WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.120 If you want to turn in one of the Bibles to look along with me, if you're looking at one 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:12.480 of the Pew Bibles, it is page 484, Psalm 71. 00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:18.039 We've been doing a series in the Psalms this summer, and we'll be concluding it this week 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:22.199 and next week, and then we'll be starting a new series in two weeks. 00:00:22.699 --> 00:00:27.699 In the evening service, we'll be looking at the Gospel of Mark, at the question of who 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:31.939 is the real Jesus, and then in the morning service, we'll be starting a series in the 00:00:31.939 --> 00:00:32.500 book of Hebrews. 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:39.600 So I want to invite you to consider coming to one or both of those, the evening service 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:40.780 or the morning service, or both. 00:00:42.659 --> 00:00:48.039 So Psalm 71, this is, we don't know who wrote this psalm. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:56.320 It might have been David, or it might have been someone else, but we know that it has 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:59.280 come to us as God's Word, and we're thankful for that. 00:00:59.380 --> 00:01:01.679 So let me read Psalm 71 for us tonight. 00:01:02.480 --> 00:01:04.739 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge. 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:06.680 Let me never be put to shame. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:10.540 In your righteousness, deliver me and rescue me. 00:01:11.319 --> 00:01:13.019 Incline your ear to me and save me. 00:01:13.780 --> 00:01:17.680 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come. 00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:22.879 You have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:28.599 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:32.780 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, for my youth. 00:01:33.699 --> 00:01:35.759 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth. 00:01:36.399 --> 00:01:38.239 You are he who took me from my mother's womb. 00:01:38.899 --> 00:01:41.060 My praise is continually of you. 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:45.840 I have been as important to many, but you are my strong refuge. 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:49.519 My mouth is filled with your praise and with your glory all the day. 00:01:49.519 --> 00:01:53.379 Do not cast me off in the time of old age. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:58.560 Forsake me not when my strength is spent, for my enemies speak concerning me. 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:03.359 Those who watch for my life consult together and say, God has forsaken him. 00:02:04.060 --> 00:02:06.419 Pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him. 00:02:07.060 --> 00:02:09.139 O God, be not far from me. 00:02:09.579 --> 00:02:11.979 O my God, make haste to help me. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:15.079 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed. 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:18.960 With scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:24.480 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. 00:02:25.200 --> 00:02:28.780 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, your deeds of salvation all the day. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:31.800 For their number is past my knowledge. 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:34.620 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come. 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:38.080 I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:40.600 O God, from my youth you have taught me. 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:42.960 And I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:45.960 So even to old age and gray hairs. 00:02:46.579 --> 00:02:47.960 O God, do not forsake me. 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:52.859 Until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:56.319 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:00.439 You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 00:03:01.519 --> 00:03:04.240 You have made me see many troubles and calamities. 00:03:04.519 --> 00:03:06.000 But you will revive me again. 00:03:06.659 --> 00:03:09.479 From the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:13.399 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. 00:03:14.139 --> 00:03:18.019 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God. 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:21.299 I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O holy one of Israel. 00:03:21.839 --> 00:03:24.939 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:26.919 My soul also which you have redeemed. 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:30.719 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long. 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:35.659 For they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt. 00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:40.799 For much of his life, he was a missionary in South America. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:46.939 He invested his life in preaching the gospel, in starting new churches, in caring for people. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:51.219 When he retired, he and his wife moved back to the U.S. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:55.039 A few years later, he began to lose his memory. 00:03:55.900 --> 00:04:00.979 He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and moved by his daughter to an assisted living facility. 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:05.159 Eventually, he could not remember where he was. 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:09.979 He could not even remember who his daughter was when she came to visit him. 00:04:10.539 --> 00:04:16.579 But he would walk the corridors, singing the hymns of praise that he had sung all of his life. 00:04:17.219 --> 00:04:21.599 And greeting people and welcoming them as if they had just arrived in his church. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:30.939 Even in his mentally impaired state, he became, in his old age, what he had clung to throughout his life. 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:36.500 What kind of person will you be when you grow old? 00:04:37.780 --> 00:04:42.860 The psalm we're looking at today is written by someone facing the reality of old age. 00:04:43.320 --> 00:04:45.540 Now, we don't know exactly what decade he's in. 00:04:45.540 --> 00:04:55.060 But he's old enough to look back on his youth as a time of the past and to recognize the inevitable approach of old age and its challenges. 00:04:55.960 --> 00:04:59.560 Now, for some of you, that might be exactly where you are in life. 00:05:00.180 --> 00:05:01.720 You know that you're not young anymore. 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:08.500 And you're beginning to experience the pains and fears and limitations of growing old. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:21.680 But for many of us, many of us are relatively young. 00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:25.800 Maybe you're looking forward to going back to school this fall. 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:27.600 Or starting college. 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:29.420 Or grad school. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:30.980 Or applying for a job. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:32.439 Or trying to advance in your career. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:35.480 Or getting married and raising a family. 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:43.660 And you might think, well, why should I care about a psalm written for people who are twice or three or four times my age? 00:05:44.340 --> 00:05:46.300 You know, I still have most of my life ahead of me. 00:05:46.660 --> 00:05:49.640 I'll deal with the problems of growing old when I get there. 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:52.540 But let me say two things, if that's you. 00:05:53.340 --> 00:06:01.520 First, even if you're not old yourself, this psalm can help you as you care for people who are facing old age. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:09.019 It can give you some encouragement, ways to encourage and challenge them spiritually from the truth of God's Word. 00:06:09.719 --> 00:06:21.479 But more importantly, whatever your age, whether you're young or old, the patterns and habits that you develop now in your younger years will launch you on a course for the rest of your life. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:32.240 Whether you intend to or not, the life that you're living today in the present will shape you into the person that you will become in the future. 