WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:02.020 Thank you very much, Esther. 00:00:02.540 --> 00:00:05.000 My name is Alistair, the privilege of being the assistant pastor, 00:00:05.100 --> 00:00:07.200 and it is a joy to be with you this morning. 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:10.120 But life isn't always a joy, is it? 00:00:10.660 --> 00:00:14.240 As we read that psalm, maybe you got a hint of what I'm speaking about. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:16.980 So I'd like to ask us a question. 00:00:18.140 --> 00:00:22.640 Have you ever been in a situation where you felt that literally 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:25.780 you were walking through the valley of the shadow of death? 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:30.740 Those times in life where it's just so difficult. 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:34.219 Everything seems to be against you. 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:37.840 You feel all by yourself and unable to help. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:40.840 You're all alone. 00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:45.020 And the pain keeps on piling on top of you. 00:00:46.680 --> 00:00:50.280 A man named William Carey went through that very experience. 00:00:50.900 --> 00:00:54.680 As a young man, he founded a missionary organization here in the UK 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:56.320 and then traveled to India. 00:00:57.500 --> 00:01:01.399 And in the first seven years that he was there, his son died 00:01:01.399 --> 00:01:05.739 and his wife's mental health deteriorated very rapidly. 00:01:07.980 --> 00:01:12.599 So he went through real times of pain and suffering and despair. 00:01:13.060 --> 00:01:15.079 But this is what he said in those times. 00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:20.359 This is indeed the valley of the shadow of death to me. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:27.299 But I rejoice that I am here notwithstanding and God is here with me. 00:01:28.679 --> 00:01:33.980 So the reason that Carey could go through his pain and stand firm in his faith 00:01:33.980 --> 00:01:37.219 is because he had confidence in his God. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:41.920 And we find similar stories, don't we, in the book of Psalms. 00:01:43.459 --> 00:01:49.400 If you look at the Psalms, it's as if God has purposefully given us a book full of songs and poems 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:54.180 that resonate with every single area of life that we're in. 00:01:54.180 --> 00:02:01.200 So if you are rejoicing and you can do nothing but praise God every single day, 00:02:01.720 --> 00:02:02.800 there are Psalms for that. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:08.680 If you're weak and tired and you just need God's help, 00:02:09.540 --> 00:02:10.659 there are Psalms for that. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:15.319 And if you are absolutely down and out, 00:02:16.079 --> 00:02:22.139 you cannot continue and you are in the valley of despair with the walls closing in every second, 00:02:23.079 --> 00:02:24.519 there are Psalms for that. 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:27.819 And we see one of them this morning in Psalm 102. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:30.359 The writer is in pain. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:35.859 It's as if he's looking over his own life and the life of the nation of Israel 00:02:35.860 --> 00:02:39.340 and surveying the spiritual state of Israel, 00:02:39.440 --> 00:02:44.260 and he cannot do anything but mourn and lament and despair. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:47.700 But it's not all doom and gloom. 00:02:48.660 --> 00:02:50.600 Because in the midst of his pain, 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:53.180 the Psalmist finds perspective. 00:02:54.320 --> 00:02:55.980 That is what we see this morning. 00:02:56.880 --> 00:02:59.220 Perspective in pain from Psalm 102. 00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:04.840 So this Psalm will help us think about how we can suffer well 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:07.500 and go through pain with a godly perspective. 00:03:08.979 --> 00:03:14.300 How we can have a view of God that carries us through those times of pain and struggle. 00:03:16.060 --> 00:03:17.539 And we all need this Psalm. 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:21.120 Maybe you're in the middle of that valley 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:23.759 and you're wondering how to deal with it. 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:27.599 Maybe you know that that valley will come one day. 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:31.460 Or maybe you're on the mountaintop and there is no pain in sight. 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:34.719 Well then you need this Psalm just as much as everyone else 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:38.340 because you need to care for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are in pain. 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:44.560 In this Psalm, the writer tells us about the pain that he feels 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:46.780 and then the God that he knows. 00:03:47.640 --> 00:03:52.819 So the first 11 verses that we see in this Psalm are the pain I feel. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:04:00.259 Look at some of the language that the Psalmist uses to describe his physical and emotional pain 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:02.039 in verses 3 to 7. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:07.479 My days vanish like smoke and my bones are like the embers. 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:10.919 His whole body is on fire. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:15.240 It's as if there is a fire burning inside him. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:17.480 There is no escape from this discomfort. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:21.219 No relief from the pain that he feels. 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:24.500 The language that he uses, 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:28.620 it's as if his very bones are being charred by fire. 00:04:30.500 --> 00:04:33.200 It's as if he's on a barbecue and he's being cooked alive. 00:04:33.340 --> 00:04:34.580 That's how much pain he's in. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:37.520 In verse 4, 00:04:38.520 --> 00:04:39.880 my heart is blighted. 00:04:39.940 --> 00:04:42.560 Or if you have an ESV, it says my heart is struck down. 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:46.220 He feels that he's been hit by a truck. 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:52.580 You know those times when you're so heartbroken that you can't bring yourself to do anything? 00:04:54.080 --> 00:04:58.020 Those times where just getting out of bed is too overwhelming? 00:05:00.020 --> 00:05:02.960 His heart is withered like grass. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:11.620 Walk through parks in Edinburgh this afternoon and you'll see marks where people have used disposable barbecues. 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:14.060 The grass is brown. 00:05:14.939 --> 00:05:15.959 It is dried up. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.060 It is dead and it is withered. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.899 That is how the psalmist feels. 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:23.339 Worn out. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:24.759 Dried up. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:26.560 And chewed up by his pain. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:32.019 In so much distress that he says at the end of verse 4, 00:05:32.219 --> 00:05:33.939 I even forget to eat. 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:38.199 You've probably had times like that, haven't you? 00:05:39.060 --> 00:05:41.599 Where the last thing on your mind is food. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:49.039 Life circumstances are all consuming that all of your energy and time is taken up with it. 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:51.740 Food tastes like dust. 00:05:52.539 --> 00:05:53.339 You have no appetite. 00:05:53.339 --> 00:05:57.039 That is what this psalmist is going through. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:01.819 And it's been going on for a long time because in verse 5 he says, 00:06:01.919 --> 00:06:04.379 I am reduced to skin and bones. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:09.139 He is nothing but a shadow of his former self. 00:06:09.539 --> 00:06:11.479 His skin clings to his bones. 