WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.080 Psalm 17. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Psalm 17. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980 Psalm 17. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.000 Psalm 17. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:34.000 Psalm 17. 00:01:34.000 --> 00:02:04.000 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.099 Well, will you pray with me as we come to God's word? 00:02:07.299 --> 00:02:07.700 Let's pray. 00:02:07.700 --> 00:02:29.280 Father, when we go through seasons of being under personal attack, it can be such a lonely time. 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:36.699 And it can be a time where we even doubt whether you're hearing us and whether you're for us. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:51.400 So I pray that you would speak to each one of us through your word today and lead us to where your psalm leads us, that we might see our reward is in you, in knowing you. 00:02:51.400 --> 00:02:59.060 So may your spirit fill each one of us as we listen to you speak to us through Psalm 17. 00:02:59.719 --> 00:03:01.200 So be with us now, I pray. 00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:02.020 Amen. 00:03:02.020 --> 00:03:15.860 Well, imagine after the grief of losing a parent, you then receive a letter from your sibling's lawyer saying that they're contesting your share in the will. 00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:26.480 Imagine a co-worker in your department puts in a formal complaint against you, and it's a serious one. 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:30.300 It could result in your suspension, dismissal. 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:47.080 Imagine a close friend you once confided in, perhaps even in the church, has cut communication with you, and you're hearing that they're saying all sorts of things about you to try and turn others away from you as well. 00:03:47.080 --> 00:04:05.180 Imagine the organisation you're a member of is being investigated, putting a target on your back because you're a part of that group, which is currently happening in the Northern Territory for the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:22.300 Now, perhaps you don't have to imagine because some of these examples, while it's not exactly what's fitting your experience, it's bringing up deep hurts, deep wounds that you carry with you to this day. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:28.379 The opening to Psalm 17 tells us that David is under personal attack. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:34.579 He's being treated unjustly by people, not just circumstances generally, but by people. 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:46.920 Probably the situation is with Saul hunting him down, and he's appealing to God to vindicate his innocence and restore him. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:58.460 Psalm 17 teaches us how to respond in a God-honouring way when we're under personal attack. 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:08.259 Now, I'm guessing that only a few people in this room this morning are going to feel like this is extremely relevant for your situation right now. 00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:13.139 But that may not be your situation right this second. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:17.679 So let me just give you a few other reasons why we all need to listen to this psalm. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:33.360 Some will be so wounded by past injustices that it's impacting your relationship with God, your sense of his goodness to you, and it's impacting your current relationships now. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:39.519 I think this psalm offers you healing from past hurts. 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:47.519 Another reason is we all know someone who has gone through serious personal attack. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:06:01.060 This psalm equips us to minister, minister in the church to one another, minister to those we know who have gone through really awful, unjust situations. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:06.199 A third reason is we're living in a man-centred world. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.399 It's just a matter of what degree we go through this. 00:06:10.040 --> 00:06:13.800 It's if and it's not if, it's when and to what degree. 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:20.860 So better to plan now so that when the panic and the confusion hits, you lean into God. 00:06:21.720 --> 00:06:23.379 You know how to lean into God. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:29.180 And the fourth reason I'll give is the psalms are a psalm of David. 00:06:29.180 --> 00:06:35.019 So this is an insight into Jesus' thinking, his emotions. 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:41.460 If you want to know Jesus better, the psalms give us an insight into him. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:45.100 So there's a huge reason. 00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:51.579 If you're following the outline on the back of the bulletin, I did have the question, 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:54.720 how can you be confident God hears your cry? 00:06:54.720 --> 00:07:02.500 But since printing the bulletin, I've realised that's presuming your response is to cry out to God. 00:07:03.020 --> 00:07:05.060 So you might want to write down the bigger question. 00:07:06.200 --> 00:07:12.740 When under personal attack, how do we as the people of God respond in a God-honouring way? 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:15.760 How do we respond in a God-honouring way? 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:19.060 And Psalm 17 guides us. 00:07:19.539 --> 00:07:29.980 It teaches us to pray, to remember, to wait, to seek and to know. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:34.480 So let's follow this psalm as it guides us in this. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:43.640 I think we naturally respond to personal attack by plotting. 00:07:45.280 --> 00:07:46.939 Is that your natural response? 00:07:47.520 --> 00:07:52.259 We fixate all our energies on how we're going to defend ourselves. 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:55.100 That's quite a natural response. 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:58.759 What evidence can I produce that will prove my innocence? 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:07.180 What line of argument can I come up with that will be persuasive enough to contradict the narrative that these people are saying? 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:15.819 What influential people do I need to get on my side so that I can sway this situation towards a just outcome? 