WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.980 And I'm going to read from verses 10 to 12 from Isaiah chapter 10. 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:14.679 So, beginning at verse 10. 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:18.260 Isaiah 40. 00:00:18.440 --> 00:00:19.039 Sorry, did I say that? 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:20.320 Yeah, pardon me. 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:23.940 Isaiah 40, page 725. 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:27.480 So I'm reading from verse 10 of chapter 40. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.159 See, the sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. 00:00:39.019 --> 00:00:42.539 See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 00:00:43.780 --> 00:00:45.600 He tends his flock like a shepherd. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:49.799 He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:52.400 He gently leads those that are young. 00:00:53.719 --> 00:00:56.379 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand? 00:00:56.920 --> 00:00:59.640 Or with the breath of his hand marked off the heavens? 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:03.299 Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket? 00:01:03.740 --> 00:01:05.540 Or weighed the mountains on the scales? 00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:07.519 And the hills in a balance? 00:01:08.960 --> 00:01:10.840 Can fathom the spirit of the Lord? 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:12.980 Or instruct the Lord as his counsellor? 00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:16.539 Who did the Lord consult to enlighten him? 00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:19.060 And who taught him the right way? 00:01:19.060 --> 00:01:21.859 Who was it that taught him knowledge? 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:24.060 Or showed him the path of understanding? 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:27.579 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket. 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:30.040 They are regarded as dust on the scales. 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:33.460 He weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:37.200 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, 00:01:37.620 --> 00:01:39.879 nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. 00:01:39.879 --> 00:01:43.140 Before him all the nations are as nothing. 00:01:43.619 --> 00:01:47.640 They are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:51.320 With whom then will you compare God? 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:54.219 To what image will you liken him? 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:57.900 As an idol, a metal worker casts it, 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:00.159 and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, 00:02:00.519 --> 00:02:02.879 and fashion it silvers, chains for it. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:06.500 A person too poor to present such an offering 00:02:06.500 --> 00:02:08.299 selects wood that will not rot. 00:02:08.799 --> 00:02:10.240 They look for a skilled worker 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:12.840 to set up an idol that will not topple. 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:15.840 Do you not know? 00:02:16.079 --> 00:02:16.960 Have you not heard? 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:19.379 Has it not been told you from the beginning? 00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:22.579 Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:26.719 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:28.979 and its people are like grasshoppers. 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:31.460 He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, 00:02:31.460 --> 00:02:34.439 and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 00:02:35.219 --> 00:02:36.640 He brings princes to naught, 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:39.740 and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:42.080 No sooner are they planted, 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:43.360 no sooner are they sold, 00:02:43.760 --> 00:02:45.659 no sooner do they take root in the ground, 00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:47.900 than he blows on them and they wither, 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:51.719 and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:54.020 Thanks, sir. 00:02:59.480 --> 00:03:00.460 Good morning, everybody. 00:03:01.460 --> 00:03:02.560 Happy New Year to you all. 00:03:03.820 --> 00:03:06.180 This text raises a question this morning. 00:03:07.820 --> 00:03:09.960 God promises to be our shepherd 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:12.800 and care for us in the coming year, 00:03:12.920 --> 00:03:16.800 but can he actually come through on that promise? 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:21.460 Does he have what it takes to do it? 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:28.100 It was a sunny June evening back in 2018, 00:03:28.100 --> 00:03:29.620 and I had just become a dad. 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:33.740 My wife, Yelena, had a work thing on this particular evening, 00:03:34.219 --> 00:03:36.120 meaning I was left in charge, 00:03:36.480 --> 00:03:39.500 caring for our six-week-old daughter, 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:42.159 on my own, for the very first time. 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:44.120 Now, I was pumped. 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:47.500 I knew that I could handle this. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:49.840 I mean, I was the dad after all. 00:03:50.300 --> 00:03:52.900 I was made for this moment. 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:54.900 So I got to wondering, 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:59.719 what would I do on this evening with my daughter? 00:04:00.420 --> 00:04:03.400 And in my great wisdom of being a dad for six weeks, 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:07.700 I decided we would go for a nice long walk 00:04:07.700 --> 00:04:10.000 around the Crosshaven walkway, 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:12.219 which I'd been looking forward to doing for some time. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:14.719 I popped her in the buggy. 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:17.240 She drifted off to sleep, 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:19.519 and all was going great 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:22.339 until Elodie woke up screaming 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:27.300 40 minutes down the Crosshaven walkway. 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:31.079 I had no bottle to feed her 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:35.439 and no way to get home quickly. 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:37.560 I knew I was in trouble. 00:04:38.319 --> 00:04:40.180 I knew that my only option 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:42.860 was to ring my parents-in-law. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:43.840 Now, you can imagine, 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:46.459 that was a very humbling phone call 00:04:46.459 --> 00:04:48.480 for me to make. 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:51.319 But I had little time to worry about that, okay? 00:04:53.160 --> 00:04:56.340 Thankfully, Rob and Maria arrived within minutes, 00:04:57.120 --> 00:04:59.920 and they whisked the baby off home, 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:01.460 safe and sound. 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:02.600 And I was left there, 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:04.199 on the side of the road, 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:06.540 with a buggy that wouldn't fit in their boot. 00:05:08.340 --> 00:05:09.699 And I got to wondering, 00:05:10.180 --> 00:05:13.600 how on earth did I think 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.900 that was a good idea? 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:20.259 I was so foolish 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:23.420 as to think that would be a good thing to do 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:26.379 with my daughter that evening. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:30.120 You see, I had promised with all my heart 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:34.420 to take care of this baby girl. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:37.840 The problem was not a lack of desire 00:05:37.840 --> 00:05:39.120 on my part. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:40.020 Oh, that was all there. 00:05:40.780 --> 00:05:43.040 The problem was that I was a rookie dad, 00:05:44.040 --> 00:05:46.220 and I lacked the wisdom 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:48.340 and the wherewithal 00:05:48.340 --> 00:05:50.800 to actually care for her 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.000 on that evening. 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:57.120 And sometimes we think about God 00:05:57.120 --> 00:05:58.139 and his promises 00:05:58.139 --> 00:06:00.280 in the same way. 00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:00.639 Okay? 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:01.519 Okay? 00:06:01.619 --> 00:06:02.599 We read his promise 00:06:02.599 --> 00:06:03.479 in verse 11, 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:05.159 to tend his flock 00:06:05.159 --> 00:06:06.339 like a shepherd. 00:06:06.739 --> 00:06:08.259 He promises to gather you 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:09.279 in his arms, 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:10.299 to carry you 00:06:10.299 --> 00:06:11.739 close to his heart, 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:13.439 to gently 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:14.799 lead you 00:06:14.799 --> 00:06:15.759 through this 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:16.559 coming year. 00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:17.179 I mean, 00:06:17.739 --> 00:06:18.759 who doesn't 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:20.199 want that? 00:06:20.799 --> 00:06:21.759 What a wonderful 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:22.599 promise. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:25.240 But is it all 00:06:25.240 --> 00:06:26.160 just platitudes? 00:06:26.640 --> 00:06:27.140 Is it all 00:06:27.140 --> 00:06:30.020 just empty 00:06:30.020 --> 00:06:30.879 words, 00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:32.020 empty promises? 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:35.680 Just like I 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:36.740 failed to come 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:37.920 through on my promise 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:39.100 to care for my daughter 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:39.700 that evening, 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:41.160 we doubt that God 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:42.120 can really come through 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.320 on his promise 00:06:43.320 --> 00:06:44.580 to care 00:06:44.580 --> 00:06:45.600 for us. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:49.160 Does God 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:50.540 have the power 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:52.020 and wisdom 00:06:52.020 --> 00:06:53.879 to make it happen? 00:06:54.580 --> 00:06:55.939 That's the big 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:57.060 question today. