WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 For the people of God, and if you receive it that way, please say joyfully, thanks be to God. 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:05.879 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.780 May he grant you according to your heart's desire and fulfill all your purpose. 00:00:36.460 --> 00:00:43.039 We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God, we will set up our banners. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:47.359 May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. 00:00:49.159 --> 00:00:52.260 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed. 00:00:52.260 --> 00:00:58.000 He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:07.620 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord, our God. 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:13.079 They have bowed down and fallen, but we have risen and stand upright. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:17.780 Save the Lord. May the King answer us when we call. 00:01:18.460 --> 00:01:20.640 The word of the Lord for the people of God. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:22.019 Thanks be to God. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:23.299 Please be seated. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:35.239 Isaiah 40 tells us that the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:01:36.260 --> 00:01:40.599 And in Luke 1, the angel Gabriel, who ministers at the face of God, he says, 00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:43.519 No word from God shall be void of power. 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:47.280 Please pray one more time with me. 00:01:51.479 --> 00:01:54.560 God, please illumine your word to your people. 00:01:57.079 --> 00:02:08.039 Through this earthen vessel of the preacher, Lord, we pray that your Holy Spirit will cause your people to behold Jesus Christ by faith through your own living word. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:10.819 Lord, please do this all for your glory. 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:11.859 We ask. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:12.560 Amen. 00:02:18.399 --> 00:02:25.639 Well, people have prepared themselves for war differently over the centuries and in different continents. 00:02:26.799 --> 00:02:30.879 Some of this has been carried on into sports traditions and celebrations. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:35.680 One of the guys I played soccer with had this chant from Africa. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:38.819 No one even knew what the words were, so we probably shouldn't have been chanting it. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:42.939 But it was a pump up, you know, pat your legs and then start clapping. 00:02:43.099 --> 00:02:44.240 And it was like a battle cry. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:48.840 If you've watched, if you haven't, all the dads need to go show the kids later on. 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:53.280 The all black rugby team of New Zealand, I think it is. 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:54.859 And they do the famous haka. 00:02:55.039 --> 00:02:58.900 It's like a war cry where they get themselves worked up and ready to go play. 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:06.500 On a more serious note, we're following the headlines of global geopolitics. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:15.079 And there are nations, as we speak, preparing for war by secretly stockpiling components of nuclear bombs. 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:23.939 With the intent of calling one another's bluff and causing destruction that world history has never seen on such a scale. 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:26.780 What about God's people? 00:03:26.979 --> 00:03:27.800 What about the church? 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:37.200 God's people, both in Psalm 20 and also the church today, we prepare for war as well. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:44.420 What Psalm 20 teaches us is that God's people prepare for war by singing together. 00:03:45.420 --> 00:03:46.080 Isn't that awesome? 00:03:47.380 --> 00:03:50.300 It's a beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:51.260 --> 00:03:52.660 Long live King Jesus. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:54.180 That's our battle cry. 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:56.960 I want to walk through this Psalm. 00:03:58.420 --> 00:04:02.319 I want to try to wrestle with some of the questions, starting with the grammar. 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:07.560 But because it's also about war, I hope it's not as dry or boring as that might sound. 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:13.480 And then I want to say, how is it that Jesus would have prayed and sung Psalm 20? 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:18.720 And then in light of Christ, how can we and how must we as the church sing Psalm 20? 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:22.060 Through Christ to one another before God. 00:04:23.520 --> 00:04:27.360 So first, what the people wish for their king. 00:04:27.940 --> 00:04:30.420 That's what I think we have in verses 1 through 5. 00:04:31.220 --> 00:04:32.840 Picture the gathered congregation. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:38.600 And if they're a ring themselves for war, it's most likely divided by tribes. 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:42.600 There's an elder of each of the tribes coming forward. 00:04:42.740 --> 00:04:45.240 They're lifting up these banners, these emblems. 00:04:45.700 --> 00:04:47.740 And the regiments line up behind them. 00:04:48.160 --> 00:04:49.180 Can you picture this scene? 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:54.700 An army arraying itself for war behind the different regiments with banners over each one. 00:04:56.340 --> 00:05:00.500 And King David, God's anointed king, gives an order to the chief musician. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:02.500 Implying there are many other musicians. 00:05:02.500 --> 00:05:07.379 We're going to do some corporate congregational singing now. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:09.060 Preparing for a great battle. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:12.819 And the people sing verses 1 through 5. 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:15.920 Now we don't know for certain this is how it's arranged. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.560 But the grammar forces us to certain conclusions. 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:27.439 And what I'm sharing with you is the best I've learned and gathered from my studies of how others and how the church have read this psalm. 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:30.579 Would you look at verses 1 through 5 with me? 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:40.759 One commentator said it's not even so much a prayer as an expression of a desire before God. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:42.980 So they say in verse 1, 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:47.000 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble. 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:50.819 May the name of the God of Jacob defend you. 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:56.319 So they're directing their desire, their wish before God to someone. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:06:03.180 The chorus in one voice, it's singing their loyal support to the king. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:12.779 One of the most thrilling songs someone pointed out is to imagine yourself there. 