WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.919 And thanks so much for reading, Ben. 00:00:02.080 --> 00:00:04.799 And let me add my welcome to that of Graham's. 00:00:04.839 --> 00:00:05.500 My name's Archie. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:07.179 And if you hadn't already worked that out, 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:08.980 I'm the pastor in training here. 00:00:09.620 --> 00:00:10.980 And it's great to be here this morning. 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:12.880 And do have that passage open in front of you. 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:15.140 I know I say this all the time, but it's just so helpful. 00:00:15.140 --> 00:00:16.679 So if you've got a Bible in front of you, 00:00:16.740 --> 00:00:18.420 just open it to Psalm 115. 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:21.960 And there are Bibles kind of on the pews around you. 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:23.539 You'll also be able to get it on your phone. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:24.640 If you do have it on your phone, 00:00:25.339 --> 00:00:26.660 put your phone on airplane mode. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:27.600 We all know what we're like. 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:29.920 And if you get a message, you'll just reply to it, won't you? 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:31.560 Certainly, that's what I would do. 00:00:31.680 --> 00:00:32.820 But fine to have it on your phone. 00:00:33.440 --> 00:00:35.100 And let me get a show of hands as we start. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:38.260 Put your hand up if you trust politicians. 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:41.939 Yeah, I thought so. 00:00:42.540 --> 00:00:44.340 Generally speaking, as a profession, 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:47.980 they're just not the sort of people that we trust, are they? 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:50.480 Apparently, we just don't trust them. 00:00:50.520 --> 00:00:52.640 They consistently top the list in the UK 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:55.799 of the professions that we just don't trust. 00:00:55.939 --> 00:00:58.280 And let's be honest, we've got good reason not to trust them. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:01.480 Katie, my wife, often reminds me 00:01:01.480 --> 00:01:04.939 that it's much better to under-promise and over-deliver 00:01:04.939 --> 00:01:08.079 than to over-promise and under-deliver. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:11.519 And I guess that's why we've learned not to trust politicians. 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:13.200 Just very often, they make promises 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:15.560 that they can't deliver on. 00:01:16.960 --> 00:01:19.040 And trust is important to us, isn't it? 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:21.840 It's true with politicians, 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:24.219 but maybe you know it just much more personally. 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:28.159 If you've ever trusted someone and been let down by them, 00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:31.959 that sort of betrayal is one of the most horrible feelings 00:01:31.959 --> 00:01:33.739 that I think we can experience, really. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:35.620 It can be horrible. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.260 And on the other side of that coin, 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:38.560 it's wonderful, isn't it, 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:40.560 to be able to trust those that we love 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:44.019 and those that love us most. 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:47.340 Because trust is right at the heart 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:49.219 of any healthy relationship. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:52.760 Trust is just very important to us. 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:57.159 And our psalm this morning gets us asking that question, 00:01:57.620 --> 00:01:58.760 what do we trust? 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.620 Not just what politicians do we trust 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:02.959 to make good on their promises, 00:02:03.620 --> 00:02:05.299 but what, or I guess rather, 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:09.060 who do we trust when life gets tough? 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:13.800 So we've just sung about the one who is the Lord of all, 00:02:13.860 --> 00:02:15.340 even in the storms of life. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:19.599 When you're no longer able to steer the ship yourself, 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:22.840 who are you going to trust to the wheelhouse? 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:28.099 And importantly, ultimately, not just in this life, 00:02:29.480 --> 00:02:31.640 but what do we think happens when we die? 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:36.080 And who do we trust with the answer to that question? 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:39.920 Who do we trust with our eternities? 00:02:42.440 --> 00:02:44.640 We're in a section of the psalms 00:02:44.640 --> 00:02:46.240 that Graham has just told us. 00:02:46.300 --> 00:02:48.180 It's often called the Egyptian Hallel. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:51.140 Hallel, you know that word. 00:02:51.220 --> 00:02:52.500 You might not think you know that word, 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:53.480 but you do know that word. 00:02:53.540 --> 00:02:54.600 It's a familiar word. 00:02:54.860 --> 00:02:59.580 Hallel, hallelujah, means praise Yahweh, praise God. 00:03:00.320 --> 00:03:03.060 And these psalms from 113 to 118, 00:03:03.260 --> 00:03:05.540 we've seen a couple of them over the last two weeks. 00:03:05.539 --> 00:03:09.159 They are praising Hallel, praising God 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:14.060 for his rescue of ancient Israel out of slavery in Egypt. 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:16.879 And so they're just often known as the Egyptian Hallel, 00:03:16.979 --> 00:03:18.579 the Egyptian praise. 00:03:19.739 --> 00:03:22.379 And I think it's quite hard to say exactly when 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:24.579 or for who this psalm was written, 00:03:24.699 --> 00:03:26.099 the one that we've just read together. 00:03:26.399 --> 00:03:28.840 But I think verse two gives us a little bit of a clue. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.259 So have a look at verse two with me. 00:03:31.199 --> 00:03:32.079 What does it say? 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:34.960 Why should the nations say, 00:03:35.760 --> 00:03:37.500 where is their God? 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:40.560 We can imagine, I think, 00:03:40.640 --> 00:03:42.980 that this psalm is probably written at a time 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:44.980 where the nations surrounding Israel 00:03:44.980 --> 00:03:46.700 are questioning the existence, 00:03:47.980 --> 00:03:50.120 perhaps the potency and the goodness, 00:03:50.700 --> 00:03:51.920 of Israel's God. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:53.620 Now, if I'm honest, 00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:55.420 I think that could be at any time 00:03:55.420 --> 00:03:56.840 in ancient Israel's history. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:00.240 But a time, I think, perhaps of national crisis, 00:04:01.500 --> 00:04:04.080 a time where Israel are particularly struggling. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:06.840 It does not look as though their God is with them. 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:11.039 I wonder, I suppose it could be in the aftermath 00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:13.640 of the Assyrian or Babylonian invasions, 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:16.340 where both Israel, the northern kingdom, 00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:17.840 Judah, the southern kingdom, 00:04:17.840 --> 00:04:20.560 they were both conquered, taken into exile. 00:04:20.560 --> 00:04:23.600 And then when they returned from that exile, 00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:25.540 we read in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:27.939 they've returned and they've begun rebuilding the temple. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:30.579 But the temple is just very unimpressive 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:31.780 compared to what was there 00:04:31.780 --> 00:04:33.319 before they were taken into exile. 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:35.300 And we read in those books 00:04:35.300 --> 00:04:38.240 that the nations around them mocked them for it. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:40.160 It might not be that, 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:41.759 but maybe that is the context. 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:42.980 Whatever the context is, 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:45.220 the nations around them are looking on at Israel 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:47.300 and asking, where is your God? 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:51.040 He doesn't look so powerful now. 00:04:52.759 --> 00:04:54.160 And maybe that sounds familiar. 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:55.240 It's true, isn't it? 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:57.900 That the world around us is always calling into question 00:04:57.900 --> 00:05:02.900 the existence, the potency, and the goodness of our God. 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:05.939 I mean, even just think about over the last few years, 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:07.759 how little God has been in the conversation. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:09.480 We've faced some pretty big things 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:13.360 with COVID and various wars, climate change, 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:14.180 and nowhere. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:17.040 Flick through any newspaper, 00:05:17.340 --> 00:05:19.000 the Scotsman, the Times, the Week, 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:20.500 watch Sky News in the morning, 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:21.139 whatever it is, 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:22.939 nowhere you will find the suggestion 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:25.800 that God has anything to do with any of those things. 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:29.519 Much less would you see anywhere claims 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:30.720 that he might be the solution. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:33.220 And I think that really reflects 00:05:33.220 --> 00:05:35.540 how people think about God in Scotland today. 00:05:35.960 --> 00:05:36.500 In other words, 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:38.439 they just don't really think about him at all. 00:05:39.560 --> 00:05:41.100 He probably doesn't exist. 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:43.520 And even if he does, 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:46.020 he must surely be impotent, 00:05:46.400 --> 00:05:47.360 or evil, 00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:48.980 or both. 00:05:49.900 --> 00:05:51.939 And we certainly wouldn't trust him. 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:54.860 You know, just last week, 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:58.000 I was sat with a friend whose mum died last year. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:01.400 And his dad had a stroke just 10 days ago. 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:04.219 And he's reached a point in life 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:05.879 where he's asking some big questions. 00:06:05.879 --> 00:06:07.719 We had some fascinating conversations 00:06:07.719 --> 00:06:09.179 about the gospel 00:06:09.179 --> 00:06:11.759 and about God's word and his purposes. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:12.639 And in many ways, 00:06:12.679 --> 00:06:14.799 it was a really encouraging conversation to me. 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:16.560 But these conversations, 00:06:16.779 --> 00:06:17.779 they're often very similar. 00:06:18.639 --> 00:06:19.679 I don't know if you find this, 00:06:19.719 --> 00:06:21.599 but people are genuinely interested. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:24.560 They see that the gospel, 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:25.759 the good news of Christianity, 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:27.060 does make sense. 00:06:27.659 --> 00:06:29.620 Most of my friends would even know 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:31.180 that they're sinful in some way. 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:32.819 They long for eternal life. 