00:06:33.080 --> 00:06:36.720 So this psalm is not just for people over 50. 00:06:37.660 --> 00:06:41.160 This psalm is written to help all of us face reality. 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:45.600 Unless we die young, we will all grow old. 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:49.000 And this psalm is written to prepare us for that. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:59.519 So whether we're young or old or anywhere in between, this psalm gives us two habits to develop in order to run the race of life and to finish it well. 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:05.439 And the two habits are dependent prayer and confident praise. 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:13.759 Now if you look at the psalm as a whole, I spent a couple days this week reading through this psalm and trying to figure out how is this psalm structured and ordered. 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:25.560 And it's maybe not immediately apparent, but what I've settled on is that he goes back and forth between crying out for help, prayer, and singing God's praises. 00:07:26.219 --> 00:07:29.659 So if you look verses 1 through 4, he's crying out for help. 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:34.599 Verses 5, excuse me, verses 5 through 8, he's singing God's praises. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:38.259 9 through 13, he's crying out for help. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:41.620 14 through 17, he's singing God's praises. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:43.920 18, crying out for help. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:46.740 19 through 24, singing God's praises. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:51.579 Now you might think, goodness, this guy is just a yo-yo, going back and forth and back and forth. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:53.959 But he's being honest. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:08:00.759 He's bringing his doubts and fears before God and turning them into prayer. 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:06.199 And then he's bringing his knowledge of God and turning that into praise. 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:19.000 So that's the two things that this psalm shows us and calls us to do, is to turn our doubts and fears into dependent prayer and turn our knowledge of God into confident praise. 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:21.539 So let's look at those two things in turn. 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:26.120 First, turning our doubts and fears into prayer. 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:29.500 The psalmist is very honest about his doubts and fears. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:36.000 And as he looks back on his life, verse 20, he says, I have seen many troubles and calamities. 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:38.840 In other words, he hasn't had an easy life. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:43.240 In verse 7, he says, I have been a portent to many. 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:47.759 Now you might look at that word like I did and think, what does that word mean? 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:52.779 So I had to go online and look at the dictionary and do some research and some commentaries. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:08:55.360 So a portent is a sign or a wonder. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:58.460 It's something that causes people to marvel. 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:04.080 And depending on the context, it can have either a positive or a negative meaning. 00:09:04.940 --> 00:09:11.860 So he could be saying, my life has been a sign of the wonderful, miraculous provision of God. 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:16.540 And ever since I was born, people look at me and praise God for his goodness. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:19.019 They marvel at God's goodness. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:25.779 But in this, but in the context of the whole psalm, it's more likely actually that he's using the word in a negative sense. 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:28.919 People aren't gazing at him in admiration. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:32.840 They're looking at him and drawing back in horror. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.899 They're saying, look at this guy. 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.600 Look at all the terrible things that he's gone through. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:41.860 That must mean that God has abandoned him, that he's cursed. 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:45.500 So I'm not going to keep my distance. 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:46.920 I'm not going to associate with him. 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:51.460 If you look at verse 10 and 11, that's exactly what his enemies are saying. 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:53.279 God has forsaken him. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:55.600 There's no one to deliver him. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:58.879 So he's had a hard life. 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:05.200 He's facing people who want to undermine him and take advantage of him. 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:11.879 And then as he looks to the future, he's facing the fears and uncertainties that come with growing old. 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:15.980 Now, there are many fears that come with growing old. 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:20.519 Whether it's fear of losing your job and not being able to get another one. 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:27.159 Because, you know, there's not a lot of employers who prioritize hiring people in their 60s today. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:28.919 Or fear of getting sick. 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:31.319 Not being able to take care of yourself. 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:33.379 Not being able to think clearly. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:36.860 Or maybe the biggest one, the fear of being abandoned. 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:42.460 As you see friends die or move far away. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:47.220 Maybe your kids grow up and pursue their own lives. 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:50.779 And don't seem interested in spending time with you anymore. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.180 Or if you're single. 00:10:52.920 --> 00:10:54.200 Or if you have no children. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.060 Or if you're divorced or widowed. 00:10:56.899 --> 00:11:00.519 You wonder, will somebody be there for me? 00:11:01.160 --> 00:11:04.759 Will anybody be there for me when I really need someone? 00:11:05.660 --> 00:11:07.379 And these are all very real fears. 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:13.560 But what we see is that the psalmist takes his fears and turns them into prayer. 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:16.139 He doesn't just live in denial. 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:19.179 He doesn't just say, I'm not going to think about those things. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:21.860 He doesn't say, well, God loves me. 00:11:21.919 --> 00:11:24.439 So he's going to protect me from any bad things happening to me. 00:11:24.779 --> 00:11:26.080 He's had a hard life. 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.360 He's trusted God his whole life. 00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.059 And he's had a really, really hard life. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:32.259 So he knows that that's not a... 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:35.779 That following God doesn't guarantee that life goes smoothly. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:39.019 And he doesn't... 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:42.279 But he also doesn't respond to his fears and doubts. 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:48.000 He says, no. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:50.360 No, all the bad things that have happened in the past. 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:53.860 And all the fears and uncertainties I have about the future. 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:57.559 They're just more reasons for me to turn to God. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:01.039 He says, oh God, be not far from me. 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:02.419 Make haste. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.039 Come quickly. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:04.019 Help me. 