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:18.560 Seeing the army ready, preparing itself for war. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:21.939 And it's a day of trouble. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:25.379 So it's a day when the nation is hard pressed on all sides. 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:26.899 If you remember from 1 Samuel, 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:33.379 David inherits a kingdom in chaos, divided and at war with massive threats. 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:36.879 To the west, toward the Mediterranean Sea, it's the Philistines. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:39.279 And to the east, it's even worse. 00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:41.860 Both sides have chariots and horses and power. 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:44.900 To the east, they're coming around, gouging out the right eye, 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:47.920 making it so no one can go to war against them any longer. 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:50.300 It's doomsday for Israel. 00:06:51.879 --> 00:06:54.720 And now the king is low before the Lord. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:58.360 They're asking for God to come and defend him. 00:07:00.060 --> 00:07:02.980 God, please lift this king up out of this trouble. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:05.879 The God of Jacob. 00:07:06.020 --> 00:07:10.160 This is the God who took Jacob and blessed him. 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:12.560 And he renamed this man Israel. 00:07:13.700 --> 00:07:16.620 And he's further advancing his covenant promises. 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:20.420 To send forth a promised seed like he promised to Eve. 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:22.420 And it'll come through Jacob. 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:23.420 Through Israel. 00:07:24.080 --> 00:07:26.080 Through one of these 12 tribes. 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:29.860 And they make this profession of their faith. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:33.920 It's the people are publicly stating together in one voice, 00:07:34.440 --> 00:07:36.160 the true source of their help. 00:07:36.340 --> 00:07:37.060 Look at verse 2. 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:42.780 May he, God, send you, the king, help from the sanctuary. 00:07:43.780 --> 00:07:45.660 Referring to God's throne in heaven. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:52.379 The holy temple where the host of angel army are gathered before God. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:57.319 Zephaniah, our passage we read, refers to God, the king of Israel. 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:58.300 The true king. 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:00.220 And David, his anointed. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:05.540 And the people trust in the true source of their strength. 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:09.280 They say, may God strengthen you, king, out of Zion. 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:19.220 Remember, Zion is that fortress of the Jebusites that had become the hub now for God's kingdom under David on earth. 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:28.060 Verse 3, the people say, may God remember, David, all your offerings and accept your burnt offerings. 00:08:28.700 --> 00:08:32.540 They have a mediator that comes before God as a sinful man. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:39.259 That needs first to be washed clean before God will accept David into his presence. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:45.620 And if David as king and leader over these people is going to ask God to bless them and defend them in war, 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:49.539 David better not approach this holy God presumptuously. 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:57.519 So the people, they're very interested to make sure that God will accept their king through the blood sacrifice, 00:08:57.839 --> 00:08:59.519 through the forgiveness of sins. 00:09:01.579 --> 00:09:07.079 May God forgive our king's sins and hear his prayers for the nation. 00:09:08.659 --> 00:09:13.039 Zion then becomes this place where David sits on a political throne. 00:09:13.819 --> 00:09:18.339 And it's also now the place where the tabernacle and soon the temple will be built. 00:09:18.340 --> 00:09:22.259 Where the priests will do their mediatorial work. 00:09:24.300 --> 00:09:31.220 And so Zion becomes a place where through blood, both God and man can commune together. 00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:41.160 It's the temple and the throne combined on one hill where God descends, making it holy. 00:09:42.700 --> 00:09:47.100 And so the people are publicly pledging their loyalty to God's kingdom, 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:49.759 trusting that God will save their king. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:54.340 And in verse five, they say, we will rejoice in your salvation. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:58.360 In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. 00:09:59.500 --> 00:10:02.300 It's the honor of God that we will fight for. 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:05.779 It's not Saul's pride, Saul's army, Saul's agenda. 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:07.759 It's the name of God. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:10.600 We are fighting for his glory. 00:10:11.699 --> 00:10:15.980 We will rejoice in the salvation our God will provide. 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:19.379 And as our king makes himself low before God, 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:25.519 we ask that the Lord will be gracious to our king and fulfill his petitions. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:32.139 The people's future is intertwined with the future of their king. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:37.720 If their king perishes, if God chooses to curse their king rather than bless him, 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:41.980 then the people will perish and receive curses as well. 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:48.639 But on the other hand, if the Lord will be gracious and will bless their king and give their king victory in battle, 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:52.039 then the people will get to share in this victory. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:54.860 They're intertwined with their king. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:11:00.199 This is what the people wish for their king. 00:11:02.080 --> 00:11:09.059 Now, I think that over the course of history, this psalm has been sung wrongly. 00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:18.099 There have been monarchs who have used this song and basically requiring that the people view that monarch of England, for example, 00:11:18.699 --> 00:11:21.439 as the next David, pledging your loyalty. 00:11:21.619 --> 00:11:26.719 You know, long live the king of this monarchy and may our empire expand to the end of the world. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:31.739 And of course, these promises are are the opposite of that. 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:34.699 It's not the glory of a man or the glory of a king. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:35.819 It's the glory of God. 00:11:36.379 --> 00:11:38.239 It's the name of God that's on the banner. 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:40.579 That the people will defend. 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:45.500 And so it's quite opposite from powers of the world. 