WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.240
 to psalm 34 we're going to look at verses 15 to 22 for a short time this evening psalm 34 in the

00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:16.240
 book of psalms and at verse 15 the verses down to the end of the psalm the eyes of the lord are

00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:21.780
 towards the righteous and his ears towards their cry the face of the lord is against those who do

00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:27.500
 evil to cut off the memory of them from the earth and so on through to the end of the psalm now if

00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:32.960
 you look at the number of verses in the psalm you'll see that there are 22 and that's exactly the

00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:39.560
 number of letters in the hebrew alphabet hebrew of course being the language in which the old testament

00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:48.460
 was written and this kind of device in hebrew is called an acrostic this is an acrostic psalm

00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:57.240
 because it's got these verses 22 now each of these verses begins in turn with the letters of the

00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:02.700
 hebrew alphabet from beginning through to the final letter and you'll find that in other psalms as

00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:08.620
 well you'll actually find it in certain books of the old testament if you think about they don't have

00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:13.560
 to look it up just now but the book of the lamentations of jeremiah there are five chapters

00:01:13.560 --> 00:01:21.520
 in it the first two chapters have 22 verses each chapters four and five have 22 verses each

00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:30.179
 and chapter three in the middle has 66 verses three times 22 so you'll find that that pattern

00:01:30.179 --> 00:01:37.859
 is found in the psalms and passages and the question is well why is that we can't be absolutely certain

00:01:37.859 --> 00:01:43.979
 about it but it appears that one of the best ways of looking at it is that this was an aid to memory

00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:51.300
 an aid to learning and especially useful especially for young people coming through in the hebrew homes

00:01:51.300 --> 00:01:57.140
 that they would actually have a mechanism by which they learned the psalms and actually could then

00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:05.439
 think of the hebrew alphabet and trigger their memory for these verses that's a very good way of looking at

00:02:05.439 --> 00:02:11.580
 it i think in any case you have that in psalm 34 here each of these verses begins in turn

00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:19.640
 with the letters of the hebrew alphabet and you do see in it an invitation to actually come and learn

00:02:19.640 --> 00:02:26.680
 which fits in with the idea that the acrostic is actually a mechanism for learning the things of god

00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:34.600
 and what the psalm especially sets out is the lord's care his pastoral care his wonderful care

00:02:34.600 --> 00:02:41.420
 not just for his people but for his suffering people and the care of the lord for his suffering people

00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:48.519
 is a care that's in this psalm particularly it's directed to them in their suffering while they're

00:02:48.519 --> 00:02:56.099
 suffering in respect to their sufferings different kinds of sufferings but as they as they go through

00:02:56.099 --> 00:03:01.939
 this psalm as we go through it ourselves in relation to whatever sufferings afflictions difficulties

00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:08.779
 challenges we may have here is a passage of the bible that really in the complete sense of the whole

00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:15.819
 hebrew alphabet brings us a counter to thinking that some or other things would be better outside the

00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:22.740
 will of god or that if god's will were different for us to what it actually has has shown itself to be

00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:32.560
 we actually have of course that temptation to think that things would be better if god had not willed this

00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:38.240
 or that for us well that goes all the way back to eden doesn't it it goes all the way back to the

00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:45.560
 tempter coming in before eve first of all and then she took it to adam where the tempter said regarding

00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:51.080
 god has god really said this in other words he was really saying would it not have been better for you

00:03:51.080 --> 00:03:57.039
 if god had given you all the trees of the garden including the three of the knowledge of good and evil

00:03:57.039 --> 00:04:04.299
 and of course in the mystery of that situation uh adam and eve capitulated to the suggestions

00:04:04.299 --> 00:04:10.479
 of the devil and all the way through from then as human beings we always have to remind ourselves

00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:16.860
 whatever is in god's will for us even the difficult bits the challenging bits he has planned that in his

00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:23.259
 wisdom for us and therefore there must be a benefit for us somewhere in that as god takes us through

00:04:23.259 --> 00:04:29.980
 now we imbibe this sort of wisdom this sort of teaching as we sing the psalms one of the great

00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:36.120
 points of singing the psalms one of the great benefits of singing the psalms is that we actually

00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:41.879
 imbibe this teaching almost unnoticed in some ways as far as the singing of the psalm although of course

00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:47.639
 we have to always try and understand and follow the meaning of the words that we're singing that's a

