WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.460 Well, good morning and welcome to our service here at Buclough Free Church. 00:00:08.700 --> 00:00:12.099 It's great to have you with us, whether you're a regular part of the congregation 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:14.820 or whether you're tuning in for the first time. 00:00:15.860 --> 00:00:20.760 Today we are looking together at Psalm 27, one of David's psalms, 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:24.179 which is an appropriate way to commence a new year, 00:00:24.179 --> 00:00:28.160 to have a firm foundation, to have a single-minded vision, 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:35.119 and to be reminded of that relationship that we have with our God and with our Savior Jesus. 00:00:35.619 --> 00:00:39.060 So as our call to worship, let me read a few verses from another psalm. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:42.799 This is Psalm 43, and I'll read verses 3 to 5. 00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:47.600 Send forth your light and your truth. Let them guide me. 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:51.700 Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 00:00:51.700 --> 00:01:17.079 Let us now worship God. 00:01:17.079 --> 00:01:22.060 We're going to hear sung, and we can join our voices together in the hymn, 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:25.620 All Creatures of Our God and King. 00:01:25.620 --> 00:01:49.140 All Creatures of Our God and King, 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:55.299 Lift up your voice and with us sing. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:02:01.859 O praise Him, Alleluia. 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:07.519 Thou burning sun with golden beam, 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:13.819 Thou silver moon with softer gleam, 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:20.739 O praise Him, O praise Him, O praise Him, 00:02:20.739 --> 00:02:31.019 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. 00:02:31.020 --> 00:02:35.400 Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:35.420 Praise the Father, praise the Son, 00:02:35.420 --> 00:02:37.160 Praise the Father, praise the Son, 00:02:37.160 --> 00:02:41.360 Let all things there create to bless, 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:47.180 And worship Him in humbleness, 00:02:47.180 --> 00:02:53.580 O praise Him, Alleluia, 00:02:53.580 --> 00:02:59.439 Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:03.819 And praise the Son, and praise the Son, 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:05.819 And praise the Spirit, three in one. 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:13.039 O praise Him, O praise Him, 00:03:13.039 --> 00:03:23.060 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:33.439 All the Redeemed, washed by His blood, 00:03:33.439 --> 00:03:39.599 Come and rejoice in His great love, 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:44.879 O praise Him, Alleluia, 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:52.340 Christ has defeated every sin, 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:58.500 Cast all your burdens now on Him 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:05.219 O praise Him, O praise Him 00:04:05.219 --> 00:04:15.219 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:25.480 He shall return in power to reign 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:31.920 Heaven and earth will join to sing 00:04:31.920 --> 00:04:38.100 O praise Him, Alleluia 00:04:38.100 --> 00:04:43.620 Then who shall fall on bended knee 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:50.740 O creatures of our God and King 00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:57.340 O praise Him, O praise Him 00:04:57.340 --> 00:05:07.139 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:17.579 So as we've joined our voices in praise, let's now unite our hearts in prayer. Let us pray. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:36.699 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for your truth. We thank you for your gospel. And we thank you for your Son. So we give you thanks this morning for who you are. That you are the one who brings light. That you are the one who brings truth. And that you are the one who saves. And the one who sustains. 00:05:36.699 --> 00:06:03.219 So it's our prayer today that we would magnify your name in our praise. That we would come to you with eager expectation in our prayer. And that we would listen to your word. Your word as it's read and proclaimed. And that we would receive and trust and go forth in the knowledge. That you are God. That you are good. And that Jesus is Savior. And that He is Lord. 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:26.660 We pray that you would give us ears to hear. That you would give us eyes to see. That you would give us hearts that are warmed and minds that are filled with the truth of God. Lord, we commit ourselves to you afresh at the commencement of this new year. We need your grace. We need your strength. We need your wisdom. We need your comfort. We need your courage. 00:06:26.660 --> 00:06:37.080 You are the God who has created all things. You are the one who sustains all by the power of your word. And you and you alone are the one who redeems. 00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:48.040 You are the one who restores what has been lost. You are the one who fixes what has been broken. And you are the one who brings hope and light out of despair and darkness. 00:06:48.040 --> 00:07:04.000 So we come to you in that precious and that powerful name of Jesus. Asking that He would be our focus. That He would be our delight. That He would be the foundation of our lives. That He would be the foundation of our witness. 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:13.140 We pray that as a church we might know much encouragement in this year to come. We thank you for every evidence of your goodness that we experienced last year. 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:24.259 And we ask, Lord, that you would continue to work in our congregation, within our number, and that you would work within our families and among our circles of friends. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:29.479 We pray, too, that this church would be a blessing to the south side of Edinburgh. 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:39.959 That we would be a point of light and a place of hope and a beacon where the gospel can be sounded forth and shined forth. 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:45.739 That others might see and come to know that Jesus is your Son. 00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:50.259 That He is the Savior who has come to seek and to save that which is lost. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:59.500 So, Lord, as we turn to your Word, open our hearts, open our minds, direct our steps, guide our lives, 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:03.799 and may we know that from beginning to end, and everything in between, 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:09.000 that all that we are and all that we have comes from your gracious and good hand. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:18.079 And we offer you our praise, we come to you in prayer, and we come to you in the name of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior. Amen. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:22.540 Our reading today is Psalm 27. 00:08:24.300 --> 00:08:26.259 Psalm 27 of David. 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:29.079 The Lord is my light and my salvation. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:30.939 Whom shall I fear? 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:33.840 The Lord is the stronghold of my life. 00:08:34.039 --> 00:08:35.639 Of whom shall I be afraid? 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:39.439 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, 00:08:39.699 --> 00:08:44.620 when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:48.059 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear. 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:52.919 Though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:57.500 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek, 00:08:57.699 --> 00:09:02.980 that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:07.440 to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:11.860 For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in his dwelling. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:18.480 He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:22.639 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me. 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:27.800 At his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:30.740 I will sing and make music to the Lord. 00:09:31.439 --> 00:09:33.479 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord. 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:36.419 Be merciful to me and answer me. 00:09:37.099 --> 00:09:39.639 My heart says of you, seek his face. 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:42.579 Your face, Lord, I will seek. 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:45.240 Do not hide your face from me. 00:09:45.779 --> 00:09:48.599 Do not turn your servant away in anger. 00:09:49.459 --> 00:09:50.859 You have been my helper. 00:09:51.500 --> 00:09:55.399 Do not reject me or forsake me, O God, my Savior. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:10:01.000 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 00:10:01.439 --> 00:10:03.079 Teach me your way, O Lord. 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:07.439 Lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:11.740 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes for false witnesses. 00:10:12.439 --> 00:10:15.519 Rise up against me, breathing out violence. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:18.639 I am still confident of this. 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:23.019 I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:24.779 Wait for the Lord. 00:10:25.199 --> 00:10:27.039 Be strong and take heart. 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:29.819 And wait for the Lord. 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.120 Amen. 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:35.220 So as we commence this new year, 2021, 00:10:35.699 --> 00:10:40.919 there's no better way to start than to consider what God has to say to us. 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:45.600 Now as we turn to the Bible, of course, we have God telling us 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.740 all that we need to know about him, 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.699 all that we need to know about ourselves, 00:10:49.819 --> 00:10:51.860 and all that we need to know about salvation. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:55.539 But what we have, particularly in the book of Psalms, 00:10:55.720 --> 00:11:00.379 is a way in which we can respond to God. 00:11:00.860 --> 00:11:05.659 God gives us the language for prayer, for response, 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:09.500 for praise, for thanksgiving, for repentance. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:12.300 So as we read the book of Psalms, 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:15.700 we can better understand or better realize 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:19.340 how we can respond to all that God is 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:21.160 and respond to all that God does. 00:11:22.140 --> 00:11:23.940 And as we turn to Psalm 27, 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:29.100 we have David reflecting on his own experience 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:34.259 and giving us insight into the character of God, 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:36.640 the nature of God, the life of faith. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.980 And I'd like just to notice a few things from Psalm 27, 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:45.019 I think, that can help us at the start of this new and hopefully better year. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:49.000 First of all, David begins with a foundation. 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.919 There's a foundation to his life. 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:56.319 He is building his life on something other than himself. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:58.580 And we all need a foundation. 00:11:58.580 --> 00:12:00.480 If you remember the story of Jesus, 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:03.379 at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:05.420 he tells a parable of two builders. 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.320 Both build a house, 00:12:07.640 --> 00:12:10.520 but only one builds a house on rock. 00:12:10.760 --> 00:12:12.620 The other builds a house on sand. 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:14.879 Now, the difference between the two 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:17.920 is that the one who builds his house on sand 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:20.140 simply hears the word of God, 00:12:20.540 --> 00:12:22.080 but doesn't do what it says. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:25.920 Whereas the one who has a foundation that's built on rock, 00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:27.860 hears the words of Jesus, 00:12:28.199 --> 00:12:30.939 and does what Jesus tells him to do. 00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:33.439 So here David is saying that 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:36.240 the Lord is my light and my salvation. 00:12:36.719 --> 00:12:37.599 Whom shall I fear? 00:12:37.699 --> 00:12:40.919 The Lord is the stronghold of my life. 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:44.240 So he gives us this threefold foundation. 00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:49.279 Light, salvation, and strongholder, or fortress. 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:53.519 Meaning that there is a security and a stability 00:12:53.519 --> 00:12:56.919 that comes from outside of himself. 00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:59.460 And first and foremost, 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.879 that's the message of the Bible. 00:13:01.439 --> 00:13:03.439 That everything that we have 00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:05.419 and everything that we need 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:07.279 comes not from within, 00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:08.240 but from outside. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:11.720 The gift of life is from God. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:14.139 The way in which life is sustained 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:15.340 is from God. 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:18.120 Salvation is from God. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:21.899 wisdom, guidance, direction, 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:24.480 perseverance, preservation. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:28.159 All of these are things that we need, 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.120 but these are not things 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:31.799 that we ourselves can produce. 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:33.679 So David gives credit 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:34.580 where credit is due. 00:13:34.659 --> 00:13:35.060 And he said, 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:37.159 the Lord is my light. 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:40.659 So David is not reflecting upon his battles 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:42.120 or upon his authority 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:45.039 or upon his prestige or power. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:47.519 But his foundation is rooted 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:49.679 in the Lord in whom he trusts. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.460 And notice here that David 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:53.019 is making a personal statement. 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.060 My light, 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.919 my salvation, 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.340 my life. 00:13:58.340 --> 00:14:00.860 And he's rooting that personal statement 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.500 in the personal God. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.220 The personal name of God, 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.740 the Lord, 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.399 or Jehovah, 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.580 or Yahweh, 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.320 is emphasized here 00:14:08.320 --> 00:14:09.560 throughout the psalm. 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:11.419 Lord in capital letters 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.719 is the covenant name 00:14:12.719 --> 00:14:14.319 or the personal name of God. 00:14:14.979 --> 00:14:15.279 You see, 00:14:15.359 --> 00:14:16.719 our God is not abstract. 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:17.879 He's personal. 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:20.019 Our God is not an idea 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:21.059 or a concept. 00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:23.639 He's the one who makes 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:25.219 and sustains and redeems. 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:26.919 He's personal. 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.779 He acts in a personal way. 00:14:30.199 --> 00:14:31.599 And he reveals himself 00:14:31.599 --> 00:14:33.479 to us personally. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:36.000 So David has a foundation 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.159 that is necessary 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:39.319 because he goes on to say, 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:41.799 that he has enemies and foes. 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:44.759 And they are so intent 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.879 on his destruction 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.179 that they would almost 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:48.759 eat him up alive. 00:14:49.339 --> 00:14:50.979 It's as if he's surrounded 00:14:50.979 --> 00:14:52.599 and maybe literally surrounded 00:14:52.599 --> 00:14:53.479 by an army. 00:14:54.479 --> 00:14:55.919 So in this setting, 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:58.599 David needs light. 00:14:59.199 --> 00:14:59.619 Otherwise, 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.679 there's only darkness. 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.919 David needs salvation. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:03.819 Otherwise, 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:05.239 there's only defeat. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:08.360 And David needs a stronghold, 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.639 a place of security, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.680 because there is no 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:12.879 secure place to be found. 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:15.019 And the Lord is 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.180 that light 00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:17.500 that shines in darkness. 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:19.720 The Lord is that salvation 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:21.560 that gives us hope 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.960 in the midst of despair. 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:25.560 And the Lord is that strong place, 00:15:25.560 --> 00:15:27.740 that fort or refuge 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:30.180 to which we can always go. 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:33.239 So David has a threefold foundation 00:15:33.239 --> 00:15:35.219 that he tells us 00:15:35.219 --> 00:15:36.779 and commends to us. 00:15:37.579 --> 00:15:39.000 And I want to ask you 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:40.099 this morning, 00:15:40.739 --> 00:15:41.739 what is the foundation 00:15:41.739 --> 00:15:42.799 for your life? 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.639 What is the foundation 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.979 for all that you are 00:15:45.979 --> 00:15:46.839 and all that you do? 00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:48.379 Is your foundation 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:50.259 the same foundation, 00:15:50.719 --> 00:15:51.620 the light, 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:52.819 the salvation, 00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:54.259 the fortress 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:56.199 that is found in God 00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:57.500 and in God alone, 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:59.279 the personal God 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:01.100 that you can describe 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.879 personally? 