WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.620 My name is James, the student minister here at St. Paul's. 00:00:02.680 --> 00:00:03.419 Welcome to you. 00:00:03.520 --> 00:00:05.200 If you're a guest of us here this morning, 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:08.099 look forward to catching you after this service. 00:00:08.560 --> 00:00:10.000 Before we start, let's pray. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:14.700 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:18.359 We thank you so much that in your word you reveal to us the way of salvation 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:22.240 and how we ought to live now as we look forward to eternity. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:26.420 We pray, Lord, as we hear it this morning, that you would speak to us, 00:00:26.420 --> 00:00:30.160 that we would have our hearts and our minds and our ears open to what you have to say 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:34.079 and that we would leave here changed, encouraged, rebuked, 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:37.740 and that we would leave here desiring to follow you always. 00:00:38.179 --> 00:00:40.439 We pray this in your son's name. Amen. 00:00:41.520 --> 00:00:46.280 We live and exist in the world that constantly demands our attention. 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:51.200 Wherever we go, we are bombarded by billboards, advertising everywhere, 00:00:51.400 --> 00:00:55.380 posters, TV commercials, radio commercials, advertising on the web. 00:00:55.380 --> 00:00:59.600 We can't go anywhere without the world wanting our attention, 00:00:59.800 --> 00:01:02.900 trying to sell us something, trying to inform us of something 00:01:02.900 --> 00:01:05.340 that we should be taking or listening to. 00:01:05.960 --> 00:01:08.120 But the world demands more than just our attention. 00:01:08.820 --> 00:01:10.659 The world demands our love. 00:01:11.100 --> 00:01:13.079 The world demands our affection. 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:16.439 And this can be particularly seen in the advertising industry. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:19.700 Companies work with advertisers to sell their product, 00:01:19.800 --> 00:01:22.640 not merely to just give us what we need, 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:25.820 but to help us love their products. 00:01:26.260 --> 00:01:28.819 Companies want our affection. 00:01:29.840 --> 00:01:31.480 And their strategy totally works. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:33.620 I mean, how many times have you heard your friends say 00:01:33.620 --> 00:01:35.180 or yourself say these things? 00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:37.079 Look at my new iPhone. 00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:38.900 Isn't it beautiful? 00:01:39.460 --> 00:01:40.420 I love it. 00:01:41.540 --> 00:01:43.140 Oh, I love my new car. 00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:44.019 It's so cute. 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:45.659 I named it this or that. 00:01:46.019 --> 00:01:47.819 How many people have you named your car? 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:48.900 Who names their cars? 00:01:49.599 --> 00:01:50.519 Yeah, guilty, guilty. 00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:52.259 See, you fall into their strategy. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:55.659 Look at how beautiful these plants are. 00:01:55.759 --> 00:01:56.579 Oh, I love them. 00:01:56.640 --> 00:01:57.799 I love how they look in the garden. 00:01:57.879 --> 00:01:59.500 I can't wait to see them blossom. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:02.659 Oh, my goodness, these shorts, they're so cute. 00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:03.319 I love them. 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:05.340 I'm not going to buy them, no matter how expensive they are. 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:07.859 Do you notice something here? 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:11.659 All these things that captivate our affection 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:14.019 are inanimate objects. 00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:18.640 They don't return the affection at all. 00:02:19.180 --> 00:02:22.520 And we attribute human traits to otherwise things 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:24.219 that cannot love us in return. 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:25.120 And this is no accident. 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:28.840 This is exactly what advertisers and companies want. 00:02:28.920 --> 00:02:30.540 They want to make their products 00:02:30.540 --> 00:02:33.460 more than just the necessities of life. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:35.760 They want to make us love them. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:38.160 They want us to make these products 00:02:38.160 --> 00:02:40.300 the objects of our affection. 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:44.740 And you see, advertisers have not come across this by accident. 00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:47.400 It's not something they've stumbled across. 00:02:47.820 --> 00:02:49.240 They have tapped into something 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:51.680 that is very fundamental to our humanity, 00:02:52.180 --> 00:02:53.080 which is this, 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:58.140 our innate desire to love and worship something. 00:02:59.260 --> 00:03:01.700 Companies have used this and exploited it 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:04.380 in order to make us love and desire their products, 00:03:04.860 --> 00:03:07.880 which is why we apply human qualities and traits 00:03:07.879 --> 00:03:09.960 to things that are otherwise inanimate. 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:14.479 The world is constantly vying for our attention, 00:03:15.019 --> 00:03:18.359 promising to be everything we hope and dreamed of, 00:03:18.460 --> 00:03:21.180 tapping into our innate desire to worship 00:03:21.180 --> 00:03:22.560 and to love something, 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:26.719 and demanding that it be the owner of our affection. 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:30.539 And as Christians, it can be tremendously hard 00:03:30.539 --> 00:03:33.960 to keep our attention and our affection on Christ 00:03:33.960 --> 00:03:36.580 and offer Him our affection alone. 00:03:36.780 --> 00:03:39.159 In a world demanding it so much 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:40.719 and promising so much in return, 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:44.480 it can be very hard to stay focused on the Word. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:48.120 And that is why passages such as Psalm 119 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:50.180 are very helpful for us. 00:03:51.140 --> 00:03:54.140 Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Book of Psalms, 00:03:54.219 --> 00:03:56.939 but also the longest chapter in the whole Bible. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:03:59.860 And it's a psalm entirely dedicated to 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:02.820 and devoted to the subject of God's Word, 00:04:02.980 --> 00:04:06.160 expressing the psalmist's delight and joy, 00:04:06.660 --> 00:04:08.840 affection for the Word of God. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:11.280 And it works similar to the way of advertising. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:15.460 As the psalmist expresses his own delight and joy 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:16.600 in God's Word, 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:19.319 he calls his readers, us here this morning, 00:04:19.900 --> 00:04:21.720 to have the same joy, 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:23.240 to have the same delight, 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:26.560 to have the same affection for the Word of God. 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:30.579 The psalmist is full of praise for his Word. 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:31.959 Listen to some examples here. 00:04:32.100 --> 00:04:32.759 Verse 20, 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:36.579 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:37.439 Verse 30, 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:39.819 I have chosen the way of faithfulness. 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:41.860 I have set my heart on your laws. 00:04:41.980 --> 00:04:42.720 Verse 43, 00:04:43.139 --> 00:04:45.699 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:48.500 for I have put my hope in your laws. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:49.660 Verse 47, 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:52.540 For I delight in your commands because I love them. 00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:53.899 Verse 81, 00:04:53.899 --> 00:04:57.519 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:01.139 but I have put my hope in your word. 00:05:01.679 --> 00:05:02.379 Verse 92, 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:04.639 If your law had not been my delight, 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:07.019 I would have perished in my affliction. 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:09.799 I will never forget your precepts, 00:05:09.799 --> 00:05:12.060 for by them ye have preserved my life. 00:05:12.519 --> 00:05:13.419 Verse 97, 00:05:13.659 --> 00:05:15.319 Oh, how I love your law. 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:17.899 I meditate on it all day long. 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:19.620 Verse 119, 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:22.279 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, 00:05:22.279 --> 00:05:24.279 Therefore I love your statutes. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:26.519 My flesh trembles in fear of you. 00:05:26.799 --> 00:05:29.479 I stand in awe of your laws. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:31.059 Verse 129, 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:33.299 Your statutes are wonderful. 00:05:34.419 --> 00:05:35.639 Therefore I obey them. 00:05:36.419 --> 00:05:41.799 Can you hear the psalmist's delight and affection he has for God's word? 00:05:42.019 --> 00:05:45.959 His laws, his decrees, statutes, promises, and rules. 00:05:46.139 --> 00:05:49.239 He is totally enamored by the word of God. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:51.819 It's the owner of his affection. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:58.920 This psalm is a celebration of God's gracious revelation to us in his word. 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:04.439 And so as the psalmist writes of his own affection and love for the word, 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:08.400 he wants to remind us who follow and love God, 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:14.740 that the true object of our affection should be the word and nothing else. 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:17.540 In a world that would demand otherwise, 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:22.100 the psalmist wants to redirect our attention and our affection 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:25.280 from temporary, worthless things in this world 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:32.360 to the eternal, invaluable, incomprehensible, sometimes word of God. 00:06:33.139 --> 00:06:37.519 The word that leads us into the presence and knowledge of God himself. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:40.659 His love and affection and adoration for the word 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:44.859 is only surpassed by his own love for God himself. 00:06:44.979 --> 00:06:48.859 You see, his affection for the word is fueled by the fact 00:06:48.859 --> 00:06:53.060 that it's the word of God that allows him into the presence of God. 00:06:53.779 --> 00:06:59.339 And that is why the word of God is the proper and rightful owner of his affection. 00:06:59.339 --> 00:07:02.459 There are two big things that come out of this psalm 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:07.739 that remind us of why the word of God ought to be the owner of our affection 00:07:07.739 --> 00:07:09.539 and above all else. 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:15.959 Firstly, because his word, or by his word, we receive salvation. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:18.579 Now if you note back to some of the examples before, 00:07:18.799 --> 00:07:22.299 much of the psalmist's affection for the word of God 00:07:22.299 --> 00:07:24.079 stems from its role in salvation. 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:28.059 The psalmist puts his hope in the word of God for salvation. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:31.280 He says without it, he would have perished in his affliction. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:35.019 In verse 81, the psalmist is longing for salvation. 00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:37.280 He feels death is at his door, 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:41.180 but he draws comfort from the word of God 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:46.000 and looks forward to the salvation that is promised in his word. 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:49.420 Now it's really important to realize here that the psalmist 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:53.620 and his knowledge of salvation does not come from the gospels, 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:56.319 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, or any document in the New Testament. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:59.579 The psalmist has in mind here the books of the law, 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:01.740 the Torah, and the prophets. 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:05.740 Books like Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, 1 and 2 Samuel, 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:07.980 1 and 2 Kings, and the minor prophets. 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:11.439 He writes with these books in mind. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:15.159 With these books in mind, he talks about how God is his salvation, 00:08:15.339 --> 00:08:18.180 how the word is the means of salvation. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:23.360 Many of us here as Christians struggle at times to read the Old Testament, 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:24.960 what the psalmist calls the law. 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:27.920 And in fact, why would we read the Old Testament? 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:30.040 Aren't we all about the New Testament these days? 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:31.420 Aren't we all about the gospels? 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:35.779 Why on earth would we read something called the Old Testament, 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:37.940 and we have what's called the New Testament? 