WEBVTT

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 Please turn with me in the Word of God to Psalm 9, which we've just sung a part of.

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 Psalm 9. We'll be reading the whole psalm.

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 Let us hear God's own Word.

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 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.

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 I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

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 I will be glad and exult in you.

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 I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

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 When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence.

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 For you have maintained my just cause.

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 You have sat on the throne giving righteous judgment.

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 You have rebuked the nations.

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 You have made the wicked perish.

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 You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

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 The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins.

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 Their cities you rooted out.

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 The very memory of them has perished.

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 But the Lord sits enthroned forever.

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 He has established his throne for justice.

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 And he judges the world with righteousness.

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 He judges the peoples with uprightness.

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 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed.

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 A stronghold in times of trouble.

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 And those who know your name put their trust in you.

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 For you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

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 Sing praises to the Lord who sits enthroned in Zion.

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 Tell among the peoples his deeds.

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 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them.

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 He does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

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 Be gracious to me, O Lord.

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 See my affliction from those who hate me.

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 O you who lift me up from the gates of death,

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 that I may recount all your praises,

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 that in the gates of the daughter of Zion

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 I may rejoice in your salvation.

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 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made.

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 In the net that they hid,

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 their own foot has been caught.

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 The Lord has made himself known.

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 He has executed judgment.

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 The wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

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 The wicked shall return to Sheol,

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 all the nations that forget God.

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 For the needy shall not always be forgotten,

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 and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

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 Arise, O Lord.

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 Let not man prevail.

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 Let the nations be judged before you.

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 Put them in fear, O Lord.

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 Let the nations know that they are but men.

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 So far the reading of God's word.

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 In this psalm of David, Psalm 9,

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 David expresses great confidence in the Lord.

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 And it's a psalm that has spoken to God's people

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 in a variety of ways through the centuries.

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 This was the favorite psalm of John Knox,

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 the great Scottish reformer

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 who led the Reformation here in Scotland

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 and established reformed churches here.

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 And this was a psalm that he turned to over and over again

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 for comfort and for encouragement,

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 for strength in distress.

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 Because what this psalm speaks about

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 is indeed great confidence in the Lord,

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 but it is not a confidence that David found

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 or that Knox found

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 or that we will ever find easy or automatic.

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 David had faced real distress

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 and real difficulty in his life.

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 And it was only out of that difficulty

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 and out of that distress

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 that he came to have confidence in the Lord.

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 We can see in verse 13,

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 David prays,

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 see my affliction from those who hate me.

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 David had known affliction.

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 David had known struggle.

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 He had known struggle from the hand

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 of those who were his enemies.

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 And he had known the struggle of faith

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 that questions,

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 why is God so apparently absent in my struggles?

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 Psalm 10, which is closely tied

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 in a variety of ways to Psalm 9,

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 begins with that struggle of faith,

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 wondering where God is.

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 Psalm 10, verse 1,

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 why, O Lord, do you stand afar off?

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 Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

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 This manner of speaking to hide one's face

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 reminds us of the covenant language of Israel.

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 As God told Moses

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 that when the people break their vows,

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 they will be exiled from the land

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 and his face will be hidden from them.

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 But the question here is,

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 why are God's enemies prospering?

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 Why do his servants seem to suffer?

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 David is asking,

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 why, O Lord, am I struggling this way?

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 Why am I afflicted?

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 Why do I face these difficulties?

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 And how in the face of that difficulty

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 can I come to have confidence in God

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 that he's not afar off,

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 that he's not forgotten,

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 that he's not indifferent?

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 David was afflicted by very serious enemies.

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 We don't know the specific enemies

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 that David had in mind

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 when he wrote this psalm,

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 but we know something of the character

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 of those enemies.

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 They were hate-filled toward David.

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 They were arrogant.

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 They were oppressive.

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 They were violent.

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 They were godless.

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 And sometimes I think

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 when we read these psalms,

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 we wonder,

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 well, do I really identify

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 with that situation?

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 I'm not sure that anyone

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 is actually after me

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 to try to kill me

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 for being a Christian.

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 Most of us don't live in that world.

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 And yet the reality is

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 that the Christian church as a whole

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 still lives in that world.

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 There are Christians

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 who live in situations

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 that are just as violent

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 as the situation

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 in which David lived.

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 But all of us live

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 in an environment

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 where there is still opposition

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 to us and to our faith.

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 The secularism that surrounds us,

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 false religion

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 that surrounds us

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 and would ridicule us

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 as God's people.

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 But the scripture reminds us

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 that the enemies we face

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 are not just human enemies.

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 We often summarize

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 the enemies that we face

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 as the world,

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 the flesh,

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 and the devil.

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 The world that is out there

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 that opposes our faith.

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 But one of the great enemies

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 we face is our own flesh,

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 isn't it?

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 The sin that continues

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 to abide within us.

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 The doubt that can grip us.

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 That too becomes an enemy.

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 It's not who we really want to be.

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 It's not who we really are

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 in Christ.

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 And yet, nonetheless,

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 that flesh can be so powerful

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 within us

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 as an enemy

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 of all that God stands for.

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 Then Paul reminds us

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 in Ephesians chapter 6,

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 doesn't he,

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 that the devil remains

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 our great enemy.

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 For we fight not against

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 flesh and blood,

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 Paul wrote

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 in Ephesians 6, 12,

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 but against heavenly powers,

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 spiritual powers,

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 dark forces

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 in heavenly realms.

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 The devil is a roaring lion

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 seeking whom he may devour,

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 coming often with accusations,

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 often with temptations,

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 to try to overwhelm our soul.

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 There are enemies

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 to our soul.