00:11:46.619 --> 00:11:50.239 And the people wish for their king to be blessed. 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:53.599 Now, here's what the king sings back to the people. 00:11:53.779 --> 00:11:58.699 I believe in verse six, because the speaker changes. 00:11:59.839 --> 00:12:04.519 First, we had the people saying, may the Lord do this for you. 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:07.839 But now notice in verse six, it's first person singular. 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:16.000 Someone says in a voice, I know that the Lord saves his anointed. 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:20.120 And the word anointed is in the Hebrew Messiah. 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:25.159 I know that the Lord saves his Messiah. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:33.899 He, God, will answer his Messiah from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:42.179 This speaker in verse six is declaring truth to the army, to the people of God. 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:44.860 It's the tone is confident. 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:47.799 He's preaching to himself and to the people. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:52.979 In verse one, they're calling for God to answer in the day of trouble. 00:12:53.559 --> 00:12:58.719 And now verse six repeats that word, showing that it's it's what you can trust in. 00:12:58.819 --> 00:13:02.879 You ask God to answer, says, I know God will answer you. 00:13:02.879 --> 00:13:08.080 This closes this little inclusio, the other side of the bracket. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:15.259 I know God in heaven in the holy sanctuary will hear the prayer of his Messiah. 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:17.259 That's what he proclaims back. 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:24.840 Then in verses six through eight, the language changes one more time. 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.879 You have to skip down to verse seven to see that. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:28.720 Then I'll read these. 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:29.659 So look at verse seven. 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:32.139 We will remember the name of the Lord. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:34.220 It's all of us corporately together. 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.960 Now, first person plural. 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.819 Here's what we're going to sing as one voice. 00:13:37.820 --> 00:13:42.780 Verse seven suggests that the people believe what the king preached to them. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:44.200 They embrace it. 00:13:44.660 --> 00:13:53.320 They develop and add to their king's declaration as their own unique corporate identity in this truth that they've received. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:58.780 Verse seven reads some trust in chariots and some in horses. 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:07.100 They're thinking of their immediate surroundings and these armies trying to wipe them out of existence and conquer them and cripple them financially. 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:11.940 But they're also thinking to God's faithfulness when he parted the waters of the Red Sea. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:20.980 When Pharaoh hardened his heart and God hardened Pharaoh's heart and the Egyptians chased after the Israelites through these parted waters. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:23.240 God's people passed on dry ground. 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:30.600 And then these walls of water come crashing down and bury the chariots of Pharaoh in the bottom of the ocean. 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:38.860 And then the Israelites, the army on the other side, without fighting, without using their own strength at all, simply trusting in God. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:47.680 They see the bodies, the corpses of these soldiers from the Egyptian side that were coming to slay them, wash up on the shore. 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:49.700 This is the illusion. 00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:51.639 This is their identity. 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:53.220 Remember who we are. 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:55.399 This is the Lord God. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:58.819 It's his powerful name that delivers his people. 00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:10.000 In the Hebrew, the verb trust only occurs once at the very end of the sentence to heighten the attention and the contrast. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:13.519 Literally, this verse seven reads like this. 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:17.100 Some chariots, some in horses. 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:22.060 But we, this is the emphatic name of the Lord. 00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:26.740 We in Yahweh, our God, do trust. 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:30.759 The postures now are reversed. 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:34.899 In verse one, the people see their king down low. 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:39.940 They say, may God hear your prayers as you pray and you lift up your petitions. 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:41.759 May God defend you. 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:47.659 And they ask God to lift up their king from his trouble. 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:53.960 In verse eight, they say, they, the mighty giants of this world, they are now the ones who are bowed down and fallen. 00:15:54.419 --> 00:16:03.519 And it's God's people, the weak army of God, who started off by being bowed low in prayer, in trouble and asking God to lift us up. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:07.720 They're the ones who are now risen and who stand upright. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:13.600 God reverses the fate of the enemies of God with that of his people. 00:16:14.540 --> 00:16:16.200 The people encourage their king. 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:19.379 Their anointed king encourages the people. 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:26.879 And the whole nation trusts God so entirely that they celebrate as if the battle were already won. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:30.820 It's a celebration of faith, not by sight. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:35.759 You look around and it looks like we have no hope. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:40.860 But by faith, they can say, we know the Lord saves. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:43.620 The Lord is victorious. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:46.120 It's Yahweh's name that we trust. 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:53.059 This is an encouragement for us because we look around at our world. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.220 We look at our own lives. 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:59.019 We see how weak we are, how dependent we are on everything upon the Lord. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:02.100 But we receive his words by faith. 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:05.700 And that's why God's people are. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:11.259 They're ones who receive his words by faith and rest in his salvation. 