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:36.399 But then it's also really discouraging 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:37.240 because for them, 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:38.199 for a lot of my friends, 00:06:38.280 --> 00:06:39.939 what their unbelief boils down to, 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:43.540 often as they look at the world that we live in, 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:44.780 the mess, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:46.079 the injustice, 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:47.899 the pain in their own lives, 00:06:48.220 --> 00:06:48.899 they're asking, 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:50.660 where is your God in this? 00:06:52.500 --> 00:06:53.280 For some of them, 00:06:53.340 --> 00:06:54.939 they've probably convinced themselves 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:55.699 that that's the case, 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:57.800 maybe just to justify the way that they're living, 00:06:57.800 --> 00:06:59.639 to avoid confronting their sin, 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:01.439 though I think they know that it's there. 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:05.240 But however it is that they've reached that position 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:05.939 in their thinking, 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:08.379 just like the nations in this psalm, 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:10.460 they see a messy world, 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:12.439 they see the faith of Christians, 00:07:12.580 --> 00:07:13.460 they see my faith, 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.180 and they're asking, 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:16.259 where's your God in all of this? 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:19.019 Maybe you're here this morning, 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:20.160 and maybe you're there too. 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:22.600 Maybe you have similar questions 00:07:22.600 --> 00:07:24.939 about where God is in all of this mess. 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:27.939 Well, stay tuned this morning, 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:28.839 because let me tell you, 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:29.560 this God, 00:07:29.719 --> 00:07:31.120 the God that we believe in, 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:32.660 he is utterly trustworthy. 00:07:34.399 --> 00:07:35.660 And this psalm would tell us 00:07:35.660 --> 00:07:36.839 that it's utterly foolish 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:38.600 to put your trust anywhere else. 00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:41.779 But where is this God? 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:43.939 Well, the psalmist answers that question immediately. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:45.519 Have a look at verse three. 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:48.519 Our God is in the heavens. 00:07:49.579 --> 00:07:51.579 He does all that pleases him. 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:54.139 And this God, Israel's God, 00:07:54.219 --> 00:07:55.479 the God of the universe, 00:07:55.479 --> 00:07:57.819 is just absolutely in control. 00:07:57.959 --> 00:07:58.759 He's in heaven. 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:01.319 That's not some spiritual other world, 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:02.279 but in the heavens. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:03.819 It just means the skies. 00:08:04.419 --> 00:08:05.139 Where is he? 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:06.939 He fills the galaxy. 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:08.639 He inhabits the universe. 00:08:10.479 --> 00:08:12.560 And notice he does all that he pleases. 00:08:13.299 --> 00:08:15.039 Not some of what he pleases. 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:18.560 Not what he pleases for some 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:20.160 or in some circumstances. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:22.400 No, God does all that he pleases. 00:08:22.580 --> 00:08:24.300 He is absolutely in control. 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:25.879 He was in control 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:27.200 when he rescued his people 00:08:27.200 --> 00:08:28.640 from slavery in Egypt, 00:08:28.640 --> 00:08:30.300 when he spared him 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.800 from his wrath at the Passover, 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.399 as we'll hear about a little bit later. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:35.200 He was in control 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:37.139 in the context of this psalm. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:39.200 Whatever it was that Israel faced 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:39.980 as they were mocked 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.340 by the nations around them, 00:08:42.180 --> 00:08:44.240 their God was in control. 00:08:45.219 --> 00:08:47.019 And he is in control today. 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:50.799 Everything going on in the news. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:51.799 I spent just two minutes 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:53.579 on the BBC website this week. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:55.319 I tried to avoid it as best I can. 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:56.679 But just two minutes. 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:57.919 Headlines about war, 00:08:58.339 --> 00:09:00.019 about people stuck in hospitals, 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:01.839 about economic turmoil, 00:09:02.099 --> 00:09:03.759 about assaults and abuse. 00:09:04.699 --> 00:09:06.539 In all of the mess out there 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:08.759 and in all of the mess in here, 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:10.360 in my sinful heart, 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:13.379 though the world does not recognize him, 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:15.360 our God has got this whole thing 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:16.100 under control. 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:19.120 Would we trust him in that? 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:22.840 And it is absolutely essential 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.279 that we do 00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:25.679 because, 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.080 and this is really the first big thing 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:27.820 that I want us to see 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:28.840 in this psalm this morning, 00:09:29.559 --> 00:09:32.919 because if we trust in man-made idols, 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:34.759 this psalm says 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:36.559 that we will become dead like them. 00:09:36.559 --> 00:09:39.639 If we trust in man-made idols, 00:09:39.839 --> 00:09:42.159 we will become dead like them. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:45.059 Let me read from verse four. 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:48.859 Their idols are silver and gold, 00:09:49.379 --> 00:09:51.659 the work of human hands. 00:09:52.479 --> 00:09:53.719 They have mouths, 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:56.039 but cannot or do not speak. 00:09:56.459 --> 00:09:58.179 Eyes, but cannot see. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.259 They have ears, but cannot hear. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:01.899 Noses, but cannot smell. 00:10:01.899 --> 00:10:03.799 They have hands, but cannot feel. 00:10:04.579 --> 00:10:06.179 Feet, but cannot walk. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:08.539 And they do not make a sound 00:10:08.539 --> 00:10:10.039 in their throats. 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:12.959 Do you see the irony here? 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:15.120 The Israelites' God, 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:17.240 who has rescued them out of slavery, 00:10:17.559 --> 00:10:19.139 he has spoken to them. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:21.220 He's given them his perfect commandments, 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:23.120 helping them to live wisely in the world. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:25.059 The nations around them, 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:27.759 those nations that mock their God, 00:10:28.579 --> 00:10:29.379 well, the irony is 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.840 they worship these idols, 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:32.240 created trinkets, 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:33.419 preciously made. 00:10:33.539 --> 00:10:35.559 Yes, they're made from silver and gold. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:37.120 But of course, 00:10:37.179 --> 00:10:37.779 as these verses, 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:39.639 yes, those idols are silent. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.439 They cannot speak 00:10:41.439 --> 00:10:43.419 like the God of the universe does. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:45.220 They're blind. 00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:46.480 They're deaf. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:50.659 They cannot smell or feel or walk. 00:10:52.139 --> 00:10:53.679 Picture with me Andy's bedroom. 00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:55.639 Andy from Toy Story, 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:56.720 if you know the scene, 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:58.360 take yourself to his bedroom. 00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:59.820 As he leaves the room, 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:00.740 what happens? 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:02.620 The toys, 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.919 they come to life, 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:04.419 don't they? 00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:06.879 They talk to one another. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:09.000 They even plot together. 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:09.940 Those toys, 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:11.019 they are alive. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:14.220 They are precisely the opposite 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:16.019 of what this psalmist describes. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:18.100 What's the psalmist saying? 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:19.300 These idols, 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.659 they're utterly inanimate. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:21.840 They are not alive. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:24.000 These idols are dead. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:26.080 And to our modern sensibilities, 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:26.879 of course they are. 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:28.120 We know that Toy Story 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.340 is fantastical. 00:11:31.180 --> 00:11:31.800 And actually, 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:32.600 most people today, 00:11:32.680 --> 00:11:32.900 I think, 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.440 would agree. 00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:33.840 Like, 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:35.200 maybe even if you don't believe 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:36.800 in the God of this psalm, 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:38.020 you'd probably still say, 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.620 wouldn't you, 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:40.240 that inanimate objects 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:42.020 can't actually be gods. 00:11:43.020 --> 00:11:44.980 They have no real agency 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:46.660 or power in our world. 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:49.319 But of course, 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:50.019 there are millions 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:51.000 who worship idols 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:52.019 exactly like these 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.860 in our world today. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.579 Virtually every major religion 00:11:54.579 --> 00:11:56.480 takes man-made things 00:11:56.480 --> 00:11:58.319 and puts them in a temple 00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:59.459 or in a church 00:11:59.459 --> 00:12:00.659 and calls them holy. 