WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.780 in the Old Testament, first of all, in Isaiah chapter 43. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:12.720 Isaiah chapter 43, and we're reading there verses 1 to 13. 00:00:13.880 --> 00:00:19.879 You'll find this on page 728 in the Bible that's there in front of you. 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:26.179 But now this is what the Lord says. 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:31.120 He who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel, 00:00:31.859 --> 00:00:33.880 fear not, for I have redeemed you. 00:00:34.539 --> 00:00:37.119 I have summoned you by name, you are mine. 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:40.659 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:44.879 And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:47.980 When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. 00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:50.939 The flames will not set you ablaze. 00:00:50.939 --> 00:00:56.439 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 00:00:57.399 --> 00:01:01.799 I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead, 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:05.039 since you are precious and honored in my sight. 00:01:05.739 --> 00:01:09.519 And because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:11.439 and people in exchange for your life. 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:15.319 Do not be afraid, for I am with you. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:19.479 I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 00:01:19.480 --> 00:01:24.600 I will say to the north, give them up, and to the south, do not hold them back. 00:01:25.380 --> 00:01:29.240 Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, 00:01:30.020 --> 00:01:34.500 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:36.600 whom I formed and made. 00:01:37.580 --> 00:01:39.920 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:41.939 who have ears but are deaf. 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:46.100 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. 00:01:46.099 --> 00:01:51.000 Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:54.799 Let them bring in their witness to prove they are right, 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:57.879 so that others may hear and say it is true. 00:01:58.739 --> 00:02:01.319 You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:03.819 and my servant whom I have chosen, 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:08.400 so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. 00:02:08.400 --> 00:02:13.800 Before me no God was formed, nor will there be one after me. 00:02:14.860 --> 00:02:16.780 I, even I, am the Lord, 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:19.340 and apart from me there is no Savior. 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:22.800 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed, 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:26.099 I am not some foreign God among you. 00:02:26.819 --> 00:02:29.200 You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:30.319 that I am God. 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:33.500 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:36.460 No one can deliver out of my hand. 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:39.699 When I act, who can reverse it? 00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:43.419 And then we'll read a short passage in the New Testament 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:45.180 in Matthew's Gospel, 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:48.259 and we're reading there in chapter 14. 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:51.520 Matthew chapter 14 from verse 22, 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:59.599 page 981, chapter 14, verse 22. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:05.359 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat 00:03:05.359 --> 00:03:07.460 and go on ahead of him to the other side 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:08.840 while he dismissed the crowd. 00:03:10.019 --> 00:03:11.280 After he had dismissed them, 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:14.740 he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:18.000 When evening came, he was there alone, 00:03:18.799 --> 00:03:22.120 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:25.180 buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:27.919 During the fourth watch of the night, 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:29.719 Jesus went out to them, 00:03:30.399 --> 00:03:31.899 walking on the lake. 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:35.280 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:36.199 they were terrified. 00:03:36.819 --> 00:03:38.119 It's a ghost, they said, 00:03:38.519 --> 00:03:39.859 and cried out in fear. 00:03:40.799 --> 00:03:43.039 But Jesus immediately said to them, 00:03:44.019 --> 00:03:46.000 Take courage, it is I. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:47.579 Don't be afraid. 00:03:48.799 --> 00:03:50.779 Lord, if it's you, Peter replied, 00:03:51.099 --> 00:03:52.839 tell me to come to you on the water. 00:03:53.899 --> 00:03:55.060 Come, he said. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:58.159 Then Peter got down out of the boat, 00:03:58.759 --> 00:03:59.699 walked on the water, 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:01.120 and came towards Jesus. 00:04:02.420 --> 00:04:03.920 But when he saw the wind, 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:05.120 he was afraid, 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:06.560 and beginning to sink, 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:07.140 cried out, 00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:08.140 Lord, save me. 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:11.640 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand 00:04:11.640 --> 00:04:12.480 and caught him. 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:15.400 You of little faith, he said. 00:04:15.920 --> 00:04:16.959 Why did you doubt? 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:19.839 And when they climbed into the boat, 00:04:19.959 --> 00:04:21.139 the wind died down. 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:24.099 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, 00:04:24.239 --> 00:04:24.519 saying, 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:27.659 Truly, you are the Son of God. 00:04:28.579 --> 00:04:30.039 When they had crossed over, 00:04:30.299 --> 00:04:31.579 they landed at Gennesaret. 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:34.479 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, 00:04:35.019 --> 00:04:37.279 they sent word to all the surrounding country. 00:04:37.979 --> 00:04:39.799 People brought all their sick to him 00:04:39.799 --> 00:04:41.819 and begged him to let the sick 00:04:41.819 --> 00:04:43.699 just touch the edge of his cloak, 00:04:43.699 --> 00:04:47.099 and all who touched him were healed. 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:52.060 May God bless those readings of his own word to us. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:54.560 That psalm that we've just been singing from, 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:56.240 but turning to it in the Old Testament, 00:04:56.420 --> 00:04:57.480 in the book of Psalms, 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:01.099 you'll find this on page 555. 00:05:05.279 --> 00:05:08.120 And particularly words that we'll find in verse 4. 00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:10.680 Psalm 23, verse 4. 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:14.639 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:17.980 I will fear no evil, for you are with me. 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:21.259 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:24.300 And especially the words there, 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:29.100 I will fear no evil, for you are with me. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:37.800 One of the most beautiful and powerful lines 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:42.140 in some of the carols we've been singing over past weeks 00:05:42.140 --> 00:05:45.300 is the line in O little town of Bethlehem, 00:05:46.140 --> 00:05:48.879 the hopes and fears of all the years 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:50.600 are met in thee tonight. 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:54.500 As we stand at the beginning of a new year 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:55.500 and a new decade, 00:05:56.280 --> 00:05:58.180 these words resonate with us. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:01.180 We may have high hopes for the coming year, 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:04.199 but we may also have crushing fears. 00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:07.720 There were certainly hopes and fears in Israel 00:06:07.720 --> 00:06:09.720 that night that Jesus was born. 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:14.240 Hopes based on promises of a glorious future 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:16.120 with the coming of the Messiah, 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:20.819 but fears that the evil powers of the world, 00:06:20.960 --> 00:06:22.780 of Herod and of Rome, 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:24.620 would crush these hopes. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:27.100 And today it seems so often 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:29.879 that fears outweigh hopes. 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:32.899 Franklin D. Roosevelt, 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:34.980 who was president of the USA, 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:39.220 in his message to Congress in January 1941, 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:42.740 spoke of four essential human freedoms. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:44.620 Freedom of speech, 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:46.120 freedom of worship, 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:47.959 freedom from want, 00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:49.819 and freedom from fear. 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:54.120 All of them seem just as far off now 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:56.339 as they were in 1941, 00:06:56.980 --> 00:06:59.639 but particularly freedom from fear. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:03.719 We're beset with fear in the political world. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:06.500 What will Brexit do to our economy? 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:09.740 Is there a new war brewing in the Middle East 00:07:09.740 --> 00:07:12.699 with renewed tensions between the USA and Iran? 00:07:12.699 --> 00:07:15.979 We're beset with fear about the environment. 00:07:17.099 --> 00:07:17.939 Greta Thunberg, 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:20.459 the 17-year-old Swedish activist, 00:07:20.719 --> 00:07:21.139 has said, 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:22.699 people are suffering, 00:07:23.300 --> 00:07:24.139 people are dying, 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:26.819 entire ecosystems are collapsing. 00:07:28.039 --> 00:07:29.399 We hear statements like, 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:31.620 we have 10 years to save the planet, 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:34.019 or the earth is burning. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:36.860 And seeing what is happening in Australia, 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:38.120 it's easy to believe that. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:40.220 But of course, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:43.160 there is a certain hysteria around about it. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:44.639 Now, no doubt, 00:07:44.899 --> 00:07:47.439 fear can be a motivating factor 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.620 to make necessary change, 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:51.579 but it can also be 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:55.280 an overwhelming and enervating thing. 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:57.660 The prophecies of doom 00:07:57.660 --> 00:08:00.459 can too easily become self-fulfilling. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:02.480 The task can seem too massive, 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:04.139 the obstacles too great, 00:08:04.139 --> 00:08:06.639 human attitudes too intractable. 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:10.099 I remember a similar kind of fear 00:08:10.099 --> 00:08:13.300 in the 1960s about nuclear destruction, 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:15.159 particularly at the time 00:08:15.159 --> 00:08:19.079 of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:22.259 The Soviet Union was going to install 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:23.979 nuclear missiles in Cuba, 00:08:24.219 --> 00:08:25.199 threatening the USA. 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:28.060 People felt that the world was teetering 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:29.919 on the brink of nuclear catastrophe. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:32.960 Bob Dylan wrote his famous song, 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.519 A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall, 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:36.419 each line of which he said 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:37.799 was the title of a new song, 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:40.259 but he felt he had no time to write them. 00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:42.439 Around the same time, 00:08:42.599 --> 00:08:44.159 he wrote Masters of War. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:46.219 You've thrown the worst fear 00:08:46.219 --> 00:08:47.519 that can ever be hurled, 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:49.939 fear to bring children into the world. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:51.699 For threatening my baby, 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:53.079 unborn and unnamed, 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.779 you ain't worth the blood 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:56.199 that runs in your veins. 00:08:57.599 --> 00:09:00.139 Martin Luther King in 1963 said, 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:02.899 we have genuflected before the god of science, 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.980 only to find that it has given us 00:09:04.980 --> 00:09:06.000 the atomic bomb, 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:08.159 producing fears and anxieties 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:10.659 that science can never mitigate. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:15.159 The word that sums up all this today 00:09:15.159 --> 00:09:17.120 is the word angst, 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:19.240 a feeling of dread. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:21.399 It's a Danish word, 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:22.879 and also found, 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:23.539 I believe, 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:24.240 in Norwegian, 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:24.879 Dutch, 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:25.500 and German. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:27.840 And it came to prominence 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:28.860 first in the writings 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:30.180 of the 19th century 00:09:30.180 --> 00:09:31.279 Danish philosopher 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:32.860 and theologian, 00:09:33.299 --> 00:09:34.379 Soren Kierkegaard. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:36.320 He used it 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:38.139 of the terrifying anxiety 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:39.080 in the face 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:41.340 of human freedom of choice. 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:43.120 And it was developed 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:44.180 in various ways 00:09:44.180 --> 00:09:46.019 by existentialist philosophers 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:46.799 after him. 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:48.919 Of course, 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:50.099 in addition to fears 00:09:50.099 --> 00:09:50.919 about the future 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:52.419 of society and the world, 00:09:52.839 --> 00:09:54.039 we also have 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.500 more personal fears. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.919 Fears about the consequences 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:58.679 of choices 00:09:58.679 --> 00:10:00.059 we have made in the past 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:01.279 or we may make 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:01.959 in the future. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.579 And fears about the impact 00:10:04.579 --> 00:10:05.819 of other people's choices 00:10:05.819 --> 00:10:06.439 on us. 00:10:07.719 --> 00:10:08.699 We have hopes 00:10:08.699 --> 00:10:09.519 for the future 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.339 for ourselves 00:10:10.339 --> 00:10:11.259 and our families, 00:10:11.939 --> 00:10:13.719 but these can be blighted 00:10:13.719 --> 00:10:14.539 by our fears. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:16.779 Fears that what we have 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:17.899 said or done 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:18.539 in the past 00:10:18.539 --> 00:10:19.199 may come back 00:10:19.199 --> 00:10:20.079 to haunt us 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:21.220 or fears 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:22.259 that we will not 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:23.120 be able to cope 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:23.819 with what life 00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:24.559 throws at us 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.179 in the future. 