WEBVTT

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 Thanks very much, Stephanie. Good afternoon, everyone. Really good to have you with us today.

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 Particularly, I know there are quite a number of visitors here. You're very, very welcome at our service today.

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 So we're looking at Psalm 92 today. We've been going through some of the Psalms in what's known as Book 4 of the Psalms,

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 starting at Psalm 90 and going on from there. And I've called today's Psalm an Inside Out Psalm.

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 One of the most popular animated films of recent years was the film Inside Out.

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 I'm not a film goer, so I've read about it rather than seen it.

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 But I understand it's about an 11-year-old girl and it's about her emotions,

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 which are all shown as being characters, as you can see up there on the screen.

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 And this 11-year-old girl moves house. She goes to a big city, I think it's San Francisco.

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 And her emotions get all muddled and she feels she can't be sad, so sadness gets pushed out.

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 And for a while she finds it really difficult, until in the end she realises that her emotions are very important,

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 even sadness is an emotion that has value.

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 And as she gets her brain sorted out, if you like, as she gets her insights sorted out,

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 so she's able to adapt to her new circumstances in a new city.

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 Now I apologise to those who've seen the film, that's not a very good representation,

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 but that's what I took from it.

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 And it emphasises to us, I think, that what is inside, what is in our heads, if you like,

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 it is vitally important in the way that we react to the world around us, what is outside, inside, out.

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 If we get the inside right, if our thoughts and our attitudes are right,

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 then it's a lot easier to cope with what's outside.

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 And that was one of the great things I took from this psalm,

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 that if we can get what's inside right, particularly if we can get our relationship with God right,

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 then it's a lot easier to cope with things that happen in the world around us.

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 That's one reason why we called it an inside out psalm.

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 There's a second reason as well.

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 If you look at the psalm, if you've got it in front of you, look at the structure of the verses,

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 you'll see that most of the verses have two lines in them.

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 So verses 1 to 6 and verses 10 to 15 at the end all have two lines in them.

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 There are then two verses that have three lines, verses 7 and 9.

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 And then there's one verse in the middle that only has one line.

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 And you look at that and think that must be a really important verse.

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 It's only got one line and it's right in the middle of the structure.

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 And it is, it's the key to the whole psalm.

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 And it's, you, Lord, are exalted forever.

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 I think it said, you, Lord, are forever exalted in the version it's definitely read.

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 So it's a verse that's about God and about how great he is.

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 And when we come to understand that, and when we see that verse,

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 we can look at the rest of the psalm and we see some of the difficulties the psalmist faces.

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 We see the enemies that are against him.

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 And we also see that at the end he's able to praise God and even to be fruitful as he gets older.

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 But it's that verse in the middle, you, Lord, are exalted forever.

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 That is the key to understanding it.

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 When we have the inside right, when we have a right attitude and right relationship with God,

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 and we have him in first place in our lives, then everything else falls into place.

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 This psalm, again, if you go back, you notice at the beginning it says it's a psalm for the Sabbath day.

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 Now it's entirely clear why it's a psalm for the Sabbath day,

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 but perhaps it is because it talks about God and his works and how good they are.

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 And of course, God in the seventh day and the Sabbath day he rested,

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 and he was able to look back at how good his works were.

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 And he was able, as the exalted God and king, to say that they were good.

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 And we can look at it and we can say, too, God's works are good.

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 So that may be why it's a Sabbath psalm.

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 Let me just rearrange the verses a bit and we'll look at how we're going to go through it this morning.

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 Again, I'm going to be straight for a verse.

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 We're going to go from right to left on this diagram.

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 So we're going to start with the verses in the middle about God being exalted.

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 And I'm going to say that that is about believing in God.

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 Believing in who God is.

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 And that is the starting point for the rest of the psalm.

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 We have the verses round about it.

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 There's four verses there which I say are about trusting in God.

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 In these verses, the psalmist talks a bit about his enemies and God's enemies and how, as someone who trusts in God, he is strong.

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 He talks about having a horn like an ox.

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 And he is able to stand up to all the difficulties.

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 And then the outer shell of the psalm, if you like, is about rejoicing in God.

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 There's some great verses at the beginning about music and about singing.

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 And then at the end, the psalmist talks about how even in old age, it's possible to be fruitful and to be like a palm tree or a cedar tree if our trust is in God.

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 So we're going to start with believing in God.

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 We're then going to think about trusting in God, which comes from believing in God.

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 And then we're going to think about rejoicing in God, which is the result of trusting in God and of seeing his goodness.

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 So believing in God is just the one verse.

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 And it's about God being, as said, eternally exalted.

