WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.080 Church, turn with me in your Bibles to Psalm 90. If you're looking in one of the Pew Bibles, 00:00:07.080 --> 00:00:32.600 that is page 465. Psalm 90. Let me read that. I'll read the whole psalm for us this morning. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:42.760 A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:48.359 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, 00:00:48.480 --> 00:00:58.100 from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. You return man to dust and say, return, 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:04.599 O children of man. For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, 00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:12.799 or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood. They are like a dream, 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:18.859 like grass that is renewed in the morning. In the morning it flourishes and is renewed. 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:24.939 In the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger. 00:01:24.939 --> 00:01:31.060 By your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins, 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:37.879 in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath. We bring our years to 00:01:37.879 --> 00:01:45.259 an end like a sigh. The years of our life are 70 or even by reason of strength 80. Yet their span is 00:01:45.259 --> 00:01:54.840 but toil and trouble. They are soon gone and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger? 00:01:54.939 --> 00:02:04.439 And your wrath according to the fear of you. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:12.579 of wisdom. Return, O Lord, how long have pity on your servants? Satisfy us in the morning with your 00:02:12.579 --> 00:02:20.240 steadfast love that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:28.980 afflicted us for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants and your glorious 00:02:28.980 --> 00:02:37.660 power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands upon us. 00:02:38.740 --> 00:02:42.840 Yes, establish the work of our hands. 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:46.740 Well, once again, we're approaching the end of another year. 00:02:47.620 --> 00:02:54.120 And this year is also the end of a decade. By this time next week, the second decade of the 21st century 00:02:54.120 --> 00:03:01.319 will be history. That doesn't happen that often. Think for a moment about where you were a decade ago 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:06.020 at the end of 2009. Some of you weren't even here. 00:03:06.020 --> 00:03:11.080 Or two decades ago, anticipating Y2K. Remember that? 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:17.660 Now, for many of us, this week between Christmas and New Year's is a time when we get a break. 00:03:18.460 --> 00:03:21.740 We get a little break from the normal routines of school or work. 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:26.580 Maybe it's a time where we visit with loved ones or at least call or write to them from afar. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:32.160 But I think it's also an appropriate time as we prepare to begin a new year and a new decade 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:36.000 to take stock of where we've been and where we're going. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:42.939 Sometimes I think we can get so caught up in the day-to-day things that we can lose our spiritual focus. 00:03:43.079 --> 00:03:46.639 We can lose sight of our priorities and purpose and perspective. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:51.019 This week, I looked over the last 12 months of my Google Calendar. 00:03:51.960 --> 00:03:59.079 That doesn't encapsulate all my life, but it reminded me of a lot of things that I had done over the last year. 00:03:59.080 --> 00:04:05.000 It gave me many things to be thankful for, a longer list of things than I would have remembered on my own. 00:04:05.600 --> 00:04:09.080 It helped me to begin thinking about how do I want to invest my time? 00:04:09.660 --> 00:04:12.840 What are my priorities going into this coming year? 00:04:13.920 --> 00:04:17.500 Well, this morning and next Sunday, we're going to look at two psalms 00:04:17.500 --> 00:04:22.360 that can help us to close out another year and decade and begin a new one 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:28.100 by looking to our ever-present and ever-faithful and everlasting God. 00:04:28.100 --> 00:04:31.020 This morning, we'll look at Psalm 90. 00:04:31.640 --> 00:04:35.240 Next week, we'll look at Psalm 147, a song of praise. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:39.740 And then in the second week of January, we'll begin a new sermon series 00:04:39.740 --> 00:04:43.360 in the end of Luke's Gospel, Luke 19 to 24. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:45.460 Last year, we looked at the middle of Luke's Gospel. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:49.260 This year, we'll be looking at chapters 19 through 24. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:51.980 So you can look forward to that in the new year. 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:55.840 But today, we're looking at this psalm, Psalm 90. 00:04:56.360 --> 00:04:59.819 Now, you can organize or structure this psalm in a couple of different ways. 00:04:59.920 --> 00:05:03.360 You can see it in terms of past, present, and future. 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:06.439 Verses 1 to 2, look back on the past. 00:05:06.780 --> 00:05:09.439 Verses 3 to 12, face up to the present. 00:05:09.840 --> 00:05:12.220 And verses 13 to 17, look forward to the future. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:14.060 And that's a valid way of seeing the psalm. 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:16.560 And we'll sort of see that progression as we walk through it. 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:19.300 But another way of seeing the psalm is as a stairway. 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:25.839 Now, if you open up your bulletin to the center page, to the sermon notes page, 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:31.560 you'll see a diagram that looks like a stairway going down and then back up again. 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:35.100 So the psalm begins, as it were, on top of a mountain. 00:05:36.220 --> 00:05:38.519 And then it leads us down into a dark valley. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:41.160 And then it leads us back to the mountaintop. 00:05:42.120 --> 00:05:45.620 And so this morning, I want to lead us through this psalm together. 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:51.340 For each section, for each step on the stairway, I'll point out a key word from the psalm. 00:05:51.399 --> 00:05:53.879 Now, let me speak for a moment to all the children who are here. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:57.240 I have a challenge for you. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:06:04.319 I want you to listen for the key word in each section of the psalm 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:07.899 and write it down on the stairway in your bulletin. 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:14.259 Now, if you can't write yet, when you hear me say the key word or the next step on the stairway, 00:06:14.259 --> 00:06:18.240 you can nudge one of your parents and say, write it down. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:19.719 All right? 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:23.800 And your goal is to get all seven of the key words, 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:27.300 one on each step of the stairway, by the end of the sermon. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:28.219 All right? 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:32.139 And then you can show it to your parents at the end of the service, 00:06:32.219 --> 00:06:33.240 or show it to me, or whatever you want. 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.779 But that's your challenge, all right, for this morning. 00:06:37.099 --> 00:06:40.240 And when we get to number seven, when we go down the stairway 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:42.400 and get back to the top, then the sermon's almost over. 00:06:42.900 --> 00:06:43.280 All right? 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:47.040 So, here's the first one. 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:48.939 You get the first step on the stairway right away. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.579 Verses one and two. 00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:53.600 You notice the first step on the stairway is above. 00:06:53.699 --> 00:06:54.860 It says V1-2. 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:56.060 That means verses one and two. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:06:58.439 The key word is God. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:03.340 And the main point of these verses is God has always been there. 00:07:04.280 --> 00:07:06.400 Now, this psalm is a prayer of Moses. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:09.639 Most likely, Moses wrote it in his old age, 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:14.500 after he had led the Israelites through the wilderness for many years. 00:07:15.039 --> 00:07:19.120 There are some similarities between this psalm and the last words of Moses 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:22.739 recorded at the end of Deuteronomy in chapters 32 and 33. 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:25.319 So, for example, the psalm begins, 00:07:25.479 --> 00:07:27.439 Lord, you have been our dwelling place. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:30.599 And Deuteronomy 33, 27, Moses says, 00:07:31.099 --> 00:07:33.719 the eternal God is your dwelling place. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:34.420 Same word. 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:38.020 And underneath are the everlasting arms. 00:07:38.520 --> 00:07:41.460 That's a wonderful thing to think about. 00:07:41.940 --> 00:07:45.740 God is our home and holding us up by his everlasting arms. 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:49.380 But I want you to think about Moses' life for just a minute 00:07:49.380 --> 00:07:54.100 and what it would mean for him to say God has been our dwelling place. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:57.320 Think about how much of Moses' life he had spent 00:07:57.319 --> 00:08:01.659 as a homeless man or as a wanderer 00:08:01.659 --> 00:08:04.759 or as someone who was in between different places. 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:05.480 Right? 00:08:05.599 --> 00:08:07.899 So, as a young child, Moses was adopted. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:10.540 Now, he had a wonderful adoptive mother, 00:08:10.899 --> 00:08:12.819 the daughter of Pharaoh himself. 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:15.219 He was well taken care of, but he was separated. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:18.339 And he knew he was separated from his biological parents 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:19.339 and from his relatives. 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:21.920 And many of them were enduring great hardships. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:26.600 Then, as a young adult, he did something very foolish and immature. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.180 And it was impulsive and he had to flee. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:31.520 He had to run away for his life. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:35.860 And he spent many years in the land of Midian as a foreigner. 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:40.100 And then he goes back and, you know, leads people out of Israel. 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:41.399 But then where does he lead them to? 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:43.320 They're wandering in the wilderness. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:50.040 You know, most of Moses' life was spent displaced, homeless, or wandering. 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:57.840 But Moses came to know and rest in the eternal God as his true home. 00:08:58.440 --> 00:09:01.180 Through all of his wandering, through all of his homelessness, 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:04.840 through all of his being displaced and being in between, 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:11.640 he came to know my true home is found in the Lord. 00:09:11.639 --> 00:09:16.819 Several years ago, I was talking to an older man who had become homeless. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:19.620 He had lived in the Columbus house for several months. 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:22.179 And he said, during the time that I was homeless, 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:27.159 I learned what it means when the Bible says that God is a shelter. 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:33.539 He said that, you know, I'd known that, I'd known about that all my life, 00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:37.539 but that took on a new meaning for me when I, through my experience. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:40.960 Now, I wonder if you can look back on your own life. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:44.259 You know, maybe you've never been homeless, or maybe you have been homeless, 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:48.159 but can you see through all the changes and chances 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:52.039 and all maybe the ways you've had to move from one place to another? 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:57.740 Maybe you feel sort of in between, not really settled here. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:04.139 Can you see that the everlasting God has always been there? 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:09.779 Let me use a pulpit mic. 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:15.340 So that's where Moses begins this song. 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:20.399 By looking back on God's sheltering care over him. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:24.159 And, not just over him, but over the people of Israel as a whole. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:26.840 Lord, you've been our dwelling place. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:28.919 He's speaking to the people. 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:30.439 You've led us through the wilderness. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:36.159 You've been the one constant in a constantly changing world. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:41.419 And he looks back even before, not just on his own life, 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:42.979 not just on the people of Israel's experience, 00:10:43.079 --> 00:10:45.059 but he looks back all the way to the creation of the world. 00:10:45.259 --> 00:10:47.659 Before the mountains were brought forth, 00:10:48.479 --> 00:10:50.879 wherever you had formed the earth and the world, 00:10:50.979 --> 00:10:53.259 from everlasting to everlasting, 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:55.699 you are God. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:59.780 From eternity past, God has always been there. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:04.900 And that's where Moses begins in this wonderful psalm with God. 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.140 But then Moses goes on. 00:11:07.220 --> 00:11:08.740 He takes a step down the stairway. 00:11:08.820 --> 00:11:10.040 And he goes on to the next section. 00:11:10.160 --> 00:11:13.120 And the key word in verses 3 to 6 is dust. 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:17.100 People are dust. 00:11:18.540 --> 00:11:20.300 You return man to dust. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:25.599 So if verses 1 to 2 look back into the past upon God and his eternity, 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:28.559 verses 3 through 6 look squarely at the present, 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:31.859 at human mortality and transience. 00:11:33.099 --> 00:11:38.159 Or you could say if verses 1 and 2 look back to the creation of the world in Genesis 1 and 2, 00:11:38.859 --> 00:11:44.179 verses 3 to 6 look back to the consequences of the fall in Genesis 3. 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:49.379 The phrase translated children of man in verse 3 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:52.419 could just as well be translated children of Adam. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:55.219 That word man is Adam. 00:11:56.699 --> 00:11:59.039 And of course in Genesis 3 God says to Adam, 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:01.959 after he and Eve have sinned, 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.799 you are dust, 00:12:03.479 --> 00:12:04.699 and to dust you will return. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:07.620 So this psalm is reminding us 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:12.240 of the consequences of our fallen condition. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:15.060 Now verse 4 goes on 00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:18.080 and says a thousand years in God's sight are like yesterday 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:21.139 or even like less than a day. 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.279 A watch in the night. 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:26.279 Now Genesis tells us of a few human beings 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:28.419 who lived extraordinarily long lives. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.580 But even the man who lived the longest, Methuselah, 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.600 did not make it to a thousand. 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.019 969. 00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:39.620 You see, Moses' point here in verse 4 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.680 is that even the longest human lifespan, 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.019 is only a drop 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:47.399 in the giant stream of time. 00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.560 Verses 5 and 6, 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.500 Moses uses three metaphors 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:54.399 to describe the shortness 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:58.600 and how quickly human life changes. 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.500 He says, 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:01.720 our lives are swept away 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.700 as in an overwhelming flood. 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:06.220 Our lives are like a dream 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.740 that vanishes 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.460 when morning comes 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.879 and is quickly forgotten. 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:13.800 Our lives are like grass 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:15.320 that quickly flourishes 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:16.940 and just as quickly perishes. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:20.100 Human life is constantly being renewed, 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:24.060 but it's also constantly fading. 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.040 And you know, 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.360 the longer you live on this earth, 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:28.480 I think the harder it is 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.600 to deny or avoid these realities. 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:33.180 Yes, the world is constantly 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.759 being renewed and sustained, 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:37.180 but at the same time, 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:37.920 it's constantly decaying 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:39.860 and wearing out. 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.360 Our fresh ideals 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:43.639 will often be frustrated, 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:44.600 our new clothes 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.820 will eventually wear out, 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.580 even our very names 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:49.259 will one day be forgotten. 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:51.399 You know, 00:13:51.439 --> 00:13:52.819 the vast majority of people 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:54.139 who have ever lived 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:54.779 on this earth, 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.139 their names, 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:57.139 their life stories 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.879 have been completely forgotten. 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.919 We may go around thinking 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.100 that we are so important 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:04.299 and so indispensable, 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.439 but the reality is 00:14:05.439 --> 00:14:06.799 we will all one day die. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.960 And the world can go on without us. 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.840 And all of our proud delusions 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:15.480 of grandeur and self-importance 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.460 will die with us. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:19.340 And as we come to the end 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:19.840 of another year, 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.780 it's very important for us 00:14:20.780 --> 00:14:21.780 to face this fact. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:23.460 We don't really like to face this fact 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.960 in our society today, 00:14:25.400 --> 00:14:28.060 but the Bible confronts us 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:29.740 and speaks very plainly to us 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:31.680 that we are mortal, 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.540 we will all die, 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:34.420 and life is transient. 00:14:34.540 --> 00:14:35.519 That means it will change 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.180 very quickly. 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:39.019 Those are some of the most obvious 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:40.580 and undeniable facts 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:41.600 about the human condition. 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:43.740 All right, 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.280 we live in a world 00:14:44.280 --> 00:14:45.560 that emphasizes statistics 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:47.599 and evidence-based outcomes 00:14:47.599 --> 00:14:48.339 and information, 00:14:48.539 --> 00:14:49.799 but have we reckoned with 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:52.259 the most consistently verified 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:53.359 statistic of all? 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:56.000 Every single human being 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:57.579 whom we have ever seen 00:14:57.579 --> 00:14:58.799 or interacted with, 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.859 including ourselves, 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:01.199 will one day die. 00:15:02.039 --> 00:15:02.959 We are dust. 00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:05.439 And to dust we shall return. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:09.099 So that's the second step. 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:10.500 But then Moses goes on 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:11.699 to the third step, 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.479 the next section, 00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:13.639 verses 7 to 11, 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.039 and he takes us one step further 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.519 and he says, 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.179 why? 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:18.500 Why is human life 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:20.259 so fleeting and fading? 00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:25.039 Why is our existence 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:28.019 so tenuous and transient? 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:29.539 Why are we constantly 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:31.419 wearing down and wearing out? 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.860 And the key word 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.679 in verses 7 to 11 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:36.699 is sin. 00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:39.500 We are dust 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:42.180 because we are sinners. 00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:44.520 And our sin 00:15:44.520 --> 00:15:46.720 calls forth God's wrath. 00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:47.440 Now, 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:48.560 that 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:50.500 is not a very popular idea. 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:54.560 The idea that we are sinners 00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.840 and that our sin 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:57.300 calls forth God's anger 00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:59.140 and righteous judgment 00:15:59.140 --> 00:15:59.940 against us 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:00.460 is not 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:02.080 something you will 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:04.220 necessarily hear 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.620 today. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:07.940 But the psalm 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.960 over and over 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:09.500 says 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:11.139 that it's true. 00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:12.660 Verse 7, 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.600 we are brought to an end 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.259 by your anger. 