WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.280 Are you seated? 00:00:02.480 --> 00:00:06.440 My pleasure this morning to welcome to our pulpit at Cheyenne Mountain this morning, the 00:00:06.440 --> 00:00:07.500 Reverend Brian Counts. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:11.740 Brian's been a friend of Cheyenne Mountain Church for many, many years, and we're looking 00:00:11.740 --> 00:00:15.019 forward to what God's going to say through him to us this morning. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:16.339 So, Brian, welcome. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:21.640 Good morning. 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:27.620 It is good to be back with you to see some faces. 00:00:27.620 --> 00:00:30.679 Of course, we're all masked, so it's kind of hard. 00:00:30.760 --> 00:00:34.280 I'm here often enough where I just about get some names and faces, and then you go and 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:38.140 mess with me this time, cover up your faces, and make it really, really tough. 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:42.039 So this morning, please turn with me to Psalm 130. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:44.500 Psalm 130. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:51.480 And as you're turning there, speaking of masks and things like that, when Matthew asked me 00:00:51.480 --> 00:00:56.439 to come and be with y'all this morning, a week or two ago, I started to think, what am I going 00:00:56.439 --> 00:00:57.100 to preach on? 00:00:57.100 --> 00:00:59.359 And then I thought, well, what did I preach on last time I was there? 00:00:59.380 --> 00:01:04.320 It was probably about two years ago that I was with you, and I looked, and I couldn't 00:01:04.320 --> 00:01:06.659 find anything from two years ago that I had preached here. 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:12.680 And so I kept looking forward, and then I realized, oh, it was only in January of 2020. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:19.740 It just has felt to me like two years because of everything that's happened since I was here 00:01:19.740 --> 00:01:22.599 last towards the end of January. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:29.579 Just 10 months, but all of us feel like we've lived several years between then and now. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:33.979 We're tired of being reminded how much things have changed. 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:37.399 We're tired of living this new life. 00:01:37.659 --> 00:01:40.299 We're tired of not being able to make plans. 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:46.639 I saw recently someone had a wall calendar up just a month at a time, just a big month-long 00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:47.140 calendar. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:51.920 And instead of all of the dates and appointments and meetings, it just said, does it really 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:52.620 even matter? 00:01:54.780 --> 00:01:57.159 Why do we even have this calendar? 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:00.719 There's so much even that we've all lost, right? 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:04.280 Just in the last several months since March. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:05.640 Small things. 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:09.879 I was at Costco just a couple nights ago with my wife, and I miss the samples. 00:02:11.060 --> 00:02:13.419 I miss going to Costco and having the samples. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:16.219 That's just a small thing. 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:19.400 We've all lost, of course, even greater things than that. 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:24.580 We've lost the chance to participate in school milestones like graduations and proms. 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:26.379 We've lost the chance to see family. 00:02:27.020 --> 00:02:29.659 Some of us perhaps have lost income or jobs. 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:35.539 Some of you might have known someone whose life has been lost to the virus or other illness. 00:02:36.139 --> 00:02:42.019 There's just a lot that we have packed in since March, and there's a lot more that we 00:02:42.019 --> 00:02:44.579 don't know still what is to come. 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:51.500 And while everything seems so different than it does just a few months back, people remain 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:53.000 the same, don't they? 00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:54.199 Don't we? 00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:59.120 While everything is different, people, we watch them, we look at them. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:02:59.659 Are you like me? 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:01.319 You like to watch people, probably. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:03.759 You like to think about why do they do what they do? 00:03:03.860 --> 00:03:05.920 Why are they the way that they are? 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:06.700 What are they doing? 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:10.020 And it's also interesting, of course, to watch ourselves. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:15.480 And though this is new for all of us, we're all responding according to the same old people 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:19.939 things, people ways that we've always been about and always seen. 00:03:20.040 --> 00:03:27.980 For instance, just like in other trials and things that have come our way before this pandemic, 00:03:27.979 --> 00:03:31.739 humankind is able to endure so much. 00:03:32.239 --> 00:03:34.259 And we see that still today, don't we? 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:41.399 It is remarkable, Christian or not, sometimes just how much people can endure and put up 00:03:41.399 --> 00:03:42.379 with and go through. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:48.000 And yet at the same time, while we're able to endure so much and accomplish sometimes so 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:52.519 much, we are also incredibly fragile at the same time. 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:59.320 And what I mean is, you and I can be taken out by one little word from one person. 00:03:59.980 --> 00:04:03.700 If the right person says the right word to us, it undoes us. 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:05.040 Just one word. 00:04:05.640 --> 00:04:09.740 Or we can be taken out, of course, by a submicroscopic virus also. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:14.080 So we can endure so much, but yet we're also so fragile. 00:04:14.080 --> 00:04:19.819 And I hope if you and I have seen anything these last few months is that in many cases, 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:22.300 most ways, you and I are helpless. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:26.360 And that's a strong word, but I choose it on purpose because it's true. 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:31.900 You and I have been surrounded by a sense of helplessness these last few months. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:37.379 And what do we do when we come into contact with that reality that we're helpless? 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:39.699 So often we just want to shut it down. 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:41.080 Don't think about it. 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:41.740 Don't admit it. 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:45.879 Turn around, find something to do, find something to be in charge of, find something to control. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:49.040 Because I don't like to feel that I'm out of control. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:50.639 I don't like to feel that I'm helpless. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:56.680 And I think of Psalm 130 during times like this because it shows us the kinds of things 00:04:56.680 --> 00:05:02.960 we can do, that we can turn to, that we can say and meditate on when we are helpless. 00:05:03.620 --> 00:05:08.500 And I think it helps us stay in contact with that reality of helpless when we know what to 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:10.819 do with it, when we know where to go with it. 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:17.420 Not that we can turn it off and become suddenly not helpless, but we can lean into it and realize 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:22.839 the reality of it and even see what God is doing in our lives through it. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:25.279 So what I want to do this morning is read Psalm 130. 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:27.980 And we're going to look at three main points this morning. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:30.579 I want you to listen for them as I read it. 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:34.300 The first is that when we are helpless, we should cry out. 00:05:34.979 --> 00:05:38.060 The second is that when we are helpless, we should remember. 00:05:38.919 --> 00:05:42.279 And the third is that when we are helpless, we should wait with hope. 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:46.159 So cry out, remember, and wait with hope. 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:49.779 Listen for these things as I read God's word for us this morning. 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:51.019 This is Psalm 130. 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:54.539 Out of the depths, I cry to you, O Lord. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:56.939 O Lord, hear my voice. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:01.939 Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:07.899 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 00:06:08.539 --> 00:06:12.059 But with you there is forgiveness that you may be feared. 00:06:12.060 --> 00:06:14.480 I wait for the Lord. 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:16.639 My soul waits. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.980 And in his word I hope. 00:06:19.620 --> 00:06:25.759 My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:28.300 O Israel, hope in the Lord. 00:06:28.540 --> 00:06:33.120 For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:37.480 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. 00:06:37.740 --> 00:06:38.279 Let's pray. 00:06:38.279 --> 00:06:43.259 Father, these words were written thousands of years ago. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:52.699 And yet somehow in your wisdom, you were thinking of us this morning, even as they were written down all those years ago. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:58.519 By your spirit then and by your spirit now, we pray that you would reveal your heart to us. 00:06:59.119 --> 00:07:05.059 We pray that you would reveal your truth to us, that it would comfort us, that it would help us, and that it would change us. 00:07:05.059 --> 00:07:06.119 Through Jesus we pray. 00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:07.099 Amen. 00:07:08.279 --> 00:07:13.339 So first, when you and I are helpless, we can cry out. 00:07:13.479 --> 00:07:16.819 And I want to point you to what he says there in verse 1. 00:07:16.979 --> 00:07:20.439 Out of the depths I cry to you. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:21.479 What are the depths? 00:07:21.979 --> 00:07:26.179 Well, often in the Psalms, the depths refers to deep water. 00:07:26.979 --> 00:07:29.719 The depths are the depths of deep water. 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:32.480 And when he says, I'm in the depths, it's that sense. 00:07:32.480 --> 00:07:36.560 I hope you've never had this sense in real life, but you can imagine it if you haven't. 00:07:37.020 --> 00:07:38.860 It's that sense of treading water. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:41.160 Your feet can't touch the bottom. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.820 And you're giving up. 00:07:43.340 --> 00:07:46.920 And the water begins to close up over your face. 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:54.680 That's the metaphor the psalmist is using to describe his emotional state, to describe the reality that he sees around him. 00:07:54.720 --> 00:07:57.400 He's crying out of the depths. 00:07:57.399 --> 00:08:03.279 When you and I are in the depths, it's a place in life where we feel that we have no more control. 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:06.179 Where we feel that we're out of resources. 00:08:06.179 --> 00:08:10.679 Where we feel overwhelmed and we're beginning to sink down. 00:08:11.299 --> 00:08:17.239 It's the place where we can finally admit sometimes that we're beaten and defeated and helpless. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:23.000 And I think, like I've said, for many of us, perhaps you've come face to face with that over the last few months. 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:29.299 Maybe it's been through some other circumstance in your life before the last seven or eight months. 00:08:29.300 --> 00:08:36.899 But has there been a time where you have felt like you're in the depths and that water is about to close up over your face? 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:38.539 Where you're giving up. 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:40.539 Where you're out of control. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:42.820 We've been presented with that over and over again. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:45.480 Because no matter what you think about the danger of the virus. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:50.340 And I can imagine there's multiple opinions in the room about how dangerous it is. 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:58.000 Regardless of that, haven't we all been confronted over and over again with a sense of our own mortality over the last few months? 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:02.879 Haven't we all been confronted with the fragility of our wealth and our income? 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:07.120 Haven't we all been reminded that we are not in control? 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:09.840 Sometimes we think we lost control back in March. 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:13.120 Folks, we were never in control. 00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:17.259 We only have lost the illusion of being in control. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:20.000 We never actually were. 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:26.919 And however this whole pandemic started or however it's been managed, it has changed our lives and we can't opt out. 00:09:26.919 --> 00:09:33.899 We have to admit that in many ways, whether it's this or some other thing in your life, there's a sense of helplessness. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:36.779 And when you and I are helpless, it can take us to different places. 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:41.399 Where it should take us is to cry out to God like the psalmist does. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:45.339 But instead, it takes us to sometimes places of anger. 00:09:45.839 --> 00:09:49.439 When you come into touch with your helplessness, we get mad. 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:51.899 And we get mad at all kinds of things. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:53.279 We get mad at other people. 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:54.819 We get mad at government officials. 00:09:55.000 --> 00:09:56.279 We get mad at family members. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.240 We get mad at bosses. 00:09:57.399 --> 00:10:00.899 We get mad at school administrators, whoever it might be. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:04.720 But so often, we're not really mad at the people our anger is directed first towards. 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:07.399 We're angry at the fact that we're not in control. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:12.559 We're angry at the fact that this has been revealed to us and it's very, very uncomfortable. 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:16.839 Sometimes it takes us to anger and sometimes it takes us to fear. 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:24.680 Because suddenly, there's all these things that I really want to be in charge of and I want to be able to control my health or my schedule or my plans. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.180 But I can't. 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:28.379 And I've been talking with folks. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:29.480 I've been watching myself. 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:35.139 And I've sensed in myself and others I've talked to more fear than any other time in my life. 00:10:35.680 --> 00:10:38.899 More sleeplessness, more anxiety, more dread. 00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:42.500 Sometimes it takes us to a place where we try to ignore it. 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:51.559 Or sometimes it takes us to a place where we try to self-medicate, either through streaming TV or more food or more alcohol or whatever it might be. 00:10:52.179 --> 00:10:58.179 Sometimes it just takes us to that sense of, I'm going to buckle down and work harder to gain control back of my life. 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:04.639 And why do we go to these places like anger and fear and just the sense to numb it all? 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.539 Why do we go to that? 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:09.659 I think it's because you and I desperately want to be the heroes of our own story. 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:14.419 And when we're helpless, that goal is not in reach. 00:11:15.579 --> 00:11:19.439 Heroes of stories typically aren't helpless before the enemy. 00:11:19.959 --> 00:11:21.159 But they're in control. 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:23.419 And you and I want to be that hero of our story. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:26.559 We want to be the ones who throw ourselves a life preserver. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.839 But can a drowning man throw himself a life preserver? 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:32.319 Of course not. 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:35.299 The psalmist is saying, I'm in the depths. 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:38.159 I cannot throw myself a life preserver. 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:44.939 I need something outside of myself to come and pull me out of this deep water. 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:47.159 And that's why he cries out. 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:51.100 Out of the depths, I cry to you, O Lord. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:53.839 O Lord, hear my voice. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:57.019 Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy. 00:11:57.079 --> 00:12:04.439 Do you hear the desperation in his voice when he says, let your ears hear my voice, my pleas for mercy? 00:12:04.440 --> 00:12:07.620 I'm begging you, God, don't let me go down. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:12.520 Don't let me be defeated by this helpless situation that I find myself in. 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.540 Note what he's not saying. 00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:15.140 He's not bargaining with God. 00:12:15.780 --> 00:12:18.160 All right, God, I'm in a fix this time. 00:12:18.760 --> 00:12:26.180 And if you get me out, I'm going to return the favor by behaving myself, by doing X, Y, or Z. 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:28.779 He's not in a position to bargain. 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:33.319 Drowning men don't say, hey, throw me a life preserver and I'll make a deal with you. 00:12:34.599 --> 00:12:36.620 They're just begging for a life preserver. 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:39.699 He's not saying, God, I've got 90% of this covered. 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:43.279 There's just this one little slice that I need your help with. 00:12:43.839 --> 00:12:47.259 No, he is fully and completely defeated. 00:12:47.599 --> 00:12:50.659 And that is exactly where you and I need to be. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:55.079 And that's why times like these last several months can actually be good for us. 00:12:55.699 --> 00:13:02.179 Because we live typically in a place and lives full of resources and apparent control over things. 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:10.980 And it can be very spiritually and emotionally actually healthy for us to get into touch and come into reality with our sense of helplessness. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:17.299 As long as we don't go to anger, fear, self-medication, but we go to crying out to God. 00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:22.299 So I don't know if there's a particular thing in your life that's coming to mind as I talk about these things. 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:31.979 Whether it's the pandemic or whether it's some other situation in your family or your work or something where you have had that sense of being in the depths. 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:35.979 But whatever it is, I encourage you to cry out. 00:13:37.219 --> 00:13:38.639 That's a hard place to be. 00:13:38.839 --> 00:13:40.139 It's a scary place to be. 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:45.219 We don't like to admit it, but all of us in this room have a partnership in that. 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:46.680 We've all been there. 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:48.100 We all will be there again. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.600 And there's something we can do. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.139 We can cry out. 00:13:51.779 --> 00:13:55.560 We don't have to go to anger and fear and numbing and distraction. 00:13:56.300 --> 00:13:59.980 Maybe you've done that before and you've forgotten to do it now. 00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:05.800 Maybe you've never done it and it feels hard to be able to cry out like that. 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:11.000 But what better thing could there be for the helpless person who's going down than to cry out? 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:15.759 So first, when we're helpless, do what this psalmist does and cry out. 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:18.519 Second, when helpless, remember. 00:14:19.700 --> 00:14:20.179 Remember. 