WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.419 which probably is the earliest of Paul's letters. 00:00:03.140 --> 00:00:06.640 1 Thessalonians, and we'll read from chapter 4, verse 13, 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.740 down to the end of verse 11 in chapter 5. 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:16.019 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:19.440 or to grieve like the rest of men who have no hope. 00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:22.620 We believe that Jesus died and rose again, 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:26.839 and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:29.100 those who have fallen asleep in him. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.620 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you 00:00:32.620 --> 00:00:37.120 that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:40.660 will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 00:00:41.320 --> 00:00:45.079 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, 00:00:45.480 --> 00:00:48.659 with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, 00:00:48.939 --> 00:00:51.420 and the dead in Christ will rise first. 00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:55.340 After that, we who are still alive and are left 00:00:55.340 --> 00:00:58.340 will be caught up together with them in the clouds 00:00:58.340 --> 00:01:00.020 to meet the Lord in the air. 00:01:00.520 --> 00:01:03.080 And so we will be with the Lord forever. 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:06.359 Therefore, encourage each other with these words. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:09.079 Now, brothers, about time and dates, 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:10.659 we do not need to write to you, 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:14.359 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come, 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:15.800 like a thief in the night. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:18.580 While people are saying peace and safety, 00:01:19.120 --> 00:01:21.300 destruction will come on them suddenly, 00:01:21.300 --> 00:01:24.080 as labor pains on a pregnant woman, 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:25.980 and they will not escape. 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:28.579 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, 00:01:28.579 --> 00:01:33.200 so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:37.799 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. 00:01:38.259 --> 00:01:40.759 We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:44.159 So then let us not be like others who are asleep, 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:46.319 but let us be alert and self-controlled. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:48.819 For those who sleep, sleep at night, 00:01:49.039 --> 00:01:51.200 and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:53.280 But since we belong to the day, 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:55.219 let us be self-controlled, 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:57.760 putting on faith and love as a breastplate, 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:00.719 and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:04.280 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, 00:02:04.560 --> 00:02:08.360 but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:10.340 He died for us so that, 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:12.420 whether we are awake or asleep, 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:15.080 we may live together with him. 00:02:15.740 --> 00:02:18.340 Therefore, encourage one another 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:20.400 and build each other up, 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:23.280 just as, in fact, you are doing. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:24.800 Amen. 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:26.960 And may God add his own blessing 00:02:26.960 --> 00:02:29.300 to this reading of his word. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:31.900 Let's join our hearts together in prayer. 00:02:31.900 --> 00:02:31.920 Let's join our hearts together in prayer. 00:02:31.920 --> 00:02:31.939 Let's join our hearts together in prayer. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:31.960 Let's join our hearts together in prayer. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:32.000 Let's join our hearts together in prayer. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:35.599 To the book of Psalms and to chapter 72. 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:40.319 And we will look particularly at the first verse, 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:42.099 where we read, 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:44.719 Endow the King with your justice, O God, 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:48.859 the Royal Son with your righteousness. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:53.780 Now, on this, the first Lord's Day of the New Year, 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:57.180 I want to suggest to you that Psalm 72, 00:02:57.359 --> 00:02:58.539 this particular psalm, 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:02.319 presents us with a prayer for this year, 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:04.939 as it does indeed present us with a prayer 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:06.400 for every New Year. 00:03:07.219 --> 00:03:09.539 You might wonder why a psalm like this, 00:03:09.539 --> 00:03:14.199 which was written approximately 3,000 years ago, 00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:17.139 has something to say to us today. 00:03:18.500 --> 00:03:21.399 This ancient psalm is very modern 00:03:21.399 --> 00:03:22.699 and very relevant. 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:26.099 The unique value of the psalms 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:28.560 is that they have served the people of God 00:03:28.560 --> 00:03:32.919 as prayers and as songs of praise over millennia. 00:03:34.019 --> 00:03:36.280 We continue in our worship. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:39.079 The tradition of praise and prayer 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:42.660 extending centuries into the past. 00:03:44.160 --> 00:03:46.120 Walter Brueggemann, an American scholar, 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:48.240 has said that the book of Psalms 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:49.920 is the prayer book of humanity. 00:03:51.200 --> 00:03:56.000 And that's why psalms feature in our worship 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:58.700 as we meet together week by week 00:03:58.700 --> 00:04:01.200 and Sunday by Sunday. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:05.879 So this particular psalm offers us an anchor 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:08.739 at a time of considerable uncertainty 00:04:08.739 --> 00:04:10.560 in public life. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:13.179 And that's one of the reasons 00:04:13.179 --> 00:04:15.239 why I think it is very relevant for us 00:04:15.239 --> 00:04:17.000 at this particular point of time. 00:04:17.699 --> 00:04:20.439 Because as we look out in the culture in which we live, 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:25.279 we are indeed facing a great deal of uncertainty. 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:29.699 In this year, we enter 12 months 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:31.679 in which some very important decisions 00:04:31.679 --> 00:04:33.639 are due to be taken, 00:04:34.219 --> 00:04:37.359 which will likely influence our country 00:04:37.359 --> 00:04:40.059 and the United Kingdom for decades to come. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:45.160 And that's why the Psalms are so important 00:04:45.160 --> 00:04:48.480 as we seek to be oriented 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:50.800 as we look forward. 