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:15.759 He's almost a lifeless skeleton because of this pain. 00:06:17.679 --> 00:06:23.159 In verses 6 and 7 he uses birds as an illustration of how alone he feels. 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:26.859 Like a desert owl that only comes out at night. 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:30.199 Surrounded by the nothingness of a wasteland. 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:33.079 Flying through the air in an empty place. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:33.560 No companions. 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:35.279 No companions. 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:37.719 No contact with others. 00:06:39.719 --> 00:06:42.199 He feels isolated and alone. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:49.779 He lies awake and he watches and he mourns because there is nothing to comfort him. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:58.680 And to top it all off, verses 8 and 9, his enemies taunt him all day long and use his name as a curse word. 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:07.680 You can imagine, can't you, that the psalmist feels like a defenseless little animal surrounded by a pack of hungry wolves. 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:12.160 With every second they seem to get closer and closer. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:17.399 With every growl, with every bite, they are inflicting more pain. 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:22.439 Torment rules this man's life. 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:29.099 All of this makes him mourn and lament in verse 9. 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:36.399 In the Old Testament times, a person would mourn by putting ash on their head and tearing their clothes. 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:39.000 And that is what he does in verse 9. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:44.879 Because of his pain, he says, I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears. 00:07:47.040 --> 00:07:48.899 There is no respite for this man. 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:54.639 There is no rest, no comfort, just pain, pain and more pain. 00:07:57.160 --> 00:07:59.920 And so what does he do in this time of distress and pain? 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:03.660 Well, verses 1 and 2, he cries out to God. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:07.360 And you can hear his desperation, can't you? 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:11.520 He's pleading that God would hear and listen to his prayer. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:14.580 These are the cries of a broken man. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:18.120 A person who has come to the end of himself. 00:08:18.379 --> 00:08:22.500 And he says in verse 1, Lord, hear my prayer, please. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:28.199 Verse 2, turn your ear to me, answer quickly. 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:34.920 Where do you run in your times of distress and pain? 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:40.460 Our human tendency is to rely on our own strength. 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:44.680 To exhaust our own means or to try to fix things on our own. 00:08:46.680 --> 00:08:51.419 Maybe that's because we've been told that we need to be independent and manage things by ourselves. 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:57.300 But the reality is that that will lead to frustration and disappointment. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:09:04.620 When we focus on our pain and we moan about it, we're speaking to ourselves. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:09.399 We're speaking to people who ultimately can't do anything about it. 00:09:11.339 --> 00:09:17.759 What we should be doing is turning to God in prayer because he is the only one who can fix our problems. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:22.679 Nothing is too big or unfixable for God. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:27.860 When we turn to him, he is the only one who can make a difference. 00:09:30.620 --> 00:09:36.840 But do you see how this psalmist pain and distress is magnified because of what it says at the end of verse 2? 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:41.220 Do not hide your face from me. 00:09:42.540 --> 00:09:46.040 He feels that God has turned away and abandoned him. 00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:51.720 Have you ever been in pain, either physical or emotional, 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:55.160 and all you want to do is spend time with someone? 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:58.940 You call your mom, but there's no answer. 00:09:59.920 --> 00:10:02.280 You call your dad, but there's no answer. 00:10:02.400 --> 00:10:05.360 You call your brother and your sister, but there is no answer. 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:11.919 With every single phone call, your distress becomes more and more. 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:17.240 All you want is someone to spend time with, someone to talk to, someone to comfort you, 00:10:17.320 --> 00:10:18.759 but no one is around. 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:24.659 It feels as if every single ear that you know has been turned away. 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:27.899 That is how the psalmist feels. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:29.320 That is his pain. 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:33.120 But he knows something about his pain. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:36.120 Look at verses 10 to 11 with me. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:39.440 And we see why the psalmist is in agony. 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:43.139 Because of your great wrath. 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:45.980 For you have taken me and thrown me aside. 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:49.200 My days are like the evening shadow. 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:51.120 I wither away like grass. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:58.279 The pain that the psalmist feels is a result of God's wrath. 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:05.720 As we go through the psalm, we see that God's wrath is not just against him, the writer of this psalm, 00:11:06.279 --> 00:11:12.019 but it is against the whole nation of Israel because of their sins and wrongdoing against God. 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:18.120 Now we don't know which particular part of Israel's history the psalm was written in, 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.919 and I don't think that we should guess or speculate. 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:23.779 If it was important, the psalmist would have told us. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:30.480 But the point is that suffering that he is enduring is a result of sin. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:34.579 And it is a result of rebellion against God. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:39.199 The nation's defiance of God's law led to God judging them 00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:43.439 and bringing them into times of pain and turmoil. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:46.960 Now maybe you're sitting there thinking, 00:11:47.140 --> 00:11:49.140 why on earth would I follow a God 00:11:49.140 --> 00:11:52.380 who is so severe with people who disobey him? 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:57.380 That's a good question to ask. 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:00.260 But the truth is 00:12:00.260 --> 00:12:02.900 that we all deserve this judgment. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:07.100 Each and every one of us here this morning 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:09.580 is a sinful, broken human being 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:13.360 who has rebelled against and rejected God. 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:17.380 We all fall short of his perfect standard, 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:20.780 therefore we are all deserving of this wrath that we read about. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.600 Somebody needs to take that punishment. 00:12:27.040 --> 00:12:28.360 But do you know what? 00:12:29.540 --> 00:12:30.780 Somebody has. 00:12:32.180 --> 00:12:37.140 There is a man who willingly stood up to take God's wrath for everyone. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:40.020 For all those who would follow him, 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:44.480 there is one who went through this very pain and agony in our place 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:46.139 and his name is Jesus Christ. 