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:22.259 And that's all over this psalm. 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.740 We first need to remember that God cares. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:29.539 And if you take this psalm and place it in the context of the Old Testament, 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:36.240 you'll see that there's actually many themes from this psalm that show up in other places in the Old Testament. 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:43.740 If you'll keep your finger there at Psalm 130 and flip over to Exodus chapter 2 or go there on your screen, 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:46.340 whichever way you're looking at the scripture this morning. 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:51.460 Go back to Exodus chapter 2 and look with me at verse 23. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:58.440 In Exodus 2, the descendants of Abraham, the children of Israel, are in slavery in Egypt. 00:14:58.620 --> 00:15:00.580 And they have been 400 years. 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:06.420 I'm sure that by this point, their collective memory can barely even understand a time 00:15:06.420 --> 00:15:13.120 when they were not enslaved in a very difficult kind, an awful kind of slavery to Pharaoh. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:19.800 In verse 23, we read that during those many days, the king of Egypt died. 00:15:20.160 --> 00:15:25.920 And the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:29.960 Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:36.320 And God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:40.980 God saw the people of Israel and God knew. 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:45.700 Did you hear some of the same themes in Exodus 2 as Psalm 130? 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:47.440 First of all, they're in the depths. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:50.340 That word isn't used, but they're in slavery. 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:51.900 They're not in control. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.879 As slaves, they're helpless. 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:56.960 You did hear probably cry out. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.759 Out of the depths, I cry to you, Psalm 130 says. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:03.319 Exodus 2 says they cried out for help. 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:08.200 Not only did they groan, but they cried out for help. 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:14.779 And then just as Psalm 130 says we cry out, here in Exodus 2, we see that when we do, God does something. 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.700 God remembers. 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:21.500 He remembers his promises when he hears us cry out. 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:32.039 He remembers his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which is just as meaningful for believers today as it was for the children of Israel back then. 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:38.039 It says that God not only remembered, but he heard their groaning. 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:39.539 God hears us. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.179 God sees us. 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:42.639 God knows. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:42.659 And God knows. 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:45.239 And not just knows like he sees. 00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:52.579 We learn in the book of Hebrews that he knows because in his son Jesus, he has experienced suffering. 00:16:52.819 --> 00:16:54.859 He has experienced helplessness. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.539 Jesus has cried out. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.079 He knows. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.739 He's sympathetic. 00:16:57.740 --> 00:17:03.320 We have a high priest that understands us and can sympathize with us. 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:06.779 So we remember when we cry out that God cares. 00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:10.900 That it's not just us on our own to go figure this out. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:14.400 But we have a God who is moved in his spirit. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:18.559 Who sees us and hears us and remembers us. 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:21.660 So when we're helpless, we need to remember that God cares. 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:25.200 We also need to remember what God has done. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:30.640 And here I want us to go back to Psalm 130 and take a look at verses 3 and 4. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.039 Because here the psalmist is in the depths. 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.480 It's a helpless situation. 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:42.220 And what he does in verses 3 and 4 is he remembers another time he was in a helpless situation. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:46.100 And he doesn't just remember any old regular helpless situation. 00:17:46.100 --> 00:17:53.500 He remembers a time when he was in the most helpless situation that there could be. 00:17:53.500 --> 00:18:05.099 And he remembers the time when he tried to stand before God on his own record, his own merit, his own righteousness on the basis of what he had done. 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:07.019 And tried to stand. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:08.680 And he couldn't do it. 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:10.240 He says in verse 3, 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:15.559 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:20.240 If God was to mark our sins, there's no way we could stand before him. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:22.599 What does that word stand refer to? 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:30.619 It's that sense that you can be in someone's presence, lift your head up, look them in the face, and not be ashamed. 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:37.039 Instead of standing, he's saying if God was to mark his sin, he would have to cower. 00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:41.079 He would have to huddle, look down, hunch his shoulders. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:48.379 He couldn't stand before God with his shoulders back and face to face with the Lord. 00:18:48.459 --> 00:18:51.099 It's an entirely helpless situation. 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:56.759 He's saying that there is a perfect and holy and righteous God to whom you and I are accountable. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:19:00.079 And on our own, we cannot stand. 00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:01.980 It's a helpless situation. 00:19:02.939 --> 00:19:05.559 There could be no more helpless situation. 00:19:05.719 --> 00:19:07.319 But think about Romans 5.2. 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:13.399 And while we're turning around, just again, keep your finger there at Psalm 130 and turn over with me to Romans 5. 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:22.200 Take a look at verse 2 because, interestingly, the word stand shows up again. 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:25.280 And I'm going to start in verse 1. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:48.359 You see, if God was to mark our iniquities, we couldn't stand. 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:53.019 But through Jesus, the first two words of Romans 5.2 says, 00:19:53.439 --> 00:20:02.059 you and I can stand because he paid the price for our iniquities so that God would no longer mark them, 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:05.019 so that he would no longer remember them. 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.619 Think of it this way. 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:13.119 There was a time when Jesus hung on the cross and cried out of the depths for help, 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:15.079 and God did not answer. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:24.839 And because God did not answer Jesus, you and I will always be answered. 00:20:25.459 --> 00:20:28.359 Because in that moment, Jesus paid the price. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:35.779 He paid the price for our iniquities so that God will always hear our cry for help. 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.939 It's amazing news. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.339 Now we can stand. 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:48.299 Even though on our own, we are sinful, unclean, in Jesus, through his forgiveness, 00:20:48.959 --> 00:20:53.159 you don't just come into God's presence and have to stand in the back and hunch down. 00:20:54.279 --> 00:21:00.699 You come shoulders back, face up, and you see your father smile, Numbers 6 says. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:06.559 At you, because of you, sins gone and cleansed. 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.919 Stand before God. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:10.060 We need to remember what God has done. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:13.940 When you and I are helpless, whatever that situation is in your mind, 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:21.560 we need to bring to bear the truth that God has helped us in the most helpless situation possible. 00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:27.060 And if he's done that, then he will help us again in this. 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.700 Maybe not on our timetable. 00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:29.920 Maybe not in our way. 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:35.300 But if he has taken care of marking our iniquities and no longer does that, 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:37.039 he will not abandon us. 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:39.559 That's why Psalm 130 verse 4 says that, 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:42.119 With God there is forgiveness. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.480 Whatever that thing is that you're guilty of, 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:51.019 in Jesus, through him, through faith in his perfect life, death and resurrection, 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:53.460 with God there is forgiveness. 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:58.039 I want to point out something else that we can remember that God has done, 00:21:58.100 --> 00:22:00.039 and it comes from verse 7. 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.140 It says that, 00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:03.440 With God there is plentiful redemption. 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.440 Plentiful redemption. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:09.640 We've already said that in God there is forgiveness for our sins. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:15.059 But folks, salvation and what God is doing in grace is even better than that. 