WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.780 Psalm 16. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.359 The boroughs of those who run after another god shall multiply. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:42.600 Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. 00:00:44.539 --> 00:00:50.000 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup. 00:00:51.460 --> 00:00:52.879 You hold my lot. 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:58.140 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:02.880 Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:08.719 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel in the night. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:11.040 Also, my heart instructs me. 00:01:12.420 --> 00:01:15.920 I have set the Lord always before me. 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:21.819 Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:29.059 Therefore, my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:33.539 My flesh also dwells secure. 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:40.719 For you will not abandon my soul to shoal or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:01:43.020 --> 00:01:47.080 You make known to me the path of life. 00:01:48.380 --> 00:01:51.960 In your presence there is fullness of joy. 00:01:51.959 --> 00:01:57.459 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:01:57.459 --> 00:02:04.259 Well, my name is David. 00:02:04.399 --> 00:02:05.819 I am one of the pastors here. 00:02:05.979 --> 00:02:07.079 A warm welcome if you are visiting. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:09.239 I hope you can stick around for a cuppa. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:15.000 Just a reminder, if you do want to use crèche for under three, now is your time. 00:02:15.079 --> 00:02:17.819 But by all means, keep your kids in here with you as well. 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:18.299 That is fine. 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:27.660 I want to start with something of a prayer. 00:02:28.820 --> 00:02:29.980 It's not a real prayer. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:31.400 That will become pretty obvious. 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:36.900 Oh, St. George bank account. 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:43.060 011200624. 00:02:44.120 --> 00:02:45.100 Preserve me. 00:02:46.100 --> 00:02:48.020 For in you I take refuge. 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:51.439 Protect me from rising interest rates. 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:54.380 Protect me from inflation. 00:02:54.620 --> 00:02:56.420 Protect my family's future. 00:02:57.040 --> 00:02:58.000 Oh, bank account. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:01.620 Oh, protect how much I'm worth in society. 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:04.420 In you I take refuge. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:07.300 Oh, St. George bank account. 00:03:10.100 --> 00:03:10.860 011200624. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:14.680 I have no good apart from you. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:19.439 My children's happiness depends on you. 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:23.500 Our home and health and holidays and presents. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:27.960 My enjoyment of the best things life has to offer. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:31.920 Oh, and so St. George bank account. 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:33.259 011200624. 00:03:33.259 --> 00:03:37.939 I say to you, you are my Lord. 00:03:39.079 --> 00:03:39.839 Command me. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:43.879 What must I do for you to increase my lot in life? 00:03:43.879 --> 00:03:47.120 What worry about tomorrow would you have from me? 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:52.960 What plans would you have my mind obsessed about to increase my lot in life? 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:53.759 What would you have? 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:54.859 What cost? 00:03:54.979 --> 00:03:55.719 What sacrifice? 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:56.979 Nothing is too big. 00:03:56.979 --> 00:03:57.659 My family? 00:03:58.659 --> 00:03:59.560 My health? 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:02.319 Devotion to church? 00:04:02.519 --> 00:04:05.459 What costs would you have me sacrifice at your altar? 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:12.439 Amen. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:15.319 It's not in my script. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:26.000 For a country with less and less people claim to have a faith, there's still a lot of faith 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:29.360 and hope in money and possessions. 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:38.060 Christmas and approaching the new year, it's such a great opportunity to just pause and take 00:04:38.060 --> 00:04:40.060 stock of your life, isn't it? 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:41.639 We're coming into a new year. 00:04:42.339 --> 00:04:43.280 What am I living for? 00:04:43.339 --> 00:04:47.780 What am I looking to to give me peace and joy and hope? 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:53.600 Now, Christmas and New Year, I know, is a difficult time for me. 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:58.860 Some here today are going to be, it's going to feel very lonely. 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:06.060 It's going to be filled with grief, with those no longer around the dinner table. 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:11.399 And so, if that's true for you, I suspect your soul is just thirsting for joy. 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:18.220 And the good news is, Psalm 16 is deep enough, even for you. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:24.220 Others here, I suspect, will be quite happy with your lot in life. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:30.860 And so, the promises of Psalm 16 are going to feel dull and boring. 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:33.639 But can I suggest that's your problem? 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:35.279 They're not dull and boring. 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:42.720 Some, maybe most of us, have already made plans for 2024. 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:48.180 You've already decided how you're going to increase your joy and less sorrow. 00:05:49.220 --> 00:05:50.540 You've already made plans. 00:05:51.840 --> 00:05:55.439 Something you can do by your own effort to increase your lot in life. 00:05:57.139 --> 00:06:02.220 But I would ask, is your end goal the same as the end of this psalm? 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:05.220 It's summarised on the banner behind me. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:07.260 Verse 11. 00:06:07.440 --> 00:06:09.480 You make known to me the path of life. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:13.580 In your presence there is fullness of joy. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:19.120 At your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 00:06:21.320 --> 00:06:22.440 What a promise. 00:06:24.500 --> 00:06:25.460 Fullness of joy. 00:06:26.760 --> 00:06:27.960 Pleasures forevermore. 00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:28.959 Pleasures? 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:29.959 Pleasures? 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:31.259 Yes. 00:06:32.479 --> 00:06:32.879 Pleasures. 00:06:33.139 --> 00:06:40.120 If you've got any notion that God isn't into pleasures, he created pleasures. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:43.419 They're all from him. 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:50.839 What people distort pleasures, they're just distorting it. 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:51.859 They're not creating pleasures. 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:53.259 God created real pleasure. 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:57.660 The freshness of the rain after hot days. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.680 The refreshment of sleep. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:02.100 The endorphins of laughter. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:08.139 The satisfaction of a full belly, which we're all looking forward to in the coming days. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:10.939 Like, it's been ages since I've had rock melon. 00:07:11.400 --> 00:07:17.819 Now, I know I'm dividing people here by introducing rock melon, but choose whatever food you love. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:24.219 I hadn't had it for ages, and I put it, the other day I wasn't expecting, I put it in my mouth and, boom, wow. 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:34.219 I know, probably five other people are agreeing with me right now, but it just made me wonder, like, does the Lord know this pleasure? 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:35.839 I have no idea. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:36.680 I'm not sure how to answer it. 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:37.399 Of course he knows. 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:38.219 He designed it. 00:07:38.539 --> 00:07:39.740 He designed my taste buds. 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:44.259 He designed my mind to enjoy it. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:49.540 He even designed my mind to ask such a question at a time. 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:55.460 Does he enjoy the pleasure, or does he get pleasure from us enjoying it? 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:56.079 I don't know. 00:07:56.100 --> 00:07:57.960 I don't know what the answers are to all those questions. 00:07:57.959 --> 00:08:08.699 All I know is that eating that rock melon and asking that question, it just, it increased my joy. 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:17.539 It was pure pleasure, because I was doing it in thankfulness and in relationship with God. 00:08:17.679 --> 00:08:23.740 It was, I probably will never have another piece of rock melon like it. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:24.939 I don't know. 00:08:24.979 --> 00:08:25.799 I can't beat it now. 00:08:25.799 --> 00:08:25.839 I don't know. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.299 So yes, pleasures. 00:08:30.539 --> 00:08:34.840 God promises joy and pleasures forevermore. 00:08:37.699 --> 00:08:42.759 You might be wondering, why can't I find happiness in whatever I please? 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:45.460 Like, what's wrong with looking to money? 00:08:45.579 --> 00:08:49.299 If it does make me happy, if it does make my family happy, what's wrong with that? 00:08:49.699 --> 00:08:53.419 Why can't I look to the new job, the new relationship, whatever it is? 00:08:53.419 --> 00:08:57.919 The golden staff of oblivion on level 20 of Zelda. 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:05.500 Like, you can tell how out of touch I am, but why can't I choose where I find pleasure? 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:06.799 What's so wrong with that? 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:15.399 Well, I just want to ask a question, or two questions. 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:24.259 As we're coming into 2024, what you're looking to for joy and meaning in life, can it offer you full? 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:29.299 Can it offer you full? 00:09:29.439 --> 00:09:30.819 Can you get more than full? 00:09:36.399 --> 00:09:40.299 Can whatever you're looking to give you longer than forever? 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:55.939 Where we're headed today, if you're following the outline, I've just gone nuts with words that start with P. 00:09:55.940 --> 00:10:04.800 It gives me a sense as a preacher that I've got a coherent outline, but I've just put lots of P words in there. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:07.560 Protect me. 00:10:09.220 --> 00:10:16.760 Protect me is how this psalm, it's a joyful psalm, but it starts with a deep cry, protect me. 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:19.580 Protect from what? 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:21.120 False promises. 00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:24.300 I think we'll find false promises. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:27.060 Protect me how? 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:31.380 By delighting in you, Lord. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:35.400 So that in the end, I am in your presence. 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:39.260 With full and forever joy. 00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:41.760 Show me the path to life. 00:10:41.900 --> 00:10:42.580 Protect me. 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:51.020 The Christian life, it is the fight for full and forever joy in Jesus. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:57.379 Getting off the bus when I was in year seven. 00:10:58.579 --> 00:11:02.519 Dread filled me when I saw two year ten boys waiting at the bus stop. 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:10.860 And I knew they were waiting for me because I had said some things to one of these boys at school that day. 00:11:10.860 --> 00:11:15.000 My house was a block away. 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:18.659 And so I don't know why I didn't stay on the bus. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.680 That would have been a smart thing to do, but I didn't. 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:22.800 I got off and I ran home. 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:25.279 And these boys were chasing me. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:36.959 And as I was running home, I was just hoping with all my might that this neighbour in year 12, he used to hang out at our house and he wasn't afraid of a fight. 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:39.439 I was hoping he was home. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:41.819 I was wishing, praying. 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:44.199 But someone better was there. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.679 My older brother. 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:49.739 I didn't need to ask him protect me. 00:11:50.339 --> 00:11:54.579 I think the fear in my eyes probably said it all. 00:11:56.279 --> 00:12:01.779 I took refuge in my older brother who could defuse the situation and immediately I felt safe. 00:12:06.199 --> 00:12:09.959 Do you hear the reason why David expects God to preserve him? 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:12.219 It's got nothing to do with him deserving it. 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:13.479 I didn't deserve it that day. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:17.399 It's got everything to do with who. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:20.659 Who are you trusting in to protect you? 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.879 I'm hiding in you, God. 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:25.759 Other people look to other things. 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:28.560 Their money, their success, their beauty, whatever it is. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.600 I'm not looking there. 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.879 I'm going to you. 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:34.700 I'm hiding behind your legs. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:38.920 I'm trusting you that you can keep me. 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:41.340 I'm not hedging my bets. 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:43.000 I'm all in with you. 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:49.639 I say to the Lord, the personal name. 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.539 I know you, Lord. 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.620 You are my Lord. 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.159 I'm all in with you. 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:58.820 I've thrown my lot in with you. 00:12:58.980 --> 00:13:00.500 I've no good apart from you. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.259 Protect me. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.060 Keep me. 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.740 Protection from what? 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:12.100 King David, he had many threats and dangers. 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:19.700 I've never had someone who, I don't think, anyway, who's intentionally tried to kill me. 00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:20.560 David did. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:24.779 That must be incredibly anxiety-provoking. 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:29.240 But I think he understood there was a bigger danger even than that. 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:33.000 And I think that's what verse 4 is about. 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:36.960 The danger is empty promises. 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:44.960 The sorrows of those who run after another God shall multiply. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:51.139 I think he uses the word multiply because it doesn't seem like sorrow at first. 00:13:51.920 --> 00:13:55.700 But it quickly, exponentially turns against you, leaving you empty. 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:58.519 Let's go back to money, for instance. 00:13:58.920 --> 00:14:01.360 There is nothing wrong with money in and of itself. 00:14:01.460 --> 00:14:02.300 Nothing wrong with it. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:05.579 It's the false promises of money. 00:14:05.719 --> 00:14:06.399 That's the problem. 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:15.179 It can cause constant anxiety, keeping you awake at night. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:15.959 Never enough. 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:21.299 How many marriages are filled with bitter arguments about money? 00:14:25.059 --> 00:14:30.299 How many are saving up for their retirement to take life easy, eat, drink and be merry, 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:32.779 and the next day they go to their GP? 00:14:39.359 --> 00:14:44.319 I know of a wealthy man who felt very lonely because of his wealth, 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:50.359 because he didn't know, does this person love me for my sake or for my money? 00:14:51.799 --> 00:14:52.579 Isn't that interesting? 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:55.779 Having it all made him really lonely. 00:14:55.779 --> 00:15:02.459 After a funeral, I was talking to an older man and he was very wealthy. 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:07.699 Well, he described something of what he owned. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:09.120 I don't know exactly how wealthy, 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:13.100 but he was telling me that his son hadn't talked to him in decades. 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:19.100 And the reason was because the son had asked him for a loan for his business 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:20.600 and the dad didn't give it to him. 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:25.779 Talk about multiplied sorrows. 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:28.800 Now, I'm not casting blame here. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.279 I don't know. 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:31.279 I don't know whose fault in that situation. 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:32.080 I don't know the details. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.420 I'm not. 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:35.519 What I do know is somewhere in there, 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:40.960 someone is trusting in money to give them all they need in life 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:42.960 and it tore the family apart. 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:56.720 To put our hope in empty promises is choosing the path of multiplied sorrow. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:15:59.960 It's crazy. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.180 It's irrational. 00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:03.240 But we all do it. 00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:05.720 I do it so often. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:08.519 People are choosing that path so often. 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:12.639 Is the Christian immune from this? 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.080 No. 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:16.019 That's the point of David's prayer, I think. 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.519 That's why we pray with David. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.480 Protect me. 