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 And in that situation

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 where we're facing enemies,

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 when we're facing affliction,

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 when we're wondering,

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 where is God

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 in the midst of our need?

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 We need to learn

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 to trust.

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 We need to learn

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 to have confidence.

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 We need to learn,

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 as David did,

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 how to be more confident,

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 more trusting in God,

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 to be able to enter

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 into that assurance,

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 to the joy

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 that we find

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 in this psalm.

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 Which, as I've said,

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 David was not able

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 automatically to sing

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 or easily to sing,

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 but he had come

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 to know his God

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 and to have confidence

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 in him.

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 So how do we learn

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 to trust?

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 Well, I think

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 in this ninth psalm,

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 David suggests three ways.

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 David is always

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 the preacher's friend,

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 dividing things

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 into three.

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 So here,

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 David suggests three ways

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 in which we grow

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 in trusting in God,

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 even in the face

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 of real difficulties

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 we encounter

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 in this life.

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 First of all,

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 David says,

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 we grow in trust,

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 we learn to have

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 confidence in God

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 by praising God.

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 This psalm begins

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 with praise,

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 verses 1 and 2,

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 and calls us

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 to continue that praise

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 in verses 11 and 12.

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 Sing praises to the Lord

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 who sits enthroned

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 in Zion.

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 Tell among the peoples

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 his deeds.

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 God wants us

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 to be a people

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 filled with praise.

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 praise.

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 And the character

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 of that praise

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 is that we should

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 take that praise

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 upon our lips.

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 Over and over,

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 we're told to do that.

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 We're told to thank God.

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 We're to tell about God.

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 We're to rejoice in God.

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 We're to exult in God.

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 We're to sing to God.

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 And David says,

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 with our whole hearts.

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 We're to be engaged

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 as a people

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 who recognize

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 in our praise

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 and declare

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 with our mouths,

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 how great

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 is our God.

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 Here,

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 God is addressed

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 as Lord,

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 Yahweh,

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 the great covenant

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 name of God.

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 He's addressed

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 as the Most High

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 so that we might

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 be reminded

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 our God

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 is the powerful God.

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 Our God

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 is the great God.

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 Our God

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 is the covenant

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 keeping God.

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 Our God

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 is the one

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 who has acted

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 in history.

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 Our God

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 is the God

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 who is faithful

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 and we need

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 to praise Him.

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 We need to thank Him.

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 We need to make Him known.

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 We need to take

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 His praise

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 on our lips

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 so that He might

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 be exalted

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 and, as another psalm says,

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 might be enthroned

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 on the praises

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 of Israel.

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 And we praise Him,

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 this psalm says,

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 for His wonderful deeds.

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 It's interesting.

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 This psalm

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 doesn't go very far

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 in explaining

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 particular deeds

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 to focus on.

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 It's as if it says,

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 praise Him

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 for all of His

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 wonderful deeds

00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:31.080
 among us.

00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:33.139
 Praise Him

00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:33.740
 as the God

00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:34.580
 who acts.

00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:36.460
 Praise Him

00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:37.100
 as the God

00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.040
 who has acted

00:10:38.040 --> 00:10:38.840
 in history

00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:40.040
 and continues

00:10:40.040 --> 00:10:40.639
 to act

00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:41.280
 among us

00:10:41.280 --> 00:10:42.520
 and will act

00:10:42.520 --> 00:10:43.660
 to bring history

00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:44.520
 to a conclusion.

00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:46.759
 See,

00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:47.860
 part of the difficulty

00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:49.060
 that David faced

00:10:49.060 --> 00:10:50.120
 is the temptation

00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:50.820
 to ask,

00:10:51.280 --> 00:10:52.080
 why is God

00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:52.840
 far off?

00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:55.379
 why has God

00:10:55.379 --> 00:10:55.960
 forgotten?

00:10:56.519 --> 00:10:57.100
 Is God

00:10:57.100 --> 00:10:57.820
 not good?

00:10:58.300 --> 00:10:58.840
 Does God

00:10:58.840 --> 00:10:59.720
 not hear?

00:10:59.920 --> 00:11:00.420
 Can God

00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:01.200
 not save?

00:11:01.540 --> 00:11:02.399
 Why is God

00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:03.340
 not acting?

00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:06.060
 And in our praise,

00:11:06.180 --> 00:11:07.040
 we are to remind

00:11:07.040 --> 00:11:07.580
 ourselves

00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.379
 and to remind

00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:08.740
 others

00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.560
 that God

00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:10.259
 is the God

00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:10.940
 who acts,

00:11:11.540 --> 00:11:12.600
 that He acted

00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:13.100
 in bringing

00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:13.740
 this world

00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.519
 into creation

00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:15.180
 by the word

00:11:15.180 --> 00:11:15.960
 of His power,

00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:17.700
 that He acted

00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:18.620
 to lead Israel

00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:19.320
 out of Egypt

00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:20.019
 and into the

00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:20.879
 promised land,

00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:22.700
 that He acted

00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:23.759
 in Jesus Christ

00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:24.320
 to redeem

00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:24.960
 His people

00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:25.480
 and to pay

00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:26.159
 for their sins

00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:27.159
 upon the cross,

00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:28.860
 that He acted

00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:29.419
 in Christ

00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.139
 to raise Him

00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:30.799
 from the dead

00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:31.259
 to show

00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:31.899
 that He's

00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:32.860
 the Lord of life.

00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:34.539
 God acted

00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:35.460
 in sending forth

00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.259
 the Holy Spirit

00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:37.039
 at Pentecost

00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:37.500
 to begin

00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:38.399
 to create

00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:38.899
 a people

00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:39.860
 for His name,

00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:40.679
 a church

00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:41.419
 that would spread

00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.200
 around the world.

