WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.260 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:04.259 --> 00:00:08.460 I'm going to be speaking this morning about resilience as I introduce these sounds, 00:00:08.620 --> 00:00:15.640 but perhaps a really lovely form of resilience is Alan and Christine here before us this morning, 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:19.039 celebrating 50 years of marriage on Friday. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:19.559 So. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:28.640 Well, resilience. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:36.480 Resilience and the need to build resilience has become very, very popular in recent years, 00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:45.380 especially in response to the pandemic and terrible bushfires and floods and things like that. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:48.920 We even had a commissioner for resilience at one point. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:52.159 So what is it to be resilient? 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:59.039 Well, I think to be resilient is to be able to deal with whatever life throws at me. 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:14.640 Trauma, tragedy, adversity, threats, significant sources of stress that might come to us from verbal attacks or from relationships. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:23.519 It means being able to absorb the blows that are part of everyday living. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:31.560 But not only to absorb the blows, but actually to bounce back from them and be able to thrive in life. 00:01:31.560 --> 00:01:37.500 And so I think buried into resilience, there's the notion of happiness. 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:45.960 That is a sense of being secure, a sense of being safe, a sense of being content and enjoying life. 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:48.320 That's got to be part of resilience. 00:01:48.319 --> 00:01:53.519 And I think also then resilience needs a sense of peace. 00:01:54.199 --> 00:01:56.919 We need to feel as if there's some order in life. 00:01:57.459 --> 00:02:00.719 There's some sense of control. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:09.099 Some sense that there is a pattern, a plan, a peace in the life in which we live. 00:02:09.099 --> 00:02:15.419 And particularly in our inner landscape, in our hearts and minds. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:25.240 And so here's where it gets really practical because resilience is sprooked at the moment from every level of society. 00:02:25.379 --> 00:02:29.379 Right from governments, all the time talking about the need for resilience. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:36.560 Right down to early childhood teachers are being taught now to teach children resilience. 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:38.900 It's the buzzword. 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:54.159 But as I listen into these conversations, I get the feeling that resilience is not much more than a new word for old-fashioned self-reliance. 00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:02.420 Self-interested commitment to, dare I say, hassle-free living. 00:03:02.419 --> 00:03:06.559 Wanting to blend in. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:11.799 Demanding acceptance and perhaps even avoidance of conflict. 00:03:15.079 --> 00:03:21.679 And so if I'm right in that, then the irony for us again as a nation and as a culture is 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:34.159 that the very notion of resilience that is being pushed and built is actually at odds with the realities of life. 00:03:35.379 --> 00:03:39.780 And so I think people can chase resilience in terms of how our society is teaching 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:42.439 but never actually be able to be resilient. 00:03:42.980 --> 00:03:46.180 Because the way they're building the resilience just doesn't work. 00:03:46.180 --> 00:03:49.159 It's an odd sort of thing, isn't it? 00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:56.120 In sharp contrast, I want to suggest this morning, in Psalm 11, 12, and 13, 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:59.599 we have three pictures of God's character, God's beauty. 00:04:01.080 --> 00:04:10.400 Three perspectives which will deliver incredible resilience in times of crisis and attack. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:17.939 Whether it's from external sources or from the internal source of our own hearts, our own minds. 00:04:20.100 --> 00:04:23.980 And in the end, I keep saying that's why I'm drawn back to the Psalms regularly. 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:28.879 They really are my go-to piece of scripture. 00:04:31.280 --> 00:04:31.759 Why? 00:04:32.040 --> 00:04:34.220 Because I easily identify with David's struggles. 00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:39.180 I easily identify with his confusion at circumstances. 00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:43.839 Fear in the face of threats. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:49.659 Weariness in the daily struggles for faithfulness to the Lord. 00:04:50.679 --> 00:04:53.979 And yes, I have to say, even frustration. 00:04:55.639 --> 00:04:56.739 Frustration with God. 00:04:57.539 --> 00:05:00.219 As I try to make sense of my life from my perspective. 00:05:00.220 --> 00:05:04.320 And I think the point is this. 00:05:04.520 --> 00:05:08.720 As I come back to the Psalms, I think I've learned this from them over many years. 00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:17.160 And that is, sometimes we only see God's answers when we actually ask the right questions. 00:05:18.580 --> 00:05:19.480 Put it the other way around. 00:05:19.580 --> 00:05:20.160 Put it negatively. 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:23.760 Sometimes we wonder what God's trying to say to us. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:26.260 And that's because we're not asking the right questions. 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:35.719 So, this morning, I want to put before you and bring you with me into these three Psalms, these three poems. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:43.019 What is it to lean into the Lord for true resilience in these three circumstances? 00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:52.979 What is it to lean into the Lord for true resilience when, first and foremost, we're fearful and intimidated by the real threat of physical violence? 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:56.899 Now, Simon's going to come up and read Psalm 11. 00:05:57.159 --> 00:06:00.759 And then we'll repeat this process over two more Psalms. 00:06:00.819 --> 00:06:02.819 So, Simon, if you'd come up and read Psalm 11 to us. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:03.079 Thanks. 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:05.699 Psalm 11. 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:08.800 To the choir master of David. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:37.139 His eyes see. 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:39.579 His eyelids test the children of man. 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:42.479 The Lord tests the righteous. 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:46.000 But his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:49.159 Let him rain coals on the wicked. 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:53.279 Fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 00:06:54.319 --> 00:06:56.019 For the Lord is righteous. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:06:58.659 He loves righteous deeds. 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:01.939 The upright shall behold his face. 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:11.420 So, David's starting point in this Psalm is a decision that he's made at some point in the past. 00:07:13.479 --> 00:07:15.519 The Lord is my refuge. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:23.039 In other words, David's already decided that the Lord is his place of safety. 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:24.680 His place of shelter. 00:07:25.199 --> 00:07:26.379 His place of protection. 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:27.480 That's what a refuge is. 00:07:27.599 --> 00:07:28.579 It's a beautiful picture. 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:39.500 And the important thing here is that that decision in the past shapes his response in this time of extreme crisis. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:47.079 The immediate perspective before David is his faith. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:49.120 The Lord is my refuge. 00:07:50.159 --> 00:07:54.939 And the appealing but unacceptable option to David of flight. 00:07:54.939 --> 00:08:05.319 The situation seems to be that ruthless, wicked enemies are on the attack. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:08.819 They're determined to be rid of King David. