WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.639 Okay, so we're reading from Psalm 4 and we're going to read the whole thing. 00:00:04.639 --> 00:00:08.379 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. 00:00:08.980 --> 00:00:11.519 You have given me relief when I was in distress. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:14.219 Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:18.699 O men, how long shall my honour be turned into shame? 00:00:19.440 --> 00:00:22.580 How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:27.699 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself. 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:30.220 The Lord hears when I call to him. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:32.939 Be angry and do not sin. 00:00:33.479 --> 00:00:36.539 Ponder in your own hearts, on your beds and be silent. 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:40.920 Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord. 00:00:41.699 --> 00:00:44.599 There are many who say, who will show us some good? 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:47.719 Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord. 00:00:48.539 --> 00:00:53.060 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:56.060 In peace I will both lie down and sleep. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:00.319 For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:03.060 Well, question. 00:01:03.340 --> 00:01:04.859 I like to start with questions. 00:01:05.319 --> 00:01:10.859 How would you rate your typical response in times of crisis? 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:12.760 Or trauma? 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:15.219 Or disappointment? 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:16.500 Or disorientation? 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:19.539 Or a time of loss? 00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:23.600 How would you rate your response? 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:32.620 I think so often we default to a surface response. 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:39.260 Allowing our hurt or our circumstance to set the agenda for us. 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:43.859 That is, we just want immediate relief. 00:01:44.800 --> 00:01:46.540 We want to return to happiness. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:57.360 Yet, even as we do that, we know deep down that happiness is a very, very unpredictable beast. 00:01:59.300 --> 00:02:01.960 It disappears as quickly as it comes. 00:02:01.959 --> 00:02:06.719 It requires constant feeding. 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:10.979 To maintain happiness, you have to feed it with entertainment. 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:13.879 You have to feed it with even pretense sometimes. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:33.780 And so, even in our default sort of setting of looking for happiness, I think deep down we're longing for something a bit more stable, a bit more substantial, a bit deeper, a bit more satisfying as an anchor point in those tough times of life. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:36.580 And aren't there plenty of those tough times of life? 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:46.939 Friends, what we're looking for when we're yearning for that and craving for that is what the Bible calls joy. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:03:01.800 But too often, we settle for joy's appealing but shallow, warm, fuzzy cousin called happiness. 00:03:03.780 --> 00:03:09.240 Happiness is primarily a short-term emotion. 00:03:09.860 --> 00:03:15.439 And we can get happiness from a whole range of actions, from watching the TV to eating ice cream. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:21.159 But joy is something a lot more substantial. 00:03:21.420 --> 00:03:22.500 Joy is an orientation. 00:03:24.420 --> 00:03:29.259 A state of being expressed in a deep contentment, a calm. 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:31.699 A feeling safe and secure. 00:03:31.699 --> 00:03:33.699 A feeling safe and secure. 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:34.699 A feeling safe and secure. 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:35.699 A feeling safe and secure. 00:03:38.019 --> 00:03:40.019 And that's what we're looking for, isn't it? 00:03:40.519 --> 00:03:41.500 When life gets tough. 00:03:43.119 --> 00:03:47.979 In fact, joy is an orientation that transforms all feelings, I would argue. 00:03:49.079 --> 00:03:50.120 All emotions. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:52.139 Even anger. 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:53.139 Joy. 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:54.139 Joy. 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:55.139 Joy. 00:03:55.139 --> 00:03:56.139 Joy. 00:03:56.139 --> 00:04:01.979 And the Bible tells us that joy is not found in things, but in relationship. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:05.959 Particularly a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:07.419 --> 00:04:08.439 And here's the thing. 00:04:08.599 --> 00:04:10.199 Joy is never without emotion. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:14.959 But it is much more substantial than just happiness. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:15.960 Joy. 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:16.960 Joy. 00:04:16.960 --> 00:04:17.960 Joy. 00:04:17.960 --> 00:04:18.960 Joy. 00:04:18.960 --> 00:04:19.960 Joy. 00:04:19.960 --> 00:04:27.819 Now, most people in our world would not link God and joy except as opposites. 00:04:29.960 --> 00:04:32.340 Christians are considered killjoys. 00:04:32.960 --> 00:04:34.220 Have you heard that term before? 00:04:34.780 --> 00:04:36.199 Yeah, lots of times. 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:38.259 Christians are considered killjoys. 00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:40.199 Why is that term used? 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:45.099 Because people think that to be in relationship with God is to forfeit all joy. 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:55.779 But C.S. Lewis, a case in point, was surprised by joy when he became a believer. 00:04:57.819 --> 00:05:03.779 The reality of his newfound life of faith in Jesus was what he describes as a deep joy. 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:06.360 Something he had been searching for all his life. 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:11.160 And if you read C.S. Lewis, he lived through two world wars. 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:12.840 Served in both. 00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:14.259 Was wounded. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:24.100 And that deep joy of relationship with Christ sustained him through those awful dark years of two world wars. 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:39.700 This rare jewel of contentment or joy surfaces in Psalm 4 as David writes against the same dark circumstances as Psalm 3. 00:05:40.080 --> 00:05:40.960 Two Psalms are connected. 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:45.240 The back story is in 2 Samuel 15 through to 18. 00:05:45.400 --> 00:05:47.300 You can read it if you're not familiar with it. 