, I'd like to begin tonight by asking you if you remember what it was like to be 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:32.939 a kid and to have your parent tell you, you know, no, you cannot go to that movie. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:36.679 No, you cannot go to that friend's house. 00:00:36.820 --> 00:00:45.480 No, you cannot do this thing that you have your little heart set on and to be told no. 00:00:46.519 --> 00:00:53.760 And if you remember, think how your thought process of, well, that is just so utterly absurd. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:55.659 Why can't I just go see this movie? 00:00:55.659 --> 00:00:56.659 It's just ridiculous. 00:00:57.599 --> 00:01:02.919 And you work yourself up into this sort of rebellious, you know, angry thing. 00:01:03.579 --> 00:01:07.420 And it's interesting because when you get to be my age, now you have your kids. 00:01:07.920 --> 00:01:10.200 It's I'm the one telling them no, right? 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:15.179 And I'm the one saying, no, you can't go to that movie. 00:01:16.019 --> 00:01:23.759 And then they tell me things like, it's not like I'm going to, like, go do the things I see in the movie, you know. 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:26.300 And I say, well, that's not really the problem. 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:29.740 The problem is, and then I start to explain myself and I start to reason with them. 00:01:29.780 --> 00:01:32.219 And then I realize, why am I, this is ridiculous. 00:01:32.320 --> 00:01:32.880 This is pointless. 00:01:33.020 --> 00:01:34.359 They're not going to understand the reasoning. 00:01:34.359 --> 00:01:43.579 So what I've started doing as I'm learning how to be a parent is I put my arm around my child and I kind of whisk them away where no one else can hear. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:49.140 And I say, do you know that I love you? 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:52.579 And they say yes. 00:01:52.659 --> 00:01:57.099 And I say, do you know that I know things you don't know? 00:01:57.239 --> 00:01:58.099 And they say yes. 00:01:58.599 --> 00:02:01.819 And I say, do you trust me? 00:02:03.099 --> 00:02:04.760 And they say yes. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:09.580 And I go away hoping that the answer is yes. 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:14.260 But that's the crux of the issue. 00:02:14.480 --> 00:02:24.360 And I think that our text tonight is about being patient and trusting God in the midst of trials. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:33.660 Being patient and trusting God in the midst of testing and in the midst of trials. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:38.000 So just a brief recap on David's situation. 00:02:39.139 --> 00:02:43.960 So David's already been anointed to be the next king. 00:02:44.300 --> 00:02:46.479 Anointed by God's prophet Samuel. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:03:00.659 And the problem is that he's not yet been crowned king because there's another king who is still on the throne and who is a maniac. 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:07.340 And who is seeking his life and is pursuing him and is hunting him. 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:10.939 And in fact, we're in a period now. 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:17.560 This chapter and a couple subsequent chapters is a period where David's going to be pursued by Saul. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:20.919 And Saul's trying to kill him. 00:03:22.719 --> 00:03:27.699 And so that's the context of 1 Samuel 24. 00:03:27.699 --> 00:03:32.839 So if you'll turn with me to page 246 in your pew Bible. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:37.379 It's a little bit lengthy. 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:41.459 So just bear with me and read along as I'm going to go ahead and read the whole thing. 00:03:43.699 --> 00:03:47.099 When Samuel returned from following the Philistines, he was told, 00:03:47.939 --> 00:03:50.039 Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi. 00:03:50.039 --> 00:03:59.199 Then Saul took 3,000 chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the wild goats' rocks. 00:04:00.039 --> 00:04:03.659 And he came to the sheep's fold, by the way, where there was a cave. 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:06.039 And Saul went in to relieve himself. 00:04:07.799 --> 00:04:11.120 Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:13.980 And the men of David said to him, 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:16.959 Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:22.180 Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:27.620 Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:30.860 And afterward, David's heart was struck. 00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:35.220 David's heart struck him because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 00:04:35.220 --> 00:04:37.800 He said to his men, 00:04:38.280 --> 00:04:42.500 The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my Lord, the Lord's anointed, 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:47.120 to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord's anointed. 00:04:48.400 --> 00:04:52.840 So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. 00:04:53.220 --> 00:04:55.740 And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. 00:04:57.560 --> 00:05:01.060 Afterward, David also arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, 00:05:01.200 --> 00:05:02.220 My Lord, the king. 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:08.000 And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 00:05:08.460 --> 00:05:09.460 And David said to Saul, 00:05:09.780 --> 00:05:11.720 Why do you listen to the words of men who say, 00:05:12.140 --> 00:05:13.740 Behold, David seeks your harm. 00:05:14.780 --> 00:05:19.820 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you into my hand in the cave. 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:23.900 And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:27.780 I said, I will not put out my hand against my Lord, 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:29.740 for he is the Lord's anointed. 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:33.920 See, my Father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:38.420 For by the fact I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:42.900 you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:47.939 I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:51.040 May the Lord judge between me and you. 00:05:51.400 --> 00:05:53.240 May the Lord avenge me against you. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.740 But my hand shall not be against you. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:00.160 As the Proverbs of the ancients say, 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:02.220 Out of the wicked comes wickedness. 00:06:02.840 --> 00:06:04.819 But my hand shall not be against you. 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:07.079 After whom has the king of Israel come out? 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:09.120 After whom do you pursue? 00:06:09.280 --> 00:06:10.460 After a dead dog? 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:11.460 After a flea? 00:06:12.540 --> 00:06:16.980 May the Lord, therefore, be judge and give sentence between me and you. 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:22.080 And see to it and plead my cause and deliver me from your hand. 00:06:24.960 --> 00:06:27.700 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:28.460 Saul said, 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:30.920 Is this your voice, my son David? 00:06:31.660 --> 00:06:33.840 And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:35.939 He said to David, 00:06:36.080 --> 00:06:37.439 You are more righteous than I, 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:39.580 for you have repaid me good, 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.939 whereas I have repaid you evil. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:45.660 And you have declared this day how you have dealt with me, 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:49.100 in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:52.959 For if a man finds his enemy, 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:54.699 will he let him go away safe? 