00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:16.940 Trusting that it's accomplished already, though it's being worked out. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:21.039 Jesus, he said this in John 17, 8. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:25.720 I have given my disciples the words which you, God, have given me. 00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:28.480 And they have received them. 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:31.139 Maybe you have a lot of questions. 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:36.879 Maybe you look around and there's so many doubts going through your mind. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:41.039 And you look at the remaining corruptions in your own heart and sin in your life. 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:42.539 And you feel powerless. 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:49.899 If you're one who will receive by faith what God has revealed to you, it's undeniable. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.299 He is my Lord. 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.299 He is my Savior. 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:55.500 He strengthens his people from within. 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:57.799 We live by faith and not by sight. 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:59.839 That's our identity as his people. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:06.000 We trust the words of God, the true king of his people. 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:11.440 Well, now we have a challenge to work out in verse 9. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:13.680 He repeats the themes of the whole psalm. 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:18.319 And the future of the king is bound together with the future of the people. 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:27.160 Both the people and this man, this king, installed from their nation to be God's temporary steward king. 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:32.599 They have every reason to pray fervently for God's salvation. 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:39.779 They pray that God would find their king, his petitions acceptable and receive them. 00:18:41.879 --> 00:18:48.819 This was something that God told the people would be a condition of having a king on this earth. 00:18:49.139 --> 00:18:53.079 1 Samuel 12, 13, the Lord set Saul as king over them. 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:56.259 Samuel told the people, here's the condition. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:19:01.680 If you people do not obey the voice of the Lord but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:06.740 then the hand of the Lord will be against you as it was against your fathers. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:14.400 So both the king and the people under this old covenant in Israel were required to keep the law of God 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:17.940 and to be satisfactory in the sight of God. 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:22.960 With the threat, there will be curses upon your disobedience. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:25.940 And so goes the rest of the history of Israel. 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:31.559 When the king does not walk with the Lord, the whole nation suffers consequences, David included. 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:36.440 Every now and then there's a king who will be humbled and put himself under God's word 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:41.660 and the word of God will be restored and God will rule over his people and they'll enjoy peace and blessings. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:44.700 Well, you know how this story with Israel goes. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:50.600 The people and their king so rebel against God one after another that they get banished 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:54.759 and they receive and bring upon themselves the curses for disobedience 00:19:54.759 --> 00:20:00.620 because the destiny of the people and the destiny of the king are intertwined. 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:06.660 So in verse 9, they pray, save Yahweh. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:14.160 But according to verse 9, who is it that the people expect to answer their call? 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:17.860 They say, we're going to call now in our time of trouble. 00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:19.080 Answer us. 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:24.300 But is it the king who will answer the call or is it God who will answer the call? 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:30.060 Different English translations are split about half and half on this one. 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:33.380 If we did a sampling, we could get exactly that. 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:37.760 Half the hands would say, mine says, you know, God save us or God hear the king and save us. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:42.200 Others would just say, may the king save us, the people, when we call to him. 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:46.320 Well, the word for word is reads like this. 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.640 Save Yahweh. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:50.360 So God save us. 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:56.200 The king, he shall answer you in the day of our calling. 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.000 It's not super clear. 00:20:59.080 --> 00:21:02.040 And again, this poetry can be taken in a few different ways. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:05.059 So I'm going to give you my best efforts to wrestle with this. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:10.700 The first observation is that verse 9 echoes what they prayed in verse 1. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:13.659 Verse 1 speaks of the day of trouble. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:20.539 And literally, verse 9 says, may he answer you in the day of your calling. 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:22.099 You will call to him on the day of trouble. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.599 Maybe that be the day where he answers you. 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:29.079 And it's not up for dispute whether it's God who saves. 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.719 That says it right there in verse 9. 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.939 Save, O Yahweh. 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:34.099 And also verse 6 made it clear. 00:21:34.199 --> 00:21:38.480 Now I know that the Lord, Yahweh, saves his Messiah. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:43.639 But I think that verse 9 leaves off with us wondering that. 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.000 How does God save? 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.359 How is it through the king? 00:21:47.219 --> 00:21:48.439 What's the king's role here? 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:54.580 And are we as the people totally dependent on this man from Israel being our king? 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:58.600 Because our destiny is intertwined with the destiny of this king. 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:03.000 Here's what I think we can see first. 00:22:04.320 --> 00:22:08.039 The people recognize that God must save the king. 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:14.740 And the structural center of Psalm 20 is God accepting the sacrifice of the king. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:20.019 So God's people long to see God accept their Messiah's offering. 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:24.019 And for God to hear the prayer of the Messiah and save. 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.740 That's what the people long for. 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:30.880 The people recognize that their salvation depends upon whether or not God will save their king. 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:36.380 And they sing, God save our king. 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:43.720 And because they have no hope of salvation, if their king disqualifies himself from receiving God's blessing, 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:51.000 they know that the holy God must first find this anointed king to be pleasing in his sight 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:57.600 in order for the just holy God to rightfully bless this nation through this king 00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:59.920 and give them a victory in the war. 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:05.799 Then, I think the people also recognize that when they are in distress, 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:11.480 they need salvation from something bigger and more powerful than their own individual selves. 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:16.759 They need to be able to call to their king and trusting that God will save them too 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:19.400 through the king's mediation and prayers. 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:23.579 Just as God will save the king, there are times when the king will step in 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:26.759 and be the instrument through which God brings their deliverance. 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.579 This made me wonder. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.259 That's all it can be. 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:36.720 Maybe this is an allusion to Christ's interpretation when he says, 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:43.120 pray in my name and whatever you ask in my name, it will be given. 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:46.100 Lord Jesus says that with confidence. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:49.819 And I'm reminded how even at the beginning of his ministry, 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:54.960 God the Father says, this is my son with whom I am well pleased. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:24:01.680 So in order for God's promise to save his people to be fulfilled, 00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:07.660 I'd love to rehearse with you how King Jesus had to sing Psalm 21. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:12.680 At Christ's first coming, think about it. 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:17.039 Israel, they were slaves within their own land. 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:20.379 They were cursed by their own sin. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:25.599 Their own law keeping had been powerless to bring them any blessing. 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:32.779 They were losers in a war with no king from David's line, 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:36.039 on whom all these promises were hinging. 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:42.859 Many within Israel trusted in chariots and in horses, so to speak. 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:47.819 They trusted in the Roman Empire over them or the corrupt religious system 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:50.859 and were very happy to compromise at some point. 00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:56.019 Think of Matthew and Zacchaeus who worked as tax collectors within Israel, 00:24:57.259 --> 00:25:01.619 siphoning money away from the poor people, sending it off to the Roman Empire. 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:04.839 And others trusted in their own might. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:07.819 They tried to force a revolution. 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:13.480 Remember Simon the Zealot and even Simon Peter who pulled out a dagger 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:16.139 and sliced off the ear of the guard in the garden. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:25.700 Well, our Lord's first coming was a time when the people were living only by what they could see, 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.539 for the most part. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:34.299 On the whole, this nation did not recognize God as their Savior nor their King. 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:37.819 Yet God descended. 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:42.639 The King of kings came as a humble servant. 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.819 And at our Lord's first coming, 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:54.639 He found no one to welcome Him and give Him the glory He was due, 00:25:55.899 --> 00:26:00.099 unless the Spirit anointed and caused them to recognize Him. 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:03.179 You and I are the same. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:08.199 I was so convicted this week how I'm so often tempted 00:26:08.199 --> 00:26:11.980 to trust only or mostly in what I can see, 00:26:12.219 --> 00:26:13.519 what is earthly. 00:26:14.659 --> 00:26:17.659 We're too quick to put our hope in what is of this world. 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:21.359 Our flesh thinks our security is in horses and chariots. 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:26.339 Even within the church, this can be a great temptation. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:31.219 We can try to trust how many clicks a certain link gets. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:37.099 Churches can be tempted to trust how many people they get to hire on as staff 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:39.219 or how much money they can raise. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.979 Without the Holy Spirit, 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:45.819 you and I are no different in that we don't pray for God's kingdom, 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:48.939 for the advancement and the glory of King Jesus, 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.359 as we should. 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:54.899 We're too quick now to put our attention and our hopes 00:26:54.899 --> 00:26:56.960 and little fiefdoms of man 00:26:56.960 --> 00:27:01.960 instead of the real spiritual kingdom of God through Jesus. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:05.839 We bless King Jesus too little, 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:11.720 who sits on His throne and already rules over all creation as the Lord of all. 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:14.880 We forget that He has all power 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:19.579 and He has all authority already given to Him by the Father. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:25.700 Instead, we set our hearts on little kingdoms of men. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.420 With the Fourth of July, 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:32.200 you know, we see the fireworks and they're pretty amazing. 