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:13.600 And determined to be rid of everything that King David as God's person represents. 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:21.060 It seems to be the threat of unexpected attack is constant. 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:23.120 They're lining up to shoot in the dark. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:28.220 It's a terrible situation for him to be in. 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:31.620 And verse 3. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:36.419 It's not really easy to decide what the foundations are. 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:46.379 But it seems like things are so bad that the foundations, perhaps the foundations of the nation, that is God's covenant, appears to be under threat. 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:50.879 It seems like everything is about to fall over. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:09:04.120 And God's covenant was about God's special people being ruled and protected by God's anointed king in the context of peace and justice and righteousness. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:09.860 And things have come to such a point that David fears that all of that is just about to be swept away, to be lost. 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:20.740 And then into that situation, it appears that King David's advisors said, listen, this is the time to pack up and run for the hills. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:29.259 So if you look at the end of verse 1, where it says from flee like a bird to the end of verse 3, that's an inverted quotation mark. 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:37.779 So David is actually interacting with and reflecting back advice, well-intentioned advice he's got from his advisors. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:43.319 And what's his advisors saying? 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.679 Well, the situation's lost. 00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:51.100 Hanging around is futile. 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:54.779 Wicked have the upper hand. 00:09:55.720 --> 00:10:00.420 So King David, the best thing we can say to you is head for the hills and hide. 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:04.720 Protecting yourself at this point is paramount. 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:12.860 Now David's response to that is really quite intriguing. 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:15.100 And then halfway through verse 1, he says, 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:21.700 How can you say to my soul, in other words, guys, I appreciate your advice, but how can you be telling me to flee? 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:25.519 How can you say to my soul, flee? 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:31.600 Flight was unacceptable. 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:36.759 And perhaps, depending on how you read the text here, I think even offensive to David. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:41.320 Now, what would his concern be here? 00:10:41.320 --> 00:10:49.800 I don't think he resisted the urge to fly because he was frightened of being considered cowardly as a soldier or as a king. 00:10:50.920 --> 00:10:59.220 Now, I think why he resisted flight here is because he didn't want to be considered unbelieving or untrusting in the Lord of the covenant, 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:04.260 the one who had actually placed him there as God's covenant king in God's special people. 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:14.100 So for David to flee, I think in his mind, was to trash God's honor and God's reputation. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:20.700 It wasn't about David, I think, if we can read between the lines. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.899 His safety wasn't paramount. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:25.220 God's honor was paramount. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:33.639 And so in verses 47, we see that David opts for faith over flight. 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:37.779 And that's the picture, I want, of leaning into the Lord as his refuge. 00:11:38.540 --> 00:11:41.060 Now, let's jump to verse 7 and then we'll come back and unpack it. 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.899 Now, here's the situation. 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:44.639 Terrible crisis. 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:46.340 Immediate threat. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:47.259 Real threat. 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:49.000 Threat of life. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:55.799 So how can somebody like David so consistently opposed, hated, and attacked, 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:58.100 how can he say in verse 7 with conviction, 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:00.759 the Lord is righteous. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.840 He loves righteous deeds. 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:06.639 The upright shall behold his face. 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:13.240 That beholding his face is just a technical term throughout the Old Testament of being aware of God's presence, 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:18.100 being full of a sense of God's goodness and grace and protection and care. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:23.680 In other words, the upright will know God to be a refuge. 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:26.899 So how can he say that? 00:12:28.540 --> 00:12:33.300 Well, the answer is because David's got a much bigger perspective that he's living in the light of. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:37.940 And that is longing to experience God's love and commitment and beauty. 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.159 Verse 4. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:45.159 David leans into his knowledge of God's character. 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:51.039 And he does so by picturing heaven or God's city, if you want to call it that. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:55.419 The foundations of David's city are shaken. 00:12:56.139 --> 00:13:01.240 The future is looking terribly uncertain when David pictures in his mind's eye heaven. 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:06.460 Nothing shaky or uncertain about heaven. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.259 God is in his temple. 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.080 God is in his throne. 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:14.180 His temple symbolizing his presence among his people. 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:16.940 His commitment to dealing with sin. 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:19.080 God is on his throne. 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:25.180 God is in his throne, symbolizing the complete sovereignty and power and ongoing rule of the Lord. 00:13:27.780 --> 00:13:30.820 Again, it's hard to know what the whole thing with eyelids is. 00:13:30.920 --> 00:13:34.259 But the best I can come up with is that, you know, something like, 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:39.700 the Lord is so powerful in this big world that seems to be so out of control 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:42.680 that just with a mere glance or in the blink of an eye, 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:47.299 God knows exactly what is happening, where and when. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.559 That's how much control he has. 00:13:54.339 --> 00:13:59.059 And it's in contrast to David's shaggy, vulnerable world. 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.939 Verse 5. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:12.059 It's quite clear, I think, that David is totally in the dark as to God's purposes in his circumstances. 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:15.079 And we can well understand that. 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:18.759 But this is what David hangs on to. 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:24.719 That every one of his circumstances is being used by the Lord for his good. 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:26.479 That's the idea of God testing. 00:14:29.599 --> 00:14:35.479 Testing, by definition, is evidence of God's love and commitment and grace. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:43.920 And testing actually helps us lean into the Lord with a new confidence in his goodness 00:14:43.920 --> 00:14:46.420 and his power and his love and his care. 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:54.120 Now, again, in the Psalms work on contrast all the time, verse 6. 00:14:54.120 --> 00:15:05.379 Those who are David's enemies are also in the dark about God's purposes in their immediate circumstances. 