WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.299 Now is the time for the reading and preaching of God's Word, and it's my joy and honor to introduce my friend Eric Raymond. 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:11.339 Eric is quite an accomplished pastor. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:19.820 He's authored several books, including one entitled Chasing Contentment, Trusting God in a Discontented Age. 00:00:20.500 --> 00:00:28.900 And he writes regularly for blogs and websites that I follow, like Nine Marks, Gospel Coalition. 00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:33.939 He has a blog entitled Ordinary Pastor that's hosted by the Gospel Coalition website. 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:46.599 He is actually a Massachusetts native but moved to Nebraska because he was with the Air Force and came back to serve as the lead pastor of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Watertown. 00:00:47.259 --> 00:00:53.619 I don't know how he finds the time for all the stuff he does, especially with six children, right? 00:00:53.619 --> 00:00:59.519 Undoubtedly, he has an excellent helper in his wife, Christy, who's also here with him. 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:03.719 It's an honor to meet you, and I'm glad that you guys could all join us. 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:12.979 But more than any of those things that I've just mentioned, what impresses me the most about Eric is he's a faithful pastor. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:18.939 He's a faithful, humble, local church pastor, as you can tell from his blog title, Ordinary Pastor. 00:01:18.939 --> 00:01:25.480 And he's brought together a group of pastors in the area, and we're calling it the Charles River Pastors Network. 00:01:26.019 --> 00:01:30.799 And with his leadership, that's been outside of our local church leadership team. 00:01:31.039 --> 00:01:35.879 That's been the single most encouraging group that I've been a part of, extra local, but in this area. 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:40.000 So I'm really grateful for his leadership in that and for his example. 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:43.500 And so I'm really excited for you guys to meet him, to hear from him. 00:01:43.680 --> 00:01:45.299 I'm really excited to hear from you, Mike. 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:46.420 So thank you, Eric. 00:01:46.420 --> 00:01:47.620 Please come up and preach for us. 00:01:47.620 --> 00:01:48.620 Thank you. 00:02:07.820 --> 00:02:09.300 Well, thank you very much, Sean. 00:02:09.640 --> 00:02:12.540 It's certainly a privilege to be with you guys tonight. 00:02:12.539 --> 00:02:18.659 Thank you for the opportunity, and we rejoice with you at the birth of your new baby. 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:21.019 We're grateful to God for his blessing. 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:28.699 And I just want to, on behalf of Redeemer Fellowship Church in Watertown, just want to say we are grateful for you and your witness as a church. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:30.000 We pray for you guys regularly. 00:02:30.659 --> 00:02:37.759 And we're just so thankful for the fellowship in the gospel that we have together as brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:44.799 Let's go ahead and turn in our Bibles to Psalm 94, the 94th Psalm. 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:47.539 And this will be the scripture reading for tonight. 00:02:48.079 --> 00:02:54.680 I want to read the whole Psalm, and we're going to focus on one verse mainly tonight, and that is verse 19. 00:02:54.680 --> 00:02:58.520 So if you go ahead and turn to Psalm 94. 00:02:59.659 --> 00:03:03.260 I want to read the whole Psalm, and then pray, and then we'll consider God's word together. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:07.860 Let's hear God's word. 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:12.700 O Lord, God of vengeance. 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:15.000 O God of vengeance, shine forth. 00:03:15.700 --> 00:03:17.260 Rise up, O judge of the earth. 00:03:17.700 --> 00:03:19.320 Repay to the proud what they deserve. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:24.580 O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? 00:03:25.640 --> 00:03:27.540 They pour out their arrogant words. 00:03:27.660 --> 00:03:29.020 All the evildoers boast. 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:33.100 They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage. 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:37.739 They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless. 00:03:38.539 --> 00:03:40.099 And they say, the Lord does not see. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:42.280 The God of Jacob does not perceive. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:44.900 Understand, O dullest of the people. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:47.199 Fools, when will you be wise? 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:50.900 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:53.280 He who formed the eye, does he not see? 00:03:53.799 --> 00:03:56.599 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? 00:03:57.099 --> 00:04:01.159 He who teaches man knowledge, the Lord knows the thoughts of man. 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:03.020 They are but a breath. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:05.939 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, 00:04:06.579 --> 00:04:08.039 and whom you teach out of your law, 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:10.740 to give him rest from days of trouble, 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:12.780 until a pit is dug for the wicked. 00:04:13.519 --> 00:04:15.419 For the Lord will not forsake his people. 00:04:16.159 --> 00:04:17.519 He will not abandon his heritage. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:20.199 For justice will return to the righteous, 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:23.139 and all the upright in heart will follow it. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:25.800 Who rises up for me against the wicked? 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:28.600 Who stands up for me against evildoers? 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:30.879 If the Lord had not been my help, 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:34.840 my soul would have soon lived in the land of silence. 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:38.160 When I thought, my foot slips, 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:41.760 your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 00:04:42.580 --> 00:04:44.560 When the cares of my heart are many, 00:04:45.260 --> 00:04:47.560 your consolations cheer my soul. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:50.340 Can wicked rulers be allied with you, 00:04:51.020 --> 00:04:53.180 those who frame injustice by statute? 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:56.780 They band together against the life of the righteous 00:04:56.780 --> 00:04:58.699 and condemn the innocent to death. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:02.139 But the Lord has become my stronghold, 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:06.120 and my God, the rock of my refuge. 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:08.860 He will bring back on them their iniquity 00:05:08.860 --> 00:05:10.860 and wipe them out for their wickedness. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:14.620 The Lord, our God, will wipe them out. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:17.560 This is the word of God. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:18.639 Let's pray. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:24.259 Our Father, it is our prayer tonight 00:05:24.259 --> 00:05:26.060 that you would take the reading of this word 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:27.759 and bless it to our ears, 00:05:27.979 --> 00:05:29.419 and to our hearts, and to our lives. 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:31.939 Help us now, we pray, to hear this word, 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:32.599 hear the scriptures, 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:34.919 for they are life to us. 00:05:35.019 --> 00:05:36.379 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:37.599 Amen. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:43.060 As I mentioned, I want to focus on verse 19. 00:05:43.060 --> 00:05:52.939 What we have in this verse here 00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:54.680 is an abundance of cares 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:57.920 and sufficient consolation from God. 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:00.439 We have a psalm here 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:03.500 where the psalmist is enduring 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:05.220 some season of difficulty. 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:07.639 We're not sure precisely what it is. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:09.379 It doesn't lay it out for us. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:12.719 But we can be sure that the opposition 00:06:12.719 --> 00:06:14.339 was directed at him personally 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:18.040 and in large part because of his faith in God. 00:06:18.159 --> 00:06:19.680 That's this contrast between the wicked 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:20.800 and the righteous. 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:23.959 And really, what's helpful about this psalm 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:26.219 is that the precise circumstances 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:28.279 are not important for us to nail down, 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:29.959 to take application from it. 00:06:30.459 --> 00:06:32.719 But rather, we can see how God helps him 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:33.699 amid his difficulty. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:35.519 And what we'll see tonight, 00:06:35.740 --> 00:06:37.120 really as our main point, 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:41.340 is that God consoles his children 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:43.879 amidst swelling concerns. 00:06:44.340 --> 00:06:46.000 God consoles his children 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:48.780 amidst their swelling concerns. 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:51.500 And we see it in verse 19. 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:53.319 When the cares of my heart are many, 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:57.060 your consolations cheer my soul. 00:06:57.840 --> 00:07:01.500 So it's really three progressions for us 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:03.439 in seasons of uncertainty. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:06.840 And these progressions begin with the problem. 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:08.939 The overwhelming concerns. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:10.899 The prescription, 00:07:11.659 --> 00:07:12.859 divine consolations. 00:07:13.599 --> 00:07:14.599 And the prognosis, 00:07:14.979 --> 00:07:16.219 personal contentment. 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:18.199 So we'll see those three tonight. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:19.379 First, the problem, 00:07:20.539 --> 00:07:21.560 overwhelming concerns. 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:23.299 We see in verse 19, 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:23.719 he says, 00:07:23.819 --> 00:07:25.639 when the cares of my heart are many, 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:28.000 this word that's rendered cares 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:29.559 could be worries. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.459 So he could be saying, 00:07:30.859 --> 00:07:32.599 the worries of my heart are many. 00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:36.200 Or the anxious thoughts of my heart are many. 00:07:37.020 --> 00:07:37.760 You get the idea. 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:41.720 It's what's heavy upon his mind. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:43.600 It's what he wakes up thinking about. 00:07:43.960 --> 00:07:45.760 What he goes to bed thinking about. 00:07:45.840 --> 00:07:47.160 What occupies his mind 00:07:47.160 --> 00:07:49.080 as his brain goes into neutral. 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:51.620 It's a disquieting concern 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:53.020 that he can't get off of his mind. 00:07:53.700 --> 00:07:54.520 And for the psalmist, 00:07:54.960 --> 00:07:56.980 likely there's some degree of personal attacks 00:07:56.980 --> 00:07:58.200 that he's dealing with. 