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.480 Protect me. 00:16:22.819 --> 00:16:27.139 I'm prone to wander away from you, Lord, to other things, other goods 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:32.039 that pretend to be everything in life. 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:36.519 I don't keep myself delighting in you, God. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:38.360 You must keep me delighting in you. 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.139 Keep my faith. 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:40.860 Protect it. 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:45.480 However innocent and good this thing might be, it might seem at the time, 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:50.879 if it gets in between me and you and pushes you away, protect me from that. 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.919 It's going to multiply sorrows. 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:56.220 He fights for joy. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:59.259 I choose the path of full and forever. 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:00.759 I don't want sorrow. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:00.919 I don't want sorrow. 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:09.220 Jesus said, enter by the narrow gate. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:16.200 For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:18.099 And those who enter by it are many. 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:26.559 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life. 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:29.319 And those who find it are few. 00:17:30.719 --> 00:17:35.500 Fighting for full joy, it's going to feel like a kind of dying. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:38.680 Don't misunderstand me here. 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:42.420 It's going to feel like dying because it's going to be a lonely path. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:46.220 Because most people are trusting in all sorts of other things. 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:48.400 It's a lonely path. 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:52.059 It's also a risky path. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:54.779 It feels like you're missing out constantly. 00:17:54.779 --> 00:18:02.240 People who have happiness now, they will have multiplied sorrows, 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.720 but gee, they look happy now. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:13.059 So it's going to feel like dying, choosing full joy. 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:17.119 And there's another thing we have to be careful of here. 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:19.980 It's not sacrificing and saying to God, 00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:22.599 God, look what I missed out on because of you. 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:23.859 You owe me. 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:26.019 You owe me big time. 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:29.879 That's not what this psalm is about. 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:32.539 It's saying, I choose joy. 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.619 I choose the greatest joy. 00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:38.899 It's only good if it's in you. 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:40.439 I have no good apart from you. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.279 I want joy. 00:18:41.479 --> 00:18:42.240 I don't want sorrow. 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:47.319 So how does God answer the prayer? 00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:51.439 To protect our faith in his promises, 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:53.479 to protect us from false promises, 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:57.119 well, David draws to mind all that the Lord is to him. 00:18:58.139 --> 00:19:02.059 He fights false promises by looking to who the Lord is to him. 00:19:02.459 --> 00:19:03.959 He delights in the Lord's... 00:19:03.959 --> 00:19:05.240 Here we go with the Ps again. 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.699 The Lord's people, 00:19:07.699 --> 00:19:08.939 the Lord's power, 00:19:10.219 --> 00:19:11.359 the Lord's portion, 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:13.479 and the Lord's presence. 00:19:13.479 --> 00:19:17.799 He fights the false promises by focusing on who the Lord is to him. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.759 So let's quickly go through these. 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.359 If I was to ask you, 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:26.659 what's an evidence of having a real love for God? 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:31.860 If you made a list of evidences of real, genuine love for God, 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.360 I wonder what you'd put on that list. 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:38.560 I find it fascinating that the first thing David goes to is people, 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.540 God's people. 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:47.619 All my delight are in your people. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:54.059 Not anyone who puts Christian on the census. 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:59.799 We're talking about people who are humbled by the cross of Jesus 00:19:59.799 --> 00:20:03.319 and they delight in God's word 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:08.460 and they're self-sacrificing like God is for others' sake. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:12.100 Those people, you know them and you're like, 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:14.140 I delight in you. 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.519 Why? 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:16.400 Because they're delighting in God. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:19.220 If you're delighting in God, of course you delight in them. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.920 You see God reflected in them. 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:29.120 So the first thing, David knows his faith is being protected. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:32.140 He knows he's on the path to life 00:20:32.140 --> 00:20:36.980 because he really does have affection for God's people. 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:40.240 I love your people. 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.680 I'm among your people 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:44.440 because they delight in you. 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:51.200 So if church is just a good environment for your children to grow up in 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:54.420 or a place to make friends 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:58.340 or a platform to make a name for yourself, 00:21:00.900 --> 00:21:03.400 you've got to check what path you're on. 