WEBVTT

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 As Martin said, we're reading from 1 Timothy chapter 2, and we're going to read the verses 1 to 7.

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 First of all, then, I urge that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

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 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

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 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

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 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

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 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

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 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle. I am telling the truth, I'm not lying.

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 A teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

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 Well, g'day.

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 To those who are visiting this morning who might not know me, I'm Adam.

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 I'm one of the elders here at Grace.

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 I'm filling in for Dave while he's on some annual leave.

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 We're going to open God's Word together and reflect on prayer in just a moment.

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 But what more fitting way can we begin that than to pray together?

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 So let's bow our heads.

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 Dear Lord, our holy God, we just thank you that we can approach you and know that you hear our prayers.

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 We thank you that we have the righteousness in Christ, that you would consider us worthy to be heard.

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 Lord, we ask this morning, as we look at your Word together, reveal yourself to us.

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 Show us more of you and grow our love for you, we pray, in our time together this morning.

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 In Jesus' name, amen.

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 Amen.

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 The famous wartime Prime Minister of the UK, Winston Churchill, once said that democracy is the worst form of government.

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 Except for all the others that have been tried.

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 But he was on to something.

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 There is a guaranteed messiness to democracy, isn't there?

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 Conflict and disagreement is baked into the system itself.

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 Leaders are able to stay and set a direction for a season, but soon their popularity falls and it's on to the next vision.

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 Last year, more than half of the world's population voted in a national election.

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 This year, 2025, is set to be a year where politics and government is again centre stage.

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 Locally, we've got another federal election coming up in the first half of the year.

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 Just this week gone, the Austrian President resigned, the Canadian Prime Minister resigned and suspended their parliament.

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 And even though he's not yet inaugurated, Donald Trump starting a second term seems to pop up in my news feed every day.

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 You can't escape it.

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 Like it or not, our modern kings and authorities do fill a lot of our attention.

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 And they do have significant impacts on our day-to-day lives.

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 So now we come to our current series on big prayers for the new year.

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 Today we're going to be thinking through that intersection between prayer and government.

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 In some ways, this is quite an odd connection.

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 Even the passage we're going to be digging into in Sir Timothy,

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 praying for those in authority isn't the main point.

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 And perhaps that should be our main point for today.

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 Running a bit of a risk of concluding before we've really begun,

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 the influence of worldly governments will take up a big part of our time and attention living in this world.

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 But they are never the main point.

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 Important, significant, with far-reaching impacts, sure.

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 But they are merely a footnote in the eternal story that should capture our primary focus.

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 So with this in mind, how should we pray for kings and those in authority in 2025?

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 What is our functional view of God's sovereignty when it comes to living in a democracy like Australia?

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 Who is in control here as our country seems to be turning away from our historic Christian truths?

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 A society that unashamedly ignores God's revealed truth in his word when it comes to deciding what is and is not ethical.

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 Well, let's turn to God's word and have a look.

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 The book of Timothy is a short letter from the Apostle Paul to his British aide, Timothy, who's serving the church in Ephesus.

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 It's a letter of encouragement, a letter of advice of how to deal with the challenges facing the early church.

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 The end of chapter 1, just prior to our passage for today,

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 Paul has roused Timothy to fight the good fight and to live up to the prophecies

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 that had previously been made about him as a leader of the church.

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 And Paul continues this strong, emotive language here.

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 He's urging Timothy, as a matter of first priority, to prayer.

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 Not just to be a man of prayer, but to lead the church to be praying big, bold prayers.

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 Petitions, intercessions, and thanksgiving for everyone.

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 It's superlative. It's all-encompassing.

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 It's a turn of phrase that, for me, takes a bit of a turn when we get to verse 2.

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 It jars with the thrust of that big anticipation.

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 We now are praying for kings and those in authority,

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 that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness, godliness, and holiness.

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 The two parts to verse 2.

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 Firstly, to pray for kings and those in authority,

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 just doesn't seem to be the Australian way.

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 And the ambition of verse 2 to live peaceful and quiet lives,

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 well, tranquil lives seems all very plain and ordinary.

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 And if we're honest, a little bit boring, doesn't it?

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 I can't think of a time when I've prayed for someone's good

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 and praying for government has come to the top of the list.

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 At times, I've prayed for their relationships with their boss,

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 but generally, in Australia, this isn't such an urgently felt need.

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 We can tend to take the blessing that we've been given in good government for granted.

