We're going to begin by singing to God's praise in Psalm 130, the Scottish Psalter Version, Psalm 130, page 421 of the Psalm 103.
The benefits that we have through the Lord's graciousness towards us, and one of these is seen very much so in this Psalm when we have the assurance of the forgiveness as we cry out to the Lord.
Psalm 130, Lord, from the depths to thee I cried my voice, Lord, do thou hear, and to my supplications voice give an attentive ear.
Lord, who shall stand if thou, O Lord, should mark iniquity, but yet with thee forgivenesses that feared thou mayest be?
We'll sing the whole of this psalm, the tune is Martyrdom, and we'll stand to sing.
For from the depths to thee I cried my voice, Lord, do thou hear,
Until my supplications voice give an attentive ear.
Lord, who shall stand if thou, O Lord, should mark iniquity,
A gently forgive, for forgivenesses that fear thou mayest be?
I wait for God, my soul not wait, my hope is in His fire.
More than may not for morning watch, my soul wait for the Lord.
I say, Lord, may not for morning watch, my soul wait for the Lord.
I say, Lord, may not for morning watch, the morning light to see,
Let Israel open the Lord, for with Him mercy be.
Unplenteous redemption is ever come within,
And from all His iniquities, He is the shall redeem.
Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer. Let us pray.
Lord, our gracious God, as we come, uniting our hearts in prayer at this time,
We thank you for the very great bonds that there are even in that,
That we come, not just with one or two, offering up a word of prayer,
But that together we come, offering up all our hearts' desires to you.
We come lifting up our voices to you in song,
Thankful for the great joy that there is in praising you.
The delight that there is in knowing that we can sing to you of the great blessings that are ours
Through your word and through your spirit,
Through all that we have in Christ,
That we have so much to give thanks for.
And so that that leads us in then to praise you in our prayers.
And all of us together at this time,
We can all perhaps number the benefits that are ours in Christ.
Some of them will be the same.
And for some of us, the benefits will be quite different.
And yet each of us has that great reason to rejoice in you and to give thanks to you.
And we pray that this evening we will be able to find that sense of thanksgiving,
And that encouragement that comes through hearing your word and reminding us, Lord,
Of your gracious benefits towards us.
And we pray, Lord, this evening that that sense of the power of your word will be present with us.
For we know it's not just our words that we say together,
But that we come hearing your word, your truth, speaking to us and ministering to us.
We thank you that we are reminded so much of that.
And even the psalm that we have sung, we sing there of waiting on the Lord,
Our soul waiting, because our hope is in your word.
And that is what we come to do this evening, to wait upon you in that way,
With our very souls praising you for the joy that there is in your word.
And so may you bless your word to us as we read it,
And as we come to consider it together.
We thank you that it is a word that speaks into our lives,
Not just for this time of worship,
But it is a word that goes with us even into the week ahead.
We thank you that your word is on our lips throughout each day of our lives.
For we come to read it in our own quiet times.
We come to meditate upon it in our own different ways, even during the week.
We thank you to be able to listen to others preaching your word.
We thank you to be able to listen to so much that leads us into your words,
With a variety of podcasts available for our teaching.
We thank you for so many ways that your word goes out,
Even over the radio when we think of a thought for the day each morning.
We thank you that there is still that instruction from your word in many places.
We thank you for your truth that is read at particular times,
Even in a nation that has turned away from it so much.
We look back on this past week of remembrance,
And we know that your word was read and heard in so many different places,
By so many different people.
And we thank you for all the means that there are for the word of truth to go out,
With that great promise that your word does not return empty,
But accomplishes so much for your purpose.
And we pray, Lord, that even in these days ahead,
That your word would go out with that power.
For it is your word that is able to convict and to convert
The soul that lies in sin, as the psalmist says.
And so we pray that your word will just resonate with people,
Near and far.
It doesn't take much, O Lord, for we know that even in our own experience,
How even just a sentence or even one word can be used by you.
It can stop us in our tracks.
It can challenge us.
It can remind us of our greatest need in this world.
And that we have a Lord who is Jesus Christ.
One before whom all must appear.
And give an account, whether for good or evil.
And even these words themselves, they can resonate in our ears.
And they can speak to us.
They can remind us, Lord, that although our days seem to go on as normal,
As we go into a new week, it just seems like any other week.
And yet your word reminds us that the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
And that we are to be prepared for that day.
For it could be at any moment.
We thank you that even the word eternity has such a powerful ring to it.
It reminds us that despite so many who say we live and die and that is it,
That there is an eternity for us all.
And we pray that every word that has come through you to this world, down through all the generations,
That you would use it even in these days, O Lord.
That your word would bear much fruit.
