WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 We're looking at Psalm 138 and David is given credit for 73 of the 150 Psalms. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:11.339 And one thing that we learn about David through the Psalms is that he was a man of praise. 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:16.960 No matter how the Psalms start out, by the end he always reverts to the praise of God. 00:00:17.280 --> 00:00:27.420 In fact, the whole of the Psalter are ultimately praises to God and Psalm 38 may represent the absolute high point of David's praise. 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:36.300 And even as he shows us how to live in praise of God, Psalm 138 also shows us that David finds himself in trouble once again. 00:00:36.800 --> 00:00:43.280 I was thinking this last week that we should thank the Lord from time to time for the trouble that he ordained in David's life. 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:51.140 Because without it, we wouldn't have these such vivid, real examples of God's providential care if David had never had the issues that he did. 00:00:51.140 --> 00:00:54.420 Now Psalm 138 is in three parts. 00:00:54.420 --> 00:00:58.960 And at the start, David is singing about his deliverance from trouble. 00:00:59.980 --> 00:01:03.840 In verses 1 and 3, he's expressing exuberant praise to God. 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:06.700 And notice how this is praise in the first person. 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:09.579 All the times he says, I, me, or my. 00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:15.480 In the second part, verses 4 to 6, David turns to the nations and says, 00:01:15.480 --> 00:01:19.760 The kings of the nations will praise God because there's no one like him. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:24.719 In part 3, verses 7 and 8, David returns to the present. 00:01:24.840 --> 00:01:27.260 He returns to praise in the first person. 00:01:28.200 --> 00:01:30.320 And as we noted, David is in trouble again. 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:32.620 And we see him calling on his experience. 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:39.939 And his experience tells him that he can count on God and his continuous care for him all the way to the end. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:44.820 And there in verse 8, David expresses confidence that the Lord will not forsake him. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:53.080 That he is certain that the Lord will fulfill his promises to him because the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:02:02.859 Now, many scholars believe that David wrote this psalm in response to the promise that he received from God in 2 Samuel 7. 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:07.620 I'm sure many of you know the story, but God comes to David at the end of his life and he says, 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:10.120 David, you have been a supreme failure. 00:02:10.759 --> 00:02:15.639 And you would be absolutely right to think that nothing good was ever going to come out of your life. 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:20.120 But, I am going to fulfill the promise that I made to Adam. 00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:25.960 And I'm going to do it by bringing the Messiah into the world through your line of ancestry. 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:30.020 I'm going to bring nations throughout history to myself. 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:32.439 And I'm going to do it all through you. 00:02:33.460 --> 00:02:38.140 Now, this is the reference to Jesus, the Messiah, called the Son of David in Matthew 21. 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:45.939 And David's response to God's promise, this news of the Messiah and his line, is here in Psalm 138. 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:53.879 In C.S. Lewis' book, Reflections on the Psalms, there is a chapter entitled A Word About Praising. 00:02:54.759 --> 00:03:01.520 And in this chapter, Lewis explains that as he began to draw near to salvation, even for a period of time afterwards, 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:05.520 he found the Psalms to actually be a stumbling block for him. 00:03:06.199 --> 00:03:09.419 He said he found in the Psalms that God appeared to be a narcissist. 00:03:09.419 --> 00:03:14.739 For the entire book, it was God who commanded people to worship him. 00:03:15.619 --> 00:03:19.060 It appears as if God was consumed by the idea of himself. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:20.439 He writes, 00:03:20.579 --> 00:03:24.799 And we all despise the man who demands continued assurance of his own virtue. 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:31.819 And we despise even more the crowd of people around every millionaire or celebrity who gratifies that demand. 00:03:31.819 --> 00:03:39.639 And Lewis thought that the Psalms, from one end to the other, were simply a picture of God demanding that people praise him. 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:42.859 He says he even gave him the vocabulary to do it with. 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:51.659 But it wasn't until he began to understand praise from God's point of view that he was able to overcome these thoughts. 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:58.979 It wasn't until he realized that true enjoyment spontaneously flows into praise. 00:03:58.979 --> 00:04:03.019 The world, actually, he says, really actually is full of praise. 00:04:03.099 --> 00:04:04.259 It rings with praise. 00:04:04.859 --> 00:04:07.599 Walkers talking about their favorite countryside. 00:04:07.959 --> 00:04:09.639 Readers, their favorite poets. 00:04:09.859 --> 00:04:11.259 Sportsmen, their favorite game. 00:04:12.259 --> 00:04:15.539 Horses, flowers, wines, food, rare stamps, etc. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:16.240 It doesn't matter. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:20.920 The world loves to praise what it loves and values. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:28.219 And Lewis realized that true praise occurs when there is an overflowing of joy. 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:32.460 And that is what the vocabulary of the Psalter shows us. 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:37.080 It's not about God asking us to praise him because he's in need of praise. 00:04:37.780 --> 00:04:43.259 Lewis writes in commanding us to praise him, God is inviting us to enjoy him. 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:46.879 That's the first statement of the Westminster Confession of Faith, isn't it? 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:49.600 What is the chief end of man? 00:04:50.200 --> 00:04:52.640 To glorify God and enjoy him. 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:57.200 I mean, have you ever noticed how men and women praise the things they love? 00:04:57.199 --> 00:05:02.099 And we eulogize about our favorite footballer after a scintillating strike at goal. 00:05:02.099 --> 00:05:07.339 Or when recommending our favorite restaurant or a hotel or a vacation spot. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:12.060 I mean, how often might someone say to another, isn't that just beautiful? 