WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.799 We extend a very warm welcome to you all this morning and those of you who are joining us 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:13.580 online as well, welcome to you as well. There are a number of things on the information sheet today 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:17.339 that I want to mention. I'm not going to go through them all by any means, there's quite a 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:23.400 number of them. There is tea served after the service this morning and that'll be in the hall 00:00:23.400 --> 00:00:29.620 and everybody's welcome to that, visitors included. If you're a visitor we welcome you and you're 00:00:29.620 --> 00:00:35.380 welcome to stay for tea, coffee with us as well after the service. The service this evening will 00:00:35.380 --> 00:00:41.600 be conducted by Mr Scott McLeod. Deacons Court is due to meet tomorrow evening, that'll be in the 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:48.140 upper hall in person and that's at 7pm and then on Wednesday after a time of worship we'll have the 00:00:48.140 --> 00:00:54.000 annual meeting of the congregation and for the annual meeting the statement including the 00:00:54.000 --> 00:01:01.579 trustees report and financial statement for last year 2021 that will be presented. There is a 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:08.599 copy of the statement available today if you want to take one with you in advance. These are available 00:01:08.599 --> 00:01:15.240 here and also in the seminary. Now at the close of the annual meeting a presentation will be made to 00:01:15.239 --> 00:01:22.699 Mr Mortimer McPhail who you remember resigned as treasurer, retired I suppose would be a good word, 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:29.039 after more than 19 years of dedicated service. So it'd be great to have a good attendance for the 00:01:29.039 --> 00:01:34.560 annual meeting but also for that particular presentation as well. And then after that the 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:40.519 Kirk Session will meet immediately after that in the upper hall and will be pleased to meet with anyone 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:46.780 who wishes to profess their faith and take communion for the first time. And as you know the communion is due 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:54.239 next Lord's Day morning at 11am, that'll be here in the church and as was intimated over the last few 00:01:54.239 --> 00:02:01.659 weeks the procedure will be the same as we had at the last most recent communion. So we'll just go by the 00:02:01.659 --> 00:02:08.219 same way of carrying out the communion for this time and then for the future we'll assess just how to go ahead. 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:15.080 This is just still part of the recovery from the times of COVID restrictions and spacing and so on 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:20.900 which we're no longer required to keep but there will be a space in between each pew that's used for 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:28.840 the communion table. And ahead of the communion there'll be services on Saturday evening, a service on 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:35.060 Saturday evening and a communion early morning prayer meeting and you can see these intimated there 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:41.300 on the 4th and 5th on Saturday and Sunday. And please get in touch with Alistair MacLeod if you 00:02:41.300 --> 00:02:49.680 are going to join any of these by Zoom. The LDOS annual rally takes place this coming Friday at 7.30, 00:02:49.740 --> 00:02:56.340 that'll be in the town hall and it'll also include the launching of a new book produced by the branch 00:02:56.340 --> 00:03:02.980 called Remember the Sabbath Day. And finally there's a book available today called Our Faithful Queen 00:03:02.980 --> 00:03:09.620 and it's a very well produced and colorful book. It's a very very nice book. It's intended for giving 00:03:09.620 --> 00:03:15.199 out to people and we're suggesting that if you can take a copy you can please just give it out to those 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:18.719 that you may know in the neighborhood or your friends that aren't able to come to church 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:26.159 or are able to come to church but don't. In any case use your own initiative but it is for handing 00:03:26.159 --> 00:03:34.580 out so there's no charge for it. So it's available today for that purpose. It's a book of prayers that 00:03:34.580 --> 00:03:40.759 the Queen over the years has used. She was given a book of readings and prayers in advance of her 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:48.199 coronation all these years ago and she has used that and made statements of her own faith which are 00:03:48.199 --> 00:03:55.879 included in the book as well. So it's a very useful book to actually give out especially to any that 00:03:55.879 --> 00:04:01.060 you know would benefit from it. Well these are the only intimations I need to mention. Let's worship 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:08.280 God now. We're singing firstly today from Psalm 30. Psalm number 30 and that's in the Scottish Psalter 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:17.219 page 239 the tune is St. Minver verses 1 to 5. And we're reverting back to four singings which we used to 00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:24.560 have for our services in any case. So again today we're back to having four singings, four items of praise. 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:31.880 Lord I will thee extol for thou hast lifted me on high and over me thou to rejoice made'st not mine enemy. 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:38.300 O thou who art the Lord my God I in distress to thee with loud cries lifted up my voice 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:46.120 thou hast healed me. And so on down to verse 5 we'll stand to sing. Lord I will thee extol. 00:04:46.120 --> 00:05:16.100 Lord I will thee extol for thou hast lifted me on high and over me thou to rejoice made'st not mine enemy. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:46.080 O thou who art the Lord my God I in distress to thee with loud cries lifted up my voice and love hast healed me. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:06:05.899 O Lord my soul that hast healed me. O Lord my soul that hast sought out and rescued from the grave. 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:11.899 O Jesus that hastened me inessional tales to thee with luke myself than my rage of our deliverance Would he have gått and completed up with time before his gehad each other? 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:15.079 God to die, 00:06:15.479 --> 00:06:17.699 have life 00:06:17.699 --> 00:06:20.439 against me 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:22.479 save. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:25.859 O ye that 00:06:25.859 --> 00:06:28.039 at this 00:06:28.039 --> 00:06:29.859 holy 00:06:29.859 --> 00:06:32.479 one, sing 00:06:32.479 --> 00:06:34.819 grace unto 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:38.319 the Lord, 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:41.159 and give 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:42.300 unto 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:44.020 them 00:06:44.020 --> 00:06:45.240 that 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:46.400 praying 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:48.580 his 00:06:48.580 --> 00:06:50.840 holiness 00:06:50.840 --> 00:06:53.120 record. 00:06:55.520 --> 00:06:56.060 For 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:57.480 God 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:59.660 of whom 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:01.879 and thus 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:03.840 his wrath 00:07:03.840 --> 00:07:05.020 life 00:07:05.020 --> 00:07:07.180 in this 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:10.960 favor lies. 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:11.980 We 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:14.300 being made 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:15.800 whole 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:17.980 at night 00:07:17.980 --> 00:07:18.840 and 00:07:18.840 --> 00:07:20.040 truth 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:21.160 and 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:22.680 born 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:24.500 the joy 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:25.800 in our 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:27.580 eyes. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:27.779 Amen. 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:30.959 We're now 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:31.399 going to call 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:32.060 upon the 00:07:32.060 --> 00:07:32.579 Lord in 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:32.839 prayer. 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:33.120 Let's 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.319 join 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:33.659 together 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:33.879 in 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:34.159 prayer. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:38.779 O Lord, 00:07:38.899 --> 00:07:39.060 our 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:39.419 gracious 00:07:39.419 --> 00:07:39.819 God, 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:40.319 we thank 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:41.319 you for 00:07:41.319 --> 00:07:41.659 the many 00:07:41.659 --> 00:07:42.259 assurances 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:42.699 that we 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:43.079 have given 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:43.439 as we 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:43.639 come 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:44.039 together 00:07:44.039 --> 00:07:44.560 to worship 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:44.919 you. 00:07:45.919 --> 00:07:46.199 We give 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:46.479 thanks 00:07:46.479 --> 00:07:47.000 especially 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:47.459 for the 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:47.839 assurance 00:07:47.839 --> 00:07:48.459 that you 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:48.979 make us 00:07:48.979 --> 00:07:49.319 welcome 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:49.680 in your 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:50.099 presence 00:07:50.099 --> 00:07:51.360 through the 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:51.919 provision you 00:07:51.919 --> 00:07:52.339 have made 00:07:52.339 --> 00:07:52.799 for us 00:07:52.799 --> 00:07:53.060 in the 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:53.579 Lord Jesus 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:54.139 Christ. 00:07:54.859 --> 00:07:55.579 We come 00:07:55.579 --> 00:07:55.959 together 00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:56.500 today, O 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:56.699 Lord, 00:07:56.779 --> 00:07:57.139 and come 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:57.740 to approach 00:07:57.740 --> 00:07:58.060 you, 00:07:58.759 --> 00:07:59.060 conscious 00:07:59.060 --> 00:07:59.579 that he 00:07:59.579 --> 00:07:59.979 is the 00:07:59.979 --> 00:08:00.240 way, 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:00.779 the truth, 00:08:00.859 --> 00:08:01.060 and the 00:08:01.060 --> 00:08:01.439 life, 00:08:02.379 --> 00:08:02.639 conscious 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:03.120 that he 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:03.560 is that 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.240 new and 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:04.839 living way 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:05.939 which you 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:06.659 have opened 00:08:06.659 --> 00:08:07.219 up into 00:08:07.219 --> 00:08:07.839 your presence, 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:09.000 that we 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:09.360 might be 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:09.740 able to 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:10.120 approach 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:10.539 you and 00:08:10.539 --> 00:08:10.879 find 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:11.560 acceptance 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:12.319 and a 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:12.740 place in 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:12.879 your 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:13.279 presence 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:13.719 and your 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:14.199 approval. 00:08:15.299 --> 00:08:15.799 We thank 00:08:15.799 --> 00:08:16.079 you, O 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:16.259 Lord, 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:16.740 for all 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:17.120 that that 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:17.620 contains 00:08:17.620 --> 00:08:18.139 for us 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:19.459 today and 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:19.740 for the 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:20.159 ground that 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:20.579 it gives 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:21.099 us to be 00:08:21.100 --> 00:08:22.500 assured of 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:22.939 God's 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:23.720 own welcome. 00:08:24.700 --> 00:08:25.379 We pray 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:26.180 for faith, O 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:26.580 Lord, to 00:08:26.580 --> 00:08:27.160 come before 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:28.379 you, believing 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:28.980 that you are 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:30.520 God, that you 00:08:30.520 --> 00:08:31.260 are a rewarder 00:08:31.260 --> 00:08:31.900 of those who 00:08:31.900 --> 00:08:32.860 diligently seek 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:33.100 you. 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:34.659 We thank you 00:08:34.659 --> 00:08:35.240 today for the 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:35.899 faith that you 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:36.560 create in the 00:08:36.560 --> 00:08:37.139 hearts of your 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:38.600 people, for the 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:39.279 way in which by 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.100 your Holy Spirit 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:40.980 you give us to 00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:42.460 believe in you, to 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:43.680 trust in you, to 00:08:43.680 --> 00:08:44.759 entrust ourselves 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:45.420 to you. 