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 But when we think about praying for Lincoln and Leah in Myanmar,

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 prayer for the political situation is never far from our prayers for their good, is it?

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 In our lives in Australia, we often don't have to worry too much about government.

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 And when we do, we focus on politicians themselves

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 rather than the authority or the roles their government departments hold over us.

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 And we benefit from this compliance.

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 It's great that our kids can ride their bikes down the street,

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 that our road networks are affected and generally ordered,

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 that if we call for help when our house is on fire or we're in an accident,

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 someone will come and quickly.

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 But the most common way government measures how good things are going

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 and how good it's doing is material wealth

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 or the gross domestic product, GDP.

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 How many more dollars have we made this year than last year?

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 In part, this is because it's relatively easy to measure.

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 But this has become quite influential across all of Australia life.

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 We've all bought into it.

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 Very few things will capture the collective attention as quickly

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 as a proposed change to our tax system

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 or proposals around negative gearing.

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 The overwhelming majority of the commentary on our current government

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 is in terms of how well it's doing to control the cost of living crisis.

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 Government in Australia is won or lost on the management of the economy.

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 Wealth has become our key common value.

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 Anything that gets between us and living a comfortable life

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 will not be stood for and voted out.

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 Paul here is encouraging Timothy to be very concerned with prosperity,

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 but he's not interested in their material wealth.

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 In verse 3, he expresses that God himself is pleased

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 when government provides the opportunity for people

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 to live peaceful and quiet lives

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 in all godliness and holiness.

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 Not because it's great to live a comfortable life,

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 because it is a means to which people can be saved

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 and come to the knowledge of the truth.

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 Think of what it would mean to Lincoln and Leah

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 to be able to preach the gospel openly.

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 We don't have a gospel freedom index.

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 We can't measure that.

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 But here in Australia, we have a real deep wealth.

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 But because we can't measure it,

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 we're prone to overlooking it.

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 And we do underuse it, don't we?

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 We don't treasure that wealth as we ought.

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 This is the wealth that Paul is wishing for all people.

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 The same all people back in verse 1

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 that were the motivation to pray for government in the first place.

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 The logic of this passage is that we ought to pray for all people

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 to know our holy God for who he is.

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 Remember back to Sam preaching last week,

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 highlighting that the Lord's Prayer shows us

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 that our biggest need is to know God for who he is as our holy God.

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 So we pray for all those in authority,

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 for the benefit of all the people under them,

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 for freedom to live godly and holy lives,

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 freedom to be saved,

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 and to know the truth.

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 This freedom has been purchased for us at great cost.

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 The ransom that Jesus paid

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 was nothing less than his life.

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 This vision of good government

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 is one that enables individuals to live their lives before God.

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 It is not proposing enforced legalism or a theocracy,

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 but rather it is pleasing to God for us to live lives

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 in light of his truth,

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 by conviction,

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 conviction in our hearts

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 and knowledge of his world and world.

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 We see this intent reflected across the Western world

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 as governments that have been established

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 under the influence of Christian scriptures

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 do embrace individual freedoms.

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 But freedom is a double-edged sword.

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 As a society,

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 we have come to embrace freedom,

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 not so we can pursue holiness,

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 but for freedom's sake itself.

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 It's become an idol.

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 We have all seen freedom used to walk away from God's word.

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 Both at an individual level

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 and also at a societal level.

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 This rightfully pains us

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 to see God's truth ignored in his own world.

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 It's wrong.

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 It is right to pray for our leadership

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 that they might see the truth,

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 to govern in a pattern

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 that is fitting for living in God's world.

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 Just as it is good to pray

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 for an individual to turn to Christ

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 and to submit to him as their Lord.

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 At the same time,

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 we do well to remember

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 that God is not constrained

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 when government rejects his word.

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 He is sovereign,

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 king of kings

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 and lord of lords.

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 Think of Joseph's brother

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 when they throw him into the well.

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 You meant it for evil,

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 he will say when they reunite.

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 But God meant it for good.

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 That was the very means

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 through which

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 the nation of Israel was saved.

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 It's the very means

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 through which Jesus

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 was brought into this world.

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 Think of how God used

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 the ungodly Babylon

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 to call the kingdom of Judah

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 to account

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 and carry them off into exile.

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 We are left

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 not so much with the question

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 of what government will do,

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 but what God will do

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 through government.

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 This is a real

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 and tangible way

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 that God interacts

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 with his world to this day.

