Y'all didn't go to sleep, did you?
Sometimes I keep going.
We continue this morning in our series in the Psalms,
and we've got just a few more here.
Summer is drawing to a close.
School is around the corner,
but it has been exciting to see the truth of scriptures
through the eyes of the psalmist.
And this morning we will see through the eyes of David
these truths this morning,
and I hope that it will resonate with us,
and I hope that God would touch our heart with these truths.
And before we stand and read it,
I would just say this,
is that David this morning,
as we read, or David in Psalm 28,
which we were reading this morning,
he indicates or he talks about
or he distinguishes two different groups of people in this psalm.
And as he talks about these two groups of people,
he really makes a distinction
that there's really one main thing
that differentiates these two groups.
So two groups of people,
one main difference this morning.
That's what I ask you to look for as we read it.
I would ask you,
in honor of the Word of God,
would you stand this morning as we read Psalm 28?
Psalm 28, a Psalm of David.
To you, O Lord, I call my rock.
Be not deaf to me,
lest if you should be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
Hear the voice of my plea for mercy
when I cry to you for help.
When I lift up my hands
towards your most holy sanctuary,
do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds.
Give to them according to the work of their hands.
Render them their due reward
because they do not regard the work of the Lord
or the work of His hands.
He will tear them down
and build them up no more.
Blessed be the Lord,
for He has heard the voice of my plea for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
In Him my heart trusts and I am helped.
My heart greatly rejoices.
And with my song I give thanks to Him.
The Lord is the strength of His people.
He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Oh, save your people
and bless your heritage.
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
God, we are grateful for this truth,
these truths and this psalm
and the reality of your mercy
and how great it is that you would save.
And so God, this morning,
would you open our ears
that we might hear spiritually?
Would you open our hearts
that we might receive
the message you have for us this morning?
In this I pray in Christ's name.
Amen.
You can have a seat.
Did you notice the two groups of people
that David draws our attention to this morning?
Even in verse 1,
we see him talking about
a group of people.
In verse 1, he says,
those who go down to the pit.
Those who go down to the pit.
Who are those?
Who are the ones
that go down to the pit?
Well, in verse 3,
he further explains who they are.
Verse 3 says,
do not drag me off with the wicked.
It's the wicked,
this group of people
that are categorized as wicked.
And David says that their destination
is the pit,
that they will be dragged off to the pit.
And so this morning,
as we look at these two groups of people,
I want to look at three different aspects
of both of these groups.
Three aspects of both of these groups.
I haven't even shown you,
or we haven't talked yet
about that second group,
but I will draw your attention
to verse 9,
and we'll see exactly
who the second group of people is.
David says,
oh, save your people,
the people of God.
So we have these two categories,
this category of the wicked
and this category of the people of God.
Totally different spectrum.
And what we're going to look at
in this psalm this morning
as we hear what David says
about these two groups of people,
you're going to see a great division.
But really,
there's one main distinguishing truth
that separates these two groups of people.
Now, it plays itself out very uniquely,
but really there's one group,
and one main truth,
we've heard it this morning already,
read when Dick was up here,
and we'll talk about that as we go forward.
First this,
what is the destination of the wicked?
The destination of the wicked.
Well, we've already made this point
that the destination of the wicked is the pit.
Well, what does the pit refer to?
You know,
we would,
in prayer sometimes,
talk about the pit.
We would talk about the destination
as being hell.
You know,
he doesn't amplify,
doesn't talk much about what it is,
but he does say that
the wicked go down to this place,
the pit.
They're dragged off,
in verse 3,
to this place called the pit.
And so it begs the question,
David,
what are you talking about?
You know,
we probably already know,
because we,
many of us have read widely in the scriptures,
I would refer to
what Paul says,
Apostle Paul,
to the church in Thessalonica.
He talks about the destination of the wicked.
And here's what he says,
reading in 2 Thessalonians,
it says this,
and he's talking to this church,
these Thessalonians,
who are being heavily persecuted.
And he's encouraging them.
He talks about their suffering,
and he says this,
since indeed God considers it just
to repay with affliction
those who afflict you,
and to grant relief to you
who are afflicted,
as well as to us,
when the Lord Jesus
is revealed from heaven
with his mighty angels,
in flaming fire,
inflicting vengeance
on those who do not know God,
and on those who do not obey
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And here,
in verse 9,
he shares the destination.