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:16.860 We plot. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:22.139 We are talking constantly to ourselves and others, plotting, plotting. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:28.740 And I think the first crossroads of a God-honouring response is at this point. 00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:34.819 And if we take a misstep at this point, it can lead us down dangerous paths. 00:08:35.539 --> 00:08:44.899 We might even find ourselves more in common with the wicked who will do anything by taking matters into their own hands. 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:49.379 The crossroads is found in the title of this psalm. 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:51.379 It's a prayer of David. 00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:59.100 Other psalms, it's songs of celebration like Psalm 18, the next psalm. 00:08:59.319 --> 00:09:02.199 It's a song saying, God has answered my prayer. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:06.460 This is in the midst of David's anguish he's written this. 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:08.879 The outcome isn't sure yet. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:13.759 He's still very much under attack. 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:18.220 We hear it in the opening word of the psalm. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:18.899 Hear. 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:22.639 Hear a just cause, O Lord. 00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:37.580 David is confident that God, the judge of all the earth, God, his covenant Lord, will hear his cry. 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:41.340 And he will act in putting things right. 00:09:42.540 --> 00:09:48.020 I think there can be lots of talk with people, self-talk, opinions, plotting strategies. 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:50.340 But do we talk to the one whose opinion matters? 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:57.240 Do we talk to the one whose assessment is based on truth? 00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:05.039 Do we talk to the one who has the power and whose prerogative it is to give justice? 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:15.819 So the godly response is to pray, is to cry, cry out, not to plot. 00:10:18.439 --> 00:10:22.339 And praying this prayer guides us into other godly responses. 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:31.639 I'm not sure if I would land where this psalm lands if it wasn't for this psalm taking me there. 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:41.340 So it's actually praying these words, God has given these words, that puts us on the right path to responding in a way that honours him. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:50.000 So the first and determinative godly response is to pray, cry out for God to hear. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:58.319 And then verses 3 to 5 show us David then invites God's true assessment of him. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:04.480 He doesn't assume innocence, but he doesn't assume guilt. 00:11:06.760 --> 00:11:11.780 Instead he opens himself up to the scrutiny of God's assessment as the true judge, 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:14.320 which seems to be a painful path. 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:16.440 You have tried my heart. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:19.379 You have visited me by night. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:20.320 It's a picture of unrest. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:20.920 Unrest. 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:28.640 To open yourself up to God's word and what he thinks of you, that's not an easy part. 00:11:29.780 --> 00:11:31.820 You'll feel like you're in a washing machine. 00:11:32.680 --> 00:11:37.100 It's a picture of unrest, wrestling with your motives and your words and choices. 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:49.060 I think it can be pretty, I don't know, relatively easy to convince yourself and to convince your spouse and your friends that you're innocent. 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:51.820 But can you pray these words to God? 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:57.759 I think that'll test our integrity. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:02.200 Can I say to God, you have tried my heart. 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:07.200 You have tested me by night and you have tested me, you'll find nothing. 00:12:08.580 --> 00:12:10.000 Can I say that to God? 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:16.059 I've avoided the ways of the violent. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:23.139 I've purposed that my mouth will not transgress. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:24.860 Can we say these words to God? 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:27.759 In praying them, it actually tests us. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:33.820 Claiming innocence means nothing. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:40.740 If David was guilty, then he wouldn't be asking for deliverance. 00:12:40.800 --> 00:12:44.340 He would be asking for forgiveness and mercy like he does in other psalms. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:47.360 We've got other psalms to go to when that's the case. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:57.240 So a godly response to personal attack, it might actually mean going to a court of law and confessing all. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:00.019 Putting up no excuses. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:03.620 It could mean handing in your resignation. 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:06.100 That could honour God. 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:10.820 If God's assessment shows that we've done wrong. 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:18.120 Godliness invites God's true assessment wherever that truth leads. 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:22.820 So is David claiming perfection then? 00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:27.300 I'm guessing that question's in your mind as it's in mine. 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:30.679 Is he claiming perfection? 00:13:30.979 --> 00:13:35.159 Can you really say you'll find nothing? 00:13:37.699 --> 00:13:40.859 I don't think that's necessarily the case. 00:13:41.719 --> 00:13:48.539 He might be saying, in this matter, in this matter, I'm not talking about my whole life, 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:52.939 but in this matter, I'm being falsely represented and mistreated. 