WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.519
 Paul has very kindly allowed me to choose what to preach from this morning and I have something of an ongoing love affair with the psalms.

00:00:10.219 --> 00:00:19.240
 And so I've picked a psalm which has meant a great deal to me recently and my hope and prayer is that it may mean a great deal to us.

00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:28.019
 Psalm 107. So I'd be very glad if you could turn back to that, the psalm that Rachel read to us earlier.

00:00:28.140 --> 00:00:34.019
 Psalm 107. If you've got one of the church Bibles, it's page 506.

00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:36.280
 Page 506.

00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:44.260
 And before I preach, let's, as we sit, bow our heads and pray for God's help.

00:00:47.920 --> 00:01:00.960
 Gracious God, our Heavenly Father, we thank you that by your Spirit you've caused these psalms to be written and prayed and sung over many years.

00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:14.540
 We ask that as we consider this psalm now, you would put it into our hearts and onto our lips, that we too might join your people in singing it.

00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:17.240
 In Jesus' name. Amen.

00:01:17.240 --> 00:01:17.340
 Amen.

00:01:17.340 --> 00:01:27.880
 Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

00:01:28.020 --> 00:01:31.640
 I want to begin with a question which is enormously important.

00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:32.960
 And the question is this.

00:01:35.520 --> 00:01:42.760
 What will it feel like to be loved with an unchanging love?

00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:56.500
 If it is true, if you and I are men and women in Christ, if it is true, as the Bible teaches, that you and I are loved with an unchanging love,

00:01:56.500 --> 00:02:02.740
 that we have a Heavenly Father who has loved us, as one of our songs said from before the world began,

00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:09.819
 that he loves us now, that he has demonstrated his love in the coming and the death of the Lord Jesus,

00:02:10.519 --> 00:02:15.039
 that he pours his love into our hearts by his Holy Spirit, that he will love us always,

00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:19.939
 and that his love never changes, the question is what will it feel like?

00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:23.240
 And it's an enormously important question.

00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:31.939
 Because one of the things I often feel, especially when I have the privilege of being a visiting speaker somewhere,

00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:38.500
 is how lovely it would be if we had time to share our stories.

00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:42.020
 All of us have stories to tell.

00:02:42.979 --> 00:02:51.120
 Some of them are stories of our past and their hopes and aspirations and perhaps fears for the future.

00:02:51.620 --> 00:02:54.180
 Depending on your age, the balance will be different.

00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:59.759
 So, younger children, you'll have stories from the past, but they may not be very long ones yet,

00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:03.419
 but you'll have a great many hopes and aspirations for the future.

00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:08.299
 Those of us who've been around the block a few more times have got a few more stories from the past,

00:03:08.840 --> 00:03:11.159
 and maybe not quite so many for the future.

00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:12.099
 Who knows?

00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:13.879
 But we all have stories.

00:03:14.679 --> 00:03:20.939
 Now, is it not true that our natural feeling as we go through life,

00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:27.359
 the ups and downs of life, is that there are days when everything's marvellous.

00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:33.460
 We're in good health, we're perhaps happy in relationships, friendships,

00:03:33.900 --> 00:03:39.979
 perhaps happy in marriage, perhaps happy in parenthood, perhaps happy at work,

00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:42.300
 and everything's going well.

00:03:42.300 --> 00:03:47.640
 And we feel that it's a natural thing to say that God loves me,

00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:49.820
 because everything is great.

00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:55.780
 But there are other days, and there'll be plenty of us here, I have no doubt,

00:03:56.380 --> 00:03:57.340
 who can echo this.

00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:05.140
 Other days when our health is difficult, perhaps seriously difficult,

00:04:05.140 --> 00:04:08.420
 when those we love are struggling,

00:04:08.419 --> 00:04:11.319
 perhaps when we're going through bereavement,

00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:14.259
 perhaps when there've been sadnesses and disappointments,

00:04:14.339 --> 00:04:20.639
 when we naturally feel that God doesn't love us as much.

00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:24.519
 There are times of darkness, times of uncertainty.

00:04:25.419 --> 00:04:30.139
 And so the question, what should it feel like to be loved with an unchanging love,

00:04:30.159 --> 00:04:31.319
 is a really important one.

00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:36.680
 If you're here this morning and you're not, as yet, a Christian believer,

00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:42.579
 it's so lovely to have the chance to talk to you about the love of God for these minutes,

00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:44.980
 and I hope you'll listen carefully.

00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:49.439
 The psalm begins with the words,

00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:52.920
 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:54.879
 The God of the Bible is good.

00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:57.860
 His steadfast love endures forever.

00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:01.519
 And his steadfast love is the theme of the psalm.

00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:04.420
 So you see it again in verse 8.

00:05:05.000 --> 00:05:07.900
 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love.

00:05:07.960 --> 00:05:10.199
 You see it again in verse 15.

00:05:10.759 --> 00:05:13.100
 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love.

00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:14.879
 You see it again in verse 21.

00:05:15.580 --> 00:05:18.220
 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love.

00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:20.300
 You see it again in verse 31.

00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:22.980
 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love.

00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:25.360
 And you see it again at the end.

00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:29.960
 Let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:31.599
 so that's the theme

00:05:31.599 --> 00:05:34.519
 and the psalm invites us to think about

00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:38.839
 the steadfast unchanging love of God

00:05:38.839 --> 00:05:41.579
 and you'll notice in the last verse

00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:45.180
 that we're invited at the end

00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:47.039
 that if you want to be wise

00:05:47.039 --> 00:05:48.959
 and we all want to be wise

00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:51.659
 wise doesn't mean having a high IQ

00:05:51.659 --> 00:05:53.899
 wise doesn't mean clever

00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:56.899
 it's possible to be clever and a fool

00:05:56.899 --> 00:05:59.500
 and it's possible to be not so clever

00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:00.899
 and to learn wisdom

00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:02.839
 but if you want to be wise

00:06:02.839 --> 00:06:05.000
 and we all want to learn wisdom

00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:07.480
 then says the psalmist

00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:09.560
 attend to these things

00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:12.220
 listen, consider, think about this

00:06:12.220 --> 00:06:14.639
 and think about what's going to happen

00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:17.600
 so verses 2 and 3

00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:19.939
 set the agenda

00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:22.519
 so verse 1 says the theme

00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:23.680
 it's about the love of God

00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:26.660
 what it is to be loved by the steadfast love of God

00:06:26.660 --> 00:06:27.780
 incidentally

00:06:27.780 --> 00:06:30.500
 if you've been a Christian for a while

00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:32.000
 and a Bible reader for a while

00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:36.200
 I hope you know that the steadfast love