00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:43.779
 God has acted

00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:44.779
 in every century

00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:46.000
 to build that church

00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:46.799
 and to continue

00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:47.899
 to gather a people

00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:49.159
 from every nation

00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:49.759
 and tribe

00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.320
 and tongue.

00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:53.000
 And so God

00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.480
 is still acting.

00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:57.019
 And in our praise

00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:58.779
 of His wonderful deeds,

00:11:58.899 --> 00:11:59.419
 we know

00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.439
 that He's the one

00:12:00.439 --> 00:12:01.139
 who acts.

00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:04.220
 And here in this psalm,

00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:05.179
 God is celebrated

00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:05.960
 particularly

00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:07.100
 for acting

00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.059
 in judgment

00:12:08.059 --> 00:12:09.220
 against the wicked

00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:10.700
 and in mercy

00:12:10.700 --> 00:12:12.039
 for the afflicted.

00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:14.059
 And we praise Him

00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:14.580
 for that.

00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:15.639
 He's a God

00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:16.240
 who will not

00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.419
 ignore wickedness,

00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.919
 but will act

00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:19.620
 in judgment.

00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:21.000
 And that's a solemn

00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:22.139
 warning for everyone.

00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.779
 But He's also

00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.240
 the God

00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:24.980
 who has acted

00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.019
 in Jesus Christ

00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:26.799
 for mercy

00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:27.899
 for the afflicted,

00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:28.620
 to redeem.

00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.320
 And that's our hope.

00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.419
 That's our confidence.

00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.580
 That's the source

00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.799
 of our growing

00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:34.560
 in trust

00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:35.799
 in our God.

00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.220
 And that's why

00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:40.159
 we as Presbyterians,

00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:40.899
 Reformed people,

00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:41.779
 have always believed

00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:42.600
 that the character

00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:43.480
 of our praise

00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.360
 is so important.

00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.899
 we've always said

00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:47.139
 the way in which

00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.200
 we praise God

00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:48.980
 is central

00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:49.820
 to our worship

00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.840
 and to our life

00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.539
 as Christians.

00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.840
 It's central

00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:53.740
 to our growing

00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.519
 in confidence.

00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.360
 If we want

00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.560
 to be full of trust,

00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:58.680
 we need to be filled

00:12:58.680 --> 00:13:00.019
 with wonderful praise.

00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:02.419
 Shallow praise

00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:03.419
 will only produce

00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:04.539
 shallow Christians,

00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.680
 we've believed.

00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.560
 And so we've wanted

00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:08.840
 to take upon our lips

00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:10.159
 praise that is filled

00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:11.039
 with our God

00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:11.980
 and His glory

00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:13.219
 and with wonder

00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:13.779
 for Him

00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:15.139
 to move our hearts

00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.360
 to draw near to Him.

00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.579
 That's why God

00:13:18.579 --> 00:13:19.339
 gave us a book

00:13:19.339 --> 00:13:19.980
 of praises

00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:21.139
 to show us

00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:21.759
 how He wants

00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.579
 to be praised.

00:13:23.059 --> 00:13:23.839
 The Hebrew name

00:13:23.839 --> 00:13:24.939
 for the book of Psalms

00:13:24.939 --> 00:13:26.240
 is the book of praises.

00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:28.159
 God knew that

00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.299
 as human beings

00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.539
 we were inclined

00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:31.679
 to get praise muddled.

00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:32.959
 So He gave us

00:13:32.959 --> 00:13:33.759
 a whole book

00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.500
 for how it ought

00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.139
 to be done.

00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.079
 That's why we've

00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:38.819
 often regarded

00:13:38.819 --> 00:13:39.459
 the Psalms

00:13:39.459 --> 00:13:40.219
 as the model,

00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:40.940
 the pattern

00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:42.040
 for our praise.

00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:43.759
 And praises

00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:45.000
 that are full of God

00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.180
 will make Christians

00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:46.800
 that are full

00:13:46.800 --> 00:13:48.100
 of confidence in God.

00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.620
 That's what we have

00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.279
 in the Psalter.

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.360
 That's what we need

00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.340
 to have in our worship

00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.420
 and in our lives

00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:55.560
 that our hearts

00:13:55.560 --> 00:13:56.200
 would be drawn

00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:57.340
 to God in this way.

00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:00.139
 So how do we learn

00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:01.040
 to have trust

00:14:01.040 --> 00:14:01.740
 in our God?

00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.660
 Well, first of all,

00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.379
 we need to be

00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.240
 praising Him,

00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:05.460
 this psalm suggests.

00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.259
 And secondly,

00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.139
 we need to be

00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.819
 pondering

00:14:08.819 --> 00:14:10.439
 who our God is.

00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.000
 We need to be

00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.980
 thinking about Him.

00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:13.659
 We need to be

00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.939
 meditating upon Him.

00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.139
 We need to be

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.120
 remembering Him.

00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.059
 We need to be

00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.679
 reviewing

00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:20.199
 who He is

00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:21.659
 and what He has done.

00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:23.600
 That's what this

00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.519
 psalm does for us

00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.360
 in two sections,

00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.819
 verses 3-10

00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:28.699
 and 15-18.

00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.919
 The psalmist

00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:31.519
 pauses

00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.539
 to think

00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.580
 about this God.

00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.680
 He pauses

00:14:34.680 --> 00:14:35.600
 to ponder,

00:14:36.160 --> 00:14:36.980
 to meditate

00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:38.379
 upon who

00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.480
 this God is.

