1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:06,800 Well, I hope you’ll open your Bible at 1 Kings and Chapter 19. We’ve been following the story of Elijah and 2 00:00:07,300 –> 00:00:12,920 Today we come to an experience that will be familiar I think to many of you 3 00:00:14,260 –> 00:00:19,740 Elijah has been on an extraordinary journey for three and a half years as we followed the story 4 00:00:19,740 –> 00:00:23,280 It has led him to confront a king in the palace 5 00:00:23,280 –> 00:00:27,780 It has led him to leave his homeland and to live in another culture 6 00:00:28,340 –> 00:00:31,459 He has seen God at work in remarkable ways 7 00:00:32,419 –> 00:00:34,419 fire fell from heaven 8 00:00:34,860 –> 00:00:37,639 Prayers have been answered for a widow’s son 9 00:00:38,340 –> 00:00:44,700 for the provision of daily needs now as we saw last time the blessing of God has 10 00:00:45,259 –> 00:00:52,320 returned in a new way in the wonderful gift of rain that had not fallen for over three years and 11 00:00:53,240 –> 00:01:00,040 The end of chapter 18 where we got to last week, we have this marvelous picture if you can compose it in your mind of 12 00:01:01,080 –> 00:01:07,820 Elijah the Prophet sort of hitching up his long gown and he’s running and 13 00:01:08,379 –> 00:01:12,660 he’s running to this town of Jezreel and it’s 14 00:01:13,660 –> 00:01:15,660 absolutely pouring rain 15 00:01:15,779 –> 00:01:18,739 across a land that has not seen a drop of water 16 00:01:19,199 –> 00:01:20,940 for three and a half years. 17 00:01:20,940 –> 00:01:27,779 And he’s going to this place, Jezreel, in order to catch up with Ahab who has the advantage of 18 00:01:28,220 –> 00:01:30,080 going there in a chariot. 19 00:01:30,080 –> 00:01:31,580 Elijah has to run, 20 00:01:31,580 –> 00:01:35,680 except that going in a chariot when it’s pouring rain on really dry ground is 21 00:01:35,779 –> 00:01:41,739 more difficult and Elijah arrives there first and then Ahab arrives after him. 22 00:01:42,120 –> 00:01:44,980 Well, that’s where we got to at the end of last week, 23 00:01:44,980 –> 00:01:51,919 And it seems now then that this is going to be the moment that Elijah has worked and prayed for all of his life. 24 00:01:52,919 –> 00:01:56,099 His whole life has been about this driving 25 00:01:57,040 –> 00:02:00,540 vision and purpose for national revival. 26 00:02:01,639 –> 00:02:05,660 Here is a man who as much as anyone ever could has extended himself 27 00:02:05,660 –> 00:02:12,279 to see the nation changed, to see God glorified. He, he has spent himself for this and 28 00:02:13,020 –> 00:02:15,460 now you think surely the moment has come. 29 00:02:16,559 –> 00:02:23,080 The people, chapter 18 and verse 39 have confessed when they saw the Fire fall from Heaven that the Lord is God. 30 00:02:23,279 –> 00:02:27,199 The prophets of Baal are dead now on the Kishon valley. 31 00:02:27,520 –> 00:02:33,160 The long, dry years of God’s judgment are over. Showers of blessing are falling on 32 00:02:33,600 –> 00:02:41,080 Elijah even as he runs. Surely now, chapter 19 is going to be the story of a new day, a new beginning, the 33 00:02:41,500 –> 00:02:43,500 fruition of a whole life of 34 00:02:44,139 –> 00:02:47,740 sacrifice and service from the man of God. 35 00:02:49,639 –> 00:02:53,039 Then we come to chapter 19 and this is what we read, verse 1. 36 00:02:54,220 –> 00:02:57,279 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, 37 00:02:58,259 –> 00:03:03,860 and how he had killed all the prophets with a sword and Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, 38 00:03:04,580 –> 00:03:11,740 So may the gods do to me and more also if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by 39 00:03:11,940 –> 00:03:13,600 this time 40 00:03:13,600 –> 00:03:15,059 tomorrow. 41 00:03:15,059 –> 00:03:17,960 And we read verse 3 that Elijah was afraid. 42 00:03:19,699 –> 00:03:24,259 Some writers make a huge deal about how quote, 43 00:03:25,160 –> 00:03:27,160 Surprising this is and 44 00:03:27,639 –> 00:03:29,820 They say, and you may have heard this, you know 45 00:03:30,119 –> 00:03:36,000 Here’s Elijah this great man of faith, and he’s been calling down fire on Mount Carmel and 46 00:03:36,479 –> 00:03:43,479 Now he’s running in fear from one woman and so forth and so on. Well some woman. I’ll tell you I 47 00:03:44,240 –> 00:03:46,539 Don’t find it surprising that he ran at all 48 00:03:47,779 –> 00:03:51,080 Jezebel is a powerful and a vicious enemy 49 00:03:51,699 –> 00:03:53,699 She has made a credible threat 50 00:03:54,199 –> 00:03:57,779 That’s what our security forces would call it today, isn’t it a credible threat? 51 00:03:58,380 –> 00:03:59,520 timed 52 00:03:59,520 –> 00:04:04,399 Your life will be gone within the next 24 hours if I have anything to do with it 53 00:04:04,399 –> 00:04:09,199 She says and it is not surprising to me at all that Elijah the great man of God ran 54 00:04:10,139 –> 00:04:14,259 What happens next in verse 4 is not in the least surprising to me either 55 00:04:14,300 –> 00:04:19,380 And I don’t think it will be surprising to you if you have extended yourself in the work of God 56 00:04:20,279 –> 00:04:25,779 He went today’s journey verse 4 into the wilderness and he came and he sat down under a broom tree 57 00:04:25,779 –> 00:04:28,160 And he asked that he might die 58 00:04:28,899 –> 00:04:30,899 saying it is enough 59 00:04:32,000 –> 00:04:34,799 Now Oh Lord take away my life 60 00:04:35,640 –> 00:04:38,339 for I am no better than 61 00:04:39,019 –> 00:04:41,019 my fathers 62 00:04:41,260 –> 00:04:46,880 Now here we are then at the great moment in the story where you expect there’s going to be more joy and triumph 63 00:04:46,880 –> 00:04:53,480 Than ever before and what you