00:06:36.200 --> 00:06:38.400
 the word translated steadfast love

00:06:38.400 --> 00:06:41.040
 loving kindness in the old versions

00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.580
 sometimes just love

00:06:42.580 --> 00:06:44.560
 but steadfast love is a good translation

00:06:44.560 --> 00:06:48.280
 it doesn't just mean God generally smiling

00:06:48.280 --> 00:06:49.720
 and being nice

00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:53.080
 so God is very kind

00:06:53.080 --> 00:06:53.940
 Jesus said

00:06:53.940 --> 00:06:58.900
 he lets the rain fall on wicked people

00:06:58.900 --> 00:07:00.240
 so that their crops grow

00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:04.240
 he's kind to people in all sorts of ways

00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:08.540
 but the steadfast love means the promised love

00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:10.320
 the pledged love

00:07:10.320 --> 00:07:11.860
 the covenant love

00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:15.820
 that God gives to all who are in relationship with him

00:07:15.820 --> 00:07:18.980
 ultimately in the Lord Jesus Christ

00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.660
 that's what the steadfast love is

00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:21.540
 that's what it's about

00:07:21.540 --> 00:07:22.160
 so it's about

00:07:22.160 --> 00:07:23.819
 what's it like to be loved

00:07:23.819 --> 00:07:24.840
 to be a man, a woman

00:07:24.840 --> 00:07:26.360
 or a child

00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.980
 in Christ

00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.879
 so verses 2 and 3

00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:32.120
 give us a little bit of context

00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:33.080
 and the agenda

00:07:33.080 --> 00:07:36.460
 let the redeemed of the Lord say so

00:07:36.460 --> 00:07:39.160
 and when you get the word redeemed

00:07:39.160 --> 00:07:41.379
 it reminds you of the exodus

00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:43.040
 the slaves in Egypt

00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:46.120
 being bought out of slavery

00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:47.079
 and the exodus

00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:50.500
 by God's mighty act of rescue

00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:52.060
 let the redeemed of the Lord say so

00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.959
 let them tell their stories

00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:55.340
 it's a kind of invitation

00:07:55.340 --> 00:07:57.840
 to have some story telling

00:07:57.840 --> 00:08:00.199
 those he's redeemed from trouble

00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:01.579
 and verse 3

00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:03.120
 those he's gathered

00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:04.680
 notice that word gathered

00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:06.699
 from the east, west, north, south

00:08:06.699 --> 00:08:08.740
 and the word gathered

00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:11.079
 reminds us much later

00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:12.939
 in Old Testament history

00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:14.699
 so the exodus from Egypt

00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:15.639
 right near the beginning

00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:17.680
 and the gathering

00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:19.680
 reminds us of coming back

00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:21.219
 from exile in Babylon

00:08:21.219 --> 00:08:22.899
 much later in Israel's history

00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:25.079
 so as we read the stories

00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:28.000
 we remember the people of Israel

00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.399
 who were slaves in Egypt

00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:30.279
 coming out

00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:32.919
 and we remember the exiles

00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:34.299
 in Babylon

00:08:34.299 --> 00:08:36.039
 hundreds of years later

00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:38.960
 being regathered into the land

00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:40.620
 and you'll see that this is

00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:42.420
 the beginning of book 5

00:08:42.420 --> 00:08:44.320
 the books of Psalms

00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:46.220
 are divided into 5 books

00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:48.560
 and once you get to book 5

00:08:48.560 --> 00:08:50.120
 some of the Psalms

00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:51.759
 are very, very old Psalms

00:08:51.759 --> 00:08:53.860
 but they're put together

00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:56.480
 late in the Old Testament history

00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.580
 they're put together

00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:59.000
 at the time when the people

00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:00.120
 have been gathered back

00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.220
 from exile

00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:02.240
 it seems

00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:03.720
 if you glance at the

00:09:03.720 --> 00:09:06.440
 second last verse

00:09:06.440 --> 00:09:07.700
 of the previous Psalm

00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:09.040
 verse 47

00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:10.020
 on the same page

00:09:10.020 --> 00:09:11.020
 there's a prayer

00:09:11.020 --> 00:09:11.780
 verse 47

00:09:11.780 --> 00:09:13.220
 save us O Lord our God

00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:14.220
 gather us

00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:15.680
 it's a prayer to be gathered

00:09:15.680 --> 00:09:16.840
 back from the nations

00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:18.580
 to come back from exile

00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:19.700
 so

00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:21.600
 the person leading the singing

00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:22.540
 here says

00:09:22.540 --> 00:09:24.600
 let's tell some stories

00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:26.580
 what's it like

00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:28.860
 to have been a slave in Egypt

00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:29.440
 and redeemed

00:09:30.020 --> 00:09:31.280
 what's it like

00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:32.760
 to have been an exile in Babylon

00:09:32.760 --> 00:09:33.720
 and been redeemed

00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:35.020
 what's it like

00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:35.919
 to be loved

00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:37.460
 with the steadfast

00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:38.840
 covenant love of God

00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:40.159
 and they're very, very

00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:41.379
 vivid stories

00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.620
 so

00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.480
 let's

00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:44.340
 let's listen

00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:45.720
 to these stories

00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:47.159
 the Psalm

00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.279
 begins with four

00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:50.460
 very similar stories

00:09:50.460 --> 00:09:52.199
 there are four stories

00:09:52.199 --> 00:09:55.279
 they each begin

00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:56.100
 with trouble

00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:58.199
 and then there's a prayer

00:09:58.199 --> 00:09:59.840
 and then God answers

00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:01.100
 and then there's

00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:01.639
 thanksgiving

00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:03.279
 so there's four stories

00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:05.399
 very similar structure

00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:07.539
 as we go through them

00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:09.179
 we'll discover

00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:10.000
 that these stories

00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:10.480
 are not

00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:12.339
 four different groups

00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:12.980
 of people

00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:15.199
 these are the same people

00:10:15.199 --> 00:10:16.639
 telling their stories

00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.100
 in poetic form

00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:19.419
 in different ways

00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:20.799
 so it's not like

00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:22.100
 I'm the leader

00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:22.559
 and I say

00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:23.579
 let's have some stories

00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:24.519
 and a bunch over there

00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:25.579
 stand up and tell us

00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.839
 verses 4 to 9

00:10:26.839 --> 00:10:27.600
 the first story

00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.759
 and then another bunch

00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:29.480
 stand up and say

00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:30.539
 oh our story's different

00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:32.620
 it's verses 10 to 16

00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.099
 and so on

00:10:33.099 --> 00:10:34.759
 it's actually the same people

00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:35.799
 telling the stories

00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:38.559
 but in different ways

00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:40.079
 and they're very vivid