00:15:05.580 --> 00:15:08.240 They think they've got the upper hand. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:16.120 But in the reality, they are being used... 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.740 Sorry, God will bring judgment on them. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:27.139 They don't understand that however things appear, they cannot succeed, they cannot win. 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:29.419 They will not even survive. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:34.240 Because the picture there is the picture of Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:39.560 And how just, again, in an eyelid, in a blink, in an instant, 00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:42.100 God's judgment fell from heaven 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:47.139 and wiped away a whole generation, several generations, in those two cities. 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.740 Big perspective. 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:55.139 Neither seems to know what's going on. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:16:01.300 One, those circumstances for King David, circumstances for good, for growth. 00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:06.160 The other, imminent judgment and destruction. 00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:11.279 Simon's going to read verse... 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:12.779 Psalm 12, my voice. Thanks. 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:17.319 Psalm 12. 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:20.679 To the choir master, according to the Shemineth. 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:22.279 A Psalm of David. 00:16:24.819 --> 00:16:27.639 Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone. 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:31.259 For the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:34.139 Everyone utters lies to his neighbour. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:37.199 With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:41.679 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.620 the tongue that makes great boasts. 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.259 Those who say, 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:47.179 With our tongue we will prevail. 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.980 Our lips are with us. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.720 Who is master over us? 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:54.039 Because the poor are plundered. 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.919 Because the needy groan. 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:59.080 I will now arise, says the Lord. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:02.759 I will place him in the safety for which he longs. 00:17:04.140 --> 00:17:06.980 The words of the Lord are pure words. 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:10.200 Like silver refined in a furnace on the ground. 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:12.060 Purified seven times. 00:17:13.520 --> 00:17:15.259 You, O Lord, will keep them. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:18.160 You will guard us from this generation forever. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.180 On every side the wicked prowl. 00:17:21.860 --> 00:17:24.480 As vileness is exalted among the children of man. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:33.860 David's starting point in this poem is that God saves. 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:36.019 God is a saviour figure. 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:43.200 God delivers from the horrible, destructive expressions of sin and rebellion. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:45.660 That's all around us in life. 00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:55.180 God delivers from that into the good life of truth and right that God's image bearers were created to enjoy. 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:57.180 God delivers from the good life of truth and right that God saves. 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.180 God delivers from the good life of God. 00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:58.860 God delivers from the good life of God. 00:17:58.860 --> 00:18:05.980 And David longs for that because his world is filled with debased stuff. 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:15.640 Damaging, horrible, worthless words and communication. 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:23.480 And we can again identify with David's world and David's situation. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:36.240 It seems to David that lies and deceit and manipulation and threats are what make the world go around. 00:18:36.540 --> 00:18:38.000 Are the key to success. 00:18:41.280 --> 00:18:44.640 While truth and righteousness is swept aside. 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:54.000 And those, quite literally, those who seek the Lord are a very critically endangered species. 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:55.640 As David sees it. 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:01.020 But then he starts to dig into what he sees. 00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:04.600 And behind that facade of society niceness. 00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:08.020 Political correctness as we would use terms today. 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:10.880 David sees something really ugly. 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:16.160 That is, when push comes to shove, people hate each other. 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:19.660 They compete with each other for permanence. 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.560 And achievement. 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.980 They're two-faced. 00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:29.260 Double-minded with each other. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:33.300 Saying one thing and doing something completely different. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:42.500 And they do so, verse 4, with incredible arrogance. 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:47.659 Both with respect to those around them. 00:19:47.899 --> 00:19:49.720 And especially with respect to God. 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:53.579 They boast that they will set their own pathway. 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:59.659 And that their own words will define and control that pathway. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:06.439 And ultimately, they will not answer to anybody except themselves and their own words. 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:11.639 It's an incredible confidence. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.919 It's an incredible arrogance. 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:18.800 And yet, David here sees it as totally debased. 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:25.720 And if we step back from it for a minute and ask the question, 00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:32.340 well, what is it about language and reason that's so horrible when it's used like this? 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.759 And I think the answer is this. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:35.860 This is at least the answer I can come up with this week. 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:41.759 That is, the two greatest gifts that the Lord gave his image bearers, 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:45.559 by which we can reflect his character, 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:48.719 is the gift of words or language, 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:51.699 and the gift of reason or thinking. 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:59.159 These are creative things that most reflect God's character. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:07.680 But these two things are what's used most to destroy other image bearers. 00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:11.660 To assert autonomy against God. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:17.220 To build community and relationships which exclude God. 00:21:18.180 --> 00:21:19.980 And make self a demigod. 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:24.759 And so, when we see words used like this, 00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:26.460 it's particularly offensive, I think. 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.019 Particularly damaging. 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:32.160 Because something so good has been turned. 