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:52.520 And as Bo said earlier, the back story is Absalom, his son's coup d'etat. 00:05:54.660 --> 00:06:01.120 His decision that he would take the throne of his father and to do so, he had to dispose of his father. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:01.780 He had to kill him. 00:06:03.080 --> 00:06:05.840 Dark days indeed for a father. 00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:16.979 Now, if you read the back story, what we can say is that happiness was in real short supply in David's life at that particular time. 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:21.479 And yet, in this psalm, he talks about his joy increasing. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:27.500 David had a joyful heart. 00:06:28.140 --> 00:06:31.560 A joyful heart, as we'll see as we work through these verses. 00:06:31.960 --> 00:06:44.300 A joyful heart that delivers an inner disposition of calm, of peace, of patient trust in the Lord in the grimmest of times. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:53.920 So, the first heading I want to use, and if you're visiting, then there is an outline of the sermon. 00:06:54.020 --> 00:06:55.900 If you haven't got it, there'll be one up in the back table there. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:05.060 The first heading I want to use is that King David leans into God, longing for even greater joy. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:12.960 It's really interesting when you look at verse 1, that in the midst of crisis and incredible personal suffering, 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:17.339 King David doesn't run from God as though somehow or other God was the problem. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:21.739 No, he doesn't question God's faithfulness. 00:07:21.799 --> 00:07:23.180 He doesn't question God's word. 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:28.740 He doesn't question the value of having served God for so many years to end up in a crisis like he was in. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:32.120 No, he turns towards God. 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:37.139 He leans into God with a confidence that's quite remarkable. 00:07:38.279 --> 00:07:39.679 What's a confidence based in? 00:07:39.679 --> 00:07:41.019 Well, he knows God. 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:43.919 He knows God well. 00:07:44.419 --> 00:07:48.419 So, in verse 1, when he says, answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness, 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:55.419 we're not hearing the words of an arrogant, demanding person just clicking his fingers and expecting God to respond. 00:07:57.979 --> 00:08:03.240 We're hearing the confident expression of his past experience of God. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:06.419 You have given me relief when I was in distress. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:09.580 God, this is the way I've known you in the past. 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:13.900 And so I ask for future grace. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:15.699 I anticipate future grace. 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:17.660 I'm confident to ask for it. 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:27.660 David's confidence, ultimately, then, is in God's character. 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:33.680 My righteous God, or God of my righteousness, is in the ESV. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:48.979 In circumstances that David was experiencing, circumstances that were shaped by disloyalty, lies, deceit, injustice. 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:54.340 David's confidence is that his covenant God. 00:08:54.899 --> 00:09:01.440 My covenant God is faithful, truthful, upright, and just. 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:08.519 And from there, David is quite confident that the Lord will vindicate him and his position. 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:23.059 And his prayer, therefore, is not a box-ticking exercise, but an expression of his relationship with God. 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:30.159 Everything he is as king, he knows, is from God. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:39.740 So, David commits himself into the powerful, caring, loving hands of the God who has appointed him to be king. 00:09:41.259 --> 00:09:45.399 Trusting in God's actions. 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:51.679 Trusting that God will do what he alone can do for King David, his appointed servant. 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:57.839 And verse 8, if you click to the end, and we're just sort of book-ending thing at the minute, and then we'll jump into the detail. 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:02.040 Verse 8, the joy mentioned in his heart in verse 7. 00:10:02.160 --> 00:10:06.080 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:12.000 And then verse 8, in peace, I will both lie down and sleep. 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:15.399 For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:23.040 The joyful heart was an inner peace, calm that allowed him to sleep. 00:10:24.900 --> 00:10:26.200 And here's how it works. 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:31.140 His immediate external circumstances suggested he should be on the alert. 00:10:31.280 --> 00:10:33.200 He shouldn't close his eyes for a moment. 00:10:33.300 --> 00:10:34.780 He should be in panic mode. 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:36.780 He should be in protection mode. 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:41.140 But his inner circumstances say, 00:10:42.140 --> 00:10:43.480 I can lie down and sleep. 00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:46.500 The Lord has this under control. 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:54.720 In his heart, at heart, he was joyful. 00:10:55.100 --> 00:11:01.240 Physically, emotionally, and spiritually content in God's hand. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:08.600 I said at the start, it was a rare jewel of Christian contentment. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:10.279 And indeed it is. 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:13.460 It's a beautiful one to aspire to. 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:18.720 So David's leaning in, longing for even more joy. 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:27.100 But then secondly, he longs that all those people might experience the same joy as he knows and lives by. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.100 And that's the detail of these verses 2 through to 7. 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:34.080 So I want you to notice the structure of the poem. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:37.240 That there's three sets of two verses. 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:44.540 Each represents a group of people King David had in mind as he writes his poem. 00:11:44.539 --> 00:11:50.759 Now, I've spent a lot of time working on this, trying to work out who he's actually addressing. 