00:10:40.079 --> 00:10:41.559
 and I want us to

00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:43.000
 in a sense

00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:43.659
 get

00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:46.360
 into them

00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:47.459
 in our imaginations

00:10:47.459 --> 00:10:49.659
 so verses 4 to 9

00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.819
 here's the first story

00:10:50.819 --> 00:10:52.759
 I'd call this

00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.759
 lost

00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:55.480
 in a wasteland

00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.539
 world

00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:59.000
 so some people

00:10:59.000 --> 00:10:59.399
 as it were

00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:00.599
 they stand up

00:11:00.599 --> 00:11:01.219
 the people of God

00:11:01.219 --> 00:11:01.679
 and they say

00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:02.120
 well we were

00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.459
 we were wandering

00:11:03.459 --> 00:11:05.079
 in desert wastes

00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:06.719
 like the Sinai Desert

00:11:06.719 --> 00:11:08.579
 or the Sahara Desert

00:11:08.579 --> 00:11:09.599
 a place where there aren't

00:11:09.599 --> 00:11:10.419
 any roads

00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:11.360
 and road signs

00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:13.019
 and there's no water

00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:14.139
 and it was a

00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:14.599
 it was a

00:11:14.599 --> 00:11:16.240
 it was a miserable business

00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:16.980
 verse 4

00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.279
 we couldn't find any way

00:11:18.279 --> 00:11:18.980
 to a city

00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:20.079
 a place where there'd be

00:11:20.079 --> 00:11:21.379
 food and drink

00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:22.480
 and verse 5

00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.240
 we were hungry

00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:24.099
 and thirsty

00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:26.139
 and our soul

00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:27.300
 our being fainted

00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:27.800
 within us

00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:28.399
 we were weak

00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.259
 and we were lost

00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:30.259
 and we couldn't find

00:11:30.259 --> 00:11:31.860
 where we were going

00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:33.259
 and you think of the

00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:35.740
 the slaves in Egypt

00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.500
 at the beginning

00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:37.899
 lost

00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:39.240
 not literally in a desert

00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.740
 but metaphorically

00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:41.300
 lost

00:11:41.300 --> 00:11:42.060
 not knowing where

00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:42.800
 they were going

00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:44.899
 and unsatisfied appetites

00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:45.300
 hungry

00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:45.740
 thirsty

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.820
 you think of the exiles

00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:47.460
 in Babylon

00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:49.279
 not literally in a desert

00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.600
 but unsatisfied appetites

00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.040
 hungry

00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:52.600
 thirsty

00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:54.980
 then you think of the Lord Jesus

00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:56.120
 singing this psalm

00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:56.500
 later

00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.820
 you think of him

00:11:57.820 --> 00:11:58.620
 in the desert

00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:00.159
 hungry

00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:01.460
 thirsty

00:12:01.460 --> 00:12:03.139
 in the desert

00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:04.920
 and then you think of

00:12:04.920 --> 00:12:05.600
 Christian people

00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.920
 all down the years

00:12:06.920 --> 00:12:07.420
 saying

00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:09.600
 I know what it feels like

00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:12.139
 to have unsatisfied appetites

00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:13.980
 I know what it feels like

00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:15.220
 to be hungry

00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:17.340
 to want something

00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:19.700
 maybe literally food or drink

00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.460
 it may be something

00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:21.300
 in a relationship

00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:22.159
 or a job

00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:22.799
 or health

00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:24.359
 you know what it feels like

00:12:24.359 --> 00:12:25.159
 to be hungry

00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.479
 and thirsty

00:12:26.479 --> 00:12:28.639
 and they go on

00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.359
 verse 6

00:12:29.359 --> 00:12:30.240
 we cried

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:30.620
 they said

00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.559
 they cried to the Lord

00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:32.099
 in their trouble

00:12:32.099 --> 00:12:32.799
 they prayed

00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:34.339
 he rescued us

00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:35.339
 verse 7

00:12:35.339 --> 00:12:36.959
 he led them

00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:37.919
 by a straight way

00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:38.519
 to a city

00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:40.039
 to dwell in

00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.299
 where their appetites

00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:42.120
 could be met

00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:42.679
 their hunger

00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:43.319
 and thirst

00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.939
 so verse 8 and 9

00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:46.299
 let them thank the Lord

00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:48.379
 for his steadfast love

00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.519
 he satisfies

00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.519
 verse 9

00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.360
 the longing soul

00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.240
 the hungry soul

00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:52.879
 he fills

00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:54.399
 with good things

00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:56.820
 so you get to the end

00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:57.720
 of that first telling

00:12:57.720 --> 00:12:58.340
 of the story

00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.000
 and you say

00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:00.019
 aha

00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:01.159
 I've got it now

00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:03.019
 now I know

00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:04.019
 how God loves me

00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:05.720
 I know God loves me

00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.500
 when I was hungry

00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:07.059
 and thirsty

00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:08.600
 and now I've got

00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.379
 food and drink

00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:11.419
 I know God loves me

00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:13.220
 when I had unsatisfied appetites

00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.340
 and now they're satisfied

00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:16.240
 I know God loves me

00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:17.220
 when I wanted to be married

00:13:17.220 --> 00:13:18.540
 and now I'm happily married

00:13:18.540 --> 00:13:20.139
 I know God loves me

00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:21.080
 when we wanted children

00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:22.259
 and now we've got children

00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:23.639
 I know God loves me

00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.600
 when I was

00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:26.360
 in need of a job

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.519
 and now I've got a job

00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.879
 that's how I know

00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:30.259
 God loves me

00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:33.320
 or is it?

00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:35.460
 let's park that

00:13:35.460 --> 00:13:36.780
 and go on to the next story

00:13:36.780 --> 00:13:38.840
 we'll come back to that

00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.240
 in a minute

00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:41.340
 here's the second story

00:13:41.340 --> 00:13:43.060
 verses 10 to 16

00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:44.160
 same people

00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:45.519
 telling their story

00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.740
 from a different perspective

00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:47.959
 you might want to call

00:13:47.959 --> 00:13:49.259
 verses 10 to 16

00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:49.839
 trapped

00:13:49.839 --> 00:13:51.980
 in a dark world

00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.679
 so verse 10

00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:57.259
 they're describing it now

00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:57.579
 they're saying

00:13:57.579 --> 00:13:59.839
 they sat in darkness

00:13:59.839 --> 00:14:01.919
 and a shadow of death

00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.679
 that's deep deep darkness

00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:05.360
 that's darker than a dark night

00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:06.100
 in the countryside

00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:08.879
 that's a spiritual darkness

00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.699
 and then you discover

00:14:10.699 --> 00:14:11.279
 verse 10

00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:12.279
 that it's the darkness

00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:13.139
 of a dungeon

00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:13.860
 prisoners

00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:15.779
 in affliction

00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:17.180
 they're in a dungeon