He says this,
they will suffer the punishment
of eternal destruction
away from the presence of the Lord
and from the glory of his might.
They will suffer the punishment
of eternal destruction
away from the presence of the Lord.
Does that strike you?
Can you imagine
what that actually is like?
That there's no grace at all.
You know that all of us
experience the common grace of God?
We all experience the blessings of God.
All of mankind experiences
the common blessings
that God gives to all of us.
But there's coming a day
for the wicked
when they will no longer
experience the grace of God.
In any respect,
they'll no longer
be in his presence.
They'll be eternally
separated from him.
If you remove all goodness,
which God is a source of good,
from their lives,
from the life of anyone,
if you removed all goodness,
what do we have left?
We would probably use the term hell.
And we could read in Revelation,
the book of Revelation,
when it talks about in symbolism,
the beast and the harlot
and the dragon,
when they are removed,
when they are ultimately destroyed.
You remember what Revelation says?
It says they will be cast
into the lake of fire.
This place where worm does not die
is what the scriptures talk about.
This place of unending pain.
And that's the destination
of the wicked.
But you know,
it doesn't have to be so.
Doesn't God offer,
doesn't he offer salvation
to any who would come to him?
This extension of his grace to all
is open to all.
But you know,
it's not unjust what God is saying here.
It's not unjust how David is pointing us
to the destination of the wicked.
The second point is this.
Look at their deeds.
If you look at the deeds of the wicked,
then we would say it's just,
it's right that the holy God
would punish,
would judge
based on their deeds.
And what do you see here in verse 3?
They're workers of evil.
They speak peace.
In other words,
they say something that sounds very
gentle,
very loving,
very peace-filled,
and yet,
even when they speak it,
there's evil in their hearts.
They're quick to deceive.
He talks about in verse 4
that their deeds are evil.
And he also says
the works of their hands are evil.
And then he goes on to say,
God,
render to them their due reward.
So I ask the question of us,
church,
is it right
that God would punish eternally
those who
walk
in these evil ways,
those who choose
what is evil?
Those who would be classified
as wicked.
Is it right that God would punish?
The answer,
biblically speaking,
is absolutely.
We don't understand
the great holiness of God.
We understand it cognitively,
and we've embraced it somewhat,
but it's far greater,
I think,
than we can fathom.
But I want you to see
that their destination
is eternal separation.
Why?
Because their deeds.
Because their deeds are evil.
They do not honor God in any way.
They do not do what is righteous.
They do not do what is loving.
Even what appears to be loving
is backed up in their heart
with deception.
So the way that they would be
categorized,
this group,
is wicked.
And so their destination
is eternal separation.
Because their deeds
are wicked,
why are their deeds wicked?
Why would they walk
in such a way?
Why would they choose
to
mistreat
and dishonor
and deceive
and hurt
and wound
and kill?
Why?
Well,
the Word of God says why.
Because their hearts,
their hearts
are far away from God.
Their hearts
are full of evil.
You see it in verse 3?
While evil
is in their hearts,
their hearts
are full of evil.
people.
You know,
in verse 5,
I think this is the difference
between these two groups
of people.
We'll talk more deeply
about this
as we look at it.
But in verse 5,
listen to what David says
about this group
called the wicked.
He says this,
they do not regard
the works
of the Lord
or the works
of His hand.
They do not regard.
They do not look.
They do not praise.
They do not notice.
They do not care.
All that the Lord
has done
and all of His grace
that has been poured out
on mankind,
they do not care.
They do not regard it.
Why?
Because their hearts
are evil.
Though God
proclaims
His greatness
in all of His creation.
When y'all look
at what is created,
do you marvel?
Do you find yourself
going,
wow,
wow.
You know,
I think when I was young
and first in the faith,
even before I was a Christian,
I still marveled
at the complexity of things.
I think I'm just wired that way.
But once I came
into the kingdom,
it all tied together
as this is
the handiwork of God.
And so,
things that I've noticed
under a microscope,
things that I've noticed
on top of a mountain
and looking out
and seeing,
it just makes us
worship,
doesn't it?
It amazes.
And yet,
those who are wicked
is as if they don't
even notice.
There's no worship,
no praise,
no real interest
in their hearts.