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:07.139 It's almost a desperate cry. 00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:10.659 He's saying, God, I need you more than anything else. 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:14.100 Everyone else has forsaken me. 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:18.000 God, don't leave me alone like everyone else is. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.360 Take me in. 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:22.159 Be my refuge. 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:29.639 The place where I can come and be safe from all the threats and all the accusations and all the shame. 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.919 And all the guilt that I feel. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:36.480 And then as he faces the future, he makes the same request. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:40.000 He says, God, don't forsake me when I get old. 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:43.340 Verse 9 and verse 18, he says the same thing twice. 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:44.759 Don't forsake me. 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:45.799 Don't leave me alone. 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:50.899 So he turns his doubts and fears into prayer. 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:57.059 You know, whether you're young or old, doubts and fears are a normal part of human experience. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.980 Including Christian experience. 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:04.899 You know, some people say that the minute you ask Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior, 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:08.639 that you should, for the rest of your life, every single day, every single moment, 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:14.620 have 100% complete assurance that you belong to God and you're destined for eternal life. 00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:17.519 Now, in one sense, that's totally true. 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:23.379 Jesus says, all that the Father has given me will come to me. 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:26.980 And whoever comes to me, I will never cast away. 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:31.320 And he says, I will lose none of all that he has given me. 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:34.279 But I will raise them up at the last day. 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:39.100 So Jesus is completely sure of his commitment to us. 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:41.700 And he will not waver. 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.060 But you know what? 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.980 You won't always feel that way. 00:13:45.980 --> 00:13:53.940 You won't always get up every morning and bounce out of bed and start singing the praises of God. 00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:59.700 Sometimes, you might struggle to drag yourself out of bed at all. 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:07.280 You might lie in bed sometimes in the middle of the night with anxious thoughts flooding your mind. 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:11.940 You might ask yourself, maybe you are asking yourself, am I really a Christian at all? 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:20.940 Even if you've followed God for a long time, like this psalmist, you might experience doubts and fears for all kinds of reasons. 00:14:22.520 --> 00:14:28.580 Now, some of you might have grown up in places where almost everybody identifies as Christian. 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:31.900 So growing up, maybe you didn't really have any doubts. 00:14:32.540 --> 00:14:34.400 Because your family was Christian. 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.480 And almost all your friends are Christian. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.600 And it all seemed to make sense. 00:14:38.780 --> 00:14:41.440 And nobody really tested you with hard questions. 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:43.980 But now you've come to the Northeast. 00:14:45.280 --> 00:14:45.759 Right? 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:50.679 And you might be working or studying alongside all kinds of very smart people. 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.980 Maybe people who are much smarter than you. 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:56.720 Very creative, very compassionate people who don't believe in God at all. 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:59.659 Or follow a completely different religion. 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:10.240 So, it's very common that being engaged with your fellow students or your co-workers might raise questions. 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:12.299 That you haven't thought about before. 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:20.000 And being in a stressful environment can make you feel fear and insecurity in a way that you haven't felt before. 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:26.019 So, if that happens to you, don't be taken off guard. 00:15:27.479 --> 00:15:32.039 You know, just because you have doubts and fears doesn't mean that Christianity is false. 00:15:32.719 --> 00:15:35.359 It doesn't mean that you're not a Christian at all. 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:38.139 It's not about whether you have doubts and fears. 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:40.779 It's about how you respond to them. 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:44.199 There are temptations. 00:15:44.459 --> 00:15:47.299 Doubt can lead us to paralyzing despair. 00:15:48.359 --> 00:15:50.219 To just doing nothing. 00:15:51.579 --> 00:15:54.699 Which isn't a neutral position to be in either. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.299 Fear. 00:15:58.859 --> 00:16:01.620 Fear can drive us to anxious activity. 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:05.839 And constantly trying to prove ourselves to other people or to ourselves. 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:14.019 And both doubt and fear can tempt us to withdraw from the church or from other Christians, from the community of faith. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:17.560 But this psalm calls us to resist those temptations. 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:19.560 Not to despair. 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:22.220 Not to be filled with anxiety. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:24.780 Not to withdraw and isolate ourselves. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:27.779 But instead to bring our doubts and fears before God. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:28.559 Honestly. 00:16:29.179 --> 00:16:29.759 In prayer. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.879 Alongside other believers. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.139 So, let me urge you. 00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:43.799 If a few months from now, or a couple years from now, you get to the point where you feel like you have a whole bunch of new questions that you can't answer. 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:49.620 Or if you feel swamped by all your work and far away from God. 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:52.019 Don't stop coming to church. 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:56.120 Because many of us here in the church have dealt with the same things. 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:58.120 We face the same doubts. 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.379 The same fears. 00:16:59.819 --> 00:17:00.579 The same pressures. 00:17:01.699 --> 00:17:02.779 So, let's talk about it. 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.220 Fill out a prayer card. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.599 So, we can pray for you. 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.599 Join a small group. 00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:10.480 Where you can get to know some other Christians. 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.700 And talk and pray for one another. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:16.460 But most of all. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.480 Let your doubts and fears. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.340 Whatever they might be coming from. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.900 Let them drive you to prayer. 00:17:22.580 --> 00:17:23.680 And dependence on God. 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.759 Sometimes experiencing trials. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.519 And pressures. 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:32.180 Can show us more than anything else. 