WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.540 Great, let me read for us and then pray for Nick and for us. Psalm 10. 00:00:07.879 --> 00:00:14.919 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:22.140 In his arrogance, the wicked man hunts down the weak who are caught in the schemes he devises. 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:29.640 He boasts about the cravings of his heart. He blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. 00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:36.859 In his pride, the wicked man does not seek him. In all his thoughts, there is no room for God. 00:00:38.019 --> 00:00:44.539 His ways are always prosperous. Your laws are rejected by him and he sneers at all his enemies. 00:00:45.899 --> 00:00:52.879 He says to himself, nothing will ever shake me. He swears, no one will ever do me harm. 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:59.219 His mouth is full of lies and threats. Trouble and evil are under his tongue. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.900 He lies in wait near the villages. From ambush, he murders the innocent. 00:01:05.959 --> 00:01:11.620 His eyes watch in secret for his victims. Like a lion in cover, he lies in wait. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:17.519 He lies in wait to catch the helpless. He catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. 00:01:18.039 --> 00:01:22.620 His victims are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength. 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:29.680 He says to himself, God will never notice. He covers his face and never sees. 00:01:31.160 --> 00:01:35.640 Arise, Lord. Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. 00:01:35.640 --> 00:01:41.960 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, he won't call me to account? 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:49.120 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted. You consider their grief and take it in hand. 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:53.859 The victims commit themselves to you. You are the helper of the fatherless. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:58.640 Break the arm of the wicked man. Call the evildoer to account for his wickedness. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:05.920 That would not otherwise be found out. The Lord is king forever and ever. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:13.060 The nations will perish from his land. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:16.199 You encourage them and you listen to their cry. 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:19.780 Defending the fatherless and the oppressed. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:29.639 Let me pray for us. And then Nick, over to you. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:36.039 Heavenly Father, we do pray and ask that you would speak to us from your words. 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:43.379 We thank you that our joyful confidence is that as your word is open, you are by your spirit at work. 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:46.340 And we pray that that might be our experience this evening. 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:50.479 Help Nick as he speaks. Help all of us as we listen, we pray. 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:52.780 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:05.240 Thanks, Steve. 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:11.800 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:16.859 Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 00:03:18.680 --> 00:03:22.379 Does it ever seem to you that God is absent in your times of trouble? 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:24.719 That his attention is elsewhere? 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:28.120 Maybe you're just not that important to him. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:31.900 After all, God has a universe to run. 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:37.199 Is God turning a blind eye to all the injustice happening everywhere? 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:41.379 It can often feel like that. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:48.019 And indeed, looking at the news every day, there are constant examples of injustice, 00:03:49.019 --> 00:03:51.060 of the strong praying on the weak. 00:03:52.799 --> 00:03:57.199 On Wednesday evening last week, during our prayer meeting, we watched an Open Doors video 00:03:57.199 --> 00:04:00.780 about the internally displaced people of Nigeria. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:07.560 They're persecuted Christians who have been forced away from their lands and their homes 00:04:07.560 --> 00:04:10.000 to live in tents. 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:16.280 And they're reduced to protecting themselves from the sun with bits of cardboard. 00:04:17.920 --> 00:04:19.319 They're far from their homes. 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:24.300 And they struggle to find work to earn even a day's food. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:28.740 Why does God seem far away? 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:33.340 So, this is how the psalmist begins, Psalm 10. 00:04:34.379 --> 00:04:36.560 But before we look into that question, 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:42.720 just a quick word on the overall structure of this psalm of lament. 00:04:42.720 --> 00:04:46.940 It can be broken down into four sections. 00:04:48.140 --> 00:04:49.720 The first one is the first verse. 00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:53.320 The opening cry to the Lord, where are you? 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:57.460 And the second goes from verses 2 to 11. 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:01.600 David is bringing the wicked and their ways before the Lord. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:08.620 And then we have verses 12 to 15, where David calls on the Lord to act. 00:05:09.460 --> 00:05:14.200 And he also reminds himself of who God is and what he does. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:22.800 And in the final section, David concludes by declaring more facts about God. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:27.220 Not only to bolster his own faith and to wait upon him, 00:05:27.220 --> 00:05:30.340 but also to declare and acknowledge who God is. 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:35.120 So, let's start with the first verse. 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:41.260 David is in pain at God's apparent aloofness. 00:05:42.480 --> 00:05:45.260 Lord, there is so much wickedness. Where are you? 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:49.560 Well, spoiler alert, God is not far away. 00:05:50.280 --> 00:05:52.140 He's right there with the psalmist. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:54.200 And he's right there with us. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:58.060 In our everyday dealings in life, 00:05:58.060 --> 00:06:01.720 God seeming to be distant is more a reflection 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:05.720 on our own state of being with regards to God 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:07.959 than his to us. 00:06:09.019 --> 00:06:11.540 Our unbelief or our lack of faith in God 00:06:11.540 --> 00:06:14.560 in whatever difficult situation we're in 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:16.480 can make us think this way. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:20.000 But for the believer especially, 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:23.020 we must never forget Jesus' words 00:06:23.020 --> 00:06:26.259 in the second half of John chapter 4, 00:06:27.080 --> 00:06:29.740 which should be on page 1082. 00:06:30.900 --> 00:06:36.300 And I'll just read a few verses from verse 15. 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:39.460 So, Jesus said, 00:06:39.460 --> 00:06:44.300 If you love me, keep my commands. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:46.600 And I will ask the Father, 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:50.680 and he will give you another advocate to help you 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:52.340 and be with you forever, 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:54.240 the Spirit of truth. 