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:56.339 And I've come to the conclusion that most likely he's addressing both his enemies, 00:11:56.339 --> 00:12:02.659 that is, those who are overtly rebelling against King David and against the Lord, 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:06.199 those on Absalom's side and Absalom's rebels, 00:12:09.079 --> 00:12:14.299 but also his own loyal servants who had fled Jerusalem with him. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:18.679 And they also would be responding to the whole situation. 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:23.419 And perhaps some of them were full of inner or hidden rebellion. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:26.059 Absalom, it's out there, it's in your face. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:30.419 Perhaps some of their retinue with David was suffering from an inner rebellion, 00:12:30.819 --> 00:12:33.299 unhappy with the way David was handling things. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:37.799 Perhaps given, sort of being a little bit suspicious, 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:40.219 well, maybe the things that Absalom's saying about David is correct. 00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:50.779 And I sense each group then displays a form of rebellion, 00:12:51.219 --> 00:12:55.399 not just against David, but ultimately because David's God's appointed king, 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:57.819 then the rebellion ultimately is against the Lord. 00:12:57.820 --> 00:13:04.400 And each group's attitudes and actions were taking them away from the Lord. 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:09.140 And I think the force of this psalm then is that David called them all to repent. 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:16.000 Those who are overtly in rebellion and those who are covertly in rebellion. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:20.559 He calls them all to repent, to turn back to the Lord, 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:22.419 to run back to the Lord, to lean into him 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:26.039 as a source of inner peace and joy and contentment. 00:13:27.480 --> 00:13:29.000 And so verses 2 and 3, the first group, 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:31.439 he urges them then to cultivate, 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:34.200 as he wants them to know this joy, 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:38.659 he urges them to cultivate God's character over worldly character. 00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:39.819 Look at verses 2 and 3. 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:43.719 O men, and that can be O men of rank, 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:44.659 I'll speak to that in a minute. 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:47.839 O men, how long shall my honour be turned into shame? 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:51.059 How long will you love vain words or empty words 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:52.779 and seek after lies? 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:58.019 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself. 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:00.799 The Lord hears when I call to him. 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:07.240 The word men is specialised, it means men of rank. 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:14.279 And I think what David's doing here is he's addressing all God's people, 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.939 addressing them as men of rank, men and women of rank. 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:18.339 Why? 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:20.860 Because they're God's set-apart nation. 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:23.379 And by virtue of being God's set-apart nation, 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:25.939 therefore they're people of rank, people of distinction. 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:33.480 They're people of privilege. 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:38.540 And he speaks to these people of privilege 00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:42.080 and exposes their sinful hearts. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:47.140 Sinful hearts expressed in self-interested actions, 00:14:48.420 --> 00:14:49.900 disregard for the truth, 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:51.959 even preferring lies. 00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:56.279 Loving political spinner, vain words, 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.819 to justify their actions. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:01.579 Commitment to living outside God's structure and commands. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.939 We'll decide what's going to happen 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:05.199 and how best to make it happen 00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:06.500 and what's best for God's people. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:12.980 Even when that pathway brought shame 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:15.340 upon God's appointed king. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.320 And with that, you'll notice at the end of verse 2, 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.879 David puts in one of these little notations 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:25.820 that we think just means pause and reflect. 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.820 And there it is again. 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:31.960 David's just written down this situation. 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:34.560 And he inserts Selah. 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:36.720 He thinks, whoa, this is so awful. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:38.680 We just need to stop and consider this 00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:40.060 before we rush on. 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:43.120 Stop and reflect on the hypocrisy of it all. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:46.080 Men of rank, men of privilege, 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:47.400 as God set apart people. 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:49.220 And yet look at your character. 00:15:49.400 --> 00:15:50.460 Look at the way you're acting. 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.480 Look at your thinking. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:55.420 Look at the way you're treating God's appointed ruler. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.500 Selah. 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.940 Selah. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.960 Selah. 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:11.980 David calls out their hypocrisy. 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.700 Verse 3. 00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:17.480 Claiming to be set apart from the nations 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.720 as God's special people, 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:22.940 yet refusing to pursue the character categories 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:25.600 that God desires in his people. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:30.340 God has set apart his people for himself. 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:33.120 That is, to reflect his own character 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:37.759 of truth and justice and righteousness 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:42.500 and peace and faithfulness to God's covenant purposes. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:45.299 See the contrast? 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:51.019 And you see why his people aren't experiencing joy. 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:54.039 David calls them back. 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.059 David calls them back. 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.819 Repent. 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:57.600 Lean into the Lord. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:03.480 Seek his character on your way to a joyful heart. 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:08.740 Because David desperately wants to see a real change of heart in his people. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.579 And so he calls them to repent. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:16.400 And demonstrate that you truly are God's set apart ones in God's nation Israel 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:18.460 by reflecting God's righteous character 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:21.799 and submitting to God's appointed king. 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:24.480 Verses 4 and 5 then. 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:29.519 Patiently trust in God's vindication over self-vindication. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:34.259 Be angry and do not sin. 00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:38.000 Pondering your hearts on your beds and be silent. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:43.200 Offer right sacrifices and put your trust in the Lord. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:47.640 Well, it's very clear, isn't it? 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.580 God's people were angry. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.440 Angry for different reasons, 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:53.200 depending which side of the divide you were on. 00:17:54.340 --> 00:17:56.940 Angry at the failures of David if you're on Absalom's side. 00:17:57.340 --> 00:18:00.220 And perhaps angry at David's lack of response 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.980 if you're on David's side. 00:18:07.600 --> 00:18:09.180 Absalom's followers were angry 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:12.360 because they had their own ambitions to build a better life 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:14.620 under a king of their own choosing. 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:20.220 David's retinue were just after revenge. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.580 Kill the lot of them. 00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:23.700 That's what they deserve. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:33.900 Both sides revealed restless, self-interested hearts. 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:35.340 Sinful hearts. 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:40.099 And again, David injects or inserts a silah. 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:46.339 Pause and think about how awful this is 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:50.099 for those who claim to be God's people. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:57.139 These are not joyful, restful hearts. 00:18:57.579 --> 00:19:00.299 These are restless, turbulent hearts. 00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:07.059 And again, verse 5, David offers a correction, 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:09.240 calls his people back to true worship. 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:14.139 Proper sacrifice, proper trust in God's good purpose 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:16.859 and God's king as the achiever of God's covenant promises. 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:20.159 And perhaps here, you can go back and check 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:22.440 in 2 Samuel 15, 12. 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:25.200 Absalom began the whole coup d'etat 00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:28.119 with a very public, box-ticking sacrifice. 00:19:28.119 --> 00:19:32.339 The sacrifice wasn't about confessing his sins 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.899 and seeking forgiveness before the Lord. 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:36.779 It was about getting the people on side 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:39.500 and convincing them that God was inside. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:45.719 It was creating a validation, a legitimization of his actions. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:50.099 Perhaps that's what David has in mind 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:52.039 when he calls them back. 00:19:52.699 --> 00:19:54.399 Come back to your right sacrifice. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:58.060 It focuses on your sins rather than just using sacrifice 00:19:58.060 --> 00:20:01.220 as a platform to promote your own interests. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:09.740 David then knows how easily all God's people 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:12.200 could use sacrifice as a box-ticking exercise 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:15.600 because those on David's side would want to say, 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.040 well, yeah, God's on our side. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:19.940 And you notice that more, don't you, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.960 that both sides want to say God's on our side. 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.019 God's on our side. 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:25.400 God's on our side. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.500 And David calls all his people 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:32.480 to examine their own guilty, restless, rebellious hearts 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.220 before the Lord. 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:40.800 He calls them to true worship. 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:44.060 What is true worship? 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:47.320 Delighting to trust the Lord 00:20:47.320 --> 00:20:50.860 and delighting to do what is right 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:53.120 because it's right. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:21:00.640 How that would have changed the circumstances 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:02.240 that David was facing. 