WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:07.799 Folks, great to see you this morning. Happy New Year. It's great to see those who have been away over Christmas and New Year back with us. 00:00:08.740 --> 00:00:12.620 We've been in Edinburgh for seven years and this was the first time we've ever been here for New Year. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:19.480 And it was great. We loved it. So, if you have your Bibles, turn to Psalm 1. It's where we're going to be this morning. 00:00:19.559 --> 00:00:27.400 So turn to Psalm 1. And I'm very excited that we're starting this year looking at Psalm 1. 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:34.640 While you turn there, let me encourage you, whoever you are here today and whatever is going on in your life, 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:40.679 and whatever you think about the God that we've been singing about and praying to and worshipping this morning, 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:46.560 whoever you are this morning, can I encourage you to tune in to the message of Psalm 1? 00:00:46.619 --> 00:00:55.119 Because it's a psalm that has a timely message for us, whoever we are this morning, as we journey into 2019. 00:00:55.119 --> 00:00:57.979 So, Psalm chapter 1. 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:07.579 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, 00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:12.979 or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers, 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:19.039 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:25.360 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, 00:01:25.360 --> 00:01:29.040 and whose leaf does not wither, whenever he does prospers. 00:01:30.080 --> 00:01:31.260 Not so the wicked. 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:34.820 They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:38.320 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, 00:01:39.080 --> 00:01:41.540 nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:44.980 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, 00:01:45.800 --> 00:01:47.620 but the way of the wicked will perish. 00:01:48.360 --> 00:01:49.740 This is God's word to us this morning. 00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:51.719 Let's just quickly pray, and then we'll dive straight in. 00:01:53.020 --> 00:01:54.840 Heavenly Father, we worship you this morning. 00:01:56.040 --> 00:01:58.240 Thank you so much that you're the God of all grace. 00:01:58.860 --> 00:02:00.960 And we pray, Father, that as we turn to your words now, 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:04.600 that you would help us to understand something more of your greatness. 00:02:05.219 --> 00:02:08.020 And Father, you would teach us wonderful things about yourself. 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:10.540 So we make these prayers not in our confidence, 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.620 but we make them confidently in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:14.100 Amen. 00:02:16.540 --> 00:02:18.340 Well, to get us to the heart of this psalm this morning, 00:02:18.420 --> 00:02:22.360 let me just tell you about an experience I had over Christmas and New Year. 00:02:22.780 --> 00:02:24.540 Did anyone else watch a pantomime? 00:02:25.700 --> 00:02:26.960 Oh, yes, you did. Come on. 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:29.219 Anyone else watch a pantomime? 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:30.420 A few of us. 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:34.140 So we, as a family, I sat down with the girls, 00:02:34.140 --> 00:02:36.939 and we watched this pantomime on CBeebies. 00:02:36.939 --> 00:02:37.539 Okay? 00:02:37.979 --> 00:02:38.780 Called Thumbelina. 00:02:40.419 --> 00:02:43.020 Thumbelina, let me just give you the heart of Thumbelina. 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:47.939 She is on a journey of self-discovery to find out who she is. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:49.719 And by finding out who she is, 00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:52.740 she finds out where the true source of happiness is. 00:02:53.319 --> 00:02:55.939 Now, who knew that CBeebies was so postmodern, I tell you. 00:02:56.139 --> 00:02:57.079 But this is Thumbelina. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:02:59.500 She's on a journey to find happiness. 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:02.740 And as she journeys through the pantomime, 00:03:02.740 --> 00:03:04.840 she meets different characters, 00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:07.520 and the different characters give her advice 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.620 as to where she can find herself and find true happiness. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:15.760 So, one of the characters she bumps into is called Mrs. Blue Swallow. 00:03:17.420 --> 00:03:18.520 And Thumbelina says, 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:20.900 Can you help me, Mrs. Blue Swallow? 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:26.080 And with it being a pantomime, Mrs. Blue Swallow didn't just speak to Thumbelina. 00:03:26.200 --> 00:03:26.900 She sang to Thumbelina. 00:03:27.540 --> 00:03:29.180 I'm not going to sing it to you because I've got a cold, 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:30.680 but it would have sounded great. 00:03:30.800 --> 00:03:30.920 Okay? 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:32.319 But listen to the words of her song. 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:34.099 Her advice went like this. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:37.099 Go where you will. 00:03:38.040 --> 00:03:39.099 Free as a bird. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:43.120 Just follow your heart to find your way in the world. 00:03:43.120 --> 00:03:47.200 Just close your eyes and dream of places. 00:03:48.420 --> 00:03:50.580 Perhaps your home is on the way. 00:03:50.659 --> 00:03:52.960 This is what Mrs. Blue Swallow said to Thumbelina. 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:57.539 Now, two thoughts went through my mind. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:59.420 Firstly, what a lovely song. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:00.240 Yeah? 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:01.840 I didn't sing it to you, but it was a lovely song. 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:03.319 The camera pans around, 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:05.259 and honestly, there's not a dry eye in the house. 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:07.540 And Chloe, at this point, is cuddling into me. 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:08.319 It was a lovely song. 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:10.599 That was my first thought, lovely song. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:13.219 Second thought, what terrible advice. 00:04:15.180 --> 00:04:17.699 It's the anthem of your age, if you think about it, is it not? 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:20.860 That let your feelings, let your desires, 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:24.560 let your needs be the compass that guides you in life. 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:27.100 And it's terrible advice. 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:30.219 For if you think about it, I don't know about you, 00:04:31.019 --> 00:04:33.740 but I can categorically tell you that this year, 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:38.120 my heart primarily wants what's best for me and not for you. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:39.060 Right? 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:44.879 And I can tell you that your heart wants what's best for you this year, 00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:46.199 and I can tell you the people of the world, 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:47.759 everyone else in the world's heart, 00:04:48.100 --> 00:04:49.500 wants what's best for them. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:52.759 Now, it doesn't sound to me like a very happy world to live in, does it? 00:04:55.340 --> 00:04:56.620 And what if I follow my heart, 00:04:57.139 --> 00:04:58.139 and I work hard, 00:04:58.840 --> 00:05:00.379 and I really go for it in life, 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:02.459 and what if I don't get what my heart desires? 00:05:03.639 --> 00:05:05.759 You get people like Geraint Thomas, 00:05:05.899 --> 00:05:07.620 you know, the guy who won the Tour de France this year, 00:05:07.620 --> 00:05:09.579 he said this after he won, he was interviewed, 00:05:09.720 --> 00:05:10.000 he said, 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:11.740 Kids, if you just dream big, 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:14.399 if people tell you it can't be done, 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:16.600 just keep going and believe in yourself, 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:18.439 because with hard work, 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:20.519 everything pays off in the end. 00:05:21.280 --> 00:05:21.480 Right? 00:05:21.660 --> 00:05:22.399 Tour de France winner. 00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:24.220 Which is great advice. 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:26.720 That's great for you if you've won the Tour de France, right? 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:30.120 But, we all know life well enough, 00:05:30.180 --> 00:05:31.700 if you've been around the block enough in life, 00:05:31.780 --> 00:05:33.220 you know that it's not as simple as that. 00:05:34.820 --> 00:05:37.020 Just follow your heart is a lovely song, 00:05:37.840 --> 00:05:39.860 but it's terrible life advice. 00:05:39.860 --> 00:05:43.540 And God, our Maker, 00:05:45.020 --> 00:05:46.560 the one who, as the psalmist would say, 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:47.439 who knows us, 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:49.300 who framed us, 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:52.060 he speaks to us about our hearts 00:05:52.060 --> 00:05:53.720 in his word, the Bible, 00:05:54.400 --> 00:05:57.060 and he tells us what our hearts are really like. 00:05:57.740 --> 00:06:00.879 He tells us that they are deceitful above all things. 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:03.960 He tells us that they are terribly sick. 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:08.139 He tells us that they are like stone. 00:06:08.599 --> 00:06:09.239 They are dead. 00:06:09.319 --> 00:06:10.139 They are unfeeling 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:13.139 without the transforming work of his spirit. 