WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679 Well, good morning everyone. Please have your Bible open at Psalm 42, or if you're looking 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:29.980 ! on your phone or your tablet or whatever it is. Just a wee bit about myself. My name's Dougie. I'm a pastor in Kirkoddy at a church called New Craigs. I've been there for just over two years. Prior to that, I was in England serving the Lord Jesus there, primarily in a place called Enfield in North London. And before that, as you can tell, I'm a glad 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:56.320 Glasgow boy. I grew up in Glasgow, and I have an older brother. And something in our family that would make us laugh was that my brother, it was very obvious when he would start talking to himself. Okay? We'd be sitting watching the telly, and you could see the sort of eyes glaze over, and his lips would start to move silently. 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:09.819 And if Granny Affleck were there, she would lovingly kind of, yeah, just make a wee joke and say, aye, talking to yourself. That's the first sign of madness. 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:25.339 Now, isn't he? Because whether we do it very obviously, like my big brother, or less obviously, there's a conversation going on in our heads a great deal of the day. 00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:29.960 Who set the alarm for now? 00:01:31.960 --> 00:01:37.719 Have I got time for a shower? Will I have porridge? Is it raining outside? 00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:42.159 Oh, I really hope Graham's speaking this morning. Oh, no. 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:44.939 Somebody else. 00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:50.879 Now, lots of the time the conversation's going on, and we don't realize it. 00:01:51.340 --> 00:01:55.579 But what I want to tell you today is, that conversation is really important. 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:00.920 What that voice says to us really matters. 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:04.140 Because we're listening to it an awful lot. 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:17.659 In Psalm 42, God has given us words that we need to speak to ourselves, especially during difficult days. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:26.819 The repeated chorus of the Psalm in verse 5 and verse 11, these are words that we will need to say again and again. 00:02:27.159 --> 00:02:28.400 Look what it says, verse 5. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:46.439 These are words that servants of Jesus will need to say to themselves repeatedly. 00:02:48.040 --> 00:02:49.439 But let me pause for a moment. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:55.879 Because as you're starting a new series today, it's worth saying one or two things about this book of Psalms. 00:02:55.879 --> 00:03:00.579 Especially if you're new to Brunsfield, if you're new to faith in Jesus Christ. 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:03.979 The book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible. 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:08.240 It's quoted in the New Testament more than any other book. 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:13.139 People have helpfully described the book of Psalms as the Bible's songbook. 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:15.579 But this is important. 00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:20.120 The Psalms are God's word to us. 00:03:21.419 --> 00:03:24.680 Before they become words from us, back to God. 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:33.599 These Psalms are a message from God to his people before we sing it back to him. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:37.259 Now if you look at the heading of Psalm 42. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:41.460 See that under where it says Psalm 42, you'll get a wee bit in italics. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:42.680 It says, 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:46.280 For the director of music, a mascal of the sons of Korah. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:55.360 Now it seems the sons of Korah were appointed by King David to be musicians and singers in the temple in Jerusalem. 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:02.580 This Psalm is a carefully crafted experience of one of the sons of Korah. 00:04:02.580 --> 00:04:07.400 And it seems that it was to be given to the director of music. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:13.560 And I like to imagine this guy as, okay, there's a guy in the temple who looks after all the songs and he's got an archive. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:16.600 And one of the sons of Korah, I've got a song for you. 00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:18.780 And it was recorded. 00:04:19.900 --> 00:04:21.139 It was kept. 00:04:21.139 --> 00:04:27.259 So that the Lord's people in every generation could sing it. 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:28.879 Including us. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:35.339 So that every generation of the Lord's people would use it to speak to their souls. 00:04:36.279 --> 00:04:37.459 Now I think that's pretty cool. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:47.079 But meanwhile, back in Psalm 42, this chorus, verse 5 and verse 11, helps us to understand what's going on. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:55.379 And what I want to say today is that this chorus, we see three helpful things that we need to say to our souls, 00:04:56.439 --> 00:04:58.259 especially if we're going through tough times. 00:04:59.339 --> 00:05:00.719 The first thing is this. 00:05:01.719 --> 00:05:06.019 We need to give our souls a compassionate rebuke. 00:05:07.459 --> 00:05:08.599 Look at verse 5 again. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:11.139 Why, my soul, are you downcast? 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:14.579 Why are you so disturbed within me? 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:22.039 It's as if the psalmist is speaking to himself and giving himself a compassionate, gentle rebuke 00:05:22.039 --> 00:05:25.599 for believing like hard times will last forever. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:30.179 It's hard to miss the emotion in the psalm. 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:32.620 It starts with the writer saying, 00:05:33.620 --> 00:05:35.719 I'm feeling spiritually dry here. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:40.260 I'm like a deer panting for water. 00:05:40.900 --> 00:05:42.440 That's how much I miss you, Lord. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:47.500 Verse 2, my soul thirsts for the living God. 00:05:47.840 --> 00:05:49.120 Where can I go and meet with him? 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:52.460 Spiritually, he feels dry, empty. 00:05:53.460 --> 00:05:55.520 Verse 3, he's crying a lot. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:58.160 Tears have been his food day and night. 00:05:58.760 --> 00:05:59.880 His enemies taunt him. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:02.200 Hey, Holy Joe, where's your God? 