WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.379 The reading this morning is Psalm 146. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:42.920 The Lord sets the prisoners free. 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:45.700 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 00:00:46.439 --> 00:00:48.900 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:50.820 The Lord loves the righteous. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:53.579 The Lord watches over the sojourners. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:56.260 He upholds the widow and the fatherless. 00:00:56.260 --> 00:00:59.840 But the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:01.920 The Lord will reign forever. 00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:04.939 Your God, O Zion, to all generations. 00:01:05.459 --> 00:01:06.180 Praise the Lord. 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:11.439 There's maybe a little-known Jim Carrey movie from 1999. 00:01:11.739 --> 00:01:15.019 Not so much a comedy, although he definitely is comedic in it. 00:01:15.340 --> 00:01:19.980 It's called Man on the Moon, and it's a movie really about Andy Kaufman. 00:01:20.519 --> 00:01:26.700 If you are slightly older than me, you'd have heard of Andy Kaufman, whether or not you like him. 00:01:26.819 --> 00:01:29.740 He's a bit of a, I don't know, he's an interesting guy. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:30.859 To put it lightly. 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:33.459 Jim Carrey, the perfect cast of it. 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:39.079 And at the end of the movie, Andy Kaufman is diagnosed with cancer. 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:48.039 He exhausts every possible treatment for his cancer. 00:01:48.040 --> 00:01:48.920 It's terminal. 00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:54.460 And he decides that he's going to go to Asia and seek out a psychic healer. 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:57.400 And he gets on the table. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:01:59.780 He's gaunt. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:02.000 His head's shaved. 00:02:02.260 --> 00:02:03.740 His eyes are sunken in. 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:13.400 And he sees and notices the sleight of hand of this healer, who is essentially a charlatan and fakes the whole thing. 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:17.759 Pretends like he's pulling out hunks of cancer out of a stomach. 00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:27.340 But really it's cow's blood and some cut up liver, kidneys, or fat of an animal. 00:02:27.979 --> 00:02:31.019 And he puts his head back and he starts chuckling. 00:02:31.179 --> 00:02:37.120 And then it transitions to his body in a casket at his funeral. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:46.400 His last best hope for being cured of terminal cancer turned out to be a sham performed by a charlatan. 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:51.480 It's actually a very, very sad scene. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:03:01.039 But there's something remarkable about it because it shows that there's nothing worse than misplaced hope. 00:03:01.839 --> 00:03:03.859 Hope in something that is false. 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:11.879 Promises that are believed that are to illicit trust but are nothing more than lies and deception. 00:03:12.859 --> 00:03:17.280 Christine and I were discussing this week what's worse, having no hope at all? 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:21.919 Or having your hope in something that completely lets you down? 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:24.620 And I don't know if it's one or the other. 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:25.979 Maybe one leads to another. 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:29.020 But it is something terribly tragic. 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:34.680 When you put your hope into something or someone only to be let down in the biggest kind of way. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:38.280 We're in Psalm 146 this morning. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:41.420 We're coming near to the end of the Psalter. 00:03:42.379 --> 00:03:46.159 To the end of our series this summer in the Psalms. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:51.520 And we see a Psalm that speaks to this grave problem of false or misplaced hope. 00:03:52.579 --> 00:04:00.719 But more importantly, it's a Psalm that speaks to and provides a definition of what real hope looks like. 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:04.340 And how it is a blessing. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:06.960 I mean, the text in our English says blessing. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:09.120 But that almost falls short. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:13.180 It is the greatest possible thing we could ever hope for. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:14.560 To have our hope in. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:16.879 The greatest possible experience we could ever have. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:23.060 So if you have a Bible, it would help me out if you turn to Psalm 146. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:25.860 We'll break the Psalm up into two parts. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:29.699 We'll look first at the folly and tragedy of misplaced hope. 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:34.019 And then we'll look at the joy of hope realized. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:37.000 The folly or tragedy of misplaced hope. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:39.659 And the joy of hope realized. 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:41.439 We'll get right into it. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:42.879 Look with me at verse three. 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:46.779 Put not your trust in princes. 00:04:46.779 --> 00:04:51.059 In whom there is no salvation. 00:04:52.799 --> 00:04:54.299 You know, history is full of strongmen. 00:04:55.659 --> 00:05:02.659 Towering figures whose mere presence could bolster the confidence of an army or a team. 00:05:03.619 --> 00:05:05.939 We think about Alexander the Great. 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:07.599 Or Lord Nelson. 00:05:08.359 --> 00:05:09.659 For you Anglophiles. 00:05:10.859 --> 00:05:14.399 For sports, you can think of Wayne Gretzky or Michael Jordan. 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:21.839 If you're of my age range, there's a character in a movie called, his name is Benny the Jet Rodriguez. 00:05:22.039 --> 00:05:23.199 You have him on your team, you're winning. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:33.539 It's remarkable with what one man or what one woman can do to turn the tide in a battle or a game. 00:05:34.799 --> 00:05:39.819 Most of us, though, we're not going to look to a figure to lead us into battle. 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:41.579 None of us are going to war. 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:59.120 I was reminded very clearly this week that my little maybe .1% hope that maybe one day I will play some significant basketball was shattered when going for a walk resulted in a foot issue. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:00.399 But here's the thing. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.299 None of us are going pro, right? 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:09.860 Still, still, we look to princes all the time. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:18.000 I mean, princes is what is used in the Psalter, but maybe sub-out princes and sub-in influencers. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:19.180 Okay? 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:20.100 Health gurus. 00:06:20.100 --> 00:06:27.020 Those that are modern sages, economists, futurists. 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:39.820 Those that have rightly, and oftentimes very rightly, have pinpointed and diagnosed a real problem that we might have or societally we might have. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:52.219 And they offer a solution that may be more than just a principle to live by, but borders a claim on salvation itself. 00:06:52.659 --> 00:06:57.779 A salvific leader, a messiah of some sorts. 00:06:57.779 --> 00:07:00.419 Maybe it's not even that. 00:07:00.419 --> 00:07:05.000 Maybe there's some influencers that are just really down-to-earth people. 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:12.500 They're not claiming to be anything more than just an expert in one specific field. 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:16.739 But we are the ones who look to them in an ultimate way. 00:07:17.139 --> 00:07:22.979 Our focus upon their teaching is inordinate to what it should be. 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:31.620 Nevertheless, we put our hope and trust in people or things all the time. 00:07:31.700 --> 00:07:32.480 This is what we do. 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:34.840 And it's a bit of a problem in our day. 00:07:35.460 --> 00:07:43.660 I think people more than in a past generation understand that they are lacking and that they are hungry to find answers. 00:07:44.200 --> 00:07:51.620 And that they are looking rightly outside of themselves, but looking in the wrong direction to the wrong people. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:54.579 Young men in particular are struggling. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:57.240 Again, I'm speaking generally, okay? 00:07:57.699 --> 00:07:59.759 So not all young men, but speaking generally. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:12.420 They can look to macho masculinity that ultimately speaks very ill of women and elevates carnal things as the very things to pursue. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:17.100 And there's a whole segment of young men that are going after these things. 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:18.079 It's a very terrible thing. 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:37.360 But in the end, whether they're macho masculinity men or, you know, people that are just giving wonderful tips on how to optimize one's house or to make efficient your workflow. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:46.659 We have the propensity to treat them as more than just an expert, but as a type of prince. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:51.779 Someone that we're going to put our hope and trust in. 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:53.139 This is our default. 00:08:53.300 --> 00:08:53.960 This is a problem. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:57.560 And here's the big problem with it. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:09:06.319 Whether they are truly charlatans or we are treating them as a savior, they are mortal people like us. 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:07.859 Mortal men and women. 00:09:08.839 --> 00:09:14.839 They can't promise us, they can promise us all they want, but they can't provide us with salvation. 00:09:14.839 --> 00:09:22.699 Because ultimately salvation, it looks to transcending the difficulties and ills of this life, this mortal life. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:26.000 It always looks to eternity. 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:33.040 But every earthly prince, every earthly influencer suffers the same fate. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:34.180 They go to the dust. 00:09:34.280 --> 00:09:34.700 Read with me. 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:35.700 Verse 10. 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:39.360 When his breath departs, he returns. 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:43.200 On that very day, his plan perishes. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:46.580 Here's the honest truth. 00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:48.060 We're drawn to these princes. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:53.220 We want to be led to have some kind of perfect health. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:58.280 We want increasing amounts of wealth. 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:00.640 Complete optimization. 00:10:01.860 --> 00:10:05.200 We want to enjoy what heaven promises. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:17.520 So we can find ourselves often elated to stumble upon a new influencer, a new book, something that promises us what we want. 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.820 It's a problem in politics. 00:10:21.020 --> 00:10:22.900 It's a problem in the self-help industry. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:26.940 There are a lot of messiah figures. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:29.879 And our default setting is to follow them. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:44.019 So you think that someone, an earthly person, a mortal person, to solve our ultimate longings for salvation, to put our hopes in. 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:47.159 We would see it for what it is. 00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:52.659 How on earth can a mortal person help us to achieve immortality? 00:10:52.659 --> 00:11:00.379 But this is the problem for us because the God of the universe offers us his hand. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:05.159 He extends to us his charity and his love and his benevolence. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.279 The eternal God. 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:09.839 Say, there is a way to salvation. 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:19.659 And we, instead of getting elated like we may do when we stumble upon a new influencer or a new guru or a new self-optimizer, 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:26.139 a promised earthly messiah, instead we shy away from God. 00:11:27.339 --> 00:11:31.679 Maybe it's because God is not like other human beings. 00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:32.659 We cannot see him. 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:37.179 Maybe that's the issue at hand. 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:43.240 Maybe the issue at hand is that God, he promises us eternal life. 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:53.060 But sometimes following the Lord in this life does not result in the heavenly utopic vision, 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:56.039 but rather results in more difficulty. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:57.240 Okay? 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:03.080 It doesn't result in more money, better health. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:05.419 You know, we just continue on in this life. 00:12:05.460 --> 00:12:09.180 Or maybe, you know, we suffer because we're following Christ. 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:15.799 Nevertheless, what we have here is a call. 00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:25.039 A call to follow our hopes towards the only person that can extend to us what we need. 00:12:25.719 --> 00:12:32.239 The only one that himself needs no deliverance, but offers it freely and generously. 00:12:33.219 --> 00:12:34.579 But it's easier said than done. 