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:47.000 We thank you, 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:47.620 Lord, that that 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:48.620 faith brings so 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:49.340 much into our 00:08:49.340 --> 00:08:51.080 possession, and yet 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:51.620 we do not 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.400 trust in our 00:08:52.400 --> 00:08:54.200 faith itself, but 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:54.740 in the one who 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:55.480 is foundational 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:56.940 to it, the 00:08:56.940 --> 00:08:57.720 God and Father 00:08:57.720 --> 00:08:58.340 of our Lord 00:08:58.340 --> 00:09:00.160 Jesus Christ, and 00:09:00.160 --> 00:09:01.280 Christ himself as 00:09:01.280 --> 00:09:01.820 our Savior. 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:03.560 We bless you, 00:09:03.639 --> 00:09:04.420 Lord, today that 00:09:04.420 --> 00:09:05.460 we find ourselves 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:06.900 addressing you in 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:08.800 his name, confident 00:09:08.800 --> 00:09:10.200 that you have 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:11.060 provided all that 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:12.560 we need in him 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:13.540 through his work 00:09:13.540 --> 00:09:14.759 on earth, through 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:15.440 his continuing 00:09:15.440 --> 00:09:16.440 intercession in 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:16.680 heaven. 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:18.660 Lord, we thank 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:19.540 you today for 00:09:19.540 --> 00:09:20.259 this place of 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:20.540 worship. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:21.920 We thank you 00:09:21.920 --> 00:09:22.820 for this occasion 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:23.500 of worship. 00:09:24.280 --> 00:09:24.860 We thank you 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:25.360 for all that you 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:26.320 provide for us 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:28.700 as means by 00:09:28.700 --> 00:09:29.340 which we 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:29.960 worship you. 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:31.540 We give thanks 00:09:31.540 --> 00:09:33.120 for your word, and 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:33.920 we give thanks for 00:09:33.920 --> 00:09:34.639 the way that you 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:36.259 call us to praise 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:36.940 your name through 00:09:36.940 --> 00:09:38.060 singing your praise. 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:39.580 We thank thee for 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:40.560 the access we have 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:41.360 to you in prayer. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.000 We pray, O Lord, 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:44.840 that our access to 00:09:44.840 --> 00:09:46.660 you in prayer may 00:09:46.660 --> 00:09:48.120 constantly be in 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:49.060 use by us. 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:50.819 you call upon us in 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:51.699 your word to pray 00:09:51.699 --> 00:09:52.699 to you continually. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:54.579 And Lord, although 00:09:54.579 --> 00:09:55.419 we know we cannot 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:56.959 be every second of 00:09:56.959 --> 00:09:58.779 every day engaged 00:09:58.779 --> 00:09:59.699 meaningfully in 00:09:59.699 --> 00:10:01.419 prayer, yet we give 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:02.159 thanks for every 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:03.039 occasion that we 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.539 can, and for the 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:05.500 way that even as we 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:06.359 go about our 00:10:06.359 --> 00:10:07.839 vocation and work 00:10:07.839 --> 00:10:08.779 and places in the 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:10.219 world, we can 00:10:10.219 --> 00:10:11.459 address you in prayer 00:10:11.459 --> 00:10:12.399 and seek your help 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.979 and give you praise. 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.940 we give thanks, O 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:16.600 Lord, for all that 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:17.659 you have been to us 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.180 over these past 00:10:19.180 --> 00:10:20.940 years, especially in 00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:22.500 this time of COVID 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:23.200 pandemic. 00:10:24.220 --> 00:10:25.300 And Lord, help us, 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:26.879 we pray, to continue 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:28.039 to give thanks to 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:29.560 you for the way that 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:30.060 you have watched 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:31.000 over us and kept 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:32.620 us, for the way 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.060 that you have 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:34.100 continued to guide 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.039 us and teach us 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.120 by your word, for 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:37.920 the way that you 00:10:37.920 --> 00:10:39.700 have continued to 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:41.240 provide for us in 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.039 the gospel, the 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.039 services of worship 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:44.939 that we gladly 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:45.799 engage in. 00:10:46.699 --> 00:10:47.519 And Lord, we ask 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:48.659 that this may 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:49.759 constantly be in 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.120 our mind to give 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:51.839 thanks to you and 00:10:51.839 --> 00:10:53.039 to remind ourselves 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.899 of how easily things 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:55.899 can change in your 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:57.519 providence, how much 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.259 we are dependent 00:10:58.259 --> 00:10:59.819 upon you, how we 00:10:59.819 --> 00:11:00.899 cannot steer our 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:01.819 own course through 00:11:01.819 --> 00:11:02.839 life successfully. 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:04.559 And if we try to do 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:05.620 so, Lord, you make 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:07.360 it clear to us that 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.379 our life is in your 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:08.939 hands. 00:11:09.719 --> 00:11:10.779 We pray today that 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.639 as we gather in your 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.980 presence, these 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:14.399 realities may indeed 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.500 be true for each 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.159 one of us. 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.899 We ask for everybody 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.139 gathered here today 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:20.399 and for all who are 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.600 joining us online. 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:23.100 Lord, may your 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:24.399 blessing rest upon us. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:26.019 May your Holy Spirit 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.120 be active in our 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:27.860 experience. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:29.399 May your word be 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.319 applied to our 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:31.319 hearts with power. 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.139 May we find, O Lord, 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:34.379 today that we take it 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.720 with us and its 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:37.419 teaching into all that 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:39.200 lies ahead of us, 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:40.539 even in this week 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:41.079 itself. 00:11:41.899 --> 00:11:43.579 We thank you for the 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:44.399 blessings that we 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:45.519 enjoy in the gospel, 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:46.959 the way that you 00:11:46.959 --> 00:11:47.959 continue to provide 00:11:47.959 --> 00:11:49.360 for us individually 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.719 and as a congregation 00:11:50.719 --> 00:11:52.279 and in our homes and 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:52.819 families. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:54.719 Lord, we pray that your 00:11:54.719 --> 00:11:55.939 blessing will be 00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:57.059 extended to us even 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:58.879 more as we seek an 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:01.679 increase in our own 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:02.860 commitment to you and 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.799 our love for you. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.860 We pray, Lord, that you 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:07.699 would continue to fuel 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:09.020 our lives by your 00:12:09.020 --> 00:12:10.540 grace and by the 00:12:10.540 --> 00:12:11.240 strength of your 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:11.680 power. 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.379 Enable us to proceed 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.580 and persevere onwards 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:16.020 in that life of 00:12:16.020 --> 00:12:16.460 faith. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:17.940 Help us, we pray 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:19.360 today, to resist all 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:21.480 inclinations away from 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:23.140 you, every temptation 00:12:23.140 --> 00:12:24.280 from whatever source, 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:26.040 O Lord, that seeks to 00:12:26.040 --> 00:12:27.560 draw our minds and our 00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:29.420 lives away from the 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:30.540 life that is in you, 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.120 from the fountain of 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.080 life that we know is 00:12:33.080 --> 00:12:33.780 with yourself. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.939 Lord, we ask that you 00:12:35.939 --> 00:12:37.720 would enable us day by 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:39.339 day to continue to 00:12:39.339 --> 00:12:40.459 persevere in that way 00:12:40.459 --> 00:12:42.079 of trusting in you and 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:42.799 serving you. 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.559 Bless again, we pray, 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.220 our children, our young 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:46.679 people. 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:48.319 We thank you today for 00:12:48.319 --> 00:12:49.379 them as they gather in 00:12:49.379 --> 00:12:50.839 creche and in tweenies 00:12:50.839 --> 00:12:51.759 and Sunday school. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:53.379 And for those of them, 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:55.360 Lord, who are now 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:56.360 approaching adulthood, 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:58.399 who gather from time to 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.659 time in Bible class, in 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:02.039 youth fellowship, in 00:13:02.039 --> 00:13:03.799 other ways of joining 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:04.740 together and hearing 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.659 about the things of 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:06.059 God. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:07.980 O Lord, as they are 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:09.000 taught and as they learn 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:11.099 these things, grant to 00:13:11.099 --> 00:13:12.399 them that they may be 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:13.860 firmly entrenched and 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.399 established in your ways 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:17.539 so that they may continue, 00:13:17.779 --> 00:13:19.939 Lord, to in their lives 00:13:19.939 --> 00:13:21.879 engage with you and 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:23.179 continue in the teaching 00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:24.860 they received to follow 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.480 it through in their 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.139 practice in our adult 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:27.659 life. 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:30.240 Remember, too, today, 00:13:30.339 --> 00:13:31.079 Lord, those who have 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:32.040 gone away from you, 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:34.220 those who have strayed 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.540 away from following you 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:37.300 faithfully, those for 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:38.780 whom this time of 00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:41.139 COVID pandemic and 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:43.139 restrictions and all of 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:43.980 the things associated 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.620 with that have been so 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.460 difficult and so 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.980 challenging, and whose 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:50.020 love has grown cold and 00:13:50.020 --> 00:13:51.020 who today are not found 00:13:51.020 --> 00:13:52.020 in a place of worship. 