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:21.019 You see, the Psalms tell us that when you derive your joy from God, you will praise him too. 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:29.899 And even more so, it will complete your joy to share that with someone else, as the psalmist do with their readers and their fellow singers, 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:33.480 as they delight and they enjoy the glory of God. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:39.200 I mean, true praise is the spontaneous expression of love and value. 00:05:40.480 --> 00:05:43.920 And this is one of the many reasons that we come together in corporate worship. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:50.200 Part of the enjoyment of worshiping together is that we are effectively saying to one another, 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:52.120 look how beautiful he is. 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:55.860 Look how wonderful the works of the Lord are. 00:05:55.860 --> 00:06:01.800 And I'm sure you understand the frustration of not being able to share special moments with someone. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:05.199 Several years ago, I walked the West Highland Way with a friend of mine, 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:09.100 and we found ourselves at the top of a hill overlooking Rannick Moor. 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:14.240 And it was so fantastic, I made a futile attempt at taking a bunch of snapshots 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:18.520 so that I could set them side by side to show my wife and Marie when I got home, 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:21.160 because I wanted to share it with her too. 00:06:21.160 --> 00:06:28.820 You see, that is why corporate worship is so vital for those who truly value and love the Lord. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:33.680 We come to corporate worship for the completion of our joy. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:40.360 And as David praises and rejoices, we should also note that we can learn from him 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:42.500 how we are to live in praise of the Lord. 00:06:43.620 --> 00:06:48.160 Verses 1 to 3, he said we are to praise God with our whole hearts. 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:52.860 Verse 1, I give thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart. 00:06:53.820 --> 00:06:57.640 David is praising God for his love and truth and answered prayer, 00:06:57.900 --> 00:06:59.700 and he's holding nothing back. 00:06:59.760 --> 00:07:01.180 It's from his whole heart. 00:07:01.700 --> 00:07:03.720 This is sincere worship. 00:07:04.340 --> 00:07:06.740 His praise comes from the very bottom of his soul. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:09.620 And praise is like that, or at least it should be. 00:07:10.320 --> 00:07:13.400 We're meant to praise God with all of our hearts. 00:07:14.220 --> 00:07:16.780 It's not something shallow or frivolous. 00:07:16.779 --> 00:07:23.279 Because you see, praise is the deepest expression of a soul in love with God. 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:28.199 And notice as David walks in the midst of trouble here, 00:07:28.479 --> 00:07:31.979 he's not blaming God or asking God to come and save him. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:35.379 No, David is praising God in the midst of his trouble. 00:07:36.419 --> 00:07:40.459 David is praising God for who God is and what he's done. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:46.639 If you think about us, if there is one time when few of us actually turn to praise of God, 00:07:46.799 --> 00:07:48.680 it's in the midst of our troubles. 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:54.659 Those are the times when we might pray a lot more or make some promises about our future behavior. 00:07:55.719 --> 00:07:59.479 But are we really likely to do more than make a plea for help 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:04.540 and actually turn to the Lord in praise of those moments of impending doom? 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:07.800 But you see, David knows God. 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:11.660 And he leaves us in no doubt as to what he is praising God for. 00:08:12.700 --> 00:08:13.280 Verse 2, 00:08:13.700 --> 00:08:16.720 For your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:22.100 God has shown covenant love to David as he kept his promises to him, 00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:25.000 even in situations where he thought his life was over. 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:30.140 And you see, that's exactly what is going on when you look at verse 3. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:33.620 On the day I called you, you answered me. 00:08:34.680 --> 00:08:35.600 David had a prayer. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:38.620 And in answer to that prayer, God had rescued him. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:41.240 In fact, it appears that he rescued him immediately. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:44.259 On the day I called, you answered me. 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:48.279 It's also interesting, there's a hint in verse 3 that 00:08:48.279 --> 00:08:52.379 God didn't actually answer his prayer in the way that David had prayed it. 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:55.299 Just take a look at the end of verse 3 there. 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:58.000 My strength of soul you increased. 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:02.879 You know, one assumes that David asked to be delivered from the situation, 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:05.139 but God's answer was no. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:09.439 But I am going to make you strong enough to survive it. 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:13.939 Sort of reminds me of Paul when he talks about his thorn and his flesh. 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:17.639 He prayed three times to have it removed and each time God says no. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:24.460 Instead, the answer to Paul was, my grace is sufficient for you and my strength is made perfect in weakness. 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:29.240 So the Lord gave Paul the strength to deal with his thorn. 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:36.460 And here, David recognizes that his strength of soul came from the Lord because there was nothing left of him. 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:39.000 There was nothing he could do for himself. 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:39.740 He was empty. 00:09:40.580 --> 00:09:44.680 And it was by God's grace alone that he found the strength to persevere. 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:52.340 And you see, it was that recognition that leads David to praise God with his whole heart. 