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:38.960 And I mentioned it is our default setting to look elsewhere, apart from God. 00:12:39.900 --> 00:12:42.940 So this is why we see the psalmist in verses 1 and 2. 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:46.580 He is rousing his soul not to put his hope elsewhere. 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:54.180 His desire is, yes, to worship God, but he also recognizes that his default setting is to look everywhere else but above. 00:12:54.179 --> 00:13:00.659 He's stubbornly set to find a false savior no matter the cost. 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:09.179 So opening, the opening verses, they, on one hand, they read, and they are a declaration of the psalmist to praise the Lord. 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:12.459 But it's also itself a cry for help. 00:13:13.099 --> 00:13:14.579 Read with me verses 1 to 2. 00:13:14.959 --> 00:13:16.159 And especially verse 1. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.639 It says, praise the Lord. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:31.860 You see, the psalmist here is saying, praise the Lord, oh my soul. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:36.799 It's as if there's this internal dialogue that's happening with the psalmist and his soul. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.539 Saying, listen, soul, praise the Lord. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:42.000 The soul is like, I want to praise the Lord. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:44.379 The body is saying, I don't want to praise the Lord. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:46.279 And there's this tension. 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:48.700 But really, there's something of a bit of a prayer here. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:55.740 St. Augustine, in his commentary on Psalm 146, he picks this up in a very profound way. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.600 And this is what he says. 00:13:57.860 --> 00:14:04.240 The soul itself gives itself counsel from the light of God by the reasonable mind, 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:10.299 whereby it conceives the wisdom fixed in the everlasting nature of its capital A author. 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:14.679 Yet, the soul has not the strength to abide there. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:22.139 Therefore, it gathers itself, as it were, into a sound state and cries out, praise the Lord, oh my soul. 00:14:23.979 --> 00:14:30.379 The psalmist is saying, what this is, in verse 1, it is a cry for God's mercy. 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:35.539 It's a cry to God that if I put my hope in you, you have to come through. 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.379 You have to come through. 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:46.179 It is a recognition that there is no other hope that will satisfy the human longing apart from the Lord himself. 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:54.019 It is a cry of a desperate person that does not want to be hopeless, 00:14:54.659 --> 00:15:00.759 and does not want to suffer the tragedy of yet another failure in trust. 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.320 But can the Lord come through? 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.879 He's asking a lot of God. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:13.259 Again, theoretically, we can say, okay, God is strong. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.460 He has created everything. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:19.519 But when it comes down to brass tacks, it is the question we ask, 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:23.100 will God actually come through if I put my trust in him? 00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.159 Will he do it? 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:28.240 Because, I mean, things that are happening in my heart and in my world, 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.559 they're difficult and they're tough. 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:31.299 Will he come through? 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:43.179 There are real cycles of oppression and injustice, hunger, ignorance, that persist daily in the cities, 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.019 but across the world. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:48.579 To comprehend them would be our undoing. 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.899 They are everywhere. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:54.500 Every day we encounter them. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:16:01.879 And if there are no leaders or social programs, no aid agencies or the like that can bring us this real hope, 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:05.940 can we truly trust in the Lord who we cannot see? 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.000 It's a big question. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.759 It's worth asking. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.860 And this leads us to our second point. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.240 The joy of hope realized. 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:14.919 Read with me verse 5. 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:17.960 And we're going to park it on verse 5 for a brief moment. 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:19.179 Verse 5. 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:27.519 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:32.959 You see, this verse, it frames the entirety of Psalm 146. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:38.659 And really, it could be said that this is like a theme verse of maybe the entire Bible. 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:43.759 This idea of blessedness, it is throughout the Psalter. 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:47.299 And we see it in the first Psalm. 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:57.939 If the opening verse, if the opening refrain to the Psalter will dictate the rest of the hymn book of the Bible, 00:16:58.579 --> 00:17:02.339 Psalm 1 does a great job laying out the prominence of blessing. 00:17:03.819 --> 00:17:05.599 Six verses in Psalm 1. 00:17:05.659 --> 00:17:06.480 I'll read three of them. 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:12.599 It's well worth, if you are Bible memorizers, this is a perfect chapter to memorize. 00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:13.519 And this is what it says. 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:17.039 Blessed is the man or woman who walks not in the council, 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:21.879 nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:25.919 But his or her delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:29.500 And on his law he or she meditates day and night. 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:35.460 He or she is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season. 00:17:36.159 --> 00:17:37.599 And its leaf does not wither. 00:17:38.139 --> 00:17:39.960 In all that he or she does, 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.879 he or she prospers. 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:49.280 You see, the blessing of Psalm 1 and also the blessing of Psalm 146 00:17:49.280 --> 00:17:56.220 comes from putting trust and hope in the salvation of the Lord by faith. 00:17:57.360 --> 00:18:01.900 Because inherent in Psalm 1 and Psalm 146 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:07.000 is not simply just putting our faith in the God we do not see, 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:11.320 but it means to turn away from false hope. 