Their hearts
do not
regard
the Lord.
Let me ask this.
Do you see yourself
in the picture
of this group of people,
these wicked?
You know,
for those of us
who've been changed,
for those of us
who've been born again,
for those of us
who've been drawn
into His kingdom,
for those of us
that call ourselves
and really genuinely
are born again Christians,
you know,
it's different,
isn't it?
We say,
no, no, no,
we're not like that.
We're not wicked.
We don't have evil
in our heart.
But let me ask this.
Was there a time
when you did?
You know,
we,
even before we accepted
Christ as Lord and Savior
and understood our need
and our sin
and our separation
from the Holy God,
our rebellion,
even before
we came into the kingdom,
you know,
we weren't as bad
as we could have been.
it's possible
to be more evil,
but you know what
the Word of God says?
It says there's nothing
good in us
before Christ.
And I wonder
if we see ourselves
in the rebellion
that we used to be in
when we were in Adam.
So I ask this question
and you've heard it
if you've been around
this church for long,
you've been in Sunday school
or even from the pulpit,
I've mentioned this,
the natural state of man.
What is the natural state of man?
You know,
there's four options here
and I think there's
a lot of confusion
even in the hearts
and understanding
and the minds of Christians.
They don't really know
how to answer this question.
What is the natural state of man?
Well, he could be,
man could be 100% good
in everything he does,
in every way,
in every thought,
in every desire.
We would quickly say,
well, that's not me.
But some say,
we are,
as humans,
we're mostly good
with a little bit of bad.
And a lot of people
would land there.
We're mostly good
with a little bit of bad.
Some would go on
to say,
no, no, no,
that's not quite right.
What I find is
we're mostly bad,
but there's good
in everybody.
There's at least
some good
in everybody.
And then some
would go on
to make the claim
that no, no, no,
that's not right either.
There's nothing good in us.
We're all bad.
So you see
the four options here?
Either we're all good,
mostly good
with a little bad,
mostly bad
with a little good,
or we're all bad,
which is true.
Well,
let's let the Word of God
declare it.
Let's let the Word of God
answer this question
so that we recognize
the truth.
Listen to
this section of Scripture
that was read
this morning by Dick.
Did y'all catch
who we used to be?
Now,
Paul is saying this
about all of mankind.
All of mankind.
He says this.
He said,
you were dead,
spiritually dead.
Why?
Because of your trespasses
and sins
in which you once walked.
Following the course
of this world,
following the devil,
the prince of the power
of the air,
the spirit that is now
still working
in the sons of disobedience,
those who have not
acknowledged God.
He's still very actively
at work in the hearts
of them.
Among whom
we all once lived
in the passions
of our flesh
carrying out the desires
of the body
and the mind
and were by nature
children of wrath.
Do you embrace
that as true for you?
If that is true,
which one of those
four seems to be true?
We once walked
following the course
of this world.
We were by nature
children of wrath.
Let's look at another place
in the book of Romans,
which is Paul's
explanation for this
very same thing.
He says,
the Jews,
he's arguing
with the Jews
to say,
hey,
you're no better
than the Gentiles.
Why do you think
that your nationality
is going to save you?
Just because you're a Jew
and you were a part
of the tribe
of Israel,
it doesn't mean
that you immediately
get a free ticket
to heaven.
He says,
no, no, no.
Listen to what
the word of God
says in Psalm 14
and Psalm 53,
which is what
David is quoting here.
David says this,
are we Jews
any better off?
No,
not at all.
For we have
already charged
that all,
both Jews
and Greeks
are under sin
as it is written.
None is righteous.
No,
not one,
not one person
on the face
of the planet
is righteous.
No one seeks
for God.
All have turned aside.
Together they have
become worthless
without worth.
No one does good,
not even one.
He goes on to say,
their throat
is an open grave.
Who's he talking about?
All of mankind.
Their throat
is an open grave.
They use their tongue
to deceive.
The venom
of asps,
snakes,
is under their lips.
Their mouth
is full of curses
and bitterness.
Their feet
are swift
to shed blood.
In their path
are ruin
and misery.
In the way
of peace
they have not known.
There is no fear
of God
before their eyes.
And we turn back
to this psalm
and how similar
does this sound
when David says
they do not
regard the work
of the Lord
or the work
of his hands.
