WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.820 Good morning. Welcome to Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church. My name is Matthew Capone 00:00:12.820 --> 00:00:18.600 and I'm the pastor here and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. If you are new or visiting 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:23.760 with us, welcome. We are glad that you're here and we're glad that you're here not because we are 00:00:23.760 --> 00:00:29.480 trying to fill seats but because we are following after Jesus together as one community and as we 00:00:29.480 --> 00:00:34.240 follow after Jesus together we've become convinced that there's no one so good that they don't need 00:00:34.240 --> 00:00:40.140 God's grace and no one so bad that they can't have it which means that God has something to say to 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:45.560 everyone in his word whether we've been Christians our entire lives, whether we maybe have been 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:50.900 Christians for a few months, whether we would call ourselves not Christians, whether we have doubts or 00:00:50.900 --> 00:00:56.540 questions or objections to Christianity, God comes and speaks to all of us in his word and so that's 00:00:56.539 --> 00:01:02.560 why we come every week and take a look at what God has to say to us. We are finishing up a series in 00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:07.500 the book of Psalms and as I've been telling you the book of Psalms is the hymn book and the prayer book 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:12.799 of God's people in the Old Testament, the Israelites, and continues to be used as all of the New Testament, 00:01:12.920 --> 00:01:17.900 all of the Old Testament by God's people in the New Testament, the church. It's a guide for us in how 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:23.299 to worship God, how to talk to him, how to pray and like any song book it has all kinds of different 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:28.179 angles on it, all different ways we could think about it or look at it. And one thing we talked 00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:35.439 about last week was the fact that the Bible, the Psalms, talk about our emotions. God uses them to 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:41.659 shape our emotions, to help us understand what to do with them, how to have right emotions, how to stir up 00:01:41.659 --> 00:01:47.420 all kinds of emotions that we need to have, godly emotions, how to deal with emotions that 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:53.740 come and surprise us. And as the Psalms do that, one of the things that's unique about the Psalms, 00:01:54.680 --> 00:01:57.659 maybe not unique but true, it's true of other parts of scripture, is that it's 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:06.740 incredibly raw and brutal and honest. The psalmist doesn't pull punches about what it's like to live 00:02:06.740 --> 00:02:12.699 life in this world. In fact, I would suggest that the Psalms are more honest about the life of faith, 00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:20.199 about the Christian life than we are sometimes. The psalmist is more likely to call a spade a spade 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:28.159 than we are. And we're going to come to a passage this morning, Psalm 73, which talks about one way in 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:34.259 which the psalmist has doubt. The Psalms are a reminder to us that God knows that we struggle with 00:02:34.259 --> 00:02:41.419 doubts. He knows that sometimes we wonder if it's a good idea to continue following after him. Sometimes we 00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:47.699 wonder if it would be easier and better to just step away, to not be call ourselves a Christian 00:02:47.699 --> 00:02:54.679 anymore. And God also knows that when we look around at the world around us and we see people who 00:02:54.679 --> 00:03:00.560 aren't following God, and we see how well they're doing in their lives, we're tempted to wonder whether 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:08.459 it's really worth it or not. And because the Psalms are so brutally honest and raw, the psalmist is going 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:15.000 to bring that specific struggle before us this morning in Psalm 73. And when we see people who 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:21.900 aren't following God and are doing well, we're tempted to give up on the Christian life and give 00:03:21.900 --> 00:03:29.800 in to sin. We're tempted to give up on the Christian life and give in to sin. And so it's with that that 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:34.379 we come to Psalm 73. I'm going to read it now. You can follow along in your worship guide. It's printed 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:40.400 near the back or in your Bible or on your phone. And as we come to God's Word, remember that He tells 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:46.079 us that His Word is sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb, and it is 00:03:46.079 --> 00:03:52.500 more precious than gold, even the finest gold. And that's the reason that we come to God's Word reading 00:03:52.500 --> 00:04:01.159 now starting with verse 1. Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:09.300 my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw 00:04:09.300 --> 00:04:17.959 the prosperity of the wicked. Verse 4. For they have no pangs until death. Their bodies are fat and sleek. 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:23.599 They are not in trouble as others are. They are not stricken like the rest of mankind. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:32.180 Therefore, pride is their necklace. Violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness. 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:39.699 Their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice. Loftily they threaten oppression. 00:04:40.539 --> 00:04:47.019 They set their mouths against the heavens and their tongue struts through the earth. Verse 10. 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:54.139 Therefore, His people turn back to them and find no fault in them. And they say, how can God know? 00:04:54.839 --> 00:05:01.099 Is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked. Always at ease, they increase in riches. 00:05:02.219 --> 00:05:08.319 Verse 13. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:12.519 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:17.819 If I had said I will speak thus, I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:26.680 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task until I went into the sanctuary of God. 00:05:27.539 --> 00:05:29.219 Then I discerned their end. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:30.979 Verse 18. 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:34.020 Truly, you set them in slippery places. 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:36.060 You make them fall to ruin. 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:40.580 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors. 00:05:41.460 --> 00:05:42.939 Like a dream when one awakes. 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:46.560 Oh Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. 00:05:47.480 --> 00:05:52.060 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant. 00:05:52.700 --> 00:05:54.120 I was like a beast toward you. 00:05:55.200 --> 00:05:56.020 Verse 23. 00:05:56.019 --> 00:05:59.139 Nevertheless, I am continually with you. 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:01.039 You hold my right hand. 00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:05.539 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.079 Whom have I in heaven but you? 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:11.560 And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 00:06:12.299 --> 00:06:18.839 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:20.839 Verse 27. 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:24.819 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish. 00:06:24.819 --> 00:06:28.860 You put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:32.259 But for me, it is good to be near God. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:37.480 I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:42.279 Please pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:50.120 Dear Father in heaven, we thank you again, as we do every week, for your word that you've given to us. 00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:53.180 That you haven't left us alone, but you've spoken to us. 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:59.319 And we thank you even more that you don't ask us to plaster on happy faces. 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:01.920 You don't ask us to pretend. 00:07:02.780 --> 00:07:05.040 You don't ask us to ignore our doubts. 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:08.180 But instead, you name them for us. 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:14.160 And you help us to see them and discuss them and address them. 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:18.760 We ask that you would come this morning and that you would help us to do that very thing. 00:07:18.860 --> 00:07:22.640 That you would use your word to speak clearly to us. 00:07:22.700 --> 00:07:28.400 That we would leave understanding it more and knowing and loving and trusting you more as well. 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:35.500 So, we ask these things not because we have earned them, but because Jesus has earned them for us. 00:07:35.539 --> 00:07:36.879 And so, we ask them in his name. 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:38.039 Amen. 00:07:41.159 --> 00:07:48.319 If you are a sports fan at all, you know one of the great frustrations of sport fans. 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:52.639 Especially, I would say, if you're maybe a football fan or a basketball fan. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:56.019 Not just one of the great frustrations, but one of the great excuses. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:08:00.979 If your team doesn't win, there's always an easy scapegoat, right? 00:08:01.939 --> 00:08:04.079 You can always blame the refs. 00:08:07.479 --> 00:08:11.939 In fact, this is something that people constantly discuss and get outraged about. 00:08:12.079 --> 00:08:14.379 There was a bad call in this game or that game. 00:08:14.459 --> 00:08:17.159 We experienced it recently last year with the Broncos. 