the text for the sermon this evening comes from psalm 95 so if you have a bible i would ask you
to turn there with me psalm 95 let us hear god's own word
oh come let us sing to the lord let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation
let us come into his presence with thanksgiving let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of
praise for the lord is a great god and a great king above all gods in his hand are the depths of
the earth the heights of the mountains are his also the sea is his for he made it and his hands
formed the dry land oh come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the lord our maker
for he is our god and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand
today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts as at meribah as on the day at massa in
the wilderness when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof though they had seen my
work for 40 years i loathed that generation and said there are people who go astray in their heart
and they have not known my ways therefore i swore in my wrath they shall not enter my rest
so far the reading of god's word
well psalm 95 is a rather remarkable psalm
firstly because it is so familiar it is probably the most used call to worship in the history of the
church the words of the psalm just invite the preacher to use these marvelous joyful words to
call god's people to meet before him to sing his praise to worship him we use them this evening
if you can think back we use them last week in the morning service to call us to worship
but this psalm is also remarkable not just for its familiarity but because of the surprising turn it takes
at the end of verse 7 having been so joyful and positive
even excited if we are allowed to use that word this psalm takes a decidedly negative turn at the
end of verse 7 the mood of the psalm changes dramatically into a very solemn warning but this
psalm is also remarkable because it is one of the most quoted parts of the old testament in the new
testament in the book of hebrews two whole chapters chapters 3 and 4 are really a reflection on a
meditation on an application of psalm 95 where the author of the letter to the hebrews compares the
situation of the church in that day to what is described for us in our psalm so the psalm then for its
familiarity for its surprising turn for its importance in scripture deserves our careful attention
but even more i think what we find in this psalm is a remarkable wonderful summary of what it means
to be in covenant with god to be in covenant with god now that word covenant that we as reformed people
delight in that we frequently use as one we might think we're rather familiar with
but like all words that we think we're familiar with we might not know exactly what we mean when we say
we are a covenant people we have a covenant god we are in covenant with god
as a reformed church we believe in covenant theology our confession our doctrinal standard the westminster
confession of faith describes how when god relates to humanity he does so by way of covenant
that god stoops down to create us finite analogies of himself image bearers and he condescends further to
enter into a relationship with us a relationship as his creation a relationship based on binding promises
that's what a covenant is a relationship based on binding promises between parties usually one lesser
and one greater and the scriptures tell us and our confession tells us how that first covenant
was made with adam and his posterity promising life upon condition of perfect and personal obedience
of course adam failed we know that god made another covenant the covenant of grace which freely offers to
sinners life and salvation by jesus christ one is law the other is gospel and then all throughout scripture
we have those specific biblical covenants recorded for us that god has entered into grouped under these
broader arrangements god's covenant with abraham god's covenant with moses and the people of israel at sinai
god's covenant with david each of these covenants in which god works out his plan successively through history
but psalm 95 would also tell us what it means for us to be in covenant with god and it's an interesting
kind of instruction because it's a psalm it's a poem but in a most succinct and affecting way this psalm pulls
together great themes of biblical revelation to help us more profoundly to know to understand our covenant
relationship with our god and the psalm tells us first of all who we are who we are at the most
essential level and it does that in the central verse of this psalm as many of you probably know so often
in hebrew poetry the heart of the matter the essence of the matter is at the center of the psalm
and so i think that's true of this psalm as well for in verse 7 of this psalm we are reminded
for he that is the lord is our god and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand
you see this is the most essential thing to be known about us that we have a god
and so right at the beginning we are reminded of who we are at this most essential level
and there are constant voices in our culture aren't there who would speak to us to tell us who we are
but at the center of who we are is this simple but so profound confession
that we have a god that we are the people of god that is who we are we have been given a name
we have been given an identity we don't turn inward to try to find our authentic self
as the world would have us to do but you see there is an external word a word outside of us that has
been spoken about us that defines us that claims us in our baptism we are baptized in the name of the triune god
in the benediction there is a blessing that seals the church in the name of god
