1 00:00:30,819 --> 00:00:31,299 Amen. 2 00:00:31,779 --> 00:00:34,019 Well, this morning a new song I'd never heard. 3 00:00:34,019 --> 00:00:36,339 And then tonight, a new song I've never heard. 4 00:00:36,659 --> 00:00:37,859 Appreciate the music today. 5 00:00:37,859 --> 00:00:39,059 It's been such a blessing. 6 00:00:39,299 --> 00:00:42,739 If you wouldn't your Bibles tonight turn to Psalm 77. 7 00:00:42,739 --> 00:00:44,019 No, no Daniel tonight. 8 00:00:44,019 --> 00:00:49,779 Psalm 77, and a lot of people out too, tonight and this morning 9 00:00:50,339 --> 00:00:52,059 already began their summer vacations. 10 00:00:52,059 --> 00:00:55,219 As a member of our church family in prayer tonight, I wanted 11 00:00:55,219 --> 00:01:00,739 just to give you hopefully an encouraging word, a reminder of God's 12 00:01:00,739 --> 00:01:01,339 faithfulness. 13 00:01:01,339 --> 00:01:02,779 Aren't you glad God's faithful? 14 00:01:03,179 --> 00:01:05,659 God is so good and so faithful to us. 15 00:01:06,219 --> 00:01:08,139 And we have studied this attribute. 16 00:01:09,019 --> 00:01:10,859 We touched on it even last year again. 17 00:01:10,859 --> 00:01:15,179 But I want to bring it tonight again in Psalm 77. 18 00:01:15,419 --> 00:01:16,419 Let's go ahead and read. 19 00:01:16,419 --> 00:01:17,579 Let's start in verse one. 20 00:01:18,539 --> 00:01:20,459 It kind of gets sad and then it gets glad. 21 00:01:20,459 --> 00:01:21,819 So kind of stay with me here. 22 00:01:22,459 --> 00:01:26,099 The psalmist says, I cried unto God with my voice, even unto 23 00:01:26,099 --> 00:01:27,099 God with my voice. 24 00:01:27,169 --> 00:01:29,079 And and he gave ear unto me. 25 00:01:29,159 --> 00:01:31,399 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. 26 00:01:31,399 --> 00:01:34,279 My sore ran in the night and ceased not. 27 00:01:34,519 --> 00:01:36,439 My soul refused to be comforted. 28 00:01:36,519 --> 00:01:39,239 I remembered God and was troubled. 29 00:01:39,239 --> 00:01:42,279 I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed. 30 00:01:42,359 --> 00:01:46,919 Now again, Selah means to stop and consider what's been said. 31 00:01:46,919 --> 00:01:51,479 Now remember, these are songs, these are words to be sung. 32 00:01:52,119 --> 00:01:52,839 Verse 4. 33 00:01:53,229 --> 00:01:54,349 Thou holdest mine eyes. 34 00:01:54,349 --> 00:01:57,869 Waking, I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 35 00:01:58,189 --> 00:02:02,429 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 36 00:02:02,749 --> 00:02:06,709 I call to remembrance my song in the night I commune with my own 37 00:02:06,709 --> 00:02:10,269 heart and my spirit made diligent search now notice what he 38 00:02:10,269 --> 00:02:10,749 asks. 39 00:02:10,989 --> 00:02:13,309 Will the Lord cast off forever? 40 00:02:13,949 --> 00:02:15,469 And will he be favorable? 41 00:02:15,549 --> 00:02:18,909 No more in his mercy cling gone forever? 42 00:02:19,859 --> 00:02:22,099 Doth his promises fail forevermore? 43 00:02:22,419 --> 00:02:24,579 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? 44 00:02:25,139 --> 00:02:28,179 Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? 45 00:02:28,339 --> 00:02:30,819 Again, Selah, stop and consider. 46 00:02:31,459 --> 00:02:33,139 Has God forgotten? 47 00:02:33,699 --> 00:02:34,819 Has he forgotten me? 48 00:02:34,819 --> 00:02:37,939 He said, I stay up at night, I can't sleep. 49 00:02:39,939 --> 00:02:41,379 I'll just summarize. 50 00:02:41,379 --> 00:02:43,619 I'm stressed, discouraged. 51 00:02:46,269 --> 00:02:50,349 Verse 10 and I said, this is mine infirmity. 52 00:02:51,069 --> 00:02:56,909 But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. 53 00:02:57,069 --> 00:03:03,149 In the Old Testament, when you read the phrase the right hand of 54 00:03:03,149 --> 00:03:06,589 the Most High or the right hand of God, it's speaking of Christ. 55 00:03:07,469 --> 00:03:08,669 It's speaking of power. 56 00:03:09,309 --> 00:03:10,589 It's speaking of authority. 57 00:03:10,589 --> 00:03:11,389 I will remember. 58 00:03:11,709 --> 00:03:12,949 I will remember the Lord. 59 00:03:12,949 --> 00:03:14,069 I will remember his right hand. 60 00:03:14,069 --> 00:03:15,149 I will remember his power. 61 00:03:15,929 --> 00:03:17,649 I'll remember his son. 62 00:03:17,649 --> 00:03:19,369 I'll remember the Messiah. 63 00:03:19,529 --> 00:03:20,169 Verse 11. 64 00:03:20,169 --> 00:03:22,409 I will remember the works of the Lord. 65 00:03:22,409 --> 00:03:25,689 Surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 66 00:03:26,169 --> 00:03:30,569 I will meditate also of all thy work and talk of thy doings. 67 00:03:30,649 --> 00:03:32,729 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary. 68 00:03:33,209 --> 00:03:36,889 Who is so great a God as our God? 69 00:03:36,889 --> 00:03:38,009 That's a good question, right? 70 00:03:38,009 --> 00:03:39,249 Who is greater than our God? 71 00:03:39,249 --> 00:03:39,849 No one. 72 00:03:40,489 --> 00:03:41,049 No one. 73 00:03:41,879 --> 00:03:43,719 Thou art the God that does wonders. 