God's heart is that the wrath of God be removed.

The judge's heart is that he may find a just way to let his heart of mercy flow.

This is not constrained by the lawyer on a judge because of some technicality of the cross.

So how does God's heart for those he delivers from his wrath transform the way we relate to him?

The answer to that question is what John Piper rejoices over from Isaiah 53 in this episode of Light and Truth.

This sermon was originally preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on April 4th, 1993.

You know somebody's heart when you know their desires, when you know what satisfies them.

Which means that this passage that Mike just read is about the heart of God.

And if you see what his desires are in this text, you can know him well.

So this message this morning is about knowing God.

First in the Lord was pleased.

Literally the Lord desired.

It was his good pleasure to crush him, putting him to grief.

So if you want to know the heart of God, you begin with the knowledge that his desire is to crush his servant.

That's the starting point.

God's good pleasure is to crush his servant and put him to grief.

And then if you want to know the heart of the servant, you see in verse 10 at the last line,

the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

So the servant takes this desire of the Father to crush him and he makes it succeed.

And in verse 11, as a result of the anguish of his soul, he will see it and be satisfied.

That's a glimpse into the heart of God.

And I think there is no need greater in this church and there is no need greater in this city

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