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:41.019 We might feel that way about the law, 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:43.919 but the psalmist certainly does not. 00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:48.360 Whilst we might see it as something that's too hard to understand or comprehend, 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.860 not relevant for us here today as Christians, 00:08:51.419 --> 00:08:53.340 the psalmist sees the whole law, 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.300 every single word written in it, 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:57.740 every word God has spoken in it, 00:08:57.919 --> 00:09:00.080 as necessary for salvation. 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:02.300 And the thing is, 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.980 the New Testament also agrees with that. 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:08.879 In Paul's second letter, Timothy says this in chapter 3, 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:38.820 The sacred writings Paul mentions here are not the gospels. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.980 They are the books of the law and the prophets. 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:45.500 The same writings our psalmist 119 refers to. 00:09:45.939 --> 00:09:49.399 Paul doesn't tell Timothy to forget what he grew up learning 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:52.460 and just focus on the gospels themselves. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:56.159 But contrary to that, he says to remember them. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:59.460 For by them he learnt about a God who was holy, 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:02.740 a God who was faithful to his people, 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:05.379 a God who had promises to save them. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:08.240 And in those things that he learnt, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:11.059 he grew in his knowledge of his salvation 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:14.519 that would come through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:18.679 Paul did not see the law of God as something 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:20.519 that is no longer required, 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:23.539 but something that is integral for knowing 00:10:23.539 --> 00:10:26.580 and understanding where salvation comes from. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:31.100 In the story of the travels of Emmaus Road, 00:10:31.180 --> 00:10:33.780 we see how the law and the prophets 00:10:33.780 --> 00:10:38.360 was necessary for the people who Jesus travelled with 00:10:38.360 --> 00:10:40.200 in understanding their salvation as well. 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:42.080 Notice that their eyes were kept 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:44.120 from seeing that it was Jesus 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:46.800 until Jesus interpreted Moses, 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:47.840 okay, the law, 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:49.460 and the prophets and everything 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:51.259 in scripture concerning himself. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:54.939 It wasn't until Jesus explained from all of scripture 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:59.659 that these men understood where salvation had come from. 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:02.799 It was the opening and the explaining of God's word 00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:04.899 from beginning to end 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:08.319 that caused their hearts to burn 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:09.840 with joy, 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:11.840 with excitement within them. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.179 And at that point, 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:15.419 when they realised who this man was, 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.819 that it was him 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:18.679 who the scriptures had talked about, 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:19.699 that it was Jesus, 00:11:20.079 --> 00:11:21.939 the one who had come to save them. 00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:24.559 Our view of the Old Testament 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:26.379 may be that it's boring, 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:28.179 hard to understand, 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:30.379 and irrelevant for us. 00:11:30.979 --> 00:11:32.199 But to the psalmist 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:33.719 and to the authors of the New Testament, 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:36.719 it is key to understanding our salvation. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:38.539 Indeed, it's more than just key 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:40.039 to understanding our salvation, 00:11:40.239 --> 00:11:42.000 but its entire purpose, 00:11:42.219 --> 00:11:43.599 from Genesis to Revelation, 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:46.159 is to help us understand 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:48.939 and make us wise for our salvation. 00:11:49.839 --> 00:11:50.719 Dare I say it, 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.519 the four gospels on their own 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.799 are not enough 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:56.079 to help us 00:11:56.079 --> 00:11:57.659 to understand our salvation. 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.000 If they were, 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:01.000 then the whole counsel of God 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.620 would only be those four gospels. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.719 But what we have 00:12:03.719 --> 00:12:05.299 here in the word here 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:06.459 is always 00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:08.199 and completely necessary 00:12:08.199 --> 00:12:09.480 for our salvation. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:11.659 Even the hard bits. 00:12:12.839 --> 00:12:14.179 When we see God's word, 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:14.879 all of it, 00:12:15.239 --> 00:12:15.939 with the purpose 00:12:15.939 --> 00:12:18.059 of making us wise 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:19.399 for our salvation, 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.719 will not our affection 00:12:21.719 --> 00:12:23.500 and love for it grow? 00:12:23.939 --> 00:12:25.159 Will not our desire 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:27.079 to read it grow? 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:29.500 Will not we be continually 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:31.519 thankful to God 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.759 and worship Him 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:35.839 for His gracious revelation to us? 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:38.219 We struggle to read Scripture 00:12:38.219 --> 00:12:40.779 because we easily forget 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:42.919 what its purpose is. 