WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.580 Psalm 102. 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:05.580 I'm reading the whole psalm. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:11.519 The book of Psalms, Psalm 102. 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:14.660 Hear my prayer, O Lord. 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:16.940 Let my cry for help come to you. 00:00:17.580 --> 00:00:20.719 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:24.100 Turn your ear to me when I call. 00:00:24.219 --> 00:00:25.019 Answer me quickly. 00:00:25.019 --> 00:00:28.859 For my days vanish like smoke. 00:00:29.519 --> 00:00:32.159 My bones burn like glowing embers. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:35.659 My heart is blighted and withered like grass. 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:37.799 I forget to eat my food. 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:42.539 Because of my loud groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones. 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:44.759 I'm like a desert owl. 00:00:45.480 --> 00:00:48.019 Like an owl among the ruins, I lie awake. 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:51.379 I've become like a bird alone on a roof. 00:00:51.760 --> 00:00:54.079 All day long my enemies taunt me. 00:00:54.620 --> 00:00:57.620 Those who reel against me use my name as a curse. 00:00:57.619 --> 00:01:00.519 For I eat ashes as my food. 00:01:01.019 --> 00:01:02.659 And mingle my drink with tears. 00:01:03.299 --> 00:01:04.700 Because of your great wrath. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:07.420 For you have taken me up and thrown me aside. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:10.079 My days are like the evening shadow. 00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:11.979 I wither away like grass. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:16.400 But you, O Lord, sit in throne forever. 00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:19.340 Your renown endures through all generations. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:23.359 You will arise and have compassion on Zion. 00:01:23.960 --> 00:01:26.420 For it is time to show favor to her. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:28.500 The appointed time has come. 00:01:29.060 --> 00:01:31.480 For her stones are dear to your servants. 00:01:32.020 --> 00:01:34.659 Her very dust moves them to pity. 00:01:34.659 --> 00:01:37.700 The nations will fear the name of the Lord. 00:01:38.119 --> 00:01:41.039 All the kings of the earth will revere your glory. 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:45.179 For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. 00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:48.539 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute. 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:50.859 He will not despise their plea. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:54.280 Let this be written for a future generation. 00:01:55.219 --> 00:01:57.879 That a people not yet created may praise the Lord. 00:01:58.739 --> 00:02:01.539 The Lord looked down from the sanctuary on high. 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:04.280 From heaven he viewed the earth. 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:06.920 To hear the groans of the prisoners. 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:09.840 And to release those condemned to death. 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:13.740 So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion. 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:16.039 And his praise in Jerusalem. 00:02:16.640 --> 00:02:20.180 When the peoples and the kingdoms assembled to worship the Lord. 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:24.699 In the course of my life he broke my strength. 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:26.879 He cut short my days. 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:30.219 So I said, do not take me away. 00:02:30.980 --> 00:02:32.699 O God, in the midst of my days. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:35.680 Your years go on through all generations. 00:02:36.219 --> 00:02:39.060 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth. 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:41.500 And the heavens have a work of your hands. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:42.979 They will perish. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:44.379 But you remain. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:47.439 They will all wear out like a garment. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:50.219 Like clothing you will change them. 00:02:50.699 --> 00:02:51.780 And they will be discarded. 00:02:52.580 --> 00:02:53.840 But you remain the same. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:56.120 And your years will never end. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:00.039 The children of your servants will live in your presence. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:03.240 Their descendants will be established before you. 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:03.659 Amen. 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:12.560 So really tonight we're looking at the whole of Psalm 102. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:17.000 And we'll be flicking back and forwards to Hebrews chapter 1. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:28.219 It is one of the biggest reasons given for relationships falling apart. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:31.900 For friendships growing cold. 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:35.180 And it's a phrase we're all so used to hearing. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:41.159 It's what causes feelings of homesickness when we're far from home. 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:46.520 It's what leaves us feeling confused often when we travel somewhere new. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:50.039 And it's something we all deal with every day. 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:51.879 It's something that's part of who we are. 00:03:52.359 --> 00:03:54.479 Part of the world we live in. 00:03:56.479 --> 00:04:00.240 That simple thing is change. 00:04:01.300 --> 00:04:01.879 Change. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:06.019 We are constantly changing beings. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:10.240 In a constantly changing world. 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:12.960 We all know that to be true of course. 00:04:13.079 --> 00:04:15.299 It's not a surprise to any of us here this evening. 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:21.920 When we come to read in Psalm 102 this evening. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:24.740 We are faced quite clearly. 00:04:25.040 --> 00:04:25.779 Quite openly. 00:04:26.379 --> 00:04:27.519 Quite vividly. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:30.139 In many places he's quite raw about it. 00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:34.819 The painful reality of change in this man's life. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:39.839 The painful effects it has on the writer. 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:45.899 And we read and we hear as he tells of his pain. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:47.779 As he tells of his misery. 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:51.419 And then of course he leads us slowly. 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:56.500 Slowly leads us to the wonderful glimpses of light we have. 00:04:56.500 --> 00:04:59.279 Where we see how God relates. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:01.199 To that change. 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:05.719 Of course we're following on our evening series. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:08.519 Looking at how God is different to us. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:10.000 And why that's a good thing. 00:05:10.779 --> 00:05:14.860 So this week we're looking at the fact that God does not change. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:19.560 The term that's often used to describe that attribute of God. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:21.599 Is that God is immutable. 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:25.500 Again, a word that's good to know I guess. 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:28.460 But it means quite simply, he does not change. 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:32.120 God does not change. 00:05:32.720 --> 00:05:34.260 Of course there's so much we can say about that. 00:05:34.320 --> 00:05:36.320 So we're just scratching the surface this evening. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:41.260 And even this psalm, we're just scratching the surface of this psalm itself. 00:05:42.040 --> 00:05:45.980 Let's begin by looking at the man and his own changing condition. 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:51.400 And then later on compare and contrast that to God. 00:05:53.300 --> 00:06:02.580 More than half of the psalm, quite a bit actually, over half the psalm is given over to the man and his complaints. 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:04.360 The man and his distress. 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:06.439 The man and his situation. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:16.360 As we said, in vivid terms, he makes quite clear the reality of what it is to live in a universe that is constantly changing. 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:23.399 To live in a changing world where nothing remains the same for any real amount of time. 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:33.359 Maybe we can't all here sympathize to a total extent of what this man is talking about. 00:06:33.419 --> 00:06:39.159 What this man is feeling of the depths of pain this man is quite clearly enduring. 00:06:40.219 --> 00:06:41.659 Maybe some here can. 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:47.739 But all of us here in some way can understand this man's cries. 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:57.860 We can't understand this man's plea, this man's confusion, this man's distress at living in a changing world and being a changing person. 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:07.620 Roughly talks about four different areas of life where we see so much changeability and so much fragility. 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:09.379 Three or four roughly. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.500 And they do overlap in some areas. 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:17.019 Firstly, we can see how fragile life itself actually is. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:22.939 He makes clear pictures of just how fragile his own life really is. 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:27.680 That life itself is passing him by. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:30.819 He refers in verse three. 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:37.540 If you have your Bible open in front of you, we'll be going through the psalm in verse by verse and jumping around a bit. 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:38.680 So please have your Bibles open. 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:45.939 In verse three, we see how his life is passing away, vanishing like smoke. 00:07:45.939 --> 00:07:51.819 Verse four, his heart is blighted and it's withering away like grass. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:54.800 And again in verse 11. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:57.879 My day is like an evening shadow. 00:07:59.180 --> 00:08:01.540 I wither away like grass. 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:05.680 If you ever sit and watch the sun set and watch the shadows, 00:08:05.680 --> 00:08:14.480 when the sun gets just above the horizon, it seems to go quicker and quicker and quicker and the shadows go longer, longer, longer and are gone. 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:21.740 His life is quickly, quickly passing him by. 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:29.680 His circumstances, really, we don't really know what has caused him such grief. 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:37.060 We'll see later on some idea what has, but in reality we're left to wonder what has afflicted him so much. 00:08:37.059 --> 00:08:48.139 But they've caused him to remember or to realize maybe for the first time that he is not going to be here forever. 00:08:48.979 --> 00:08:50.359 His life is fleeting. 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:51.819 His life is short. 00:08:52.299 --> 00:08:53.879 And his life is passing him by. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:00.259 That's something, of course, that we all need to be reminded of. 00:09:00.739 --> 00:09:03.099 We will not be here forever. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:06.980 I was thinking about the first time I realized this. 00:09:08.540 --> 00:09:09.840 I was back home. 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:13.139 And I was at, I was probably about six or seven. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:21.120 And I was at the graveside of a family member, a distant relative I'd never met, but passed away again, buried back home in my village. 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:30.800 And as we stood around the open grave, the minister who was there quite simply and quite openly said, 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:35.699 My friends, I have laid many people in this graveyard. 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:39.620 One day someone will lay you here. 00:09:40.059 --> 00:09:43.039 One day someone will lay me here. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:48.079 One day someone will stand over my grave and say the same things. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:51.759 When he asked, are you ready? 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:53.439 Simple words. 00:09:54.179 --> 00:09:56.819 Simple truth we all know, but so profound. 00:09:56.820 --> 00:10:02.820 The psalmist here has painfully come face to face with his own mortality. 00:10:04.040 --> 00:10:07.940 He has realized and been reminded that his life will end. 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:12.040 His life is passing him by so quickly. 00:10:15.040 --> 00:10:16.320 Do we know this experience? 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:20.980 Do we know what it is to feel our lives passing us by? 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:25.180 The fact that one day we will be gone. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:29.580 Within 50 to 100 years, those who remember us will also be gone. 00:10:31.820 --> 00:10:36.920 All that we've worked so hard to achieve and to hold on to, we leave it all behind. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:42.779 It's a sobering thought, but it's important to hold on to that thought as we carry on throughout the psalm. 00:10:42.779 --> 00:10:45.579 So life is fragile. 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:54.899 Then we also see how his soul and his mind, how they are fragile and how they are so changeable. 00:10:56.319 --> 00:10:58.759 In verse 2, we see he's in great distress. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:00.759 He cries out for help. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:03.919 Down to verse 4, he's downcast. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:07.699 He's so downcast he can't even eat his food anymore. 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:09.940 He forgets to eat his food. 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:14.160 And verse 6 to 7, he can't sleep anymore. 00:11:16.640 --> 00:11:20.420 In verse 9, he's in constant tears. 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:23.280 His tears are mingling with his food and his drink. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:31.740 Here we have a picture of a man who is totally, totally broken. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:39.700 A man that's hurting, that has faced such great changes in his situation and his emotions. 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:43.519 He's got all the signs of someone going through deep distress. 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:46.980 Not able to eat, not able to sleep. 00:11:50.779 --> 00:11:52.779 And we know that God's word is so clear. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:57.820 It hides nothing from us about the reality of our fragile lives. 00:11:57.820 --> 00:12:03.500 I'm sure that many here this evening can sympathize with this man. 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:07.420 In ways only yourselves will know. 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:16.200 You can sympathize with this man's sadness, this man's misery, his distress, his loneliness. 00:12:18.540 --> 00:12:21.760 And how quickly do we find our emotions changing? 00:12:23.260 --> 00:12:24.800 We can wake up feeling great. 00:12:24.900 --> 00:12:26.360 We can have breakfast or leave the door. 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:27.200 We're feeling miserable. 00:12:28.760 --> 00:12:32.800 Our situation and our emotions and our mind can change in a second. 00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:39.720 It takes one phone call for our whole lives to be turned upside down. 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:50.520 The times we feel we were so sure about something, and then that was so wrong. 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:57.019 The things we hold so dear are being brought into question. 00:12:57.740 --> 00:13:00.799 We lose sight of our hope when all is darkness. 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:05.579 When, like the psalmist, we are mingling our tears with our drink. 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:09.220 We are changing so quickly in our soul and our mind. 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:20.480 Thirdly, he talks about the changing nature and changing circumstance of the world around him and of his own life. 00:13:21.160 --> 00:13:25.740 How his own life changes so quickly and how the world around him changes so quickly. 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:33.100 In terms of personal circumstances changing, we can see the whole psalm is concerning that for him. 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:37.620 But we can look at examples like in verse 6. 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:42.879 Verse 6, I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:44.740 This vivid picture. 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:48.700 There is some debate, actually, what this animal being referred to actually is. 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:50.860 But either way, the picture is clear. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.340 He's in the desert. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.040 He's alone. 00:13:55.900 --> 00:13:56.680 In the night. 00:13:57.520 --> 00:13:58.220 Screeching away. 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:00.740 An owl among the ruins. 00:14:01.140 --> 00:14:02.520 All around him is destroyed. 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:05.240 And he is there on his own in the darkness. 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:12.300 Then in verse 8, he makes reference, of course, to his enemies all day long. 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.259 My enemies taunt me. 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:14.800 And they rule against him. 00:14:15.040 --> 00:14:15.900 And they curse him. 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.300 Using his name. 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:20.199 Those wanting to see his destruction. 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:23.319 Those wanting to see his downfall. 00:14:25.099 --> 00:14:30.979 In verses 15 to verse 22, we get a glimpse into at least part of the reason of his misery. 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:37.139 We see that he's talking about the destruction and the long rebuilding of Zion. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:39.719 Of course, there's much we can say about that. 00:14:39.719 --> 00:14:43.279 But for the sake of time tonight, we can't delve into that. 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:46.439 But safe to say, he has seen the destruction. 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:49.459 Of the place he holds dear. 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:53.279 The place he loves is no longer the same. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.539 The people he once knew are no longer there. 00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:01.799 Destruction is all around him. 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:06.979 So here we do encounter a man who is miserable. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:11.219 A man who is truly in distress. 00:15:11.859 --> 00:15:14.479 A man who's lamenting his changing circumstances. 00:15:15.979 --> 00:15:21.740 A man who's not able to control what is happening to him or happening around him. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:22.740 A man who's not able to control what is happening to him or anything. 00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:29.560 A man that many of us, of course, can perhaps sympathize with or even identify with. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:40.100 In amongst this torrent of sadness, we then thankfully have two distinct sections of wonderful light. 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:45.820 Where we see amongst this quickly changing and spiraling misery. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:48.019 We see hope. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:50.720 Please look with me to verse 12. 