WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:05.299 Well, church, please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to Psalm chapter 11. 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:11.060 Psalm chapter 11. We're continuing our summer series through the Psalms this morning, 00:00:11.099 --> 00:00:13.900 and we've made our way to the 11th chapter. 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:15.839 If you didn't bring your own Bible, that's okay. 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:20.280 We have Bibles there in the seat backs and the chairs in front of you, 00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:22.820 and you're welcome to use those this morning. 00:00:22.900 --> 00:00:26.440 But we always do encourage you, if you would, have your Bibles open. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:30.480 I want you to see it with your own eyes on the pages of God's Word. 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:35.560 So Psalm chapter 11, and when you've found it, let's stand in honor of God's Word this morning. 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:53.340 To the choir master of David, in the Lord I take refuge. 00:00:53.340 --> 00:00:58.000 How can you say to my soul, flee like a bird to your mountain? 00:00:58.660 --> 00:01:00.740 For behold, the wicked bend the bow. 00:01:01.300 --> 00:01:06.400 They have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart. 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:09.620 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:13.300 The Lord is in His holy temple. 00:01:14.100 --> 00:01:16.060 The Lord's throne is in heaven. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:18.060 His eyes see. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:20.780 His eyelids test the children of man. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:28.719 The Lord tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 00:01:29.799 --> 00:01:31.700 Let Him rain coals on the wicked. 00:01:32.320 --> 00:01:36.379 Fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:38.879 For the Lord is righteous. 00:01:39.500 --> 00:01:41.579 He loves righteous deeds. 00:01:42.219 --> 00:01:45.280 The upright shall behold His face. 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:46.859 Let's pray once more. 00:01:46.960 --> 00:01:51.980 Lord, we pray now that you would speak clearly to us. 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:53.920 Draw us to Christ this morning. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:58.500 Remind us of the truths of your Word and of your reign and of your power. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:01:59.599 We pray in Christ's name. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:00.599 Amen. 00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:02.000 You may be seated. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:02.099 Amen. 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:15.479 Like most kids, when I was growing up, one of my favorite things to do was to watch cartoons. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:22.299 After a nice stressful week doing whatever it is a kid likes to do, Saturday morning would come around 00:02:22.299 --> 00:02:29.900 and I would pull up with a bowl of cereal and a pillow or two, lay out and be excited to watch my Saturday morning cartoons. 00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:34.819 And many of you, I'm sure, are familiar with the Sylvester and Tweety cartoons. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:41.300 This is black and white cat, Sylvester, who was trying and always failing, 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:46.080 but always trying his best to get his hands on this little yellow bird named Tweety. 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:51.540 In every episode of Sylvester and Tweety, Sylvester, he was coming up with all sorts of new ideas, 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:53.939 new ways to get his hands on Tweety. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:03:02.340 His intention was to get Tweety Bird and slide him in between two pieces of white bread and have Tweety for lunch. 00:03:02.419 --> 00:03:06.919 But usually, Tweety would either outsmart him or outrun him. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:10.780 He would find some way to avoid getting caught. 00:03:10.879 --> 00:03:15.419 But every now and then, a third character would appear. 00:03:16.759 --> 00:03:18.180 Hector the Bulldog. 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:20.840 Hector the Bulldog. 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:23.840 He was on Tweety's side. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:26.280 And so when Hector the Bulldog showed up, well, guess what? 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:28.539 Tweety Bird, he didn't have to run. 00:03:29.020 --> 00:03:30.680 He didn't have to fly. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:34.199 When Hector was there, Tweety got a whole lot more confident. 00:03:34.379 --> 00:03:34.620 Why? 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:42.340 Because Hector was there to make certain that Sylvester did not do a thing to harm Tweety. 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:48.840 Now, when I was a kid watching Sylvester and Tweety, I knew I was watching high-quality television, right? 00:03:48.840 --> 00:03:57.599 But what I did not know at the time was that watching this show was actually preparing my heart to better understand the message of Psalm chapter 11. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:07.060 Because what we see here in Psalm chapter 11 is, yet again, the wicked are attacking. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:13.639 Yet again, the wicked are coming up with another scheme to try and get their hands on King David. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:15.340 They want to do him harm. 00:04:15.340 --> 00:04:24.360 But in Psalm 11, instead of running, instead of flying away like a bird to the mountains, David stands firm. 00:04:24.360 --> 00:04:31.259 Not because the threat is small, not because he is strong, but because he knows, he understands, he believes. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:34.420 The Lord is on his side. 00:04:34.420 --> 00:04:43.800 This morning, what I want us to do is I want to see two reasons why the righteous should not fear the threats of the wicked. 00:04:44.120 --> 00:04:45.580 This is going to be our outline this morning. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:52.240 Two reasons why the righteous should not fear the threats of the wicked. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:53.439 Reason number one. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:59.639 First, we do not fear because the Lord is our refuge. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:02.039 Point number one. 00:05:02.159 --> 00:05:07.099 We do not fear because the Lord is our refuge. 00:05:07.099 --> 00:05:10.099 Well, apparently, again, the wicked are at it again. 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:22.839 And it's as if David is either remembering or maybe he's imagining a conversation with somebody else who is filling David in on the threats against him. 00:05:22.839 --> 00:05:30.119 And this unknown advisor is telling David how he thinks he ought to react to the threats of the wicked. 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:35.159 And so he says, David, my advice to you is to run. 00:05:36.359 --> 00:05:40.939 My advice to you is to flee, to run away, go hide. 00:05:41.059 --> 00:05:41.279 Why? 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:49.719 Because what these wicked men are planning is an attack against David that is dangerous, destructive, and devastating to the king. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:52.459 And we're going to see all of this here in the psalm. 00:05:52.839 --> 00:05:56.739 He says that their attack is dangerous for King David. 00:05:56.839 --> 00:05:59.299 He says, verse 2, the wicked bend the bow. 00:05:59.479 --> 00:06:01.859 They have fitted their arrow to the string. 00:06:01.979 --> 00:06:05.979 This is an image of a mighty hunter with a bow and an arrow. 00:06:06.099 --> 00:06:10.679 And the bow is bent, which means that arrow is ready to fly. 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:13.620 They are intending to do some damage. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:15.859 They've set the arrow and they're taking aim. 00:06:15.860 --> 00:06:23.500 And to this counselor's perspective, compared to the strength of the wicked, David is like a little bird. 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:26.220 He's flying helplessly. 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:27.560 He's being hunted by the wicked. 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:28.480 He's in danger. 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:31.100 The wicked are armed and they're ready to attack. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:36.980 But not only are they dangerous, these wicked men are also destructive. 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:44.520 They have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart. 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:47.280 Their intention is to destroy. 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:51.340 It says they do their work in the dark. 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:54.300 And we hear that language of darkness. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:06:58.980 Our minds ought to go to this connotation of wickedness and evil. 00:06:58.980 --> 00:07:02.700 These are dark, evil deeds. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:03.860 They attack in the dark. 00:07:03.960 --> 00:07:04.920 Their ways are dark. 00:07:05.020 --> 00:07:09.360 They are children of darkness attacking the children of light. 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:14.220 Our boys recently got a bow and arrow. 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:21.060 I have a friend who thought it would be a good idea for three boys to play with a bow and arrow. 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:23.040 So we have a few ground rules. 00:07:23.140 --> 00:07:26.960 For one, before that string is pulled and before that bow is bent, 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:31.819 everybody else is now standing behind the person with a bow and arrow. 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:32.299 Right? 00:07:32.359 --> 00:07:33.120 That's common sense. 00:07:33.979 --> 00:07:35.419 But also, this isn't even a rule. 00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:36.959 It's also common sense. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:38.399 At least I think it should be. 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:41.859 We don't go shoot the bow and arrow at night. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:43.299 Why? 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:48.219 Because you have no idea where that arrow is going to fly. 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:49.759 You let it go. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:51.299 You don't know if it's going to hit the church. 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:53.379 You don't know if it's going to hit a power line. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:55.060 You don't know if it's going to hit the house. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:58.780 You don't know what damage is going to do. 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:00.220 Well, here David says, 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:02.360 The wicked shoot in the dark. 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:07.579 It's as if they can't even fully see clearly where they're aiming or who they're shooting 00:08:07.579 --> 00:08:08.980 or what damage is being done. 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:10.899 They just let the arrows fly. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:14.920 And this is reckless and destructive behavior. 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:22.400 And ultimately, this counselor says that David needs to run because these attacks, 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:26.460 if they land, if they're successful in what they're doing, 00:08:26.640 --> 00:08:31.020 these attacks are going to be devastating for King David. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:33.180 He asks this question in verse 3. 00:08:33.300 --> 00:08:33.620 He says, 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:37.840 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:44.720 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:49.840 Now, we don't know exactly what they were aiming at, what the attack was, 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:57.780 but we know that their intention was to completely destroy the foundations of the righteous. 00:08:57.980 --> 00:09:00.879 So this could be an assault on David's character, 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:04.280 trying to undermine the confidence of the people in King David. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:08.139 It could be an assault on the throne itself, trying to take away the throne. 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:11.340 Whatever it was, their aim, their intention, 00:09:11.780 --> 00:09:18.139 was to deal a devastating blow to the very foundations of the righteous. 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.720 And this counselor says, 00:09:20.319 --> 00:09:24.139 If they succeed, if the foundations are destroyed, 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:26.960 what can the righteous do? 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:30.000 It's hopeless for you, David. 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:32.340 You are better off to run away. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:33.179 Get out of there. 00:09:33.340 --> 00:09:34.259 Flee to the mountains. 