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:57.080 The world cannot accept him 00:06:57.080 --> 00:07:00.300 because it neither sees him nor knows him, 00:07:00.900 --> 00:07:01.800 but you know him, 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:03.819 for he lives with you 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:05.780 and will be in you. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:08.780 I will not leave you as orphans. 00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:10.500 I will come to you. 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:13.560 And jumping down to verse 23, 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:15.660 Jesus replied, 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.400 Anyone who loves me 00:07:17.400 --> 00:07:19.580 will obey my teaching. 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:22.400 My Father will love them, 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:24.379 and we will come to them 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:26.519 and make our home with them. 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:29.439 Anyone who does not love me 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:30.800 will not obey my teaching. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:32.860 These words you hear 00:07:32.860 --> 00:07:34.400 are not my own. 00:07:34.939 --> 00:07:37.360 They belong to the Father who sent me. 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:40.360 So, for the Christian, 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:42.939 the almighty, infinite, 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:45.540 God of the universe and beyond 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:47.620 has made his home in us. 00:07:49.160 --> 00:07:50.660 Jesus' words from the Father 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:52.180 mean without a shadow of doubt 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:54.879 that they come to us. 00:07:56.080 --> 00:07:57.199 They live with us. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:57.920 They're in us. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:01.180 And you can't get any nearer than that. 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:06.840 So, in the next section, 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:11.360 David puts before the Lord, 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.140 so from verses 2 to 11, 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:14.840 he puts before the Lord 00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:17.180 the iniquity of the wicked 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.600 that he sees all around him 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:22.220 against not only the weak and innocent, 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.700 but also towards God. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:28.779 So, let's review some of the qualities 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:31.300 of the wicked as exposed by David. 00:08:32.919 --> 00:08:33.919 They're arrogant. 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:35.899 They're boastful. 00:08:36.819 --> 00:08:37.879 They're greedy. 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:40.179 Proud. 00:08:40.179 --> 00:08:43.359 They have an enmity to God. 00:08:44.599 --> 00:08:45.979 They're evil-tongued. 00:08:47.079 --> 00:08:48.379 And they're murderous. 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:51.779 And there's certainly more that 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:54.500 could be taken from 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:56.279 what David's written down. 00:08:58.219 --> 00:09:00.359 And how does he describe the victims? 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.759 They're weak. 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.139 Innocent. 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:05.899 Helpless. 00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:07.779 Crushed. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.419 Murdered. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:14.200 So, we'll next look at the fallacies 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:17.220 of the wicked person's view of God. 00:09:18.060 --> 00:09:20.800 But it's also worth pausing to reflect 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:24.000 whether we are ourselves 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:27.620 are guilty of any of these condemnations. 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:31.700 What were we like before God saved us 00:09:31.700 --> 00:09:32.460 through Christ? 00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:36.980 We are still works in progress. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:41.139 So, we still fall and we still sin. 00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:46.159 And even whilst the Holy Spirit resides in us, 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:50.120 what things might we recognize in ourselves 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:50.960 in this psalm 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:54.779 that demand repentance and forgiveness from God? 00:09:54.779 --> 00:10:03.559 So, let's have a look at the wicked person's attitude 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:04.699 towards God 00:10:04.699 --> 00:10:07.319 and the lies that they tell themselves. 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:13.000 They include renouncing or reviling the Lord. 00:10:14.839 --> 00:10:16.240 Believing there is no God. 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:20.980 Believing that they are somehow immortal and invincible. 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:25.440 They believe that God won't see their sin 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:28.960 but they can hide their sin from God 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:34.180 and also believing that God won't hold them to account. 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:40.460 In verse 3, the wicked man boasts 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:42.420 about the cravings of his heart. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:47.240 He blesses the greedy and the unworthy 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:49.740 and he reviles the Lord. 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:53.039 And reviles is a strong word. 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:56.299 The wicked man pushes God away from his thoughts. 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:59.319 His focus is purely on himself 00:10:59.319 --> 00:11:01.979 and he lets everyone know it. 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:05.279 His mantra is greed is good. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:11.199 In verse 4, we see how the wicked man's pride 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:14.459 results in him not having any desire for God. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:17.799 His thoughts are crammed full of other things. 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:21.620 To quote from Spurgeon's commentary on Psalm 10, 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:22.259 he wrote, 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:24.759 The only place where God is not 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.600 is in the thoughts of the wicked. 00:11:27.779 --> 00:11:29.480 And this is a damning accusation. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:32.240 For where the God of heaven is not, 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:35.200 the Lord of hell is reigning and raging. 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:40.340 In the ESV translation, verse 4 ends, 00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:42.680 All his thoughts are, 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:44.500 there is no God. 