WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.980
 Would you turn with me in your Bibles to the book of Psalms,

00:00:03.560 --> 00:00:05.179
 right in the middle of your Bibles,

00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:08.240
 and please find Psalm 90.

00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:17.199
 It will be important that you listen carefully as I read,

00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:18.580
 follow along in your own Bible.

00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:21.839
 This is God's Word, Psalm 90.

00:00:24.539 --> 00:00:29.100
 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.

00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:33.299
 Before the mountains were brought forth,

00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:35.759
 or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:40.759
 from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:45.159
 You return man to dust and say,

00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:46.840
 Return, O children of man.

00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:51.840
 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past,

00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:53.240
 or as a watch in the night.

00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:56.560
 You sweep them away as with a flood.

00:00:56.760 --> 00:00:57.740
 They are like a dream,

00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:00.480
 like grass that is renewed in the morning.

00:01:00.900 --> 00:01:03.359
 In the morning it flourishes and is renewed.

00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:05.859
 In the evening it fades and withers.

00:01:07.140 --> 00:01:09.799
 For we are brought to an end by your anger.

00:01:10.740 --> 00:01:13.120
 By your wrath we are dismayed.

00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:16.040
 You have set our iniquities before you,

00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:18.560
 our secret sins in the light of your presence.

00:01:19.520 --> 00:01:22.260
 For all our days pass away under your wrath.

00:01:22.260 --> 00:01:25.340
 We bring our years to an end like a sigh.

00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:30.980
 The years of our life are 70 or even by reason of strength 80,

00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:34.880
 and yet their span is but toil and trouble.

00:01:35.600 --> 00:01:38.860
 They are soon gone and we fly away.

00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:45.920
 Who considers the power of your anger and your wrath according to the fear of you?

00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:51.239
 So, teach us to number our days,

00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:54.280
 that we may get a heart of wisdom.

00:01:56.319 --> 00:01:57.599
 Return, O Lord.

00:01:58.159 --> 00:01:58.980
 How long?

00:01:59.980 --> 00:02:01.659
 Have pity on your servants.

00:02:01.659 --> 00:02:05.959
 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:10.199
 that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:15.039
 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:17.960
 and for as many years as we have seen evil.

00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:21.539
 Let your work be shown to your servants,

00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:24.039
 and your glorious power to their children.

00:02:24.039 --> 00:02:28.359
 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

00:02:28.579 --> 00:02:33.280
 and establish the work of our hands upon us.

00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:38.060
 Yes, establish the work of our hands.

00:02:38.739 --> 00:02:39.939
 Let's pray together.

00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:48.739
 Father, we thank you so much for your love for us.

00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:59.060
 We know ourselves at least well enough to marvel at your love for us.

00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:03.020
 And you know us even better than we know ourselves.

00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:08.000
 And yet, you have loved us,

00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:10.640
 and you continue to love us,

00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:14.420
 and you have promised that you will never stop loving us.

00:03:15.820 --> 00:03:17.120
 And so we thank you.

00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:21.659
 We pray this morning that you would speak.

00:03:23.020 --> 00:03:29.620
 Father, I pray that you would help me to minister your word for your people.

00:03:30.320 --> 00:03:31.680
 We pray in Jesus' name.

00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:32.680
 Amen.

00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:40.480
 Well, I don't know what it's like for you as you think about the days ahead.

00:03:40.600 --> 00:03:42.680
 And when I say the days ahead,

00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:45.340
 I have in mind both your days ahead as a church,

00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:49.219
 but also, maybe especially,

00:03:49.640 --> 00:03:51.439
 your days ahead personally,

00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:52.599
 each one of us.

00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:55.580
 For some, as you look ahead,

00:03:55.659 --> 00:03:59.060
 it might seem like a fairly pleasant path,

00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:02.000
 at least as far as you can see.

00:04:03.460 --> 00:04:06.539
 For some, the days ahead might look kind of bleak,

00:04:07.819 --> 00:04:08.340
 unpromising.

00:04:09.140 --> 00:04:11.020
 For some, it might look like an obstacle course,

00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:14.200
 maybe a very challenging obstacle course,

00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:17.439
 one filled with all kinds of barriers,

00:04:17.660 --> 00:04:20.079
 some of them daunting barriers.

00:04:20.460 --> 00:04:21.620
 But the fact of the matter is,

00:04:21.660 --> 00:04:22.460
 for all of us,

00:04:22.900 --> 00:04:26.019
 we are walking forward into the days ahead,

00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:28.960
 and that walking forward is going to require some courage,

00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:30.920
 some going forth in faith.

00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:33.400
 And to help us with that,

00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:36.280
 I want us to consider this psalm this morning.

00:04:36.900 --> 00:04:40.660
 It is a psalm of remarkable wisdom.

00:04:40.800 --> 00:04:42.720
 This is ancient wisdom.

00:04:42.900 --> 00:04:44.860
 This is the oldest psalm that we have.

00:04:44.939 --> 00:04:46.560
 Most of the psalms, as you probably know,

00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.160
 were written by David or by his contemporaries.

00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:50.740
 This one was written by Moses

00:04:50.740 --> 00:04:54.560
 some 500 years earlier than David.

00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:56.340
 And as we look at this psalm this morning,

00:04:56.400 --> 00:04:58.400
 I want to make just two very simple points.

00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:01.679
 The first point is what occupies verses 1 through 12.

00:05:02.839 --> 00:05:05.419
 The second point is found in verse 12

00:05:05.419 --> 00:05:07.639
 to the end of the psalm.

00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:09.079
 In fact, let me just tell you right away

00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:10.859
 what the points are.

00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:11.659
 The first point,

00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:13.620
 life is short.

00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:16.319
 Like really short.

00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:18.959
 The second point,

00:05:20.239 --> 00:05:21.279
 live wisely.

00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:23.500
 Or we might say,

00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:27.399
 make sure not to waste your short life.

00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:29.120
 or any part of it.

00:05:30.799 --> 00:05:31.439
 Teach us,

00:05:31.519 --> 00:05:32.659
 Moses says in verse 12,

00:05:32.839 --> 00:05:33.359
 all of us,

00:05:33.419 --> 00:05:34.199
 no matter what your age,

00:05:34.719 --> 00:05:37.699
 teach us to get a heart of wisdom.

00:05:38.039 --> 00:05:38.919
 That's the second point.

00:05:39.539 --> 00:05:40.099
 But first,

00:05:40.219 --> 00:05:40.859
 point number one,

00:05:41.359 --> 00:05:43.379
 life is short.

00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:44.919
 Moses starts his psalm

00:05:44.919 --> 00:05:46.299
 talking to God

00:05:46.299 --> 00:05:48.319
 about what He is like.

00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:49.120
 Look at verse 1.

00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:49.519
 Lord,

00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:52.519
 You have been our dwelling place

00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:54.159
 in all generations.

00:05:54.299 --> 00:05:54.939
 We read that

00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:55.980
 and we're immediately drawn

00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:57.579
 to this dwelling place idea,

00:05:57.660 --> 00:05:57.860
 right?

00:05:58.219 --> 00:05:58.439
 Lord,

00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:00.000
 You have been our dwelling place.

00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:01.000
 That sounds

00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:03.040
 really nice,

00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:04.160
 comfortable,

00:06:04.600 --> 00:06:05.019
 attractive,

00:06:05.459 --> 00:06:06.240
 kind of secure,

00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:07.800
 especially if the circumstances

00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:08.639
 of our lives

00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:10.199
 have been a little challenging.