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:07.320 You could be on the path to sorrow, not joy. 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:13.259 Do you delight in the people of God? 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:19.040 That's the first thing David knows. 00:21:19.320 --> 00:21:23.640 He's being protected for God by delighting in his people 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:25.200 and I delight in your power. 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.960 I think that comes across in the phrase, 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:29.560 you hold my lot. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:31.599 Now what's that going on about? 00:21:31.679 --> 00:21:34.220 I think lot is like casting lots, 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.879 it's like drawing straws. 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:40.940 That's how back in Israel when they got the promised land, 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:45.899 that's how they determined where God would put each tribe and each family. 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:47.679 They cast lots. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:51.319 Here's your inheritance based on what God decides. 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:53.879 They didn't decide, God decided. 00:21:53.880 --> 00:21:57.480 So I think for David to say, you hold my lot, 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:01.640 is the same as saying, you are my Lord. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.800 You determine my good. 00:22:07.520 --> 00:22:09.500 Apart from you, I have no good thing. 00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:15.020 You have the power to hold my future. 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:21.619 Now a very silly example of this. 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:27.420 I found on Facebook Marketplace recently this perfect thing. 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:30.319 Like I've been searching for it and it was perfect, 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.639 exactly what I wanted. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.119 It was free. 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.440 It was nearby. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:39.599 And I missed it by a matter of minutes. 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:41.200 Someone else got in first. 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:43.779 And I was so disappointed. 00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:46.399 And the rest of the day, I was just fighting. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:50.799 I was like, I don't want to feel disappointed the rest of the day 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.639 based off this. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:53.279 I don't want you to control me. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:55.779 And I was just trying to fight that. 00:22:58.160 --> 00:23:03.500 And what helped is remembering, well, it's not that I just missed it. 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:05.519 Someone happened to just get in before me. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.579 The Lord decided. 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:09.779 This isn't rocket science at this point. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:13.700 But it's so, it really helps in life where you go, the Lord decided. 00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:15.399 It mustn't be good for me. 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:18.519 He's blessed someone else with it. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:19.720 Okay. 00:23:20.139 --> 00:23:20.619 Move on. 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:35.919 You can only be protected from something or something taking your joy if you know that God is your power. 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.879 He's in control. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.099 He's determining your good. 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:41.719 He holds your lot. 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:54.539 So David knows he's being protected in God, kept in the faith because he's delighting in the people of God 00:23:54.539 --> 00:24:00.259 and he's delighting in God's power that he decides his portion. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:02.879 And then he comes to, I delight in you. 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.420 You are my portion. 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:17.039 So when someone is dishing out the dessert this Christmas and you notice that your bowl has a lot less in it than the rest of the bowls, 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:24.960 I wonder if you can say that the Lord is my portion. 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:31.740 The lions have fallen for me in pleasant places. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:34.319 Indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:43.819 You know you are being kept by God, protected to receive full and forever joy if even in loss, 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:48.359 and I know Christmas dessert is who cares in the end, 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:56.059 but even in tragic loss, even with tears, he's teaching you to say, 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:58.759 who have I in heaven but you? 00:25:01.179 --> 00:25:04.359 And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:08.859 If he's teaching you to say that, you know you're being protected. 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:15.299 If God is only the source of other goods, that's true. 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:16.479 He determines your goods. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:21.839 But if he's only the source in your life, you are not safe. 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:30.640 But if God is teaching you to say, you are my portion, 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:35.640 then you know God is keeping you close to him. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:44.180 In criticism, my creator knows my name. 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:48.600 In sickness, my saviour suffered for me. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:53.060 In relational breakdown, my redeemer wants me. 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:59.099 In tragedy, my treasure holds onto me. 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:04.819 In disillusionment, my dad's promises can't fail. 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:11.359 In my own failure, my friend accepts me. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:18.919 In depression, I will again see my dad's face. 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:24.839 If he's teaching us that he is our good. 