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:55.659 It could just be saying that. 00:13:55.659 --> 00:14:01.519 So Saul, let's say the situation was Saul pursuing him. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:04.459 Saul was convinced David was his enemy. 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:08.240 But his perception of him was wrong. 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:13.079 Saul's son, Jonathan, had a very different perception of David. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:16.079 Jonathan was meant to inherit the kingdom as the son, 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:19.240 and yet he loved David, knowing that David's going to take his throne. 00:14:20.199 --> 00:14:20.779 Fancy that. 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:24.459 Saul did not have to consider David an enemy. 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:33.719 But David never said a word about Saul, despite Saul throwing a spear at him and bringing his old army against him, 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:38.459 killing 85 priests simply because they helped David. 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:43.159 He was serious about finding this guy, but David never said a word against Saul. 00:14:43.860 --> 00:14:45.339 He only ever served him. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:49.180 Even when Saul died, he didn't rejoice, he wept. 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:55.420 In this matter, I think he's saying, it's not true. 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:57.440 I'm honouring. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:15:00.700 I'm honouring God's chosen king. 00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:07.780 So I think we can take these words on our lips with integrity. 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:12.860 If in this matter, I am falsely misrepresented here. 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:17.640 It could be the case that we are convicted of words and responses, 00:15:18.160 --> 00:15:21.560 and we've confessed those to our accusers, but they still want more. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:24.200 They still think we're guilty of a greater crime. 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:29.560 And then we can pray, I've done what I can. 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:32.379 I've confessed what I can. 00:15:36.540 --> 00:15:42.660 I think the opposite of appealing to God's truth is to speak and act, 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:44.600 to take matters into our own hands, 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:47.840 to make sure we get the vindication we think we deserve. 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:56.120 I imagine King Saul probably felt the agony of being misunderstood 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:57.560 and mistreated as king. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:01.940 But he didn't care about God's word and the truth of the matter. 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:08.340 He just cared about his own restoration of his power and his reputation. 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.280 He took matters into his own hands. 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:15.100 If we don't open ourselves up to God as judge, 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:17.019 for his word to be the test of us, 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:20.639 I think we could find ourselves becoming the very lion 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:23.819 who is willing to tear our enemies apart 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:26.620 to restore our own fortunes. 00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:34.019 So David prays. 00:16:34.839 --> 00:16:37.379 He invites God's true assessment. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:42.039 But David's confidence that God will hear his cries 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:44.679 have a much deeper basis than his own innocence. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.879 He remembers. 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:53.740 He fixes his mind on remembering the past. 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.620 Not what he's done, 00:16:56.980 --> 00:17:00.179 but he calls to mind that God is not only a judge, 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:04.259 but like the kids talk with the big shit, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:07.460 he is like an eagle flapping its wings, 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:09.480 guarding her young in the nest. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:15.279 The basis of David's confidence is the Lord's covenant love for him 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.700 that he set on him. 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.259 So verse 8 there, 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.960 keep me as the apple of your eye, 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:24.379 hide me in the shadow of your wings. 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:29.619 That's recalling Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32. 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:32.959 The apple of the eye apparently, 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:35.059 people think it's the pupil. 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.319 So it's God's focus, 00:17:38.679 --> 00:17:41.019 his attention is on his people. 00:17:41.479 --> 00:17:43.739 It could also be a picture of his protection. 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:47.059 Like if something's coming for your pupil, 00:17:47.959 --> 00:17:48.939 with a blink of an eye, 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.979 you'll protect it. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.759 It could be a picture of protection as well. 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.219 God's covenant love, 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:56.259 it's the apple of your eye. 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.839 You do anything to protect your eye. 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:03.039 Hide me in the shadow of your wings. 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.359 Deuteronomy 32, 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.140 Moses' song. 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:07.859 Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:10.420 that flutters over its young, 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.660 spreading out its wings. 