00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:12.480
 And it's true

00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:13.540
 what Moses says here.

00:06:13.659 --> 00:06:15.240
 God is the true

00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:16.439
 dwelling place

00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:17.120
 of His people.

00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:19.259
 We live in God.

00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:21.480
 The Bible wants us

00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:22.079
 to know that,

00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:22.899
 deeply know that,

00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:24.379
 experientially know that

00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:25.540
 about God.

00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:26.340
 But for Moses,

00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:27.199
 speaking here,

00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:29.019
 that is like a given.

00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:30.519
 He's operating with that

00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:31.060
 as a given.

00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.759
 What he's stressing here

00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:33.780
 is that

00:06:33.780 --> 00:06:36.000
 in all generations part.

00:06:37.840 --> 00:06:38.319
 Lord,

00:06:38.439 --> 00:06:39.740
 You have been our dwelling place

00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:42.680
 in all generations.

00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:43.980
 For my generation,

00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:45.259
 for my father's generation,

00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:47.659
 for my father's father's generation,

00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:49.099
 as far back as we can reach,

00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:49.779
 and that will be true

00:06:49.779 --> 00:06:50.800
 for all of the generations

00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:51.379
 to come.

00:06:51.719 --> 00:06:51.920
 You see,

00:06:52.039 --> 00:06:53.259
 Moses is not here

00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:53.879
 in Psalm 90

00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:54.680
 marveling

00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:55.740
 at the fact that

00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:56.879
 God is our dwelling place.

00:06:56.959 --> 00:06:57.740
 He knows that.

00:06:57.800 --> 00:06:58.459
 He loves that

00:06:58.459 --> 00:06:59.060
 as He should,

00:06:59.099 --> 00:06:59.659
 as we should.

00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:01.560
 But that's not

00:07:01.560 --> 00:07:02.699
 what he's marveling at here.

00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:05.000
 He's marveling

00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:06.259
 at God's

00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:07.180
 unchangeableness.

00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:08.819
 His

00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:10.039
 eternal

00:07:10.039 --> 00:07:11.599
 unchangeableness.

00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:12.219
 And that becomes

00:07:12.219 --> 00:07:12.899
 even more clear

00:07:12.899 --> 00:07:13.539
 in verse 2.

00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:14.519
 Before the mountains

00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:15.319
 were brought forth

00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:16.219
 or ever you had formed

00:07:16.219 --> 00:07:17.240
 the earth and the world

00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:18.539
 from everlasting

00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:19.620
 to everlasting,

00:07:20.039 --> 00:07:20.579
 you are God.

00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:22.879
 Now,

00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:24.339
 it's really important

00:07:24.339 --> 00:07:25.240
 that we see

00:07:25.240 --> 00:07:26.199
 that emphasis.

00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:28.039
 What exactly

00:07:28.039 --> 00:07:28.599
 about

00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:29.539
 God

00:07:29.539 --> 00:07:30.000
 Moses

00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:31.180
 is emphasizing,

00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:31.799
 but it's also

00:07:31.799 --> 00:07:32.399
 very important

00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:33.000
 that we see

00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:33.959
 Moses' purpose.

00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:35.899
 Why is he emphasizing that?

00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:37.680
 Because even though

00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:38.719
 Moses is stressing

00:07:38.719 --> 00:07:39.719
 the eternality,

00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:40.839
 the unchangeableness

00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:41.719
 of God,

00:07:41.799 --> 00:07:42.579
 his purpose

00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:43.560
 is actually

00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.060
 to confront us

00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:46.779
 with our mortality.

00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:49.319
 He's emphasizing

00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:51.139
 God's eternality

00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:52.199
 to heighten that

00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:53.819
 in stark contrast.

00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:55.339
 Just listen to the flow

00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:55.959
 of thought here.

00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:56.719
 Lord,

00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.620
 you have been

00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.500
 our dwelling place

00:07:58.500 --> 00:07:59.439
 in all generations.

00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:01.000
 Before the mountains

00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:01.759
 were brought forth

00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:02.579
 or ever you had formed

00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:03.419
 the earth and the world

00:08:03.419 --> 00:08:04.419
 from everlasting

00:08:04.419 --> 00:08:05.419
 to everlasting,

00:08:05.819 --> 00:08:06.559
 you are God,

00:08:06.559 --> 00:08:07.479
 you return

00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:09.180
 man to dust.

00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:12.939
 You hear that contrast?

00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:15.060
 And now in verses

00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:15.939
 four through six,

00:08:16.020 --> 00:08:17.000
 he proceeds to unpack

00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:18.580
 that point,

00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:19.900
 which really is

00:08:19.900 --> 00:08:20.720
 his main point.

00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.500
 Look at what he says

00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:22.060
 in verse four.

00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:24.560
 For a thousand years

00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.620
 in your sight

00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:27.420
 are but as yesterday

00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:28.560
 when it is past

00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:29.660
 or as a watch

00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:30.120
 in the night.

00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:30.819
 The point there

00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:31.319
 in verse four

00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:32.180
 is that even if we were

00:08:32.180 --> 00:08:33.539
 to live a thousand years,

00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:34.920
 even if you were

00:08:34.920 --> 00:08:35.680
 to live as long

00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:36.500
 as Methuselah,

00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:38.580
 still that is just

00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:39.460
 like a day

00:08:39.460 --> 00:08:40.759
 in God's sight.

00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:41.200
 In fact,

00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:41.899
 not even that long.

00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:42.659
 It's like a watch

00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.059
 in the night,

00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:44.740
 a mere four hour span

00:08:44.740 --> 00:08:45.700
 of time,

00:08:45.940 --> 00:08:46.980
 even if you lived

00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:48.000
 a thousand years.

00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:49.539
 And the fact is

00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:49.960
 we don't live

00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:50.700
 anywhere near that.

00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:52.399
 Look ahead to verse 10.

00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:54.580
 The years of our life

00:08:54.580 --> 00:08:55.279
 are 70

00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:57.360
 or even by reason

00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:57.840
 of strength,

00:08:58.039 --> 00:08:58.340
 80.

00:08:58.639 --> 00:08:59.039
 Obviously,

00:08:59.200 --> 00:09:00.120
 some people live longer

00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.139
 but not much.

00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:01.500
 I mean,

00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:03.179
 we get the point,

00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:03.460
 right?

00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:04.879
 We are not everlasting.

00:09:05.100 --> 00:09:05.799
 We are mortal.

00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:07.879
 Our lives are really brief

00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:09.019
 and then we return

00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.779
 physically to dust.

00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:11.439
 He goes on

00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:12.679
 in verses five and six

00:09:12.679 --> 00:09:14.579
 and says to God,

00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.459
 you sweep them away

00:09:15.459 --> 00:09:16.179
 as with a flood.

00:09:16.359 --> 00:09:17.199
 They are like a dream,

00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:19.219
 like grass that is renewed

00:09:19.219 --> 00:09:19.799
 in the morning.

00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:20.259
 In the morning,

00:09:20.339 --> 00:09:20.859
 it flourishes

00:09:20.859 --> 00:09:21.579
 and is renewed.

00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:22.599
 In the evening,

00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:24.679
 it fades and withers.

00:09:24.719 --> 00:09:25.259
 What's the point

00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:26.139
 of all of those images

00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:27.179
 in verses five and six?

00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:31.099
 Life is really short.