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:22.019 Because plentiful redemption refers to the fact that one day all the effects of the fall will be gone. 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:28.579 Not just your sin and not just the problem of the disruption of your fellowship with God, 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:35.799 but one day all of the other things we suffer with in this life that are ultimately because of sin 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:39.279 will be healed and restored also. 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:41.859 There will be no more sickness, 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:44.299 no more pandemics, 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:46.359 no more viruses, 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.879 no more social distancing, 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:52.059 no more masks. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:58.519 There will be no more death or crying or pain anymore, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:01.480 for the former things will have passed away. 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:03.859 There will be plentiful redemption. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:08.299 We're not going to run out of God's redemption when it comes to some effect of the fall. 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:11.240 It's not like his redemption will only go so far, 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:13.319 but just like the old hymn that we sing at Christmas, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.579 Joy to the World says, 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:20.359 He comes to make his blessings known as far as the curse is found. 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:22.359 Plentiful redemption. 00:23:23.719 --> 00:23:25.219 And that was done at the cross. 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:28.419 We're waiting for it in real time and space, 00:23:28.419 --> 00:23:30.099 but it's going to be done. 00:23:30.139 --> 00:23:32.019 And we have to remember that when we're helpless, 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:34.639 that God's not going to leave us there forever. 00:23:35.459 --> 00:23:38.979 One day, everything will be fixed. 00:23:39.639 --> 00:23:41.279 God forgives our sins, 00:23:41.939 --> 00:23:43.759 and he brings plentiful redemption. 00:23:43.979 --> 00:23:46.000 So we can remember that God cares. 00:23:46.119 --> 00:23:47.500 We can remember what he's done. 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:50.279 We can also remember what God is like. 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.319 When we are helpless. 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.459 Look with me again at verse 7, 00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:55.099 in just the first part of it. 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.779 That with the Lord, 00:23:57.519 --> 00:24:00.019 there is steadfast love. 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.839 Steadfast love. 00:24:02.899 --> 00:24:04.059 That is what God is like. 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:08.359 He is a God of steadfast love. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:10.539 Now, if you've read your Bible very often, 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.699 especially the Old Testament, 00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:13.459 and depending on the translation, 00:24:13.719 --> 00:24:16.000 you've come across these two words. 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.679 Steadfast love. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.019 They show up over and over, 00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:20.320 especially in the Psalms. 00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:23.799 Other translations talk about God's loving kindness. 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:27.360 And it's a way in English 00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:29.980 to try to render a Hebrew word 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:32.140 that we don't have something in English 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.600 that exactly suits it. 00:24:34.320 --> 00:24:36.100 Because yes, it means love, 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.279 like our word love. 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:39.440 But this original Hebrew word 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.759 also means not just love, 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:46.940 but loyalty and mercy and kindness. 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.759 So take the four English words, 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:53.420 love and loyalty and mercy and kindness, 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.580 throw them in a pot, 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:56.019 stir them together, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:58.360 and out comes what we translate here 00:24:58.360 --> 00:25:00.100 as steadfast love. 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:02.420 We remember that God is a God 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:04.620 of steadfast love. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.180 Instead of trying to explain it, 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.580 let me actually tell you a story 00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:09.920 from 2 Samuel chapter 9 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:12.039 that tells us in action 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:14.660 what steadfast love looks like. 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.720 In 2 Samuel chapter 9, 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:18.720 King David is on the throne. 00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:21.660 He's not been on the throne very long. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.240 The civil war between him 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:25.000 and the previous king, King Saul, 00:25:25.080 --> 00:25:25.600 is over. 00:25:26.560 --> 00:25:30.259 And David is the king of all 12 tribes. 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.320 And there is a man in that chapter 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:33.700 named Mephibosheth, 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:35.640 which is a tough name to say. 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.960 I had to practice it a few times 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:39.100 before I came here this morning. 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.640 And in 2 Samuel 9, 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:43.620 his life, Mephibosheth's life, 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:45.460 was not good, 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:47.680 to say the least, 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:49.160 even though he had been 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.319 the grandson of a king. 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.740 And I say had been 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:54.680 because his grandfather was King Saul, 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.340 the king that came before 00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:57.860 the current king, King David. 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.559 And as you can imagine, 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.759 if you're the grandson 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:02.039 of a former king, 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:04.139 and the king who has replaced him 00:26:04.139 --> 00:26:04.980 is on the throne, 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.799 you do not expect to be 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:09.079 the most popular man 00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:10.079 in the country. 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.180 If anything, you go and hide 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.099 because you're afraid. 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.639 Kings want to wipe out 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:16.720 all of the descendants 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.659 of the previous king. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.879 So not only is he living 00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:20.839 in hiding though, 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:23.639 but he had lost his family lands, 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:26.180 which means he has no income, 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:28.579 which means he is poor. 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:30.259 So he's living in hiding. 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.640 He's an enemy of the state. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.839 He's poor. 00:26:33.099 --> 00:26:34.099 He has nothing. 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.099 And on top of that, 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:35.900 because of an injury 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.640 when he was little, 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:38.660 he's actually unable to walk. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.200 He's lame. 00:26:40.859 --> 00:26:42.119 His life is not good. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.579 He's living in a place 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:45.059 that literally is translated 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.000 no pasture, 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.920 or what we might say 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.000 is nowheresville. 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:51.940 He's hiding out far, far away. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.879 No money. 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:54.519 He's unable to walk. 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.660 No income. 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.339 Living in a place 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.660 called nowheresville. 00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:00.860 But David wants to keep a promise, 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.420 the king. 00:27:02.080 --> 00:27:03.160 David wants to keep a promise 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.800 that he had made 00:27:03.800 --> 00:27:05.060 to his best friend Jonathan. 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:07.620 Jonathan was the son 00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:09.140 of the former king Saul 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:11.600 and the father of Mephibosheth. 00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:14.240 And David says, 00:27:14.320 --> 00:27:15.300 I want to keep a promise 00:27:15.300 --> 00:27:17.100 I had made to my friend Jonathan 00:27:17.100 --> 00:27:18.360 to be kind 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:20.759 to the descendants 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.860 of Jonathan and Saul. 