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:00.660 But really, 00:08:00.780 --> 00:08:02.319 what issue he's facing 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:04.480 that really exacerbates the problem 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:06.580 is not primarily the issue 00:08:06.580 --> 00:08:07.879 that he's facing with people, 00:08:08.520 --> 00:08:09.819 but rather the issue 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:11.240 that he perceives 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.460 that God is not doing anything about it. 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:15.800 What really seems to vex him 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:19.020 is that he wants to see God act 00:08:19.020 --> 00:08:19.879 in the midst of it. 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:22.139 And the lack of action, 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:23.540 according to his perception, 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:25.759 causes him to be discouraged 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:28.480 and even have anxiety multiplied. 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:30.959 And that's what ends up tying him in knots. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:32.759 We see in the first seven verses 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:35.580 where he's making the case for God to act. 00:08:35.980 --> 00:08:37.100 He's petitioning God. 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:38.860 He's calling him a God of vengeance. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:40.639 And he's asking him to judge 00:08:40.639 --> 00:08:42.539 and to deal with those who are proud. 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:44.879 In verses one through three, 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:46.039 he's basically saying, 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:47.539 God, you're a judge 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:49.919 who punishes those who do wrong. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:52.679 And in then verses four through seven, 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:54.899 he's laying out the case for them 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:56.899 and their need for punishment. 00:08:57.679 --> 00:08:59.099 He's talking about arrogant words, 00:08:59.579 --> 00:09:00.279 evildoers, 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:02.279 crushing the people, 00:09:02.459 --> 00:09:03.399 afflicting your heritage. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.599 They're attacking those who you love. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:07.620 They kill the widow. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:09.319 They murder the fatherless. 00:09:10.219 --> 00:09:12.360 And they even mock God 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.799 to say that the God of Jacob 00:09:13.799 --> 00:09:15.219 does not see. 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:18.240 This is brutal stuff. 00:09:19.420 --> 00:09:20.540 The psalmist's question is, 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:23.180 why isn't God doing anything? 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:26.399 There's many concerns. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:28.399 Notice even the plural. 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:31.080 When the cares of my heart are many. 00:09:31.800 --> 00:09:33.460 Multiple cares, many. 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:35.139 Swelling concerns. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:39.399 I wonder if you can relate to the psalmist. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.980 Many concerns. 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:41.180 Do you have any concerns? 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:43.659 Perhaps a concern to go with 00:09:43.659 --> 00:09:45.899 every hour or every minute of the day. 00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:47.639 Swelling concerns, 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:49.820 like bees buzzing around the head. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:51.720 Insects that won't leave you alone. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:54.300 These concerns that just seem to weigh on you. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.539 Do you find it difficult 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.700 to collect your thoughts 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:59.100 and process through burdens? 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:01.519 Do you have any concerns tonight? 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:04.680 Do you have anxieties and fears? 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:08.099 Kind of expanding fears, 00:10:08.239 --> 00:10:09.239 expanding anxieties, 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:10.199 crowding together. 00:10:10.459 --> 00:10:12.719 Very difficult to subdue and rule them. 00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:13.919 They just dominate. 00:10:15.739 --> 00:10:18.419 We know really across the world right now, 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:20.879 with COVID-19, 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.139 there's swelling fears. 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:25.699 Constant concerns. 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:27.399 There's a spread of a virus. 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:28.979 There's health for yourself 00:10:28.979 --> 00:10:29.919 and for others. 00:10:29.919 --> 00:10:33.199 We're constantly hit with numbers 00:10:33.199 --> 00:10:35.439 of cases and deaths, 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:38.599 spread, rates, hospitalizations. 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:40.939 We're always reminded of the stats. 00:10:42.339 --> 00:10:43.339 And even the news anchors 00:10:43.339 --> 00:10:44.500 and the news articles 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.159 and the websites 00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:46.159 just seem to, 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:48.679 if you might be not having an anxious day, 00:10:48.939 --> 00:10:50.799 seem to just throw gasoline on the fire 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:53.439 and cause it even to fan into a flame 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:55.519 of more anxiety and more concern. 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:58.919 There's economic impact of the virus. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:00.500 There's political concerns 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:01.360 as a result of it. 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.139 There's anxiety multiplying 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:04.219 throughout our time. 00:11:05.099 --> 00:11:05.959 That's just one issue 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.439 that happens to be served up to us 00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:08.219 right now 00:11:08.219 --> 00:11:08.839 that causes 00:11:08.839 --> 00:11:10.339 a collective, 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:13.000 global swelling of concerns. 00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:15.559 But then even in our lives, 00:11:15.599 --> 00:11:16.599 I've been in pastoral ministry 00:11:16.599 --> 00:11:17.259 to know that 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.379 in most churches, 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:20.079 there's relationship issues 00:11:20.079 --> 00:11:21.079 even within the church 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:22.839 and within extended family 00:11:22.839 --> 00:11:24.099 and friends in workplace. 00:11:24.639 --> 00:11:25.919 There's relationship burdens 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:26.500 that we have. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:28.259 We have friends that have suffered. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.419 We have friendships 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.319 that have suffered. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:32.000 We have people that have died. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:33.159 Some have died 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:35.059 in the midst of this COVID time. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:36.700 And it's very difficult 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.659 for people to grieve 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:38.279 and say goodbye 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.679 to family and loved ones. 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:42.279 There's wayward children 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:43.539 who grow up believing 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:44.319 and then walk away 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:44.960 from the faith. 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:47.059 Then there's personal concerns. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:49.019 Your future, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:50.939 school, 00:11:51.679 --> 00:11:52.019 work, 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:53.080 marriage, 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:55.939 where the church is going to meet. 00:11:55.940 --> 00:11:58.060 When is it going to go back to normal? 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:59.220 All of the things that we want. 00:11:59.300 --> 00:12:00.640 These swelling concerns 00:12:00.640 --> 00:12:01.280 that come up. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.880 And then personal depression, 00:12:03.280 --> 00:12:03.800 anxiety, 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:05.540 bitterness over the past, 00:12:05.660 --> 00:12:06.900 uncertainty over the future. 00:12:07.380 --> 00:12:09.120 And then there's the spiritual concern. 00:12:09.280 --> 00:12:10.680 Guilt over personal sin. 00:12:10.940 --> 00:12:12.040 What do I do with my sin? 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.280 Is God angry? 00:12:13.520 --> 00:12:14.760 What about these evil thoughts 00:12:14.760 --> 00:12:15.420 in my mind 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:16.880 or impure thoughts 00:12:16.880 --> 00:12:18.500 that circle through the mind 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.280 like gnats? 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:21.260 Or anger or frustration 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:22.659 or doubts about God? 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.519 Or feeling personally 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.519 far from God 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:26.580 like God is withdrawn? 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.379 Hard time reconciling 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.620 what's going on in the world 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.939 with what we read in the Bible. 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:32.980 These are just examples 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.379 of swelling concerns 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.419 that could fill out 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.819 our personal prayer list 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:38.559 before the Lord. 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.059 And as of yet, 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.639 we're not intending 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.379 to solve the problem. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:43.200 We're just trying to show 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:44.080 the commonness 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:45.299 of swelling concerns 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:45.860 at this point. 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.580 When the concerns 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.919 of our heart are many, 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:50.620 what do we do? 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:53.659 Well, that's the problem. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.399 Overwhelming concerns. 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:56.759 Now, what do we do about it? 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:58.000 That's the prescription. 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.519 The verse says, 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.679 when the cares of my heart 00:13:01.679 --> 00:13:02.299 are many, 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.759 the overwhelming concerns, 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:05.080 what is the prescription? 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:07.439 It is divine consolations 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.779 or sacred care. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.039 This is the prescription. 