00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:33.980
 The Bible says that

00:09:33.980 --> 00:09:34.680
 repeatedly

00:09:34.680 --> 00:09:35.759
 so that we cannot

00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:36.720
 miss it,

00:09:37.220 --> 00:09:37.840
 at least if we're

00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:38.500
 paying attention.

00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:39.519
 In fact,

00:09:39.560 --> 00:09:40.120
 let me just give you

00:09:40.120 --> 00:09:40.740
 a little quiz

00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:42.019
 this morning.

00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:44.659
 You know those questions

00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.480
 where they give you

00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.620
 a list of

00:09:46.620 --> 00:09:49.120
 apparently unrelated things

00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:49.879
 and your job

00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:50.560
 is to find out

00:09:50.560 --> 00:09:51.980
 what all of those things

00:09:51.980 --> 00:09:52.879
 have in common.

00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:53.700
 You've got to kind of

00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:54.440
 figure it out.

00:09:55.180 --> 00:09:55.680
 Let me give you

00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:56.399
 a question like that

00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:56.779
 this morning.

00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:57.860
 What do these things

00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:58.840
 that I'm about to list

00:09:58.840 --> 00:09:59.840
 have in common?

00:10:00.180 --> 00:10:00.460
 You ready?

00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:02.360
 Mist,

00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:05.340
 the width of your hand,

00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:08.320
 a weaver's shuttle,

00:10:09.360 --> 00:10:09.899
 a runner,

00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:12.560
 a boat going down a river,

00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:13.720
 an eagle swooping

00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:14.580
 on its prey,

00:10:14.920 --> 00:10:15.639
 a dream,

00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:18.220
 and a plant that flourishes

00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:18.820
 in the morning

00:10:18.820 --> 00:10:19.800
 and withers in the evening.

00:10:21.300 --> 00:10:22.200
 What do all of those

00:10:22.200 --> 00:10:22.700
 have in common?

00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:25.259
 Well, I'm pretty sure

00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:25.940
 you either know

00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:26.560
 or can make

00:10:26.560 --> 00:10:27.400
 a pretty good guess.

00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:28.759
 Those are all images

00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:29.980
 that the Bible uses

00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:30.679
 to communicate

00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:31.399
 the brevity

00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:32.860
 of our lives.

00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:35.379
 What is your life?

00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:36.819
 For you are a mist

00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:38.019
 that appears

00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:38.939
 for a little time

00:10:38.939 --> 00:10:39.799
 and then vanishes.

00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.439
 James chapter 4.

00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.360
 Behold, you have made

00:10:43.360 --> 00:10:44.139
 my days

00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:46.120
 a few hand breaths.

00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:47.299
 Psalm 39.

00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:49.200
 My days are swifter

00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:50.179
 than a weaver's shuttle.

00:10:50.319 --> 00:10:50.960
 Job 7.

00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:51.879
 My days are swifter

00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:52.439
 than a runner.

00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:53.279
 They flee away.

00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.799
 They go like skiffs

00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.480
 of reed,

00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:56.299
 like an eagle

00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.360
 swooping on the prey.

00:10:57.360 --> 00:10:58.899
 Job chapter 9.

00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:00.980
 You sweep them away

00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:01.759
 as with a flood.

00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.639
 They are like a dream,

00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:04.800
 like grass

00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:05.360
 that is renewed

00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:05.940
 in the morning.

00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:06.399
 In the morning

00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:07.019
 it flourishes

00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:07.700
 and is renewed.

00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:08.379
 In the evening

00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:09.600
 it fades

00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.759
 and withers.

00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:11.779
 Psalm 90.

00:11:13.060 --> 00:11:14.220
 The point is clear, right?

00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.600
 Life goes by

00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:17.539
 very quickly.

00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:20.019
 It's not very long.

00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.440
 And not many of us

00:11:22.440 --> 00:11:23.460
 would argue the point,

00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:23.779
 right?

00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.879
 I mean,

00:11:25.939 --> 00:11:26.799
 you feel this.

00:11:28.199 --> 00:11:29.379
 You feel it more

00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:30.559
 as life passes.

00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:33.419
 I am 57 years old.

00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.939
 In three years

00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:37.699
 I'll be 60.

00:11:39.079 --> 00:11:40.079
 Which right now,

00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:40.919
 to be honest with you,

00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:42.220
 just feels kind of cool

00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:42.579
 to me.

00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:44.319
 But the thing

00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:45.159
 that can throw me

00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:47.759
 is that in 13 brief years

00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.919
 I'll be 70.

00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.600
 And that can throw me a bit.

00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.080
 Because that's the number

00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:54.019
 that gets named here.

00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:59.139
 70 years

00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:00.220
 or by reason of strength,

00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:00.639
 80.

00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:03.720
 When I was 20

00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:06.800
 it was just unfathomable

00:12:06.800 --> 00:12:07.279
 to me

00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:07.960
 that I would ever

00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:08.820
 be 70 years old.

00:12:09.240 --> 00:12:09.680
 Now obviously

00:12:09.680 --> 00:12:10.379
 I knew that

00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:11.100
 as a fact

00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:12.399
 but it didn't register

00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:13.320
 at all anywhere.

00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.360
 I couldn't imagine that.

00:12:15.460 --> 00:12:15.660
 Actually,

00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:16.340
 I wasn't so much

00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:17.379
 that I couldn't imagine it.

00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:18.240
 I wasn't even trying

00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.120
 to imagine it.

00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.919
 I wasn't even thinking

00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:22.779
 about trying to imagine it.

00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.159
 It was far from

00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.460
 my concerns

00:12:25.460 --> 00:12:26.259
 and now

00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.019
 I'm 57

00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.860
 and I'm thinking about it.

00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.879
 Or to put it differently,

00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.419
 all things being equal,

00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:33.580
 I've lived two-thirds

00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:34.460
 of my life.

00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:35.620
 All things equal,

00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:37.100
 I've got just one-third left.

00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.100
 I'm not panicking.

00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:38.840
 It's just like,

00:12:39.080 --> 00:12:39.360
 wow,

00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.700
 where did it go?

00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:43.660
 So let's bring this

00:12:43.660 --> 00:12:44.420
 home a little bit

00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:44.879
 to you.

00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:47.500
 If you're in your 50s

00:12:47.500 --> 00:12:48.820
 or 60s

00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:49.460
 you're probably

00:12:49.460 --> 00:12:50.860
 already tracking with me.

00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:53.500
 But let's say

00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.540
 you're in your 40s

00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:56.580
 or your 30s

00:12:56.580 --> 00:13:00.500
 or let's say

00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.400
 you're in your 20s.

00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:02.920
 Let's just say

00:13:02.920 --> 00:13:03.460
 you're 25.

00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:05.840
 All things equal,

00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.600
 you have lived

00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:07.440
 close to one-third

00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:07.960
 of your life

00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:08.600
 and you should know

00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.000
 by the way

00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:09.640
 the second third

00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.720
 goes by a whole lot faster.

00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:13.580
 So it's not too soon

00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.460
 to come to terms

00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:15.299
 with this reality

00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.000
 that God's Word

00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.100
 is setting before us.

00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:17.799
 In fact,

00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.919
 it's good to come to terms

00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:19.439
 with this

00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.919
 younger than that.

00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:21.919
 One of my children

00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:22.960
 reminded me recently

00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:23.480
 of a time

00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:24.679
 when they were maybe

00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:25.879
 eight or nine years old

00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.799
 that I had,

00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:27.500
 apparently,

00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:28.539
 as matter-of-factly

00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.539
 as I could

00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.419
 at the kitchen table,

00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:31.299
 said to them,

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.240
 there's my three children there,

00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:34.299
 and I said,

00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:34.779
 you know you're going

00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:35.500
 to die someday.