00:08:17.299 --> 00:08:20.719 There was a big uproar about one of their games against the Kansas City Chiefs. 00:08:20.799 --> 00:08:23.819 And how if the ref had made a different call at a different time, 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:27.279 they would have stopped the momentum from the Chiefs and the Broncos would have been able to win. 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:31.879 I'm sure many of you are going to carry that bitterness with you for years to come. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:38.399 And one individual compares Psalm 73 to exactly that. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:43.080 This is the psalmist accusing God of being a terrible ref. 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:49.360 When he looks at the world around him, he has his head knowledge. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:50.620 Verse 1, 00:08:50.700 --> 00:08:53.120 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:58.580 But then when he looks around, what he knows in his head doesn't seem to be true of the world around him. 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:01.740 That's what he thinks is true. 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:06.540 He says theologically God's good to Israel, but it just doesn't seem to be true in his experience. 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:09.540 In his experience, it seems like God actually is not good. 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:11.079 He's making some terrible calls. 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:13.919 And so that's why in verses 2 and 3 he tells us, 00:09:14.079 --> 00:09:15.179 His feet had almost stumbled. 00:09:15.719 --> 00:09:16.779 His steps had nearly slipped. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.139 Why? 00:09:17.240 --> 00:09:18.139 Because verse 3, 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:22.819 I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 00:09:25.699 --> 00:09:30.559 God knows that there are many times when we're going to question his goodness. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:39.259 And God knows that there are times when we will look around and wonder if being a Christian is really worth it. 00:09:40.459 --> 00:09:43.679 And God knows what the psalmist sees in verse 73, 00:09:43.859 --> 00:09:51.339 that sometimes it seems like it's people who don't follow God who prosper and flourish the most. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:56.980 And so that's where we get what the psalmist heads into in these following verses. 00:09:57.160 --> 00:09:59.360 He sees all these terrible calls that God's making. 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:03.259 There are these evil people, these wicked from verse 3, verse 4. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:04.720 They're incredibly healthy. 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:07.040 They have no pains until death. 00:10:08.060 --> 00:10:11.540 They don't experience the problems that other people experience, verse 5. 00:10:11.539 --> 00:10:16.319 And they do this even though they are violent and proud, verse 6. 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:20.500 Even though they're filled with foolishness, verse 7. 00:10:21.199 --> 00:10:23.620 They seem to have all they need to eat and more. 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:27.579 Their words are terrible, verses 8 and 9. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:31.639 And yet it seems like God isn't doing anything about it. 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:35.240 Instead, they're prospering. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:38.899 And so this leads the psalmist to have all kinds of doubts. 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:41.240 We saw in verse 3, he's envious. 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:45.039 He wonders why those people have these things and he doesn't. 00:10:47.579 --> 00:10:50.399 He's tempted again to wonder if God is really just. 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:52.639 Verse 11, how can God actually know everything? 00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:55.539 If God was truly omniscient, if he was all-knowing, 00:10:55.599 --> 00:10:57.000 why would he allow these things to happen? 00:10:57.839 --> 00:10:59.679 And then he wonders, verses 13 and 14, 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:02.240 if it's really worth living the righteous life. 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:05.539 If it's really worth the sacrifice of following after God. 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:07.179 If this is what he gets for it. 00:11:07.179 --> 00:11:13.519 Now, not all of us may face this kind of doubt, 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:16.519 although I'm sure many of us do some of the time, 00:11:16.579 --> 00:11:18.479 and maybe all of us have at some time. 00:11:18.979 --> 00:11:21.679 But there's many kinds of situations and places where we look around 00:11:21.679 --> 00:11:24.179 and we see that those who don't know God, 00:11:24.239 --> 00:11:25.899 who don't follow God, who don't trust him, 00:11:26.359 --> 00:11:28.419 appear to be doing exceptionally well. 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:31.659 Now, it might just be a place where it feels unfair. 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:33.079 It may not have anything to do with sin. 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:36.079 It may be you and your spouse have struggled to have children 00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:38.879 and you see people who are not Christians all around you 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:40.419 who are having children all the time. 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:44.079 And you wonder, how in the world could God be just? 00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:45.779 I've given my life to him. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:47.659 I'm following after him. 00:11:47.719 --> 00:11:50.719 And yet he's giving his blessings, not to me, but to other people. 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:55.759 You may be facing all kinds of medical needs as you reach a certain age 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:58.580 and you look around your friends who are the same age that you are, 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:00.960 people who don't love God and follow God, 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:03.639 and they seem to be having these carefree, active lives. 00:12:04.420 --> 00:12:07.600 And you wonder, God, why haven't you given that to me? 00:12:07.660 --> 00:12:09.180 I'm the one who's following after you. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:14.660 You might be struggling to pay and finance your life in retirement 00:12:14.660 --> 00:12:17.279 and you see people around you who have not a care in the world. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:23.379 And you wonder why God did not help you store up in the same way that they did. 00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:28.740 It might be that you're struggling to find a job that has purpose and power, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:31.959 work that's actually going to pay enough for you to support yourself and your family. 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:34.179 And it seems that the doors are closing. 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:40.759 And yet you see people who do violent things and deceitful things. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:45.899 And it seems to be not a problem at all for them to find a job that gives them enough. 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:50.600 Maybe it's something that is the result of sin. 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:54.059 You've committed, you've followed God to be ethical in your business. 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:58.199 And it only seems to be harming you rather than helping you. 00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.579 All you're doing is falling behind. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:05.379 You've decided to honor God by remaining faithful in your marriage. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:12.080 And you look around and you see people who've chosen to not do that. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:15.539 And it seems like they are having an amazing life. 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:21.159 You go and you watch videos about and movies about people whose lives become better 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:23.240 when they forsake their marriages. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:25.259 And so you wonder, 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:28.980 why is God asking me to do that? 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:35.180 Maybe you have decided you are not going to commit your life to work. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.539 You're actually going to observe a Sabbath. 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:38.060 There are going to be times when you rest. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:42.300 And all it does, it seems to be getting you behind as other people sprint ahead. 00:13:44.920 --> 00:13:49.320 Maybe you've embraced God's call to sexual integrity and faithfulness. 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.980 And when you're at work, 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:56.039 your coworkers are constantly discussing the sexual experiences that they're having. 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:58.120 And it seems to be harming them in no way. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:04.059 And so you wonder why these are the blessings that other people are experiencing 00:14:04.059 --> 00:14:05.480 and you are not. 00:14:06.459 --> 00:14:10.480 The psalmist here in Psalm 73 sees that the righteous suffer and the wicked flourish 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.779 and he is confused. 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:18.099 He's confused and that's what leads him to this envy. 00:14:18.459 --> 00:14:20.779 Verse 3, this questioning of God and his goodness. 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:24.379 And then his wondering whether it's really worth it. 