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:55.800 This man is in misery. 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.759 You might say, I am in misery. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:00.899 My life is falling apart. 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.540 Who I am has changed. 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:06.600 My mind and my feelings and my soul are in constant change. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:08.420 My situation has changed. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:10.639 Darkness is all around me. 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.519 My whole world has changed. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:20.279 But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:25.559 Your renown endures through all generations. 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:27.799 What a change in tone. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:33.240 What a change in the pace and the tone of this psalm. 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.159 It's almost as if he stops. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.980 He stops in his tracks and he catches himself. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.899 He gathers himself together what he can. 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:50.799 And he realizes, but you, but you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:17:00.899 He declares the reality of the unchanging reality of the unchanging God he worships. 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:06.000 The kingdoms of this world, they will topple. 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.759 They will fall. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:12.259 If God preserves us long enough, this place will be in ruins one day. 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:14.099 Our nation will be forgotten one day. 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:17.740 Covered with a layer of earth. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:23.359 His kingdom will never stop. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:23.700 It will never stop. 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.259 It will never be toppled. 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:27.400 His kingdom will never end. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:30.900 His kingdom will never be destroyed. 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:36.920 His kingdom will never be attacked so much as it falls to pieces. 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:43.200 It will endure forever because God as king endures forever. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:48.000 And it gets even more incredible. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:55.860 The unchanging God of the universe. 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:00.279 The unchanging God who sits enthroned forever. 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:08.399 What does it say about him in verses 12 down to verse 20? 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:24.139 In verses 12 down to verse 20, we see that our unchanging God cares for us changing beings. 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:28.320 He is not far away, not far removed. 00:18:28.800 --> 00:18:33.980 Because he's unchanging, it doesn't mean he cannot and does not interact with us. 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.980 He is unchanging. 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:38.720 He sits enthroned forever. 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:45.640 But yet, he has compassion on us. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:49.720 He cares deeply. 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:56.000 He cares in a real active sense about changeable people. 00:18:56.880 --> 00:19:00.980 The perfect God who reigns for all eternity. 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:04.940 Unchangingly reigns for all eternity. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:09.160 He cares for us changing creatures. 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:11.980 Let's read together verses 19 to verse 20. 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:19.220 A verse that we can apply to all of God's salvation, to all God's people. 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:22.940 A verse which summarizes God's gospel plan. 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:25.920 The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.920 From heaven he viewed the earth. 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:31.100 To hear the groans of the prisoners. 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:35.100 And release those condemned to death. 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:39.519 So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion. 00:19:39.619 --> 00:19:41.240 His praise in Jerusalem. 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:46.059 When the peoples and kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord. 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:52.719 God who saw me and saw you in our sin. 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.539 Who saw us in our lostness. 00:19:54.639 --> 00:20:00.480 Who saw us in our constant changing, ever spiraling downward darkness. 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:03.599 He didn't remain far away. 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:05.259 He didn't remain detached. 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:09.059 He saw us and he intervened in history. 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:11.779 And he intervened in our lives. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:17.859 A wonderful reason to praise our unchanging God. 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:23.419 This is where it's so important for us to see our God as unchanging. 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:26.759 Because God doesn't change. 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:34.500 He will not one day grow tired or grow weary of saving and helping changeable sinners. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:37.180 Because God is unchanging. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:40.080 He is unchanging in all that he is. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:43.039 Unchanging in his love. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.960 Unchanging in his mercy. 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:48.039 Unchanging in his forgiveness and in his salvation. 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:50.039 Unchanging in his salvation. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:52.720 Of course there's a thousand things to say about that. 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:56.879 And again we're restricted by time and by very much by my ability. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:58.200 We're restricted in so many ways. 00:20:58.379 --> 00:21:01.279 But please do read this psalm again for yourselves. 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:01.779 And other. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:05.119 I was saying to James a few days ago. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:12.319 It's a great irony in that I changed topic sermon text for this sermon about ten times. 