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:14.960 By your wrath 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.740 we are dismayed. 00:16:15.779 --> 00:16:16.200 Verse 9, 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.580 all our days pass away 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.560 under your wrath. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.160 Verse 11 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:20.379 asks a question, 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.360 who considers 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:22.639 the power 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.620 of your anger 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:25.300 and your wrath 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.420 according to the fear 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.040 of you? 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:30.940 It's a rhetorical question. 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:31.560 In other words, 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.460 verse 11 is saying 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:34.300 most of us don't face 00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:35.600 this reality. 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.500 Most of us 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.800 don't consider 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:39.519 the power 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.440 and the justice 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:42.139 of God's wrath 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:42.940 against sin. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.400 Most of us 00:16:44.400 --> 00:16:45.320 don't want to deal with that. 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.639 We don't have the resources 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.440 to deal with that. 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.120 And so we 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:49.200 just try to 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:50.360 not think about it 00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:52.360 or deny it somehow. 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.500 But again, 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.900 the Bible confronts us 00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:58.280 with this reality. 00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:58.540 Now, 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.680 what is God's wrath? 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:00.620 We need to define 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.600 that word. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.740 God's wrath 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.940 is not an arbitrary 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:05.140 fit of rage. 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:07.279 His wrath 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.620 is not just like 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:10.099 all kinds of human anger. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.140 No. 00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:12.920 God's wrath 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.740 is his righteous 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.559 displeasure 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:16.380 at our moral corruption. 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.940 In other words, 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.960 God looks at 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:20.720 the world. 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.559 He looks at 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.299 how human beings 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.539 deceive and oppress 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:26.059 and vilify one another. 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.160 He looks at 00:17:28.160 --> 00:17:28.720 our greed 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.500 and pride 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.579 and self-centeredness. 00:17:31.940 --> 00:17:33.039 He sees our 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.000 illusions 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.839 and our idolatries. 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.740 And God is not 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.259 pleased 00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:39.519 with what he sees. 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:42.000 And God sees 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.880 not just the appearance, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.099 but God sees on the heart. 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.480 And God is not, 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.519 God will not 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:48.160 simply enable us 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.960 to go on 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.539 and on 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.079 and on 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.579 and on 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.839 in our present state. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:55.379 verse 8 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:55.779 tells us 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.439 that God sees 00:17:56.439 --> 00:17:57.059 not just our 00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:58.000 obvious sins, 00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:59.099 our iniquities, 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:00.419 he also sees 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:02.039 our secret sins. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.720 Which means 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.599 not just the sins 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.240 that we hide 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:05.939 from others, 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:07.199 but also the sins 00:18:07.199 --> 00:18:07.799 that we hide 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.459 from ourselves. 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:10.480 You know, 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.059 most of us 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.740 are at least 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:13.019 partially blind 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:14.259 to our greatest 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:14.919 weaknesses 00:18:14.919 --> 00:18:16.039 and flaws. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.919 You want to know 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:18.659 how I can prove that? 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:20.820 look at almost 00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:21.600 any marriage. 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.460 Almost inevitably, 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.259 one spouse 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:27.640 will identify 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:29.519 significant flaws 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.380 and weaknesses 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.820 in the other spouse. 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:33.279 Some spouses, 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.680 I see, 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.220 are laughing 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.880 because you get the point. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.680 Which the other spouse 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.880 hardly recognizes 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.540 at all. 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.540 This will happen 00:18:42.540 --> 00:18:43.660 sometime in your marriage 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.640 if it hasn't happened 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:44.980 already. 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.460 The question is 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.200 how will you deal 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:47.880 with these things 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.640 when they come to life? 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:48.920 light? 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.940 Will you harshly 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.360 throw them 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:52.460 in your spouse's face? 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.380 Or, 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:55.320 will you 00:18:55.320 --> 00:18:57.620 be conflict avoidant, 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.140 turn away, 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.780 pretend they're not 00:18:58.780 --> 00:18:59.340 really there, 00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:00.400 but you sort of 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.000 know they're there, 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.780 but you don't want 00:19:01.780 --> 00:19:02.380 to deal with them? 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:03.920 Or, 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:05.200 will you lovingly 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:06.300 and respectfully 00:19:06.300 --> 00:19:08.240 express them 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.300 to your spouse? 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.180 And then, 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:12.820 when they come to light, 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.000 when they come to the surface, 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:14.840 will you respond 00:19:14.840 --> 00:19:15.840 with denial 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:16.980 and indifference? 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:19.500 or with 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:21.339 some soul-searching 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:23.339 and seeking to grow? 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:25.380 You see, 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.140 the way you deal 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.140 with these things 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:28.640 will either strengthen 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:30.440 or strain 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.380 your marriage. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.319 See, 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.160 marriage is intended 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:36.180 in part to be 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.920 a high-definition mirror 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:39.880 that reveals 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.940 the darkest depths 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.019 of your own soul. 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:44.460 Why? 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.099 Because God 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.819 designed marriage 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.079 to be a pale reflection 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.000 of the presence 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:50.059 of God, 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.819 the all-knowing, 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.740 all-seeing, 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.920 ever-present other. 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:56.099 Now, 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.779 marriage is also 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:57.319 intended to be 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:57.779 a window 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.220 into the steadfast 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.180 love of God. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.000 Right? 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:02.759 That's also what 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.799 spouses are to embody 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.440 to one another, 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.339 is not only someone 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.400 who can call a spade 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.980 a spade 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:08.299 and tell it like it is 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.599 and can point out 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.099 the weaknesses 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.599 and flaws 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.339 that you're blind to, 00:20:11.459 --> 00:20:12.259 but can also 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.599 stay with you 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:16.159 and love you 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:17.919 through them. 