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:53.720 Gracious Lord, be 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.800 merciful to them, 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.160 whether belonging to 00:13:56.160 --> 00:13:57.259 this congregation or 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:57.620 others. 00:13:58.280 --> 00:13:59.620 We know how devastating 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:01.279 this time has been for 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:01.639 some. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.299 We know how some have 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:05.340 lost their relish, how 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.159 some have even turned 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.440 away from following you 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:07.940 altogether. 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.179 O Lord, our God, be 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.700 pleased, we pray, to 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:13.000 bless them, to recover 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.639 them, to reach out to 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:15.679 them, O Lord, and take 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:17.639 them back and graciously 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:19.639 work in our midst, in our 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:21.259 communities, to bring 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:22.860 others who may have never 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:24.240 before thought about you, 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.240 but whose minds have been 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:27.840 upon these eternal issues 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.519 during this providence. 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.440 Grant that you would 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.379 bless that to them. 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:33.060 We pray for those who 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:35.100 lead us in our nation, and 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.440 as we lament, O Lord, the 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.800 evidences we find of 00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:39.259 departure from your 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.560 values and your ways and 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:42.360 your laws amongst them, we 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:43.420 pray for them, for you 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:44.340 have called us to do 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:44.639 this. 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.019 We pray for our 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.200 governments in Scotland 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:49.360 and in Westminster, in 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.200 Ireland and Wales. 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.519 We pray, O Lord, as a 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.580 nation, that we may be 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:55.420 more and more bound 00:14:55.420 --> 00:14:56.820 together in your truth, 00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:58.560 and not in the ways of 00:14:58.560 --> 00:15:00.240 human beings, however 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:01.660 much they may appeal to 00:15:01.660 --> 00:15:02.980 our own nature. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:05.180 Grant, Lord, that your 00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:06.120 blessing, therefore, will 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.120 be with our First 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.940 Minister, our government, 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:10.660 our Prime Minister and 00:15:10.660 --> 00:15:11.200 his government. 00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:13.120 And, Lord, grant at this 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.840 time that we may see 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:17.500 more and more of your 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.520 own people coming to 00:15:18.520 --> 00:15:20.540 raise their voice against 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:22.320 the departures morally and 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:24.300 spiritually that we find so 00:15:24.300 --> 00:15:26.500 sadly marking our nation and 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.000 our leaders at this time. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.779 Remember our Queen. 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.480 Be with our Lord in her 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.179 old age. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:34.240 Be with her as she finds her 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.980 at this time of her life, 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.259 her movement to be 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.759 restricted and her ability 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:40.740 to go from place to place 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:42.000 to be less than it used to 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.240 be. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.220 We thank you for the 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.679 declarations of her faith 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:47.240 that she has made and that 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.179 she continues to make, and 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:50.139 for the guidance that that 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.779 has given to her family. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:53.419 And we pray that you would 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.620 bless her, O Lord, at this 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:56.379 time as she comes to 00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.659 celebrate this Jubilee. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.940 We be thankful, O Lord, for 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:01.419 her leadership over the 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.440 nation over these many 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.440 years and for the ways in 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.679 which she has withstood so 00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:06.399 many tests. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.019 And we pray that you would 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:09.299 continue, Lord, to uphold 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:11.480 her and to continue to 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:13.539 maintain her in her own 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:15.200 faith and attachment to you. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:16.860 And now we pray that you 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.179 would remember us here as we 00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:19.320 continue in your presence. 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.460 Bless to us your word and 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:23.400 help us to sing your praises 00:16:23.400 --> 00:16:24.019 joyfully. 00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:25.740 And we pray all of these 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:27.580 things, seeking pardon and 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:28.879 cleansing of all our sin. 00:16:29.280 --> 00:16:30.340 For Jesus' sake. 00:16:30.780 --> 00:16:31.180 Amen. 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:34.540 Let's sing further now to 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:36.420 God's praise from Psalm 61. 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:39.800 Psalm 61, again, it's in the 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.800 Scottish Psalter version. 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.600 Page 293. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:51.220 And verses 1 to 4. 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:53.600 O God, give ear unto my 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:55.240 cry, unto my prayer attend. 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:57.440 From the utmost corner of the 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:00.720 land, my cry to thee I'll send. 00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:01.540 We'll sing to the tune 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:04.059 Salzburg, verses 1 to 4. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:06.960 O God, give ear unto my cry. 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.059 Amen. 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:07.099 Amen. 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:22.039 O God, give ear unto my cry, unto my 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:26.000 prayer attend. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:34.240 From the utmost corner of the land, 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:41.240 my cry to thee I'll send. 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:50.480 What time my heart is overwhelmed, 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:56.240 and in perplexity, 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:06.240 where thou be lead unto the rock, 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:13.240 the fire is the night. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:22.240 For thou hast for my enmity, 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:30.240 a shelter by thy power, 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:39.240 and for defence against my foes, 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:46.240 the vast, he laves strong tower. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:52.240 within thy cover, 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.240 within thy cover, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:56.240 none will die, 00:18:56.240 --> 00:19:03.240 forever will abide. 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:08.240 And I'll cover all thy wings, 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:21.240 with God that lets me hide. 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.980 Now as we return to God's Word, 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.700 we're reading two passages this morning. 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:30.579 First of these is in 2 Samuel, chapter 15. 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:34.799 And then we're also going to read from the book of Psalms, 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:37.019 and Psalm 63. 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:45.240 So firstly, it's in 2 Samuel, chapter 15, 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.240 reading verses 13 to 23. 00:19:47.240 --> 00:20:03.240 2 Samuel 15, verse 13. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:10.240 This is after David had fled, 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:12.240 after the rebellion of Absalom, 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:14.240 the coup that Absalom had led. 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:16.240 So we read at verse 13, 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:18.240 a messenger came to David, 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.240 saying, 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:22.240 The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:25.240 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:27.240 Arise, and let us flee, 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:30.240 or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.240 Go quickly, 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:33.240 lest he overtake us quickly, 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:35.240 and bring down ruin on us, 00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:37.240 and strike the city with the edge of the sword. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:40.240 And the king's servants said to the king, 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:44.240 Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides. 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:47.240 So the king went out, and all his house sold after him, 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:51.240 and the king left ten concubines to keep the house. 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:54.240 And the king went out, and all the people after him, 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:56.240 and they halted at the last house. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:59.240 And all his servants passed by him, 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:02.240 and all the Carithites, and all the Pelithites, 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:05.240 and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:07.240 passed on before the king. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:10.240 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:12.240 Why do you also go with us? 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:15.240 Go back and stay with the king, 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:18.240 for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:20.240 You came only yesterday, 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:23.240 and shall I today make you wander about with us? 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:26.240 Since I go, I know not where. 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:28.240 Go back and take your brothers with you, 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:32.240 and may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:34.240 But Ittai answered the king, 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:37.240 As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:40.240 wherever my lord the king shall be, 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:42.240 whether for death or for life, 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:45.240 there also will your servant be. 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:47.240 And David said to Ittai, 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:49.240 Go then, pass on. 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:52.240 So Ittai the Gittite passed on with all his men, 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:55.240 and all the little ones who were with him. 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:59.240 And all the land wept aloud as the people passed by, 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:02.240 and the king crossed the brook Kidron, 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:06.240 and all the people passed on towards the wilderness. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:09.240 And we turn now to the book of Psalms, 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:11.240 and Psalm 63. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:18.240 Psalm 63. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:21.240 Psalm that's entitled, 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:23.240 Psalm of David, 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:26.240 when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.240 Psalm 63. 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:29.240 O God, you are my God. 