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 As Paul reminded the Romans

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 in chapter 13,

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 the authorities that exist

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 are instituted by God.

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 And this wasn't a new idea.

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 Paul hadn't come up

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 with this relationship.

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 He merely was updating it

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 in light of who Christ is

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 and our newfound relationship

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 with God through him.

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 But God's relationship

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 to government in this world

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 and the relationship

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 of governments

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 to his people

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 has a long history.

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 We're going to do something

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 a bit different now.

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 Anne's going to come back up

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 and we're going to read

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 from Daniel chapter 9.

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 So you might like to open

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 to that and read along.

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 This is a prayer

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 from Daniel

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 written in exile

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 under the Babylonians

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 600 years before Paul's

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 writing to Timothy.

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 It's a prayer

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 about government

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 and the lot of God's

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 chosen people in exile.

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 Listen carefully

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 as it's read.

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 I want you to reflect

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 on how big

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 do you see God

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 in today's political landscape?

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 How presumptive

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 ought we to be

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 as we're praying

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 for government

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 in 2025?

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 So from Daniel 9

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 the first 19 verses

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 In the first year

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 of Darius

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 the son of Ahasuerus

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 Bises sent Amid

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 who was made king

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 over the realm

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 of the Chaldeans

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 in the first year

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 of his reign

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 I, Daniel

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 perceived in the books

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 the number of years

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 that according

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 to the word

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 of the Lord

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 to Jeremiah the prophet

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 must pass

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 before the end

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 of the desolations

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 of Jerusalem

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 namely

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 70 years.

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 Then I turned

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 my face

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 to the Lord God

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 seeking him

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 by prayer

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 and pleased

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 for mercy

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 with fasting

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 and sackcloth

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 and ashes

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 I prayed

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 to the Lord

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 my God

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 and made confession

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 saying

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 O Lord

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 the great

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 and awesome God

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 who keeps covenant

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 and steadfast love

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 with those who love him

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 and keep his commandments

00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:28.340
 we have sinned

00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.420
 and done wrong

00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:31.360
 and acted wickedly

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.519
 and rebelled

00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.600
 turning aside

00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.700
 from your commandments

00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.600
 and rules

00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:37.580
 we have not listened

00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.840
 to your servants

00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.560
 the prophets

00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:40.879
 who spoke

00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.840
 in your name

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:42.480
 to our

00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:43.440
 Lord

00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.060
 our kings

00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:46.860
 our princes

00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.120
 and our fathers

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.980
 and to all people

00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:51.100
 of the land

00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:52.540
 to you

00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:53.420
 O Lord

00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.940
 belongs righteousness

00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:57.480
 but to us

00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.820
 open shame

00:15:58.820 --> 00:16:00.980
 as at this day

00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.820
 to the men

00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.399
 of Judah

00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.800
 to the inhabitants

00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:04.759
 of Jerusalem

00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:06.980
 and to all Israel

00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:08.560
 those who are near

00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:10.460
 and those who are far away

00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.700
 in all the lands

00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:13.120
 to which you have driven them

00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:14.799
 because of the treachery

00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:17.179
 that they have committed

00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:18.299
 against you

00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:20.460
 to us

00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.399
 O Lord

00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:23.419
 belongs open shame

00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:25.379
 to our kings

00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.360
 to our princes

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:27.679
 and to our fathers

00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:29.080
 because we have sinned

00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:30.039
 against you

00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:32.279
 to the Lord

00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.039
 our God

00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:34.200
 belong mercy

00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.460
 and forgiveness

00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.580
 for we have rebelled

00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:38.799
 against him

00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:40.539
 and have not obeyed

00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.099
 the voice

00:16:41.099 --> 00:16:41.980
 of the Lord

00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.899
 our God

00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:44.000
 by walking

00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.319
 in his laws

00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.319
 which he set

00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.299
 before us

00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:48.699
 by his servants

00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.919
 the prophets

00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:52.480
 all Israel

00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.919
 has transgressed

00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:54.539
 your law

00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.879
 and turned aside

00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.939
 refusing to obey

00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:58.879
 your voice

00:16:58.879 --> 00:17:00.360
 and the curse

00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.120
 and oath

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.779
 that are written

00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.539
 in the law

00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.139
 of Moses

00:17:03.139 --> 00:17:04.019
 the servant

00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.700
 of God

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.000
 have been poured

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.379
 out upon us

00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:09.240
 because we

00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.600
 have sinned

00:17:10.600 --> 00:17:11.720
 against him

00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:14.080
 he has confirmed

00:17:14.080 --> 00:17:15.040
 his word

00:17:15.040 --> 00:17:16.480
 which he spoke

00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.540
 against us

00:17:17.540 --> 00:17:19.280
 and against our rulers

00:17:19.280 --> 00:17:20.860
 who ruled us

00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:22.580
 by bringing upon us