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:27.559 We may make 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:28.819 New Year's resolutions 00:10:28.819 --> 00:10:30.620 to drink less 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.459 or eat less 00:10:31.459 --> 00:10:32.740 or exercise more 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:33.699 or overcome 00:10:33.699 --> 00:10:34.559 some form 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:35.659 of addictive behavior 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:37.000 or turn over 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:37.879 some new leaf 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:38.639 in some way. 00:10:39.579 --> 00:10:40.360 But we fear 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:41.860 we may not be able 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.259 to overcome temptation. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:45.399 As Christians, 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:46.480 we may have fears 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:47.699 that we may not 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:48.620 be able to live up 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.840 to our Christian profession 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:51.579 or that the troubles 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:52.519 we may face 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.740 may undermine 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:54.539 our faith. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.559 We can also have faith 00:10:57.559 --> 00:10:58.259 about evil 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.299 in the world around us 00:10:59.299 --> 00:10:59.879 for ourselves, 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:00.459 our children, 00:11:00.579 --> 00:11:01.379 and our grandchildren, 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:02.980 increasing levels 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:03.659 of violence 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:04.919 and sexual crime, 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.620 gender confusion, 00:11:07.199 --> 00:11:07.559 poverty, 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.399 and homelessness, 00:11:09.319 --> 00:11:10.639 the general loss 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.199 of morality 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:12.300 and integrity 00:11:12.300 --> 00:11:13.400 in public life. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.280 Plus, 00:11:15.420 --> 00:11:16.180 we may have fears 00:11:16.180 --> 00:11:17.460 concerning the church. 00:11:18.520 --> 00:11:19.540 There's a spectacular 00:11:19.540 --> 00:11:20.840 decline going on 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:21.759 at the present time 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.200 in the large denominations. 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:25.600 The decline is such 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.420 that it is even 00:11:26.420 --> 00:11:27.740 worrying atheists. 00:11:29.180 --> 00:11:29.960 Some atheists 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:30.780 are beginning 00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:31.840 to call themselves 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:33.379 Christian atheists. 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:34.960 It reminds me 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:35.480 of the story 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.020 that's told 00:11:36.020 --> 00:11:37.100 about Northern Ireland 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.100 where a man said 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.820 he was an atheist 00:11:38.820 --> 00:11:40.100 and he was immediately asked, 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:41.980 are you a Catholic atheist 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.379 or a Protestant atheist? 00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:44.860 But the reason 00:11:44.860 --> 00:11:46.000 why they're doing this 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:46.580 is because 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.600 they see 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:48.540 the effect 00:11:48.540 --> 00:11:49.320 of the loss 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:49.960 of Christianity 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:50.900 in our society 00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:51.680 on morality. 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.560 But there is 00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:55.379 such a decline 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.080 going on. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:57.460 And although 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:58.160 the Lord Jesus 00:11:58.160 --> 00:11:59.060 promised that 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:00.020 the gates of hell 00:12:00.020 --> 00:12:00.980 would not prevail 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.080 against the church 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:02.920 that he established 00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:03.760 on the rock, 00:12:04.540 --> 00:12:05.640 there is no guarantee 00:12:05.640 --> 00:12:06.560 that the church 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:08.180 in any particular area 00:12:08.179 --> 00:12:09.599 will continue 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:10.339 to survive. 00:12:11.739 --> 00:12:12.539 There once was 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:13.719 a thriving church 00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:14.719 in the area 00:12:14.719 --> 00:12:15.439 that's now called 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:15.919 Turkey, 00:12:16.339 --> 00:12:17.079 used to be called 00:12:17.079 --> 00:12:17.799 Asia Minor. 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:19.679 The Apostle John 00:12:19.679 --> 00:12:20.359 was instructed 00:12:20.359 --> 00:12:20.979 by Jesus 00:12:20.979 --> 00:12:22.359 to write letters 00:12:22.359 --> 00:12:23.579 to the seven churches 00:12:23.579 --> 00:12:24.019 there. 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.120 And in some 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:26.799 of these letters 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:27.419 he warned 00:12:27.419 --> 00:12:28.639 that if they did 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.259 not repent, 00:12:29.859 --> 00:12:30.759 if they did not 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:31.599 turn around 00:12:31.599 --> 00:12:32.639 and set right 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.099 the things 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:33.740 that were wrong, 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:35.099 he would come 00:12:35.099 --> 00:12:35.759 and remove 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:36.740 the candlestick 00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.440 or the lamp 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.500 that symbolized 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.779 the church. 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:41.120 And indeed 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.899 in the history 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:43.440 of that area 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.259 since then 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:45.419 that happened. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:46.820 There once was 00:12:46.820 --> 00:12:47.659 a thriving church 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.000 there, 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:48.960 there's hardly 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:50.019 anything there now. 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.299 North Africa 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.080 was the same. 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:53.340 St. Augustine, 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.100 one of the greatest 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:55.240 theologians of the church 00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:56.560 came from North Africa. 00:12:57.340 --> 00:12:58.019 It completely 00:12:58.019 --> 00:12:58.659 disappeared. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:00.779 So 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:02.379 there are 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.440 real fears 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:04.799 concerning the future 00:13:04.799 --> 00:13:05.500 of the church 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.959 in our society. 00:13:07.859 --> 00:13:08.500 And hanging 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.279 over all 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:10.399 there is 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.059 the specter 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:11.620 of death. 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:13.139 This has been 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:13.679 brought home 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:14.620 to many of us 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.839 in the past few weeks 00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:17.500 by several deaths 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.240 of friends 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.339 and loved ones. 00:13:20.859 --> 00:13:21.419 Of course 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:21.899 some people 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.939 just try to ignore 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:24.039 the reality of death 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:25.059 or make light of it. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.419 Filmmaker Woody Allen 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.359 famously said 00:13:28.359 --> 00:13:28.879 it's not that 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.379 I'm afraid 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:31.559 to die, 00:13:31.959 --> 00:13:32.859 I just don't want 00:13:32.859 --> 00:13:33.459 to be there 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:34.500 when it happens. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:35.780 But of course 00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:36.900 underneath that 00:13:36.900 --> 00:13:38.100 kind of light 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:39.280 jocular response 00:13:39.280 --> 00:13:40.400 there is a real 00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:41.280 fear of death. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.540 Sam Cooke 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:44.800 in the well-known song 00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:46.280 A Change Is Gonna Come 00:13:46.280 --> 00:13:47.220 said 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.300 it's been too hard 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:48.660 living 00:13:48.660 --> 00:13:50.019 but I'm afraid 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:50.639 to die 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.940 I don't know 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:52.800 what's up there 00:13:52.800 --> 00:13:53.900 beyond the sky. 00:13:55.280 --> 00:13:56.200 Or John Dryden 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.800 a 17th century poet 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.740 put it like this 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:00.220 death in itself 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:00.840 is nothing 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.160 but we fear 00:14:02.160 --> 00:14:02.740 to be 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:04.100 we know not what 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:05.500 we know not where. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.259 There's a general 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:08.480 pessimism in the face 00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:09.120 of death 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:10.320 resulting 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:11.600 coming from 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.820 the kind of atheism 00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:13.700 and agnosticism 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:14.780 we've been talking about. 00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:15.980 Bertrand Russell 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.759 one of the great 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.720 atheist philosophers 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.980 of the 20th century 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:19.399 said 00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:21.160 brief and powerless 00:14:21.160 --> 00:14:22.139 is man's life 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:22.740 on him 00:14:22.740 --> 00:14:23.660 and all his race 00:14:23.660 --> 00:14:24.240 the slow 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.080 sure doom 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.720 falls 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.680 pitiless 00:14:26.680 --> 00:14:27.840 and dark. 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.840 So in light 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.639 of all of that 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.820 how can David 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:33.120 have this confidence 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.220 in the face 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:35.440 of the fear 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.639 of evil? 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.200 He said 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:38.860 he will fear 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.620 no evil 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:41.480 but first of all 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.100 we want to ask 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:42.680 the question 00:14:42.680 --> 00:14:44.060 what kind 00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:44.820 of confidence 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:45.680 is that 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:46.700 that he's expressing 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:47.100 there? 00:14:48.160 --> 00:14:48.920 First thing 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:49.580 I want to say 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:50.200 is this 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:51.420 that it's a 00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:53.160 realistic confidence. 00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:54.080 Now what do I 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:54.720 mean by that? 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.519 Well some people 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.559 seem to think 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:58.319 that Christians 00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:58.919 have a kind 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:00.039 of blind optimism 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:00.879 in the face 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.539 of reality. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:02.939 It's as if 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:03.759 we just ignore 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.779 the harsh realities 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.340 of life 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:06.480 pretend that 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.139 they're not there. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.620 Of course 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.559 that is the kind 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:09.939 of hope 00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:10.720 that many people 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.159 have. 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:12.340 You know 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.179 people say 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:13.919 things are not 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:14.759 quite as bad 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.460 as all that 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:16.240 and everything 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.100 will turn out 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.699 all right 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:19.059 somehow in the end. 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:20.759 That is not 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.259 the hope 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.000 of the Christian. 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:23.559 The quality 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.159 of our hope 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:24.899 is perfectly 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.600 illustrated 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.320 by David 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:26.720 here. 00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:27.840 Even though 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:28.519 I walk 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.000 through the 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.320 valley 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:29.740 of the 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.060 shadow 00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:30.720 of death 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.620 I will 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.159 fear no 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:32.460 evil. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:33.960 Now we 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:34.399 don't know 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:35.120 exactly when 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:35.680 David wrote 00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:36.240 this psalm. 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:36.759 Some of the 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.360 psalms we do 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:37.779 know because 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:38.040 there's a 00:15:38.040 --> 00:15:38.500 heading that 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.019 tells us 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.580 but Psalm 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.440 23 doesn't 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:40.980 tell us. 