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.719 You see, 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.119 marriage, 00:20:21.219 --> 00:20:22.240 like this psalm, 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.439 is intended to help us 00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:24.980 face our deepest flaws, 00:20:25.439 --> 00:20:26.639 face our most troubling 00:20:26.639 --> 00:20:27.259 realities 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.039 in the presence 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.339 of someone who loves us 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.779 with unfailing love. 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:34.219 That's what this psalm 00:20:34.219 --> 00:20:34.819 is doing too. 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.000 Right? 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:36.559 We've gone from 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.279 the mountaintop 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.579 looking back on God 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:39.319 and his eternity 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.899 down into the valley 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:41.599 of our present 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.379 human condition 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:43.599 that we are dust 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:45.319 because we are sinners. 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:48.000 And so in verse 12, 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.939 we come to the bottom 00:20:48.939 --> 00:20:50.619 of the valley 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:53.439 and to the central prayer 00:20:53.439 --> 00:20:54.460 of this psalm. 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.659 So teach us 00:20:56.659 --> 00:20:58.139 to number our days 00:20:58.139 --> 00:20:59.319 that we may get 00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:01.259 a heart of wisdom. 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.319 The key word here 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.740 in verse 12, 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.139 wisdom. 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:09.280 Moses prays for wisdom. 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.660 And Moses is showing us 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.520 that we can only 00:21:12.520 --> 00:21:14.640 gain true wisdom 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:16.400 when we face 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:17.600 our mortality, 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.100 that is our own, 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.000 that we'll die someday, 00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:21.220 and our transience, 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.860 or not just transience, 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.620 and our sinfulness, 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.160 our mortality 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:24.800 and our sinfulness. 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:25.660 Right? 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.880 These are the most unpleasant 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:29.060 realities of our human condition, 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.620 but they're also 00:21:29.620 --> 00:21:31.380 the most undeniable realities. 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:34.820 Tim and Kathy Keller 00:21:34.820 --> 00:21:35.500 put it this way 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.100 in their devotional 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:36.800 on the Psalms. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.160 They say, 00:21:37.260 --> 00:21:38.200 if we do not face 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.540 these things, 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.180 we will not be wise. 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:43.040 We will be constantly 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.660 shocked 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.960 by what people, 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.060 including ourselves, 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.180 are capable of 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:49.320 and by how life 00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:50.420 swiftly takes away 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.420 everything we love. 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.180 We will trust 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:54.280 in our own abilities 00:21:54.280 --> 00:21:55.000 too much, 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:55.920 and we will seek 00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.080 satisfaction in things 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:58.600 that we will inevitably lose, 00:21:59.400 --> 00:21:59.940 face, 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.740 sin, 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.460 and death, 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.700 or be out of touch 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.900 with reality. 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.620 Those are strong words, 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:11.120 but according to the Bible, 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.000 wisdom is 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:14.019 getting in touch 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.200 with ultimate reality. 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.740 And so this psalm 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.200 leads us from the mountaintop 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:19.240 down into the valley 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.160 of the shadow of death 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.140 so we can get in touch 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.320 with reality, 00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:23.200 that we can become 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.200 truly wise, 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.420 that we can see the reality 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.340 about God 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:27.600 and about ourselves. 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.720 But you know what? 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.960 The good news is 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:32.420 the psalm doesn't end here. 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.759 Psalm 90 doesn't leave us 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.019 down in the valley 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:38.220 of the shadow of death. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.900 And if we only read up 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.500 to verse 11, 00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.920 we might think that this psalm 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:42.799 is just a downer. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.799 And we might even be tempted 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.779 to despair. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.620 But once we've gone 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.480 all the way down 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:52.100 into the valley, 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.079 once we've faced 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:54.120 our mortality 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:55.400 and our sinfulness, 00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:57.440 the path begins 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.500 to look up once again. 00:22:59.560 --> 00:22:59.920 Why? 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.800 Because the God 00:23:01.800 --> 00:23:02.360 of the Bible 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:04.100 is not only a God 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:05.340 of truth 00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.320 and righteousness 00:23:06.320 --> 00:23:08.259 and even wrath, 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.480 but he's also 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.360 a God of mercy 00:23:10.360 --> 00:23:12.320 and steadfast love 00:23:12.320 --> 00:23:13.080 and hope. 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.780 The Bible talks frankly 00:23:15.780 --> 00:23:16.860 about death and sin, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.759 but death and sin 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.540 do not have 00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:20.540 the first or last word 00:23:20.540 --> 00:23:21.600 in the Bible 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:23.360 nor in this psalm. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:26.439 So we go on 00:23:26.439 --> 00:23:27.179 to the next section, 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.459 verses 13 and 14, 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.399 and the key word 00:23:29.399 --> 00:23:30.659 of this section, 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.859 step five, 00:23:31.959 --> 00:23:32.879 the key word is 00:23:32.879 --> 00:23:33.619 mercy. 00:23:35.679 --> 00:23:37.579 God has mercy. 00:23:38.399 --> 00:23:39.500 Return, O Lord, 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:41.059 how long have pity 00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.219 or have mercy 00:23:42.219 --> 00:23:43.759 on your servants. 00:23:44.959 --> 00:23:46.159 Satisfy us in the morning 00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:48.279 with your steadfast love. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.359 Now these verses, 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:52.000 verses 13, 14, and 15, 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.359 echo and respond 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:55.180 to verses 3 through 11. 00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:55.940 You see the steps 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.759 going down 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.920 sort of correspond 00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:59.079 to the steps going up. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.740 It's not an arbitrary structure. 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.259 So verse 3, 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:03.240 God says to humanity, 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.380 return to dust. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.119 But here Moses cries out 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.839 in verse 13, 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.380 return, O Lord. 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.359 Return, O Lord, 00:24:10.400 --> 00:24:11.000 to your people 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.140 and have mercy 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.299 on your servants. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.900 In verses 5 and 6, 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:15.920 the grass is renewed 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.920 in the morning, 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:19.059 but by evening 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:20.500 it fades and withers. 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:22.559 But look at verse 14. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.099 Moses says, 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:24.660 satisfy us in the morning 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:26.599 with your steadfast love. 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:28.259 And God's steadfast love 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.079 does not wither 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.180 and fade in the evening. 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:32.359 God's steadfast love 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.920 endures not just for a day, 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.420 not just for a lifetime, 00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.619 but for all eternity. 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:40.079 And then in verse 9, 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.180 Moses says, 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.380 our days pass away 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:43.079 under your wrath 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.440 and our years come to an end 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:44.960 like a sigh. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.240 But then in verse 15, 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.859 Moses prays 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.939 that we would have joy 00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:51.099 for as many days 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.419 as you've afflicted us, 00:24:52.459 --> 00:24:53.339 for as many years 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.259 as we have seen evil. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.179 You see, 00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.139 Moses believed 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:59.439 that the one true God 00:24:59.439 --> 00:25:01.339 could somehow reverse 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:03.359 the cycle of death 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.279 and sin 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.439 that human beings 00:25:05.439 --> 00:25:06.839 had fallen into 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:08.139 and can't get ourselves 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:08.879 out of. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.000 And Moses believed 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.959 that God would hear 00:25:10.959 --> 00:25:12.099 and respond 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:13.559 when his people 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:15.599 cried out to him. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.240 But you know, 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.699 today, 00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:20.839 we can see something 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.639 that even Moses couldn't. 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:25.199 We can see how God 00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:27.199 responded to his people's cries 00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:27.959 and we can see 00:25:27.959 --> 00:25:29.459 how God intervened 00:25:29.459 --> 00:25:30.359 to reverse 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.299 the cycle 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.339 of death 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:33.240 and sin 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.740 and wrath. 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.519 Right? 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.439 We just celebrated 00:25:37.439 --> 00:25:38.439 the Christmas, 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:38.980 we're in the middle 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.839 of the Christmas season. 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:41.359 And what do we celebrate? 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:44.639 God has come 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.539 to us 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.439 with mercy. 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.679 In the person 00:25:48.679 --> 00:25:49.379 of his son, 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:49.779 Jesus, 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.719 he has entered 00:25:50.719 --> 00:25:52.139 into the darkest valley 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:53.279 of our human existence. 00:25:53.719 --> 00:25:54.799 He did not just speak 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.279 to us 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.659 from the mountaintop 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:59.379 like he did 00:25:59.379 --> 00:26:00.799 at Mount Sinai 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.759 in the Old Testament. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.399 He has entered 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:05.799 into our darkest valley. 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.119 God became 00:26:08.119 --> 00:26:09.159 a real human being, 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:10.139 Jesus Christ. 00:26:10.459 --> 00:26:11.179 He embraced 00:26:11.179 --> 00:26:12.079 our mortality. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.199 and our transience. 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.299 He experienced hunger 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.219 and thirst 00:26:15.219 --> 00:26:16.179 and weariness 00:26:16.179 --> 00:26:17.099 and pain. 00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:19.099 And even more than that, 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.839 he faced 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:22.779 the reason why 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.539 we, 00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:26.439 our lives 00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:27.219 were mortal 00:26:27.219 --> 00:26:27.819 and transient. 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.480 He faced, 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:29.539 he bore the burden 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.839 that we could never bear 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:32.659 of our sin 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:34.179 and God's wrath. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.279 God's life. 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.539 He died on the cross 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.560 offering his life 00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:38.860 as a perfect sacrifice, 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:40.580 as an obedient sacrifice. 00:26:41.860 --> 00:26:42.720 And he endured 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.860 God's righteous judgment 00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:44.960 in our place 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:46.220 on our behalf 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:46.940 so that we 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.759 could be 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.620 set free 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:49.480 from it. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.380 So that he could, 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:53.140 he came to meet us 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.200 in our darkest valley 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.299 so that he could bring 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.299 us back up 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.340 to the mountaintop 00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:58.519 of eternal life 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.340 and joy 00:26:59.340 --> 00:27:00.140 with God 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:00.720 forever. 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:02.559 That's what 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:04.019 Jesus came to do. 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.380 He came on a rescue 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.079 mission. 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.180 And he calls 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.740 all of us 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.279 to repent, 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.299 that is to forsake 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:10.779 our sin, 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:12.000 to leave behind 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.279 our self-centeredness 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.380 and to cling to him, 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.339 to trust in him 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.160 and look to him. 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:19.100 And he promises 00:27:19.100 --> 00:27:20.539 that for everyone 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.059 who turns 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.039 to Jesus, 00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.620 that our sins 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.500 will be removed 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.740 as far as the east 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.880 is from the west. 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:29.120 You see, 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:29.900 through Jesus 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.520 we can be brought 00:27:30.520 --> 00:27:31.240 out of the valley 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.080 of death and sin, 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.320 raised with him 00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:35.140 to new and everlasting 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.040 life with God. 00:27:36.540 --> 00:27:37.500 And that's our hope. 00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:39.720 Have you 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:41.080 turned to Jesus? 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.260 You can turn to him 00:27:43.260 --> 00:27:43.660 today 00:27:43.660 --> 00:27:45.280 and know his mercy. 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.860 Praise God 00:27:47.860 --> 00:27:48.480 for his mercy. 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.180 God's mercy 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.760 lifts us up. 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:50.780 And then verse 15, 00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:52.140 God's mercy 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.060 continues, 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.560 brings us to the next step 00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:55.380 and the key word 00:27:55.380 --> 00:27:56.620 is joy. 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:59.280 God's mercy 00:27:59.280 --> 00:28:00.760 gives us joy. 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:02.920 Satisfy us 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.420 in the morning 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.560 with your steadfast love 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:05.620 that we may rejoice 00:28:05.620 --> 00:28:07.300 and be glad 00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:08.460 all our days. 00:28:10.260 --> 00:28:11.120 Make us glad 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.920 for as many days 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.920 as you've afflicted us, 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.280 for as many years 00:28:14.280 --> 00:28:15.240 as we've seen evil. 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.720 Brothers and sisters 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.220 in Christ, 00:28:18.280 --> 00:28:18.900 as we look ahead 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.800 to this coming year 00:28:19.800 --> 00:28:21.640 and even to the coming 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.020 decade, 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:23.460 we have a reason 00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:25.160 to rejoice. 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:26.840 Why? 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.560 Most of all 00:28:28.560 --> 00:28:29.560 because of the unchanging 00:28:29.560 --> 00:28:31.100 gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.740 God demonstrated 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.920 his own love for us 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.840 in this, 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.220 that while we were 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:37.840 still sinners, 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:39.160 Christ died for us. 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:43.020 And his love 00:28:43.020 --> 00:28:43.680 has been poured 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.580 into our hearts 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:46.260 through the Holy Spirit 00:28:46.260 --> 00:28:46.920 whom he has given 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.580 to us. 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.480 Paul says, 00:28:48.540 --> 00:28:49.120 since we've been 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:50.380 justified by faith, 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:51.420 we have peace 00:28:51.420 --> 00:28:52.320 with God 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:52.920 through our Lord 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.700 Jesus Christ. 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:53.819 Christ. 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.700 We have access 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.400 by faith 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:57.279 into this grace 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:58.660 by which we stand 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.920 and, Paul goes on 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.160 to say, 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.819 we rejoice 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.920 in the hope 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.740 of the glory 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.259 of God. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.519 Not only that, 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.460 but we rejoice 00:29:05.460 --> 00:29:07.980 in our sufferings. 