74 00:03:43,959 --> 00:03:46,759 Thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 75 00:03:46,999 --> 00:03:51,679 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of 76 00:03:51,679 --> 00:03:52,919 Jacob and Joseph. 77 00:03:53,079 --> 00:03:55,359 The waters saw thee, O God. 78 00:03:55,359 --> 00:03:56,519 The waters saw thee. 79 00:03:56,759 --> 00:03:57,759 They were afraid. 80 00:03:57,759 --> 00:03:59,559 The depths also were troubled. 81 00:03:59,559 --> 00:04:01,159 The clouds poured out water. 82 00:04:01,399 --> 00:04:03,159 The sky sent out a sound. 83 00:04:03,319 --> 00:04:06,799 Thine arrows talking about, you know, thundering and lightning. 84 00:04:06,799 --> 00:04:08,439 Thine arrows also went abroad. 85 00:04:08,999 --> 00:04:09,559 Lightning. 86 00:04:09,559 --> 00:04:11,279 The voice of thy thunder was in heaven. 87 00:04:11,279 --> 00:04:13,309 The lightning light enlightened the world. 88 00:04:13,309 --> 00:04:14,989 The earth trembled and shook. 89 00:04:14,989 --> 00:04:18,749 The way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters and thy 90 00:04:18,749 --> 00:04:19,749 footsteps are known. 91 00:04:20,309 --> 00:04:25,109 Thou ledest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 92 00:04:25,669 --> 00:04:27,829 Let's talk about the faithfulness of God for a few minutes 93 00:04:28,148 --> 00:04:28,829 after we pray. 94 00:04:28,829 --> 00:04:32,789 Heavenly Father, we thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness, that 95 00:04:32,789 --> 00:04:35,749 you are immutable, that you never change. 96 00:04:37,109 --> 00:04:40,839 God, we thank you for that hope that we have in you. 97 00:04:40,919 --> 00:04:42,759 In Jesus name, Amen. 98 00:04:44,519 --> 00:04:49,559 I don't know about you, but around us we live in a very changing 99 00:04:49,559 --> 00:04:49,959 world. 100 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:56,279 At any moment, things change, you know, the financial circumstances 101 00:04:56,279 --> 00:05:00,559 change, schools change, families change, our government changes. 102 00:05:00,559 --> 00:05:03,239 And what a time we live in. 103 00:05:03,639 --> 00:05:06,959 As I said this morning, as fast as pace as everything is, it 104 00:05:06,959 --> 00:05:07,719 changes overnight. 105 00:05:07,719 --> 00:05:10,159 Sometimes you get up in the morning and you read whatever you 106 00:05:10,159 --> 00:05:10,439 read. 107 00:05:10,679 --> 00:05:15,399 I still go to Fox News on my little app and look and see what 108 00:05:15,399 --> 00:05:16,239 happened last night. 109 00:05:16,239 --> 00:05:17,879 Well, change is taking place. 110 00:05:18,359 --> 00:05:20,519 But I'm thankful that God never changes. 111 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:24,519 I'm thankful that he is faithful and God is faithful. 112 00:05:24,519 --> 00:05:25,239 He is the same. 113 00:05:25,239 --> 00:05:29,159 The Bible says he's the same today, yesterday and forever. 114 00:05:29,559 --> 00:05:31,959 Malachi 3, 6 says, I am God. 115 00:05:31,959 --> 00:05:33,239 I change not. 116 00:05:33,689 --> 00:05:35,769 I change not again. 117 00:05:36,409 --> 00:05:39,929 His immutability or his immutability. 118 00:05:40,329 --> 00:05:43,249 I can hardly say that again. 119 00:05:43,249 --> 00:05:44,089 His never. 120 00:05:44,489 --> 00:05:45,529 He cannot change. 121 00:05:45,929 --> 00:05:48,649 And therefore he has to be faithful. 122 00:05:50,409 --> 00:05:51,769 He has to be faithful. 123 00:05:53,689 --> 00:05:57,809 In other words, his immutability presupposes that he 124 00:05:57,809 --> 00:05:58,489 is faithful. 125 00:05:59,859 --> 00:06:03,539 Because if he was faithful yesterday and he's immutable, then 126 00:06:03,779 --> 00:06:07,139 he has to be faithful today or else he's changed. 127 00:06:08,259 --> 00:06:09,579 I change from day to day. 128 00:06:09,579 --> 00:06:12,419 I might be faithful today, but I might not be faithful tomorrow. 129 00:06:12,819 --> 00:06:15,139 I mean, again, it's Monday tomorrow. 130 00:06:15,459 --> 00:06:18,819 Tomorrow I will strive to eat right. 131 00:06:19,619 --> 00:06:24,099 And I'll strive tomorrow to walk in exercise every Monday. 132 00:06:25,309 --> 00:06:27,549 Every Monday I'd never give up. 133 00:06:27,549 --> 00:06:29,789 My wife, she'll say it, I never give up. 134 00:06:29,789 --> 00:06:30,429 I'll keep trying. 135 00:06:30,829 --> 00:06:31,509 I'll keep trying. 136 00:06:31,509 --> 00:06:33,709 It'll stick for a little while and I'll keep trying. 137 00:06:34,109 --> 00:06:38,829 But I may eat right for a couple of days and exercise a couple 138 00:06:38,829 --> 00:06:39,869 of days, and then I. 139 00:06:41,229 --> 00:06:42,429 No longer faithful. 140 00:06:42,989 --> 00:06:47,629 No longer faithful, right, And I'm being silly, but I'm so thankful 141 00:06:47,869 --> 00:06:50,909 that I have a God who is faithful. 