00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:53.680
 very important thing but as you sing your way through the psalms you actually are getting this

00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:59.379
 teaching flooding into your mind informing your heart coming to actually add to what you already

00:04:59.379 --> 00:05:07.779
 know about god and his ways of dealing with you and so here in the psalm we have psalm 34 the lord's

00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:19.439
 care for his own suffering people i'm just taking verses 15 to 7 to 15 to 22 just as as a section to

00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:26.559
 look at in itself two things from that first of all in terms of god's care and he is the ultimate

00:05:26.559 --> 00:05:33.219
 carer of course god's care for his suffering people is first of all god has them in his mind

00:05:33.220 --> 00:05:42.420
 always god has them in mind all the time and secondly god helps them in his might he has them

00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:48.580
 in mind and he helps them in his might and these two points really summarize for us the teaching

00:05:48.580 --> 00:05:53.700
 of those verses indeed you could say the teaching of the whole psalm and when you think of god having

00:05:53.700 --> 00:05:59.700
 his people in his mind there are two things that come into that as well god looks out to them

00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:06.699
 wherever they are found whatever their circumstances are god is looking out to them looking out specifically

00:06:06.699 --> 00:06:14.339
 not just for them but to them with a particular regard for them in mind and secondly he listens

00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:22.740
 out for them too because the psalm talks about how how david actually cried to the lord and he's thankful

00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:31.600
 for the lord heard him god has them in mind as he looks out to his people he's directed towards them

00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:39.579
 in his own mind because you'll find for example this elsewhere think of exodus chapter 2 for example just

00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:48.780
 to pick one incident where this is also very much mentioned there exodus chapter 2 verses 24 to 25

00:06:48.779 --> 00:06:57.639
 where you find um god heard their groaning and remembered his covenant with abraham with isaac

00:06:57.639 --> 00:07:05.119
 and with jacob god saw the people of israel and god knew and of course then he later told moses

00:07:05.119 --> 00:07:12.639
 i have heard the groanings of the people of israel and i am come down to rescue them to deliver them

00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:20.079
 so he has them in mind he he views them he sees them all the time and it's not just that god knows

00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:26.300
 everything that's taking place in your life as he sees you in your circumstances as he sees you in

00:07:26.300 --> 00:07:33.740
 your challenges and your sufferings it's not just his mere sight the psalmist is saying this is the favor

00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:39.240
 of the lord that i'm experiencing it's one thing to actually know that god is seeing you

00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:45.860
 you can have that with a fear and a trepidation but it's another thing to know that god's sight of

00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:52.300
 you is a sight that's filled with favor filled with blessing and good intentions toward you and

00:07:52.300 --> 00:07:58.120
 that's what the psalm is really saying about god's care for his people in their sufferings towards them

00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:05.740
 in their sufferings god views them god god looks out for them you see the contrast there verse 15 is

00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:13.180
 saying that the eyes of the lord are towards the righteous he's drawn towards them he's locked into

00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:19.639
 them and onto them and the contrast then follows in verse 16 the face of the lord is against those

00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:25.180
 who do evil to cut off the memory of them from the heart the psalmist often does this puts two

00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:31.780
 contrasts it puts a contrast between two opposites within the one verse or within two verses

00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:38.799
 and he's saying here is the favor of the lord toward the righteous here is the frown of the lord

00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:48.319
 towards the wicked and there is a god's loving care of his people first of all in the sight that he has

00:08:48.319 --> 00:08:57.620
 of them they are in his sight in the way of his favor as in grace he looks out toward them but also he has

00:08:57.620 --> 00:09:04.279
 them in mind in terms of listening out for them we've got verse 15 here and then verse 17 as well

00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:12.379
 now the eyes of the lord are towards the righteous and his ears towards their cry when the righteous

00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:19.860
 cry for help the lord hears and delivers them out of all their trouble of course that's part of

00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:28.940
 god's perfect ability to know everything that's going on all at once in the lives of everybody

00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:36.180
 and especially the lives of his people but it isn't just simply in a general way just as the sight of god

00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:47.000
 is very much focused in terms of his favor so the hearing of god is very much to do with his intensity

00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:53.620
 of listening because you have an image here really as you see sometimes although of course now with

00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:59.000
 advancements and in hearing aids and so on that maybe isn't quite as regularly the case that you