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:10.720 And the final thing then he pushes them to say 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:13.880 is find your deepest satisfaction in God himself 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:16.780 over the things that God gives to you. 00:21:16.780 --> 00:21:18.860 Verses 6, 7, and 8. 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:20.939 There are many who say, 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:23.179 who shall show us some good? 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:28.319 Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord. 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:31.899 You have put more joy in my heart 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:35.799 than they have when their grain and wine abound. 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:44.539 In the mess of life, 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:48.619 God's people were expressing their restless hearts 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:49.799 in a very familiar way. 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.740 Verse 6, 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:55.379 at one point in a sense of despair, 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.940 who's, you know, 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.779 things are never going to turn out well. 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:00.559 Who's going to fix these problems 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.559 that we keep on having? 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:05.480 Another point is a longing for happiness, 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.480 hoping that tomorrow will be better. 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:09.119 Who'll show us some good? 00:22:09.200 --> 00:22:11.019 Who'll turn things around for us? 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:13.359 Who'll bring us back into a bit of plain sailing, 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:14.440 clear sailing again? 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:17.579 Longing for a change of circumstance, 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:20.079 leaving all the mess and the hurts behind. 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:22.720 Well, people, 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.879 those people were longing for that. 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.419 But what was David longing for? 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:31.799 David was longing for more joy in his heart. 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:38.339 Such a sharp contrast. 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:43.439 David is craving closer and closer relationship with God 00:22:43.439 --> 00:22:46.799 more than he craves a change in circumstance. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:55.960 He prays using Numbers chapter 6, 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.519 verse 24 to 26, 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:59.460 back in the time of the Exodus, 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:02.079 where God himself said to his people 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.460 through Aaron and Moses, 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:05.799 pray this for your people, 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.799 say this to your people. 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:08.000 And it's that quotation. 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.139 In other words, 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.940 the Lord himself has declared 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:13.539 that the most incredible, 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:15.480 the best blessing imaginable 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:19.160 is that the Lord would lift up his face 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:19.819 upon his people. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:26.380 So David isn't going to settle for less than, 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.339 he's not going to settle just for happiness. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:30.120 He's not going to settle for a change of circumstance. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.819 He's not going to settle 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:32.559 for a political reunification. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:36.059 He wants the Lord to look on his people 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:39.599 and God's character to sort of burn into them 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.360 and renew them. 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:43.559 He wants his people to have the joy 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:46.199 of connection with the Lord, 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:49.279 the ultimate blessing of life. 00:23:55.199 --> 00:23:56.959 And how good is that joy for David? 00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.039 Well, verse 7, 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:02.879 far better than a great harvest. 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:05.279 Remember, this was an agrarian society, 00:24:05.459 --> 00:24:07.879 so harvest was the peak time of the year. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.020 So David is saying, 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:10.660 look, this is joy. 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:12.520 A joyful heart is far better 00:24:12.520 --> 00:24:14.200 than a terrific harvest 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.400 that brings wealth, 00:24:16.040 --> 00:24:18.280 that promises endless feasting, 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.960 and vintage wines 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.460 that gladden the heart. 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:24.320 Joy, a joyful heart, 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:26.300 is beyond all of that. 00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:35.299 So how can David maintain such joy 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:38.839 in times of crisis and personal suffering? 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:42.299 Well, very simply, my friends, 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:47.359 because his joy is not about his position. 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:52.399 It's not about his possessions. 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:56.040 It's not even about his location. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.560 Remember, he's hiding in a cave 00:24:57.560 --> 00:25:00.440 in some remote part of the wilderness. 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:04.780 His joy is not in his circumstances. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:10.420 His joy is in his relationship with the Lord. 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:13.920 And all those other things can be taken away. 00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:16.960 And what's left after all they're taken away 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:18.620 is his relationship with the Lord. 