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:14.380 Not putting our hope, 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:19.759 not putting our trust in things that cannot possibly deliver us. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:23.599 Faith is always a turning to God, 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:26.700 but also a turning away from false gods. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.680 It's always that. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:34.359 It means trusting that God is able to do what he promises, 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:40.160 that he makes promises that he keeps. 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:43.079 We'll see just in a moment, 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:46.420 Psalm 146, it's 10 verses, 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:49.360 11 times within the Psalm, 00:18:50.100 --> 00:18:51.720 in our English translation, 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.420 it will have the Lord all capitalized. 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:58.300 Now, I'm sure some of you who have gone to church for some time 00:18:58.300 --> 00:19:00.259 would know this already, 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.279 but it's worth repeating. 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:05.400 That is a translation decision 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:08.000 to take the covenant name of God, 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:13.019 the name that God gives himself to Moses, 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:15.200 but really we see this name 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:18.599 whenever God is making a covenant with his people. 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:21.579 It is, I am who I am. 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:24.059 It is God essentially saying that 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:25.819 I am the highest power. 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:28.200 I swear by no higher power, 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.579 but myself. 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:32.779 What I say will come to pass no matter what. 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:36.059 I am him. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.639 I am God. 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:42.360 It really encapsulates a term 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:44.780 that we would call in theology called covenant, 00:19:45.340 --> 00:19:47.420 that God makes covenants with us, 00:19:47.520 --> 00:19:48.280 a promise, 00:19:48.520 --> 00:19:50.740 but not like a promise like we make promises, 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:54.380 a promise whereby he will see it through, 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:57.660 an agreement of sorts that even if we fail, 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.200 he will not fail. 00:19:59.520 --> 00:20:00.640 God is a covenant-making, 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.520 covenant-keeping, 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.440 promise-making, 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.340 promise-keeping God. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:08.079 So, returning back to the text, 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.899 11 times, 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:12.699 in the context of the blessed life 00:20:12.699 --> 00:20:14.839 of putting our hope and trust in God, 00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:20.119 God's covenant name is just marbled throughout. 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:22.959 From verse 5 to 9, 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.439 seven times it is mentioned. 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:28.119 God, the covenant-making, 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:29.339 covenant-keeping God, 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:31.159 he is the God we are to put 00:20:31.159 --> 00:20:33.399 our faith and trust into. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:35.420 And really, 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:38.180 verse 5 being the thesis statement 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:42.440 or the verse that frames the rest of the text, 00:20:42.800 --> 00:20:46.680 then is bolstered by verses 6, 7, 8, and 9. 00:20:47.540 --> 00:20:49.920 What kind of God gives blessing? 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:52.500 What kind of God is worthy of our trust and our hope? 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.300 What kind of God? 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.060 I'll tell you. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:59.580 And the psalmist will highlight God as creator. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.519 Father, okay? 00:21:00.619 --> 00:21:02.819 This is the God that you're going to put your hope into. 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:03.779 Okay? 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.659 He's going to say also, 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:07.799 the God who executes justice perfectly, 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:10.599 that's the God you're going to put your hope and trust into. 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:12.240 And then finally, 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.539 the God who redeems. 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.919 He is the God 00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:18.460 who you're going to put your hope and trust into. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.679 And by the way, 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.159 again, 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.259 the Lord, 00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:22.899 the Lord, 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.460 the Lord, 00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:23.980 the Lord, 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:25.419 I am does this, 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.519 I am does this, 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.339 I am does this, 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.220 which is to say, 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:30.460 everything that will come about 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:31.720 is as sure, 00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:32.599 as sure, 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:36.200 as the grass is green and the sky is blue. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.319 It is a guarantee. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.200 So, 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:41.319 let's take a bit of time 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.920 to go through each of those. 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.619 God as creator, 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:45.139 God as executor of justice, 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:47.379 and then God as redeemer. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.519 Look with me at verse 6. 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:51.960 I'll read verse 5 as well. 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:55.840 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:58.360 whose hope is in the Lord his God. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:58.920 Verse 6. 