They don't even
regard it.
You know,
unless God
does a work
in the heart
of a person,
a man or a woman,
he will be
in this camp
of the wicked.
You know there's
only two camps?
David is talking
about the only
two camps
there are.
those who are wicked
and those
who are his.
And how is it
that a person
goes from being wicked
to being
not wicked?
From being wicked
and separated
from God
with an eternal
destination,
eternally separated
from God
to the point
where they're
changed men.
How?
Well,
David
shows that.
This morning
in this psalm,
you'll see
that David
is an individual
that's included
in this grouping
of people
called God's people,
God's children.
And David
represents
the group
of God's people.
He's an example.
He's one of
those who
has been changed.
And in what way
was he changed?
It's his heart.
His heart
has been changed.
So,
I hope you
heard the point
that I was trying
to make
that you know
of those four choices,
you know where we land,
there's none good,
not one.
We have no good
in us,
not any.
There's not partly
good and some bad,
it's all bad.
There's no righteousness
in us.
How is a man
who has no righteousness,
who's an enemy
of God,
who is born wicked,
how is it
that he's going
to be included
in this grouping
of people
called God's people?
Well,
it's the work
of God,
right?
It's the work
of God
on the heart
of a man.
It's heart change.
And so,
I ask you the question,
how is it
that a heart
is changed?
Well,
obviously,
we'd say
it's the power
of God.
Why some
and why not others?
Let me
flip over,
you don't have
to flip,
but I'm going
to read
a couple
of verses
out of the
book of John.
So,
Apostle John
is sharing
about this
truth.
How is it
that a man
goes from
the grouping
of the wicked
and he's
transferred
into the group
that is the
people of God?
How?
Here's what
John says.
He says,
you know
that no one
can come to me,
this is Jesus
speaking,
no one can
come to me
unless the
Father who sent
me draws him.
Let me say it
again,
I messed that
up.
No one
can come
to me,
Jesus,
unless the
Father God
who sent
me draws him.
No one
can come
unless the
Father draws
him.
Again,
in verse
65,
it says this,
and he
said,
this is why
I told you
that no one
can come to
me unless
it is granted
him by the
Father.
You know,
we read
that salvation
is not
the result
of our works.
You know,
we read it
in Ephesians
2 earlier.
Did you hear
it?
It's by grace
you're saved,
by faith,
not according
to your works.
It's not as
if you can
do all
these good
things and
earn your
way into
heaven.
Do you know
that's not
possible?
Because the
standard is
perfection.
That would
mean you
never sinned
ever even
once in
your life.
How many
times did
Adam have
to sin
before he
had to
exit the
garden?
Do you
realize the
holiness of
God demands
perfection?
And he
would have
had to
have been
absolutely
perfect.
He took
from the
fruit of
the tree
that he
was not
supposed to
touch and
then what
do you have
to do?
You've got to
leave.
You've got to
leave.
And they put
an angel
with a flame
and sword
at the gate
of the garden
and said,
don't you
come back.
If you
come back
you'll die.
Because your
sin can't be
in the presence
of a holy
God.
And here
it is
that's not
based on
our works
and what
we do
is based
on the
drawing
of God.
Even when
we were
dead and
our
trespasses
isn't
God,
but God,
God gave
us life.
Life
comes from
God.
This eternal
life,
a changed
spirit,
a changed
heart.
How does
it happen?
It's the
work of
God.
It's the
work of
the Holy
Spirit that
draws us
to God,
that makes
us aware
of his
holiness,
that makes
us aware
of our
sin,
and causes
us,
gives us
the motivation
to do what
David says
right here.
Look,
do you see
what David
did?
To you,
O Lord,
I call.
And in
verse 2,
I cry to
you for
help.
Do you
see the
difference
between the
wicked who
don't even
regard God
or the
works of
his hands?
And here's
David saying,
God,
I see you,
I know you,
and I desire
you,
and I call
to you,
God,
my rock.
It's because
of you that
I have any
hope.
It's because
of you that
I have any
joy.
It's because
of you that
my life has
been changed.
There is a
desire that's
spilling out of
the heart of
David here.
He calls to
the Lord,
be not deaf to
me,
God,
I desire
to hear
from you.
Do you
know that
the wicked
don't desire
to hear
from him?