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:31.240 Earnestly I seek you. 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:33.240 My soul thirsts for you. 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:36.240 My flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land, 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:38.240 where there is no water. 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:41.240 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:44.240 beholding your power and glory. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:47.240 Because your steadfast love is better than life, 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:49.240 my lips will praise you. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:51.240 So I will bless you as long as I live. 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:54.240 In your name I will lift up my hands. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:58.240 My soul shall be satisfied as with fat and rich food, 00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:02.240 and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.240 When I remember you upon my bed 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:07.240 and meditate on you in the watches of the night. 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:09.240 For you have been my help, 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:13.240 and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:16.240 My soul clings to you. 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:18.240 Your right hand upholds me. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:21.240 But those who seek to destroy my life 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:23.240 shall go down into the depths of the earth. 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:26.240 They shall be given over to the power of the sword. 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:29.240 They shall be a portion for jackals. 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:32.240 But the king shall rejoice in God. 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:35.240 All who swear by him shall exult. 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:39.240 For the mouths of liars will be stopped. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:43.240 And once again we pray for God to bless 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:46.240 these passages of his word to us today. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:50.240 Now before we turn to look at Psalm 63 this morning, 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.240 let's sing once again. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:53.240 We're singing in Psalm 62, 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:55.240 and this time from the Sing Psalms version. 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:58.240 You'll find that on page 79. 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:03.240 Psalm 62, page 79. 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:05.240 The tune is Heron Gate. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:07.240 And we'll sing verses 1 to 8. 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:11.240 My soul finds rest in God alone. 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:14.240 From him comes my salvation sure. 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:17.240 My safety, fortress, sheltering rock. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:19.240 In him alone I am secure. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:21.240 How long will you assault a man? 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:23.240 Do you all seek to lay him low, 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:26.240 this leaning wall, this tottering fence, 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:29.240 and bring about his overthrow? 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:32.240 They plan his fall from his high place. 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:34.240 They take delight in spreading lies. 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:37.240 With false and flattering mouths they bless. 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:40.240 But in their hearts curse and despise. 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:42.240 And so on, down to verse 8. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:46.240 My soul finds rest in God alone. 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:51.240 From him comes my salvation sure. 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:53.240 My safety, fortress, sheltering rock. 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.240 In him alone I am secure. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:59.240 In him alone I am secure. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.240 I long will you are going to do. 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:02.240 From him alone I am secure. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:04.240 From him comes my salvation sure. 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:06.240 From him comes my salvation sure. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:08.240 From him comes my salvation sure. 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.240 From him comes my salvation sure. 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:23.240 The 50 fortress, sheltering rock, in heaven alone I am secure. 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:41.099 How long will you, a softer man, do you all seek to live in love? 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:59.099 This leaning wall, this tottering fence, and may now act this overthro. 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:16.259 They plan this hope from this high list, they take the light in setting lights, 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:34.259 with false and flattering mouths they bless, but in their hearts, first and desies. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:51.259 Find rest, my soul, in God alone, and there my hope is ever true. 00:26:51.259 --> 00:27:08.920 My safety fortress, sheltering rock, in heaven alone I am secure. 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:26.920 My honour and salvation rest, on God my love and my default. 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:45.920 O people, trust in him always, to him alone for a true heart. 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:54.980 Well, for a short time this morning, will you please turn with me to Psalm 63 in the Book of Psalms. 00:27:56.920 --> 00:28:02.860 I'm going to look at some of the contents of this psalm as we go through it fairly quickly, 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:05.360 but looking at some of the main points. 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:11.160 A psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:18.920 There are times when the worst experiences we may have to go through in this life 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:21.779 bring out the very best in people. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:24.440 Of course, the opposite is also true. 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:31.860 When the worst experiences or conditions will sometimes bring out the worst in people as well. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:36.720 Sometimes even the best conditions can bring out the worst in people. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.900 But not so here. 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:43.920 Because here is David in very difficult circumstances in the wilderness. 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:52.240 And what he brings out before us in this psalm is really a confession of his faith in God. 00:28:53.080 --> 00:29:00.160 A confession that is just full of beauty and emotion and power and confidence in God. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:06.640 And the setting for it, as we find in the title, is when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:12.759 We're not sure that it was exactly at the same time as he was fleeing from Absalom, 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:15.220 but it certainly fits the context. 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:17.100 And when you look at verse 11 there, 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:20.540 the king shall rejoice in God and what it says. 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:28.640 It appears that that is a very likely context for this psalm to have been written 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:35.180 in relation to David's experiences in the wilderness when he had to flee for a time from Absalom. 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:40.960 When Absalom had gathered support from many of the people and risen up against David 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:43.960 and forced him to leave the city as king. 00:29:44.980 --> 00:29:46.800 And here in this great confession of faith, 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:51.880 we have something that is so very important and relevant to ourselves. 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:57.160 In our wilderness experiences, David is obviously literally in the wilderness, 00:29:57.880 --> 00:30:03.280 but God's people have always taken this psalm to be emblematic or symptomatic 00:30:03.280 --> 00:30:07.360 or a picture for them, an image for them, 00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:13.720 of the difficulties that they go through in this life that can actually be described as wilderness, 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:19.000 can be described as going through difficult times such as you go through physically 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:24.460 when you go through, as he says here, a dry and weary land where there is no water. 00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:29.220 And that has been the experience of people over the past couple of years, 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:34.079 especially during the more serious lockdown and the aftermath of that 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:37.880 with the COVID restrictions that were then put in place. 00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:43.660 And some people, of course, are still finding it very difficult to recover from that, 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:45.759 to build up their lives again from that. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:50.839 And maybe you yourself and myself are amongst that number as well. 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:55.619 But whatever wilderness experience you may have or have had, 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:58.160 or you may be going through even at this time, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:31:03.259 and if you're online as well and part of your difficulty is that you have not yet managed 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:07.339 to make your way back to the gathered worship of God, 00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:10.480 then I hope this psalm itself will say something to you, 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:17.420 to reassure you, to encourage you, to bring you this measure of praise to God 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:23.440 that will draw you to be with God's people as we are here today together in this place of worship. 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:26.640 I'm going to divide the psalm into three. 00:31:26.819 --> 00:31:28.559 It really divides itself into three. 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:34.660 Verses one to four, first of all, we'll take that as David's desire after God. 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:40.920 And then in verses five to eight, we'll call that David's delight in God. 00:31:41.620 --> 00:31:47.940 And then the final few verses, eight, nine to 11, David's defense by God. 00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:53.120 So there's David's desire, there's David's delight, and there's David's defense. 00:31:53.119 --> 00:32:00.879 And as we go through these, I hope we'll see how they are relevant to our own circumstances in life, 00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:03.139 because that's really what the Bible is for. 00:32:03.239 --> 00:32:06.119 It's not for us just to study this as a piece of history, 00:32:06.739 --> 00:32:10.759 as a piece of biography or autobiography on the part of David. 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:15.619 It's here as God's word, relevant for our circumstances too. 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:23.719 And in David's desire after God, you first of all see his longing and his confession at the very beginning. 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:27.019 Oh God, you are my God. 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:30.699 And that's really what runs right through the whole of the psalm. 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:35.299 It's central to all of the rest of the psalm and what's stated there. 00:32:36.239 --> 00:32:37.379 You are my God. 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:40.599 Earnestly, I seek, who is confessing immediately. 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:45.299 Despite his circumstances, he has not lost sight of who his God is. 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:49.219 He has not lost sight of the fact that this God is still his God, 00:32:49.399 --> 00:32:52.679 and that he wants to be known as one of God's people. 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.839 That's so important. 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.539 It's so crucial. 00:32:56.959 --> 00:33:02.979 In all the circumstances of life, that we keep our minds on the fact that God, 00:33:03.139 --> 00:33:06.679 this God, this God of the Bible is our God. 00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:11.939 And that when our circumstances change, and especially when they become difficult and challenging, 00:33:12.459 --> 00:33:14.919 nothing has changed from God's point of view. 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:17.500 Nothing has changed in his plan for us. 00:33:17.600 --> 00:33:19.539 It's always been planned this way. 00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:22.680 And the difficulties and the trials and the challenges, 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:28.120 whether they be spiritual or mental or whatever trauma they might be, 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.440 and there are many of them, 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:33.560 and we've all experienced some of them to one degree or another. 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:39.279 For the people of God, they can still say and want to be able to reaffirm, 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:42.519 O God, you are my God. 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:46.200 I don't want any other God but you. 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:55.920 And you see, the longing that David has is really put in terms of the longing of a friend for his friend. 00:33:57.080 --> 00:34:02.160 It's a longing on David's part for God as his best friend. 00:34:02.340 --> 00:34:05.400 God is no mere acquaintance for David. 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:11.880 He's not some figure that he's just come to acknowledge in a formal fashion as part of his religion. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.619 He is his dear friend. 00:34:13.820 --> 00:34:14.840 He is his Lord. 00:34:15.200 --> 00:34:16.000 He is his God. 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:16.780 He is creator. 