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:47.399 So in all his dealings, 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:50.100 he behaves as if there is no higher power. 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:53.759 God's judgments are so far away, 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:56.920 he believes that they are in another jurisdiction. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:02.000 In verse 6, 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:04.240 the wicked man deludes himself in thinking 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:06.580 no harm will ever befall him. 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:09.779 He is self-confident and assured. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:12.259 And when we're young, 00:12:12.340 --> 00:12:14.259 it's very common for us to think and act 00:12:14.259 --> 00:12:16.460 as if we're never going to die, 00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:20.360 even as we see death all around us. 00:12:21.360 --> 00:12:23.680 And sometimes that continues as we get older, 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:25.800 unless we've been given 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:29.100 some kind of terminal diagnosis from a doctor. 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:31.420 It's very common for us 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:34.440 to not genuinely consider our own mortality. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:37.460 We may believe it won't happen to us, 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:40.019 or that it's decades or years away. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:44.519 Ultimately, none of us know when our time is up. 00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:46.399 In one sense, 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:49.320 it's like not knowing the time of Jesus' return. 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:53.220 We must live our lives expecting him to return today, 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:56.100 but we must also plan ahead sufficiently 00:12:56.100 --> 00:13:00.180 so that we can live the lives God has given us 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:01.940 for his glory. 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:05.720 So we must be ready to meet our maker. 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:10.260 We can only do that if we acknowledge our own mortality, 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:12.380 our own weakness, 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:14.100 our sinfulness, 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:17.680 and acknowledge his immortality, 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:18.640 his power, 00:13:19.160 --> 00:13:19.780 his holiness, 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.340 his goodness, 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:23.880 and his grace through Christ Jesus. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:27.419 There's an irony hearing those 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:28.419 that don't believe in God 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:30.179 call out to him when something happens 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.559 that does shake them, 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.879 or when someone does do them harm. 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:37.639 It is a natural instinct to call out and pray to God, 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:40.220 even for those that don't follow Christ 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:42.399 or try to live a godly life. 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:45.959 In verse 11, 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.579 the wicked man says to himself, 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.539 God will never notice. 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:53.220 He covers his face and never sees. 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.459 But God sees all. 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:59.240 And there's so many Bible verses we could look at. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:02.879 Proverbs 15, verse 3 is one. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.240 It says, 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:06.639 The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, 00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:09.460 keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:13.440 And in verse 13, 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.700 as I jump slightly outside the section, 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:18.420 the psalmist cannot get his head around 00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:20.680 why the wicked man should revile God 00:14:20.680 --> 00:14:23.060 and delude himself into thinking 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:26.240 that God won't call him to account. 00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:30.400 So the wicked man lives his life 00:14:30.400 --> 00:14:32.000 basing his actions and deeds, 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:34.519 his motives and greed 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:37.340 on this sandy foundation of lies, 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:39.400 content to ignore God, 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:41.600 and treat him with contempt, 00:14:42.400 --> 00:14:44.639 enabling him to think that 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:46.300 his praying on the weak and innocent 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:48.340 will be without consequence. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.460 So in the next section, 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:54.400 verses 12 to 15, 00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:58.879 David is calling the Lord to action. 00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:03.320 Arise, Lord, lift up your hand, O God. 00:15:03.320 --> 00:15:05.700 Do not forget the helpless. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:09.520 And he calls on the Lord in verse 15 00:15:09.520 --> 00:15:11.560 to break the arm of the wicked man, 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:13.879 thus rendering him unable 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:16.220 to enact his wickedness 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:18.200 and harm on the weak and helpless. 00:15:20.260 --> 00:15:22.940 David reminds himself in verse 14 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:25.240 that God does see the trouble of the afflicted 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:27.779 and does consider their grief, 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:31.080 that he is the helper of the fatherless. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:34.580 He reminds himself in verse 15 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:36.899 that God is able to take to account 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:38.539 the evildoer for the wickedness 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:41.399 that they have tried so hard to conceal. 00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:45.039 So what are the home truths 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:47.539 that David has spelled out so far in the psalm? 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:52.539 Well, that God is not far off 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.740 because he's everywhere 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:55.419 and he is with us. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:59.120 God is aware of everything that happens. 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.379 He knows everything. 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:04.000 God will hold everyone to account 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.779 because God is just. 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:08.980 And God does care for the afflicted. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:13.179 We read earlier in John 14 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:15.559 that the Holy Spirit makes his home 00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:17.139 with those that God has saved. 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:20.699 He is with us through affliction and grief. 00:16:21.899 --> 00:16:22.740 He understands. 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:27.139 Let's turn to Romans 8 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:31.539 and I'll read verses 26 to 30. 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:34.459 It should be on page 1135. 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:42.879 In the same way, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:46.579 the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:50.439 We do not know what we ought to pray for, 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:54.240 but the Spirit himself intercedes for us 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.500 through wordless groans. 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:58.799 And he who searches our hearts 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:01.220 knows the mind of the Spirit 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:04.539 because the Spirit intercedes for God's people 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.500 in accordance with the will of God. 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.399 And we know that in all things 00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:11.519 God works for the good of those who love him, 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:14.619 who have been called according to his purpose. 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:17.119 For those God foreknew, 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:19.579 he also predestined to be conformed 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.720 to the image of his Son, 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:23.299 that he might be the firstborn 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.940 among many brothers and sisters. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:27.299 And those he predestined, 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.379 he also called. 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:30.059 Those he called, 00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:31.319 he also justified. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.659 Those he justified, 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.579 he also glorified. 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:39.839 Paul goes on to write in verse 35, 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:59.000 Many a believer suffers at the hands of wicked men. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.480 However, 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:02.319 these wicked men are used by God 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:04.460 to further his own plans and purposes. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:07.359 The wicked will receive from God 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.299 what is due to them. 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.460 God will judge, 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.599 and there's no way around that. 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.619 We've been going through the letter 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.440 to the Philippians 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.299 during our Sunday evenings this term, 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.940 and one of the main themes is suffering, 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:23.180 especially at the hands of men. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:27.099 Sometimes God will let you see 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.299 the fruits of the suffering. 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:29.919 For example, 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:32.039 the Apostle Paul's suffering in chains 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:35.099 resulted in the whole palace guard 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:36.959 knowing that Paul was suffering, 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:38.759 his suffering was because of his faith 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.719 in Jesus Christ. 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.899 And Paul did see the spread of the gospel 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:44.259 in his own lifetime. 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:48.119 Sometimes God will not let you see 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.480 the fruits of the suffering. 00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:52.279 Part of Job's suffering 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:55.099 was having the tribe of Chaldeans 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.079 steal his camels 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:57.480 and put his workers to death. 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.980 Job lost his family 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:01.159 at the hands of Satan, 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.639 and he suffered much physical pain 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:04.599 from Satan too. 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:08.079 Whilst the Lord did restore Job afterwards, 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.899 Job was none the wiser 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:11.279 as to why all this suffering 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:12.039 happened to him. 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:16.079 Christ himself was beaten up, 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.059 mocked, tortured, 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:20.339 rejected, and executed 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:22.119 at the hands of wicked men. 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:24.559 In Matthew 27, 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:26.539 we read that just as Jesus 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.479 was nearing death, 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.339 he called out, 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.779 my God, my God, 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:32.000 why have you forsaken me? 00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:36.019 So, here we see God 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.799 hide his face away from Christ. 00:19:38.879 --> 00:19:40.639 Christ was completely alone, 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:41.859 suffering on the cross. 00:19:43.179 --> 00:19:45.339 He was separated from the Father's love. 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:48.179 And during that time, 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.599 he received all the judgment 00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.399 and punishment 00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:53.359 that's for the sins due to us. 00:19:55.139 --> 00:19:57.119 He did this for all those 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.039 that he has called, 00:19:58.679 --> 00:20:00.099 that he has justified 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:01.159 and glorified, 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.759 as we read in Romans 8. 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:06.419 So Christ knows what it feels like 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:07.599 to the max. 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.579 Thankfully, that wasn't the end. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.980 Christ was raised from the dead 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.579 and went up to heaven 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:16.240 to sit at God's right hand. 