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:37.380 But we got to visit the Creation Museum with our relatives recently 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:43.740 and we got to sit in this simulation of the galaxies that God created. 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:47.940 What is man that God is mindful of us? 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:54.840 It's like cheering for our favorite little sparkler in the dark 00:27:54.840 --> 00:28:00.800 rather than marveling at the sun rising in majesty and color, 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.700 the advancement of Christ's kingdom. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:06.600 So because of sin, 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:09.000 theirs and ours, 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:12.600 King Jesus first had to sing Psalm 20 alone 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:14.840 without His people. 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:19.039 Psalm 20, God breathed it out through David 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:21.759 so the King would stand and be blessed 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:25.259 and having the support and loyalty of His army. 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:30.400 And instead, Jesus sang this as a solo. 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:32.600 At His first coming, 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:35.000 He would have had to prepare for battle alone 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.100 as we read in Mark. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:39.280 He prayed alone. 00:28:40.560 --> 00:28:41.620 As we sing, 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:44.080 He suffered and died alone. 00:28:45.340 --> 00:28:48.460 King Jesus fought the battle on earth alone. 00:28:49.320 --> 00:28:52.140 Without any help from any sinful people, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:54.740 our King Jesus was victorious. 00:28:54.740 --> 00:29:00.759 He single-handedly defeated the forces of darkness. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:04.000 King Jesus took God's wrath 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:07.000 and suffered the death that we deserve. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:09.599 He took all of this upon His own body. 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.160 God, 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:14.460 in His covenant of grace, 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.420 think of this, 00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:19.579 that's why God intertwined the destiny of His people 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:21.440 with the destiny of the King. 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:23.400 As goes the King, 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.759 so will go His kingdom. 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.720 And where we failed Him, 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:29.180 Jesus Christ was victorious 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:31.680 and secured all of God's blessings. 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:35.580 There's nothing the Father withholds from God the Son. 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:38.000 Why did He do this? 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:41.700 He became our King so He could turn around 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:44.680 and give undeserving sinners like you and me 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:46.920 all the blessings of heaven 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:49.759 without any help from man. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:52.779 for God's glory alone. 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:56.759 And if you are in Christ, 00:29:57.500 --> 00:30:00.759 everything Christ secured and received from the Father, 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:03.099 the full victory that's His, 00:30:03.879 --> 00:30:04.980 He shares with you. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:10.420 And that's how the one holy Christian church 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:12.619 can sing Psalm 20 now. 00:30:13.200 --> 00:30:16.119 This is how believers from every continent 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:17.339 and all generations, 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:19.979 we must sing Psalm 20. 00:30:21.219 --> 00:30:25.279 We are in the time between Christ's first and second coming. 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:29.399 Hebrews 2a says that God, 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:32.019 listen for the already not yet language, 00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:35.119 God already has put all in subjection 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:37.399 under Jesus Christ. 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:40.239 He left nothing that is not put under Him. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:45.099 But now we do not yet see all things put under Him. 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.539 But we see Jesus, 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.700 not visibly, 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.460 but by faith. 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:54.299 We see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.599 and is suffering in death. 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:59.039 And He is now crowned with glory and honor. 00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:02.399 The Bible reveals two ages. 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.779 In the last days, 00:31:04.940 --> 00:31:07.259 it's this age and the age to come. 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:10.119 And we are at that overlap of the ages. 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:11.879 Spiritually, 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:14.920 the age to come is already inaugurated. 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:17.920 The victory of Christ is already secured. 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.059 Spiritually, 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:20.200 we already taste this. 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:23.319 We're already living in our souls by faith 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.379 in the age to come 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:26.319 with Christ united in Him. 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:30.079 But our bodies are in this broken world, 00:31:30.179 --> 00:31:31.879 still in this present evil age. 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:34.799 There's a not yetness to it as well. 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:38.539 The ruler of this present evil age is, 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:41.500 his head is crushed on the cross by Christ's work, 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:44.339 but he's still fighting against God's kingdom. 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:46.720 So we hold on to the promise of God. 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:49.019 1 Corinthians 15, 24. 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:51.939 Then comes the end, 00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:54.980 when Christ Jesus will deliver the kingdom of God, 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.159 the Father. 00:31:57.259 --> 00:32:00.539 King Jesus will put an end to all the rule 00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:03.119 and all authority and power of darkness. 