00:09:34.419 --> 00:09:35.059 Save yourself. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:37.059 Run from the threats of the wicked. 00:09:38.319 --> 00:09:41.439 From his perspective, the wicked are unbeatable. 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:43.080 David's in a losing position. 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:46.279 The righteous cannot win. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:48.879 Sometimes it feels like that, doesn't it? 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:52.799 The world that we live in, it feels that way. 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:57.399 It feels like wicked people and all the forces of evil. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:02.059 It feels at times like their strength is insurmountable, 00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:04.519 is unconquerable, is unbeatable. 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:07.939 And so all the righteous people, all that they have to do, 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.379 is hide. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.360 Run away. 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.000 Flee. 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:16.159 But look how David responds. 00:10:16.980 --> 00:10:17.500 Verse 1. 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:21.379 In the Lord I take refuge. 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:24.080 How can you say to my soul, 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:27.019 flee like a bird to your mountain? 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:30.000 The Lord is my refuge. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:33.320 David is not unaware of the danger. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.559 He's no fool. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.580 He sees the strength of the wicked, 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:39.580 but he looks it in the eye. 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:40.080 And he says, 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:41.000 I'm not going anywhere. 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:41.679 I'm not going anywhere. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:42.220 Why? 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.240 Because I'm strong? 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:44.159 Because I'm capable? 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:45.940 Because the threat is small? 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:47.139 Because the threat is insignificant? 00:10:47.440 --> 00:10:47.700 No. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:51.740 Because the Lord is my refuge. 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:57.360 This is similar to what Psalm 46 says. 00:10:57.539 --> 00:10:59.379 You can flip there if you'd like, 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:00.559 or mark it for later. 00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:01.679 One of my favorite Psalms, 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.360 Psalm 46, 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:02.940 says, 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:05.980 God is our refuge and strength, 00:11:06.900 --> 00:11:08.900 a very present help in trouble. 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.300 Therefore, 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:11.800 we will not fear, 00:11:11.920 --> 00:11:13.460 though the earth gives way, 00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:15.400 though the mountains be moved 00:11:15.400 --> 00:11:16.640 into the heart of the sea, 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:19.800 though its waters roar and foam, 00:11:19.900 --> 00:11:22.360 though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:22.640 I mean, 00:11:22.640 --> 00:11:23.980 just picture that scene. 00:11:25.140 --> 00:11:26.580 Imagine it in your mind. 00:11:26.640 --> 00:11:28.320 The earth is shaking. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.680 The whole earth is giving way. 00:11:29.780 --> 00:11:31.140 The mountains are crumbling. 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:32.379 The waters are raging. 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:33.779 The mountains are moving 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.059 into the heart of the sea. 00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:38.039 This is a picture of chaos and destruction 00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:40.279 all over the entire globe, 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:42.120 but in the midst of it, 00:11:42.179 --> 00:11:43.279 the psalmist says, 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:44.919 we won't fear. 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:46.699 Why? 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:51.899 Because God is our refuge. 00:11:54.600 --> 00:12:00.500 This is the secret to Christian boldness. 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:04.539 You want to know what it means to be bold? 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:08.539 You want to know why Christians are bold 00:12:08.539 --> 00:12:09.799 in the face of danger? 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:12.199 Would you like to grow in boldness? 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:12.939 Here's the secret. 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:13.679 Okay? 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:15.199 Here's the secret. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:18.720 Christians are bold in the face of the wicked 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:22.000 because we take refuge in the Lord. 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.799 Something you should know about Christians 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:26.539 is that Christians are bold. 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:28.700 We don't run away from hard things. 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:32.800 Often, in fact, Christians are known to run to hard things. 00:12:32.900 --> 00:12:35.080 Not recklessly like the wicked, 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:37.980 but confidently and boldly. 00:12:38.040 --> 00:12:41.220 We don't just run and flee at the first sight of danger 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:44.440 to go make our lives more comfortable and more safe. 00:12:44.580 --> 00:12:46.420 Christians are bold, 00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:49.660 even against the strongest attacks of the enemy, 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:51.500 not because we're strong, 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:54.060 not because the attacks are small, 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:56.979 but because we believe God is strong. 00:12:57.739 --> 00:12:59.019 God is capable. 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:00.919 God is powerful. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:03.819 And we take refuge in Him. 00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.659 This is the secret. 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:06.419 We're just saying, 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:09.199 a mighty fortress is our God. 00:13:09.619 --> 00:13:10.219 Did we sing it? 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:12.719 A mighty fortress is our God, 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.419 a bulwark never failing, 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:15.219 our helper. 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:18.059 He amidst the flood of mortal ills prevailing. 00:13:18.959 --> 00:13:19.919 You know, King David 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:22.779 knew this better than anybody, didn't he? 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:25.480 This is the same man who, 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.839 as a young man, 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:28.100 as a child, 00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:31.039 stood before Goliath, 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:34.980 a seemingly insurmountable, wicked man, 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.759 an undefeatable Philistine, 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:38.100 almost 10 feet tall, 00:13:38.439 --> 00:13:39.620 stood in front of him 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:42.079 with nothing but a sling and a couple of stones, 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.740 and faced him, 00:13:43.839 --> 00:13:44.939 looked him dead in the eye, 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:45.279 and said, 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.539 we're not going anywhere. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:50.519 And to those who looked, 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:52.659 they had to wonder, 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:55.620 what is the secret to David's boldness? 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:56.319 Well, listen, he said, 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:58.100 you come to me with a sword, 00:13:58.439 --> 00:13:59.120 and a spear, 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:00.279 and a javelin, 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:01.639 but I come to you 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:03.819 in the name of the Lord of hosts, 00:14:04.079 --> 00:14:05.879 the God of the armies of Israel, 00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:08.299 whom you have defied. 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:11.220 His secret was that he took refuge 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:12.759 in the Lord. 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:15.799 I shared the story last week 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:17.620 with you of the three missionaries 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:19.799 who were murdered in Haiti. 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:20.360 One minute, 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:22.379 they're coming out of the church building, 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.580 ministering to children. 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.519 The very next minute, 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:26.019 they're captured by a gang, 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.080 and robbed, 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:27.860 and beaten, 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.480 and eventually shot 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.779 from the eyes of the world. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:32.799 This looks like foolishness, 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.639 but we know better. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:36.939 They weren't oblivious 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:38.279 to the dangers around them. 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:40.000 They went there fully aware 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.000 that this exact scenario 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:43.159 was a possible ending 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:44.299 to their time in Haiti. 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:46.059 So why did they go? 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.299 They went, 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.899 because to them, 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.960 the threats of wicked men 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:53.460 did not outweigh 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:56.200 the presence and the power of God, 00:14:56.279 --> 00:14:57.820 and the call of God 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:59.139 on their life. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:01.779 They took refuge in the Lord. 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:05.620 They believed the promise of Christ. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:08.179 Whoever desires to save his life 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:08.799 will lose it. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:12.500 Whoever loses his life for my sake 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.179 will find it. 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:18.600 They believed the word of Hebrews 13, 6. 00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.179 He has said, 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:21.700 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:23.460 So we can confidently say, 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:25.039 the Lord is my helper. 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:26.500 I will not fear. 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:30.159 What can man do to me? 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:31.299 This is the secret 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:33.240 of Christian boldness. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:36.019 The righteous are bold 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:37.580 in the face of danger 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.080 because we take refuge 00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:40.900 in the Lord. 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:42.480 So the question for us then, 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:45.460 do you share that boldness? 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:50.160 Do you share this boldness? 