find is that this extraordinary darkness comes over Elijah’s soul 64 00:04:54,100 –> 00:04:57,700 He felt as the Apostle Paul once put it utterly 65 00:04:58,540 –> 00:05:00,540 unbearably crushed 66 00:05:01,480 –> 00:05:08,119 Now the Bible is a wonderful book my friends it speaks to every circumstance of life 67 00:05:09,239 –> 00:05:12,140 Whatever you face whatever you go through in your life 68 00:05:12,820 –> 00:05:20,040 At least one character in the Bible who has been some place similar through whom God is able to speak to you and 69 00:05:21,140 –> 00:05:24,440 when you find yourself in a great darkness of soul 70 00:05:25,019 –> 00:05:31,440 You will find that this very passage of Scripture may be one of the most healthy in all of the Bible to you 71 00:05:31,440 –> 00:05:37,839 And therefore I have looked forward to the great privilege of this time that we shared in it together 72 00:05:38,420 –> 00:05:40,420 today I 73 00:05:40,779 –> 00:05:44,299 Want you to realize that Elijah sense of failure 74 00:05:44,299 –> 00:05:50,380 Which is very very strong here and not uncommon amongst those who extend themselves in the service of God 75 00:05:51,260 –> 00:05:55,399 his sense of failure reflects the size of his vision and 76 00:05:56,140 –> 00:06:00,859 It reflects the heart and the strength of his passion at twice 77 00:06:00,859 –> 00:06:03,940 He says it in this chapter verse 10 and then verse 14 78 00:06:04,059 –> 00:06:10,260 He says I have been very jealous for the Lord the God of hosts. This is what my life has been about 79 00:06:10,260 –> 00:06:12,480 I have wanted the honor of God’s name 80 00:06:12,480 –> 00:06:16,440 It has been a beating passion that has run right through my life 81 00:06:16,820 –> 00:06:23,019 Elijah has poured his whole life into this. He’s given himself in sacrifice in faith and in obedience 82 00:06:23,540 –> 00:06:25,540 He has looked at the nation 83 00:06:26,119 –> 00:06:28,119 he has seen the idolatry 84 00:06:29,000 –> 00:06:32,019 He’s longed to see a turning of the tide 85 00:06:32,160 –> 00:06:38,220 He wants to see people come in faith and in repentance to God in their thousands 86 00:06:38,559 –> 00:06:44,420 he longs that God’s name would be honored in a way that is different from what he has seen in his lifetime and 87 00:06:44,600 –> 00:06:46,600 When it doesn’t happen 88 00:06:47,660 –> 00:06:49,660 he falls apart and 89 00:06:51,079 –> 00:06:56,640 He finds himself in this extraordinary darkness a place you may have been where you say 90 00:06:56,779 –> 00:06:59,640 Well what then was my life all about? 91 00:07:03,100 –> 00:07:07,200 Elijah was broken friends because he cared 92 00:07:09,239 –> 00:07:13,459 Casual Christians will never know what Elijah is going through here 93 00:07:13,540 –> 00:07:19,119 But those who extend themselves in the service of Jesus Christ recognized the experience 94 00:07:20,640 –> 00:07:25,160 I’m going to describe it this way Elijah was honorably wounded 95 00:07:25,660 –> 00:07:27,660 honorably wounded 96 00:07:28,440 –> 00:07:30,440 But the wounds are real 97 00:07:31,760 –> 00:07:34,019 Even when they are honorable 98 00:07:35,500 –> 00:07:42,239 So I want to do two things today the first is just to give you a very simple profile of an honorably wounded believer 99 00:07:43,000 –> 00:07:49,559 right out of this passage and then for us to see together how Christ deals with honorably 100 00:07:50,140 –> 00:07:52,619 wounded servants because he cares 101 00:07:53,619 –> 00:07:55,619 for his wounded 102 00:07:56,640 –> 00:08:03,179 Let’s begin here then a profile of the honorably wounded believer versus three and four. I’m drawing this from 103 00:08:03,959 –> 00:08:05,779 five distinct marks 104 00:08:05,779 –> 00:08:12,600 They’re fairly obvious. The first of course is that the man is exhausted. He says to God it is enough 105 00:08:13,799 –> 00:08:15,799 I’ve had all I can take of this 106 00:08:16,600 –> 00:08:20,760 You have given me this work. I have extended myself in what you gave me to do 107 00:08:21,019 –> 00:08:24,779 I’ve given it my best shot, but I’ve had it. I can’t do any more 108 00:08:26,339 –> 00:08:31,820 And you may have come to a place also where something that God has distinctly called you to do you have come to the place 109 00:08:31,820 –> 00:08:35,559 Of saying I feel like I’m done. I don’t have it in me anymore 110 00:08:37,580 –> 00:08:41,719 Second in his depleted state he withdraws and you will recognize this 111 00:08:42,280 –> 00:08:48,780 Experience also verse 3 he goes to Bersheba and of course his servant has been with him, but very significant 112 00:08:49,239 –> 00:08:51,239 he leaves the servant there 113 00:08:51,400 –> 00:08:57,320 And when this kind of darkness comes upon you everyone who has experienced darkness of soul knows what this is about 114 00:08:57,580 –> 00:09:03,500 You feel low you don’t want people around you get an invitation to go to some party with some group of people 115 00:09:03,500 –> 00:09:09,260 You don’t want to be there you’re not in the mood for for conversation. He withdraws. He just wants to be on his own 116 00:09:09,260 –> 00:09:11,260 Leave me alone 117 00:09:12,039 –> 00:09:15,739 And as he withdraws he finds that he can’t settle 118 00:09:16,580 –> 00:09:17,979 there’s a 119 00:09:17,979 –> 00:09:20,559 Restlessness that now begins to come into his heart 120 00:09:21,239 –> 00:09:24,979 He’s going verse 4 into the wilderness now, and he wanders until 121 00:09:25,619 –> 00:09:29,859 Eventually falls down exhausted he just moving he can’t settle 122 00:09:31,059 –> 00:09:37,219 And you may recognize this it may be going on in your heart right now you you had a certain piece, but now there’s an 123 00:09:38,020 –> 00:09:42,340 Unsettlement that is common. It’s part of a great darkness. That has clouded over 124 00:09:42,979 –> 00:09:45,219 Your soul. Fourthly he feels defeated 125 00:09:45,739 –> 00:09:49,200 Verse for take away my life. I am 126 00:09:49,940 –> 00:09:55,340 No better than my father’s Elijah is not trying to take his own life here 127 00:09:55,340 –> 00:09:58,099 He would just be very happy if God did that for him. It just 128 00:09:58,619 –> 00:10:00,619 Just take me home, please 129 00:10:01,820 –> 00:10:03,859 I’ve given everything to this task 130 00:10:05,260 –> 00:10:08,559 What has come of this effort what have I accomplished I? 131 00:10:09,739 –> 00:10:13,380 Said out lord to do something great for you. It hasn’t happened 132 00:10:15,979 –> 00:10:19,840 So what is the use what is the point of me continuing? 