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.520 And Isaiah knows 00:06:58.520 --> 00:06:59.220 that the people 00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:00.200 of Judah 00:07:00.200 --> 00:07:01.840 in this context 00:07:01.840 --> 00:07:02.439 here, 00:07:03.280 --> 00:07:04.420 they are also 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:05.720 doubting God's 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:06.740 care for them. 00:07:06.840 --> 00:07:06.960 See, 00:07:07.160 --> 00:07:07.840 in just the chapter 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:08.320 before, 00:07:09.200 --> 00:07:10.000 God tells them 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:11.080 that the Babylonian 00:07:11.080 --> 00:07:11.620 army 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:13.080 are about to 00:07:13.080 --> 00:07:14.400 come and destroy 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:15.800 Jerusalem, 00:07:16.080 --> 00:07:16.800 carrying them 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:17.280 off 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:18.640 as exiles. 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:19.740 So, 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.300 this promise 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:22.439 of God's 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:23.039 shepherding 00:07:23.039 --> 00:07:24.319 care over them 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:25.019 does not come 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:25.719 to these people 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:26.319 at a time 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:27.919 of peace 00:07:27.919 --> 00:07:29.060 and prosperity 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:30.060 when everything's 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:31.360 going hunky-dory. 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:32.159 No. 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:34.680 It comes to them 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:35.639 in the middle 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:37.439 of their worst-case 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:37.860 scenario 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:39.860 when the outlook 00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:41.339 is bleak. 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:43.699 And no doubt 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:44.759 they were wondering, 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:45.379 just like we 00:07:45.379 --> 00:07:46.459 would be, 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:47.259 is God 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:49.039 really caring 00:07:49.039 --> 00:07:49.719 for us 00:07:49.719 --> 00:07:50.739 in the middle 00:07:50.739 --> 00:07:52.060 of this? 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:55.779 And how many 00:07:55.779 --> 00:07:56.159 of us 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:56.819 on this first 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:57.299 Sunday 00:07:57.299 --> 00:07:57.879 in the new 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.159 year 00:07:58.159 --> 00:07:58.959 look out 00:07:58.959 --> 00:07:59.219 for the 00:07:59.219 --> 00:07:59.859 coming year 00:07:59.859 --> 00:08:00.299 and if we're 00:08:00.299 --> 00:08:00.859 honest 00:08:00.859 --> 00:08:02.740 it looks 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:03.339 bleak. 00:08:05.099 --> 00:08:05.939 Maybe you go 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:06.359 into it 00:08:06.359 --> 00:08:07.240 facing loneliness 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:08.139 or illness 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:09.459 or old age. 00:08:10.699 --> 00:08:11.319 Maybe you 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:12.219 are anxious 00:08:12.219 --> 00:08:13.839 about relationships, 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:14.479 work, 00:08:14.919 --> 00:08:15.459 or school. 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:16.120 Maybe you go 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:16.519 into it 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:17.299 knowing you're 00:08:17.299 --> 00:08:18.219 so far 00:08:18.219 --> 00:08:18.799 from where 00:08:18.799 --> 00:08:19.319 you want 00:08:19.319 --> 00:08:19.779 to be 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:20.259 at this 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.139 point 00:08:21.139 --> 00:08:21.739 in your 00:08:21.739 --> 00:08:22.139 life. 00:08:22.599 --> 00:08:23.259 The outlook 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:24.359 in lots 00:08:24.359 --> 00:08:24.739 of different 00:08:24.739 --> 00:08:25.219 ways 00:08:25.219 --> 00:08:27.079 might be 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:27.560 bleak. 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:30.379 And in this 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:31.000 context we, 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:31.579 like the people 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:32.000 of Judah, 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:32.600 we naturally 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.179 begin to 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:33.439 wonder, 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:35.000 can God 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:35.799 actually come 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:36.579 through on 00:08:36.579 --> 00:08:37.199 his promise 00:08:37.199 --> 00:08:38.360 to care for 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:39.360 us this year? 00:08:39.439 --> 00:08:40.199 And the answer 00:08:40.199 --> 00:08:41.179 that this text 00:08:41.179 --> 00:08:41.759 gives us 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:42.579 is a resounding 00:08:42.579 --> 00:08:43.579 yes, 00:08:43.939 --> 00:08:44.600 he can. 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:46.580 The reason 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:47.379 why is first 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:47.980 given to us 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:48.720 in verse 10. 00:08:48.800 --> 00:08:49.120 Have a look 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:50.160 down at it. 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:51.220 See, 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:52.800 the sovereign 00:08:52.800 --> 00:08:54.560 Lord comes 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:55.720 with power 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:57.200 and he 00:08:57.200 --> 00:08:58.000 rules 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:59.200 with a 00:08:59.200 --> 00:08:59.680 mighty 00:08:59.680 --> 00:09:00.400 arm. 00:09:01.420 --> 00:09:02.220 God can 00:09:02.220 --> 00:09:02.840 shepherd us 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:03.259 this year 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.160 because he 00:09:04.160 --> 00:09:04.759 is in 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.280 sovereign 00:09:05.280 --> 00:09:06.040 control 00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:07.040 over 00:09:07.040 --> 00:09:08.060 all 00:09:08.060 --> 00:09:09.259 things. 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:11.419 here's a 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:11.919 definition 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.720 for God's 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:14.439 sovereignty 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:15.399 by a famous 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:15.679 author. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:16.100 He says, 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:17.220 God's sovereignty 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:17.980 is his 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:18.580 right 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:20.120 and power 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:21.500 to do 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:22.379 all 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:23.659 that he 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:24.759 decides 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:25.580 to do. 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:27.679 And if you 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:28.220 have believed 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:28.879 in Jesus, 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.200 if you're in 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:30.879 Christ 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:32.000 this day, 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:32.580 then remember 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:33.139 this one 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:33.460 thing. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:35.740 the sovereign 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.180 wise 00:09:37.180 --> 00:09:38.379 ruler of 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:39.080 the universe 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:40.940 is your 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:41.780 shepherd. 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:43.879 That is 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:44.920 why he 00:09:44.920 --> 00:09:45.680 is able 00:09:45.680 --> 00:09:46.480 to care 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:47.000 for you. 00:09:47.540 --> 00:09:48.420 If he 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:49.660 has all 00:09:49.660 --> 00:09:50.220 the power 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:52.500 and all 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.180 the wisdom, 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:53.820 put those 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:54.320 two together, 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.720 he is more 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:56.480 than able 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:58.440 to care 00:09:58.440 --> 00:09:58.940 for you, 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:00.360 to lead 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:00.840 you and 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:01.580 guide you 00:10:01.580 --> 00:10:02.900 through 00:10:02.900 --> 00:10:04.200 2025. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:07.280 We're 00:10:07.280 --> 00:10:07.540 going to 00:10:07.540 --> 00:10:08.520 see all 00:10:08.520 --> 00:10:09.020 of this 00:10:09.020 --> 00:10:09.720 in the 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:10.020 text, 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:10.720 but first 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:11.660 let's just 00:10:11.660 --> 00:10:12.280 pray and 00:10:12.280 --> 00:10:12.759 ask God 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:13.360 for his 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:13.639 help. 