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:18.680 Just in case my words aren't capturing this image, 00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:20.480 I've got a little video if it works. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.180 If it doesn't, 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.119 it doesn't really matter. 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:28.119 But you'll see a fox coming for an eagle's nest 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.299 in the top right corner. 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:36.899 So that's the picture I think that David is drawing to mind. 00:18:37.459 --> 00:18:41.339 His confidence that the Lord is like that eagle 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.919 and he is that little chick. 00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:47.939 Whatever enemies are encircling, 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:51.120 he's remembering the Lord is closer still 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:52.840 and he's going to protect. 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.680 He's one of the Lord's chicks. 00:18:59.620 --> 00:19:03.059 So he remembers God's covenant love 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:07.100 and it's on that basis that he prays verse 7. 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:13.799 And it picks up four Hebrew words. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:18.559 Wondrously show your steadfast love 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:23.459 as a saviour of those who seek refuge in you. 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:27.399 Wondrously show, divinely intervene. 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:32.119 Your steadfast love, your covenant love, 00:19:32.959 --> 00:19:35.579 with your right hand, save. 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:41.159 So it could be at the end of verse 7, 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.139 at your right hand. 00:19:42.199 --> 00:19:43.819 It could be with your right hand. 00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:46.939 So it feels like the attackers have all the power. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:50.240 You come in and save with your right hand 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:54.339 because I'm seeking refuge in you. 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:57.099 I'm a chick under your wings. 00:19:57.099 --> 00:20:05.339 So a godly response is to pray and not plot. 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:08.159 It's to invite God's true assessment. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:11.039 It's to remember God's covenant love. 00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:12.519 And then verses 10 to 13. 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:16.219 It's to wait. 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:19.359 Wait for the Lord to stop his enemies. 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:24.899 The description of his enemies are the opposite of godliness 00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:26.159 in verses 3 to 5. 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:29.000 They don't invite God's word. 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:30.359 They close their hearts. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:36.179 They're speaking arrogantly rather than controlling their tongue 00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:38.179 because they want to please God. 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:41.940 They're plotting their attack rather than praying. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.380 It's the opposite. 00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:45.220 So they're actually... 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:47.480 And they're pursuing God's chosen one. 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.600 They're pursuing David. 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:51.700 And so really the enemies are God's enemies 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.860 because they're pursuing. 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:56.960 Like that chick that the fox is going for. 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.620 They're gods. 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.820 You're pursuing me. 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:02.819 So it's... 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:07.339 Wait for the Lord to stop his enemies. 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:10.359 And the threat is intense. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:10.819 Like this... 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:15.099 The psalm gives us language for how we feel when we're under attack. 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:18.059 Like they have now surrounded our steps. 00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:22.259 They set their eyes to cast us to the ground. 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:27.119 He's like a lion eager to tear as a young lion lurking in ambush. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.619 The imagery is just, 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:32.039 Lord, it is intense. 00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:34.179 Like it's them or me. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:41.139 And we've got to remember David was accomplished in battle. 00:21:42.959 --> 00:21:44.899 He knew how to wield a sword. 00:21:46.479 --> 00:21:47.619 But he doesn't. 00:21:48.959 --> 00:21:51.619 He waits and he cries in verse 13, 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.000 You arise, Lord. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.500 Confront him. 00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:55.359 Subdue him. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:22:01.000 He waits for the Lord to act on his behalf 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:05.039 when he so easily could have taken up the sword. 00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:13.759 I think at this point I was most convicted this week in preparing. 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.399 Because two... 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:17.779 I'm not going to share what these are and don't ask me afterwards. 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:21.220 My parents always ask me what I'm talking about afterwards. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:26.579 But two occasions came to mind in my past where I was accused of something. 