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 You, Lord, are forever exalted.

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 And like what here in his translation says that God defines exaltedness.

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 You are the definition of exaltedness.

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 And that's perhaps a good way to put it.

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 We need to start by recognizing what a great and what an awesome God we have.

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 And in particular, when it talks about God being exalted, I think what it means is that God is in control of everything.

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 And that God ultimately is the judge of everything.

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 The psalmist looks around him, and we'll come to this in a minute.

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 He looks around him and sees a lot of people who have no interest in God.

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 And he's wondering, why do they seem to do well?

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 But it comes to the conclusion, God is exalted.

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 God is all-powerful.

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 And therefore, God will judge righteously.

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 And ultimately, good will be seen to do right.

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 God is eternally exalted because he is the creator.

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 He is the sustainer of the universe.

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 And he is the one who is all-wise and who is all-good and who deserves all our praises.

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 And so the psalmist begins by stating his belief in God that God is eternally exalted.

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 Now, the psalmist, of course, only had bits of the Old Testament, only a partial understanding of what we understand about God today.

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 And I look at a verse like this, and I think as we look at God the Father, the Lord of the psalmist being exalted,

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 we also need to look at the Lord Jesus as the one who is exalted.

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 You may well know Philippians chapter 2, where it talks about the Lord Jesus humbling himself, becoming obedient even to death on a cross.

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 And then it says, therefore God has highly exalted him.

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 So the Lord Jesus now has been put in that place of the highest honor and the highest authority.

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 Jesus himself said, all authority has been given to me.

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 And Paul talks about Jesus as the one who will judge the world in righteousness.

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 So when we think about the God being eternally exalted, we also think about the Lord Jesus who has been exalted because of his death on the cross

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 and is the one now who has authority, the one who will judge, the one who is eternally exalted.

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 And as we start from that point in the psalm, then we can move on and we can think about, well, what are the implications of that for me?

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 And that's where the psalmist talks about trusting in God.

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 So you're following your Bible, now looking at verses 5 to 7 and verses 9 to 11.

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 And I've said that 5 to 7 are about God's deep thoughts and 9 to 11 are about God's decisive actions.

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 So verse 5, the psalmist says, how great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts.

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 The psalmist recognizes, as we should too, what a great, wise, all-knowing God we have,

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 and someone who knows much better than we ever could what is good and what is right for us,

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 and who thankfully is ultimately in control of all things.

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 But then he thinks, look at all these people round about me.

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 There are lots of people in the world who really have no thought of God.

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 Doesn't mean they're not intelligent.

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 He calls them senseless and fools.

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 Doesn't mean they've not got good brains and they're not intelligent people,

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 but they just can't see how great God is and how good it is to worship him and to live for him.

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 Now, the psalmist saw that all these thousands of years ago, how true it is also today.

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 An awful lot of people in our world who have no time for God who would say there is no God.

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 And the Bible describes people like that as being fools.

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 However intelligent they may be, however good they may be at doing things in human terms,

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 as they don't see the greatness of God,

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 then the psalmist says they're senseless.

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 They're fools.

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 They don't understand.

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 God has revealed himself to us.

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 He's revealed himself through creation.

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 He's revealed himself through the Bible.

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 He's revealed himself through Jesus.

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 And for some people that just means nothing.

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 And the Bible says, well, they're senseless.

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 They're ignoring something that's really important.

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 And yet in our world, often these are the people who seem to do well and to earn respect.

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 And the psalmist says, yes, that's true.

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 We're verse 7 now.

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 Yes, that's true.

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 They spring up like grass.

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 They flourish.

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 But ultimately, they don't prevail.

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 If they ignore God, ultimately there are consequences for that.

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 They're like the grass that springs up today and it's gone tomorrow.

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 They don't understand God and his deep thoughts.

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 And then verses 9 to 11 talk about how God's deep thoughts translate into decisive actions.

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 So again, the psalmist is thinking about evildoers,

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 but he's thinking particularly about those who are his enemies.

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 Now, I think we would take his enemies as also being God's enemies in this context.

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 The psalmist is saying, I'm a man of God.

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 Here are people who are opposed to me.

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 And he would also be saying, they're opposed to God.

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 So he talks about them as your enemies in verse 9.

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 And he talks about them as my adversaries in verse 11.

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 And he says, these people who ignore God, there are going to be consequences for that.

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 If you ignore God and want to do away with him and with his standards and with his rule,

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 then ultimately you will be judged for that.

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 They will perish, he says.

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 They will be scattered.

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 And that's kind of sobering reminder that those who reject God in this life

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 will have to face them in eternity.