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:12.080 If you have swelling concerns, 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.240 according to the psalmist, 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.419 it's divine consolations. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.659 We need God 00:13:16.659 --> 00:13:18.100 to care for us. 00:13:18.939 --> 00:13:19.679 We're intended to see 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.240 the medicine 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:20.960 that handles 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:22.519 the sickness. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.360 You see how it's 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.259 side by side 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.100 in verse 19. 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:27.060 Cares of my heart, 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:28.540 your consolations. 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.980 Many cares, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.900 many consolations. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:34.280 It's as if 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:36.300 there is a consolation 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:37.139 in God 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.580 for every one 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:40.180 of our swelling concerns. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:42.560 This is an outstanding statement. 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:43.960 It's a bold statement 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.400 that God is able 00:13:45.400 --> 00:13:46.259 to console 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.759 the cares 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.680 of every one 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.620 of his children. 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:53.159 Well, think about this. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.639 The psalmist 00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.519 is endeavoring 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.219 in this psalm 00:13:57.219 --> 00:13:58.319 to understand 00:13:58.319 --> 00:13:59.919 his circumstances 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.919 in light 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.839 of God's character. 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.579 See, this is a problem 00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:05.399 we face often. 00:14:05.959 --> 00:14:06.659 So often 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:07.699 when we get into 00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:10.959 this analysis 00:14:10.959 --> 00:14:12.299 of swelling concerns, 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:12.819 we're dealing 00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:13.559 with the concerns 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:14.599 of our circumstances 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:15.359 or things 00:14:15.359 --> 00:14:16.259 that are in our mind, 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.460 we look through 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:17.939 the lens 00:14:17.939 --> 00:14:18.819 of our circumstance 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:20.179 and we see 00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:21.039 God's character. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:21.899 And we say, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.620 based upon what 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.539 I'm dealing with, 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:25.259 God must be like this. 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.399 So for example, 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.460 if things are difficult, 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.340 we might feel like 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.259 God doesn't love us 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.120 because we expect 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:32.019 things to be easy. 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:33.639 So through our circumstances, 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.860 we look at God's character. 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:36.659 But the Bible teaches us 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:37.779 to look a different way. 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.759 Instead of looking 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.759 at our circumstances 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.720 and making judgment 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.980 upon God's character, 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.019 we're to look at 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:43.860 God's character 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.680 and then judge 00:14:45.680 --> 00:14:46.440 our circumstances. 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:48.379 So we should evaluate 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.500 our circumstances 00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.820 in light of the character 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.360 of God 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.899 and not the other way around. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:54.220 Because when we do that, 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:54.820 we're always going 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:55.300 to have trouble. 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.460 And that's what 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.480 the psalmist teaches us 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.340 here in the psalm. 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:01.139 He goes to God 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.060 as the source 00:15:02.060 --> 00:15:03.379 of His consolations, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.100 His character. 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.800 And what are some things 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.879 that we see about God? 00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:08.360 Well, in general, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.519 just in thinking about 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.940 dealing with concerns, 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.960 we need to be reminded 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:12.460 of the fact 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.820 that God is sovereign. 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.180 God is in control. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.419 The coronavirus 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.340 may have caught 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:22.200 the World Health Organization 00:15:22.200 --> 00:15:23.039 by surprise, 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:23.860 the CDC, 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.659 the President 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.600 of the United States, 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:26.620 and many of us, 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.639 but it didn't catch God 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.320 by surprise. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.600 He's sovereign 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.720 over everything. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.000 He's in absolute control. 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:34.580 Psalm 115, verse 3, 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:36.320 Our God is in the heavens. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.600 He does whatever 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:39.539 He pleases. 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.519 Isaiah 46.10, 00:15:41.560 --> 00:15:42.379 He declares the end 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:42.980 from the beginning. 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:45.539 From ancient times 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.440 to things not done, 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:46.680 saying, 00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:47.860 My counsel shall stand. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.960 I will accomplish 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.480 my good purpose. 00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.620 But not only is God 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.039 sovereign, 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.000 but He's also good. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.639 I'm sure you see 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.759 the need for God 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.340 to be good 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:58.259 as well as sovereign. 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:59.700 If He was just sovereign, 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:00.680 He might be 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.800 a malevolent dictator. 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.460 But He's sovereign 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.159 and it's paired 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.940 with His goodness. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.519 So His all power 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.420 is combined 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.700 with His all goodness. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:12.360 Psalm 119, verse 68 00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:12.580 says, 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:13.060 You are good 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:13.860 and you do good. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.320 Teach me your statutes. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.080 For you, O Lord, 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:18.080 Psalm 86.5, 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:19.600 are good and forgiving. 00:16:21.020 --> 00:16:22.259 O give thanks to the Lord 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.160 for He is good. 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.700 Psalm 107, verse 1. 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:25.440 He's good 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:25.980 and He's sovereign. 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.020 He's also faithful. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.140 He keeps His word. 00:16:30.640 --> 00:16:31.900 If He makes a promise to you, 00:16:31.900 --> 00:16:32.940 you can take it to the bank. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.500 You can trust it. 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:36.000 You can cling to it. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.799 Like an oak 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:37.779 that will not be moved, 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.059 God is trustworthy. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.500 Psalm 25, 8, 9. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.059 Good and upright 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:42.519 is the Lord. 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.340 Therefore He instructs 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:43.980 sinners in the way. 00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:44.980 He leads the humble 00:16:44.980 --> 00:16:45.740 in what is right. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.779 We know the verse, 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.759 Romans 8, 28, 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:49.820 which says, 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.759 We know that for those 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.440 who love God, 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.759 all things work together 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.399 for good. 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.980 For those who are called 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.120 according to His purpose. 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:02.580 So God is a God who cares. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.480 He's sovereign. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.279 He's good. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.640 He's faithful. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.140 And we need to remember 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.880 these things 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.539 when we are dealing 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.460 with swelling concerns. 