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.219 Doesn't he seem to be working for you, does he? 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:09.240 Verse 4, he's not where he feels he should be. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:11.819 I used to go to the house of God. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:17.279 I used to sing with the choir and the temple and write songs. 00:06:17.279 --> 00:06:19.699 And now I'm here. 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:24.839 Now we don't know exactly when this psalm was written, 00:06:25.239 --> 00:06:32.500 but it wouldn't surprise me if it was during the time when King David's son Absalom started a civil war 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:35.419 and people faithful to King David had to leave. 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:40.420 This writer is in the back of beyond and he feels it. 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:44.300 Verse 7, deep calls to deep. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:50.100 In the roar of your waterfalls, all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:54.460 I suspect many of us have felt those times. 00:06:55.960 --> 00:07:02.020 When life seems so hard, there's no getting away from it. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:06.339 Like waves sweeping us off our feet. 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:09.779 Like the tide dragging us away from the shore. 00:07:10.919 --> 00:07:14.319 Verse 9, I say to God, my rock, why have you forgotten me? 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:17.879 Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 00:07:18.919 --> 00:07:20.139 You put it all together. 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:22.359 He's spiritually dry. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:24.039 He feels deserted. 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:27.299 He feels like his enemies are winning. 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:29.339 He's being laughed at. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.419 He's drowning. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:32.560 God, where are you? 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:37.520 And how much more of this do I need to take? 00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:47.379 Maybe it's purposeful that the writer doesn't give us an exact time of when this psalm was written. 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:54.240 Because followers of the Lord Jesus are not exempt from those times either. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:59.800 We don't get a pass on these feelings. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.199 We can feel like this because of illness. 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:06.360 Not being able to do what we want to do. 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:09.879 We can feel like this because of relationship breakdown. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:11.500 Because of heartache. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.840 Because of tough times with family. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:14.960 At work. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.480 Somebody picking on us. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:19.620 You know, I remember when my father died. 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:22.740 And even though he was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:26.900 Tears were my food day and night. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:33.800 Spiritual circumstances can cause these feelings. 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:37.480 Sin ruins a relationship with God. 00:08:37.480 --> 00:08:41.220 And we can long for that nearness that we once felt with him. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:43.080 But it's just not there. 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:47.420 Now. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:52.600 Are we starting to see what the psalmist is getting at? 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:55.220 Do we get this even a bit? 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:57.800 Sorry, in Kerkorah I'm used to have a wee bit of audience. 00:08:58.220 --> 00:08:58.420 Kind of. 00:08:58.720 --> 00:08:59.080 Yeah? 00:08:59.259 --> 00:08:59.840 We get this? 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:00.139 Yeah? 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:00.240 Yeah? 00:09:01.300 --> 00:09:01.720 Yeah? 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:07.360 These sons of Korah help us today. 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:11.920 Because what they do is they pour out their souls to God. 00:09:13.080 --> 00:09:14.759 And that's the right place to start. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:19.340 Some of you may be thinking, can I do that? 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:19.980 Am I allowed? 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:21.259 Yeah. 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:25.180 He's big enough to take it. 00:09:26.500 --> 00:09:29.360 But where does this pouring out of feelings lead? 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:30.800 Well, to verse 5. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.279 Why, my soul, are you downcast? 00:09:33.940 --> 00:09:35.540 Why are you so disturbed within me? 00:09:35.800 --> 00:09:38.519 And in one sense, you may think, duh. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.740 That's why. 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:41.960 All this stuff's going on. 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:44.680 That's why my soul's downcast. 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:51.240 But I think the sense is, we don't need to be so down. 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:55.580 We don't need to wallow in distress. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:56.060 Yes. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:57.820 Life is tough. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:10:00.279 But God's not weak and powerless. 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:02.100 He's not forgotten us. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:06.139 It's as if the psalmist is saying, yeah, this isn't great. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:08.000 But come on, soul. 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:13.139 That voice in his head, you know, preach to yourself, soul. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:15.679 What do we know about God? 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:17.799 These times won't last forever. 00:10:18.199 --> 00:10:19.959 It's not minimizing the problems. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:22.379 It's not saying, you know, just pull yourself together. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:25.960 It's not even saying they're not tough. 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:31.399 But there's times our soul needs that compassionate rebuke. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.740 Come on, soul. 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:36.460 What do we know about God? 