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.579 If you find yourself 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:54.339 looking out at the world 00:15:54.339 --> 00:15:56.259 as wicked as it is, 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:57.679 if you find yourself trembling 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.740 or fearful, 00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.699 if you find yourself 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:00.779 feeling afraid 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:01.860 of what might happen, 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.779 what others might do to you, 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.919 what others might say about you 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:06.699 or to you, 00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:08.279 if you go and speak 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.600 the name of Christ, 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:12.600 if you find yourself fearful, 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:15.460 the secret to boldness. 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.740 It's not your strength. 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:20.560 Take refuge in the Lord. 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:21.540 Now, 00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:24.200 it's easy to say, 00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:24.899 isn't it? 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.420 But you might be wondering, 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:27.720 well, 00:16:27.940 --> 00:16:29.580 what is it about the Lord 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:30.240 that makes him 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.779 such a place of safety? 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:34.200 What is it about the Lord 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:36.060 that makes him a refuge 00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:37.940 for those who rely on him 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.800 and trust in him? 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:38.980 Well, 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.220 we see this answer 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.360 in our second point 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.480 this morning's second. 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.180 We do not fear 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:45.399 because the Lord 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:47.899 is our righteous ruler. 00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.740 We do not fear 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:52.440 because the Lord 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:55.460 is our righteous ruler. 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.180 David, 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.860 he's confident, 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.419 he's bold 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:01.180 because of where God is 00:17:01.180 --> 00:17:02.379 and who God is. 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:03.940 You see that? 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:05.440 Where is he? 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:07.539 The Lord is in his holy temple. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.460 The Lord's throne 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.860 is in heaven. 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:13.159 He's reigning in heaven. 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:14.219 David's confidence 00:17:14.219 --> 00:17:16.000 is that God is king 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.379 over all the earth. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.579 He's reigning from his holy throne 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.379 up in heaven. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.899 He's reigning and ruling 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:23.679 over all things. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.759 And even more than this, 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:26.479 this sovereign king 00:17:26.479 --> 00:17:28.419 who's reigning over all things 00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:30.299 has taken it upon himself 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:33.319 to make promises to David. 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.819 You remember, 00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:39.179 God has anointed David king. 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:42.420 David was God's choice. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:44.240 God's anointed king. 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:46.019 God had raised him up 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:47.320 to be his anointed ruler 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:48.279 over his people. 00:17:49.060 --> 00:17:49.580 And God, 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.080 the king, 00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.600 had promised David, 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.840 2 Samuel 7, 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.940 that from his own line 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.519 would come another king 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.820 who would reign forever, 00:17:58.680 --> 00:18:00.820 whose kingdom would have no end. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.840 God himself, 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.360 the king, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:03.519 the sovereign king, 00:18:04.320 --> 00:18:05.440 out of his own initiative, 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:08.980 had linked himself up to David. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.059 By God's grace, 00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:13.640 David's good and God's glory 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:15.500 are now intertwined. 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:17.039 They're bound up together. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.740 And so because of this, 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.080 David knows, 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:20.779 listen to this, 00:18:21.779 --> 00:18:25.180 because David is God's anointed king, 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:28.019 David knew that all of his enemies 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:32.019 ultimately were God's enemies. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:37.259 David knew that any threat against him, 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:39.500 any work against his life, 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:41.400 any opposition to him 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:44.400 is ultimately threats against the Lord. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:47.139 And so he entrusts himself to the Lord 00:18:47.139 --> 00:18:48.660 to deal with it. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:51.900 Psalm chapter 2. 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:54.440 Psalm chapter 2. 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.500 You remember Psalm chapter 2. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:57.079 Psalm 1 and 2. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.000 They set the stage 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:00.579 for the whole rest of the book of Psalms 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:02.079 and asked this question. 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.940 Why do the nations rage 00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.980 and the peoples plot in vain? 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:09.119 The kings of the earth set themselves 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:11.279 and the rulers take counsel together 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:13.880 against the Lord and his... 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.119 What? 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:16.400 Help me. 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:19.880 And his anointed saying, 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:22.000 let us burst their bonds apart 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:25.319 and cast their cords away from us. 00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.960 What's God's response to this? 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.500 Verse 4. 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:29.099 Psalm chapter 2. 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.500 He who sits in the heavens 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:33.079 laughs. 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:36.660 The Lord holds them in derision. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:40.380 Then he will speak to them in his wrath 00:19:40.380 --> 00:19:42.599 and terrify them in his fury, 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.000 saying, 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:43.799 as for me, 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:46.900 I have set my king on Zion, 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.339 my holy hill. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.339 And do you remember how it ends? 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.099 Verse 10. 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.279 It says, 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:52.599 Now therefore, O kings, 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.660 be wise. 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:56.440 Be warned, O rulers of the earth. 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:59.420 Serve the Lord with fear 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:01.819 and rejoice with trembling. 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:03.680 Kiss the Son, 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.680 lest He be angry 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.879 and you perish in the way, 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:08.379 for His wrath is quickly kindled. 00:20:08.379 --> 00:20:14.779 Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.339 David, 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:18.019 the anointed king. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:21.940 He rests in the sovereign reign of God 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:23.720 and the promises that He has made. 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.859 David's throne is under attack, 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:27.480 but he rests in the truth 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.420 that God's, 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:30.799 the Lord's throne is in heaven, 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:34.700 unbothered by the threats of man. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.440 David also knows 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:40.000 that just because the Lord is in heaven, 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.900 just because He's up there 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:43.000 reigning and ruling, 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.759 that doesn't mean that He's unaware 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:47.400 of what's going on here on earth. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.240 Quite the opposite. 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:48.799 In fact, 00:20:49.099 --> 00:20:51.579 because God is completely sovereign 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:53.859 over everyone and everything, 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:56.480 because of the unique vantage point 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.660 that He alone has 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:59.039 from His throne in heaven, 00:20:59.339 --> 00:21:01.980 He is totally aware 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.339 of what happens 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:06.319 in every corner of His domain. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.539 David knows that 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:10.359 the Lord is on His throne 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:12.460 and He sees the righteous 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.639 under attack. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:15.480 The Lord is on His throne 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.940 and He sees the wicked 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:19.200 bringing the attack 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.180 on the righteous. 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:23.220 Because of who He is, 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:24.299 a righteous king, 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:27.460 David finds boldness 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:28.980 and comfort. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.839 He says in verse 4, 00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.879 the Lord's eyes, 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.899 His eyes see. 00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:36.539 His eyelids test 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.920 the children of man. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:39.340 And He sees David 00:21:39.340 --> 00:21:40.120 and his struggle 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:41.480 and He sees the wicked 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.320 and their threats. 