00:17:22.580 --> 00:17:24.120
 a great calamity

00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:27.100
 for under the whole heaven

00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:29.120
 there has not been done

00:17:29.120 --> 00:17:31.180
 anything like what has been done

00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:32.320
 against Jerusalem

00:17:32.320 --> 00:17:34.340
 as it is written

00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:35.520
 in the law of Moses

00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:37.579
 all this calamity

00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.819
 has come upon us

00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:40.420
 yet we have not

00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.639
 entreated the favour

00:17:41.639 --> 00:17:42.480
 of the Lord

00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.639
 our God

00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.839
 turning

00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:46.700
 from our iniquities

00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:48.200
 and gaining insight

00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.400
 by your truth

00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:51.160
 therefore

00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.720
 the Lord

00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.460
 has kept

00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.299
 ready

00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.180
 the calamity

00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.099
 and has brought it

00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.680
 upon us

00:17:56.680 --> 00:17:57.339
 for the Lord

00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.059
 our God

00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.960
 is righteous

00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:00.579
 in all the works

00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.519
 that he has done

00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:03.460
 and we have not

00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.220
 obeyed

00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.119
 his voice

00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.079
 and now

00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:08.599
 O Lord

00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.699
 our God

00:18:09.699 --> 00:18:10.799
 who brought

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.500
 your people

00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.519
 out of the land

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.039
 of Egypt

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:14.519
 with a mighty hand

00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:15.919
 and have made

00:18:15.919 --> 00:18:16.519
 a name

00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.359
 for yourself

00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:19.579
 as at this day

00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:21.659
 we have sinned

00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:23.119
 we have done

00:18:23.119 --> 00:18:24.099
 wickedly

00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:26.199
 O Lord

00:18:26.199 --> 00:18:27.639
 according to

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.799
 all your righteous

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.299
 acts

00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.239
 let your anger

00:18:30.239 --> 00:18:31.639
 and your wrath

00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:32.500
 turn away

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.879
 from your city

00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.540
 Jerusalem

00:18:34.540 --> 00:18:36.780
 your holy hill

00:18:36.780 --> 00:18:37.920
 because

00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:39.360
 for our sins

00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.600
 and for the iniquities

00:18:40.600 --> 00:18:41.720
 of our fathers

00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.620
 Jerusalem

00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:44.220
 and your people

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.480
 have become

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.660
 a byword

00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:48.060
 among all

00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:49.720
 who are around us