133 00:10:21,619 –> 00:10:26,840 It’s quite clear I’m not getting anywhere you feel the darkness, you know what this is like 134 00:10:28,820 –> 00:10:30,820 Most of all number five he is 135 00:10:31,500 –> 00:10:33,440 disappointed deep deep 136 00:10:33,440 –> 00:10:41,739 Disappointment runs right throughout this very important chapter, and I want to point this out to you that Satan has 137 00:10:42,780 –> 00:10:44,780 Some special snares 138 00:10:45,400 –> 00:10:49,400 That are uniquely designed for the most committed believers 139 00:10:50,520 –> 00:10:53,679 The casual Christian doesn’t get trapped in these snares 140 00:10:54,940 –> 00:10:57,940 But he does have a snare for the most committed 141 00:10:58,460 –> 00:11:04,659 believers for the mother who really prays and teaches her children and seeks to guard them 142 00:11:06,239 –> 00:11:09,820 For the father who serves the leader who makes deep 143 00:11:10,479 –> 00:11:16,179 Sacrifices and goes on doing that for years for the student who takes a stand when it was very unpopular 144 00:11:16,500 –> 00:11:21,859 For the person in business who took a stand in in ethics and in morality 145 00:11:21,859 –> 00:11:28,340 And it proved to be very costly for the person who has extended themselves if you love Jesus Christ 146 00:11:29,619 –> 00:11:32,200 If you are passionate about the gospel 147 00:11:33,179 –> 00:11:36,340 If you are seeking to live in obedience and in integrity 148 00:11:37,059 –> 00:11:39,059 Satan has a snare 149 00:11:39,539 –> 00:11:46,900 Specially designed for you. And this is it. It is deep disappointment that God didn’t do more through your ministry 150 00:11:47,539 –> 00:11:49,539 That’s what it is 151 00:11:49,539 –> 00:11:52,039 And that’s what Elijah is here 152 00:11:52,380 –> 00:11:59,380 Nobody could have given more to the service of God then Elijah did but as he’s moving into his later years 153 00:11:59,380 –> 00:12:03,580 We do not find this man giving. Thanks for the faithfulness of God 154 00:12:03,580 –> 00:12:08,840 We do not find this man filled with with Joy at the blessing of God. We find 155 00:12:09,500 –> 00:12:12,619 Elijah disappointed that God had not done more 156 00:12:14,859 –> 00:12:19,940 Twice he says then I have been very jealous for the Lord the God of 157 00:12:20,840 –> 00:12:23,479 Hosts verse 10 and verse 14. Oh 158 00:12:26,440 –> 00:12:31,440 God I wanted to see thousands turning in repentance and faith. He said 159 00:12:33,580 –> 00:12:35,760 I wanted to see homes and families 160 00:12:36,400 –> 00:12:42,780 Transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. I wanted to see your name honored glorified across the nation 161 00:12:44,179 –> 00:12:47,380 and he has called the nation to repentance and 162 00:12:49,479 –> 00:12:51,479 God has sent the fire and 163 00:12:53,299 –> 00:12:57,059 When the people saw it they did say the Lord he is God 164 00:12:57,059 –> 00:12:59,059 but when they went home after the 165 00:12:59,580 –> 00:13:02,179 Spectacular event as we saw in chapter 18 166 00:13:03,000 –> 00:13:04,299 little 167 00:13:04,299 –> 00:13:06,299 changed 168 00:13:07,179 –> 00:13:10,440 They were in Matthew Henry’s words convinced but not converted 169 00:13:14,580 –> 00:13:19,580 So are you really surprised that Elijah then finds himself saying what is all this about 170 00:13:21,840 –> 00:13:28,140 It was the same at the palace remember Ahab the King had been at Mount Carmel Ahab saw the Lord’s fire 171 00:13:29,099 –> 00:13:36,299 Ahab was driving home as Elijah was praying for rain to return 172 00:13:42,539 –> 00:13:44,539 It seems simply from 173 00:13:45,479 –> 00:13:48,400 Acceptance of what goes on at Mount Carmel 174 00:13:48,400 –> 00:13:54,520 I mean he was there and he was the powerful king and he he evidently witnessed this and he took no action against it 175 00:13:54,940 –> 00:14:01,099 There seems some evidence at least of at least some temporary softening of Ahab’s heart 176 00:14:01,099 –> 00:14:04,979 Elijah as a prophet would have prayed for the salvation of the king 177 00:14:06,159 –> 00:14:11,039 And perhaps it even crossed his mind too that there would be that ultimate miracle 178 00:14:11,719 –> 00:14:16,359 Of Jezebel herself being gloriously transformed 179 00:14:16,359 –> 00:14:18,760 Well that would get everybody’s attention wouldn’t it? 180 00:14:19,539 –> 00:14:26,820 And what happens as Ahab arrives home with the blessing of God’s reign restored 181 00:14:28,320 –> 00:14:30,919 He tells Jezebel what has happened and 182 00:14:33,419 –> 00:14:36,260 Absolutely nothing has changed 183 00:14:39,520 –> 00:14:46,119 This kind of darkness this kind of disappointment can come very very close to our lives 184 00:14:47,080 –> 00:14:49,080 It can happen like this 185 00:14:50,919 –> 00:14:54,299 You pour yourself into raising a family 186 00:14:56,039 –> 00:15:00,340 You’ve seen that people have tried to do this in different ways and you have said Oh God 187 00:15:00,539 –> 00:15:06,039 