00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:18.259
 they're trapped

00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:21.539
 and it's because

00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.320
 they'd rebelled

00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:24.000
 against God's words

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.200
 they'd spurned him

00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:25.919
 verse 11

00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:27.200
 and so they were

00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:28.139
 bowed down

00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:29.139
 with hard labour

00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:29.840
 verse 12

00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:31.120
 you think of the slaves

00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.779
 in Egypt

00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.620
 before the exodus

00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.460
 bowed down

00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.419
 with hard labour

00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:37.000
 falling down

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.580
 verse 12

00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:38.080
 no one

00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:39.279
 to help

00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.779
 you think of the exiles

00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.500
 in Babylon

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:43.199
 metaphorically

00:14:43.199 --> 00:14:43.879
 in a prison

00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:45.480
 a prison is where

00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.179
 you can't go

00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:47.059
 where you want to go

00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:48.259
 and do what you want to do

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.959
 you're trapped

00:14:48.959 --> 00:14:50.519
 and you know

00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.519
 the strange thing is

00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.299
 that it's possible

00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.339
 at the same time

00:14:53.339 --> 00:14:54.620
 to be lost

00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.439
 in a world

00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:56.579
 that's too big

00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:57.379
 a desert

00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:59.799
 and at the same time

00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:00.860
 to be trapped

00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:02.899
 in an inward world

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:03.980
 that's too small

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.980
 and dark

00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:06.639
 same people

00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.820
 telling their stories

00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:09.139
 from a different angle

00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.940
 as it were

00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.720
 think of the Lord Jesus

00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:13.659
 a prisoner really

00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:15.159
 ultimately a prisoner

00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.120
 before the cross

00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:18.019
 but not able to go

00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.919
 where he wanted

00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:20.360
 not able to do

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:22.100
 everything he chose

00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:23.120
 trapped

00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.159
 watched

00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:25.480
 dark

00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:27.120
 ultimately dark

00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.899
 at the cross

00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:29.039
 with the darkness

00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:30.420
 of the shadow of death

00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.699
 and you think of

00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:32.319
 Christian people

00:15:32.319 --> 00:15:33.899
 all down the ages

00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:35.519
 saying yes I know

00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.879
 what it feels like

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:38.360
 to be in darkness

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.019
 I remember

00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.199
 trying to open up

00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:42.279
 this psalm

00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:43.839
 to the students

00:15:43.839 --> 00:15:44.719
 at Corn Hill actually

00:15:44.719 --> 00:15:45.240
 and one of them

00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.079
 said to me afterwards

00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:48.000
 that these descriptions

00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.079
 in these stories

00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:50.299
 matched exactly

00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:51.559
 with their experience

00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.240
 of depression

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.179
 I can identify

00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:55.319
 with all of that

00:15:55.319 --> 00:15:56.399
 they said

00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.059
 to me

00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:58.439
 but again

00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.059
 they pray

00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:01.959
 verse 13

00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:03.219
 they cry to the Lord

00:16:03.219 --> 00:16:03.819
 in their trouble

00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.699
 he delivers them

00:16:04.699 --> 00:16:05.259
 he brings them

00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.079
 out of darkness

00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:06.799
 you think of the

00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:08.059
 slaves coming out

00:16:08.059 --> 00:16:08.439
 of Egypt

00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:09.179
 at the exodus

00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:09.939
 the exiles

00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:10.699
 coming back

00:16:10.699 --> 00:16:12.159
 to the promised land

00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:12.839
 from Babylon

00:16:12.839 --> 00:16:14.659
 the Lord Jesus

00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.559
 being raised

00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:16.379
 from the dead

00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:18.039
 and Christian people

00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.639
 being brought

00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.479
 out of darkness

00:16:19.479 --> 00:16:20.739
 he burst their bonds

00:16:20.739 --> 00:16:21.239
 apart

00:16:21.239 --> 00:16:22.599
 they were set free

00:16:22.599 --> 00:16:24.379
 my chains fell off

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:26.199
 my heart was free

00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.879
 and so verse 15

00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.860
 they thank God

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.460
 because he shatters

00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.580
 doors of bronze

00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.440
 verse 16

00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:34.200
 cuts the bars of iron

00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.480
 so you see

00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.300
 now I get it

00:16:36.300 --> 00:16:37.259
 now I know

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.600
 how God loves me

00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:40.759
 I know God loves me

00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.720
 because there were

00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.700
 times in my life

00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.800
 when it was dark

00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:45.100
 and I felt trapped

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.440
 and constrained

00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.440
 and I couldn't go

00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:48.500
 where I wanted to go

00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.000
 but now my heart

00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.460
 is free

00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.500
 and I found freedom

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.120
 in Jesus

00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.200
 and it's wonderful

00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:54.320
 and that's how I know

00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.400
 God loves me

00:16:55.400 --> 00:16:59.080
 or is it

00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.520
 hold on to that

00:17:01.520 --> 00:17:02.020
 and we'll go on

00:17:02.020 --> 00:17:02.860
 to the third story

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.940
 we've got a lot

00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:04.920
 of loose ends here

00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:06.220
 so hold on to that

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:06.600
 and we'll go on

00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:07.759
 to the third story

00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.799
 verses 17

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:11.580
 through to 22

00:17:11.580 --> 00:17:13.519
 we might want to call

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.519
 this telling of the story

00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.019
 weak

00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.960
 in a sick world

00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.500
 lost in a wasteland world

00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.200
 the first one

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.059
 trapped in a dark world

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:22.720
 and now it's sickness

00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:24.080
 weak in a sick world

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.199
 so verse 17

00:17:25.199 --> 00:17:27.339
 some were fools

00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:29.339
 through their sinful ways

00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:31.359
 and because of their iniquities

00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:32.619
 they suffered affliction

00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.599
 they got ill

00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.439
 and sick

00:17:34.439 --> 00:17:35.740
 verse 18

00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.639
 they lost their appetite

00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.460
 they loathed

00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.460
 any kind of food

00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.199
 one of the

00:17:39.199 --> 00:17:42.179
 common symptoms

00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:43.419
 of sickness

00:17:43.419 --> 00:17:45.019
 and they drew near

00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.339
 to the gates of death

00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:46.839
 death

00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:48.199
 pictured like a city

00:17:48.199 --> 00:17:48.899
 with gates

00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:50.319
 and they got so close

00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:50.899
 that the gates

00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.879
 were beginning to open

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:53.620
 and any second now

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.640
 they were going to die

00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:57.640
 and that's what it was