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:04.519 But there's more to it than that 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.419 because increasingly, 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:06.019 I think, 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.600 the worldview around us 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:09.079 isn't simply atheistic. 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:12.199 It doesn't just rely 00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:13.339 on man-made idols, 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:15.379 but it is spiritualistic 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:16.519 and superstitious. 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:18.399 This is everywhere. 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:19.139 Let me just give you 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:19.899 a couple of examples. 00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:20.860 I was speaking to a friend 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:22.080 at the rugby club this week 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:23.240 and he was talking 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:24.320 about manifesting. 00:12:24.420 --> 00:12:24.940 I don't know if you've 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.240 come across this trend 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:27.560 that if you focus 00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:29.139 your thoughts on your goal, 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:30.920 on a desired outcome, 00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.420 just focusing on it 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:33.540 and trying to bring it 00:12:33.540 --> 00:12:34.320 into being. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:36.500 He was talking about 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.139 wanting to put on 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:37.860 a bit of weight 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.420 and manifesting that 00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:40.420 as though tapping 00:12:40.420 --> 00:12:41.379 into some stream 00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:42.040 of consciousness 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:43.120 would make that happen 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.719 for him. 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.879 Maybe that kind of 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.919 half-supernatural 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:47.539 kind of belief 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.639 is familiar to you. 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:49.899 I think it's everywhere 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.419 at the moment. 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:51.819 It might be less spiritual 00:12:51.819 --> 00:12:53.639 and more superstitious. 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:55.439 Katie and I are going 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.779 on holiday in September 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:58.059 and, you know, 00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:59.199 flights are way cheaper 00:12:59.199 --> 00:13:00.419 on the 11th of September 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:01.120 than they are on 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.279 any other day of the year. 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:03.939 Apparently, 00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:04.779 they're also cheaper 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:06.219 on Friday the 13th. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.120 People just are 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:09.299 way more superstitious 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:10.360 than I think we realise. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:12.740 And maybe if you're honest, 00:13:12.820 --> 00:13:13.440 you can be a bit 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.180 like that too. 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:17.120 Even just in subtle ways, 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:17.879 superstitious, 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:19.139 trusting in your own 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:21.100 man-made rituals 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:22.279 and idols 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.600 to get you through life. 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.980 I think more than that, 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:27.759 outside of the 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.940 explicitly supernatural, 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.379 isn't it just very normal 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:31.399 to place our ultimate 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.580 trust in the material? 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.800 Perhaps that's most obvious 00:13:34.800 --> 00:13:35.500 with our money. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.519 I know I sometimes do that. 00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:38.620 Very often we think, 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:38.960 don't we, 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:39.940 that if we just had 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:40.680 enough money, 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:42.580 then all our worries 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.300 and problems 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:44.300 would disappear. 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.360 And if we're doing 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.139 alright with money, 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.040 how easy it is 00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:49.019 to trust that 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.200 in place of trusting 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:50.840 our God. 00:13:52.280 --> 00:13:53.139 That whatever our 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.620 idols and superstitions, 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:55.360 whatever it is 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.060 that we're trusting 00:13:56.060 --> 00:13:57.480 to get us through life, 00:13:57.540 --> 00:13:58.519 they might offer us 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.740 comfort in the moment. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.259 They might be genuinely 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.660 helpful for a time. 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:07.399 But the hope that they give 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:09.079 always fades. 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.100 Ultimately, 00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:11.679 and maybe you've 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:13.079 experienced this yourself, 00:14:13.179 --> 00:14:14.559 they all have the capacity 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:15.500 to let us down 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.360 in the end. 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:19.519 Whether we run out of money 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:22.059 or our superstitions 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:23.219 just don't work out 00:14:23.219 --> 00:14:25.199 or the friends 00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:26.019 and family members 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.100 that we had trusted 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.699 let us down 00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:28.659 in some way or another. 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:30.600 All of these things 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:31.959 can let us down, 00:14:32.079 --> 00:14:32.659 prove themselves 00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.620 to be hollow 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.500 and ultimately 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.339 do more harm 00:14:35.339 --> 00:14:36.339 for us than good. 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.419 Wherever we're trusting 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.500 things other than 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.240 this God, 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:42.039 this God who 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.539 does not change, 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:45.219 who is a solid rock, 00:14:46.339 --> 00:14:47.299 wherever we're trusting 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.000 other things, 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.860 this psalmist says 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.740 we've got to see 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:50.240 those things 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.360 are not really alive. 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:53.259 They don't have 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.759 real agency. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:57.620 They do not speak today. 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.340 And ultimately, 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.539 they cannot save us 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:03.600 because they are dead 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.639 or they are dying. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.059 And did you see 00:15:07.059 --> 00:15:07.639 in verse 8 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.240 where the psalmist 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.019 is going here? 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:10.480 It says, 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:12.000 those who make them 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.919 become like them 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:16.059 and so do all 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:16.980 who trust in them. 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.759 In other words, 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:19.639 those who make 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:20.879 and trust in idols 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.700 will die. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:23.700 See that these idols 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:25.160 are totally inanimate, 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:25.980 they're impotent, 00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:26.600 they're dead. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.740 And I actually think 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.640 this is supposed to be 00:15:28.640 --> 00:15:29.800 comfort for the Israelites 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:30.940 because the psalmist says 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:32.500 those nations around you, 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.780 they might look powerful 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:35.360 and you might be 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.520 facing troubling times. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.800 Maybe your temple project 00:15:37.800 --> 00:15:39.080 just doesn't look 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:39.780 that impressive. 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.320 Times that cause 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:42.820 those people 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:43.840 to mock your God 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.520 but ultimately 00:15:44.520 --> 00:15:45.080 those people 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:45.680 are going to become 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.600 like their idols. 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.700 Dead. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:51.000 And us too, 00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:51.860 if we trust 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:53.020 in man-made idols, 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:54.659 will become dead 00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.620 like them. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.159 And now of course 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.279 we will all die 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.679 and I hope that's not 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.240 news to you 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.399 but you will one day die. 00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.120 And so whatever it is 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.340 that we're trusting in 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:06.319 or in whatever it is 00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:07.639 that we face in life, 00:16:07.699 --> 00:16:08.720 whether we're unwell 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.519 or we're caring 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:10.799 for someone who's unwell 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:11.759 or we're looking 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.679 for a new job 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.319 or navigating 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.439 a tricky relationship, 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.340 whether it's at home 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:16.980 or at work 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.720 or at school, 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:18.899 wherever we are 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.980 and those around us 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.579 are calling God 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.280 into question, 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:22.120 whatever it is 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:23.879 that we trust 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.680 through that, 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.520 we have to say 00:16:26.520 --> 00:16:27.040 it's really just 00:16:27.040 --> 00:16:27.840 putting off the inevitable, 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:28.500 isn't it? 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.620 Because though they might 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.940 help us steer the course, 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:32.940 at the end of it all, 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.800 we will all die. 00:16:34.920 --> 00:16:35.920 We will all become 00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:37.639 like the idols 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.820 that we've worshipped. 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:41.920 And yet, 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:43.040 in all this, 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:45.100 there is the glorious hope 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:46.420 of the Christian gospel 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:49.120 that if we trust 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.479 in the living God, 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.759 we will live forever. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.959 That's the second big thing 00:16:53.959 --> 00:16:54.959 in our psalm this morning. 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:55.939 If we trust 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:57.459 in the living God, 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.759 we will live forever. 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:01.039 Do you notice 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:02.360 the repeated refrains 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.759 in verses 9 to 11? 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.680 As the psalmist say, 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:07.180 trust in the Lord. 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.899 He is their help 00:17:08.899 --> 00:17:09.720 and shield. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.440 In those verses, 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.879 it is all of Israel, 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.039 the house of Aaron, 00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:15.220 that's the kind of 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.259 priestly family, 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:18.900 those who fear the Lord, 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.800 that I think is 00:17:19.800 --> 00:17:21.380 outsiders welcomed in. 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:23.060 The psalmist says, 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.019 trust him. 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.740 Trust him because 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.580 he's been faithful 00:17:26.580 --> 00:17:27.620 in your history 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.420 as a nation 00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.720 and he will be 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.600 faithful forever. 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.140 For the readers 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:32.960 of this psalm 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.759 and the other psalms 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.360 around it, 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:36.320 singing these psalms 00:17:36.320 --> 00:17:37.080 and remembering 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:38.039 the exodus, 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:39.420 the rescue from slavery, 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.240 remembering the Passover, 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.100 the deliverance 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:43.300 from God's wrath 00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:44.160 and his justice, 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:46.759 they're remembering 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:48.160 that God has proved 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:49.500 himself to be faithful, 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:52.100 faithful to his promises 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:53.400 and he will be faithful 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:55.100 forever into eternity. 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.620 Have a look at verse 12. 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:00.080 The Lord has remembered us. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.980 He will bless us. 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:03.660 Again, it's Israel, 00:18:03.840 --> 00:18:04.360 Aaron's house 00:18:04.360 --> 00:18:05.560 and all who fear the Lord, 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.700 both the small 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.920 and the great. 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.660 This God, 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.519 the God who we've seen 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.740 is in total control. 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.960 He wants to bless 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:13.580 his people. 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:15.920 I love that little detail 00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.860 that it's the small 00:18:16.860 --> 00:18:17.600 and the great. 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.279 God's blessing 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:20.240 is for you, 00:18:21.100 --> 00:18:21.779 the least 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:23.019 and the greatest, 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.039 the poor 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:24.920 and the rich, 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.519 the servant 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.539 and the king. 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:28.100 He has remembered 00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:28.519 them all 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.460 and he will bless 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:29.920 them all. 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.759 But just imagine 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.380 how difficult 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:34.180 that must have been 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.900 for these people. 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:37.180 incredibly difficult 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.820 to see in the context 00:18:38.820 --> 00:18:39.740 as God's people 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.940 have these nations 00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.940 mocking them. 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.820 The glory 00:18:43.820 --> 00:18:45.160 of the Jerusalem temple 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:46.980 once a genuine wonder, 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:47.860 now nothing 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:49.000 compared to the temples 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:50.400 of the great empires 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.140 around them. 00:18:52.120 --> 00:18:53.600 Even as it's being rebuilt, 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.880 it's unimpressive. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:56.300 They don't look 00:18:56.300 --> 00:18:57.280 much blessed. 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:00.120 But God's promises 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.840 are sure 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:01.720 and he will 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.759 bless those 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.940 who trust in him. 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.580 and that remains 00:19:05.580 --> 00:19:06.600 true today. 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.860 God has promised 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:09.840 to bless you. 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.640 Do you believe that? 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.980 And would you 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.740 trust him 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.100 from the smallest 00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:16.940 to the greatest, 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:17.539 the least 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.100 to the most, 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.380 whoever you are, 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.420 however you 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.320 have been made 00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:22.620 to feel about yourself, 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.880 would you trust 00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.380 this God 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.620 and receive his blessing 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:27.519 on your life? 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.680 Now what exactly 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.360 does that mean 00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:31.660 to trust in him 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.559 and he will bless us? 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.320 What are we saying? 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.599 Are we saying 00:19:34.599 --> 00:19:35.379 that we're blessed 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:36.339 according to a measure 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.339 of our trust? 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:39.119 Materially blessed? 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.720 There are lots of people 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.299 who would speak 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.019 that sort of way, 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:43.779 claiming that with 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.919 enough trust in God 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:45.839 we can kind of claim 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.480 any blessing 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.279 as our own. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.559 What blessing 00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.500 would you like today? 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.019 Are you single? 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:51.539 Would you like 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.619 a husband or a wife? 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.079 Would you like 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.480 some money 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.279 for that project, 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.579 some physical healing? 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:59.119 And look, 00:19:59.199 --> 00:20:00.379 God does of course 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:02.119 give such good things 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.839 to his people 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.579 in his will 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:05.339 but not because 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.480 one trusts him 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.399 more than another. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.000 That's not how 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.980 blessing works. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.159 God is not 00:20:10.159 --> 00:20:10.980 a vending machine. 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:12.059 It's not a case 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.179 of I do my bit, 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.339 I trust God 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:16.199 and he does his bit, 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.919 he blesses me accordingly. 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:19.980 Instead, 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.500 it is all according 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.500 to his grace. 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:25.059 all the good things 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.500 that we get in life, 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.539 all of the ways 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.559 that we have been 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.480 blessed by him. 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.380 It's not because 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.220 we deserve them 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:34.519 in any way at all 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:37.200 but would we trust 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.980 that any blessing 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.359 we have received, 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:40.900 any blessing 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:42.140 that we will receive 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:44.039 comes from him 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:46.559 and not from dead idols 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:49.160 and crucially 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.079 to trust that 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:51.079 God's blessing 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.619 his people 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.299 won't always 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.879 look like 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:53.539 what the world 00:20:53.539 --> 00:20:54.599 calls blessing. 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.379 Remember the context 00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:57.940 here is the 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:59.259 nations look 00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.279 and mock. 00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.240 Clearly it didn't 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.440 look like 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.619 worldly blessing. 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:06.119 Whatever was going on 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.159 was not impressive. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.019 It won't always 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:08.839 look impressive. 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.079 In fact, 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.639 it might look 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.700 very unimpressive. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.759 Have a look 00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.960 at verses 14 and 15 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.919 for an example 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:17.879 of how God's blessing 00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:18.500 might work. 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.779 It says, 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.779 may the Lord 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.339 cause you to 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:22.740 flourish 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:23.559 or give you 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.339 increase. 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.480 You and your 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:25.879 children, 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.500 may you be 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.440 blessed by the 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.740 Lord who made 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:30.000 heaven and earth. 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.339 You know, 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.359 the idols of the 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.099 surrounding, 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.680 the nations 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.639 surrounding Israel 00:21:34.639 --> 00:21:35.299 were often 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.240 attributed with 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.220 fertility and 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.740 prosperity, 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.579 just two of the 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.099 most important 00:21:39.099 --> 00:21:39.639 things in the 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:40.319 ancient world. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.339 That's what the 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.299 people foolishly 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.160 trusted in idols 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.539 for. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.559 But one of the 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.139 great promises 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:46.899 of Israel's 00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:47.700 scripture was that 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.480 God's people 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:48.980 would be the 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.480 ones who 00:21:49.480 --> 00:21:49.839 would be 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.120 fruitful and 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.420 who would 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:51.920 multiply. 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:54.839 Just fundamental 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.980 to the Bible 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.740 is that those 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.240 things are 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.019 blessings from 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.559 God. 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.680 It comes right 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.220 at the beginning 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.299 with Adam as 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:01.779 a kind of 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.900 global promise. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.480 And then it's 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.099 repeated at 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:05.940 various points to 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.599 the leaders of 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:07.299 God's people as 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.860 a particular 00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.460 promise to 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:08.920 Israel. 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.819 And it's a 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.420 promise that in 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.000 some ways has 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.599 already been 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.519 fulfilled by the 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:14.220 time of this 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.720 psalm. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.440 The Israelite 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.120 nation had 00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:16.620 grown. 00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.399 It had 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.399 occupied the 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.319 promised land. 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.779 But of course 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.199 here it seems as 00:22:22.199 --> 00:22:22.679 though they're in 00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:23.619 a national crisis. 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.639 And so God 00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.219 says to them, 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.819 you may be 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.699 decimated now. 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.500 It may look as 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.139 though your God 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:28.859 has deserted 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.339 you. 00:22:29.979 --> 00:22:30.759 The nations may 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:32.319 mock, but still 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.539 I am your God 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.399 and I promise 00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:36.259 that those who 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.619 are left will 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.519 once again be 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.659 fruitful and 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.159 multiply. 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.099 And God 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.919 doesn't over 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:43.659 promise and 00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:44.299 under deliver. 00:22:44.959 --> 00:22:46.239 He delivers on 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.880 his promises. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.359 And what do 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.839 we make of 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:50.380 that promise 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:50.720 today? 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.279 That God's 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.839 people would 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.960 be fruitful? 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.799 That they 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.859 would multiply? 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.359 I'll be honest, 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:59.339 from where I'm 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.000 standing, church 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.500 doesn't always 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.299 feel all that 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.759 fruitful. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.000 I mean, just 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.460 look around, 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:03.920 we're a pretty 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.500 unimpressive 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.160 bunch, aren't 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.400 we? 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.059 Especially on a 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.599 kind of quiet 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.319 summer Sunday 00:23:09.319 --> 00:23:09.960 like this. 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:10.720 It just doesn't 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.420 feel like we're 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.200 multiplying all 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:12.759 that quickly. 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:15.859 certainly across 00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:16.759 Scotland, that's 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.279 the headline, 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:17.700 isn't it? 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.599 Christianity is 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.019 dying. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.900 This building is 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.759 testament to 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.200 that. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.299 I mean, just 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.180 look up at this 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:26.519 false ceiling. 