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:15.139 Lord, 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:17.520 give us 00:10:17.520 --> 00:10:18.400 new eyes 00:10:18.400 --> 00:10:18.980 today to 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.200 see your 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:21.020 sovereignty 00:10:21.020 --> 00:10:22.139 over all. 00:10:23.440 --> 00:10:23.820 Give us 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:24.580 that fresh 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:25.340 vision of 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:26.080 how strong 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:27.400 and wise 00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:28.140 you are 00:10:28.140 --> 00:10:28.660 so that we 00:10:28.660 --> 00:10:29.420 can trust 00:10:29.420 --> 00:10:30.080 in your 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:31.060 promise to 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:31.559 care for 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:32.459 us this 00:10:32.459 --> 00:10:32.759 year. 00:10:33.079 --> 00:10:33.879 We need 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:34.639 you now. 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:35.479 Amen. 00:10:37.239 --> 00:10:38.019 First thing 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:38.379 we're going 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:38.779 to do is 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:39.419 see God's 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:39.879 sovereignty 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.519 in this 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:42.099 text and 00:10:42.099 --> 00:10:43.019 then his 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:44.119 wisdom and 00:10:44.119 --> 00:10:44.699 we'll finish 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:45.119 then with 00:10:45.119 --> 00:10:45.859 one big 00:10:45.859 --> 00:10:47.159 implication 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:47.939 for our 00:10:47.939 --> 00:10:48.339 lives. 00:10:48.699 --> 00:10:49.299 So first, 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:50.899 your shepherd 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.259 is the 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.459 sovereign ruler 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:54.579 over all. 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:55.759 And the 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:56.039 first thing 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:56.419 we see is 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:56.779 that he's 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:57.419 sovereign over 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:57.899 creation. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:10:58.259 Just look 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:58.559 down at 00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.619 verse 12 00:10:59.620 --> 00:10:59.919 there. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:01.399 It says, 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:02.120 who has 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:02.759 measured the 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.379 waters in 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:03.820 the hollow 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:04.259 of his 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:05.159 hand or 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:05.440 with the 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:06.100 breath of 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:06.560 his hand 00:11:06.560 --> 00:11:07.419 marked off 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:07.980 the heavens? 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:09.200 Who has 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:09.720 held the 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:10.279 dust of 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:10.639 the earth 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.039 in a 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:11.820 basket or 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:12.799 weighed the 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:13.860 mountains on 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.460 the scales 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:14.840 and the 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:15.820 hills in a 00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:16.139 balance? 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:16.759 You know, 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:17.639 God is 00:11:17.639 --> 00:11:18.220 that just 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:18.779 a tender 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.179 shepherd. 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.620 He's bigger 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.019 than our 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:22.840 wildest 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:23.799 imaginations, 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:24.960 so big that 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:25.600 he measures 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.299 the whole 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:28.019 universe with 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:28.639 a hand 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.100 span. 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:29.740 Look at 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:31.279 verse 25. 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:33.840 He says, 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:34.860 to whom 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.620 will you 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:36.480 compare me? 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:38.220 Who is 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:38.980 my equal? 00:11:39.939 --> 00:11:40.419 Says the 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:40.919 Holy One. 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.059 Lift up 00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:42.579 your eyes 00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:43.139 and look 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:43.699 to the 00:11:43.699 --> 00:11:44.019 heavens. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.000 Who created 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:45.699 all these? 00:11:47.199 --> 00:11:48.000 He who 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:48.860 brings out 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:49.679 the starry 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:50.539 host one 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:51.480 by one 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.699 and calls 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:54.120 forth each 00:11:54.120 --> 00:11:54.579 of them 00:11:54.579 --> 00:11:55.379 by name 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.039 because of 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:56.620 his great 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.740 power and 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:58.620 mighty strength. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.599 Not one 00:11:59.599 --> 00:12:00.240 of them 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.319 is missing. 00:12:01.839 --> 00:12:02.259 It couldn't 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:02.819 be clearer. 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:04.919 God is 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:06.539 sovereign over 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:08.279 his creation. 00:12:08.719 --> 00:12:09.459 The billions 00:12:09.459 --> 00:12:10.159 of planets 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:10.719 spin at 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:11.759 his command. 00:12:12.219 --> 00:12:13.480 So we 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:13.919 might look 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.179 at our 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:14.959 struggles that 00:12:14.959 --> 00:12:15.559 we face 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:17.000 this year 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:17.439 and think 00:12:17.439 --> 00:12:17.939 they're too 00:12:17.939 --> 00:12:18.459 big for 00:12:18.459 --> 00:12:18.959 God, but 00:12:18.959 --> 00:12:19.500 we need to 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.179 correct that 00:12:20.179 --> 00:12:20.779 misunderstanding. 00:12:23.099 --> 00:12:24.039 Your shepherd 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:25.819 is the ruler 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:26.980 of the 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:27.519 universe. 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:27.879 Don't 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:28.519 underestimate 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.799 what his 00:12:29.799 --> 00:12:31.279 great power 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.360 can do. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.240 Secondly, 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:34.339 God's 00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:35.399 sovereign over 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.000 the nations. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:36.899 He's bigger 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.459 than all the 00:12:37.459 --> 00:12:37.899 world's 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:38.519 superpowers. 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:39.360 In fact, 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:39.759 they only 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:41.019 exist because 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:41.459 of his 00:12:41.459 --> 00:12:41.860 ultimate 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:42.299 purpose. 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:42.719 Look at 00:12:42.719 --> 00:12:43.959 verse 15. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:45.919 Surely 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:46.860 the nations 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:47.559 are like a 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:48.659 drop in 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:49.240 a bucket. 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:50.799 They are 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.439 regarded as 00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:52.179 dust on 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:52.719 the scales. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.519 He weighs 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:54.100 the islands 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:55.120 as though 00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:55.480 they were 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.320 fine dust. 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.600 Verse 17. 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.019 Before him 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:01.279 all the 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.120 nations are 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:03.440 as nothing. 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:04.940 They are 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:05.700 regarded by 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:06.100 him as 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.639 worthless and 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:09.320 less than 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:09.680 nothing. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:11.460 Don't look 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.259 at China 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.220 or Russia 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:13.980 or the 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:14.899 EU or 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:15.320 USA. 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.200 Don't look 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:17.620 at them and 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.220 say, oh, 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:18.720 who could 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.460 stand against 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:20.060 their power? 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.440 They're 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:21.920 invincible. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.620 No, we 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.180 shouldn't say 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:24.560 that in 00:13:24.560 --> 00:13:24.860 light of 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.379 this text. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:25.779 Despite 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:26.440 all their 00:13:26.440 --> 00:13:27.600 military and 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.540 financial wealth, 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.480 to God they 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.220 are less than 00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:31.580 nothing. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.220 That's how 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:32.740 small they 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:32.940 are. 00:13:33.680 --> 00:13:34.040 That's how 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:34.440 weak they 00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:34.620 are. 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:36.800 I think 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:37.139 that's a 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:37.460 wonderful 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:38.139 reassurance. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:39.519 They can 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.580 only act 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.800 within the 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:42.399 bounds of 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.320 God's 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:43.920 ultimate 00:13:43.920 --> 00:13:45.060 purposes. 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:46.059 God's 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:47.059 love. 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:46.939 And we 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:47.399 might think 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:47.839 that their 00:13:47.839 --> 00:13:49.759 leaders are 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:50.839 the ones who 00:13:50.839 --> 00:13:51.379 rule the 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:51.619 world. 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:52.139 But actually, 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:52.500 if you look 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:52.799 down on 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:53.439 verse 21, 00:13:54.439 --> 00:13:54.839 we find 00:13:54.839 --> 00:13:55.099 something 00:13:55.099 --> 00:13:55.559 different. 00:13:56.599 --> 00:13:57.219 Verse 21, 00:13:57.220 --> 00:14:19.120 God is 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:19.700 the true 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.060 king, 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:21.660 reigning on 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:22.180 the only 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:23.660 throne that 00:14:23.660 --> 00:14:24.779 matters this 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.180 morning. 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:25.799 all other 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.599 kings and 00:14:26.599 --> 00:14:27.039 presidents 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:27.519 sit in 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.279 their tiny 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.439 worthless 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.539 thrones. 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:30.839 And look 00:14:30.839 --> 00:14:31.099 at verse 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:31.659 23. 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.199 He says, 00:14:32.959 --> 00:14:33.679 God brings 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:34.459 princes to 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:34.759 naught. 00:14:35.339 --> 00:14:35.959 He reduces 00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:36.719 the rulers 00:14:36.719 --> 00:14:37.319 of this 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:37.979 world to 00:14:37.979 --> 00:14:38.319 nothing. 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:38.879 No sooner 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.239 are they 00:14:39.239 --> 00:14:39.679 planted, 00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:40.299 no sooner 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:40.719 are they 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.139 sown, 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:41.819 no sooner 00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:42.120 do they 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.579 take root 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:42.819 in the 00:14:42.819 --> 00:14:43.079 ground, 00:14:43.239 --> 00:14:43.599 than he 00:14:43.599 --> 00:14:44.459 blows on 00:14:44.459 --> 00:14:44.699 them, 00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:46.039 and they 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.479 wither. 00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:48.299 And the 00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:48.899 whirlwind 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.259 sweeps them 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.500 away like 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:51.939 chaff. 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:53.699 That's an 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:54.240 amazing image, 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:54.519 isn't it? 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.659 Like little 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.379 saplings 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.299 planted in 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:57.779 the ground, 00:14:58.659 --> 00:14:59.960 God plants 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.720 the kings 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.919 and governments 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:03.079 of this 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.379 world, 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:03.919 and with a 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.759 puff of 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.399 his breath, 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:06.500 they're 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:06.980 brought down, 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.579 swept away. 00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:11.620 God is 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.159 in control. 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.759 Whether it's 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.679 Putin or 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.220 Trump or 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:16.720 Mihoi 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:17.120 Martin, 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.139 the leaders 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.159 of the 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:19.819 world make 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:20.500 their decisions 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.299 for good or 00:15:21.299 --> 00:15:21.639 ill, 00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:22.639 God's 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:21.699 love, 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.080 but none 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:23.460 of them 00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:25.419 outside the 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:26.120 bounds of 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.679 God's 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.659 ultimate 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.740 control. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:29.980 Now that 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.519 all leads 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.519 us to a 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.080 really 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:32.899 difficult 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.759 question. 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.019 Is God 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.919 sovereign 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:38.799 over 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.360 evil? 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.059 Because how 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.659 can we say 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.240 God's in 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.340 control over 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.659 those who 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.039 are in 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:45.600 power when 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.220 they often 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.059 abuse that 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:47.419 power, 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:49.439 causing 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.800 great harm 00:15:50.800 --> 00:15:51.400 to people? 00:15:54.280 --> 00:15:54.620 And whether 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:55.240 it's Putin 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.200 or your 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:56.680 boss at 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:57.200 work or 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:58.340 the principal 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:58.640 of your 00:15:58.640 --> 00:15:59.580 school or 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.040 a manager 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:00.340 of your 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.920 football team, 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:02.400 we just 00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:02.900 read that 00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:03.900 God plants 00:16:03.900 --> 00:16:05.140 all leaders 00:16:05.140 --> 00:16:06.200 in their 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.960 positions of 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.380 power. 