142 00:06:51,569 --> 00:06:55,329 I'm so thankful that I have someone whom I can depend upon. 143 00:06:56,849 --> 00:06:58,449 I'm telling you, we know this. 144 00:06:58,929 --> 00:07:01,369 In this day and age, especially, you can't depend upon 145 00:07:01,369 --> 00:07:01,889 your job. 146 00:07:02,929 --> 00:07:08,849 Most businesses are no longer faithful to their employees, man. 147 00:07:08,849 --> 00:07:10,129 That goes the other way too. 148 00:07:10,289 --> 00:07:16,449 In this dynamic of the Internet and job search and headhunters, 149 00:07:16,899 --> 00:07:20,499 it's also the employees that are not as faithful as they were 150 00:07:20,499 --> 00:07:21,379 in times past. 151 00:07:22,019 --> 00:07:22,819 Things change. 152 00:07:23,539 --> 00:07:24,339 Times change. 153 00:07:24,899 --> 00:07:28,219 And I'm thankful again, God never changes. 154 00:07:28,219 --> 00:07:29,219 God is faithful. 155 00:07:29,459 --> 00:07:32,019 And in that faithfulness is hope. 156 00:07:32,819 --> 00:07:33,979 And that faithfulness is hope. 157 00:07:33,979 --> 00:07:41,379 In other words, I'm hoping that I stick with eating right and 158 00:07:41,539 --> 00:07:42,739 exercising this week. 159 00:07:43,309 --> 00:07:46,829 But the likelihood of that happening is not good. 160 00:07:47,389 --> 00:07:50,749 The percentage of that happening is not very good. 161 00:07:52,109 --> 00:07:55,549 But again, my hope in God is far different. 162 00:07:56,429 --> 00:08:01,949 My hope in him is absolute because he is immutable and because 163 00:08:01,949 --> 00:08:04,989 he never changes, I can put my trust in him. 164 00:08:05,309 --> 00:08:10,199 I can put my trust in him today, tomorrow, and the next day. 165 00:08:10,919 --> 00:08:12,999 How do I know practically I can do that? 166 00:08:13,159 --> 00:08:16,599 Well, the psalmist tells you, because I can look back and I can 167 00:08:16,599 --> 00:08:17,879 see the wonders of God. 168 00:08:18,279 --> 00:08:21,199 I can see what God has done in my own life and what he's done in 169 00:08:21,199 --> 00:08:25,719 others lives, knowing that God is faithful in the past and he'll 170 00:08:25,719 --> 00:08:26,839 be faithful in the future. 171 00:08:27,559 --> 00:08:31,639 But sometimes we have a tendency to forget God's faithfulness. 172 00:08:32,839 --> 00:08:36,229 We have a tendency to get narrow, you know, focus narrowly 173 00:08:36,229 --> 00:08:39,789 on our problems and on the changes that are taking place. 174 00:08:41,149 --> 00:08:45,949 Life is changing constantly, but God never changes again. 175 00:08:45,949 --> 00:08:48,749 The danger we face today is forgetting God's faithfulness. 176 00:08:49,149 --> 00:08:50,429 You know, Israel did that. 177 00:08:50,989 --> 00:08:54,149 Israel forgot God's faithfulness over and over and over 178 00:08:54,149 --> 00:08:54,429 again. 179 00:08:54,429 --> 00:08:55,269 In fact, one of the. 180 00:08:55,269 --> 00:08:58,429 One of the reasons why we have the Book of Psalms, which is a book 181 00:08:58,429 --> 00:09:02,199 of songs, was for Israel to learn these songs. 182 00:09:02,519 --> 00:09:06,399 And in a lot of these songs is the reminder of what God has done 183 00:09:06,399 --> 00:09:07,319 for Israel. 184 00:09:07,479 --> 00:09:09,039 Look at Psalm 78. 185 00:09:09,039 --> 00:09:10,999 He says, Give ear, O my people, to my law. 186 00:09:10,999 --> 00:09:12,599 Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 187 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:14,159 I will open my mouth in a parable. 188 00:09:14,159 --> 00:09:17,359 I will utter dark sayings of old which we have heard and Our fathers 189 00:09:17,359 --> 00:09:21,479 have told him we will not hide them from their children, showing 190 00:09:21,479 --> 00:09:24,319 to the generation to come the praises of the Lord and his strength 191 00:09:24,319 --> 00:09:25,799 and his wonderful works that he hath done. 192 00:09:26,039 --> 00:09:28,999 For he established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, 193 00:09:29,079 --> 00:09:31,599 which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known 194 00:09:31,599 --> 00:09:34,319 to their children, that the generation to come might know them. 195 00:09:34,319 --> 00:09:37,439 Even the children which should be born, who should arise and declare 196 00:09:37,439 --> 00:09:38,359 them to their children. 197 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:42,759 Why, that they might set their hope in God and not forget the works 198 00:09:42,759 --> 00:09:47,759 of God, but keep his commandments again being reminded 199 00:09:47,759 --> 00:09:54,789 over and over and over again of the wonders God and his faithfulness 200 00:09:55,189 --> 00:09:56,069 to his people. 201 00:09:57,349 --> 00:09:59,869 His faithfulness to you, his faithfulness to me. 202 00:09:59,869 --> 00:10:02,229 I think again about the book of Joshua where he says, be strong 203 00:10:02,229 --> 00:10:03,189 and of good courage. 204 00:10:03,509 --> 00:10:05,509 Be not afraid, be not dismayed. 205 00:10:06,229 --> 00:10:08,149 I will what be with you. 206 00:10:09,189 --> 00:10:11,189 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 207 00:10:12,229 --> 00:10:13,589 We serve a faithful God. 208 00:10:16,789 --> 00:10:20,499 Sometimes we just again have a one track mind. 209 00:10:20,739 --> 00:10:24,579 Devil will get us focused on our problems. 210 00:10:24,579 --> 00:10:27,659 He'll get us focused on the changes that are taking place. 