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:17.720 He is his savior. 00:34:18.340 --> 00:34:22.460 This is what he is longing after, that he would have more again of God. 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:27.340 And especially, I think, he's obviously looking at the times when he was in the sanctuary, 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:30.280 when he was able to go to the temple in verse 2 there, 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:32.500 and his longing is that that would return, 00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:35.040 that he would be back again with God's people, 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:38.480 worshiping him in the sanctuary that was built for that purpose. 00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:47.080 And he's eager for this God and eager as soon as can possibly be. 00:34:47.180 --> 00:34:50.580 And the word earnestly there is an interesting word. 00:34:51.280 --> 00:34:53.900 The older translations have, 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:55.780 Early will I seek you. 00:34:55.780 --> 00:35:00.600 And probably it's best taking it rather than earnestly, 00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:02.620 although earnestly is built into that. 00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:06.640 If you're actually coming early in the morning to seek the Lord, 00:35:07.060 --> 00:35:09.780 then obviously there's an earnestness about that as well. 00:35:10.580 --> 00:35:13.160 But the earliness of it is important. 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:15.380 For example, it fits verse 6 there, 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:21.019 When I remember you upon my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night. 00:35:21.580 --> 00:35:24.580 David's not confining his seeking after God, 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:27.440 his communion with God to the daytime, 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:31.179 or to the hours during the day when that may be easier to fit in. 00:35:31.759 --> 00:35:33.539 He is saying in the watches of the night, 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.279 I meditate upon you. 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.699 Every spare moment he has. 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:38.159 And here he is in the wilderness. 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:41.500 You might think he needs all the time he can get for his sleep. 00:35:41.659 --> 00:35:42.360 And he does. 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:45.079 But he still wants to have communion with God. 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:46.319 And that's the secret here. 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:49.739 Really in many ways a key to the expression of faith 00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:52.899 that he brings out in the psalm. 00:35:54.179 --> 00:35:56.500 And that's a reminder to ourselves that 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:59.619 if you take this as early will I seek you, 00:35:59.699 --> 00:36:00.739 as well as earnestly, 00:36:01.419 --> 00:36:03.979 it's a reminder to ourselves how important it is 00:36:03.979 --> 00:36:08.399 not to let your troubles keep you away from God. 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:14.340 Not to let your troubles become an argument against seeking God earnestly. 00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:19.500 Not to let the difficulties, the challenges, the wilderness periods of life 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:23.000 actually put a distance between you and your God. 00:36:23.680 --> 00:36:26.780 It should be for you and for me the other way about. 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:31.420 Let your troubles take you to God, as it were. 00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:36.659 Let the troubles of your life be a means of drawing near to God. 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:41.039 Of seeking God's face like David is here, even in the wilderness. 00:36:41.619 --> 00:36:42.579 This is what he's saying. 00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:44.440 You are my God earnestly. 00:36:44.680 --> 00:36:46.400 Early I am seeking you. 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:47.880 My soul thirsts for you. 00:36:48.240 --> 00:36:50.039 My flesh longs for you. 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:52.159 And there's such an intensity in that, 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:54.880 which I find a huge challenge to myself. 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:56.400 I'm sure you say the same. 00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.360 When he says here, 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.940 my soul thirsts for you. 00:36:59.180 --> 00:37:00.720 My flesh faints for you. 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:03.279 He's really talking about his whole being, 00:37:03.399 --> 00:37:04.459 being taken up with this. 00:37:04.819 --> 00:37:07.139 Everything that's there in him, in his soul, 00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.599 even his very flesh, 00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:10.619 his very physical frame, 00:37:10.879 --> 00:37:13.739 is affected by this desire for God, 00:37:13.839 --> 00:37:17.019 this longing to go back into fellowship with his friend 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:19.519 in the sanctuary where he once used to be. 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:24.459 And there's a very interesting thing here 00:37:24.459 --> 00:37:26.339 where he says in verse 2, 00:37:26.339 --> 00:37:30.139 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary. 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:33.419 And what he's really saying by that 00:37:33.419 --> 00:37:38.179 is that the thirst that he now has for God, 00:37:39.019 --> 00:37:41.279 the intensity that he expresses by, 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:44.919 my flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land 00:37:44.919 --> 00:37:45.819 where there is no water. 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:48.319 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary. 00:37:48.399 --> 00:37:49.719 In other words, David is saying, 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:53.039 I don't want my wilderness longing after you 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:55.019 to be any less intense 00:37:55.019 --> 00:37:57.119 than it was when I was in the sanctuary 00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:59.539 when I had the freedom to be there as king. 00:38:01.339 --> 00:38:04.139 You know, and that raises for yourself and myself 00:38:04.139 --> 00:38:07.219 a question and indeed a challenge for us today again. 00:38:07.819 --> 00:38:12.019 Are we here today gathered with longing hearts? 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:16.099 Are we gathered here with thirsty souls? 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:20.579 Are we gathered here in a way that really longs 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:22.059 to meet with God? 00:38:23.119 --> 00:38:26.139 Have we come just to praise him outwardly, 00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:29.119 to sing some of the psalms that we've been singing, 00:38:29.280 --> 00:38:31.300 to hear his word expounded, 00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.219 to hear it read, 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:33.519 to follow through in the reading, 00:38:34.199 --> 00:38:35.679 to follow the prayers, 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:39.000 the prayer of the pulpit, 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:40.539 and your own prayers as well? 00:38:41.299 --> 00:38:42.619 Surely this is your desire. 00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:43.919 Surely this is my desire. 00:38:44.059 --> 00:38:46.139 Surely this is something that you had 00:38:46.139 --> 00:38:48.139 before you came into this building today, 00:38:48.179 --> 00:38:49.099 that there was a measure. 00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:50.359 I'm not saying it's going to be 00:38:50.359 --> 00:38:52.199 the intensity of David's, 00:38:52.219 --> 00:38:53.619 because I can't follow that myself 00:38:53.619 --> 00:38:55.960 many other times that I come to church. 00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:57.419 Sadly. 00:38:58.579 --> 00:38:59.519 But here is a man 00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:02.299 who is so intent in his eagerness 00:39:02.299 --> 00:39:03.799 and his longing for God 00:39:03.800 --> 00:39:05.760 that he can say even in the wilderness, 00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:09.019 Lord, as I've looked upon you in the sanctuary, 00:39:09.380 --> 00:39:11.260 as I did long after you there, 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.840 so I'm longing after you now. 00:39:14.200 --> 00:39:17.760 You see, that says so much about our difficulties, 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:20.240 our trials, our periods of wilderness. 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:23.560 They are for us to deal with God, 00:39:24.480 --> 00:39:26.240 to have communion with God, 00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:28.500 to seek God, 00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:32.120 to yearn after God, 00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:35.859 as what David is doing here. 00:39:39.359 --> 00:39:40.699 When I was in the study this morning, 00:39:40.779 --> 00:39:42.799 just going over the notes for the service today, 00:39:43.940 --> 00:39:45.279 I looked out the window of the study, 00:39:45.359 --> 00:39:47.559 and there in the little tree growing up, 00:39:47.859 --> 00:39:48.859 or the big trees as well, 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:50.319 outside the study in the garden, 00:39:51.059 --> 00:39:52.980 are all these fledgling sparrows, 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:55.099 just newly out of the nest, 00:39:55.960 --> 00:39:58.679 and the energy with which they appeal 00:39:58.679 --> 00:39:59.880 to the parent birds, 00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:01.180 come and feed me. 00:40:02.220 --> 00:40:04.480 Give me something to feed me. 00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:05.700 Give me my breakfast. 00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:09.059 And the parent birds flitting back and forth 00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:10.220 with the worms or flies, 00:40:10.340 --> 00:40:11.180 whatever it was, 00:40:11.720 --> 00:40:13.640 constantly flitting in response 00:40:13.640 --> 00:40:15.220 to the cry of the fledgling, 00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:16.660 the little baby sparrow. 00:40:16.740 --> 00:40:17.900 And I looked out the window and I thought, 00:40:18.240 --> 00:40:21.860 I just wish I would go to church myself today 00:40:21.860 --> 00:40:23.380 with the desire, 00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:24.160 with the longing, 00:40:24.320 --> 00:40:26.360 with the hunger of that little sparrow 00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:30.980 that is so eager and so longing 00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:32.960 for a crumb, 00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:34.220 for a fly, 00:40:34.720 --> 00:40:35.380 for a worm 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:37.079 from its parent's mouth, 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:40.780 that I could find myself 00:40:40.780 --> 00:40:42.500 in the pulpit today, 00:40:43.460 --> 00:40:44.579 preaching the gospel, 00:40:45.340 --> 00:40:47.960 and yet in my heart yearning after God 00:40:47.960 --> 00:40:49.480 with that hunger, 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:51.320 something of what David has here. 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:53.800 As I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, 00:40:53.940 --> 00:40:55.900 beholding your power and your glory, 00:40:56.300 --> 00:40:58.820 so my soul thirsts after you. 00:40:59.519 --> 00:40:59.860 Friends, 00:41:00.280 --> 00:41:01.639 we have souls, 00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:05.240 despite what you see and hear out in the world there, 00:41:05.320 --> 00:41:06.980 that we're just creatures 00:41:06.980 --> 00:41:10.119 without any spiritual dimension of this kind. 00:41:10.659 --> 00:41:12.719 We have souls for a purpose. 00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:14.920 And one of the great purposes 00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:16.559 for you having a soul 00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:17.940 and my having a soul 00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:20.380 is that you will long after God, 00:41:21.579 --> 00:41:23.920 that you will love communion with God, 00:41:24.400 --> 00:41:25.880 that you will use 00:41:25.880 --> 00:41:27.519 the teaching of the Bible 00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:29.159 in your times of wilderness, 00:41:29.659 --> 00:41:30.980 in your times of challenge, 00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:32.199 in your times of trial, 00:41:32.500 --> 00:41:33.820 in your times of difficulty 00:41:33.820 --> 00:41:36.279 to bring you to God 00:41:36.279 --> 00:41:38.659 to thirst after Him. 00:41:38.659 --> 00:41:42.239 God has designed us 00:41:42.239 --> 00:41:44.079 in His creation of us. 00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:45.460 He has designed us 00:41:45.460 --> 00:41:46.940 for communion with Himself. 00:41:48.159 --> 00:41:49.119 He has designed us 00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:50.420 to be even in our times 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:52.319 of wilderness and difficulty 00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:53.819 to yearn after Him, 00:41:53.859 --> 00:41:54.899 to seek after Him. 00:41:56.799 --> 00:41:57.179 You know, 00:41:57.239 --> 00:41:58.219 there's a sense in which 00:41:58.219 --> 00:42:01.819 even the expression 00:42:01.819 --> 00:42:03.739 that we sometimes have 00:42:03.739 --> 00:42:06.339 of confessing an absence 00:42:06.340 --> 00:42:07.440 of this longing 00:42:07.440 --> 00:42:09.039 in the presence of God. 00:42:09.820 --> 00:42:11.280 That itself is an expression 00:42:11.280 --> 00:42:11.980 of longing 00:42:11.980 --> 00:42:13.740 because you want it 00:42:13.740 --> 00:42:14.360 to be different. 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:15.079 You want it to be 00:42:15.079 --> 00:42:16.400 more than it is. 00:42:16.780 --> 00:42:18.260 You want an increased hunger 00:42:18.260 --> 00:42:19.059 for God. 00:42:20.140 --> 00:42:21.200 And so we come today 00:42:21.200 --> 00:42:22.980 seeking that 00:42:22.980 --> 00:42:25.120 God will bless this word 00:42:25.120 --> 00:42:25.780 of David 00:42:25.780 --> 00:42:28.059 all of these years ago to us 00:42:28.059 --> 00:42:30.680 and that whatever it is today 00:42:30.680 --> 00:42:31.960 is a trial to you. 00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:34.039 Make it an occasion 00:42:34.039 --> 00:42:35.559 for meeting with God. 00:42:36.340 --> 00:42:38.180 Make it an occasion 00:42:38.180 --> 00:42:40.280 for longing after God. 00:42:41.140 --> 00:42:42.300 Make it an occasion 00:42:42.300 --> 00:42:43.260 for drawing 00:42:43.260 --> 00:42:45.460 the strength of God 00:42:45.460 --> 00:42:47.380 into your life 00:42:47.380 --> 00:42:48.559 in these circumstances. 00:42:50.120 --> 00:42:51.100 Samuel Rutherford, 00:42:52.140 --> 00:42:53.680 a famous Scottish theologian 00:42:53.680 --> 00:42:54.320 of long ago, 00:42:55.420 --> 00:42:58.480 had very many short 00:42:58.480 --> 00:43:00.200 but powerful statements 00:43:00.200 --> 00:43:01.340 and sayings. 