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:57.160 You know, surely, too, when you think about the promise of the Messiah he received, 00:09:57.220 --> 00:10:01.060 the promise that David's line would bring the king of kings into the world, 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:06.040 it was certainly a greater promise than anything David had been praying for. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:09.580 I mean, probably even greater than anything he could imagine to pray for. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.080 And what an answer. 00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:17.340 And the promise he received inspires wholehearted thanksgiving for who God is, 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:22.960 for his love and his truth, because David's experience testifies to him 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:26.879 that God's promises are always going to be fulfilled. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:32.700 And for those of us here this afternoon, I mean, if you believe in the Lord Jesus, 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:38.340 then you will know the reality of the salvation that God has provided for you 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:42.019 through his Messiah, through this promise to David. 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:46.240 And David could not have fully understood it as we do, 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:51.740 but still his joy was overflowing because he looked forward by faith 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:55.519 to the Messiah, to the Redeemer that God had promised. 00:10:56.820 --> 00:11:02.820 And now, from our perspective, with all the revelation that God has provided for us 00:11:02.820 --> 00:11:04.379 that David never, ever had, 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:07.879 how much more should we be able to outpace, 00:11:07.879 --> 00:11:09.939 maybe even overtake David 00:11:09.939 --> 00:11:12.559 and wholehearted thanksgiving 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:15.539 and praise for the love and mercy and the grace 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:17.639 that he has shown us in our salvation. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:22.820 There's an interesting translation issue here at the end of verse 2. 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:26.379 For you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 00:11:27.080 --> 00:11:30.039 If you have your Bibles up, you'll see a little note at the bottom of your page, 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:32.139 which is actually a literal translation. 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:36.220 You have exalted your word above all your name. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:39.879 At first, that kind of seems a strange statement, doesn't it? 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:43.540 That's why the translators so often change the words. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:48.399 Because it reads easier if it says your word and your name. 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:50.480 Although that's not exactly what it says. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:55.800 The literal translation seems to say my word is more certain than even my name. 00:11:55.799 --> 00:12:02.299 But we know that's not true because we know that his name is as trustworthy as his word. 00:12:03.439 --> 00:12:09.299 But I don't think this verse means that God's other qualities are inferior or moved into second place. 00:12:09.979 --> 00:12:14.139 I think what we're seeing is that David is emphasizing his certain belief 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:19.019 that God will not fail in fulfilling his word of promise that he received. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:22.279 And what seems to be happening here is that 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:26.360 God is saying that he wants us to trust his word. 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:28.279 Not just the words. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:34.439 The idea that you must trust my word whether you actually see it fulfilled or not. 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:37.319 The basis of your faith must be my promises. 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:39.120 Must be my word to you. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:46.740 In the New Testament, Hebrews 11, the writer makes the same point that you must trust God's promises 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:49.539 whether or not you ever see them fulfilled. 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:54.820 Speaking of the Old Testament saints there in verse 13 of chapter 11, he says, 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:59.500 These saints died in faith, not having received the things promised, 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:03.120 but having seen them and greeted them from afar. 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:08.820 In other words, the Old Testament saints never lived to see the promised Messiah. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:12.860 They only saw the promise and they longed for the Messiah from a distance. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:17.200 These Old Testament people died before Christ was ever born, 00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:21.159 and yet they gained him and they gained all of his benefits. 00:13:22.820 --> 00:13:25.340 Providence had not actually yet brought him into the world, 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:29.779 and still it was because of their faith that they were able to lay hold of him 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:34.299 because God had promised to them and they believed his word. 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:43.039 David's belief is so strong that he now turns to exhort others to praise God's unsurpassed glory. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:51.859 David had learned that God doesn't lie and that his actions toward us flow from his steadfast love and his faithfulness. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:55.060 And we see that he is strengthened by this knowledge. 00:13:55.060 --> 00:13:57.159 In the second half of verse 1, he says, 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:59.519 Before the gods I will sing your praise. 00:14:00.180 --> 00:14:02.680 That word he uses there for gods is Elohim. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:08.379 In Genesis, you'll know the word is used for God and it applies power and authority. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:15.120 But it's also used elsewhere to mean people of authority like judges, kings, princes, earthly rulers. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:19.419 So what David is actually saying here in verses 4 and 5 is, 00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:24.860 When I sing your praises in front of all the kings, the queens, the princes, the judges of the earth, 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:28.580 they too will learn to praise God. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:34.519 See, David looks forward to the day when all the rulers of the earth will recognize Jesus. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:39.759 And they too will bow down before the king of kings and the lord of lords. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:45.759 Paul explains that for us in Philippians 2 when he says that God has highly exalted Jesus 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:52.200 and bestowed on him the name that is above every other name so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow. 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:58.980 I think we should also note from David that we are to praise the lord in front of others, 00:14:59.100 --> 00:15:02.759 even in front of those who might have the power to stop us. 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:04.240 Verse 4, 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:09.539 For all the kings of the earth shall give you praise when they hear the words of your mouth. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:15.120 You see, David wants to praise God in front of the powerful people of the world 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.840 so that they might learn to praise God too. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.279 In verse 5, 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:25.840 And they shall sing the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:30.820 In Isaiah chapter 2, we are told that God will make his people so joyful 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:34.500 that all the other nations will see it and they will want the same God. 00:15:35.680 --> 00:15:38.940 David calls on the rulers of the world to join him in praising God 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:44.040 because of his extraordinary promise that God has brought to David in his prayer. 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:48.759 And the main point he wants to highlight for them is there in verse 6. 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:59.019 In other words, he says, 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:02.220 Kings of the nations, gather round. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:05.039 I want to show you the glory of God. 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.919 And here it is. 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:10.059 Though he is high, he regards the lowly. 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:13.220 That is how great the glory of the Lord is. 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:17.779 And nowhere is the glory of the Lord more evident than in his stooping down 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:21.379 to care for the humble and the needy. 00:16:22.420 --> 00:16:27.680 Have you ever wondered about the idea that God is so great or so awesome 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:30.519 that he could not possibly think of us individually? 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:36.120 I mean, scientists, philosophers, others have been asking this question for years. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:44.039 In a universe that is as massive as ours is, so huge its size is beyond comprehension. 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:49.560 I mean, is it really possible to believe that a God who created it all 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:54.299 could actually be so detailed as to truly care about us? 00:16:55.779 --> 00:17:00.960 I mean, is it possible to believe in a God that cares about you and about me? 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:08.819 I mean, since a human being is not even a tiny microscopic speck in terms of this massive universe, 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:13.680 I mean, is it really possible to believe that God cares for you or even knows who you are? 00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:20.620 And what is the Christian supposed to say and answer that question or even think about that idea? 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:23.960 Well, this is a question that's been around. 00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.220 It's not a new one. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:27.220 It's been around for over 3,000 years. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:29.440 In Psalm 8, the writer asks, 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:33.019 O Lord, you have set your glory above the heavens. 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:38.980 When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:43.160 what is it that you are mindful of man? 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:47.220 The psalmist is asking, Lord, you are so great. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:51.079 How in the world could you pause for even a split second 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:54.819 to think about us, much less about me? 00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:59.039 And David says here in Psalm 138, 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:01.659 Well, I have the answer. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:03.480 And here it is in verse 6. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:06.119 Although the Lord is high and exalted, 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:09.980 he gives careful thought and attention to the low and to the humble. 00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:14.159 In fact, he holds them in high esteem. 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.859 And David says to the kings of the nations, 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:21.039 He cares about the humble and the lowly, 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:22.939 the haughty and the prideful, 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:26.099 the people who think they are a big deal and of great stature. 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:28.859 Oh yeah, he keeps an eye on them too. 00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:34.119 But he does not allow them to enjoy the intimate relationship 00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:36.639 of his nearer presence. 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:41.240 Now you see, it is the humble and the lowly of heart he draws near. 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:44.140 When you think about it, 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:46.259 that is a theme throughout the Old Testament, isn't it? 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:49.140 And if you apply that theme to the New Testament, 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:52.380 you can't help but think of God's plan of salvation 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:57.099 for his people as the Lord Jesus drew near to rescue us. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:00.599 Once again, Paul explains in Philippians 2 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:03.180 that Jesus was in the form of God, 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:04.140 but he emptied himself. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:09.799 And he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death on the cross. 