00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:04.659
 would see somebody like this when you're talking to them or even like this if they're deaf in both ears

00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:13.120
 but your cup your hand your cup your palm so the sound is directed more uh more easily towards your

00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:18.779
 your hearing and that's the kind of imagery that you find here in the psalmist where it says that

00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:26.919
 the lord actually hears his ears are towards their cry you might say he's cupping his ear of course he

00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:33.600
 doesn't have physical properties the lord are from the humanity of jesus but the lord this is an image of

00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:42.159
 just demonstrating for us how intensely interested the lord is in our cry to him you know sometimes

00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:48.299
 if you're like me sometimes you get above your knees when you're praying and you say that was a

00:10:48.299 --> 00:10:55.100
 pathetic effort at prayer you say am i not learning anything at all as i go along as a christian

00:10:55.100 --> 00:11:02.699
 or why did i have to actually ask the lord to forgive this sin yet again that i'm conscious of in my life

00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:09.019
 and you may be feeling quite downcast over that and i'm not maybe something in your life that you're not

00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:13.840
 simply getting over as far as you're concerned and you're still struggling with it and you're crying

00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:19.779
 out to the lord and you're saying lord i'm sorry but again i have to come to you with this well just

00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:27.259
 look at what the lord is saying the lord is saying i hear you and i hear you with my interest in you

00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:33.919
 and i hear you as nobody else is hearing you and i'm listening as nobody else is capable of listening

00:11:33.919 --> 00:11:42.099
 and when in this world we know how difficult it is for people just to listen for a few moments

00:11:42.099 --> 00:11:48.139
 intently to what people are saying because we're so used to noise we're so used to having the

00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:54.000
 television or the radio or social media or something and it's just flitting in and out very

00:11:54.000 --> 00:12:00.839
 often into our brains and to actually sit down and have a studied time of listening so difficult to

00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:07.440
 fit into the ways of the world but this is so different this is god on his throne the almighty

00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:15.180
 the great god the majestic god the creating god the redeeming god what is he saying to us he's saying

00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:25.639
 i am listening intently to your cry cry to me and i assure you it will not pass my ears

00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:30.240
 it will be something i give my earnest attention to you

00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:42.639
 and many millions of people the lord is listening to tonight throughout the world billions of his people

00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:51.600
 crying out to him and yet you and i can say that the intense listening of god the intent listening of

00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:59.980
 god to our cry to my cry to your cry is as if we were the only ones crying out to him the only ones

00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:08.019
 needing attention he is just that concentrated on your life and what an encouragement that is we're

00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:14.920
 we're looking at this passage tonight hopefully um as it will encourage us as believers in the lord

00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:24.099
 as we see the difficulties of life sometimes uh really challenging our progress and here is god

00:13:24.099 --> 00:13:31.159
 having them in his mind god's pastoral care for his suffering people for his people in regard to their

00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:41.019
 suffering and he has them in his mind as he looks out to them and as he actually listens out for them

00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:47.379
 and it's not without good reason that the apostle peter when he wrote his first epistle

00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:55.559
 took these these words of of the psalm and quoted them specifically you have them in first peter chapter

00:13:55.559 --> 00:14:04.600
 three and verse 12 um we began that passage it's in the esv where you have section headings

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:10.420
 there just to help us through uh with uh what the what the words are actually saying what the passages

00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:17.360
 are actually saying that heading is suffering for righteousness sake finally all of you have unity of

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:24.740
 mind sympathy brotherly love etc do not repay evil for evil reviling for revival but on reviling but on

00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:31.840
 the contrary bless for to this you were called he's saying you were called to the kind of suffering that's

00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:37.620
 particular for christian people and so that in those sufferings you would be conscious of the fact

00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:46.139
 that god never loses sight of you and god is never out of out of your uh out of hearing of your voice

00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:51.620
 and that's he goes on to say for the eyes of the lord are on the righteous and his ears are open

00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:58.080
 to their prayer but the face of the lord is against those who do evil now peter was writing to people

00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:05.820
 who are being persecuted who are suffering grievously for their faith and he finds the words of psalm 34

00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:13.300
 so applicable so relevant so up to date for him and so they are for you and for me too they're never out

00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:21.960
 of date they're always a benefit to us as we look at them though god has them in his mind moving on

