WEBVTT

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 Let's read, friends, Psalm 139 together.

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 I'm actually going to read the whole of Psalm 139 for us.

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 And this is God's word.

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 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

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 You know when I sit down and when I rise up, you discern my thoughts from afar.

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 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

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 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

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 You hem me in behind and before and lay your hand upon me.

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 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.

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 It is high. I cannot attain it.

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 Where shall I go from your spirit?

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 Or where shall I flee from your presence?

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 If I ascend to heaven, you are there.

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 If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.

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 If I take up the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the seas,

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 even there your hand shall lead me and your right hand shall hold me.

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 If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me and the light about me be night,

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 even the darkness is not dark to you.

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 The night is bright as the day.

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 For darkness is as light with you.

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 For you formed my inward parts.

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 You knitted me together in my mother's womb.

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 I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

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 Wonderful are your works.

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 My soul knows it very well.

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 My frame was not hidden from you when I was being made in secret,

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 intricately woven in the depth of the earth.

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 Your eyes saw my unformed substance.

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 In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me,

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 when as yet there was none of them.

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 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

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 How vast is the sum of them!

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 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

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 I awake and I am still with you.

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 O that you would slay the wicked, O God!

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 O men of blood, depart from me!

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 They speak against you with malicious intent.

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 Your enemies take your name in vain.

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 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?

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 And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

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 I hate them with complete hatred.

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 I count them my enemies.

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 Search me, O God, and know my heart.

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 Try me and know my thoughts.

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 And see if there be any grievous way in me.

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 And lead me in the way everlasting.

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 This is God's Word.

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 Good evening.

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 And welcome.

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 My name is David Court.

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 I'm the associate minister here.

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 And we're going to be looking together at the psalm that we just read,

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 a part of which we just sung, Psalm 139.

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 It's in the bulletin printed there.

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 It's also in the church Bibles there, page 521.

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 Now, a long time ago, not long after I became a Christian,

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 I read a book called Knowing God by Anglican theologian Jim Packer.

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 And in the book, the introduction to the book,

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 Packer quotes words from the Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon,

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 back in the Victorian age.

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 And they're taken from a sermon that Spurgeon preached, January the 7th, 1855.

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 And he was just 20 years of age.

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 I don't have time to quote the whole thing, but here's a couple of excerpts.

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 He says,

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 He then goes on,

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 Would you lose your sorrow?

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 Would you drown your cares?

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 Then go plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea.

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 Be lost in His immensity,

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 and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest,

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 refreshed and invigorated.

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 I know nothing which can so comfort the soul,

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 so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief.

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 So speak peace to the winds of trial,

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 as a devout musing on the subject of the Godhead.

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 I thought that was a good title for Psalm 139,

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 A Devout Musing on the Subject of the Godhead.

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 I thought about calling this sermon

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 A Devout Musing on the Subject of the Godhead,

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 but I thought maybe just thinking about God was a little simpler.

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 Because this psalm of David is, in essence, I think,

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 a reflection on the character of God.

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 It's a moving meditation on the nature of God.

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 David is reflecting and rejoicing in Yahweh, his God.

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 And the question arises,

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 Why?

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 Why has David composed this psalm?

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 Why is he seeking to…

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 What is he seeking to share with us?

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 What has he learned about God?

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 And what does he want us to know?

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 I think one of the things that's important to understand about this psalm

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 is that it was not composed in days of leisure and ease.

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 David was not, you know, he was lounging,

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 relaxing by the pool with his harp or lyre,

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 trying to knock out a few good tunes.

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 Here, and we'll see this later in the psalm,

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 David is actually a man under pressure.

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 He's stressed.

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 Things are not going well.

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 He's filled with all manner of anxieties and worries.

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 Life is not easy.

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 He's fearful for the future

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 and what might happen to him.

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 And frequently, in such circumstances,

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 our natural response

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 is to kind of turn in on ourselves,

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 to look within,

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 to brood over our problems,

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 to focus on our wounds and worries,

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 to go over everything in our minds

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 again and again and again.

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 How often?

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 Anxious thoughts,

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 sleepless nights

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 can be almost a kind of nocturnal routine.

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 And David's response here

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 to the troubles that he faces

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 is very different.

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 Amid all his troubles,

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 he lifts his eyes to heaven

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 and he looks to God.

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 His response to all the turmoil in his life

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 is a devout music

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 on the subject of the Godhead.

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 And this is the biblical answer,

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 I think,

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 to times of great stress and pressure.

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 It is not to look within,

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 but rather to look to God.

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 We're not to become kind of navel gazers,

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 consumed by introspection.

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 That's a huge temptation,

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 especially in a culture

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 that often tends to obsess

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 and almost deify the self.

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 To think that all the answers

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 are to be found within us.

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 I remember a good friend of ours

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 sharing some advice,

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 advice often given by James Philip

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 from the pulpit of Holyrood Abbey

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 many years ago here in Edinburgh.

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 And the advice was this,

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 don't look in,

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 look up.

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 Don't look in,

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 look up.

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 And that is what David is doing here.

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 How should we respond

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 in anxious and difficult times?

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 Let's take our cue from David.

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 Let's look away from ourselves

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 towards God Himself.

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 Let's not seek to evade Him

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 or run from Him,

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 but instead look to Him

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 and trust Him.

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 You'll notice as you look at this,

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 Psalm 139,

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 it consists really of four stanzas,

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 each with six verses.

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 And in them,

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 David reflects,

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 as I said,

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 on the nature of God's relationship

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 with His people.

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 He muses on God's omniscience

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 and omnipresence

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 and indeed omnipotence.

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 But he doesn't do it

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 in a kind of abstract,

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 theoretical way.

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 He thinks through

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 how these great characteristics

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 of God's nature

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 impress and impact on his life,

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 his problems,

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 his worries.

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 And they are,

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 in a very real sense,

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 I think,

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 a healing balm

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 to his soul.

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 So, let's look

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 this evening

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 at each of these stanzas

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 in turn

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 and see what they have to tell us

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 about the God

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 we worship.

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 First stanza,

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 verses 1 through 6,

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 we'll call this

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 the God

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 who knows.

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 The God who knows.

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 The root of the word

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 to know

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 appears,

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 I think,

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 four times

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 in this opening section.

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 And it's,

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 of course,

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 a statement

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 of God's omniscience.

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 The fact that

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 He knows all things.

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 Although,

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 I think that

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 the thrust of the text

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 is more personal.

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 Not so much

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 God knows everything,

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 although He does

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 know everything,

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 as God knows me.

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 Yes,

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 God knows

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 every human being.

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 No creature

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 is hidden

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 from God's sight.

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 All are naked

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 and exposed

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 to the eyes of Him

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 to whom we must

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 give account.

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 Hebrews 4.13,

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 Corey read earlier.

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 Yet,

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 even so,

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 God knows

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 His own people

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 in a more personal,

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 intimate sense.

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 There's a relationship.

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 Oh, Lord,

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 You have searched me

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 and known me.

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 You know

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 when I sit down,

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 when I rise up.

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 You discern

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 my thoughts

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 from afar.

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 You search out

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 my path,

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 my lying down,

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 and are acquainted

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 with all my ways.