00:43:01.740 --> 00:43:02.660 One of them was this, 00:43:02.659 --> 00:43:05.319 we live so far 00:43:05.319 --> 00:43:06.319 from the well 00:43:06.319 --> 00:43:08.319 yet complain 00:43:08.319 --> 00:43:09.379 but dryly 00:43:09.379 --> 00:43:11.099 of our dryness. 00:43:11.619 --> 00:43:13.379 We live so far 00:43:13.379 --> 00:43:14.159 from the well 00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:15.699 and yet complain 00:43:15.699 --> 00:43:16.819 but dryly 00:43:16.819 --> 00:43:18.159 of our dryness. 00:43:18.219 --> 00:43:18.819 We're conscious 00:43:18.819 --> 00:43:19.440 at times 00:43:19.440 --> 00:43:20.599 that we're not as near 00:43:20.599 --> 00:43:21.059 to God 00:43:21.059 --> 00:43:22.000 as we should be 00:43:22.000 --> 00:43:23.279 and yet our complaint 00:43:23.279 --> 00:43:23.920 about that is 00:43:23.920 --> 00:43:25.000 rather dry, 00:43:25.099 --> 00:43:25.420 he says, 00:43:25.500 --> 00:43:26.579 compared to what it should be, 00:43:26.859 --> 00:43:27.739 compared to the longing 00:43:27.739 --> 00:43:28.940 of David in this psalm. 00:43:29.059 --> 00:43:30.119 We live so far 00:43:30.119 --> 00:43:30.940 from the well. 00:43:31.239 --> 00:43:32.000 That's of our own 00:43:32.000 --> 00:43:33.139 choosing at times. 00:43:33.779 --> 00:43:35.099 We lose our relish. 00:43:37.639 --> 00:43:39.019 We decrease in our hunger. 00:43:39.839 --> 00:43:41.339 Our love does grow cold. 00:43:42.699 --> 00:43:43.639 Yet we complain 00:43:43.639 --> 00:43:44.440 but dryly 00:43:44.440 --> 00:43:46.359 of our dryness. 00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:48.079 Today, 00:43:48.819 --> 00:43:49.699 let it be for me 00:43:49.699 --> 00:43:50.460 and for you 00:43:50.460 --> 00:43:51.940 an occasion 00:43:51.940 --> 00:43:53.299 of drawing near the well, 00:43:54.679 --> 00:43:56.059 shortening the distance 00:43:56.059 --> 00:43:57.219 if we're at a distance 00:43:57.219 --> 00:43:57.839 from the well 00:43:57.840 --> 00:43:58.840 that God is 00:43:58.840 --> 00:44:00.519 and coming 00:44:00.519 --> 00:44:01.440 to be there 00:44:01.440 --> 00:44:01.900 with him 00:44:01.900 --> 00:44:03.820 to draw our water 00:44:03.820 --> 00:44:05.539 of life from him. 00:44:06.680 --> 00:44:07.500 David's desire 00:44:07.500 --> 00:44:09.360 after God 00:44:09.360 --> 00:44:10.820 and David 00:44:10.820 --> 00:44:11.820 is not belittling 00:44:11.820 --> 00:44:13.200 anything 00:44:13.200 --> 00:44:13.900 when he says 00:44:13.900 --> 00:44:15.940 your loving kindness 00:44:15.940 --> 00:44:17.660 is better than last, 00:44:17.740 --> 00:44:19.140 your steadfast love 00:44:19.140 --> 00:44:20.559 is better than life 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:21.660 so because of that 00:44:21.660 --> 00:44:22.740 my lips 00:44:22.740 --> 00:44:23.660 will praise you 00:44:23.660 --> 00:44:24.640 so I will bless you 00:44:24.640 --> 00:44:25.660 as long as I live 00:44:25.660 --> 00:44:26.660 in your name 00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.799 I will lift up my hands. 00:44:27.879 --> 00:44:29.980 Now you can understand 00:44:29.980 --> 00:44:30.920 the steadfast love 00:44:30.920 --> 00:44:31.619 we've come across 00:44:31.619 --> 00:44:32.819 these words many times. 00:44:33.519 --> 00:44:35.399 God's steadfast love 00:44:35.399 --> 00:44:37.579 is not just his love 00:44:37.579 --> 00:44:38.559 his eternal love 00:44:38.559 --> 00:44:39.179 for his people 00:44:39.179 --> 00:44:40.480 but his love 00:44:40.480 --> 00:44:41.980 in covenant with them. 00:44:42.460 --> 00:44:43.639 He has bonded himself 00:44:43.639 --> 00:44:44.299 to his people 00:44:44.299 --> 00:44:45.259 and his people to him 00:44:45.259 --> 00:44:46.199 and the love 00:44:46.199 --> 00:44:47.059 that we experience 00:44:47.059 --> 00:44:47.739 from God 00:44:47.739 --> 00:44:48.719 as we're bonded 00:44:48.719 --> 00:44:49.399 to him 00:44:49.399 --> 00:44:50.219 by faith 00:44:50.219 --> 00:44:50.839 and by love 00:44:50.839 --> 00:44:51.779 on our own part 00:44:51.779 --> 00:44:53.599 as created by him 00:44:53.599 --> 00:44:55.380 well that's something 00:44:55.380 --> 00:44:56.659 he says here 00:44:56.659 --> 00:44:57.639 is better than life. 00:44:57.719 --> 00:44:58.259 Now he's not 00:44:58.259 --> 00:44:59.719 he's not belittling 00:44:59.719 --> 00:45:01.360 or minimizing 00:45:01.360 --> 00:45:02.920 the benefits of life. 00:45:05.059 --> 00:45:06.279 The many good things 00:45:06.279 --> 00:45:07.059 we have in life 00:45:07.059 --> 00:45:07.819 we appreciate 00:45:07.819 --> 00:45:10.099 we thank God for 00:45:10.099 --> 00:45:12.539 we don't belittle them 00:45:12.539 --> 00:45:16.139 but they cannot compare 00:45:16.139 --> 00:45:17.420 with his steadfast love. 00:45:18.819 --> 00:45:19.819 They can't compare 00:45:19.819 --> 00:45:21.480 with his loving kindness. 00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:23.539 As you know 00:45:23.539 --> 00:45:24.860 I love the songs 00:45:24.860 --> 00:45:25.639 of Ellie Holcomb 00:45:25.639 --> 00:45:28.119 and in one of these songs 00:45:28.119 --> 00:45:30.019 she speaks really 00:45:30.019 --> 00:45:30.780 to God 00:45:30.780 --> 00:45:31.900 in the song 00:45:31.900 --> 00:45:33.019 and it's entitled 00:45:33.019 --> 00:45:34.880 You Love Me Best. 00:45:35.740 --> 00:45:36.179 Most of you 00:45:36.179 --> 00:45:36.559 some of you 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:37.320 will probably know it. 00:45:37.980 --> 00:45:38.579 My mother 00:45:38.579 --> 00:45:39.579 she holds me 00:45:39.579 --> 00:45:40.740 when I'm weak 00:45:40.740 --> 00:45:41.900 she consoles me 00:45:41.900 --> 00:45:42.840 my troubles 00:45:42.840 --> 00:45:44.000 weigh on her mind 00:45:44.000 --> 00:45:45.719 my tears fall down 00:45:45.719 --> 00:45:46.579 from her eyes 00:45:46.579 --> 00:45:47.400 but you 00:45:47.400 --> 00:45:49.400 you loved me better. 00:45:49.400 --> 00:45:51.639 My father 00:45:51.639 --> 00:45:52.420 beside me 00:45:52.420 --> 00:45:53.900 holds out his arm 00:45:53.900 --> 00:45:54.619 to guide me 00:45:54.619 --> 00:45:55.639 his wisdom 00:45:55.639 --> 00:45:56.900 waits in silence 00:45:56.900 --> 00:45:57.920 he speaks 00:45:57.920 --> 00:45:59.200 and I grow quiet 00:45:59.200 --> 00:45:59.840 but you 00:45:59.840 --> 00:46:01.860 you loved me better. 00:46:02.760 --> 00:46:03.860 And there may come a day 00:46:03.860 --> 00:46:05.360 when all other loves 00:46:05.360 --> 00:46:06.200 have gone away 00:46:06.200 --> 00:46:07.660 when darkness 00:46:07.660 --> 00:46:08.680 hems me in 00:46:08.680 --> 00:46:09.940 you'll be right 00:46:09.940 --> 00:46:11.320 where you have always been 00:46:11.320 --> 00:46:12.960 closer than the heart 00:46:12.960 --> 00:46:14.119 within my chest 00:46:14.119 --> 00:46:16.840 because you loved me best. 00:46:16.840 --> 00:46:20.120 the ring around my finger 00:46:20.120 --> 00:46:22.220 to have and hold 00:46:22.220 --> 00:46:22.940 forever 00:46:22.940 --> 00:46:24.960 it circles round 00:46:24.960 --> 00:46:26.079 like years 00:46:26.079 --> 00:46:26.900 that we've walked 00:46:26.900 --> 00:46:28.360 through joys and tears 00:46:28.360 --> 00:46:29.640 but you 00:46:29.640 --> 00:46:31.900 you have loved 00:46:31.900 --> 00:46:33.300 me better. 00:46:35.039 --> 00:46:36.559 And there is no better love 00:46:36.559 --> 00:46:38.600 and the loving kindness 00:46:38.600 --> 00:46:39.860 the steadfast love 00:46:39.860 --> 00:46:40.539 of God 00:46:40.539 --> 00:46:42.500 and in the wilderness 00:46:42.500 --> 00:46:45.199 oh how David appreciates 00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:47.440 the steadfast love 00:46:47.440 --> 00:46:49.159 God has for him. 00:46:50.139 --> 00:46:51.139 David's desire 00:46:51.139 --> 00:46:52.500 after God 00:46:52.500 --> 00:46:53.340 and his delight 00:46:53.340 --> 00:46:53.780 in God 00:46:53.780 --> 00:46:54.179 secondly 00:46:54.179 --> 00:46:55.099 from verse 5 00:46:55.099 --> 00:46:55.860 to 8 00:46:55.860 --> 00:46:56.420 more briefly 00:46:56.420 --> 00:46:58.119 you can see here 00:46:58.119 --> 00:46:59.099 how he has great 00:46:59.099 --> 00:47:00.460 satisfaction in God 00:47:00.460 --> 00:47:01.800 and how he is saying 00:47:01.800 --> 00:47:02.260 to himself 00:47:02.260 --> 00:47:03.179 this is how it's going 00:47:03.179 --> 00:47:04.119 to continue 00:47:04.119 --> 00:47:05.139 as far as possible 00:47:05.139 --> 00:47:05.840 my soul 00:47:05.840 --> 00:47:07.239 will be satisfied 00:47:07.239 --> 00:47:08.059 with fat 00:47:08.059 --> 00:47:08.900 and rich food 00:47:08.900 --> 00:47:10.059 could translate that 00:47:10.059 --> 00:47:11.219 as a present as well 00:47:11.219 --> 00:47:13.099 my soul is satisfied 00:47:13.099 --> 00:47:13.839 with fat 00:47:13.839 --> 00:47:14.519 and rich food 00:47:14.519 --> 00:47:15.480 my mouth 00:47:15.480 --> 00:47:16.519 praises you 00:47:16.519 --> 00:47:17.719 with joyful lips 00:47:17.719 --> 00:47:18.500 but if you take it 00:47:18.500 --> 00:47:19.759 as his own reference 00:47:19.759 --> 00:47:20.599 to the future 00:47:20.599 --> 00:47:21.719 as far as he sees it 00:47:21.719 --> 00:47:23.279 then this is what he's saying 00:47:23.279 --> 00:47:24.319 this is his intention 00:47:24.319 --> 00:47:25.199 this is his aim 00:47:25.199 --> 00:47:26.339 this is the purpose 00:47:26.339 --> 00:47:27.039 of his life 00:47:27.039 --> 00:47:27.679 my soul 00:47:27.679 --> 00:47:28.919 will be satisfied 00:47:28.919 --> 00:47:29.719 with fat 00:47:29.719 --> 00:47:30.379 and rich food 00:47:30.379 --> 00:47:31.699 when I remember you 00:47:31.699 --> 00:47:32.519 upon my bed 00:47:32.519 --> 00:47:33.439 and meditate you 00:47:33.439 --> 00:47:34.239 on you 00:47:34.239 --> 00:47:34.799 in the watches 00:47:34.799 --> 00:47:35.399 of the night 00:47:35.399 --> 00:47:36.219 how could he say 00:47:36.219 --> 00:47:37.879 this sort of thing 00:47:37.879 --> 00:47:38.719 in the wilderness 00:47:38.719 --> 00:47:40.259 that his soul 00:47:40.259 --> 00:47:41.299 will be satisfied 00:47:41.299 --> 00:47:42.480 with rich 00:47:42.480 --> 00:47:43.199 and fat food 00:47:43.199 --> 00:47:44.279 how could he say 00:47:44.279 --> 00:47:44.799 my mouth 00:47:44.799 --> 00:47:45.599 will praise you 00:47:45.599 --> 00:47:46.799 with joyful lips 00:47:46.799 --> 00:47:47.819 well the secret to it 00:47:47.819 --> 00:47:49.739 is really in verse 6 00:47:49.739 --> 00:47:53.099 it's his communion 00:47:53.099 --> 00:47:53.939 with God 00:47:53.939 --> 00:47:56.019 that has led 00:47:56.019 --> 00:47:57.039 to this conviction 00:47:57.039 --> 00:47:58.059 to this purpose 00:47:58.059 --> 00:48:00.419 to this determination 00:48:00.419 --> 00:48:01.859 to continue 00:48:01.859 --> 00:48:03.059 to be satisfied 00:48:03.059 --> 00:48:03.779 in God 00:48:03.779 --> 00:48:05.459 you see the wilderness 00:48:05.460 --> 00:48:08.079 sharpens our wakefulness 00:48:08.079 --> 00:48:08.840 doesn't it 00:48:08.840 --> 00:48:10.420 sometimes you and I 00:48:10.420 --> 00:48:11.599 need something like that 00:48:11.599 --> 00:48:13.079 something 00:48:13.079 --> 00:48:14.420 of a challenge 00:48:14.420 --> 00:48:15.119 to come into 00:48:15.119 --> 00:48:15.760 our lot 00:48:15.760 --> 00:48:17.559 just to remind us 00:48:17.559 --> 00:48:18.800 of who God is 00:48:18.800 --> 00:48:20.400 and what he's like 00:48:20.400 --> 00:48:21.900 and especially 00:48:21.900 --> 00:48:22.619 if we have 00:48:22.619 --> 00:48:23.340 gone astray 00:48:23.340 --> 00:48:23.760 somewhat 00:48:23.760 --> 00:48:25.019 just to bring us 00:48:25.019 --> 00:48:25.840 back to a right 00:48:25.840 --> 00:48:26.480 perspective 00:48:26.480 --> 00:48:27.119 and balance 00:48:27.119 --> 00:48:29.240 and to go on again 00:48:29.240 --> 00:48:30.380 following the Lord 00:48:30.380 --> 00:48:33.119 it has produced 00:48:33.119 --> 00:48:33.740 for David 00:48:33.740 --> 00:48:35.660 this satisfaction 00:48:35.660 --> 00:48:37.440 this intensity 00:48:37.440 --> 00:48:38.360 of praise 00:48:38.360 --> 00:48:39.980 and he also speaks 00:48:39.980 --> 00:48:40.800 about safety 00:48:40.800 --> 00:48:41.680 for you have been 00:48:41.680 --> 00:48:42.300 my help 00:48:42.300 --> 00:48:43.740 he's reflecting upon 00:48:43.740 --> 00:48:45.099 what God has been 00:48:45.099 --> 00:48:46.559 to him up to that moment 00:48:46.559 --> 00:48:47.519 you have been 00:48:47.519 --> 00:48:48.240 my help 00:48:48.240 --> 00:48:49.240 and in the shadow 00:48:49.240 --> 00:48:49.880 of your wings 00:48:49.880 --> 00:48:50.640 I will sing 00:48:50.640 --> 00:48:51.340 for joy 00:48:51.340 --> 00:48:52.460 my soul 00:48:52.460 --> 00:48:53.380 clings to you 00:48:53.380 --> 00:48:54.500 your right hand 00:48:54.500 --> 00:48:55.320 upholds me 00:48:55.320 --> 00:48:56.059 what he's saying is 00:48:56.059 --> 00:48:57.360 this is how I've always 00:48:57.360 --> 00:48:58.079 found you Lord 00:48:58.079 --> 00:48:58.900 and you're not going 00:48:58.900 --> 00:48:59.760 to change now 00:48:59.760 --> 00:49:00.680 even though I'm 00:49:00.680 --> 00:49:01.320 in the wilderness 00:49:01.320 --> 00:49:02.500 you are still 00:49:02.500 --> 00:49:03.820 this same God 00:49:03.820 --> 00:49:09.080 and it's interesting 00:49:09.080 --> 00:49:09.880 he says there 00:49:09.880 --> 00:49:11.540 in the shadow 00:49:11.540 --> 00:49:12.180 of your wings 00:49:12.180 --> 00:49:13.020 I will sing 00:49:13.020 --> 00:49:13.620 for joy 00:49:13.620 --> 00:49:14.520 you have been 00:49:14.520 --> 00:49:15.280 my help 00:49:15.280 --> 00:49:16.900 it may be 00:49:16.900 --> 00:49:17.740 that that's the imagery 00:49:17.740 --> 00:49:19.540 of the mother bird 00:49:19.540 --> 00:49:20.480 protecting its 00:49:20.480 --> 00:49:21.320 little chicks 00:49:21.320 --> 00:49:22.460 but I think it's 00:49:22.460 --> 00:49:23.220 probably more 00:49:23.220 --> 00:49:24.720 better to take it 00:49:24.720 --> 00:49:25.940 as a reference 00:49:25.940 --> 00:49:27.900 to David's experience 00:49:27.900 --> 00:49:28.700 in the sanctuary 00:49:28.700 --> 00:49:29.380 in the temple 00:49:29.380 --> 00:49:31.039 where 00:49:31.039 --> 00:49:32.099 the 00:49:32.099 --> 00:49:34.720 the cherubim 00:49:34.720 --> 00:49:35.559 with their wings 00:49:35.559 --> 00:49:36.980 outstretched 00:49:36.980 --> 00:49:38.220 represented 00:49:38.220 --> 00:49:39.320 or part of 00:49:39.320 --> 00:49:39.960 what represented 00:49:39.960 --> 00:49:40.539 the presence 00:49:40.539 --> 00:49:41.059 of God 00:49:41.059 --> 00:49:42.700 above the mercy seat 00:49:42.700 --> 00:49:43.880 where the cherubim 00:49:43.880 --> 00:49:44.579 were located 00:49:44.579 --> 00:49:46.220 and in Psalm 61 00:49:46.220 --> 00:49:46.960 you have something 00:49:46.960 --> 00:49:48.599 very much like that 00:49:48.599 --> 00:49:48.960 he says 00:49:48.960 --> 00:49:49.619 let me dwell 00:49:49.619 --> 00:49:50.260 in your tent 00:49:50.260 --> 00:49:50.640 forever 00:49:50.640 --> 00:49:52.420 let me take refuge 00:49:52.420 --> 00:49:53.420 under the shelter 00:49:53.420 --> 00:49:54.380 of your wings 00:49:54.380 --> 00:49:55.480 it's more obvious 00:49:55.480 --> 00:49:56.079 there I think 00:49:56.079 --> 00:49:56.480 he's saying 00:49:56.480 --> 00:49:57.260 let me dwell 00:49:57.260 --> 00:49:58.079 in your tent 00:49:58.079 --> 00:49:58.980 in your sanctuary 00:49:58.980 --> 00:49:59.460 forever 00:49:59.460 --> 00:50:00.880 let me take refuge 00:50:00.880 --> 00:50:01.659 under the shelter 00:50:01.659 --> 00:50:02.199 of your wings 00:50:02.199 --> 00:50:02.659 in other words 00:50:02.659 --> 00:50:03.300 whatever you take 00:50:03.300 --> 00:50:04.179 it David is certainly 00:50:04.179 --> 00:50:05.699 looking to the protection 00:50:05.699 --> 00:50:06.480 of God 00:50:06.480 --> 00:50:07.460 that has been 00:50:07.460 --> 00:50:08.619 his privilege 00:50:08.619 --> 00:50:09.579 up to now 00:50:09.579 --> 00:50:11.400 and what he's saying 00:50:11.400 --> 00:50:12.099 is that's not 00:50:12.099 --> 00:50:13.320 that's not going 00:50:13.320 --> 00:50:14.059 to change 00:50:14.059 --> 00:50:15.639 this is where 00:50:15.639 --> 00:50:16.659 my safety is 00:50:16.659 --> 00:50:18.279 in the shadow 00:50:18.279 --> 00:50:19.559 of your wings 00:50:19.559 --> 00:50:21.279 and in God's 