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:37.639 I met Emma and the kids at Glendale Shops one day recently for a coffee in Baby Chino. 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:39.839 Don't they rip you off for Baby Chinos? 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:41.119 Oh, some of them are all right. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.199 Four bucks or something. 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.559 What? 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.279 Don't know why I'm telling you that. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:53.420 I met them at the shops and when Sam, we were walking towards each other 00:26:53.420 --> 00:27:00.420 and when Sam locked eyes on me, his eyes lit up and he started running towards me. 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:07.119 He almost got wiped out from people walking across his path and he ran into my arms. 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:15.500 And that kind of determined, instinctive, public desire to run into my arms, I felt honoured as a dad. 00:27:17.679 --> 00:27:21.819 It is not selfish to seek your joy in the Lord. 00:27:21.959 --> 00:27:22.599 It is not. 00:27:23.439 --> 00:27:24.459 It honours him. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.699 It honours him. 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.939 You are my portion. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:48.259 So you keep me safe by keeping my delight in your people and you keep me delighting in your power over my lot. 00:27:49.119 --> 00:27:56.919 You keep me delighting that you are my portion and the other thing David talks about is he's delighting in your presence. 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:03.219 This year I'm stretching the P word, I'll be honest with you. 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:06.940 But I bless the Lord who gives me counsel. 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:10.799 In the night also my heart instructs me. 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:19.299 David knows that the Lord is present and speaking to him. 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:22.980 Not some mystical voice in the ear. 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:26.460 You should probably go to a doctor. 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:28.860 No, not that voice. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:32.319 That's a real struggle and God will set us free from that one day. 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:36.380 But God's word, his voice is instructing. 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:41.039 David knows God's words. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:47.180 You know God is keeping you for himself if his word is guiding you, even in the night. 00:28:47.819 --> 00:28:50.400 I'm not quite sure why he mentions the night. 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:57.120 I don't think it's about losing sleep because other psalms are like the Lord gives sleep. 00:28:57.119 --> 00:29:00.059 If you know God's protecting you, you can sleep. 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:04.199 And I know we struggle with sleep for other reasons, okay? 00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:06.000 Another caveat there. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:14.099 I wonder if the picture of the night is even, the night is a picture of darkness. 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:16.500 That's when you're most vulnerable. 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:18.079 That's when danger comes. 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:19.519 That's where you're lost. 00:29:19.639 --> 00:29:20.959 You don't know where you're going. 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:24.120 But the Lord is instructing even then. 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.180 His word is with you. 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:29.680 It's a wonderful thing to delight in. 00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:36.660 You're never alone as someone who puts your hope in Jesus because he's speaking to you. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:41.660 So you know you're being protected if his word is your delight. 00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:45.180 Even in the darkness, even in the confusion. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:52.279 And so I bless the Lord. 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:54.180 What on earth does that mean? 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.500 I bless the Lord. 00:29:57.820 --> 00:29:59.600 Isn't God the one that gives us blessing? 00:30:03.060 --> 00:30:06.340 How can you give anything to God to bless him? 00:30:07.660 --> 00:30:11.200 What is, I bless you God. 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.180 What does that mean? 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:20.519 I think it's the same as saying, the Bible uses this kind of language all the time. 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:22.120 I exalt the Lord. 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.759 Exalt means I lift him up. 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.480 No, you don't. 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:30.620 Who are you to lift up the Lord? 00:30:31.340 --> 00:30:32.500 He's in the highest place. 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.940 You don't lift him up. 00:30:34.940 --> 00:30:42.400 So when you say, I exalt the Lord, you're saying, I recognize you are in the highest place. 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.940 I think it's the same thing. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:48.200 I bless the Lord. 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:50.039 You don't give anything to him. 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.180 You don't bless him. 00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.980 He is blessed. 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:57.080 He is the blessed one. 00:30:57.079 --> 00:31:05.279 We might picture God as some cranky grandfather figure or some vending machine. 00:31:06.699 --> 00:31:08.000 Nothing's further from the truth. 00:31:08.339 --> 00:31:09.939 He is the blessed one. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.299 He is full of joy. 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:18.839 Full and forever joy is in God. 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:21.559 He is the blessed one. 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:25.359 That's why he is the source of blessings. 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:29.699 That's why he is your portion, the greatest blessing. 00:31:30.419 --> 00:31:33.399 Because full and forever joy is in God. 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:41.339 No wonder it's at his right hand that we find full and forever joy. 