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:39.120 He's our help and strength, soul. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.960 He's at work for our good soul. 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:45.000 Even though I might not feel it right now. 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:50.400 You know, in tough times, my soul will need that compassionate rebuke. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:52.960 But it'll also need something else. 00:10:53.580 --> 00:10:55.300 A plain command. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:57.019 That's the second thing. 00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.000 Look at verse 5. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:02.900 Put your hope in God. 00:11:03.540 --> 00:11:05.160 That's a pretty plain command, right? 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:06.980 Put your hope in God. 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:11.019 Often when I'm low physically and spiritually and emotionally, 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:14.139 my temptation is to look down and look in. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:19.899 But the psalm writer says, look up to God with patient expectation. 00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:23.220 Looking up to God with patient expectation. 00:11:23.500 --> 00:11:24.300 That's hope. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.560 It's about what God is going to do. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:30.500 It means waiting for him to act, even in the reality of our distress. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.279 Look at verse 6. 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:35.379 Remember, this guy is in the back of beyond, not where he wants to be. 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:37.559 My soul is downcast within me. 00:11:37.960 --> 00:11:40.879 Therefore, I will remember you from the land of Jordan, 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:43.399 the heights of Hermon, from Mount Mazar. 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:46.960 He can remember God even in the back of beyond. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:47.960 Do you know what? 00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:49.460 I'd much rather be in Jerusalem. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:50.460 But you know what? 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:53.019 I can still sing his praise in Fife. 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:59.120 I'm still going to sing about his wonderful story. 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:02.820 I'm still going to sing about his loving kindness. 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:07.560 Despite the waves and the rejection and the spiritual dryness. 00:12:07.780 --> 00:12:08.680 Look at verse 8. 00:12:10.040 --> 00:12:12.220 By day the Lord directs his love. 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:16.680 At night his song is within me, a prayer to the God of my life. 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:21.520 Despite the waves and the sorrow, 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:28.060 he says the Lord's love is like an arrow aimed straight at him. 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:31.559 Now, I found it interesting. 00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.639 Maybe you won't. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:34.979 But I found this little detail interesting. 00:12:35.479 --> 00:12:35.619 Okay? 00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:40.919 In the psalm, God is usually referred to as God. 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:42.000 So look at verse 1. 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.659 My soul pants for you, my God. 00:12:43.739 --> 00:12:44.119 Verse 2. 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:46.000 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. 00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:47.599 Where can I go and meet with God? 00:12:47.859 --> 00:12:48.319 Verse 3. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.119 Where's your God? 00:12:49.359 --> 00:12:49.899 Verse 4. 00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:51.479 How I used to go to the house of God. 00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:52.479 And so on. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:54.159 But in verse 8. 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:59.620 By day the Lord directs his love. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.259 Now again, if you're new to Brunsfield, 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:04.720 this is an important wee detail. 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:06.500 You might think it isn't, but it is. 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:12.220 When you see the Lord in wee capital letters like this in the Old Testament, 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:18.800 this is the name that God uses when he's making promises to people. 00:13:18.799 --> 00:13:22.819 For those of us who have maybe been Christians a wee bit longer, 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:24.939 this is God's covenant name. 00:13:25.459 --> 00:13:29.120 It's God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, 00:13:29.479 --> 00:13:30.539 Trinitarian name. 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:34.979 The name that speaks of faithfulness and eternity 00:13:34.979 --> 00:13:37.240 and never letting his people down. 00:13:38.199 --> 00:13:40.039 And in the dark times, 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:44.959 the Lord who is eternal and faithful to his promises 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:47.080 and who is always good, 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.980 well, his love is directed at me. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:53.540 Even when I don't feel it, 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:56.180 it's there because he's faithful. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.840 Even when I'm unfaithful, 00:13:59.400 --> 00:14:00.100 he's faithful. 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:03.720 Even when I'm miles from where I should be, 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:05.240 he's faithful. 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:09.139 Even when I go to the hospital 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:11.500 or the chemotherapy room, 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:13.379 he's faithful. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:16.600 In my home, 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:19.600 at work or school or university, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:23.100 wherever by day the Lord directs his love, 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:26.019 and at night his song is within me. 