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:34.480 How much we need God. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:36.400 Every single day. 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:38.380 Every single moment. 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:42.600 So, may your doubts and fears drive you to Jesus. 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:45.740 And cause you to cling to him. 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.100 As your refuge. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.019 And your rock. 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:49.140 And your fortress. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:52.759 And the one who will keep you safe. 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:55.420 Now, the writer of this psalm. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.640 As we've seen. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.100 He was most likely an older man. 00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.420 But you know. 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:01.120 He learned to pray. 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.799 When he was very young. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.460 And we know that. 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.980 Because verse 5 and verse 17. 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.420 He says. 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:08.640 God, you've been my source of hope. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.600 Since my youth. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.319 You've taught me. 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.539 Ever since I was young. 00:18:12.619 --> 00:18:14.439 And we know that he had prayed a lot. 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.240 In his life. 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.859 Because the words of this psalm. 00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:19.699 Echo the words of previous psalms. 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.339 I've included a list. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:21.819 In your. 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:22.899 Inside the bulletin. 00:18:22.959 --> 00:18:23.439 On the insert. 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.439 Of echoes of this psalm. 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.759 And you might be asking. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:28.259 Well, what's the point of all these parallels. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.740 With other psalms. 00:18:30.439 --> 00:18:30.759 Well, you know. 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:32.240 He wasn't sitting at his computer. 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.059 On Bible Gateway. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:36.079 Cutting and pasting verses. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:38.779 Because he couldn't think of anything original to say. 00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:40.660 No. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.579 It's the opposite. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.480 He had spent so much time. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:45.799 Praying. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.779 In the words of these other psalms. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.900 That the words. 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.859 Just became part of who he was. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.519 And so when he prayed in his old age. 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.700 He just prayed. 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:57.059 With those words. 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:57.740 That he had prayed. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.240 With his whole life. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:01.819 And if you read certain books. 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.140 By old Christian writers. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.099 You'll see this pattern. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:06.160 So if you read. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.079 Pilgrim's Progress. 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.900 By John Bunyan. 00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:09.980 Or if you read. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.440 The Confessions of St. Augustine. 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.480 Just for two examples. 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.519 They're full. 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.779 Of allusions. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.759 And quotations. 00:19:15.880 --> 00:19:16.359 And echoes. 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.380 Of the scripture. 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:18.799 In fact. 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.980 If you try to list them all. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.740 It's hard to even list them all. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.240 Because these people. 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.160 Spent so much time. 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.140 Reading the scripture. 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.799 Memorizing the scripture. 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:27.799 Praying. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:29.220 In the words of the scripture. 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.559 That it just. 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:32.259 Became part of who they were. 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.380 They ate. 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.240 And drank. 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.960 God's word. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.120 And so it just came out of them. 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.579 Naturally. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.140 Freely. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.039 In their words. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.460 In their writings. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.799 In their prayers. 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:44.680 You see. 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.720 What we cling to. 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:47.120 When we're young. 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.380 We become. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.700 When we get old. 00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.420 What we cling to. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:51.819 When we're young. 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:53.160 That's what comes out of us. 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.339 When we get older. 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.700 So turn your doubts and fears. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.279 Into prayer. 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.039 Today. 00:19:58.039 --> 00:20:01.500 So that when you face the challenges of growing older. 00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.279 That you won't despair. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.139 And you won't be. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.379 A nervous wreck. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.960 And you won't. 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.940 Run away and isolate yourself. 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.779 But you'll cling to Jesus. 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:14.159 And cry out to him in prayer. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:15.839 So that's the first thing. 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.480 Turn your doubts and fears. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.559 Into prayer. 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:21.319 The second thing that this psalm teaches us to do. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.720 Is to turn our knowledge of God. 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.039 Into confident praise. 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.759 And praise. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.579 You know. 00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:29.559 It's not just about us. 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.099 And our situation. 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:31.899 And our struggles. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.539 And our doubts. 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.180 And our fears. 