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:45.120 we get too bogged down 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.319 by how difficult 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:47.759 it can be to understand it 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:49.899 and then too easily distracted 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.479 by worldly things 00:12:51.479 --> 00:12:52.699 that promise to be 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.959 so much more 00:12:53.959 --> 00:12:56.120 a supplement form 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:57.279 of our salvation. 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:59.139 But this is why 00:12:59.139 --> 00:13:00.599 we have Psalm 119. 00:13:01.579 --> 00:13:02.799 This is why the psalmist 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:05.039 spends 176 verses 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:06.740 talking about his affection 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.939 for God, 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.240 that we might not lose sight 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.500 of its purpose, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:14.179 that it makes us wise 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.759 for our salvation. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:18.340 All of God's word 00:13:18.340 --> 00:13:20.059 is worthy of our affection 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:21.259 and indeed, 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.299 it is the rightful owner 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.960 of our affection 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.919 above all else 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:28.799 because it is the only thing 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.740 in our life 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:30.940 that can save us. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:32.120 The word of God 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.120 deserves our affection 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.259 above all the things 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.399 because it leads us 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.059 and guides us 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:37.159 to the greatest treasure 00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:38.740 we will ever have in life, 00:13:38.960 --> 00:13:40.059 the one who saves. 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:41.899 The psalmist 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:43.179 shows his affection 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:44.539 for God's word 00:13:44.539 --> 00:13:46.719 because it's the very thing 00:13:46.719 --> 00:13:47.919 that saves. 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.699 But his worship of God 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:51.939 for his word 00:13:51.939 --> 00:13:53.219 extends beyond that. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.239 For the psalmist, 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.839 he sees that it's worthy 00:13:56.839 --> 00:13:57.379 of his affection 00:13:57.379 --> 00:13:58.979 not because it just saves him 00:13:58.979 --> 00:13:59.899 for eternity, 00:14:00.239 --> 00:14:01.479 but also because 00:14:01.479 --> 00:14:02.579 it helps him 00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:03.699 to persevere 00:14:03.699 --> 00:14:05.179 in this life now. 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.500 And that's the second big thing 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.879 we see in this psalm 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:08.700 and particularly 00:14:08.700 --> 00:14:09.679 in this passage. 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.620 Here in our passage, 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:12.620 the psalmist prays 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.759 that he would keep 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.439 God's word, 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:15.500 that he would receive 00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.360 understanding, 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.639 that he would observe it 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.820 for his whole heart, 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:21.740 that it would keep him 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.840 from leading a life 00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:24.340 of selfish gain, 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.039 that it would keep him 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:25.899 from leading a life 00:14:25.899 --> 00:14:28.120 looking at worthless things 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:29.120 in order 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.379 that he might 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.600 have life 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.620 in the ways 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.519 of God 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:35.299 according to his word. 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:37.179 He doesn't see 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:38.579 disobedience 00:14:38.579 --> 00:14:39.299 to God's word 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:40.459 as only an obligation, 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:42.599 but the very means 00:14:42.599 --> 00:14:43.979 of his perseverance. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:46.019 The psalmist throughout 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.719 repeatedly credits 00:14:47.719 --> 00:14:48.359 God's word, 00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:50.120 specifically his law 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.339 and statutes, 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.699 as the very means 00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:54.159 that sustain him 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:55.039 and help him 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.359 to persevere in life. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.459 Verse 54, 00:14:57.979 --> 00:14:58.839 your statutes 00:14:58.839 --> 00:15:00.099 have been my songs 00:15:00.099 --> 00:15:00.740 in the house 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:01.599 of my soul journey. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.500 I remember your name 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.919 in the night, 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.319 O Lord, 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.399 and keep your Lord. 00:15:06.099 --> 00:15:06.819 The blessing, 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:07.959 this blessing 00:15:07.959 --> 00:15:08.939 has fallen to me 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:09.679 that I have kept 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.819 your precepts. 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:12.379 In verse 92 again, 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.399 if your law 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:15.159 had not been my delight, 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.360 I would have perished 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.099 in my affliction. 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.799 I will never forget 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:20.519 your precepts 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.379 for by them 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:23.199 you have preserved 00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:24.559 my life. 