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 Not just some.

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 Even before

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 a word is on my tongue,

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 behold,

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 oh Lord,

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 You know it

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 altogether.

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 It's interesting.

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 David is reflecting here

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 not on his knowledge

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 of God,

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 but rather upon

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 God's knowledge

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 of Him.

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 And this is what

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 strengthens his faith.

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 This is what leads

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 him to praise God.

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 Here is the Lord

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 who knows

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 and searches

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 His people.

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 And the Hebrew word

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 there for searched

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 conveys the idea

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 of a thorough

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 investigation

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 or examination.

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 Rather,

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 like something

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 that's been buried

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 and hidden away

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 and then is

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 diligently sought

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 after

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 and then uncovered.

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 Here is the God

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 from whom nothing

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 can be concealed

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 or hidden.

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 He searches,

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 knows every aspect

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 of our lives,

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 knows us

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 completely,

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 uncovers all.

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 What we hide

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 from other people,

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 sometimes even

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 from those

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 closest to us,

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 cannot be concealed

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 from God.

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 He's the God

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 who knows,

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 who knows every

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 hidden area

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 of our lives,

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 who's able to discern

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 our thoughts

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 and motives,

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 who's acquainted

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 with all our ways.

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 Nothing can be

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 hidden from Him.

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 David says,

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 before even our words

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 have taken shape

00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:52.240
 on our tongues,

00:11:52.540 --> 00:11:53.560
 He knows our intent.

00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:55.560
 He knows us better

00:11:55.560 --> 00:11:57.040
 than we know ourselves.

00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.139
 To quote Jim Packer,

00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.780
 he writes this,

00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:03.959
 I'm graven on the palm

00:12:03.959 --> 00:12:04.819
 of His hands,

00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:06.000
 I'm never out

00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:06.819
 of His mind.

00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:08.899
 All my knowledge

00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:09.659
 of Him

00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.839
 depends on His

00:12:11.839 --> 00:12:13.579
 sustained initiative

00:12:13.579 --> 00:12:15.019
 in knowing me.

00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:17.199
 I know Him

00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:19.019
 because He first

00:12:19.019 --> 00:12:19.980
 knew me

00:12:19.980 --> 00:12:21.419
 and continues

00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:22.299
 to know me.

00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.360
 He knows me

00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:23.980
 as a friend,

00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:25.019
 one who loves me,

00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.919
 and there is no moment

00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.799
 when His eye

00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:28.819
 is off me

00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:30.620
 or His attention

00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:32.400
 distracted from me.

00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.200
 And no moment,

00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:34.800
 therefore,

00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.600
 when His care

00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.379
 falters.

00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:40.360
 This God is close

00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.460
 and He's close

00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.220
 to His people.

00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.200
 He's so close,

00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:44.940
 David says,

00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:46.200
 that His very hand

00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:47.560
 is upon us.

00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:49.200
 You hem me in

00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:50.500
 behind and before.

00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:52.400
 You lay your hand

00:12:52.400 --> 00:12:53.160
 upon me.

00:12:54.880 --> 00:12:56.460
 I recall many years ago,

00:12:57.480 --> 00:12:58.680
 I was a young Christian,

00:12:58.820 --> 00:13:00.400
 in our church prayer meeting,

00:13:00.640 --> 00:13:02.760
 and I can't remember

00:13:02.760 --> 00:13:04.320
 all the issues,

00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:05.260
 but for some reason,

00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.020
 I got,

00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.180
 and this is not like me,

00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:08.120
 I got quite emotional

00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:08.840
 or upset

00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.100
 while I was praying.

00:13:11.260 --> 00:13:12.200
 I didn't cry,

00:13:12.260 --> 00:13:13.080
 but I was upset.

00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.300
 And I was obviously upset.

00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:16.820
 And when I finished praying,

00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.820
 there was an older saint

00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:20.120
 who was sitting behind me,

00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:21.720
 stood up to pray.

00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:24.900
 And as he did that,

00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:25.800
 he just put his hand

00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:26.540
 on my shoulder

00:13:26.540 --> 00:13:27.800
 as he prayed.

00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.679
 I recall that

00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.419
 to this day.

00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:31.839
 And it was a touch

00:13:31.839 --> 00:13:32.579
 that simply said,

00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:34.059
 I'm with you.

00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:35.779
 You're not alone.

00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:37.299
 I understand.

00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:39.839
 And sometimes,

00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.639
 that is all we need to know,

00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:44.699
 that we're not on our own.

00:13:46.219 --> 00:13:47.659
 Our minds are riddled

00:13:47.659 --> 00:13:48.740
 with anxious thoughts.

00:13:48.859 --> 00:13:49.759
 We're stressed out.

00:13:49.859 --> 00:13:51.079
 We feel emotionally

00:13:51.079 --> 00:13:52.179
 distanced from others.

00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.799
 We long for someone

00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.779
 to understand.

00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.459
 And the psalmist says

00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:58.859
 that in such circumstances,

00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:00.039
 the Lord understands.

00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:02.039
 For the Lord's hand

00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:02.819
 is on His people.

00:14:04.719 --> 00:14:05.259
 At times,

00:14:05.359 --> 00:14:06.439
 we can go through

00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:08.359
 periods of anxiety

00:14:08.359 --> 00:14:09.439
 and stress,

00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:10.259
 and we long,

00:14:10.459 --> 00:14:10.819
 sometimes,

00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.979
 for the understanding

00:14:11.979 --> 00:14:12.719
 of other people,

00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:13.839
 those around us.

00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.259
 It can be true

00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:17.579
 in our teenage years.

00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.299
 Often,

00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.139
 people can feel

00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.919
 that they're alone.

00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:21.480
 No one really understands them.

00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:22.740
 It can be true

00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:24.419
 when there are difficulties

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.439
 in a marriage

00:14:25.439 --> 00:14:26.819
 or in other relationships.

00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:28.500
 It can be true

00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.259
 in later years

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.279
 as our physical

00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:31.340
 and mental powers

00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.639
 start to be on the wane.

00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:33.740
 It can be true

00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:35.039
 when we face challenges

00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.340
 and difficulties at work

00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.399
 and that they're hard

00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:37.960
 to share

00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:38.759
 and speak about

00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.519
 with other people.

00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.419
 But,

00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.679
 when even those

00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:43.860
 closest to us

00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.860
 cannot really understand,

00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:47.800
 there is one

00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:48.899
 who does understand.

00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:50.740
 God knows.

00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.620
 He understands.

00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.019
 Jesus Christ

00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.060
 was Himself

00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:55.580
 touched

00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:56.639
 by the feeling

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.700
 of our infirmities,

00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:59.200
 tested in every way,

00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.399
 yet without sin.

00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.539
 And so,

00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.620
 I can say to you tonight

00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:03.899
 that

00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.580
 in every dark

00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:07.019
 and difficult pathway

00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:07.680
 of life,

00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.580
 He has gone before us.

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:10.759
 His footprints

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.879
 are ahead of us.

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.420
 And He knows exactly

00:15:13.420 --> 00:15:14.519
 what we're going through.