With everything in me. I am going to seek to do this to the best of my ability 188 00:15:07,299 –> 00:15:08,679 and 189 00:15:08,679 –> 00:15:15,359 as time goes on and you extend yourself in this you find to your surprise that one or more of your children are 190 00:15:16,080 –> 00:15:18,080 unresponsive to your efforts 191 00:15:18,739 –> 00:15:19,900 and 192 00:15:19,900 –> 00:15:27,419 then you find to your astonishment into your alarm that a son or a daughter chooses a path that you would never have imagined in 193 00:15:27,419 –> 00:15:29,419 your wildest nightmares 194 00:15:31,859 –> 00:15:39,820 It can happen like this you make a choice of a career, and then you find yourself in middle life stuck and 195 00:15:39,919 –> 00:15:41,539 And 196 00:15:41,539 –> 00:15:47,260 you’re in a position where what you are doing is no longer fulfilling to you and 197 00:15:48,460 –> 00:15:55,400 It seems no longer to be appreciated the more you look at it the more you feel it is not even significant and yet 198 00:15:55,500 –> 00:15:57,500 God has given you 199 00:15:57,739 –> 00:16:00,700 Responsibilities here you are you have a family you have other commitments 200 00:16:00,700 –> 00:16:05,059 You are you are locked into that and you find yourself saying it is enough 201 00:16:06,059 –> 00:16:07,299 and 202 00:16:07,299 –> 00:16:09,979 You say sometimes in the back of your mind though? 203 00:16:09,979 –> 00:16:11,940 You may not say it out loud Lord 204 00:16:12,219 –> 00:16:17,900 Why don’t you just take me home and at least the family would have the insurance money? 205 00:16:19,859 –> 00:16:24,460 Be surprised if there are not a good number of us who’ve said that at one point or another 206 00:16:26,039 –> 00:16:28,039 It’s enough 207 00:16:28,580 –> 00:16:30,940 and when the darkness descends 208 00:16:30,940 –> 00:16:32,940 the 209 00:16:33,739 –> 00:16:37,580 Finger of blame begins to move and points 210 00:16:37,820 –> 00:16:42,500 Sometimes towards God it is enough. Why have you loaded me with all this? 211 00:16:44,299 –> 00:16:47,260 And then sometimes it points back at the self 212 00:16:48,739 –> 00:16:50,739 What a miserable failure I am 213 00:16:51,820 –> 00:16:53,820 You see Elijah does both 214 00:16:54,099 –> 00:16:56,099 Neither are helpful 215 00:16:56,299 –> 00:17:01,179 It’s enough he’s blaming God and why have you put all this on me? 216 00:17:01,219 –> 00:17:05,459 Then he says I am no better than my father’s. It’s my fault. I didn’t achieve 217 00:17:07,760 –> 00:17:11,859 Of course the problem that’s going on here is there never was a deal 218 00:17:13,140 –> 00:17:16,920 There never was a quid pro quo that if you get it, right 219 00:17:16,920 –> 00:17:23,780 If you extend yourself God will give you the dream for your life or for your family or for your ministry 220 00:17:23,979 –> 00:17:29,979 God has not tied himself to a mechanical system of cause and effect 221 00:17:32,020 –> 00:17:37,339 What he has done is he has called you as he calls me to a life of discipleship and 222 00:17:38,160 –> 00:17:40,260 In his Providence he has made life 223 00:17:40,859 –> 00:17:42,859 unpredictable 224 00:17:43,339 –> 00:17:45,339 Surprising effects come from 225 00:17:46,420 –> 00:17:50,520 Initial causes that you say I just don’t see the connection 226 00:17:51,719 –> 00:17:53,619 makes sense 227 00:17:53,959 –> 00:18:00,260 And so we find ourselves in this position that we have to walk by faith and not by sight 228 00:18:00,579 –> 00:18:05,520 Because it’s not making sense to us we experienced disappointment hopes and dreams and 229 00:18:06,380 –> 00:18:09,979 Expectations that are simply not realized in this life 230 00:18:11,819 –> 00:18:14,140 And everyone tastes that somewhere 231 00:18:14,900 –> 00:18:16,699 And 232 00:18:16,699 –> 00:18:22,459 We join as it where Elijah in his cave, and we say I didn’t think 233 00:18:23,180 –> 00:18:25,180 It was going to be 234 00:18:25,760 –> 00:18:27,760 like this 235 00:18:28,439 –> 00:18:30,439 Now remember 236 00:18:31,459 –> 00:18:33,459 Elijah is honorably wounded 237 00:18:34,640 –> 00:18:36,640 It’s not that he’s a selfish man 238 00:18:37,339 –> 00:18:45,260 He is experienced big disappointment because he is a man with big dreams and God never criticizes him for that 239 00:18:47,619 –> 00:18:52,420 When he says I am no better than my father’s that tells you that he did want to accomplish 240 00:18:52,819 –> 00:18:55,160 more for God than his fathers had done 241 00:18:57,079 –> 00:19:02,920 God do something in this generation that is greater than what you have done in the last 242 00:19:03,199 –> 00:19:05,599 Lord if it is your doing nothing better than what you have done in the past 243 00:19:05,599 –> 00:19:08,839 Your people have been limping along for more than generations now 244 00:19:09,859 –> 00:19:17,500 Do when you work pour out your spirit revive us again God doesn’t rebuke that kind of ambitious praying 245 00:19:18,839 –> 00:19:22,359 Leaders who are worth their salt always have big dreams and have them for the best reasons a 246 00:19:22,640 –> 00:19:28,959 passion for the glory of God a desire that people’s lives may be transformed by the power of the Gospel and 247 00:19:29,280 –> 00:19:31,280 Elijah has a good dream 248 00:19:31,939 –> 00:19:33,939 But when it doesn’t happen 249 00:19:35,180 –> 00:19:37,180 The man collapses in a heap 250 00:19:37,800 –> 00:19:39,800 And we see him 251 00:19:40,479 –> 00:19:42,719 in his mature years, not 252 00:19:43,319 –> 00:19:45,199 filled with 253 00:19:45,199 –> 00:19:53,040 Thanksgiving not filled with joy, but marked by disappointment marked by discouragement marked by frustration and marked by 254 00:19:54,040 –> 00:19:59,060 exhaustion, and I look at that and I say that could be me