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:27.240 He says in verse 13, 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:30.779 all in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:34.339 All this trouble that I've been taking to live a faithful life 00:14:34.339 --> 00:14:36.599 and do what God's asked me and commanded me to do 00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:37.860 has been for nothing. 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:42.139 Because when I look at the world around me, 00:14:42.199 --> 00:14:44.899 it's clear that the calls that God's making, 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.519 when God is a ref, 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:48.240 he's actually giving the blessings to the wicked. 00:14:50.699 --> 00:14:52.779 And so that's why we're told in verses 2 and 3, 00:14:52.839 --> 00:14:53.860 his feet had almost stumbled, 00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:55.139 his steps had nearly slipped. 00:14:56.779 --> 00:15:00.699 Why is God allowing the world to work in this way? 00:15:02.819 --> 00:15:04.719 Why did he tell us in Psalm 1 00:15:04.719 --> 00:15:06.659 that if you're righteous, 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.879 you're going to be like a tree planted by streams of water 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:11.259 and everything you're going to do is going to prosper, 00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:12.860 but not so the wicked. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.319 If that's true, 00:15:16.719 --> 00:15:18.919 why does the world look as it does? 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:26.979 And the psalmist is honest enough to say this and write it down, 00:15:27.599 --> 00:15:30.059 and God is good enough to us 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:32.639 and knows enough that we're just dust 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.819 to put it in the book of the psalms. 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:41.680 And the psalmist comes with the entirety of his doubts 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:42.940 and his fears, 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:44.060 and he brings them to God. 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:49.600 But then he has a turning point. 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.200 He has a new perspective, 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:54.120 and what is it that brings his new perspective? 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:55.220 Well, verse 16, 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:57.240 he tells us how difficult this is. 00:15:57.300 --> 00:15:58.760 I thought, how would I understand this? 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:00.340 It seems to be a wearisome task. 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:03.080 He's exhausted with thinking about this. 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.639 Verse 17, 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:06.819 until. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.740 Until what? 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:14.700 What is it that gives the psalmist clarity? 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:21.779 Until I went into the sanctuary of God. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.200 In other words, 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:27.200 the psalmist was overwhelmed and confused, 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:29.580 tempted to abandon God in his ways 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:33.500 until he showed up to worship. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.300 And when he showed up to worship, 00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:41.500 he gained a new clarity and a new perspective. 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:44.540 It's like someone who's not been able to see 00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.580 for a long time. 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:47.060 Things have been getting blurrier and blurrier. 00:16:47.920 --> 00:16:49.140 And maybe you experienced this 00:16:49.140 --> 00:16:50.520 if you're someone who wears glasses like me. 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.560 The first time you got them, 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.200 you put them on, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:52.800 you thought, wow, 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.540 everything is much more clear 00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:55.720 than it's ever been in the past. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:58.240 And I can see farther away 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.620 than I've ever been able to see before. 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:02.600 That's what happens to the psalmist here. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:04.140 When he shows up to worship, 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:07.940 he's able to finally get a new perspective. 00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:10.360 He's able to see reality as it is. 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:14.339 So I'll just pause here for a second 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:15.420 and say part of the reason 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:17.559 that we come to worship every Sunday 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.960 is it helps us get back in touch with reality. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:23.660 That we live in a world 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:25.100 where we have all sorts of messages 00:17:25.100 --> 00:17:26.640 being given to us all sorts of, 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.420 all the time, 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:28.380 some of which are true 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:29.660 and some of which are not true. 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:32.940 And we come to worship every Sunday 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:34.539 because God has commanded us to, 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.900 but also because he loves us. 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.120 It's for his glory 00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.880 and it's also for our good. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:41.920 He uses worship to help us 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.640 remember and understand 00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:45.440 what is most true in this world. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.340 He uses worship not necessarily 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:49.199 to change our circumstances, 00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:52.240 but he uses it to change our perspective. 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:55.579 And that's what happens here to the psalmist. 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.359 He has all these questions about God. 00:17:57.439 --> 00:17:59.179 He sees the circumstances around him. 00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:00.819 He comes into the sanctuary. 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:02.559 His circumstances don't change. 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:05.779 He doesn't suddenly become someone 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.339 who's fat and sleek, verse four. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:11.939 He doesn't necessarily become someone 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:13.599 whose eyes swell out through fatness, 00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:17.000 but he does become someone who understands. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.579 Because, verse 17, 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:21.619 what is it that he gives him new vision? 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.659 He discerned their end. 00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:26.079 In other words, 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:28.799 the psalmist begins to have 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.799 an eternal perspective 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:31.859 of everything that he's seeing around him. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.039 And that's what he tells us 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:36.240 in verses 18 through 22. 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:39.439 How is it that I can make sense 00:18:39.439 --> 00:18:41.899 of the fact that the people around me 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.740 who don't follow God 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.699 seem to be flourishing? 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:47.400 What is it that worship helps me understand? 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.140 Verse 18, 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:51.059 Truly you set them in slippery places. 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.880 You make them fall to ruin. 00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.720 Verse 19, 00:18:55.340 --> 00:18:56.660 How they are destroyed in a moment, 00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:59.380 swept away utterly by terrors. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:01.580 Like a dream when one awakes, 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:03.240 O Lord, when you rouse yourself, 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:05.740 you despise them as phantoms. 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:09.740 Before, the psalmist was maybe 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:12.359 only remembering part of Psalm 1. 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.980 The part of Psalm 1 that says 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.440 that the righteous are going to prosper. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:17.359 Everything that they're going to do 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.180 is going to prosper. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:21.380 But he'd forgotten the other part of Psalm 1. 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:24.160 That the wicked are like the chaff 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:25.559 that the wind blows away. 