211 00:10:27,659 --> 00:10:28,899 And maybe those are negative. 212 00:10:29,699 --> 00:10:31,579 Y' all have heard Brother Stewart use this illustration. 213 00:10:31,579 --> 00:10:35,779 Maybe if you remember him, a father fell asleep, and while he 214 00:10:35,779 --> 00:10:41,379 was sleeping, one of his kids took some Limburger cheese and rubbed 215 00:10:41,379 --> 00:10:42,499 it underneath his nose. 216 00:10:42,899 --> 00:10:45,979 How many of y' all had your mom or dad rub Vaseline under your 217 00:10:45,979 --> 00:10:46,339 nose? 218 00:10:47,659 --> 00:10:48,539 That's witchcraft. 219 00:10:50,699 --> 00:10:52,139 Then they say, well put. 220 00:10:52,539 --> 00:10:56,779 I'm sorry, not Vaseline, but the Vicks. 221 00:10:56,939 --> 00:10:58,459 Vicks Vapor Rub, right? 222 00:10:59,819 --> 00:11:01,339 You put that Vicks on your. 223 00:11:01,659 --> 00:11:02,339 That's witchcraft. 224 00:11:02,339 --> 00:11:04,379 But then they say, well, put that on your feet. 225 00:11:05,259 --> 00:11:06,099 That's witchcraft. 226 00:11:06,099 --> 00:11:07,739 I mean, might as well just go in the. 227 00:11:07,979 --> 00:11:10,739 Might as well go in the back porch and get your cauldron out and 228 00:11:10,739 --> 00:11:11,659 start stirring it. 229 00:11:13,089 --> 00:11:16,769 Throw in a few wing bats and spider tails or whatever. 230 00:11:17,489 --> 00:11:18,489 Spider legs. 231 00:11:18,489 --> 00:11:24,529 Anyway, dad, little kid put Limburger cheese on his right under 232 00:11:24,529 --> 00:11:25,129 his nose. 233 00:11:25,129 --> 00:11:28,849 And the dad woke up that morning and, man, it stank. 234 00:11:28,929 --> 00:11:30,049 He said, he got up. 235 00:11:30,129 --> 00:11:32,049 He got up and he said, man, this. 236 00:11:32,049 --> 00:11:33,569 This room stinks. 237 00:11:34,449 --> 00:11:36,049 And then he walked into the living room. 238 00:11:36,049 --> 00:11:37,529 This living room stinks. 239 00:11:37,529 --> 00:11:38,689 And then he goes into the kitchen. 240 00:11:38,689 --> 00:11:39,409 He says, this. 241 00:11:40,529 --> 00:11:41,649 This kitchen stinks. 242 00:11:41,649 --> 00:11:44,849 And then finally goes outside, he says, the world stinks. 243 00:11:47,169 --> 00:11:50,209 I think sometimes we feel the same way, don't we? 244 00:11:51,409 --> 00:11:52,369 We really do. 245 00:11:52,769 --> 00:11:54,369 The whole world stinks. 246 00:11:56,049 --> 00:12:00,009 And so many times when things come into our life, we have a tendency 247 00:12:00,009 --> 00:12:05,249 again to look upon the negative and the problem, because 248 00:12:05,249 --> 00:12:06,289 that's what the devil wants. 249 00:12:06,879 --> 00:12:10,759 As I said this morning, one of his biggest tools in the toolbox 250 00:12:10,759 --> 00:12:11,759 is discouragement. 251 00:12:12,479 --> 00:12:15,639 That's why again, God told Joshua, be not dismayed, don't be 252 00:12:15,639 --> 00:12:16,319 discouraged. 253 00:12:17,439 --> 00:12:21,359 And as the devil gets you to look on all the problems and all 254 00:12:21,359 --> 00:12:26,319 the distractions and all the detours in life and we need to be 255 00:12:26,319 --> 00:12:28,399 reminded that God is faithful. 256 00:12:29,279 --> 00:12:30,479 That God is faithful. 257 00:12:33,369 --> 00:12:36,609 If you don't, if you're not careful, you'll again you'll say 258 00:12:36,609 --> 00:12:37,409 the world stinks. 259 00:12:37,409 --> 00:12:39,409 And you think your job stinks. 260 00:12:39,409 --> 00:12:43,489 And then all of a sudden you look at your family, God forbid, 261 00:12:43,489 --> 00:12:44,969 but you say my family. 262 00:12:44,969 --> 00:12:49,209 And you just keep on down and find yourself again in a position 263 00:12:52,969 --> 00:12:54,729 of forgetting the faithfulness of God. 264 00:12:57,369 --> 00:12:57,629 The. 265 00:12:57,699 --> 00:13:00,819 The next time you find yourself in a trial, don't blame, 266 00:13:01,379 --> 00:13:03,459 but contemplate the faithfulness of God. 267 00:13:03,699 --> 00:13:06,419 Again, the old hymn, that's just such a great hymn. 268 00:13:06,899 --> 00:13:12,179 Count your blessings, name them one by one and you'll see what 269 00:13:12,179 --> 00:13:12,899 God has done. 270 00:13:14,499 --> 00:13:17,619 I'm telling you the faithfulness of God. 271 00:13:17,699 --> 00:13:18,979 Why is God faithful? 272 00:13:19,139 --> 00:13:21,059 Well, he's faithful because he forgets. 273 00:13:22,339 --> 00:13:25,379 I've had preachers and commentators, I've looked this up 274 00:13:25,379 --> 00:13:30,569 and you know, the Bible talks about that God forgives our sins 275 00:13:31,049 --> 00:13:32,569 and forgets them. 276 00:13:34,009 --> 00:13:36,969 Now I can forgive someone, but I cannot forget. 277 00:13:38,009 --> 00:13:40,889 Well, the commentator will say the summary of that. 278 00:13:40,889 --> 00:13:42,409 It really doesn't mean he forgets. 279 00:13:42,409 --> 00:13:42,929 Forgets it. 280 00:13:42,929 --> 00:13:45,689 It just means that, you know, that he puts it away. 281 00:13:46,489 --> 00:13:48,089 My Bible says he forgets it. 282 00:13:49,129 --> 00:13:51,089 As a human being, I cannot forget. 