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:29.580 Now, if an Old Testament believer 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:32.500 can assure himself of God's love 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:35.279 when he feels dry and deserted 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:37.720 and in the wrong place and drowning, 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:39.580 do you know how much more, 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:40.559 brothers and sisters, 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:42.580 can we this side of the cross 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:45.400 and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:48.560 We can know and rely on God's love 00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:49.379 because of this. 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:51.240 While we were still sinners, 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.240 Christ died for us. 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:56.379 I've been shown kindness. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:58.280 I don't deserve grace. 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:02.740 I was without God and without hope in the world. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.819 And what did he show me? 00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:04.659 He showed me mercy. 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:08.500 The Lord Jesus was crucified in my place 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:09.939 and rose from the dead. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:12.600 And the cross convinces us 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:14.319 that no matter the circumstances, 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.299 no matter the dark days, 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:19.539 nothing will separate us 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:22.159 from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:22.959 Amen? 00:15:27.699 --> 00:15:30.079 My parents and grandparents 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:32.480 were believers in the Lord Jesus. 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:34.559 I know not everyone's from that kind of background. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.139 It was a great privilege. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:40.879 Singing was a big part of their homes. 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:43.399 Now, I don't know how well thought through 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.519 they were about this, 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:48.399 but it seemed to them that singing 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:51.519 helped them to lift their eyes 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:53.139 beyond the here and now. 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:59.159 And a song that was familiar in those homes was, 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.860 When Satan tempts me to despair 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:04.439 and tells me of the guilt within, 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:08.419 upward I look and see him there 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:09.980 who made an end of all my sin. 00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:13.960 It's no coincidence that in the Bible, 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:16.519 singing and praying often go together. 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:18.660 Singing helped our family 00:16:18.660 --> 00:16:21.259 look up to God in patient expectation. 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:24.180 Look up to God beyond the here and now. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:27.000 Singing in their homes 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.580 were part of their prayers. 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:31.200 And as we sing and pray, 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.500 well, like the psalmist, 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:34.660 we still be mourning or oppressed 00:16:34.660 --> 00:16:36.160 or ill or whatever it is, 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.980 but my eyes are in the right place 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:40.740 if they're looking to God. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:44.440 My soul starts to lift. 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:47.940 Once more, I'm looking into 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:50.340 the gracious face of the Lord Jesus. 00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:53.259 And the Bible tells me 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:56.879 that if the Father gave his Son 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.740 to meet my greatest needs, 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:01.519 then he will graciously give me 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.740 everything else I need 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:05.180 for anything else that I'll face. 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:10.460 As I read verse 9 and 10 this week, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.860 I say to God, my rock, 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.920 why have you forgotten me? 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.560 Why must I go about mourning or praying? 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:16.840 Do you know what? 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:18.220 I can imagine the Lord Jesus 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.120 saying those words 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:21.019 as he suffered on a cross. 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:24.640 He experienced the most awful of times. 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:27.019 He knew what it was like 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.160 to be downcast, 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:30.500 to have feelings of despair. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.019 At the cross, 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.779 he was like a drowning man 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.559 as the waves of God's justice 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:37.859 poured over in him again and again. 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:38.920 And in the darkness, 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.160 he must have felt deserted. 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:43.259 What did he do? 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.400 He put his hope 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:46.059 and his Father in heaven. 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.440 He said, 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.500 Into your hands 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:50.240 I commit my spirit. 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.960 He was looking patiently 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.380 to Easter Sunday 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:56.700 where he'd be raised from the dead 00:17:56.700 --> 00:18:00.220 to give us hope 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:02.940 in the midst of our darkest times. 