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.599 And he must reign 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:07.779 until he has put all enemies under his feet. 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:10.839 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 00:32:11.439 --> 00:32:13.220 And so we wait for the consummation 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:16.259 of King Jesus' final victory. 00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:18.359 And when he returns in glory, 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:21.119 there will be no more death. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:23.819 We will be with the Lord forever. 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:29.460 Psalm 20, verses 1 through 5. 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:32.000 What the chorus sings to the King. 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.179 In one voice now, 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:36.159 the church singing to Jesus. 00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:39.579 It helps us express two longings that we have 00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:42.000 in this time period of redemptive history. 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.279 Number one, 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:45.899 that Jesus Christ will be honored here 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:47.580 and now on earth. 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:51.280 We are called as a church to sing 00:32:51.280 --> 00:32:53.660 like we do in verse 9. 00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:55.440 Save, Lord God. 00:32:55.820 --> 00:32:56.840 In Jesus' name, 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:58.860 answer us when we call. 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:01.200 We will rejoice in your salvation. 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:04.480 We will remember the name of the Lord our God. 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:06.060 In the name of our God, 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.880 we will set up our banners. 00:33:07.880 --> 00:33:10.740 And so we pray that King Jesus 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:12.640 may be honored on this earth. 00:33:13.600 --> 00:33:14.820 We set up our banners. 00:33:15.040 --> 00:33:17.780 We proclaim him to the world unashamed. 00:33:19.080 --> 00:33:19.660 He says, 00:33:19.780 --> 00:33:21.180 If you will be unashamed before me 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.720 in this corrupt generation, 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:24.080 I will not be ashamed of you 00:33:24.080 --> 00:33:25.520 when I return in glory 00:33:25.520 --> 00:33:28.560 with a host of angels at my side. 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:30.380 We honor him. 00:33:31.520 --> 00:33:33.060 Revelation 19, 6. 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:35.659 It gives us just an idea 00:33:35.659 --> 00:33:36.639 of the sound 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.919 that will come forth 00:33:37.919 --> 00:33:40.179 on that great day of Christ. 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.980 Whole multitude of saints, 00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:43.119 the great cloud of witnesses, 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:44.500 and the chorus of angels 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.500 singing. 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:47.980 The voice of a great multitude 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:50.059 as the sound of many waters, 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:52.399 as the sound of a mighty thunderings, 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:53.240 they will be saying, 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:54.000 Hallelujah, 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:57.059 for the Lord God omnipotent reigns. 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:59.879 Let us be glad and rejoice 00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:01.559 and give him glory. 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:03.839 So when we sing here 00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:05.460 in a sweaty gym, 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:08.299 carpeted floors of a school, 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:11.400 this is the banner of God's people. 00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:13.559 It's the name of the Father, 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.980 the Son, and the Holy Spirit 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:17.599 with the great host of his army 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.900 of every generation 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:21.059 joining our voice with heaven 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:22.799 with all the angels 00:34:22.799 --> 00:34:24.880 proclaiming his salvation. 00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:28.320 Christ exalted is our song, 00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:30.579 our anthem through eternity, 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:33.500 praises rise and wake the dawn, 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:35.259 heralding his majesty. 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:38.000 Christ without a rival reigns 00:34:38.599 --> 00:34:39.920 over all creation, 00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:42.500 name above all other names, 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:44.659 enthroned in adoration. 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:48.279 So we pray that Jesus Christ 00:34:48.279 --> 00:34:49.480 will be honored here 00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:51.199 and now on earth. 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:53.639 But yet there's one more way 00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:55.460 that we sing Psalm 20 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:57.260 for our encouragement 00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:58.280 and for God's glory. 00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:02.079 We look forward to the great day 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:03.440 when he will return. 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:07.980 We sing Psalm 20 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:10.340 trusting that his salvation 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.420 has already come 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.699 though it's still coming more. 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:15.900 In verse 2 of Psalm 20, 00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:17.840 we join our voice now in saying, 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.500 O God, 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:20.000 you will send 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:22.019 the host of angels' armies 00:35:22.019 --> 00:35:23.960 along with all your saints 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:25.039 from every generation. 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:27.579 And we will be charging 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:29.139 with you triumphantly 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:30.280 behind King Jesus 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:31.619 who comes down 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.619 to save his people 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:35.340 from his sanctuary 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:36.500 in heaven. 