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.039 Most of you 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.460 probably know 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.579 that hides a 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.859 balcony, a 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.759 constant reminder 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.299 that at one 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:31.720 point this 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.599 building had a 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.379 capacity for 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.940 many hundreds 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.519 of people. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.299 What do we 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.980 make of God's 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.779 promise that his 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.519 people would be 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.440 fruitful and 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:40.879 multiply? 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:43.300 Well, it 00:23:43.300 --> 00:23:43.800 might be hard 00:23:43.800 --> 00:23:44.300 to see. 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.140 It might be 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.940 really hard to 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.600 see it here in 00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:48.220 Scotland at the 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.720 moment, but 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.380 God's church 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:50.240 continues to 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.500 grow. 00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:52.480 Honestly, I 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:52.820 think the 00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:53.480 church decline 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.380 narrative here 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.040 is massively 00:23:55.040 --> 00:23:55.800 overstated. 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.720 I think the 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.560 pews have been 00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.400 emptying of 00:23:59.400 --> 00:23:59.860 people who 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.380 never really 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:00.880 believed in 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:01.240 the first 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.780 place. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:03.520 And we can 00:24:03.520 --> 00:24:03.900 talk about 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.460 that afterwards 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.040 if you like, 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.040 but much more 00:24:06.040 --> 00:24:07.420 than that, I've 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:07.960 been listening to 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.420 this brilliant 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.460 podcast recently. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.640 It's called 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.120 GLO. 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.900 A review of 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.360 it is in the 00:24:14.360 --> 00:24:15.059 monthly newsletter 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.519 if you want to 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.059 read more about 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.200 it. 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.680 But it exists to 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.640 tell stories of 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.539 how the church is 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.400 growing all over 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:20.960 the world. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.819 As they put it, 00:24:22.860 --> 00:24:23.420 they say this, 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.079 when we look at 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:25.160 the global church, 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:26.819 when we see that 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.400 the gospel of 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:29.039 Jesus Christ is 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.680 not losing 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:31.420 steam, it is 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.440 in fact flourishing 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.299 in new and 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:34.380 amazing ways, 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:36.259 God is still 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.259 at work. 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:39.539 It may be 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.759 very hard to 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.700 see it sometimes, 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.839 but God does 00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.640 not break his 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.059 promises. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.000 There are more 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.839 Christians alive 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.619 today than there 00:24:48.619 --> 00:24:49.599 ever have been 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:51.119 in the history 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:51.839 of this planet. 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:53.339 God does not 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.039 break his 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.400 promises. 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:55.619 His church is 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.740 being fruitful, 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.220 it is multiplying, 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:58.779 and it will 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.539 continue to do 00:24:59.539 --> 00:24:59.859 so. 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.599 For the God 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.079 who is in 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.619 control is 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.420 behind it, 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.740 and his gospel 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.740 is very good. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.740 His promise 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.400 is that if we 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.160 trust in him 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:09.720 and the living 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:11.599 God, then we 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.480 too will live 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:12.859 forever. 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.920 That is good 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.539 news. 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.519 And it's good 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.099 news that has 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:18.079 real power. 00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.839 Here's why. 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.559 You see back in 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.599 verses 4 to 7, 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.160 we saw that the 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:24.319 idols are dead, 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.180 that they have 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.000 no life in 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:26.319 them. 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.240 In verse 8, 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:28.980 we saw that all 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.759 who trust in 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.460 them will follow 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.039 them to the 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.359 grave. 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.259 I take it that 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.759 is to the 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.880 eternal grave. 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.380 And why is 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:35.859 that true? 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.500 Well, it's true 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:37.079 because an 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:37.880 idol who is 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:39.680 not alive cannot 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:41.440 die to save. 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.920 An idol who is 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.880 not alive cannot 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.779 die to save, 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.400 and that's what 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.019 we need. 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.400 Here's why. 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.500 Our human 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.400 instinct, which 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.059 leads us to 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.960 trust anything 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:51.720 other than the 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.380 living God, in 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:52.920 other words, our 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.900 rebellion against 00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:55.839 him, our sin, 00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.200 demands a 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.759 price. 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.559 It demands 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.160 death. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.259 It's why those 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.819 who turn away 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:03.640 from him in this 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.700 psalm face 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.240 death. 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.440 But we can 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.440 point to a 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.019 victorious, 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:10.880 living saviour, 00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.799 a God who 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.799 became man, 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.740 who joined us 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:15.100 in our 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:15.759 suffering, who 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.299 really encountered 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:19.140 the crisis that 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.880 all of humanity 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.240 faces, who 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.940 witnessed and 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:23.019 was tempted by 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.019 our rebellion 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:25.100 against God, 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.400 but who, 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.500 having lived a 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.620 perfect life, 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.680 took the 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.400 punishment for 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:30.960 that rebellion 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.180 in our place, 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.820 who, unlike 00:26:33.820 --> 00:26:34.799 already dead 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.560 idols, he 00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:36.120 really could 00:26:36.120 --> 00:26:37.480 die for us, 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.900 and he did. 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.160 But he didn't 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.700 stay dead. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.680 He really did 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.799 rise again. 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.860 In John 00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.980 chapter 20, we 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.519 read the 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.660 wonderful story 00:26:48.660 --> 00:26:49.580 of Thomas. 00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.700 Why don't I 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.380 just read it for 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:52.700 us? 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.600 You don't need to 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.120 turn there, but 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.740 in John chapter 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.680 20, it says 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.240 this. 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.380 Now Thomas, 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.380 also known as 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.880 Didymus, one of 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.620 the twelve, was 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.299 not with the 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.059 disciples when 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.779 Jesus came. 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.920 Jesus has 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:05.640 risen from the 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.160 grave, he's 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.740 appeared to all 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.019 the other 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.519 disciples. 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.720 Thomas wasn't 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.099 there. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.579 So the other 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.519 disciples told him, 00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:12.440 we have seen 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:12.980 the Lord. 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.059 But he said to 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:16.700 them, unless I 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.319 see the nail 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.940 marks in his 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.640 hands and put 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.720 my finger where 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.559 the nails were 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.500 and put my 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.319 hand into his 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:23.059 side, I will 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.660 not believe. 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:26.519 A week later, 00:27:26.660 --> 00:27:27.259 his disciples 00:27:27.259 --> 00:27:27.779 were in the 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.920 house again, and 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.600 Thomas this time 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.360 was with them. 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:31.600 Though the 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.000 doors were 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.500 locked, Jesus 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:34.360 came and stood 00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:35.240 among them and 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.060 said, peace be 00:27:36.060 --> 00:27:36.580 with you. 00:27:37.820 --> 00:27:38.519 And he said to 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.120 Thomas, put your 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.019 finger here, see 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.519 my hands, reach 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.320 out your hand and 00:27:42.320 --> 00:27:42.940 put it in my 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.840 side, stop 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.800 doubting and 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.440 believe. 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.660 Thomas said, my 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.480 Lord and my 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.940 God. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.660 Then Jesus 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.340 told him, because 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:52.080 you have seen 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:52.640 me, you have 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.240 believed. 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.400 Blessed are 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:54.820 those who 00:27:54.820 --> 00:27:55.360 have not 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.740 seen and 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.420 yet have 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:58.360 believed. 00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:00.680 It's one of my 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.519 favourite scenes 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.320 in all of the 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:02.960 Gospels, that 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.920 Thomas' encounter 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:04.620 with the risen 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:05.040 Jesus. 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:07.180 As Thomas felt 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.060 the nail marks 00:28:08.060 --> 00:28:09.300 in his hands, 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.820 as he put his 00:28:10.820 --> 00:28:11.380 hand in the 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:12.100 wound in Jesus' 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:13.220 side, this 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.980 isn't a ghost 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.560 story. 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.140 Jesus is 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.640 alive. 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.600 And he's 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.400 alive today. 00:28:19.560 --> 00:28:20.279 He sits at 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:20.940 the right hand 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.580 of the Father, 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.720 reigning in 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.019 heaven. 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.000 Our God is 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.500 alive. 00:28:25.620 --> 00:28:26.019 Would we 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.700 trust him? 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:29.100 For anyone 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.940 who trusts in 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:30.279 the living 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.620 God, they 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.620 will live 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.440 forever. 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.339 Just notice 00:28:36.339 --> 00:28:36.960 then finally 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.819 as we finish 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.900 how God's 00:28:38.900 --> 00:28:39.460 people are 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:39.980 called to 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.720 respond to 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.140 this good 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:41.600 news. 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.200 In verses 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.839 16 to 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:43.339 18. 00:28:43.339 --> 00:29:04.279 How do 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.759 God's people 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.319 respond? 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:06.439 They 00:29:06.439 --> 00:29:07.099 respond with 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:08.439 Hallel, in 00:29:08.439 --> 00:29:09.220 praise. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.000 Do you 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.559 notice these 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.419 verses contain a 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:11.720 bit of a 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.259 summary of 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.720 the psalm? 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:12.940 I don't 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.180 know if you 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:13.940 noticed that. 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.920 Where is 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.279 God? 00:29:15.360 --> 00:29:15.860 He's in the 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:16.519 heavens, which 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.100 are his. 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.240 Where is 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.720 man? 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:20.019 On earth, which 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.519 is his. 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.320 But those who 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.160 trust in things 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.660 of the earth 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.259 will die. 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.759 And in their 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.160 death they 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:25.580 will not 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:26.180 praise him. 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:27.580 But we, 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.240 God's people, 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.039 those who 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.900 trust in him, 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.840 we will bless 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:32.420 him, we will 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.259 praise him. 00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:34.800 Do you notice 00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:35.460 the implication 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.200 there is that if 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:36.860 we trust in 00:29:36.860 --> 00:29:37.340 him, we will 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.340 live forever and 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:38.860 so we can 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:40.200 praise him from 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.740 this time 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.980 forth and 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.819 forevermore. 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.279 We noted 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.440 last week that 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:46.940 the Israelites 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.000 sang this 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.500 set of 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.200 psalms as 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.940 they celebrated 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.600 their rescue 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.160 out of slavery 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.660 in Egypt. 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.900 And every 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.580 year at the 00:29:54.580 --> 00:29:55.200 festival of 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.019 Passover they 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.960 celebrated that 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.660 rescue. 00:29:58.580 --> 00:29:58.920 And in 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.700 particular they 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.580 celebrated the 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.220 moment where 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.019 God's judgment 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:03.100 passed over the 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.880 homes of those 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.220 who were 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.640 faithful. 