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:13.279 You know, when the word became flesh, 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:18.779 we see the ultimate reality of God's love for us 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:20.480 actually revealed. 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:23.639 When Jesus came to us in the incarnation, 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.299 he stepped down from heaven. 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:28.240 He stooped down and dwelt amongst us. 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:32.180 And then lastly, in verses 7 and 8, 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:36.980 we see a reminder that our walk with God is not without his trials. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.740 Verse 7, 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.480 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:42.200 you preserve my life. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:45.839 David is once again speaking in the first person. 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.480 He says, 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:49.160 His walk has its problems. 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:52.200 But it doesn't mean he feels forgotten or deserted. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:56.579 I mean, all of us have tears, regrets, disappointments. 00:19:56.579 --> 00:20:01.879 All of our lives are marked to some degree by quiet desperation. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.639 But the wonderful thing about verse 7 00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:09.439 is that we are told that God is able to see through it all. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:16.720 Now, I wouldn't want anybody to leave here thinking this afternoon that trusting God or living for God 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:21.559 or even discovering the nature of who Jesus is and what he has done for us 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:24.180 removes us from the realities of this life. 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:28.799 That it removes us from our failures, our enemies, our mistakes, our sorrows, 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:30.619 because it certainly doesn't. 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.779 And if anyone ever tells you that it does, 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.220 go home. 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:35.659 Quickly. 00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:36.539 Get your Bible. 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:38.799 Open it up to Psalm 138. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.619 And turn to verse 7 and read it and believe it. 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:45.759 Because right here, David, the man, after God's own heart, 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:51.659 who has just spent six verses giving wholehearted praise to God, 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:55.599 praising Him for His love and His truth and His answered prayer 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:59.559 and His glory as He stoops down to take care of the humble and the needy. 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:03.919 This is the same man who says that he walks in the midst of trouble. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:08.199 And having made known to us his trouble, 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:12.920 he continues by telling us that his faith in God still remains undaunted. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.700 You see, if they're in verses 7 to 8, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:17.200 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:19.799 you will preserve my life. 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:22.620 Your right hand delivers me. 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:25.420 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.620 He will not forsake me, 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:29.640 because I am the work of His hands. 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:32.980 If you believe that as David does, 00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:36.340 that's a good prayer to go to sleep with every night, isn't it? 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:39.879 Lord, no matter what is going on in my life, 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:41.019 I trust you, 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.919 because you'll preserve me. 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:45.639 You will be with me and never forsake me, 00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:49.299 because I am the work of your hands. 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.559 And as a New Testament believer, 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:55.179 you should know this 00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:58.159 with far greater knowledge and understanding 00:21:58.159 --> 00:22:00.779 than David would have ever been able to enjoy. 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:03.679 He had to look forward to this by faith. 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:08.120 But you have the tangible evidence of the cross. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:11.340 You have been united to Christ 00:22:11.340 --> 00:22:13.060 by the grace of God through faith. 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:16.860 You enjoy the fellowship of the Holy Spirit living in you. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.460 Therefore, 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:21.039 you should be even more sure of these things 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.759 than David himself. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:26.840 See, David only had the promise of the Messiah to come. 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:29.619 But you and I have the reality 00:22:29.619 --> 00:22:32.059 of the promise fulfilled. 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:35.659 So, I mean, how much more should we be certain, 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.959 you and me, of the promises? 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:39.939 The promises that God has given to us 00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:41.139 through the Lord Jesus. 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.259 Because you see, 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:45.000 through His life and His death 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.819 and His resurrection, 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:49.459 all the promises that God has made to us, 00:22:49.959 --> 00:22:51.759 all the promises about eternity 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:54.400 and heaven and our future reality, 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.900 all of those promises 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:58.799 have been made yea and amen 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.339 in the Lord Jesus.