00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:54.120 We think of some of the events that are to come, 00:04:54.259 --> 00:04:57.279 like Brexit, which is due on the 29th of March, 00:04:57.639 --> 00:05:01.600 which will take Britain out of the European Union. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:04.780 And then, of course, there is the uncertainty 00:05:04.780 --> 00:05:08.100 which arises as a result of leaving the European Union 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:10.879 about our relationships with other countries, 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:12.560 particularly with the United States. 00:05:13.300 --> 00:05:14.980 The question that many people ask is, 00:05:15.200 --> 00:05:17.000 will the special relationship survive? 00:05:18.460 --> 00:05:20.420 Also, we've been aware of the fact 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:22.960 that concerns about plastics polluting 00:05:22.960 --> 00:05:24.140 the physical environment 00:05:24.140 --> 00:05:26.080 and entering the human food chain 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:32.180 are considered to be important today. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:35.859 And, of course, in our own domestic politics 00:05:35.859 --> 00:05:37.519 here in Scotland, 00:05:38.219 --> 00:05:40.839 there is the possibility of another referendum 00:05:40.839 --> 00:05:42.639 on independence, 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:45.360 which may not be far over the horizon, 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:48.779 which creates hope in some and fear in others. 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.839 And so it is not my task 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:53.599 or the task of any preacher of the gospel 00:05:53.599 --> 00:05:55.139 to give a personal opinion 00:05:55.139 --> 00:05:58.180 from the pulpit on the pros and cons 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:00.819 of these issues which I have mentioned. 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:03.740 It is our task, 00:06:03.919 --> 00:06:05.259 those of us who preach the gospel, 00:06:05.419 --> 00:06:07.079 to make clear that these issues 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:08.939 and other issues which concern us, 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:10.120 while important, 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:12.000 are not the most important. 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:15.279 And this psalm reminds us of that. 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:17.060 This psalm tells us 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:19.159 that the two most important issues 00:06:19.159 --> 00:06:20.839 facing our generation 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:22.620 and indeed every generation 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:25.180 are justice and righteousness. 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:28.439 Look again at the first verse of this psalm. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:30.340 Endow the king with your justice, 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:31.000 O God, 00:06:31.740 --> 00:06:32.660 the royal son, 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:34.680 with your righteousness. 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:37.180 And this psalm focuses particularly 00:06:37.840 --> 00:06:39.340 upon the justice 00:06:39.340 --> 00:06:40.399 and the righteousness 00:06:40.399 --> 00:06:42.220 of the king. 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:45.459 The superscription of this psalm 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:47.360 is of Solomon. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:48.540 However, 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:50.180 these words might equally 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:51.580 well be translated 00:06:51.580 --> 00:06:52.680 for Solomon 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:53.580 or to Solomon. 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:55.139 And the inclusion 00:06:55.139 --> 00:06:56.639 in the concluding verse 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:58.080 or in verse 20 00:06:58.080 --> 00:06:58.840 of the psalm 00:06:58.840 --> 00:07:00.879 that it is among 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:02.120 the prayers of David 00:07:02.120 --> 00:07:04.000 suggests that this psalm 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:05.139 may have been first offered 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:06.439 as a prayer by David 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:08.240 for his son Solomon 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:09.340 who would succeed him. 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:10.839 And this inclusion 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:12.119 in the Psalter suggests 00:07:12.119 --> 00:07:12.979 that this psalm 00:07:12.979 --> 00:07:14.979 may well have been prayed 00:07:14.979 --> 00:07:16.139 and sung 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.479 at the coronation 00:07:17.479 --> 00:07:19.219 of the successive kings 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.919 of the line of David 00:07:20.919 --> 00:07:22.939 in ancient Judah. 00:07:23.739 --> 00:07:25.339 The Bible, of course, 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:28.059 underlines the importance 00:07:28.059 --> 00:07:29.939 of civic rulers 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:32.759 reflecting in their governance 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:33.779 the key features 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:34.859 of God's rule 00:07:34.859 --> 00:07:35.819 over creation. 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:37.599 And these key features 00:07:37.599 --> 00:07:38.699 are God's justice 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:40.519 and God's righteousness. 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:42.819 And so this psalm 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.360 gives us a frame, 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:45.680 a framework 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:46.719 through which a lens, 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:47.680 through which we might 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:48.480 look forward 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:50.659 into this new year, 00:07:51.100 --> 00:07:51.759 into the year 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:53.379 in which we have just entered. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:55.959 So I want to suggest to you 00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:56.719 that this psalm 00:07:56.719 --> 00:07:57.579 is first of all 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:59.019 a prayer for today. 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:01.399 It is not a prayer 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:03.240 for yesterday, 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:04.579 it comes from yesterday, 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:05.859 but it is a prayer 00:08:05.859 --> 00:08:07.539 for today. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:09.419 And it is a prayer, 00:08:10.099 --> 00:08:11.300 first of all, 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:13.219 for the personal justice 00:08:13.219 --> 00:08:14.039 and righteousness 00:08:14.039 --> 00:08:15.699 of those who govern us. 00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:19.219 This psalm encourages us 00:08:19.219 --> 00:08:20.279 to pray that those 00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:20.939 who govern us 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:21.719 might recognize 00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:22.560 and acknowledge 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:24.379 that they need 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:25.319 the justice 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.680 and the righteousness 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:27.439 of God. 00:08:28.680 --> 00:08:29.959 And that they 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:31.519 can personally enter 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:32.319 into that 00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:33.460 a new relationship 00:08:33.460 --> 00:08:34.139 with God 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:36.180 which declares them 00:08:36.180 --> 00:08:36.920 to be righteous, 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:37.820 to be justified 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:39.680 by faith in Jesus. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:41.840 Like Solomon 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:43.340 and his successors, 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:45.019 they and we 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:46.060 all need 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:46.879 to receive 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:47.360 the gift 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:48.720 of God's righteousness. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:50.820 But the particular 00:08:50.820 --> 00:08:52.019 focus of this psalm, 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:52.540 I think, 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:54.540 is on public justice 00:08:54.540 --> 00:08:55.879 and public righteousness, 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:57.460 that justice 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:58.100 and righteousness 00:08:58.100 --> 00:08:59.139 may be established 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:01.300 in the public square. 00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:03.519 So this psalm 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:04.479 is not only a prayer 00:09:04.479 --> 00:09:05.019 that the king 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:06.019 might personally 00:09:06.019 --> 00:09:06.959 be in a right 00:09:06.959 --> 00:09:08.179 relationship with God, 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:09.839 but that he might 00:09:09.839 --> 00:09:11.279 govern with God's justice 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:12.759 and God's righteousness 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.199 as his lodestars. 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:16.419 So this psalm 00:09:16.419 --> 00:09:17.199 provides us 00:09:17.199 --> 00:09:17.979 with a vehicle 00:09:17.979 --> 00:09:18.740 or a framework 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.439 to pray 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:21.519 for our first minister, 00:09:21.799 --> 00:09:22.579 Nicola Sturgeon, 00:09:23.219 --> 00:09:24.319 for the prime minister, 00:09:24.479 --> 00:09:25.199 Theresa May, 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:27.279 for President Donald Trump, 00:09:27.979 --> 00:09:28.759 for President 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:30.460 Xi Jinping of China, 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:31.939 for Narendra Modi, 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:33.159 the prime minister of India, 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:35.659 for President Moon Jae-dun 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:36.919 in South Korea, 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:39.279 and whatever other country 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:40.259 may be represented 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:42.279 in our fellowship 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:42.980 this evening. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:44.980 This psalm 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.740 encourages us to pray 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.200 that these who lead 00:09:48.200 --> 00:09:49.299 the nations 00:09:49.299 --> 00:09:52.139 that have been referred to 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.240 might receive 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:54.559 the righteousness of Christ 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:55.259 and be brought 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.799 into a personal relationship 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.500 with God. 00:09:59.199 --> 00:09:59.699 And second, 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.059 this psalm 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:02.079 encourages us 00:10:02.079 --> 00:10:02.419 to pray 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:03.620 that they might promote 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:04.839 and practice 00:10:04.839 --> 00:10:06.779 social justice 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:07.939 in the society 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:08.899 they govern. 00:10:10.459 --> 00:10:11.199 And this psalm 00:10:11.199 --> 00:10:11.899 has a great deal 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:12.319 to say 00:10:12.319 --> 00:10:14.319 about just rule. 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:16.759 This psalm 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:17.299 is concerned 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:17.819 about those 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:18.639 who are afflicted 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:19.879 in verses 2 and 4, 00:10:20.459 --> 00:10:21.179 about those 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:21.759 who are needy 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:22.539 in verses 4, 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.639 12 and 13. 00:10:24.719 --> 00:10:25.439 It is concerned 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:26.080 that whoever 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:27.120 is king 00:10:27.120 --> 00:10:27.600 or whoever 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.400 is governing 00:10:28.400 --> 00:10:29.940 will care for them 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:31.360 and look after them. 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.300 And this psalm 00:10:33.300 --> 00:10:34.440 anticipates 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.080 in that sense 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:36.340 the ministry of Jesus 00:10:36.340 --> 00:10:38.100 because the ministry 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:38.660 of Jesus 00:10:38.660 --> 00:10:39.440 concerned 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:40.860 and focused 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.020 on those 00:10:42.020 --> 00:10:43.300 who were unjust, 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:44.160 upon those 00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:44.980 who were needy, 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:45.680 upon those 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:46.900 who were afflicted. 00:10:48.020 --> 00:10:48.400 Remember 00:10:48.400 --> 00:10:49.340 what John the Baptist, 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:50.760 when John the Baptist 00:10:50.760 --> 00:10:51.640 heard in prison 00:10:51.640 --> 00:10:52.880 of Jesus' ministry, 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.700 he sent his disciples 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:55.639 to ask, 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.080 are you the one 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:57.860 who is to come 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.539 or do we wait 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:59.019 for another? 