00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:30.080
 secondly god helps them in his might and there are three elements from verse 15 to 22 that come into

00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:36.840
 god helping his people in his might there's first of all his nearness and then secondly there's his

00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:44.519
 keeping of them and thirdly his deliverance there's firstly his nearness look at verse 18 the lord is near

00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:52.720
 to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit look at verse 7 the angel of the lord encamps

00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:59.399
 round those who fear him and he delivers them the angel of the lord in the old testament sometimes

00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:09.500
 speaks as god so it's a um it's a bit too far to say going too far to say that it's actually the lord

00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:16.440
 present in a human actual human nature but it's an anticipation of the angel of the lord as you know

00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:22.460
 in passages in the old testament appears at people like joshua and others and speaks to them but he speaks

00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:30.200
 as god and so it's an anticipation it's a foresight or a foretaste if you like of the coming of jesus

00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:37.100
 himself the coming of the son of god in then taking our nature to himself permanently and that's

00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:42.700
 anticipated here in the angel of the lord what does he say he encamps around those who fear him

00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:48.340
 and delivers them and when you take that with you into the new testament and into its absolute

00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:54.100
 fulfillment in the lord jesus christ himself what do you then find well you find that jesus comes

00:16:54.100 --> 00:17:01.120
 alongside of us through his own sufferings through not just taking our nature but taking all that was

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:08.579
 thrown at him by way of temptation and suffering as he represented his people as he stood in their place

00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:17.880
 and in the great book of hebrews as you well know let us come he says therefore boldly to the throne of grace

00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:24.339
 so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need because we don't have

00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:31.799
 a high priest who is unable to sympathize with us or empathize with us in our sufferings that's the

00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:41.799
 argument that jesus who comes to surround his people he encamps around them and delivers them

00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:49.199
 and of course as we think about jesus as we think about all that it took to rescue us

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:57.960
 all that it took to provide for our sufferings the very presence of god the nearness of god

00:17:57.960 --> 00:18:09.259
 just think of that cry from the cross it's not a cry of nearness is it my god my god why have you

00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:19.080
 forsaken me it's the very opposite of nearness it's jesus in the depths of experiencing the

00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:27.079
 curse of god that was due to us for our sin that's the way that jesus actually took to open up a way

00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:34.259
 for us to have the presence of god come to minister to us in our need and our sufferings in our

00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:42.000
 difficulties and the presence of god in this sense that you find it here and the lord is near to the

00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:49.660
 brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit it's not the presence of god as theologians call his

00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:56.940
 omnipresence in other words that god is present everywhere there is no place where he is not

00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:59.240
 but his presence is absent

00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:10.259
 but this is a specific redemptive presence it's a presence that is allocated to his own special people

00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:17.640
 to his believing people to his saved people especially as they are at times brokenhearted and crushed in spirit

00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:26.099
 he brings that presence through the holy spirit into their experience to bless them

00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:31.519
 his nearness his nearness to the brokenhearted

00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:34.099
 whatever it is

00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.119
 whatever it is

00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:34.139
 whatever it is

00:19:34.139 --> 00:19:36.139
 tonight that sometimes

00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:37.619
 breaks your heart

00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:39.700
 as you reflect on it or maybe even

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:41.299
 in the current

00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:43.099
 moment of your life

00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:45.059
 whenever

00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:47.379
 we have a broken heart

00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.359
 sometimes we do

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:52.139
 but we are never out of

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:54.259
 god's view of us

00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:57.220
 and god drawing near to us

00:19:57.220 --> 00:20:00.339
 he has a special regard

00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:02.440
 for the brokenhearted

00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:05.779
 he understands what a broken heart is

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:08.740
 because jesus experienced it

00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:11.539
 in the sufferings of the cross

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:17.140
 and so his nearness is the first item in

00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:19.160
 helping them in his might

00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:21.819
 the second one is his keeping of them

00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:23.579
 now they're not kept from suffering

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:27.539
 but they're certainly kept in or during their sufferings

00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:29.059
 so they're not overwhelmed

00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:30.339
 by their sufferings

00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:31.439
 look at verse 20 here

00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:33.039
 he keeps all his bones

00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:34.419
 not one of them is broken

00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:36.220
 whereas in contrast

00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:38.539
 affliction will slay the wicked

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:40.720
 those who hate the righteous will be condemned