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.100 But does 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.520 that mean 00:16:09.520 --> 00:16:09.980 that God 00:16:09.980 --> 00:16:10.880 is morally 00:16:10.880 --> 00:16:11.680 responsible 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:13.320 for the 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:14.220 evil choices 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:15.580 that they 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:15.980 make? 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:19.100 The Bible's 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.639 answer is 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.680 no. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.460 God is 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:22.840 not 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.340 morally 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.379 responsible 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.659 for 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.980 people's 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.539 evil. 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:28.060 God is 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:28.399 holy. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:28.960 There is 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:29.259 no 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.779 darkness 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.519 or evil 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.060 in him. 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:31.519 And think 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:31.860 about 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.779 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.420 the king 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.060 of Babylon. 00:16:35.300 --> 00:16:35.759 He was 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.060 on his 00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:36.480 way to 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:36.840 defeat 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.139 the people 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.560 of Judah. 00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:40.500 We know 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:40.759 from the 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.120 history books 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.259 he burned 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.019 Jerusalem to 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.440 the ground 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:45.600 and he 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.100 deported 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.640 most of 00:16:46.640 --> 00:16:47.020 those who 00:16:47.020 --> 00:16:47.260 weren't 00:16:47.260 --> 00:16:47.600 killed. 00:16:49.020 --> 00:16:49.400 He was 00:16:49.400 --> 00:16:49.920 violent 00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:50.900 and greedy 00:16:50.900 --> 00:16:53.500 and God 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.560 would hold 00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:55.160 him to 00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:55.720 account for 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.000 that. 00:16:56.180 --> 00:16:56.840 In some 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:57.400 mysterious 00:16:57.400 --> 00:16:57.940 way, 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:00.040 the king's 00:17:00.040 --> 00:17:01.160 evil choices 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.780 ultimately 00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:03.880 fulfilled God's 00:17:03.880 --> 00:17:04.500 good plan 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.880 for his 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:06.240 people. 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:08.519 And this 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:08.880 is seen 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:10.779 many places 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.539 in scripture 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.059 but I want 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.900 to read out 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:14.140 one other 00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:14.700 place. 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:15.400 And this 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:15.800 is when 00:17:15.800 --> 00:17:16.280 Peter, 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.519 after Jesus' 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.180 death and 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.700 resurrection, 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.560 was speaking 00:17:19.560 --> 00:17:20.380 to the 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:20.960 crowd in 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.340 Jerusalem. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.780 Just listen 00:17:21.780 --> 00:17:22.140 to what he 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:22.519 says in 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.060 Acts chapter 00:17:23.060 --> 00:17:23.420 2. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:24.940 This is 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:25.140 what he 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:25.440 says. 00:17:26.780 --> 00:17:27.340 Fellow 00:17:27.340 --> 00:17:27.960 Israelites, 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:29.400 listen to 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:29.759 this. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.440 Jesus of 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:31.880 Nazareth 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:32.960 was handed 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.700 over to 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.980 you by 00:17:34.980 --> 00:17:35.700 God's 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.519 deliberate 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:38.120 plan and 00:17:38.120 --> 00:17:38.860 foreknowledge. 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.720 And you, 00:17:41.540 --> 00:17:41.920 with the 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.360 help of 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:42.619 wicked 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.000 man, 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.539 put him 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.059 to death 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.439 by nailing 00:17:46.439 --> 00:17:46.919 him to 00:17:46.919 --> 00:17:47.659 the cross. 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.059 Notice 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.500 there that 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.479 Peter clearly 00:17:51.479 --> 00:17:52.339 implies that 00:17:52.339 --> 00:17:53.599 the people of 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:54.000 Jerusalem, 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:54.919 they freely 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:55.859 chose to put 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.519 Jesus to 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:56.740 death. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.119 It wasn't 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.479 like someone 00:17:57.479 --> 00:17:58.079 forced them 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:58.459 to do it. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:58.599 No, 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.219 they wanted 00:17:59.219 --> 00:18:00.759 to kill 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.479 Jesus out 00:18:01.479 --> 00:18:02.219 of the evil 00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:03.679 desires of 00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:04.279 their hearts. 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:04.699 And they 00:18:04.699 --> 00:18:05.559 were responsible 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.279 for that. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:08.279 God's 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.339 and yet 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:09.700 equally 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.119 true. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.220 It was 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:12.639 that this 00:18:12.639 --> 00:18:13.379 was somehow 00:18:13.379 --> 00:18:14.039 part of 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.420 God's 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:14.879 deliberate 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:16.519 plan for 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.519 all time, 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.759 which 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.379 accomplished 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:20.059 our 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.799 salvation. 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:21.720 You see, 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.460 people are 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.839 responsible for 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:26.339 their free 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:26.759 choices. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:26.980 choices. 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.579 And yet 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.200 God 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:31.119 somehow 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.960 is still 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.740 sovereign 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.099 over all 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:35.460 of those 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:35.980 choices, 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.960 carrying out 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.000 his 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.740 deliberate 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.220 plan. 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.819 How those 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.579 two realities 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.440 work together 00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.059 in practice, 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.319 well, 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:43.640 that's a 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:43.920 mystery, 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.339 isn't it? 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.460 We cannot 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.319 fully comprehend 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.700 it. 