00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.320
 Actually,

00:14:41.420 --> 00:14:42.020
 that's the biggest

00:14:42.020 --> 00:14:43.000
 part of this psalm.

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.900
 Over half of it

00:14:43.900 --> 00:14:44.860
 is given just

00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.980
 to thinking

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.800
 about God,

00:14:47.060 --> 00:14:48.020
 just renewing

00:14:48.020 --> 00:14:48.660
 ourselves

00:14:48.660 --> 00:14:50.200
 in who He is

00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:51.220
 and what He means

00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:51.840
 for us.

00:14:53.520 --> 00:14:54.280
 And particularly,

00:14:54.520 --> 00:14:55.379
 this psalm says,

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.440
 as we think

00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:57.540
 about our God,

00:14:57.920 --> 00:14:59.040
 we need to remember

00:14:59.040 --> 00:15:00.259
 that He is

00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.000
 sovereign

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.080
 in justice.

00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:04.379
 He is

00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.100
 sovereign

00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.320
 in justice.

00:15:07.520 --> 00:15:09.200
 Verses 3-6,

00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:10.759
 David reflects

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.660
 on how God

00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:12.160
 has been

00:15:12.160 --> 00:15:13.360
 sovereign for Him

00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.360
 in justice

00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.720
 in times past.

00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:16.980
 David writes,

00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.520
 When my enemies

00:15:18.520 --> 00:15:19.240
 turn back,

00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:19.900
 they stumble

00:15:19.900 --> 00:15:20.540
 and perish

00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:21.700
 before Your presence,

00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:22.860
 for You have

00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.480
 maintained

00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:24.639
 my just cause,

00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:25.759
 You have sat

00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:26.379
 on the throne

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.680
 giving righteous judgment,

00:15:28.160 --> 00:15:29.120
 You have rebuked

00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:29.660
 the nations,

00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.540
 You have made

00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:31.480
 the wicked perish,

00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.680
 You have blotted

00:15:32.680 --> 00:15:33.480
 out their name

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.320
 forever and ever.

00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.560
 The enemy

00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:36.659
 has come to an end

00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.960
 in everlasting ruins,

00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.019
 their cities

00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.960
 You rooted out,

00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:40.899
 the very memory

00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.320
 of them

00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.240
 has perished.

00:15:43.200 --> 00:15:43.960
 In the past,

00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:44.500
 He says,

00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.759
 You have preserved

00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:46.639
 us, O Lord,

00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.820
 in Your sovereignty

00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:49.500
 according to justice

00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.320
 and according

00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:51.240
 to righteousness.

00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.360
 And what You've done

00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.019
 in the past,

00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.340
 we know You're doing now.

00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.899
 Verses 7 and 8.

00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.439
 But the Lord

00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.360
 sits enthroned

00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.840
 forever.

00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.720
 He has established

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.419
 His throne

00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.179
 for justice

00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:04.579
 and He judges

00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:05.079
 the world

00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:05.919
 with righteousness.

00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:06.980
 He judges

00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:07.659
 the peoples

00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:08.939
 with uprightness.

00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:12.679
 Sometimes we wonder

00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.600
 if there really is

00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.100
 righteousness

00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.399
 in this world.

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.159
 If there is anyone

00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.579
 maintaining righteousness

00:16:18.579 --> 00:16:19.620
 in this world.

00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:21.279
 Things seem often

00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:21.799
 to be going

00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.879
 from bad to worse.

00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.639
 It's easy to read

00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.159
 the headlines

00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:26.879
 each morning

00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.919
 and just wonder,

00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.059
 how can that be happening?

00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.700
 How can that be happening?

00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.500
 But the psalmist

00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.279
 reminds us

00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.080
 that no matter

00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:37.100
 what it is

00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.740
 that we find discouraging,

00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:40.159
 even especially

00:16:40.159 --> 00:16:40.960
 when it seems

00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:41.539
 that the wicked

00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.399
 are flourishing,

00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.799
 don't forget,

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:46.059
 God is on His throne.

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.940
 He is upholding

00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.480
 righteousness.

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:50.120
 He will come

00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.019
 in the future.

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:54.340
 One of the characteristics

00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.120
 of the ways

00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.000
 the Hebrews wrote

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.519
 was that

00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:58.120
 sometimes the future

00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.159
 was so certain

00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.879
 in their mind

00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.980
 that they described it

00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.899
 as already being

00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:02.699
 in the past.

00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.940
 That's what we find

00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.639
 in verses 15 to 17

00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:07.660
 of this psalm.

00:17:08.240 --> 00:17:08.940
 I think David

00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.680
 is really looking

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.420
 at the future,

00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:11.819
 but he's so confident

00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.299
 that God is in charge

00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:13.980
 of the future

00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:15.599
 that he describes it

00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.639
 as past already.

00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:17.599
 He says,

00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.779
 the nations have sunk

00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.299
 in the pit

00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.139
 that they made

00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:22.099
 in the net

00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.859
 that they hid.

00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:23.799
 Their own foot

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.680
 has been caught.

00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:25.940
 The Lord

00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:27.299
 has made Himself known.

00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:29.419
 He has executed judgment.

00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.500
 The wicked

00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.200
 are snared

00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.700
 in the work

00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.680
 of their own hands.

00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:33.619
 The wicked

00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:34.480
 shall return

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.119
 to Sheol,

00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.440
 all the nations

00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.619
 that forget God.

00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:40.980
 That expression

00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.819
 of verse 17

00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.799
 is particularly

00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.399
 arresting,

00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:43.899
 I think.

00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.519
 The wicked

00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.419
 shall return

00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.059
 to Sheol.