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:34.800 And therefore, because of its creativity, 00:21:35.080 --> 00:21:35.680 in a sense, 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.900 excuse me, 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:40.140 in a sense we can say that people are really creative 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:42.740 in how they wound and destroy one another. 00:21:49.060 --> 00:21:52.600 I'm sure we identify with King David's alarm 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.759 at the collapse of truth. 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.740 So again, a question. 00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:57.800 Given that situation, 00:21:57.799 --> 00:22:00.940 how could David in verse 7 and 8 then say, 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:03.139 you, O Lord, will keep them? 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:07.220 You will guard them from this generation forever. 00:22:08.159 --> 00:22:09.059 Even as he says, 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:10.619 on every side the wicked prowl, 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:13.659 as vileness is exalted among the children of man. 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.660 How can David say that? 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:27.759 How can David say that when he's so caught up in the daily evil of verbal wickedness and violence? 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:34.080 How can he remain confident of God's salvation and deliverance and protection and vindication? 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:41.919 Well, once again, it is confidence in God's character. 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:51.679 And it's expressed more clearly, most clearly, in that phrase, pure silver words. 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:57.160 The words of the Lord, verse 6, are pure words, like silver. 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:05.779 Pure silver words, which are powerful and effective, 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:11.619 and which are God's currency of communication. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.879 And again, verse 5 and 6, 00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:21.299 I think David is reporting what his advisor has said to him. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:24.500 Only this time, his advisor is the Lord himself. 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:30.980 And God says, I will now arise. 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:36.359 I will place him in the safety for which he longs. 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.640 God is stirred to action 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:45.160 by the plight of those destroyed 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:49.019 or damaged by false destructive words. 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.619 And what does God do? 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:54.099 God speaks. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.480 And the result is, 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.680 salvation is delivered. 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:02.160 God saves through his word. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:13.140 Silver, in those days, was the currency of choice. 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:17.279 It was something that was easy to demonstrate. 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.099 It was pure. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:21.380 It was the genuine article, you might say. 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:24.540 In currency and communication, 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.600 it got things done. 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.780 Well, I think that's the picture. 00:24:30.300 --> 00:24:34.140 God's word is his currency to get done 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:37.440 what he determines to do in his world. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:40.279 And what does his word do? 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:44.259 It exposes debased words. 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:47.759 Sinful rebellion. 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:52.799 Life built around lies and deceit and exploitation and autonomy. 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:56.019 And brings it to account. 00:24:56.019 --> 00:25:00.720 And it delivers. 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:04.740 It delivers those who long to see God's name honored, 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:07.180 who long to serve him in truth and righteousness. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:11.500 It delivers them into that very place they want to be. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:16.420 The safe place of the good life lived under the Lord, 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:19.460 in his truth, by his words. 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:28.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:34.460 Psalm 13. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:38.180 To the choir master, a psalm of David. 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:45.960 How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever? 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:49.960 How long will you hide your face from me? 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:54.600 How long must I take counsel in my soul 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:57.539 and have sorrow in my heart all the day? 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:02.559 How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:07.740 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God. 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:12.600 Light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:16.799 Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed over him. 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:20.219 Lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:25.619 But I have trusted in your steadfast love. 00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:28.839 My heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 00:26:29.959 --> 00:26:34.839 I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me. 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:44.159 So, leaning into the Lord when fearful and intimidated. 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:47.379 Leaning into the Lord when battered and bruised. 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:49.259 And this Psalm 13. 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:51.439 Leaning into the Lord for his true resilience 00:26:51.439 --> 00:26:54.439 when weary and distressed 00:26:54.439 --> 00:26:59.220 by persistent inner turmoil of heart and soul. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:05.519 David's starting point in this poem 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:13.160 that he believes God's promise of steadfast love. 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:17.160 He believes the promise. 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:24.339 But he's struggling to have any real or practical experience of it 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:26.839 because of inner turmoil. 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:33.079 It seems like in this Psalm, 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.839 he's just struggling. 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:37.779 He's overwhelmed with despair. 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:41.379 He's feeling at the point of this, 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:44.779 the battle in his heart, in his mind, is lost. 00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:49.319 He feels as if he's actually shaken to the very core of his being, 00:27:49.439 --> 00:27:50.720 the very core of his faith. 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:59.539 And I think we know only too well 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:01.839 the threat of external violence. 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:07.539 We know what it is to be battered by rubbish words. 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:13.440 But there's something also equally powerful 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:15.619 about our own internal struggles, aren't there? 00:28:17.399 --> 00:28:18.460 It's pernicious. 00:28:18.659 --> 00:28:21.240 It just chews away at you day and night. 00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:25.680 Persistent gives you such black thoughts 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:28.159 and very little relief. 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:33.759 And King David describes this raging battle so well. 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.680 The bleakness. 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:38.040 The incredible persistence 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:41.980 with which that inner struggle can present. 