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:20.280 And so his heart remains joyful. 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:26.139 And here we have it. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.859 And this lines up. 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.779 I'm really thankful that Bo and I actually lined up 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:30.059 when Bo was talking about sleep 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:32.059 because I knew he was going to do it. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:33.920 I wasn't sure whether I'd get found out. 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.879 But I think we're on the same page here. 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.519 So my point here is that 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:39.019 David was able to sleep 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:41.019 as restfully and securely 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:42.720 in a cave in the wilderness 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:44.779 as he could in his palace, 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:47.079 in all the splendor of his palace. 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:47.680 Why? 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:47.759 Why? 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:53.420 Because he was already resting in the Lord. 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.980 That's a really important point here. 00:25:58.579 --> 00:26:02.400 His sleep did not produce rest in his heart. 00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:05.980 But the rest in his heart, 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:07.059 the joy in his heart, 00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:09.700 opened up the possibility of sound sleep. 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:14.079 Pulled apart those two. 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.099 Pulled apart those two. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.079 Pulled apart those two. 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.759 Pulled apart those two. 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:22.819 So King David longs for his people to have joy, 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.839 joyful hearts, 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:25.779 but he knows that ultimately 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:29.140 this request requires renewal 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:30.859 that only God can deliver. 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:35.259 So I say again, 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.440 as I say each week 00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:38.180 when I'm talking about the Psalms, 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:40.680 as we move from this to the Lord Jesus, 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:41.720 which we need to do. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:44.740 David's longing for his people 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:46.559 makes us listen again 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.559 for the whisper of Jesus. 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:53.100 The longing is a great longing, isn't it? 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:55.100 We can tap into that. 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:58.620 David knew what he wanted for his people, 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:01.799 but David knew he couldn't deliver it to his people. 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:04.120 Only the Lord could do that. 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:04.579 Verse 8, 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:07.500 For you alone, O Lord, 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:09.259 make me dwell in safety. 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.379 You alone, O Lord, 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:12.179 give me the joyful heart. 00:27:13.699 --> 00:27:14.879 It can't be created. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.919 It can't be manufactured. 00:27:17.199 --> 00:27:19.819 It's something the Lord gives his people. 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:22.199 It requires inner renewal. 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:27.299 And it is a whisper of Jesus 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.500 because that's exactly 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.200 what Jesus longed for his people. 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:32.100 Turn with me to John chapter 17. 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:34.460 A very interesting verse 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.500 in the middle of Jesus. 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:37.039 It's called the High Priestly Prayer. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:40.519 It's the night before Jesus dies on the cross 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:42.819 to deal with the sins of his people. 00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:45.080 And he's praying to his Father 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:46.080 and one of the things he says 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.759 is that, 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.920 verse 13, 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.259 he says, 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.880 Now I am coming to you 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:53.900 and these things I speak in the world 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:56.860 that they may have my joy 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:58.960 fulfilled in themselves. 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:06.880 It's like King David, isn't it? 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:09.980 The Lord Jesus wants his people 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:11.640 to experience the joy 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:14.460 that he has with his Father. 00:28:16.080 --> 00:28:17.160 The difference? 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:19.300 Jesus, 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:22.320 within that very 24-hour period, 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.880 was going to deliver it 00:28:23.880 --> 00:28:24.779 in real time 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:25.759 through his death 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:27.400 and resurrection. 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:31.120 He was going to deliver, 00:28:31.400 --> 00:28:32.480 in fact, 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:34.779 what David could only long for 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.400 with a passion. 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.360 So he's praying, 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.220 Jesus is praying 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.420 for a set-apart people, 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.440 for those for whom 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:44.240 he's about to die. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.859 And he wants them 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:47.299 to experience the joy 00:28:47.299 --> 00:28:48.640 that he himself knew. 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.660 What is that joy 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.759 and how does Jesus 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.819 intend to deliver it? 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.220 It's the joy 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.240 of personal relationship 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.519 with God, 00:28:58.519 --> 00:29:00.440 of enjoying God 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:02.200 and finding 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.420 total satisfaction 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:04.420 in him, 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.240 total identity, 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.660 total fullness. 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:11.340 and it will be delivered 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.540 through Jesus 00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:13.420 because of his death 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:13.920 for his people. 00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.340 And again, 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:19.279 picking up the line 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.620 from verse 6, 00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:22.100 lift up your face, 00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:22.960 light up, 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.980 give us the light 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.720 of your face. 00:29:25.980 --> 00:29:27.040 John chapter 1, 00:29:27.080 --> 00:29:28.300 verses 1 to 6, 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:30.300 Jesus comes into the world 00:29:30.300 --> 00:29:32.400 and how is he described? 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.400 The light 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.240 and the life. 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:41.400 Jesus 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:43.160 illuminates, 00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.740 shines broadly 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:48.420 on his set-apart people 00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.440 from the inside out. 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.660 And what does 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.599 illumination do? 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:52.460 Well, 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.299 illumination, 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:54.200 when you shine a light, 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.400 it dispels darkness, 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.500 it dispels hostility, 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.680 it dispels fear, 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.559 it dispels guilt. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.279 All of these things 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:03.940 are the things 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.000 in which God's people 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.559 are trapped. 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:07.100 That's what David saw 00:30:07.100 --> 00:30:08.039 of his people. 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.200 And he longed for them 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.080 to be freed from that 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.840 so they might know 00:30:10.840 --> 00:30:12.340 true joy in their hearts. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.299 That's what Jesus does. 00:30:16.640 --> 00:30:17.779 He replaces all that 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.200 with peace, 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:20.400 renewal, 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:21.740 and rest, 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.940 and security, 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.620 and freedom from fear. 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:27.779 My friends, 00:30:27.959 --> 00:30:29.139 it's a massive movement. 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:30.599 Jesus moves his people 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.279 from living 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.579 restless 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:34.159 lives 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.699 on the surface 00:30:35.699 --> 00:30:37.359 to living 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:39.479 restful lives, 00:30:39.719 --> 00:30:40.859 joyful lives 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:42.479 at a very deep level, 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:45.639 satisfied in relationship 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.299 with himself. 00:30:50.679 --> 00:30:51.579 Let's start together. 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:51.619 Let's start together. 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:51.659 Let's start together. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:56.559 Jesus transforms his people 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:58.639 from living in lies 00:30:58.639 --> 00:30:59.319 and deception, 00:30:59.959 --> 00:31:00.979 discontented heart, 00:31:01.239 --> 00:31:02.539 committed to self-salvation, 00:31:02.939 --> 00:31:04.479 measured by outside happiness. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.759 He transforms them 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:08.659 to a life of worship, 00:31:10.159 --> 00:31:10.500 joy, 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.419 delight, 00:31:11.679 --> 00:31:12.339 contentment 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:14.619 in any situation. 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:17.659 And as I just wrap up now, 00:31:17.719 --> 00:31:18.879 I want to draw your attention 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:20.759 to the thief on the cross. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:22.700 I think it's a wonderful case study 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:27.039 of joy coming 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:28.920 to a restless heart 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:31.660 of a man being surprised 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:33.299 by joy in real time. 00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.579 You remember the story? 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:36.599 Here he was a guilty rebel 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:38.599 hanging on the cross, 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.359 a cross beside Jesus. 