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.700 But it 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.480 seems to me 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.279 likely that 00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:44.920 he wrote 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:47.200 this about 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.220 his experiences 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:49.320 as an outlaw 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:50.180 when he was 00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:50.700 being hunted 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.680 by King Saul 00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:53.000 and he drew 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.480 on his 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.460 memories of 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:54.900 his early 00:15:54.900 --> 00:15:55.460 shepherding 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:55.800 life. 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.240 He felt 00:15:57.240 --> 00:15:57.660 like the 00:15:57.660 --> 00:15:57.920 sheep 00:15:57.920 --> 00:15:58.460 passing 00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:58.940 through a 00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.160 deep 00:15:59.160 --> 00:15:59.519 dark 00:15:59.519 --> 00:15:59.940 valley 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.840 being hunted 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.680 by lions 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:02.400 and wolves. 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:03.500 He was 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.100 facing up 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.400 to the 00:16:04.400 --> 00:16:04.820 reality 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.920 of danger. 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:07.320 And it's 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:07.879 only when we 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.500 face up to 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.019 the reality 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.680 of danger 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:10.100 and the 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.780 real basis 00:16:10.780 --> 00:16:11.220 of our 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:11.759 fears 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.700 that we 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.240 can find 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.000 real hope. 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:15.639 Of course 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.400 we need 00:16:16.400 --> 00:16:16.820 to be able 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.460 to distinguish 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.440 between real 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:19.860 fears and 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:20.460 what we might 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.000 call a 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.900 general anxious 00:16:21.900 --> 00:16:22.720 frame of mind 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.240 that's afraid 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.820 of everything. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.240 But we 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:25.600 have to 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.139 recognize 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:27.100 that we 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.639 have real 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.379 fears based 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.120 on reality. 00:16:29.540 --> 00:16:29.960 Fears about 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.600 our world, 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.340 fears about 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.000 our country, 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:32.820 fears about 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.540 our church, 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.460 and about 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:34.860 our own 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.759 personal future. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.220 There are 00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.900 real enemies 00:16:37.900 --> 00:16:38.720 of the grace 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.340 and truth 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.040 of the gospel, 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.080 both human 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:42.160 and satanic. 00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:43.960 In the coming 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.860 year and decade 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.440 we may have 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.100 to pass through 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.580 the valley 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.180 of the shadow 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:47.759 of death. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:48.960 The long 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.800 shadow of death 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.300 may fall 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.139 on our culture, 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.379 our church, 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.480 and our own 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.080 lives. 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:56.040 As the hymn 00:16:56.040 --> 00:16:56.400 that we're 00:16:56.400 --> 00:16:56.900 going to sing 00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:57.379 at the end 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.040 of this service 00:16:58.040 --> 00:16:58.540 says, 00:16:59.180 --> 00:16:59.860 God may call 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.379 us to go 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:00.920 through deep 00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.300 waters, 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.720 our pathway 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.500 may lie 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.180 through fiery 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:04.700 trials. 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.100 It's only 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.680 against the 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.380 background of 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:07.940 this bleak 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:09.559 reality that 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.019 we can have 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.600 real hope. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.759 The second 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.319 thing I want 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:13.860 to notice 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.700 is the 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.500 wide-ranging 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.200 confidence 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.100 that David 00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:18.120 expresses here. 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.559 I will fear 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:21.059 no evil. 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:23.339 David was 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:23.799 saying that 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.139 there was 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:24.799 no evil, 00:17:24.919 --> 00:17:25.500 no kind 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.000 of evil 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.659 that would 00:17:26.659 --> 00:17:27.440 destroy his 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.039 faith or 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.940 undermine his 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.539 hope and his 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.019 confidence. 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:32.079 For David, 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.700 there was the 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.500 obvious fear 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.319 of King Saul, 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.639 who had all 00:17:35.639 --> 00:17:36.220 the machinery 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:36.940 of state 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:37.879 at his disposal. 