00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.980
 I think that means

00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:49.700
 not that they've

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.440
 actually been

00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.380
 to Sheol yet,

00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.279
 but that they are

00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:54.220
 so much a people

00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.059
 who are dead

00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:56.220
 and bound for hell

00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.180
 that their going there

00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.120
 will be like going

00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:59.440
 to their natural homeland.

00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.839
 It'll be like a return

00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.440
 because they're so characterized

00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.420
 by death

00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.160
 and destruction.

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.140
 But the psalmist

00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:09.339
 has that confidence

00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.319
 that God

00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:11.200
 is in control.

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:12.279
 Almost half

00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:12.980
 of this psalm

00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.880
 is talking about

00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.259
 God

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.299
 as sovereign

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.079
 in justice.

00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:17.279
 The Bible

00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.419
 wants us to know

00:18:18.419 --> 00:18:20.000
 God is in charge.

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.359
 God will bring justice.

00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:24.199
 God will bring righteousness

00:18:24.199 --> 00:18:25.379
 into this world.

00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:27.460
 And so

00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.359
 when we're feeling

00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.159
 afflicted,

00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:30.799
 we can be assured

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.599
 that God

00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.539
 is in control.

00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.339
 We can be sure

00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.379
 that God

00:18:35.379 --> 00:18:36.960
 is a stronghold

00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:38.099
 for the afflicted.

00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.919
 He's not just

00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.980
 in some sort of

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.899
 general way

00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.599
 in charge,

00:18:42.919 --> 00:18:43.980
 but he's in charge

00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.500
 to be

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.500
 for his own,

00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.880
 for his own people

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:48.380
 in their difficulties,

00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.940
 a stronghold,

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.420
 a refuge,

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:53.140
 a safe place.

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.720
 And this psalm

00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.599
 can speak of that

00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.940
 in really beautiful ways.

00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.579
 David in verse 18

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.240
 can write,

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.859
 For the needy

00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.819
 will not always

00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.539
 be forgotten,

00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:04.720
 and the hope

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.339
 of the poor

00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:06.460
 shall not perish

00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.039
 forever.

00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.400
 We may feel

00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.980
 sometimes

00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:11.859
 that the afflicted

00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.200
 church of Jesus Christ,

00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.779
 that we as Christians

00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:15.640
 individually

00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.880
 have been forgotten.

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.779
 But God says,

00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.400
 Don't worry.

00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.279
 Don't worry.

00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.160
 I haven't forgotten.

00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.180
 I haven't forgotten.

00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.019
 The cries

00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.759
 of my people

00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.680
 that go up to me

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.480
 will be heard

00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.440
 and answered

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.920
 in my good time.

00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.920
 But even today,

00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:37.220
 even today

00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.000
 we are assured

00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:38.620
 that God

00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.740
 is our stronghold.

00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:40.700
 Verse 9,

00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:42.860
 God is a stronghold

00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.799
 for the oppressed,

00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.120
 a stronghold

00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:46.480
 in times of trouble,

00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.480
 a safe place

00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:49.460
 for his people.

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.180
 It's interesting,

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:52.740
 the enemies

00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.240
 had built

00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:54.460
 their great cities

00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.220
 where they thought

00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.200
 they were safe,

00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:57.980
 but verse 6 says,

00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.319
 The enemy came

00:19:59.319 --> 00:19:59.819
 to an end

00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:01.279
 in everlasting ruins.

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.100
 Their cities

00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.039
 you rooted out,

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:03.620
 O Lord.

00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.539
 They thought

00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.680
 they had a stronghold

00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:07.059
 in their fortified cities,

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.140
 but God cast

00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:09.200
 those cities down.

00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:11.680
 But God says

00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.120
 to us

00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.920
 as his people,

00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.740
 the stronghold

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.360
 you have,

00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.720
 the fortified city

00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.340
 you have,

00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.200
 the refuge

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.860
 you have,

00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:19.160
 will never be cast

00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:19.740
 down because

00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.500
 it is the Lord

00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.000
 himself.

00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.160
 It is I,

00:20:23.360 --> 00:20:24.299
 God says to us

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.120
 as his people.

00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.440
 I am your God.

00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.440
 I have made you

00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.059
 my people.

00:20:28.380 --> 00:20:29.580
 I reach out my arm

00:20:29.580 --> 00:20:30.480
 to bring you near

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:30.940
 to me.

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.240
 I myself

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.440
 am the stronghold

00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.980
 for you.

00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.600
 And then I think

00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.500
 one of the sweetest

00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.420
 promises in all

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:39.980
 the scripture

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.539
 we find in verse 10.

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:43.980
 And those who know

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.559
 your name

00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.980
 put their trust

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.539
 in you,

00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:47.759
 for you,

00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:48.299
 O Lord,

00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.740
 have not forsaken

00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.920
 those who seek you.

00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:52.880
 You,

00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.480
 O Lord,

00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.980
 have not forsaken

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.180
 those who seek you.

00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.920
 Here's a promise

00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.480
 of the Lord

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.039
 to memorize.

00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.539
 It's difficult

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:02.660
 to say some promises

00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.700
 are better than others,

00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:04.960
 but here's a promise

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:06.220
 worth holding on to,

00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.140
 committing to memory,

00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.200
 clinging to.

00:21:10.560 --> 00:21:10.960
 For you,

00:21:11.140 --> 00:21:11.560
 O Lord,

00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:13.120
 have not forsaken

00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.220
 those who seek you.

00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.920
 If we seek the Lord,

00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:18.420
 he will hear us.

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:21.080
 If we seek the Lord,

00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.940
 he will provide for us.