00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:17.699
 because God's omniscience

00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:19.079
 is not merely

00:15:19.079 --> 00:15:20.759
 a theological doctrine

00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.600
 that belongs

00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.720
 in some volume

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.079
 of systematic theology.

00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.279
 It is rather

00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.919
 a truth to live by.

00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.519
 It's a truth

00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.299
 that needs to grip

00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:31.399
 our hearts and minds.

00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.559
 And that's what we see here.

00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:34.939
 David says,

00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.759
 such knowledge

00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:38.100
 is too wonderful for me.

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:38.980
 It's high.

00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:40.279
 I cannot attain it.

00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.059
 He says,

00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.899
 this is absolutely amazing.

00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:46.019
 That God should be

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.919
 so close

00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.620
 to His people

00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:50.639
 that He knows

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.639
 all about us,

00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:53.360
 that He should rest

00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.939
 His hand upon our lives,

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:57.779
 that He should understand us

00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:58.939
 better even though

00:15:58.939 --> 00:16:00.159
 we understand ourselves,

00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.740
 that He should love us.

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.379
 That is a matter

00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.379
 for praise

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:05.299
 and adoration

00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:06.240
 and worship.

00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.279
 Here's the God

00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.139
 who knows us.

00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.360
 We sang those words,

00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:10.720
 didn't we?

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.860
 We ponder anew

00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.779
 what the Almighty

00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.500
 can do,

00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.220
 who with His love

00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:17.160
 does befriend you.

00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:19.899
 The God who knows.

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.460
 And then secondly,

00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.480
 in the second stanza,

00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.800
 let's call it

00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:26.980
 the God who is present,

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.300
 verses 7 through 12.

00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.899
 You'll notice

00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.860
 verse 7,

00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:30.740
 the second stanza

00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.940
 begins with these

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.420
 two rhetorical questions.

00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.540
 Where shall I go

00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.440
 from your spirit?

00:16:35.899 --> 00:16:36.920
 Where shall I flee

00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:37.700
 from your presence?

00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:39.500
 And these words

00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:39.879
 are not,

00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.860
 as some suggest,

00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.060
 the words of someone

00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:43.879
 trying to flee from God.

00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.560
 They're rather

00:16:45.560 --> 00:16:46.220
 an expression

00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.259
 of someone resting

00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:48.900
 and relying upon the Lord.

00:16:49.140 --> 00:16:49.780
 It's not that David

00:16:49.780 --> 00:16:50.860
 actually wants to flee

00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.780
 from God's presence.

00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.900
 Rather that he understands

00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:55.020
 that even if he did,

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.700
 there could be no escape.

00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:58.580
 There is no hiding place

00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.360
 from this God.

00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.140
 There is no corner

00:17:01.140 --> 00:17:02.040
 of the universe

00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:03.840
 where God cannot be found.

00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:05.000
 Where could I go

00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:06.039
 where you are not?

00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:08.379
 If I ascend to heaven,

00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.279
 you're there.

00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:11.000
 If I make my bed

00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.619
 in Sheol,

00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.319
 you're there.

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.279
 If I take the wings

00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.000
 of the morning,

00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.240
 dwell in the uttermost

00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.259
 parts of the sea,

00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.339
 even there,

00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:19.180
 your hand shall lead me.

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.619
 Your right hand

00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.960
 shall hold me.

00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:24.920
 David knows

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.859
 that wherever he goes,

00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.659
 he cannot remove himself

00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.680
 from God's presence.

00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:31.000
 Travels to the heights

00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.480
 of heaven,

00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.359
 God is there.

00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:33.779
 Plums the depths

00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:34.659
 of the underworld,

00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.480
 God is there.

00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.019
 There is no escape

00:17:37.019 --> 00:17:38.680
 from God's Spirit.

00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.039
 Hermann Bavinck,

00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.779
 the Dutch theologian,

00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:44.579
 writes these words,

00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:47.220
 the strength of God

00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:49.160
 comes not from afar,

00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:50.339
 but from nearby.

00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:53.519
 It's an omnipresent strength.

00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:54.759
 God is present

00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.140
 with all his excellencies

00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:57.860
 and with his whole being

00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:59.200
 in the whole world

00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.660
 and in all of his creatures.

00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.339
 In him,

00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.200
 we live and move

00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.980
 and have our being.

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:06.120
 He is not far

00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:07.279
 from any one of us.

00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:10.039
 He is God at hand

00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:13.539
 and not God afar off.

00:18:14.839 --> 00:18:15.720
 I like that.

00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.099
 He is God at hand,

00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.420
 not God afar off.

00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:21.180
 Maybe that's what someone here

00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.640
 tonight needs to hear.

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.259
 He's the God who is present.

00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.620
 He's the God at hand.

00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.700
 He's not the God

00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:29.059
 who is far off.

00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:33.279
 Many of the pagan religions

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.299
 of the time,

00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:34.960
 the underworld,

00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:35.539
 Sheol,

00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.919
 the abode of the dead,

00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.000
 was considered a place

00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:39.500
 that really was out of reach,

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.819
 even for the gods.

00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.500
 But not for Yahweh.

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.159
 Even in the place of death,

00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:49.279
 his presence is felt.

00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:51.679
 God is there wherever we go.

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.740
 His hand shall lead us

00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:56.319
 and his hand shall hold us.

00:18:57.620 --> 00:18:58.299
 He is with us

00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.220
 even through the valley

00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.180
 of the deep shadow,

00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.620
 such that we need fear,

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.319
 no evil.

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.700
 Psalm 23,

00:19:04.819 --> 00:19:06.220
 David says that this absence

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:08.140
 of fear is all down to what?

00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.660
 It's down to the covenant

00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:11.000
 presence of God

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.460
 with his people.

00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:14.539
 It's his presence

00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.720
 that brings us comfort,

00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.579
 even in the darkest valleys

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.359
 of this life.

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.240
 Verse 11,

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:35.000
 Even in that darkness

00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.819
 that sometimes

00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:37.920
 can envelop our lives,

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:40.220
 that occasions,

00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:40.819
 that darkness

00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.039
 that sometimes on occasions

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:44.160
 threatens to swallow us up,

00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.700
 even that cannot hide us

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.319
 from God.

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.500
 Even in the dark places

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.579
 of fear and suffering

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:52.079
 and pain and bereavement,

00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:53.880
 God knows and sees.

00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.579
 Even there,

00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.700
 his light shines.

00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:59.240
 His people cannot be

00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:01.519
 cut off from his presence.

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.220
 And the good news, friends,

00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.779
 is that there is no dark corner

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.640
 of this world

00:20:06.640 --> 00:20:08.640
 where God cannot be known

00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.500
 and found

00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.480
 and enjoyed.

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.599
 About five years ago,

00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:18.759
 somewhere around Easter 2020,

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:22.039
 the wife of a friend

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.859
 and colleague

00:20:22.859 --> 00:20:24.740
 who was dying of cancer

00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.200
 and nearing the end

00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:26.900
 of his life,

00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.240
 wrote these words

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.279
 in their blog.

00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.240
 They kind of journaled

00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:34.079
 through their experience

00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:36.079
 of cancer.

00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:38.779
 And this is what she wrote.

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.940
 As we have watched

00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.619
 recent events,

00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:43.000
 it was really at the beginning

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.700
 of the kind of COVID years.