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.519 For us, 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:39.799 too, 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:40.980 there are the 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.720 fears caused 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.679 by the takeover 00:17:42.679 --> 00:17:43.480 of all the 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.519 machinery of state 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.339 and much more 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.599 by those who 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.000 are either 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.019 indifferent to 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.519 the word of 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.900 God or 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:51.200 actively opposed 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:51.740 to it. 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.519 For David, 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.319 there was also 00:17:54.319 --> 00:17:55.279 a constant fear 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:55.819 of betrayal. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.359 This morning, 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.259 James mentioned 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:00.539 Doeg the Edomite 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:01.240 in connection 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.839 with one of 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.319 the psalms 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:02.819 that we sung 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.440 this morning. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.299 He betrayed 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.819 David and 00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:09.039 particularly the 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.799 priests that 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.519 had helped him 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.660 so that Saul 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.339 then had them 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.019 all murdered. 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.960 David was in 00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.740 fear of betrayal 00:18:16.740 --> 00:18:17.440 by the people 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:18.000 of Keilah 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:19.059 who were about 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.620 to hand him 00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:20.799 over to Saul. 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:22.519 And later in life, 00:18:22.580 --> 00:18:23.220 he was betrayed 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.080 by his own son 00:18:24.080 --> 00:18:24.580 Absalom, 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.559 his counselor 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.259 Ahithophel, 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.559 and his general 00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.180 Joab. 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:30.279 We, too, 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.539 can have a sense 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.140 of betrayal 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:33.360 when we're let 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.440 down by family 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:35.620 or by friends 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:36.559 or by fellow 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.340 Christians who 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:37.880 compromise 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.039 with the spirit 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.860 of the age. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.420 David was also 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.240 no doubt conscious 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.920 of the evil 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:44.860 in his own heart. 00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:47.059 David is one 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.719 of the characters 00:18:47.719 --> 00:18:48.659 in the Bible 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.219 that we can 00:18:49.219 --> 00:18:50.119 identify with 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:50.539 most. 00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.599 He was a man 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.339 after God's 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:53.939 own heart. 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:54.919 He was one 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:55.459 of the greatest 00:18:55.459 --> 00:18:56.479 military leaders 00:18:56.479 --> 00:18:57.099 in the history 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.719 of the world, 00:18:57.719 --> 00:18:59.559 but he was also 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:01.199 frail and fallible 00:19:01.199 --> 00:19:02.319 and foolish 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.159 at times. 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:05.179 His weakness 00:19:05.179 --> 00:19:05.799 where the opposite 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.000 sex was concerned 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.740 and his indulgence 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.439 of his sons 00:19:09.439 --> 00:19:10.479 are two things 00:19:10.479 --> 00:19:11.240 that stand out. 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:13.140 We may also 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.620 have fears 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.339 concerning the 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.940 temptations 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.559 we are prone 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:15.920 to, 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.079 that we will 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.920 act foolishly 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:18.720 or shamefully. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.359 So the fears 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:21.859 that are being 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.599 considered here 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:23.660 are wide-ranging 00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.640 and comprehensive. 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.700 David says 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.599 he fears 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:29.039 or will fear 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.460 no evil, 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.599 no kind 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.079 of evil. 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:32.980 How can he 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.500 say that? 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.519 And how can we 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.319 face up to all 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.759 the troubles 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.480 and challenges 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.319 that may confront 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.599 us with courage 00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.859 and say, 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.519 I'm not afraid. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:42.779 I fear 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:43.279 no evil. 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:45.959 David 00:19:45.959 --> 00:19:47.559 had a reason 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.719 for his confidence. 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.839 It was a reasonable 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.519 confidence 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.719 that he was expressing. 00:19:53.199 --> 00:19:54.399 His is a reasonable 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.779 faith and hope. 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.259 He doesn't just say, 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.399 I'll fear no evil. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.459 He doesn't just say, 00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:01.740 no matter what happens, 00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.019 I'm not afraid. 00:20:03.679 --> 00:20:04.500 It's not some kind 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:04.980 of boast. 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.219 He says, 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.720 I will fear no evil 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:09.680 for you are with me. 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:11.319 His confidence 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:13.079 is not a blind optimism. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.380 It's not just saying, 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:15.460 it'll be fine. 