00:06:13.299 --> 00:06:15.259 So, God is quite clearly saying in his word, 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:17.539 if there's one place you don't look for advice 00:06:17.539 --> 00:06:19.060 as to how you live your life in the world 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:19.879 to find happiness, 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:21.199 it's to your heart. 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:25.719 And so, the question that Sam asks us to consider 00:06:25.719 --> 00:06:28.799 is if my identity and true happiness 00:06:28.799 --> 00:06:30.719 is not to be found by following my heart 00:06:30.719 --> 00:06:31.859 or the things of the world, 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:34.400 then where is true happiness to be found? 00:06:36.460 --> 00:06:38.400 This is where Psalm 1 comes in this morning. 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:40.540 Because God, through his word, 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.199 through this psalm, 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:43.520 offers us a timely bit of advice 00:06:43.520 --> 00:06:44.819 as we step into this year. 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:47.139 Now, many commentators, 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:48.040 they call this psalm 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:50.400 the gateway to the psalms. 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:53.500 I don't know if you were on a New Year's walk, 00:06:53.840 --> 00:06:55.139 kind of a tradition that we do, 00:06:55.199 --> 00:06:55.900 a New Year's walk. 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:56.560 You know what it's like? 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:57.600 You go on a country walk 00:06:57.600 --> 00:06:59.900 and you come to the start of the country walk 00:06:59.899 --> 00:07:03.060 and you see the signpost. 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:06.159 And the signpost tells you what you need to know 00:07:06.159 --> 00:07:07.599 and the signpost tells you, 00:07:07.719 --> 00:07:08.560 don't go that way, 00:07:09.060 --> 00:07:09.659 go that way. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:11.120 That's exactly what this psalm does. 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:13.019 That's why they call it the gateway to the psalms. 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:13.739 It's Psalm 1, 00:07:14.299 --> 00:07:15.259 saying go that way. 00:07:16.839 --> 00:07:17.419 And in so doing, 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:18.000 in Psalm 1, 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:19.579 we're presented with a big choice. 00:07:20.859 --> 00:07:22.539 They'll have discovered that, 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:23.279 as you heard it read, 00:07:23.319 --> 00:07:24.319 this big choice 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:26.099 that is the choice 00:07:26.099 --> 00:07:27.039 that's right at the heart 00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:28.719 of the rest of the book of Psalms. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:30.460 And really it's a choice 00:07:30.460 --> 00:07:32.520 that when it comes to happiness, 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.460 it's a choice 00:07:34.460 --> 00:07:36.060 that means that you're traveling 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:37.800 on one of two roads to find it. 00:07:39.380 --> 00:07:41.280 You're traveling the path of the world 00:07:41.280 --> 00:07:45.260 or you're traveling the path of the word. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:49.440 And the psalmist is going to show us in this psalm 00:07:49.440 --> 00:07:52.740 what the people on those two different paths look like. 00:07:53.080 --> 00:07:54.000 He's going to show us 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.540 what the people on those two different paths, 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:56.220 how they live. 00:07:56.220 --> 00:07:58.360 And ultimately he's going to show us 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:00.720 what the people on those two different paths, 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:02.840 where they're ultimately headed. 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:04.100 And in so doing, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:05.060 as we read this psalm, 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.440 the psalmist is screaming at us, 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:07.820 don't go the way of the world. 00:08:08.940 --> 00:08:10.120 Don't go the way of the world. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:11.780 Go the way of the word. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:15.160 And how he does it 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:17.520 is that he tells us about a person 00:08:17.520 --> 00:08:19.600 who's on that path. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:21.620 And that man, 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:22.980 do you see the first word of this psalm? 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:23.600 You've got it there. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:24.580 That man, 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:25.760 that person, 00:08:26.760 --> 00:08:27.900 he's blessed. 00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:30.480 Now the Hebrew word there 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:32.060 carries the idea of happiness. 00:08:32.420 --> 00:08:33.420 This literally could be, 00:08:33.540 --> 00:08:34.600 happy is the man. 00:08:35.800 --> 00:08:36.879 Happy is the man. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:37.920 That's this man. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:38.879 That's this person. 00:08:39.060 --> 00:08:39.759 They're happy. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:41.379 They're happy. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:42.779 It's what everyone wants these days, 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:43.120 isn't it? 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:43.800 If you think about it. 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:44.620 It's not just Thumbelina 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:45.740 who's out to find happiness. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:47.399 Everybody wants to find happiness. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:49.000 But your New Year's resolutions 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:49.919 that you made this year 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:51.259 were geared towards you 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:53.179 finding happiness in your life. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:55.480 It was Aristotle, 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:57.939 let me get my Greek out for you here, 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:58.100 right? 00:08:58.179 --> 00:08:59.319 Aristotle who said that 00:08:59.319 --> 00:09:00.699 happiness is the meaning 00:09:00.699 --> 00:09:01.740 and purpose of life 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:03.620 and it's the whole aim and end 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:05.159 of human existence. 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:07.600 It's one of the founding principles, 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:07.899 isn't it, 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.600 of the American Declaration of Independence 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.379 that everybody has the right to life, 00:09:11.579 --> 00:09:12.360 to liberty, 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:15.179 and to the pursuit of happiness. 00:09:15.819 --> 00:09:17.299 This is how our world lives. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:19.039 And the thing about Psalm 1, 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:21.899 the thing about the man of Psalm 1 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:23.819 is that he's found it. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:25.379 He's found it. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:26.259 He's blessed. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:28.379 And if he's blessed, 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:29.819 if this person is blessed, 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:32.659 if this person has found true happiness, 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:34.319 then I'll put my hand in the air 00:09:34.319 --> 00:09:34.579 and say, 00:09:34.699 --> 00:09:37.480 I want to know where they found it. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:38.840 I want to know that. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:42.500 I want to know where and how he's got it. 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:46.740 So come with me to verses 1 and 2 of this Psalm 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.480 and let's see how this man lives his life. 00:09:49.139 --> 00:09:50.000 Now you'll notice, 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.220 if you've got the text there, 00:09:52.660 --> 00:09:54.560 that there's three parallel phrases, 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.080 parallel phrases, 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:57.300 that's difficult to say, right? 00:09:57.660 --> 00:09:58.540 Parallel phrases. 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:00.620 That'll look great on paper, 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:01.139 I tell you. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:02.620 That we get at verse 1, 00:10:02.660 --> 00:10:02.920 do you see, 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:04.019 to describe this man, 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:06.659 they're parallel, 00:10:06.939 --> 00:10:08.579 and we get essentially the same idea 00:10:08.579 --> 00:10:10.639 three times to hammer home the point 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:13.139 concerning how he doesn't live his life. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:14.480 Do you see them there? 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:15.539 He doesn't walk. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:17.480 He doesn't stand. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:19.120 He doesn't sit. 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.639 Many commentators will point to the fact 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.460 that there's a downward progression there, 00:10:24.579 --> 00:10:24.899 walking, 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:26.019 you're just living your life, 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:26.519 standing, 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:27.919 you're stopping to think about life, 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:28.240 sitting, 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:29.220 you've made your decision. 