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.659 The psalmist 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:29.019 is very affectionate 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.259 about God's law 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.259 because of how 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:32.240 he sees it 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.080 help him 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:34.299 to persevere 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:35.799 and sustain him 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:37.759 through the tough times. 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.899 Its purpose, 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.279 other than pointing 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:42.799 towards our salvation 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.700 in Jesus, 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.419 is to provide 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:46.120 a helpful corrective, 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:46.840 to help us 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.840 keep our lives 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.740 on track, 00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:49.840 that we might 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:51.060 live lives well 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:52.139 in a world 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.680 that is otherwise 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:54.220 corrupt and broken. 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.720 The law 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.639 and the prophets 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.120 are gifts 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.940 of God's grace 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:01.360 for our salvation 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:03.500 and for our perseverance 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.820 in this life 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.340 right now. 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.340 They are not 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:06.900 a burden 00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.400 for us 00:16:07.400 --> 00:16:08.260 to try and avoid, 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.720 but they are also 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.560 not the means 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:12.160 of our salvation. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:14.080 It points 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:15.280 to where our salvation 00:16:15.280 --> 00:16:16.000 comes from 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.480 in Jesus 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:18.120 and helps us 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.160 to persevere 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:19.920 in this life 00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:21.400 knowing full well 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:22.100 that we are 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:22.820 under grace, 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:23.940 looking forward 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.820 to enjoying 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.360 the fullness 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.940 of our salvation 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:27.840 to come. 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.379 The whole 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.940 counsel 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:31.379 of God's 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.060 word, 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:33.340 the Old and New Testament, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.779 ultimately exists 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:36.120 for our benefit. 00:16:37.300 --> 00:16:38.060 The way 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.759 of salvation 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.580 might be made 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.940 known to us 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:42.560 and we might 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.120 have a helpful 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.820 guide throughout 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.440 our life 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.460 to help us 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:46.159 persevere 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:48.060 during the tough times. 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:48.639 This is why 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.259 the psalmist 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.539 is so captivated 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.840 and so affectionate 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.899 about God's word. 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.060 He sees 00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:55.100 the eternal value 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.460 of what God 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.659 is trying to achieve 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.540 through his word. 00:16:58.620 --> 00:16:58.980 He sees that 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.639 God's word 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:00.480 is his 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.800 gracious 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:03.159 self-revelation 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.240 for us, 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.579 for our benefit. 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:06.620 He sees that 00:17:06.620 --> 00:17:07.279 by God's word 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.740 we can enjoy 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.339 a relationship 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:09.960 with him. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.360 For the psalmist 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:12.220 it is something, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.000 his word, 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.000 that he falls back on 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:15.160 no matter how dark 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.500 and horrible 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.420 life can be, 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.860 no matter how much 00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:19.720 pain or suffering 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.440 he might endure, 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.980 no matter how scared 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.599 and hopeless 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.779 and fearful he is, 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.839 he can trust 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.039 in the all-powerful 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:27.740 word of God. 00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:28.819 Know that it's 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.879 sufficient and true. 