00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:51.480
 now

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.260
 therefore

00:18:52.260 --> 00:18:53.600
 O

00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.560
 our God

00:18:54.560 --> 00:18:55.820
 listen

00:18:55.820 --> 00:18:56.820
 to the prayer

00:18:56.820 --> 00:18:58.020
 of your servant

00:18:58.020 --> 00:18:59.160
 and to his

00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.740
 pleas for mercy

00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.759
 and for your own

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.220
 sake

00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.940
 O Lord

00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:07.680
 make your face

00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.700
 to shine upon

00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.779
 your sanctuary

00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.400
 which is desolate

00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:13.539
 O my God

00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:15.359
 incline your ear

00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:16.460
 and hear

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:18.500
 open your eyes

00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.180
 and see

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.599
 our desolations

00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.980
 and the city

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.140
 that is called

00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:24.579
 by your name

00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:26.359
 for we do not

00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.639
 present our pleas

00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.500
 before you

00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.159
 because of

00:19:29.159 --> 00:19:30.559
 our righteousness

00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.439
 but because of

00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:33.720
 your great

00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.579
 mercy

00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.779
 O Lord

00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.359
 hear

00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:39.639
 O Lord

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.559
 forgive

00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:42.399
 O Lord

00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:43.480
 pay attention

00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:45.359
 and act

00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.980
 delay not

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:48.099
 for your own

00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.699
 sake

00:19:48.699 --> 00:19:50.240
 O my God

00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.440
 because your

00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.019
 city

00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:53.279
 and your

00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.880
 people

00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:55.019
 are called

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:56.120
 by your

00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:56.700
 name

00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.900
 Amen

00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:04.579
 Thanks Anne

00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:08.720
 There's

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:10.180
 no indication

00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:10.759
 that Daniel

00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.799
 was officially

00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.460
 qualified

00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:12.940
 or had been

00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.539
 set apart

00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.700
 to take upon

00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.380
 himself this

00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:15.920
 ministry of

00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:16.380
 intercession

00:20:16.380 --> 00:20:18.099
 He didn't

00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.759
 belong to a

00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.519
 priestly family

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.099
 or lineage

00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:22.259
 wasn't in an

00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:22.939
 ordinary sense

00:20:22.939 --> 00:20:23.579
 commissioned as

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:23.939
 a prophet

00:20:23.939 --> 00:20:25.839
 He's praying

00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.379
 here as a

00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:28.059
 man who loves

00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.379
 God

00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:29.919
 and who is

00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:30.379
 familiar with

00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:30.899
 his word

00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:33.539
 A man who's

00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.159
 familiar through

00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:34.659
 his word

00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.439
 for God's

00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:35.959
 intent for

00:20:35.959 --> 00:20:36.439
 this world

00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:38.619
 As such

00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.859
 Daniel's prayer

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.419
 stands as a

00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:40.859
 modern of

00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.500
 genuine

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.480
 heartfelt

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.279
 intercession

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.899
 A response

00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:45.579
 to the revealed

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.339
 truth of God

00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:48.099
 It was

00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.899
 characterised

00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:49.740
 by humility

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:51.579
 confession

00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:53.299
 self-denial

00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.960
 with the

00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.880
 ultimate glory

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:56.779
 to glorify

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.140
 God

00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:59.880
 Daniel is

00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.700
 aligning with

00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.359
 God's purpose

00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.720
 but it is a

00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.339
 prayer of great

00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.000
 requests

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:07.220
 with great

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.759
 assurance

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:11.039
 It's also not

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.700
 like a one and

00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.359
 done type of

00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:12.660
 prayer

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.039
 It's probably a

00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:14.720
 conglomerate of

00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.440
 multiple prayers

00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.160
 made by Daniel

00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:17.140
 over days

00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.160
 months

00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:19.420
 years

00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.740
 praying

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.640
 persistently on

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:22.380
 his own behalf

00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.640
 and on behalf

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.380
 of God's people

00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.140
 beseeching God

00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:25.680
 to act

00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:27.740
 God to remain

00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.440
 faithful to the

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.080
 promises he had

00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:29.380
 made

00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:31.200
 for the sake of

00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.800
 God's name

00:21:31.800 --> 00:21:32.960
 not for the

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.240
 people

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:35.880
 Daniel wrestles

00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:37.380
 with the real

00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.180
 brokenness of the

00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.860
 world he sees

00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.699
 God's people

00:21:39.699 --> 00:21:40.839
 It's a stark

00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:42.359
 contrast to the

00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.119
 glorious promises

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.899
 from our

00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:44.399
 holy God

00:21:44.399 --> 00:21:47.099
 He lays this

00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:47.839
 disconnect before