00:10:30.439 --> 00:10:31.579 He doesn't do these things. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:32.439 He doesn't walk, 00:10:32.579 --> 00:10:33.139 stand and sit 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.399 in the ways of the wicked, 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.039 the sinners, 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:36.100 and the scoffers. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.059 Which I take it in the original context, 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:40.919 he's thinking about those in Israel, 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.659 and those ever since, 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:47.439 who either actively or passively 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:48.259 in their lives, 00:10:48.340 --> 00:10:49.860 they choose to live their lives 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:52.080 with no interest in knowing this God, 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:56.299 and no interest in a desire 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.500 to keep his ways. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:58.919 And they're in the path of the world. 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.620 They own its values. 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.639 They chase its dreams. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:05.139 They follow their hearts. 00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:09.659 But do you see how this man has said no to that path? 00:11:10.560 --> 00:11:11.919 He said no to that path. 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:12.779 I'm not on that path. 00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:13.720 How is he living? 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.440 Verse 2, 00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:17.919 he's given his life to following the law of the Lord. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.159 That's what he's done in his life. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:21.060 Notice the capital letters there. 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:21.779 Capital O, 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:23.139 capital O, 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.019 capital L, 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:24.580 capital O, 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.159 capital R, 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:25.980 capital D. 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.539 It's the covenant name of God there. 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:29.779 So the psalmist, 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:31.860 he's thinking about who his God is. 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:34.019 He's dwelling on the truth 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.360 that this God is the God 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:37.539 who has revealed himself mightily 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:41.339 as he saved Israel from slavery in Egypt, 00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:43.339 revealed himself mightily, 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:46.399 that he is the God of all gods. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:50.600 And this God has taken this people 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:52.879 and he's so graciously and wonderfully 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:55.519 bound them to him and him to them, 00:11:56.299 --> 00:11:56.720 saying, 00:11:56.939 --> 00:11:58.100 you are to be my people 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:59.879 and I am to be your gods. 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:01.539 That's what the covenant is. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:02.240 That's what he's done. 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:05.059 And he's given them his perfect law, 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:07.240 his holy law that reveals his character. 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:07.899 And he said, 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.600 that's how I want you to live 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.799 as my chosen people, 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.439 as my covenant people. 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:16.100 And so the psalmist is reflecting on all that. 00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:17.020 He's thinking back 00:12:17.020 --> 00:12:19.240 and he's saying, 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:20.460 in light of who this God is, 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:22.480 the fact that he's so holy, 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:23.560 that he's so gracious, 00:12:23.760 --> 00:12:24.940 that he is so awesome, 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:26.800 that he's full of steadfast love, 00:12:27.020 --> 00:12:27.960 in light of who he is, 00:12:28.020 --> 00:12:29.160 in light of what he's done for us, 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:31.460 why would I want to live my life anywhere else? 00:12:32.460 --> 00:12:34.160 Why would I want to live my life 00:12:34.160 --> 00:12:36.060 according to a different set of standards? 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:38.900 Or why would I want to live my life 00:12:38.900 --> 00:12:41.240 apart from relationship with the God who made me? 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:43.360 Because my God, 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:45.420 Yahweh the Lord, 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.520 is that big, 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.240 he is that great, 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:49.520 and he's that good. 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:51.540 Do you see how he feels about the law of the Lord? 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:55.040 He delights in the law of the Lord. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:55.480 Do you see it? 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.320 He delights in it. 00:12:57.060 --> 00:12:58.220 Now the question we need to ask, 00:12:58.300 --> 00:12:58.520 isn't it, 00:12:58.520 --> 00:12:59.120 as we read that, 00:12:59.180 --> 00:13:00.160 is how has he got there? 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:01.760 How has he got there? 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:04.600 He meditates on it. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.220 That's what he does. 00:13:05.300 --> 00:13:05.920 Do you see that word? 00:13:06.040 --> 00:13:07.480 He chews on it. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.940 That's what to meditate means, 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:10.140 not empty your mind, 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.400 but to fill your mind. 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:14.500 He gets the word of the Lord 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.740 into his bloodstream, 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:18.020 and do you notice how he does that night and day 00:13:18.020 --> 00:13:21.380 to the delight and the benefit of his soul? 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:24.020 My friends, 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:25.300 I don't know how you respond 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:26.320 as you read that this morning, 00:13:26.380 --> 00:13:27.740 but I read, 00:13:27.800 --> 00:13:28.860 I've been studying it all week, 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.280 I've been meditating it all week, 00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:31.580 and I read it again this morning, 00:13:31.640 --> 00:13:32.420 and I thought to myself, 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:33.520 that's where I want to be. 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:35.300 That's where I want to be. 00:13:36.099 --> 00:13:36.279 You know, 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.859 I've done this thing for the last few years. 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.079 Every year I've got a new Bible, 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:40.699 just make that my Bible for the year. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.299 Just take it everywhere, 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.379 do my quiet times on it, 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:44.299 do my visiting with it, 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:45.719 and I picked it up this year, 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.479 January 1st, 00:13:46.479 --> 00:13:47.159 and I read this psalm, 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:48.099 and in my mind I thought, 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:48.799 Lord, 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:50.839 would you help me delight more this year in your word? 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:54.099 Would you help me delight more this year in your word? 00:13:55.459 --> 00:13:55.779 You know, 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:56.959 my former colleague John, 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.959 when he was here, 00:13:58.959 --> 00:14:01.059 he always used to joke about how I was terrible 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:02.399 at doing one thing. 00:14:03.479 --> 00:14:04.839 I've got your attention with that, right? 00:14:05.979 --> 00:14:06.939 Terrible at doing one thing. 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:07.839 Do you know what that thing was? 00:14:08.339 --> 00:14:10.219 I couldn't make a decent cup of tea. 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:13.599 And the thing what I used to do, 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.959 used to go into that kitchen right there, 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:18.619 and in my haste to get on with whatever I was doing, 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.799 I would dunk the tea bag in, 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:21.959 I would literally give it about 10 seconds, 00:14:22.239 --> 00:14:23.159 and I would take it out again, 00:14:23.239 --> 00:14:23.699 throw it in the bin, 00:14:23.719 --> 00:14:24.619 and I would take it through to him. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.699 You need friends who tell you 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:28.279 the loving hard truths in life, don't you? 00:14:28.319 --> 00:14:28.599 He said, 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:30.059 I was terrible at making a cup of tea, 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:31.339 and the reason was, 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.459 is that I didn't let it brew. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.199 I didn't let it brew. 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.739 I didn't have the time to let it brew. 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:37.179 I was busy. 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:37.959 I was doing things. 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.699 I didn't let it brew. 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.599 Here is a man 00:14:40.599 --> 00:14:43.439 who is allowing the word of God 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:45.159 to brew in his life. 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:47.699 And you see, 00:14:47.859 --> 00:14:49.199 because he's doing that, 00:14:50.099 --> 00:14:51.859 it's delighting his soul. 00:14:54.439 --> 00:14:56.159 Friends, is it any wonder that often 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:58.919 our affections for the Lord often go stale? 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:02.179 Our love for him goes so often dim 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:04.759 when we often go days 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:08.139 without feasting and nourishing our souls 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:09.719 on his word. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.399 Spending time with him, 00:15:13.240 --> 00:15:14.579 reflecting on who he is 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:16.179 as we encounter him and his word. 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:17.339 Let me ask you, 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.979 are you delighting your soul in the Lord? 00:15:19.719 --> 00:15:21.759 Are you making time for that to happen? 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.480 There was George Muller, 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:26.179 the Christian evangelist 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:27.659 who set up many orphanages 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.419 down in Bristol, 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.399 down in the south of England. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.219 He used to say 00:15:30.219 --> 00:15:32.259 that the first and greatest 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.919 primary business of his day, 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:36.239 that which he ought to attend to, 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.879 was to have his soul 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:39.159 happy in the Lord. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.000 A man with so many 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.739 pressing demands on his day. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.539 And that is where he wanted 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.359 to start his day, 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:48.339 getting his soul happy in the Lord. 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:50.500 Now listen, 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:51.500 you've got to get 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.939 our theology right on this one. 00:15:53.020 --> 00:15:54.420 God won't love us more or less 00:15:54.420 --> 00:15:55.600 based on whether we've spent time 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.580 reading his word or not. 00:15:57.580 --> 00:15:58.380 We've just got to get our thinking 00:15:58.380 --> 00:15:59.020 right on that one. 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.320 We're saved by grace alone, 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.660 through faith alone, 00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:02.260 and Christ alone. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.580 We'll come back to that later on. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.460 This isn't about 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:07.020 working our way up to God. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:07.780 This is about 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:09.380 getting to know 00:16:09.380 --> 00:16:10.660 God more 00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:11.980 as we spend time 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.780 getting to know 00:16:12.780 --> 00:16:13.580 his word more. 00:16:13.780 --> 00:16:14.620 This is who he is. 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.760 Tells us who he is. 00:16:18.040 --> 00:16:19.100 I had a friend of mine recently 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.940 who he, 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:21.200 I heard him talk about 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.300 how he asks himself 00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:23.520 as he reads his Bible 00:16:23.520 --> 00:16:24.060 in the morning, 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:25.660 he asks himself 00:16:25.660 --> 00:16:26.720 what is it about 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.440 what he's reading 00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:28.900 that causes him 00:16:28.900 --> 00:16:29.560 to delight in 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:30.379 who God is more. 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:31.800 And what he does 00:16:31.800 --> 00:16:32.820 is he just takes a pen, 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:33.920 he underlines it, 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.920 he circles it, 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.220 he tries to memorize it, 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.259 and he prays 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.540 and offers thanks to God 00:16:39.540 --> 00:16:40.240 for who he is. 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.400 The essence of that 00:16:43.400 --> 00:16:44.020 is how this man 00:16:44.020 --> 00:16:44.840 lives his life, right? 00:16:45.780 --> 00:16:47.140 This is how he lives his life. 00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:47.840 His happiness 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:50.440 is in the word of the Lord. 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:53.280 And because of that, 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.540 look at verses 3 and 4, 00:16:54.640 --> 00:16:55.360 this is where we are now. 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.759 Look at what this man 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.700 sees in his life. 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.540 So this man 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:02.140 who's chosen 00:17:02.140 --> 00:17:03.300 the way of the word, 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.400 this man who delights 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.120 his soul 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:07.920 in the God of the word, 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.100 this man who's let God 00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:10.120 be in the driving seat 00:17:10.120 --> 00:17:10.940 of his life, 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.580 do you notice 00:17:13.580 --> 00:17:14.799 the simile that we get here? 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.319 What is he like? 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:18.360 He's like a tree. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.059 Not just any old tree, 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.759 he's like a tree 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.539 that's planted 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:24.519 in that he's got 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.879 his roots right down, 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.720 established, 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.539 and nourished 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:29.659 by streams of water. 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:31.059 Is that not a wonderful image? 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:33.200 Is that not a beautiful image 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:34.379 of life and health? 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.720 And there's fruit 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.619 in this man's life. 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.039 You see it? 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:39.399 There's fruit 00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:40.079 in this man's life. 00:17:40.179 --> 00:17:40.799 I don't know about you, 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:41.839 but I love in my life 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:43.119 being around fruitful people. 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.200 Something that came out 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:45.799 so clearly 00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.579 from what Paul said 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:48.159 about Bruce and Kate. 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:50.119 Sam 1 people, friends. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.459 They're just great 00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.000 to be around. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.079 We look forward 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:53.719 to seeing them. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:54.659 I don't know if you've 00:17:54.659 --> 00:17:55.339 got people like that 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:55.899 in your own life 00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:56.679 that you can think about. 00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:59.239 I think about Alex and I. 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.459 We've got two good friends 00:18:00.459 --> 00:18:02.000 who we love to spend time with. 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.039 We just love to be around them 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.979 because of this reason. 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:05.779 Because when you're around them, 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:07.299 the fruit of godliness, 00:18:07.439 --> 00:18:09.059 I can see it just oozing out of them. 