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.759 Because this light 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.659 is not just light, 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.539 it's my light. 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.500 It's David's light 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:08.039 and it's your light as well. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:10.620 So we have a personal God 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.639 that we receive personally. 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:15.100 Then David goes on to say 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:16.820 that as one 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:18.360 who has a firm foundation 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.940 in the midst of trouble 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.580 and crisis, 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:22.460 he goes on to say 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:24.899 that he has a single desire. 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:27.059 Now we all have 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:28.480 many different interests. 00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:31.159 We have many different identities. 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:33.240 David was a king. 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.819 He was also a general. 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:35.959 He was a husband. 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:36.659 He was a father. 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:38.659 So he has different identities 00:16:38.659 --> 00:16:39.679 and different roles, 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.899 different responsibilities. 00:16:41.759 --> 00:16:43.159 Yet he's able to have 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:44.919 a singularity of focus. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.059 One thing. 00:16:46.819 --> 00:16:48.159 I ask of the Lord, 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.299 this is what I seek. 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:51.899 So in verse 4, 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.319 how would you finish 00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:54.199 that sentence? 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:56.120 What is the one thing 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.740 you're asking? 00:16:57.199 --> 00:16:58.579 What is the one thing 00:16:58.579 --> 00:16:59.379 that you're seeking? 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:02.779 Because David has no hesitation. 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.160 David says, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.180 the thing that I want, 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.619 the thing that I need, 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:08.059 that which I desire 00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.819 above all else, 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:11.839 is the presence of God, 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.619 is the comfort of God, 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.940 is the safety of God, 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.059 is the security of God. 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:18.240 He wants to be near God 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:20.220 because he knows 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:22.480 that that is the only place 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.099 of security. 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:25.339 That is the only place 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:25.919 of safety. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:28.599 Anywhere else is danger. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.000 Anywhere else, 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:32.659 he'll be surrounded by evil. 00:17:33.159 --> 00:17:35.299 He'll be surrounded by danger. 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:38.639 But he wants to be near God 00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:40.679 and he wants to see 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:41.719 the beauty of God, 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.879 that he can gaze upon 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:43.719 the beauty of God 00:17:43.719 --> 00:17:45.159 and to seek him 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:46.039 in his temple. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:48.279 For in the day of trouble, 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:51.019 he will keep me safe. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.220 Again, 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.779 the Psalms giving us 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.899 these great statements 00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:56.339 of faith and commitment. 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:59.359 He will keep me safe. 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:01.000 He will keep you safe. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.359 He will keep us safe. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.559 Our faith is rooted 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.339 in the one 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.639 who brings safety 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.220 and security, 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.420 who brings peace, 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.819 and who brings comfort. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:12.099 The one that we can go to 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:13.359 for rescue, 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:15.599 to hide ourselves 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.559 in him. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.639 And the one that one day 00:18:18.639 --> 00:18:20.619 will place us high. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.000 He will exalt us. 00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:24.419 Not because of who we are, 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:26.359 but he will exalt us 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.939 to show others 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:30.319 the God in whom we trust, 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:33.240 the faith that we profess. 00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:34.460 You see, 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:35.819 Jesus makes it quite clear 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.859 that his people 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:38.359 are to be a humble people, 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:39.539 and that those 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.559 who humble themselves 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.579 he will exalt. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.299 The opposite, 00:18:43.479 --> 00:18:43.759 of course, 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.599 is also true. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.299 Jesus makes it clear 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.859 that those who exalt themselves 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.539 will be humbled. 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:50.559 So here you have David, 00:18:50.659 --> 00:18:51.699 the king general, 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.500 the commander-in-chief 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.179 of the army, 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.779 and he is saying 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.859 that he needs help. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:57.959 He's saying 00:18:57.959 --> 00:18:59.099 that he needs a refuge. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:00.179 He's saying 00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:01.299 that he needs comfort. 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:03.079 So he's not resting 00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.279 upon his victories. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:05.659 He's not resting 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.859 upon his prestige, 00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:09.199 but he's relying solely 00:19:09.199 --> 00:19:11.079 and singularly 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.439 on the power 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:13.919 and the promise 00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:15.240 of his God 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.679 and of his Savior. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.639 So with a foundation 00:19:20.639 --> 00:19:22.219 and a focus, 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:24.759 David then moves on 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.359 to prayer. 00:19:26.199 --> 00:19:26.859 And sometimes, 00:19:26.979 --> 00:19:27.479 if we're honest, 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:28.319 we don't know 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.259 what to pray. 00:19:29.719 --> 00:19:30.279 We don't know 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.899 how to pray. 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:33.240 Jesus taught his disciples, 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.359 when you pray, 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.000 our Father, 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.819 who art in heaven, 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.759 hallowed be thy name. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:39.339 So he gives the Lord's prayer 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:41.579 in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:43.940 And the Psalms give us 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:45.839 these great examples 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.759 or models 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.900 that we can use 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.720 for ourselves. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.059 So yes, 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:52.660 this is David's testimony, 00:19:53.140 --> 00:19:54.500 but it's a testimony 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:55.319 that's shared 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.880 by all of God's people 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:58.359 in all places 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:59.620 and at all times. 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:01.180 Because notice here 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.060 that there's a personal response. 00:20:04.060 --> 00:20:05.400 God's a personal God. 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:07.320 And we respond personally. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.539 Hear my voice 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.160 when I call, 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.519 O Lord, 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:10.539 be merciful to me 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.180 and answer me, 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.320 my heart. 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.480 So you see, 00:20:13.620 --> 00:20:14.560 there's something 00:20:14.560 --> 00:20:15.900 about the human heart. 00:20:16.560 --> 00:20:17.600 I think it was Augustine 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:17.920 who said, 00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:18.279 you know, 00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:19.779 our hearts are restless 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:22.480 until they find rest in you. 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:24.420 There's something missing 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.580 in the human heart 00:20:25.580 --> 00:20:27.720 that only God can provide. 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:29.480 There's something lacking 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:31.019 that only he can fill. 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.900 So David's heart 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:35.060 encourages him 00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:36.600 to seek God's face, 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.539 to hear and to respond. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.660 So this life of faith 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:42.660 is very much a dialogue. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.080 We hear 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:45.420 and we respond. 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:46.680 We read 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.600 and we reply. 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:49.940 My heart says 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.860 if you seek his face, 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:51.320 your face, 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:51.580 Lord, 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.360 I will seek. 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.019 Do not hide 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.060 your face from me. 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.060 Do not turn 00:20:56.060 --> 00:20:56.880 your servant away 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.320 in anger. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:58.539 So you see, 00:20:58.600 --> 00:21:00.000 the worst thing possible 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.460 are not the enemies, 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.480 not the foreign armies, 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.559 not the foes 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.819 that want to destroy him 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:08.299 or even to eat him alive. 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:10.539 But David's greatest fear 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.519 is that God 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.440 would turn away, 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.619 that God 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:14.539 would be absent. 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:15.859 You see, 00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.500 that goes back 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:18.339 to his singular focus, 00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:20.079 that he wants 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.279 to dwell 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.440 with God. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.359 He wants to 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.859 gaze on God. 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:25.599 Now, 00:21:25.659 --> 00:21:26.439 he can't be 00:21:26.439 --> 00:21:27.139 with God 00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:27.699 or dwell 00:21:27.699 --> 00:21:28.419 on the beauty 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:28.819 of God 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.219 if God 00:21:29.219 --> 00:21:29.819 isn't with him, 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:30.659 if God 00:21:30.659 --> 00:21:31.439 isn't for him, 00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:32.819 if God 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.779 is turning 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.619 away from him. 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.379 So his prayer 00:21:36.379 --> 00:21:37.439 is for God. 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:38.619 Now, 00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:39.279 when we pray, 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:40.259 there are many things 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.059 that we naturally 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.799 pray for, 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.719 and that's right. 00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.419 But first and foremost, 00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.359 we need God. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.740 We need God 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:47.639 in our lives. 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.419 We need God 00:21:48.419 --> 00:21:49.199 in our families. 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:49.879 We need God 00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.679 in our church. 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:51.859 We need God 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.459 in Edinburgh. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.799 We need God 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.539 in Scotland. 00:21:55.380 --> 00:21:56.860 We need him. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.120 We don't just 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:58.880 need to know 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.799 about him. 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.920 We don't just 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.380 need information. 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:04.019 But we need him. 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:05.600 We need his presence. 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:07.160 We need his blessing. 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.840 We need his salvation. 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.200 We need him 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:12.079 to do his work 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:13.480 in us. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.740 And only when 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.660 he does his work 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.140 in us 00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:17.120 can then he begin 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.420 to do his work 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:19.319 through us. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:21.000 So David 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:22.140 has this language 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.880 of prayer. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:23.960 And he says, 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:25.180 even if 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:27.360 those closest to me 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:28.840 would forsake me, 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.560 he's confident 00:22:30.560 --> 00:22:32.400 in God's faithfulness. 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.460 Remember the personal name, 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:35.020 the Lord? 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.500 It takes us back 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.240 to his covenant, 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.140 to his commitment, 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.640 that our God 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.380 cannot lie. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.920 He always tells the truth. 00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:42.759 You know, 00:22:42.780 --> 00:22:43.540 that's why Jesus, 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.380 when Jesus says, 00:22:44.520 --> 00:22:45.259 I am the way, 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:45.780 the truth, 00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:46.440 and the life, 00:22:46.820 --> 00:22:47.960 not only does Jesus 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.240 speak the truth, 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.380 he often says, 00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:51.180 verily, verily, 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.060 I say unto you, 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.720 or amen, 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.160 amen, 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:54.240 I say to you. 00:22:54.540 --> 00:22:55.800 So Jesus speaks 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:56.460 the truth, 00:22:56.780 --> 00:22:58.100 but Jesus is 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.860 the truth. 