00:29:07.980 --> 00:29:10.220 You see, 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.360 even amidst 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:12.220 our sufferings, 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.799 we can experience 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.440 joy. 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.579 Because when we 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.380 experience our 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.680 sufferings in union 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.279 with Jesus, 00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:20.680 our sufferings 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.700 aren't in vain. 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.640 When we walk with 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.940 Jesus through affliction, 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.579 he promises to produce 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.880 in us endurance, 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.120 character, 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:29.239 and hope. 00:29:30.479 --> 00:29:31.339 Maybe you're going 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.059 through afflictions 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.819 right now. 00:29:33.739 --> 00:29:34.799 Whether it's 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.859 relational conflicts 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:37.359 or financial burdens 00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.339 or physical illness 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.459 or emotional weariness 00:29:39.459 --> 00:29:40.419 or trouble at work 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.359 or trouble at school, 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.919 almost all of us 00:29:43.919 --> 00:29:45.719 will face afflictions, 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.619 difficulties, 00:29:46.959 --> 00:29:47.379 trials, 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.759 in some form or other 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.639 in this coming year. 00:29:49.719 --> 00:29:50.919 It's just part 00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.959 of human life. 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.839 They're almost 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.839 unavoidable. 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.159 I mean, 00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:57.959 they are unavoidable. 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.579 anyway, 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.400 at some level. 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.240 But think about it. 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.180 Are you experiencing 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.660 your afflictions 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:06.960 in union with Jesus? 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:07.539 That means, 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:08.920 are you asking Jesus 00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:10.700 to do his good work 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.279 in you 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:13.460 despite and even 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:15.000 through the afflictions 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.900 you're experiencing? 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:17.660 Right? 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.480 Sometimes we're tempted 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.900 when we're going 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:20.519 through afflictions 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.720 just to sort of 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:23.519 be like a snail, 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:23.900 right, 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:24.740 that retreats 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.319 into its shell, 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.400 right, 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.319 and doesn't want 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:27.720 to come out. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.259 Right? 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.940 Sometimes we're tempted 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.200 to sort of draw 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.660 back from the light 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.319 and the love 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.960 of Jesus. 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.880 And the invitation 00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:38.559 is to draw near 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:38.880 to him 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.900 because he is near 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.340 to us. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.039 He is walking 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.460 with you 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.319 through these afflictions. 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.160 You are not alone. 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:45.000 He even feels 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.779 for us 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:48.000 in our sufferings. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:50.100 And he promises 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:51.039 that he can work 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:51.960 despite and even 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.500 through them 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.720 to accomplish 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:54.539 his good purposes. 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.759 Martin Luther 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.299 once said, 00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:56.779 Affliction 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:57.940 is the best book 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.000 in my library. 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.159 Now, 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.599 Martin Luther 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.420 read a lot of books. 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.440 Some of us 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:04.839 like to read 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.420 a lot of books. 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.740 And that's good. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.099 But Luther 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:11.259 says afflictions, 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:12.779 more than anything 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.779 else in this world, 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:15.180 can teach us 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:16.059 to become wise 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:18.740 if we walk 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.159 with Jesus 00:31:19.159 --> 00:31:19.759 through them. 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.779 Well, 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.379 that brings us 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:24.139 to our last 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:25.220 key word, 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:28.799 verses 16 and 17. 00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.279 The key word 00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:31.019 is hope. 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.159 God's mercy 00:31:34.159 --> 00:31:35.399 brings us joy 00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:37.359 and that joy 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.480 fosters hope. 00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:39.480 Now, 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:40.039 the word hope 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:40.619 doesn't actually 00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.460 occur in the psalm, 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.659 but these last verses 00:31:42.659 --> 00:31:43.740 express a confident 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.819 expectation 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:46.419 and anticipation 00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:47.819 for the future. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.579 Let your work 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.119 be shown 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:49.859 to your servants 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:52.059 and your glorious 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.139 power to their children. 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:54.960 Let the favor 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.740 or the beauty 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.740 of the Lord our God 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.539 be upon us. 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.599 And then twice, 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.200 the psalmist 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:02.419 repeats the last line. 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:03.460 He says, 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.299 Twice, 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.000 establish 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:06.200 the work 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.019 of our 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:08.399 hands. 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:09.939 You see, 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.579 the first half 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.039 of the psalm, 00:32:11.139 --> 00:32:12.379 that stairway down, 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:13.859 focuses on 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.939 our human limitations 00:32:14.939 --> 00:32:15.919 in light of 00:32:15.919 --> 00:32:16.559 God's greatness. 00:32:16.959 --> 00:32:17.979 And it leads us 00:32:17.979 --> 00:32:18.619 to humility. 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:21.059 Our life is fleeting 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.959 and fading. 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:22.939 We will all 00:32:22.939 --> 00:32:23.619 one day die. 00:32:23.719 --> 00:32:24.419 We are far more 00:32:24.419 --> 00:32:25.079 deeply flawed 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.819 than we ever dared 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:26.179 to admit, 00:32:26.219 --> 00:32:26.740 and we deserve 00:32:26.740 --> 00:32:27.719 God's righteous judgment. 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.439 Those are all 00:32:28.439 --> 00:32:29.859 humbling truths. 00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:32.359 And God knows 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:32.939 that we need 00:32:32.939 --> 00:32:33.419 to be humbled. 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.659 But the second half 00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.299 of the psalm 00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:37.579 focuses on the 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.579 transforming power 00:32:38.579 --> 00:32:39.579 of God's love, 00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:41.000 God's mercy 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.559 that brings us 00:32:41.559 --> 00:32:42.839 joy and hope, 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:44.199 hope for eternity 00:32:44.199 --> 00:32:44.959 and hope 00:32:44.959 --> 00:32:45.679 for each day. 00:32:47.199 --> 00:32:47.559 You see, 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.480 the downward 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.759 part of the 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.199 stairway 00:32:50.199 --> 00:32:50.720 is meant 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.500 to humble us, 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:52.279 but the upward 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:52.720 part of the 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.139 stairway 00:32:53.139 --> 00:32:53.759 is meant 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.480 to give us 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:54.799 hope, 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.159 even when we're 00:32:56.159 --> 00:32:56.619 down in the 00:32:56.619 --> 00:32:57.339 darkest valley. 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.379 Hope for each 00:32:59.379 --> 00:32:59.559 day. 