00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:58.320
 to be like that

00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:59.060
 you think of the

00:17:59.060 --> 00:18:00.620
 slaves in Egypt

00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.380
 with the diseases

00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:01.920
 of Egypt

00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.500
 you think of the

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.680
 exiles in Babylon

00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:05.000
 you think of the

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.540
 Lord Jesus

00:18:05.540 --> 00:18:06.580
 sick all the way

00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:07.540
 until the gates

00:18:07.540 --> 00:18:07.980
 of death

00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.960
 opened for him

00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:10.180
 and us

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.900
 with inward

00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:11.960
 weakness

00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.700
 so verse 19

00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.400
 then they cried

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:14.880
 to the Lord

00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:15.560
 in their trouble

00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.540
 he delivered them

00:18:16.540 --> 00:18:17.840
 we've heard this before

00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:18.320
 haven't we

00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.980
 he delivered them

00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:21.099
 sorry I've got

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.679
 the wrong story

00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:22.759
 but it's much the same

00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.079
 where are we

00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:25.419
 no I've got the right story

00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:27.139
 I'm getting in a muddle

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:28.059
 verse 19

00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.559
 that's right

00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.339
 we're in the right story

00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:30.419
 they cried

00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.619
 he delivered them

00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.700
 he sent out his world

00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.579
 he healed them

00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.339
 from their sickness

00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.339
 he delivered them

00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:36.299
 and so they're

00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.299
 to thank him

00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:38.319
 verse 21

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:41.200
 and be grateful

00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:42.779
 for his love

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.139
 that's the third story

00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:46.319
 so this is someone

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.619
 I understand

00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:49.539
 I know God loves me

00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.399
 when I was sick

00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:51.599
 and now I'm better

00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:54.000
 I was talking to a student

00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:56.119
 at a church student house party

00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:57.359
 just a week ago

00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.740
 and he was telling me

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.599
 a fit strong man

00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.119
 he was telling me

00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:00.819
 about his brother

00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:02.359
 who's played rugby

00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:03.279
 schoolboy rugby

00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.099
 for England

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.359
 fit strong man

00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:07.319
 suddenly taken ill

00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:09.319
 and according to the doctors

00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:10.599
 when he was operated on

00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:12.539
 he was overseas

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:13.359
 he was operated on

00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.000
 the doctor said

00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.819
 he was within an hour

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.399
 of dying

00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.560
 suddenly

00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:17.580
 the gates of death

00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.180
 were opening

00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.300
 so close

00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:21.500
 but now he's strong

00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:23.320
 he's back to health again

00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:24.240
 so you see

00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.880
 that's how I know

00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.620
 God loves me

00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.860
 because there have been times

00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.800
 when I've been ill

00:19:27.800 --> 00:19:28.700
 and sick and weak

00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.840
 and now I'm strong again

00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:30.519
 and now I know

00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.440
 God loves me

00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:33.140
 or is it

00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:34.740
 or is it

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:36.060
 let's park that

00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:37.180
 and go on to the fourth one

00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:39.480
 here's the fourth one

00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:41.440
 verses 23 to 32

00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.580
 we might want to call this

00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.120
 something like

00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:45.019
 scared

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:47.400
 in a dangerous world

00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:49.579
 so verse 23

00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.539
 some went down

00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:51.299
 to the sea

00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.259
 in ships

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.559
 doing business

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:55.200
 on the great waters

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.500
 and as we read

00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.119
 the description

00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.480
 it's both a literal

00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.099
 description

00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:00.000
 of a storm

00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:02.019
 and a metaphorical

00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.559
 description

00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.519
 of a storm

00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:05.019
 so they went

00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.559
 to the sea

00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.920
 in ships

00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.799
 verse 23

00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:10.039
 and they saw

00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.720
 the deeds

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.599
 of the Lord

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.379
 verse 24

00:20:12.379 --> 00:20:12.879
 and you think

00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.800
 that's nice

00:20:13.800 --> 00:20:15.560
 his wondrous works

00:20:15.560 --> 00:20:16.280
 in the deep

00:20:16.280 --> 00:20:17.600
 until you see

00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.440
 what they are

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.580
 verse 25

00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:20.480
 he commanded

00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:23.520
 he raised the stormy winds

00:20:23.520 --> 00:20:24.540
 there was a gale

00:20:24.540 --> 00:20:25.420
 a severe gale

00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.020
 a hurricane

00:20:26.020 --> 00:20:28.320
 lifted up the waves

00:20:28.320 --> 00:20:29.040
 of the sea

00:20:29.040 --> 00:20:30.060
 and you picture this

00:20:30.060 --> 00:20:32.120
 terrible storm

00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:32.560
 at sea

00:20:32.560 --> 00:20:33.360
 and they mounted up

00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:33.840
 to the heaven

00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.520
 as they went up

00:20:34.520 --> 00:20:35.620
 to the top

00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.940
 of these huge waves

00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.440
 and down to the depths

00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.080
 in between

00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:40.540
 the waves

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.220
 and their courage

00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:41.779
 melted away

00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.960
 they were scared

00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:44.420
 they were terrified

00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.500
 in their plight

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.899
 and they reeled

00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.720
 and staggered

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.420
 you can see them

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:48.859
 can't you

00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.460
 on the deck

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.480
 holding on

00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.619
 as if they were drunk

00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:53.879
 it's so terrifying

00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.519
 and they're at their

00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.460
 wits end

00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:57.799
 and it's both literal

00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.779
 and metaphorical

00:20:58.779 --> 00:21:01.559
 there's a prophecy

00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.299
 in Isaiah

00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:03.359
 which describes

00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:03.980
 Jerusalem

00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.579
 at the time

00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.299
 of the exile

00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.859
 as being

00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:07.559
 a storm

00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:08.779
 tossed city

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.420
 lash with storms

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.539
 and it wasn't

00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.680
 literally that

00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:14.180
 but metaphorically

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:14.859
 it was that

00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:16.480
 and the storm

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.059
 is the time

00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.920
 when you're

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.079
 chugging through life

00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.519
 and life

00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:21.119
 seems quite stable

00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:22.019
 and you've got

00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.559
 your diary

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.319
 or your planner

00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:24.079
 and what you plan

00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.740
 to do tomorrow

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.220
 more or less

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.039
 happens tomorrow

00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.180
 and the day after

00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.660
 it more or less

00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.039
 happens

00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.339
 and the storm

00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.299
 hits

00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.559
 when what you thought

00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.160
 you were going to do

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.440
 tomorrow

00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.599
 doesn't happen at all

00:21:33.599 --> 00:21:35.160
 the storm hits

00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.039
 when suddenly

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.759
 there's a sickness

00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.359
 suddenly there's

00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.799
 a terrible diagnosis