283 00:13:51,089 --> 00:13:58,099 But apparently as the divine, as one who is wholly other, he can 284 00:13:58,099 --> 00:13:58,499 forget. 285 00:14:00,099 --> 00:14:01,299 It's an amazing thought. 286 00:14:02,419 --> 00:14:05,539 Do you realize again the faithfulness of God and he's faithful 287 00:14:05,539 --> 00:14:07,219 because he forgets. 288 00:14:08,178 --> 00:14:09,219 He forgets what? 289 00:14:09,379 --> 00:14:10,739 Well, he forgets our sins. 290 00:14:12,419 --> 00:14:13,659 I'm so thankful I'm saved. 291 00:14:13,659 --> 00:14:14,179 Aren't you? 292 00:14:14,739 --> 00:14:18,629 I'm thankful my sins have been for forgiven. 293 00:14:19,109 --> 00:14:22,469 I'm thankful my sins have been thrown into the depths of the sea, 294 00:14:22,549 --> 00:14:24,309 never to be remembered anymore. 295 00:14:24,309 --> 00:14:27,269 My sins have been thrown as far as the east is from the west. 296 00:14:27,429 --> 00:14:29,429 My sins have been covered by the blood. 297 00:14:31,189 --> 00:14:35,349 God doesn't see my sin, he's forgotten my sin. 298 00:14:36,549 --> 00:14:41,589 Hebrews 8:12 says they've been forgiven and forgotten and covered 299 00:14:41,909 --> 00:14:47,399 by the blood that he, he that is Christ is the propitiation for 300 00:14:47,399 --> 00:14:48,079 my sins. 301 00:14:48,479 --> 00:14:52,279 The covering pitch, the root word pitch. 302 00:14:52,279 --> 00:14:55,799 You think about Noah's ark and it says they pitched it without and 303 00:14:55,799 --> 00:14:56,079 within. 304 00:14:56,559 --> 00:14:59,359 They covered the ark without an end with pitch. 305 00:14:59,519 --> 00:15:00,319 Covered it. 306 00:15:00,799 --> 00:15:02,559 That's the way my sins have been covered. 307 00:15:03,439 --> 00:15:07,679 But not covered in slimy, whatever that was, waterproofing 308 00:15:07,679 --> 00:15:08,079 seal. 309 00:15:10,089 --> 00:15:11,529 But covered by the blood of Jesus. 310 00:15:14,329 --> 00:15:15,449 God is faithful. 311 00:15:16,409 --> 00:15:17,449 God is gracious. 312 00:15:18,329 --> 00:15:20,329 He does not give me what I deserve. 313 00:15:21,369 --> 00:15:22,009 Amen. 314 00:15:22,249 --> 00:15:23,609 I don't deserve heaven. 315 00:15:24,009 --> 00:15:25,849 I deserve hell because of my sins. 316 00:15:26,409 --> 00:15:29,929 I don't deserve the Holy Spirit, but He gives it to me. 317 00:15:30,569 --> 00:15:33,129 I don't deserve his love, and yet he loves me. 318 00:15:33,449 --> 00:15:39,429 I don't deserve the presence and power that he gives us, but he 319 00:15:39,429 --> 00:15:39,709 does. 320 00:15:39,869 --> 00:15:40,989 God is gracious. 321 00:15:42,749 --> 00:15:44,629 Getting what I do not deserve. 322 00:15:44,629 --> 00:15:45,109 I'm thankful. 323 00:15:45,109 --> 00:15:46,349 He withholds punishment. 324 00:15:46,509 --> 00:15:47,709 He shows mercy. 325 00:15:48,669 --> 00:15:49,989 Mercy I deserve. 326 00:15:49,989 --> 00:15:51,269 Again, I deserve hell. 327 00:15:51,269 --> 00:15:54,989 But God, in his mercy, God is faithful to forget. 328 00:15:56,029 --> 00:15:58,189 Secondly, God is faithful to feed. 329 00:15:58,989 --> 00:16:00,909 God is faithful to feed. 330 00:16:01,469 --> 00:16:03,749 Again, the scripture there is First Peter. 331 00:16:03,749 --> 00:16:04,949 I'm going to turn over there real quick. 332 00:16:04,949 --> 00:16:08,939 First Peter, chapter two says, wherefore. 333 00:16:10,139 --> 00:16:12,139 Sorry, Verse one. 334 00:16:20,699 --> 00:16:23,339 Man, Larry showed up just like two seconds. 335 00:16:23,339 --> 00:16:23,899 That was something. 336 00:16:25,739 --> 00:16:26,939 Larry's My cough. 337 00:16:27,099 --> 00:16:27,699 Wherefore. 338 00:16:27,699 --> 00:16:29,819 Verse one, one Peter two. 339 00:16:29,819 --> 00:16:31,059 One, Wherefore. 340 00:16:31,059 --> 00:16:34,339 Laying aside all malice and all guile and all hypocrisies and 341 00:16:34,339 --> 00:16:38,719 nimbies and all evil speakings as newborn babes desire the sincere 342 00:16:38,719 --> 00:16:44,999 miracle of the word that ye may grow thereby if so be ye have 343 00:16:44,999 --> 00:16:47,919 tasted that the Lord is gracious. 344 00:16:48,479 --> 00:16:49,479 The Lord is gracious. 345 00:16:49,479 --> 00:16:50,879 The Lord is faithful to feed. 346 00:16:52,719 --> 00:16:55,279 A newborn needs to be fed in order to grow. 347 00:16:56,319 --> 00:16:59,439 A toddler needs to be fed in order to grow. 348 00:17:00,319 --> 00:17:02,639 A child grows as they are fed. 349 00:17:03,939 --> 00:17:08,219 We as Christians understand that Jesus said there to the woman 350 00:17:08,219 --> 00:17:10,099 at the well, you must be born again. 351 00:17:10,659 --> 00:17:12,499 And we are born again spiritually. 352 00:17:12,499 --> 00:17:15,499 And when we're born again, we're born as babes spiritually. 353 00:17:15,499 --> 00:17:20,059 And that sanctification, that process whereby we become more and 354 00:17:20,059 --> 00:17:21,379 more like Christ begins. 