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:51.220 And for 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.600 the people 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.059 of Judah, 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:52.500 it was 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.740 extremely 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.400 difficult 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.960 to trust 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.519 God with 00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.120 the evil 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:58.220 he allowed 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.480 to happen 00:18:59.480 --> 00:18:59.920 to them 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.220 in the 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.039 face of 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.400 King 00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:02.180 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:05.019 But this 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.500 text doesn't 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:05.900 just teach 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.240 us that 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.720 God is 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.059 a sovereign 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.700 ruler. 00:19:08.840 --> 00:19:09.100 He can 00:19:09.100 --> 00:19:09.440 do 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.640 whatever 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.319 he pleases. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:12.759 If that 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.180 were all, 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.400 it would 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:13.779 only be 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.019 some 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:14.440 comfort, 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:14.860 but not 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:15.240 enough. 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:15.960 See, 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.100 this passage 00:19:17.100 --> 00:19:18.319 also shows 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.139 that God 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:20.359 is the 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.460 wise ruler. 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.799 And that 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.419 is doubly 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:24.220 good news 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.939 for Judah 00:19:25.939 --> 00:19:27.259 and for 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.899 you and 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:28.119 I. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:28.519 Just look 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.319 at verse 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.839 13 with 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.139 me. 00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:32.899 It says 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:33.220 this, 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:33.799 Who can 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:35.019 fathom the 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.679 spirit of 00:19:35.679 --> 00:19:36.059 the Lord 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.039 or instruct 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.859 the Lord 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:38.299 as his 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:38.740 counselor? 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:40.720 Whom did 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.139 the Lord 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.220 consult to 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.859 enlighten 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.119 him? 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.139 And who 00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:44.599 taught him 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:44.960 the right 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.220 way? 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:46.740 Who was 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:46.960 it that 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.439 taught him 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:48.079 knowledge or 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.139 showed him 00:19:49.139 --> 00:19:50.179 the path 00:19:50.179 --> 00:19:51.139 of understanding? 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.539 The answer 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:54.439 is no 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:54.779 one. 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.359 No one 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:57.839 taught 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.699 God. 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:00.839 God does 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.319 not need 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.779 any advice 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.519 on how to 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:03.980 run his 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.439 universe 00:20:04.439 --> 00:20:06.159 because he 00:20:06.159 --> 00:20:06.720 knows all 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.359 things. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:08.359 He has 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.879 full 00:20:08.879 --> 00:20:09.519 understanding. 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.119 He sees 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:11.240 the end 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.859 of time 00:20:11.859 --> 00:20:12.919 from the 00:20:12.919 --> 00:20:13.299 beginning. 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.220 All his 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.659 judgments 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.319 are 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:16.699 perfect. 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:19.580 he doesn't 00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:19.920 get it 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.340 wrong. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.299 Now the 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:23.740 people of 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.059 Judah, 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.380 you and I 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:25.759 included, 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.259 at many 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.759 times 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:28.620 thought that 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.019 he was 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.500 getting it 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:29.860 wrong. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.600 But who 00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:32.259 were they 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.019 to advise 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.440 God? 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:35.920 Could they 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.680 see everything 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.380 from his 00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.240 eternal 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.620 perspective? 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.059 He alone 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:43.220 knows what 00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.819 is best. 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:45.679 comfort that 00:20:45.679 --> 00:20:46.259 is for us 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.619 today. 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.519 Not just 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:49.839 to know 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.419 that God 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:52.159 has the 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:52.519 sovereign 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.240 power to 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.679 do whatever 00:20:53.679 --> 00:20:54.439 he pleases, 00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:57.039 but that 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:58.519 every single 00:20:58.519 --> 00:20:59.919 action that 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:00.519 he takes 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.159 is always 00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:03.119 right, 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.079 always just, 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:07.480 always wise, 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.159 and we can 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:08.700 hold on to 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.059 that this 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.220 year. 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:11.660 The 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.059 people of 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.500 Judah could 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.600 trust their 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.220 sovereign, 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.220 wise shepherd 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.960 to care for 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.200 them, 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.680 because every 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.579 single action 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:21.759 was ultimately 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:23.019 right and 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.940 always fulfilling 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.180 his good 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.079 plan for 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.360 them. 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.440 So all 00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:28.839 this leads 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.319 to one 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.220 final 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:30.920 implication 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.420 for us 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:31.700 today. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:35.680 God is 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.340 the sovereign 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:37.500 wise ruler 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:39.460 over creation, 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.340 over the 00:21:40.340 --> 00:21:41.200 nations and 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.720 their rulers, 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.240 then God 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.299 must also be 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.000 the sovereign 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.220 and wise 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.900 ruler over 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.140 all of my 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.660 life and 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.100 all of 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.360 yours. 