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.299 The apostle Paul 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.639 wrote, 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.879 1 Corinthians 15, 00:33:01.959 --> 00:33:02.379 58, 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:02.720 Therefore, 00:33:02.939 --> 00:33:03.399 my beloved 00:33:03.399 --> 00:33:03.939 brothers and 00:33:03.939 --> 00:33:04.220 sisters, 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.299 be steadfast, 00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:06.439 immovable, 00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:08.419 always abounding 00:33:08.419 --> 00:33:08.939 in the work 00:33:08.939 --> 00:33:09.399 of the Lord, 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:09.939 knowing that 00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:10.419 in the Lord 00:33:10.419 --> 00:33:11.000 your labor 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.539 is not in vain. 00:33:13.379 --> 00:33:13.759 Now, 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:14.559 Paul says this 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:14.939 at the end 00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:15.539 of an entire 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:16.859 chapter about 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:18.259 our future 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:18.679 hope. 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:19.939 He talks about 00:33:19.939 --> 00:33:20.319 the bodily 00:33:20.319 --> 00:33:21.059 resurrection of 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.720 Jesus and 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.519 especially the 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.500 future bodily 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:24.439 resurrection promised 00:33:24.439 --> 00:33:25.159 to believers at 00:33:25.159 --> 00:33:25.599 the end of the 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:25.980 age. 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.279 But then he 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.199 brings that hope 00:33:28.199 --> 00:33:29.000 into the present 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.599 day. 00:33:29.959 --> 00:33:30.299 At the end 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:30.779 of the chapter, 00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:31.319 he says, 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:31.959 remember, 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.019 your labor 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.859 in the Lord 00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.819 is not 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:36.000 in vain. 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:39.519 You know, 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.000 sometimes we 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.720 can look at 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.000 the world 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.839 around us, 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:43.180 especially if 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.339 we spend a 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:44.660 lot of time 00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.119 reading news 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:45.539 headlines, 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.980 and we can 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.380 be tempted 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:47.819 to throw 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:48.099 up our 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:48.839 hands in 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.359 frustration. 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.200 We see 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.380 decay and 00:33:52.380 --> 00:33:52.960 decline, 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.259 and we 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:56.039 are just 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.680 annoyed by 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:57.940 it. 00:33:59.220 --> 00:34:00.019 Or sometimes 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:01.279 we look at 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:01.680 ourselves, 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:02.140 we look at 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.440 our own 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:02.880 lives, 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:04.100 we see 00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:04.520 the years 00:34:04.520 --> 00:34:05.420 passing by, 00:34:06.320 --> 00:34:07.240 perhaps 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:08.059 longings yet 00:34:08.059 --> 00:34:08.700 unfulfilled. 00:34:09.660 --> 00:34:10.300 Perhaps our 00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:10.740 bodies are 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.360 growing weaker, 00:34:12.160 --> 00:34:12.920 or our 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.619 future prospects 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.079 are growing 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.460 dimmer. 00:34:15.640 --> 00:34:16.099 Maybe we 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.599 look back 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.440 with some 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:19.200 regret or 00:34:19.200 --> 00:34:19.700 disappointment. 00:34:21.680 --> 00:34:22.619 But those 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:23.280 are opportunities 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:25.420 to look to 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.019 Christ and 00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:26.660 find hope 00:34:26.660 --> 00:34:28.059 in him. 00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:31.079 An old hymn 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:31.720 says this, 00:34:31.760 --> 00:34:32.400 swift to its 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.740 clothes ebbs 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.400 out life's 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:34.940 little day. 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.420 Earth's 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:37.079 joys grow 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.420 dim, 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.039 its glories 00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.820 pass away, 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.039 change and 00:34:40.039 --> 00:34:40.539 decay in 00:34:40.539 --> 00:34:41.079 all around 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.559 I see. 00:34:42.740 --> 00:34:43.039 But then 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.280 the hymn 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.860 writer says, 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.579 O thou 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.260 who changest 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.660 not, 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:46.940 abide with 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.220 me. 00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:49.139 And then 00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:49.579 he goes on 00:34:49.579 --> 00:34:49.820 and says, 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.400 I need thy 00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:51.119 presence every 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:51.900 passing hour, 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.619 what but your 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.200 grace can 00:34:53.200 --> 00:34:53.840 foil the 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:54.280 tempter's 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:54.619 power, 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.500 who like 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.400 thyself my 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:56.920 guide and 00:34:56.920 --> 00:34:57.619 stay can be 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.780 through cloud 00:34:58.780 --> 00:34:59.539 and sunshine, 00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.180 Lord, 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.000 abide with 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.280 me. 00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:02.920 And then 00:35:02.920 --> 00:35:03.500 he goes on 00:35:03.500 --> 00:35:04.680 to a verse 00:35:04.680 --> 00:35:05.680 of triumphant 00:35:05.680 --> 00:35:06.440 confidence in 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.540 the face of 00:35:07.540 --> 00:35:08.180 uncertainty. 00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:08.560 He says, 00:35:08.680 --> 00:35:09.380 I fear no 00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:10.260 foe with thee 00:35:10.260 --> 00:35:10.900 at hand to 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.300 bless. 00:35:12.040 --> 00:35:12.600 Ils have 00:35:12.600 --> 00:35:13.160 no weight 00:35:13.160 --> 00:35:13.720 and tears 00:35:13.720 --> 00:35:14.340 no bitterness. 00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:15.840 Where is 00:35:15.840 --> 00:35:16.620 death's sting? 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:18.019 Where grave 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.720 thy victory? 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:20.220 I triumph 00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:21.840 still if thou 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.660 abide with 00:35:22.660 --> 00:35:22.940 me. 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:24.700 Right? 00:35:24.760 --> 00:35:25.500 If we are 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.420 remaining with 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.240 Jesus, if he 00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:28.080 is abiding in 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:29.799 us, then our 00:35:29.799 --> 00:35:30.460 labor in the 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:31.159 Lord is not 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:31.799 in vain and 00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:32.340 we can look 00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:33.239 to the future 00:35:33.239 --> 00:35:34.059 and to 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:34.819 eternity and 00:35:34.819 --> 00:35:35.380 to each 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.699 day with 00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:37.739 hope. 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.679 Charles Spurgeon 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.219 wrote this, 00:35:40.279 --> 00:35:41.019 God will never 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:41.960 suffer this 00:35:41.960 --> 00:35:43.319 world, which 00:35:43.319 --> 00:35:44.159 has once seen 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:44.880 Christ's blood 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.559 shed upon it 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:46.279 to be always 00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:46.799 the devil's 00:35:46.799 --> 00:35:47.380 stronghold. 00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:48.559 Christ came 00:35:48.559 --> 00:35:48.960 here to 00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:49.579 deliver this 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.079 world from 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:51.179 the sway of 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.719 the powers 00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:52.380 of darkness. 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:53.199 One day, 00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.059 men and 00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.639 angels shall 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.440 unite to cry, 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.079 hallelujah, 00:35:56.240 --> 00:35:56.740 hallelujah, 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.960 for the 00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.519 Lord God 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.059 omnipotent 00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.539 reigneth. 00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:00.720 What a 00:36:00.720 --> 00:36:01.539 satisfaction it 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:02.039 will be in 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:02.700 that day to 00:36:02.700 --> 00:36:03.119 have had a 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.639 share in 00:36:03.639 --> 00:36:04.119 the fight, 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:05.300 to have 00:36:05.300 --> 00:36:05.780 aided in 00:36:05.780 --> 00:36:06.159 winning the 00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:06.780 victory for 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:07.300 our Lord. 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:07.960 Happy are 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.380 they who 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.059 trust this 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:09.500 conquering 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.800 Lord and 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.260 who fight 00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:11.780 side by 00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.320 side with 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:12.780 him, doing 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:13.340 their little 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:14.119 in his 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:14.639 name and 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.039 by his 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.400 strength. 