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.759 As we saw last week 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.820 from chapter 10, 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.460 it may not always seem 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.740 like the Lord sees 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.960 what's going on here 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.640 in this world, 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.320 but we trust the Lord 00:21:51.320 --> 00:21:52.460 does see 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.980 and the Lord 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.120 will take it 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.060 into His own hands. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.259 The wicked can't even see 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.300 the impact 00:21:58.300 --> 00:21:59.300 of their arrows 00:21:59.300 --> 00:22:00.200 shooting in the dark, 00:22:00.300 --> 00:22:00.860 but the Lord 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:02.200 is far more aware 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:03.220 of the damage they do 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:05.200 even more than they are. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:08.220 and the Lord 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:10.420 has two very different 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.819 responses 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:13.380 to the righteous 00:22:13.380 --> 00:22:14.680 and to the wicked. 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.240 Verse 5, 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.880 look there with me. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.039 He says, 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.640 the Lord 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:20.759 tests the righteous, 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:23.140 but His soul 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:25.500 hates the wicked 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:27.160 and the one 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.980 who loves violence. 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:31.259 David knows that 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.740 for the righteous, 00:22:33.620 --> 00:22:34.500 for the righteous, 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.500 trials like this 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:38.519 are simply tests. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.860 The Lord tests 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.799 the righteous, 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.839 he says in verse 5. 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:43.480 If you are a Christian, 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:45.019 if you are suffering 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.140 some trial, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.620 if you're enduring 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:48.620 some pain 00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:49.620 or some persecution 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:51.259 or some hardship, 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.720 we rejoice 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:54.140 to know that 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:55.759 because God is king 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:57.160 and God is good, 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:59.180 that He's a righteous ruler, 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:01.000 that what man means 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.660 for evil, 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:02.820 God means 00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:04.040 for good. 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.759 The wicked want 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.860 to destroy you, 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:07.300 but God intends 00:23:07.300 --> 00:23:08.960 to refine you. 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.759 We've seen 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.820 enough 00:23:11.820 --> 00:23:13.080 of God's word 00:23:13.080 --> 00:23:13.680 at this point 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.279 to know God 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.680 never, 00:23:14.860 --> 00:23:15.160 ever, 00:23:15.300 --> 00:23:15.640 ever, 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.180 ever, 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.340 ever promises 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:18.320 that His people 00:23:18.320 --> 00:23:20.740 will not receive threats, 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.960 will not be hated, 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:24.300 will not endure 00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:25.080 violence 00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:25.800 or suffering. 00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:27.059 He doesn't promise us 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.639 that we won't be 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.220 dragged away 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.919 from our church 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.919 when we go serve Him 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:30.419 in Haiti, 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.039 but He promises 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:35.159 that He has good purpose 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:36.680 in every trial 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:38.460 that His people face. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.220 Hebrews 12, 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:40.480 verse 6, 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.940 the Lord disciplines 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:43.200 the one He loves 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:45.799 and chastises every son 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.960 whom He receives 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.619 like a good father. 00:23:49.619 --> 00:23:50.919 He disciplines us 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:51.740 for our good 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:53.419 that we may share 00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:54.180 in His holiness. 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:56.000 So James, 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.220 it tells us 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.259 to count it all joy, 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:58.759 my brothers, 00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.779 when you meet trials 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.779 of various kinds 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.539 for you know 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.640 that the testing 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.720 of your faith 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:06.299 produces steadfastness. 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.160 We can endure 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.140 threats 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:09.299 and temptation 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.580 and trials 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.400 of all kinds 00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.980 with boldness 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:14.160 and with joy 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.940 because we know 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.660 that in the end 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:17.000 the Lord means it 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.560 for His glory 00:24:18.560 --> 00:24:20.380 and for our good. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.759 What does Romans 8 say? 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:24.799 All things work together 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:25.460 for good 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:28.240 for those who love God 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.319 and are called 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:31.440 according to His purpose, 00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:32.420 but for the wicked 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:34.140 and for those 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:36.359 who do not know the Lord. 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:36.980 For the wicked, 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.779 on the other hand, 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.799 the end result 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:40.339 is very different. 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.460 We need to understand this. 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.019 Look again there 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:42.980 to verse 5 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.579 one more time. 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.200 He says, 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.500 the Lord tests 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.420 the righteous 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:49.019 but His soul 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:50.220 hates 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.259 the wicked 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.819 and the one 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.480 who loves 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.580 violence. 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.420 His soul 00:24:55.420 --> 00:24:56.460 hates 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.900 the wicked. 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.799 We don't like 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.660 that language, 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.100 do we? 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:05.200 This is uncomfortable 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.220 language, 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:06.840 isn't it? 00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:08.580 This is hard 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.700 for us to understand. 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.460 We're not comfortable 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:11.600 with this sort of talk. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.799 The Lord hates 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.480 the wicked 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:15.480 and in some ways 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.680 if we're not careful, 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.620 we can find ourselves 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:20.079 explaining it away. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.380 Well, 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.460 God doesn't really 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.059 hate the wicked. 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:24.120 That's not true 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:25.140 or the God 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:25.720 that I love, 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.099 He worshiped, 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:28.160 the God that I worship 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:29.519 loves everyone 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.160 the same. 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.900 He doesn't hate 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.579 anyone. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:33.140 He loves everybody 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:33.620 equally 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.779 and I understand 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.620 the impulse 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:36.620 to say those things 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.680 but I want to offer 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:39.000 just a word of caution. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.860 We have to be careful 00:25:40.860 --> 00:25:42.740 that we don't explain away 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.620 what God's word 00:25:43.620 --> 00:25:44.500 clearly says, 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.120 verse 5, 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:47.740 or that we don't 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:49.299 explain it away 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:51.220 where we make ourselves 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.359 seem more compassionate 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:53.140 and more kind 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.940 than God Himself. 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:56.579 If that were possible, 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.740 it's not. 