and 255 00:19:59,579 –> 00:20:02,540 and that could be you and 256 00:20:05,060 –> 00:20:07,060 What then can we learn 257 00:20:08,819 –> 00:20:10,819 From this scripture 258 00:20:11,900 –> 00:20:14,979 That is going to help us in 259 00:20:16,160 –> 00:20:18,060 days when 260 00:20:18,060 –> 00:20:19,839 we battle 261 00:20:19,839 –> 00:20:21,839 the darkness 262 00:20:22,500 –> 00:20:24,500 As 263 00:20:24,739 –> 00:20:30,719 You recognize how close all of this in the scripture is to the realities of our lives 264 00:20:32,859 –> 00:20:36,400 Let me just point to you on the page here 265 00:20:37,800 –> 00:20:42,479 How God cares for honorably wounded servants 266 00:20:43,219 –> 00:20:46,619 It’s one of the most beautiful passages in the scripture on this theme 267 00:20:47,520 –> 00:20:53,920 Notice first how God begins by giving to Elijah a fresh gift of strength 268 00:20:55,780 –> 00:20:59,939 Friends here is wonderfully good news, and this may be the 269 00:21:00,660 –> 00:21:05,160 The single truth that one person here needs to take home today 270 00:21:06,680 –> 00:21:08,680 God never 271 00:21:09,119 –> 00:21:11,119 Abandons his wounded 272 00:21:11,400 –> 00:21:16,140 He never leaves his wounded on the field of battle 273 00:21:17,420 –> 00:21:19,180 And 274 00:21:19,180 –> 00:21:21,180 We live in a world of 275 00:21:21,880 –> 00:21:27,859 business and candidly sometimes of ministry where sometimes it seems that the work matters 276 00:21:29,079 –> 00:21:32,060 but the people who do it don’t and 277 00:21:32,939 –> 00:21:38,239 it is so important for us to hear from the word that God cares about his 278 00:21:38,479 –> 00:21:41,180 Servants as much as he cares about his work 279 00:21:42,920 –> 00:21:44,920 He loves you 280 00:21:45,219 –> 00:21:47,219 Not just what you do for him 281 00:21:49,420 –> 00:21:56,579 He never leaves his wounded and when Elijah is spent when Elijah’s best years are behind him 282 00:21:56,579 –> 00:21:57,619 Which is the case here? 283 00:21:57,619 –> 00:22:01,359 He’s coming towards the end of his life and his career and his ministry 284 00:22:01,380 –> 00:22:07,619 He discovers again in the most wonderful way that he still matters to God 285 00:22:09,520 –> 00:22:13,300 Now notice how God ministers to him in this most wonderful way 286 00:22:13,520 –> 00:22:19,380 God’s wise and tender care for his honorably wounded servant begins with food 287 00:22:20,020 –> 00:22:21,540 rest and 288 00:22:21,540 –> 00:22:23,079 sleep 289 00:22:23,079 –> 00:22:25,579 food rest and sleep 290 00:22:26,199 –> 00:22:32,020 Read through verse 5 to 8 an angel of the Lord comes and makes him a hot breakfast 291 00:22:32,020 –> 00:22:36,020 Isn’t that wonderful? God sends an angel to cook him a breakfast hotcakes 292 00:22:36,439 –> 00:22:42,540 Baked on a stone and a jar of water and what happens Elijah eats and he drinks 293 00:22:42,540 –> 00:22:45,500 And then he goes back to sleep. He rests some more the guy is 294 00:22:46,219 –> 00:22:48,219 Exhausted and God gives him time 295 00:22:49,680 –> 00:22:57,099 God knows our frame the psalmist says and he remembers that we are dust 296 00:22:59,439 –> 00:23:04,260 In our wise friend said to me years ago and I found this so helpful 297 00:23:04,400 –> 00:23:07,459 He said Colin try never in your life 298 00:23:08,319 –> 00:23:14,140 To make a major life decision at a time when you are fatigued discouraged and exhausted 299 00:23:14,800 –> 00:23:16,800 That has been marvelous advice 300 00:23:17,540 –> 00:23:24,400 because if you do that, you are very likely to make that decision on the basis of a mood rather than on the basis of 301 00:23:24,400 –> 00:23:26,180 wisdom and 302 00:23:26,180 –> 00:23:29,819 God has many things to bring to Elijah 303 00:23:29,819 –> 00:23:35,199 But not while he is this exhausted, God is not going to speak until 304 00:23:35,699 –> 00:23:38,479 Elijah is in a place where he can hear 305 00:23:39,560 –> 00:23:42,800 This is the tender compassion of God. He knows our frame 306 00:23:42,800 –> 00:23:47,959 He remembers that we are dust. And so God gives Elijah no less than 40 days 307 00:23:48,800 –> 00:23:49,760 in 308 00:23:49,760 –> 00:23:52,880 which the man travels and the man rests and 309 00:23:53,400 –> 00:23:57,359 During this time the food that God has given to him sustains him 310 00:23:57,380 –> 00:23:59,079 He is recovering 311 00:23:59,079 –> 00:24:06,560 Energies physically God has worked for this man to do and soon God will meet with him in afresh and in a wonderful way 312 00:24:06,640 –> 00:24:11,900 But God does not speak until Elijah is able to here 313 00:24:14,400 –> 00:24:17,140 Second God not only gives him this wonderful gift of strength 314 00:24:18,920 –> 00:24:24,040 But very wonderfully gives to him as his strength recovers a fresh encounter 315 00:24:25,020 –> 00:24:27,020 with God himself 316 00:24:27,219 –> 00:24:29,160 verses 9 through 14 317 00:24:29,160 –> 00:24:31,880 after 40 days Elijah arrives at 318 00:24:31,900 –> 00:24:37,180 Horeb now Horeb in the Bible is simply another name that is used for sine 319 00:24:37,180 –> 00:24:41,979 Ai which of course was the mountain where God met with Moses and gave the Ten Commandments 320 00:24:42,400 –> 00:24:48,380 this is the place where Moses prayed that great prayer Oh God show me your glory and 321 00:24:48,839 –> 00:24:53,920 you remember Moses went up the mountain and God hit Moses in the cleft of a rock and 322 00:24:54,280 –> 00:24:57,439 God’s presence passed by the mountain and 323 00:24:58,280 –> 00:25:02,979 Moses was able to see as it were the after burn of the glory of 324 00:25:03,439 –> 00:25:04,959 the Lord 325 00:25:04,959 –> 00:25:09,359 now here centuries later we have Elijah and 326 00:25:10,219 –> 00:25:17,219 He makes this journey through the wilderness to precisely the same place. I wonder if in the back of his mind 327 00:25:17,219 –> 00:25:17,979 He’s thinking 328 00:25:17,979 –> 00:25:22,140 I want to go to the place where Moses met with God and 329 00:25:22,420 –> 00:25:30,099 Maybe God will meet with me afresh. Also. We’re not told that but I wonder if that was not in his mind 330 00:25:31,439 –> 00:25:38,280 He came to a cave verse 9 when he got to this great and this holy mountain and he lodged in it and 331 00:25:39,140 –> 00:25:44,660 The word of the Lord came to him verse 9. What are you doing here, Elijah? 