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:42.680 And what was the situation? 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.660 He was a guilty rebel, 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:44.900 a man with blood in his hand. 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:46.700 He was about to experience 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:48.680 God's full righteousness 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.860 or judgment 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:52.940 for his lifetime 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.580 of rebellion. 00:31:56.580 --> 00:31:58.100 But unexpectedly, 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:01.420 undeservedly, 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:04.880 he gets a very personal experience 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.740 of joy 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:08.140 even as he breathed 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:09.720 his last in this world. 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:12.180 What is that joy? 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:14.380 Jesus says to him, 00:32:14.380 --> 00:32:15.500 today, 00:32:15.780 --> 00:32:17.800 you will be with me 00:32:17.800 --> 00:32:18.900 in paradise. 00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:26.000 We could add our own 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.540 Selah 00:32:26.540 --> 00:32:27.820 in there, 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:28.300 couldn't we? 00:32:30.700 --> 00:32:31.180 Today, 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.800 you will be with me 00:32:32.800 --> 00:32:33.520 in paradise. 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.740 What a movement 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.320 for that man. 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.160 What a transformation. 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.640 Enjoying, 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.360 there's the word 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:44.679 enjoying God 00:32:44.679 --> 00:32:45.419 forevermore. 00:32:45.959 --> 00:32:46.419 Worshipping, 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.179 resting forever, 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:51.119 safe and secure 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.000 in Christ, 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.500 even as 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.459 the life blood, 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:56.199 that life drains out of him 00:32:56.199 --> 00:32:57.579 as he suffocates 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.359 on that cross. 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:03.299 There's a joyful heart. 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.019 So, 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:07.919 what will drive you 00:33:07.919 --> 00:33:08.439 this week? 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:12.100 will you lean 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:13.180 into Jesus 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:16.440 longing to be surprised 00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:17.200 by joy 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:21.860 or will you continue 00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.759 to try and create 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:24.120 your own sort of joy 00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:26.500 which inevitably means 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.360 you'll slide off 00:33:27.360 --> 00:33:28.500 into the cheap cousin 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:30.000 warm and fuzzy happiness? 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:39.160 Jesus is not 00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:40.680 the killjoy 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.779 our world 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:42.500 believes. 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:45.119 Quite the opposite. 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.720 He is the life joy, 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:50.019 the true joy. 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.579 And my friends, 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:54.019 he longs to share 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.099 that with you 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:58.799 if only you will 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.779 lean into it 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:04.579 and crave it 00:34:04.579 --> 00:34:05.359 and take it 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:05.960 from his hands. 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.380 Let me pray. 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:14.599 Lord, 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:15.619 we resonate 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.480 with the notion 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.779 of a joyful heart. 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:21.519 It is a rare jewel. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.039 We get glimpses of it, 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.239 Lord, 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.480 and then it disappears again. 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:27.139 Help us 00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:28.599 to look 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:31.380 with unshifting eyes 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:33.300 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:35.579 for our identity, 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.460 our satisfaction, 00:34:37.719 --> 00:34:38.320 our delight, 00:34:39.179 --> 00:34:40.219 our standard of beauty 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:42.599 because thereby, 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.019 Lord, 00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:43.940 we will 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.139 fill our hearts 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:45.860 with joyfulness. 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:49.519 Help us to do that 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:50.280 consistently. 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.619 Help us not 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.859 to be satisfied 00:34:53.859 --> 00:34:55.119 with the cheapness 00:34:55.119 --> 00:34:55.920 of happiness 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:58.659 when the richness 00:34:58.659 --> 00:34:59.400 of joy 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:00.900 is ours 00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:01.519 for the taking 00:35:01.519 --> 00:35:02.159 in Christ. 00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:03.880 In Jesus' name 00:35:03.880 --> 00:35:04.259 I pray. 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:04.759 Amen.