00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:40.519
 Great parenting, right?

00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:43.379
 And this particular child,

00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.860
 just like a month ago,

00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:47.460
 told me that she remembered that

00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:49.500
 and that as an eight

00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:50.399
 or nine-year-old,

00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.820
 that struck her.

00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.879
 She hadn't realized that yet,

00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:57.480
 and something registered for her.

00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.899
 Now, you might be sitting there

00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:00.600
 thinking this morning,

00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:00.940
 man,

00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.840
 why are you laboring this point?

00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.160
 I come to church

00:14:04.160 --> 00:14:04.860
 to get encouraged.

00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.019
 And part of me

00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:08.960
 wants to say sorry,

00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.139
 but the wiser part of me

00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:12.100
 wants to very quickly say,

00:14:12.180 --> 00:14:13.139
 no, I'm not sorry at all.

00:14:14.800 --> 00:14:15.759
 It's really important

00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.720
 we think about this.

00:14:18.300 --> 00:14:18.860
 Now, I learned

00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.540
 in my church history classes

00:14:20.540 --> 00:14:21.940
 way back when I was in seminary

00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:23.560
 that certain medieval theologians

00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:25.200
 would regularly place

00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.220
 a human skull

00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.139
 on the shelf

00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:29.320
 above where they were studying

00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:31.019
 so that it would remind them

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:33.259
 of the brevity of their lives.

00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:35.120
 In our own history

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.799
 as a culture,

00:14:36.319 --> 00:14:36.779
 as a country,

00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.799
 it was common practice

00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.899
 to tell about 70 or 80 years ago

00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:41.340
 for a church to have a graveyard

00:14:41.340 --> 00:14:42.740
 right next to the church building

00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:44.799
 so that every Sunday

00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.019
 there would be a regular reminder

00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.819
 of this truth.

00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:49.159
 Listen, God's word

00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:50.199
 is very clear here.

00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:51.699
 Life is short.

00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:52.620
 We will die.

00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.120
 And actually,

00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.319
 that raises

00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:56.879
 a very interesting,

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:57.819
 philosophical,

00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.840
 kind of existential question.

00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.399
 Why?

00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.620
 Because somehow

00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.019
 the brevity of our lives,

00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:04.840
 our mortality,

00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.960
 just doesn't feel right.

00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:07.980
 We resist it.

00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:09.000
 There's something in us

00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:11.360
 that is not easily resolved

00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:12.780
 with that reality.

00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:14.080
 Why is death so hard?

00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:15.740
 Why is there death?

00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:18.360
 Why is life so short?

00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:21.080
 Well, verses 7 through 11

00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:21.660
 tell us.

00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.740
 They answer that question.

00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.800
 I just want you to know

00:15:24.800 --> 00:15:26.420
 these verses are not easy.

00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:29.360
 They're not easy to understand,

00:15:29.479 --> 00:15:30.740
 but then once you understand them,

00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:32.039
 they're not easy to accept.

00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.740
 Good verses 7 through 11.

00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:35.319
 For we are brought to an end

00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:36.219
 by your anger.

00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.399
 By your wrath,

00:15:38.479 --> 00:15:39.219
 we are dismayed.

00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:41.459
 You have set our iniquities before you,

00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:42.339
 our secret sins,

00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:43.439
 in the light of your presence.

00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:45.179
 For all our days pass away

00:15:45.179 --> 00:15:46.099
 under your wrath.

00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.259
 We bring our years to an end

00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.959
 like a sigh.

00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:50.879
 The years of our life are 70

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.339
 or even by reason of strength 80,

00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:54.240
 yet their span is but toil and trouble.

00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:56.399
 They are soon gone and we fly away.

00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:59.440
 Who considers the power of your anger

00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.500
 and your wrath

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.060
 according to the fear of you?

00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.460
 Listen.

00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:04.919
 Verses 7, 9, and 11

00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.360
 give us an explanation

00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.639
 for the shortness of life.

00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.740
 Now let's be very careful here.

00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:12.600
 These verses are easy to misunderstand.

00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:15.120
 When verse 7 says,

00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:17.820
 we are brought to an end by your anger,

00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:19.399
 that is not talking about some

00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:22.659
 kind of event of God's active anger

00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:24.459
 directed toward me during my life

00:16:24.459 --> 00:16:26.860
 like some kind of malevolent deity

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:28.079
 striking me dead.

00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:30.939
 That is talking about a decision,

00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:32.459
 a judgment that God made

00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:33.339
 in his righteousness,

00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:35.240
 the result of which is

00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.740
 our mortality

00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:38.240
 and the brevity of our lives.

00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.959
 There was a little clue to this

00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:41.740
 back in verse 3.

00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:42.519
 Look there.

00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:46.939
 You return man to dust

00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:47.759
 and you say,

00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:49.939
 return, O children of man.

00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:52.000
 Does that remind you of anything?

00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:54.580
 Turn back just for a moment

00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.639
 to Genesis chapter 3.

00:16:58.379 --> 00:17:00.039
 You remember after Adam and Eve

00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:01.259
 sinned in the Garden of Eden,

00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:04.460
 God came and he pronounced a curse

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.799
 and part of that curse to Adam

00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.039
 are these words.

00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.579
 Genesis 3 verse 19,

00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:10.039
 by the sweat of your face

00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.039
 you shall eat bread

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.700
 till you return to the ground

00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:14.480
 for out of it you were taken

00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.880
 for you are dust

00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:18.200
 and to dust you shall return.

00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:21.860
 In Psalm 90,

00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:25.140
 Moses is very clearly alluding

00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:26.519
 to Genesis chapter 3

00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.860
 which he wrote by the way.

00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.799
 He would be very familiar

00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.720
 with those words.

00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.840
 And do you see that phrase

00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:34.380
 back in Psalm 90 verse 3,

00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.700
 O children of man?

00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.380
 Do you know what the Hebrew word

00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:38.559
 for man is there?

00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.440
 Adam.

00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.180
 Adam.

00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:45.480
 So Moses is very clearly

00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:47.480
 alluding to Genesis chapter 3

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:50.120
 and he has his mind on the curse,

00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.340
 that righteous judgment

00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.519
 that God made on Adam

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.299
 for his sin

00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.460
 and we see that echoed

00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.160
 in verse 10.

00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:57.100
 The years of our life are 70

00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.660
 or even by reason of strength 80,

00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.920
 yet their span

00:17:59.920 --> 00:18:02.460
 is but toil and trouble.

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.660
 There's the language

00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:05.279
 of God's righteous judgment

00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:07.160
 again in response to man's sin.

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.940
 That's why that reference

00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:10.980
 to our sin in verse 8.

00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:12.559
 You have set our iniquities

00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.259
 before you.

00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.840
 Our secret sins

00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:16.080
 in the light of your presence.

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.620
 Do you see how that explains

00:18:17.620 --> 00:18:20.000
 verses 7 and 9?

00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.660
 For we are brought to an end

00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:23.559
 by your anger.

00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:26.279
 All our days pass away

00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.880
 under your wrath.

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.900
 Our mortality

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:30.160
 and the shortness of our lives

00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:31.700
 is a result of God's judgment

00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.740
 as a consequence of our sin.