00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:46.819
 And as we reflect

00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:47.720
 on our own journey,

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.480
 I offer wonder

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.740
 what life would be like

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.840
 facing these evils

00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:52.759
 without faith.

00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.620
 The evils themselves

00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.360
 are no different

00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.240
 whether you have faith

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.840
 or not,

00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.960
 but how you read them

00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.000
 and react to them

00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.380
 is very different.

00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:05.000
 I would want to say

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.880
 this,

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:08.019
 that faith doesn't change

00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.400
 COVID or cancer,

00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:12.060
 but faith does help you

00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:13.259
 walk through the valley.

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.340
 It connects you

00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:16.040
 to the God

00:21:16.040 --> 00:21:17.100
 who will be with you

00:21:17.100 --> 00:21:19.259
 through every moment

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.160
 of it.

00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:22.759
 Even when nobody else

00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.500
 is with you,

00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:25.460
 whether in hospital,

00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:26.860
 in isolation,

00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:28.880
 or in the dark,

00:21:29.040 --> 00:21:29.940
 sleepless hours

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.600
 of the night,

00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:33.880
 He is with you.

00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:36.560
 that's what makes

00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.640
 the difference.

00:21:39.260 --> 00:21:40.080
 And friends,

00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.720
 the omnipresence of God

00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.380
 means that no circumstance

00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:45.580
 will separate us

00:21:45.580 --> 00:21:46.300
 from His care.

00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:49.140
 He makes all the difference

00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:49.960
 in the world.

00:21:51.520 --> 00:21:52.520
 As Paul will declare

00:21:52.520 --> 00:21:53.660
 at the end of Romans 8,

00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.700
 that nothing in all creation

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:57.600
 can separate His people

00:21:57.600 --> 00:21:58.800
 from the love of God

00:21:58.800 --> 00:22:00.620
 in Christ Jesus our Lord.

00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.900
 He is the God

00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:03.560
 who knows us personally.

00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.639
 Here is the God

00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.619
 who is with us

00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.799
 wherever we are

00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.839
 and whatever we have

00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.480
 to go through.

00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.179
 The God who knows.

00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.500
 The God who is present.

00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:16.059
 And then thirdly here,

00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:17.240
 the God who cares.

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.879
 Third stanza,

00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:20.399
 verses 13 through 18.

00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:23.179
 We have these words,

00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.200
 For you formed

00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:25.500
 my inward parts.

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.619
 You knitted me together

00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:29.259
 in my mother's womb.

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.899
 I praise you,

00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.879
 for I am fearfully

00:22:31.879 --> 00:22:33.179
 and wonderfully made.

00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:35.159
 Wonderful are your works.

00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.740
 My soul knows it very well.

00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:38.799
 My frame wasn't hidden from you

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.619
 when I was being made in secret,

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.299
 intricately woven

00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.440
 in the depths of the earth.

00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.480
 Your eyes saw

00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.099
 my unformed substance.

00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:47.819
 In your book were written,

00:22:47.899 --> 00:22:48.659
 every one of them,

00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:50.740
 the days that were formed for me,

00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.240
 when as yet

00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.899
 there was none of them.

00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:56.339
 It's an astonishing,

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.440
 really, piece of writing.

00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:59.980
 Amazing description

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:02.519
 of God's knowledge and care.

00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.920
 David's strength

00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:06.480
 of conviction arises

00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.860
 because he knows

00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:09.480
 that God has been involved

00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.440
 in his life

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:12.299
 from the very beginning.

00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.340
 He looks back

00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:15.000
 to his own

00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.840
 prenatal existence

00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:18.660
 and acknowledges

00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:20.000
 that God was present

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.600
 there

00:23:20.600 --> 00:23:22.920
 even before he was aware of it.

00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:25.680
 God was caring for him

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.180
 from the very conception

00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.000
 of his life,

00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.720
 even hidden away

00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.060
 in his mother's womb.

00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.400
 He was seen

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.620
 and known by God.

00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:36.539
 And David traces

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.419
 the very beginnings

00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:38.799
 of his personal existence

00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.699
 not to

00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:42.399
 the moment of his birth

00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:44.659
 or some notion

00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.559
 of viability,

00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:47.500
 but all the way back

00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.259
 to conception.

00:23:49.159 --> 00:23:49.919
 You formed

00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:51.259
 my inward parts.

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.919
 You knitted me together

00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:54.739
 in my mother's womb.

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.459
 And as he thinks back

00:23:57.459 --> 00:23:58.759
 to his existence

00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.000
 as an embryo,

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.399
 he understands

00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.820
 that he is the same person

00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:04.660
 who is now able

00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.300
 to look back

00:24:05.300 --> 00:24:05.680
 and say,

00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:06.660
 that was me.

00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.540
 That was me.

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.759
 Just as each one of us

00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:12.300
 in this building

00:24:12.300 --> 00:24:13.080
 can do tonight.

00:24:13.800 --> 00:24:14.460
 And the language

00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.140
 that he uses,

00:24:15.280 --> 00:24:15.600
 you'll notice

00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:17.560
 it's very hands-on.

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.640
 He speaks of being knitted,

00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:20.920
 woven together

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:23.220
 like a beautiful tapestry

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.140
 in his mother's womb.

00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.560
 That language conveys

00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:29.360
 the ideas of care,

00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:31.240
 attention to detail,

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.740
 creative skill,

00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.779
 artistry.

00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:35.599
 David says,

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:35.900
 of God,

00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:37.079
 you were looking over

00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.720
 and caring for me

00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:41.519
 long before I ever realized that.

00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:44.519
 And these famous verses,

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.240
 of course,

00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:48.019
 underpin the Christian perspective

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:50.160
 of life in the womb

00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.759
 as something

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.759
 or someone

00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.559
 to be valued

00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.279
 and protected.

00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:56.319
 The very earliest

00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.160
 Christian writing

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.480
 outside of the New Testament,

00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.079
 the Didache,

00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:03.199
 written around 90 to 95 AD,

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.199
 states this,

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.279
 you shall not kill

00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.960
 by abortion

00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.919
 the fruit of the womb

00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:08.980
 and you shall not murder

00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.339
 the infant already born.

00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.919
 And the reason

00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.859
 for that statement

00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.199
 was,

00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.759
 of course,

00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.759
 that abortion

00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.960
 and infanticide

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.359
 were widely practiced

00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.359
 in the Roman Empire.

00:25:20.439 --> 00:25:21.759
 And that kind of outlook

00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.439
 and worldview,

00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:23.059
 it seems,

00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:24.939
 is making a comeback

00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:26.940
 here in the West

00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:28.120
 as we retreat

00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:29.600
 from our Christian foundations.

00:25:31.160 --> 00:25:32.440
 Changes in legislation

00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.299
 that now permit

00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.299
 abortion up to birth

00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.640
 have just been passed

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.400
 here in the UK

00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:38.100
 as I'm sure many of you know.

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.180
 And it appears

00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.799
 a lot of people

00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.820
 think that's a good thing.

00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:44.279
 It's an enlightened path

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.779
 for our society to take.