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.500 Everything will turn out 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.000 all right. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.640 Nor is it a faith 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.220 in himself 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.200 and his own abilities. 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:22.180 David had many gifts 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.900 and abilities, 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.940 more than most. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.460 But his confidence 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.680 was not based there. 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.759 Nor was his confidence 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.860 based on others. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:31.500 He knew that others 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.360 might let him down 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.360 and disappoint him. 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:34.539 No, 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.220 his confidence 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.720 was based on the Lord, 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.399 his shepherd, 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:38.879 who was with him 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:40.139 and would surely 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:41.720 defend and protect him. 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.639 Even as David himself, 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.879 as a shepherd boy, 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.220 had protected his sheep 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:47.379 with his rod 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.159 and his staff. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:51.099 Notice his faith 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:52.379 is not in things 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:55.180 that he knew 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.399 about God, 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:58.759 but in God himself 00:20:58.759 --> 00:21:00.740 and in God's relationship 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.359 with him. 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:03.519 his experience 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.939 of God's presence 00:21:04.939 --> 00:21:05.539 with him. 00:21:07.199 --> 00:21:09.019 I will not be afraid 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:10.679 for you are with me. 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:13.079 This is the only reason 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:14.139 that we can ultimately 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.740 have hope 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:16.219 in the face of our fears. 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.799 Personal hope. 00:21:18.199 --> 00:21:19.219 Hope for the church 00:21:19.219 --> 00:21:20.719 and hope for the world 00:21:20.719 --> 00:21:23.139 if God is with us. 00:21:23.959 --> 00:21:24.899 And if we trust 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:26.279 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:28.099 he is our Emmanuel. 00:21:28.439 --> 00:21:29.619 How often we were singing 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.119 that word over past weeks, 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.799 Emmanuel. 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:34.779 It means God with us. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.219 That's the central reality 00:21:37.219 --> 00:21:39.099 of our faith. 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.239 In Isaiah 43, 00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:42.619 in the passage that we read, 00:21:42.719 --> 00:21:43.719 verse 1 says, 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:44.859 Fear not, 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:46.239 I have redeemed you. 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:47.379 Verse 5, 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.879 Do not be afraid, 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.599 for I am with you. 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:54.019 And constantly in the Bible 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.059 we are being told, 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.839 don't be afraid, 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:58.019 fear not. 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.759 And especially by Jesus. 00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.959 In Mark chapter 14, 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.939 verse 27, 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:05.219 Jesus said to the disciples 00:22:05.219 --> 00:22:06.319 when they saw him 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.339 walking on the water 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.159 and were terrified, 00:22:08.359 --> 00:22:09.199 thinking it was a ghost, 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.559 he said, 00:22:09.659 --> 00:22:10.339 Take courage, 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.419 it's I, 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.659 don't be afraid. 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:15.559 Or in Matthew chapter 10, 00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.359 verse 31, 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.259 he said to his disciples, 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.480 Don't be afraid, 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.839 you are worth more 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:22.299 than many sparrows. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.240 These are just some 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.119 of the examples 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:25.119 from Jesus 00:22:25.119 --> 00:22:26.059 and in other parts 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.579 of Scripture 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.539 where we're told 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.599 not to be afraid 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:30.140 because God is with us, 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.640 because God values us. 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.920 The antidote to our fears 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:35.519 is the identity 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.359 of the one 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.180 who has promised 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.279 to be with us. 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.559 The creator 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.519 who made us 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.740 in his own image. 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:43.500 We are precious to him. 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.119 The savior 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:46.579 who redeemed us 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:48.679 by giving his own life 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:49.659 to ransom us 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.980 from the curse of the law. 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:52.599 The friend 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.599 who has promised 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.539 to be with us, 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.879 never to leave us 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:57.579 nor forsake us. 00:22:58.919 --> 00:23:00.139 This psalm speaks 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:01.659 of some of the consequences 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:03.079 of God being with you, 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.299 of being your shepherd. 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.539 Verses 1 to 3, 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.980 he'll give you satisfaction, 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.659 peace of mind, 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.839 and refreshment of soul. 00:23:13.740 --> 00:23:14.939 Verses 3 and 4, 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.340 he'll guide you 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.700 in doing what is right, 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.220 being beside you 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:20.480 every step of the way. 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:22.240 Verse 4, 00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.680 he will be with you 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.539 to comfort you 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.180 in danger 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:26.100 and in trouble 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:28.299 and even in death itself. 