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:52.899 The psalmist is crying out in pain for God to listen to him. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:55.559 And in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:58.139 we see Jesus calling out to God 00:12:58.139 --> 00:13:00.720 in emotional agony 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:03.079 as he sees the cross just hours away. 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:06.360 The moment where he would bear God's wrath. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:10.879 The very wrath that the psalmist is lamenting about. 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.560 Jesus took that 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:15.379 for those who follow him. 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:19.220 The psalmist is begging God to listen to him. 00:13:19.300 --> 00:13:20.720 God, hear my cry. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:24.560 And Jesus calls out to God and asks, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.879 if it be possible, 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.840 take this cup, 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:27.820 take this wrath 00:13:27.820 --> 00:13:28.919 from me. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:32.779 The psalmist is in pain 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.839 because of the rebellion 00:13:33.839 --> 00:13:35.199 against God. 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:38.819 And as Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:13:39.319 --> 00:13:40.860 in so much pain 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:42.519 that his soul is sorrowful 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.779 to the point of death. 00:13:44.439 --> 00:13:44.860 Why? 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:47.779 Because in just a few hours, 00:13:48.599 --> 00:13:49.879 he would become subject 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:51.559 to the very wrath of God 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:52.939 against the sins of the world. 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.799 So the truth is 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:58.659 that we all deserve this kind of pain. 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:00.079 This kind of judgment. 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:03.360 But the wonderful news is 00:14:03.360 --> 00:14:05.000 that Jesus took it in our place. 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:09.319 That is what we'll be celebrating 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:10.559 later on in our service 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:11.659 when we come to communion. 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:15.000 That Jesus bore God's wrath, 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:16.559 meaning that those who have put 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:17.599 their trust in him 00:14:17.599 --> 00:14:18.740 don't have to. 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:23.339 Jesus paid it all. 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:24.699 All to him I owe. 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:27.199 Sin had left a crimson stain 00:14:27.199 --> 00:14:28.639 and he washed it. 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:30.379 white as snow. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:35.059 So if this is the case, 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.580 if Jesus took that punishment, 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.559 why on earth are we still suffering? 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:42.619 The suffering and pain 00:14:42.619 --> 00:14:44.579 that we feel in this world today 00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:46.500 are the effects 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:48.579 and consequences of sin. 00:14:49.739 --> 00:14:51.639 We still live in a fallen, 00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:53.539 broken, sin-stained world 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:55.479 and we will feel the pain of that. 00:14:57.339 --> 00:14:58.719 But I want you to know 00:14:58.719 --> 00:15:00.779 that God does not give people cancer 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.479 because they're a sinful person. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:05.700 cancer is a disease 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:07.220 that is a result of us living 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.580 in a broken world 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.960 with broken bodies. 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:14.920 We will feel the effects of sin. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.500 We will suffer the consequences 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.920 of our sinful desires 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:18.980 and actions. 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.840 And during those times, 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:23.120 we may think that God 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:24.100 has abandoned us. 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:27.340 We may think that we are all alone, 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:28.860 but the reality is 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.519 that God is right there with us 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.860 in the middle of our pain 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.560 and suffering. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.580 So that is the pain 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.800 that the psalmist feel. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.159 He feels. 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:41.019 But what is it that gives him perspective? 00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:43.779 Well, it's the God that he knows. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:46.060 In verses 12 to 28, 00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:47.300 the God I know. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:49.919 So you can see the turning point 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.839 in the psalm in verse 12, 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:52.379 can't you? 00:15:53.319 --> 00:15:54.959 Despite his pain, he says, 00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:56.039 but you, Lord, 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:58.120 sit enthroned forever. 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:02.279 Despite how his circumstances 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:03.539 might make him feel, 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:06.979 the truth is that God is in control 00:16:06.979 --> 00:16:08.379 and no amount of suffering 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.599 will change that. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.939 I read a poem this week 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:14.039 by Elizabeth Elliot 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:16.120 and it made me think of this psalm. 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:19.199 Elizabeth's husband, 00:16:19.339 --> 00:16:19.839 Jim Elliot, 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.939 was trying to reach 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:22.839 a tribe in Ecuador 00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:24.139 with the good news of Jesus. 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:26.639 And when his plane landed, 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:29.079 the tribe that he was trying to reach 00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:31.120 came out and killed everyone on board. 00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:35.279 Elizabeth later met the very people 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.099 who were responsible 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:37.419 for the death of her husband. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.240 She knew pain. 00:16:41.979 --> 00:16:44.359 But she too found her comfort in God. 00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.500 Here are just a few lines 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.219 from that poem. 