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:48.000
 One where the unborn

00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:50.140
 are of little or no value

00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:52.280
 and certainly not worthy

00:25:52.280 --> 00:25:53.600
 of protection and care.

00:25:54.040 --> 00:25:55.200
 Just a clump of cells

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.860
 to be treated

00:25:56.860 --> 00:25:57.960
 any way we choose.

00:26:00.040 --> 00:26:00.420
 But friends,

00:26:00.540 --> 00:26:02.140
 is that really the case?

00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:04.759
 Do we really think

00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.520
 that is true?

00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:10.540
 I'm sure some of you parents

00:26:10.540 --> 00:26:11.820
 will remember seeing

00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:13.420
 the first pictures

00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.259
 of your children

00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.700
 taken in the womb

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.440
 by ultrasound.

00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:19.320
 I recall just last year

00:26:19.320 --> 00:26:20.660
 my eldest son

00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.100
 and his wife

00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:22.059
 showing us the picture

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.220
 of our latest grandson

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.759
 in the womb.

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.200
 Just amazing.

00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.480
 You look at the detail,

00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.019
 it's something

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.680
 staggeringly beautiful.

00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.400
 Wonderful.

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.700
 The beauty

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.779
 and intricacy

00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:34.759
 of human life

00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.480
 and existence

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:38.100
 doesn't begin at birth.

00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.420
 It comes into being

00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.059
 long before.

00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:42.100
 We are indeed

00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:42.640
 fearfully

00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:43.779
 and wonderfully made.

00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.519
 And that's why

00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.180
 for many of us

00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:49.080
 our hearts break

00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:51.039
 when we read

00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.600
 of thousands

00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:52.580
 upon thousands

00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.980
 of delicately woven

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.840
 little lives

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:56.680
 being crushed

00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.539
 and destroyed.

00:26:59.120 --> 00:26:59.600
 Sometimes

00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.920
 that's hard to fathom.

00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.940
 I know

00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.940
 you may be here

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.360
 this evening,

00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.620
 maybe you're someone

00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:08.220
 who's compassionately

00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.200
 committed to abortion.

00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:10.700
 I've spoken with many people

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.279
 over the years

00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.700
 who are.

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:15.100
 But let me ask you

00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:16.000
 to stop and think

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:18.039
 about that commitment

00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:18.960
 and what is actually

00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.860
 involved in it.

00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:23.000
 Are such vulnerable

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.819
 little ones

00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.660
 not deserving

00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.539
 of our love

00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.259
 and care

00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.279
 and protection?

00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.299
 Maybe you're someone

00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:34.080
 for whom all of this

00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:35.080
 is very close to home.

00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.200
 Contrary to what

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.180
 many like to think

00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:39.240
 abortion often brings

00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.840
 in its wake

00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.759
 feelings of guilt

00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.299
 and shame.

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.980
 Miscarriage brings

00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:44.039
 with it great pain.

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.259
 And so let me also say

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.160
 that there is forgiveness

00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.900
 and healing

00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:49.819
 to be found

00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:51.779
 even for the darkest

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.460
 of sins

00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.039
 and the deepest

00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.680
 of hurts

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.799
 in a relationship

00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.819
 with Jesus Christ

00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:57.480
 who makes all things new.

00:27:58.920 --> 00:27:59.799
 And the good news

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:01.420
 for all of us tonight

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.460
 no matter who we are

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.920
 no matter our circumstances

00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.940
 no matter our past

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:08.559
 is that Jesus' blood

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.740
 the blood of the cross

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.839
 is able to wash

00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:14.380
 clean all our guilty stains.

00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.680
 The point that David

00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:19.640
 is making here

00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:21.460
 is that the God

00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.120
 who made us

00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:22.960
 who wove us together

00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:23.539
 in the womb

00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.900
 is the God

00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.700
 who knows us

00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:26.579
 and is with us

00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.220
 and whose hand

00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.220
 is upon our lives.

00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.460
 Every detail

00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.839
 of who you are

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:32.339
 your personality

00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.259
 your gifts

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.500
 your physical frame

00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.859
 was crafted

00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:37.159
 by the hand

00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:37.959
 of God.

00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:38.899
 You are not

00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:39.759
 an accident.

00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.399
 You are not

00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:42.019
 a mistake.

00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:44.000
 You are fearfully

00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.759
 and wonderfully made.

00:28:46.399 --> 00:28:47.059
 Your life

00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.979
 has purpose

00:28:47.979 --> 00:28:48.939
 and meaning

00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:50.019
 and significance

00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.219
 because you have

00:28:51.219 --> 00:28:51.919
 a creator.

00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.979
 By God's grace tonight

00:28:55.979 --> 00:28:56.719
 many of us

00:28:56.719 --> 00:28:58.619
 I hope

00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.379
 can testify

00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:00.359
 that the hands

00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.299
 that knitted us

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:01.779
 together

00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:03.859
 in our mother's wombs

00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:05.660
 are the hands

00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.700
 that are still

00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.740
 upon our lives.

00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.680
 Loving hands

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.720
 trusted hands

00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.240
 caring hands

00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.559
 hands

00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.240
 that will not

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.899
 allow us

00:29:14.899 --> 00:29:16.099
 to perish.

00:29:16.879 --> 00:29:17.720
 What did Jesus say?

00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.460
 No one can snatch

00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:19.720
 them

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:21.119
 from my hand.

00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:23.819
 And as David

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:25.299
 ponders these things

00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:26.000
 he's led

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.959
 to praise

00:29:26.959 --> 00:29:28.219
 and worship

00:29:28.219 --> 00:29:29.239
 and wonder.

00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.159
 How precious

00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.799
 to me

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.819
 are your thoughts

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.639
 O God.

00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:34.579
 How vast

00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.119
 is the sum

00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:35.399
 of them

00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.419
 that if I could

00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:36.959
 count them

00:29:36.959 --> 00:29:37.459
 they are more

00:29:37.459 --> 00:29:38.159
 than the sand.

00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:39.059
 I am awake

00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.739
 and I'm still

00:29:39.739 --> 00:29:40.179
 with you.

00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:42.719
 He's the God

00:29:42.719 --> 00:29:43.459
 who cares.

00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.199
 I recall

00:29:46.199 --> 00:29:46.619
 an old

00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:48.099
 children's hymn

00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:49.859
 of bygone age

00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:51.079
 and I'll never

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.759
 be sung now

00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:53.319
 but God

00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.799
 who made

00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.579
 all things

00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.799
 on earth

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.479
 and air

00:29:56.479 --> 00:29:57.199
 and sea

00:29:57.199 --> 00:29:58.819
 who changing

00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.519
 seasons

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.379
 brings

00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:02.619
 he cares

00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.199
 for me.

00:30:03.719 --> 00:30:04.159
 God

00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:04.679
 who sent

00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.299
 his son

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:06.319
 to die

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.379
 on Calvary

00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:08.699
 he if

00:30:08.699 --> 00:30:09.319
 I lean

00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:10.139
 on him

00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:11.039
 will

00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.759
 care

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.659
 for me.

00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.399
 The God

00:30:14.399 --> 00:30:14.959
 who knows

00:30:14.959 --> 00:30:15.279
 the God

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.119
 who's present

00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:17.139
 the God

00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:17.979
 who cares.