355 00:17:22,019 --> 00:17:27,699 And that process, in other words, the growth takes place by 356 00:17:28,019 --> 00:17:35,289 being fed and being fed by the word of God, the sincere milk of 357 00:17:35,289 --> 00:17:35,809 the word. 358 00:17:36,209 --> 00:17:39,089 The Bible also is referred to as meat and strong meat. 359 00:17:39,089 --> 00:17:43,889 And as we read our Bibles, as we pray, we grow because that's our 360 00:17:43,889 --> 00:17:45,249 spiritual sustenance. 361 00:17:45,649 --> 00:17:50,569 That's how we grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 362 00:17:50,569 --> 00:17:54,369 By reading the Bible, many Christians push away from God's food 363 00:17:54,609 --> 00:17:56,458 and desire the world's food. 364 00:17:57,018 --> 00:17:59,578 It's amazing to me how again, I was. 365 00:17:59,578 --> 00:18:02,018 Why do we always come back to eating illustrations? 366 00:18:02,018 --> 00:18:02,618 I don't know. 367 00:18:03,098 --> 00:18:04,378 Maybe because I have a problem. 368 00:18:04,458 --> 00:18:09,818 But, you know, it's amazing to me how good chocolate cake tastes. 369 00:18:10,298 --> 00:18:16,338 And if you put chocolate cake in front of me and you put trying 370 00:18:16,338 --> 00:18:18,498 to think of something I don't like, I don't. 371 00:18:18,498 --> 00:18:19,178 I like everything. 372 00:18:19,578 --> 00:18:20,298 That's the problem. 373 00:18:20,719 --> 00:18:23,399 But if you put chocolate cake in front of me, and you put broccoli 374 00:18:23,399 --> 00:18:23,999 in front of me. 375 00:18:24,079 --> 00:18:27,119 I like broccoli, but I like chocolate cake far better. 376 00:18:28,639 --> 00:18:31,719 Can I get a witness or cake in general? 377 00:18:31,719 --> 00:18:32,959 Maybe sometimes you don't. 378 00:18:32,959 --> 00:18:34,399 Maybe some of you don't like chocolate. 379 00:18:34,399 --> 00:18:37,799 But again, if I'm going to choose between broccoli and a dessert, 380 00:18:37,799 --> 00:18:42,359 and I have the choice, and I'm not basing it upon what is good for 381 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:45,999 me, I'm going to choose the dessert every time. 382 00:18:46,799 --> 00:18:50,639 And what happens in our Christian life is we begin to get. 383 00:18:50,799 --> 00:18:53,439 And when we get saved, when we accept Christ as our savior, the 384 00:18:53,439 --> 00:18:55,479 newborn babe desires the milk of the word. 385 00:18:55,479 --> 00:18:58,719 And you begin to read the Bible and begin to pray, and you 386 00:18:58,719 --> 00:19:03,999 go to services and you find yourself enjoying Christian music 387 00:19:04,159 --> 00:19:08,159 and the words of the Christian music and enjoying the revival meetings 388 00:19:08,159 --> 00:19:10,079 and the Bible conferences and missions conferences. 389 00:19:10,319 --> 00:19:11,359 And you began to grow. 390 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:12,239 And you began to grow. 391 00:19:12,239 --> 00:19:16,159 But you also have that other, other food over here. 392 00:19:16,719 --> 00:19:20,399 And the food of the world is the music that you listen to on the 393 00:19:20,399 --> 00:19:24,879 way to work and the stories you hear at work and just the TV 394 00:19:24,959 --> 00:19:28,839 and movies and being bombarded by what the world has to offer when 395 00:19:28,839 --> 00:19:29,678 it comes to food. 396 00:19:30,479 --> 00:19:33,719 And the old flesh, boy, it craves some of those things. 397 00:19:33,719 --> 00:19:36,559 My flesh craves chocolate cake over broccoli. 398 00:19:37,519 --> 00:19:39,439 But I do know broccoli's better for me. 399 00:19:41,959 --> 00:19:44,119 It doesn't mean I like that idea, but it does. 400 00:19:44,679 --> 00:19:47,879 And therefore, I make the right choices. 401 00:19:49,399 --> 00:19:51,959 I strive to make the right choices. 402 00:19:52,119 --> 00:19:53,159 I'll say it that way. 403 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:54,999 Amen. 404 00:19:55,799 --> 00:19:56,839 Come on, you guys. 405 00:19:57,159 --> 00:19:58,359 All of us are that way. 406 00:19:59,079 --> 00:20:02,559 When it comes to my spirituality, too, I have to make 407 00:20:02,559 --> 00:20:03,479 the right choices. 408 00:20:03,799 --> 00:20:04,959 And I will say this. 409 00:20:04,959 --> 00:20:05,639 And I have. 410 00:20:06,029 --> 00:20:13,029 I have gone without dessert or amazing, amazing sweets one time. 411 00:20:13,029 --> 00:20:14,029 I did it for nine months. 412 00:20:15,229 --> 00:20:18,269 And I will say to you that during those nine months, some of 413 00:20:18,269 --> 00:20:19,069 you have experienced this. 414 00:20:19,069 --> 00:20:23,109 When you go without a lot of sugar for that long, you find that 415 00:20:23,109 --> 00:20:24,429 the other food tastes better. 416 00:20:25,869 --> 00:20:26,429 How many? 417 00:20:26,749 --> 00:20:27,309 All of us. 418 00:20:27,309 --> 00:20:32,399 I mean, if you've tried, if you struggle like me, there's several 419 00:20:32,399 --> 00:20:33,479 of you shaking your head no. 420 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:36,959 I understand what you're saying, because chocolate cake's 421 00:20:36,959 --> 00:20:38,519 always going to taste better than broccoli. 