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:01.559 Jesus answered them 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:03.759 with it Matthew tells us, 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.700 go and tell John 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:07.759 what you see 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:08.259 and hear. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.500 The blind receive 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.100 their sight, 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.399 the lame walk, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:12.659 the lepers are cleansed, 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:13.399 the deaf hear, 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:14.820 the dead are raised 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:15.360 and the poor 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:16.159 of the good news 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.000 brought to them. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.019 So Jesus fulfilled 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:21.019 the prayer 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.679 of Psalm 72 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:24.480 verses 12 to 13 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:26.960 where the coming king 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:27.519 will deliver 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:28.139 the needy 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.019 who cry out, 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.100 the afflicted 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:30.919 who have no one 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:31.439 to help. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:32.699 He will take pity 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:33.240 on the weak 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:33.819 and the needy 00:11:33.819 --> 00:11:34.840 and save the needy 00:11:34.840 --> 00:11:35.439 from death. 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:38.039 Verses 12 and 13. 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.759 And it's interesting 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:40.860 that in this psalm 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:41.879 which envisages 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.980 a reign of justice 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:44.799 that the natural environment 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:46.220 also flourishes. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:47.740 Grain abounds 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.480 and flourishes 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:49.500 throughout the land 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:50.919 and grows even 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:51.480 on the top 00:11:51.480 --> 00:11:52.259 of the hills. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:53.960 And so we might 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:54.620 ask ourselves 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.240 the question, 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.820 are we praying 00:11:56.820 --> 00:11:58.700 privately and publicly 00:11:58.700 --> 00:12:00.220 for those who govern us? 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:02.019 Do we pray for 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:06.679 those who take 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:07.279 the decisions, 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:08.879 who make the laws 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:09.860 in our land 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:11.200 and for those 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:11.879 who administer 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:14.519 these laws 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:16.340 in our localities? 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:18.120 Paul certainly 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.000 urges us 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.539 to do that. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.360 Remember what he said 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:20.940 to Timothy 00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:22.399 giving him advice 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.560 to the young pastor. 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:25.060 I urged then, 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:25.519 he said, 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:26.899 that all requests, 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:27.460 prayers, 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.320 intercessions 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:29.379 and thanksgivings 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.860 be made for everyone, 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:31.519 for kings 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.600 and those in authority, 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:34.159 that we may live 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:34.720 peaceable 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:35.720 and quiet lives 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:36.500 in all godliness 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.139 and holiness. 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:38.620 This is good 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.980 and pleases God 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:41.399 our Savior. 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.779 And Paul reminds us 00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:45.019 that in his lecture 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.539 to the Romans 00:12:45.539 --> 00:12:47.019 that the governing authorities 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:48.099 are the servants 00:12:48.099 --> 00:12:48.779 of God 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:51.500 and therefore 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.579 they are accountable 00:12:52.579 --> 00:12:53.259 to him. 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.039 John Calvin, 00:12:56.219 --> 00:12:56.779 the reformer 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.299 in Geneva, 00:12:58.039 --> 00:12:58.799 contended that 00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:00.199 to be a magistrate 00:13:00.199 --> 00:13:01.620 or to be a politician 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:02.759 as we would say today 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:04.000 is to embark 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.219 on one of the highest 00:13:05.219 --> 00:13:06.240 human callings. 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:08.419 We are to respect 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:09.399 and pray for those 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.059 who govern us 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:11.679 despite their failings. 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:13.439 Let's remember 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.620 that when Paul said 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:17.400 that those who govern 00:13:17.400 --> 00:13:19.640 are the servants of God 00:13:19.640 --> 00:13:23.200 that a dictator 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:25.020 was the emperor 00:13:25.020 --> 00:13:26.200 in Rome 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:29.080 and Calvin spoke about 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:29.680 the importance 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.720 of the magistrates. 