00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.419
 God and he

00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.159
 pleads for his

00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:49.479
 mercy

00:21:49.479 --> 00:21:50.659
 He pleads for God

00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:51.259
 to build his

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.199
 kingdom to glorify

00:21:52.199 --> 00:21:52.719
 his name

00:21:52.719 --> 00:21:55.319
 He recognises the

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.059
 shortcomings of

00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.399
 Israel

00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:57.679
 both of the

00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.979
 people and

00:21:58.979 --> 00:21:59.559
 their rulers

00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.479
 In verse 8

00:22:00.479 --> 00:22:01.439
 We and our

00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:01.959
 kings our

00:22:01.959 --> 00:22:02.979
 princes and

00:22:02.979 --> 00:22:03.679
 our ancestors

00:22:03.679 --> 00:22:04.939
 are covered with

00:22:04.939 --> 00:22:05.619
 shame Lord

00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:07.359
 because we have

00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:07.879
 sinned against

00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:11.860
 you I can't

00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.940
 explain the

00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:13.700
 exact balance

00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.680
 of how God

00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.640
 used Daniel's

00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:17.180
 prayers in

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:17.740
 his plan for

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:20.420
 salvation but

00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.880
 when you read

00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.680
 on through the

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.120
 rest of the

00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:24.040
 story he

00:22:24.040 --> 00:22:24.680
 certainly did

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:27.280
 The walls of

00:22:27.280 --> 00:22:28.940
 Jerusalem are

00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.580
 soon to be

00:22:29.580 --> 00:22:30.020
 rebuilt

00:22:30.020 --> 00:22:34.700
 Daniel in later

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.760
 chapters also

00:22:35.760 --> 00:22:36.300
 writes the

00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:36.940
 prophecy of the

00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.580
 son of man a

00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.399
 powerful image of

00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:40.000
 triumph of a

00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.779
 mediator between

00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.679
 Israel and the

00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:42.460
 ancient of days

00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:44.879
 The title the

00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:46.339
 son of man was

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.259
 also Jesus' most

00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.819
 common way to

00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:49.179
 refer to himself

00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:50.119
 during his

00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.839
 worldly ministry

00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:53.480
 claiming that

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.659
 prophecy as one

00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.220
 of his own

00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:58.980
 I doubt Daniel

00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.819
 had in mind that

00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.379
 the son of man

00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.179
 would be born in a

00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:01.819
 manger in

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:04.460
 Bethlehem but we

00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.179
 can now see that

00:23:05.179 --> 00:23:05.960
 that was indeed

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.620
 God's plan

00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:08.860
 the self-same

00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.980
 plan which

00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.420
 Daniel was

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.079
 praying here

00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.579
 urging God to

00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.240
 bring to fruition

00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:13.980
 and faithfulness

00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.799
 his promises

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.940
 which God was

00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:18.079
 pleased to do at

00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:18.880
 the apportioned

00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:20.120
 time and in the

00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:20.960
 apportioned way

00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:23.620
 indeed when God's

00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.440
 own son became a

00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:24.920
 man and entered

00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.940
 the world the

00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.579
 Jewish nation

00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.180
 restored from

00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.519
 exile would once

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.019
 again be under

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.740
 the dominion of an

00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.559
 external authority

00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.180
 in the form of the

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.740
 Roman Empire

00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.740
 prayer that's not

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.559
 the script that

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.059
 Daniel would have

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:37.539
 written nor if

00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:39.000
 we're honest is

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.539
 the script we

00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:42.279
 would write yet as

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.200
 Paul outlines in

00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.220
 verse 6 of the

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.900
 letter to Timothy

00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:47.279
 it was the proper

00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:49.299
 time it was the

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:53.420
 proper way this has

00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.359
 implications for our

00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.120
 prayers we need to

00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.880
 pray with an earnest

00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:59.359
 humility we cannot

00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:01.659
 see the detail of

00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:02.619
 God's future plans

00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:05.319
 Daniel always

00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:06.179
 remembered his place

00:24:06.179 --> 00:24:09.199
 as he prayed in

00:24:09.199 --> 00:24:10.559
 verse 18 of

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:12.339
 Daniel 9 we do

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:12.979
 not make requests

00:24:12.979 --> 00:24:13.799
 of you because we

00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:16.099
 are righteous he

00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:17.459
 prays but because of

00:24:17.459 --> 00:24:18.299
 your great mercy

00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:20.579
 Lord listen Lord

00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:22.079
 forgive Lord hear

00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.639
 and act for your

00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:25.919
 sake my God do not

00:24:25.919 --> 00:24:26.859
 delay because your

00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:28.179
 city and your people

00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:29.079
 bear your name

00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:34.059
 in Jesus Christ

00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:35.240
 all the promises to

00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:36.439
 Abraham to Noah

00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:38.619
 to Moses even back

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.179
 to Adam are

00:24:39.179 --> 00:24:42.019
 fulfilled we can

00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.699
 have relationship

00:24:42.699 --> 00:24:43.579
 with God again

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:47.579
 assured salvation

00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:52.500
 how much greater is

00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.319
 God's mercy than

00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.419
 merely a restoration

00:24:54.419 --> 00:24:55.439
 of the walls of

00:24:55.439 --> 00:24:56.339
 around Jerusalem

00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:58.099
 or the integrity of

00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.779
 national Israel

00:24:58.779 --> 00:25:03.700
 it was a much

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.379
 bigger prayer than

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.099
 Daniel realized

00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:08.359
 it's interesting

00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.200
 that Daniel doesn't

00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.079
 pray for a leader to

00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.019
 lead Israel back to

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.839
 the promised land in

00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:13.240
 the vein of Moses or