422 00:20:39,799 --> 00:20:40,519 But it will. 423 00:20:40,919 --> 00:20:41,559 You will. 424 00:20:41,959 --> 00:20:42,599 You will. 425 00:20:43,799 --> 00:20:48,919 As you eat less sugar, your taste buds change a little bit. 426 00:20:50,119 --> 00:20:51,239 I'm just telling you this. 427 00:20:52,519 --> 00:20:55,879 If you don't desire God's word anymore, if it's not. 428 00:20:58,049 --> 00:21:02,529 If it's not appetizing to you, then there's something wrong. 429 00:21:04,449 --> 00:21:11,489 As a child of God, the Holy Spirit who abides in you, that new 430 00:21:11,969 --> 00:21:16,529 nature desires the milk of the Word it desires. 431 00:21:16,769 --> 00:21:19,249 The meat of the Word, it desires to be fed. 432 00:21:20,689 --> 00:21:24,929 And when you feed it, when you feed that new nature and you feed 433 00:21:25,729 --> 00:21:30,769 that new man in you man, then it begins to grow, and it begins 434 00:21:30,769 --> 00:21:33,729 to grow, and it begins to grow. 435 00:21:35,089 --> 00:21:36,529 Just want to encourage you tonight. 436 00:21:37,729 --> 00:21:38,929 The Bible is our food. 437 00:21:40,929 --> 00:21:43,369 And it seems like this subject has come up a lot in the last three 438 00:21:43,369 --> 00:21:43,969 or four weeks. 439 00:21:44,289 --> 00:21:45,329 How's your Bible read? 440 00:21:46,369 --> 00:21:47,609 How's your devotional time? 441 00:21:47,609 --> 00:21:48,769 How's your walk with God? 442 00:21:49,249 --> 00:21:50,449 2nd Timothy 3:16. 443 00:21:50,689 --> 00:21:51,649 You know the verse. 444 00:21:51,889 --> 00:21:54,689 All scriptures given by inspiration to God is a prophet for 445 00:21:55,099 --> 00:21:58,179 doctrine, for correction, for instruction, doctrine, for reproof, 446 00:21:58,179 --> 00:22:00,459 for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 447 00:22:01,339 --> 00:22:04,939 In other words, the Bible helps us to know what is right, helps 448 00:22:04,939 --> 00:22:09,219 us to what is not right, helps us how to get right and then how 449 00:22:09,219 --> 00:22:09,899 to stay right. 450 00:22:10,219 --> 00:22:14,379 We need a daily walk with the Lord. 451 00:22:15,259 --> 00:22:17,899 We need to be fed every day. 452 00:22:20,059 --> 00:22:21,979 I don't like going without a meal, do you? 453 00:22:23,729 --> 00:22:25,249 I don't like going without a meal. 454 00:22:25,649 --> 00:22:26,929 I didn't even say it. 455 00:22:27,649 --> 00:22:33,889 I don't like going without second supper or second lunch or 456 00:22:33,889 --> 00:22:37,409 brunch or leper. 457 00:22:37,649 --> 00:22:41,409 I like it all lepers between lunch and supper. 458 00:22:46,849 --> 00:22:49,889 As I desire physical food, I should desire spiritual food. 459 00:22:51,829 --> 00:22:56,389 And it's important, it's important that we feed the new man 460 00:22:58,069 --> 00:22:58,469 again. 461 00:22:58,789 --> 00:23:01,349 The Bible is our map, our roadmap for life. 462 00:23:01,909 --> 00:23:04,269 God is faithful to forget. 463 00:23:04,269 --> 00:23:07,829 God is faithful to feed us if we'll take advantage of it, if we'll 464 00:23:07,829 --> 00:23:09,109 take the opportunities of it. 465 00:23:09,349 --> 00:23:13,069 And then lastly, God is faithful to forgive and forget and 466 00:23:13,069 --> 00:23:14,869 forgive, go alongside each other. 467 00:23:15,189 --> 00:23:16,869 But I understand this. 468 00:23:17,479 --> 00:23:20,799 Ephesians 1:7 says, Whom we have redemption through his blood, 469 00:23:20,799 --> 00:23:24,679 the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. 470 00:23:26,199 --> 00:23:28,359 I'm thankful that God has forgiven me. 471 00:23:29,239 --> 00:23:32,359 I'm thankful for the forgiveness of God. 472 00:23:35,799 --> 00:23:41,399 God cannot change and therefore cannot be unfaithful. 473 00:23:43,969 --> 00:23:54,689 We as human beings cannot be faithful because we are influenced 474 00:23:56,529 --> 00:23:57,729 by our circumstances. 475 00:23:59,569 --> 00:24:02,129 We are influenced by fear. 476 00:24:03,649 --> 00:24:04,249 Think about it. 477 00:24:04,249 --> 00:24:05,249 God's never afraid. 478 00:24:06,209 --> 00:24:07,969 We're influenced by our weaknesses. 479 00:24:07,969 --> 00:24:10,139 We're influenced by losses. 480 00:24:10,529 --> 00:24:14,529 We're influenced from without in every direction. 481 00:24:16,529 --> 00:24:20,689 And therefore, unlike God, we cannot be faithful. 482 00:24:21,889 --> 00:24:25,009 Oh, we may at times be faithful, but we're going to fall 483 00:24:25,009 --> 00:24:25,889 and we're going to fail. 484 00:24:26,769 --> 00:24:28,849 But God never fails. 485 00:24:30,289 --> 00:24:31,489 God is faithful. 486 00:24:33,089 --> 00:24:33,889 God is not. 487 00:24:34,529 --> 00:24:37,009 God is not phased by forces from without. 488 00:24:38,319 --> 00:24:39,119 God is faithful. 489 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:40,479 God is faithful in his love. 490 00:24:42,959 --> 00:24:43,439 At times. 491 00:24:43,439 --> 00:24:48,999 I'm not faithful in my love, my love for loved ones and my wife 492 00:24:48,999 --> 00:24:51,359 and kids and church family. 493 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:54,639 I'm not faithful But God is always faithful in love. 494 00:24:55,519 --> 00:24:59,519 He's always seeking the other more than Himself. 