332 00:25:46,300 –> 00:25:50,160 By the way, that is a powerful question isn’t it put your name 333 00:25:50,880 –> 00:25:56,040 Against that question. What are you doing here? Put your name in there 334 00:25:56,859 –> 00:25:58,859 You imagine God asking you that question 335 00:25:59,680 –> 00:26:04,680 And the question of course has as great force. Elijah was a prophet 336 00:26:05,800 –> 00:26:09,920 The work of a prophet is to speak the Word of God to people 337 00:26:10,760 –> 00:26:15,719 He’s gone to a place a cave on a mountain in a desert where there isn’t a soul to be seen 338 00:26:16,839 –> 00:26:19,599 He cannot fulfill ministry in this place 339 00:26:21,000 –> 00:26:23,640 What are you doing here Elijah? 340 00:26:24,520 –> 00:26:26,520 Is 341 00:26:27,400 –> 00:26:32,760 This really a time the Lord would be saying for you to step back 342 00:26:34,160 –> 00:26:36,479 When there are so many needs and so many 343 00:26:36,959 –> 00:26:43,979 Opportunities all around and you have withdrawn and you have come to a place where it is more 344 00:26:44,199 –> 00:26:48,219 Comfortable for you, but where you cannot fulfill the work that I’ve given you to do 345 00:26:48,819 –> 00:26:53,500 What are you doing, I don’t think Elijah knew how to answer that question 346 00:26:53,500 –> 00:26:58,699 He certainly doesn’t answer the question. He didn’t know how to so what he does is he says well, here’s the thing 347 00:26:58,699 –> 00:27:00,459 I’ve been jealous for God and 348 00:27:00,459 –> 00:27:05,520 then he complains about what he’s been up against and how difficult it all has been and 349 00:27:05,699 –> 00:27:13,280 People don’t have faith and they they live ungodly lives and and they have no time for God and they’re unresponsive to the word 350 00:27:13,280 –> 00:27:16,660 so what’s the point in speaking it anyway, and then he says so I 351 00:27:17,180 –> 00:27:21,780 Even I only am left. You just feel the discouragement is pouring out of him 352 00:27:22,939 –> 00:27:26,660 And I love the fact that God doesn’t argue with him 353 00:27:28,819 –> 00:27:33,439 God simply draws near this is the grace of God 354 00:27:35,579 –> 00:27:40,180 He says verse 11 go out and stand on the mount before 355 00:27:40,420 –> 00:27:44,119 The Lord and we’re told that the Lord passed by 356 00:27:45,119 –> 00:27:47,859 Just as he had done with Moses 357 00:27:49,880 –> 00:27:56,180 By the way, God knows when you need a fresh touch from him in your life 358 00:27:57,540 –> 00:27:59,540 he knows and 359 00:27:59,920 –> 00:28:06,880 He will draw near to you draw near to God and he will draw near to you 360 00:28:07,880 –> 00:28:08,839 what 361 00:28:08,839 –> 00:28:10,500 I want us to notice here 362 00:28:10,500 –> 00:28:15,739 And I think what we’re meant to notice here is not only the wonderful fact that God drew near to him 363 00:28:15,739 –> 00:28:22,020 But how God drew near to him in this fresh encounter, you know the story 364 00:28:22,020 –> 00:28:22,260 well 365 00:28:22,260 –> 00:28:23,459 I’m sure we’re told 366 00:28:23,459 –> 00:28:30,540 That there was verse 11 a great and a strong wind that tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks 367 00:28:30,739 –> 00:28:36,439 Before the Lord. Now imagine Elijah he’s in this cave. He’s perhaps been there a few days 368 00:28:37,119 –> 00:28:38,199 and 369 00:28:38,199 –> 00:28:44,800 he comes out to the edge of the cave and there’s this wind and it’s whipping through the 370 00:28:45,560 –> 00:28:47,560 Valley, but below the mountain 371 00:28:48,420 –> 00:28:52,920 And at rocks are beginning to fall and it’s like a tornado 372 00:28:53,900 –> 00:28:55,359 hurricane 373 00:28:55,359 –> 00:29:00,619 the wind almost sucks him out of the cave and and then seems to be pushing him back and and 374 00:29:00,939 –> 00:29:05,599 Then we read this but God was not in the wind 375 00:29:07,780 –> 00:29:13,219 Now I understand that to mean that the wind did nothing to bring 376 00:29:13,760 –> 00:29:15,760 Elijah nearer to God 377 00:29:16,359 –> 00:29:21,079 This is his problem. He’s ejected. He’s despondent. He’s lost hope 378 00:29:22,079 –> 00:29:23,979 Hungry and thirsty for God 379 00:29:23,979 –> 00:29:30,280 He’s now got some physical energy, but he feels surrounded by this darkness and there’s this great wind 380 00:29:30,280 –> 00:29:32,380 But it doesn’t make him feel any nearer to God 381 00:29:33,180 –> 00:29:37,979 Then you know how the story goes on Elijah hears a rumble there are tremors 382 00:29:37,979 –> 00:29:41,060 They’re running through the ground Elijah looks out the edge of his cave again 383 00:29:41,079 –> 00:29:47,459 and he sees that the the earth itself is moving and on the floor of the desert below there’s an earthquake and 384 00:29:48,280 –> 00:29:55,719 But God was not in the earthquake same thing the earthquake did nothing to bring Elijah nearer to God 385 00:29:55,719 –> 00:29:57,520 God 386 00:29:57,520 –> 00:29:59,939 Elijah must have wondered what the world’s gonna happen next 387 00:30:00,640 –> 00:30:02,640 And guess what it was 388 00:30:03,339 –> 00:30:05,339 his favorite phenomenon 389 00:30:06,420 –> 00:30:10,500 He looks