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.299 And that 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.779 I think is 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.259 the most 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.740 compelling 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.920 reason to 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.120 trust in 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.559 God's 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.240 shepherding 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:00.400 care for 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:02.100 you and 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:02.560 I this 00:22:02.560 --> 00:22:02.840 year. 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:04.880 He's 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.280 sovereign 00:22:05.280 --> 00:22:07.140 over your 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.860 situation, 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.519 where you 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:09.880 live, 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.560 work or 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:10.940 go to 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.200 school. 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:11.720 None of 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.240 these are 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.680 random. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.040 The 00:22:15.040 --> 00:22:15.720 family that 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.040 you are 00:22:16.040 --> 00:22:16.300 in, 00:22:17.060 --> 00:22:17.580 the friends 00:22:17.580 --> 00:22:17.900 that you 00:22:17.900 --> 00:22:18.259 have, 00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:19.080 God has 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:19.840 placed you 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.460 there for 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:21.380 a good 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:22.100 reason, 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.780 even if 00:22:22.780 --> 00:22:23.140 you don't 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.440 want to 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.019 be there. 00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:27.840 David 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.500 says in 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.960 Psalm 139, 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.860 all the 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:34.080 days ordained 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:34.680 for me 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.920 were written 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:36.680 in your 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:38.440 book before 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.300 one of 00:22:39.300 --> 00:22:40.660 them came 00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.500 to be. 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.680 That's 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.060 true. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.220 And if 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.960 he has 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.560 ordained 00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:48.200 everything 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.180 that will 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.780 happen in 00:22:49.780 --> 00:22:50.460 your days 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.700 in 2025, 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.519 then that 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.540 means he's 00:22:53.540 --> 00:22:54.580 also sovereign 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.519 over the 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.440 pain and 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.300 struggle that 00:22:57.300 --> 00:22:57.680 you will 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.259 face in 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.900 those days. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:00.860 God 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:01.540 and that's 00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:01.960 why it's 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.380 really 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.200 important to 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:05.280 know that 00:23:05.280 --> 00:23:05.800 he is 00:23:05.800 --> 00:23:07.259 also wise. 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.700 If he 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.460 allows it 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:10.880 in your 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:13.000 life, it 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.740 is ultimately 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.340 for your 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:16.440 good and 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.519 his glory. 00:23:18.840 --> 00:23:19.580 When you 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:20.040 suffer with 00:23:20.040 --> 00:23:21.640 illness, you 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.240 can turn to 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.880 him and say, 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.700 this illness 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.420 is not what 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.960 I wanted, 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.360 and I 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.240 asked that 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.720 you would 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.160 take it 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.680 away, but 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.220 Lord, you 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.960 have allowed 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.539 it in my 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.420 life for 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:32.220 a good 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:34.720 reason, and 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.220 you will 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.940 help me 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.839 through this. 00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:39.779 When you 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.259 suffer under 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.940 the sin 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:42.160 that other 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.720 people commit 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.380 against you, 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.180 you can turn 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:44.559 to your 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.140 shepherd and 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.620 say, Lord, 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.960 this was 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.400 wrong. 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.100 It should 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:49.720 never have 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.140 happened, 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.420 but I 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.860 believe you 00:23:53.860 --> 00:23:54.600 allowed it 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.559 for a good 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.259 reason. 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.339 And Father, 00:23:58.459 --> 00:23:58.740 you will 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.359 give me the 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:00.459 grace to 00:24:00.459 --> 00:24:00.919 get through. 00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:03.719 When you 00:24:03.719 --> 00:24:04.699 suffer under 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:05.159 the burden 00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:06.019 of stress, 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.939 you can turn 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:07.500 to him and 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.000 say, Lord, 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.759 this is too 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.480 much for me 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.059 to bear, but 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.439 you are 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:11.619 sovereign even 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.319 over this, 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:15.019 and you 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.699 will help me 00:24:15.699 --> 00:24:17.240 to find a 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:17.740 way through. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:23.519 Now, you 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.059 may wonder, 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:26.079 how can I 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.539 trust God 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.079 to shepherd 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.559 me if he 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.160 allows such 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:31.319 pain into 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:31.839 my life? 00:24:35.059 --> 00:24:35.960 And God's 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.519 answer is, 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:38.000 yes, you 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.180 can trust me 00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.960 to shepherd 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.559 you because 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.559 everything is 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.960 within my 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.440 ultimate 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.039 control. 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.599 So hear God's 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.319 words to you 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:46.680 today. 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:49.099 your pain 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.680 or suffering 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.519 is not 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.720 out of 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.160 control. 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.599 That's what 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.180 it's saying 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.720 to us. 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:56.140 No joy 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.440 or pain 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.599 can happen 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.279 to us 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.359 in the 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:01.039 coming year 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.660 unless our 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.319 sovereign 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.880 shepherd 00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:05.299 allows it 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.440 in his 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.980 wisdom. 