00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.360 As each 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.340 faithful family 00:30:07.340 --> 00:30:08.640 sacrificed a 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.140 lamb that 00:30:09.140 --> 00:30:09.740 was God's 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.259 sign to 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:10.799 them, a 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.279 sign of 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.480 their 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.339 faithfulness 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:13.440 so that 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.019 his judgment 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.759 would pass 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.359 over them 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:16.220 and fall 00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:16.859 instead on 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.359 the Egyptians 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:17.900 and those 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:18.380 who had not 00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:18.960 trusted in 00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:19.240 him. 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.000 In that 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.539 story God 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.180 promised to 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.880 rescue them 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.599 and he 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.220 delivered on 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.980 that promise. 00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:26.720 And you 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.180 know we can 00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.720 read and 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.240 sing these 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.960 psalms today 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.620 knowing that 00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:30.519 Jesus came 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.160 to be the 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.000 once and 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.559 for all 00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.700 time sacrificial 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.160 lamb. 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.059 That for us 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:37.079 God has made 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.640 a way, he 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.819 has promised 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.539 that for 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.099 those who 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.779 trust in 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.079 him, those 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:42.379 who are 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:43.099 faithful to 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:43.639 him, that 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.240 the judgment 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:44.639 of God 00:30:44.639 --> 00:30:45.119 might pass 00:30:45.119 --> 00:30:45.779 over them 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:47.259 and God 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:47.960 delivers on 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.559 his promises. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.319 If you're here 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.980 this morning and 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:52.419 you do not 00:30:52.419 --> 00:30:53.079 trust him, 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.579 maybe you're 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.119 one of those 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.059 who mocks, 00:30:56.139 --> 00:30:56.799 who laughs at 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.339 God's people. 00:30:57.439 --> 00:30:58.099 Where is your 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:58.439 God? 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.439 And I suspect 00:31:00.439 --> 00:31:00.919 if you're here 00:31:00.919 --> 00:31:01.519 this morning you 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:01.980 might be a bit 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.539 more respectful 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.279 than that. 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.259 And yet if 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.039 you're honest you 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.740 can't help but 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.099 agree. 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:07.920 God just 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.599 doesn't seem 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.099 all that 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.859 powerful in 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:10.579 the mess of 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.160 this world. 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.440 If that's 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:13.859 you, let me 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:15.539 ask you, who 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.319 or what do 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:17.039 you trust? 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:19.880 Who do you 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.759 trust to steer 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.440 the ship in 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:22.220 the storms of 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:23.160 this mess? 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.700 As life gets 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:26.440 tough, where 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.099 do you turn? 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.099 And who do 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.640 you trust to 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.120 see you through 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:31.460 the other 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:31.960 side? 00:31:31.960 --> 00:31:33.940 can the 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.380 things that 00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:34.940 you trust 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.680 make a real 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.740 difference? 00:31:38.340 --> 00:31:39.200 Do they have 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.819 the capacity 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.600 to let you 00:31:40.600 --> 00:31:41.000 down? 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.740 And ultimately 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.259 with your 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.559 eternal fate 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:45.940 to your 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.860 eternal position 00:31:46.860 --> 00:31:47.900 before God, 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.400 can those 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:49.880 things that 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.440 you trust, 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:50.779 can they 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.779 really speak? 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.920 Can they 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.940 really save? 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:56.900 Do they 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.700 really live? 00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.640 And for the 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.120 Christian, if 00:32:01.120 --> 00:32:01.680 you do 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.680 trust like 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.100 that, how 00:32:03.100 --> 00:32:03.380 will you 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.940 respond to 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.320 your God 00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:04.880 this morning? 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.779 The God 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.279 who is in 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:08.779 absolute 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:10.279 control, the 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:10.860 God who is 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.720 alive, this 00:32:11.720 --> 00:32:12.460 living God 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.080 who has 00:32:13.080 --> 00:32:13.820 promised to 00:32:13.820 --> 00:32:14.560 rescue you, 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.820 this living 00:32:15.820 --> 00:32:16.779 God who has 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.460 rescued you 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.160 in Jesus, he 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.279 is far more 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:20.019 trustworthy than 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.720 any man-made 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:22.160 thing, certainly 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.700 more trustworthy 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.340 than any of 00:32:23.340 --> 00:32:23.940 our politicians. 00:32:25.140 --> 00:32:25.920 He never 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.460 breaks his 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:26.840 promises. 00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:29.980 So will you 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.680 trust him this 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:30.940 morning? 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.820 Will you 00:32:32.820 --> 00:32:33.460 see his 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:34.220 blessing on 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:35.160 your life and 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:35.519 on his 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.140 church? 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.580 And will we 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.299 praise him 00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:39.680 together? 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.759 Let me pray. 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.700 Heavenly Father, 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.560 I thank you so 00:32:47.560 --> 00:32:48.140 much that you 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.000 are a God who 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:50.060 speaks today, 00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:52.400 that we can 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.180 come to your 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.019 word as we 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.019 have just done 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.060 and hear from 00:32:56.060 --> 00:32:56.420 you. 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:59.340 Lord, I thank 00:32:59.340 --> 00:32:59.779 you so much 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.279 for Jesus. 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.720 I thank you 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.259 that he came 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:04.160 to save us, 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.840 that he is 00:33:04.840 --> 00:33:05.880 alive, that he 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.700 died and that 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:07.240 he's alive 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:07.680 again. 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:11.120 Lord, I pray 00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:11.900 that you would, 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.560 by your Holy 00:33:12.560 --> 00:33:13.420 Spirit, help us 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:14.180 to trust you 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:14.700 this morning 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:17.900 and that you 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.600 would draw out 00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.320 our praises 00:33:19.320 --> 00:33:19.980 for you, 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.800 for your glory, 00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:23.399 name and in 00:33:23.399 --> 00:33:24.059 Jesus' name. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.379 Amen.