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:30.180 And so we see why Psalm 1 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:31.380 is the introduction to the Psalter 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.799 because it's the psalm 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.900 that sets out at the beginning 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:35.720 that there are only two ways to live. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.900 And that those who follow after God 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:41.019 will live with God. 00:19:42.080 --> 00:19:44.240 But those who rebel against God 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:45.240 will perish. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:48.060 And so the psalmist sees 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:48.780 that all these things 00:19:48.780 --> 00:19:49.820 that are happening to the wicked, 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.519 their wealth, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.880 their prosperity, 00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.100 their health, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.340 is temporary. 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:58.740 And while they experience it now, 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.480 God's judgment is coming. 00:20:03.379 --> 00:20:05.459 And so while he thinks 00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:06.379 he's tempted to believe 00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:08.480 that God is a poor ref 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:10.819 making bad calls, 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:13.220 he actually sees that God 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:14.379 is the ultimate ref 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:16.619 making good calls. 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.599 Verses 18 and 19, 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:20.279 these are people who are not going 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:22.039 to get away with what they're doing forever. 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:25.519 And so their prosperity 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:27.259 is only for a moment. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:29.399 If someone is prospering, 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:30.200 no matter how much 00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:31.000 they're prospering, 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.960 if they don't know God, 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.839 it will all disappear in a moment. 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.899 It's of little value. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.980 On the other hand, 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:41.399 the psalmist doesn't just understand 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.240 the end of the wicked, 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.399 he also understands 00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:45.319 that God is with the righteous. 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:47.279 Verses 23 and 26, 00:20:47.279 --> 00:21:12.119 The psalmist realizes something 00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:14.259 that maybe some of you 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:15.519 have experienced at times, 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:17.519 especially if you're a parent. 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.460 There are times 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.339 when you have a child 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:22.519 and the child wants 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.440 maybe your things, 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:25.279 your possessions, 00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.859 your support, 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.000 your finances, 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:31.759 but the child doesn't want you. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.960 A child is interested 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.779 in the things 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:38.079 rather than the relationship. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:41.460 When the psalmist comes 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.000 into worship, 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.859 he understands 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:44.240 that he has been interested 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.319 in the things 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.460 that God can give him, 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.879 but he's not been interested 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:49.579 in God. 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.279 He's been interested 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.019 in the things 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.279 that God can give him, 00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.399 but he's not been interested 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:56.259 in God. 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.720 Notice what he doesn't say 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.259 in verses 23 through 26. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.759 Oh, I understood 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.759 that God is actually 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.919 going to give me a blessing 00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:05.339 on faith in a few years, 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.579 and if I just wait 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:07.679 for it patiently enough, 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:09.079 I too will also prosper 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:09.759 in my health 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.759 and my finances. 00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:14.919 No, he doesn't see 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.500 God's justice 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.339 as giving him 00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:16.759 what he sees 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.539 the wicked as having. 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:18.619 Instead, he realizes 00:22:18.619 --> 00:22:19.799 that God's offer 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:21.599 to him isn't stuff, 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:24.559 but God offers him himself. 00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:28.939 As one person puts it, 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.339 what the wicked get 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.259 is this wealth 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:31.939 and this health. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:35.160 What the psalmist gets 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.000 is God. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:41.039 The wicked get health 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.420 and wealth. 00:22:43.080 --> 00:22:44.460 What the psalmist gets 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.559 is God. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.980 And so the wicked get health 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.279 and riches temporarily. 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:51.759 The psalmist gets God 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.680 permanently. 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:57.100 The wicked get riches 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.320 and health temporarily. 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:00.480 The psalmist gets God 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.500 permanently. 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.880 Verse 23, 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:05.220 he has God's presence. 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.779 He gets God. 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.200 He's in the sanctuary. 00:23:09.340 --> 00:23:09.960 In the Old Testament, 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.900 the sanctuary would have 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:11.720 been the place 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:13.460 that represented 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.220 God's presence 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.039 among his people. 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:17.600 And that foreshadows 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.680 when God would become 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.920 even more present 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.680 with his people. 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:23.019 We don't have 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:24.120 a sanctuary anymore. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.759 The curtain of the temple 00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:27.519 was torn in two 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.340 when Jesus died 00:23:28.340 --> 00:23:29.580 because Jesus came 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:31.180 to be God's presence 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.860 with us. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.380 That if we have 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.100 any doubt 00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:37.680 of God's presence 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.539 in his relationship 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.299 and his love 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.360 for us and with us, 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.539 we only need to remember 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:43.820 that his presence, 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.080 as the psalmist 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:45.880 experiences it 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:47.039 in part in the sanctuary, 00:23:47.560 --> 00:23:48.460 we see it 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.039 and know it 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.720 in full 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:51.880 because Jesus came 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.980 and actually lived 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.660 as a man 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.519 on this earth 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.519 in a human body 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.299 with us 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.400 to show us 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.140 God's presence. 00:23:58.140 --> 00:24:01.000 Now you might be thinking, 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:02.040 well that doesn't do me 00:24:02.040 --> 00:24:02.759 a whole lot of good, 00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:02.980 right? 00:24:03.040 --> 00:24:03.780 Jesus isn't here 00:24:03.780 --> 00:24:04.360 right now. 00:24:05.780 --> 00:24:06.900 But Jesus tells us 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.640 in John 16 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.560 it's actually better 00:24:08.560 --> 00:24:09.420 that he would leave 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:11.900 because he's given us 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.720 the Holy Spirit 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.400 to guide us 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:13.940 in all truth 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.620 is what he says 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.060 in John. 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.460 And so the psalmist 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:19.759 has God's presence here. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:21.220 We, people in the New Testament, 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:22.400 have God's Holy Spirit 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.240 that he gives us 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.440 to guide us 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.240 and be with us 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:26.120 and comfort us. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.120 The Holy Spirit 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:28.920 empowers us 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.920 to obey God. 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.420 It enables us 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.240 to do what God's 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.380 commanded us to do. 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.180 If we're in difficult 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.799 circumstances 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.559 like the psalmist 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.120 and discouraged 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:38.160 and afraid 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:39.319 we can pray to God 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.359 to send his spirit 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.039 to help us. 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.220 If we don't know 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:43.660 what to do 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.279 God tells us 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.259 in James chapter 1 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.240 that we can pray to God 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.519 and he will give us wisdom. 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.299 Notice the psalmist 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.880 doesn't say 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.819 that he looks at the wicked 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:53.259 and he sees all the wisdom 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.900 that they have. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:57.460 He doesn't even say 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.660 that he sees the peace 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.299 and joy 00:24:59.299 --> 00:24:59.940 and contentment 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.539 that they have. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.319 All he can see 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:03.960 is their health 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.940 and their wealth. 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.319 24, 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.140 you guide me 00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:08.920 with your counsel. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.480 God gives us 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.019 his word 00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.720 to show us 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.200 how to walk 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.819 in this world. 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.059 And that's not 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.839 what the wicked have 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:18.620 in Psalm 73. 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.079 Instead, 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.279 they have a very bad 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.079 surprise waiting 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:21.640 for them 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:23.500 because verse 19 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.120 they're destroyed 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:24.660 in a moment. 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.980 And then finally, 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:27.720 verse 24, 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.599 afterwards you will 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.680 receive me to glory. 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.440 The psalmist realizes 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.420 that while the wicked 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.240 will perish, 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.240 while they've set 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.380 in slippery places, 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.319 he is in a solid place. 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:42.120 Because he's taken 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:43.019 refuge in God 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.759 even though he doesn't 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.259 experience all the benefits 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.039 and prosperity 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.259 that he wants to experience 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.620 now, 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.519 he has the hope 00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:50.720 that he is going 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.920 to be with God 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.420 forever. 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:54.800 that when he dies, 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.860 God's going to receive 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.600 him to glory. 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.039 He's going to take part 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:00.200 in the new creation. 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.920 When God comes 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.860 and makes everything 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.980 right in this world, 00:26:04.080 --> 00:26:04.560 the psalmist 00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:05.180 is going to be 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.920 a part of that. 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.480 And so he has 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.400 something greater, 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.039 far greater, 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.360 and far more glorious 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:13.400 than those in the world 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:13.900 around him 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:14.539 that he looks at. 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.759 That's the realization 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.440 he has 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.140 as he comes 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.780 and he comes 00:26:19.780 --> 00:26:20.660 into the sanctuary 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:22.460 and discerns, 00:26:22.520 --> 00:26:22.980 verse 17, 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.340 therein. 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.240 He understands 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.800 that God 00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:25.800 is bringing judgment 00:26:25.800 --> 00:26:26.500 and destruction 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.080 on the wicked, 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:29.640 but bringing salvation 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.380 to the righteous. 00:26:35.180 --> 00:26:36.180 And so that's how 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.200 he comes to understand, 00:26:37.300 --> 00:26:38.320 to give this new perspective. 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.580 He has an eternal perspective 00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:40.660 now on the circumstances 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.259 around him. 00:26:41.320 --> 00:26:41.460 Again, 00:26:41.520 --> 00:26:42.259 his circumstances 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.160 haven't changed, 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:45.280 but his perspective has. 