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:36.359 The psalm isn't just about the psalmist. 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.099 And his life. 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.920 It's also about God. 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:41.740 And what the psalmist knows to be true. 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:42.680 About God. 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:45.680 And as he's lived a long life. 00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:47.299 He's had a long time. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.200 To learn. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.259 Many things. 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:49.980 Many truths. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.619 About God. 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:53.459 And so he takes those truths that he's learned. 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.539 And he turns them into praise. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:58.019 So verses 5 and 6. 00:20:58.479 --> 00:21:00.059 He says praise God. 00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:02.039 For his provision in the past. 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:03.619 As we've seen. 00:21:03.699 --> 00:21:05.539 He says you've been my source of hope. 00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:06.179 And confidence. 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:08.079 Ever since I trusted you. 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.479 But then he goes back even further. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.219 Verse 6. 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:15.559 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth. 00:21:16.159 --> 00:21:18.959 You are he who took me from my mother's womb. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:21.559 He doesn't just say. 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:23.299 God you've taken care of me. 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:24.340 As long as I can remember. 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.860 He says God you've taken care of me. 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:27.059 Before I can remember. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.279 Now I have a son. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.259 He just turned 3 this week. 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:35.340 And ever since he was born. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.960 My wife and I. 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:38.759 Have invested a lot of time and energy. 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.019 In him. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.680 And my wife invested a lot of time and energy. 00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:44.360 Over the 9 months before he was born. 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:47.180 In caring for him in utero. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:47.960 Right. 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.920 But as I think back. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.000 On my own childhood. 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:53.039 My earliest memories are from about 4 years old. 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:56.420 I don't have any distinct memories. 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.299 Of all the ways. 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:00.460 That I was cared for by my parents. 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.460 And by others. 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:03.799 During the first 4 years of my life. 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.079 Let alone. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.799 The 9 months in my mother's womb. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.360 Think about it. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.559 God in his providence. 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:13.019 Has cared for you. 00:22:13.620 --> 00:22:16.360 In more ways than you will ever know. 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:16.479 Know. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.679 Or remember. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:18.740 In fact. 00:22:18.979 --> 00:22:19.799 He's cared for you. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.699 In more ways that you don't know. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:24.259 Than ways that you do know. 00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:27.459 And his care for you. 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:28.879 Is not a function. 00:22:29.459 --> 00:22:30.879 Of your performance for him. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.459 Right. 00:22:32.719 --> 00:22:33.839 God's care for us. 00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:36.399 Flows out of his steadfast love. 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:39.039 His unchanging faithfulness. 00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.719 From the beginning. 00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:41.139 To the end. 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:43.420 And that's what gives the psalmist confidence. 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:45.160 In facing the challenges. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.280 Of growing old. 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:48.780 Now. 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.900 He doesn't just look back. 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:51.280 At God's care for him. 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.420 He also looks back. 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:54.060 At God's care for his people. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.960 For his community. 00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:55.720 Throughout history. 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.560 This is verse 15 and 16. 00:22:57.660 --> 00:22:58.480 He praises God. 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.860 For his mighty deeds. 00:23:00.540 --> 00:23:01.640 His righteous acts. 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.259 And he says. 00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:03.360 There are too many to count. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.040 You might ask. 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:06.000 Well what was he thinking of? 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.640 Well probably. 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:08.259 First and foremost in his mind. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.220 Would have been. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.079 The exodus. 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.299 When God brought the people of Israel. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.559 Out of slavery in Egypt. 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.640 And brought them into the desert. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.279 And then they faced this wall of water. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.000 At the Red Sea. 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.519 And the Egyptians coming behind them. 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:21.279 Wanting to destroy them. 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.619 And God made a way. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.519 Where there was no way. 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.819 And he brought them through. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.940 Actually verse 19. 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.460 He's quoting. 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:32.579 From the song that Moses sang. 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:34.900 After God had brought them through the Red Sea. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.799 Where he says. 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:37.160 God. 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.660 You've done great things. 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.559 Who is like you? 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.319 No one is like you. 00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:43.259 So he looks back. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.640 And he says. 00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.559 We were helpless. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.960 We were as good as dead. 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:49.299 And in your righteousness. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.680 In your faithfulness to us. 