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:09.839 The way that they pray, 00:18:09.959 --> 00:18:10.739 the way that they talk, 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.759 the way that they laugh. 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.519 And we call them radiators. 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.559 That's what we joke about them. 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.359 Radiators. 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.359 Because we spend time with them, 00:18:18.419 --> 00:18:18.979 we come away, 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.059 and we feel warm, 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:21.039 and we feel encouraged. 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.279 And do you notice 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.019 that the fruit 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.339 of this person's life 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.719 is produced in season? 00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:29.139 You see that there? 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.039 Which I take it means 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.079 that you see fruit 00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:33.619 when you'd expect 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:34.359 to see fruit, 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:36.740 which is a wonderful 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.299 thing to think about, 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:38.619 isn't it, 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.759 as we sit on another year 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.579 that will be full 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.559 of different seasons. 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:44.159 I have no idea 00:18:44.159 --> 00:18:44.960 what the life seasons 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.960 of 2019 will be like. 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:47.579 I've got no idea 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.339 what they will be like. 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.519 But I'd imagine 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.079 that the life weather forecast 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:53.359 will be a lot like last year's. 00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:55.299 There'll be some sunny days, 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:56.359 there'll be some rainy days, 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.480 there'll be some patch drizzle 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.339 that will be mixed in 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:59.200 with the occasional spells 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.659 of sunshine. 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.639 That will be the year ahead, 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.059 I'm sure. 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:03.399 But friends, 00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:03.960 as I look back 00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:05.019 on the past few years, 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:07.779 it continues to be 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:09.059 one of the greatest joys 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.339 for me doing this job 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:12.459 to see some of you 00:19:12.459 --> 00:19:14.500 as you hit rocky seasons 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.319 in your life, 00:19:15.959 --> 00:19:17.759 you produce godly fruit. 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.559 So often the case, 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:20.839 isn't it, 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.980 that as the seasons of life 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.679 as they change, 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:24.259 they reveal what's really 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.159 going on deep down 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:25.839 in our hearts. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.899 And I see some of you 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:31.240 respond to uncertainties, 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:34.039 respond to exam disappointment, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:36.220 respond to job loss, 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:39.439 and respond to losing loved ones. 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:41.600 And I see you respond to it, 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.460 not by running away 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.100 from the Lord, 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:45.160 but by pressing into him 00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:45.600 in prayer. 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:47.640 Because no matter 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.620 what's going on in my life, 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:49.559 I know he's constant. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.779 I know my life will change. 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.799 I know the circumstances 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.920 of my life will change, 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.259 vary. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:55.039 But he's not going to change. 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:58.120 And that tells me a lot 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:59.559 about where the roots 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:00.559 of your life are. 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.200 They're right down here. 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.059 You're like Sam 1. 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.700 Your roots are right down there. 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:07.799 Now I think at the back 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.400 of our flat, 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:10.180 there's a massive woodland park 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:12.259 and it's full of giant oak trees. 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.660 And the thing about those trees, 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.380 I often look at them 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:15.860 and I think, 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:17.200 they didn't just spring up 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.660 overnight. 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.720 They're there because somebody 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.680 decades ago, 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.840 maybe even centuries ago, 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:24.440 I don't even know, 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.860 made a decision that 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.660 this tree needs to be planted 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.200 right here. 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.580 It's going to be planted 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.140 right here. 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:33.560 And as they grew 00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:34.580 and grew and grew, 00:20:35.520 --> 00:20:37.740 they continued to produce fruit 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:40.120 so that come the winter 00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:40.940 of 2018, 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:42.000 when I looked at them, 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:43.240 that as the winds 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.840 and the gales 00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:44.860 and the rain blew at them, 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.780 they stood tall. 00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:46.940 They stood tall. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.660 I wonder if this year 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:52.120 and maybe even right now 00:20:52.120 --> 00:20:52.980 in this service, 00:20:53.560 --> 00:20:54.840 it's time for you 00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:56.020 to decide in your life 00:20:56.020 --> 00:20:57.020 that you're going to 00:20:57.020 --> 00:20:57.620 take a leaf, 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.560 pardon the pun, 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.820 you're going to take a leaf 00:20:59.820 --> 00:21:01.100 out of Mr. Sam 1's book. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.860 And you're going to say 00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.480 to yourself, 00:21:04.320 --> 00:21:05.460 and pray to the Lord, 00:21:06.020 --> 00:21:06.300 saying, 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:06.560 Father, 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.460 I'm going to plant myself 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.080 right here, 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.160 in this psalm, 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:11.120 in the word of the Lord. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.000 I'm planting my life 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.620 right here. 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.840 Because this man 00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:17.360 who has his life planted 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.259 in the word of the Lord 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.120 is like a tree 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:20.560 planted by streams of water. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.560 A lovely image. 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.500 Prospering, 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.340 growing, 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.300 standing. 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.620 It's a wonderful image. 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.160 But you see how 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.960 that's not the case 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.559 for those who are 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:30.960 in the path 00:21:30.960 --> 00:21:31.620 of the world. 