We do ask, Lord, and thank you for those who translate your word.
We marvel at the number of languages that there are in the world.
How many different tongues there are to speak.
So many we don't understand ourselves.
So many are beyond us.
And yet, O Lord, you have your people through all corners of the world.
And we thank you that there are many who are being used by you to translate the word of God into all the different languages of this world.
And we pray for that endeavor to be blessed by you and for people to receive the word with great gladness.
And we thank you that throughout the world you are building your church.
And that we have that great assurance in your word that you are one who is working to bring your kingdom power into the midst of this world.
Where there's a power beyond any other.
Even when we think of the powers of this world and the power that they seem to have at their fingertips in many ways.
And yet it is nothing compared to your power over us.
And so, Lord, look down upon us this evening.
We pray, O Lord, that you will have mercy upon us.
And as we were singing this morning from that Psalm, Psalm 67, that is our prayer again this evening.
Lord, bless and pity us.
Shine on us with your face.
We pray that even now, Lord, that you would do so.
And we ask, O Lord, that you will meet us in all our different needs at this time.
We thank you for the gathering of your people here.
We thank you for the means to broadcast through the internet as well.
We thank you for all who are tuning in at home.
And we thank you for the great way that we are able to share together around your word.
And we pray that those who would be able to be out would be encouraged to do so.
That there would be finding a fellowship with one another.
Not just in coming to sit in the pew, but in coming to sit with one another and share with one another.
Even to have a word among ourselves as we leave this place tonight.
Lord, we thank you that so often there are words of encouragement.
And even if it's just, hello, how are you?
We thank you for the bonds that exist.
That there is a care and a concern for one another.
We pray that you would bless our fellowship.
That you would help us to encourage one another.
To strengthen one another.
To love one another.
To pray for one another.
That we would find ourselves as a people having our bonds in Christ strengthened day by day.
And we ask, oh Lord, that you would go before us in all that we do as a congregation.
We think of the vacancy at this time.
And the vacancy meeting on Tuesday.
We pray for your wisdom.
For your guidance.
For your help.
For us as a congregation.
And as we're reflecting this morning for many others who are vacant congregations throughout our presbytery.
And throughout our land.
We thank you that you are Lord of the harvest.
And able to provide.
And send out laborers into the harvest field.
And we continue to pray to see your hand upon us for good in that.
We continue to pray to see your work of salvation in our midst.
As we think of another communion time soon to be with us here as a congregation.
As we come to, in a special way, remember the Lord's death till he come.
And we thank you that we can come and prepare ourselves even now for that.
And ask that there will be many who maybe have not sat at the Lord's table as yet.
Who would have their hearts touched and convicted.
And know that they have an assurance from you that you will be with them.
That that is a promise that you give.
For you say you will never leave us or forsake us.
And that is one thing that is true as we take a step in faith.
That you will be with us to uphold and to strengthen.
And so we pray Lord that we would be encouraged in all of these things.
We pray too for those who are struggling in different ways.
Remember those who are grieving.
We know that seldom a week goes by when there is not sad news for somebody within our congregation.
Sometimes it can be seen coming and other times it comes so unexpectedly.
But we know Lord that we are in your hands for these things.
And we pray that you will help those who need you in that way.
Remember those who are unwell in hospital or homes.
Or even their own homes Lord.
Surround them with your love and your grace.
And we pray Lord that you will help us to remember one another in these times.
Lord continue with us in our worship at this time.
Go before us and help us in the week ahead.
To go on in your strength.
Even the strength of the eagle as we read in your word.
That we would have it renewed within us Lord.
That you would encourage us and build us up in our faith.
And help us to be strong in the Lord.
To be courageous.
To be bold for you at all times.
And to all around us.
That you would help us to be that salt and light in this world in which we live.
So Lord bless us.
Go before us now.
Hear us in all our prayers.
Hear our confession of sin.
And you Lord as we confess that we fall short of your glory so often.
But thankful for these words that we have sung.
That yet there is forgiveness with you.
So Lord cleanse us from all our sin.
And guide us in all our thoughts now.
And in the reading of your word.
And in all we do.
May it be to your glory.
And we ask all of these things in the name of our precious saviour Jesus Christ.
For his sake and glory.
Amen.
We'll again sing to God's praise.
This time in Psalm 92.
And let's sing Psalms version.
This is Psalm 92a.
Page 122 of the Psalm books.
We're going to sing.
We're going to sing from verse 5.
Down to the end of the Psalm.
Psalm 92a.
Page 122 of verse 5.
The tune is free church.
How great are all your works.
O Lord.
Your thoughts.
How deep and grand.
The senseless one does not perceive.
Fools do not understand.