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.480 As a matter of fact, 00:27:24.580 --> 00:27:26.500 David says in 2 Samuel 9, 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.880 is there anyone left 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.420 of Saul's family 00:27:29.420 --> 00:27:31.380 to whom I can show 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:33.019 the kindness of God? 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.880 And in 2 Samuel 9, 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:36.359 when it says kindness of God, 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:37.319 in the original Hebrew, 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.539 it's the same word 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:40.240 as Psalm 130, verse 7, 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.220 steadfast love. 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.619 David says, 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.980 is there anyone left 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:45.319 of Saul's family 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:46.400 to whom I can show 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:48.660 the steadfast love of God? 00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:51.119 Which is a simple question, 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.480 but it should be mind-blowing. 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:55.839 Saul's family was his enemy. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.079 Saul had tried 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.660 to kill David for years. 00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.680 He had sent David out 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.360 into the wilderness 00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.019 and hiding. 00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.180 And now that he's on the throne, 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.940 instead of saying, 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:04.860 that's it for Saul's family, 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.319 he says, 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.519 is there anyone left 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.460 of that crazy crew 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.099 that I can show 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:09.640 the steadfast love of God to? 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.819 What? 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:14.140 But he's keeping a promise. 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.980 He's being loyal 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.299 to his friend Jonathan. 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.940 And so David finds out 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.480 about Mephibosheth. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.500 He sends servants 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:21.200 to get him. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.400 And imagine being 00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:23.759 in Mephibosheth's shoes. 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:25.100 That's even harder to say, 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.299 shoes after Mephibosheth. 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:28.220 And you get a knock 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.799 on the door 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.279 and you say, 00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:29.860 who is it? 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.740 And they say, 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.140 we're the servants of David. 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.140 What do you think? 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.299 It's over. 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.279 They found me. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.360 I'm a dead man. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:39.100 You open the door 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:39.620 and they say, 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.840 you're coming to Jerusalem. 00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:41.860 You think, okay, 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.880 he wants to kill me in person. 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:45.019 So they go to Jerusalem 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:46.680 and David says to him, 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.860 Mephibosheth, 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.220 I'm going to give you back 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:50.299 your family lands, 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.680 which were extensive. 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:52.919 Well, 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.519 a lot of good that does him. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.319 He can't work it. 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.700 He can't walk. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.359 He says, 00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:58.980 I'm going to give you servants 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.259 to work the land, 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:01.319 which means you just get 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:02.180 a steady income. 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.500 And Mephibosheth, 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:05.000 I want you to stay here 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.659 in Jerusalem 00:29:05.659 --> 00:29:08.119 and not just be in my city 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.299 and not just be my neighbor. 00:29:09.839 --> 00:29:10.419 Listen to this. 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:12.180 I want you to come 00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:13.800 and eat at my table 00:29:13.800 --> 00:29:15.320 every day. 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:21.240 That is steadfast love 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.660 in action 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:24.900 in a horizontal way 00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:25.660 between David 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.480 and Mephibosheth. 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:29.360 That is David showing love 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.360 to his friend Jonathan 00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:32.620 and therefore his son Mephibosheth. 00:29:33.600 --> 00:29:34.800 Mephibosheth could represent 00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:35.900 a threat to his throne, 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.240 but he says, 00:29:36.300 --> 00:29:36.700 I love him. 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.880 And so I'm going to give him back 00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:40.220 family lands. 00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:41.320 I'm going to give him an income 00:29:41.320 --> 00:29:42.080 and make him rich. 00:29:42.140 --> 00:29:42.880 I'm going to let him eat 00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:43.980 at the king's table 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.480 because I'm loyal 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.320 to my promise. 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.900 So I'm going to show mercy 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:50.540 and I'm going to show kindness. 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.700 So with the Lord, 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:54.200 Psalm 130 verse 7 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:56.320 is steadfast love. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.740 And let me ask you, 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:59.580 if David shows steadfast love 00:29:59.580 --> 00:30:00.220 like that, 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:02.220 how good do you think 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:04.320 God's steadfast love 00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:05.380 is going to be? 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.980 Do you think it's going to be 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:08.620 less extravagant than David's? 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.040 Do you think it's going to be 00:30:10.040 --> 00:30:11.500 less amazing than David's? 00:30:11.580 --> 00:30:12.540 Absolutely not. 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:14.040 God is going to take 00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:15.460 David's steadfast love 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.760 and blow it out of the water 00:30:16.760 --> 00:30:19.160 in the way he treats us 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:21.080 by showing us love 00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:21.940 and loyalty 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.860 and mercy 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.940 and kindness. 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.200 And when you and I 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.680 are helpless, 00:30:26.020 --> 00:30:27.640 we need to remember that. 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.280 We need to remember 00:30:29.280 --> 00:30:30.460 that God is a God 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:31.560 of steadfast love 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:32.880 and will not leave us 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:34.220 on our own. 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.260 We need to remember 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.839 all that God 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.960 has done. 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.720 We need to remember 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.559 that he cares. 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.319 We need to remember 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.980 what God 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.920 is like. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.720 And you and I have to make 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:45.180 a conscious choice 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.680 when we're helpless 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.879 to remember those things. 00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:49.039 Because if you're like me, 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.259 when you're helpless, 00:30:51.259 --> 00:30:52.200 all you can see 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:53.059 is your problems. 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.619 All you can see 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:55.700 is your lack of control. 00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:57.400 All you can feel 00:30:57.400 --> 00:30:59.079 is that sense of, 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.900 oh no, 00:31:00.539 --> 00:31:01.720 my life's out of control. 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.259 We have to make 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.319 a conscious choice 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:05.200 to remember these things. 