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.759 And he's interceding for us 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.599 so that our sins 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:21.139 are not counted against us, 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:23.899 but against his own sacrifice 00:20:23.899 --> 00:20:24.579 on the cross. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.879 So, we're nearing 00:20:27.879 --> 00:20:29.079 the end of the psalm. 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:31.819 So, we're at these final verses, 00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.079 16 to 18. 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.899 David is declaring to all 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:39.079 that God is the king 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.279 forever and ever. 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:42.519 And we can take heart 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.460 that our saviour 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.179 and redeemer, 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:45.119 Jesus Christ, 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.859 is king forever and ever. 00:20:48.439 --> 00:20:48.960 Amen. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.559 And David reiterates 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.659 that God does hear 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:53.480 the desires of the afflicted, 00:20:53.839 --> 00:20:54.980 that he is a source 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.859 of encouragement for them, 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.519 and that he also listens 00:20:58.519 --> 00:21:00.079 to their cries and laments. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.699 Christ says in Matthew 11, 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:05.919 in verses 28 to 30, 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:07.700 Come to me, 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.920 all you who are weary 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.080 and burdened, 00:21:11.320 --> 00:21:12.720 and I will give you rest. 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:15.360 Take my yoke upon you 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.519 and learn from me, 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.259 for I am gentle 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.300 and humble in heart, 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:21.180 and you will find rest 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.080 for your souls. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:24.279 For my yoke is easy 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:26.800 and my burden is light. 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.720 He defends those 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.820 without a defender 00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:33.000 and those under the cough. 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.359 Christ is our defender, 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:36.720 our counsellor, 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.900 our comforter, 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.240 our saviour, 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.220 our redeemer. 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.059 And the psalmist 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.720 looks forward 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.380 to the day 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.380 when the nations 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:46.160 will perish 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.259 from his land, 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:49.759 and mere earthly mortals 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.779 will never again 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.740 strike terror. 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.460 Christ will return. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.319 He is our hope 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.140 in life and death. 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.920 We look forward 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.759 to a new heavens 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.839 and a new earth, 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:02.959 where we will be 00:22:02.959 --> 00:22:04.299 resurrected in new bodies, 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.879 and through Christ 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:07.259 we will be absent of sin. 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.459 The wicked 00:22:08.459 --> 00:22:09.579 will not be present. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.319 And as we close, 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.099 I must mention 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.879 Christ's command 00:22:13.879 --> 00:22:14.899 to love our enemies 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:16.459 in Matthew 5. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.819 It is a difficult thing 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:20.059 to do at the best of times, 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:21.899 and at the very least 00:22:21.899 --> 00:22:23.240 we should pray for them 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:23.839 in earnest. 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:27.019 Since each of us 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.839 was once an enemy 00:22:27.839 --> 00:22:28.279 of God, 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.439 God desires 00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:31.339 none to perish, 00:22:32.199 --> 00:22:32.919 for every day 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:33.579 God grants 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.720 before Christ's return 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:36.339 is a day of salvation 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:36.980 for someone. 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:38.799 And not just 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.519 for ordinary 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:41.119 I'm a good person 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:41.879 because I haven't 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:42.599 murdered anyone 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.699 or stolen anything 00:22:43.699 --> 00:22:44.439 folk, 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.959 but also 00:22:45.959 --> 00:22:47.480 for murderers 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.199 and thieves 00:22:48.199 --> 00:22:48.879 and worse. 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:50.920 So, 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:51.760 I will finish 00:22:51.760 --> 00:22:52.900 with these words 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.660 from Revelation 21. 00:22:57.800 --> 00:22:58.820 Then I saw 00:22:58.820 --> 00:22:59.600 a new heaven 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.680 and a new earth. 00:23:02.040 --> 00:23:03.020 For the first heaven 00:23:03.020 --> 00:23:04.160 and the first earth 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.220 had passed away. 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:07.080 There was no longer 00:23:07.080 --> 00:23:07.660 any sea. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:10.080 I saw the holy city, 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.280 the new Jerusalem, 00:23:12.280 --> 00:23:13.000 coming down 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.720 out of heaven 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.800 from God, 00:23:15.300 --> 00:23:16.280 prepared as a bride 00:23:16.280 --> 00:23:17.240 beautifully dressed 00:23:17.240 --> 00:23:18.000 for her husband. 