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:15.240 Look at God's unchangeability. 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:22.379 And how scripture itself gives so many evidences again and again of how God does not change. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:24.240 And why that is a great thing for us. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:31.480 So we've seen our unchanging God in terms of his kingdom. 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:34.160 In terms of his never changing kingdom. 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:39.400 Now look with me at verses 24 down to verse 28. 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:43.240 In verses 24 to verse 28. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.940 He is again crying out to God. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.259 And he's requesting to God. 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:49.099 Don't take me away. 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.779 Don't cut my days short. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:51.819 God. 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:56.079 Your years go on through all generations. 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:04.039 It's here we are being let in to see just a small glimpse. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:09.639 A small glimpse of a glory that belongs to our immutable God. 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:15.339 We're of course limited so much by human language and by understanding. 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:17.379 But what can be expressed. 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:20.599 What is expressed in these verses is just incredible. 00:22:20.599 --> 00:22:26.659 In verse 24 we see the psalmist reminding us again of our mortal limitations. 00:22:27.619 --> 00:22:31.119 Compared to the endless days of God. 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:34.639 Your years go on through all generations. 00:22:35.939 --> 00:22:37.699 In a day we change so much. 00:22:38.219 --> 00:22:40.299 In a day our plans change. 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.839 Our attitude change. 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:43.099 Our emotions change. 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:48.799 God goes on forever. 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:55.139 Verse 25 down to verse 27. 00:22:55.379 --> 00:23:00.720 We see an incredible, incredible amount of truth being shared with us. 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:03.480 There's just so much taken in these verses. 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:07.359 One day all that we know. 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:10.099 All that God has made. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.599 It will perish. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:14.659 We know that when God comes back. 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:18.059 Everything will be dissolved. 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:24.000 2 Peter 3 verse 10 talks about this coming day of the Lord. 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:26.699 It's like a thief. 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:30.759 And then the heavens will pass away with a roar. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:33.779 And the heavenly bodies will be burnt up and dissolved. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:37.500 And the earth and the works that are done in it will be exposed. 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:42.779 Like clothing you will change them. 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.720 And they will be discarded. 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:48.519 The power of our unchanging God. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.920 He is outwith his creation. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:53.180 And one day he will come back. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:56.900 And he will do as he has promised here. 00:23:57.660 --> 00:24:00.220 Even creation itself of course will be made new. 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:08.079 These verses from verse 24 down to verse 28. 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:10.059 They are incredible enough on their own. 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:14.680 On their own we see such wonderful truths about our unchanging God. 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:17.500 But these verses are made even more incredible. 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:21.400 Of course when we look to Hebrews chapter 1. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:23.860 The chapter we read a few moments ago. 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:28.240 And we trust in the principle that scripture interprets scripture. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:36.720 And because of that we know that the verses in Hebrews chapter 1 are true. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:40.140 In Hebrews chapter 1 of course we read. 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:45.160 It gives a defense of the supremacy of the eternal son. 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:48.420 The supremacy of Jesus compared to the angels. 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:51.519 Or compared to the other heavenly hosts. 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:55.980 It shows that Jesus is not just a supreme angel. 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:57.140 That Jesus is unique. 00:24:57.140 --> 00:25:00.259 That Jesus is alone. 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:02.800 The son of God. 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:08.340 And part of that defense to show that Jesus is God. 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:11.840 Is to show that he is unchanging. 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:15.160 And they quote in Hebrews chapter 1. 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:17.360 These verses in Psalm 102. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:20.040 The writer of Hebrews chapter 1. 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:22.159 Goes back and quotes these verses. 00:25:22.159 --> 00:25:24.700 From verse 24 down to verse 27, 28. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:30.180 And he says these verses are talking about Jesus. 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:35.299 That Jesus is the one being addressed in these verses. 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:37.960 Being talked about in these verses. 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.799 Incredible. 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:45.740 This should just transform our view of this passage. 00:25:46.559 --> 00:25:48.980 It should make praise well upon us. 00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:52.559 As we again later say in Hebrews 13 verse 9. 