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:59.500 So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:04.100 And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:07.300 and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:10.100 Swear to me, therefore, by the Lord, 00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:12.620 that you will not cut off my offspring after me, 00:07:13.140 --> 00:07:16.780 and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:20.480 And David swore this to Saul. 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:24.260 And then Saul went home, 00:07:24.520 --> 00:07:27.120 but David and his men went up to the stronghold. 00:07:31.820 --> 00:07:36.240 So I'd like to propose three things that we can do 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:42.819 to be patient while we trust God in the midst of trials. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:48.079 Number one is to understand the temptations that trials present us. 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:55.620 Number two is to remember the purpose that God has for us in trials. 00:07:55.780 --> 00:07:59.780 And number three is to cling to the God of trials. 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:04.599 Okay, so first thing I'd like to consider is 00:08:04.599 --> 00:08:08.059 understanding the temptation of trials. 00:08:08.239 --> 00:08:12.500 You know, when we have a time of testing or a time of trials, 00:08:12.599 --> 00:08:15.279 when we're in a situation where we're under pressure, 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:21.639 it sparks an inner crisis in our minds and in our hearts. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:26.199 And we have an inner discussion with ourselves, right? 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:27.779 We have, I mean, you know, 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:31.219 it's not exactly the angel and the devil and each shoulder, 00:08:31.339 --> 00:08:37.980 but we have a conviction of what God might have us do in a situation. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:41.879 But then we have this cloud of voices that are saying, 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:42.639 well, what about this? 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.399 And what about this? 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:44.559 And have you considered this? 00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:45.500 And what about this? 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:45.939 Right? 00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:52.840 And not all those voices are good voices. 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:56.580 Not all those voices are voices that are out for your good. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:09:02.740 Some of those voices are out to destroy your soul, actually. 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:08.540 And I think that it's helpful to pause when we see, 00:09:09.260 --> 00:09:13.240 in this case, David under duress, 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:18.080 to think through what might be going on in his head. 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:18.580 Okay? 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:22.080 To think through what he's up against in these trials. 00:09:22.180 --> 00:09:24.500 So the first trial we'd like to look at is, 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:27.580 let's look at verse 4 together. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:31.560 And the men of David said to him, 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:33.320 here is the day of which the Lord said to you, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.379 behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:38.639 and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. 00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:42.840 And then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:47.280 So what's going on here is that David and his men are hiding in this cave. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:50.040 And remember, their lives are... 00:09:50.040 --> 00:09:52.720 Saul's come out with 3,000 men. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:57.460 And David has approximately 600 men in the cave. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:59.060 They're way outnumbered. 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:01.000 Their very lives are at risk, right? 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:06.200 And so to David's men's eyes, 00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:09.920 God has given Saul into their hands. 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:12.120 He served him up on a silver platter. 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:19.320 And the first temptation that I want to look at 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:23.080 is the temptation to take the expedient way out 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:27.500 in the midst of converging pressures. 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.740 That's a lot of words now. 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:30.980 Let me try to unpack that. 00:10:32.060 --> 00:10:36.299 The temptation to take the easy, expedient way out 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:39.819 in the midst of converging pressures. 00:10:39.819 --> 00:10:41.599 So what pressures was David under 00:10:41.599 --> 00:10:46.519 when Saul came into the cave to go to the bathroom? 00:10:47.079 --> 00:10:50.519 So he's in there all by himself, totally vulnerable. 00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:54.500 David's men see it, and they're like, 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:55.219 go kill him. 00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:59.740 And I want to think through a little bit 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.399 what pressures he was under. 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:08.159 He was under the pressure not only to kill Saul for himself 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:13.600 and get out from under the threat of his own life being in danger, 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:16.179 but he was also under this immense pressure 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:17.600 from all of his men that are like, 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:18.980 this is the right thing to do. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:22.879 And that's the type of pressure we can also relate to, right? 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:25.439 We've all been in a position where we have people that we, 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:28.139 it's not even so much the opinions of people out there 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.480 that we don't know and we don't trust. 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:32.539 It's the people, the opinions of the people close to us, right? 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:34.299 And they come to us and they say, 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:35.460 just do this thing. 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.519 Just do this thing. 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:39.480 Look how God's, look at how it's all aligned perfectly. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:42.500 So David's got this pressure of, 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:45.500 to kill Saul to spare his own life. 00:11:45.700 --> 00:11:50.100 David's got this pressure of his own friends and men 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:53.659 are saying this is what God wants you to do. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:12:03.620 And David's own desire to have the throne that God's promised him. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:10.940 But David had the conviction that this was wrong. 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:14.080 David had the conviction that God did not, 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:17.340 even though the circumstances looked a certain way, 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:20.000 that God did not want him to just kill Saul. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:22.440 Because Saul was God's anointed. 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:26.540 Saul was still in the office of king that God had established. 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:29.300 And in David's mind, this was a vertical, 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:34.820 this was out of love and respect and honor for God 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:37.200 who had established this man as his man. 00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:43.860 David did not feel like he had the right to kill this king, 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:47.600 even though it would be expedient to do so. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:50.100 We can almost hear God's, 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:51.580 we can almost hear God saying, 00:12:52.320 --> 00:12:55.779 to kill him, to kill Saul now would be murder. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:58.639 It would be poison, poison to your soul, 00:12:58.740 --> 00:13:00.659 and it would taint your future kingship. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.340 Do not do it. 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.120 Trust me. 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:05.500 I will handle this in my own timing. 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:09.440 But we can also imagine the voices, right, 00:13:09.540 --> 00:13:10.440 in David's head. 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:16.520 We can imagine the voices saying things like, 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:20.520 if I don't do this, things could get worse. 00:13:20.780 --> 00:13:22.200 The situation could get worse. 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:23.380 I could get killed. 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:27.940 He could, you know, David might tell himself, 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:29.100 if I don't do this, 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:31.140 I'm going to keep putting my friends in danger. 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.240 My friends may die. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.740 These men who are following me, 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.980 in other words, 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.080 he'd think of other people 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:37.820 that are going to be put in jeopardy. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:40.879 He may say to himself, 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:43.320 I may never get this chance again. 00:13:44.180 --> 00:13:45.159 Man, have you ever been there? 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:45.700 I've been there. 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:47.759 Have you ever been facing a test or a trial 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.299 and have that little voice come and say, 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.779 you may never get this chance again? 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:51.879 And it's like, oh, 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:54.419 that pressure sets in, right? 00:13:54.419 --> 00:14:01.439 You know, if we compare this temptation to Saul, 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:03.559 back in chapter 13, 00:14:03.959 --> 00:14:07.139 Saul faced sort of a similar situation 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.779 where Samuel said, 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:11.240 look, I need you to wait for me seven days. 00:14:11.339 --> 00:14:11.979 I'll come. 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.299 We'll do the sacrifices. 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:14.419 God will bless you. 00:14:14.459 --> 00:14:17.459 And then you can go in and fight the Philistines. 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.740 Well, Saul's there. 00:14:19.199 --> 00:14:20.799 The Philistines are mustered. 00:14:21.599 --> 00:14:22.799 And there's a lot of them. 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:23.819 And he's scared. 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:26.560 And Saul's own people are starting to waver. 00:14:27.040 --> 00:14:29.520 And they're starting to, you know, 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:32.420 there are all these converging pressures on Saul. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.400 Multiple pressures are coming at him at the same time. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:37.020 And you know what he did? 00:14:37.280 --> 00:14:39.780 He decided to go ahead and offer the sacrifices 00:14:39.780 --> 00:14:42.360 and not obey God and cave into the, 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:43.940 and do the expedient thing. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:45.320 And if you remember, 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:48.300 that's when Samuel said, 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:52.180 you've disobeyed the voice of God 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:54.579 and the throne is going to be taken away from you. 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:56.479 All right. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.459 So that's one temptation we can observe in the passage. 00:14:58.599 --> 00:15:00.879 Second temptation that David faced 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.899 is the temptation 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:07.779 to take judgment and vengeance 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:09.679 into his own hands 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:11.179 and not leave it to God. 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:12.699 So if you look at verse 12 with me, 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:16.679 this is David speaking, 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:18.679 May the Lord judge between you and me 00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:21.599 and may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:24.419 but my hand will not touch you. 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:29.000 So obviously David passed this test 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:32.480 and he decided to not take vengeance 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:35.639 into his own hand. 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.820 But we can imagine 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:40.860 how easy that would have been to do 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:44.100 because Saul was so wicked. 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:50.340 Saul had just massacred 85 priests of God, 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.879 God's own people. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:54.759 And you can be sure 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.500 that David probably had it in his head. 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:58.939 These were people David knew. 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:00.460 David knew all about this. 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:02.659 Not only did Saul murder these priests, 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:05.240 but he also went and wiped out 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.659 the entire town they were from, 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:08.220 women, children, infants. 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:11.620 Saul was off the rails completely. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:15.940 And you could hear the voices in David's head. 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:18.299 This man deserves to die. 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:21.240 Take vengeance into your own hand and do it. 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:25.659 But he restrained his hand. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:31.620 I think he felt convicted 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:33.279 that God said vengeance is mine. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:35.220 I will take care of this in my own way, 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.320 in my own timing. 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:38.820 The ends do not justify the means. 00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:42.399 Okay, the third temptation I think we see 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.879 in the passage is all the way at the end, 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:45.060 the very last verse. 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:48.659 So David gave his oath to Saul. 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:53.299 Then Samuel returned home. 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:53.899 Excuse me. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.180 Then Saul returned home. 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.720 But David and his men 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.560 went out to the stronghold. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.180 Went up to the stronghold. 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.799 So this is, 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.100 you know, 00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:04.240 I love the way the Bible puts things sometimes. 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:06.099 It's just sort of this little matter-of-fact period 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.940 at the end of the sentence, 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:16.480 which is, 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.799 okay, 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:31.220 AJ Casey dead 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:39.200 because he knew that this was going to go on. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.360 This was not ending. 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:43.740 This was, he knew that this struggle to solve 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:46.880 was not ending now, 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:47.940 but he's going to continue. 00:17:48.100 --> 00:17:50.759 So the temptation, this is, this is, 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:52.579 this is what we're going to do. 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.839 I think it's wrong. 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:57.620 It's the temptation to doubt 00:17:57.620 --> 00:18:00.980 the word promises of God. 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:05.299 To doubt the promises of God 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:07.819 because of our presence of his circumstances. 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:12.980 You know, to face that, 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:16.220 Saul's going back to his palace 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:20.319 and gave him another act coming, 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.620 another act coming. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:25.680 And he has to think to himself 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.940 what is God doing? 00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:29.440 Is God still for you? 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:33.519 This doesn't look like God's still for you. 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.500 You know, 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:40.500 it's interesting 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:49.759 how God is not predictable all the time. 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:53.839 And how, when we see that, 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.680 when we see God being God 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:57.059 and making his decisions 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.559 and doing things his way, 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.599 we are tempted to say, 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:03.799 is God freeful to his word? 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:07.019 is God going to follow through on his promises? 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.680 Okay, so these are, 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:13.240 these are three temptations 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:16.059 that David's up against 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:19.879 as he's facing these trials. 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.419 And of course, in this passage, 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.019 he passed the test. 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.680 In this chapter, 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.319 David passed the test. 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:29.720 And that's obviously not always the case with me. 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:33.000 So the second thing I want us to think about tonight 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:37.519 is that we not only think about 00:19:37.519 --> 00:19:39.919 the anatomy of these trials 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:42.960 and the temptations that they put to us, 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:46.039 but also to remember the purposes 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:48.220 of trials, 00:19:48.399 --> 00:19:51.019 God's purpose of trials. 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.539 because 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:54.440 the question of why 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:57.400 is a huge question 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.660 when we're undergoing 00:19:58.660 --> 00:20:01.879 a test or a trial. 00:20:02.139 --> 00:20:02.500 Why? 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.500 Why is this happening? 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.779 What is God doing? 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:09.619 What could he possibly be doing? 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.379 And, you know, 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:15.500 those of us that have some years on us, 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.900 we've been through some trials, 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:21.480 and we've been through some tests. 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.040 And so, 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.460 you know how it is 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.660 when we've been through some tests 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.160 and trials. 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:25.820 You can, 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:27.720 sometimes God is gracious 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:29.120 and he grants you the ability 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.220 to look back and say, 00:20:30.340 --> 00:20:30.840 oh, 00:20:31.080 --> 00:20:33.759 that's what God is doing. 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.940 But in the midst of trials, 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:37.940 because sometimes 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:40.120 we can't see those particular reasons, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.580 but what we do have 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:44.860 are the general purposes of God 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.580 in trials. 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:48.280 And that God wants us to know that. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.940 God wants us to be armed 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:52.859 with the reasons 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:54.799 why he puts us through trials 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.460 in general. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:57.440 And there are many, many, 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.839 and I only want to just touch 00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:00.019 on three here tonight. 