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 And that they will be judged for the fact that they have rejected God

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 and that they have rejected Jesus.

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 But says the psalmist, as part of your decisive action

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 is dealing with my enemies and your enemies,

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 but it is also giving me good things

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 as you are the God of heaven and you want what is best for me.

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 And that's in verse 10.

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 You have exalted my horn like that.

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 The ox is one of the strongest beasts in the Holy Land,

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 particularly strong because of its horns.

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 It is able to defend itself against anything that comes against it

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 by using its horns.

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 And the horn that the psalmist talks about here

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 speaks of strength that comes from God

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 and it speaks of being able to withstand

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 even the most evil people

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 and the worst plans that they may make against him.

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 And alongside that,

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 he talks about fine oils being poured on me.

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 Now, oil was used in the Bible for anointing,

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 for anointing priests and kings and so on.

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 It was also used as something that would refresh you,

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 that would give you joy,

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 and that would help you to keep going in your life.

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 Now, I think that's probably what is being talked about here.

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 So he's got the strength like the ox,

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 the horn like the ox,

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 in being able to stand up to those who oppose him

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 and oppose God.

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 But he's also got these fine oils being poured on him,

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 so he's not just feeling all the time oppressed

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 and under pressure.

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 He's also refreshed by God

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 and by everything that God does for him.

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 God acts in the psalmist situation

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 to work things for his good

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 and to ensure that justice is done.

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 As we think about deep thoughts and decisive actions,

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 looking at it from a 21st century,

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 from a post-Christ perspective,

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 we need to look back on Jesus

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 and think how it applies to him.

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 The deep thoughts that God had

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 about how we who were rebels against God,

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 who went our own way,

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 who had nothing that would please God in us,

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 how could we be brought back,

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 how could we get forgiveness

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 for all the wrong we've done.

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 And God, in his great wisdom,

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 made his plan,

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 and he took decisive action

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 as he sent his son, Jesus,

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 into the world to be our saviour.

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 To go to the cross at Calvary

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 and there to take the punishment that was due to us

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 so that all those who put their trust in him

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 can know that they have forgiveness for sins

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 and can have a real relationship with God.

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 God's deep thoughts and his decisive actions.

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 And we need then to look at these and say,

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 I want to trust in God.

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 I want to recognise my failure before God

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 and I want to come to him

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 and to put my trust in him

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 in the Lord Jesus as my saviour.

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 So we believe in God

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 and we believe in who he is and his greatness

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 and then we trust in him,

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 particularly trust in Jesus

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 for all he's done for us.

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 And finally, we can then rejoice in God.

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 Two thoughts here as well.

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 Verses 1 to 4,

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 I call constant praise.

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 And then verses 12 to 15,

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 I've called consistent growth.

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 1 to 4 is about music.

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 Isn't music wonderful?

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 Great to come to church on a Sunday morning

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 and to sing these great songs together

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 of praising God and praising Jesus.

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 Great too if during the week

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 we can be singing and playing if we're musical

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 or listening to music that praises God

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 and that exalts him.

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 And the psalmist says that is a good thing to do.

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 It is good for us to praise God.

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 That's why he's created us

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 so that we can enjoy him

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 and we can appreciate him

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 and we can bring our praise to him

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 for all that he's done for us.

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 Psalmist says we should do it in the morning

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 and at night.

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 In other words, we should do it all the time.

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 Our lives should be a kind of symphony

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:25.000
 of praise to God.

00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:28.279
 And he pictures first the musical instruments.

00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:30.059
 10-string lyre.

00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.860
 Lyre is normally a four or five string.

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.340
 So I think of a 10-string lyre

00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:34.820
 as being a bit like a 12-string guitar.

00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:37.360
 So it's a bit more substantial

00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:39.220
 than a normal guitar.

00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:41.039
 Perhaps it makes a slightly louder noise.

00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:43.799
 It gives us the chance to really let go

00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:47.200
 and to celebrate what God has done.

00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.940
 And then alongside that,

00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.259
 you have the melody of the harp.

00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:52.679
 The harp quieter, more reflective.

00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:54.739
 Again, for many of us,

00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:56.519
 a good way to praise God

00:16:56.519 --> 00:16:58.639
 just to be reflective and to be quiet

00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.559
 as we think about him.

00:17:00.739 --> 00:17:02.879
 Both have a place in our worship,

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.619
 in our music,

00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:07.000
 in our praise of God.

00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.500
 And then, of course, there's singing.

00:17:08.679 --> 00:17:09.179
 Verse 4,

00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.839
 You've made me glad by your deeds.

00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.859
 I sing for joy

00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:15.779
 at what your hands have done.