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:56.720 Where Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:59.079 Jesus 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:02.660 but he laid the foundations of the air 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:06.279 but he will remain forever 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:09.220 but he is the same 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:13.920 and this psalm is to be taken as clear evidence 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:17.539 of our unchanging, our immutable saviour 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:20.640 but why should that matter so much to us? 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:23.200 Great, we understand it. Why does it matter? 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:28.920 Well it means that because our saviour never changes 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:31.920 neither does his nature, his being 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:34.200 or his promises towards us 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:38.940 what he has said 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:42.400 and what he has promised will never alter 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:45.460 or be altered because he 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:48.920 is never altered, because he never changes 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:51.920 his promises never change 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:54.060 they never fade away 00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:58.519 the one who promised to take all the sins 00:26:58.519 --> 00:27:01.140 of all his people to the cross 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:05.759 the one who promised to deal with these sins 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:08.900 the one who promised that we would be made clean 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:10.759 in the sight of God 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.720 that promise never changes 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:16.940 the one who promised that none of his people 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:18.240 would be lost 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:20.200 that promise never changes 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:22.740 the one who promised 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:25.259 to one day come back 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.259 and take his people 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.420 to be with him 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:29.120 until that happens 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:31.059 that promise will never change 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:33.640 this is not just dry theology 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:35.840 the fact that our saviour 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:37.319 our God does not change 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:39.039 it's essential for us 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.840 to know that fact 00:27:40.840 --> 00:27:43.940 because God does not change 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:45.200 his promises 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.259 his covenant 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:48.720 his blessings towards us 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:50.680 do not change 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:54.299 the one who promised to be a light 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:56.299 and a saviour for his people 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.299 that promise 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.740 does not 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.400 and will never 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.799 change 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:03.519 in this psalm 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.940 we just get a brief glimpse 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.599 into the 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.440 wonder 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:08.099 of our unchanging God 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:10.420 the God 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.859 who remains the same 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:13.619 even as we find 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.799 our lives changing 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.519 so quickly 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:17.039 even as we find 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.339 perhaps our lives 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.319 falling to bits 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:22.000 we have the confidence 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:23.079 the sure hope 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:25.199 that he has not changed 00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:26.359 the God 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.779 who first saved us 00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:28.779 is the God 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.919 who still walks with us 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:31.579 the God 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.739 who created all things 00:28:32.739 --> 00:28:33.779 is the God 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.599 who will one day 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.259 take us home 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.419 to be with himself 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:38.679 God 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.979 has not 00:28:39.979 --> 00:28:41.039 changed 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:43.859 from any here 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:46.619 and only you know 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.180 this really 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:48.480 we all know 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.000 each other here 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.559 to an extent 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.299 but in reality 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.879 only the individual 00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:52.480 knows 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:54.059 only I know 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.599 only you know 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.259 where you stand 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.420 before God 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:59.899 my humble 00:28:59.899 --> 00:29:00.839 personal question 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.359 to you is 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.740 where does your security 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.119 lie 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:04.539 where does your hope 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:04.859 lie 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:06.879 the Christian 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.559 and the non-Christian 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.779 we all face 