00:50:21.279 --> 00:50:22.199 own right hand 00:50:22.199 --> 00:50:23.699 upholding him 00:50:23.699 --> 00:50:24.679 you see how wonderfully 00:50:24.679 --> 00:50:25.239 the two things 00:50:25.239 --> 00:50:25.820 go together 00:50:25.820 --> 00:50:27.519 we have a responsibility 00:50:27.519 --> 00:50:28.500 ourselves 00:50:28.500 --> 00:50:31.000 to bring ourselves 00:50:31.000 --> 00:50:32.579 to be in the presence 00:50:32.579 --> 00:50:33.380 of God 00:50:33.380 --> 00:50:35.960 to worship him 00:50:35.960 --> 00:50:37.460 to communicate with him 00:50:37.460 --> 00:50:38.659 to pray to him 00:50:38.659 --> 00:50:41.079 but our ultimate confidence 00:50:41.079 --> 00:50:42.799 is not in that itself 00:50:42.800 --> 00:50:45.900 David's ultimate confidence 00:50:45.900 --> 00:50:47.980 is in God's own 00:50:47.980 --> 00:50:48.620 right hand 00:50:48.620 --> 00:50:49.380 upholding him 00:50:49.380 --> 00:50:51.880 similar to Psalm 73 00:50:51.880 --> 00:50:52.560 you recall 00:50:52.560 --> 00:50:53.460 where he says 00:50:53.460 --> 00:50:54.340 in Psalm 73 00:50:54.340 --> 00:50:54.820 after 00:50:54.820 --> 00:50:56.440 not David 00:50:56.440 --> 00:50:57.160 but Asaph 00:50:57.160 --> 00:50:57.640 this time 00:50:57.640 --> 00:50:59.700 but very similar words 00:50:59.700 --> 00:51:00.860 Asaph 00:51:00.860 --> 00:51:02.120 is making a confession 00:51:02.120 --> 00:51:03.019 of how near 00:51:03.019 --> 00:51:03.640 he came 00:51:03.640 --> 00:51:04.920 to sliding away 00:51:04.920 --> 00:51:05.480 altogether 00:51:05.480 --> 00:51:07.720 but he came back 00:51:07.720 --> 00:51:09.000 to the sanctuary 00:51:09.000 --> 00:51:09.700 of God 00:51:09.700 --> 00:51:10.860 when he went in there 00:51:10.860 --> 00:51:11.980 he was brought 00:51:11.980 --> 00:51:12.980 to see 00:51:12.980 --> 00:51:14.280 how foolish he was 00:51:14.280 --> 00:51:14.960 in his thinking 00:51:14.960 --> 00:51:15.800 he was thinking 00:51:15.800 --> 00:51:17.039 the world was better off 00:51:17.039 --> 00:51:19.440 because it didn't have 00:51:19.440 --> 00:51:19.900 the troubles 00:51:19.900 --> 00:51:20.840 that he as a believer 00:51:20.840 --> 00:51:21.240 had 00:51:21.240 --> 00:51:23.000 but he went into 00:51:23.000 --> 00:51:23.599 the sanctuary 00:51:23.599 --> 00:51:25.460 then realized 00:51:25.460 --> 00:51:27.039 how foolish he was 00:51:27.039 --> 00:51:28.160 brutish and ignorant 00:51:28.160 --> 00:51:28.880 like a beast 00:51:28.880 --> 00:51:29.420 before you 00:51:29.420 --> 00:51:30.200 then he said 00:51:30.200 --> 00:51:30.559 nevertheless 00:51:30.559 --> 00:51:31.800 I'm continually 00:51:31.800 --> 00:51:32.559 with you 00:51:32.559 --> 00:51:34.160 you hold me 00:51:34.160 --> 00:51:34.820 by my 00:51:34.820 --> 00:51:36.460 you hold my right hand 00:51:36.460 --> 00:51:37.740 you guide me 00:51:37.740 --> 00:51:38.659 with your counsel 00:51:38.659 --> 00:51:39.820 and afterwards 00:51:39.820 --> 00:51:40.900 you will receive me 00:51:40.900 --> 00:51:41.579 to glory 00:51:41.579 --> 00:51:43.579 it is you see 00:51:43.579 --> 00:51:44.720 his confidence 00:51:44.720 --> 00:51:46.059 there is the foundation 00:51:46.059 --> 00:51:47.519 in which David 00:51:47.519 --> 00:51:48.760 stands confidently 00:51:48.760 --> 00:51:49.840 the grasp 00:51:49.840 --> 00:51:50.579 that God 00:51:50.579 --> 00:51:51.400 has of him 00:51:51.400 --> 00:51:52.860 yes he's thankful 00:51:52.860 --> 00:51:53.860 for the grasp 00:51:53.860 --> 00:51:54.880 that he has of God 00:51:54.880 --> 00:51:55.740 in his faith 00:51:55.740 --> 00:51:56.500 and in his love 00:51:56.500 --> 00:51:57.480 and in his hope 00:51:57.480 --> 00:51:58.420 and all of these things 00:51:58.420 --> 00:51:59.519 are important to him 00:51:59.519 --> 00:52:02.000 but it's God's own 00:52:02.000 --> 00:52:02.519 right hand 00:52:02.519 --> 00:52:03.099 that he looks to 00:52:03.099 --> 00:52:03.679 particularly 00:52:03.679 --> 00:52:04.900 my soul 00:52:04.900 --> 00:52:05.659 clings to you 00:52:05.659 --> 00:52:06.579 these words really mean 00:52:06.579 --> 00:52:07.679 my soul 00:52:07.679 --> 00:52:09.000 follows hard 00:52:09.000 --> 00:52:09.579 after you 00:52:09.579 --> 00:52:10.559 is the AV translation 00:52:10.559 --> 00:52:11.139 it means 00:52:11.139 --> 00:52:12.219 to pursue 00:52:12.219 --> 00:52:13.500 something earnestly 00:52:13.500 --> 00:52:14.179 and it fits in 00:52:14.179 --> 00:52:15.159 with the seeking 00:52:15.159 --> 00:52:16.559 of God 00:52:16.559 --> 00:52:17.179 by David 00:52:17.179 --> 00:52:18.659 it's a pursuit 00:52:18.659 --> 00:52:20.179 it's a seeking 00:52:20.179 --> 00:52:20.500 after 00:52:20.500 --> 00:52:21.239 it's following 00:52:21.239 --> 00:52:22.759 hard after you 00:52:22.759 --> 00:52:23.619 it's like someone 00:52:23.619 --> 00:52:24.500 running a race 00:52:24.500 --> 00:52:26.219 clinging 00:52:26.219 --> 00:52:27.460 holding on 00:52:27.460 --> 00:52:28.920 but especially 00:52:28.920 --> 00:52:30.099 conscious of his need 00:52:30.099 --> 00:52:31.339 to be held 00:52:31.339 --> 00:52:32.159 by God 00:52:32.159 --> 00:52:34.379 isn't that where 00:52:34.380 --> 00:52:36.440 your own confidence 00:52:36.440 --> 00:52:37.860 where your own 00:52:37.860 --> 00:52:39.039 security is today 00:52:39.039 --> 00:52:41.200 you're thankful 00:52:41.200 --> 00:52:42.039 for faith 00:52:42.039 --> 00:52:43.660 you're thankful 00:52:43.660 --> 00:52:44.260 for the way 00:52:44.260 --> 00:52:44.599 in which 00:52:44.599 --> 00:52:46.000 God has brought 00:52:46.000 --> 00:52:46.660 himself into 00:52:46.660 --> 00:52:47.200 your life 00:52:47.200 --> 00:52:48.360 in such a way 00:52:48.360 --> 00:52:48.840 that has 00:52:48.840 --> 00:52:50.099 convinced you 00:52:50.099 --> 00:52:50.660 of your need 00:52:50.660 --> 00:52:51.579 to hold on to him 00:52:51.579 --> 00:52:52.599 to trust in him 00:52:52.599 --> 00:52:54.880 but you don't 00:52:54.880 --> 00:52:55.740 go to eternity 00:52:55.740 --> 00:52:57.119 fully persuaded 00:52:57.119 --> 00:52:57.820 that that's all 00:52:57.820 --> 00:52:58.140 you need 00:52:58.140 --> 00:52:58.920 for your safety 00:52:58.920 --> 00:53:00.780 that's got something 00:53:00.780 --> 00:53:01.640 else beneath it 00:53:01.640 --> 00:53:02.240 something else 00:53:02.240 --> 00:53:03.300 bigger than that 00:53:03.300 --> 00:53:04.760 God himself 00:53:04.760 --> 00:53:05.620 and God's own 00:53:05.620 --> 00:53:06.140 grasp 00:53:06.140 --> 00:53:06.880 and God's own 00:53:06.880 --> 00:53:08.000 hold of your life 00:53:08.000 --> 00:53:10.100 so here's David's 00:53:10.100 --> 00:53:11.080 delight in God 00:53:11.080 --> 00:53:12.519 his satisfaction 00:53:12.519 --> 00:53:13.600 and his safety 00:53:13.600 --> 00:53:15.160 and especially 00:53:15.160 --> 00:53:15.880 in the way God 00:53:15.880 --> 00:53:17.400 still holds him 00:53:17.400 --> 00:53:18.500 where he is 00:53:18.500 --> 00:53:19.720 and then there's 00:53:19.720 --> 00:53:20.600 David's defense 00:53:20.600 --> 00:53:21.539 I'll be very brief 00:53:21.539 --> 00:53:21.860 with this 00:53:21.860 --> 00:53:22.700 David's defense 00:53:22.700 --> 00:53:25.420 verses 9 to 11 00:53:25.420 --> 00:53:26.240 David's defense 00:53:26.240 --> 00:53:27.140 by God 00:53:27.140 --> 00:53:28.300 having seen his 00:53:28.300 --> 00:53:29.440 delight in God 00:53:29.440 --> 00:53:30.180 and his desire 00:53:30.180 --> 00:53:30.940 after God 00:53:30.940 --> 00:53:32.099 look at what he's 00:53:32.099 --> 00:53:32.480 saying here 00:53:32.480 --> 00:53:33.780 in verses 9 to 11 00:53:33.780 --> 00:53:34.320 but those who 00:53:34.320 --> 00:53:35.840 seek to destroy 00:53:35.840 --> 00:53:36.519 my life 00:53:36.519 --> 00:53:37.619 shall go down 00:53:37.619 --> 00:53:38.380 into the depths 00:53:38.380 --> 00:53:39.000 of the earth 00:53:39.000 --> 00:53:40.019 they shall be 00:53:40.019 --> 00:53:40.420 given over 00:53:40.420 --> 00:53:41.039 to the power 00:53:41.039 --> 00:53:41.720 of the sword 00:53:41.720 --> 00:53:42.740 there shall be 00:53:42.740 --> 00:53:43.280 a portion 00:53:43.280 --> 00:53:44.480 for jackals 00:53:44.480 --> 00:53:45.900 but the king 00:53:45.900 --> 00:53:46.800 shall rejoice 00:53:46.800 --> 00:53:48.240 in God 00:53:48.240 --> 00:53:49.659 all who swear 00:53:49.659 --> 00:53:50.320 by him 00:53:50.320 --> 00:53:51.920 shall exult 00:53:51.920 --> 00:53:53.300 swear allegiance 00:53:53.300 --> 00:53:54.119 that is I think 00:53:54.119 --> 00:53:55.220 for the mouths 00:53:55.220 --> 00:53:55.780 of liars 00:53:55.780 --> 00:53:56.780 will be stopped 00:53:56.780 --> 00:53:58.639 a couple of things 00:53:58.639 --> 00:53:58.900 there 00:53:58.900 --> 00:53:59.639 you'll see 00:53:59.639 --> 00:54:00.279 first of all 00:54:00.279 --> 00:54:02.159 how God's 00:54:02.159 --> 00:54:02.799 commitment 00:54:02.799 --> 00:54:04.099 to his people 00:54:04.099 --> 00:54:05.599 means that he is 00:54:05.599 --> 00:54:06.559 committed against 00:54:06.559 --> 00:54:07.400 their enemies 00:54:07.400 --> 00:54:09.659 God's steadfast 00:54:09.659 --> 00:54:10.879 love for his people 00:54:10.879 --> 00:54:12.379 is not going to be 00:54:12.379 --> 00:54:13.079 something that 00:54:13.079 --> 00:54:14.019 regards them 00:54:14.019 --> 00:54:15.659 in any kind 00:54:15.659 --> 00:54:16.619 of loose 00:54:16.619 --> 00:54:18.159 or indifferent 00:54:18.159 --> 00:54:19.480 way as they face 00:54:19.480 --> 00:54:20.000 enemies 00:54:20.000 --> 00:54:20.659 as they face 00:54:20.659 --> 00:54:21.139 challenges 00:54:21.139 --> 00:54:22.519 from their enemies 00:54:22.519 --> 00:54:23.239 whatever enemy 00:54:23.239 --> 00:54:24.199 that might be 00:54:24.199 --> 00:54:25.539 God is committed 00:54:25.539 --> 00:54:26.519 to their protection 00:54:26.519 --> 00:54:27.279 God is committed 00:54:27.280 --> 00:54:28.140 to looking after 00:54:28.140 --> 00:54:29.320 his own people 00:54:29.320 --> 00:54:30.560 his steadfast love 00:54:30.560 --> 00:54:31.660 ensures that 00:54:31.660 --> 00:54:33.040 and the solemn 00:54:33.040 --> 00:54:33.900 thing is that 00:54:33.900 --> 00:54:35.600 those who challenge 00:54:35.600 --> 00:54:37.080 the people of God 00:54:37.080 --> 00:54:38.400 those who challenge 00:54:38.400 --> 00:54:39.519 God himself 00:54:39.519 --> 00:54:41.400 will end up 00:54:41.400 --> 00:54:42.160 he says here 00:54:42.160 --> 00:54:43.480 they shall be given 00:54:43.480 --> 00:54:45.040 over to the depths 00:54:45.040 --> 00:54:45.620 of the earth 00:54:45.620 --> 00:54:46.480 they shall die 00:54:46.480 --> 00:54:47.660 they shall come 00:54:47.660 --> 00:54:48.760 under God's judgment 00:54:48.760 --> 00:54:49.840 and his justice 00:54:49.840 --> 00:54:53.620 and the king 00:54:53.620 --> 00:54:54.180 he says 00:54:54.180 --> 00:54:54.960 shall rejoice 00:54:54.960 --> 00:54:55.620 in God 00:54:55.619 --> 00:54:56.960 whatever happens 00:54:56.960 --> 00:54:58.239 to my enemies 00:54:58.239 --> 00:54:59.099 David is saying 00:54:59.099 --> 00:55:00.500 because God 00:55:00.500 --> 00:55:01.420 is my God 00:55:01.420 --> 00:55:02.019 oh Lord 00:55:02.019 --> 00:55:02.639 oh God 00:55:02.639 --> 00:55:03.639 you are my God 00:55:03.639 --> 00:55:04.039 and because 00:55:04.039 --> 00:55:05.519 that is still the case 00:55:05.519 --> 00:55:06.359 the king 00:55:06.359 --> 00:55:07.219 shall rejoice 00:55:07.219 --> 00:55:07.819 in God 00:55:07.819 --> 00:55:08.599 you see what he's saying 00:55:08.599 --> 00:55:09.880 I'm in the wilderness 00:55:09.880 --> 00:55:11.159 I've had to flee 00:55:11.159 --> 00:55:11.960 from Jerusalem 00:55:11.960 --> 00:55:13.500 my son Absalom 00:55:13.500 --> 00:55:15.179 has risen up against me 00:55:15.179 --> 00:55:16.259 he's gathered support 00:55:16.259 --> 00:55:17.299 that has forced me 00:55:17.299 --> 00:55:18.159 away from the throne 00:55:18.159 --> 00:55:18.980 for this period 00:55:18.980 --> 00:55:19.940 and as we read 00:55:19.940 --> 00:55:20.900 in 2 Samuel 00:55:20.900 --> 00:55:22.219 he wasn't really sure 00:55:22.219 --> 00:55:22.799 where he was going 00:55:22.799 --> 00:55:23.420 to end up 00:55:23.420 --> 00:55:24.219 he just kept going 00:55:24.219 --> 00:55:24.939 into the wilderness 00:55:24.939 --> 00:55:25.759 along with those 00:55:25.759 --> 00:55:26.939 who were in support 00:55:26.939 --> 00:55:30.000 but he's still the king 00:55:30.000 --> 00:55:33.079 he is still convinced 00:55:33.079 --> 00:55:34.259 that he is God's 00:55:34.259 --> 00:55:35.500 appointed king 00:55:35.500 --> 00:55:36.919 the king 00:55:36.919 --> 00:55:38.519 shall rejoice 00:55:38.519 --> 00:55:39.419 in God 00:55:39.419 --> 00:55:40.480 as you know 00:55:40.480 --> 00:55:42.419 often in the Old Testament 00:55:42.419 --> 00:55:43.939 the kingship 00:55:43.939 --> 00:55:44.939 of the kings 00:55:44.939 --> 00:55:45.879 of the Old Testament 00:55:45.879 --> 00:55:46.679 the good kings 00:55:46.679 --> 00:55:47.199 especially 00:55:47.199 --> 00:55:48.980 are types of Christ 00:55:48.980 --> 00:55:49.839 they are representations 00:55:49.839 --> 00:55:51.439 of Jesus for us 00:55:51.440 --> 00:55:53.019 and many of the Psalms 00:55:53.019 --> 00:55:54.920 so brilliantly 00:55:54.920 --> 00:55:56.320 so brilliantly 00:55:56.320 --> 00:55:57.900 portray the kingship 00:55:57.900 --> 00:55:58.519 of Jesus 00:55:58.519 --> 00:55:59.960 as you read through 00:55:59.960 --> 00:56:00.500 what they say 00:56:00.500 --> 00:56:01.679 about the kings 00:56:01.679 --> 00:56:02.360 of the times 00:56:02.360 --> 00:56:03.079 whether it's David 00:56:03.079 --> 00:56:03.639 or Solomon 00:56:03.639 --> 00:56:04.139 whoever 00:56:04.139 --> 00:56:07.860 and it doesn't matter 00:56:07.860 --> 00:56:09.700 how many millions 00:56:09.700 --> 00:56:10.440 of people today 00:56:10.440 --> 00:56:11.639 will reject Jesus 00:56:11.639 --> 00:56:13.820 how many people 00:56:13.820 --> 00:56:14.340 out there 00:56:14.340 --> 00:56:15.039 will be convinced 00:56:15.039 --> 00:56:16.320 that there is no God 00:56:16.320 --> 00:56:18.280 how many people 00:56:18.280 --> 00:56:18.840 will actually 00:56:18.840 --> 00:56:19.760 say 00:56:19.760 --> 00:56:22.140 and throw in our teeth 00:56:22.140 --> 00:56:22.880 the gospel 00:56:22.880 --> 00:56:24.160 that we seek to maintain 00:56:24.160 --> 00:56:25.180 not just in the preaching 00:56:25.180 --> 00:56:25.519 of it 00:56:25.519 --> 00:56:26.920 but in your testifying 00:56:26.920 --> 00:56:27.260 to it 00:56:27.260 --> 00:56:28.200 in your lives 00:56:28.200 --> 00:56:29.559 however many times 00:56:29.559 --> 00:56:30.420 people will turn 00:56:30.420 --> 00:56:30.760 and say 00:56:30.760 --> 00:56:30.980 well 00:56:30.980 --> 00:56:32.360 why are you actually 00:56:32.360 --> 00:56:33.280 trusting in someone 00:56:33.280 --> 00:56:33.860 who's dead 00:56:33.860 --> 00:56:36.500 why are you trusting 00:56:36.500 --> 00:56:37.400 in a God 00:56:37.400 --> 00:56:38.500 whose existence 00:56:38.500 --> 00:56:40.160 you cannot prove 00:56:40.160 --> 00:56:42.360 it's just simply 00:56:42.360 --> 00:56:43.680 like all other religions 00:56:43.680 --> 00:56:44.420 people will say 00:56:44.420 --> 00:56:45.320 they're at the end 00:56:45.320 --> 00:56:45.840 of the day 00:56:45.840 --> 00:56:46.600 they're fine 00:56:46.600 --> 00:56:47.720 if you want to follow that 00:56:47.720 --> 00:56:48.980 but they're not actually 00:56:48.980 --> 00:56:49.539 useful 00:56:49.539 --> 00:56:50.980 and they're not truth 00:56:50.980 --> 00:56:55.980 is that going to change 00:56:55.980 --> 00:56:56.780 things as far as 00:56:56.780 --> 00:56:57.720 God is concerned 00:56:57.720 --> 00:57:00.880 supposing you're 00:57:00.880 --> 00:57:01.680 the only believer 00:57:01.680 --> 00:57:02.640 left in the world 00:57:02.640 --> 00:57:03.680 and you're surrounded 00:57:03.680 --> 00:57:04.660 by people who say 00:57:04.660 --> 00:57:05.900 it's foolish to trust 00:57:05.900 --> 00:57:06.500 in God 00:57:06.500 --> 00:57:07.720 a God that you cannot see 00:57:07.720 --> 00:57:09.140 and have never proved 00:57:09.140 --> 00:57:10.680 in your heart 00:57:10.680 --> 00:57:11.539 and in my heart 00:57:11.539 --> 00:57:13.820 the Lord is still king 00:57:13.820 --> 00:57:16.420 and he will always 00:57:16.420 --> 00:57:17.680 continue to be the king 00:57:17.680 --> 00:57:18.840 it doesn't matter 00:57:18.840 --> 00:57:19.539 how many