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:49.519 My father's way may twist and turn, 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.360 my heart may throb and ache, 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:54.100 but in my soul I'm glad to know 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.980 he maketh no mistake. 00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:00.980 Though night be dark 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:03.139 and it may seem that day will never break, 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:05.100 I'll pin my faith, 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.579 my all in him, 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:08.720 he maketh no mistake. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:13.740 Her understanding of who God was, 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:14.860 who God is, 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:18.079 gave her perspective in her pain 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:20.319 and helped her through it. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:22.700 That is what the psalmist is telling us here 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.860 in Psalm 102. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:27.339 The truth that God is in control 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.339 comforts him 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:31.279 because he knows that God is faithful 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:35.619 and that God has promised time and time again 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:37.279 that a day would come 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:38.799 when Israel will be restored. 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.740 That's why, 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:43.160 even in his pain, 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.019 he can say with absolute confidence 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.259 in verse 13, 00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:48.139 you will arise 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:50.240 and have compassion on Zion, 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:53.220 for it is time to show favor to her. 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:55.700 The appointed time has come. 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:59.640 So God is the one 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:02.200 who has brought this time of affliction on them. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:05.980 But God does not leave his people in pain. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:09.720 It might seem that God has turned away 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.539 and that makes the whole nation reflect 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:13.980 on their sin and their lives. 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.779 But there is always light 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.920 at the end of the tunnel 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:20.819 because God promised them a future. 00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:23.759 A time when God's people 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:25.680 will dwell in God's place 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.920 under God's rule. 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.440 The character of God 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:32.759 gives the psalmist perspective 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.680 because he knows 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:35.080 that there is an appointed time 00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:36.320 where God will show favor. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.759 Are you here this morning? 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.960 And as you look out 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.060 at the global church, 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.560 you can't help but mourn. 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:49.740 Things are not as they should be. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:53.180 The church is not united. 00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:55.660 Faithful teaching seems to be 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:58.040 on the decline in certain areas. 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.340 Obedience to God's word 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:01.820 is no longer a given. 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:04.300 The church might seem weak 00:19:04.300 --> 00:19:06.320 and hurting. 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.920 The truth is that God is faithful. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:13.120 God's people have always 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.279 had their enemies. 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.620 Israel had the Babylonians 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:18.140 and more. 00:19:19.140 --> 00:19:20.240 In Jesus' time, 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:20.920 it was Rome. 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:23.320 Since then, 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.380 the church has faced 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:26.160 massive persecution 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.960 and attacks on all fronts. 00:19:29.080 --> 00:19:30.840 But the wonderful truth 00:19:30.840 --> 00:19:31.900 that keeps us going, 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.900 the wonderful truth 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.620 that should give us 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:36.039 confidence and perspective 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:38.000 as we struggle on for God 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.500 is that Jesus Christ 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.880 is building his church 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.700 and the very gates of hell 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.320 will not prevail against it. 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:49.000 God is on his throne. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.519 God is on his throne. 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:51.559 Nothing will overcome him. 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:55.519 And on that day 00:19:55.519 --> 00:19:56.539 when God restores 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.679 the nation of Israel, 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.039 verse 15, 00:19:59.159 --> 00:20:00.899 it will lead to all the nations 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:02.259 praising God. 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.599 They will fear the Lord 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:05.759 and revere his glory. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:09.099 If the world gets 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.119 but a glimpse, 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.660 a tiny glimpse 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:12.759 of God's power, 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.640 of God's glory, 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.539 of his goodness 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.680 and his faithfulness, 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.279 they will be able 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.500 to do nothing else 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:20.019 than praise his name 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.180 for the rest of their days. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.240 And this is all written 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:28.339 so that we can sit here 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.960 and understand 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.140 the wonderful news 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:32.079 of the faithful God 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:33.079 who is sovereignly 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:34.339 controlling this world 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.680 and we can praise him. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:38.519 Verse 18 says, 00:20:38.920 --> 00:20:39.779 Let this be written 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:41.460 for a future generation 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.839 that a people 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:44.000 not yet created 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.720 may praise the Lord. 