when we belong to christ we have that name christian stamped on our hearts and god will indeed
save everyone who knows who bears the name of his son it is god's speech that defines us that defines reality
just as he created the world out of nothing so too he makes a people for himself out of nothing
drawing us from death to life in the savior so that we are not our own but belong body and soul to him
the great and glorious god becomes our god and we who are a sinful and rebellious people become his people
don't know how many times you've thought about that that statement that is so simple but it can be
easy because it is so simple so familiar to us to forget how really glorious how surprising that fact is
the god who is the god who is the creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible
the god who exists in a splendor unimaginable to us the god who knows more than we can even begin
to think about what he knows the god who accomplishes everything according to his purpose
the god who has a plan in detail for each one of us the god who knows the end from the beginning
the god who is greater than all the grandeur of the light years of the universe that we can see through
telescopes that god desires to be our god that god desires to enter into a relationship with us
that is remarkably intimate and caring and providing we have a god with whom we have a relationship
and that relationship is between a shepherd and his sheep we are the people of his pasture
and the sheep of his hand our god is not distant he is not indifferent to us but he is near to us
and it is with his hand that he reaches out to guide us to protect us to care for us that is first of
all what it means to be in covenant with god to belong to him we see this care that he has for his
people most clearly in our lord jesus christ don't we the good shepherd the good shepherd who lays down his
life for the sheep for the sheep for this covenant relationship that is established between our great
and glorious god and us a needy and sinful people comes at a great cost a great price to be paid but
not by us it is paid by god that's the nature of his life his love that the good shepherd lays down his
life for his people that's the the extent of his care we have a god on whom we can call in our need
and he pays to save us from our sin to restore us to himself and that's what this psalm is a great
celebration of that truth that great truth that jesus christ god come in the flesh for us
that our god makes us his own and though we would so often wander like wayward sheep that he gives us
an identity he gives us a home he gives us a name through the blood of the good shepherd who lays down
his life for the sheep so that every day every hour in every circumstance we can be sure that he is
caring for us watching over us providing for us and when we reflect on who we are to whom we belong
this psalm would say we are to be a worshiping people that's the second thing we see here
this psalm would have us to ask what is the character of our god who is our god to whom we belong
so that we might worship him for who he is and what he's done and this little psalm describes our
god in terms of being the creator and the redeemer the creation is celebrated in this psalm to remind
us that the god whom we are called upon to worship the god who is in covenant with us
is the god who has the power to accomplish all things that he has promised the god who brought the world
into existence who raised up mountains and cast down valleys who ruled over the sea and made the dry land
that god can take care of you and me verse 4 in his hand there's the hand of god again in his hand are the depths of the earth
you see that hand that cares so intimately for you and for me is also the hand of such great power
that all the mountains of the earth can be in that hand that all the depths of the sea can be in that hand
from the greatest heights to the greatest depths in this world god is not just there but he is in
control sustaining preserving and there is no limit to his power that's why in verse 3 he is defined as
the one who is the god above all gods the king above all kings there is no power beyond his power
there is no authority beyond his authority
and that's something that's so important for us to come back to again and again
even here in this church as a little reformed community
because i think sometimes we can begin to feel that we are such a small community
and that might make us feel that perhaps god is not thinking of us quite as often as we thought
or that maybe is not quite as in charge now we might not be too impious to think that or say
it out loud but we can feel it sometimes we can wonder when we're tired of the same struggle
when we feel like we're treading water when we feel like we're drifting from where we want to be
to feel that god is not really as in charge as he is made out to be
we might look around and wish to see a church that is greater in numbers
we might look around scotland and wish to see a church that is stronger and more vibrant greater in numbers
but we must remember are the people gathered here now unimportant to our god
is the lord not accomplishing his purpose
is the god who made us the god who made scotland not faithful to care for us
you see that is the assurance we have here that's what this psalm rejoices in
that our god is the great god over all things and that what he accomplishes according to the pleasure of his will
is what he delights in and it is what we should delight in and that nothing will hinder him in his purpose in his power
he's not only the great creator god
he is also the great redeemer god
oh come verse one says oh come let us sing to the lord let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation
now that phrase god is the rock of our salvation is a fairly familiar image particularly throughout the psalms
god again and again is referred to as that rock of salvation that image that brings with it a great sense of
stability reliability reliability solidity
god can be depended upon when he makes a promise
god can be depended upon when he says he will save
but when psalm 95 here speaks of god as the rock of our salvation
particularly when it goes on to speak of meribah and massa
there's another sense in which rock is being used here
one that is full of significance that we should not miss
you remember israel
coming out of egypt
camping at rephidim
that place later becoming known as massa and meribah
the place of grumbling and complaining
exodus 17
we have there that remarkable story of israel complaining that god brought them out
into the wilderness to die
why did we ever leave egypt
what a remarkably short memory those people had
how quickly were they inclined to say
oh we had it better in egypt
and how they complained against moses that moses had brought them out in the wilderness
to die how they suspected that god's purpose for them was not life and salvation but death and destruction
and when they were thirsty
they complained
they grumbled
but what did god do
he sent his prophet moses with his staff
that staff that had parted the red sea
that staff that had led the people through the sea on dry ground
and moses struck the rock there
and from that rock poured forth water
living water
the water of life
water to assuage the thirst of these people
so that they might know that god's plan was not that they should die in the wilderness
but that they should be delivered
psalm 95 is speaking about that rock
the rock from which the water of life flows forth
and so these people who sing this psalm rejoice that god is their savior
their provider
the one who gives them the water of life
as we read from first corinthians 10
paul says that that rock that rock was christ
that rock represented to the people the presence
the power the provision of christ for them in their need
so this rock here is not just a dry but solid rock
it is the rock from which comes forth the water of life
it is the rock from which comes forth water to give relief to the thirsty
to give life to the dying
to bring salvation
that rock is our savior
that rock is christ
so here is a great cause to rejoice in the gospel
the good news that we are not left to die in the wilderness
but that our god is faithful to deliver us
so we ought to come to him
with hearts full of gratitude
come into his courts with thanksgiving
and his gates with praise
you see that is what we do here
sunday by sunday
as we gather together
we come to reflect on who our god is
as creator and as redeemer
we come to sing his praise
we come to be reminded of his promises
we come to be filled again and again
with that amazing truth
we have a god
the great god
who cares for us
the great king above all gods
there is no power that can stand against him
this is why our forebearers delighted to sing the psalms
because the psalms are
and need to be so precious to us
they so remarkably lift up for us
the character of that god
the deliverance that we have in him
they would bid us to bring our concerns to him
like a little child coming to his father
not out of fear
but because he knows his father loves him
the psalms call us to worship him
the psalms call us to find our identity
in him
and that picture of worship
that is presented here for us
is so impressive isn't it
it is a picture of great joy
and great reverence
we are to be joyful in the presence of god
and we are also to be reverent
let us kneel before the lord our maker
as psalm 2 says
rejoice
with trembling
because somehow coming before this great king
is both the deepest and profoundest joy of our hearts
and also the most solemn reality of our lives
so we are called to worship this god
because we are his covenant people
in this great relationship with him
which god himself has established for us
at great cost
in the blood of his own son
and then comes that turn
that surprising turn
in the second half of verse 7
the psalm here
issues a warning
a most solemn warning
for us
the psalm says
that as we come with our praise
to god
as we come to worship him
to thank him
for all that he has done
let us never forget
to listen
to him
you see we must never be so carried away
with our activity
that we fail to listen
that we become apathetic
that we grow
indifferent
ungrateful
to all he has done for us
forgetful
to the death
from which we have been delivered
here is a direct application
the psalm says
today
Hebrews 3 and 4
would remind us
today
means every day
of our sojourn
as the people of god
today
hear his voice
today
you
if you hear his voice
do you hear his voice
of course you do
because the word has been read
the word is being preached
that is the word of our god
and god would say to us here
don't close your ears
don't neglect
your god
and do not harden your heart
as at meribb
as on the day
at massa
in the wilderness
when your fathers
put me to the test
and put me to the proof
though they had seen
my work
what was the essence
of the test
to which the people
put god
there at rephedim
they grumbled
they said
you know
i don't think god
is really with us
and don't you see
how fundamentally
that is a betrayal
of god
by his people
god who created us
god who
redeemed us
who has loved us
who gives his name
to us
to his people
and then to be told
by his people
we're not so sure
about you
we're not so sure
about your purpose
or your love
we're not so sure
about your power
or your strength
maybe we'll hedge
our bets
a little bit
after all
what do you seem
to be doing
for me right now
you notice
that little phrase
at the end of verse 9
though they had
seen my work
you see
