WEBVTT

00:00:02.080 --> 00:00:03.120
<v SPEAKER_00>Good morning, friends.

00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:04.400
<v SPEAKER_00>This is John Dunn.

00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:17.920
<v SPEAKER_00>As we've watched events unfold in the Middle East in recent weeks, I'm certain we've all experienced moments of fear and uncertainty, as well as a growing sense that our world seems to be spinning out of control.

00:00:18.800 --> 00:00:22.719
<v SPEAKER_00>In moments like this, I have found great comfort in the book of Psalms.

00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:30.399
<v SPEAKER_00>For example, Psalm 56 tells us that the antidote for fear is trusting in God.

00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:33.920
<v SPEAKER_00>Listen to these words of comfort from the psalmist.

00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:43.759
<v SPEAKER_00>When I'm afraid, I put my trust in you, in God whose word I praise, in God whom I trust.

00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:45.679
<v SPEAKER_00>I shall not be afraid.

00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:48.159
<v SPEAKER_00>What can flesh do to me?

00:00:49.439 --> 00:01:00.880
<v SPEAKER_00>There are so many examples like this where the writers of Psalms find themselves in fearful circumstances and cry out to the Lord, and God always answers.

00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:12.560
<v SPEAKER_00>The biblical lesson for us is simple: take comfort, because the same God who calmed the psalmist in the Old Testament still controls our destiny today.

00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:22.959
<v SPEAKER_00>This concept of God's control over people and events, past, present, and future, is called the sovereignty of God.

00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:30.959
<v SPEAKER_00>It speaks to the fact that our powerful and purposeful God is in control of everything.

00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:39.519
<v SPEAKER_00>The Psalms go on to assure us that God loves us more than we can ever imagine and that his love endures forever.

00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:40.959
<v SPEAKER_00>Think about that.

00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:51.280
<v SPEAKER_00>What could possibly give us greater comfort than the assurance that God loves us and that he is in absolute control of our eternal destiny?

00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:54.079
<v SPEAKER_00>We can trust in that promise.

00:01:55.359 --> 00:01:59.599
<v SPEAKER_00>But consider this: it's hard to trust someone we don't know.

00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:05.519
<v SPEAKER_00>And there's only one way to really know God, and that's through his living word, the Bible.

00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:10.000
<v SPEAKER_00>The Psalms speak frequently about the need to truly know God.

00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:14.479
<v SPEAKER_00>Listen to this example from Psalm 9, verse 10.

00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:19.520
<v SPEAKER_00>And those who know your name put their trust in you.

00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:25.280
<v SPEAKER_00>For you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

00:02:26.400 --> 00:02:35.120
<v SPEAKER_00>I think I'll close this message today with a quote from Reverend Graham that speaks eloquently to the fears many of us are feeling.

00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:37.360
<v SPEAKER_00>Here's how he put it.

00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:44.479
<v SPEAKER_00>I've read the last page of the Bible, folks, and it's all going to turn out all right.

00:02:45.840 --> 00:02:52.479
<v SPEAKER_00>Billy Graham knew that God was in control, and we should rest on that same assurance.

00:02:52.960 --> 00:02:55.520
<v SPEAKER_00>I hope you have a peaceful day.