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:53.720 Your faithfulness to your promise. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.220 You stepped in. 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.440 And rescued us. 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.940 And that's why I'm here today. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.940 And as Christians. 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.880 We can do the same thing. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.740 We can look back. 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.500 We look back. 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:07.299 Especially to the death and resurrection of Jesus. 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:10.299 That's what defines us more than anything else. 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.700 Right? 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.599 God's saving righteousness. 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.720 While we were still sinners. 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:18.119 Jesus died on the cross for us. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.279 And he rose again for us. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.819 And he ascended into heaven. 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:23.819 And he's seated at the right hand of the Father. 00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.819 And all that happened. 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.420 Before any of us were born. 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:30.019 Before any of us knew a thing about it. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.639 He did it. 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.379 Already. 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:36.460 Because he's a faithful, righteous God. 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:40.619 And because he acts toward us in steadfast love. 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:43.680 And that's what gives us confidence. 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.299 In facing the future. 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:49.720 Whatever the uncertainties that you're facing right now. 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:52.079 Even if it's old age. 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:53.039 Even if it's death. 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:59.039 You can find confidence in God's unfailing love. 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:02.500 And in his righteousness and faithfulness. 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:08.359 You know, in some ways, getting old can make you a little bit like a child. 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:09.639 Like a baby. 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.460 All over again. 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.019 You become physically weak. 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:16.240 And needing others to care for you. 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:19.420 Limited in how easily you can move around. 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:22.840 You might feel less able to contribute. 00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:25.460 And often in our culture. 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:26.700 Less wanted. 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.420 Less valued. 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.960 Sometimes even pushed to the side. 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:34.019 In favor of somebody younger and stronger. 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.300 Or maybe. 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.460 Instead of you taking care of your kids. 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:40.779 Your kids are starting to take care of you. 00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.660 That's a big switch. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:45.180 But whatever you're facing. 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:47.120 Look back to God's provision in the past. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:49.619 When you are a helpless collection of cells. 00:25:50.479 --> 00:25:52.719 Clinging to the wall of your mother's womb. 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:55.259 God did not forsake you. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:58.439 And he will not forsake you in old age. 00:25:58.899 --> 00:26:02.519 Even if you become completely physically helpless. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:05.819 And just as he brought you out of your mother's womb. 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:07.039 And into the world. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:09.559 He has promised in Jesus Christ. 00:26:09.719 --> 00:26:11.799 To raise you up from the grave. 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:15.219 That even death cannot separate you. 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:17.019 From God's unfailing love. 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:19.640 And his promise in Jesus Christ. 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:23.100 That's what Jesus promises. 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:26.100 That one day he'll raise up everyone who believes in him. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.819 To stand in his presence. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:30.579 And praise him with unending joy. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.640 So whether you're old or young. 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:37.400 Praise God for his provision in the past. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:39.279 And praise God for his promise. 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.299 For the future. 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.420 That's why this psalm ends. 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.539 With praise. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:45.759 He goes back and forth. 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:46.940 And back and forth. 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:47.940 And back and forth again. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.659 But he ends. 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.319 With praise. 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:53.379 And that's actually how the book of Psalms goes. 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.339 As a whole. 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:56.399 This summer we've looked at book two. 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.440 Of the psalms. 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:59.859 Which is Psalm 42 through 72. 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.879 And Psalm 42 begins. 00:27:02.879 --> 00:27:04.119 With a psalm that says. 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:06.539 Where he's thirsting for God in the desert. 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:09.559 As the deer pants for streams of water. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.799 My soul longs for you Lord. 00:27:12.359 --> 00:27:13.180 He's in the desert. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.379 He's longing for God. 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:16.059 And he doesn't feel God's presence. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.819 And he's saying God. 00:27:17.879 --> 00:27:18.940 He's crying out for help. 00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:21.799 But then we come to the end. 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:24.519 Of this second book of the Psalms. 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.720 We have this psalm. 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:28.700 And then the psalm we're looking at next week. 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:30.720 Is a psalm about the great king. 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.099 It's about Jesus. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:34.319 The great king will reign forever. 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:37.299 And the world will flourish. 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:40.000 And everything will be made right. 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.579 Under his good rule. 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:44.379 It's really a picture of heaven. 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.200 Coming to earth. 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.439 That's how the psalms progress. 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:50.359 And then if you go all the way to the end of the psalms. 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:52.139 The last seven psalms. 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.879 Are all songs of praise. 