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:12.000 And that's what we end up 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.980 seeing from the text 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.880 is that the psalmist, 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.779 in the midst of his 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.339 pleading to God, 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:19.220 he finds himself instructed 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.480 and he's grabbing a hold 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.420 of God's character. 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.740 And what he's clinging to 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.579 is God's word, 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.259 His work and His worth, 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.500 who God is. 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:29.259 And he makes it very personal. 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.500 Did you notice when we read that 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.099 how many personal pronouns 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:33.099 he used? 00:17:33.920 --> 00:17:35.079 He's dealing with himself 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.700 and the Lord. 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:37.799 Look at verses 16-19. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:40.160 Who rises up for me 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.980 against the wicked? 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:42.279 Who stands up for me 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:43.279 against the evildoers? 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.220 If the Lord had not been my help, 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.759 my soul would have lived 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.680 in the land of silence. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.539 When I thought, 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.960 my foot slips, 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.539 your steadfast love 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.420 held me up. 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.860 When the cares of my heart 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.200 are many, 00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:55.580 your consolations cheer 00:17:55.580 --> 00:17:56.900 my soul. 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:57.779 Verse 22, 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:59.000 but the Lord has become 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.460 my refuge 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.940 and the rock 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:03.420 of my refuge, 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.440 my stronghold. 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:07.539 So we see that God's care, 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:09.319 His goodness to His people. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:11.299 And He does it in surprising ways. 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.879 These might be not ways 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:14.259 that you would think about God 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.420 caring for His people, 00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:17.019 but it is in fact 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.079 what the psalmist grabs onto. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.799 In verse 12, 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.559 He says, 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.619 blessed is the man 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.799 whom you discipline. 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:25.200 An evidence of God's care 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.799 for His people 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.659 is discipline. 00:18:27.419 --> 00:18:28.139 I'm sure you can think 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:28.659 of a passage 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.399 in the New Testament 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:30.200 that teaches this, 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:31.460 Hebrews chapter 12, 00:18:31.879 --> 00:18:32.559 that teaches us 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:35.259 that God loves His children 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.700 and He disciplines us. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.619 One of the ways 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:38.599 that shows that He actually 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.379 cares for us 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.399 is He doesn't let us 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:41.299 ruin our lives 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.419 and the life of everybody else. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:44.059 He cares for us 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.960 and disciplines us 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.819 like a loving 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.019 and faithful father. 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:47.899 And that's what the psalmist 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.680 is grabbing onto. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.440 Blessed is the man 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.279 whom you discipline, 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.940 even Himself. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.160 And then He teaches us. 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:54.819 Verse 12, 00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.660 the second half of it, 00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.759 He teaches us 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.660 out of His law. 00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:58.960 He teaches us 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.799 from the Scriptures. 00:18:59.940 --> 00:19:01.319 These are good gifts of God. 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:03.220 These consolations of God. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:04.339 Verse 13, 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:05.579 He gives rest 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.799 in the days of trouble. 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:08.759 Those who are weary 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.619 and heavy laden, 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.779 He gives rest 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.839 for their souls. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.599 Here in anticipation 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:14.720 through the pages of Scripture, 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.420 but ultimately 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.480 in Jesus Christ 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.299 He gives us rest. 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.759 He's also faithful. 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.240 Verse 14, 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:21.980 you will not forsake 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.440 His people. 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.259 This is the consolation 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.460 as He's dealing 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:27.240 with this swelling concern. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.279 He's reminding Himself, 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.720 God loves me. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.180 He disciplines me 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.359 because I am a son. 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:34.019 He teaches me His law. 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:35.279 He gives me rest. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.700 He's faithful. 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.379 He will not forsake me. 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.139 Even verse 15, 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.500 justice will return 00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.180 to the righteous. 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:45.559 He will vindicate you. 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.460 He's reminded 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.700 that God's going to care 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.660 for His people 00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:50.140 and absolutely vindicate Him. 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.259 Verse 16, 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.620 He defends His people. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.940 Who will rise up 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.800 for me against the wicked? 00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:56.620 Who stands up for me 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.500 against evildoers? 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.060 The answer is God. 00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.360 God will do this. 00:20:01.300 --> 00:20:02.779 See how He's consoling Himself 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.600 upon God. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.560 It's as if His soul 00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:06.100 is restless, 00:20:06.300 --> 00:20:07.720 but He's laying upon 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:09.040 the pillow 00:20:09.040 --> 00:20:10.220 of God's character 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.500 and He's being consoled 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:11.800 and saying, 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.519 this is who God is. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.440 this is what I need 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:14.859 to remember. 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.680 He's being brought back 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.240 to health 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:19.279 through His contemplation 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.839 of God. 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.619 Verse 17, 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.339 If the Lord had not been 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:22.839 my help, 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:24.480 my soul would have lived 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.339 in the land of silence. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.559 He's reminding Himself 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.799 that God has helped him. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.680 Has God helped you? 00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:33.079 Has God been your defense? 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.980 Has God proven 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.259 His faithfulness to you? 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.940 Has God given you rest? 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.059 Has He taught you 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.680 from His Word? 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:41.059 Has He disciplined you? 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.299 Then verse 18, 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:44.899 He's the sustainer. 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:46.119 When I thought my foot slips, 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.220 your steadfast love, 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.740 O Lord, 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.399 held me up. 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.460 We're basically like, 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.819 we're like toddlers 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.740 walking on ice. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.019 And God is like 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.799 the loving Father 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.480 with His arms 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.720 underneath our arms 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:59.319 helping us to move. 00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:01.339 We'll make a hash 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:01.940 of everything. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.799 But God is faithful. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.480 And He's being reminded 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:06.720 that I didn't slip 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:08.079 not because I'm so good, 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.440 but because God is so good. 00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.419 And because He's so faithful. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.039 The consolations 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.579 of God 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:15.099 are cheering His soul. 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:17.000 And then verse 19, 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.899 He's the consoler. 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:21.240 When the cares of my heart 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.639 are many, 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.619 your consolations 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:23.659 cheer my soul. 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:25.259 They console 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.960 like a crying baby 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.180 that's been consoled 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.799 and cared for 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.379 by her mother. 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.119 That is the psalmist. 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.619 And even further, 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.680 you have God's character. 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.960 He's no ally of the wicked. 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.899 He will never partner 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:38.599 with lawless. 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.740 It says in verse 20, 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:40.799 the wicked rulers 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.099 cannot be allied with you. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.279 He's a refuge 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:44.919 for His people. 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.619 Verse 22, 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.919 the Lord has become 00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:48.219 my stronghold 00:21:48.219 --> 00:21:49.339 and the refuge. 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:51.019 My refuge. 00:21:51.439 --> 00:21:52.359 And He's the judge. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.179 He is going to vindicate 00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:54.699 His character. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:55.359 Verse 23, 00:21:55.439 --> 00:21:56.480 He will bring back on them 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.359 their iniquity. 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.179 He will wipe them out 00:21:58.179 --> 00:21:58.980 for their wickedness. 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.259 There are limitations 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.319 to human justice, 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:03.059 but there is no limitation 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:04.139 to divine justice. 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.680 Everyone will stand 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.860 before Almighty God, 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.360 the judge, 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.120 and give an account. 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:09.440 You can take it to the bank. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.640 He will vindicate 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.620 His righteousness 00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.620 and judgment. 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.600 You may not see them 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:15.820 judged in this life, 00:22:16.280 --> 00:22:17.660 but you will see them 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:19.040 judged in the age to come. 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.960 And that should console you 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.780 when you see evil people, 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.080 wicked people, 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.700 people who do great harm 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.180 to people, 00:22:26.280 --> 00:22:27.300 oppressed and injustice 00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:28.380 and hurt people, 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:30.080 go through life 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:31.240 and seemingly get off 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.920 scot-free. 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:34.340 They don't get off scot-free. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.740 They will stand before 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.800 an Almighty judge 00:22:36.800 --> 00:22:38.060 and that consoles 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:39.019 the psalmist. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.500 It's not that God 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.160 has forgotten. 00:22:41.560 --> 00:22:42.259 It's that God 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.960 is forbearing. 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.400 And there is a time 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:45.480 coming when He will 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.500 judge everyone. 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.820 And that reminds them 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:49.460 that God is good. 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.360 So you have the blessing 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:51.200 of divine care 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:52.100 for Him individually. 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.779 You have the blessing 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.080 of God's character. 00:22:55.600 --> 00:22:56.279 And so in the midst 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.620 of this whole season 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.360 where He's working 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.560 through this difficulty, 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.660 He's reminded 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:03.120 that the preciousness 00:23:03.120 --> 00:23:04.580 of God's consolations 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:07.460 is not in the absence 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.960 of difficulty 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.340 but in the promises 00:23:10.340 --> 00:23:10.840 of God. 00:23:12.040 --> 00:23:12.500 See, listen, 00:23:12.620 --> 00:23:14.120 we oftentimes think 00:23:14.120 --> 00:23:16.320 that if things are difficult, 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.500 that means that God 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.180 is angry. 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:21.400 Or if things are hard, 00:23:21.540 --> 00:23:22.380 that means things 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:23.240 are not going the way 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.180 they should be going. 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.279 That's because we like 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.240 things to go easy 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.360 and we want things 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.380 to be comfortable. 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:31.320 But we just have to look 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:32.340 at the Lord Jesus Christ 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:33.260 and know that that's not 00:23:33.260 --> 00:23:34.060 the way it works 00:23:34.060 --> 00:23:35.160 even for the faithful. 00:23:36.020 --> 00:23:36.380 Oftentimes, 00:23:36.780 --> 00:23:38.240 difficulty comes to us 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.920 for the purpose 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:41.140 of strengthening us 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.800 and making us 00:23:41.800 --> 00:23:42.580 more like Christ. 00:23:42.780 --> 00:23:44.420 To endure suffering well. 00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:45.840 The psalmist would not 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.380 have known God's consolations 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:49.100 if he had not felt 00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:50.340 the provocations 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.080 around him 00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:53.640 and the roaring sea within. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.260 He's brought to be 00:23:56.260 --> 00:23:57.220 consoled by God 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.079 because his soul 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:59.279 is disquieted 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.100 in the midst 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:01.380 of difficulty. 00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:03.019 In other words, 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.779 your comfort in this world 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.779 is not primarily 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.940 an easy path 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.940 but a faithful God. 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:12.039 Your consolation 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.079 is God himself, 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.880 not an easy life. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.279 If you're equating 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.160 God's love for you 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:18.779 with the absence 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.480 of difficulty, 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.960 you end up distorting 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.799 what the Bible says 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.360 about God 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:22.920 and what it says 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.579 about us. 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:25.500 And if we do so, 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.439 even subtly, 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.500 we are nibbling 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.159 at the hook 00:24:28.159 --> 00:24:29.579 of the prosperity gospel 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:31.099 which teaches 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:32.500 that this life 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.220 is all about 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.539 our personal prosperity 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.919 and if we don't 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.879 experience that, 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.659 there's something wrong 00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:39.019 with God or us. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:41.279 That's a lie from hell. 00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:43.599 Look at Jesus 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.859 and see what he went through. 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:46.059 We know that he was 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:47.139 the most faithful man 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:48.159 who ever lives. 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.519 Think of the hymn, 00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.159 Fear not, 00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.059 I am with thee, 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.399 O be not dismayed, 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:54.320 for I am thy God 00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:55.860 and will still give thee aid. 00:24:56.280 --> 00:24:57.259 I'll strengthen thee, 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.540 help thee, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.540 and cause thee to stand 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:02.900 upheld by my righteous, 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.420 omnipotent hand. 00:25:04.800 --> 00:25:05.700 He's with us 00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.720 in the midst of it. 