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.079 So how do we think 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.599 about this? 00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:00.799 Well, 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.779 in one sense, 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.359 yes, 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:04.640 in a general way, 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.880 the Lord does show 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:07.400 love to everyone. 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:09.099 He extends common grace 00:26:09.099 --> 00:26:09.740 to everyone. 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:11.279 The sun shines 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:11.900 on the righteous 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.900 and the unrighteous 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.680 alike. 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.160 The wicked 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.259 and the righteous 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.799 both experience joy 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.940 and happiness 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:19.339 and eat good food 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.359 and enjoy all sorts 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.819 of pleasures 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.519 in this life. 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.240 These are all 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:23.500 good gifts 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.160 of God 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.339 to everyone. 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.839 He has a sort 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.880 of general love 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:29.599 for all of His creatures 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.380 and in another 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:32.279 all-important sense, 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:35.079 all of the incredible 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:35.859 riches 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:37.359 of God's love 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.199 are extended 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:40.259 to all wicked men 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.359 in Christ. 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:43.419 God so loved 00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:44.399 the world 00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:45.819 that He gave His Son. 00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:46.939 That's an act of love. 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.819 God shows His love 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.299 for us 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.319 and that while we were 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.159 still sinners, 00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:52.679 Christ died for us. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.579 Romans 5a, 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:55.379 that's an act of love. 00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:57.079 In the gospel, 00:26:57.879 --> 00:27:00.299 we see a wide invitation 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.939 for wicked men, 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.659 for sinners, 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:04.119 to enter into 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:05.419 the love of God 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:07.239 through Jesus Christ. 00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:10.439 But at the same time, 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.399 in a way that 00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:14.959 we don't quite understand, 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.719 partly because 00:27:15.719 --> 00:27:16.339 it makes us 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.019 uncomfortable 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.579 to try and understand it, 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:20.039 verse 5 says, 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:21.739 God has hatred 00:27:21.739 --> 00:27:23.000 in His soul 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.199 for the wicked 00:27:24.199 --> 00:27:25.279 and the one 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:27.000 who loves violence. 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.399 This is not 00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:32.339 an emotional response 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.899 on God's part. 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:36.019 It is 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.459 positional. 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.619 Positional. 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.859 The wicked, 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.839 those who are 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.939 in sin, 00:27:45.899 --> 00:27:47.699 are positionally 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:49.539 under the wrath 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.519 of God. 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.219 They are 00:27:52.219 --> 00:27:53.459 positionally 00:27:53.459 --> 00:27:54.399 objects 00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.759 of His wrath. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.359 There are only 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.439 two types of people 00:27:57.439 --> 00:27:58.059 in the world. 00:27:58.179 --> 00:27:58.519 The Psalms 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.619 make this very clear 00:27:59.619 --> 00:27:59.959 to us. 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.579 There's the wicked 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.339 and there's 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.079 the righteous. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.679 We are none of us, 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.460 50-50. 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:04.960 None of us 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:05.759 are a composite. 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.560 We are either 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:08.259 positionally wicked 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:08.960 or we are 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:10.640 positionally righteous. 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.880 There is no 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.840 middle ground. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.620 Those who are 00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.920 beloved of God 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.840 and those who are 00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:17.240 hated 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:18.860 of God. 00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:20.539 The righteous 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.960 are loved by God. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.360 The wicked 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:23.700 are hated by God. 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.060 Jacob, 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.680 I loved. 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.120 Esau, 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:25.740 I hated. 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.660 The righteous 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.279 are destined 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.320 for eternal life 00:28:28.320 --> 00:28:29.000 in Christ. 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:29.539 The wicked 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.340 are destined 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:31.580 for eternal destruction 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:32.480 away from the 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.259 presence of the 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.559 Lord. 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:34.460 God is in a 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.279 position of 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.839 favor and love 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:37.399 towards the 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:37.799 righteous. 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.460 And God is in a 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.079 position of 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.619 wrath and 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.279 destruction 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.139 towards the 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:43.779 unrighteous. 00:28:43.919 --> 00:28:44.960 He is for the 00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:45.319 righteous. 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.539 He is against 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.839 the unrighteous. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.240 This is 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.859 uncomfortable. 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.000 But unless we 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.359 get this, 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:52.679 we'll never 00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.419 understand why 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:54.460 David can pray 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.319 the way he does. 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.879 Verse 6, 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:58.800 Let him rain 00:28:58.800 --> 00:28:59.600 coals on the 00:28:59.600 --> 00:28:59.880 wicked. 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.700 Fire and 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.460 sulfur and 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.760 scorching wind 00:29:03.760 --> 00:29:04.320 shall be the 00:29:04.320 --> 00:29:05.540 portion of 00:29:05.540 --> 00:29:06.120 their cup. 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.960 How can he say 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.740 something so 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:09.100 cruel? 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.000 Again, 00:29:11.060 --> 00:29:11.800 he prays like 00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:12.660 this because he 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.900 knows his 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.940 enemies are 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.200 God's enemies. 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:18.200 So he prays 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.060 the wrath of 00:29:19.060 --> 00:29:20.020 God against 00:29:20.020 --> 00:29:21.280 his enemies. 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:21.700 Here's the 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:21.980 thing. 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.360 David deeply 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:26.460 believed 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.480 something about 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.340 God that 00:29:28.340 --> 00:29:29.660 we tend 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.620 to struggle 00:29:30.620 --> 00:29:32.019 to understand. 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.400 David took 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:35.000 comfort in 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.500 God's 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.319 holiness. 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.840 His holiness. 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.440 Where is 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:41.660 he? 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.120 He is 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.980 reigning in 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.480 heaven, but 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.559 also who 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.819 is he? 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.559 Verse 7, 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.299 The Lord 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:49.480 is righteous. 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.319 And what 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:51.620 does he 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:52.079 love? 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.940 He loves 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.759 righteous 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.680 deeds. 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:56.140 He 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:56.680 is 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.060 righteous. 00:29:57.060 --> 00:29:57.680 He 00:29:57.680 --> 00:30:10.360 hates the 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:10.820 wicked and 00:30:10.820 --> 00:30:11.279 those who 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.140 love evil. 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.960 Psalm 97, 00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:13.340 it says, 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:14.480 righteousness and 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:15.140 justice are the 00:30:15.140 --> 00:30:16.180 foundation of 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.720 his throne. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.240 This is who 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.799 he is. 00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:19.160 He is holy. 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.320 Holy. 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:21.019 That's a word 00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.940 that we are 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.259 familiar with. 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.660 We hear it 00:30:24.660 --> 00:30:24.960 often. 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.600 We sing, 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.340 holy, holy, 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.019 holy, holy, 00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:27.300 holy, 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:27.920 Lord God 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:28.360 almighty. 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.420 But I think 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.920 it's also a 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.680 concept that 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:32.440 we struggle to 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.300 fully understand. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.360 So here's a 00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:34.820 definition. 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.519 Richard Lentz 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.880 says, 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.760 the holiness of 00:30:39.760 --> 00:30:41.740 God refers to 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.580 the absolute 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:44.300 moral purity 00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:45.240 of God 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:47.540 and the 00:30:47.540 --> 00:30:48.160 absolute 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:49.960 moral distance 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:51.600 between God 00:30:51.600 --> 00:30:52.440 and his human 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:53.180 creatures. 00:30:53.300 --> 00:30:53.560 Let me say 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:54.020 that again. 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.180 Richard Lentz 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:56.800 definition of 00:30:56.800 --> 00:30:57.140 holiness. 00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:57.840 The holiness 00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.620 of God 00:30:58.620 --> 00:31:00.200 refers to 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:00.840 the absolute 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:02.620 moral purity 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.400 of God 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.820 and the 00:31:04.820 --> 00:31:05.260 absolute 00:31:05.260 --> 00:31:07.060 moral distance 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:08.500 between God 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.419 and his 00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:10.500 human creatures. 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:11.299 1 John 1 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:11.919 5 says, 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.759 God is light 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.279 in him. 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.419 There is no 00:31:14.419 --> 00:31:15.159 darkness 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:16.619 at all. 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.379 This is 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:19.740 absolute, 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.299 total, 00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:22.480 perfect 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.419 purity. 00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.240 God is 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.299 holy. 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.940 In the second 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:26.879 part of Mr. 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.220 Lentz's 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:27.740 definition, 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.240 we are not. 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.980 There's a 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:32.579 distance 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.619 here. 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.619 It's 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.559 impossible to 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:37.559 bridge this 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:37.940 gap. 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:38.659 God is 00:31:38.659 --> 00:31:39.159 holy, 00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:39.659 holy, 00:31:39.879 --> 00:31:40.220 holy, 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.779 holy, 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.259 holy, 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.000 and we 00:31:42.000 --> 00:31:43.259 are not. 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.619 We can't 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.059 even fully 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.599 comprehend 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:45.299 holiness 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:46.139 because there's 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:47.179 nothing in 00:31:47.179 --> 00:31:47.819 our life 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.700 or experience 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:49.759 that comes 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.879 close to 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.559 God's purity. 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.119 And so what 00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.859 happens is you 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.159 and I, 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.220 we evaluate 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.139 things on a 00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:57.059 scale of 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.639 good, 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.019 better, 00:31:58.179 --> 00:31:58.579 best. 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.359 I'm not as 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:01.220 bad as this 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.519 guy, 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:02.839 or the thing 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.659 I did is not 00:32:03.659 --> 00:32:04.279 as bad as 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:04.679 what she 00:32:04.679 --> 00:32:05.079 did. 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:07.480 But if we 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.259 understand that 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.819 God is 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:10.000 holy, 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.759 we have to 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.419 understand that 00:32:12.419 --> 00:32:13.439 God is not 00:32:13.439 --> 00:32:14.379 on the scale 00:32:14.379 --> 00:32:15.039 and God does 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.159 not judge on 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:16.879 the scale. 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:17.439 God is 00:32:17.439 --> 00:32:18.759 holy and the 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.259 standard, 00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.059 the rubric 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.819 by which he 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:22.039 evaluates everyone 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.699 and everything 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:23.799 is not on a 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.559 scale of good, 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:24.819 better, 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.259 best. 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.079 He judges 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.139 everyone and 00:32:27.139 --> 00:32:28.299 everything by 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:29.240 his own 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.079 standard of 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.819 perfect 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.799 holiness. 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.059 holiness. 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.740 If this 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:39.440 judgment on 00:32:39.440 --> 00:32:39.859 the wicked 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:42.200 seems harsh 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:42.960 to us, 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:44.980 it's probably 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.460 because in 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.159 some way we've 00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:47.279 either minimized 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.440 our wickedness 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:48.960 or we've 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.839 minimized his 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:50.279 holiness. 00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:52.819 Possibly both. 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.279 What we need to 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.220 understand is that 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:59.240 God is king, 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:01.480 that God is 00:33:01.480 --> 00:33:02.220 holy, 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:04.180 that God is 00:33:04.180 --> 00:33:05.620 against the 00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:05.980 wicked, 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.640 and that all 00:33:07.640 --> 00:33:08.660 of us 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:10.220 naturally 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:11.599 left to 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.339 ourselves 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.559 are wicked. 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.019 And we read 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.680 these Psalms and 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.700 we hear about the 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.799 righteous and we 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.299 hear about the 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:19.579 wicked. 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.039 We have to 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:20.660 understand that 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.880 naturally left to 00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:22.259 ourselves, 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:24.019 we are not 00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.759 the righteous. 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:27.099 We are the 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:27.400 wicked. 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:27.519 wicked. 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.560 Every one of 00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:30.580 us has raged 00:33:30.580 --> 00:33:31.100 against the 00:33:31.100 --> 00:33:32.019 Lord and his 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.540 anointed. 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:32.960 It doesn't 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.420 matter if 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:34.080 you're a 00:33:34.080 --> 00:33:35.019 convict, 00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:35.580 a criminal, 00:33:35.800 --> 00:33:36.220 or if you've 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:37.560 simply disobeyed 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.120 your parents 00:33:38.120 --> 00:33:39.080 even one 00:33:39.080 --> 00:33:39.840 time. 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.460 R.C. 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.160 Sproul in his 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:42.380 book, 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:42.820 The Holiness 00:33:42.820 --> 00:33:43.300 of God, 00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:43.720 that ought to 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:43.960 be, 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:44.720 by the way, 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:46.080 required reading 00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:47.019 for every 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.460 Christian. 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.180 He says that 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:50.120 every sin, 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:50.940 every sin, 00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.920 is an act of 00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:54.240 cosmic treason, 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.400 a futile attempt 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.800 to dethrone God 00:33:57.800 --> 00:33:58.759 in his 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.100 sovereign 00:33:59.100 --> 00:33:59.660 authority. 