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:45.759 And as I say, he's shaken to the very core of his faith 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.720 in God. 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:50.819 And it's in that point 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:52.559 that these questions start to come out. 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.839 Questions that are absolutely scary 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:56.680 to be even entertained in our mind. 00:28:58.100 --> 00:28:59.600 Has God forgotten me? 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:08.620 That's a terrible question to form in your mind, isn't it? 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.420 Has God forgotten me? 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:13.240 Has he just got tired of me? 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.039 Because that's what we mean 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:15.500 when we say we've forgotten somebody. 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:18.599 We just get tired of their failures 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:20.380 or their whinging or whatever else. 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:22.279 We get tired and we move on to somebody else 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.400 that we perceive to be better. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:27.779 Could God do that to me? 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:36.039 Or is God hiding his face from me? 00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:40.079 And again, we think, 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:43.519 look, I'm trying, I'm trying, I'm trying every day. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:46.759 I want to be connected to the Lord. 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:49.539 I want to have a sense of richness and joy 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.440 and peace and calm before him. 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.579 But no matter how hard I try, 00:29:53.879 --> 00:29:55.279 it seems there's no connection. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:59.539 I just can't get a sense of his personal presence. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:02.460 There's no felt experience of his goodness 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.940 or his grace or his mercy. 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:07.740 It's just darkness. 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:14.039 And run those two questions together 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:16.259 and they become a super scary question. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.920 That is, 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:20.600 am I truly and completely loved 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:23.660 as God's word promises I am? 00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:28.980 And friends, there's an equally scary answer 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.759 that goes to that. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.720 And that is, 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:32.140 if we go with our feelings 00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:33.640 or our circumstances 00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:37.940 or our experience, 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:42.519 then the answer may well be, 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:44.279 no, I'm not loved 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:47.920 like I thought I was. 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.440 And so then the question becomes, 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.440 in Psalm 13, 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.900 again, the question comes out 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:57.299 in the last two verses, 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.160 five and six. 00:30:58.160 --> 00:31:01.220 How could anybody like King David 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.820 so weary and distressed 00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:05.300 by such terrible inner turmoil 00:31:05.300 --> 00:31:07.340 say in verses five and six, 00:31:08.060 --> 00:31:09.779 I will sing to the Lord 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.940 for he has been good to me. 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:15.300 Are those just empty words? 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.519 Is it just saying the right thing 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.940 but feeling something totally different? 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:25.279 I think that, again, 00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:26.600 only comes from a perspective 00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:27.080 of overflowing 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:29.740 with a new sense 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:31.000 of unshakable joy 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.620 and delight 00:31:31.620 --> 00:31:32.820 in the Lord 00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.200 and his constant love 00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.740 and goodness. 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.840 The battles 00:31:36.840 --> 00:31:38.680 on the inside 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.299 in our hearts 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.759 and mind 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.400 and our soul. 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.059 And my friends, 00:31:42.100 --> 00:31:42.720 that's where the battle 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.660 is won also. 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:47.100 And it's won by focusing 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:49.100 on what is true 00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:50.680 alongside 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:53.779 horrible feelings 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.960 and terrible fears. 00:31:57.960 --> 00:31:59.820 If you look at verse three 00:31:59.820 --> 00:32:02.160 and remember that 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:04.340 David is in the midst 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:06.240 of this raging internal battle 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:08.960 and yet he still speaks 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:10.160 relationally to the Lord. 00:32:10.579 --> 00:32:11.039 Consider 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:12.720 and answer me, 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.500 O Lord, 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.099 my God. 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:21.000 David does not 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.819 give up his constant belief 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:24.500 that he is known 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.200 personally 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.339 by God 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.980 and indeed 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:29.839 in the blackness 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.559 of where he's at 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.240 in his internal 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:33.700 struggle, 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:35.819 that notion 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.379 that he's loved 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:36.819 by God 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.939 is the pinpoint 00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.759 of light 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.240 at the end 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:41.359 of a very black 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.099 dark tunnel. 00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.439 And verses three 00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:46.759 and four, 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:48.319 he remains confident 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:48.799 therefore 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:50.379 that the Lord 00:32:50.379 --> 00:32:50.980 will act 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.559 to protect 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.659 his reputation. 00:32:52.879 --> 00:32:53.759 Not David's reputation 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.819 but the Lord's reputation. 