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:49.079 You better hope that the blessed one wants to let you get close to him. 00:31:54.619 --> 00:32:08.359 So in all these delights, in your people, in your power, in your portion, that you are my portion, in your presence, by your word, even in the darkness and confusion, I know, God, you are keeping me for yourself. 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:10.339 You're keeping me from false promises. 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:12.439 I'm on the path to life. 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:14.599 I shall not be shaken. 00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:21.379 What a wonderful place David ends up. 00:32:21.459 --> 00:32:22.740 I shall not be shaken. 00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:27.199 Because the Lord is protecting my delight in him. 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:35.319 But how can David know? 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:39.500 How can he know that full and forever joy is coming? 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:48.079 There's really good reason to think that this psalm was written when David was kicked out of God's people. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:51.819 When people were actively trying to harm him. 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:54.359 Seemingly forgotten by God. 00:32:54.359 --> 00:33:08.299 You might be thinking, listening to this, well, okay, this does sound wonderful, but my experience is often much less than full and it's certainly shorter than forever. 00:33:09.659 --> 00:33:10.740 Like, how can you know? 00:33:11.459 --> 00:33:13.479 How can you know this promise is coming? 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.639 How can David know? 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:15.659 How can David know? 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.660 How can David know? 00:33:16.660 --> 00:33:17.660 How can David know? 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.660 How can David know? 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.660 How can David know? 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:21.320 Well, David knew three things. 00:33:26.100 --> 00:33:27.240 And stay with me here. 00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:29.000 The first one's not particularly pretty. 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:32.579 But he knew he would die one day. 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:37.119 The Lord made a promise to him. 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.440 And there's more to this promise. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:42.059 But the first part of the promise that he said to David was, 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:47.680 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers. 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.680 David was under no illusion. 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:52.480 He knew he was going to die one day. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:34:00.460 He knew he had often given in to the false promises. 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:05.180 He knew he deserved emptiness. 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:10.980 He knew he deserved to be left in the pit. 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:13.179 In the grave. 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:16.139 He knew he was going to die. 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.460 But he also knew something else. 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:21.639 The rest of the promise was, 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:25.699 I will raise up your offspring after you, 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:27.880 who shall come from your body, 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:32.000 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:36.240 David knew I'm not the Messiah, 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:41.260 but a son of mine will conquer death to rule forever. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:47.039 So verse 10 was David's hope. 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:47.639 He said, 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:51.380 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, 00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.500 the pit, 00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:53.619 the place of the dead. 00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:56.460 You won't abandon my soul to Sheol, 00:34:57.360 --> 00:35:01.679 for let your Holy One see corruption, decay. 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:04.239 He can't be talking about himself. 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:05.340 He knew he was going to die. 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:09.000 He knew one of his descendants 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:11.719 would sit on his throne. 00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:16.000 So the third thing David knew 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:18.539 is my flesh. 00:35:19.299 --> 00:35:19.959 My flesh. 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:20.899 Not just my soul, 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:23.699 but my flesh dwells secure. 00:35:25.819 --> 00:35:26.259 Somehow, 00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:28.079 at some point in time, 00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:29.519 I will be in your presence. 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.779 Not just soul, 00:35:30.899 --> 00:35:31.339 but body. 00:35:31.739 --> 00:35:32.480 Body and soul, 00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:33.339 I'll be in your presence. 00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.619 He knew that. 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.439 God had promised it. 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:42.119 And so the Apostle Peter, 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:43.360 in Acts chapter 2, 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:45.400 he quotes Psalm 16 at length. 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.860 The very first sermon, 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:50.380 after Jesus had been risen from the dead. 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.240 Speaking about David, 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:52.539 he says, 00:35:52.639 --> 00:35:53.400 Being a prophet, 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:56.159 and knowing that God has sworn with an oath. 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:56.760 Like, 00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:57.980 God never tells a lie, 00:35:58.659 --> 00:36:00.059 but he's sworn with an oath. 00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:00.320 Like, 00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:00.679 you know, 00:36:00.780 --> 00:36:01.659 you can bank on this. 00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:04.379 He swore with an oath to him 00:36:04.379 --> 00:36:06.099 that he would set one of his descendants 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:06.759 on his throne. 