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:48.500 That is us this morning 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:50.000 as God's church 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.000 here in Edinburgh. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.980 This is written 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:55.599 so that Brunsfield Evangelical Church 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:57.539 may praise the Lord. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.420 But our praise 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:02.799 and our rejoicing in God 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:04.920 is even greater 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:06.180 than that of the psalmist 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:09.940 because of verses 19 and 20. 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.160 He says, 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.279 The Lord looked down 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.720 from his sanctuary on high. 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:17.000 From heaven he viewed the earth. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.200 Why? 00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:19.840 To hear the groans 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.560 of the prisoners 00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:23.019 and to release those 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.220 condemned to death. 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:27.160 God didn't look down 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:28.560 from his sanctuary on high 00:21:28.560 --> 00:21:29.779 to see the fame 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.099 or creativity 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.119 or creativity 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.879 of mankind. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.399 God looks down 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:36.059 to hear the groans 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.019 of prisoners. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.680 God cares 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.319 and listens 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.960 to those 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.899 who are tied up 00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:43.200 but he does more 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.980 than just listen. 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:46.139 He releases 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:47.399 those condemned 00:21:47.399 --> 00:21:48.500 to death. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:52.160 The Bible says 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.960 that all people 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.759 who are living 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.359 in rebellion 00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.160 against God 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.339 are on a path 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.920 that leads 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.539 to death 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.560 and punishment. 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:01.519 Every single human 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.180 being born 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.000 into this world 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.620 is at odds 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.259 with God. 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.060 But God looks. 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.060 God listens. 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.519 And God looses 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.400 the chains 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.100 that bind 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:14.580 our sinful hearts. 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:17.100 And that is what 00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:17.920 we see in Jesus. 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:20.400 God in the flesh 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.519 stooped down 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.340 from his place 00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:22.940 of glory 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.539 and honor 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.099 in heaven 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.279 in the presence 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:26.039 of God 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:27.379 and stepped 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:27.980 into our 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.859 sin-stained 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.480 broken 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.619 corrupt world. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.200 He lived 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:34.619 the perfect life 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.859 died the death 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.779 that we deserve. 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:37.859 Why? 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.480 So that we can 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:39.960 be free 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.819 to serve him. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.859 Free from 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.420 the chains 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:44.879 of sin 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.619 that shackle 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.359 our hearts 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.279 and free 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.259 from the sentence 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.220 of hell. 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.839 As Christians 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.740 we are no longer 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.839 dead in our sins 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.519 but we have been 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.240 made alive 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.099 through Christ. 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.899 We've been 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.519 taken from 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.119 the deepest 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.939 dungeons 00:23:01.939 --> 00:23:03.159 of judgment 00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:04.879 and been given 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.659 a seat in the 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:06.319 palace of the 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.599 king. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.279 We are now 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.099 called children 00:23:09.099 --> 00:23:09.879 of God. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:11.980 Therefore 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.839 as Christians 00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.659 we have all 00:23:13.659 --> 00:23:14.359 the more reason 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:15.019 to rejoice 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.439 than the 00:23:15.439 --> 00:23:15.939 psalmist 00:23:15.939 --> 00:23:17.740 because this 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.480 very promise 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.899 has been 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.579 fulfilled in 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:19.879 Jesus. 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:22.540 that is the 00:23:22.540 --> 00:23:23.040 perspective 00:23:23.040 --> 00:23:23.520 that will 00:23:23.520 --> 00:23:24.100 carry you 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:24.740 through every 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.420 trial and 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:25.780 hardship. 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.660 That is the 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.540 truth that 00:23:28.540 --> 00:23:29.160 will keep you 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.840 anchored in 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.840 every storm. 