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.960
 a new king like

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:16.319
 David rather he

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.799
 implores God to act

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.740
 to restore his own

00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:21.200
 reputation it's

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.059
 another whisper of

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.779
 Christ where God

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.559
 himself was a

00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.559
 sacrifice that pays

00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.639
 the ransom's price

00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:27.460
 in his prayer

00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:30.160
 Daniel partners with

00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.940
 God himself as

00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:32.580
 through the rebuilt

00:25:32.580 --> 00:25:33.480
 gates of Jerusalem

00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.780
 it is through the

00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:35.380
 rebuilt gates of

00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.220
 Jerusalem that

00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.060
 Jesus will ride a

00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:37.920
 donkey to the

00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.720
 cheers of the crowd

00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.440
 on Palm Sunday

00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.500
 the restoration Daniel

00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:43.340
 longs for is part of

00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:44.540
 the means through

00:25:44.540 --> 00:25:45.259
 which the free offer

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.100
 of salvation will be

00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:46.920
 open to all

00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.759
 first to the Jews

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:50.299
 but then to the

00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.039
 Gentiles too

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:54.220
 for there is one

00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.879
 God and one

00:25:54.879 --> 00:25:55.920
 mediator between God

00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.480
 and mankind

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:58.220
 the man Christ

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.720
 Jesus who gave

00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.700
 himself up as a

00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.599
 ransom for all

00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.079
 people

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:05.220
 we'll to pause for a

00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.680
 minute here

00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:07.440
 for there's something

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.420
 quite profound we're in

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.299
 danger of skipping

00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:12.419
 God was pleased to

00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:13.759
 use the prayers of a

00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.299
 prison of the

00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:16.159
 Babylonian Empire as

00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:18.039
 part of his plan for

00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:18.859
 your salvation

00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:23.339
 when God entreats us

00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:24.899
 to prayer to pray

00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:26.779
 for our world and all

00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.720
 those he created in

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:29.940
 his image to pray for

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.839
 his will to be done on

00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.579
 earth as it is in

00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:33.379
 heaven to pray for

00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:34.159
 those in authority

00:26:34.159 --> 00:26:36.680
 we are being commanded

00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:38.740
 to participate in the

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.400
 reality of this

00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:41.519
 universe beyond our

00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:41.940
 comprehension

00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:44.680
 it is truly a

00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.559
 privilege that we so

00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.480
 quickly lose sight of

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:46.900
 don't we

00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:49.440
 Paul got a glimpse of

00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.880
 this and was urgent

00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.960
 in his command to pray

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.740
 and pray big

00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:55.579
 but even as we have

00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.420
 this bigger vision for

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.200
 God's purpose in our

00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:58.940
 prayers we need to

00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.720
 hold on to that large

00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.240
 perspective

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:03.539
 like Daniel we need to

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:05.000
 align our prayers with

00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.579
 God's plan

00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:07.839
 it is God's world to

00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.079
 rule

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:09.599
 he has raised up

00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.460
 every ruler and

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.119
 authority that we

00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.539
 encounter

00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:13.579
 his plan is far

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.220
 greater than we can

00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.799
 understand

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:17.419
 but we do know where

00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:17.939
 he is heading

00:27:17.939 --> 00:27:19.740
 one day soon

00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.559
 Jesus will return

00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:24.240
 on that day every knee

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.119
 will bend every tongue

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.980
 confess that he is

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.279
 Lord

00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:28.379
 we as his people ought

00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:29.279
 to desire a world

00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.579
 shaped by this truth

00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:32.439
 freedom to live our

00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:33.439
 lives that reflect this

00:27:33.439 --> 00:27:33.759
 truth

00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:35.679
 and the courage to do

00:27:35.679 --> 00:27:35.919
 so

00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:40.820
 Paul wraps up the

00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.700
 letter to Timothy with

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.580
 another enthusiastic

00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:43.200
 encouragement

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:45.600
 in verse 14 of chapter

00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:46.880
 6 he charges Timothy

00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:48.300
 to keep this command

00:27:48.300 --> 00:27:49.460
 without spot or blame

00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:50.519
 until the appearing of

00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.519
 our Lord Jesus Christ

00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.180
 which God will bring

00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.560
 about in his own time

00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:57.019
 God the blessed

00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.320
 only ruler

00:27:58.320 --> 00:28:00.340
 the king of kings

00:28:00.340 --> 00:28:01.640
 and lord of lords

00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:04.080
 who alone is immortal