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:01.100 Who made heaven and earth, 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:03.240 the sea and all that is in them, 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:06.039 who keeps faith forever. 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:06.660 You see, 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:07.660 the psalmist is saying, 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:07.940 listen, 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.600 God is powerful. 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:14.180 There's a lot of powerful people and beings that exist. 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:16.620 There is none that is the creator of all. 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.900 The uncreated one, 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.720 the first mover, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:24.259 the one who is not contingent on anything, 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:26.259 but everything is contingent upon him. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:27.820 He gives breath. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:31.660 He is the one who spoke the world into existence. 00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:34.180 And then there's that little bit at the end of verse 6, 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.140 where it says, 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.880 who keeps faith forever. 00:22:37.060 --> 00:22:37.200 Now, 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.460 that might seem out of place, 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.500 because we're talking about God as creator. 00:22:41.060 --> 00:22:44.180 And then there's this mention of God keeping faith forever. 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:47.380 But it actually is very, 00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:54.120 very important to not disconnect the idea of God as faithful one and God as creator, 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:56.120 because God is creating everything. 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:57.360 Okay? 00:22:57.460 --> 00:23:00.080 And if you read chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis, 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.920 he creates, 00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:02.720 and then he says what? 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.900 It is good. 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:05.320 And he creates, 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:05.820 and he says, 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.320 it is good. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:09.820 And after every aspect of his creation, 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:10.440 what does he say? 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:10.960 It is good. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.420 It is good. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:11.820 It is good. 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.740 He gets to mankind. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.319 He says, 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.279 it is very good. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:14.939 Okay? 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.639 Very good. 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:18.240 Which is to say that when God creates, 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.779 he does so with intention. 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.399 He creates, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:24.779 not as a plan B, 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:29.480 or he doesn't create because there's some kind of cosmic battle, 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.899 and this is a bit of an afterthought, 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:35.619 or the residue of some kind of cosmic happening. 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:38.039 God creates with intention, 00:23:39.179 --> 00:23:41.339 and baked in there is order. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.839 And beauty and goodness. 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:47.740 Because God is a God of order and beauty and goodness. 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.539 So he creates, 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:50.559 not because he needs to create, 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:54.079 but because he delights in creation. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.259 So when we see, 00:23:55.919 --> 00:23:56.200 again, 00:23:56.339 --> 00:24:01.399 remembering that Lord is this term that proclaims the promises of God, 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:03.059 that he will never break his promises, 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.799 and that he will never deny himself. 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.980 When it says here, 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:07.200 he keeps faith forever. 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.779 It's to say that the psalmist is saying, 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.900 this God who creates, 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.960 he will not abandon his creation. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:16.980 Even though it is bent because of sin and pride, 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:20.039 and brokenness and exploitation and all the like, 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:23.180 he will not hit the reset button. 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.940 He will not brush us into, 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.299 again, 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:27.420 a cosmic waste bin, 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.460 but rather, 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.940 he will redeem, 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:30.900 he will restore. 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:32.340 This is who God is. 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:35.820 He will keep faith forever. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.660 Let me ask you a question. 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:41.860 That commitment to the goodness, 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:42.919 and the beauty, 00:24:43.179 --> 00:24:45.959 and the creation itself. 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:48.179 Do we find that with influencers? 00:24:48.979 --> 00:24:50.519 Do we find that with princes? 00:24:50.659 --> 00:24:53.679 Do we find that in the gurus of our age? 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.379 Perfect, 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.039 perfect, 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.899 perfect creativity. 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.199 A commitment, 00:25:00.179 --> 00:25:04.479 a commitment to the goodness and order and intention of creation. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.399 We do not see that. 00:25:06.479 --> 00:25:08.199 Let's look now at verses seven and nine, 00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:11.059 and see how God is the executor of justice. 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:12.899 I'll read verse five again, 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.000 because again, 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.539 seven and nine, 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.879 everything that follows verse five, 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:22.460 it frames and kind of gives an explanation for this thesis statement. 