495 00:24:59,519 --> 00:25:01,519 He's always putting others in front of Himself. 496 00:25:02,559 --> 00:25:04,559 God is not phased by outside forces. 497 00:25:05,179 --> 00:25:06,219 He is faithful in his love. 498 00:25:06,219 --> 00:25:07,739 He's faithful in his justice. 499 00:25:08,779 --> 00:25:09,979 He's never divided. 500 00:25:12,379 --> 00:25:19,099 He is the all time equality expert. 501 00:25:21,819 --> 00:25:25,019 Because God is no respecter of man. 502 00:25:27,019 --> 00:25:28,139 Aren't you glad of that? 503 00:25:28,619 --> 00:25:31,099 Aren't you glad he doesn't love someone more than he loves you? 504 00:25:36,029 --> 00:25:36,909 God is faithful. 505 00:25:38,109 --> 00:25:41,389 God's faithfulness brings peace and God's faithfulness brings 506 00:25:41,469 --> 00:25:43,069 assurance into our life. 507 00:25:44,109 --> 00:25:46,749 God's faithfulness brings assurance of heaven into our life. 508 00:25:47,228 --> 00:25:47,869 Think about that. 509 00:25:47,869 --> 00:25:52,029 The hope that we have and the blessed hope of his return and knowing 510 00:25:52,029 --> 00:25:56,909 because of his immobility and his faithfulness that he will return 511 00:25:57,069 --> 00:25:58,589 because he's promised to do so. 512 00:25:59,949 --> 00:26:00,589 There's no question. 513 00:26:01,229 --> 00:26:02,589 It's just a matter of time. 514 00:26:03,309 --> 00:26:05,549 The hope that we have becomes of faithfulness. 515 00:26:05,549 --> 00:26:08,669 Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my father. 516 00:26:11,869 --> 00:26:13,069 God is so faithful. 517 00:26:14,669 --> 00:26:16,949 I want to encourage you tonight when you're tempted to be 518 00:26:16,949 --> 00:26:24,349 discouraged, when you're being tested, when you go through the trial 519 00:26:25,709 --> 00:26:30,229 and the devil tries to discourage you, remember the faithfulness 520 00:26:30,229 --> 00:26:30,749 of God. 521 00:26:31,629 --> 00:26:33,149 Remember the hope that we have. 522 00:26:34,109 --> 00:26:37,869 Remember that God's unlike anyone that you know. 523 00:26:38,509 --> 00:26:41,629 He's not like your friend. 524 00:26:41,629 --> 00:26:47,629 He's not like your co worker or your neighbor, your mom or your 525 00:26:47,629 --> 00:26:49,949 dad, your spouse. 526 00:26:50,669 --> 00:26:52,989 Because all those people at one point will let you down. 527 00:26:55,389 --> 00:26:59,069 All humans at one point or another will be unfaithful. 528 00:27:00,029 --> 00:27:03,629 But God is always faithful. 529 00:27:04,589 --> 00:27:04,989 Always. 530 00:27:06,429 --> 00:27:09,229 Because God never changes. 531 00:27:10,429 --> 00:27:11,949 God is good all the time. 532 00:27:13,069 --> 00:27:15,389 God always has our best interests in mind. 533 00:27:16,599 --> 00:27:19,999 And though many times we as parents will discipline and train 534 00:27:19,999 --> 00:27:25,039 our children and we have good intentions and we do have their best 535 00:27:25,039 --> 00:27:27,399 interests in mind most of the time. 536 00:27:28,199 --> 00:27:30,119 But sometimes we fail even in that area. 537 00:27:30,599 --> 00:27:31,878 But God never fails. 538 00:27:31,878 --> 00:27:37,319 He always, always, always has your best interests in mind. 539 00:27:37,639 --> 00:27:40,519 So whatever you're going through tonight, whatever you face, 540 00:27:40,759 --> 00:27:46,459 by the way, whether good or bad, God has your best interest in 541 00:27:46,459 --> 00:27:46,739 mind. 542 00:27:46,979 --> 00:27:48,899 Because God is faithful. 543 00:27:50,099 --> 00:27:51,379 He never changes. 544 00:27:52,419 --> 00:27:53,859 He's always the same. 545 00:27:55,059 --> 00:27:57,939 And God always keeps his word. 546 00:27:59,139 --> 00:28:00,979 And therefore we have hope in Him. 547 00:28:01,939 --> 00:28:07,619 The greatest hope we have is in Jesus Christ and He is faithful 548 00:28:07,619 --> 00:28:08,499 to his promises. 549 00:28:09,309 --> 00:28:10,029 Let's all stand. 550 00:28:10,829 --> 00:28:16,909 We're going to sing a verse hymn 167, just as I am tonight. 551 00:28:17,229 --> 00:28:20,269 It's a reminder of the faithfulness of God. 552 00:28:20,829 --> 00:28:21,909 Faithfulness of God. 553 00:28:21,909 --> 00:28:24,589 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your faithfulness. 554 00:28:25,069 --> 00:28:28,549 We thank you that through your faithfulness we find hope in your 555 00:28:28,549 --> 00:28:29,549 son, Jesus Christ. 556 00:28:30,349 --> 00:28:32,269 I'M so thankful that you do forget. 557 00:28:32,269 --> 00:28:36,539 And Lord, that you do feed us through your word and encourage us 558 00:28:36,539 --> 00:28:37,459 and grow us. 559 00:28:37,459 --> 00:28:41,899 And I pray Lord, that you continue to enable us and strengthen 560 00:28:41,899 --> 00:28:42,179 us. 561 00:28:42,339 --> 00:28:45,779 And Lord, we thank you for your forgiveness, the grace that 562 00:28:45,779 --> 00:28:49,059 you so richly bestow upon us, the mercy that you give to us. 563 00:28:49,699 --> 00:28:51,419 Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. 564 00:28:51,419 --> 00:28:52,819 In Jesus name, amen.