No interest.
Does God,
is God able
to hear from
the wicked?
Let me just
say this,
if there's a
person on
the planet
that's in the
camp of the
wicked that
says,
God,
I see my
sin,
I'm sick
over my
sin,
God,
would you
help me?
Do you think
God hears
that?
Listen,
you know
what,
how do you
explain that?
That's a
heart that
is humbled,
that's a
heart that
is reaching
out to
God,
that's a
heart that
is genuine
and says,
God,
help me.
It's not
some insurance
policy prayer.
All right,
just in case,
I want to
make sure I
make it to
heaven,
what do I
need to
say?
Oh,
yeah,
okay,
can you help
me?
What words
do I need
to use?
It's like a
formula.
It's like an
insurance policy.
Well,
I've done
that.
All right,
I went to
church 12
times.
Man,
I've got to
be good
now.
I'm good.
You know,
that is not
a heart that's
reaching out to
God and
saying,
help me,
God.
But look at
David.
He's calling
out to God.
He's crying
out to God.
He's lifting
up his hands
in verse 3
toward the
most holy
sanctuary.
So we've
looked at the
three aspects
of those who
are wicked,
their destination,
their deeds,
and their
heart.
And now
what we see
in the life
of God's
children is
a heart
that has
been changed.
A heart
that is
soft to
God,
a heart
that desires
God,
a heart
that calls
out to
God,
a heart
that cries
to God
for help,
a heart
that yields
to the
holiness
of God,
who lifts
up his
hands and
said,
praise you,
Lord,
praise you,
Lord.
I've come
to see
how great
you are.
Let me
ask you,
what is
your heart
like?
It's my
hope that
everyone sitting
in here is a
born-again
believer,
that you're
saved,
that you
know him,
and that your
heart has
been changed
from a
heart of
stone to
a heart
of flesh,
from a
hard heart
to a tender
heart.
From a
heart that
does not
regard God
in any
way to a
heart that
says,
I long
for you.
For those
of us who
have come
into the
kingdom,
do y'all
know the
change?
Have y'all
come to
recognize how
different we
are?
When God
gives us a
new heart
and changes
us,
it is like,
it doesn't
happen,
the night and
day difference
doesn't happen,
it kind of
grows over
time.
But the
things that we
used to love
and long
for and do
are so
different now
that we're in
the kingdom,
the things that
we long for
and desire
are different.
And when we
choose what
we used to
like,
there's a
conviction,
there's a
sickness,
there's a
grief in
our heart.
We're different
people,
we've been
born again.
And so I'm
asking if
there's someone
here who is
still investigating
Christianity,
that still
doesn't really
know what it
means to be
saved.
God,
listen,
the difference
is this,
it's a heart
that says,
God,
help me.
God,
I want
you,
I need
you.
You know,
God always
hears that,
he always,
always,
always hears
a genuine
heart that
reaches up.
And you
know what,
it doesn't
take magic
words,
it doesn't
take correct
phrases,
it doesn't
take a lot
of talking,
you know
what it
takes?
A heart
that says,
I need
you.
God,
I want
you.
Would you
change my
life?
Would you
call,
if you're
not sure,
or if you
maybe are
sure that
you're not
in the
kingdom,
that you're
just kind
of on the
edges of
this thing
trying to
figure out
what in
the world
is really
true here,
do you
have a
desire to
call out
to him
and cry
out to
him?
I hope
you do.
And I'm
telling you,
if you
do,
he will
hear you.
And if
you're
genuinely
sick over
your own
sin and
you recognize
that you
were rebellious
towards him,
you know
that if
you'll say,
God,
forgive me,
you know
what the
word of
God declares?
From
someone who
from the
heart says,
forgive me,
he says,
as far as
the east
is from
the west,
I'll remove
your sin
from you.
Based on
the work
of Jesus
Christ on
the cross.
David is
a man
whose heart
has been
changed.
And do
you see
how it
changes
his deeds?
Again,
these three
aspects,
the destination,
the deeds,
and the
heart.
The heart
of David
has been
changed.
You know,
it's fun
when we
read the
scriptures
and we
ponder
the life
of David
who we've
talked about
a lot.
We'll
talk about
more.
But David
is a
shepherd
who has
an instrument
in his
hands.