Although the wicked spring like grass.
The foolish do not see.
That all who flourish in their sin will die.
Eternally there's that warning to us there.
But then in verse 8.
But Lord you are forevermore.
Exalted very high.
We have a Lord who we look to.
Who is there over all things.
And so we pray that we may know his blessing with us in these things.
We sing from verse 5 down to the end of the Psalm.
We stand to sing to God's praise.
Amen.
The senseless one does not perceive.
Wholes do not understand.
Although the wicked spring like grass.
That foolish do not see.
That God who punishes in their sin will die eternally.
But Lord you are forevermore.
Exalted very high.
All evil who hurts will be crushed.
Your foes will surely die.
You make me strong.
That voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque voyque
The leaders flourishing, the righteous soul will be.
And planted in the house of God, will grow abundantly.
Though in old age they still bear fruit, they will stay fresh and strong.
They will proclaim the Lord his just, my all who does no wrong.
Amen.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.
Bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Who forgives all your iniquity?
Who heals all your diseases?
Who redeems your life from the pit?
Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy?
Who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles?
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him.
As far as east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word.
Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will.
Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Amen, and may God bless that reading from his word.
And before we come back to look at the beginning of this psalm, we're going to sing again to God's praise.
Psalm 128, in the Singed Psalms version, page 172.
Psalm 128, page 172.
The tune is Duke Street.
How blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk the way that he has shown.
Success and blessing will be yours.
You'll eat the fruit that you have grown.
Your wife will be a fruitful vine, and round your table will be placed.
Your children, like young olive shoots, thus he who fears the Lord is blessed.
May you behold Jerusalem's good from Zion.
May God's blessing flow.
Your children's children.
May you see, may God on Israel, peace bestow.
A short psalm, but a psalm that's filled with so many of the blessings that arose from the hand of God.
Psalm 128, and we'll sing the whole of the psalm to the tune Duke Street.
We stand to sing.
How blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk the way that he has shown.
Success and blessing will be yours.
You'll eat the fruit that you have grown.
Your wife will be a fruitful vine, and round your table will be placed.
Your children, like young olive shoots.
Thus he who rears the Lord is blessed.
May you behold Jerusalem's good from Zion.
May God's blessing flow.
Your children, may you behold Jerusalem.
May God on Israel, peace be so.
All his benefits.
Who forgives all your iniquity.
Who heals all your diseases.
Who redeems your life from the pit.
Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
Who satisfies you with good.
So that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
Forget not all his benefits.
And then the psalmist here goes on to list for us a number of benefits.
And it's these benefits that we're going to consider together this evening.
The psalms are always very personal for us.
And they speak to us in so many different ways.
Speak to us of day-to-day experiences that we go through.
They speak to us about so many different things that are going on around us as well.
And so we can often see the psalms speaking outwardly for us.
But as you look at the psalms as well, you find that there are also times, and I'm sure you know this,
that they speak within us as well.
They remind us of just what's going on in our hearts.
What's going on inside us.
That there is nothing hidden from the Lord.
And sometimes you see the psalmist bringing many complaints.
But before God, you see him coming to the Lord with a burden.
You see him coming, as we might say, he's coming with a bit of a moan towards God.
Psalm 13, for example.
The psalmist begins the psalm saying,
How long, O Lord?
Will you forget us forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
So the psalm, psalmist comes with a complaint to God.
And you find that occurring regular throughout the psalms.
And we can often be very thankful that that's there,
because so often that reminds us of what goes on within our own hearts as well.
How often we're coming before God,
and it is a bit of a complaining attitude towards him.
We all have days like that.
But also we see in the psalms, and here in Psalm 103,
we're given the other side of the coin, as it were, as well.
That we shouldn't always be like that.
David's own relationship with God was one where, yes, he came so often with complaints,
but more so he came recognizing his dependence on God,
and very much his thankfulness towards God.
He recognizes God's great steadfast love, as it's often called,
that covenant love that God has shown towards him.
And he comes with much thanksgiving for that,
and he comes praising God.
And that's what we see in this psalm, Psalm 103.
He's very much coming to God with a sense of thanksgiving,
the sense of praise towards God.
Bless the Lord, he says,
Oh, my soul, and all that is within me.
It's like he's coming to the Lord and saying,
Please don't just see me as someone who's always complaining.
Don't see me as someone who's just always got something to moan about.
Because I know that there are many things that I should be thankful for.
And that speaks to our hearts as well.
It certainly speaks to my own heart.
There are times when I feel all I'm doing would be complaining,
or grumbling, or moaning about something.
Even to God, just bringing complaints to him.
And I have to come and say,
Lord, please don't see me as someone who's always complaining,
who always sees the sense of almost being unthankful for life and all that it entails.