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:04.480 the first one 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:07.039 is 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:09.200 to bring about 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:11.920 heart transformation. 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.059 You know, 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:17.759 David is famous for being referred to 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:19.559 as a man after God's own heart. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:23.019 And Saul was told, 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:25.019 you're not going to be king anymore. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.480 I'm deposing you 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:28.339 because I'm going to find, 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.039 I'm going to put in your place 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:31.539 a man after God's own heart. 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:34.839 And when God was going to pick out 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.980 who was going to be king, 00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:37.339 he's rejecting this guy, 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.559 he's rejecting this guy. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.339 And, 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:39.680 and, 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:41.299 and God says, 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.079 you know, 00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:44.240 man looks at the surface 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.299 of things, 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.019 but I look at heart. 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:49.039 And, 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:51.680 it wasn't as if God found 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:52.059 this 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:53.639 awesome, 00:21:53.960 --> 00:21:54.839 super Christian 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.720 David 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:57.099 tending the sheep 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.980 whose heart was perfectly pure 00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.599 and awesome 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.559 and God came down 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.259 and settled on him 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.240 that you're the one 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.639 because 00:22:02.639 --> 00:22:03.879 you are good 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:05.319 and your heart is poor. 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.799 It wasn't so much that 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.500 as it was 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.559 that, 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:10.539 that God was going to put David 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.700 through 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.139 heart training. 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.680 He was going to humble him 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.720 and he was going to make him 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:18.160 utterly dependent 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:20.240 on himself 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:22.600 so he could strip him down 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:23.660 and rebuild him 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.799 gradually into the man 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.860 that he wanted him to be. 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:26.880 You know, 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.660 we can think about 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.560 the same principle 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:29.400 when we think about 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.920 the people of Israel 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:34.820 and God had liberated them 00:22:34.820 --> 00:22:35.480 from Egypt 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.519 and saved them 00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.440 and was, 00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:38.279 was, 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:39.720 had to, 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.620 decided to put them 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:42.700 through this wilderness 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.500 experience, 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:43.779 right, 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:44.160 where they, 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:44.660 where they had to 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:46.019 travel through the wilderness 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.920 on their way 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.040 to the promised land. 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.640 So they'd already 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.340 been rescued 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:52.500 and they had the promise 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.080 of the land 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.900 where they were going 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.960 but they're in this 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.220 in-between time 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:58.680 where God was literally 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.440 giving them their food 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:01.300 day by day. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:02.980 He was, 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:04.600 he was bringing the manna 00:23:04.600 --> 00:23:05.360 to them 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:07.240 once a day. 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:07.800 They weren't even, 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:09.140 they weren't even supposed 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.360 to keep extra 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:11.560 because God was saying, 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.200 I'm going to take care 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:12.779 of you tomorrow. 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.839 You're going to wait for it. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:16.079 And I'm going to take care 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.819 of you the next day 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.759 to wait for it. 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:19.980 And, 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:22.200 there's a purpose 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:23.960 in these testings 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.720 and trials. 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.539 The purpose, 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.119 one purpose 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.440 is to humble us 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.039 and make us 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.000 utterly dependent 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.720 on God. 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:34.100 a second purpose 00:23:34.100 --> 00:23:36.839 is to deepen 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.779 and build 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.680 and strengthen 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:40.140 our faith 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:41.940 as we walk along 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.480 with God. 