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:47.080 Coming and worshiping God 00:26:47.079 --> 00:26:48.460 helps him to understand 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.879 what is most real 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.720 and most true 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.819 in this world. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.779 I said earlier, 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.220 if some of you 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:55.659 are parents, 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.659 you've had this experience 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:58.480 potentially of a child 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.019 being interested 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.240 in your stuff, 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.960 but not in you. 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.740 But you also know 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.699 if you've interacted 00:27:04.699 --> 00:27:05.539 with young children 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.059 that often 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:08.079 the opposite is also true, 00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:08.819 especially when they're 00:27:08.819 --> 00:27:09.619 small and little, 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:12.019 that they will choose 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.799 their parent 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.679 over anything. 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:17.840 that a young child, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:19.240 the weaned child 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.000 that we talked about 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.940 last week 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:21.820 in Psalm 131 00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:22.740 would rather be 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.060 with its mother 00:27:24.060 --> 00:27:25.019 than with anyone else, 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:27.160 no matter how much wealth 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.700 and health 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.360 and prosperity 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.100 that they have. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.240 And that's what happens 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.240 to the psalmist here. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:35.759 I am continually with you, 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.460 verse 23. 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.340 He would rather be with God 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:42.900 than have all the prosperity 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:44.580 with someone else. 00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:47.280 He'd rather be with his parent 00:27:47.280 --> 00:27:48.620 than anywhere else. 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.800 He understands 00:27:51.800 --> 00:27:52.380 that there's something 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.300 more important 00:27:53.300 --> 00:27:53.880 and valuable 00:27:53.880 --> 00:27:54.519 than wealth 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.580 and status. 00:27:58.860 --> 00:28:00.360 If you're not a Christian, 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:03.240 this psalm is telling us 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.480 no matter how much money 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:06.480 and health you have, 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:09.460 you lack God now 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:11.840 and you will one day 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:13.740 have ultimate poverty. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:17.400 No matter how much health 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.340 and wealth you have, 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.500 you lack God now 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.279 and you will one day 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.539 have ultimate poverty. 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.940 If you are a Christian, 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.640 it doesn't matter 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:28.000 how much you lack. 00:28:29.340 --> 00:28:31.620 You have God now 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:34.279 and you will have him forever. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.319 It doesn't matter 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.239 how much you lack, 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.539 you have God now 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:41.539 and that is ultimate wealth. 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.679 Notice that the psalmist's solution 00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:47.839 is not for God 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:48.659 to give him things 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.599 he doesn't have now, 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.500 but for God 00:28:51.500 --> 00:28:52.359 to be with him 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.839 and for him. 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:56.679 And so if you're struggling 00:28:56.679 --> 00:28:58.000 as the psalmist is, 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.339 if you're struggling 00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.179 in verse 3 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:01.720 being envious 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:03.319 of the arrogant 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.179 and the prosperity 00:29:04.179 --> 00:29:04.759 of the wicked, 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:08.119 if you're struggling 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.319 with verse 11 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.199 wondering if God 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:11.139 is truly just, 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:12.039 if he truly knows 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.639 what's going on 00:29:12.639 --> 00:29:13.179 in this world, 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:15.500 and if you're struggling 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.539 with verse 13 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.779 wondering if it's actually 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.959 worth it to live 00:29:18.959 --> 00:29:19.939 a holy life, 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:23.500 then on the one hand 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.240 you're in good company 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.420 here with the psalmist. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.299 But God never 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.960 leaves us where we are. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.859 He always takes us 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.279 somewhere 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.859 and he does that 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.559 in this psalm. 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.079 And he shows us 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.740 that our hope 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.839 and our trust 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:37.000 is not in a change 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.880 in circumstances, 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.400 but a change 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.160 in perspective. 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.279 The psalmist here 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:42.880 reassesses 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.880 what is valuable 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:45.180 and worthwhile. 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.839 Verse 1, 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.240 he says, 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.299 truly God is good 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.859 to Israel, 00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.720 to those who are 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.500 pure in heart. 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.380 So theologically 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.140 he believes 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:56.140 in God's goodness, 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:58.119 but experientially 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:58.839 in his heart 00:29:58.839 --> 00:29:59.799 he does not see it 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.480 or know it 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:03.960 until he comes 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:05.160 to the very last verse. 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.440 If you've heard me 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:10.079 teach and preach 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.500 for a while, 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.319 you know I'm a big fan 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:11.900 of bookends. 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.160 And the word good 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:15.500 shows up in the first verse 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.519 and the last verse. 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:19.799 verse 1, 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.319 this good 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:21.599 is just a theological 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.160 statement 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:24.099 that's completely 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.720 divorced from 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.639 the psalmist experience. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.539 I know God's good. 