I recognize, and we should recognize, just like the psalmist,
that we have so much to remember and give thanks to God for,
and to praise his goodness towards us.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
He goes on to say here in verse 2,
And forget not all his benefits.
Forget not all his benefits.
How easy it is for us to forget his benefits.
And yet, when we see in this psalm,
he reminds us of all the benefits that are ours
through his grace towards us.
Now, when you think of the word itself, benefits,
in our day and age, it maybe automatically takes our minds towards something like child benefit,
or support benefits when we're out of work,
that kind of help that we get in time of need,
which can often be seen in a negative sense.
But there are benefits there for the good of people in times of need.
And that's what we see here with the Lord.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
is recognizing our dependence on him.
There are times when we are struggling,
times that we are in great need,
times that we see that our strength is failing,
and yet we are reminded,
don't forget the benefits of the Lord.
So if we are feeling that sense of discouragement,
if we are feeling that sense of putting ourselves down
and just seeing ourselves as a people
who are always grumbling about something,
then we come like David and say,
but Lord, look, we have so much to be thankful for,
and we are.
And we see your benefits,
and we don't forget your benefits,
because we remind ourselves of them again and again.
And so his benefits are then outlined for us here
in verse 3 to verse 5.
And it's these benefits I want us to touch on,
just to go through them one at a time.
And there are five benefits for us here
that he outlines to us.
We see forgiveness.
We see healing.
We see redemption.
We see crowning.
And we see satisfying.
You see the word who there in verses 3 to verse 5.
And it's, and who does all of these things for us?
Who gives us these things, these benefits?
It is the Lord.
And it is the Lord that we are to be thankful for,
for all of these things.
And so it says,
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Forget not all his benefits.
And then we see the first one.
Who forgives all your iniquity.
Forgiveness is there,
almost as you would say,
top of the list.
Forgiveness.
That the Lord is the one
who is able to forgive.
And what a benefit that there is in that for us.
Even in our grumbling,
even in our moaning towards God,
he is able to forgive us in that.
And there are so many times
when we feel like poor Christians.
There are so many times when we feel overwhelmed
by different things in this world.
And as the hymn writer says,
when Satan tempts me to despair.
There are these times,
and the psalmist sees it himself in his experience.
When there are times when you feel
just that sense of despair,
when you feel at your most wretched point.
Is there a better benefit to remember than
who forgives all your iniquity?
The hymn says this,
when Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within.
Upward I look and see him there
who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.
Who forgives all your iniquity?
How there is that wonder of
how God is able to look on him,
to look on Christ and pardon me.
That there is forgiveness
in the midst of all our sin.
And David himself knows what it is
to confess sin.
He goes through his life
confessing so many different sins
in his experience.
But he also knows how precious forgiveness is.
We sang of it in Psalm 130.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
who could stand?
But yet there is forgiveness with you
that you may be feared.
The wonder of forgiveness.
The wonder of the one who forgives
all your iniquity.
Is there a greater benefit than that?
There was a story at the time
of Robert the Bruce,
the one who would become
the king of Scotland.
But before that,
he was so often fighting
in different battles.
And the English were often after him
to prevent him from coming
to take the crown.
And there was a time
when they were after him,
chasing him.
And he was just himself
and one of his servants with him,
running away from them.
But they were getting closer and closer.
And there was no getting away from them
because they had these hounds
that they were using
to pick up his scent
and chase him.
And so everywhere he went,
the dogs were picking up his scent.
He just couldn't get away.
And they were running
and running and running.
And eventually they came to a point
where they were stopped.
And the servants said to him,
we just can't go on.
There's no escaping these dogs.
Then Robert the Bruce remembered
that just further on,
there was a river flowing through
an area of the land
that they were running across.
And what dawned on them was
that if they could get across
or into that river
and through that river,
across the other side,
that they could possibly get away
from these dogs
that were chasing them.
And so they made their way
to the river
and they waded in
and made their way upstream
walking through the water.
And then they moved up some way
and then came out
on the other side.
And on the other side,
close by,
was a forest
which they ran into
and made their way
further into the forest.
And just as they looked back,
what they could see
was the dogs coming
to the edge of the river
and they were stopping.
And no matter how much
the English tried
to drive on the dogs
and pick up the scent,
the scent was gone.
The scent had been taken away
by the river.
There was no scent to smell.
There was no way
of finding that track to follow.
It had been washed away.
And as we think of
the one who forgives
all your iniquity
and the one who tempts us
to despair,
where do we come to
but to the cross?
That place where our sin
is forgiven,
where the blood of Jesus Christ
cleanses us from all sin.