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:01.040 God is a truth-telling 00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:01.380 God, 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.920 but God is truth itself. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.740 And as such, 00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:05.960 he cannot lie, 00:23:06.300 --> 00:23:07.640 he cannot compromise 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.500 his fidelity, 00:23:08.800 --> 00:23:10.540 he cannot undermine 00:23:10.540 --> 00:23:11.900 in any way 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:13.280 the commitments 00:23:13.280 --> 00:23:14.100 that he makes. 00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:15.220 So David is able 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.520 to say, 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.619 in the worst possible 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.119 scenario, 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.819 if I have no one 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.599 but God, 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:20.940 I'm okay. 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:23.420 But in the best possible 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.799 other scenario, 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:27.039 where everyone is for him, 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:28.220 everyone is with him, 00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.879 and God is absent, 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.779 that's the worst possible 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.940 scenario for David. 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:35.279 So is God today 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.119 with you? 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.420 Is he for you? 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.279 The Bible tells us 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:40.940 that if God is for us, 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.359 who can be against us? 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.180 And how do we know 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.200 if God is for us? 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:46.080 Well, he sent his son 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.880 on a mission 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:49.019 to seek and to save. 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.480 That mission was 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:52.080 a costly mission for him, 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:54.559 but the cost that he bore 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.880 is a benefit 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.740 that we receive. 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:59.160 So if God is for us, 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.500 then Jesus 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:03.299 is our Savior. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.980 He's the one who died, 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:05.700 more than that, 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:07.039 who was raised to life. 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:09.380 He's seated at God's right hand. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:11.740 So if we have 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.420 this knowledge 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:15.920 of God's faithfulness, 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.480 his fidelity, 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.440 and his commitment, 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:20.680 that can only be rooted 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.480 in the person 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.759 and the work of his son. 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:25.240 David, in so many different ways, 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.140 in the Psalms, 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.900 points forward 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:29.079 to the one 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.440 who is the greater king, 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:32.660 the one who is to come. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:35.000 We read of him 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.940 in Psalm 22 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:37.200 of the crucifixion. 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.519 We read of him 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.720 in Psalm 23, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.819 the Good Shepherd. 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.960 John chapter 10, 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.940 I am the Good Shepherd, 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.640 says Jesus. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.019 We read of him 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:46.180 as a conquering king 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.640 who returns to reign 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:49.220 in Psalm 24. 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.759 And here we are reminded 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.400 that our God 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.940 is a God who saves. 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.940 He not only saves 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.940 his people 00:24:57.940 --> 00:25:00.080 from their enemies 00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:01.000 and their foes, 00:25:01.360 --> 00:25:03.319 he saves us from sin, 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:05.340 he saves us from death, 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:07.000 he saves us from punishment, 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:10.119 and David is saying 00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:11.859 that in response, 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.200 he not only asks 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.980 for God's help, 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.220 but he asks 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.779 for God's direction. 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:17.859 You see, 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:19.140 David is a prayer, 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.759 he's one who prays, 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.220 but David is also 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:23.960 a pilgrim. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.359 And each of us 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:25.880 are the same. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.039 If we are believers 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.420 in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:30.099 we are to be prayers 00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:32.460 and we are to be pilgrims. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.140 Prayers are those 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.380 who speak to God 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.259 and listen, 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.220 pilgrims are those 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.140 who are on a journey. 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.960 And if you're on a journey, 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:42.019 you need a road map. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.319 You need direction. 00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.819 And David says, 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.980 I need direction. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.740 Teach me your way, 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.279 O Lord. 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:50.680 Lead me in a straight path. 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.400 David realizes 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.099 that the path 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.920 that God leads 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.180 is the only path 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.000 of safety. 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:58.140 Veering off to the right 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:58.799 or to the left 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.539 is danger. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.079 Why? 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.180 Because enemies 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.579 are constantly there. 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:02.619 prayer. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:03.960 So, 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.939 as we come to God 00:26:05.939 --> 00:26:06.539 in prayer, 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.579 we speak to him. 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.460 We pour out our heart 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.939 to him. 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.500 We come to him 00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.299 for help, 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.419 for grace, 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.259 for forgiveness, 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.159 for mercy. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:18.300 And we come to him 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:19.019 for direction. 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.340 So, you see, 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:21.040 there's always 00:26:21.040 --> 00:26:22.779 this two-way dialogue. 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.320 God speaks 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:25.000 and we listen. 