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:30.160 Verse 5, 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:32.059 instead of being shamed 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.759 and defeated 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.000 before your enemies, 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.600 he will grant you 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:37.360 honor and glory. 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.360 Verse 6, 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.640 he'll love you 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.779 and be good to you 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.779 in all the ups 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.779 and downs of life, 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:45.399 and in the end, 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.619 he'll take you 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.599 to be with him 00:23:47.599 --> 00:23:48.500 forever. 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.039 So, 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.599 as you contemplate 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:53.299 the future, 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.680 whatever the future 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.619 may hold for you, 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.359 we don't know, 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.960 but you need fear 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.559 no evil 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.399 if your faith 00:23:59.399 --> 00:24:01.319 is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.180 the Good Shepherd. 00:24:03.379 --> 00:24:04.160 So often, 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.000 the Christian faith 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.940 is misrepresented. 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.740 Some people think 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.899 that if you're a Christian, 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.180 it's all about fear, 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.859 fear of breaking rules, 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:13.160 fear of what other people 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.620 will think, 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.320 and so on. 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:15.960 Well, 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.620 the Christian does 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:18.920 have one fear, 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.440 and that is 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.500 the fear of God. 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:24.480 This is not abject terror 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:26.380 or enervating dread, 00:24:26.800 --> 00:24:28.120 but it's the awe 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:29.200 and reverence 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:31.019 due to a mighty God, 00:24:31.120 --> 00:24:32.360 creator of the universe 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:34.360 and judge of all the earth. 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.300 If you truly fear God 00:24:37.300 --> 00:24:39.019 in that right way, 00:24:39.540 --> 00:24:40.940 that drives out 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:42.000 all other fears. 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:44.559 James Douglas, 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.859 the Earl of Morton, 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:47.000 said at the funeral 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.900 of John Knox 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.420 in 1572, 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.720 Here lies he 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.420 who neither feared 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.180 nor flattered 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:55.619 any flesh. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.400 He feared the face 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.140 of no man 00:24:58.140 --> 00:25:00.140 because he feared God. 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:03.680 There are so many fears today 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.660 because there is no fear 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.200 of God. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.859 Bob Dylan said, 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:10.519 we live in a political world 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.399 in the cities 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.559 of lonesome fear. 00:25:13.479 --> 00:25:14.199 Or as he put it 00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:15.240 in an earlier song, 00:25:15.699 --> 00:25:17.079 I pity the poor immigrant 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:18.879 who passionately hates 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.519 his life 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:21.479 and likewise fears 00:25:21.479 --> 00:25:22.500 his death. 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.559 These words still resonate 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.879 today in so much 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.719 of our lives. 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:29.299 What David is telling us here 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.299 is that the fear 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.479 and love of God 00:25:31.479 --> 00:25:32.740 casts out 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.859 all other fears. 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:36.039 In a minute, 00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:36.919 we're going to sing 00:25:36.919 --> 00:25:37.399 the hymn 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:39.079 How Firm a Foundation, 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.199 which expresses 00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:41.779 all this 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.979 better than I can. 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:45.279 How firm a foundation, 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.759 you saints of the Lord, 00:25:47.219 --> 00:25:48.659 is laid for your faith 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:50.059 in his excellent word. 00:25:50.459 --> 00:25:51.699 What more can he say 00:25:51.699 --> 00:25:53.000 than to you he has said, 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.959 to you who for refuge 00:25:54.959 --> 00:25:56.399 to Jesus have fled. 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.819 Fear not, 00:25:57.919 --> 00:25:58.819 I am with you. 00:25:59.139 --> 00:25:59.859 Oh, be not dismayed, 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:01.859 for I am your God 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:03.319 and will still give you aid. 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.759 I'll strengthen you, 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.599 help you, 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.179 and cause you to stand, 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:09.279 upheld by my gracious, 00:26:09.439 --> 00:26:10.479 omnipotent hand. 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:13.079 When through the deep waters 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:14.419 I call you to go, 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.339 the rivers of sorrow 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:17.519 shall not overflow, 00:26:18.479 --> 00:26:19.740 for I will be with you 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:21.039 your trouble to bless 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:23.139 and sanctify to you 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.299 your deepest distress. 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.899 When through fiery trials 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:28.399 your pathway shall lie, 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:30.620 my grace all-sufficient 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:32.180 shall be your supply. 00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:34.640 The flame shall not harm you, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:36.180 I only design 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:38.100 your dross to consume 00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:40.519 and your gold to refine. 00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:42.680 The soul that on Jesus 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:44.480 now leans for repose, 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.860 I will not, 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:48.080 I will not desert to his foes. 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:49.140 That soul, 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:50.100 though all hell, 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.560 should endeavor to shake, 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.880 I'll never, 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:54.019 no never, 00:26:54.800 --> 00:26:56.820 no never forsake.