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:06.380 So we can say to our souls, 00:18:07.100 --> 00:18:08.519 why are you downcast? 00:18:09.860 --> 00:18:11.140 Put your hope in God. 00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:14.640 Which leads to the third things 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:16.460 our souls need to be reminded of. 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.799 And it's a certain promise. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.720 Look at verse 11. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:22.299 Why, my soul, are you downcast? 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.200 Why? 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.120 So disturbed within me, 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.380 put your hope in God. 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:28.400 For I will yet praise him, 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:31.140 my Savior and my God. 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.759 What is the promise 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.500 that my soul needs to be reminded of? 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.920 The certain promise 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:38.580 that what is happening right now, 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:41.480 well, it's not how it will always be. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.259 The psalmist says, 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:47.660 I will yet praise him, 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.920 my Savior and my God. 00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:51.400 There's a growing expectation 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:53.940 as he says these things to his soul 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:56.279 that God's going to be at work. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.819 Now, I don't want to steal 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.580 whoever's preaching's thunder 00:18:59.580 --> 00:19:00.500 for next week, 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:02.319 but you'll see this as it grows. 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:04.259 If you're doing Psalm 43 next week, 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.259 excellent, okay? 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:07.100 But God's going to, like, 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.220 change things and do things. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.440 I don't want to, 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.180 I'll leave some spoilers for next Sunday, 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:12.759 okay? 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:16.059 But in the psalm, 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.720 it's as if, yeah, 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.720 there's been dark times, 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:22.980 but the believer preached to his soul 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:26.240 and his soul responded to God in prayer 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:28.440 and even though the waves have come, 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.819 his wee head sticking out, 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.599 looking up to heaven. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.279 You know, that last line, 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:36.620 my Savior and my God, 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.779 reminds me that the hope 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:40.460 that the psalm talks about 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:43.099 is actually only available to those 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.859 who know the Lord Jesus 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.980 as the Savior and God. 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:49.460 The Lord Jesus suffered and died 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.200 and rose again 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:52.759 so that all who trust and know him 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.079 as their Savior and God 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:55.599 would have hope. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:58.259 The hope that knowing Jesus 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.299 as Savior and God 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.759 means that we can actually find peace 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.759 in the middle of our troubles. 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:08.019 And the hope that even though 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.680 we live in a fallen world now, 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:12.220 where tough times will hit us 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.019 again and again, 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.680 it won't always be like this. 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.620 One day, 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:19.339 the Lord Jesus will appear. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:21.559 And do you know those times 00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:23.079 of when we feel down 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:24.500 and deserted and downcast? 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.420 Do you know those times 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.259 will be banned? 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.599 They'll be done away with. 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:30.819 One day, 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.319 because the Lord Jesus lives, 00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:34.599 my soul will never be downcast 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.599 and disturbed again. 00:20:35.860 --> 00:20:36.420 One day, 00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.880 there'll be no hankies, 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.519 there'll be no hospitals, 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.440 there'll be no hersies. 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.640 Isn't that cool? 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:46.540 And all because the Lord Jesus 00:20:46.540 --> 00:20:47.500 rose from the dead 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.140 and on that day, 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.000 yeah, 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.980 we'll praise our Savior 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.220 and our God. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.560 If you're going through 00:20:56.560 --> 00:20:57.640 tough times this morning, 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:00.400 maybe you've got to say, 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.080 come on soul, 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.920 let's put our hope in God. 00:21:05.300 --> 00:21:06.440 Let's remember that 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:08.180 it's not always going to be like this. 