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:29.379 And I don't have regrets for what I was originally accused of. 00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:31.480 What I do regret is I didn't wait. 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:33.299 When things heated up, 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:35.879 the intensity of it, 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:38.279 I acted and said things 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:40.419 that I now regret. 00:22:41.199 --> 00:22:43.819 So it's so hard to wait, 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.319 isn't it? 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:51.200 To wait for the Lord to act on our behalf. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:55.500 Not to take matters into our own hands. 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:02.359 If we read the accounts of those in biblical history 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:05.179 or believers' stories through the ages, 00:23:05.179 --> 00:23:09.879 the Lord can stop people in their tracks however he wants. 00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:15.260 He can use someone in the opponent's camp 00:23:15.260 --> 00:23:18.260 to sway that group to a different course of action. 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.240 You did nothing. 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.700 You didn't even know what was going on. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:26.200 And God can use that to completely change the situation. 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:29.680 He can convict someone and bring them to repentance. 00:23:30.560 --> 00:23:32.540 He can enable his people to flee. 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:35.200 He can make people drop dead. 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:37.920 He can stop however he wants. 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:41.180 He sets up kings and disposes them. 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:47.320 He can stop the situation whenever he wants. 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.680 I will wait, Lord. 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:52.640 I won't take matters into my own hand. 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.720 You arise. 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.960 You confront them. 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:03.180 Make that claim on the will just be dismissed in court. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:09.880 Cause my employer to choose justice so that I keep my job. 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:14.519 Convict my sister in the church who's slandering. 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.799 Convict them. 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:16.860 Bring them to repentance. 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:18.039 Restore peace. 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:27.379 Whether it happens in our lifetime or not, and often it doesn't fully, 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:34.299 there is a final day coming when all the attacks on God's people will be confronted. 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:41.759 So a godly response is to pray, it's to invite, it's to remember, it's to wait. 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:46.019 And I love how this psalm ends. 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:52.000 And perhaps it's the most challenging, but it's the most rewarding. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:25:04.619 This psalm leads us to seek for our deepest desire not to be in an earthly outcome of vindication. 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:10.500 But friendship with God is our reward. 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:20.200 One of the ways the psalms help us pray isn't simply to give us words that express our desires, 00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:25.740 but it's in praying these words that our desires are conformed, are changed. 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:30.619 God uses them as we pray them to change our desires. 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:34.720 That's part of the gift of the psalms to us. 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:45.819 So if we compare the reward of the attackers in verse 14 to David's reward in verse 15, 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:50.759 both are being talked about being satisfied, having more than enough. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:57.960 But verse 14, their portion is in this life, in this world. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.720 They are filled. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.000 Their children are filled. 00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:02.880 Their children's children are filled. 00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:05.800 God may not act to stop them. 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:08.260 He may actually give them what they want. 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:11.780 And that's their reward. 00:26:14.740 --> 00:26:19.000 Now, it's possible to translate this in an ironic way, 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:22.300 that God is filling them up with his judgments. 00:26:23.280 --> 00:26:27.140 So it's possible to translate the verse in an ironic way, 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:30.280 but it's equally possible to translate it in a literal way. 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:33.960 He actually gives them earthly reward, what they're seeking. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:42.680 And I think that makes more sense because verse 14 is contrasted with 15. 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.099 As for me. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.299 As for me. 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.359 Their portion is in this world. 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.240 But as for me. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:56.099 I shall behold your face in righteousness. 00:26:57.319 --> 00:27:00.819 When I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. 00:27:03.419 --> 00:27:05.740 Lord, you. 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.539 You're my reward. 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:13.559 Even if I get nothing from the will, 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:18.539 to have all that money and not you would be punishment 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:24.779 compared to having you alone. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:29.379 Can you pray that? 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:35.720 Even if I'm fired and my family loses the security of my job. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:40.220 You are my security and my status. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:47.779 Lord, even if you give my accuser what they're aiming for. 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:50.759 As for me, I get you. 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:57.640 Even if my sister in the church does turn all my friends away from me. 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.539 I have your friendship. 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.299 You never abandon. 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.660 That is more than enough. 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.819 And when I awake, 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:18.559 which seems to be pushing towards beyond death, 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:20.899 when I awake, 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:24.440 I'll be fully like you in righteousness. 00:28:24.919 --> 00:28:28.159 And the point of righteousness is so that we can relate to God 00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:28.899 in friendship. 00:28:30.179 --> 00:28:32.659 We get the goal of acting righteously. 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.720 We get God. 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:41.759 David has pictured God as the judge of all the earth. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:44.619 He's pictured him as the covenant lord, 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.940 like the eagle protecting. 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:49.500 And then he finishes picturing God as friend. 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.120 You are my reward. 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.460 Beholding your face. 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:58.539 If you've been talking to someone online, 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.940 you've only ever met them online, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.960 what do you say when you meet in person? 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:04.779 It's great to finally meet you. 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.640 Why do we say that? 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:11.040 We say that because just the, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.580 even online, 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:14.700 as good as the technology is, 00:29:14.820 --> 00:29:15.840 once you're in person, 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:17.340 beholding them, 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:19.259 you just get more of them. 00:29:19.540 --> 00:29:21.080 That's what we're looking forward to 00:29:21.080 --> 00:29:23.500 when Jesus returns. 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:33.680 Jesus spoke of this promise. 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:34.700 Matthew 5, 8, 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:36.140 Sermon on the Mount, 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:38.059 blessed are the pure in heart. 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.200 What's their reward? 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:43.039 For they shall see God. 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:48.159 That's the reward of our righteousness 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:49.159 when under attack. 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:51.819 The reward isn't simply so that we can look ourselves 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:53.279 in the mirror without shame. 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:56.399 It's not simply so that we can hold our head high in public. 00:29:56.839 --> 00:30:00.559 It's not even simply so that God will finally bring us out 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:01.659 on top in the end, 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.700 in this lifetime. 00:30:03.059 --> 00:30:03.960 That's not the reward. 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:07.759 The reward is friendship with God. 00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:08.740 I get to see you. 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.500 I get you. 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:13.900 And it's a reward that will satisfy 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:15.140 whatever the outcome is. 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:20.539 I think David started his prayer 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:23.140 saying from your presence, 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:24.640 let my vindication come. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.720 And by praying this, 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.519 he ends up going, 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.559 actually, 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.480 it's not just from. 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:32.160 It is your presence. 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:34.539 That is my vindication. 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:37.400 That's what my soul's actually wanting. 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:40.440 Not just an earthly outcome. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:45.579 The worst that can happen 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:51.279 is that all I'm left with is you, God. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:56.120 And that's quite a reward. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.220 I haven't lost. 00:30:58.220 --> 00:31:03.660 So how do you respond when under attack? 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.420 Well, we pray, 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.440 not plot. 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.019 We invite God's true assessment. 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:13.100 We remember God's covenant love, 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.860 like that eagle, 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.680 like a chick under his arms. 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:18.279 We wait for the Lord to act. 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:22.220 And we seek our deepest desire, 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:25.420 which isn't an earthly outcome, 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:27.059 but actually it's friendship with God. 