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.940 Jesus is the 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:33.660 only one who 00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.360 can break the 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.360 chains of sin 00:23:35.360 --> 00:23:36.260 that bind you 00:23:36.260 --> 00:23:38.600 and he sets 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.140 you free. 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.420 He is the 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.100 only one who 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:43.740 can reconcile 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.920 us to God. 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.000 God. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.400 Now if you're 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.779 here this 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.180 morning and 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.580 you are not 00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.080 a Christian 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:50.360 would you 00:23:50.360 --> 00:23:50.900 listen to 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:51.539 that wonderful 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.060 news? 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.360 That God 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:54.920 has made it 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:56.160 possible through 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.039 Jesus Christ 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.880 for you to go 00:23:57.880 --> 00:23:58.740 from being dead 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.900 to have real 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.539 life. 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.160 Would you 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.980 listen to 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.759 Jesus and put 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.440 your trust in 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.660 him? 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.600 Because without 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.360 Jesus you are 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:11.000 still a prisoner 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.820 to your sin. 00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:14.779 And on the 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.379 day that the 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.159 Lord comes and 00:24:16.159 --> 00:24:16.720 judges the 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.279 world nothing 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.019 will save you 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.639 from God's 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.720 wrath but the 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.460 blood of Jesus 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:22.460 Christ shed on 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:24.000 the cross for 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.539 the world. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.899 Will you repent 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:28.039 and put your 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.859 trust in Jesus? 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.119 And in verse 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.279 23 it seems 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.619 that the 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.740 psalmist almost 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.740 comes back down 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.339 to earth. 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.019 He comes back 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.439 to his pain and 00:24:40.439 --> 00:24:41.359 the situation in 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:41.799 the nation of 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.319 Israel. 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:43.879 And he 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:44.619 remembers that 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.339 all of this is 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.000 God's doing. 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.539 And so he 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.339 prays in verses 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:49.680 24 to 28. 00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.359 And in this 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:52.319 prayer he focuses 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.200 on some of the 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:54.559 attributes of 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.359 God that give 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.079 him perspective 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.799 in his pain 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.799 because he knows 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.259 that God is 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.740 with him. 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:01.559 Verse 24 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.379 He is a God 00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:03.240 whose years go 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.000 beyond all 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.659 generations. 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.519 Creation is 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.319 just one 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.339 demonstration of 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.220 how powerful 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.759 and in 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.579 control God 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:11.940 is. 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.299 God speaks 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.059 light into 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.480 being. 00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:17.019 He created 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.860 the land 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.500 that we live 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.660 on, the sun 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.380 that gives us 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.620 warmth, the moon 00:25:21.620 --> 00:25:22.400 and stars which 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.360 light up the sky 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:24.000 at night. 00:25:24.860 --> 00:25:26.319 They are God's 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.360 handiwork. 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.799 We haven't even 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:31.259 begun to fully 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.200 understand or 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.960 explore the 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.920 fullness of this 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:34.339 earth. 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:35.360 But what does it 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.360 say in verse 25? 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.799 God laid his 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:38.839 very foundations. 00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:42.019 That is how 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.139 powerful he is. 00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:45.779 Verse 26 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.740 He is everlasting. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.039 There is no end 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:49.179 to his days. 00:25:49.479 --> 00:25:50.439 No end to his 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:50.819 reign. 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:53.299 And verse 27 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.619 He remains the 00:25:54.619 --> 00:25:55.000 same. 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.139 Think about that 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:58.859 one for a second. 