this is describing
a people
who saw
who didn't just
read about
who didn't just
hear preachers
talk about
but who saw
the plagues
on Egypt
who saw
the angel
of death's
effect
on the firstborn
of Egypt
who saw
that they had
been passed over
who saw
the pillar of fire
and of cloud
who saw
the red sea
open before them
who saw
the manna
from heaven
and tasted it
and swallowed it
and they put
their god
to the test
they said
is god
really with us
does god
really care
does god
care
whether we
are faithful
to him
or not
is god
going to
provide for us
today
right now
or are we
just sort of
on our own
here
need to do
the best
we can
according to
our own
wisdom
you see
each of those
questions
the people
ask
comes expecting
a negative
answer
no god
doesn't
know
no god
doesn't
care
no god
won't
act
so i'll
follow my
own heart
my own
ways
but psalm 95
pleads with
the people
of god
as hebrews
3 and 4
plead with
the people
of god
don't think
that way
don't be
that way
listen to
the word
of god
believe
the word
of god
follow
the word
of god
and that's
the only way
to avoid
that really
terrible
curse
here
i loathed
that people
for 40
years
said the
lord
and i
declared
in my
wrath
they shall
not enter
my rest
that should
be a most
chilling
word to
us
as the
people
of god
spoken
not to
the world
of idolaters
spoken
not to
the world
of unbelief
but spoken
to those
who had
seen the
great redeeming
work of
god
who had
just
brought
them
out
of
egypt
what was
the rest
that they
would not
enter
it was
it seems
to me
the promised
land
that land
that god
had said
i will give
you a land
flowing with
milk and
honey
where you
shall have
rest from
your enemies
where you
shall have
fellowship
with me
where you
shall have
blessedness
a land
that was
to be a
foretaste
of the
new heavens
and the
new earth
that shall
yet come
into being
a land
that was
to be
a symbol
of the
eternal
rest
to come
how often
are we
like
israel
at
rephedim
you see
that's why
the story
is repeated
for us
so often
in the
scriptures
because
israel's
story is
so often
our story
isn't it
we might
think that
when christ
walks among
the lamp
stands in
the book
of the
revelation
there are
solemn
warnings
there
aren't
there
that
lamp
stands
can
be
removed
and one
of the
solemn
duties
of studying
church
history
is to
notice
when that
has
happened
when the
people of
god
seem to
have
hardened
their
hearts
against
him
seem to
have
closed
their
ears
to his
word
despite
all that
god
has
done
and
have
stopped
listening
to
their
god
so how
do we
avoid
that
how do
we
avoid
hardening
our
hearts
we must
always
listen
to the
word
of god
to the
voice
of our
shepherd
you see
it is
the word
of god
that keeps
the message
of god
central
to his
people
that word
that holds
up for
us
again
and again
the great
redemptive
work
of god
in his
son
our lord
and savior
jesus
christ
because
though
those
people
grumbled
they
found
water
in the
desert
and so
the story
of israel
at
rephidim
is a
warning
to us
but let
us
loved
ones
not
lose
sight
of the
fact
that
there
is
great
comfort
here
as
well
because
the
god
to whom
we
belong
provides
for his
people
he
says
there
is
hope
for
sinners
there
is
good
news
even
for
those
who
grumble
even
for
those
who
struggle
with
ingratitude
don't
you
see
he
says
my
gospel
for
you
is
that
free
it
is
christ
performance
for
you
and
so
every
christian
must
say
the
lord
jesus
christ
lived
and
died
for
my
sake
for
my
lasting
good
let
me
therefore
live
for
him
secure
in the
love
with
which
he
loves
me
god
has
provided
a
righteousness
of his
own
for
us
and
therefore
we
have
peace
with
him
let
us
then
follow
our
shepherd
let
us
hear
his
voice
and
follow
after
him
with
joy
and
thanksgiving
when the
book of
hebrews
turns to
this
psalm
in
hebrews
3
it
begins
christ
was
faithful
over
the
household
of
god
and
that
it
appeals
to
us
in
him
to
be
faithful
not
in
our
own
strength
not
with
our
own
wisdom
but
as
the
covenant
people
of
god
who
have
been
redeemed
who
have
seen
the
deliverance
of
the
lord
who
have
heard
the
word
of
their
shepherd
who
believe
and
follow
him
that
good
news
that
gospel
of
salvation
in
christ
that
should
be
the
wind
in
our
sails
to
fill
us
with
gratitude
that
we
might
be
renewed
in
our
listening
in
our
obeying
in
our
following
him
filled
with
joy
filled
with
thanksgiving
eager
to
do
his
will
and
so
psalm
95
brings
together
for
us
these
great
pieces
of
biblical
revelation
to
instruct
us
to
remind
us
above
all
that
we
have
a
god
to
whom
we
belong
we
are
not
our
own
that
we
are
to
worship
him
that
we
have
not
yet
fully
entered
the
rest
that
is
promised
to
us
that
like
israel
we
are
still
a
wilderness
people
still
a
pilgrim
people
and
we
need
to
keep
our
eyes
focused
on
where
we
are
going
and
it
is
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
who
will
lead
us
there
as
our
good
shepherd
so
loved
ones
let us
listen
to
his
voice
let us
hear
his
voice
that
we
might
know
that
to
all
those
who
are
in
Christ
Jesus
who
bear
his
name
as
his
people
as
his
covenant
people
there
is
indeed
a
great
day
of
rest
coming
amen
let us
pray
together
oh
Lord
our
God
we
are
so
thankful
that
you
indeed
are
our
God
that
you
have
not
left
us
to
suffer
in
our
sin
and
misery
but
have
redeemed
us
we
are
so
thankful
to
know
how
we
may
worship
you
our
creator
and
our
savior
through
your
word
help
us
to
know
that
we
may
always
call
upon
you
in
our
need
help
us
to
trust
you
we
ask
that
you
would
encourage
us
in
the
gospel
that
great
truth
that
the
Lord
Jesus
Christ
came
to
save
not
the
righteous
but
the
wicked
so
fill
us
with
joy
and
thanksgiving
we
ask
that
we
may
always
walk
in
the
paths
to
which
you
call
us
for
we
pray
in
Jesus
name
amen
let us
stand
together
then
to sing
our
final
item
of
praise
a
song
of
thanksgiving
to
the
Lord
how
firm
a
foundation
all
of
hi
you
can
ask
anything