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:32.500 But this is true for David. 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:35.460 How can you and I be sure 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:37.079 that God hears our cry 00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:38.940 when we pray these words? 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:43.179 Because God heard the king 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.359 when he cried. 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.440 In verse 11, 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:50.659 it turns from singular to plural. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:53.259 They have now surrounded our steps. 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:56.619 I think David is very conscious 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.519 of his companions. 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.079 He's being hunted 00:31:59.079 --> 00:32:02.519 because people are knowing 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:03.879 that he's God's chosen one 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:05.259 and he's got companions 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:08.259 who have put their lot in with him 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:10.779 and so their life is on the line 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:12.759 because they're a companion of David. 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.960 He's conscious that the enemies 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:16.400 aren't just circling him, 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.940 but also his companions. 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:23.539 But Psalm 18, 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:25.340 which we'll come to next week, 00:32:26.340 --> 00:32:27.740 is a celebration 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:29.860 that God heard David's cry. 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:33.920 Saul did not bring him down. 00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:35.940 David was vindicated. 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:40.360 But more than that, 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:43.740 at the end of Psalm 16, 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.980 David prays, 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:48.180 you will not abandon my soul 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:49.320 to Sheol, 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.320 to the place of the dead, 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:52.340 or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.259 But we know David died. 00:32:57.940 --> 00:33:00.940 That was prophecy, 00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:02.720 looking forward to the son of David. 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.340 David. 00:33:03.340 --> 00:33:03.400 David. 00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:03.460 David. 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:03.900 David. 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:03.960 David. 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.460 David. 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:04.900 David. 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:05.900 David. 00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:06.620 David. 00:33:06.620 --> 00:33:07.660 Jesus is the true 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:09.000 and better son of David 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:11.000 and we can be absolutely sure 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:13.140 God hears his cry 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:14.900 because on the third day 00:33:14.900 --> 00:33:16.680 he awoke. 00:33:19.000 --> 00:33:21.860 The resurrection is Jesus' vindication, 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:25.660 that he is God's king, 00:33:25.780 --> 00:33:26.580 he is God's friend. 00:33:27.040 --> 00:33:29.940 This prayer makes us soar 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:31.500 on another level 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:33.820 when we know we are companion 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:34.819 of God's king. 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:37.779 He has been vindicated 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:39.059 by his resurrection. 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.599 Because now, 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:42.200 as a companion of the king, 00:33:42.899 --> 00:33:44.519 if you have put your lot in with Jesus, 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.099 we pray, 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:48.819 knowing that through Jesus 00:33:48.819 --> 00:33:51.339 we can enter the throne of grace 00:33:51.339 --> 00:33:52.339 with confidence, 00:33:52.659 --> 00:33:53.579 Hebrews tells us. 00:33:54.399 --> 00:33:55.500 That word confidence 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.919 isn't your feeling of confidence, 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.919 it means you have got the right to enter. 00:33:58.920 --> 00:34:02.980 We can enter God's throne of grace 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:05.000 that we may receive mercy 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:07.420 and find grace to help in time of need. 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.360 It's through Jesus 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:11.180 that we have that confidence to pray now. 00:34:12.720 --> 00:34:14.820 And could I urge us as a church family, 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:16.860 when you're under personal attack, 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:18.200 sometimes you can't pray. 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:22.599 We need one another to pray these words for us. 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:27.420 We can invite God's true assessment 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:29.779 because we're safe in Jesus now. 00:34:30.319 --> 00:34:32.420 We know that it's his innocence 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:34.579 that God looks at 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.759 and goes, 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:37.559 I'm going to act on your behalf 00:34:37.559 --> 00:34:38.940 because of his innocence. 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:44.259 We remember God's covenant love 00:34:44.259 --> 00:34:45.179 looking at the cross. 