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.559 pretty much 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.619 the same trials 00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:12.339 issues with family 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.459 issues with health 00:29:13.459 --> 00:29:14.219 issues with money 00:29:14.219 --> 00:29:14.939 issues with jobs 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:15.459 and so on 00:29:15.459 --> 00:29:17.879 what separates 00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:19.459 the Christian 00:29:19.459 --> 00:29:20.179 from the non-Christian 00:29:20.179 --> 00:29:23.299 what separates us 00:29:23.299 --> 00:29:23.779 is the fact 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.639 that when the Christian 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:26.219 sees the earth 00:29:26.219 --> 00:29:26.879 give way 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.699 under our feet 00:29:27.699 --> 00:29:28.739 when the Christian 00:29:28.739 --> 00:29:29.799 sees their life 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:31.000 falling to bits 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.659 when the Christian 00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:32.279 recognizes 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.539 that everything 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.219 is changing 00:29:34.219 --> 00:29:34.919 about them 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:36.799 they have the 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.799 sure hope 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.559 and confidence 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:39.699 of what's painful 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:41.480 of what's miserable 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.539 of what's miserable 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.059 of what's 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.620 over situation 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.480 is sad 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:46.100 and at times 00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:46.759 distressing 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.940 they know 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.720 that their God 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:50.080 does not change 00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:51.340 that their God 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:52.080 is secure 00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:53.660 and because their God 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.600 does not change 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:56.539 his love for them 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.100 has not 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:57.860 and will not change 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:59.480 his promises to them 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.240 has not 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:01.080 and will never change 00:30:01.080 --> 00:30:03.759 my honest 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.600 simple plea 00:30:04.600 --> 00:30:04.720 to you 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.180 it's so 00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:06.480 I know we always say 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:06.680 this 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.500 it's so easy 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.160 to get so comfortable 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:08.680 in church 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:09.420 in our pews 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.700 on a Sunday evening 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.340 Sunday morning 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:12.140 I'm up here 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.759 you're down there 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.820 we get so comfortable 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:14.480 with this process 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.039 so comfortable 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.900 with all this stuff 00:30:15.900 --> 00:30:17.080 we forget how real 00:30:17.080 --> 00:30:17.680 this is 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:19.060 this is real 00:30:19.060 --> 00:30:19.799 this is real 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:21.200 life and death 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:23.120 this is a word 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.700 of God 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.640 talking 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.759 to you 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.420 right now 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:31.620 put your hope 00:30:31.620 --> 00:30:32.660 and your trust 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:34.460 in the unchanging 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.960 God 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.840 who made you 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.279 and who knows you 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:39.319 the unchanging God 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.579 who we will all 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.240 one day 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.259 meet face to face 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:48.019 since then 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:49.160 and person 00:30:49.160 --> 00:30:50.359 I assumption 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.799 nothing 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:51.900 the unηатель 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.879 is 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:53.099 everything 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:53.799 that came 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.379 up to me 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:55.379 according to you 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.379 I'm up there 00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:56.500 so Barkha 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:56.539 it's 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.539 people 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:57.740 that came 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.240 and I 00:30:59.240 --> 00:30:59.920 reached the scene 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.420 that came 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.339 and you 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.779 that came 00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.160 and I 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.579 could you 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.480 value 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:06.480 this he 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:08.279 and other 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.359 you 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.759 know