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:08.460 We do 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.240 not serve 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.859 a weak 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:11.599 God who 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.240 is unable 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.039 to stop 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:14.180 the wrong 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.680 things that 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.420 happen in 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:15.839 our lives. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.339 No. 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.619 our God 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.279 is sovereign 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.019 over all 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.859 and wise 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.779 in everything 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.379 he does 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:23.199 and that's 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:23.720 a rock 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.059 solid 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.679 foundation 00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:26.379 as we 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:26.959 move out 00:25:26.959 --> 00:25:28.539 into this 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.039 new year. 00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:30.399 So as we 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:30.779 finish, 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.559 let's go back 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.119 to the question 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:32.659 we started 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.179 with today. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.799 God has 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.639 promised us 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.699 his tender 00:25:37.699 --> 00:25:38.259 shepherding 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.339 care this 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.619 year. 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:41.579 but does 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.179 he have 00:25:42.179 --> 00:25:42.879 the power 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:44.500 and the 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.819 wisdom 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:46.359 to make 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:46.859 it happen? 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.659 Well Isaiah's 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.079 answer is 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.399 yes, 00:25:48.479 --> 00:25:48.819 isn't it? 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.119 Because your 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.459 shepherd 00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:53.359 is the 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:53.859 sovereign 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:54.899 and wise 00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.819 ruler 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:56.799 of the 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.299 universe. 00:25:59.179 --> 00:26:00.079 The shepherd 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.559 who cares 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:00.959 for you 00:26:00.959 --> 00:26:02.439 has written 00:26:02.439 --> 00:26:03.439 all of 00:26:03.439 --> 00:26:03.879 history 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.899 for the 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.739 good of 00:26:05.739 --> 00:26:06.199 his sheep 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.140 and the 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.539 glory 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.360 of his 00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:08.680 name. 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.600 So how 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:09.880 should we 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.319 respond? 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:15.200 Rest. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.039 We rest 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.220 in our 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.120 shepherd's 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:19.620 sovereign 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.340 wise 00:26:20.340 --> 00:26:20.759 rule 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.980 over us 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.700 in this 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.259 coming year. 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.700 Trust him 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:27.319 to guide 00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:27.880 you on the 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.640 right path, 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.580 to comfort 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:31.860 you in the 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.299 dark 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.980 valleys, 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:35.100 to provide 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:36.059 everything 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.919 that you 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.299 need. 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.359 He's more 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:39.980 than strong 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.319 enough. 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:41.919 He is 00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.819 more than 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.799 wise enough 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:45.720 to care 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.659 for you. 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:48.440 He is 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.139 more than 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:50.559 able to 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.099 keep his 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.639 promise 00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:53.139 to shepherd 00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:53.599 you. 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.359 We're 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.579 going to 00:26:57.579 --> 00:26:58.000 sing a 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.500 song now 00:26:58.500 --> 00:27:01.299 and it's 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.500 Psalm 23, 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.379 the Lord's 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:03.940 my shepherd. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:09.679 I think 00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.079 this is a 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.519 good song 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:10.859 for us 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.259 to finish 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.899 with because 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:14.159 hearing about 00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:14.599 how God 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.399 is sovereign 00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:16.839 over 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.519 everything 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.319 and control 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.720 of this 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:18.980 whole 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.559 universe, 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.419 but he's 00:27:22.419 --> 00:27:23.339 all powerful 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:23.859 and all 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.480 wise. 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.519 Now we 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:27.819 need to 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.339 sing about 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.019 how he is 00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.599 our shepherd, 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.339 our tender 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:30.740 shepherd. 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.240 He is 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.700 able to 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.179 care for 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.640 us like 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:33.960 that. 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:36.180 So that's 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.480 what this 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.840 song is 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.440 all about. 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:39.240 It's an 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.700 opportunity 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.560 for us to 00:27:40.560 --> 00:27:40.980 place our 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.420 trust in 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:41.820 him again. 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.140 Before we 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.380 do that, 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.500 let me just 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:45.799 pray. 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.360 Lord, you 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.039 have told us 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.560 that you 00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:53.920 are the 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:55.140 sovereign and 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.200 wise ruler 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.259 over all. 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:59.920 help us 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.160 now to 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:01.579 place our 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.480 trust in 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:02.700 your 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:03.539 sovereign 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.579 shepherding 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.480 care over 00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.799 us in 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.579 2025. 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.440 For your 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.480 glory and 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.000 our good. 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.480 Amen.