00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:43.299
 one of the brethren mentioned tonight in prayer

00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:45.059
 isaiah 43

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:46.659
 and that's

00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:49.460
 something i noted down here in my notes for

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:51.179
 the sermon tonight too

00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:53.480
 in regard to this very point

00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:54.620
 where

00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:56.320
 isaiah was

00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:59.240
 being informed or used by the lord

00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.840
 to convey

00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:02.000
 this message of encouragement to

00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:04.279
 the people of god in his time

00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:06.320
 who were suffering a lot for

00:21:06.320 --> 00:21:07.160
 their

00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:10.000
 attachment and faithfulness to god

00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:12.759
 now thus says the lord who created you

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.299
 oh jacob

00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:15.019
 he who formed you oh israel

00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:17.080
 fear not i have redeemed you

00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:18.560
 i have called you by name you are mine

00:21:18.560 --> 00:21:20.660
 when you pass through the waters

00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.759
 i will be with you

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:24.800
 and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you

00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:27.600
 when you walk through the fire you will not be burned

00:21:27.600 --> 00:21:29.920
 and the flame shall not consume me

00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:31.000
 consume you

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:33.519
 there's nothing in these verses that says

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:36.160
 you will never experience what it's like to be burnt

00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:39.980
 you will never experience what it's like to go through a flood

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:43.920
 in your emotional or spiritual experience

00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:45.460
 it's not saying that to us

00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.440
 but it's saying to us

00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.680
 when that happens

00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.640
 when you do have pain and suffering

00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:51.180
 to engage with and to go through

00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.380
 and to overcome

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:54.299
 they're not going to overwhelm you

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:56.860
 it may at times feel

00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:58.900
 the flame very hot

00:21:58.900 --> 00:22:01.160
 the waters rising fast

00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:03.460
 but what he's saying here is

00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.480
 i assure you

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.279
 i will be with you

00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:08.480
 and so they will not overwhelm you

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:11.539
 and the flame shall not consume you

00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:14.139
 how precious that is

00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:16.539
 how very precious

00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:18.639
 that is to us tonight

00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:23.180
 because whatever it is you're suffering and your sufferings

00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.779
 your afflictions tonight

00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:27.399
 perhaps only known to yourself and to god

00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:31.019
 maybe you just simply cannot share them with anyone else

00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:33.159
 maybe they're just the burden of your heart

00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:36.900
 and the pain of your heart

00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:38.960
 whether it's through the loss of loved ones

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.900
 or something else in your life

00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.800
 or in your community

00:22:41.800 --> 00:22:42.600
 or in your family

00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:45.700
 but here is god saying to you

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.640
 it doesn't matter

00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:49.040
 how much you may feel the waters rising

00:22:49.040 --> 00:22:51.279
 or the flame intensely hot

00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:53.820
 they're not going to take hold

00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:55.160
 and crush you

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.259
 and overcome you

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:58.160
 because i am with you

00:22:58.160 --> 00:23:01.820
 i in my nearness

00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:03.140
 is key

00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.140
 i am keeping you

00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:05.840
 and um

00:23:05.840 --> 00:23:08.880
 the puritan theologian

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:11.080
 john owen once had a wonderful

00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:12.480
 illustration

00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:14.800
 of the difference between

00:23:14.800 --> 00:23:16.220
 a believer

00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:18.540
 and an unbeliever

00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:19.400
 or an atheist

00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:24.180
 both experiencing exactly the same type of suffering

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:25.580
 let's say they're both

00:23:25.580 --> 00:23:27.580
 in exactly the same situation

00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:29.019
 where they are suffering

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.519
 in in their lot

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.740
 in the providence of god

00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.539
 and he's asking the question

00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:35.399
 what's the difference between them

00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:38.159
 and what difference is there between the suffering

00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:39.759
 in the case of the believer

00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.960
 and the suffering in the case

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:42.139
 of the atheist

00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:43.000
 or the unbeliever

00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:43.480
 well he said

00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.759
 it's a bit like this

00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:46.259
 the sufferings

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:48.439
 that the believer experiences

00:23:48.439 --> 00:23:51.720
 can be pictured as a surgeon

00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:55.179
 binding up the wounds of the patient

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:57.560
 because that suffering