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.079 Verse five, 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.319 blessed is he, 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:28.559 whose help is the God of Jacob, 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:31.359 whose hope is the Lord his God. 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:32.319 Verse seven, 00:25:32.399 --> 00:25:34.259 who executes justice for the oppressed, 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:36.240 who gives food to the hungry. 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.940 Verse nine, 00:25:37.919 --> 00:25:39.659 the Lord watches over the sojourners. 00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:41.440 He upholds the widow and the fatherless, 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:44.779 but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:49.259 The one who created will also uphold, 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:51.040 for he is just, 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.759 and he hates evil, 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.920 for he is good. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:26:00.580 The Hebrew word here for justice is used some 200 times, 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:02.779 200 times in the Bible, 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.940 in the Old Testament. 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:06.519 And often it's connected to, 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:09.400 not just the judging of evil, 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.820 the punishing of evil, 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:12.519 the ending of evil, 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:17.860 but it also pertains to the care and compassion for the marginalized. 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.759 The alien, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.500 the low caste, 00:26:22.459 --> 00:26:22.919 the orphan, 00:26:23.199 --> 00:26:23.579 the widow, 00:26:24.479 --> 00:26:26.259 those that cannot fight for themselves. 00:26:26.719 --> 00:26:30.599 This is all encapsulated in this idea of justice, 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.759 God's justice being executed. 00:26:34.219 --> 00:26:37.719 The Lord sees the pain and hears the cry of all, 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.459 not of some, 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:39.979 okay, 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.059 but of all. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:43.500 He hears the cry of all. 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:46.099 He will punish evil and vice. 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:51.200 He will end the systems and attitudes that exploit and oppress. 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.480 You know, 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.420 we might, 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:57.059 you might scoff at that because it continues and persists. 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.259 Why not do it now? 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.220 God in his timing, 00:26:59.299 --> 00:26:59.740 I'm not sure. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:04.579 This specific psalm isn't speaking of God's sovereign, 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.640 sovereignness over time, 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:07.160 okay? 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:09.539 But the promise is that it will happen. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.859 Let me ask you a question. 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:18.259 Do the influencers and the pseudo false messiahs, 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:20.579 can they be as compassionate as this God? 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:24.539 Can they alleviate all of the pain? 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:24.880 I mean, 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.980 our best plans for aid in this world, 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.759 to alleviate suffering, 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:33.660 I mean, 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:35.000 it works to an extent, 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.900 but it can never wipe out hunger. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:41.200 There are still orphans in this world. 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:44.240 There are still people that are exploited. 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:47.319 Slavery is still very much a thing in this world. 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:52.960 Tens of millions of slaves exist across this earth. 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:57.000 There is no human being that can solve this problem. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.180 The scriptures are saying, 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.240 of course not. 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:01.099 It can only be solved by the Lord God. 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.279 Finally, 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.380 we're looking at, 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.799 we're looking at God as redeemer. 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.200 Verse eight. 00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:07.099 Again, 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:09.160 I'll read verse five first. 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:12.880 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:16.140 whose hope is in the Lord his God. 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.720 Verse eight. 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:19.380 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:21.500 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. 00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:23.759 The Lord loves the righteous. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:27.000 This describes the goodness of God, 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:29.200 how he understands that sin has, 00:28:29.299 --> 00:28:33.940 has touched and brought great ignorance and stupor to his creation, 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:37.879 blinding and oppressing what he has created and called good. 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:39.019 So we see, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:39.859 interestingly, 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:45.099 the justice very much connected to the, 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:45.500 the, 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:47.180 the redemption of God, 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:50.500 all kind of connected to God being creator, 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:52.579 because he creates with intent and goodness, 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.659 and he loves his creation. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:56.579 He won't see his creation ultimately dissolve away. 00:28:57.000 --> 00:29:00.000 But here there's an emphasis on the lifting up, 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.419 the redeeming. 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:05.019 And he is the one who seeks out those that need to be redeemed. 