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:20.000
 And finally

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.099
 quickly here

00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:22.539
 in the final

00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.079
 stanza

00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:23.980
 the God

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.960
 who confronts

00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.559
 because this

00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:26.980
 psalm

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:28.120
 closes

00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:28.620
 doesn't it

00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:29.079
 with some

00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.839
 extraordinary

00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.360
 perhaps

00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:30.980
 we might

00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.360
 even say

00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:31.759
 shocking

00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.220
 words

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.960
 really an

00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.640
 imprecatory

00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.339
 prayer

00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.819
 David calls

00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.480
 upon God

00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.059
 to mete out

00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:38.420
 swift

00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.220
 justice

00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.700
 to his

00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.039
 enemies

00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:41.880
 and we're

00:30:41.880 --> 00:30:42.539
 reminded here

00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.079
 of the God

00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.079
 who confronts

00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:44.980
 and challenges

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:46.259
 evil and wickedness

00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.539
 oh that you

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.220
 would slay

00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:48.680
 the wicked

00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.240
 oh God

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.200
 men of blood

00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.200
 depart from me

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.900
 they speak

00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.559
 against you

00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.079
 with malicious

00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:53.759
 intent

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.660
 your enemies

00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.160
 take your

00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:55.960
 name in vain

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.759
 do I not

00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:58.400
 hate those

00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:58.819
 who hate

00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.299
 you oh

00:30:59.299 --> 00:30:59.640
 Lord

00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.960
 do I

00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:02.359
 not loathe

00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:02.799
 those who

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.299
 rise up

00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:03.960
 against you

00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:05.660
 I hate

00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.000
 them with a

00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:06.740
 complete hatred

00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.539
 count them

00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.259
 my enemies

00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:11.079
 and maybe

00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.740
 like some

00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.420
 commentators

00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.019
 we might be

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.740
 tempted just

00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.180
 to raise

00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.900
 these words

00:31:15.900 --> 00:31:16.339
 or at the

00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.099
 very least

00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.799
 just ignore

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.000
 them

00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.519
 gloss over

00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:18.799
 them

00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:21.059
 but actually

00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:22.779
 I think

00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.379
 these verses

00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:23.839
 are a kind

00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:24.259
 of key

00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.019
 that unlocks

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.500
 the psalm

00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.039
 in this way

00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:28.000
 because without

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.539
 them we don't

00:31:28.539 --> 00:31:29.259
 really understand

00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:29.700
 what's going

00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.180
 on here

00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:31.339
 why was

00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:32.359
 David thinking

00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:33.259
 so deeply

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.500
 about God

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.379
 knowing him

00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:35.779
 and being

00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.359
 with him

00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.200
 and caring

00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.879
 for him

00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:40.800
 this reflection

00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:41.380
 on God's

00:31:41.380 --> 00:31:41.780
 character

00:31:41.780 --> 00:31:42.620
 wasn't formed

00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.940
 in an ivory

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.900
 tower or an

00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.340
 academic

00:31:45.340 --> 00:31:46.100
 classroom

00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:46.960
 it was shaped

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:48.140
 by David's

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:49.120
 experience of

00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.900
 life and many

00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.500
 hardships

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:53.160
 you remember

00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:53.840
 David was a

00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:54.440
 man often

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:54.920
 in trouble

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.380
 he was a

00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:55.700
 man on the

00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:55.900
 move

00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.340
 a man on

00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:56.640
 the run

00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:57.280
 man under

00:31:57.280 --> 00:31:57.720
 pressure

00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.440
 man with

00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:58.800
 enemies

00:31:58.800 --> 00:32:00.020
 his life

00:32:00.020 --> 00:32:00.500
 was often

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.320
 under threat

00:32:01.320 --> 00:32:02.640
 and that's

00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.040
 why this

00:32:03.040 --> 00:32:03.700
 thought of

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.480
 God knowing

00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:04.780
 him

00:32:04.780 --> 00:32:05.620
 being with

00:32:05.620 --> 00:32:05.940
 him

00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.820
 and caring

00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.400
 for him

00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:08.040
 was so

00:32:08.040 --> 00:32:08.420
 crucial

00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:11.140
 and that's

00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:11.600
 no difference

00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:11.980
 for us

00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:12.440
 no difference

00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.160
 for us

00:32:13.160 --> 00:32:15.140
 yes we

00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.560
 may not

00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.200
 face the

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.560
 same

00:32:16.560 --> 00:32:17.620
 dangers

00:32:17.620 --> 00:32:18.180
 as David

00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:18.580
 did

00:32:18.580 --> 00:32:19.060
 our

00:32:19.060 --> 00:32:19.800
 circumstances

00:32:19.800 --> 00:32:20.740
 very different

00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:22.700
 but nonetheless

00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.800
 we too can feel

00:32:23.800 --> 00:32:24.560
 vulnerable and

00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:24.980
 alone

00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.519
 fearful for the

00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:26.940
 future

00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.860
 we're concerned

00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:28.300
 for our

00:32:28.300 --> 00:32:28.660
 lives

00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.320
 we may be

00:32:29.320 --> 00:32:30.060
 gripped by

00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:30.820
 anxieties

00:32:30.820 --> 00:32:31.620
 and worries

00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:32.900
 that threaten

00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.860
 to overwhelm

00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:34.219
 us

00:32:34.219 --> 00:32:35.799
 and it's

00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.379
 precisely

00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.099
 at such

00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.699
 times that

00:32:37.699 --> 00:32:38.259
 the knowledge

00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:39.159
 of God's

00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:39.759
 presence

00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.500
 is so

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:40.979
 precious

00:32:40.979 --> 00:32:43.740
 and these

00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.139
 somewhat

00:32:44.139 --> 00:32:45.199
 jarring

00:32:45.199 --> 00:32:46.199
 closing lines

00:32:46.199 --> 00:32:47.139
 confront us

00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:48.159
 don't they

00:32:48.159 --> 00:32:48.459
 with the

00:32:48.459 --> 00:32:49.139
 reality of

00:32:49.139 --> 00:32:49.439
 God's

00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:49.919
 justice

00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.679
 and judgment

00:32:50.679 --> 00:32:52.299
 God

00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.919
 David calls

00:32:52.919 --> 00:32:53.359
 upon God

00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:54.179
 to vindicate

00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:54.659
 his name

00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.279
 to put down

00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:55.819
 his enemies

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:57.479
 I don't

00:32:57.479 --> 00:32:57.859
 think these

00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.399
 are words

00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:58.839
 as you read

00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:58.959
 them

00:32:58.959 --> 00:32:59.259
 they're not

00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.759
 words about

00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.559
 personal

00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:01.200
 vengeance

00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:02.039
 or retribution