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:30.980 Know that it will 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.839 never fail 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.839 or fade away. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.799 And this is why 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.559 the psalmist 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.500 urges us 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.259 to make God's word 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.319 the object 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.799 of our affection. 00:17:44.699 --> 00:17:45.619 And yet, 00:17:46.159 --> 00:17:47.699 we find ourselves 00:17:47.699 --> 00:17:48.619 too easily 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:50.779 pleased by other things. 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:52.359 we find our affection 00:17:52.359 --> 00:17:53.799 is too easily won 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.519 by worldly things. 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.639 The latest 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:58.099 TV shows, 00:17:58.399 --> 00:17:58.839 work, 00:17:59.299 --> 00:17:59.740 study, 00:18:00.379 --> 00:18:01.099 sleeping in, 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.039 gardening, 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.099 holidaying, 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.859 clothes, 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:04.839 cars. 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.599 These things, 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:07.639 the psalmist would say, 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:09.059 if they steal our affection 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.339 away from God's word, 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.740 are worthless things. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:15.039 The world 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:16.400 wants our attention, 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.620 the world 00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:18.319 wants 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.480 our affection, 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.579 and it's a battle 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:23.460 to keep God's word 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.480 as the object 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.519 of our affection, 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.200 the center 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:27.460 of our life. 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.660 And no doubt, 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.460 the psalmist 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.740 realizes this, 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.359 which is why he prays, 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:33.759 incline my heart 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.159 to your testimonies 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:36.939 and not to selfish gain. 00:18:37.419 --> 00:18:38.279 Turn my eyes 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.919 from looking at 00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:40.019 worthless things. 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.719 He knows the struggle 00:18:41.719 --> 00:18:43.039 that we have 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.639 in life, 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.039 and he himself 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.399 prays that he would 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:47.159 continue to always 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:48.159 keep God's word 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.939 at the center. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.619 What the world 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.240 has to offer 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.619 can look so enticing 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.719 and so beautiful 00:18:53.719 --> 00:18:54.359 at times, 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.179 and it can make 00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:56.159 God's word 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:57.219 seem bland 00:18:57.219 --> 00:18:57.799 and boring 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.439 and too hard, 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:58.979 which is why, 00:18:59.099 --> 00:18:59.339 again, 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.399 the psalmist prays, 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:01.959 turn away the reproach 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.519 that I dread, 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.340 for your rules 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.900 are good. 00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:06.240 He wants us to know, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.039 and he wants himself 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.660 to always know 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.019 that no matter 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.180 how hard it can be 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.059 to obey God's word, 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:10.960 no matter how hard 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.960 it can be to read 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.779 God's word, 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.120 it is always good 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:15.360 because God himself 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:15.980 is good. 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.180 In a world 00:19:18.180 --> 00:19:19.380 constantly fighting 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.840 for our affection, 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.240 challenging us 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.840 to make material 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:25.420 and temporary things 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.180 the object 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.960 of our affection, 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.259 Psalm 119 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.960 comes to our aid 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.620 to remind us 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.339 of the eternal 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.839 and beautiful word 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.519 of God 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:36.059 that makes known 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.579 the way of salvation 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.739 and the very instrument 00:19:38.739 --> 00:19:39.979 of our perseverance 00:19:39.979 --> 00:19:42.219 in this life, 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.239 that all the things 00:19:43.239 --> 00:19:44.619 that would have 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.219 our affection 00:19:45.219 --> 00:19:46.299 are insufficient 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:48.119 since they cannot 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.699 provide us 00:19:48.699 --> 00:19:49.519 what we need, 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:51.139 nor a relationship 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:51.759 with the one 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:53.399 who the word reveals. 