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.200
 If we seek the Lord,

00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:27.040
 he will not forsake us.

00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.280
 That's a promise

00:21:28.280 --> 00:21:29.000
 to everyone

00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:30.120
 who belongs to him

00:21:30.120 --> 00:21:30.759
 in Christ.

00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.620
 And that's so important

00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.680
 because how often

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.480
 do we pray

00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.320
 and we pray

00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.179
 and we pray

00:21:37.179 --> 00:21:38.439
 and it doesn't seem

00:21:38.439 --> 00:21:39.319
 we get an answer

00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.399
 or at least not

00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.480
 the answer we want.

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.179
 Sometimes we can then

00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:45.079
 begin to wonder

00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.099
 whether the Lord

00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.439
 has forsaken us.

00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:49.220
 And in those times,

00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.159
 we have to ponder

00:21:50.159 --> 00:21:51.179
 a verse like this

00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:51.859
 in our heart.

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.039
 Hide this verse

00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.619
 in our heart

00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.859
 and hold on to it

00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.960
 and be reminded

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.619
 that the Lord

00:21:56.619 --> 00:21:57.819
 does not forsake

00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:58.319
 his own.

00:21:59.139 --> 00:21:59.740
 That the Lord

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.759
 hears the cry

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.700
 of the afflicted.

00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.359
 Verse 12

00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:04.259
 is that promise

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:06.299
 for he who avenges blood

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:07.559
 is mindful of his own.

00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:09.000
 He does not forget

00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.500
 the cry of the afflicted.

00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:12.679
 The Lord does not

00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:13.719
 forget his people

00:22:13.719 --> 00:22:15.139
 but he has written

00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:15.799
 their names

00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:17.579
 into the book of life.

00:22:19.719 --> 00:22:20.399
 And yet we read

00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.319
 the names of the wicked

00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:22.599
 are blotted out forever.

00:22:24.679 --> 00:22:25.359
 Of course,

00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:26.579
 we know these promises,

00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.699
 these assurances

00:22:27.699 --> 00:22:28.500
 of God,

00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:29.879
 particularly when we see

00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:30.379
 the face

00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.359
 of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:33.500
 because we know

00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.740
 that in Jesus Christ

00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.759
 all of our affliction

00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.759
 has been born.

00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.379
 He came to take

00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.259
 upon himself

00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.740
 all of our pain,

00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:43.279
 all of our sin,

00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:44.599
 all of our need.

00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.559
 He was the one

00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.879
 who was forsaken

00:22:47.879 --> 00:22:48.399
 of God

00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:49.079
 that we might

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.419
 never be forsaken.

00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.519
 And so it is

00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.419
 in Jesus Christ

00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:54.399
 as Paul taught us

00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:55.359
 that all the promises

00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.119
 of God are

00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:56.899
 yea and amen.

00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.599
 We know that

00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:59.979
 we will never be forsaken

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:01.440
 for Christ has borne

00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.200
 God's wrath

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.200
 against sin

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.000
 for us.

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.680
 And Christ

00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.519
 has become

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:08.319
 our stronghold.

00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.039
 He is the priest

00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.799
 who ever lives

00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.120
 to intercede for us.

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.920
 He is the one

00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:14.180
 glorified in heaven

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.579
 who cares for us.

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.259
 And so in this psalm

00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.799
 we see

00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.920
 its fulfillment

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.400
 in Jesus Christ

00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:23.120
 and we experience

00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.900
 its sweetness

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.620
 in Jesus Christ.

00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:28.579
 Sometimes it's interesting

00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.659
 to read a psalm

00:23:29.659 --> 00:23:30.139
 and ask

00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:31.619
 how would this sound

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.779
 on the lips

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.579
 of our Savior.

00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:35.539
 And the psalms

00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.139
 can take on

00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:37.220
 a whole new character

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.000
 for us.

00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.139
 Think of Jesus

00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:41.720
 saying with the psalmist

00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:43.519
 when my enemies

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.259
 turn back

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.899
 they stumble

00:23:44.899 --> 00:23:45.519
 and perish

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.659
 before your presence

00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:47.699
 for you have

00:23:47.699 --> 00:23:48.299
 maintained

00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.519
 my just cause

00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:50.139
 and you have

00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:51.119
 sat on the throne

00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:52.579
 giving righteous judgment.

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.279
 Or think of Jesus

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.099
 confessing

00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:57.159
 the Lord

00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.419
 is a stronghold

00:23:58.419 --> 00:23:59.319
 for the oppressed

00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.699
 a stronghold

00:24:00.699 --> 00:24:01.839
 in times of trouble

00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:03.240
 and those who know

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.759
 your name

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.619
 put their trust

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.079
 in you

00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:06.039
 for you

00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.539
 O Lord

00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.779
 have not forsaken

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.919
 those who seek you.

00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:11.279
 Or think of Jesus

00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:11.939
 saying

00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:13.379
 for he who avenges

00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:13.759
 blood

00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.919
 is mindful of them

00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:16.219
 he does not forget

00:24:16.219 --> 00:24:16.799
 the cry

00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.839
 of the afflicted.

00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.359
 Be gracious to me

00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.879
 O Lord

00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.019
 see my affliction

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.339
 from those who hate me

00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.919
 O you who lift me up

00:24:23.919 --> 00:24:25.039
 from the gates of death

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.399
 that I may recount

00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.319
 your praises.

00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.700
 Or again

00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.500
 verse 18

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.240
 that we've read

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:33.200
 think again of this

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.579
 as the words of Jesus

00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:36.159
 for the needy

00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:37.119
 shall not always

00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.819
 be forgotten

00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:38.799
 and the hope

00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.399
 of the poor

00:24:39.399 --> 00:24:40.579
 shall not perish

00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.200
 forever.