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:42.860 You know, 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.279 this is not too 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.259 unlike how our 00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:47.059 friendships work 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.880 just with each other 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.480 with people. 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.240 You know, 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:49.740 friendships, 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.440 good, 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.799 long-lasting friendships, 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.019 if you think about 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.799 your own life, 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:55.100 who are the people 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.759 in your life 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.539 that you would consider 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.360 your best friends? 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.919 Usually, 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:58.759 they're people that 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.959 you've hit a bump 00:23:59.959 --> 00:24:00.419 or two. 00:24:00.879 --> 00:24:02.699 You've been through 00:24:02.699 --> 00:24:03.240 a trial. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:04.000 You've been through 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:04.939 things with them 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.839 and they've been true 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.819 or they've helped you 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.179 or they've proven 00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:10.819 to be there for you. 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.459 And, 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:11.740 you know, 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.559 there is a component 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.519 of that with us 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:14.899 and God. 00:24:14.979 --> 00:24:15.899 There is a component 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:18.179 where without the trials 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:19.199 and the tests 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:20.539 and then us 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:22.279 seeing that God 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.000 is reliable 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:24.240 and He meets us, 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.839 and then we're like, 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.160 oh, 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.539 and then we step 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.079 through that 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.740 and then we're on 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.140 to more things 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:31.039 and then before, 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.420 you know what, 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.400 we've got 10 or 15, 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.279 you know, 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:33.599 when you, 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:33.960 again, 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.640 I hate to say, 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.559 you know, 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.720 when you hit my age 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.440 and I'm, 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:37.799 you know, 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.599 I'm 45, 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:38.980 okay, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.799 I'm not 90, 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.900 but when you get 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.799 to midlife, 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.599 you've got some 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:43.099 of these things 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.660 under your belt. 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.299 Oh my goodness, 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.259 when it was time 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.039 to make this huge 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.779 life decision, 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.880 God intervened 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:49.299 and He said, 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:49.839 this way, 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.500 not that way 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:50.819 and I said, 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.480 I don't want to go 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.779 this way, 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.200 I'm scared 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.620 and He said, 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:54.139 just trust me 00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:58.239 and then five years 00:24:58.239 --> 00:24:58.439 later, 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:58.719 I'm like, 00:25:00.219 --> 00:25:01.119 why would I even, 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.239 you know, 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.359 this is just the best, 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.699 this was such the best 00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:05.219 thing for me 00:25:05.219 --> 00:25:05.699 and my family, 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.079 right? 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:08.519 And those experiences, 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.779 they deepen our, 00:25:10.979 --> 00:25:11.799 they strengthen 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.939 and deepen our faith 00:25:12.939 --> 00:25:13.779 and intimacy 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.679 with God 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.779 as we depend on Him 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.539 and walk with Him. 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.359 A third, 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:26.439 a third purpose 00:25:26.439 --> 00:25:28.599 is that God 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.479 is oftentimes 00:25:29.479 --> 00:25:30.339 preparing us 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.439 for a particular mission. 00:25:31.979 --> 00:25:32.799 So obviously 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.539 with David, 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.379 God is trying 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:37.039 to prepare David 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.679 to be 00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:39.079 a righteous king, 00:25:39.199 --> 00:25:40.519 a courageous king, 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.719 a humble king. 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.559 You know, 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.459 back in ancient times, 00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:47.199 when we think 00:25:47.199 --> 00:25:47.639 of a king, 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.359 we think of, 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:48.679 you know, 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.039 England 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.799 and the monarchy 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.399 and all that. 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.740 But in David's time, 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.659 he was the judge. 