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.880 We speak 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.940 and God responds. 00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:29.120 And we follow 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.980 the response 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.800 that we get. 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.540 God leads. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.940 God teaches. 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.379 We learn. 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.440 We follow. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.599 David, again, 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.279 in verse 12, 00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:42.480 is very much aware 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.440 of the foes. 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.359 He's aware 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.420 of the false witnesses. 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.240 He's aware 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:46.759 of those 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.940 who are breathing 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.700 out violence 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.420 as if he can feel 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.759 their breath 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.659 on his neck. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.599 They're that close. 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.559 That's why he wants 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.579 to be so close 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.180 to God. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.700 Because the enemies 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.839 are all around. 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.099 The dangers. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:02.779 the world, 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:03.259 the flesh, 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:03.679 the devil. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.179 We don't need 00:27:04.179 --> 00:27:05.000 to search far 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.659 to see 00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.839 those who would 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.599 do us harm. 00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:08.759 Those who would 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.399 do us in. 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:11.059 But notice, 00:27:11.419 --> 00:27:12.579 as we come to the end, 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.619 we begin with that 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.339 confident 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.799 and that firm 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.419 foundation. 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:17.980 We then have 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.219 this message 00:27:19.219 --> 00:27:20.079 of hope 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:21.299 for the future. 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.159 Now, 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:24.039 nobody can tell 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.500 the future. 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.139 We have hopes 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.839 that 2021 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.919 will be better 00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:28.740 than 2020. 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.279 We hope 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.879 and we pray. 00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:32.679 the doctors 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.599 are telling us, 00:27:33.719 --> 00:27:34.859 the experts 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.559 are saying, 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.359 we look forward 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:39.079 to new vaccines, 00:27:39.439 --> 00:27:40.299 but not one of us 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:41.099 can tell the future. 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.519 But notice 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:42.980 what David 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.879 is saying here 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.719 in verses 13 00:27:44.719 --> 00:27:45.359 and 14. 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.399 And when we look 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:47.099 at the Psalms, 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:49.079 always pay 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:50.019 careful attention 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.679 to the beginning 00:27:50.679 --> 00:27:51.459 and the end. 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.659 Because often 00:27:53.659 --> 00:27:54.439 that is where 00:27:54.439 --> 00:27:55.659 the emphasis is. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.740 The emphasis 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.439 in the beginning. 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.480 My light, 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.379 my salvation, 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.199 the stronghold 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.019 of my life. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.440 And then at the end, 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.880 I am still confident 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.400 of this. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.600 I will see 00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.059 the goodness 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:06.600 of the Lord 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.059 in the land 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.539 of the living. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.860 So not only 00:28:08.860 --> 00:28:09.279 does David 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:10.140 have a past 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.480 experience of God, 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.880 not only does he 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.539 have a present 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.259 relationship 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.180 with God, 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.220 but he has 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.100 a confident 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.720 hope 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:19.220 for the future 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:21.319 with God. 00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:22.700 That the God 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.380 he's trusted, 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.519 that the God 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.180 who's answered, 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:25.819 that the God 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.519 who's helped, 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.920 will continue 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.720 to do so. 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.019 Will continue 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.759 to be present. 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.619 Will continue 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:33.160 to guide, 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:33.839 direct, 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.460 guard, 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.039 protect, 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.639 and preserve. 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.660 I am confident 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:39.059 of this. 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.839 Now, verse 13, 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:42.619 it's a difficult one. 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.200 The translators, 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:46.200 ancient translators 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.500 and modern translators, 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.220 realize that, 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:49.779 I guess, 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.480 in poetry, 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.440 we often leave 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.079 words out 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.440 or we contract words. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:53.559 poets, 00:28:54.120 --> 00:28:54.840 so poets 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.640 will use words 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.360 like or, 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:57.320 O-E-R, 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.039 and er, 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.900 E-R-E. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.460 They're easier 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.120 to rhyme. 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.340 And in Hebrew 00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:02.759 poetry, 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.920 sometimes words 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.900 are left off. 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.220 And this opening 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.720 phrase in verse 13 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:09.059 is, again, 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.960 it's hard to translate, 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.720 but it could 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.680 almost mean, 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.120 you know, 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:15.820 unless I believed 00:29:15.820 --> 00:29:17.180 or unless I trusted. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.019 You know, 00:29:18.080 --> 00:29:19.120 it's almost as if 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:20.160 David is saying, 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:20.840 you know, 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:22.900 unless I trusted 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.480 in God, 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.080 I would be 00:29:24.080 --> 00:29:25.820 completely lost. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.040 You know, 00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:28.280 he wants us to, 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.660 he's considering 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:31.440 what it would be like 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:33.400 if he didn't have 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:34.160 trust, 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.580 if he didn't have 00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:36.040 faith, 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.620 and he's positing 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:39.759 this possibility 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:41.600 to show us 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:42.400 the security 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.380 that we really 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.259 do have 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.259 in God. 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:47.019 I am still confident 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.000 I will see 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.000 the goodness 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:50.040 of the Lord 00:29:50.040 --> 00:29:51.140 in the land 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.600 of the living. 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.600 Wait for the Lord, 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.380 be strong, 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.720 and take heart, 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.440 and wait 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.560 for the Lord. 00:29:59.540 --> 00:30:00.660 So God has been 00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.840 with us in the past, 00:30:02.320 --> 00:30:03.100 and we thank him 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.580 for it. 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:05.560 God is an ever-present 00:30:05.560 --> 00:30:06.700 help in time of trouble, 00:30:06.800 --> 00:30:07.460 Psalm 46. 00:30:08.280 --> 00:30:09.400 That's why we speak 00:30:09.400 --> 00:30:09.700 to him, 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.560 that's why we listen 00:30:10.560 --> 00:30:10.980 to him. 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.660 But David wants us 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.400 to know that 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:15.500 our hope is not 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.460 just for now. 00:30:17.100 --> 00:30:18.019 Our hope is not 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.360 just for yesterday, 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:21.179 but we have a hope 00:30:21.179 --> 00:30:21.879 for tomorrow, 00:30:22.219 --> 00:30:23.099 that we have 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.500 a confident hope 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.939 that unless 00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:27.119 it was God, 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.319 unless God 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.099 was with us, 00:30:29.179 --> 00:30:30.139 we would be lost. 00:30:30.659 --> 00:30:31.279 Unless God 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.099 was for us, 00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:33.279 we would be done for. 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.559 Unless God 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.740 was there, 00:30:36.219 --> 00:30:37.000 we would have 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.000 no hope 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.919 indeed. 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.559 But we are 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.559 in the meantime 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:43.159 to be strong, 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.939 to be courageous, 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.779 to take heart, 00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.980 and to wait. 00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.440 Whenever there's 00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:47.899 a repetition, 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:48.599 there's always 00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.039 a repetition 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.940 for a reason. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.639 So in verse 14, 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.279 which begins, 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.160 wait for the Lord 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.819 and ends, 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.759 wait for the Lord, 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:55.980 the repetition 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:57.099 is to underline 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.980 that faith 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:59.859 is a present 00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:01.139 and a future 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:02.920 reality. 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.819 We trust in God 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.960 for what he has done. 00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:08.160 We trust God today 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:09.599 for who he is 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.519 and what he promises. 00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:12.539 But we have faith 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.519 for tomorrow, 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.920 that we can be 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.839 confident that the 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:17.160 God who has saved us, 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.400 who has rescued us, 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.379 who has set us free, 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:21.200 that he will one day 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:23.079 bring us to be with him 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:25.299 forever and ever. 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.900 As we come 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:29.259 to this new year, 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:31.099 I pray that we 00:31:31.099 --> 00:31:32.859 would respond to God 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.400 in the language 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.480 that David gives, 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.139 with the confidence 00:31:37.139 --> 00:31:38.359 that David has, 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:40.099 with that singularity 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:40.720 of focus 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:42.180 that David demonstrates, 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:43.820 because our God 00:31:43.820 --> 00:31:44.580 is faithful, 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.640 our God 00:31:45.640 --> 00:31:46.539 is powerful, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.580 our God 00:31:47.580 --> 00:31:48.400 is present, 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.000 our God 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.940 can save 00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.980 and sustain. 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.360 And no matter 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:54.380 what this year 00:31:54.380 --> 00:31:55.000 holds, 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.060 we know 00:31:56.060 --> 00:31:57.200 who holds 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.500 this year. 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.340 At the very beginning 00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.539 of the Gospel of John, 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.120 John uses 00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:04.340 very similar language 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:04.940 to David. 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:07.100 He talks about, 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:07.619 through him 00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:08.099 all things 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.579 were made, 00:32:08.679 --> 00:32:09.279 without him 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.179 nothing was made 00:32:10.179 --> 00:32:11.199 that has been made. 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:12.119 In him 00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:12.899 was life, 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:14.559 and that life 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.579 was the light 00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.139 of men. 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:17.319 The Lord 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.219 is my light 00:32:18.219 --> 00:32:19.719 and my saving health. 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:20.699 The light 00:32:20.699 --> 00:32:21.779 shines in the darkness, 00:32:21.919 --> 00:32:22.559 but the darkness 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.899 has not understood it. 00:32:24.399 --> 00:32:26.039 As he continues 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.939 in his prologue, 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:28.019 John says this, 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.160 The Word 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:30.019 became flesh 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.000 and made his dwelling 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.519 among us. 