He's
worshiping
God
with no
one
around.
You know,
there's
something
important
to see
here,
is that
those whose
hearts
have changed
desire to
worship,
and the
heart of
David was
changed.
I don't
know when.
The word
of God
doesn't
declare
when,
but we
see the
deeds of
David.
We see
that with
the changed
heart,
that
there's
worship
that
happens.
Genuine,
heartfelt,
real
worship.
A
recognition
of his
holiness
and a
lifting up
hands.
Wow.
And that's
what we
talked about
earlier.
Look at
creation.
For those
who are in
the kingdom,
how can
you look
and not
say,
wow,
look at
the
incredible
beauty
of what
God has
made,
and the
creativeness
of what
he's made,
and the
marvel of
all these
things that
just shout
beauty,
and shout
the beauty
of God.
And it
causes us
to praise
as Christians.
Do you,
I mean,
how can you
go to the
mountains and
see the
beautiful
landscapes and
not go,
wow?
Or how do
you go to
the ocean and
see the
power of
the ocean,
and the
beauty of
the ocean,
the vastness
of the ocean,
not say,
wow?
Or how do
you take a
microscope and
look at one
drop of water
and see all
the life that's
teeming in
there and
not say,
wow?
It's a
changed heart.
But look at
his deeds.
Here,
David doesn't
go into deeds
all that much
in this
psalm.
But if you
turn back
to Psalm
26,
he speaks a
little more
about that.
In verse
3 he says,
I walk in
your faithfulness.
I do not
sit with men
of falsehood,
nor do I
consort with
hypocrites.
I hate the
assembly of
evildoers.
I will not
sit with
the wicked.
Do you
see the
division here?
Do you
see the
difference?
David,
who at
one time
in his
life,
don't know
when he
changed,
his heart
was changed,
but he
was wicked,
just like
you and
I and
every man
that's on
the planet,
until God
does something
to captivate
the heart
of David
and draw
him to
himself.
And then
David's
heart is
changed,
where he
acknowledges
God and
cries out to
God and
calls out to
God and
says,
I need
you.
And his
deeds change.
He doesn't
any longer
walk with
the wicked.
He doesn't
sit and
hang out
with that
crowd.
He doesn't
do what
they do
anymore.
He doesn't
want any
part of it.
Hey,
by the way,
it doesn't
mean we're
perfect as
Christians,
but it means
that our
heart is
different.
And we
do,
do you
find that
every now
and then
you choose
something
that's
sinful?
Do you
find that
you
volitionally
step over
that line
when you
know you
shouldn't
because the
bells and
whistles are
going off
and God
say,
no,
!
and lastly of these three in this category the third one is the destination what is the
destination of God's people well we've already looked at that earlier but I want you to see it
here at the end of this psalm here
it says this oh save your people and bless your heritage be their shepherd shepherd and carry
them forever you know what the destination for God's people are in the hands of the Messiah in
the hands of the Father that's the destination we'll be with him for eternity we will be we'll
enjoy him in his presence did you notice the change in David I skipped this kind of intentionally
the heart of David did you see the effect in verse six and seven
the effect of a man who's been forgiven the effect of a man whose heart has been changed look at it
this is David blessed be the Lord for he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
the Lord is my strength and my shield do you think he's recognizing who he is do you think he's honoring
you think his eyes are turned to him do you think he's regarding the Lord yeah the Lord's my strength
my shield in him my heart trust I am helped my heart greatly rejoices
and with my song I give thanks to him you know what's my hope is that all of us as believers
for those of us who are believers that we would begin to worship like this when no one's around
that you know what I find is that Holy Spirit creates songs in our heart now I will say that
there's songs I love to listen to that aid me in worship but I will say this is that God does
something to create those songs in our heart that spill out of us from his Holy Spirit you know David
has many psalms to his name and you think that that how do you think that happened
I can picture him in the wilderness with that harp and he's sitting worshiping and that plays itself
out in what has become a song and certainly that didn't end when he turned 17 and it didn't end when
he turned 25 and it didn't end when he turned 46 or however long he lived I don't actually know how old
he was when he passed away but we know from the psalms that some of these psalms are written in
hardship later in life some are written in difficult times some are written when he's praising some are
event driven it wasn't something that stopped there's something that was a part of David's life
that there's songs that spill out of him there's worship that spills out of him you know where's that
come from it's a changed heart a heart that is changed will do what will not live like we used to live
a heart that is changed the man or woman that's born again we are different people we've been born