So that even the one
who tempts us to despair,
we are beyond his reach.
We are beyond him
because he cannot touch us.
Because God looks on him
who was crucified
and pardons me.
Therefore,
we are able
to see the great benefit
that there is for us
in that,
the one who forgives
all your iniquity.
So that when there are times
when you feel
that sense of despair,
when it's like those dogs
who are just picking up
the scent,
when Satan tempts you
to despair,
you remember
that you are forgiven.
And as you believe
in the Lord Jesus,
as you put your trust
in him,
that he is able
to cleanse you
from all your sins.
The trail is broken
by the blood of Christ
that takes away
our sins.
As somebody put it like this,
the purpose of the cross
is to repair
the irreparable.
What we couldn't repair
ourselves,
the cross
takes care of
as we put our trust
in him.
we know that great benefit
that he forgives
all your iniquities.
Then secondly,
we see here
the one who heals
all your diseases.
Our bodies
are so often afflicted
by sickness
and disease.
It's part of life,
sadly.
It's part of what sin
has brought
into this world.
And we would love
to see healing
for all
our diseases.
But the reality is
that that doesn't
always happen.
We know it.
But he's not
referring here
to the sense of
all our diseases
in this life,
all the things
that cause us
great pain
and that bring death,
that they will be healed.
But he's reminding us
of the one
who heals
all your diseases
as he speaks
of the soul
here.
The soul,
the one
who is able
to restore us
not in a physical way
but in a spiritual way.
The one who is able
to heal us
in that sense
of all the damage
done by sin
in our lives.
You think of
all the things
that go on
in your heart.
The diseases
that are there.
Hate,
greed,
jealousy,
anger,
discouragement,
despair,
guilt,
doubt,
all of these things
that so often
just weigh
so heavy upon us.
And yet here
we are reminded
of the great benefit
of the one
who heals
all your diseases.
The psalm,
Psalm 23,
another psalm
we sing so often.
It reminds us
of that restoration
that he gives.
In verse 2 and 3
it says,
He makes me lie down
in green pastures.
He leads me
beside still waters.
He restores
my soul.
He leads me
in the paths
of righteousness
for his name's sake.
That wonder
of the one
who heals
all our diseases,
who restores
our soul.
What a great benefit
that there is
in that for us
as well.
The remedy
to all the diseases
of our soul
is found
with him.
And the word
is that remedy
for us.
And it's like God,
someone described it
like this,
like God is the doctor
who's on his rounds
on a daily basis.
Visiting all
his patients
and making sure
that all his patients
are being cared for,
that their soul
is being restored.
And that's
the great relationship
that we have
with God
as we come to him
on a daily basis,
as we come
to his word,
as we come to him
in prayer,
as we come to look
to him
and trust in him,
we are reminded
that daily
he graciously cares
for us.
That is what
the Psalm 23
is saying.
He leads me
beside still water.
She is with me.
He restores my soul.
He leads me
in the paths
of righteousness.
This is ongoing.
This is the shepherd's
care for his sheep.
That daily
he gives us
all these benefits.
And so,
we know
that he is with us.
But in order
to know this benefit,
we must take
our medicine.
Psalm 107
is another psalm
that speaks of
our experiences
in life.
In verse 19,
it says,
So as we cry
to the Lord,
as we hear
his word,
he is able
to heal us,
deliver them
from their destruction.
That is what
the Psalm 107
says.
But then it goes on
to say,
Let them thank
the Lord
for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works
to the children
of men.
So as we see
God doing that
for us,
as we cry
to the Lord
in our trouble,
and as he delivers
us from distress,
as he sends out
his word
that so often
heals us,
it reminds us
that with him
we have so much
of these benefits
that our soul
that is so bitter
at times
that he is able
to make it rejoice
in him again.
So how
could we ever
forget the way
the Lord
treats us
like that
on a daily basis?
The way
he tends to us,
just like a doctor
looking after
his patients
daily,
the Lord
looks after
his people
on a daily
basis.
And for that
we can say,
bless the Lord,
oh my soul
and all
that is within me.
That we know
the great
benefit
that there is
in the Lord
who heals
our soul.
And thirdly,
we see there
in verse 4,
the one who
redeems
your life
from the pit.
Yes,
you could say
it's quite similar
to the one
who forgives
all your iniquity.
But there's
a reminder
there again
of the cost.
The one
who redeems
your life
from the pit.
The one
who has
given everything
to bring
your life,
to free
you in your life
from the consequences
of sin.
There was a great
price paid
for us
that God
has given
his son,
the redeemer,
so that our
life may be
spared
from the pit.
What a benefit
there is
there for us
as well.
The one
who gave
life,
but the one
who redeems
our life.