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:10.840 For those of us 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:11.820 who are here, 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.259 who maybe don't 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:15.340 or won't call the Lord Jesus 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:16.539 Savior and God yet, 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.420 well, the emotions 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:21.320 that are raised in the psalm, 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.799 they're spoken of elsewhere 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.960 in the Bible. 00:21:26.600 --> 00:21:27.019 Weeping, 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:29.340 separation, 00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.600 darkness, 00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:33.299 disturbed. 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:35.659 You know, 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.460 those are some of the words 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.440 that the Bible describes 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:37.960 as hell, 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.799 separated from God forever. 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.639 Except that 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:45.720 what we'll experience there 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.740 will be far worse 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.879 than what is being described 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.919 in Psalm 42. 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:51.119 But there's hope. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.720 Because the Lord Jesus 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:55.000 died in your place. 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:57.279 He faced these things for us 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.639 so that we would never 00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.720 need to face 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.680 that great horror. 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:03.440 so that we would trust in Him. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.960 And as you trust in Him, 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.120 you can experience 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:06.840 His forgiveness 00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:08.080 and His mercy 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:09.220 and His peace 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.100 in those dark 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:11.019 and troubled times. 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.779 And so for you today, 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:14.140 the first step, 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.820 will you put your hope 00:22:16.820 --> 00:22:18.039 in our Savior 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.820 and our God? 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.460 Will you ask for His forgiveness 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.000 and mercy? 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.920 Will you call on Him now? 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:29.180 Because as you call on Him, 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:31.000 He'll welcome you. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.320 He'll say, 00:22:33.600 --> 00:22:34.420 yeah, you're forgiven. 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.580 You have eternal life. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.700 And you'll be part 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.519 of that family 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.440 who one day 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.580 will praise Him forever 00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:41.100 where there's no hankies, 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.360 no hospitals, 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.820 no herses. 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.860 Let's pray, shall we? 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.799 Our Father in Heaven, 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:52.940 we thank You so much 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.720 for our Savior 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.340 and our God, 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.580 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:57.440 who loves us 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:59.140 and gave Himself for us. 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:01.820 Father, 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.960 I pray for my brothers 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.019 and sisters here today 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.799 whose souls may be downcast 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:07.080 and disturbed 00:23:07.080 --> 00:23:09.320 and life may be 00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:10.440 really, really tough. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.940 Have mercy on them, Lord. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.279 Would they put their hope 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:16.980 in You again? 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.860 Would they know 00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:21.380 that that is not misplaced? 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:24.860 And would together 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:26.280 we be able to encourage them 00:23:26.280 --> 00:23:28.060 saying, 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.140 we'll yet praise Him, 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.500 our Savior and God. 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.460 Father, help us today. 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.940 Would we leave this place 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.940 encouraging one another 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.620 with the thoughts 00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:41.520 of Psalm 42 00:23:41.520 --> 00:23:43.180 in Jesus' name. 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:44.160 Amen. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.300 Amen. 00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:45.300 Amen. 00:23:45.300 --> 00:23:45.800 Amen. 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:45.800 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:45.800 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:45.800 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:45.800 00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:46.300 Amen. 00:23:46.300 --> 00:23:46.300