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:06.740 So when we're helpless, 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:08.000 the first point was cry out. 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.500 The second was remember. 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.200 And now third and last, 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:13.019 we need to wait with hope. 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:13.620 And here I want us 00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:15.360 to look at verses 5 and 6 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:17.160 of Psalm 130 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:19.620 where the psalmist says, 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:22.059 I wait for the Lord, 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:23.579 my soul waits, 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:25.200 and in his word I hope. 00:31:25.559 --> 00:31:27.180 My soul waits for the Lord 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.640 more than watchmen 00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.440 for the morning 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:30.839 and more than watchmen 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.480 for the morning. 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.640 Now you and I can read 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.759 those two verses of poetry 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.819 in less than 10 seconds. 00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:37.059 But it's going to take us 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:39.259 a lifetime to get it. 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.920 It's going to take us 00:31:40.920 --> 00:31:42.039 a lifetime to learn 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.180 how to live out 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:44.759 what we just read, 00:31:44.839 --> 00:31:45.960 to wait on God. 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.559 And there's lots of good ways 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.100 to talk about 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:48.500 what does it mean 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.240 to wait on God. 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.960 One, I think, 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:52.420 is just trusting him over time. 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.339 To wait on God 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:58.220 is to trust him over time. 00:31:58.220 --> 00:32:00.019 And I don't mean here 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:01.860 from Psalm 135 and 6 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:03.319 that when we wait on God, 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.539 we just sit on our hands 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:05.200 and do nothing 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:06.059 if there's something 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.920 for us to do. 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.200 If there's something 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.900 you can do 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.579 for the sake 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.360 of your circumstances, 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.140 then by all means, 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.819 go and do it. 00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:12.579 The scripture is clear 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.120 about that. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.559 But there's sometimes, 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:14.920 yes, 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.920 where there is nothing 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.819 we can do. 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.559 And what do we do then? 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.160 Whether our circumstances 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.960 get better or not, 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.819 we wait on the Lord. 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.799 And there's no indication 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.720 that by the time 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.700 we get to the end 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.319 of this Psalm 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:28.000 in verse 8 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:29.179 that the psalmist's 00:32:29.179 --> 00:32:30.759 circumstances have changed. 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.939 There is every indication 00:32:32.939 --> 00:32:34.899 that his perspective has 00:32:34.899 --> 00:32:35.799 in the way he goes 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.519 through those 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:37.119 unchanging, 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:37.740 difficult, 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:40.399 depth-like circumstances. 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.439 So when your circumstances 00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:43.319 don't change, 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:45.299 how do you wait with hope? 00:32:46.179 --> 00:32:46.899 And the answer is 00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:47.579 you have to take 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:49.220 God's forgiveness seriously. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.419 In other words, 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.119 to understand 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:52.439 how to wait with hope 00:32:52.439 --> 00:32:53.019 when you're helpless, 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.879 this third point, 00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.720 you've got to get 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.460 the second point, 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.220 that God's forgiveness 00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:58.359 is real, 00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.879 that with the Lord 00:32:59.879 --> 00:33:01.319 there is forgiveness. 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:02.440 And that's why 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.519 verse 4 ends 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.379 in a way that sounds 00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.779 strange to our ears. 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.379 But with you 00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.339 there is forgiveness 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:11.339 that you may be feared. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.400 When you read that, 00:33:13.460 --> 00:33:14.200 don't you expect it 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.559 to say, 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.740 with you there is forgiveness, 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.139 therefore I don't fear you. 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.279 Therefore I'm not 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.019 afraid of you. 00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:22.559 But he says, 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:24.039 with you is forgiveness, 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.980 therefore I fear you. 00:33:26.679 --> 00:33:27.119 And there's lots 00:33:27.119 --> 00:33:27.759 of different kinds 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.539 of fear of God 00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:28.980 in the Bible 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.559 you might know. 00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:30.619 Some of it is, 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.440 I tremble 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.639 and I'm scared of him 00:33:32.639 --> 00:33:33.299 because I know 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:33.839 I'm a sinner 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:34.759 and he's a perfect 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.539 and holy God. 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.139 Other times it means 00:33:37.139 --> 00:33:37.700 respect. 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.079 I think the best way 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:40.440 to sum up all the fear 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.299 of God in the Bible 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:43.419 is to take God 00:33:43.419 --> 00:33:44.299 seriously. 00:33:46.039 --> 00:33:46.980 When you take him 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.500 seriously, 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:48.419 you fear him. 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:50.299 And for the sinner 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.639 before God's judgment, 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:53.180 that might be fear. 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.680 But for the Christian, 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.379 you and I, 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.819 who are no longer 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:58.119 afraid of God's judgment 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.980 because it's all 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.619 been poured out 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.139 on Jesus, 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.399 what does fearing God 00:34:01.399 --> 00:34:01.960 look like? 00:34:02.339 --> 00:34:02.980 It still means 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:04.180 taking him seriously. 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.559 And that can mean 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.659 taking his forgiveness 00:34:06.659 --> 00:34:07.759 seriously. 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.400 Too often I think 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.000 you and I picture 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.539 the Christian 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.179 who is fearing God 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.000 as one who has 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.779 a healthy dose 00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.619 of guilt and shame 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:16.360 that they live 00:34:16.360 --> 00:34:17.039 with constantly. 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:18.880 But that's not 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.360 the gospel. 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.599 I think you can 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:24.599 actually not fear 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.059 God, 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.139 listen to this closely, 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:27.900 by not taking 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.820 his grace 00:34:28.820 --> 00:34:29.599 and forgiveness 00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.500 and acceptance 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.539 of you seriously. 