There was a story
of a little boy
who made
this model
boat.
He built it
himself,
he made it
himself,
and he was so
proud of this
little boat
that he'd made,
and he went
out this day
to play
with it
in the river
and tied
a bit of
string to
the boat
and let
the boat
out bit
by bit.
And there
he was,
so pleased
with what
he had made,
and he watched
this boat
just going
in the water.
But then
suddenly the wind
got up a bit
and it started
to pull
on the boat,
pull it further
away from him
and as he
tried to
pull the
boat back
in,
the string
that he
had on it
snapped.
And the river
took hold
of this boat
and took
the boat
away from him.
The boy,
he tried
to chase
this boat,
but it just
got further
and further
ahead of him.
He lost
sight of it
and the boat
was gone.
And he was
so despondent
at this.
Well,
a few weeks
later,
after having
searched
for this
boat for
so long,
he had
given up
hope until
a few weeks
later he
was walking
through the
town where
he lived
and in
the window
of a shop
he saw
this boat
and it was
his.
And he
couldn't believe
it that this
boat was
there for
sale.
And he
went into
the shop
and he
said to
the shopkeeper,
that's my
boat,
that belongs
to me.
And the
shopkeeper
said,
well,
no,
it doesn't,
it's mine
now.
And if
you want
it,
you'll
have to
pay for
it.
And the
boy,
he couldn't
believe it.
But he
said he
wanted his
boat back
and so
eventually he
paid the
price for
the boat.
And as he
was going
out of the
shop,
he was
there holding
the boat
so closely
to him,
looking at
it so
longingly,
the boat
that he
had made
and he
said,
now you're
mine twice.
First I
made you
and now
I've
bought you.
And that
is how
we are
with God.
The one
who redeems
your life
from the
pit is
the one
who made
you.
But you
were lost.
You were
lost in
this world.
And so
being lost
as we all
are,
what did
the Lord
do for
us?
He
redeemed
your life.
He made
you and
yet he
bought
you and
bought
you at
a price.
He gave
his own
son.
And so
as we
think of
this benefit,
we see
it is the
Lord who
has made
us.
It is the
Lord who
gives us
the breath
of life.
It is the
Lord who
gives us
all that
we enjoy
in this
world.
And yet
in our
lostness
we just
go our
own way.
But the
Lord has
come to
redeem us,
to buy
us back
to himself.
And when
we see
the price
of that,
that Jesus
had to
die for
our
redemption,
that it is
through faith
in him that
we are
redeemed,
we see the
gracious benefit
of God
in that.
He didn't
leave us.
He didn't
abandon us
to be
lost.
You
think of
the
Hebridean
Isles that
was in
Stornoway
this last
while and
has now
gone away
not to
come back
to Stornoway
again.
It's done
its time,
it's served
its purpose
and what
now lies
in store
for the
boat?
To be
scrapped.
Just to
be put
away,
to be
abandoned,
to be
left in
the scrap
heap.
That's
the way
the Lord
could be
with us.
That's
the way
the Lord
could be
with you
and me.
We've
done
enough
in this
world,
we've
gone
our
own
way.
The
Lord
could
just
say
the
scrap
heap.
Let
him
go,
let
her
go,
that he
served
nothing
else.
But
the
Lord
in his
grace
towards
us
doesn't
want us
just to
be
left
on
the
scrap
heap.
He
wants
to
redeem
your
life.
And
that's
the
purpose
why
he
sent
his
son.
And
so
if we
look
to
him,
we
are
redeemed.
We
are
assured
that
our
life
is
not
worthless,
but
it
is
precious
to
him,
the
one
who
gave
his
son
that
we
might
have
life
through
him
and
life
eternal.
So
there
is
the
benefit
that
we
have
in
faith
in
Christ.
He
redeems
your
life
from
the
pit.
The
fourth
thing
we
see
here
is
who
crowns
you
with
steadfast
love
and
mercy.
Who
crowns
you?
Now
we
think of
a
crown,
you
think
of
a
king
or
a
queen.
And
who
here
feels
like
a
king
or
a
queen.
And
yet
here
we
have
that's
one
benefit
that
we
receive
from
him.
He
crowns
you
with
steadfast
love
and
mercy.
He's
giving us
a share
in
his
kingdom.
He's
giving us
a part
in the
royal
family
that
belongs
to
the
Lord
as
our
king.
God
crowns
his
people
with
the
blessings
of
being
part
of
his
kingdom.
him.
He
crowns
his
people
his
children
with
steadfast
love
and
mercy.
And
these
two
things
they need
to be
unpacked
a little.
What do
we get
in this?
He
crowns
you
with
steadfast
love
and
mercy.