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.959 The question is, 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.960 is it the object 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:59.059 of your affection? 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:02.140 Is the word of God 00:20:02.140 --> 00:20:03.460 the object 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.519 and the owner 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.799 of your affection? 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.500 I know this is 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.259 difficult to answer. 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:11.420 I'm at Bible college 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:12.960 and the irony is 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.900 that I've never found 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.539 it harder in my life 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:17.180 to love God's word 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:19.039 except for the last 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:19.539 two years. 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:21.840 It has been really hard 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:23.279 to make God's word 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:25.120 at the centre 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:25.800 of my life 00:20:25.800 --> 00:20:26.880 and the owner 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:27.700 of my affection. 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.360 And I do not wish 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:29.980 this morning 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.500 to condemn anyone 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.560 here who struggles 00:20:32.560 --> 00:20:34.140 to read God's word 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:35.019 in the Old Testament. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.320 I'd only be condemning 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:37.259 myself also 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.000 if I did that. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.359 I only wish 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.220 to implore you 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.079 as I'm imploring 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.299 myself right now 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.579 as the psalmist 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.680 implores us here 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.660 in Psalm 119 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:47.400 to remember 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.460 what God's word 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.819 is and does for us. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.160 That it makes known 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.140 the way of salvation 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:53.119 that God loves us 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:53.900 and cares for us 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.759 and in Christ Jesus 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.920 has died for us 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:57.500 and that it's there 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.779 as a helpful guide 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.619 to persevere 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.420 in this life 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.819 for the life to come. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.920 For anyone 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.740 who is having 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.200 a dry season 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:06.200 in the word 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:08.059 that it struggled 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:08.720 to read 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:10.340 let us not give up 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:10.860 reading it. 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:13.259 We have Psalm 119 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.140 to remind us 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.000 to keep going 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.440 and persevere 00:21:16.440 --> 00:21:17.240 as we read it 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:18.279 knowing what it's 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.319 achieving for us. 00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:21.120 And so this morning 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:21.880 we have a choice. 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.980 Will we love 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:25.559 the word of God 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:27.299 like the psalmist does? 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:28.680 Will we see 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:29.759 what it does for us 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.299 in showing us 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.600 the way of salvation 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.799 and enabling us 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.460 to persevere 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.140 in this life 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.980 and therefore 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:35.759 make it 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.020 the rightful owner 00:21:37.020 --> 00:21:38.240 of our affection? 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.000 Or 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.520 will we 00:21:41.520 --> 00:21:42.860 be blinded 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:44.200 by worthless things 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:45.500 temporary things 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.240 in our life 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.000 taking 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.120 that steal 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:49.680 our affection 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.540 and take it away 00:21:50.540 --> 00:21:51.500 from God's word 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:53.000 and in the end 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.360 take it away 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:55.200 possibly 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.000 our salvation 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.740 and the means 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.860 of our perseverance? 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.880 Which will it be? 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:03.940 So 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:09.940 I 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.700 I 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:12.820 I 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:15.320 I 00:22:15.320 --> 00:22:17.240 I 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.540 I 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:19.420 I 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:19.860 I 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.340 I