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:09.699 He's the one who opens blind eyes and straightens crooked backs. 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.740 Surely in, 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.339 in, 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.220 in a physical way, 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.659 but more importantly in a, 00:29:15.659 --> 00:29:17.519 in a spiritual and social way, 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.960 but especially a spiritual way. 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:21.980 He is the one who dispels ignorance. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:24.559 He is the one who uplifts the broken. 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.740 And at the core of this, 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:30.019 it's how God makes unrighteous people righteous. 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:36.099 When we turn and cry out in hope for salvation, 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:38.400 he hears and he acts, 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:43.200 and so delights in making us something that we are not, 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:45.440 but something that we so desperately want. 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.860 That is to be righteous. 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:48.380 To be made right. 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:52.620 To have our life turn from brokenness to wholeness. 00:29:53.820 --> 00:29:55.420 Pain to joy. 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:59.160 So how does God make unrighteous people righteous? 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:02.279 Because isn't that what ultimately we want? 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:03.140 If the Lord, 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.120 this covenant making, 00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.039 covenant keeping God, 00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:07.340 loves the righteous, 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.580 shouldn't you want to be righteous? 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:11.439 We'll wrap up with this. 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.359 It says, 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:15.579 in verse three and four, 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:17.279 put not your trust in princes, 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:20.659 in a son of man in whom there is no salvation. 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.220 You see, 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:22.899 that's the problem. 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:24.699 Influencers, 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.439 like I've said, 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:26.639 they are mortals. 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:28.480 They are sons of man. 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:30.579 which is to say that they are human beings. 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:31.559 They, 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:32.639 verse four, 00:30:33.179 --> 00:30:34.759 they breathe out 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:36.279 their last breath, 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.879 and then they return to the earth. 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:39.900 Interesting little play on words 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.580 in, 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:42.060 in the original Hebrew 00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:43.840 that they are man, 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.560 Adam, 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.960 that return to the dust, 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.660 Adamah. 00:30:48.300 --> 00:30:48.600 It's, 00:30:49.040 --> 00:30:49.240 they, 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.120 they are dust. 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.420 They walk around for a season, 00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:52.620 but then they die, 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.700 and then they go back to the dust. 00:30:53.780 --> 00:30:55.140 But there is another son of man, 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:55.640 okay, 00:30:56.520 --> 00:30:57.840 who was a son of man, 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.600 like us, 00:30:59.020 --> 00:30:59.280 mortal, 00:30:59.780 --> 00:31:01.260 but was the son of man. 00:31:01.360 --> 00:31:01.460 And, 00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:02.940 and the son of man is this 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.940 really, 00:31:04.080 --> 00:31:04.360 really, 00:31:04.360 --> 00:31:05.400 incredibly, 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.340 fantastic, 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.000 fantastic title, 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:10.379 given to the Messiah himself, 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:10.699 which, 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.199 interestingly, 00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:14.939 the son of man means that he is actually the son of God. 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:16.500 I won't get into it right now. 00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.599 You'll have to take my word for it. 00:31:17.619 --> 00:31:18.639 We can talk about it afterwards. 00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:20.699 But this son of man, 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.259 he also, 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.359 uh, 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.480 breathes out, 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.299 uh, 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:25.539 and, 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:25.779 and, 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.480 and dies. 00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:28.779 But he doesn't stay in the grave. 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.339 Jesus Christ, 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:35.099 he doesn't sit upon a throne up in heaven 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:39.279 and just lob down great principles to live by. 00:31:39.539 --> 00:31:39.819 Okay. 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:42.659 Do this and things will go better for you. 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:44.740 And then maybe you'll make your way up to the heavens. 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:45.939 He doesn't. 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:48.659 He comes down to our position. 00:31:48.659 --> 00:31:51.179 He takes up into his divinity, 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:52.059 our humanity, 00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:53.740 remaining fully God, 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:55.379 but can completely man. 00:31:55.380 --> 00:31:59.020 And he lives this incredibly righteous life, 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:01.540 but dies an unrighteous death. 00:32:02.360 --> 00:32:05.080 And then there's this incredible switch that happens. 00:32:05.080 --> 00:32:06.540 If we put our hope in Christ, 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.680 our true hope, 00:32:08.100 --> 00:32:08.400 he says, 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:08.700 okay, 00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:10.960 have my righteousness. 