people 00:57:19.539 --> 00:57:20.260 deny it 00:57:20.260 --> 00:57:21.660 that's not going to 00:57:21.660 --> 00:57:22.600 change the truth 00:57:22.600 --> 00:57:24.400 people can try 00:57:24.400 --> 00:57:25.380 as hard as they like 00:57:25.380 --> 00:57:26.420 to disprove 00:57:26.420 --> 00:57:27.100 the existence 00:57:27.100 --> 00:57:27.980 of God 00:57:27.980 --> 00:57:29.600 and that'll go on 00:57:29.600 --> 00:57:30.000 to the end 00:57:30.000 --> 00:57:30.539 of the world 00:57:30.539 --> 00:57:33.900 but the truth 00:57:33.900 --> 00:57:34.960 remains the truth 00:57:34.960 --> 00:57:37.019 and God 00:57:37.019 --> 00:57:38.059 remains God 00:57:38.059 --> 00:57:40.659 and the king 00:57:40.659 --> 00:57:42.299 the Jesus 00:57:42.299 --> 00:57:43.799 who is king 00:57:43.799 --> 00:57:45.559 shall rejoice 00:57:45.559 --> 00:57:47.900 shall continue 00:57:47.900 --> 00:57:49.159 to be who he is 00:57:49.159 --> 00:57:51.440 and shall do all 00:57:51.440 --> 00:57:52.079 he has promised 00:57:52.079 --> 00:57:52.619 to do 00:57:52.619 --> 00:57:54.259 for his people 00:57:54.259 --> 00:57:56.199 all 00:57:56.199 --> 00:57:57.820 who swear by him 00:57:57.820 --> 00:57:59.000 shall exult 00:57:59.000 --> 00:58:00.699 they shall be 00:58:00.699 --> 00:58:01.960 exalted 00:58:01.960 --> 00:58:03.420 in rejoicing 00:58:03.420 --> 00:58:04.320 is what it means 00:58:04.320 --> 00:58:07.260 and if that was true 00:58:07.260 --> 00:58:09.039 of David here 00:58:09.039 --> 00:58:10.240 prophesying 00:58:10.240 --> 00:58:10.880 of the future 00:58:10.880 --> 00:58:11.519 for himself 00:58:11.519 --> 00:58:12.480 and for his followers 00:58:12.480 --> 00:58:14.360 how much more 00:58:14.360 --> 00:58:15.039 is it true 00:58:15.039 --> 00:58:16.280 of Jesus 00:58:16.280 --> 00:58:17.400 and his people 00:58:17.400 --> 00:58:19.580 whatever the world 00:58:19.580 --> 00:58:20.300 may say 00:58:20.300 --> 00:58:21.720 and it doesn't 00:58:21.720 --> 00:58:22.500 we're not saying 00:58:22.500 --> 00:58:24.000 that doesn't matter 00:58:24.000 --> 00:58:25.240 it's our duty 00:58:25.240 --> 00:58:25.780 to try 00:58:25.780 --> 00:58:27.059 present the gospel 00:58:27.059 --> 00:58:27.640 and the truth 00:58:27.640 --> 00:58:28.220 to them 00:58:28.220 --> 00:58:29.800 but ultimately 00:58:29.800 --> 00:58:30.720 it doesn't matter 00:58:30.720 --> 00:58:32.300 because the king 00:58:32.300 --> 00:58:33.080 still lives 00:58:33.080 --> 00:58:34.700 and the king 00:58:34.700 --> 00:58:35.760 is going to return 00:58:35.760 --> 00:58:37.760 and the king's 00:58:37.760 --> 00:58:38.100 followers 00:58:38.100 --> 00:58:38.780 and the king's 00:58:38.780 --> 00:58:39.060 people 00:58:39.060 --> 00:58:39.720 all who swear 00:58:39.720 --> 00:58:40.160 by him 00:58:40.160 --> 00:58:40.560 all who are 00:58:40.560 --> 00:58:41.360 in allegiance 00:58:41.360 --> 00:58:42.000 to him 00:58:42.000 --> 00:58:43.600 they shall 00:58:43.600 --> 00:58:44.840 exult 00:58:44.840 --> 00:58:46.720 they shall have 00:58:46.720 --> 00:58:47.320 everlasting 00:58:47.320 --> 00:58:48.500 rejoicing 00:58:48.500 --> 00:58:50.080 nothing 00:58:50.080 --> 00:58:50.740 and no one's 00:58:50.740 --> 00:58:51.380 going to spoil 00:58:51.380 --> 00:58:51.700 that 00:58:51.700 --> 00:58:53.560 or make that 00:58:53.560 --> 00:58:54.220 untrue 00:58:54.220 --> 00:58:57.420 as we read 00:58:57.420 --> 00:58:58.039 in the song 00:58:58.039 --> 00:58:58.580 of Solomon 00:58:58.580 --> 00:59:00.980 where you find 00:59:00.980 --> 00:59:03.260 the longings 00:59:03.260 --> 00:59:04.800 of this 00:59:04.800 --> 00:59:06.519 lady after 00:59:06.519 --> 00:59:07.240 her beloved 00:59:07.240 --> 00:59:09.420 in chapter 1 00:59:09.420 --> 00:59:10.679 and verse 4 00:59:10.679 --> 00:59:11.280 we can finish 00:59:11.280 --> 00:59:11.800 with this 00:59:11.800 --> 00:59:15.099 it is her desire 00:59:15.099 --> 00:59:16.480 here is the bride 00:59:16.480 --> 00:59:18.460 this woman 00:59:18.460 --> 00:59:19.579 confessing her love 00:59:19.579 --> 00:59:20.280 for her beloved 00:59:20.280 --> 00:59:22.099 in which you find 00:59:22.099 --> 00:59:22.840 an image of 00:59:22.840 --> 00:59:23.880 our own love 00:59:23.880 --> 00:59:24.559 for the Lord 00:59:24.559 --> 00:59:26.400 he says 00:59:26.400 --> 00:59:26.960 draw me 00:59:26.960 --> 00:59:27.940 and we will run 00:59:27.940 --> 00:59:28.360 after you 00:59:28.360 --> 00:59:29.059 let us run 00:59:29.059 --> 00:59:30.579 the king has 00:59:30.579 --> 00:59:31.179 brought me 00:59:31.179 --> 00:59:31.719 into his 00:59:31.719 --> 00:59:32.199 chambers 00:59:32.199 --> 00:59:34.299 we will 00:59:34.299 --> 00:59:34.860 exult 00:59:34.860 --> 00:59:36.059 and rejoice 00:59:36.059 --> 00:59:36.840 in you 00:59:36.840 --> 00:59:38.940 we will extol 00:59:38.940 --> 00:59:39.759 your love 00:59:39.759 --> 00:59:41.059 more than wine 00:59:41.059 --> 00:59:42.460 rightly 00:59:42.460 --> 00:59:43.900 do they 00:59:43.900 --> 00:59:44.920 love you 00:59:44.920 --> 00:59:47.299 take these words 00:59:47.299 --> 00:59:48.099 home with you 00:59:48.099 --> 00:59:49.340 rightly 00:59:49.340 --> 00:59:50.940 do they 00:59:50.940 --> 00:59:51.779 love you 00:59:51.779 --> 00:59:53.739 and nobody 00:59:53.739 --> 00:59:54.539 can take that 00:59:54.539 --> 00:59:55.139 conviction 00:59:55.139 --> 00:59:56.519 out of your 00:59:56.519 --> 00:59:57.199 heart today 00:59:57.199 --> 00:59:58.179 because it's 00:59:58.179 --> 00:59:59.279 based on 00:59:59.279 --> 00:59:59.879 God's 00:59:59.879 --> 01:00:00.339 truth 01:00:00.339 --> 01:00:01.839 in Jesus 01:00:01.839 --> 01:00:02.500 Christ 01:00:02.500 --> 01:00:04.899 Lord our God 01:00:04.899 --> 01:00:05.599 we pray 01:00:05.599 --> 01:00:06.399 that today 01:00:06.399 --> 01:00:06.980 you'd bless 01:00:06.980 --> 01:00:07.379 to us 01:00:07.379 --> 01:00:07.939 this portion 01:00:07.939 --> 01:00:08.599 of your word 01:00:08.599 --> 01:00:10.939 help us 01:00:10.939 --> 01:00:11.439 we pray 01:00:11.439 --> 01:00:12.759 like David 01:00:12.759 --> 01:00:13.259 long ago 01:00:13.259 --> 01:00:13.779 help us 01:00:13.779 --> 01:00:15.159 to trust 01:00:15.159 --> 01:00:15.519 in you 01:00:15.519 --> 01:00:15.759 with the 01:00:15.759 --> 01:00:16.039 trust 01:00:16.039 --> 01:00:16.460 that he 01:00:16.460 --> 01:00:17.239 spoke of 01:00:17.239 --> 01:00:17.460 and the 01:00:17.460 --> 01:00:17.859 desire 01:00:17.859 --> 01:00:18.279 that he 01:00:18.279 --> 01:00:18.500 could 01:00:18.500 --> 01:00:19.059 confess 01:00:19.059 --> 01:00:20.819 and Lord 01:00:20.819 --> 01:00:21.239 we pray 01:00:21.239 --> 01:00:21.599 that you 01:00:21.599 --> 01:00:22.579 would intensify 01:00:22.579 --> 01:00:23.859 our desire 01:00:23.859 --> 01:00:24.500 our longing 01:00:24.500 --> 01:00:25.259 after you 01:00:25.260 --> 01:00:26.540 we pray 01:00:26.540 --> 01:00:26.980 that in 01:00:26.980 --> 01:00:27.420 these days 01:00:27.420 --> 01:00:27.740 in which 01:00:27.740 --> 01:00:28.240 we live 01:00:28.240 --> 01:00:29.700 when so 01:00:29.700 --> 01:00:30.180 few 01:00:30.180 --> 01:00:31.160 yearn 01:00:31.160 --> 01:00:31.780 after you 01:00:31.780 --> 01:00:32.320 in the 01:00:32.320 --> 01:00:32.560 world 01:00:32.560 --> 01:00:32.900 in which 01:00:32.900 --> 01:00:33.360 we live 01:00:33.360 --> 01:00:34.500 with that 01:00:34.500 --> 01:00:34.960 desire 01:00:34.960 --> 01:00:35.440 that is 01:00:35.440 --> 01:00:36.060 true to 01:00:36.060 --> 01:00:36.540 your word 01:00:36.540 --> 01:00:37.620 gracious 01:00:37.620 --> 01:00:37.920 Lord 01:00:37.920 --> 01:00:38.340 we pray 01:00:38.340 --> 01:00:38.760 that that 01:00:38.760 --> 01:00:39.060 will be 01:00:39.060 --> 01:00:39.380 true of 01:00:39.380 --> 01:00:39.800 ourselves 01:00:39.800 --> 01:00:40.180 help us 01:00:40.180 --> 01:00:40.680 to delight 01:00:40.680 --> 01:00:41.220 in you 01:00:41.220 --> 01:00:42.320 help us 01:00:42.320 --> 01:00:42.540 to be 01:00:42.540 --> 01:00:42.900 thankful 01:00:42.900 --> 01:00:44.060 for your 01:00:44.060 --> 01:00:44.340 own 01:00:44.340 --> 01:00:45.060 sheltering 01:00:45.060 --> 01:00:45.340 of your 01:00:45.340 --> 01:00:45.700 people 01:00:45.700 --> 01:00:46.160 for your 01:00:46.160 --> 01:00:46.620 protection 01:00:46.620 --> 01:00:47.140 of them 01:00:47.140 --> 01:00:48.400 and for 01:00:48.400 --> 01:00:48.660 the way 01:00:48.660 --> 01:00:48.980 that your 01:00:48.980 --> 01:00:49.260 truth 01:00:49.260 --> 01:00:50.000 will endure 01:00:50.000 --> 01:00:51.420 how many 01:00:51.420 --> 01:00:51.920 challenges 01:00:51.920 --> 01:00:52.600 it may 01:00:52.600 --> 01:00:52.940 have to 01:00:52.940 --> 01:00:53.180 face 01:00:53.180 --> 01:00:53.600 we don't 01:00:53.600 --> 01:00:53.920 know 01:00:53.920 --> 01:00:55.059 Lord 01:00:55.059 --> 01:00:55.420 we know 01:00:55.420 --> 01:00:55.800 that your 01:00:55.800 --> 01:00:56.079 truth 01:00:56.079 --> 01:00:56.780 will continue 01:00:56.780 --> 01:00:58.039 on through 01:00:58.039 --> 01:00:58.900 into eternity 01:00:58.900 --> 01:00:59.980 help us 01:00:59.980 --> 01:01:00.480 to prize 01:01:00.480 --> 01:01:00.680 it 01:01:00.680 --> 01:01:01.720 to commend 01:01:01.720 --> 01:01:02.099 it to the 01:01:02.099 --> 01:01:02.440 world in 01:01:02.440 --> 01:01:02.800 which we 01:01:02.800 --> 01:01:03.099 live 01:01:03.099 --> 01:01:04.220 to rejoice 01:01:04.220 --> 01:01:04.599 in it 01:01:04.599 --> 01:01:05.139 ourselves 01:01:05.139 --> 01:01:06.559 hear us 01:01:06.559 --> 01:01:06.900 now we 01:01:06.900 --> 01:01:07.200 pray 01:01:07.200 --> 01:01:07.980 for Jesus 01:01:07.980 --> 01:01:08.400 sake 01:01:08.400 --> 01:01:09.220 Amen 01:01:09.220 --> 01:01:14.019 we're going 01:01:14.019 --> 01:01:14.539 to praise 01:01:14.539 --> 01:01:14.940 God now 01:01:14.940 --> 01:01:15.519 in conclusion 01:01:15.519 --> 01:01:15.920 in Psalm 01:01:15.920 --> 01:01:16.659 36 01:01:16.659 --> 01:01:17.900 Psalm number 01:01:17.900 --> 01:01:18.659 36 01:01:18.659 --> 01:01:19.000 in the 01:01:19.000 --> 01:01:19.159 Sing 01:01:19.159 --> 01:01:19.519 Psalms 01:01:19.519 --> 01:01:19.860 version 01:01:19.860 --> 01:01:20.700 you'll find 01:01:20.700 --> 01:01:21.079 that on 01:01:21.079 --> 01:01:21.519 page 01:01:21.519 --> 01:01:22.500 44 01:01:22.500 --> 01:01:25.880 the tune 01:01:25.880 --> 01:01:26.079 is 01:01:26.079 --> 01:01:26.480 Bays 01:01:26.480 --> 01:01:26.619 of 01:01:26.619 --> 01:01:27.019 Harris 01:01:27.019 --> 01:01:29.559 singing 01:01:29.559 --> 01:01:29.900 verses 01:01:29.900 --> 01:01:30.519 5 01:01:30.519 --> 01:01:30.960 to 01:01:30.960 --> 01:01:31.340 9 01:01:31.340 --> 01:01:32.780 your 01:01:32.780 --> 01:01:33.440 steadfast 01:01:33.440 --> 01:01:33.780 love 01:01:33.780 --> 01:01:33.960 is 01:01:33.960 --> 01:01:34.340 great 01:01:34.340 --> 01:01:34.599 O 01:01:34.599 --> 01:01:34.900 Lord 01:01:34.900 --> 01:01:35.780 it 01:01:35.780 --> 01:01:36.139 reaches 01:01:36.139 --> 01:01:36.500 heaven 01:01:36.500 --> 01:01:36.920 high 01:01:36.920 --> 01:01:37.840 your 01:01:37.840 --> 01:01:38.460 faithfulness 01:01:38.460 --> 01:01:38.619 is 01:01:38.619 --> 01:01:39.139 wonderful 01:01:39.139 --> 01:01:40.260 extending 01:01:40.260 --> 01:01:41.320 to the 01:01:41.320 --> 01:01:41.639 sky 01:01:41.639 --> 01:01:41.960 and so 01:01:41.960 --> 01:01:42.159 on 01:01:42.159 --> 01:01:42.320 through 01:01:42.320 --> 01:01:42.619 to 01:01:42.619 --> 01:01:42.920 verse 01:01:42.920 --> 01:01:43.280 9 01:01:43.280 --> 01:01:43.559 your 01:01:43.559 --> 01:01:44.019 steadfast 01:01:44.019 --> 01:01:44.400 love 01:01:44.400 --> 01:01:45.019 is 01:01:45.019 --> 01:01:45.460 great 01:01:45.460 --> 01:01:45.820 O 01:01:45.820 --> 01:01:46.239 Lord 01:01:46.239 --> 01:01:51.979 your 01:01:51.979 --> 01:01:53.699 steadfast 01:01:53.699 --> 01:01:54.919 love 01:01:54.919 --> 01:01:55.439 is 01:01:55.439 --> 01:01:56.719 great 01:01:56.719 --> 01:01:57.459 O 01:01:57.459 --> 01:01:58.500 Lord 01:01:58.500 --> 01:01:59.619 it 01:01:59.619 --> 01:02:01.079 reaches 01:02:01.079 --> 01:02:02.979 heaven 01:02:02.979 --> 01:02:05.459 high 01:02:05.459 --> 01:02:06.699 your 01:02:06.699 --> 01:02:10.179 faithfulness 01:02:10.179 --> 01:02:11.019 is 01:02:11.019 --> 01:02:13.219 wonderful 01:02:13.219 --> 01:02:15.179 and 01:02:15.179 --> 01:02:16.879 extending 01:02:16.879 --> 01:02:18.059 to 01:02:18.059 --> 01:02:18.959 the 01:02:18.959 --> 01:02:21.839 sky 01:02:21.839 --> 01:02:23.339 your 01:02:23.339 --> 01:02:25.019 righteous 01:02:25.019 --> 01:02:27.179 vessels 01:02:27.179 --> 01:02:29.539 bear 01:02:29.539 --> 01:02:30.179 me 01:02:30.179 --> 01:02:31.539 laid 01:02:31.539 --> 01:02:32.559 like 01:02:32.559 --> 01:02:34.179 mountains 01:02:34.179 --> 01:02:36.219 high 01:02:36.219 --> 01:02:37.119 on 01:02:37.119 --> 01:02:37.959 sea 01:02:37.959 --> 01:02:40.059 your 01:02:40.059 --> 01:02:41.739 justice 01:02:41.739 --> 01:02:43.639 depths 01:02:43.639 --> 01:02:44.719 like 01:02:44.719 --> 01:02:46.259 ocean 01:02:46.259 --> 01:02:47.959 depths 01:02:47.959 --> 01:02:49.139 of 01:02:49.139 --> 01:02:50.659 man 01:02:50.659 --> 01:02:51.439 and 01:02:51.439 --> 01:02:52.779 peace 01:02:52.779 --> 01:02:53.359 you 01:02:53.359 --> 01:02:55.839 keep 01:02:55.839 --> 01:02:57.039 high 01:02:57.039 --> 01:02:58.859 precious 01:02:58.859 --> 01:03:01.039 is 01:03:01.039 --> 01:03:01.619 your 01:03:01.619 --> 01:03:04.079 steadfast 01:03:04.079 --> 01:03:05.539 love 01:03:05.539 --> 01:03:06.539 what 01:03:06.539 --> 01:03:08.899 confidence 01:03:08.900 --> 01:03:10.900 is 01:03:10.900 --> 01:03:11.900 a 01:03:11.900 --> 01:03:12.900 blessed 01:03:12.900 --> 01:03:13.900 prince 01:03:13.900 --> 01:03:14.099 o 01:03:14.099 --> 01:03:14.900 high 01:03:15.420 --> 01:03:16.360 and 01:03:16.360 --> 01:03:16.900 love 01:03:17.660 --> 01:03:18.519 thine 01:03:18.519 --> 01:03:20.160 shelter 01:03:20.160 --> 01:03:21.940 in 01:03:21.940 --> 01:03:22.900 the 01:03:22.900 --> 01:03:24.860 shadow 01:03:24.860 --> 01:03:25.900 of 01:03:26.740 --> 01:03:27.519 your 01:03:27.519 --> 01:03:28.900 wings 01:03:28.900 --> 01:03:29.900 they 01:03:30.900 --> 01:03:32.220 feast 01:03:32.220 --> 01:03:32.900 within 01:03:32.900 --> 01:03:34.900 your 01:03:34.900 --> 01:03:35.900 hearts 01:03:35.900 --> 01:03:37.900 and 01:03:37.900 --> 01:03:38.599 day 01:03:38.599 --> 01:03:40.220 from 01:03:40.220 --> 01:03:41.840 streams 01:03:41.840 --> 01:03:42.519 of 01:03:42.519 --> 01:03:43.500 pure 01:03:43.500 --> 01:03:46.579 delight 01:03:46.579 --> 01:03:47.940 for 01:03:47.940 --> 01:03:49.440 men 01:03:49.440 --> 01:03:50.099 you 01:03:50.099 --> 01:03:51.519 are 01:03:51.519 --> 01:03:52.420 the 01:03:52.420 --> 01:03:53.700 source 01:03:53.700 --> 01:03:54.639 of 01:03:54.639 --> 01:03:55.700 light 01:03:55.700 --> 01:03:57.059 in 01:03:57.059 --> 01:03:58.380 your 01:03:58.380 --> 01:03:59.280 light 01:03:59.280 --> 01:04:00.740 peace 01:04:00.740 --> 01:04:01.519 in 01:04:01.519 --> 01:04:02.740 light 01:04:02.740 --> 01:04:05.099 if you 01:04:05.099 --> 01:04:05.400 allow me 01:04:05.400 --> 01:04:05.720 please to 01:04:05.720 --> 01:04:05.980 get to 01:04:05.980 --> 01:04:06.079 the 01:04:06.079 --> 01:04:06.280 main 01:04:06.280 --> 01:04:06.480 door 01:04:06.480 --> 01:04:06.740 I'll 01:04:06.740 --> 01:04:06.980 greet 01:04:06.980 --> 01:04:07.220 you on 01:04:07.220 --> 01:04:07.300 the 01:04:07.300 --> 01:04:07.440 way 01:04:07.440 --> 01:04:07.720 out 01:04:07.719 --> 01:04:10.179 now 01:04:10.179 --> 01:04:10.459 may the 01:04:10.459 --> 01:04:10.859 grace of 01:04:10.859 --> 01:04:10.959 the 01:04:10.959 --> 01:04:11.179 Lord 01:04:11.179 --> 01:04:11.480 Jesus 01:04:11.480 --> 01:04:12.019 Christ 01:04:12.019 --> 01:04:12.259 the 01:04:12.259 --> 01:04:12.539 love 01:04:12.539 --> 01:04:12.699 of 01:04:12.699 --> 01:04:12.899 God 01:04:12.899 --> 01:04:13.079 the 01:04:13.079 --> 01:04:13.419 Father 01:04:13.419 --> 01:04:13.719 and 01:04:13.719 --> 01:04:13.839 the 01:04:13.839 --> 01:04:14.139 communion 01:04:14.139 --> 01:04:14.379 of 01:04:14.379 --> 01:04:14.500 the 01:04:14.500 --> 01:04:14.719 Holy 01:04:14.719 --> 01:04:15.099 Spirit 01:04:15.099 --> 01:04:15.799 be 01:04:15.799 --> 01:04:16.039 with 01:04:16.039 --> 01:04:16.259 you 01:04:16.259 --> 01:04:16.559 now 01:04:16.559 --> 01:04:16.819 and 01:04:16.819 --> 01:04:17.559 evermore 01:04:17.559 --> 01:04:18.459 Amen