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:31.780 He had his own battles 00:13:31.780 --> 00:13:32.700 with the town council 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:33.260 of Geneva 00:13:33.260 --> 00:13:35.240 yet both apostle 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:35.960 and reformer 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:36.640 recognized 00:13:36.640 --> 00:13:37.760 the God-given role 00:13:37.760 --> 00:13:38.720 of civil government 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:40.040 and made a point 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:40.700 of praying 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:41.940 for those 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:43.100 who governed them. 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:44.880 Therefore, 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.740 it's very important 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.400 for us 00:13:46.400 --> 00:13:47.520 to pray 00:13:47.520 --> 00:13:48.500 in public 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:49.380 and in private 00:13:49.380 --> 00:13:50.200 for the government 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:51.660 of Scotland, 00:13:52.280 --> 00:13:53.300 of the United Kingdom 00:13:53.300 --> 00:13:54.760 and for the governments 00:13:54.760 --> 00:13:55.960 of every nation 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:57.320 which is represented here 00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:58.460 indeed for all the governments 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.440 of the world. 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:01.400 It's also important 00:14:01.400 --> 00:14:02.020 for us to pray 00:14:02.020 --> 00:14:03.160 for local government. 00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:04.800 We should pray 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:06.760 for those governing authorities 00:14:06.760 --> 00:14:08.120 in other nations 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.920 represented here 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.659 especially when 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.919 vitally important matters 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.819 are being discussed 00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:15.439 and decided on. 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:18.199 So as we watch the news, 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:19.479 as we read the newspapers, 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:21.559 let's recognize 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:22.479 that we are not 00:14:22.479 --> 00:14:23.839 powerless spectators. 00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:25.639 God has given us 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.360 access into his presence 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:29.079 and he is the one 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.259 who ultimately 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.259 rules the world 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:33.579 and he is inviting us 00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:34.879 and indeed commanding us 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.860 to be involved, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.819 to be participants, 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:37.920 not spectators, 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.640 in what is happening 00:14:39.640 --> 00:14:41.580 in the wider society 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.980 and that's why 00:14:42.980 --> 00:14:43.680 it's so important 00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:45.160 that we bring 00:14:45.160 --> 00:14:46.660 before God 00:14:46.660 --> 00:14:48.520 those who lead us 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:49.680 as the psalmist here 00:14:49.680 --> 00:14:50.980 brings the king 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:52.260 before God 00:14:52.260 --> 00:14:53.900 and ask God 00:14:53.900 --> 00:14:54.780 to grant him 00:14:54.780 --> 00:14:56.180 his justice 00:14:56.180 --> 00:14:58.660 and his righteousness. 00:14:58.659 --> 00:15:04.179 And so we might 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.059 particularly pray 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:05.639 this week 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:06.860 for the members 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.439 of Parliament 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:08.379 as they debate 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.500 the future 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.559 relationship 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:12.059 of the United Kingdom 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:14.779 with the European Union. 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.179 Are we praying 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:18.240 for MSPs 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.639 in the Scottish Parliament 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:21.139 as they discuss 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.360 the constitutional future 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:22.899 of Scotland? 00:15:24.319 --> 00:15:25.620 Also we need to pray 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.459 for those who govern 00:15:26.459 --> 00:15:27.519 in other countries 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:29.500 are we praying 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.720 that God may endow them 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.699 with his justice 00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:32.639 and his righteousness 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.360 that they may care 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.199 for the least 00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:37.360 rather than grasp 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.480 for the most. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.600 And so I want to suggest 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.240 first of all 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.980 that this psalm 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.960 is a prayer 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:45.019 for today. 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.319 It's a prayer 00:15:47.319 --> 00:15:48.199 that is relevant. 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.500 It's a prayer 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.639 for 2019. 00:15:51.199 --> 00:15:51.819 Although it may be 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:53.159 3,000 years old 00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:55.879 it is more relevant 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:57.379 than anything 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.200 that you might read 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:58.820 in the newspaper 00:15:58.820 --> 00:16:00.279 or hear in television. 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:01.879 This psalm 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:02.799 provides us 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.639 with a prayer 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:07.220 to bring 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:08.220 before God 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.799 those who govern us. 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.259 But secondly 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.039 I want to suggest 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.799 that this psalm 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.379 is also a prayer 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.340 for tomorrow. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.159 A close examination 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.860 of the psalm 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.980 reveals that the focus 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.940 of the prayer 00:16:20.940 --> 00:16:21.679 of the psalm 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.820 extends to someone 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:24.000 greater than Solomon. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.720 Solomon greater 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.659 than any of his 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.360 successors 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:27.919 on the throne 00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:28.419 of Judah. 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.620 Solomon did not 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.919 rule through 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:32.820 all generations 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:33.940 as long as the sun 00:16:33.940 --> 00:16:34.759 and the moon exist 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.460 as the psalm 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.879 envisages in verse 5. 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.379 All nations 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.679 did not serve Solomon. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.299 He never attained 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:42.740 a just rule, 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:43.820 peace and dominion 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.379 to the ends 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:44.960 of the earth 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:47.039 and the endless reign 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:49.639 for which this psalm 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.240 prays. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.460 So this psalm 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:54.120 is more than a prayer 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.500 for the king of Israel. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.460 It is also by reference, 00:16:59.160 --> 00:17:00.460 also by inference 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.800 for all civil rulers. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.180 It is also a prophecy 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:05.340 about the king of kings. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.500 What was prayed 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.980 as a wish for Solomon 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:11.700 is prayed as a promise 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.380 concerning the king of kings, 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.759 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:16.100 who is the greater 00:17:16.100 --> 00:17:17.720 and the greatest son of David. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.600 He will reign 00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:20.700 through all generations. 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.279 His dominion 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.039 will extend 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.100 from sea to sea 00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:25.259 to the ends 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.779 of the earth. 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.360 He will be acknowledged 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:28.480 as the king of kings 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.940 and lord of lords. 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.460 All kings 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.240 and all rulers 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.580 will bow down to him 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:34.940 and all nations 00:17:34.940 --> 00:17:35.819 will serve him. 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.039 His name 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.059 will endure forever. 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.539 All nations 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.240 will be blessed 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.940 through him 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.799 and will call him 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.700 blessed. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:46.200 So this psalm 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.100 is both a prayer 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:48.039 for the king 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.700 and a prophecy 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:51.380 of the first 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:52.380 and second coming 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.559 of the king of kings 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:55.860 and lord of lords. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.600 And it's important 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.559 for us to recognize 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.340 when we pray 00:17:59.340 --> 00:18:01.720 for those who rule over us 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.580 in civic government 00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:04.160 that justice 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:04.860 and righteousness 00:18:04.860 --> 00:18:06.860 will be perfectly established 00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:09.819 only when Jesus Christ returns. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:13.000 after the last king 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.599 of Israel 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:15.379 died in Babylonian captivity 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:17.000 this psalm 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.839 was sung 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.439 and prayed 00:18:18.439 --> 00:18:19.799 by the people of God 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:20.439 with a focus 00:18:20.439 --> 00:18:21.679 on the coming Messiah. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.720 And so 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.779 this psalm 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.599 anticipates 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.599 not only the first 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.579 coming of Christ 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:29.019 as it does 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.039 in Matthew's allusion 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.839 in verse 11 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.460 to the 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:33.359 in his account 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.119 of the Magi 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:34.899 bringing gifts 00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.619 including gold 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.579 to the child Jesus. 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:38.179 It is also 00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:39.740 a focus 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:41.019 on the second coming 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.639 when Christ 00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.359 will reign 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.720 forever and ever 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.740 and the whole earth 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.019 will be filled 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.279 with his glory. 