00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:19.319
 It is good for us to praise God.

00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.700
 And we should come together

00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.700
 on a Sunday morning

00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:23.740
 and as we praise together,

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.319
 we should be enjoying

00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.859
 thinking about our God,

00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.119
 thinking about Jesus

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.940
 and all that he has done for us

00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:32.619
 and worshipping him together.

00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:35.899
 And what should we be thinking about?

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:38.440
 What should be the theme of our praise?

00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.720
 Well, verse 2 says

00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:41.100
 it's God's love

00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:43.600
 and his faithfulness.

00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.660
 Verse 4 says

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:47.080
 it's his deeds.

00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.740
 So we're focusing on God.

00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.680
 Now, we're focusing on God

00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:52.420
 in relation to what he's done for us,

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.720
 but very important

00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.460
 that in our singing

00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:56.039
 we're not just focused on me

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.799
 and am I enjoying this

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.620
 and is this something

00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:59.980
 that's of value to me.

00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:01.360
 We're focused on God

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:03.960
 and we're focused on all that he is

00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:06.860
 and all that he has done for us.

00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:08.439
 And if our hymns,

00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:10.179
 if our songs together

00:18:10.179 --> 00:18:12.479
 exalt and glorify God

00:18:12.479 --> 00:18:14.159
 and glorify Jesus,

00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:16.199
 then it is good for us

00:18:16.199 --> 00:18:17.539
 to be praising like that

00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:21.240
 and that is pleasing to our God.

00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:24.059
 Never think of worship songs

00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.719
 as just something that we come and do

00:18:25.719 --> 00:18:26.719
 almost as wrote

00:18:26.719 --> 00:18:28.339
 or just fillers in the service.

00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:30.079
 They are a great opportunity

00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:31.959
 for us to bring together

00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:34.379
 collectively our praise

00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:37.860
 and our adoration of our God.

00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.300
 And they should be

00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:40.860
 not just on a Sunday morning

00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.820
 but throughout the week.

00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.500
 We should be making music

00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.220
 in our hearts.

00:18:44.340 --> 00:18:44.800
 Some are better,

00:18:45.040 --> 00:18:46.100
 more musical than others.

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.560
 All of us can do it

00:18:47.560 --> 00:18:48.660
 in our hearts at least.

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.880
 We should be making music

00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:51.160
 in our hearts to God

00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:53.980
 as we reflect on all the good things

00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:56.340
 that he has done for us.

00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:58.660
 So that's constant praise.

00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.380
 And then at the end of the psalm,

00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.880
 there's one of the reasons

00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:05.480
 why we should praise God constantly.

00:19:05.540 --> 00:19:08.240
 I call that consistent growth.

00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:10.440
 The picture here is of trees.

00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:12.280
 Two types of trees.

00:19:12.820 --> 00:19:13.900
 There's the palm tree

00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:15.740
 and there's the cedar of Lebanon.

00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:17.820
 Palm tree is probably the date palm

00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:19.040
 which would be the most common

00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:21.820
 in the lands of the Bible.

00:19:22.280 --> 00:19:23.640
 So a great source of food,

00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.960
 of nourishment for people

00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:29.160
 and a real presence among them.

00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:31.540
 Palm trees grow to an enormous height.

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.860
 They live for many hundreds of years

00:19:33.860 --> 00:19:35.420
 and again and again

00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.940
 they keep producing fruit

00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:39.279
 even as they get older.

00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.660
 Cedars of Lebanon also

00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:43.140
 were very tall trees,

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.360
 very imposing,

00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.640
 very majestic,

00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.759
 but they were particularly valued

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.300
 for the quality of their wood.

00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:51.500
 So they provided really good wood

00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:53.720
 and they were particularly used

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:55.220
 by the people.

00:19:55.840 --> 00:19:56.800
 And the psalmist said,

00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:58.720
 if we trust in God,

00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.680
 we can have the characteristics

00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:02.500
 of these trees.

00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.859
 We can be fruitful.

00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.559
 We can be useful.

00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.619
 We can,

00:20:06.879 --> 00:20:08.180
 even in old life,

00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:10.039
 in old age,

00:20:10.299 --> 00:20:11.399
 we can continue

00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:12.759
 to be productive

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.099
 for God.

00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:17.119
 But particularly,

00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:17.859
 he says,

00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.059
 that happens

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.019
 when we're planted

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.480
 in the house of the Lord.

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.079
 Verse 13,

00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:23.259
 plant in the house of the Lord,

00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.299
 they will flourish

00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:26.559
 in the courts of our God.