Steadfast
love
here
really
corresponds
to what
the
Lord
calls
grace
in the
New
Testament.
He
crowns
you
with
grace
upon
grace
always
giving
his
grace
to
you.
He
crowns
you
with
it.
And
this
is
almost
like
on
a
daily
basis
he
presents
this
on a
daily
basis
to
us.
His
faithfulness
which
is new
every
morning
it
is
his
grace
that
he
gives
again
and
again.
2
Corinthians
12
verse
9
where
it
says
to
Paul
but
he
said
to
me
my
grace
is
sufficient
for
you
for
my
power
is
made
perfect
in
weakness.
He
crowns
him
with
grace
the
grace
that
is
always
sufficient.
And
so that
is
what
we
experience
too.
He
crowns
us
with
his
steadfast
love
that
unchanging
love
that we
know
in
his
grace.
And
he
also
crowns
us
there
with
mercy.
Mercy
day
by
day.
His
mercy
that
is
always
more.
The
mercy
that
keeps
us.
The
mercy
that
is
with
us
daily.
That
he
is
there
in
this
way.
God
is
so
often
seen
in
different
ways
in
the
scripture.
we
think
of
the
Lord
is
seen
as
a
shepherd
as
we
see
in
that
psalm.
We
think
of
the
way
the
Lord
is
seen
as
a
farmer.
We
think
of
the
harvest
field,
the
harvest
which
is
plentiful.
But
as we
look
here
and
see
the
one
who
crowns
us
with
mercy,
it's
a
reminder
of
God
in
another
way,
in
a
gentle
!
way.
In
a
compassionate
way,
it's
almost
just
like
the
Lord
in
the
sense
of
a
mother
loving
her
children.
That's
what's
behind
it
here.
It's
like
the
tender
mercy
of
a
mother
towards
her
children.
There
was
a
feature
on
maybe
a few
months
ago
now
and
I
just
caught
a
little
bit
of
it
and
it
was
about
Princess
Diana
looking
back
on
her
life
and
she
was
speaking
in
this
program
about
the
importance
of
the
human
touch
and
if you
ever
saw
Princess
Diana
doing
her
charity
work
wherever
she went
she would
often be
seen
among
the
people
very
often
even
having
young
children
sitting
in
her
lap
or
playing
around
them
or
doing
something
with
them
because
she
saw
that
as
so
important
that
human
touch
it
didn't
matter
that
she
was
royalty
it
didn't
matter
that
people
would
be
afraid
maybe
of
allowing
this
to
go
ahead
but
she
just
saw
it
as
so
important
that
she
would
show
that
tender
compassion
and
care
and
concern
for
those
around
her
that
human
touch
and
that's
what's
behind
this
care
that
the
Lord
has
for
his
people
here
who
crowns
you
with
steadfast
love
and
mercy
psalm
139
speaks
of it
as well
when you
look at
that psalm
it speaks
of
wherever
you
go
in
this
world
in
verse
10
or
verse
9
if I
should
take
the
wings
!
of
dawn
and
dwell
beyond
the
sea
there
also
you
would
be
my
guide
your
right
hand
holding
me
there
is
this
tender
touch
of
God
that
he
is
always
having
this
concern
for
his
people
this
mercy
that
is
his
hand
upon
us
for
good
that
he
never
lets
us
go
and
so
we
have
that
benefit
too
he
crowns
you
with
steadfast
love
and
mercy
the
final
benefit
we
see
here
then
is
in
verse
5
the
one
who
satisfies
you
with
good
so
that
your
youth
is
renewed
like
the
eagles
he
satisfies
you
with
good
this
is
one
of
his
benefits
too
that
satisfaction
he
gives
whenever
we
have
use
of
a
product
or
a
service
so
often
you're
asked
now
will
you
take
a
short
survey
at
the
end
you
may
be
dealing
with
a
phone
company
you
may
be
dealing
with
a
product
you've
bought
and
you're
often
asked
to
take
a
survey
and
the
questions
are
asking
are
you
satisfied
with
the
service
are
you
satisfied
with
the
product
and
behind
that
is
just
a
desire
to
know
how
can
things
be
improved
and
there
are
plenty
of
times
we
might
say
we're
unsatisfied
we're
not
happy
with
the
service
or
the
product
but
that
will
never
be
the
case
with
God
he
is
the
one
who
satisfies
you
with
good
the
rolling
stones
want
sung
that
song
I
can't
get
no
satisfaction
there's
almost
nothing
in this
world
that
they
could
see
that
could
give
them
satisfaction
and
that's
the
song
of
so
many
in
this
world
just
whatever
I
do
I
just
can't
get
that
satisfaction
but
that's
not
our
song
that's
not
the
song
that
the
Lord
gives
to
us
because