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.240 What's the simile 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.759 that he picks 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.420 to describe them? 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.279 They are like chaff. 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:36.840 Do you see it? 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.380 I've lived in a city 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:38.840 so long, 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.200 I didn't even know 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.819 what chaff was. 00:21:39.860 --> 00:21:40.559 I had to Google it. 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:42.779 It's the empty husks 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:44.559 that are left over 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.200 when the farmer 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.440 threshes the field 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.700 and which the wind 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.660 just blow away. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.920 They give the impression 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.400 of life, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.380 but there's nothing inside. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.340 They're substanceless. 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:55.500 They're rootless. 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.440 They're unstable. 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.539 That's what the lives 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.500 of those who live 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.700 without God, 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:01.140 live without knowledge 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.840 of his words, 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.860 trying to find their own way, 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.700 following their own heart. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.640 That's what their lives 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.180 are like. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.460 So when uncertainty 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:09.420 comes in life, 00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:12.019 as looks fade in life, 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:14.140 as jobs are lost in life, 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.519 as death comes in life, 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.940 they fret and they crumble 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:18.259 because they have got 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.299 nothing to cling to. 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:22.159 As the circumstances 00:22:22.159 --> 00:22:23.419 of life change, 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.200 their hearts change as well. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.680 There's nothing 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.879 to ground them. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.480 Why? 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.220 Because their lives 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.419 are built on things. 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.079 Their happiness 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.819 is derived from things 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.319 that will be here today 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.159 and gone tomorrow 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.139 rather than 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.960 on the unchanging God. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.720 I know someone shared 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.720 a quote with me recently 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.559 from Russell Brand. 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.740 I've all heard of Russell Brand. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.859 From a recent interview 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.839 with Jeremy Paxman, 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.720 definitely all heard 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:50.539 of Jeremy Paxman. 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:52.959 Jeremy Paxman asked him 00:22:52.959 --> 00:22:54.980 about his fame in life 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:56.039 and whether it brought him 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.480 happiness 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.859 and he said this 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:59.339 and hear this, 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.879 Russell Brand, 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:02.079 you realise you need 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.980 nutrition from a higher source. 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:06.059 It's like being presented 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:07.319 with the most glorious meal 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.579 but when you start eating it, 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.519 you realise there's no sucker, 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:12.179 there's no nutrition 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:14.199 and it's tiresome. 00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:16.240 It's reflecting on his fame 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.179 and what fame's brought him. 00:23:17.459 --> 00:23:18.240 There's no sucker, 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.420 there's no nutrition 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:21.000 and it's tiresome. 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.759 Do you see how that's 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.859 the testimony of a man 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:26.480 who's chewing on chaff? 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:30.220 That's not the man of Sam 1. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.240 It's not the person of Sam 1. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.480 He isn't a malnourished man. 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:36.900 His life is like a healthy tree 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:38.400 because his happiness, 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.559 his life, 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.579 is rooted 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:42.319 in the word of the Lord. 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.620 And because of that, 00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:44.960 see verses 5 and 6, 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.620 it's what this man, 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:47.400 where this man goes rather. 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.340 The psalmist wants to know 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.539 that these two paths, 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.640 these two paths, 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:56.799 these two ways to live, 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:59.299 they've got two very different endings. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.799 Let me flick it back. 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.779 I gave the game away. 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.920 You'd be surprised when that comes. 00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.140 Okay. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:06.680 But do you see how he's saying 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:08.259 these two very different ways to live, 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:09.920 they've got two very different endings. 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:11.220 God will make a distinction. 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.200 Do you see the promise 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:13.560 between his people and the wicked? 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.600 Those who have ignored God, 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.519 those who have decided 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.700 to go their own way, 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:20.880 they will not stand in the judgment. 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:24.700 When God brings all wrongs to right, 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.580 they will not stand, 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:27.220 they will not have the last laugh 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:29.039 because God will have the last word. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.560 That's what this psalm is telling us. 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:32.440 And they will perish. 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:35.460 But the righteous, 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.880 do you see the wonderfully, 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.019 wonderful relational promise here, 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:42.119 the Lord watches over 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:46.639 and he knows the way of the righteous. 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:49.400 What a glorious and an intimate truth 00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:50.799 that the Lord's people can carry 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:52.240 around with them all the time. 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.799 That this God, 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:56.139 his character never changes. 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:57.879 That this God, 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.879 his promises are true. 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.460 That this God, 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.160 his purposes are on track. 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:03.619 And that this God knows the way. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.019 He knows. 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.180 It's a wonderful intimate term, 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:06.460 isn't it? 