00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.039
 Now,

00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.220
 palm trees and cedar trees

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:29.819
 can flourish perfectly well

00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:31.180
 in the wild,

00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.440
 but the psalmist here

00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.579
 is thinking of those

00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.599
 that are in the courts

00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:35.299
 of the temple

00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.859
 that people will see

00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:38.599
 as they come to worship God.

00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.839
 They've been transplanted,

00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.419
 if you like,

00:20:40.659 --> 00:20:41.480
 and they're now

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:42.539
 in the place

00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.759
 where God is.

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.659
 And of course,

00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.659
 when we think of ourselves

00:20:45.659 --> 00:20:47.500
 as being a bit like trees,

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:49.180
 that is true of us

00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.440
 as well.

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.740
 We have been transplanted.

00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.400
 We have been taken

00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:55.140
 from the state

00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.359
 that we once were in.

00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.960
 We have come to know Jesus

00:20:57.960 --> 00:21:00.079
 and we have been changed

00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.079
 and we are now

00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.640
 in the place

00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.559
 where God is

00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.700
 and we are able

00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.339
 to grow

00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:06.440
 in his presence.

00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.400
 And so says the psalmist,

00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.599
 these trees,

00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.819
 they bear fruit

00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.660
 in old age

00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:13.359
 and so can we

00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.559
 if we are trusting

00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.819
 in God.

00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.579
 We can bear fruit,

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.400
 we can stay fresh

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.440
 and green,

00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:23.080
 we can still be productive.

00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:25.220
 Older people in church

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.540
 are a wonderful blessing

00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:27.380
 to those of us

00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:27.800
 who are younger.

00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:28.360
 I'm not really carrying

00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:29.620
 myself in the younger ones

00:21:29.620 --> 00:21:30.160
 these days

00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.580
 but younger than some.

00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.500
 But for those

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.200
 who are younger,

00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.380
 older people

00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:36.940
 can be a real blessing.

00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.700
 Those who have been

00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.680
 walking with God

00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.400
 for many years

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:42.460
 and who have

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.560
 a great wisdom

00:21:43.560 --> 00:21:44.400
 and great experience

00:21:45.080 --> 00:21:45.940
 to pass on

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.060
 in the Christian life

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.579
 and who very often

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.099
 are those

00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.079
 who are most faithful

00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.740
 in prayer

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.700
 for the work

00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.399
 of the church

00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.419
 even if they're not

00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.059
 always able

00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.579
 to be very actively

00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:57.599
 involved in it.

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.740
 As a church

00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.700
 it's very important

00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.639
 that we value,

00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.980
 that we treasure

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:03.419
 those who are older

00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:04.179
 in the faith,

00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:04.980
 those who have

00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.000
 all these years

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.279
 of experience

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:09.039
 and of loving God

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.220
 behind them.

00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.480
 If we are older

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.919
 it's important

00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:15.960
 that we stay fruitful.

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.880
 Now old age

00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.759
 does bring

00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.680
 its problems.

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.120
 We're not able

00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:22.340
 to do as much

00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:23.680
 as perhaps we used to

00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.940
 or as we would

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.840
 like to.

00:22:26.600 --> 00:22:27.720
 And for some older people

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.460
 they can be feeling

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.960
 I'd really like to do more

00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.960
 but I'm not able

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.620
 to.

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.440
 But even though

00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.120
 our bodies

00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:36.759
 may be fading away

00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:38.360
 yet our spirits

00:22:38.360 --> 00:22:39.440
 can be constantly

00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.079
 renewed

00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.980
 and can be constantly

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.240
 rejoicing

00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:45.160
 before God.

00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.819
 And it's very important

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.740
 if we are older

00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:49.120
 that we don't become

00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:50.079
 grumpy old men

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:51.460
 or grumpy old women.

00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:52.579
 That we look at

00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.220
 what's happening

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.620
 and we say

00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.460
 well that's not really

00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.579
 the way I would have done it

00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.120
 that's not the way

00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:57.200
 it was done in my day

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.380
 and so I'm not really

00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.120
 very happy

00:22:59.120 --> 00:23:00.259
 about it.

00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.940
 It is wonderful

00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.960
 when you see older people

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.620
 and there are quite a number

00:23:03.620 --> 00:23:04.319
 in this church

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.840
 you see older people

00:23:05.840 --> 00:23:07.360
 and they see things

00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:07.840
 changing

00:23:07.840 --> 00:23:08.779
 and they see God

00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.220
 working

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:11.059
 and they rejoice

00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.039
 in it.