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:09.759 It wasn't ease 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.680 that made him smile, 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.400 but God's preciousness 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.120 to him. 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.580 Remember Herod 00:25:15.580 --> 00:25:17.759 in Acts chapter 12, 00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:19.019 he was scared 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.100 sitting on his throne, 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:22.639 but the apostle Paul 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.359 and Silas 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.759 were singing in prison. 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.599 On the one hand, 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.839 Herod had a guilty conscience 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:30.019 and he was terrified. 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:32.559 Paul and Silas 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:35.719 had a clean conscience 00:25:35.719 --> 00:25:37.619 and they were rejoicing. 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:40.339 It's all about your respect 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.279 to God 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.740 one way or the other. 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.579 So what are some 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.379 practical examples? 00:25:44.459 --> 00:25:45.480 Let's just think about this. 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.539 How do you practically 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.179 do this? 00:25:47.199 --> 00:25:48.179 How do you take this medicine 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.180 on the day-to-day? 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.420 How do you do that? 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:52.039 We don't want to let anxiety 00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.880 or fear live rent-free 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.460 in our head 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.759 where we're just constantly 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:58.000 going in this place 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:59.860 of anxiety and fear 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:01.820 and this constant 00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:05.140 swelling concerns 00:26:05.140 --> 00:26:05.759 of our hearts. 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:06.700 We want to be the landlord 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.360 of our mind. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.180 We want to take 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:09.259 every thought captive 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.840 as 2 Corinthians chapter 10 00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:11.799 verse 5 says 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.960 in obedience to Christ. 00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.560 Take every example 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:16.279 you can think of 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.779 and take it 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.960 in obedience to Christ. 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:20.100 Is there suffering? 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.500 Take it into 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.360 obedience with Christ. 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:23.940 Think of this 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.560 the whole COVID crisis. 00:26:26.560 --> 00:26:27.900 What is the root concern 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.940 that everybody has? 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.259 The root concern 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.340 is not contracting 00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:32.980 the virus. 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:34.779 The root concern 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.620 why people are 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.460 freaking out 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.259 and so upset 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:39.080 is people are scared 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:39.600 to die. 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.259 That's the issue. 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.640 We're scared to die 00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:44.519 as a people. 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:46.100 That's enslavement 00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:47.480 to a fear of death. 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.460 Hebrews chapter 2 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.460 tells us that 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:51.480 in verses 14 through 18. 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.240 But the reality is 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.980 for the Christian 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:57.759 he says that he has 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:59.519 freed us 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.920 from slavery 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.460 to a fear of death 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.640 through Jesus Christ. 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.380 Or anxiety 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.099 about the future. 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:08.200 We trust in God 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.960 who's in control. 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.480 Jesus tells his followers 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:12.440 in Matthew chapter 6 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:13.680 basically take a walk 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.440 and look at the birds. 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.740 see them neither 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.140 laboring or toiling 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.779 but they're fed. 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.440 God knows how to 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.100 take care of the birds. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:21.059 He can take care of you. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:23.360 Is it grief or sadness? 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.000 Remember that this God 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:26.799 according to Psalm 56 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.539 verse 8 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:29.000 he puts our tears 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.799 in his bottle. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.940 He doesn't have a literal 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.860 bottle where he catches 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:32.340 our tears 00:27:32.340 --> 00:27:33.259 but it's a way of 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.000 communicating that 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.140 God is near to you 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.480 in the midst of your sorrow 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.820 gathering up your tears. 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.160 He loves you 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.000 and cares for you. 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.920 This is our God. 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:44.620 Is it doubt 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.500 over your own acceptance 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.080 with God? 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.759 Is that the cause 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.620 of the anxiety? 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.680 Do you believe 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.680 in the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.100 Have you trusted in him? 00:27:55.800 --> 00:27:56.600 Is he your Savior 00:27:56.600 --> 00:27:57.060 and Lord? 00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.539 Then he's yours. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.000 He's your Lord. 00:28:00.080 --> 00:28:01.160 He's your Savior. 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:02.700 If you trusted in him 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:04.060 if you turned from your sin 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:05.259 your sin is gone. 00:28:06.320 --> 00:28:07.259 And listen to Romans 8 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:08.320 trying to nail this down 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:08.700 for us 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:10.200 verses 31 through 34 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.920 what shall we say 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.460 to these things? 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.680 If God is for us 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:14.019 who can be against us? 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.579 He who did not 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.380 spare his own son 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.500 but gave him up for us all 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.480 how will he also 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.279 not with him 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.420 graciously give us 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.940 all things? 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.299 Who will bring a charge 00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.200 against God's elect? 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.819 It is God who justifies. 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.660 Who's there to condemn? 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.759 Christ Jesus 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.680 is the one who died. 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.319 More than that 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:29.240 who was raised? 00:28:29.600 --> 00:28:30.559 Who is at the right hand 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.900 interceding for us? 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.819 As the hymn writer says 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.519 that soul 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.500 that on Jesus 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.799 has leaned for repose 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.860 I will not 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:38.640 I will not 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:40.299 desert to his foes. 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.220 That soul 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.980 though all hell 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:43.119 should endeavor to shake 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.059 I will never 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.859 no never 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:45.700 no never 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.539 forsake. 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:48.599 That soul 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.839 that leans upon Christ 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:52.799 will never forsake. 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.159 So isolate 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:55.299 the source fear 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.259 that is causing 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.839 the raging concerns 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:59.799 and take the proper medicine 00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:01.279 the divine consolation 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.579 find your rest 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.339 in God. 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:04.940 And then we see 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.480 the results 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:07.480 the prognosis 00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:09.360 personal contentment. 