00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.940
 Jesus said

00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.819
 that the Old Testament

00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:46.259
 spoke of his resurrection

00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.059
 and of his

00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.099
 of his death

00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:49.059
 and of his resurrection.

00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.420
 In these words

00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.399
 we hear the resurrection

00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.259
 of our Savior

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.039
 foretold

00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.659
 he was not forgotten

00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.399
 in the grave

00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:56.359
 but the Lord

00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.420
 brought him forth

00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:59.099
 the gates of death

00:24:59.099 --> 00:25:00.259
 could not hold him

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:03.420
 and so he bore

00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:04.180
 our affliction

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:06.519
 and he is our stronghold

00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.680
 in times of trouble

00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:09.659
 and because all of that's true

00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.960
 because we've praised

00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.720
 God for that

00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.980
 because we've pondered

00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.960
 that reality

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:16.039
 then we can also pray

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.899
 to this God.

00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:19.920
 David wants us to know

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.000
 that we grow

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.740
 in confidence

00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.460
 not only in our praise

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.779
 and in our pondering

00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:26.119
 but in our praying.

00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.079
 Sometimes we're tempted

00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.660
 to think

00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.519
 well once we know

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.619
 the promises of God

00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.619
 we don't have to pray

00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.000
 for them

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.579
 because if God promised it

00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.339
 then he'll do it

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:36.579
 right?

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.460
 But the Psalms

00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.420
 always teach us

00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:41.839
 that confidence in God

00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:43.440
 leads us to prayer

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.900
 not away from prayer.

00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.259
 The promises of God

00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.299
 lead us to prayer

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.960
 not away from prayer.

00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.380
 It's interesting

00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:52.819
 to think

00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.660
 how much time

00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:54.779
 do we spend grumbling

00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:56.619
 venting our frustrations

00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:57.299
 to others

00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:59.519
 to finite creatures

00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.759
 who perhaps can listen

00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.720
 but can't actually

00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.299
 do anything

00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.839
 to change our circumstances.

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.259
 But our God

00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.920
 is infinite

00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.859
 in his power

00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:09.279
 and he is gracious

00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.380
 and full of love

00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.160
 for his people

00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.920
 and he calls on us

00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:14.380
 to pray to him

00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.819
 for he is able

00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.440
 to hear

00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.440
 and he is able

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.079
 to act.

00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:20.980
 Through the psalmist

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.199
 God gives expression

00:26:22.199 --> 00:26:23.299
 to the whole range

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.119
 of our emotions

00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:25.519
 to our grief

00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.839
 to our sorrow

00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:28.000
 to our fear

00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.720
 in ways that

00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.679
 I think sometimes

00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:32.240
 we could even feel ashamed

00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.939
 or embarrassed

00:26:32.939 --> 00:26:33.919
 to do on our own.

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.359
 That's why Calvin

00:26:36.359 --> 00:26:37.279
 called the Psalms

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.879
 an anatomy

00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:39.059
 of the human soul

00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:41.079
 that God has given us

00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.879
 license here

00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.539
 to pour out

00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.480
 our longings

00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.500
 and our needs

00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:45.419
 to plead with him

00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:46.160
 as our father

00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.860
 in heaven

00:26:46.860 --> 00:26:48.640
 to pray to him

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:50.420
 to pray the Psalms

00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:50.880
 to him

00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:52.980
 and so God

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.720
 calls on us

00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.160
 to pray

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.620
 and in our praying

00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:55.980
 too

00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.660
 we learn to trust

00:26:57.660 --> 00:27:00.100
 because we pray

00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.840
 for mercy

00:27:00.840 --> 00:27:02.400
 verses 13

00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.200
 and 14

00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:05.039
 very personally

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.320
 David prays

00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:08.039
 be gracious

00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:08.600
 to me

00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.180
 oh Lord

00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.740
 see my affliction

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.400
 from those

00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.160
 who hate me

00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:13.460
 oh you who lift

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:13.900
 me up

00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.500
 from the gates

00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.019
 of death

00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.019
 that I may

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.820
 recount all

00:27:16.820 --> 00:27:17.700
 your praises

00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.880
 that in the gates

00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.420
 of the daughter

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.920
 of Zion

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.880
 I may rejoice

00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.140
 in your salvation

00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.960
 he prays

00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.880
 for mercy

00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:26.680
 that he may be able

00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.840
 to praise God

00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:30.540
 and then he prays