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.019
 And that also explains

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.660
 that question in verse 11.

00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:39.160
 Who considers the power

00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:39.820
 of your anger

00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:41.600
 and your wrath

00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:43.180
 according to the fear of you?

00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.900
 In other words,

00:18:45.300 --> 00:18:46.220
 Moses is saying,

00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:48.080
 who thinks about this?

00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:49.560
 Who makes that connection?

00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.019
 You know, in all of my years

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.700
 I've never once

00:18:52.700 --> 00:18:53.840
 had an unbeliever

00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:54.759
 come up to me and say,

00:18:54.840 --> 00:18:55.019
 you know,

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:57.160
 I'm really experiencing

00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:58.160
 the wrath of God today

00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:59.240
 as my life hastens

00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.940
 towards its end.

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.840
 And yet that's exactly

00:19:03.840 --> 00:19:04.380
 what's happening.

00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:06.440
 The Apostle Paul says

00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:06.920
 very clearly,

00:19:07.060 --> 00:19:07.600
 the wrath of God

00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:08.220
 is being revealed

00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:10.040
 against all unrighteousness

00:19:10.040 --> 00:19:10.700
 and a major part

00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:11.760
 of that wrath being revealed

00:19:11.760 --> 00:19:13.640
 is the brevity of our lives.

00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:16.260
 The shortness of our lives.

00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:18.000
 People don't typically think

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.040
 of the relationship

00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:20.220
 between their mortality

00:19:20.220 --> 00:19:22.080
 and God's sovereign power

00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:22.900
 and His judgment.

00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.280
 Most people are too busy

00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:25.140
 living for the moment

00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.600
 to think about that.

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.840
 Who considers

00:19:27.840 --> 00:19:29.960
 the power of your anger

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.820
 according to the fear of you?

00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:34.119
 Our mortality

00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:34.740
 and the shortness

00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.319
 of our life

00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.059
 is the result

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.879
 of God's just judgment

00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:39.019
 on the human race

00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.819
 due to our sin

00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.839
 and it puts us

00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:42.559
 in this place of dismay.

00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.279
 Did you see that

00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.799
 in verse 7?

00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:45.299
 We are dismayed.

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.759
 We think and we feel

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.700
 regarding the shortness

00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.319
 of our lives,

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.599
 oh, how I wish

00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.960
 it wasn't this way.

00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.720
 So, point number one,

00:19:55.939 --> 00:19:56.819
 life is short.

00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.939
 That's not the way

00:19:58.939 --> 00:19:59.539
 it was originally

00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.200
 meant to be

00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:01.439
 and we feel that.

00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:03.299
 However,

00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:05.939
 all is not lost.

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.480
 Verse 12.

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.259
 So,

00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:12.619
 teach us to number our days

00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:14.779
 that we may get

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:16.039
 a heart of wisdom.

00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:17.259
 So, here's the second point.

00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:20.819
 Live this short life wisely.

00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.460
 Wisely.

00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:27.200
 Live your short life wisely.

00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:30.220
 First part of verse 12

00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:32.259
 is simply reemphasizing

00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.059
 the point that Moses

00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:33.980
 has already made.

00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:36.419
 Teach us to number our days.

00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.500
 Teach us to recognize

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.319
 that our days are,

00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:39.039
 in fact, numbered.

00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:40.919
 Help us to realize that.

00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.039
 That's the main thing

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.139
 that Moses is teaching

00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:44.139
 in verses 1 through 11

00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:45.200
 and here is,

00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.339
 at the start of verse 12,

00:20:46.439 --> 00:20:47.939
 he's simply asking God

00:20:47.939 --> 00:20:49.399
 to help us get that point.

00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:51.840
 Teach us to number our days.

00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.820
 That's the main truth

00:20:54.820 --> 00:20:56.380
 so far.

00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:58.259
 But even in that restatement,

00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.140
 Moses is beginning,

00:20:59.280 --> 00:20:59.700
 I believe,

00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:00.500
 to suggest

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:02.019
 what the rest of verse 12

00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.360
 says explicitly

00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:04.940
 so that

00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.700
 we might get a heart

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:07.660
 of wisdom.

00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:08.740
 Point number two,

00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.780
 we want to live

00:21:09.780 --> 00:21:11.759
 our short lives wisely.

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.700
 Life is short

00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:15.380
 and everything,

00:21:16.080 --> 00:21:17.460
 everything is at stake

00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.320
 in this short life.

00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.780
 Your life is like this, folks.

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.340
 It's gone.

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.460
 And that makes you,

00:21:24.560 --> 00:21:25.200
 when you realize that,

00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.120
 it makes you ask,

00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.160
 why am I here?

00:21:28.800 --> 00:21:30.160
 What is my life for?

00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:33.259
 How should I live my life?

00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:36.759
 And that calls for wisdom.

00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:40.000
 The place God wants us to go

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.000
 with that reality

00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.299
 is to wisdom.

00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:44.079
 Teach us to number our days

00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.819
 so that we might get a heart

00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.740
 of wisdom.

00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.779
 Now please notice,

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.220
 it's not,

00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:50.940
 life is short,

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:51.839
 so

00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.720
 party hard, man.

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.640
 And it's not,

00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:58.259
 life is short,

00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.259
 so

00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:01.359
 just give in to despair.

00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:03.839
 And it's not,

00:22:04.719 --> 00:22:05.539
 life is short,

00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:06.859
 so get as much stuff

00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.519
 as you can

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.279
 or get all of the

00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.439
 adventurous experiences

00:22:09.439 --> 00:22:10.959
 that you can.

00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.259
 You know that company

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.019
 that started

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:15.240
 the stand-up paddleboard craze?

00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:15.659
 You know these

00:22:15.659 --> 00:22:16.779
 paddleboards

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.619
 that you stand up on?

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.899
 The company that started that,

00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:22.219
 it's called YOLO.

00:22:23.219 --> 00:22:24.419
 You know what that stands for?

00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:25.599
 Y-O-L-O?

00:22:26.719 --> 00:22:28.279
 You only live once.

00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:31.920
 I hate that.

00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:33.559
 I mean,

00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.539
 I really hate that.

00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.299
 You only live once,

00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.279
 life is short,

00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.240
 so make sure to go paddleboarding.

00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.819
 Or make sure to climb some mountain,

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:46.039
 or make sure to try this,

00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.899
 or try that

00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:48.379
 before your life is over.

00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.359
 I've actually suggested

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:50.000
 to my children

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.960
 that we should start up

00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:52.920
 an alternative paddleboard company

00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:54.059
 and name it YALT.

00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.539
 Not Y-O-L-O,

00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:58.680
 but Y-A-L-T,

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.339
 YALT,

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.740
 which stands for

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.920
 you actually live twice.

00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.920
 One short life

00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:07.180
 with a lot at stake,

00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:09.119
 so don't be foolish

00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:10.619
 and limit your life

00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.599
 to adventures

00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.839
 and experiences

00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.099
 and accomplishments

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.440
 or cynicism.

00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:19.139
 And then a really long life

00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:19.859
 called eternity.

00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.440
 Two lives,

00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.279
 the dot

00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.980
 and the line.

00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:27.019
 And Psalm 90 says,

00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.839
 Moses says,

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.139
 I mean,

00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.500
 this is ancient wisdom.

00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:31.579
 Teach us to number our days

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.940
 so that we might get

00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:33.740
 a heart of wisdom.

00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:37.220
 So that we might live

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.599
 this one short life well.