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:49.159 So at the beginning 00:18:49.159 --> 00:18:50.099 of 2019 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.319 we may ask ourselves 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.879 this very serious question 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:54.559 Are we praying 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.879 that Jesus might come 00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:57.759 in 2019? 00:18:59.939 --> 00:19:01.139 Are we saying 00:19:01.139 --> 00:19:02.559 as the early church said 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:04.019 come Lord? 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:06.759 Are we anticipating 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.359 that this may be 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.039 the year 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:10.299 in which 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:12.400 the Lord Jesus Christ 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.879 might return? 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:16.420 Or would we prepare 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.359 his coming 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.180 to wait a little 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.180 longer? 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:21.839 Might his coming 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.740 be inconvenient 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.379 to us 00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:24.339 and to our priorities 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:25.339 and to our activities? 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.539 This psalm 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.500 is challenging us 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:28.879 because 00:19:28.879 --> 00:19:30.099 in this psalm 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:30.819 as we sing it 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.700 as we pray it 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.819 we are praying 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.919 that the king of kings 00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:34.679 may come 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:36.819 and that if we pray 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.899 this psalm with faith 00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:39.240 we will expect him 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.740 to come. 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.019 And so this psalm 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.599 is a prayer 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.319 for today 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:46.139 and a prayer 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:47.899 for tomorrow. 00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:51.439 It is a prayer 00:19:51.439 --> 00:19:52.500 for today 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.819 in that 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.659 it encourages 00:19:54.659 --> 00:19:56.500 us to pray 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.319 that the king 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.000 or the ruler 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.000 the government 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:01.720 may be given 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.519 his justice 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:04.360 and his righteousness. 00:20:04.620 --> 00:20:05.059 We see that 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.720 in verse 1 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.440 Endow the king 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.279 with your justice 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:07.920 O God 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.460 the royal son 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:11.000 with your righteousness. 00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:13.319 It's also a prayer 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.720 for tomorrow. 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.720 We read in verse 11 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.480 All kings 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.360 will bow down 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:18.680 to him 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.440 and all nations 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.500 will serve him. 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.180 The verb there 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.680 is rendered 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.299 as a future 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:23.880 can equally 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.440 be rendered 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:26.319 as a wish 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:28.359 and some 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.599 of the translations 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.980 thus render it 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:32.220 and the prayer 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.839 is that 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.480 all kings 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.379 might bow down 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:34.659 to him 00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.439 and all nations 00:20:35.439 --> 00:20:36.659 might serve him. 00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:38.139 And so this 00:20:38.139 --> 00:20:39.460 provides us 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:40.059 with a focus 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:40.779 not only 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.539 for today 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.220 but also 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.720 for tomorrow. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.079 So let us 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.639 go out 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.359 go through 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:49.519 this new year 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.859 with this psalm 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.399 in our lips 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.099 and with the Lord 00:20:52.099 --> 00:20:52.939 it points to 00:20:52.939 --> 00:20:53.819 enthroned 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.839 on our hearts. 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.079 Ruth Graham 00:20:58.079 --> 00:20:59.759 the wife 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.559 of Billy Graham 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.039 wrote a book 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.960 some years ago 00:21:01.960 --> 00:21:02.980 entitled 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.700 Fear Not 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.319 the Future 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.679 God 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:06.839 is Already 00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:07.500 There. 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.259 And that 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.799 title echoes 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.539 what this psalm 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.139 is saying. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.519 This psalm 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:15.399 anticipates 00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.079 the future. 