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:55.079 Triumphant praise. 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.639 The point is. 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.519 That's where we're headed. 00:27:58.939 --> 00:28:00.500 And walking this journey of life. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:02.299 There's plenty of doubts. 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:03.200 And fears. 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:04.299 And trials. 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:05.439 And tears. 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:08.559 But in Jesus Christ. 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:10.200 We're destined for an eternity. 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:12.179 Of joyful praise. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:16.000 And so old age. 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:18.179 It's not just the last stage. 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.599 Of life on earth. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.519 It's not just the last. 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.700 And maybe. 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.419 One of the more difficult parts. 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:26.599 Of all the fears. 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.700 And trials. 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.279 And pain. 00:28:28.679 --> 00:28:30.299 That we experience in this world. 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.319 It's a prelude. 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.879 It's a prelude. 00:28:32.879 --> 00:28:33.879 To eternity. 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:36.179 It's a prelude. 00:28:36.179 --> 00:28:36.980 To life. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.939 When we'll praise God. 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.599 Unhindered. 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.659 And unending. 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.720 That's what our whole life is. 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:44.240 That's why Jesus says to his disciples. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.899 He doesn't just say. 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.400 One day. 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:46.900 One day. 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.580 One day. 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.460 After you die. 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:50.080 I will give you eternal life. 00:28:51.280 --> 00:28:52.200 It says. 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:54.420 Anyone who looks to the son. 00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.360 And believes in him. 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.980 Has eternal life. 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.860 In other words. 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.960 We have eternal life. 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:00.400 Now. 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.420 In the present. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.840 And then it's going to continue. 00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:03.500 Forever. 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.579 Forever. 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:07.240 We have that life. 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.039 That we're going to. 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.400 The first fruits of that life. 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.779 That we're going to experience in full. 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:12.799 Now. 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.559 By trusting in Jesus. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.359 So if you're facing old age. 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:20.119 Let this last stage of your life on earth. 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:22.119 Be characterized by preparing. 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:23.259 For eternity. 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.779 Praise God. 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.519 For his provision in the past. 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.839 Look forward to his promise for the future. 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.379 As your years increase. 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:34.519 Let your praise of God increase. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.099 You know. 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:36.779 For some people. 00:29:37.399 --> 00:29:38.879 As their years increase. 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:41.199 Their bitterness increases. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.419 They become cranky. 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.939 And disagreeable. 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:47.279 Because the things of this world. 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:49.079 Which they held on to. 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.659 And found joy in. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.919 For many years. 00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:53.919 Are being taken away from them. 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.539 And they can't do a thing about it. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:30:00.920 So whether you're young or old. 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.659 Don't cling. 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.339 To the things of this world. 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.500 Hold them loosely. 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.879 Cling. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:09.879 To Jesus. 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:15.059 And he will become ever more precious to you. 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:16.440 As the days. 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.480 And the years. 00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.440 Go by. 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:23.279 Let me conclude by looking at verse 18. 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.180 The psalmist prayer. 00:30:25.180 --> 00:30:27.720 He says even to old age and gray hairs. 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.600 Don't forsake me God. 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.279 Until I proclaim your might. 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.700 To another generation. 00:30:32.820 --> 00:30:34.160 Your power to all those to come. 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:34.860 You see. 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.600 God's purpose. 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:37.259 In bringing you. 00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:39.140 Into the time of old age. 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:40.880 Is not just so you can. 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.720 Enjoy a pleasant retirement. 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.680 Or spoil. 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.600 Your grandchildren. 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:48.160 Or pursue all the hobbies. 00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:48.799 And interests. 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:50.000 That you didn't have time to pursue. 00:30:50.080 --> 00:30:50.920 As a younger person. 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:52.460 His purpose for you. 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.480 As an older person. 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:56.099 Is to take all that God has taught you. 00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:57.480 During your earthly life. 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:59.720 And pass it on to others. 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.039 For his glory. 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:01.880 And praise. 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.460 In other words. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.200 It's not just about. 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.740 Making your way to the end. 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.319 It's about singing. 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.700 Your way to the end. 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.880 And singing. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.440 So that others can hear. 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.480 And follow your trail. 