00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:13.339
 they're not there

00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.399
 just to criticise

00:23:14.399 --> 00:23:15.259
 and to put younger

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.059
 people down

00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.819
 they're there

00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.960
 to encourage them

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.319
 and to build them

00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.319
 up in their faith

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.599
 and to continue

00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.440
 to bear fruit

00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.480
 in their old age

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:25.619
 as they encourage

00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.599
 the younger ones

00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:28.180
 as they pray for them

00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.420
 as they continue

00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.079
 to form

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.159
 the bedrock

00:23:31.159 --> 00:23:32.819
 of the church.

00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.720
 Older people

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:36.379
 are a wonderful

00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:37.319
 privilege for us

00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.180
 to have among us

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.359
 as a church

00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:41.539
 and as we get older

00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.559
 so important

00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:44.099
 that we remain fresh

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.979
 and keep that confidence

00:23:45.979 --> 00:23:46.679
 in God

00:23:46.679 --> 00:23:47.959
 and look at him

00:23:47.959 --> 00:23:48.859
 at work

00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.919
 and even if it's not

00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:50.839
 the way we might have

00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.279
 done it

00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.539
 still to rejoice

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.539
 when God

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.459
 is moving

00:23:54.459 --> 00:23:55.619
 among us

00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:57.019
 and to proclaim

00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.539
 as it says

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.559
 in verse 15

00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:00.299
 the Lord is upright

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.939
 he is my rock

00:24:01.939 --> 00:24:03.439
 there is no

00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:04.519
 wickedness

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.619
 in him.

00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.159
 So where we start

00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:07.619
 in the middle

00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.319
 of the psalm

00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.720
 actually is reflected

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.579
 right at the end

00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.299
 of the psalm

00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:12.379
 in the testimony

00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.119
 that we have

00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.299
 about God.

00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.339
 The God who is exalted

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.819
 who is high

00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.000
 above all things

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.480
 he also is

00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.399
 our rock

00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.679
 and we know

00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.720
 that he will always

00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.859
 do what is right

00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:26.339
 because in him

00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:28.439
 is no wickedness.

00:24:29.419 --> 00:24:30.579
 Everything he does

00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:32.259
 everything he thinks

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:34.179
 is for our good

00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.820
 and he acts

00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:36.820
 and rules

00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:38.519
 with justice.

00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.400
 So we believe

00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.060
 in God

00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.060
 we believe

00:24:42.060 --> 00:24:42.960
 in who he is

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.820
 we understand

00:24:43.820 --> 00:24:44.759
 his greatness

00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.200
 believe in his

00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.220
 son the Lord Jesus

00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:49.279
 we trust in him

00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.480
 we have a confidence

00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.120
 in him

00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:52.000
 and the knowledge

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.880
 that he will

00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:54.360
 reveal ultimately

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.320
 even at times

00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:55.860
 if it seems

00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.539
 that those

00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.400
 who are godless

00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.420
 are prevailing

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:58.980
 in our world

00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.880
 we can trust God

00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.580
 and have confidence

00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:01.060
 in him

00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:02.399
 if we know him

00:25:02.399 --> 00:25:03.619
 and then we're able

00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.940
 to rejoice in God

00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.279
 whether we're young

00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.539
 or whether we're old

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.279
 we can rejoice

00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.079
 in song

00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.259
 we can rejoice

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.679
 too

00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:12.440
 as we see God

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.359
 at work

00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.500
 among us.

00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.519
 As I put it

00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.299
 the heading of the slide

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.519
 there

00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.000
 our God reigns

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:19.079
 and we can

00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:20.799
 enjoy his presence

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.240
 here

00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.319
 with us.

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.119
 Let me finish

00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.639
 with some more

00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.740
 botany trees.

00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.079
 Most trees

00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.599
 if you cut

00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:30.339
 their trunks

00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.220
 in pieces

00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.000
 and get a cross

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.359
 section

00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.079
 look something

00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:33.659
 like that

00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.179
 that's I think

00:25:34.179 --> 00:25:34.740
 an oak tree

00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.639
 but many trees

00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.740
 are like that

00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:38.099
 they have rings

00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.519
 and you can tell

00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.139
 a lot about

00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.659
 the history

00:25:40.659 --> 00:25:41.199
 of the tree

00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:41.720
 and the history

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.439
 of the seasons

00:25:42.439 --> 00:25:43.279
 of the years

00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.279
 by looking at

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.759
 the rings

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.939
 and by seeing

00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:46.639
 how big they are

00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.119
 and how they've

00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:47.720
 been formed

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:49.220
 and so on

00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:50.939
 and each year

00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:52.419
 a new ring

00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:53.079
 is created

00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.199
 because the

00:25:54.199 --> 00:25:55.279
 life of the tree

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.720
 if you like

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.399
 the bit that is

00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.679
 creating new life

00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.639
 is the bit

00:25:58.639 --> 00:25:59.480
 around the outside

00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.440
 and the tree

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.180
 adds more

00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.680
 and more

00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.259
 layers

00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.200
 to it.