00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.859
 Be fully prepared

00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.519
 for eternity.

00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.399
 And the big question,

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:41.779
 of course,

00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.500
 is how?

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.519
 How does that happen?

00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:46.379
 What is living wisely?

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.500
 And the answer

00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.500
 is right there

00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.599
 in verse 14.

00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:52.079
 And the rest of this psalm.

00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.240
 Listen,

00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.579
 Psalm 90 verse 12

00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.980
 is not by any means

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.700
 talking about

00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:59.139
 merely human wisdom.

00:23:59.259 --> 00:23:59.339
 No,

00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.599
 it's God's wisdom

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.559
 he's speaking of.

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.000
 This is being

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.259
 in right relationship

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.039
 with God,

00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:05.779
 Him,

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.680
 being,

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.139
 our dwelling place.

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:11.039
 God's wisdom

00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.799
 is true wisdom

00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.980
 and it is found for us

00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:14.019
 in only one place.

00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:14.819
 Verse 14,

00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.200
 satisfy us

00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:16.879
 in the morning

00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:18.319
 with your

00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:19.599
 steadfast love.

00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:22.119
 So that we might rejoice.

00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:24.019
 and be glad

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.859
 all of our days.

00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:26.799
 Listen,

00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:27.379
 let's back up

00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:27.939
 just a bit.

00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:29.479
 Right at verse 13,

00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.699
 something turns.

00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.059
 I don't know

00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.839
 if you noticed that

00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:34.299
 when we were reading.

00:24:34.419 --> 00:24:35.779
 Something dramatically turns.

00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:37.239
 While Moses is very aware

00:24:37.239 --> 00:24:38.000
 of the situation

00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.819
 that we live in,

00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:39.799
 that he's been talking about

00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.519
 in the first 11 or 12 verses,

00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.559
 he also knows

00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.139
 that that's not

00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:43.879
 the end of the story.

00:24:43.979 --> 00:24:44.719
 There is something

00:24:44.719 --> 00:24:45.719
 in him,

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.759
 something very strong

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.179
 in him

00:24:47.179 --> 00:24:48.319
 that cries out,

00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.199
 verse 13,

00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.039
 return,

00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:51.100
 O Lord,

00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.200
 how long

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.140
 have pity

00:24:53.140 --> 00:24:54.559
 on your servants.

00:24:54.980 --> 00:24:55.460
 Translation,

00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:58.259
 do something,

00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:58.799
 God.

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.500
 Don't leave us

00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.480
 in this situation.

00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:04.640
 Have pity on us.

00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:05.360
 In fact,

00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.500
 he just continues on

00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:06.980
 in that vein.

00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:07.940
 The rest of this psalm

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.519
 is a prayer

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.100
 with Moses

00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:10.600
 pleading with God.

00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:10.819
 I mean,

00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.860
 you could take those words,

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.539
 O Lord,

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.680
 from verse 13

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.779
 and just distribute them

00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.620
 down to every verse

00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.660
 from that point on.

00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.500
 Verse 14,

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.279
 O Lord,

00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.740
 satisfy us.

00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.259
 O Lord,

00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.640
 make us glad.

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.420
 Verse 15,

00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.319
 verse 17,

00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:24.920
 O Lord,

00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.960
 let your favor

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.960
 be upon us.

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.359
 O Lord,

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.500
 do something

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.400
 to save us.

00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.720
 And that is not

00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.779
 just some desperate

00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:34.420
 prayer in the dark.

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:37.380
 Moses knows

00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:38.779
 what he's asking for.

00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:41.220
 He knows what he wants

00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:42.660
 and he knows

00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.240
 what he needs

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.119
 the Lord to do.

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.779
 It is best summarized

00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.880
 there in verse 14.

00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.240
 In fact,

00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:47.980
 this is one of the

00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.960
 great summarizing

00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:50.060
 verses of the Bible.

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.180
 Satisfy us

00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:52.900
 in the morning

00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:54.300
 with your steadfast love

00:25:54.300 --> 00:25:55.720
 so that we might rejoice

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.820
 and be glad

00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:58.220
 all of our days.

00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.200
 That's what is needed.

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.160
 Now,

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.280
 the key thing there

00:26:02.280 --> 00:26:02.940
 is that little

00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.020
 two-word phrase,

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.160
 steadfast love.

00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.320
 It's actually

00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:07.080
 just one word

00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:07.540
 in Hebrew

00:26:07.540 --> 00:26:08.860
 and it's a beautiful word.

00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.740
 It's the word hesed.

00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:11.680
 When I say beautiful,

00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.920
 I don't necessarily mean

00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.720
 beautiful sounding,

00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:14.460
 although I'm sure

00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:15.900
 after people understood

00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.480
 what it meant.

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.700
 They came to love

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.840
 that word.

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.700
 Sometimes that word

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.980
 is translated into English

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.019
 by the word mercy,

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:25.240
 sometimes by loving kindness.

00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.000
 You might see that

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.500
 in your Bible,

00:26:26.600 --> 00:26:27.420
 but I think the better

00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:28.580
 translation is this one,

00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.620
 steadfast love.

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.420
 It speaks of God's

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.480
 eternal,

00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:34.360
 unbreakable commitment

00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:35.980
 to love his people.

00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:39.140
 Grounded in his being,

00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:40.820
 in his character,

00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.820
 in his heart,

00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:43.319
 it speaks of his eternal

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:45.740
 and absolutely reliable love.

00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:48.639
 Sometimes it is spoken of

00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:50.539
 as his covenant love.

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.399
 But the key idea

00:26:52.399 --> 00:26:53.220
 is the love

00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.519
 that flows out

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.460
 of his heart

00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.099
 of love

00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:57.359
 for his people.

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.679
 You see,

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.720
 despite the reality

00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.439
 of his judgment,

00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.439
 there is still

00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:02.599
 this commitment

00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:03.779
 of God

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.619
 to love his people.

00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.460
 And you see that,

00:27:07.099 --> 00:27:08.159
 how critical that is

00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:09.000
 to the thought

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.500
 of verse 14.

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.700
 And satisfy us

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:13.140
 with your steadfast love

00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:14.960
 so that we can rejoice

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.799
 and be glad

00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:18.279
 all of our days.

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.420
 You can feel

00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.160
 the weight of that,

00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.119
 especially after what

00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:23.119
 verses 1 through 12

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.740
 have said.

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:25.240
 It's not just critical

00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.779
 to the thought

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.579
 of verse 14.

00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.119
 It's critical

00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.920
 to our existence.

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.960
 We have been wrecked,

00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.039
 just devastated

00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.720
 by our sin

00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.720
 and by God's judgment.

00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.299
 Our lives are short

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.019
 and we sense

00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.700
 that's not the way

00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.400
 it's supposed to be.

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.319
 Our lives are filled

00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.319
 with toil and trouble.

00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.839
 And we sense

00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.419
 that's not the way

00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:42.339
 it's supposed to be

00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.039
 and we live all

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.559
 of our days

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.259
 under the judgment

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.720
 of God

00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.319
 with the reality

00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:45.740
 of death

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.519
 always there

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.379
 whether we think

00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:48.240
 about it or not.

00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.439
 So we cry out,

00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:49.879
 O Lord,

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:50.480
 have pity.

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.419
 Rescue us.

00:27:51.899 --> 00:27:52.599
 Bring us out

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.799
 of the hopelessness

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.480
 of all of that.

00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.319
 Show some favor

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.879
 to us.