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:15.620 So let me urge you. 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.920 Be intentional. 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.940 In seeking to engage. 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.140 Those of us who are younger. 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:22.480 To give us reasons. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:24.300 To praise God. 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.300 Because of who he is. 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:28.240 And what he's done for you. 00:31:29.080 --> 00:31:29.940 And what you know. 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:31.040 Is true about him. 00:31:31.080 --> 00:31:31.780 And what you've learned. 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.600 And what he's taught you. 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.580 Throughout your whole life. 00:31:34.080 --> 00:31:35.759 Now I know this isn't always easy. 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:38.140 Many times those of us. 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.680 Who are younger. 00:31:39.420 --> 00:31:39.980 Can seem. 00:31:40.820 --> 00:31:41.440 Can be. 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:42.640 Preoccupied. 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:44.560 Or standoffish. 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.720 Or even rude. 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:47.580 Please forgive us. 00:31:48.080 --> 00:31:49.120 For our immaturity. 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:51.319 But don't give up on us. 00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:52.519 We need you. 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.879 As a part of this church. 00:31:54.699 --> 00:31:55.799 We need you in our lives. 00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:56.339 We need you. 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.459 To pray for us. 00:31:58.819 --> 00:31:59.019 You know. 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.519 One of the most important things. 00:32:00.979 --> 00:32:01.819 That you can do. 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:02.739 For somebody else. 00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:04.479 Is to consistently. 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:05.619 Pray for them. 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.519 Whether you're young. 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:07.959 Or old. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.839 It doesn't have any. 00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:10.859 Physical ability requirements. 00:32:13.619 --> 00:32:14.059 You know. 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:15.039 In the church I grew up in. 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:16.239 There were two old ladies. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:18.079 Their names were Irma. 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.140 And Kathy. 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:21.059 And neither of them. 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:22.519 Were related to me. 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.759 By blood. 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.200 But both of them. 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:25.859 Prayed for me. 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:26.940 Regularly. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:28.299 Irma prayed for me. 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.220 Every single day. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.900 Until she died. 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.000 At age 96. 00:32:33.059 --> 00:32:34.059 Just six years ago. 00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.200 Now in their later years. 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.279 They couldn't leave their house. 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:40.379 But if you visited them. 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:42.099 They could tell you. 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:43.660 Of God's faithfulness. 00:32:44.339 --> 00:32:45.299 And they could sing. 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.420 God's praises. 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.519 What kind of person. 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.460 Will you be. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:51.180 When you grow old. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.240 You'll become. 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:53.839 Like. 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.519 What you cling to now. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:56.920 So cling. 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.879 To the Lord. 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.519 Jesus. 00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.460 Turn your doubts. 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.099 And fears. 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.019 Into prayer. 00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.960 Turn your knowledge of him. 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:04.960 Into praise. 00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:05.879 Let's pray. 00:33:05.879 --> 00:33:05.980 Amen. 00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:15.319 Lord God. 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:15.900 We thank you. 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.960 For your faithfulness. 00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:19.779 We thank you. 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.579 For your faithfulness. 00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.059 To this. 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.220 Psalm writer. 00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:24.279 For preserving. 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.299 His. 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.339 Prayer. 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.099 His song. 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.440 For us today. 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:31.259 So that we might join in. 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:34.160 In singing this song. 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.440 About you. 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.360 As our refuge. 00:33:36.799 --> 00:33:37.559 And our rock. 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.620 And our fortress. 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:41.640 Lord. 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:42.180 That we might. 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.620 Come before you. 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.080 In prayer. 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:46.860 And bring all of our doubts. 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.680 And all of our fears. 00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:48.580 And all of our needs. 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.860 And to cry out to you. 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.320 For help. 00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:52.640 And yet. 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.500 To remember. 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.299 Lord. 00:33:54.360 --> 00:33:55.120 Help us to remember. 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.340 What you've done in the past. 00:33:57.400 --> 00:33:58.380 Help us to look forward. 00:33:58.460 --> 00:33:59.120 To what you promised. 00:33:59.220 --> 00:33:59.759 For the future. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.680 Lord. 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.039 Lord. 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:03.460 We pray that. 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:05.119 With every year. 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:06.460 That. 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.960 Passes by. 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.920 That we would praise you. 00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:11.260 More and more. 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:14.079 And that we would give. 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.219 One another. 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.139 And other people. 00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:19.679 Reasons to praise your name. 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.340 For your righteousness. 00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.179 And your faithfulness. 00:34:24.819 --> 00:34:26.299 We pray in Jesus name. 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.519 Amen.