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:55.539 The Lord will act 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:55.960 to protect 00:32:55.960 --> 00:32:56.759 his own glory 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:58.919 against any 00:32:58.919 --> 00:32:59.779 who will oppose him. 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.939 And what that means 00:33:01.939 --> 00:33:02.639 for David is 00:33:02.639 --> 00:33:03.480 that however 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.519 his experience 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.460 and his circumstances 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.120 feel, 00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:07.400 it means he will 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.680 never be abandoned. 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.539 No matter 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.539 how tormented 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.440 in mind he is, 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.120 he knows he will 00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:17.019 never be abandoned 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:18.720 because he is 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.360 the Lord's 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:19.880 and the Lord 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.400 is his. 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.559 And verses five 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.019 and six, 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:27.000 he's believed 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.340 in 00:33:27.340 --> 00:33:29.140 and enjoyed 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.100 and been satisfied 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:30.960 with God's love 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.600 in the past. 00:33:31.599 --> 00:33:31.639 past. 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:33.899 There's a real 00:33:33.899 --> 00:33:34.959 personal sense 00:33:34.959 --> 00:33:35.819 of God's presence 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.500 and comfort 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.039 and beauty 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.559 and delight 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.199 in the past. 00:33:38.459 --> 00:33:38.819 And again, 00:33:38.879 --> 00:33:39.839 we see that perspective 00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.439 that comes through 00:33:40.439 --> 00:33:41.219 so often 00:33:41.219 --> 00:33:41.919 in the Psalms 00:33:41.919 --> 00:33:43.179 that what he's 00:33:43.179 --> 00:33:44.179 believed in the past 00:33:44.179 --> 00:33:44.779 and what he's known 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.500 in the past 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:47.099 becomes the frame 00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:48.240 and the reference point 00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.619 for interpreting 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:50.339 what he's feeling 00:33:50.339 --> 00:33:51.079 and struggling with 00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:51.679 in the present. 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:57.740 And so focusing 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:59.140 on what he knows 00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.820 to be true 00:33:59.820 --> 00:34:00.640 about God 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:01.940 and God's character 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:05.220 pushes the darkness 00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.779 of his inner struggle 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.539 back into 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.519 godly perspective. 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.519 Now, 00:34:09.720 --> 00:34:10.900 what I'm not saying 00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.860 is that it doesn't 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.840 push away the struggle, 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.820 doesn't make the struggle 00:34:13.820 --> 00:34:14.139 cease, 00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:14.980 it pushes it 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.220 into a godly perspective. 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.740 And this is something 00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:19.760 I think we 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:21.639 shortchange ourselves 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:21.859 on. 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.019 The Bible is 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:25.500 realistic about life 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:28.339 and especially 00:34:28.339 --> 00:34:30.239 realistic about 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:31.500 the inner turmoil 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:33.460 and struggle 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.779 that we have 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:35.400 all the time 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:36.539 or lots of the times. 00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.500 And the Bible 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.779 encourages us 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:41.199 to believe 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:42.219 that this darkness 00:34:42.219 --> 00:34:43.799 can last a long time 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:47.879 and it can cause 00:34:47.879 --> 00:34:49.099 real distress. 00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:49.219 darkness. 00:34:50.799 --> 00:34:51.440 The Bible 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.219 never promises 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:52.619 anywhere, 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:53.539 as far as I can see, 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:54.759 that that darkness 00:34:54.759 --> 00:34:56.659 will be relieved 00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:57.339 in just a short 00:34:57.339 --> 00:34:58.079 period of time. 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:02.400 It will shake us 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.199 from time to time 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.619 to the core 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.219 of our faith. 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:05.199 It will threaten 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:06.079 the overwhelm us. 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:09.119 But here's the rub, 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:09.719 my friends. 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:11.539 Darkness 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.259 is also 00:35:12.259 --> 00:35:12.860 a mercy. 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:12.940 mercy. 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.460 It's a horrible 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.079 place to be 00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:19.880 in one sense, 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:22.140 but in another sense 00:35:22.140 --> 00:35:23.019 it's a wonderful 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.579 mercy. 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:26.120 How could I say 00:35:26.120 --> 00:35:26.440 that? 00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:27.500 Well, 00:35:27.740 --> 00:35:29.160 there's no 00:35:29.160 --> 00:35:30.320 better place 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.500 to learn 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:32.440 new appreciation 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.380 of God's love 00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.019 and mercy 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.780 and grace 00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:36.519 than in darkness. 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:42.480 There's nothing 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.840 that will help 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.440 us appreciate 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.000 the light 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.659 of life 00:35:45.659 --> 00:35:49.980 than the darkness 00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:50.980 of our inner struggle 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.659 when we feel 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.039 as if we're 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:52.519 on our own. 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.199 Because by 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.039 very definition, 00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:58.539 light shines 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.179 into darkness. 