00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.240
 suddenly there's

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.700
 a death

00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.619
 suddenly there's

00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.839
 a redundancy notice

00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:46.240
 suddenly there's

00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:47.119
 a breakdown

00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.940
 of some precious

00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.720
 relationship

00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.059
 and the storm

00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.420
 hits

00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.119
 and suddenly

00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:51.599
 you don't know

00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.299
 where you are

00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.519
 you thought you

00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.599
 were on solid ground

00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:56.359
 and now everything's

00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.319
 moving around you

00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:57.819
 and you just don't

00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.519
 know where you are

00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.299
 and you're holding on

00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.900
 you might as well

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.480
 be drunk

00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:01.940
 you're holding on

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.599
 and you're at

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.279
 your wits end

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:05.079
 that's the picture

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.699
 so you think of

00:22:06.699 --> 00:22:08.059
 the slaves in Egypt

00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.559
 you think of

00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.740
 the exiles in Babylon

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.099
 you think of

00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.039
 the Lord Jesus

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:14.299
 on the sea of Galilee

00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.939
 with this life

00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:17.299
 threatening storm

00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.439
 on this small

00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.240
 fishing boat

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.539
 threatening

00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.579
 threatening

00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:22.659
 threatening to kill

00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:22.960
 him

00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:24.019
 and all

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.579
 his friends

00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:27.720
 so what happens

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.439
 well again

00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:29.199
 verse 28

00:22:29.199 --> 00:22:30.019
 they cry to the

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.339
 Lord

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.359
 he delivers them

00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:32.019
 from their distress

00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.919
 he makes the storm

00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.419
 still

00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:34.599
 think of the Lord

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.819
 Jesus standing up

00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.779
 on the front of the boat

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.679
 be quiet

00:22:37.679 --> 00:22:39.219
 shut up

00:22:39.219 --> 00:22:41.279
 tells the wind

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:41.740
 and the waves

00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:42.439
 shut up

00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:43.599
 and they do

00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.759
 and they're still

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.199
 they're stilled

00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:47.639
 and they're hushed

00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.399
 verse 29

00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:49.019
 and verse 30

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.599
 they're glad

00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.419
 that the waters are quiet

00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.439
 they get to their haven

00:22:52.439 --> 00:22:53.480
 they get to the harbour

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:55.179
 so verse 31

00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:56.159
 they thank God

00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:57.279
 verse 32

00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.259
 they extol him

00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.619
 and they say

00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.439
 what a great God

00:22:59.439 --> 00:23:00.619
 now I know

00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.679
 he loves me

00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:05.700
 I wasn't so sure

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.600
 but now I know

00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:07.600
 now the storm

00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:08.360
 is stilled

00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:10.140
 he loves me

00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:13.340
 and if you're

00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.039
 a thoughtful person

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.220
 as I'm sure you are

00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.840
 you'll be thinking

00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.380
 to yourself

00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.019
 this preacher

00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:19.160
 is being mischievous

00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:22.660
 are you thinking that?

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.620
 you think this preacher

00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.420
 is being a little bit

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:25.840
 mischievous?

00:23:26.840 --> 00:23:27.580
 this preacher

00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:28.420
 is deliberately

00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.700
 being mischievously

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.299
 shallow

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:32.279
 this preacher

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:32.859
 is saying

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.879
 the times you know

00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.579
 God loves you

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.700
 are the times when

00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:37.619
 your appetites are fulfilled

00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.359
 rather than when

00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:39.059
 you're in the desert

00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:41.139
 the times when

00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:41.819
 you're strong

00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.059
 rather than sick

00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:44.119
 the times when

00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.319
 you're free

00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.619
 rather than trapped

00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.460
 in darkness

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.419
 the times when

00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.879
 you're on solid ground

00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.700
 rather than being

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.059
 washed around by storms

00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.480
 that's how you know

00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.480
 God loves you

00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:56.539
 and you must be saying

00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:58.119
 hang on a minute

00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.500
 because we're

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:01.719
 we're not all English

00:24:01.719 --> 00:24:02.859
 but even those of us

00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.539
 who aren't English

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:05.139
 are being enculturated

00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:06.679
 to Englishness

00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:08.959
 or Welshness

00:24:08.959 --> 00:24:14.139
 but anyway

00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.839
 Britishness

00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:16.639
 and sort of

00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.339
 politeness

00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.459
 but if we had a

00:24:18.459 --> 00:24:19.079
 different culture

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.519
 you'd have been

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.819
 interrupting me by now

00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.599
 wouldn't you?

00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.219
 you wouldn't have been

00:24:23.219 --> 00:24:24.199
 saying preach it

00:24:24.199 --> 00:24:24.639
 pastor

00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.540
 you know

00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:26.880
 like the Jamaicans

00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.180
 would

00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.100
 you'd be saying

00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:28.660
 hang on a minute

00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.240
 stop

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:31.740
 that can't be right

00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:33.380
 what about those times

00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.240
 when Christian people

00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.940
 feel lost

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.680
 and they're hungry

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.440
 and thirsty

00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:38.000
 literally

00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:40.700
 or in other ways

00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.280
 when they have

00:24:41.280 --> 00:24:42.300
 appetites

00:24:42.300 --> 00:24:44.280
 that are not satisfied

00:24:44.280 --> 00:24:46.240
 what about those times

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.640
 when

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.800
 Christian

00:24:47.800 --> 00:24:48.920
 people

00:24:48.920 --> 00:24:50.440
 feel trapped

00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.380
 and in darkness

00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:52.460
 and go through times

00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.440
 of darkness

00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:55.539
 what about those times

00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.440
 when Christian people

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.400
 get sick

00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:59.420
 and die

00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:01.640
 what about those times

00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.600
 when Christian people

00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.259
 are tossed

00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:04.259
 by storms

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.860
 what's with the love

00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.700
 of God then?