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:38.280 And you will strengthen 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:38.920 your church. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.240 Right now your church 00:35:40.240 --> 00:35:41.039 is militant. 00:35:42.220 --> 00:35:43.119 And Hebrews talks about 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:44.199 the heavenly Zion. 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:46.059 And the kingdom of heaven 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:47.179 will descend 00:35:47.179 --> 00:35:48.460 onto this earth. 00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:50.000 And O God, 00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:51.599 we remember how your son, 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:52.699 our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:54.500 he offered up his own life 00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:56.860 as our burnt sacrifice, 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:58.219 a payment for our sin. 00:35:59.139 --> 00:35:59.639 And so Lord, 00:35:59.739 --> 00:36:01.699 please look at Christ's person 00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:02.519 and work, 00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:02.920 we say, 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:04.519 as they did in verse 4. 00:36:05.299 --> 00:36:06.599 Look at King Jesus. 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:08.920 We know he is pleasing to you. 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:11.219 We know he's the perfect sacrifice. 00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:12.920 You will not reject 00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:13.559 his sacrifice. 00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:15.519 You have to answer his prayer. 00:36:15.779 --> 00:36:16.860 It pleases you 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:18.099 to answer the prayer 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:18.980 of Jesus 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:20.519 and to give him victory 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.579 in this war. 00:36:22.360 --> 00:36:23.139 Glorify him. 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.280 Put all things 00:36:24.280 --> 00:36:25.420 under his feet. 00:36:26.219 --> 00:36:27.500 Fulfill all your purposes 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:29.240 from eternity past 00:36:29.240 --> 00:36:30.420 to raise up 00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:31.579 from the dust 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:33.340 a kingdom on earth 00:36:33.340 --> 00:36:34.579 for your son. 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:39.219 It's the spirit of God 00:36:39.219 --> 00:36:40.659 within his church 00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.519 that sings, 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:42.740 come quickly, 00:36:42.900 --> 00:36:43.380 Lord Jesus. 00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:45.440 And we comfort one another 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:46.800 with this promise. 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:48.619 1 Thessalonians 4.16, 00:36:48.980 --> 00:36:50.760 the Lord will himself 00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:52.860 descend from heaven 00:36:52.860 --> 00:36:53.599 with a shout, 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:54.599 with the voice 00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.480 of an archangel, 00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:56.619 and with the trumpet 00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.159 of God, 00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:58.559 and the dead in Christ 00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.559 will rise first. 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:01.219 Then we who are alive 00:37:01.219 --> 00:37:02.159 and remain, 00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:03.219 we shall be caught up 00:37:03.219 --> 00:37:04.519 together with them 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.139 in the clouds, 00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:06.099 and we will meet 00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:07.579 the Lord in the air, 00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:08.679 and thus we shall 00:37:08.679 --> 00:37:10.179 always be with 00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:11.019 the Lord. 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:14.019 We sing glory, glory 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:15.260 to the King, 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.659 crowned with countless 00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:18.259 praises. 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:20.179 Christ exalted, 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.480 we will sing 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:23.339 throughout unending 00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:24.079 ages. 00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.920 May King Jesus 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:28.399 come again soon 00:37:28.399 --> 00:37:31.399 to remake this world 00:37:31.399 --> 00:37:33.599 and reign forevermore. 00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.440 Long live 00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.319 our King. 00:37:36.819 --> 00:37:37.059 Amen? 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.059 Amen. 00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:39.980 Let's pray. 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:46.219 Lord, we praise you 00:37:46.219 --> 00:37:47.300 for your great work. 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:48.800 We thank you 00:37:48.800 --> 00:37:49.579 for the perfect 00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:51.599 life of our Lord Jesus, 00:37:52.300 --> 00:37:53.960 the King, 00:37:54.360 --> 00:37:54.940 the Priest, 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:56.559 the Prophet, 00:37:56.900 --> 00:37:59.219 the one who reveals 00:37:59.219 --> 00:38:00.760 God to man, 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.719 and who makes a way 00:38:02.719 --> 00:38:03.960 for people like us 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:05.480 to be brought into 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:07.079 the family of God, 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.659 safe, secure, 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:10.480 in you forever. 00:38:11.319 --> 00:38:12.239 Thank you that you 00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:13.900 accepted Christ's work 00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:14.699 on our behalf, 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:16.139 that the victory 00:38:16.139 --> 00:38:17.219 is already His, 00:38:17.559 --> 00:38:18.460 that we already 00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:20.340 enjoy salvation 00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:21.739 that you have given 00:38:21.739 --> 00:38:22.819 for your people. 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.739 Thank you that your 00:38:24.739 --> 00:38:26.259 banner over us, 00:38:26.619 --> 00:38:27.779 the cause of your mission, 00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:29.119 is your love. 00:38:29.860 --> 00:38:30.739 Oh, we praise you, 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:31.639 our great Savior. 00:38:32.259 --> 00:38:32.519 Amen. 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:32.659 Amen. 00:38:32.659 --> 00:38:32.699 Amen. 00:38:32.699 --> 00:38:32.699