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:13.980 I will take on everything that is unrighteous about you 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:15.480 and you will be righteous. 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:17.680 You are now the object of my love. 00:32:19.300 --> 00:32:21.100 And what does Jesus do upon the cross? 00:32:21.180 --> 00:32:22.120 He actually dies. 00:32:22.280 --> 00:32:23.620 That's one of the reasons in the creed 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:25.959 we say that he died, 00:32:26.479 --> 00:32:27.359 was buried. 00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.599 We want to emphasize 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:31.059 that this wasn't just like a swooning 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:35.679 or kind of a rumor that Jesus died, 00:32:35.719 --> 00:32:36.959 but that he actually died. 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.299 So he breathes out his last. 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:39.119 He is buried, 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:40.459 but then rises again. 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:43.179 And then he breathes a second time. 00:32:45.679 --> 00:32:48.000 The risen Christ before he ascends to heaven, 00:32:48.739 --> 00:32:50.319 he gathers with his disciples 00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:53.000 and he breathes upon them his Holy Spirit. 00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:53.919 Okay? 00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:56.939 He gives the Holy Spirit, 00:32:57.059 --> 00:33:00.979 his very spirit to his church, 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:03.539 those that have put their hope and faith and trust in him, 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:07.239 to be their comforter and their helper. 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:11.839 And he gives the Holy Spirit to them 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:13.599 so that they will know 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:15.079 that one day, 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:19.279 if God's very presence is with them on this earth, 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:21.740 it is a foretaste of what it will be one day 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.700 when they are with him 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:24.240 in his presence in heaven. 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.379 And this is why 00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:29.240 there is no other person to hope in 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.119 except Christ. 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:33.440 Because what man or woman, 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:37.019 what political ideology or philosophy 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.920 can promise 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:41.759 the breathing out of God's own spirit 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:43.899 that will permeate our very being, 00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:46.820 who promises that one day 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:48.840 we will be with him for eternity. 00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:51.420 And this is what we see in the last verse, 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:53.680 in verse 10 of Psalm 146, 00:33:54.040 --> 00:33:55.720 the psalmist captures it beautifully. 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:58.080 The Lord will reign forever, 00:33:58.740 --> 00:33:59.880 your God, O Zion, 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.240 to all generations. 00:34:01.900 --> 00:34:02.480 Praise the Lord. 00:34:04.040 --> 00:34:06.580 He will be reigning forever. 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:09.639 His salvation doesn't last for a moment 00:34:09.639 --> 00:34:10.699 or a season 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:13.599 or even a human lifetime, 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.440 but forever. 00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:18.239 What influencer or prince 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:19.340 can promise that? 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.440 Who are you, 00:34:21.699 --> 00:34:22.579 who am I, 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:25.360 putting our hope in? 00:34:26.279 --> 00:34:27.960 Ask the question honestly, 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.679 if you can. 00:34:29.659 --> 00:34:31.299 Who are you putting your hope in 00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:31.940 right now 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:35.340 that is ultimately going to let you down? 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:38.519 Where is your hope misplaced? 00:34:40.619 --> 00:34:41.920 And then like the psalmist, 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.679 in verses 1 and 2, 00:34:43.860 --> 00:34:44.599 cry out, 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:46.079 praise the Lord, 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.739 O my soul. 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:49.000 God, help me praise you. 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:50.860 You see, 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.920 my spirit is willing, 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:52.880 my flesh is weak. 00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:53.480 I believe, 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.340 help my unbelief. 00:34:54.739 --> 00:34:56.460 The Bible is full of instances 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:58.519 where God, 00:34:58.679 --> 00:35:01.179 he just hears the faintest cry 00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.819 and he rushes to act. 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:05.139 Will you cry out to the Lord this morning? 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:06.920 Church, 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:07.619 will you say, 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.559 praise the Lord, 00:35:09.079 --> 00:35:09.920 O my soul, 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.860 I will praise the Lord. 00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:11.819 Will you cry out to him? 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:13.819 Listen, 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:17.360 this life is full of difficulties 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.119 and temptation. 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.299 This might be 00:35:19.299 --> 00:35:21.639 the very cry of your heart 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:23.659 for the next few decades 00:35:23.659 --> 00:35:24.679 or few years 00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.759 or few months 00:35:25.759 --> 00:35:27.739 or however long the Lord has 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:29.519 for you to live on this earth. 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:31.759 but make it your cry. 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.500 Cry out to him 00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:35.420 and just watch how he will act. 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.619 Praise the Lord, 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:37.320 O my soul. 00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.860 I will praise the Lord.