WEBVTT 00:04.317 --> 00:12.876 [SPEAKER_00]: As we begin to wrap up our week, celebrating Jesus or King, today we'll celebrate the justice of God. 00:13.898 --> 00:17.106 [SPEAKER_00]: What does it mean for God to be just? 00:17.126 --> 00:20.453 [SPEAKER_00]: Does that stir up fear in you or peace? 00:21.040 --> 00:30.076 [SPEAKER_00]: As we take a closer look at what God's justice means for us, I pray you are filled with immense gratitude and worship today. 00:31.198 --> 00:39.272 [SPEAKER_00]: God has looked on us with so much love, and Jesus our just king has done so much on our behalf. 00:40.334 --> 00:42.778 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 01:10.771 --> 01:27.052 [SPEAKER_00]: Our Scripture for today comes from Isaiah 30, verse 18, Scripture says, therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. 01:28.173 --> 01:34.922 [SPEAKER_00]: For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for Him. 01:37.754 --> 01:42.340 [SPEAKER_00]: Often the word justice is taken as synonymous with punishment. 01:43.561 --> 01:45.984 [SPEAKER_00]: Our societies have justice systems. 01:46.926 --> 01:51.111 [SPEAKER_00]: We demand justice for the oppressed by punishing the wrongdoer. 01:52.332 --> 01:58.300 [SPEAKER_00]: We see justice as the necessary counter to our world's inherent depravity. 01:59.782 --> 02:04.808 [SPEAKER_00]: To be sure, justice is an incredibly important component to life. 02:05.665 --> 02:12.112 [SPEAKER_00]: But we serve a king who while entirely just is also completely merciful. 02:13.454 --> 02:23.705 [SPEAKER_00]: We serve a God who doesn't shy away from consequence and conviction, but looks for every opportunity to give good gifts to his children. 02:25.467 --> 02:34.997 [SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah 30 verse 18 illustrates this heavenly tension in saying, 02:35.315 --> 02:39.540 [SPEAKER_00]: and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. 02:40.522 --> 02:43.025 [SPEAKER_00]: For the Lord is a God of justice. 02:43.986 --> 02:46.609 [SPEAKER_00]: Blessed are all those who wait for Him. 02:46.669 --> 02:52.837 [SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah spoke this word to an incredibly idolatrous people. 02:54.099 --> 02:58.504 [SPEAKER_00]: Israel was not a nation we would judge as worthy of blessing. 02:59.193 --> 03:13.513 [SPEAKER_00]: But God, through His heart of mercy and justice, constantly led His people back into His fold by whatever means necessary that He might reward them with good and pleasing gifts. 03:15.836 --> 03:20.482 [SPEAKER_00]: Even in moments of weakness, your heavenly Father loves you. 03:21.864 --> 03:28.373 [SPEAKER_00]: Even in moments where you would condemn yourself, your Father delights and showing mercy. 03:29.483 --> 03:33.889 [SPEAKER_00]: And even though we don't deserve one good thing from a perfect God. 03:34.890 --> 03:41.959 [SPEAKER_00]: Because of his merciful justice, he lavishly rewards, even the smallest of good within us. 03:43.521 --> 03:51.232 [SPEAKER_00]: James 117 teaches us, every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. 03:52.133 --> 03:59.102 [SPEAKER_00]: Coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 04:00.854 --> 04:06.100 [SPEAKER_00]: All that is good in your life was supplied by the hand of your Heavenly Father. 04:07.261 --> 04:13.188 [SPEAKER_00]: Every dollar you've made and possession you've received was God's good pleasure to give you. 04:14.230 --> 04:25.022 [SPEAKER_00]: Every friendship you've developed and family member added to your number was graciously provided to you because you serve a just and merciful king. 04:26.977 --> 04:32.242 [SPEAKER_00]: In this Christmas season, may we celebrate the just heart of Jesus. 04:33.503 --> 04:41.770 [SPEAKER_00]: May we find peace and comfort in the fact that God sees the world rightly, but looks upon us with compassion. 04:43.111 --> 04:48.316 [SPEAKER_00]: And may our hearts be filled with worship as we look to Jesus are just king. 04:50.378 --> 04:56.663 [SPEAKER_00]: Take the next few minutes to reflect on God's goodness toward you in guided prayer. 05:18.833 --> 05:31.087 [SPEAKER_00]: as we begin, meditate on the just heart of Jesus, allow the truth of God's character to open up places in your heart to receive Him. 05:33.049 --> 05:45.263 [SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah 30 verse 18 says, therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to 05:46.340 --> 05:48.732 [SPEAKER_00]: for the Lord is a God of justice. 05:49.877 --> 05:52.671 [SPEAKER_00]: Blessed are all those who wait for Him. 06:29.337 --> 06:35.645 [SPEAKER_00]: And next, where do you see the merciful justice of God in your life? 06:37.046 --> 06:39.910 [SPEAKER_00]: Where do you see Him bestowing gifts upon you? 06:41.792 --> 06:56.830 [SPEAKER_00]: James 117 says, every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 07:17.296 --> 07:47.033 [SPEAKER_00]: And last, take some time to worship Jesus in response to everything he's given you. 07:48.278 --> 07:59.773 [SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah 12 verse 5 says, sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously, let this be made known in all the earth. 08:39.646 --> 08:44.191 [SPEAKER_00]: Part of the mystery of the Christian life is embracing paradoxes. 08:45.373 --> 08:48.596 [SPEAKER_00]: We serve a God of mercy and justice. 08:49.898 --> 08:53.322 [SPEAKER_00]: We who deserve nothing have been given everything. 08:54.644 --> 08:57.927 [SPEAKER_00]: Life with God is filled with glorious paradox. 08:59.089 --> 09:06.177 [SPEAKER_00]: May we celebrate who God is this season and offer him our hearts and response to his great love. 09:07.237 --> 09:16.854 [SPEAKER_00]: May we elevate the king of justice, who in his loving kindness took on flesh that he might get the punishment we deserved. 09:18.537 --> 09:21.702 [SPEAKER_00]: All glory to Jesus are just king. 09:35.553 --> 09:38.617 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks so much for listening to today's podcast. 09:38.637 --> 09:40.520 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with First 15. 09:41.401 --> 09:46.509 [SPEAKER_00]: If you have a moment, would you do as a huge favor by leaving a rating or a review? 09:46.549 --> 09:56.042 [SPEAKER_00]: Sharing how God is impacting your life through First 15 is one of the most effective ways of helping more people connect with our ministry. 09:56.022 --> 10:01.676 [SPEAKER_00]: If you'd rather just send us a note, you can reach out at podcast at firstfifteen.org. 10:02.458 --> 10:07.672 [SPEAKER_00]: And make sure to come back tomorrow as we wrap up our week about Jesus or King. 10:07.712 --> 10:12.985 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you seek Him.