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.879
 Instead of dismaying us,

00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:59.220
 satisfy us.

00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.859
 And we know

00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:03.460
 what will do that.

00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.639
 At least Moses knows.

00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.659
 It's your love

00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:08.460
 for us, O Lord.

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:10.440
 the expression

00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.360
 of the demonstration

00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:12.559
 of your deep-hearted

00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.700
 commitment to love

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.420
 your people,

00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:16.259
 your steadfast love.

00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:19.059
 That is the only thing

00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.120
 that will cause

00:28:20.120 --> 00:28:21.000
 a people who have been

00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:22.279
 so devastated by sin

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.200
 and by your judgment

00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.100
 to be rescued

00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.640
 and therefore

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.980
 to be able to rejoice,

00:28:26.360 --> 00:28:26.779
 in fact,

00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.660
 to be glad

00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:29.240
 all of our days.

00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.680
 The expression

00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:33.319
 of the demonstration

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.380
 of God's heart

00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.779
 of love,

00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.779
 his purpose

00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.899
 of love,

00:28:36.899 --> 00:28:37.899
 his promise

00:28:37.899 --> 00:28:38.779
 to love

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:40.399
 his people.

00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:43.059
 Some time ago,

00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.859
 a friend of mine

00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:45.139
 shared this story

00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:46.099
 from his own life.

00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.639
 Now, admittedly,

00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.960
 it wasn't the most

00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:51.559
 dire of circumstances,

00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:53.220
 but he felt it.

00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:55.379
 And I think we can relate

00:28:55.379 --> 00:28:56.779
 as we listen to this,

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.680
 and it serves wonderfully

00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.579
 to illustrate the point

00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.279
 that I'm trying to make

00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.559
 from Psalm 90,

00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:01.099
 verse 14.

00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.319
 Here's what he said.

00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.919
 When I was going

00:29:02.919 --> 00:29:03.500
 from high school

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.159
 to college,

00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.259
 I was going

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.039
 to a university

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.659
 in a town

00:29:06.659 --> 00:29:07.759
 I had never visited,

00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:09.139
 a college I had never seen,

00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.279
 and my father took me.

00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:11.399
 We were driving

00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.799
 from St. Louis to Chicago,

00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:14.220
 driving up Highway 55,

00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.759
 and I started out

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.539
 real excited,

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.099
 talkative,

00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.480
 but the closer we got

00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.240
 to the university,

00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.419
 the more scared I got.

00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:22.419
 At some point,

00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.539
 my father looked over to me

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:23.899
 and said,

00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.419
 you're scared,

00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:24.919
 aren't you?

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.480
 And I said,

00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:26.960
 I am.

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.259
 We were driving

00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:30.159
 up Highway 55,

00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:31.580
 we were in the cornfields

00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:32.300
 of southern Illinois,

00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:33.420
 and my father simply

00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.420
 pulled off to the side

00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:34.840
 of the road,

00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.600
 stopped the car,

00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.560
 turned off the engine,

00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.759
 and he said,

00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.120
 now,

00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.519
 you look at me.

00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.800
 You are my son,

00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.759
 and nothing is going

00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.480
 to change that.

00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.519
 I don't know

00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.340
 if you will do well

00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.080
 at that school.

00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.460
 I don't know

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.340
 if you will do poorly,

00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:52.040
 but my home

00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:53.420
 is always your home.

00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.980
 I am your father,

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:57.100
 and nothing you do,

00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.340
 nothing you fail to do

00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:59.420
 is going to change that.

00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:00.640
 I love you.

00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:02.279
 You are mine.

00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:05.360
 He goes on to say,

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.660
 did that take all the problems

00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:07.580
 and struggles away?

00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:08.240
 No,

00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:10.160
 but it was a comfort,

00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:11.080
 and it was security,

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.680
 and ultimately,

00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.560
 it was strength.

00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.140
 And then he makes this point.

00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.920
 God says to his people,

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.060
 I love you,

00:30:17.400 --> 00:30:18.240
 and you are mine.

00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:20.800
 I have loved you

00:30:20.800 --> 00:30:22.779
 with an everlasting love,

00:30:22.840 --> 00:30:24.060
 and I have called you

00:30:24.060 --> 00:30:25.120
 with loving kindness.

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.539
 What you do

00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.800
 did not get you

00:30:27.800 --> 00:30:28.779
 into that relationship

00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.379
 with me,

00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.440
 and what you do

00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.299
 will not get you

00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:32.319
 out of that relationship

00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:32.879
 with me.

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.460
 You are mine.

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:38.779
 This is God's commitment

00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.460
 to us.

00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:42.220
 It is God's steadfast love

00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.879
 for us,

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.359
 and I want to just

00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.480
 come right out now

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.379
 and say it.

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.779
 That steadfast love

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.440
 from God

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.279
 for his people

00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:51.779
 is expressed.

00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.180
 It is demonstrated.

00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:55.600
 It is shown

00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.600
 particularly

00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:57.759
 in Jesus.

00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:00.640
 The whole Old Testament

00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.660
 anticipates it.

00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.660
 The New Testament

00:31:03.660 --> 00:31:05.019
 celebrates it.

00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.519
 It's there

00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.259
 in his coming.

00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.299
 It's there

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.140
 in his living

00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:13.019
 a perfectly righteous life

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.519
 for us

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.200
 in our place.

00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:14.660
 You know,

00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.400
 we make so much

00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:15.779
 of the fact

00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.660
 that Jesus died

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.580
 in our place,

00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:18.220
 and he did,

00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:19.220
 but his life

00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:20.360
 was in our place as well.

00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.160
 He fulfilled

00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:22.120
 all righteousness

00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:23.120
 for us,

00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:23.640
 and then,

00:31:24.040 --> 00:31:24.259
 yes,

00:31:24.320 --> 00:31:25.460
 he died in our place

00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.779
 swallowing up

00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.259
 the judgment

00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:29.040
 of death

00:31:29.040 --> 00:31:30.279
 so that those

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:30.980
 who run to him

00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:31.820
 and trust in him,

00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:32.600
 their lives

00:31:32.600 --> 00:31:33.779
 are no longer defined

00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.600
 by being under

00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:35.460
 the judgment of God.

00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.900
 What a difference.

00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.019
 What good news.

00:31:41.580 --> 00:31:42.620
 God's judgment

00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.200
 on us

00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.800
 poured out

00:31:43.800 --> 00:31:44.480
 on Christ

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.320
 in our place.

00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.620
 God's mercy shown.

00:31:46.800 --> 00:31:48.680
 God's steadfast love

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.860
 demonstrated,

00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:51.379
 and because of that,

00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.539
 instead of being

00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.619
 under the sentence

00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.359
 of death,

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:56.299
 we have life.

00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:58.899
 Listen,

00:31:58.979 --> 00:31:59.779
 if God doesn't show

00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.599
 his love for us,

00:32:00.679 --> 00:32:02.059
 we're still in verse 7

00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:04.559
 and verse 9.

00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.859
 We are brought to an end

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.559
 by your anger.

00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.899
 All our days pass away

00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.579
 under your wrath.

00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.099
 If God doesn't show

00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.799
 his love for us,

00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.519
 we're stuck

00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.559
 in verse 10.

00:32:17.479 --> 00:32:18.319
 And then,

00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:20.319
 the terrifying prospect

00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:20.960
 of eternity

00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.960
 separated from God.