out of his cave, and there is a ball of fire 390 00:30:11,339 –> 00:30:13,560 a divine fire a fire sent from heaven 391 00:30:13,560 –> 00:30:20,400 Just like you’d seen on Mount Carmel and this miracle that had been so powerful on on the mountain 392 00:30:20,439 –> 00:30:23,719 He sees this fireball that’s moving through the ravine 393 00:30:24,079 –> 00:30:31,560 Beside the the mountain and Elijah surely must have retreated back into the the cave as he feels the heat going past the 394 00:30:31,640 –> 00:30:33,939 front piece of the the rock 395 00:30:35,619 –> 00:30:43,160 But God was not in the fire the fire did nothing to bring Elijah nearer 396 00:30:44,040 –> 00:30:46,040 to God 397 00:30:47,020 –> 00:30:49,180 Now friends do you see the significance of this 398 00:30:51,359 –> 00:30:53,680 Elijah had called down far from heaven 399 00:30:55,260 –> 00:30:58,160 The people had seen this demonstration of the 400 00:30:58,680 –> 00:31:05,579 Divine power that was absolutely staggering and made them say well clearly the Lord he is God, but they were not changed by it and 401 00:31:07,180 –> 00:31:11,900 Now Elijah has the same experience with precisely the same result 402 00:31:13,780 –> 00:31:15,780 God was not in the fire 403 00:31:16,319 –> 00:31:19,520 It didn’t change him either 404 00:31:20,920 –> 00:31:22,939 Then verse 12 405 00:31:24,180 –> 00:31:26,180 after the fire 406 00:31:27,439 –> 00:31:29,439 The sound of a low 407 00:31:30,239 –> 00:31:32,239 whisper 408 00:31:32,739 –> 00:31:37,060 And when Elijah heard it he wrapped his face in his cloak 409 00:31:37,920 –> 00:31:39,160 and 410 00:31:39,160 –> 00:31:43,540 he went out and he stood at the entrance to the cave and 411 00:31:45,160 –> 00:31:47,160 Elijah hears the voice of 412 00:31:48,060 –> 00:31:50,060 God 413 00:31:51,380 –> 00:31:53,500 Now the point here is very simple 414 00:31:54,900 –> 00:31:57,719 Elijah had counted on God working through the fire 415 00:31:58,400 –> 00:32:00,400 shaking the earth with some 416 00:32:00,500 –> 00:32:06,880 headline grabbing event that would grab the attention of the nation and therefore would change the hearts of the people and 417 00:32:07,099 –> 00:32:09,099 God can do that 418 00:32:10,260 –> 00:32:13,020 But it is not his usual way of working 419 00:32:14,780 –> 00:32:19,420 The normal means of God’s word work is that he speaks 420 00:32:20,520 –> 00:32:24,140 And he does it in a low whisper 421 00:32:25,319 –> 00:32:30,680 Not through attention-grabbing headlines, but through the quiet work of the Holy Spirit 422 00:32:31,260 –> 00:32:32,319 awakening 423 00:32:32,319 –> 00:32:36,599 Ordinary people to their need of Jesus Christ and showing the glories of Christ 424 00:32:37,560 –> 00:32:39,560 to them 425 00:32:40,420 –> 00:32:45,439 Hearts are changed friends and people are drawn to God not by 426 00:32:46,180 –> 00:32:52,500 extraordinary displays of power, but by the love and mercy of God poured out in 427 00:32:53,560 –> 00:32:55,560 Jesus Christ 428 00:32:57,119 –> 00:33:00,219 One of my preaching heroes an earlier generation 429 00:33:01,319 –> 00:33:03,680 Scottish guy by the name of Thomas Boston 430 00:33:05,099 –> 00:33:08,119 Boston was in his early 20s when he became a pastor 431 00:33:08,339 –> 00:33:09,500 and 432 00:33:09,500 –> 00:33:14,660 He says in his memoirs in his early 20s when he began preaching 433 00:33:14,699 –> 00:33:19,979 He said my preaching was off a strain. He means a type or a style 434 00:33:20,420 –> 00:33:22,500 My preaching was off a strain 435 00:33:22,959 –> 00:33:29,280 He says in which it was as if I was attempting to set the devil’s nest alight 436 00:33:29,619 –> 00:33:31,619 They know what he’s saying by that. I 437 00:33:32,199 –> 00:33:33,780 gave it to him 438 00:33:33,780 –> 00:33:39,699 Fire and brimstone my I attacked every sin in the book and laid it on the line 439 00:33:39,699 –> 00:33:44,099 I really was preaching in a way that was gonna set alight the devil’s nest 440 00:33:44,699 –> 00:33:46,699 the 441 00:33:46,699 –> 00:33:52,959 Week after he was ordained to the pastoral ministry licensed to preach 442 00:33:53,819 –> 00:33:54,979 an 443 00:33:54,979 –> 00:33:57,619 elderly pastor who heard him speak 444 00:33:58,420 –> 00:34:00,420 Came up to him and said 445 00:34:01,339 –> 00:34:04,880 Thomas if you were to preach Christ 446 00:34:06,459 –> 00:34:09,179 You would find it very pleasant 447 00:34:09,679 –> 00:34:11,679 And 448 00:34:12,360 –> 00:34:16,439 Boston writes this in his memoirs. He’s just 22 23 years old 449 00:34:17,959 –> 00:34:20,780 he says it affected me deeply and 450 00:34:21,840 –> 00:34:27,679 After that I changed my strain. I love that. I 451 00:34:29,340 –> 00:34:36,300 just began to see that what matters what’s at the center what’s really life-changing is 452 00:34:37,040 –> 00:34:39,040 Is not thundering 453 00:34:39,419 –> 00:34:46,239 Condemnation from Sinai and from the law not not earthquakes not fire not not great gust of wind 454 00:34:47,959 –> 00:34:53,360 But the grace and the mercy that are in Jesus Christ poured out through the cross 455 00:34:55,179 –> 00:34:57,179 Friend here’s the reality 456 00:34:57,620 –> 00:34:59,080 the 457 00:34:59,080 –> 00:35:05,939 promises of Jesus in the Gospel are much more powerful in your battle against sin than any threats or penalties 458 00:35:05,959 –> 00:35:07,520 That ever come from the law. 459 00:35:07,520 –> 00:35:09,520 You will find it to be so, 460 00:35:09,659 –> 00:35:15,179 That your own heart is drawn, and your own heart is changed, not by the fear of some 461 00:35:15,560 –> 00:35:17,260 Consequences of doing something that is wrong. 