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.579 I don't see it 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.259 because he seems 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.039 to be giving his goodness 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.779 to everyone else. 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.599 In 28, 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.180 the very last verse, 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.400 he now knows, 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.200 but for me 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.980 it is what? 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.599 Good 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:40.900 to be near God. 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:42.780 I have made 00:30:42.780 --> 00:30:43.380 the Lord God 00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:43.960 my refuge 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.740 that I may tell 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.580 of all your works. 00:30:46.340 --> 00:30:47.259 As he goes 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.019 through this psalm, 00:30:48.060 --> 00:30:48.860 as he pours out 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.480 his lament, 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.980 as he reassesses 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.660 everything in the 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:52.700 perspective of eternity, 00:30:52.820 --> 00:30:53.680 the psalmist gets 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.860 a new definition 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:56.160 of what good 00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:56.860 is. 00:30:59.380 --> 00:31:00.580 And so he can say, 00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:01.680 not just with his head, 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.420 but with his heart, 00:31:02.540 --> 00:31:03.120 verse 1, 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:04.759 truly God is good 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.440 to Israel. 00:31:07.060 --> 00:31:07.500 Why? 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.559 Verse 28, 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.920 because it is good 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.920 to be near God. 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.619 I have made 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.299 the Lord God 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.000 my refuge 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.880 that I may tell 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:16.180 of all your works. 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.700 His refuge 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.559 is the one 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.500 who protects him. 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.180 And he's telling 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.660 of all of God's works. 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.259 That's part of what 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:26.740 he's doing 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.559 in the sanctuary. 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:30.660 And so as he understands 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.240 that God 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.019 is his safety 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.799 and his hope 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.599 and his treasure, 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:36.000 that the things 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.380 that the people 00:31:36.380 --> 00:31:37.119 around him have 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:38.119 that he doesn't have 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:38.739 are temporary 00:31:38.739 --> 00:31:40.500 and the things 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.239 that he has 00:31:41.239 --> 00:31:42.079 that they don't have 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:43.059 are permanent. 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:45.239 He's able to take 00:31:45.239 --> 00:31:46.159 refuge in God 00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:47.939 and sing of God's works. 00:31:49.359 --> 00:31:50.299 Now for those of us 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.319 who are in the New Testament, 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.759 the people of the church, 00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:56.139 taking refuge in God, 00:31:56.219 --> 00:31:57.059 we would talk about this 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:58.619 as having faith in Christ. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:00.919 In the Old Testament, 00:32:01.039 --> 00:32:01.819 he knew that God 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.259 was the one 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:03.299 who was going to save him, 00:32:03.379 --> 00:32:04.159 that would receive him 00:32:04.159 --> 00:32:04.759 into glory, 00:32:04.839 --> 00:32:05.519 verse 27. 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.719 But he did not know 00:32:08.719 --> 00:32:09.579 exactly how that 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.339 was going to happen. 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:12.439 We now know 00:32:12.439 --> 00:32:13.579 that God's refuge 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.159 to us 00:32:14.159 --> 00:32:14.859 is a refuge 00:32:14.859 --> 00:32:15.759 that he gives us 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.559 through Jesus. 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.959 That because Jesus 00:32:18.959 --> 00:32:20.559 had no refuge 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:21.779 when he died on the cross, 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.619 because God 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:24.859 poured out his wrath 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:25.699 and his punishment, 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.379 the destruction 00:32:27.379 --> 00:32:28.500 in verse 19 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.639 that the wicked received, 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.659 Jesus received 00:32:30.659 --> 00:32:31.939 on our behalf, 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.859 we can look to Jesus 00:32:33.859 --> 00:32:34.979 as our refuge. 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:36.980 And no matter 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.599 what happens, 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.660 no matter what other people 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.900 have that we don't, 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.700 we know that that's something 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.940 that we cannot lose. 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.559 While wealth and health 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.980 are things that we can. 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.860 And the work, 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.579 verse 28, 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:51.519 that we tell of, 00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:53.500 the work that we praise God 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.980 for more than anything else 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.980 is his work 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.440 of sending his son, 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.960 of sending Jesus 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.480 to live as a man 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.440 in this world, 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:03.000 to live a perfect life 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.839 that we didn't live. 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:06.159 to die the death 00:33:06.159 --> 00:33:07.119 that we deserved 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:08.339 so that everyone 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.720 who has faith and hope 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.879 and trust in him 00:33:10.879 --> 00:33:11.980 would be able 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.199 to be near God, 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:15.599 to make the Lord God 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.259 our refuge 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.980 and tell 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.519 of all his works. 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:24.039 If you were 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:25.319 following the news 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.959 last fall, 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.559 you may have 00:33:26.559 --> 00:33:27.379 not just heard 00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:28.099 about the Broncos, 00:33:29.099 --> 00:33:30.279 but you may have 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.759 also heard 00:33:30.759 --> 00:33:31.639 a strange 00:33:31.639 --> 00:33:33.220 story in the world 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.839 of art history. 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:35.779 There's an artist 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:37.539 named Banksy, 00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.200 it's his nickname, 00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:40.380 and he painted 00:33:40.380 --> 00:33:41.000 a painting called 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.860 Girl with a Balloon, 00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:43.339 and it was sold 00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:43.920 at auction 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:46.680 for 1.4 million. 00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:52.420 And there's many 00:33:52.420 --> 00:33:53.220 auctions that happen. 