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:17.679 Someone sent 00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:17.940 me that 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.559 quotation this 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.920 week and 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.220 he added 00:36:20.220 --> 00:36:20.639 this, 00:36:21.079 --> 00:36:21.800 blessed to 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:22.460 be able to 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.980 do some 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.300 of our 00:36:23.300 --> 00:36:23.820 little in 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:24.280 his name 00:36:24.280 --> 00:36:24.700 together. 00:36:25.440 --> 00:36:26.679 Isn't 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:27.019 that why 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:27.360 God has 00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:27.679 put us 00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:28.139 here as 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:28.559 a church? 00:36:30.139 --> 00:36:30.659 Sometimes 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.280 it seems 00:36:31.280 --> 00:36:31.780 like a 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:32.380 little thing, 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.639 our efforts 00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:34.480 seem small 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:35.679 and our 00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:36.099 successes 00:36:36.099 --> 00:36:36.900 seem modest, 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:38.800 but God 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.900 says he 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.400 is with 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:40.780 us. 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.659 And he 00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.159 has called 00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:43.659 us together 00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:44.519 to labor 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.119 side by 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:45.599 side for 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.099 Christ's 00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:46.639 sake and 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.039 to do 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.480 our little 00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:47.780 in his 00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:48.420 name together 00:36:48.420 --> 00:36:48.800 so that 00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:49.280 his work 00:36:49.280 --> 00:36:49.700 might be 00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:50.400 shown to 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:50.880 our city 00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:51.400 and his 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:52.000 glorious 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.619 power to 00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:53.099 our children 00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.599 and his 00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.400 favor would 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.019 rest upon 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:55.280 us. 00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:55.780 And by 00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:56.280 his grace 00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:56.659 he might 00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.240 establish 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:58.260 the work 00:36:58.260 --> 00:36:58.579 of our 00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:58.920 hands. 00:36:59.039 --> 00:36:59.220 Jesus 00:36:59.220 --> 00:36:59.659 promised 00:36:59.659 --> 00:36:59.980 that if 00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.440 we abide 00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:00.840 in him 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:02.139 that he 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.780 will enable 00:37:02.780 --> 00:37:03.179 us to 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:04.019 bear fruit 00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:04.599 that will 00:37:04.599 --> 00:37:05.099 last. 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.619 To the 00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:06.980 glory of 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.300 the Father. 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:07.720 So brothers 00:37:07.720 --> 00:37:08.179 and sisters 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:08.800 may we end 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.220 this year 00:37:09.220 --> 00:37:09.760 and begin 00:37:09.760 --> 00:37:10.720 a new 00:37:10.720 --> 00:37:11.659 one with 00:37:11.659 --> 00:37:12.079 humility 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:13.240 and with 00:37:13.240 --> 00:37:13.480 hope. 00:37:14.079 --> 00:37:14.599 Let us 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:14.840 pray. 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:20.320 God 00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:21.079 I'm going 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:21.420 to close 00:37:21.420 --> 00:37:21.960 by reading 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.940 the prayer 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.240 for the 00:37:23.240 --> 00:37:23.539 new year 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:23.780 that's 00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:23.960 written 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:24.180 in the 00:37:24.180 --> 00:37:24.559 bulletin. 00:37:24.640 --> 00:37:24.920 This was 00:37:24.920 --> 00:37:25.559 written a 00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:25.860 couple of 00:37:25.860 --> 00:37:26.019 hundred 00:37:26.019 --> 00:37:26.640 years ago 00:37:26.640 --> 00:37:27.820 and expresses 00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:28.440 the humility 00:37:28.440 --> 00:37:29.019 and the hope 00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:29.500 that we see 00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:29.780 in this 00:37:29.780 --> 00:37:30.100 psalm. 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:31.320 So as I 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:31.640 lead us 00:37:31.640 --> 00:37:32.000 in prayer 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.440 let's take 00:37:32.440 --> 00:37:33.039 this opportunity 00:37:33.039 --> 00:37:33.600 to entrust 00:37:33.600 --> 00:37:34.140 ourselves 00:37:34.140 --> 00:37:35.260 and this 00:37:35.260 --> 00:37:35.760 coming year 00:37:35.760 --> 00:37:36.059 to our 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.380 good and 00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:36.660 faithful 00:37:36.660 --> 00:37:37.019 Savior. 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:39.759 Oh love 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:40.559 beyond compare 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:42.320 you are good 00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:42.980 when you give 00:37:42.980 --> 00:37:44.559 when you take 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:44.860 away. 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.699 When the sun 00:37:46.699 --> 00:37:47.619 shines upon me 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.940 when night 00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.780 gathers over me 00:37:49.780 --> 00:37:51.259 you have loved 00:37:51.259 --> 00:37:51.880 me before the 00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:52.619 foundation of the 00:37:52.619 --> 00:37:53.219 world and in 00:37:53.219 --> 00:37:53.619 love you 00:37:53.619 --> 00:37:54.219 redeemed my 00:37:54.219 --> 00:37:54.579 soul. 00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:56.239 You love me 00:37:56.239 --> 00:37:57.900 still in spite 00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:58.480 of my hard 00:37:58.480 --> 00:37:59.679 heart in 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:00.119 gratitude 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:01.460 distrust. 00:38:02.659 --> 00:38:03.139 Your goodness 00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:03.679 has been with 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:04.079 me another 00:38:04.079 --> 00:38:05.659 year leading 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.179 me through a 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.940 twisting wilderness 00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:08.539 in retreat 00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:09.119 helping me 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:09.780 to advance 00:38:09.780 --> 00:38:11.300 when beaten 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:11.980 back making 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.740 sure headway. 00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:14.500 Your goodness 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.059 will be with 00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.400 me in the 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:15.940 year ahead. 00:38:17.019 --> 00:38:17.619 I hoist 00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.179 sail and 00:38:18.179 --> 00:38:18.559 draw up 00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:18.900 anchor 00:38:18.900 --> 00:38:20.280 with you 00:38:20.280 --> 00:38:21.119 as the 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:21.800 blessed pilot 00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:22.240 of my 00:38:22.240 --> 00:38:22.639 future 00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:23.740 as of my 00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.159 past. 00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:25.659 I bless 00:38:25.659 --> 00:38:25.960 you that 00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:26.220 you have 00:38:26.220 --> 00:38:26.700 veiled my 00:38:26.700 --> 00:38:27.200 eyes to 00:38:27.200 --> 00:38:27.599 the waters 00:38:27.599 --> 00:38:27.940 ahead. 00:38:28.860 --> 00:38:29.320 If you 00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:29.760 have appointed 00:38:29.760 --> 00:38:30.500 storms of 00:38:30.500 --> 00:38:31.019 tribulation 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:31.480 you will be 00:38:31.480 --> 00:38:31.820 with me 00:38:31.820 --> 00:38:32.240 in them. 00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:34.019 If I have 00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:34.440 to pass 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.099 through tempests 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:35.760 of persecution 00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:36.440 and temptation 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.119 I shall not 00:38:37.119 --> 00:38:37.460 drown. 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:39.139 If I am to 00:38:39.139 --> 00:38:39.659 die I will 00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:39.980 see your 00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:40.420 face the 00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:40.659 sooner. 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:42.820 If a painful 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.380 end is to 00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:44.039 be my lot 00:38:44.039 --> 00:38:44.500 grant me 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.019 grace that 00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.539 my faith 00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:46.159 fail not. 00:38:47.200 --> 00:38:47.920 If I am to 00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:48.320 be cast 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:48.900 aside from 00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.320 the service 00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:49.940 I love I 00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.300 can make 00:38:50.300 --> 00:38:51.179 no stipulation. 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:53.559 Only glorify 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.200 yourself in 00:38:54.200 --> 00:38:55.480 me whether 00:38:55.480 --> 00:38:55.980 in comfort 00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:56.579 or trial 00:38:56.579 --> 00:38:57.980 as a chosen 00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:59.280 vessel always 00:38:59.280 --> 00:38:59.860 fit for your 00:38:59.860 --> 00:39:00.220 use. 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.360 We pray these 00:39:02.360 --> 00:39:02.659 things in 00:39:02.659 --> 00:39:03.200 Christ's name. 00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:04.099 Amen. 00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.179 Amen.