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.599 And I heard 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.420 a loud voice 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.079 from the throne 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:21.420 saying, 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:21.779 Look, 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.660 God's dwelling place 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.700 is now among 00:23:24.700 --> 00:23:25.380 the people 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:26.480 and he will dwell 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.960 with them. 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:29.019 They will be his people 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.380 and God himself 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:31.359 will be with them 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.519 and be their God. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.279 He will wipe 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:34.980 every tear 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.779 from their eyes. 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:36.519 There will be 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.259 no more death 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.700 or mourning 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.740 or crying 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.880 or pain 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:42.460 for the old 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.299 order of things 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.279 has passed away. 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.359 And he who was 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.180 seated on the throne 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.539 and said, 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.960 I am making 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.019 everything new. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.560 And then he said, 00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:52.340 Write this down 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:53.140 for these words 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:53.660 are trustworthy 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:54.380 and true. 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.340 He said to me, 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.480 It is done. 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.180 I am the Alpha 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.860 and the Omega, 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.799 the beginning 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.620 and end. 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.080 To the thirsty 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:03.960 I will give water 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.759 without cost 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.560 from the spring 00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:06.560 of the water of life. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:08.580 And those who are 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.060 victorious 00:24:09.060 --> 00:24:09.660 will inherit 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.279 all this. 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.700 And I will be 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.240 their God 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.180 and they will be 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.799 my children. 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:15.519 But the cowardly, 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.740 the unbelieving, 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.519 the vile, 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.019 the murderers, 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.519 the sexually immoral, 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.639 those who practice 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.539 magic arts, 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:24.019 the idolaters 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.099 and all liars, 00:24:25.919 --> 00:24:26.940 they will be consigned 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:28.339 to the fiery lake 00:24:28.339 --> 00:24:29.399 of burning sulfur. 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.399 And this is 00:24:30.399 --> 00:24:31.240 the second death. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.279 So take courage. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.579 God is with us 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:36.359 even when it seems 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:37.019 he's not. 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:39.119 and when we're 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:39.619 going through 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.720 really difficult times 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.740 at whoever's hands, 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:42.700 whether it's 00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.639 man's hands 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:45.359 or nature's. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.500 Thank you. 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:47.879 Amen. 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.200 Thank you, Nate. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.700 Let's pray. 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:56.799 Father, 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.379 we do thank you 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.259 for what we've heard. 00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.039 We thank you 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.539 that you're not 00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:03.079 absent in our suffering. 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:05.059 You're not absent 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.940 from this world 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.639 of suffering. 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.259 But thank you 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:08.839 that like Nick 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.639 has told us 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:11.220 in the person 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.839 of the Lord Jesus, 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.639 you have entered 00:25:12.639 --> 00:25:14.379 into this suffering world, 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.319 paid for our sin 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:20.059 and bought at great cost 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.559 a people for yourself 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.240 who inhabit, 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.240 will inhabit 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:26.079 a remade world 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:27.359 where there is 00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:28.279 no more sickness 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.139 or suffering 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:29.720 or death 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.319 or grief. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.879 Keep us going 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.700 until that day. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.240 Keep us speaking 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.900 of you, 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:36.039 looking to you, 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.980 living for you, 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.579 we ask 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:39.160 in Jesus' name. 00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:40.220 Amen. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.379 Amen. 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:40.920 Amen.