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.680 You see swelling concerns 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:14.240 you see divine consolations 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.940 and then finally 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.539 personal contentment. 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:19.299 What I think is so interesting here 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.900 is that most of our concerns 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.660 that you and I have 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:24.519 are external to us. 00:29:24.860 --> 00:29:26.120 We worry about all kinds of things 00:29:26.120 --> 00:29:26.860 of natural life 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:27.640 and that's fine 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.079 that's right 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.460 God cares about these things 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.539 but the solution 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.440 to dealing with 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.420 most of our concerns 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.660 is internal. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:36.759 God works from the inside out. 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.160 The medicine is applied 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:38.840 to the heart 00:29:38.840 --> 00:29:39.500 the soul. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.420 It's the storm 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:42.160 on the inside 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:43.400 that needs quieting 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.019 first 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.200 before the outside. 00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:47.100 Just like the sea of Galilee 00:29:47.100 --> 00:29:48.160 Jesus speaks a word 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:48.660 of peace 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.640 to our hearts. 00:29:50.120 --> 00:29:50.900 You see the phrase 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.660 in verse 19 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:53.240 when the cares of my heart 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.840 are many 00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:55.420 your consolations 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.259 cheer 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.800 my soul. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:58.980 This word 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.500 cheer 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.340 means to delight 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:01.220 or have pleasure. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.460 It expresses refreshment 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.019 and satisfaction 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.100 it's another word 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:05.880 for contentment. 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.819 It's even used 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:09.220 in Isaiah 66 12 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.920 to describe the care 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.620 that a mother 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:13.880 provides to a restless child. 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:16.660 Listen to Isaiah 66 12 and 13 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:18.759 For thus says the Lord 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:20.460 Behold I will extend 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.240 peace to her 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.019 that is his people 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.880 like a river 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.460 in the glory of the nations 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.860 like an overflowing stream 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.779 and you shall nurse 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.160 and you shall be carried 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:29.160 upon her hip 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.140 and bounced on her knee 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:30.740 that is the word 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.100 cheered 00:30:31.100 --> 00:30:32.380 bounced upon her knees 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.600 as one whom the mother 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.140 comforts 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:35.100 so I will comfort you 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:36.380 you shall be comforted 00:30:36.380 --> 00:30:37.120 in Jerusalem. 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:38.440 This is how God 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:39.500 deals with his people. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.460 In the midst of 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.440 swelling concerns 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:43.800 the divine consolations 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:45.100 cheer the soul 00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:46.440 like a baby's 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.900 crying eyes 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.900 go to laughing 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.700 on the mother's 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.500 bouncing knee. 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.560 The look of affirmation 00:30:52.560 --> 00:30:53.320 love 00:30:53.320 --> 00:30:54.020 care 00:30:54.020 --> 00:30:54.720 acceptance 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:56.340 providing love 00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:57.280 and just 00:30:57.280 --> 00:30:58.400 being close 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:59.200 to one's mother 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:01.080 takes the swelling 00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:01.680 concerns 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.759 to cheer 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.559 and that's what Isaiah 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:03.920 is saying 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.640 look at a mother 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.900 console her child 00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:06.380 and see 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:07.660 that's how God's 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:08.380 consolations 00:31:08.380 --> 00:31:09.980 cheer his people. 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:11.000 This is how God 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.779 deals with us. 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:13.580 This is superior 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:14.100 comfort 00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.900 to our 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:16.200 issues. 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.420 See food 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.480 may nourish the body 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:21.000 wine 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.940 can cheer the heart 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:23.059 music 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:23.580 soothes 00:31:23.580 --> 00:31:24.080 the ear 00:31:24.080 --> 00:31:25.100 art 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:25.940 can captivate 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.480 the eyes 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.380 sleep 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:27.900 refreshes 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.360 the body 00:31:28.360 --> 00:31:29.519 but the only 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:29.960 thing 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:31.400 that consoles 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.160 the heart 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:32.820 and soul 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.080 is the 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:34.660 consolation 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.100 of God. 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.220 That's the only 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:36.519 thing 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.880 that ultimately 00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:38.840 brings rest. 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:40.660 And you know 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.340 if we think about 00:31:41.340 --> 00:31:42.400 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:44.540 we could see him 00:31:44.540 --> 00:31:45.360 in the midst 00:31:45.360 --> 00:31:46.100 of this verse 00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:47.620 when the cares 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.220 of his heart 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.740 were many 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:50.720 your consolations 00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.200 cheered 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.500 his soul. 00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.740 Do you remember 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.460 Jesus in the 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.380 garden of Gethsemane? 00:31:56.300 --> 00:31:56.860 There when he 00:31:56.860 --> 00:31:57.600 told his disciples 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.099 to pray 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:59.259 and he goes 00:31:59.259 --> 00:31:59.839 and he said 00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.299 his soul 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:01.779 was distressed 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.419 and dispirited 00:32:02.419 --> 00:32:02.879 to the point 00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.240 of death 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.839 and he fell 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.459 upon the ground 00:32:04.459 --> 00:32:05.099 and he pleaded 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:05.839 with his father 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:07.139 pleading with him 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:08.179 to take the cup 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:08.679 of wrath 00:32:08.679 --> 00:32:09.639 which was going 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.279 to be the judgment 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.299 upon our sin 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:11.980 which he was going 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:12.399 to bear. 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.559 He said 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.500 if it is your will 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.240 will you allow 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:15.799 this cup 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:16.799 to pass for me? 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.139 Nevertheless 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:19.379 not my will 00:32:19.379 --> 00:32:20.339 but your will 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:20.919 be done. 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.500 In the midst 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.379 of great agony 00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:24.039 in the garden 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.179 Jesus is faced 00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:25.779 with the agony 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.359 of the cup 00:32:26.359 --> 00:32:27.819 but his consolation 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.879 is ultimately 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.460 in the will 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.899 of God 00:32:29.899 --> 00:32:30.599 and nevertheless 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.859 not my will 00:32:31.859 --> 00:32:32.799 but your will 00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:33.319 be done. 