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:53.920 This was at an auction 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.500 house, I think, 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.559 somewhere on the east coast, 00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:56.380 probably New York City, 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:58.440 and usually these auctions 00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.980 end without event. 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.680 The person who wins 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.080 the auction 00:34:01.080 --> 00:34:02.380 takes their prize. 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.180 They take what they've 00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:04.720 earned and paid for 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.000 and bought, 00:34:05.060 --> 00:34:05.580 and they keep it. 00:34:05.620 --> 00:34:06.080 They have it. 00:34:07.260 --> 00:34:08.200 But something very 00:34:08.200 --> 00:34:08.960 different happened 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.599 at this auction. 00:34:09.660 --> 00:34:10.700 As soon as it was over, 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:11.940 and this 1.4 million 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:13.320 dollar purchase 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.980 was completed, 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.480 an alarm started going off 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.340 in the auction house. 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.640 And immediately 00:34:18.640 --> 00:34:19.519 after the alarm 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.039 went off, 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:21.360 the painting started 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.200 dropping out of the 00:34:22.200 --> 00:34:22.980 bottom of the frame. 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:25.260 And as it came out 00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:26.059 of the bottom of the frame, 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.960 it came out in pieces. 00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:29.920 In other words, 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:31.340 as soon as this buyer 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.280 purchased the painting, 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:33.360 it was destroyed. 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.300 Come to find out, 00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:37.740 the artist had planted 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:39.159 a shredder in the frame, 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.780 and he had decided 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:41.699 that if his painting 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.539 was ever set up 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:42.920 for auction, 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.719 he would destroy it. 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.699 And so he waited 00:34:47.699 --> 00:34:48.539 until the moment 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:49.679 when it was done, 00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:50.340 he planted someone 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:50.840 in the audience, 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.440 and they had a remote 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.260 control that they could 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:52.740 press it. 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:54.440 So as soon as the purchase 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.039 was complete, 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.780 the artwork would be destroyed. 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:58.139 This great investment, 00:34:58.280 --> 00:35:00.480 this 1.4 million dollar purchase, 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:03.059 was gone in an instant. 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:08.000 The psalmist is telling us 00:35:08.000 --> 00:35:09.000 in Psalm 23 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:12.179 that if we put our hope 00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:14.579 in health and wealth 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.699 and prosperity, 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:19.139 it may work for a time, 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:21.099 but it will be gone 00:35:21.099 --> 00:35:22.139 in an instant. 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:25.780 that what seems precious 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:28.079 to us will be destroyed. 00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:31.579 Those who put their hope 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.719 and their investment 00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:34.480 and their trust in God 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:37.059 will have something 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.340 that cannot be destroyed 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:41.159 and that will last forever. 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:44.159 And so Jesus tells us 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:45.559 in Mark chapter 8, 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:47.960 in calling the crowd 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:49.119 to him with his disciples, 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:50.079 he, that is Jesus, 00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:50.739 said to them, 00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:51.739 if anyone would come to me. 00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:53.059 If anyone would come after me, 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:54.539 let him deny himself 00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:55.619 and take up his cross 00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:56.359 and follow me. 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:58.859 For whoever would save his life 00:35:58.859 --> 00:35:59.500 will lose it, 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:01.619 but whoever loses his life 00:36:01.619 --> 00:36:02.419 for my sake 00:36:02.419 --> 00:36:03.119 and the gospels 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.799 will save it. 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:06.079 For what does it profit a man 00:36:06.079 --> 00:36:07.299 to gain the whole world 00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:08.799 and forfeit his soul? 00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:11.539 For what can a man give 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:13.679 in return for his soul? 00:36:14.779 --> 00:36:15.839 For behold, 00:36:15.959 --> 00:36:17.039 those who are far from you 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.679 shall perish. 00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:20.219 You put an end to everyone 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:21.460 who is unfaithful to you. 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:23.000 But for me, 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:25.199 it is good to be near God. 00:36:25.799 --> 00:36:27.359 I have made the Lord God 00:36:27.359 --> 00:36:28.139 my refuge 00:36:28.139 --> 00:36:29.339 that I may tell 00:36:29.339 --> 00:36:31.199 of all your works. 00:36:32.219 --> 00:36:33.339 Please pray with me. 00:36:35.819 --> 00:36:37.039 Dear Father in heaven, 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:38.440 we thank you 00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:40.519 that you're a good Father. 00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:42.879 You don't give up on us 00:36:42.879 --> 00:36:44.099 when we doubt you 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:45.259 and we question you. 00:36:45.260 --> 00:36:47.660 But instead, 00:36:47.800 --> 00:36:48.720 you've given us 00:36:48.720 --> 00:36:49.460 the words 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.560 to do that very thing. 00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:53.720 But you also don't leave us 00:36:53.720 --> 00:36:54.220 in our doubts 00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:54.880 and our questions, 00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.800 but you call us 00:36:55.800 --> 00:36:57.060 to hope and faith 00:36:57.060 --> 00:36:58.800 to follow after you 00:36:58.800 --> 00:36:59.580 and walk 00:36:59.580 --> 00:37:00.720 in the way 00:37:00.720 --> 00:37:01.540 that Jesus has set 00:37:01.540 --> 00:37:02.280 for us to walk. 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.040 And so we ask 00:37:04.040 --> 00:37:04.820 as we struggle 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:06.080 with doubts and fears, 00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:07.560 as we wonder 00:37:07.560 --> 00:37:08.560 whether you're good 00:37:08.560 --> 00:37:09.360 and just, 00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:11.320 that you would use 00:37:11.320 --> 00:37:11.940 your word 00:37:11.940 --> 00:37:12.640 and your spirit 00:37:12.640 --> 00:37:13.620 to build us up 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.980 and give us faith 00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:16.239 and trust in you 00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:17.199 as we understand 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:18.559 that what you've given us 00:37:18.559 --> 00:37:19.819 is more valuable 00:37:19.819 --> 00:37:20.659 than anything else 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:22.699 and that what we envy 00:37:22.699 --> 00:37:23.279 from others 00:37:23.279 --> 00:37:23.940 are things 00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:25.319 that will not last 00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:26.639 and cannot satisfy. 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:29.039 We ask these things 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:30.179 not because we have 00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:30.639 earned them, 00:37:30.839 --> 00:37:31.659 but because Jesus 00:37:31.659 --> 00:37:32.679 has earned them for us 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.480 and so we ask them 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:34.059 in his name. 00:37:34.839 --> 00:37:35.079 Amen. 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:35.219 Amen. 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:35.259 Amen. 00:37:35.259 --> 00:37:35.279 Amen.