00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:04.759
 Palm trees

00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.700
 are a bit

00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.019
 different

00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.339
 we were thinking

00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:06.920
 about palm trees

00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.120
 earlier

00:26:07.120 --> 00:26:07.599
 palm trees

00:26:07.599 --> 00:26:07.940
 are a bit

00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.420
 different

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.259
 they might

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.740
 look a bit

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.380
 more like

00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.039
 that

00:26:11.039 --> 00:26:12.099
 there aren't

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.660
 the rings

00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.700
 because palm trees

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.460
 don't grow

00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.700
 in the same way

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.720
 as other trees

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.420
 where other trees

00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.480
 grow around the outside

00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:19.460
 and add extra layers

00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.259
 to themselves

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.140
 palm trees

00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.620
 kind of grow

00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.519
 from the inside

00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.759
 they kind of push out

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.779
 and they grow

00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:26.220
 in that kind of way

00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.680
 now that creates

00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.440
 some practical

00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.000
 differences

00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:30.500
 if you were

00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.019
 to tie

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.980
 a piece of

00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.640
 wire around

00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:32.980
 a tree

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.500
 perhaps for a

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.940
 washing or

00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.420
 something like

00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:34.740
 that

00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.559
 if you tied

00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:35.920
 it around

00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.599
 an oak tree

00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.480
 then what would

00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:38.099
 be likely to

00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.440
 happen

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.299
 would be that

00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.700
 the tree

00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.160
 would grow

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.380
 over the wire

00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.019
 so in a while

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.380
 it would look

00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:43.099
 as if the wire

00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:43.740
 was coming out

00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.279
 of the tree

00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.119
 and you wouldn't

00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.740
 actually see

00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.200
 the bit

00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.059
 that was around

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.559
 the tree

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.619
 because it would

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:48.819
 have been

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.579
 covered by the

00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:49.920
 bark

00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.140
 and so on

00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:52.119
 if you did

00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.640
 that with a

00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.160
 palm tree

00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.180
 and tied a

00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.980
 wire around it

00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.839
 the tree would

00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:56.380
 grow out

00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.259
 and eventually

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:57.940
 the wire would

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.380
 snap

00:26:58.380 --> 00:26:59.140
 because the

00:26:59.140 --> 00:26:59.860
 growth is coming

00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.600
 from the inside

00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.140
 rather than

00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:01.460
 outside

00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.600
 rather than

00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.780
 over what

00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:04.220
 was there

00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.720
 already

00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.180
 what good

00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.600
 does that do

00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:07.160
 for trees

00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:07.840
 well if you

00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:08.340
 have a palm

00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:08.660
 tree

00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:10.000
 they can grow

00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:11.400
 in the most

00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.480
 difficult of

00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.220
 circumstances

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.560
 they can grow

00:27:14.560 --> 00:27:15.360
 in situations

00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:15.940
 where there are

00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.740
 hurricanes and

00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.700
 there are typhoons

00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.480
 and there are

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.160
 lots of things

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.140
 which if a

00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:20.900
 normal tree

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.940
 came up against

00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.900
 them it would

00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.580
 just snap

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.480
 because the

00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.539
 core is hard

00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.519
 the outside

00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.199
 is soft

00:27:27.199 --> 00:27:28.179
 and as we

00:27:28.179 --> 00:27:28.679
 see when there

00:27:28.679 --> 00:27:29.039
 are storms

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.819
 in this country

00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.599
 very often

00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.339
 trees fall

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.359
 down or

00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.359
 they break

00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:34.679
 palm trees

00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:35.199
 on the other

00:27:35.199 --> 00:27:35.779
 hand have

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.379
 that inner

00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.039
 strength

00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.899
 and although

00:27:37.899 --> 00:27:38.899
 they may bend

00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.980
 although they

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.539
 may look as

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:40.819
 if they're

00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.659
 going to fall

00:27:41.659 --> 00:27:42.539
 they have that

00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.000
 strength

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.559
 throughout them

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.000
 they have that

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.559
 elasticity

00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:46.220
 and in the

00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:46.839
 worst of

00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.579
 circumstances

00:27:47.579 --> 00:27:48.500
 they will

00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.079
 prevail

00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.299
 because from

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.119
 the inside

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:51.599
 out

00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.539
 they are

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.439
 strong