00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:07.960
 I don't think you've

00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:09.019
 quite got the point

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.759
 of the sermon

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.539
 so let's have a look

00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.279
 at the surprise

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.019
 verse 33

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.460
 there's a

00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.620
 the closing section

00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.580
 is very surprising

00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:16.779
 verse 33

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:18.220
 we've had these

00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.980
 four stories

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:21.000
 and verse 33

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.820
 he

00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:22.519
 that is God

00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.740
 turns rivers

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:26.079
 into a desert

00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.519
 and you say

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.180
 hang on a minute

00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.559
 Mr. Psalmist

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:31.119
 haven't you made

00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.900
 a mistake

00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:33.680
 isn't that a typo

00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.960
 I thought

00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.980
 bad things happened

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.599
 and then God

00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.660
 did the good stuff

00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:39.019
 but now you're

00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.519
 telling me that

00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:41.039
 God turns rivers

00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.940
 which are good

00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.619
 and life giving

00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:43.519
 into deserts

00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.119
 and I thought

00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.059
 deserts were bad

00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.819
 springs of water

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.879
 to thirsty ground

00:25:47.879 --> 00:25:48.740
 fruitful land

00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.500
 into salty ground

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:52.039
 like Sodom and Gomorrah

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.160
 where nothing grows

00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.859
 because of the evil

00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:57.059
 but you hang on in there

00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.680
 verse 35

00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.819
 when you find the desert

00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.700
 he turns it into

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.339
 pools of water

00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:00.660
 and you think

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.380
 ok it's going to be

00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:01.960
 like Disney

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:04.180
 it's going to work out

00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.559
 ok

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.500
 parched land

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.339
 springs of water

00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.759
 hungry people live there

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.500
 their appetites

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.000
 are fulfilled

00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.660
 verse 36

00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:10.759
 there's a city

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.240
 they can live there

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.099
 verse 37

00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:14.039
 they sow fields

00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.819
 the vineyards

00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:16.420
 there's harvests

00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.779
 they multiply

00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:19.820
 more and more people

00:26:19.820 --> 00:26:20.300
 healthy

00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:20.740
 happy

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.400
 smiling

00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.279
 Disney

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.539
 verse 38

00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:25.500
 and then you read on

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.259
 to verse 39

00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.080
 and it all goes wrong

00:26:27.080 --> 00:26:27.539
 again

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:29.300
 verse 38

00:26:29.300 --> 00:26:31.180
 there's no diminishing

00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:32.820
 everything's going well

00:26:32.820 --> 00:26:34.220
 shares are going up

00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.500
 portfolios are going up

00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.740
 the footsies going up

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.019
 everything's going up

00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.220
 house prices going up

00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.960
 everything's happy

00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.680
 verse 38

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.880
 verse 39

00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:43.800
 suddenly they're diminished

00:26:43.800 --> 00:26:44.940
 it's all gone bad again

00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:46.360
 they're brought low

00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.219
 through oppression

00:26:47.219 --> 00:26:48.159
 bad government

00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:49.059
 evil

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.119
 sorrow

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:52.639
 and God pours contempt

00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:53.379
 on princes

00:26:53.379 --> 00:26:54.000
 proud

00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:55.619
 people

00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.899
 makes them wander

00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:58.159
 in trackless wastes

00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:59.179
 just like at the beginning

00:26:59.179 --> 00:27:00.019
 of the psalm

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:01.559
 but then he raises up

00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.819
 the needy out of affliction

00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.759
 he makes their families

00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.459
 like flocks

00:27:04.459 --> 00:27:05.319
 so it's good again

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:07.299
 and upright people

00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.979
 who believe

00:27:07.979 --> 00:27:08.539
 they see it

00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.199
 they're glad

00:27:09.199 --> 00:27:10.500
 and wickedness

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.259
 shuts its mouth

00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.000
 it's got nothing

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.179
 to say

00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:14.500
 and then you have

00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.039
 the conclusion

00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.000
 think about it

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.559
 so let's think

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.140
 about it

00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:19.240
 together

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:22.019
 here's the thing

00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:24.039
 and this is the one

00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.819
 thing I'd love you

00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.559
 to take away

00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.660
 if you've drifted off

00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.059
 and you've been

00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.700
 thinking about

00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.539
 yesterday's rugby

00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.799
 or I don't know what

00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.200
 you know

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:31.440
 yesterday's rugby

00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:32.380
 is sort of up and down

00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:32.900
 isn't it

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.859
 unless you're

00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.420
 Scottish

00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:36.119
 or Italian

00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.799
 in which case

00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.700
 it's all down

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:39.579
 but if you're

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:39.960
 kind of

00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.039
 Welsh or Irish

00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.480
 or English

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.240
 yesterday was an

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.839
 up and down

00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.539
 kind of day

00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.039
 wasn't it

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:45.619
 in the rugby

00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.440
 so if you've

00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:46.940
 drifted off

00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:47.220
 and you've been

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.680
 thinking about that

00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.339
 just come back

00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:48.839
 for a moment

00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:50.099
 and think of this

00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.980
 the psalm

00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.019
 is about the

00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:54.220
 steadfast love

00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.839
 of God

00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.940
 the psalm is saying

00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.659
 God's love is

00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.379
 unchanging

00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:59.519
 the psalm is saying

00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.240
 in Old Testament

00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:00.659
 language

00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.460
 what we know

00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.319
 in the New Testament

00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.819
 that if you're a

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.119
 Christian

00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.859
 I'm a Christian

00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:06.240
 you have a

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.879
 heavenly father

00:28:06.879 --> 00:28:07.539
 who's loved you

00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.460
 from all eternity

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:10.680
 who loves you now

00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:12.240
 who's demonstrated

00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.920
 that love

00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.420
 in the coming

00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.920
 and the death

00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:14.720
 of the Lord Jesus

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.100
 who pours that love

00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:16.799
 into your heart

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.660
 by the Holy Spirit

00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:19.000
 and who will love you

00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:20.220
 to all eternity

00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.400
 and whose love

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:21.799
 for you is

00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.680
 unchanging

00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:25.880
 so what's the psalm

00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.420
 saying

00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.740
 surely it's saying

00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.480
 this isn't it

00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.539
 what would you

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.220
 expect

00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.799
 you expect

00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.900
 times which feel

00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.620
 like the desert

00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:35.660
 but in the end

00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.539
 God will bring you

00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.160
 to a city

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:38.980
 you expect

00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.200
 times which feel

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.860
 like prison

00:28:40.860 --> 00:28:41.539
 and darkness

00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.580
 but in the end

00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.500
 you'll be free

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:45.200
 you expect

00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.180
 times

00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.480
 of sickness

00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.940
 perhaps death

00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:50.559
 but in the end

00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.460
 you'll have life

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.440
 you expect

00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.799
 times of chaos

00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:55.500
 of the storm

00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.039
 at sea

00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:57.480
 but in the end

00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.660
 there'll be stability

00:28:58.660 --> 00:29:00.860
 it's what the Lord

00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.759
 Jesus trusted

00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:03.740
 that in those times

00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.580
 his heavenly father

00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.259
 loved him

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.980
 as he had always

00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.440
 loved him

00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.000
 and would always

00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.580
 love him

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:10.639
 so let me try

00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.359
 and earth this

00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:12.500
 we had a

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.159
 Carolyn and I

00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.899
 had a strange

00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.359
 summer

00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:15.079
 last summer

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.659
 so in

00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:18.119
 June

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:19.779
 my elderly

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.379
 father

00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:22.159
 was taken

00:29:22.159 --> 00:29:22.419
 ill

00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.259
 in the end

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.799
 of March

00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.559
 and in June

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.699
 he died

00:29:25.699 --> 00:29:26.439
 it was very

00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:27.460
 sad

00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.059
 I grieved

00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.899
 deeply

00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:31.119
 in August

00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:32.220
 our lovely

00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.539
 daughter

00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:33.259
 got married

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:35.000
 it was a really

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.599
 happy day

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.419
 we love her to bits

00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.100
 we love our new

00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:38.080
 son-in-law to bits