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:08.819 He knows what's going on in their lives. 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:09.679 He knows them 00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:10.980 and he knows their way 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:12.039 and he watches over them. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:15.339 Here is a man whose happiness 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.559 is in the word of the Lord. 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:19.539 And so the psalmist says, 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.799 as we read this here, 00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:21.359 he says, 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.079 have a look at this person. 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.259 Straight off the bat, 00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.419 as you come into the book of Psalms, 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.579 have a look at this person. 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.779 Look what their life is like. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.339 Look what they're basing it upon 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:32.079 and learn from this person. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.539 And get on this path. 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.179 Get on this path, 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.419 the way of the word. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:38.360 That's the wisdom of Psalm 1. 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:40.180 That's the wisdom of it. 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:43.960 But the thing for us to see, 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:45.680 just as we finish off this morning, 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.039 as we work towards a close, 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:50.640 is that this is not a moralistic sermon. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:53.180 This is not pushing us towards moralism, okay? 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.440 This is no, 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.160 as I like to call it, 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.880 this is no cowboys and Indians sermon. 00:25:58.000 --> 00:26:00.700 You've probably heard tons of them in your life 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:02.019 if you've been around church long enough. 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:05.200 The kind of sermon that said the world is full of baddies 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.980 and it's full of goodies. 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:09.059 So we just stop behaving like a baddie 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.619 and start behaving like a goodie. 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.879 And everybody goes, 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:15.039 that's a cowboys and Indian sermon, isn't it? 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.839 Nobody wins with those kind of sermons 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.900 because we don't win 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:20.099 because we leave here set up for a fall. 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:21.819 And God doesn't win 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:24.639 because he is made out to be a religious taskmaster 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:26.019 who's setting us impossible standards, 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:28.119 that which we cannot keep. 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:33.179 But the answer to this psalm is to be found 00:26:33.179 --> 00:26:36.259 not simply by just looking to the choice 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:39.019 that it forces us in the direction of, 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:41.339 but it's to be found in the person 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:43.719 that it pushes us in the direction of. 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:47.219 Because this psalm ultimately, primarily, 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:48.219 is not about me. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:51.159 I once heard a preacher say, 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.079 and I loved this, 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.399 he said, 00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:53.299 you're so vain, 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:55.659 you probably think this verse is about you. 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:58.820 This is not about me ultimately. 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:03.640 This psalm is a description of Jesus, isn't it? 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:05.380 He's the ultimate Psalm 1 man. 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:09.019 He's the king of Psalm 1. 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:11.440 If you're a Christian here this morning, 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:13.700 gaze at Psalm 1 and see the life of your king. 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.900 Your king. 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.660 This is his righteous life. 00:27:17.360 --> 00:27:18.519 And it's his righteous life 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:20.300 that makes him qualified 00:27:20.300 --> 00:27:22.740 to be our saviour king. 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:24.840 Think about it. 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.600 Think about his life. 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.880 Because we see it in the Gospels. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.840 In light of everything 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.900 that we've thought about this morning, 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.900 think about his life. 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.200 You know, I love it when, 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.360 in Matthew's Gospel, 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:35.080 the Pharisees send people to Jesus, 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:37.540 and they start off with, 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:40.000 Jesus, we know that you're a man of integrity. 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.519 Jesus, we know that you're a man 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:43.540 who teaches the truth. 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:45.019 Jesus, we know you're a man 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:47.279 who's not swayed by the opinion of others. 00:27:48.340 --> 00:27:48.640 Right? 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.380 That's what they saw in his life. 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.560 A Psalm 1 man 00:27:51.560 --> 00:27:53.880 sold out to the word of the Lord, 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.880 delighting in it. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:57.040 Delighting to do the will of his Father. 00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.820 And what did he see in his life? 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:03.320 Think about it in the most intense season 00:28:03.320 --> 00:28:03.980 of his life, 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:05.440 as we see it in John 17, 00:28:05.520 --> 00:28:06.240 in the garden. 00:28:07.080 --> 00:28:07.840 What's he doing? 00:28:09.020 --> 00:28:11.260 When all his disciples around about him 00:28:11.260 --> 00:28:11.880 are panicking, 00:28:12.060 --> 00:28:12.400 they're running, 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.080 they're questioning, 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:14.100 they don't know what's going on. 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:14.680 What's he doing? 00:28:14.760 --> 00:28:15.560 He's praying. 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:19.839 And through sweat drops of blood, 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:22.000 he is trusting the Lord. 00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:24.879 That's what the fruit of his life is. 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.639 And where did he go? 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.859 Well, because of his determination 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:29.539 to do the will of his Father, 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:33.519 that saw him travel all the way to the cross. 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.279 God exalted him 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.819 and gave him the name 00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:39.159 that is above every name, 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.839 the name of the risen Jesus, 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.839 this king, 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.679 one day every knee 00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.919 will ultimately bow. 00:28:46.699 --> 00:28:48.939 Jesus is the ultimate Sam 1 man. 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:51.500 He's the ultimate Sam 1 man. 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.559 And praise him that, 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:56.099 and this is the gospel, isn't it, 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.519 that Jesus saw me 00:28:57.519 --> 00:29:00.659 and he had compassion on me, 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.939 saved a wretch like me 00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:05.500 as one who was by my very nature 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:07.219 on the worldly path, 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.659 wanted nothing to do with him, 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.939 was on the path marked destruction, 00:29:11.699 --> 00:29:13.579 and Jesus had mercy on me. 00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:15.619 He died for my sin 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.939 that I might not perish, 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:19.319 and by the power of the Holy Spirit 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:21.159 opened my eyes to see 00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:22.439 the path that I was on 00:29:22.439 --> 00:29:23.339 and picked me up, 00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:25.339 took responsibility for my sin, 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:28.019 and put me on the path 00:29:28.019 --> 00:29:29.559 marked the way of the word. 