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.279 Why do these 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.099 truths of the 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.939 character of God 00:26:02.939 --> 00:26:03.500 bring the 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:03.839 psalmist 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.659 perspective in 00:26:04.659 --> 00:26:05.079 his pain? 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.919 How can these 00:26:07.919 --> 00:26:08.919 truths give us 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:10.019 perspective as we 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.979 suffer today? 00:26:12.979 --> 00:26:14.119 Well they give us 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:15.139 perspective because 00:26:15.139 --> 00:26:16.019 we know that 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.039 regardless of what 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.959 situation we are 00:26:17.959 --> 00:26:18.599 going through, 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.459 regardless of what 00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:21.899 life may throw at 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.699 us, our 00:26:22.699 --> 00:26:24.579 situations do not 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.679 determine God's 00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:26.619 love and favour 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.539 for his people. 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:31.479 Even when we 00:26:31.479 --> 00:26:32.339 suffer we can 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.259 know that God is 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:33.939 unchanging. 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:35.419 Our suffering does 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:37.360 not change God. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.700 He is compassionate 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.519 and loving. 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.759 He is in 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.779 control and he 00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.440 is faithful. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:47.640 These attributes 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.600 of God should give 00:26:48.600 --> 00:26:49.620 us perspective in 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.580 pain because this 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.400 is the wonderful 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.539 God that we know 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:53.420 and serve. 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.039 This is the God 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.720 who is standing 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.860 right with you in 00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.539 your pain and 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:58.960 suffering. 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:01.860 God is faithful 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:04.039 and he has 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.579 promised and 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.160 what he has 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.620 promised he 00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.140 will bring to 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.539 pass. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.319 Therefore we 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.640 live, we 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.519 camp in the 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.079 promise of 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.840 verse 28. 00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.840 The children of 00:27:13.840 --> 00:27:14.759 your servant will 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.440 live in your 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:16.200 presence, their 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:17.559 descendants will 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.519 be established 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.740 before you. 00:27:21.620 --> 00:27:22.340 Now I know 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.140 that some of us 00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:23.779 are here this 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.500 morning are in 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:24.819 pain. 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:27.439 I know that 00:27:27.439 --> 00:27:28.179 there are times 00:27:28.179 --> 00:27:29.119 in our lives 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:29.980 where we may 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.919 feel that God 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.519 has abandoned 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:31.980 us. 00:27:33.419 --> 00:27:34.279 But friends, 00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:35.039 the truth is 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.559 that God has 00:27:35.559 --> 00:27:36.079 not walked 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.419 away. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:38.799 God has not 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.619 left us to 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:40.599 fight any storm 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.519 by ourselves. 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.159 When the 00:27:43.159 --> 00:27:44.119 difficulties and 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:44.899 pain of life 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:45.599 come crushing 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.599 down on us, 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.839 God is right 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.539 there with us 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.019 in the midst 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.559 of our pain 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.099 and suffering. 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:53.959 base your 00:27:53.959 --> 00:27:54.899 life on the 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.679 wonderful truth 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.579 of verse 28. 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:58.059 That there is 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:59.059 a day when 00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.699 all of this 00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.539 pain and 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:01.279 suffering that 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.179 we feel now 00:28:02.179 --> 00:28:02.939 will be gone. 00:28:04.859 --> 00:28:05.699 There will be 00:28:05.699 --> 00:28:06.759 a day where 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.500 pain will be 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.199 but a distant 00:28:08.199 --> 00:28:08.699 memory. 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.259 Tears will be 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.740 no more. 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:12.399 Peace will 00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:13.179 reign in the 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:14.000 land as God 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.719 dwells with 00:28:14.719 --> 00:28:15.399 his people 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.299 forever. 00:28:18.219 --> 00:28:18.899 A day where 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:19.699 the effects of 00:28:19.699 --> 00:28:20.079 sin has 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.439 have been 00:28:20.439 --> 00:28:22.799 stopped and 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.399 we are with 00:28:23.399 --> 00:28:23.819 God. 00:28:25.179 --> 00:28:26.039 That is the 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.720 future that I 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.319 long for. 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.240 That is the 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.779 future that 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.659 awaits you this 00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.500 morning as a 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.159 follower of 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:32.980 Jesus Christ. 00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.720 That is how 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.139 we have 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:37.980 perspective in 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.379 our pain. 