spiritually we desire different things we desire to honor and live for God our life looks different
the way we treat people is different there's a love and a gentleness and that should come out of
those who are maturing in the faith it doesn't happen on day one doesn't happen on day 10 doesn't
necessarily happen on day 100 you know what happens is the Holy Spirit is gently and gradually changing
us into the very image of Jesus that we're becoming like Christ we're becoming like Christ in this way is
that Christ didn't sin and you know what what maturity is is it's a this gradual growth of saying no to sin and
yes to God in living for him
I wonder if you notice uh verse 9 this this beautiful we'll end on this this beautiful picture
oh save your people and bless your heritage if you ever pondered what it means when he when David says
that save your heritage if you ever thought about what the heritage of God is
isn't that an interesting topic in turn
save your heritage I love the next verses be their shepherd you see the picture of Christ here
how is it
that the people are ever gonna receive this changed heart it's always always always through the Savior
it's always through the Shepherd and the Shepherd is Christ
it's always through Christ
that we are drawn to the Father through the Son based on faith
it's the work of Christ on our behalf and we become his heritage what is a heritage what is the heritage of the Lord how would we
articulate that
I would say this we're trophies of his grace
that's a phrase that I stole
I didn't generate that but I've heard it it's lingered in my ear because it speaks
to me volumes we're trophies of his grace as if
at the end of time when when all is done and Christ comes back he brings it to he
he retrieves his bride takes his bride home
no more weeping no more tears we're in the eternal kingdom we're glorified
and it's like
the Father can say to the Son look
look
we get to share our glory with these
these trophies of our grace
they had no hope apart from
the grace that we extended
that they might know us that they might fellowship
with us that they might be in our presence
that we might enjoy
one another and God looks at the trophies of his grace
look what he has done through the
the work of Christ on our behalf
I'm gonna close with Ephesians 1 I just want you to listen
to what
has been done
for the sake of the heritage of God
that is us
just let the word of God speak to you here
and I want you to listen to the according to
the phrase according to
what is the reason that God has
given grace
special grace to us that leads to salvation
why would he do that
what was the reason
according to
we'll see here
listen
blessed be the God
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places
even as he chose us in him
before the foundation of the world
that we should be holy
and blameless before him
in love he predestined us for adoption
to himself
as sons
through Jesus Christ
according to the purpose of his will
again
according to what
the will of God
to the praise
of his glorious grace
with which he has blessed us
in the beloved
in him we have redemption
through his blood
the forgiveness of our trespasses
according to what
according to the riches
of his grace
which he lavished upon us
in all wisdom and insight
making known to us
the mystery of his will
according to what
according to his purpose
which he set forth in Christ
as a plan
for the fullness of time
to unite all things in him
things in heaven
and things on earth
in him we have obtained
an inheritance
having been predestined
according to what
according to the purpose
of him who works
all things
according to what
according to his own will
it's by the will of God
that we know him
it's by the will of God
that we've been
brought into the kingdom
it's by the will of God
that he's drawn us
and he's tapped on our heart
and said
do you see my glory
will you respond to me
will you call to me
and cry to me
let's pray
father
again this morning
I think of your mercy
that
father we didn't deserve
your mercy
we were an offender
an offense to you
because of our sin
and yet you
forgave us
father I thank you
for your mercy
I thank you
for your gift
of salvation
I thank you
for your son Jesus
who would come
and suffer
suffer the ridicule
of the Jews
he would suffer
the cruelty
of a cross
he would be
beat to a pulp
for our sake
when he didn't deserve
any of that
being righteous
and just
and holy
God I thank you
that you would
tap on our hearts
and you would
draw us to yourself
I thank you
that it would
change our heart
the way we would
desire you
we desire your honor
we desire to worship you
we desire to sing to you
we would be full of
overflowing song
your cup is overflowing
God thanks to you
I thank you for the
indwelling Holy Spirit
that you've given to us
God that we might be
taught
we might be
made
we might be changed
into the very image
of Christ
we might be
united
with our Savior
in the heavenly kingdom
soon
come Lord Jesus
we pray
Amen