he
satisfies
you
with
good
his
tender
mercies
his
tender
steadfast
love
and his
mercy
he's
crowned
you
with
all
of
these
benefits
he
satisfies
you
with
good
and
so
yes
there
are
times
when
we
grumble
and
moan
there
are
times
we
have
things
that
we're
not
happy
with
but
it's
of
ourselves
because
God
satisfies
you
with
good
and
he
satisfies
you
in
this
way
where
he
says
that
your
youth
is
renewed
like
the
eagles
it
ties
so
much
in
with
Isaiah
chapter
40
as well
with
Isaiah
speaking
about
those
who
faint
and
are
weary
even
young
men
shall
fall
exhausted
but
they
who
wait
on
the
Lord
shall
renew
their
strength
they
shall
mount
up
with
wings
like
eagles
they
shall
run
and
not
be
weary
they
shall
walk
and
not
faint
we
have
that
same
kind
of
idea
here
so
that
your
youth
is
renewed
like
the
eagles
it's
to do
with
the
strength
and
the
power
of
the
eagle
and
if
you
ever
see
eagles
you
see
that
they
have
that
power
and
you
think
of
the
way
they
swoop
down
maybe
they
catch
an
animal
even
a
fish
out
of
the
sea
and
yet
you
see
the
power
that
they
have
not
just
to
catch
that
animal
but
to
lift
off
again
and
fly
up
into
the
sky
to
soar
up
into
the
sky
and
carry
that
food
with
them
it's
incredible
the
power
that
they
have
and
yet
here
we
are
being
reminded
the
one
who
satisfies
you
with
good
and
who
renews
your
youth
like
he
means
that
he
gives
you
strength
to
go
on
he
keeps
you
going
in
so
many
ways
and
again
we
just
think
of
that
great
benefit
of
knowing
the
Lord
who
is
with
us
when
we
are
feeling
weary
in
life
when
we
feel
exhausted
by
things
he
satisfies
you
with
good
and
when
we
see
that
it
reminds
you
of
the
strength
and
the
power
that
is
yours
through
faith
in
Christ
that
all
that
you
have
in
him
is
all
his
gracious
benefits
and
they
are
ours
through
faith
some
of
we
once
said
we
have
a
long
memory
when
it
comes
to
our
hurts
our
sorrows
and
our
burdens
But
a
very
short
memory
when
it
comes
to
recalling
just
how
good
the
Lord
has
been
to
us
that's
the
kind
of
thing
we
see
here
David
himself
knew
times
when
he
was
forgetful
and
so
do
we
but
we
can
come
and
say
bless
the
Lord
praise
the
Lord
and
let's
not
forget
all
his
benefits
the
one
who
forgives
our
iniquities
the
one
who
heals
our
diseases
the
one
who
redeems
our
life
the one
who
crowns
us
with
steadfast
love
and
mercy
the one
who
satisfies
us
with
good
the
benefits
that are
ours
by
faith
when we
know
these
benefits
our soul
can do
nothing
but praise
him
and rejoice
in him
who has
remembered
us
who has
redeemed
us
and we
are
his
let
us
not
forget
all
his
gracious
benefits
let
us
pray
our
father
in
heaven
we
do
thank
you
for
your
remembrance
to
us
that
you
are
a
God
who
is
with
us
that
you
are
a
God
who
is
near
that
you
are
a
God
who
has
given
us
your
gracious
benefits
help
us
to
remember
them
and
continue
with
us
now
in
Jesus
name
Amen
we're
going
to
conclude
by
singing
these
words
from
Psalm
103
page
369
the
Scottish
Psalter
version
Psalm
103
we'll sing
from
verse 1
to
verse 5
O thou
my soul
bless
God
the
Lord
and all
that in
me
is
bestid
it
up
his
holy
name
to
magnify
and
bless
we'll
sing
from
verse 1
to 5
the
tune
is
Kilmarnock
and we'll
stand
to
sing
O
thou
my
soul
bless
God
the
Lord
and
O
that
in
me
is
!
God
!
God
!
God
!
Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God, hath not forlet for thee.
Of all his gracious benefits he hath bestowed on thee.
All thine iniquities, Judah, most graciously forgive.
Where my deceit, said soul, and grace, doth heal and deliver me.
Who doth redeem thy life, that thou to death may stop your time.
Who thee with loving kindness, thou hath tender mercy strong.
Who with abundance of good things, thou satisfy thy mind.
So that we must be, O Saint, bring you this time.
After the benediction, I'll go to the door to my right.
We'll close with the benediction.
Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us.
And upon us, now and forevermore.
Amen.