00:35:59.440 --> 00:35:59.820 That's what 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.320 the New Testament 00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.099 tells us. 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.420 Light 00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:04.699 gives us 00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:05.280 comfort 00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:06.640 that the 00:36:06.640 --> 00:36:06.920 tunnel 00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:07.720 will end. 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:10.000 It may be 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:10.620 a ways ahead 00:36:10.620 --> 00:36:11.019 of us, 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:12.780 but there is 00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:13.540 light at the 00:36:13.540 --> 00:36:13.860 end of the 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.100 tunnel, 00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:14.519 and that 00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:15.260 light is 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:15.620 life. 00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:16.200 That light 00:36:16.200 --> 00:36:16.840 is God. 00:36:17.340 --> 00:36:17.880 That light 00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.440 is Jesus. 00:36:20.040 --> 00:36:20.700 And ultimately, 00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:21.960 that light 00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.540 that is coming 00:36:22.540 --> 00:36:23.040 toward us 00:36:23.040 --> 00:36:23.800 will totally 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.260 dispel 00:36:24.260 --> 00:36:24.860 darkness 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:26.740 because the 00:36:26.740 --> 00:36:27.300 two can't 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:27.820 coexist. 00:36:32.180 --> 00:36:32.820 And that, 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.220 my friends, 00:36:33.260 --> 00:36:33.880 is the outcome 00:36:33.880 --> 00:36:34.340 for King 00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:34.700 David. 00:36:36.240 --> 00:36:36.760 Focusing 00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:37.680 on God's 00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:38.260 character 00:36:38.260 --> 00:36:39.640 has lifted 00:36:39.640 --> 00:36:40.540 him above 00:36:40.540 --> 00:36:41.120 his fears. 00:36:41.260 --> 00:36:41.880 Hasn't totally 00:36:41.880 --> 00:36:42.760 removed his fears. 00:36:43.140 --> 00:36:43.700 Doesn't change 00:36:43.700 --> 00:36:44.380 his circumstances 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:44.980 or the inner 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.360 struggle. 00:36:46.560 --> 00:36:47.460 But it lifts 00:36:47.460 --> 00:36:48.240 him above 00:36:48.240 --> 00:36:49.260 those fears 00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:50.600 and allows 00:36:50.600 --> 00:36:51.100 him to have 00:36:51.100 --> 00:36:51.540 a godly 00:36:51.540 --> 00:36:52.280 perspective on 00:36:52.280 --> 00:36:52.660 them again. 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.220 And that 00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:55.019 is where he 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:55.380 gets his 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.720 comfort and 00:36:56.720 --> 00:36:57.740 joy in the 00:36:57.740 --> 00:36:58.060 tunnel, 00:36:58.700 --> 00:36:59.360 in the 00:36:59.360 --> 00:36:59.740 darkness. 00:36:59.739 --> 00:36:59.879 happiness. 00:37:03.379 --> 00:37:04.179 And there's 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.059 a delightful 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:05.939 anticipation, 00:37:06.299 --> 00:37:06.579 therefore, 00:37:07.099 --> 00:37:08.739 that he will 00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.599 once again 00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:10.439 see God's 00:37:10.439 --> 00:37:10.619 face, 00:37:10.699 --> 00:37:11.159 that he will 00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:11.879 once again 00:37:11.879 --> 00:37:13.319 have a real 00:37:13.319 --> 00:37:13.959 and immediate 00:37:13.959 --> 00:37:15.079 practical sense 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:15.500 of God's 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:15.939 presence 00:37:15.939 --> 00:37:18.219 and God's 00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:18.639 goodness 00:37:18.639 --> 00:37:20.739 and God's 00:37:20.739 --> 00:37:21.139 grace and 00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.679 God's love. 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:23.899 So, 00:37:23.959 --> 00:37:24.159 friends, 00:37:24.379 --> 00:37:25.219 just moving to 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:25.679 the conclusion 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:26.000 now, 00:37:26.379 --> 00:37:27.399 I want you 00:37:27.399 --> 00:37:27.959 to take away 00:37:27.959 --> 00:37:28.279 from this 00:37:28.279 --> 00:37:28.759 morning that 00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:31.000 true God-shaped 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:33.739 resilience is 00:37:33.739 --> 00:37:34.219 in knowing 00:37:34.219 --> 00:37:35.759 that God's 00:37:35.759 --> 00:37:36.739 righteous character 00:37:36.739 --> 00:37:37.980 is my refuge. 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:42.879 He is my 00:37:42.879 --> 00:37:43.299 safety, 00:37:43.439 --> 00:37:43.699 he's my 00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:44.239 security. 00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:46.519 He gives me 00:37:46.519 --> 00:37:47.239 a peace that's 00:37:47.239 --> 00:37:48.099 even greater 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:50.199 than physical 00:37:50.199 --> 00:37:50.759 safety or 00:37:50.759 --> 00:37:51.599 physical peace. 00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:56.319 God's 00:37:56.319 --> 00:37:56.759 enduring 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.559 word is 00:37:57.559 --> 00:37:58.279 my salvation. 00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.319 Quite 00:37:59.319 --> 00:37:59.959 literally, 00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:01.379 God saves 00:38:01.379 --> 00:38:01.679 me and 00:38:01.679 --> 00:38:02.179 delivers me 00:38:02.179 --> 00:38:02.579 by his 00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:02.839 word, 00:38:02.919 --> 00:38:03.199 the Lord 00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:03.539 Jesus. 00:38:05.339 --> 00:38:06.119 The pure 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.459 word, 00:38:06.659 --> 00:38:07.079 the true 00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.359 word, 00:38:07.439 --> 00:38:07.699 the word 00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:07.919 that will 00:38:07.919 --> 00:38:08.459 never be 00:38:08.459 --> 00:38:08.959 debased. 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:13.059 It saves 00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.239 me, 00:38:13.299 --> 00:38:13.799 it defines 00:38:13.799 --> 00:38:13.980 me, 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:14.419 it keeps 00:38:14.419 --> 00:38:14.679 me, 00:38:14.939 --> 00:38:15.319 and it 00:38:15.319 --> 00:38:15.579 builds 00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:15.939 me to 00:38:15.939 --> 00:38:16.399 maturity. 00:38:18.159 --> 00:38:18.939 And God's 00:38:18.939 --> 00:38:19.480 love for 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:19.859 me is 00:38:19.859 --> 00:38:20.480 unfailing 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:21.059 and generous. 00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:24.219 And when 00:38:24.219 --> 00:38:24.619 we grasp 00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:24.880 that 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:25.400 perspective 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:25.819 then, 00:38:27.319 --> 00:38:27.900 as David 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.420 himself 00:38:28.420 --> 00:38:28.980 experienced, 00:38:29.359 --> 00:38:30.079 we overflow. 00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:31.059 What do we 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.679 overflow with? 00:38:32.279 --> 00:38:32.739 Joy. 00:38:35.219 --> 00:38:36.000 We overflow 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.739 with joy or 00:38:36.739 --> 00:38:37.239 happiness, 00:38:37.799 --> 00:38:38.239 praise. 00:38:39.679 --> 00:38:40.159 Why? 00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.779 Because we've 00:38:41.779 --> 00:38:42.539 seen the 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.119 face of the 00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:43.339 Lord. 00:38:43.779 --> 00:38:44.199 And what do 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:44.559 we see? 