00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:04.240
 rather he's

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.900
 calling upon

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.720
 God to make

00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.460
 things right

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.599
 sin and

00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.140
 wickedness

00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:08.539
 will not

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.500
 go unpunished

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:11.359
 that's something

00:33:11.359 --> 00:33:12.220
 that we see

00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:13.839
 right throughout

00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.400
 the Bible

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:16.319
 it's something

00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:16.759
 we see

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.460
 expressed

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:17.839
 I think

00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.379
 by God's

00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.619
 people

00:33:18.619 --> 00:33:19.000
 in both

00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:19.420
 the Old

00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:19.799
 and New

00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.379
 Testaments

00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:21.859
 Christians

00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:22.539
 you know

00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.019
 we still

00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:23.559
 do this

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:23.980
 when we

00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.400
 take upon

00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:24.779
 our lips

00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.160
 the words

00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:25.379
 of the

00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:25.680
 Lord's

00:33:25.680 --> 00:33:25.980
 prayer

00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:27.000
 your kingdom

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.519
 come

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.279
 your will

00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.819
 be done

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.579
 deliver us

00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.159
 from evil

00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:32.460
 the Bible

00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:32.980
 states that

00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.480
 God will

00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.079
 one day

00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:34.720
 confront

00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.579
 all that

00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.019
 is evil

00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.480
 and wicked

00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.799
 there will

00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.119
 be a

00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:38.639
 reckoning

00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:41.039
 we are

00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.539
 accountable

00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.159
 creatures

00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:43.919
 Acts 17

00:33:43.919 --> 00:33:44.439
 31

00:33:44.439 --> 00:33:44.960
 he said

00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.359
 a day

00:33:45.359 --> 00:33:45.899
 when he

00:33:45.899 --> 00:33:46.359
 will judge

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:46.879
 the world

00:33:46.879 --> 00:33:47.980
 with justice

00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:49.480
 and so

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:49.960
 amid the

00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:50.379
 world

00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:51.460
 sometimes

00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.819
 great evil

00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:54.379
 great injustice

00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:56.679
 David says

00:33:56.679 --> 00:33:57.619
 that divine

00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:58.179
 justice

00:33:58.179 --> 00:33:59.119
 will triumph

00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.739
 over all

00:34:00.739 --> 00:34:01.419
 the wrongs

00:34:01.419 --> 00:34:01.639
 that are

00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.079
 very much

00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:02.639
 part and

00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.000
 parcel

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.539
 of life

00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:03.759
 in the

00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.019
 here and

00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.299
 now

00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:07.359
 and yet

00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:07.839
 notice how

00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.639
 David speaks

00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.299
 not only of

00:34:09.299 --> 00:34:10.339
 God confronting

00:34:10.339 --> 00:34:10.880
 the evil

00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.480
 in the world

00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.380
 he also

00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:12.980
 speaks of

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.799
 God confronting

00:34:13.799 --> 00:34:14.619
 the evil

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.199
 lurking in

00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:15.460
 his own

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:15.920
 heart

00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:17.980
 he asks

00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.460
 that God

00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.119
 would confront

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:20.000
 him personally

00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:21.119
 search me

00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.519
 oh God

00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:21.920
 he says

00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:22.480
 know my

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:22.880
 heart

00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.679
 try me

00:34:23.679 --> 00:34:24.199
 know my

00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:24.779
 thoughts

00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:25.679
 see if there

00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.159
 be any

00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:26.699
 grievous

00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.279
 way in

00:34:27.279 --> 00:34:27.460
 me

00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.079
 lead me

00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.300
 in the

00:34:28.300 --> 00:34:28.480
 way

00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.039
 everlasting

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.000
 it's an

00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.579
 intensely

00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:32.099
 personal

00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:32.679
 prayer

00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:34.519
 he longs

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.300
 that God

00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:35.800
 will be

00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:36.380
 at work

00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:36.780
 in his

00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:37.220
 life

00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:37.980
 he longs

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.220
 to be

00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:38.619
 led

00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.440
 in paths

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.199
 of righteousness

00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:41.280
 he longs

00:34:41.280 --> 00:34:42.039
 to do

00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:42.500
 God's

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:42.880
 will

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.720
 he longs

00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.240
 that God

00:34:44.240 --> 00:34:44.840
 would have

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.500
 all of

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.260
 his life

00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:48.639
 I wonder

00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.159
 if we might

00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.760
 take those

00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.500
 same words

00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.159
 on our lips

00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.659
 this evening

00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.780
 search me

00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.519
 oh God

00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.840
 know my

00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:55.420
 heart

00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:56.360
 lead me

00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:56.860
 in the

00:34:56.860 --> 00:34:57.079
 way

00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:57.680
 everlasting

00:34:57.680 --> 00:35:00.400
 God

00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:01.000
 the Bible

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.519
 is always

00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.300
 challenging

00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:03.280
 and confronting

00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:03.780
 us

00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:05.360
 he's not

00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.539
 he will not

00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:07.119
 go away

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:07.400
 he's not

00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:07.619
 going to

00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:08.099
 disappear

00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.720
 he can't

00:35:08.720 --> 00:35:09.320
 be avoided

00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:09.760
 forever

00:35:09.760 --> 00:35:12.240
 we cannot

00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:13.300
 escape him

00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.940
 and if we

00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.260
 had any

00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:15.659
 sense

00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.139
 we wouldn't

00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:16.700
 want to

00:35:16.700 --> 00:35:17.900
 he's not

00:35:17.900 --> 00:35:19.639
 the oppressive

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.380
 tyrant

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:21.119
 that some

00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:22.139
 fear

00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:23.800
 he's our

00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:24.360
 creator

00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:26.059
 he watches

00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.700
 over us

00:35:26.700 --> 00:35:27.079
 not to

00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:27.599
 crush

00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:27.880
 our

00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:28.559
 independence

00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:30.059
 but because

00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.539
 he loves

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.000
 us

00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:31.700
 he wants

00:35:31.700 --> 00:35:32.300
 to save

00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:32.480
 us

00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:32.720
 he wants

00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:33.260
 to lead

00:35:33.260 --> 00:35:33.519
 us

00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:34.019
 in the

00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.240
 way

00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:34.820
 everlasting

00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:35.519
 he wants

00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.840
 us to

00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:37.420