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:32.400 We have seen 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:33.579 his glory, 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.740 the glory 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.460 of the one 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:35.859 and only 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:36.579 who came from 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.059 the Father, 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.900 full of grace 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.480 and truth. 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.700 David wanted 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:40.440 to gaze on 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.839 the beauty 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:41.500 of the Lord, 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.559 and the Apostle John 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:43.000 is saying, 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:44.039 we've seen 00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:44.519 the beauty 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.200 of the Lord 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:46.839 in Jesus Christ. 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.279 And then, 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:49.400 verse 15, 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.400 John testifies 00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:51.279 concerning him. 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.139 He cries out, 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:52.500 saying, 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.619 This was he 00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:54.640 of whom I said, 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:55.680 He who comes 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.220 after me 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.119 has surpassed me 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:57.880 because he was 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:58.559 before me. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.759 From the fullness 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.519 of his grace 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.579 we have all received 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.440 one blessing 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.259 after another. 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.500 For the law 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.039 was given 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:05.680 through Moses, 00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.759 grace and truth 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.960 came through 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:09.500 Jesus Christ. 00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:11.059 All that David 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:12.559 says has been 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:13.579 fulfilled now 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.559 in the person, 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.640 in the work 00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.619 of Jesus Christ. 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.720 The light, 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:18.980 the salvation, 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.539 the stronghold, 00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:21.660 the security, 00:33:21.660 --> 00:33:23.120 the confidence, 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.440 the comfort, 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.620 and the hope 00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.920 that we can 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.740 rest assured 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:29.160 that Jesus 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:31.300 has set us free, 00:33:31.800 --> 00:33:32.980 he has saved us, 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.960 and he and he alone 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:36.220 will sustain us 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:38.040 until the very end. 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:39.300 Our desire 00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:40.120 is to be with him, 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.400 to be near him, 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.700 to hear him, 00:33:43.040 --> 00:33:44.320 to respond to him, 00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:46.340 to be guided by him, 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.460 and to follow 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.279 his direction. 00:33:48.800 --> 00:33:49.660 So may God 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.640 bless you richly 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.800 at this commencement 00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:52.759 of a new year. 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.160 We are now going 00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:54.840 to sing 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:56.320 those words 00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:57.020 that we have just 00:33:57.020 --> 00:33:57.400 considered. 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.180 We're going to sing 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:59.140 a portion of this 00:33:59.140 --> 00:34:00.140 wonderful psalm, 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:01.880 Psalm 27. 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:11.460 The Lord's my Savior 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:14.340 and my light, 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:20.480 who will make me dismayed? 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:24.340 The Lord's the stronghold 00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:27.079 of my life, 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:32.079 why should I be afraid? 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:40.340 When evildoers threaten me 00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:45.599 to take my life away, 00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:50.559 my adversaries 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:53.360 and my foes 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:55.360 will stumble 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:59.360 in that day. 00:34:59.360 --> 00:35:03.799 Although an army 00:35:03.799 --> 00:35:06.339 hems me in, 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:09.880 my heart will feel 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:12.420 no dread. 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:16.760 Though war against me 00:35:16.760 --> 00:35:19.320 should arise, 00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:25.500 I will lift up my head. 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:29.200 One thing I plead 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:32.480 before the Lord, 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:36.880 and there shall see go 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.880 in the Lord's name. 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:38.880 I will lift up my eyes, 00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:42.160 that I may come 00:35:42.160 --> 00:35:45.340 within God's house 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:51.599 and dwell there all my days, 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:55.820 that on the beauty 00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:58.660 of the Lord 00:35:58.660 --> 00:36:04.900 I constantly may gaze, 00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:08.480 and in his house 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:11.680 may seek to know 00:36:11.680 --> 00:36:17.960 direction in his ways. 00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:22.119 For in his dwelling 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:26.840 he will keep me safe 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:30.900 in troubled days. 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:34.500 within his tent 00:36:34.500 --> 00:36:37.680 he'll shelter me 00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:41.240 and on a rock 00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:42.960 me raise. 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:46.960 So as we close 00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:47.860 our time together, 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:49.400 for our benediction, 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.840 let me read the final verses 00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:52.780 of Romans chapter 16, 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:55.079 verses 25 to 27. 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.900 Now to him 00:36:56.900 --> 00:36:59.180 who is able to establish you 00:36:59.179 --> 00:37:00.379 by my gospel 00:37:00.379 --> 00:37:01.859 and the proclamation 00:37:01.859 --> 00:37:03.279 of Jesus Christ, 00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:04.879 according to the revelation 00:37:04.879 --> 00:37:06.399 of the mystery hidden 00:37:06.399 --> 00:37:08.599 for long ages past, 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:10.179 but now revealed 00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:11.000 and made known 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:12.519 through the prophetic writings 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:13.839 by the command 00:37:13.839 --> 00:37:15.119 of the eternal God, 00:37:15.359 --> 00:37:16.779 so that all nations 00:37:16.779 --> 00:37:17.460 might believe 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:18.599 and obey him, 00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:20.659 to the only wise God 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:22.000 be glory forever 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:24.099 through Jesus Christ. 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.019 Amen. 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:27.960 So may God bless you 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:29.699 and may he make you 00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.259 a blessing.