00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:05.780
 and who lives in

00:28:05.780 --> 00:28:06.800
 an approachable light

00:28:06.800 --> 00:28:08.660
 whom no one has seen

00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.360
 or can see

00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:11.160
 to him be honour

00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.320
 and might

00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:13.000
 forever

00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.300
 amen

00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:18.440
 that is the proper

00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.399
 setting for all of our

00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:19.759
 prayers

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:22.779
 that is also the

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.379
 setting for our

00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.119
 experiences of

00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:24.419
 government

00:28:24.419 --> 00:28:26.579
 we're not going to be

00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.399
 able to place each

00:28:27.399 --> 00:28:28.159
 and every action of

00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:29.579
 authority with detail

00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:30.359
 in God's timeline

00:28:30.359 --> 00:28:32.819
 but that's okay

00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:34.759
 because God can

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:38.819
 I find it

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.480
 personally

00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:40.980
 too easy

00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.680
 to lose sight

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.200
 of this truth

00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:44.279
 I need to keep

00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:44.860
 in the word

00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.960
 reminding myself

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:48.200
 I need you

00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.319
 to keep reminding me

00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:52.640
 we need to be

00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.440
 encouraging each other

00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.620
 that the day is coming

00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:56.480
 Christ will soon return

00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.799
 and all the chaos

00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.840
 of our broken world

00:28:58.840 --> 00:29:00.039
 will be put to its

00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.660
 ultimate right

00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:02.559
 we can pray with

00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.059
 confidence

00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.720
 because we have a God

00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.319
 who is working

00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:06.120
 in all things

00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:06.840
 for the good of those

00:29:06.840 --> 00:29:07.340
 who love him

00:29:07.340 --> 00:29:09.140
 and we can take

00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.460
 deep confidence

00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.279
 from his past

00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.920
 faithfulness

00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:13.200
 as we look towards

00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.340
 his future faithfulness

00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:15.920
 even in times of

00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.940
 uncertainty and change

00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:19.160
 let's pray

00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:24.660
 dear heavenly father

00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:26.080
 our great God

00:29:26.080 --> 00:29:28.100
 we thank you

00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:30.300
 that you are

00:29:30.300 --> 00:29:31.880
 beyond us

00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:33.660
 we thank you

00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.740
 for your faithfulness

00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.380
 to your promises

00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:37.700
 in spite

00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:39.340
 of our fallenness

00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:41.179
 and we thank you

00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:41.740
 for your son

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.099
 Jesus

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:43.559
 in whom we have

00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.599
 complete confidence

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:46.559
 that

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.879
 the difficulties

00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.859
 of each day

00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:50.899
 are in your hand

00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.079
 Lord

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:53.000
 you've seen them

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:55.079
 you've decreed them

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.980
 and they will not

00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.839
 fort your plan

00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:59.959
 they will not

00:29:59.959 --> 00:30:00.720
 fort our salvation

00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.639
 we will be with you

00:30:01.639 --> 00:30:02.759
 again

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.699
 and soon

00:30:03.699 --> 00:30:05.539
 hasten that day

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:05.980
 we pray

00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:08.539
 and Lord

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.140
 we do pray

00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:10.960
 for those in authority

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:12.500
 we pray for the

00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.259
 government of Australia

00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.860
 as we approach

00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.259
 an election

00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.559
 that

00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.920
 the priorities

00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:18.059
 and debates

00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.440
 that are had

00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.140
 might focus

00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:20.779
 on principles

00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.420
 from your word

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:21.660
 Lord

00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.819
 that there might be

00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:24.740
 a true seeking

00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.839
 after your ways

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:28.279
 more broadly

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:28.579
 Lord

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.140
 we pray

00:30:29.140 --> 00:30:30.559
 for the government

00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:30.980
 in Myanmar

00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:32.079
 and the upheaval

00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.360
 there

00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:33.880
 we pray

00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:34.559
 for stability

00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.660
 for the return

00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.079
 of order

00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:37.339
 we pray

00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:37.900
 for our brothers

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.440
 and sisters

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.160
 Lincoln and Leah

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:41.099
 and their ministry

00:30:41.099 --> 00:30:42.000
 amongst the turmoil

00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:43.480
 lest their work

00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.019
 we ask

00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:46.120
 open the door

00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.940
 for them to preach

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:48.680
 and open many hearts

00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.940
 to turn them

00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:51.240
 to your ways

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:53.360
 in Jesus name we pray

00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:54.000
 Amen