00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:08.059 David foresaw 00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:09.279 and spoke 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:10.940 about the resurrection of the Christ, 00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:12.819 that he was not abandoned 00:36:12.819 --> 00:36:14.059 to Hades, 00:36:14.199 --> 00:36:14.739 to Sheol, 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.739 nor did his flesh see corruption. 00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.759 This Jesus, 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.779 God raised up, 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.239 and of that, 00:36:20.799 --> 00:36:21.859 we all are witnesses. 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:27.159 God showed David the path to life, 00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:29.099 putting his hope 00:36:29.099 --> 00:36:31.420 in the promised King and Saviour. 00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:32.960 To bring him, 00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:34.099 body and soul, 00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:36.079 into God's presence. 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:39.179 Into the presence of the Blessed One. 00:36:40.440 --> 00:36:41.480 Full and forever joy. 00:36:44.879 --> 00:36:46.599 So as God showed you 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.679 the path 00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:49.319 to life, 00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:55.399 what we're celebrating at Christmas 00:36:55.399 --> 00:36:56.139 is that 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:58.339 the promised son of David 00:36:58.339 --> 00:37:00.899 has come. 00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:03.239 How good is that? 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.339 The path, 00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:07.339 the full and forever joy. 00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:09.559 He's come. 00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:13.940 What we celebrate in Jesus' death 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:17.559 is that the Blessed One, 00:37:18.159 --> 00:37:20.820 the One full of joy, 00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:24.599 took our sorrow. 00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:27.780 He went to the pit. 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:32.480 What we celebrate at his resurrection 00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:36.200 is that full and forever joy 00:37:36.200 --> 00:37:38.119 in the presence of the Blessed One 00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:40.059 is definitely on its way. 00:37:44.500 --> 00:37:45.779 So can I finish by 00:37:45.779 --> 00:37:48.859 urging that this Christmas, 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:50.159 as we enter 2024, 00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:53.139 for the Lord 00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:54.839 invites you, 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:58.839 he commands you, 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:02.339 seek your full 00:38:02.339 --> 00:38:04.199 and forever joy 00:38:04.199 --> 00:38:06.099 and nothing less. 00:38:10.619 --> 00:38:12.440 Seek your full and forever joy. 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:16.559 It's going to feel like 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.480 a kind of dying 00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.500 as you resist 00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:19.460 the false promises 00:38:19.460 --> 00:38:21.880 of this world. 00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:25.519 And it is not self-centered. 00:38:25.960 --> 00:38:27.119 It's not self-centered 00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:29.220 to jump into the arms 00:38:29.220 --> 00:38:31.920 of God 00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:32.900 to get your peace 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:33.860 and your joy. 00:38:34.619 --> 00:38:35.659 It's not self-centered. 00:38:35.820 --> 00:38:36.460 It honors him. 00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:39.900 It honors him 00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:41.720 as the only blessed one 00:38:41.720 --> 00:38:45.119 who has full and forever joy 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:45.900 in himself, 00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:48.300 who is your portion forever. 00:38:51.880 --> 00:38:53.960 Fight the fight of faith 00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:57.860 with full and forever joy 00:38:57.860 --> 00:38:59.000 only in Jesus. 00:38:59.240 --> 00:39:00.420 You'll find it nowhere else. 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:06.559 In you I take refuge. 00:39:08.260 --> 00:39:09.539 Say to you, Jesus, 00:39:09.740 --> 00:39:11.019 you are my Lord. 00:39:12.720 --> 00:39:14.320 I am no good 00:39:14.320 --> 00:39:15.780 apart from you. 00:39:17.780 --> 00:39:19.180 You have made known to me 00:39:19.180 --> 00:39:20.280 the path of life. 00:39:21.820 --> 00:39:23.059 In your presence 00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:26.380 there is fullness of joy 00:39:26.380 --> 00:39:27.579 at your right hand 00:39:27.579 --> 00:39:29.599 our pleasures forevermore. 00:39:31.280 --> 00:39:33.460 Seek your full and forever joy 00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:35.840 as we come into the new year. 00:39:37.639 --> 00:39:38.639 Will you pray with me? 00:39:38.740 --> 00:39:39.079 Let's pray. 00:39:50.659 --> 00:39:52.920 Lord, I just want to 00:39:52.920 --> 00:39:55.820 bless your name 00:39:55.820 --> 00:39:59.600 that in you is life. 00:40:00.100 --> 00:40:01.480 In you is peace. 00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:04.180 That you are the one 00:40:04.180 --> 00:40:05.000 who has a joy 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:06.420 Father, Son 00:40:06.420 --> 00:40:07.900 and Holy Spirit forever. 00:40:09.600 --> 00:40:10.960 And I want to thank you 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:12.840 that you're a kind of God 00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:14.080 who wants to share that. 00:40:15.260 --> 00:40:16.440 Who wants to give it 00:40:16.440 --> 00:40:17.680 as pure gift. 00:40:19.039 --> 00:40:20.760 So I pray that your spirit 00:40:20.760 --> 00:40:21.500 and your word 00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.460 might pursue 00:40:22.460 --> 00:40:23.880 each one of us 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:26.059 wherever we're at 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.099 so that we might 00:40:27.099 --> 00:40:28.280 pursue you alone. 00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:30.639 And I pray this 00:40:30.639 --> 00:40:31.280 in Jesus' name. 00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:31.739 Amen.