462 00:35:17,260 –> 00:35:22,959 But by the redeeming blood and love of Jesus Christ reaching out to you. 463 00:35:23,659 –> 00:35:25,659 And that’s what Elijah 464 00:35:25,800 –> 00:35:28,399 gets right here, and 465 00:35:28,899 –> 00:35:31,300 it now has to be shaping for his ministry and 466 00:35:32,280 –> 00:35:34,280 for ours. 467 00:35:34,540 –> 00:35:36,540 And here’s the very last thing. 468 00:35:37,520 –> 00:35:39,939 God gives to him not only the gift of strength, 469 00:35:40,860 –> 00:35:45,199 not only does God, in his incredible mercy give him a fresh encounter. 470 00:35:46,040 –> 00:35:49,320 But now he has a fresh ministry purpose. 471 00:35:49,979 –> 00:35:56,620 And let me just touch this very briefly. Elijah’s sense of purpose had been his great motive, 472 00:35:56,620 –> 00:35:59,199 I want to do something that’s more than my father’s. 473 00:35:59,320 –> 00:36:01,320 He wants to do something not only greater than my father’s. 474 00:36:01,600 –> 00:36:05,360 By the way, that may be a good motive to say I want to do something great for God, 475 00:36:05,360 –> 00:36:09,120 but to say I want to do something more than my father’s is not actually 476 00:36:09,159 –> 00:36:11,260 a very wise goal. Don’t you think? 477 00:36:11,719 –> 00:36:16,439 If your goal is to do better than your father, did that’s probably going to be crushing. 478 00:36:16,439 –> 00:36:19,479 Or your mother, you’ve just chosen the wrong goal better 479 00:36:20,439 –> 00:36:23,320 to try and be better than someone who came before you. 480 00:36:23,320 –> 00:36:27,280 Oh, he wants to do it for the glory of God. It’s a great motive, but it’s not a great goal. 481 00:36:27,639 –> 00:36:33,000 Elijah really had been driven in a life in which he felt that his life could only have meaning 482 00:36:33,000 –> 00:36:36,120 and a value if he accomplished more than others did. 483 00:36:37,679 –> 00:36:39,820 I have to do more. I have to do more. 484 00:36:41,959 –> 00:36:47,199 I wonder if you recognize that in your own life, if you do then grasp this in these last moments. 485 00:36:47,800 –> 00:36:52,080 When God gives Elijah a fresh ministry purpose, it goes like this. 486 00:36:52,080 –> 00:36:55,300 He says, look, there’s work for you to do and here’s what it is, verse 16. 487 00:36:55,360 –> 00:36:57,479 And here’s what it is, verse 16. 488 00:36:57,479 –> 00:37:00,659 It’s all about anointing other people for ministry. 489 00:37:00,659 –> 00:37:02,179 That’s what it is for you now. 490 00:37:02,580 –> 00:37:07,300 Elisha, you shall anoint, verse 16, to be the prophet in your place. 491 00:37:07,620 –> 00:37:09,919 Elijah, this is not going to be changing the nation. 492 00:37:10,419 –> 00:37:11,959 It never was about that. 493 00:37:12,280 –> 00:37:19,179 But you can find one man and you can equip him and you can mentor him and you can encourage him. 494 00:37:19,199 –> 00:37:25,479 And God gives his wounded servant fresh work, fresh purpose for this new season of his life. 495 00:37:25,760 –> 00:37:27,879 And here’s the great irony of it. 496 00:37:29,560 –> 00:37:32,699 Elisha accomplished much more than Elijah ever did. 497 00:37:33,979 –> 00:37:35,679 Much more. 498 00:37:37,300 –> 00:37:38,800 And so here’s what God is saying. 499 00:37:38,800 –> 00:37:42,280 Elijah, you wanted to accomplish more than your fathers. 500 00:37:42,439 –> 00:37:45,340 Now go and appoint someone who will accomplish more than you. 501 00:37:46,800 –> 00:37:47,399 It’s beautiful. 502 00:37:48,260 –> 00:37:53,260 Elijah, pour your remaining years into calling and equipping and encouraging 503 00:37:53,260 –> 00:37:57,520 others who will do more for my glory than you ever did. 504 00:37:59,120 –> 00:38:02,899 And I think it wasn’t easy for Elijah to hear these words. 505 00:38:03,659 –> 00:38:06,219 Best days are now behind him. 506 00:38:06,860 –> 00:38:09,479 There is something ahead of him. 507 00:38:11,060 –> 00:38:13,620 But it’s about others who are going to do more than he did. 508 00:38:13,659 –> 00:38:17,679 And yet there’s more ahead of him. 509 00:38:19,479 –> 00:38:26,639 Because this man who was so disappointed that God had not done more became the man who was 510 00:38:26,639 –> 00:38:33,659 raptured into heaven and along with Moses, out of all the Old Testament faithful saints, 511 00:38:33,659 –> 00:38:39,719 was privileged to stand on the mountain of transfiguration with the Son of God and see 512 00:38:39,899 –> 00:38:41,899 his unveiled glory. 513 00:38:44,439 –> 00:38:48,800 Elijah wanted to do more for God than others had done. 514 00:38:49,320 –> 00:38:55,179 God did more for Elijah than he had done for others. 515 00:38:56,080 –> 00:39:02,739 Elisha, for sure, accomplished more than Elijah ever did, but read on into the New Testament 516 00:39:02,739 –> 00:39:06,459 and Elijah is the one who is given the higher honor. 517 00:39:07,320 –> 00:39:14,260 So don’t judge the value of your service for God by the visible results. 518 00:39:14,260 –> 00:39:24,080 Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart and he always cares for 519 00:39:24,080 –> 00:39:27,320 his wounded servants. 520 00:39:27,320 –> 00:39:33,379 He knows your need and in His time He will give you that fresh gift of strength. 521 00:39:33,379 –> 00:39:36,360 He will give you that fresh encounter with Him. 522 00:39:36,899 –> 00:39:40,520 And He will give you that fresh ministry purpose. 523 00:39:40,520 –> 00:39:48,739 And He will speak to you not in the thundering rebuke of condemnation, but in the grace 524 00:39:48,739 –> 00:39:55,679 and in the truth that streams to you through Jesus Christ. 525 00:39:55,679 –> 00:40:05,699 Father, thank you for your grace, and mercy, and faithfulness towards all of us. 526 00:40:05,699 –> 00:40:14,959 Your frail creatures and servants, hear our prayer, as we look to you. 527 00:40:14,959 –> 00:40:17,800 In Jesus’ name, amen.