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.719 When Jesus 00:34:33.719 --> 00:34:34.619 has done everything 00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:35.320 to bring you 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:36.000 into the presence 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.579 of the Father 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.679 so that you stand 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:39.139 and see his smile 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.980 and you don't 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.800 take that seriously 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.579 but you hang back 00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.059 and you say, 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:43.039 yeah, but if you 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.880 knew God 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:45.699 how bad I was, 00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:46.079 you wouldn't 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.840 smile at me. 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:49.599 Are you taking 00:34:49.599 --> 00:34:50.139 God's grace 00:34:50.139 --> 00:34:50.699 seriously? 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:52.019 Are you taking 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.599 Jesus' work 00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.099 at the cross 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.659 seriously? 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:55.199 No, with God 00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:55.940 there is forgiveness 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:57.460 that he may be feared. 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.800 We stand in his presence 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:01.000 taking his grace 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.779 seriously 00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:03.440 and when we do that 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.800 we can wait 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:06.059 with hope 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.559 when our circumstances 00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.440 don't change. 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.460 It's the logic 00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:11.599 of Romans 8 00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.360 verse 32. 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.639 He who did not 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.699 spare his own son 00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:15.360 but gave him up 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.000 for us all, 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:17.039 how will he not 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.940 also with him 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:19.460 graciously give us 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.360 all things? 00:35:21.159 --> 00:35:21.800 Hear the logic? 00:35:22.199 --> 00:35:23.019 If God gave us 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.579 his son 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:25.500 quit worrying 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.079 about it. 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.920 If he gave you 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:29.440 his son 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.000 do you think 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.340 he's going to 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:31.280 hold something back? 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.360 Not at all. 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.599 And the psalmist 00:35:34.599 --> 00:35:35.320 in Psalm 130 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:35.860 is saying 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.679 with God 00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:37.539 there is forgiveness 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.539 therefore wait 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.719 because if with him 00:35:39.719 --> 00:35:40.340 is forgiveness 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:41.179 then he's going 00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:41.920 to give you 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:43.019 all things. 00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.880 you can wait 00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:45.500 with hope. 00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:46.759 And when we do 00:35:46.759 --> 00:35:47.199 we'll do 00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:48.440 two things 00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.400 which sound different 00:35:49.400 --> 00:35:50.780 but really 00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:51.420 aren't that different. 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.139 We'll watch 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:53.340 and we'll sleep. 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:55.739 And this psalm 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:56.519 talks about that. 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.460 It says that 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.420 we wait for God 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:59.579 more than watchman 00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:00.980 waits for the morning. 00:36:01.659 --> 00:36:02.519 Imagine sitting 00:36:02.519 --> 00:36:03.519 on a city wall 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:05.659 thousands of years ago 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:07.099 you've got the night watch 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:08.880 you're struggling 00:36:08.880 --> 00:36:09.840 to stay awake 00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:10.960 you're struggling 00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:11.900 to let your eyes 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.820 pierce the darkness 00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:14.620 and more than anything 00:36:14.620 --> 00:36:16.420 you want that sun 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:17.120 to come up. 00:36:18.740 --> 00:36:19.600 You don't want 00:36:19.600 --> 00:36:20.300 to be the one 00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:21.039 who has to raise 00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:22.160 the cry of a surprise 00:36:22.160 --> 00:36:22.680 attack. 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.760 And so 00:36:23.760 --> 00:36:25.000 more than a watchman 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:26.079 waits for the morning 00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:27.640 we watch for God. 00:36:27.680 --> 00:36:28.260 And I want to tell you 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:29.019 something so beautiful 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.980 about this psalm. 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:31.780 The word mark 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:34.079 in verse 3 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.200 that if he should 00:36:35.200 --> 00:36:36.340 mark iniquities 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:38.200 and the word watch 00:36:38.200 --> 00:36:39.120 in watchman 00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:40.739 is actually 00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:41.779 the same root word 00:36:41.779 --> 00:36:42.259 in Hebrew. 00:36:43.279 --> 00:36:43.679 The psalmist 00:36:43.679 --> 00:36:44.539 is making a play 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.179 on words. 00:36:45.799 --> 00:36:46.319 He's saying 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:47.639 if you oh Lord 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.679 should mark iniquities 00:36:48.679 --> 00:36:49.460 and he doesn't 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.359 because there's forgiveness 00:36:50.359 --> 00:36:52.359 God doesn't mark 00:36:52.359 --> 00:36:53.179 or watch 00:36:53.179 --> 00:36:54.259 our iniquities 00:36:54.259 --> 00:36:54.779 anymore. 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:56.199 There's forgiveness. 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.599 So if God 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.339 doesn't watch 00:36:58.339 --> 00:36:59.199 for my sin 00:36:59.199 --> 00:37:00.679 I'm going to watch 00:37:00.679 --> 00:37:01.219 for him 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:03.219 when my circumstances 00:37:03.219 --> 00:37:04.059 don't change. 00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:05.400 This is cool 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:06.259 play on words 00:37:06.259 --> 00:37:07.179 there in the Hebrew. 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:08.159 God no longer 00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:09.420 watches for our sins 00:37:09.420 --> 00:37:09.839 so we're going 00:37:09.839 --> 00:37:10.779 to watch for him. 00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:12.480 And to watch 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:12.799 for him 00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:13.639 when your circumstances 00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:15.000 don't change 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.899 means you watch 00:37:15.899 --> 00:37:16.239 for him 00:37:16.239 --> 00:37:16.859 to maybe bring 00:37:16.859 --> 00:37:17.500 deliverance. 00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:18.859 Maybe bring a change 00:37:18.859 --> 00:37:19.779 to your circumstances. 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:21.000 Sometimes he does that. 00:37:21.819 --> 00:37:22.759 It means you watch 00:37:22.759 --> 00:37:23.639 for what he's doing 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.659 in your own life 00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.819 as you wait 00:37:25.819 --> 00:37:26.679 when circumstances 00:37:26.679 --> 00:37:27.319 don't. 00:37:27.719 --> 00:37:29.039 And you also watch 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.839 for Jesus 00:37:29.839 --> 00:37:30.659 to come back 00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:32.259 because that's 00:37:32.259 --> 00:37:33.000 going to fix it all. 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.940 That's the plentiful 00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.420 redemption. 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:35.980 All the effects 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.800 of the fall 00:37:36.800 --> 00:37:37.500 gone. 00:37:37.659 --> 00:37:38.679 So when we wait 00:37:38.679 --> 00:37:39.139 with hope 00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.760 because we take 00:37:39.760 --> 00:37:40.400 God's forgiveness 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:41.000 seriously 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.920 we'll watch. 