00:27:30.540 --> 00:27:31.280
 for justice

00:27:31.280 --> 00:27:32.460
 the last verses

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.340
 of Psalm 9

00:27:33.340 --> 00:27:35.220
 arise oh Lord

00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.680
 let not man prevail

00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:38.040
 let the nations

00:27:38.040 --> 00:27:38.800
 be judged

00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.640
 before you

00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:41.080
 put them in fear

00:27:41.080 --> 00:27:41.720
 oh Lord

00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.800
 let the nations

00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.899
 know that they

00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:44.740
 are but men

00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:46.539
 let the nations

00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.819
 know that they

00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.680
 are but men

00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:51.480
 the rulers

00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.200
 of this earth

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.740
 are inclined

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.319
 to think that

00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:53.720
 they're pretty

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.319
 significant

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:56.599
 that they amount

00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:57.299
 to something

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.419
 that they're

00:27:58.419 --> 00:27:58.960
 important

00:27:58.960 --> 00:28:00.859
 but God

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.680
 says in the mouth

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.240
 of David

00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.619
 let them just

00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:04.259
 know that they

00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:04.859
 are creatures

00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:07.019
 let them know

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.559
 that they are

00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.099
 dust

00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.899
 let them

00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:10.859
 acknowledge who

00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.680
 really is in

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.200
 control

00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.100
 who really

00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:13.620
 is the

00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:14.100
 protector

00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:15.019
 of justice

00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.840
 who really

00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.539
 is the

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.360
 stronghold

00:28:17.360 --> 00:28:17.860
 of the

00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.480
 afflicted

00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:21.620
 and in our

00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.259
 praise

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.220
 and in our

00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:23.860
 pondering

00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.460
 and in our

00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:24.980
 prayer

00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.060
 we need to

00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:26.560
 remember

00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:27.640
 what God

00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.240
 has done

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.560
 in showing

00:28:29.560 --> 00:28:30.140
 that he

00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:30.620
 is the

00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.220
 great power

00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:31.840
 that he

00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.799
 is indeed

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.019
 our stronghold

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:35.340
 that the

00:28:35.340 --> 00:28:36.080
 most powerful

00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:36.900
 kingdoms on

00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.340
 this earth

00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:37.960
 cannot hold

00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.539
 a candle

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.240
 to the

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.779
 kingdom of

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.240
 our Lord

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.900
 and of his

00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.340
 Christ

00:28:41.340 --> 00:28:42.340
 and his

00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:43.160
 reign is

00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.740
 forever

00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.519
 and we

00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.180
 too shall

00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.720
 reign with

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.660
 him in

00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.040
 glory

00:28:47.040 --> 00:28:49.680
 and so

00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.340
 Psalm 9

00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.380
 encourages us

00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.920
 to be a

00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.519
 people like

00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:52.900
 David

00:28:52.900 --> 00:28:53.680
 to be a

00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.240
 people like

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:54.960
 John Knox

00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.040
 a people like

00:28:56.040 --> 00:28:56.540
 Christians

00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:57.220
 throughout all

00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.800
 of history

00:28:57.800 --> 00:28:59.160
 who've faced

00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:00.100
 days of

00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:01.019
 great trouble

00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.220
 who have

00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:03.320
 faced days

00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:04.440
 of terrible

00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:04.960
 misery

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.060
 and loss

00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:06.860
 but in the

00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:07.740
 face of those

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.400
 struggles

00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:09.080
 could say

00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.759
 I will

00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.399
 praise the

00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:10.679
 Lord

00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:12.659
 and though

00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:12.980
 I do

00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.179
 not

00:29:13.179 --> 00:29:13.899
 understand

00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.220
 your

00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.759
 ways

00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.759
 and though

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.199
 in my

00:29:16.199 --> 00:29:16.559
 finite

00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.359
 understanding

00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:17.919
 I would

00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:18.419
 change

00:29:18.419 --> 00:29:18.980
 your ways

00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.639
 nevertheless

00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.439
 I will

00:29:20.439 --> 00:29:20.759
 bow

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.399
 before you

00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.000
 because I

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.279
 know

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.099
 that you

00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.759
 are good

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.419
 and what

00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:24.899
 you do

00:29:24.899 --> 00:29:25.819
 is right

00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:27.139
 that you

00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.599
 are my

00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:28.480
 stronghold

00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.480
 in affliction

00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.879
 and I

00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.559
 trust you

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.419
 for I

00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:32.679
 know

00:29:32.679 --> 00:29:33.399
 that you

00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.279
 have never

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.899
 forsaken

00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:35.519
 those who

00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.079
 seek you

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:38.399
 may that

00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:38.759
 be the

00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.199
 confidence

00:29:39.199 --> 00:29:39.720
 and the

00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.119
 faith of

00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.500
 us all

00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.179
 here today

00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.639
 amen

00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.480
 let us

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.779
 pray

00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:50.619
 father of

00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:50.819
 all

00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.379
 mercies

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.579
 give us

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.240
 wisdom and

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.759
 knowledge of

00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.119
 the Lord

00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:54.419
 Jesus

00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:55.039
 Christ

00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.539
 grant us

00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.279
 more and

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.220
 more assurance

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.639
 in our

00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.319
 hearts by

00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.779
 your Holy

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.259
 Spirit

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.740
 to know

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.099
 that the

00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.759
 same power

00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.259
 at work

00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.619
 in our

00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:04.039
 Lord's

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.559
 resurrection

00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.740
 is at work

00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.319
 in us

00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.720
 to give us

00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.460
 faith and

00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:09.099
 trust in

00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.740
 your word

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.700
 help us to

00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.419
 remain firm

00:30:12.419 --> 00:30:12.759
 in this

00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.559
 confession we

00:30:13.559 --> 00:30:13.919
 pray

00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:15.279
 grant that

00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:15.700
 in this

00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.139
 life

00:30:16.139 --> 00:30:17.039
 our

00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.779
 crosses to

00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.059
 bear

00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.740
 our

00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.379
 sufferings

00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:19.819
 will be

00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:20.440
 as light

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.859
 yokes

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.859
 as we

00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.359
 look with

00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.139
 steadfast

00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.720
 hope for

00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.099
 the coming

00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.500
 of our

00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:24.819
 Savior

00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.259
 Jesus

00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:25.839
 Christ

00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.859
 for whom

00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.399
 we daily

00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:27.839
 wait

00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.720
 and in

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.240
 whose name

00:30:29.240 --> 00:30:29.779
 we pray

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.819
 amen

00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:39.799
 please

00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.579
 stand for

00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.720
 closing hymn

00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:43.779
 continue

00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:47.960
 To be

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.480
 firstly