00:34:45.839 --> 00:34:46.739 What a friend. 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:46.779 What a friend. 00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:50.360 How much safer can we be 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:51.680 in the shadow of his wings? 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:54.560 If Jesus is for us, 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.940 who can be against us? 00:34:57.880 --> 00:35:00.460 We're safe as a chick under his wings, 00:35:00.560 --> 00:35:01.300 under the cross. 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:05.660 We can wait for God to stop our attackers 00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:08.260 because we see in Jesus 00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:10.240 that the outcome is guaranteed. 00:35:11.240 --> 00:35:13.680 His resurrection says he is the judge 00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:19.039 and he will finally stop all attacks one day. 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.419 So how much more 00:35:24.419 --> 00:35:27.619 should we seek our deepest desire 00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:28.639 in knowing Jesus, 00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:30.539 not for an earthly outcome 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.379 that he can give us, 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:32.739 but for knowing him? 00:35:36.239 --> 00:35:38.460 Whatever wealth or reputation 00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:40.779 or freedom 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:43.579 or sense of being loved, 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:44.259 and belonging 00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:45.819 or status, 00:35:46.359 --> 00:35:48.359 anything we've been robbed of, 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:52.559 once we know we have him 00:35:52.559 --> 00:35:54.559 and all the treasures in him, 00:35:56.419 --> 00:35:58.460 we've just got a different attitude. 00:35:58.899 --> 00:35:59.839 We've got our reward. 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:00.859 We haven't been robbed. 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:03.819 We've got our reward in him. 00:36:04.779 --> 00:36:06.779 It's a totally different perspective 00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:08.139 which will lead us into 00:36:08.139 --> 00:36:09.879 seeking to honour him. 00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:11.259 It will honour him 00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:14.040 if we can speak and act in a way 00:36:14.040 --> 00:36:14.560 that goes, 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:17.280 my reward isn't in this outcome. 00:36:18.940 --> 00:36:22.260 That will honour God as precious. 00:36:25.260 --> 00:36:28.540 And even losing some of these things, 00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:30.600 we know that God can use that 00:36:30.600 --> 00:36:32.620 to drive us deeper into his arms, 00:36:33.740 --> 00:36:35.100 giving us more of our reward. 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:42.279 We can find the vindication 00:36:42.279 --> 00:36:43.539 our souls are craving 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:45.099 not just from Jesus, 00:36:45.319 --> 00:36:47.279 but in Jesus. 00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:52.279 Friendship in having him. 00:36:52.280 --> 00:36:56.540 we can pray, 00:36:56.700 --> 00:36:57.380 as for me, 00:36:58.820 --> 00:37:00.840 I shall behold your face 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:01.700 in righteousness. 00:37:03.180 --> 00:37:04.320 When I awake, 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:08.019 I'll be satisfied 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.940 with your likeness. 00:37:11.820 --> 00:37:12.440 Let's pray. 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:33.740 Lord, 00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:35.780 I pray that as a, 00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:38.179 as a church family, 00:37:38.320 --> 00:37:41.000 that we would urge one another 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:43.380 to seek 00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:45.260 our true reward 00:37:45.260 --> 00:37:45.840 in you 00:37:45.840 --> 00:37:48.300 and to entrust 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:49.420 our souls 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:49.860 to 00:37:49.860 --> 00:37:52.320 our faithful creator 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:53.139 and redeemer 00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:54.659 and continue to do good. 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.440 Pray, Lord, 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.380 that we might 00:38:01.380 --> 00:38:03.599 express to one another 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:06.800 a measure of this 00:38:06.800 --> 00:38:09.019 great reward in you 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:10.639 rather than urging one another 00:38:10.639 --> 00:38:12.380 to keep pursuing 00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.400 an earthly outcome 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:14.320 as if our life 00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:15.000 depends on it. 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:16.139 Lord, 00:38:16.219 --> 00:38:17.179 please help us 00:38:17.179 --> 00:38:17.659 as a church 00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:17.980 to 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:20.400 uphold one another 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:21.380 in prayer 00:38:21.380 --> 00:38:22.300 and in truth 00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:24.239 so that we might 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:26.360 seek your face 00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.619 and be satisfied 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.139 in that. 00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:30.599 In Jesus' name. 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:31.079 Amen. 00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:31.179 Amen. 00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:32.079 Amen. 00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:33.079 Amen. 00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:33.139 Amen. 00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.199 Amen. 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:33.259 Amen. 00:38:33.259 --> 00:38:35.139 Amen. 00:38:35.139 --> 00:38:35.199 Amen. 00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:35.259 Amen. 00:38:35.259 --> 00:38:35.320 Amen.