00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:54.539
 and that I

00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.000
 think is the

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.500
 message of

00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.379
 this psalm

00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:57.339
 if we are

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.039
 strong from

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.740
 the inside

00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.339
 out

00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.199
 then whatever

00:28:00.199 --> 00:28:01.179
 the circumstances

00:28:01.179 --> 00:28:01.899
 in life

00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:03.159
 then we can

00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:04.439
 prevail in

00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:04.719
 them

00:28:04.719 --> 00:28:05.919
 if we have

00:28:05.919 --> 00:28:06.740
 that relationship

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.500
 with God

00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.219
 as the core

00:28:08.219 --> 00:28:09.099
 of our lives

00:28:09.099 --> 00:28:10.079
 and we truly

00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.919
 do recognize

00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:11.359
 him as the

00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:11.679
 one who's

00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:12.199
 exalted

00:28:12.199 --> 00:28:13.279
 and have our

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.139
 trust in him

00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:15.319
 then whatever

00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:16.279
 the circumstances

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.919
 of life

00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:18.119
 we may bend

00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.119
 we may struggle

00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:20.500
 at times life

00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.179
 is hard

00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.400
 but it can't

00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:23.039
 break us

00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:23.940
 because we

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.460
 have that

00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.360
 inner strength

00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.080
 through our

00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:26.660
 relationship

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.920
 with God

00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.000
 so the question

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.620
 this morning

00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:30.420
 is do we

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.100
 have that

00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:31.660
 relationship

00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.420
 ourselves

00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.240
 do I have

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.900
 that personal

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.560
 relationship

00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:35.740
 and trust

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.799
 in God

00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:38.460
 and if I do

00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:39.500
 then I can

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.400
 depend on it

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.440
 and I can

00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.480
 rejoice in it

00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.680
 I can sing

00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.500
 his praises

00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.960
 and even as

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.820
 I get older

00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:47.940
 even as my

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:48.900
 body is

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:49.840
 perhaps failing

00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.879
 yet my

00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.519
 spirit can

00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.279
 be constantly

00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:53.019
 renewed

00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.419
 and like

00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:55.220
 that tree

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.819
 that remains

00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.259
 fruitful

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.459
 even in old

00:28:57.459 --> 00:28:57.879
 age

00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:59.139
 I can continue

00:28:59.139 --> 00:29:00.039
 to be productive

00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:01.579
 and to serve

00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.359
 God

00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.279
 let's all

00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.039
 be like that

00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.399
 make sure

00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:04.939
 we're trusting

00:29:04.939 --> 00:29:05.539
 in God

00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.819
 and then

00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.240
 be fruitful

00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.139
 in our praise

00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:10.339
 and our

00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.159
 service

00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:12.220
 for him

00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.220
 let's pray

00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.659
 together

00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:15.220
 and we're going

00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.559
 to pray

00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.439
 using the words

00:29:16.439 --> 00:29:16.939
 of a hymn

00:29:16.939 --> 00:29:17.519
 since we've been

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:17.959
 thinking a bit

00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.539
 but hymns this

00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.059
 morning a hymn

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.700
 written by

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.340
 Timothy Dudley

00:29:20.340 --> 00:29:21.120
 Smith based

00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:22.160
 on the latter

00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.880
 verse of this

00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.279
 psalm

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.620
 so let's pray

00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.660
 let this prayer

00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.259
 O Lord

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.920
 be granted

00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:28.880
 may we live

00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.519
 and grow

00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:31.360
 fruitful trees

00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:31.920
 that God

00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.579
 has planted

00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.960
 where the

00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.700
 waters flow

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.340
 when the

00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.259
 storms of life

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.039
 assail us

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.360
 let our roots

00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:39.960
 be found

00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:40.960
 firm in hope

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.700
 that will not

00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.319
 fail us

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.259
 deep

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.400
 in hallowed

00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:44.860
 ground

00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:46.660
 word of God

00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.220
 to teach

00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:47.900
 and nourish

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:49.600
 love of God

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.300
 to tend

00:29:50.300 --> 00:29:51.920
 grant us

00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.779
 in your course

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.480
 to flourish

00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.640
 fruitful

00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.220
 to the end

00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:58.180
 then in Christ

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.840
 our sins

00:29:58.840 --> 00:29:59.240
 forgiven

00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.740
 God who

00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:01.820
 loves to bless

00:30:01.820 --> 00:30:03.380
 calls us

00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.100
 to the life

00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:04.740
 of heaven

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:06.060
 trees

00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:07.480
 of righteousness

00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.840
 Amen