00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.259
 But now,

00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:26.619
 because God

00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:27.359
 so loved the world

00:32:27.359 --> 00:32:27.819
 that he gave

00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.879
 his only begotten son

00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.480
 so that whoever

00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.200
 believes in him

00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.960
 should not perish

00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:32.339
 but have everlasting life.

00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:35.799
 God's steadfast love.

00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:38.220
 And instead of

00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.519
 not giving any thought

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.399
 about these things

00:32:40.399 --> 00:32:41.139
 like verse 11,

00:32:42.639 --> 00:32:44.179
 now we say,

00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.339
 verse 16,

00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:48.199
 let your work.

00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.980
 That's speaking of

00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:51.019
 God's salvation,

00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:52.359
 his steadfast love

00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.199
 shown in Christ.

00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:55.099
 Let your work

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:56.699
 be shown to your servants

00:32:56.699 --> 00:32:59.419
 and your glorious power

00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:01.099
 to their children.

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:05.559
 Jesus is what we need.

00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:09.159
 And living with wisdom

00:33:09.159 --> 00:33:11.220
 in this short life

00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:14.399
 is facing our need

00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:16.980
 and then looking

00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.759
 to God's steadfast love

00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:20.000
 for us in Christ.

00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:22.819
 That's what we are able

00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:24.700
 to be satisfied by.

00:33:26.419 --> 00:33:27.460
 And I don't know

00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.819
 that there is a greater

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.960
 statement of that

00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.940
 in all the Bible

00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:33.079
 than in the book of Romans,

00:33:33.419 --> 00:33:34.119
 chapter 8.

00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:35.019
 Just listen to these

00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.879
 incredible words.

00:33:37.439 --> 00:33:38.459
 What then shall we say

00:33:38.459 --> 00:33:39.159
 to these things?

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.619
 If God is for us,

00:33:41.739 --> 00:33:42.799
 who can be against us?

00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:44.359
 Who shall bring any charge

00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:45.519
 against God's elect?

00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:47.099
 It is God who justifies.

00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:49.039
 Who is to condemn?

00:33:50.479 --> 00:33:51.739
 Christ Jesus is the one

00:33:51.739 --> 00:33:52.259
 who died,

00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:52.839
 more than that,

00:33:52.879 --> 00:33:53.479
 who was raised,

00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:54.319
 who is at the right hand

00:33:54.319 --> 00:33:54.699
 of God,

00:33:54.739 --> 00:33:55.819
 who indeed is interceding

00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:56.339
 for us.

00:33:56.699 --> 00:33:57.659
 For I am sure

00:33:57.659 --> 00:33:58.459
 that neither death,

00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:59.039
 nor life,

00:33:59.119 --> 00:33:59.599
 nor angels,

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.259
 nor rulers,

00:34:00.419 --> 00:34:01.079
 nor things present,

00:34:01.159 --> 00:34:01.839
 nor things to come,

00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:02.479
 nor powers,

00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.359
 nor height,

00:34:03.359 --> 00:34:03.879
 nor depth,

00:34:03.979 --> 00:34:04.779
 nor anything else

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.579
 in all creation

00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:07.159
 will be able to separate us

00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:08.259
 from the love of God

00:34:08.259 --> 00:34:09.980
 in Christ Jesus,

00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:10.839
 our Lord.

00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.859
 In Christ,

00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.539
 in Jesus,

00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.579
 the steadfast love of God,

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.980
 the eternal kindness

00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.500
 of God for his people

00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:20.319
 has come to us.

00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.900
 And it is the ground

00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:23.079
 we stand on

00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.819
 to say,

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.859
 with David,

00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.960
 as individual Christians,

00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.559
 and,

00:34:27.799 --> 00:34:28.380
 may I say,

00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:29.380
 as a local gathering

00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.860
 gathering of believers.

00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:33.079
 It's that ground

00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:33.880
 we stand on

00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.519
 to say,

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:37.880
 satisfy us in the morning

00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:39.920
 with your steadfast love,

00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:42.180
 that we may rejoice

00:34:42.180 --> 00:34:43.000
 and be glad

00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.840
 all of our days.

00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:45.099
 Make us glad

00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:46.039
 for as many days

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.140
 as you have afflicted us,

00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.300
 for as many years

00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:49.280
 as we have seen evil.

00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.559
 Let your work

00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:51.760
 be shown to your servants

00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:52.880
 and your glorious power

00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:53.640
 to their children.

00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.920
 Let the favor

00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:55.619
 of the Lord,

00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.280
 our God,

00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:57.260
 be upon you.

00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:59.440
 and establish

00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.660
 the work of your hands.

00:35:01.700 --> 00:35:02.000
 Yes,

00:35:03.220 --> 00:35:04.140
 establish the work

00:35:04.140 --> 00:35:04.720
 of our hands.

00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.880
 Even in this life,

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:10.640
 with all of its uncertainties

00:35:10.640 --> 00:35:11.740
 and its ambiguities

00:35:11.740 --> 00:35:12.920
 and its frustrations,

00:35:13.080 --> 00:35:13.920
 even in this life

00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.740
 with its struggles,

00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:16.540
 there can be gladness

00:35:16.540 --> 00:35:17.280
 in our days

00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:19.600
 because of the steadfast

00:35:19.600 --> 00:35:20.380
 love of God

00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:22.500
 poured out in our lives

00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.460
 in and through

00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:25.080
 Jesus Christ,

00:35:25.180 --> 00:35:25.580
 the King,

00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:27.819
 to Him be glory.

00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.179
 Amen.

00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:31.119
 Let's pray together.

00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:37.079
 Father, thank You

00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.860
 for Your Word.

00:35:40.039 --> 00:35:41.299
 Thank You for Your Spirit

00:35:41.299 --> 00:35:42.219
 who takes it

00:35:42.219 --> 00:35:43.319
 and brings it to us.

00:35:44.259 --> 00:35:45.659
 Thank You for Your church,

00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:46.920
 gathering of believers.

00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:49.019
 I pray that You would

00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:49.920
 take Your Word

00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.960
 and by Your Spirit

00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:51.860
 bring it to us

00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:52.699
 as Your people

00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:54.599
 and give us strength.

00:35:55.779 --> 00:35:56.859
 Put faith in us.

00:35:57.919 --> 00:35:59.059
 Help us to obey.

00:35:59.939 --> 00:36:01.019
 Help us to persevere,

00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:01.480
 we pray.

00:36:01.619 --> 00:36:02.319
 In Jesus' name.

00:36:02.819 --> 00:36:03.059
 Amen.

00:36:03.059 --> 00:36:03.159
 Amen.

00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:03.199
 Amen.

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:03.279
 Amen.

00:36:03.279 --> 00:36:03.339
 Amen.

00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:03.419
 Amen.

00:36:03.419 --> 00:36:03.859
 Amen.

00:36:03.859 --> 00:36:05.199
 Amen.

00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:05.259
 Amen.

00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:05.319
 Amen.

00:36:05.319 --> 00:36:05.839
 Amen.

00:36:05.839 --> 00:36:05.899
 Amen.

00:36:05.899 --> 00:36:05.919
 Amen.

00:36:05.919 --> 00:36:05.980
 Amen.

00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.239
 Amen.

00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:06.359
 Amen.

00:36:06.359 --> 00:36:06.419
 Amen.

00:36:06.419 --> 00:36:06.919
 Amen.

00:36:06.919 --> 00:36:07.439
 Amen.

00:36:07.439 --> 00:36:07.819
 Amen.

00:36:07.819 --> 00:36:07.859
 Amen.