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.399 We remember 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:42.059 the God that 00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:42.539 we know. 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.460 The God who 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:45.039 has revealed 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:46.019 himself to us 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.819 in his word, 00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:47.339 the Bible. 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.859 The God who 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:50.019 listens and 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.579 loves his 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.220 people and 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.559 the God 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:51.779 who has 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.799 promised to 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.480 be with us 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:53.920 in our 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.460 pain until 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.059 the very 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.819 end. 00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:59.000 God has 00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.460 not left 00:28:59.460 --> 00:28:59.680 you. 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:01.220 God is 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.619 faithful. 00:29:03.339 --> 00:29:03.839 He never 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.599 changes and 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.220 his promises 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:07.940 to always be 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.339 with you and 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.000 always be with 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.639 those who love 00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.319 and obey him. 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:13.319 God is 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.779 in your 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.519 times of 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.099 pain in 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:15.519 this world. 00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:15.740 Be 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.559 comforted by 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.139 the wonderful 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:18.259 truths of 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.799 the amazing 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.299 God that 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:19.700 you know. 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.960 That is the 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.720 only way we 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.220 can endure 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.359 because we 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:24.740 have the 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:25.439 living God 00:29:25.439 --> 00:29:26.299 by our 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.659 side. 00:29:27.939 --> 00:29:28.619 Let's pray 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:28.939 together. 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:32.659 Just in a 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.220 moment of 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.679 silence, 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.279 maybe you 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.779 want to 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.259 bring your 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.000 prayers before 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.539 the Lord. 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.920 Bring your 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:40.380 prayers of 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:42.779 adoration and 00:29:42.779 --> 00:29:43.500 confession that 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.200 you need his 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:44.880 strength and 00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.440 his help. 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.460 Before the 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.019 throne of 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.700 God above, 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:54.940 I have a 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.740 strong, a 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.559 perfect plea, 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.420 a great high 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.440 priest whose 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.299 name is love, 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.559 who ever 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.859 lives and 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.579 pleads for 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:02.880 me. 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:07.059 Jesus, we 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.599 thank you 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:09.019 that we do 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.640 not have to 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.660 suffer God's 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:12.140 wrath because 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:13.180 you bore that 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.920 wrath on the 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.299 cross. 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:18.940 We thank you 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.440 that even 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.119 though we may 00:30:20.119 --> 00:30:20.960 suffer in this 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:23.180 world, that we 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:23.859 can know that 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.480 you are right 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.299 there with us. 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:26.920 God, we 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.900 thank you for 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:28.660 who you are. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.559 Holy Spirit, we 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.279 thank you that you 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.059 dwell within 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:33.039 believers and you 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:34.500 remind us of the 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.400 wonderful promises 00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:35.980 of who God is. 00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.420 God is. 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.519 God, forgive us 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:42.160 for the times 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:42.900 where we forget 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.700 to focus on 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:43.960 you. 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.140 And we ask 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.500 that you would 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.299 lift our eyes 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.140 to the glorious 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:50.339 truth and let 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:51.160 us be in awe 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.380 of the wonder 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.099 of the cross 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:54.420 and the beauty 00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:55.059 of the gospel 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.039 of Jesus Christ 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:57.460 in whose holy 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.400 and precious name 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:58.900 we pray. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.180 Amen.