 come to

00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:37.640
 him

00:35:37.640 --> 00:35:38.400
 in faith

00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:39.039
 he wants

00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:39.340
 us to

00:35:39.340 --> 00:35:39.680
 know his

00:35:39.680 --> 00:35:40.140
 power

00:35:40.140 --> 00:35:40.500
 and his

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.079
 presence

00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:41.460
 and his

00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.260
 loving

00:35:42.260 --> 00:35:43.059
 kindness

00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:45.900
 God

00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:46.400
 dwells

00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:46.559
 in

00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.480
 unapproachable

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.099
 light

00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:49.120
 wrote

00:35:49.120 --> 00:35:49.900
 Paul

00:35:49.900 --> 00:35:51.500
 yet

00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:51.900
 Jesus

00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:52.440
 is the

00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:52.720
 image

00:35:52.720 --> 00:35:53.000
 of the

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.380
 invisible

00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:53.860
 God

00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:55.079
 no one

00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:55.599
 has ever

00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:55.900
 seen

00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.300
 God

00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:56.579
 says

00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:56.980
 John

00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.940
 yet

00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:58.380
 he

00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:58.579
 who

00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:58.760
 has

00:35:58.760 --> 00:35:58.940
 seen

00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.559
 Jesus

00:35:59.559 --> 00:36:00.120
 has

00:36:00.120 --> 00:36:00.280
 seen

00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:00.440
 the

00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:00.840
 father

00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:03.019
 in other

00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:03.280
 words

00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:03.500
 if we

00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:03.800
 want to

00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:03.980
 think

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.260
 about

00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:04.680
 God

00:36:04.680 --> 00:36:05.840
 we

00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.039
 must

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.260
 think

00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:06.480
 about

00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:06.820
 Jesus

00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:08.539
 there's

00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:08.700
 no

00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:08.920
 other

00:36:08.920 --> 00:36:09.260
 way

00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:10.960
 all

00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:11.160
 our

00:36:11.160 --> 00:36:11.840
 thinking

00:36:11.840 --> 00:36:12.460
 about

00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.039
 God

00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:14.200
 ultimately

00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:14.740
 centers

00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:14.980
 on

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.240
 him

00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:16.700
 he

00:36:16.700 --> 00:36:16.860
 has

00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:17.160
 come

00:36:17.160 --> 00:36:17.380
 to

00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:17.599
 take

00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:17.800
 the

00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:18.180
 judgment

00:36:18.180 --> 00:36:19.160
 our

00:36:19.160 --> 00:36:19.559
 sins

00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.000
 deserve

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:21.400
 he's

00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:21.660
 come

00:36:21.660 --> 00:36:22.019
 that we

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.280
 might

00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:22.599
 know

00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:23.139
 God

00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:24.460
 and find

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:24.799
 that

00:36:24.799 --> 00:36:25.699
 way

00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.319
 everlasting

00:36:26.319 --> 00:36:28.019
 and he

00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.799
 invites us

00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:29.339
 to come

00:36:29.339 --> 00:36:29.860
 to him

00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:31.440
 with our

00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:31.920
 sins

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.960
 with our

00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.539
 fears

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:34.980
 all our

00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.619
 cares and

00:36:35.619 --> 00:36:36.079
 worries

00:36:36.079 --> 00:36:37.539
 and to

00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.279
 place our

00:36:38.279 --> 00:36:38.920
 lives

00:36:38.920 --> 00:36:39.920
 in his

00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:40.539
 hands

00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:43.539
 don't look

00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:43.819
 in

00:36:43.819 --> 00:36:45.659
 look up

00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:47.619
 look away

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.559
 from yourself

00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:49.139
 to Jesus

00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:49.619
 Christ

00:36:49.619 --> 00:36:51.079
 trust

00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:51.079


00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:51.440
 him

00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:51.739
 and

00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:52.279
 discover

00:36:52.279 --> 00:36:53.319
 that he

00:36:53.319 --> 00:36:53.500
 will

00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:53.900
 place

00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:54.099
 his

00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:54.400
 hand

00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:54.679
 upon

00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:54.900
 you

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:55.779
 he

00:36:55.779 --> 00:36:55.940
 will

00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.179
 light

00:36:56.179 --> 00:36:56.400
 your

00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:56.819
 path

00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:56.960
 he

00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.099
 will

00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.400
 lead

00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:57.639
 you

00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:58.219
 in

00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:58.400
 the

00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:58.599
 way

00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.179
 everlasting

00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:01.299
 trust

00:37:01.299 --> 00:37:01.699
 your

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.119
 life

00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:02.480
 into

00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:02.839
 his

00:37:02.839 --> 00:37:03.279
 hands

00:37:03.279 --> 00:37:03.699
 tonight

00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:05.379
 and

00:37:05.379 --> 00:37:05.699
 know

00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.259
 with

00:37:06.259 --> 00:37:06.659
 David

00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:08.059
 that

00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.199
 he

00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:08.400
 will

00:37:08.400 --> 00:37:08.699
 hold

00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:08.859
 you

00:37:08.859 --> 00:37:09.319
 fast

00:37:09.319 --> 00:37:10.420
 in

00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:10.619
 his

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.000
 love

00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:12.359
 let

00:37:12.359 --> 00:37:12.480
 us

00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:12.779
 pray

00:37:12.780 --> 00:37:18.380
 Lord

00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:18.580
 our

00:37:18.580 --> 00:37:18.820
 God

00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:19.080
 we

00:37:19.080 --> 00:37:19.720
 stand

00:37:19.720 --> 00:37:20.100
 in

00:37:20.100 --> 00:37:20.440
 awe

00:37:20.440 --> 00:37:20.740
 of

00:37:20.740 --> 00:37:20.980
 you

00:37:20.980 --> 00:37:21.240
 your

00:37:21.240 --> 00:37:21.720
 knowledge

00:37:21.720 --> 00:37:21.960
 your

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.580
 presence

00:37:22.580 --> 00:37:22.860
 your

00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.320
 wisdom

00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:23.620
 your

00:37:23.620 --> 00:37:24.040
 love

00:37:24.040 --> 00:37:25.300
 we

00:37:25.300 --> 00:37:25.600
 thank

00:37:25.600 --> 00:37:25.740
 you

00:37:25.740 --> 00:37:25.920
 that

00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.080
 you

00:37:26.080 --> 00:37:26.240
 know

00:37:26.240 --> 00:37:26.380
 us

00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:26.780
 better

00:37:26.780 --> 00:37:27.019
 than

00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.160
 we

00:37:27.160 --> 00:37:27.320
 know

00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:27.920
 ourselves

00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:28.280
 that

00:37:28.280 --> 00:37:28.519
 you're

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:28.760
 with

00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:29.060
 us

00:37:29.060 --> 00:37:29.440
 in

00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:29.680
 every

00:37:29.680 --> 00:37:30.200
 moment

00:37:30.200 --> 00:37:31.840
 and

00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.000
 that

00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.140
 you

00:37:32.140 --> 00:37:32.360
 love

00:37:32.360 --> 00:37:32.519
 us

00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:32.680
 with

00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:32.820
 a

00:37:32.820 --> 00:37:33.019
 love

00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.200
 that

00:37:33.200 --> 00:37:33.340
 will

00:37:33.340 --> 00:37:33.540
 never

00:37:33.540 --> 00:37:33.760
 let

00:37:33.760 --> 00:37:33.900
 us

00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:34.200
 go

00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:35.740
 search

00:37:35.740 --> 00:37:35.960
 our

00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:36.280
 hearts

00:37:36.280 --> 00:37:36.480
 oh

00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:36.740
 God

00:37:36.740 --> 00:37:37.100
 this

00:37:37.100 --> 00:37:37.420
 evening

00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:38.980
 and

00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.180
 by

00:37:39.180 --> 00:37:39.380
 your

00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:39.700
 grace

00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:39.940
 lead

00:37:39.940 --> 00:37:40.100
 us

00:37:40.100 --> 00:37:40.220
 in

00:37:40.220 --> 00:37:40.320
 the

00:37:40.320 --> 00:37:40.460
 way

00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:41.000
 everlasting

00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:42.940
 and

00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.079
 may

00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:43.280
 all

00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:43.599
 glory

00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:43.840
 be

00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.059
 to

00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:44.360
 you

00:37:44.360 --> 00:37:45.440
 Father

00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.000
 Son

00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:46.699
 and

00:37:46.699 --> 00:37:46.980
 Holy

00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:47.440
 Spirit

00:37:47.440 --> 00:37:48.699
 Amen