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:32.339 Friends, we are saved by grace, 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.439 not by works, 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:36.139 saved by faith 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:38.220 in the Sam 1 king. 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.759 And this Sam 1 king, 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:41.319 now that he's made me his own, 00:29:42.439 --> 00:29:44.179 calls me to be a Sam 1 person, 00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:48.019 calls me to be this kind of person. 00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:50.319 Words of English hymn writer 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.039 William Cooper, 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:53.459 to see the law by Christ fulfilled, 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:55.940 to hear his pardoning voice, 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.920 changes a slave into a child, 00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:00.720 and changes duty into choice. 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.079 Friends, as we close, 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.539 do you remember the advice 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.740 of Mrs. Blue Swallow? 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.019 Do you remember that? 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:10.799 What does she say? 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.519 To find Thumbelina, 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.480 to find out who she is, 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.400 to find out true happiness. 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.240 Where should she go? 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.140 Where should she look? 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:17.980 To the heart. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.579 Well, let me just tell you, 00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:20.559 and let's close with this, 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:22.120 another piece of wisdom 00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:23.400 I heard over Christmas time, 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:26.279 and it came from the Royal Palace. 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.319 Did anyone see the Queen's speech 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:27.960 on Christmas Day? 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.380 Okay, I didn't. 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.539 I googled it afterwards, 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:33.099 but another piece of advice 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.980 was offered, wasn't it, 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.720 if you think about it, 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.460 to our world. 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.700 A speech that the Queen made 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.400 on Christmas Day. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.660 She talked about the joys 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.339 and the struggles 00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:41.500 of the year gone by, 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:43.279 the delights of the years gone by, 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.440 and she talked about 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:46.119 the challenges of the year ahead. 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:47.940 Now, I have no idea 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:49.279 where the Queen is before the Lord. 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.319 I don't know what's going on there, 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:51.660 but I know what she did say 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:52.220 after this. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.079 She said this. 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.440 Only a few people 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.299 acknowledged Jesus 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.200 when he was born. 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.879 Now billions follow him. 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.319 I believe his message 00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.200 of peace on earth 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.500 and goodwill to all 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:06.539 is never out of date. 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:09.579 It can be heeded by everyone. 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.259 It's needed as much as ever. 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:14.539 The Queen is saying, 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:15.960 look to Jesus. 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.379 Someone is saying, 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.779 look to Jesus. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.220 Friends, as we stand here 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:22.079 as a church community 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:23.839 on the cusp of another year, 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:25.759 let's make this year 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:27.779 about an all-out pursuit 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:29.099 of Jesus Christ. 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:31.700 Let's find our all-in-all 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:33.079 in who he is 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:34.299 because our identity, 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:36.119 our true happiness 00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:37.259 is not to be found 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.440 in following our hearts 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:40.200 or the things of the world. 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.519 Our identity 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.480 and our happiness 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.360 is to be found 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:44.720 by looking to Jesus, 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:46.039 our Savior, 00:31:46.700 --> 00:31:47.299 our King, 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.539 and our brother. 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.539 My favorite old hymn, 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.339 Trust and Obey, 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.460 for there's no other way 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:54.920 to be happy in Jesus 00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.779 but to trust 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.799 and obey. 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:58.360 Let's pray together. 00:31:58.359 --> 00:32:04.500 blessed is the one 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.219 whose delight 00:32:05.219 --> 00:32:05.879 is in the law 00:32:05.879 --> 00:32:06.419 of the Lord 00:32:06.419 --> 00:32:08.959 and who meditates 00:32:08.959 --> 00:32:10.619 on his law 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.919 day and night. 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.579 And so, 00:32:14.659 --> 00:32:15.219 Heavenly Father, 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:16.279 in the silence now, 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:16.919 we offer you 00:32:16.919 --> 00:32:17.759 our own prayers, 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:21.439 knowing that you are the one 00:32:21.439 --> 00:32:22.139 who knows 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:24.919 our hearts. 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.560 and so, 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:26.779 Father, 00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:27.560 in the silence now, 00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:28.900 I pray that as we respond 00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:29.560 to your word 00:32:29.560 --> 00:32:31.380 that you would speak to us. 00:32:40.080 --> 00:32:40.980 Our Heavenly Father, 00:32:41.060 --> 00:32:41.620 we long 00:32:41.620 --> 00:32:43.279 for the truths 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.160 of Psalm 1 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:45.240 to be true for us 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.700 this year, 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.340 to be true for us 00:32:47.340 --> 00:32:47.840 right now 00:32:47.840 --> 00:32:49.560 in our own hearts. 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:51.899 I pray that you would 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:53.319 help us by your spirit 00:32:53.319 --> 00:32:54.720 to have a new resolve 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.539 to be people 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.519 who are sold out 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:56.980 for you 00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:59.480 and who hang our lives 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:01.220 on your every word, 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:01.839 who are people 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:03.639 who live not by sight 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:05.359 but by faith 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:08.079 and that we would 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.779 find our identity 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:11.500 and our happiness 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:13.419 by fixing our eyes 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:14.319 on Jesus Christ. 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:16.879 And it's in his wonderful name 00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:18.339 that we confidently know 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:20.000 and pray knowing that you hear us. 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.339 In Jesus' name, 00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:22.159 Amen.