00:34:01.800 --> 00:34:02.580 How do you 00:34:02.580 --> 00:34:02.980 think God 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.560 the king will 00:34:03.560 --> 00:34:05.140 handle that 00:34:05.140 --> 00:34:05.640 sort of 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.080 rebellion? 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.780 We have to 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.500 understand that 00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.960 the punishment 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:12.079 fits the 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:12.420 crime, 00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:13.220 right? 00:34:13.260 --> 00:34:13.660 We understand 00:34:13.660 --> 00:34:13.960 that. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:15.000 The punishment 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:16.039 fits the 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.400 crime. 00:34:17.680 --> 00:34:18.900 The punishment 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.000 correlates not 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.800 just to the 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.800 severity of our 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.539 crime, but 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.260 also to the 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:24.400 significance of 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.099 the one we 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:26.039 have offended. 00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:27.800 Think about 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:27.920 it. 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.480 If you kick 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.059 your brother, 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:29.960 that doesn't 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.559 happen in my 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.000 house or 00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:31.579 anybody else's 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:32.019 house, I'm 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.380 sure. 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.680 You kick 00:34:34.680 --> 00:34:35.039 your brother, 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:35.440 you get in 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:35.760 trouble. 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:38.500 You kick 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.220 your mom, 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:40.720 you ought to 00:34:40.720 --> 00:34:41.420 get in more 00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:41.900 trouble. 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:43.460 Not because the 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.019 action is 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.680 different, but 00:34:44.680 --> 00:34:45.559 because the 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.539 recipient of 00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:47.320 the action is 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.960 more significant. 00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:50.800 If you 00:34:50.800 --> 00:34:51.500 somehow walk 00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:51.960 up to the 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.539 president and 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.619 have access to 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.320 the president and 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.940 you kick the 00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.740 president, guess 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.039 what? 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:57.619 You're going to 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.400 get in a lot 00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:58.840 of trouble. 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:01.980 And what do 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.360 you think will 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:03.200 happen if you 00:35:03.200 --> 00:35:04.720 spit in the 00:35:04.720 --> 00:35:05.619 face of the 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.820 king of kings 00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.760 who created you 00:35:07.760 --> 00:35:08.680 for his glory, 00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:10.320 who's given you 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.079 every opportunity 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:12.160 to repent and 00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:13.039 to turn to him 00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:13.800 with love and 00:35:13.800 --> 00:35:14.740 adoration and 00:35:14.740 --> 00:35:15.539 honor and 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.320 worship as he 00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:17.320 deserves, that 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:18.539 you have spurned 00:35:18.539 --> 00:35:19.280 the one who is 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:20.360 worthy of all 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.240 honor and praise 00:35:21.240 --> 00:35:22.280 and chosen instead 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:23.280 to worship and 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:24.140 serve yourself? 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.720 So what then 00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.340 is our hope? 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.500 How in the 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:32.960 world does this 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.540 give us any 00:35:33.540 --> 00:35:34.000 confidence? 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.060 How in the 00:35:37.060 --> 00:35:37.420 world do we 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:38.160 make certain that 00:35:38.160 --> 00:35:38.900 we are not 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.800 under his 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:41.120 hatred but in 00:35:41.120 --> 00:35:42.820 his love? 00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.380 Well, this is 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:43.820 where we'll 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.620 close church. 00:35:45.620 --> 00:35:46.140 The righteous 00:35:46.140 --> 00:35:47.180 are fearless, 00:35:47.179 --> 00:35:49.440 not because of 00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:50.299 our strength, 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.339 not because the 00:35:52.339 --> 00:35:53.239 threat against us 00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:53.879 is small, 00:35:54.579 --> 00:35:55.579 but because we 00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:57.199 take refuge in 00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:58.799 Jesus Christ, 00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.960 who is our 00:36:00.960 --> 00:36:02.519 righteous ruler. 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:05.940 King Jesus 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:08.379 is the true 00:36:08.379 --> 00:36:10.139 anointed king. 00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:13.079 Jesus Christ is 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:14.019 the true 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:15.799 eternal ruler 00:36:15.800 --> 00:36:16.740 of all of 00:36:16.740 --> 00:36:17.720 God's people. 00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.960 Jesus Christ 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:20.060 is the 00:36:20.060 --> 00:36:21.640 righteous man, 00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:22.220 none other. 00:36:23.680 --> 00:36:24.560 Jesus Christ 00:36:24.560 --> 00:36:25.920 is the 00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:26.840 promised son 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:27.340 of David, 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.000 who like 00:36:28.000 --> 00:36:28.620 David, 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.480 faced wicked 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.720 accusations and 00:36:30.720 --> 00:36:31.380 threats against 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:31.980 his life, 00:36:32.060 --> 00:36:32.440 but who did 00:36:32.440 --> 00:36:33.600 not run from 00:36:33.600 --> 00:36:34.320 his accusers, 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:35.120 who went to 00:36:35.120 --> 00:36:35.640 a familiar 00:36:35.640 --> 00:36:36.700 place to pray, 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.300 knowing he 00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:37.620 would be 00:36:37.620 --> 00:36:38.080 betrayed, 00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.039 who like a 00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:39.620 lamb before 00:36:39.620 --> 00:36:40.460 his shears was 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.220 silent as he 00:36:41.220 --> 00:36:41.960 made his way 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:42.720 to the cross. 00:36:43.120 --> 00:36:43.460 Why? 00:36:43.660 --> 00:36:44.260 To make 00:36:44.260 --> 00:36:45.100 wicked 00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:46.000 people 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.860 righteous 00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.579 in the 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.039 sight of 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:48.440 God. 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.819 By his 00:36:50.819 --> 00:36:51.679 own life, 00:36:51.839 --> 00:36:52.039 death, 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.739 and resurrection. 00:36:52.980 --> 00:36:53.839 Christ the 00:36:53.839 --> 00:36:54.860 King is the 00:36:54.860 --> 00:36:55.699 true righteous 00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:56.579 ruler of all, 00:36:56.679 --> 00:36:57.119 and we, 00:36:57.440 --> 00:36:57.860 the wicked, 00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:58.440 are made 00:36:58.440 --> 00:36:59.159 righteous by 00:36:59.159 --> 00:37:00.139 faith in 00:37:00.139 --> 00:37:00.619 him. 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:01.420 The only way 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:02.079 you can read 00:37:02.079 --> 00:37:02.960 this psalm 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:04.659 and put 00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:05.219 yourself in 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:05.860 the category 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:06.900 of righteous 00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:08.659 is if you 00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:09.639 are counted 00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:11.219 righteous in 00:37:11.219 --> 00:37:12.000 him. 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:12.819 There is no 00:37:12.820 --> 00:37:13.360 other way. 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:17.080 The gospel 00:37:17.080 --> 00:37:19.320 is the 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.059 unthinkable 00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:20.940 good news 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:23.740 that God 00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:25.140 made his 00:37:25.140 --> 00:37:26.340 beloved son 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.200 the object 00:37:27.200 --> 00:37:28.059 of his 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:28.800 hatred 00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:30.580 so that 00:37:30.580 --> 00:37:31.320 wicked people 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:32.120 like us 00:37:32.120 --> 00:37:32.720 might become 00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:33.380 the objects 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:33.760 of his 00:37:33.760 --> 00:37:34.120 love. 00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:34.179 love. 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:39.619 We ought to 00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.059 marvel at 00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:40.299 this, 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:40.639 church. 00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:43.859 We ought 00:37:43.859 --> 00:37:44.599 not say, 00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:45.859 I deserve 00:37:45.859 --> 00:37:46.179 to be 00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:46.599 loved by 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:46.880 God. 00:37:46.940 --> 00:37:47.359 You don't. 