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.299 Something that's 00:38:46.299 --> 00:38:47.079 incredibly 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:47.699 comforting, 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:48.859 something that's 00:38:48.859 --> 00:38:49.279 incredibly 00:38:49.279 --> 00:38:49.819 beautiful, 00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:50.420 something that's 00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:50.900 incredibly 00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:51.880 desirable, 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:53.559 and something 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.219 that's incredibly 00:38:54.219 --> 00:38:54.859 satisfying. 00:38:57.379 --> 00:38:57.679 And when 00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:58.219 we have those 00:38:58.219 --> 00:38:59.139 things all 00:38:59.139 --> 00:38:59.899 tucked up in 00:38:59.899 --> 00:39:00.259 our inner 00:39:00.259 --> 00:39:00.839 landscape, 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:02.739 quite literally, 00:39:02.939 --> 00:39:03.619 hell, we can 00:39:03.619 --> 00:39:04.139 be going to 00:39:04.139 --> 00:39:04.579 hell in a 00:39:04.579 --> 00:39:04.959 basket, 00:39:05.079 --> 00:39:05.439 as it were, 00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:05.959 to use a 00:39:05.959 --> 00:39:06.859 colloquial term 00:39:06.859 --> 00:39:07.599 about the 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.139 awfulness of 00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:08.480 life. 00:39:11.219 --> 00:39:11.919 And we can 00:39:11.919 --> 00:39:13.019 have joy and 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:13.539 peace and 00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:13.959 security. 00:39:15.839 --> 00:39:16.559 And all of 00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:17.039 that means, 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:17.500 my friends, 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.399 that Jesus is 00:39:18.399 --> 00:39:18.919 our ultimate 00:39:18.919 --> 00:39:19.659 source of 00:39:19.659 --> 00:39:20.079 resilience. 00:39:20.079 --> 00:39:20.239 resilience. 00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:21.500 As I've 00:39:21.500 --> 00:39:22.319 said, quite 00:39:22.319 --> 00:39:23.159 literally, he 00:39:23.159 --> 00:39:24.819 is the word 00:39:24.819 --> 00:39:25.639 of truth and 00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:26.019 life. 00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:28.739 He renews us 00:39:28.739 --> 00:39:29.079 from the 00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:29.719 inside out. 00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:31.920 He puts us 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:32.480 in the place of 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:33.000 safety and 00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:33.840 refuge, the 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:34.559 very place we 00:39:34.559 --> 00:39:35.000 long for. 00:39:35.340 --> 00:39:35.980 He enables us 00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:37.299 to experience 00:39:37.299 --> 00:39:38.539 joy and 00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:39.340 demonstrate the 00:39:39.340 --> 00:39:40.599 good life of 00:39:40.599 --> 00:39:41.159 God's true 00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:41.480 word. 00:39:43.799 --> 00:39:44.319 I think, my 00:39:44.319 --> 00:39:44.980 friends, I just 00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.539 want to sum up 00:39:45.539 --> 00:39:46.139 with Matthew 00:39:46.139 --> 00:39:46.739 11, verses 00:39:46.739 --> 00:39:47.659 28 and 29. 00:39:47.659 --> 00:39:48.359 Jesus says, 00:39:48.659 --> 00:39:50.619 come to 00:39:50.619 --> 00:39:50.920 me. 00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.719 Come to 00:39:52.719 --> 00:39:53.420 me, all 00:39:53.420 --> 00:39:53.980 you who 00:39:53.980 --> 00:39:55.759 struggle and 00:39:55.759 --> 00:39:56.319 are weighed 00:39:56.319 --> 00:39:57.079 down with the 00:39:57.079 --> 00:39:57.559 struggle of 00:39:57.559 --> 00:39:57.899 life. 00:39:59.819 --> 00:40:00.619 And I will 00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:01.279 give you real 00:40:01.279 --> 00:40:03.879 rest, real 00:40:03.879 --> 00:40:04.420 resilience. 00:40:05.619 --> 00:40:06.500 Come alongside 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:07.379 me and learn 00:40:07.379 --> 00:40:09.460 from me, for I 00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:11.159 am gentle and 00:40:11.159 --> 00:40:11.940 lowly in heart, 00:40:12.440 --> 00:40:13.519 and you will 00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:14.559 find rest for 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:15.119 your souls. 00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:17.079 Happiness, 00:40:17.679 --> 00:40:19.380 joy, freedom, 00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:20.299 and delight. 00:40:22.779 --> 00:40:23.920 All I give 00:40:23.920 --> 00:40:24.799 you will be 00:40:24.799 --> 00:40:26.239 helpful, good, 00:40:27.119 --> 00:40:28.099 and satisfying 00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:29.299 in comparison to 00:40:29.299 --> 00:40:30.139 anything the 00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:30.659 world offers 00:40:30.659 --> 00:40:30.900 you. 00:40:33.079 --> 00:40:33.779 So, friends, 00:40:33.840 --> 00:40:34.500 let's remember to 00:40:34.500 --> 00:40:35.000 preach that 00:40:35.000 --> 00:40:35.559 gospel to 00:40:35.559 --> 00:40:36.079 ourselves. 00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:37.860 The gospel of 00:40:37.860 --> 00:40:38.679 Psalm 11, 12, 00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:40.319 and 13, made 00:40:40.319 --> 00:40:41.179 clear in the 00:40:41.179 --> 00:40:41.599 Lord Jesus 00:40:41.599 --> 00:40:42.079 Christ. 00:40:42.079 --> 00:40:42.139 rest. 00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:45.960 And let's 00:40:45.960 --> 00:40:46.400 remember to 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:47.059 move from our 00:40:47.059 --> 00:40:50.139 circumstances to 00:40:50.139 --> 00:40:51.079 engagement with 00:40:51.079 --> 00:40:51.960 God in prayer. 00:40:54.019 --> 00:40:54.880 That's what it is 00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:55.840 to lean in to 00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:56.219 the Lord. 00:41:00.719 --> 00:41:01.400 Rehearse his 00:41:01.400 --> 00:41:01.840 character. 00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:04.360 Find new 00:41:04.360 --> 00:41:05.400 confidence and 00:41:05.400 --> 00:41:06.179 rest in his 00:41:06.179 --> 00:41:06.880 true word. 00:41:06.880 --> 00:41:08.920 Lord, let 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:10.740 that be the 00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:11.440 shaper and 00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:12.340 interpreter of 00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:13.140 your circumstances. 00:41:15.800 --> 00:41:16.619 Let your 00:41:16.619 --> 00:41:17.720 perspective be his 00:41:17.720 --> 00:41:18.880 security and 00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:19.660 his joy and 00:41:19.660 --> 00:41:20.360 his delight and 00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:21.059 his satisfaction. 00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.500 My friends, that 00:41:22.500 --> 00:41:23.280 is the resilience 00:41:23.280 --> 00:41:25.140 that we all long 00:41:25.140 --> 00:41:26.720 to have in the 00:41:26.720 --> 00:41:27.559 challenges of life. 00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.260 Pray with me. 00:41:28.260 --> 00:41:32.780 Lord, keep us 00:41:32.780 --> 00:41:33.440 from going around 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:34.140 the old circle 00:41:34.140 --> 00:41:34.860 time and time 00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:35.700 again of 00:41:35.700 --> 00:41:38.260 self-reliance 00:41:38.260 --> 00:41:39.540 and trying to 00:41:39.540 --> 00:41:39.980 create our 00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.900 resilience from 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:41.220 our own 00:41:41.220 --> 00:41:41.680 resources. 00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:44.080 For, Lord, that 00:41:44.080 --> 00:41:44.720 will just continue 00:41:44.720 --> 00:41:45.540 to disappoint and 00:41:45.540 --> 00:41:46.060 frustrate. 00:41:47.900 --> 00:41:48.660 For we cannot 00:41:48.660 --> 00:41:49.260 deliver to 00:41:49.260 --> 00:41:50.000 ourselves, Lord, 00:41:50.080 --> 00:41:50.800 that which we 00:41:50.800 --> 00:41:51.560 long for. 00:41:52.260 --> 00:41:53.120 Help us instead 00:41:53.120 --> 00:41:54.620 to lean into 00:41:54.620 --> 00:41:55.520 you, your 00:41:55.520 --> 00:41:56.020 character, 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:58.120 your love, 00:41:58.260 --> 00:42:00.300 your satisfaction, 00:42:00.480 --> 00:42:00.960 your delight. 00:42:03.280 --> 00:42:04.000 I pray in 00:42:04.000 --> 00:42:04.520 Jesus' name. 00:42:04.760 --> 00:42:05.000 Amen.