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.759 It knows 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.259 that God 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.879 is there 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:19.879 ahead of us. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.299 And as we 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.819 go into 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.539 a new year 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.859 and as we 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:24.720 face a new 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.180 future 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:26.619 let us be 00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:27.180 encouraged 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:28.240 by what 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.740 this psalm 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.099 says 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:29.700 that the 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.240 Lord Jesus 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.720 Christ 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.099 the King 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.559 of Kings 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.339 is ahead 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.819 of us 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:34.379 and that 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:35.339 he is there 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.740 and he is 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.839 inviting us 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:39.200 to follow him 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:40.379 into 00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:41.559 this 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.980 unknown 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.279 future. 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.319 He invites 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:46.759 us 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:48.460 as his 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:48.839 followers 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.659 to put 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.220 our faith 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.759 in him 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.800 and to 00:21:52.800 --> 00:21:53.200 place 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.480 our hand 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.120 in his 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.540 hand. 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:56.660 He 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.100 extends 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:57.400 his 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:57.660 hand 00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.200 to us 00:21:58.200 --> 00:21:59.080 on this 00:21:59.080 --> 00:21:59.460 the first 00:21:59.460 --> 00:21:59.880 Sunday 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.580 of a new 00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:00.900 year 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:02.140 and he 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:02.500 invites 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.880 us 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:04.019 to go 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:04.660 with him 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:06.019 into it. 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:07.259 May God 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:07.740 grant that 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.400 each and all 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:08.980 of us 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.779 may put 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:10.279 our hand 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.540 in the 00:22:10.540 --> 00:22:10.900 hand of 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:11.259 Christ 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.700 tonight 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.160 and that 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.680 we may 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.980 follow him 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.500 into this 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:16.800 year 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.859 and that 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.180 we may 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.619 know that 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.099 he goes 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.740 before us 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.139 that he 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:20.519 is the 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.200 forerunner 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.220 who goes 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.799 into every 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.639 new day 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.200 into every 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.859 new month 00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:25.480 into every 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.440 new experience 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.259 before us 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.579 in order to 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.159 make the way 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:30.799 safe for his 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.319 people to 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:31.659 follow. 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.099 And so may 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.799 we have the 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.659 confidence that 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:35.259 the psalmist 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.740 had when the 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.059 psalmist 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.759 looked forward 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.519 to that day 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:40.279 when the 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:40.980 King of Kings 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.200 will rule 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:43.279 the whole 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.759 world 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.660 when he 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:45.980 will have 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.480 dominion 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.940 from sea 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.460 to sea 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.799 and when 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.920 his kingdom 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.640 will extend 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.660 to the 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.440 ends of 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:52.879 the earth. 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.240 And so 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.039 this prayer 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.480 is a prayer 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:56.960 for this 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.259 year 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.859 and a prayer 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.079 for every 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.379 year.