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.139 When you're the king, 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.180 you were also the judge. 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.079 The people came to you 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:58.919 with all their problems 00:25:58.919 --> 00:25:59.659 and with all the, 00:26:00.379 --> 00:26:01.740 and he had to judge 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.200 the people, 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:03.639 not just go fight 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.279 their battles. 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:05.740 He needed wisdom. 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.480 He needed God's wisdom. 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:09.019 He needed to be 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.879 prepared 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.500 for this role. 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.880 And I wonder 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.980 if in your life, 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.880 you can think of 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:17.640 things that God 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.720 has put you through 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.920 or maybe 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.720 putting you through 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.180 now 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:23.660 that in five years, 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.640 you're going to be able 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.420 to come alongside 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:26.400 another believer 00:26:26.400 --> 00:26:27.779 and say, 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.619 I know what it's like 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.599 to have a child 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:32.399 that is struggling 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:33.339 mightily with a 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.920 life-threatening 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.660 health issue. 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.799 I've been there 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:37.160 and God saw me 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.700 through it. 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.639 And let me share 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:39.759 my experiences with you 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.839 just as an example. 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.039 Sometimes, 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.700 God, 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:45.259 the purpose of trials 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.299 and tests 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.720 is to prepare us 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.920 to be useful. 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:55.160 And being useful 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:59.039 is a huge blessing 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.880 for our good. 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.420 I want us to see 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:04.400 that being humbled 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:05.360 is for our good. 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:06.660 Being made to be 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.600 dependent on God 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.539 is for our good. 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.400 Obviously, 00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.560 deepening our 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:13.640 relationship with God 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.900 and strengthening our faith 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.620 is for our good 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:16.680 and certainly being 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:18.740 prepared to go on 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.980 to do particular work 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.940 that God has prepared 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.359 for us 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.460 is for our good. 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:26.620 God doesn't need us. 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:30.039 He is perfectly content 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:31.319 in Himself. 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.880 All of this is for us, 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:36.420 which is a hard thing 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.400 to get our heads around. 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:43.539 Leads me into the last point here, 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.319 the final point, 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:44.980 which is that 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:47.620 we need to cling 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:48.919 to the God of trials. 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.519 You know, 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:56.919 the biggest point 00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:57.819 in trust 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:59.419 is believing 00:27:59.419 --> 00:28:01.459 that the other person 00:28:01.459 --> 00:28:02.819 loves you 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.559 and is out 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.359 for your good. 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:06.959 If you can believe that, 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.659 you can endure 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:11.079 what the trial. 00:28:12.659 --> 00:28:14.359 If you doubt that, 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:15.659 you may waver 00:28:15.659 --> 00:28:16.379 and say, 00:28:16.719 --> 00:28:17.079 God, 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.759 does God love me? 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:21.319 Does He even love me? 00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:22.359 Does He care? 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.379 Am I His? 00:28:23.479 --> 00:28:24.479 Is He for me? 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:26.099 If you're sitting there going, 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.419 ah, 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.259 I don't know, 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.219 maybe not, 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:30.259 you're in a bad 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.199 and dangerous place. 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.500 God love me. 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:34.960 And what we need to do 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:41.220 is look to what God has done 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.039 and look 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:46.900 to Jesus 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:49.500 and see that God came down 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:52.700 and prove that He loved us. 00:28:52.700 --> 00:28:55.539 this is not a doctrine 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.279 in a book. 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.700 This is a real 00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:59.440 personal 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:01.400 book. 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:24.100 God love you. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.240 Ha ha ha ha ha. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.519 Ah ha ha ha. 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:56.500 Thank you.