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.000 And then I said 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:44.039 we'll also sleep. 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:45.840 And what I mean is 00:37:45.840 --> 00:37:46.840 this story 00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:48.000 from Acts chapter 12 00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.519 and you don't have 00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:49.280 to turn over there 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:50.599 but I think 00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:51.400 Peter 00:37:51.400 --> 00:37:52.679 who's in Acts chapter 12 00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:53.679 got this psalm. 00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:55.940 And I think 00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:56.380 he got it 00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:57.519 because he falls asleep 00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.960 in a place 00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.380 where you would 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.000 never imagine 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:01.260 someone could fall asleep. 00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:03.099 And what I mean is 00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:04.460 in Acts chapter 12 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.319 the persecution 00:38:05.319 --> 00:38:06.619 against the new church 00:38:06.619 --> 00:38:07.759 was increasing. 00:38:08.699 --> 00:38:09.539 And King Herod 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.420 not the King Herod 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:10.799 from Jesus 00:38:10.799 --> 00:38:11.799 but a different King Herod 00:38:11.799 --> 00:38:14.179 decides to arrest 00:38:14.179 --> 00:38:15.839 James and Peter. 00:38:16.319 --> 00:38:16.880 Actually first 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:17.559 just James. 00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:19.139 He arrests James. 00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:19.920 James is 00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.099 one of the inner three 00:38:21.099 --> 00:38:21.960 of the twelve 00:38:21.960 --> 00:38:22.619 along with 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:24.259 Peter and John. 00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:26.099 He puts him in prison 00:38:26.099 --> 00:38:27.779 and then he executes him. 00:38:28.839 --> 00:38:29.759 And it's the first one 00:38:29.759 --> 00:38:30.860 of the twelve apostles 00:38:30.860 --> 00:38:31.679 to be executed. 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:34.799 And when he does that 00:38:34.799 --> 00:38:36.139 he realizes 00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:37.079 he gets a boost 00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:38.699 in his approval ratings. 00:38:39.839 --> 00:38:41.139 And like a good politician 00:38:41.139 --> 00:38:41.819 he says 00:38:41.819 --> 00:38:42.319 huh 00:38:42.319 --> 00:38:43.619 if this makes 00:38:43.619 --> 00:38:44.539 my approval ratings 00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.000 go up 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.759 I'm going to do it again. 00:38:47.679 --> 00:38:48.079 And so 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:49.259 now that James is dead 00:38:49.259 --> 00:38:50.299 he goes and arrests Peter 00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:51.219 and puts him in prison 00:38:51.219 --> 00:38:52.579 and gives him 00:38:52.579 --> 00:38:53.099 I can't remember 00:38:53.099 --> 00:38:53.960 how many guards 00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:54.839 but 00:38:54.839 --> 00:38:55.980 more than one 00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:57.059 I think it's at least four. 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:57.880 There's no way 00:38:57.880 --> 00:38:58.880 Peter's getting out of jail. 00:38:59.440 --> 00:39:00.420 He's going to be executed 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:01.039 in the morning. 00:39:01.920 --> 00:39:02.940 It's near to the 00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:04.559 anniversary of Jesus' death 00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.920 just a few years before. 00:39:06.780 --> 00:39:08.159 That has to be on his mind. 00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:10.860 It's very close 00:39:10.860 --> 00:39:11.420 to the death 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.099 of his friend 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:13.220 of the last many years 00:39:13.220 --> 00:39:13.659 James. 00:39:14.320 --> 00:39:15.700 That has to be very much 00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:16.860 on his mind. 00:39:17.780 --> 00:39:18.059 But 00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:19.340 God in his wisdom 00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:20.460 sends an angel 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:21.760 to rescue Peter 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:24.659 but he never rescued James. 00:39:26.200 --> 00:39:26.900 Isn't that interesting? 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:27.659 Those two stories 00:39:27.659 --> 00:39:28.179 in Acts 12 00:39:28.179 --> 00:39:28.880 are back to back. 00:39:29.480 --> 00:39:30.340 James is in prison 00:39:30.340 --> 00:39:31.660 but not delivered. 00:39:32.320 --> 00:39:33.300 Peter goes to prison 00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:34.000 and an angel 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.900 gets him out. 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:36.780 Why are those two things 00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:37.480 back to back? 00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:39.480 And what did I say 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:40.519 about Peter sleeping? 00:39:41.539 --> 00:39:42.400 Well when the angel 00:39:42.400 --> 00:39:43.380 comes to get him 00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:45.539 he's asleep. 00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:47.880 Chained to multiple guards. 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.420 He's on death row. 00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:50.300 His execution's 00:39:50.300 --> 00:39:50.880 in the morning. 00:39:51.720 --> 00:39:52.920 And he's helpless. 00:39:53.100 --> 00:39:54.059 He's in the depths. 00:39:54.640 --> 00:39:55.400 And I don't know about you 00:39:55.400 --> 00:39:56.539 but when I'm in the depths 00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:57.980 or even nowhere close to him 00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:59.240 but just have a small problem 00:39:59.239 --> 00:40:00.759 what's the first thing to go? 00:40:02.199 --> 00:40:02.619 Sleep. 00:40:03.859 --> 00:40:05.079 Peter is in the depths 00:40:05.079 --> 00:40:06.199 and snoozing. 00:40:07.459 --> 00:40:07.899 Thinking 00:40:07.899 --> 00:40:08.719 it's going to be 00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.459 just like James 00:40:09.459 --> 00:40:10.379 just a few days 00:40:10.379 --> 00:40:11.559 or weeks before that. 00:40:12.199 --> 00:40:13.379 But he's asleep. 00:40:14.139 --> 00:40:14.559 And I think 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.739 that's one result 00:40:15.739 --> 00:40:17.299 of when we get this psalm 00:40:17.299 --> 00:40:18.339 deep in our bones 00:40:18.339 --> 00:40:19.659 is that when we face 00:40:19.659 --> 00:40:20.199 the depths 00:40:20.199 --> 00:40:21.779 we'll still be able 00:40:21.779 --> 00:40:22.339 to sleep. 00:40:22.479 --> 00:40:23.519 There's many other psalms 00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:24.079 like that. 00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.379 About how the psalmist 00:40:25.379 --> 00:40:26.439 lay down and slept. 00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:27.259 I woke again 00:40:27.259 --> 00:40:28.339 Psalm 3 says 00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:29.059 for the Lord 00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:30.240 sustained me. 00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:31.500 When we wait with hope 00:40:31.500 --> 00:40:33.000 we can watch 00:40:33.000 --> 00:40:35.720 and we can sleep. 00:40:36.640 --> 00:40:37.320 So I don't know 00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:38.500 what the depths are for you 00:40:38.500 --> 00:40:39.800 from your past 00:40:39.800 --> 00:40:40.440 from your present 00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:41.039 or maybe something 00:40:41.039 --> 00:40:41.680 for the future. 00:40:42.940 --> 00:40:44.100 But my hope is 00:40:44.100 --> 00:40:44.880 that when you hit 00:40:44.880 --> 00:40:46.940 those really difficult times 00:40:46.940 --> 00:40:48.220 you'll remember 00:40:48.220 --> 00:40:49.760 what this psalmist does 00:40:49.760 --> 00:40:51.340 and you'll cry out 00:40:51.340 --> 00:40:52.920 and you'll remember 00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:54.340 and you'll wait 00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:55.000 with hope. 00:40:55.380 --> 00:40:55.780 Let's pray. 00:40:55.780 --> 00:40:58.680 Father we thank you 00:40:58.680 --> 00:41:00.060 that Jesus was the one 00:41:00.060 --> 00:41:01.940 who for our sake 00:41:01.940 --> 00:41:03.000 and for our deliverance 00:41:03.000 --> 00:41:04.040 cried out to you 00:41:04.040 --> 00:41:06.120 and was not answered. 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:09.740 That you turned your back 00:41:09.740 --> 00:41:10.360 on him 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:11.900 so that he might 00:41:11.900 --> 00:41:12.720 pay the price 00:41:12.720 --> 00:41:14.220 that we all deserve. 00:41:15.160 --> 00:41:16.360 So that we could be 00:41:16.360 --> 00:41:16.940 the ones 00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:17.540 who know 00:41:17.540 --> 00:41:18.840 that when we cry out 00:41:18.840 --> 00:41:20.660 that you will always 00:41:20.660 --> 00:41:21.720 hear us. 00:41:22.100 --> 00:41:22.960 That you will never 00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:23.720 leave us. 00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.659 Even when you leave us 00:41:24.659 --> 00:41:25.699 waiting on you 00:41:25.699 --> 00:41:26.799 and our circumstances 00:41:26.799 --> 00:41:28.559 not changing. 00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:29.980 We know that you 00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:30.799 have us in mind. 00:41:31.419 --> 00:41:32.079 We know that you 00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:32.679 have a plan. 00:41:33.279 --> 00:41:33.819 And we know 00:41:33.819 --> 00:41:34.639 that you're at work. 00:41:35.359 --> 00:41:36.059 I pray Father 00:41:36.059 --> 00:41:36.559 that you would 00:41:36.559 --> 00:41:37.379 increase our faith 00:41:37.379 --> 00:41:38.299 because of the cross 00:41:38.299 --> 00:41:39.279 even when things 00:41:39.279 --> 00:41:40.439 seem bleak 00:41:40.439 --> 00:41:40.980 and helpless. 00:41:41.719 --> 00:41:42.659 And I pray that we 00:41:42.659 --> 00:41:43.179 would be able 00:41:43.179 --> 00:41:43.839 to be those 00:41:43.839 --> 00:41:44.699 who can watch 00:41:44.699 --> 00:41:45.519 for what you're doing 00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:47.339 and can sleep as well. 00:41:47.699 --> 00:41:48.139 And we pray 00:41:48.139 --> 00:41:48.899 all these things 00:41:48.899 --> 00:41:50.059 in Jesus name. 00:41:50.619 --> 00:41:50.980 Amen.