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.359 He rests 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:35.359 in God's will 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:36.220 in his character 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:37.779 as the swelling 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.899 concerns of his heart 00:32:38.899 --> 00:32:39.440 were many 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:40.980 he was cheered 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.639 even by the will 00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:43.039 of God 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.039 and that's what 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:44.660 we end up reading 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:46.279 in verses 1 and 2 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.759 of Hebrew. 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.779 Look to the Jesus 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.420 the founder 00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.079 and perfecter 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.619 of our faith 00:32:50.619 --> 00:32:51.139 for the joy 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.639 that was set 00:32:51.639 --> 00:32:52.160 before him 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:53.000 endured the cross 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.440 despised the shame 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.579 and is seated 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.279 at the right hand 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.700 of God. 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:58.700 Jesus is the model 00:32:58.700 --> 00:33:00.819 of being consoled 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.400 by God 00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:01.880 and the joy 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:02.619 set before him. 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.640 He's also the motivation 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:05.579 for us to live 00:33:05.579 --> 00:33:06.099 in that way. 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.619 We look at Jesus 00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:08.539 the one who lived 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.000 for us 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:10.019 died for us 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.680 and was raised 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.400 on the third day 00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:12.500 and we see him 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:13.039 in the way 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:14.079 that he bore up 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:15.880 under such anguish 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.920 and we're reminded 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:18.259 that God cares for us 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.099 because of what Christ 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:19.579 has done 00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.700 and we find ourselves 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.619 clinging to him. 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:23.279 He is the consoler 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.379 for the weary soul. 00:33:24.699 --> 00:33:25.959 We find our rest 00:33:25.959 --> 00:33:26.519 in him. 00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:27.779 We can be content 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:29.159 in God 00:33:29.159 --> 00:33:30.179 because he supplies 00:33:30.179 --> 00:33:30.839 our need. 00:33:31.699 --> 00:33:32.199 So in the midst 00:33:32.199 --> 00:33:33.259 of a pandemic 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.019 of fear, 00:33:34.179 --> 00:33:34.659 anxiety, 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.399 and uncertainty 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:37.339 the soul's medicine 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:39.139 is God himself. 00:33:40.219 --> 00:33:41.479 His consolations 00:33:41.479 --> 00:33:43.439 cheer our soul. 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:44.819 So I trust 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:45.379 that today 00:33:45.379 --> 00:33:46.099 and this week 00:33:46.099 --> 00:33:46.579 in the midst 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:49.099 of constant alerts, 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:50.879 bad news, 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:52.180 difficult phone calls, 00:33:52.860 --> 00:33:53.700 tough conversations, 00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:55.560 personal, 00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:56.800 spiritual, 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:57.780 relational, 00:33:58.340 --> 00:33:59.220 physical issues, 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:01.500 that your reflex 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.400 is going to be 00:34:02.400 --> 00:34:03.880 to worry 00:34:03.880 --> 00:34:04.520 and to be filled 00:34:04.520 --> 00:34:05.240 with anxiety 00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:06.020 and just march 00:34:06.020 --> 00:34:06.500 and step 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.220 with everyone else 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.660 that's filled 00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.380 with anxiety. 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.599 But I trust 00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.740 that you may remember 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.700 by God's grace 00:34:11.700 --> 00:34:12.720 the kindness 00:34:12.720 --> 00:34:13.579 of the Holy Spirit 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:15.039 if you be reminded 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:15.820 of this verse 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:17.380 that when the cares 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.059 of my heart 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.579 are many, 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:21.400 your consolations 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.559 cheer my soul. 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:24.279 Your soul 00:34:24.279 --> 00:34:25.099 can be cheered 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:27.500 by divine consolations. 00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.779 May God 00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:29.719 be pleased 00:34:29.719 --> 00:34:30.440 to make that so 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:30.960 this week 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.960 for all of us. 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:32.759 Let's pray. 00:34:32.759 --> 00:34:32.799 Let's pray. 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:45.580 Our Father, 00:34:45.680 --> 00:34:46.700 we are very needy 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.380 people 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:51.019 and we thank you 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:53.280 that our neediness 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:55.519 finds your sufficiency. 00:34:56.560 --> 00:34:57.660 Everything we need 00:34:57.660 --> 00:34:58.300 and we lack 00:34:58.300 --> 00:34:59.600 you have provided 00:34:59.600 --> 00:35:00.580 for us in Christ. 00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:00.699 Christ. 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:02.860 And so we thank you 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:04.599 for your wonderful grace, 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:06.259 your patience, 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.239 and your mercy. 00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:09.340 And we do pray 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:10.019 that in the midst 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.719 of this time 00:35:10.719 --> 00:35:11.360 in particular 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:13.219 that we would find 00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:14.119 ourselves resting 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.719 upon you 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.860 and your consolations, 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.239 your character 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.139 and your commitment 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:19.019 to your people. 00:35:20.739 --> 00:35:21.299 Forgive us 00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:21.799 for the ways 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:22.719 in which we turn away 00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:24.840 and we reflect 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.519 the old nature 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:28.079 and demonstrate 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:29.039 an unbelief 00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.920 and a lack of faith. 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.519 We pray that we 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:31.980 would wear out 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:32.559 a new path, 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.279 one that goes back 00:35:33.279 --> 00:35:33.820 to Christ 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:34.279 and we find 00:35:34.279 --> 00:35:35.039 our rest in Him, 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:36.300 the one who is gentle 00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:36.880 and lowly 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.159 and humble 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:39.779 and welcomes us 00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:40.739 with a light burden 00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:41.320 and a yoke 00:35:41.320 --> 00:35:42.099 that is easy 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:43.199 to give rest 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:43.960 for our souls. 00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:45.539 I pray that we 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.039 would rejoice 00:35:46.039 --> 00:35:47.219 in our Lord Jesus Christ 00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:47.940 and we would cling 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.579 to your Word. 00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:50.500 And I pray, Lord, 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.099 for this church, 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:51.820 Trinity Cambridge, 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:52.880 that you would use 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:54.699 the people of this church 00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:55.659 to be an encouragement 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:56.360 to one another, 00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:57.519 to remind one another, 00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:58.460 to speak the truth 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:58.980 and love, 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.679 reminding each other 00:36:00.679 --> 00:36:02.179 of the divine consolations, 00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:04.039 to cheer the souls 00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:04.519 in the midst 00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.480 of swelling concerns. 00:36:06.119 --> 00:36:06.539 And I pray 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.539 for a faithful witness 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:08.340 to those outside 00:36:08.340 --> 00:36:08.860 of Christ 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.480 in the church 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:12.000 to speak the good word 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.659 of the gospel 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:14.099 where one might find 00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:15.500 hope and peace 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:16.320 in the midst 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.019 of their own 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:18.720 swelling concerns. 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.460 Thank you 00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:20.780 for your sufficiency 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:21.860 in the midst 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.659 of our weakness. 00:36:23.240 --> 00:36:23.599 Thank you 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.300 for your love 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:25.159 in the midst 00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:25.960 of our great need. 00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.500 We pray 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:27.420 in Jesus' name. 00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.440 Amen.