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:49.539 You and I 00:37:49.539 --> 00:37:50.039 deserve the 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:50.500 wrath of 00:37:50.500 --> 00:37:50.799 God. 00:37:50.799 --> 00:37:53.079 But by his 00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:54.279 grace alone, 00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.299 he has loved 00:37:55.299 --> 00:37:56.219 us in 00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:57.000 Christ 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.340 and has 00:37:58.340 --> 00:38:00.159 rescued us 00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:00.820 from this 00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:01.440 domain of 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:01.860 darkness 00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.920 by his 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.599 own blood 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.460 and he 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.219 has adopted 00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:06.480 us into 00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:06.980 his own 00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:07.579 family, 00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:08.099 brought us 00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:08.760 into his 00:38:08.760 --> 00:38:09.199 love as 00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:09.559 his own 00:38:09.559 --> 00:38:10.360 sons and 00:38:10.360 --> 00:38:10.780 daughters 00:38:10.780 --> 00:38:11.480 and given 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.119 us an 00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:13.360 unshakable 00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:14.579 rock solid 00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.300 hope that 00:38:15.300 --> 00:38:16.340 transforms every 00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:17.219 circumstance we 00:38:17.219 --> 00:38:17.820 face in this 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.199 life. 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.739 What can 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:22.179 the wicked 00:38:22.179 --> 00:38:23.500 do to 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:24.420 you in 00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:24.880 Christ? 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:24.960 Christ. 00:38:26.440 --> 00:38:27.340 If God is 00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:27.900 for us, 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.680 who can be 00:38:28.680 --> 00:38:29.900 against us? 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:30.380 The devil 00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:31.000 and all of 00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:31.860 hell cannot 00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:33.280 take you 00:38:33.280 --> 00:38:34.160 away from 00:38:34.160 --> 00:38:34.800 the reign 00:38:34.800 --> 00:38:35.460 and rule 00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:36.500 of Christ. 00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:36.880 This is 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.460 good news 00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.320 for us, 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:38.720 church. 00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:42.019 If you 00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:42.519 have not 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:43.460 yet submitted 00:38:43.460 --> 00:38:44.220 yourself to 00:38:44.220 --> 00:38:44.840 the Lord 00:38:44.840 --> 00:38:47.240 and repented 00:38:47.240 --> 00:38:48.480 of your sin, 00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.079 all of us are 00:38:49.079 --> 00:38:49.340 guilty. 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:49.960 If you've not 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.619 yet repented 00:38:50.619 --> 00:38:51.240 of your sin 00:38:51.240 --> 00:38:52.160 and bent the 00:38:52.160 --> 00:38:52.840 knee and 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:53.360 bowed your 00:38:53.360 --> 00:38:53.880 heart to 00:38:53.880 --> 00:38:54.440 King Jesus, 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:55.079 what stops 00:38:55.079 --> 00:38:55.340 you from 00:38:55.340 --> 00:38:55.740 doing so 00:38:55.740 --> 00:38:56.039 now? 00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:58.920 And if 00:38:58.920 --> 00:38:59.400 you have 00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:00.500 trusted in 00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:00.920 this good 00:39:00.920 --> 00:39:01.300 and holy 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:01.619 King, 00:39:01.700 --> 00:39:02.019 listen to 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.220 this, 00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:02.900 the blessing 00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:03.639 of his 00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.559 reign in 00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.320 your life 00:39:05.320 --> 00:39:06.519 is not 00:39:06.519 --> 00:39:07.720 just escape 00:39:07.720 --> 00:39:08.840 from danger, 00:39:08.840 --> 00:39:09.860 as wonderful 00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:10.679 as that is, 00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:11.960 it's the 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:12.740 gift of 00:39:12.740 --> 00:39:14.099 an unbelievable, 00:39:14.519 --> 00:39:15.619 unshakable 00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.440 hope that 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.200 no threat, 00:39:17.320 --> 00:39:17.980 no danger, 00:39:18.099 --> 00:39:18.740 no trial, 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.579 no enemy 00:39:19.579 --> 00:39:20.820 can ever 00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:21.320 take away 00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:21.740 from you. 00:39:21.800 --> 00:39:22.000 And this 00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:22.260 is where 00:39:22.260 --> 00:39:22.940 David closes 00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:23.900 this psalm. 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:24.320 Look there. 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.619 The Lord 00:39:26.619 --> 00:39:27.659 is righteous. 00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:29.639 He loves 00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:31.099 righteous deeds. 00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:32.340 And the 00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:32.840 upright 00:39:32.840 --> 00:39:34.679 shall behold 00:39:34.679 --> 00:39:36.059 his face. 00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:38.579 The righteous 00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:39.079 have nothing 00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:39.619 to fear. 00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:41.380 We have 00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:42.059 nothing to 00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:42.579 lose. 00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:43.960 And we 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:44.659 have all 00:39:44.659 --> 00:39:45.579 of eternity 00:39:45.579 --> 00:39:46.679 beholding the 00:39:46.679 --> 00:39:47.780 glory of God 00:39:47.780 --> 00:39:48.440 to look forward 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:48.800 to. 00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:50.500 does that 00:39:50.500 --> 00:39:50.940 not make 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:51.620 you bold 00:39:51.620 --> 00:39:52.360 in this 00:39:52.360 --> 00:39:52.680 life, 00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.019 church? 00:39:55.580 --> 00:39:56.200 So I'll 00:39:56.200 --> 00:39:56.700 close again 00:39:56.700 --> 00:39:57.060 as we did 00:39:57.060 --> 00:39:57.600 last week 00:39:57.600 --> 00:39:57.920 with this 00:39:57.920 --> 00:39:58.880 vision of 00:39:58.880 --> 00:39:59.340 our future 00:39:59.340 --> 00:39:59.680 hope. 00:39:59.800 --> 00:40:00.060 When the 00:40:00.060 --> 00:40:01.019 Lord returns 00:40:01.019 --> 00:40:01.780 from Revelation 00:40:01.780 --> 00:40:03.000 21 and 00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:03.460 22, 00:40:03.640 --> 00:40:03.980 when the 00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:05.360 Lord returns, 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:05.900 Revelation 00:40:05.900 --> 00:40:07.140 21 verse 00:40:07.140 --> 00:40:08.019 27 says, 00:40:08.180 --> 00:40:08.920 nothing unclean 00:40:08.920 --> 00:40:09.500 will ever enter 00:40:09.500 --> 00:40:09.720 it, 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.100 nor anyone 00:40:11.100 --> 00:40:11.620 who does 00:40:11.620 --> 00:40:11.960 what is 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.880 detestable 00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:13.560 or false, 00:40:13.700 --> 00:40:14.580 no wicked 00:40:14.580 --> 00:40:15.120 person, 00:40:15.260 --> 00:40:15.780 no wicked 00:40:15.780 --> 00:40:16.280 thing, 00:40:16.400 --> 00:40:17.100 no threat, 00:40:17.099 --> 00:40:17.880 no danger, 00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:18.719 but only 00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:19.880 those who 00:40:19.880 --> 00:40:20.400 are written 00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:20.920 in the 00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:21.400 Lamb's 00:40:21.400 --> 00:40:22.039 book of 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:22.500 life. 00:40:23.659 --> 00:40:24.639 Chapter 22 00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.199 verse 3, 00:40:25.259 --> 00:40:25.739 no longer 00:40:25.739 --> 00:40:26.059 will there 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:26.599 be anything 00:40:26.599 --> 00:40:27.199 accursed, 00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:28.659 but the 00:40:28.659 --> 00:40:29.199 throne of 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:30.380 God and 00:40:30.380 --> 00:40:30.679 of the 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:31.380 Lamb will 00:40:31.380 --> 00:40:31.900 be in it, 00:40:32.779 --> 00:40:33.159 and His 00:40:33.159 --> 00:40:33.779 servants will 00:40:33.779 --> 00:40:34.699 worship Him. 00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:36.079 They will 00:40:36.079 --> 00:40:36.860 see His 00:40:36.860 --> 00:40:37.460 face, 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:38.480 and His 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.059 name will 00:40:39.059 --> 00:40:39.360 be on 00:40:39.360 --> 00:40:40.319 their foreheads, 00:40:40.920 --> 00:40:41.420 and night 00:40:41.420 --> 00:40:42.139 will be no 00:40:42.139 --> 00:40:42.579 more. 00:40:43.139 --> 00:40:43.339 They will 00:40:43.339 --> 00:40:43.719 need no 00:40:43.719 --> 00:40:44.199 light of 00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:44.679 lamp or 00:40:44.679 --> 00:40:44.980 sun, 00:40:45.059 --> 00:40:45.380 for the 00:40:45.380 --> 00:40:46.179 Lord God 00:40:46.179 --> 00:40:46.559 will be 00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:46.799 their 00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:47.120 light, 00:40:47.200 --> 00:40:47.420 and they 00:40:47.420 --> 00:40:48.160 will reign 00:40:48.160 --> 00:40:49.019 forever 00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:50.220 and ever. 00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:50.500 Let's 00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:50.740 pray. 00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:51.160 Lord, 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:56.800 what a 00:40:56.800 --> 00:40:57.200 gift, 00:40:58.000 --> 00:41:00.780 what a 00:41:00.780 --> 00:41:01.620 gift to 00:41:01.620 --> 00:41:02.100 know that 00:41:02.100 --> 00:41:03.180 we who 00:41:03.180 --> 00:41:03.960 are wicked 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:06.760 might be 00:41:06.760 --> 00:41:07.580 cleansed, 00:41:08.460 --> 00:41:09.160 freed from 00:41:09.160 --> 00:41:09.840 our wickedness, 00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:10.460 forgiven 00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:12.180 fully, 00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:13.960 not by our 00:41:13.960 --> 00:41:14.360 strength, 00:41:14.420 --> 00:41:14.860 but by your 00:41:14.860 --> 00:41:15.380 grace, 00:41:15.380 --> 00:41:16.380 God, 00:41:16.380 --> 00:41:16.780 and adopted 00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:17.160 as your 00:41:17.160 --> 00:41:17.700 sons and 00:41:17.700 --> 00:41:18.019 daughters, 00:41:18.140 --> 00:41:18.440 and given 00:41:18.440 --> 00:41:20.079 this unshakable 00:41:20.079 --> 00:41:21.240 hope of a 00:41:21.240 --> 00:41:21.660 future, 00:41:22.039 --> 00:41:22.820 looking into 00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:23.740 your face 00:41:23.740 --> 00:41:24.519 and worshiping 00:41:24.519 --> 00:41:24.920 you for the 00:41:24.920 --> 00:41:25.280 rest of 00:41:25.280 --> 00:41:25.660 eternity. 00:41:25.820 --> 00:41:26.460 We praise 00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:26.660 you, 00:41:26.740 --> 00:41:26.940 God, 00:41:27.000 --> 00:41:27.220 for the 00:41:27.220 --> 00:41:27.559 gospel. 00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:29.240 We praise 00:41:29.240 --> 00:41:29.440 you, 00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:29.720 God, 00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:30.059 for the 00:41:30.059 --> 00:41:30.980 life and 00:41:30.980 --> 00:41:31.420 death and 00:41:31.420 --> 00:41:31.780 resurrection 00:41:31.780 --> 00:41:32.640 of Christ. 00:41:33.320 --> 00:41:33.980 We praise 00:41:33.980 --> 00:41:34.160 you, 00:41:34.240 --> 00:41:34.400 God, 00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:34.660 that you 00:41:34.660 --> 00:41:35.059 are a 00:41:35.059 --> 00:41:36.140 good and 00:41:36.140 --> 00:41:36.800 a just 00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:37.220 and a 00:41:37.220 --> 00:41:38.420 holy God, 00:41:38.640 --> 00:41:39.260 and you 00:41:39.260 --> 00:41:40.059 will accomplish 00:41:40.059 --> 00:41:40.480 all your 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:40.900 purposes. 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:41.099 Jesus, 00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:43.039 we thank 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:43.360 you and 00:41:43.360 --> 00:41:43.660 we praise 00:41:43.660 --> 00:41:43.880 you for 00:41:43.880 --> 00:41:44.180 all this 00:41:44.180 --> 00:41:44.519 in Jesus' 00:41:44.680 --> 00:41:44.860 name. 00:41:45.740 --> 00:41:45.980 Amen.