00:29:38.080 --> 00:29:39.700
 it was a blissfully

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.480
 happy day

00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:42.519
 and it seems to me

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.200
 the point of the

00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.160
 psalm is this

00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:45.820
 God's love

00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:47.220
 for me

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.800
 for the sake

00:29:47.800 --> 00:29:48.440
 of example

00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:50.380
 was no different

00:29:50.380 --> 00:29:51.500
 on the day

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:51.920
 our daughter

00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.779
 got married

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.779
 which was a day

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.480
 of smiles

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.300
 and laughter

00:29:55.300 --> 00:29:57.240
 than his love

00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:57.620
 for me

00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.100
 on the day

00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:59.060
 I saw my father

00:29:59.060 --> 00:29:59.660
 fade away

00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.200
 and die

00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.539
 his love for me

00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:02.300
 was unchanging

00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:04.140
 his love for me

00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:04.900
 was enduring

00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.800
 his love for me

00:30:05.800 --> 00:30:08.200
 is steadfast

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.820
 and although

00:30:09.820 --> 00:30:10.759
 there will be times

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.380
 if we're Christian

00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:11.680
 people

00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.400
 when we do not

00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.600
 feel that

00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:15.560
 there will be times

00:30:15.560 --> 00:30:16.460
 of desert

00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.920
 and darkness

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:19.580
 and sickness

00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:20.300
 and weakness

00:30:20.300 --> 00:30:21.759
 and chaos

00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.440
 and

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.940
 when it

00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.900
 you think

00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.440
 I don't

00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.240
 I find it hard

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.920
 to feel

00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.940
 that God loves me

00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.960
 but the point

00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.480
 of the psalm

00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.500
 is if we're wise

00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.259
 we get to the end

00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:31.780
 and we listen

00:30:31.780 --> 00:30:32.480
 to these stories

00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:33.100
 and we think

00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:34.619
 these stories

00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.480
 demonstrate

00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:37.719
 that God's love

00:30:37.719 --> 00:30:38.500
 is unchanging

00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:40.399
 and at the end

00:30:40.399 --> 00:30:41.439
 of the story

00:30:41.439 --> 00:30:43.879
 on that great day

00:30:43.879 --> 00:30:44.679
 that resurrection

00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:45.299
 morning

00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:47.619
 when the

00:30:47.619 --> 00:30:49.199
 new Jerusalem

00:30:49.199 --> 00:30:50.159
 comes down

00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:50.779
 the new heavens

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.679
 and the new earth

00:30:51.679 --> 00:30:52.079
 and we

00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.079
 live

00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:54.179
 with God

00:30:54.179 --> 00:30:55.039
 with the Lamb

00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.759
 at the centre

00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.599
 and there's no more

00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.919
 sea in Bible imagery

00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:58.959
 no more chaos

00:30:58.960 --> 00:31:01.539
 that day

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.200
 we shall

00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:03.319
 know

00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:05.440
 as we can know

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.480
 by faith now

00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:08.079
 that God's love

00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.960
 for you and for me

00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:10.059
 is unchanging

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.819
 so if you're not

00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:13.079
 a Christian

00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.579
 believer

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:15.340
 I'd love to invite

00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:16.840
 you to join us

00:31:16.840 --> 00:31:18.620
 to follow Jesus

00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:20.380
 and I want to say

00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:20.720
 to you that

00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.720
 if you do that

00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.740
 you will have

00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.759
 times of desert

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.880
 and darkness

00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:26.039
 and sickness

00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:27.299
 and chaos

00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:29.339
 but in

00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:29.960
 and through them

00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.339
 all

00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:31.000
 you will be able

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.440
 to say

00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.220
 I know

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.059
 I have a heavenly

00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:33.460
 father

00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.319
 who has loved me

00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:35.220
 from all eternity

00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.680
 I know

00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.500
 I'm in Jesus

00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.240
 his son

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.519
 who has died

00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:39.980
 for me

00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.899
 I know

00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.579
 the Holy Spirit

00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.379
 pours that love

00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:43.259
 into my heart

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.539
 and I know

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.359
 that the love

00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.119
 of this heavenly

00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:47.139
 father for me

00:31:47.139 --> 00:31:47.879
 given to me

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.500
 in Jesus

00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.680
 brought to my

00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:50.240
 heart by the

00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.859
 Holy Spirit

00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:52.240
 I know

00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:52.879
 that this love

00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:53.599
 is unchanging

00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:55.059
 I know

00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.480
 that he has

00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.000
 loved me

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.480
 from before

00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:56.839
 the world

00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:57.319
 began

00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:58.599
 I know

00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:58.899
 that he

00:31:58.899 --> 00:31:59.419
 loves me

00:31:59.419 --> 00:31:59.859
 now

00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:01.139
 and I know

00:32:01.139 --> 00:32:01.500
 he will

00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.039
 love me

00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.439
 forever

00:32:02.439 --> 00:32:02.879
 sometimes

00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.519
 I'm a

00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.879
 typical

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:05.500
 eeyore

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.919
 and if there's

00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:07.779
 any possibility

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.719
 of being gloomy

00:32:08.719 --> 00:32:09.879
 I'm in

00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:11.740
 you know

00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.259
 gloominess

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:12.779
 I'm in

00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.519
 like eeyore

00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.259
 but even I

00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.779
 sometimes

00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.279
 am walking

00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:16.819
 to work

00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.659
 full of gloom

00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:18.919
 and I say

00:32:18.919 --> 00:32:19.699
 to myself

00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:20.599
 I find myself

00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.439
 saying to myself

00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:22.179
 against my

00:32:22.179 --> 00:32:22.980
 eeyore nature

00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:24.059
 Christopher

00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.539
 you have a

00:32:24.539 --> 00:32:25.120
 heavenly father

00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:25.759
 who has loved

00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.279
 you from all

00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.779
 eternity

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:28.420
 who loves you

00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.839
 now

00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:30.160
 who will love

00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:30.720
 you forever

00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:32.099
 and whose love

00:32:32.099 --> 00:32:33.360
 is unchanging

00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:34.539
 that is a

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.339
 wonderful thing

00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:35.880
 to know

00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:36.920
 and it's a

00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.920
 wonderful privilege

00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:39.099
 to be a man

00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.480
 or woman

00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.120
 or child

00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:41.279
 in Christ