00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:59.019
 is going to

00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.460
 one day just

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:02.840
 issue into

00:24:02.840 --> 00:24:04.400
 eternal glory

00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.200
 it's preparing

00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.360
 as paul said

00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:09.720
 the sufferings of this present time

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.740
 it's preparing for us

00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.120
 a far more exceeding

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.000
 and eternal weight

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.320
 of glory

00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:17.759
 the sufferings

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:19.460
 in the believer's life

00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:21.220
 are really

00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:23.019
 a preparatory

00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:25.100
 method of god

00:24:25.100 --> 00:24:26.840
 to cleanse

00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:29.819
 to further purify

00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:32.100
 to prepare for heaven

00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:34.120
 when the sufferings will be gone

00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:36.519
 now contrast that

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.360
 Owen is saying

00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:39.240
 with the same sufferings

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.220
 in the atheist

00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:41.019
 or unbeliever

00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:43.259
 and the picture he makes there

00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.220
 is not of a surgeon

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.940
 binding up wounds

00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.840
 with a view

00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:47.820
 to complete healing

00:24:47.820 --> 00:24:49.660
 no he says

00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.940
 it's an executioner

00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:52.940
 putting a bandage

00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.220
 on the eyes

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.880
 of the victim

00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.980
 before he

00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:58.259
 takes his life

00:24:58.259 --> 00:25:01.080
 because for the wicked

00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:03.539
 the sufferings

00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:04.740
 of this present life

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:07.039
 are just a preparation

00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:09.480
 for the eternal sufferings

00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.180
 of the next

00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:12.620
 that's the difference

00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:14.380
 that's the difference

00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:16.160
 the same sufferings

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.840
 can be in the life

00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.600
 of two people

00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:20.560
 one a believer

00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:22.120
 one an atheist

00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:23.000
 or unbeliever

00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:25.000
 and when you look

00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.940
 at the end in view

00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.860
 these are the two images

00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:29.100
 Owen makes

00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.300
 now aren't you thankful

00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:31.080
 tonight that

00:25:31.080 --> 00:25:32.880
 as you trust us

00:25:32.880 --> 00:25:33.460
 in the lord

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:35.540
 so you regard

00:25:35.540 --> 00:25:36.400
 the sufferings

00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.440
 of the christian life

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.700
 the very same way

00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.780
 as the psalmist here

00:25:39.780 --> 00:25:40.700
 and throughout scripture

00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:42.920
 god's way

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:44.340
 of carrying out

00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:45.000
 his program

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.160
 of sanctification

00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.340
 or an element

00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:47.960
 in that

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.620
 I know it's very difficult

00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.200
 sometimes

00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.420
 just to get your

00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:53.340
 your thinking

00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:54.120
 clear enough

00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:55.080
 to think that way

00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:56.000
 when you're in

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.340
 the sufferings

00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:58.019
 that sometimes

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.640
 occur in your life

00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:01.480
 but we have to go

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.980
 by what the word

00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.060
 of god assures us

00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:04.320
 of

00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:05.460
 and this is what

00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:05.940
 it's saying

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.940
 that god keeps us

00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.440
 even through

00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.300
 the most intense

00:26:10.300 --> 00:26:10.960
 sufferings

00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:12.160
 when our trust

00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:12.680
 is in him

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.519
 not because

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.299
 of our trust

00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.779
 not because

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:17.059
 the the level

00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.819
 of our trust

00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.259
 guarantees his

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.660
 keeping

00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:21.100
 it's not based

00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:21.559
 on anything

00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.279
 in us

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.779
 or done by us

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.000
 we are assured

00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.680
 of his keeping

00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.500
 because he is faithful

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:29.680
 because he's faithful

00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.480
 to his covenant

00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.600
 and he will not

00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.240
 actually be

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.079
 any way short

00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.500
 of that

00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.980
 at any step

00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:36.740
 of your life

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:38.660
 so he helps

00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.039
 him in his

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.380
 might

00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.279
 through his

00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.680
 nearness

00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.140
 through his

00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:41.460
 keeping

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.620
 and finally

00:26:42.620 --> 00:26:43.200
 through his

00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.819
 deliverance

00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.599
 verses 19

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.640
 to 22

00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.180
 there many

00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:46.920
 are the afflictions

00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.460
 of the righteous

00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.380
 but the lord

00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:49.059
 delivers him

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.480
 out of them

00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:49.880
 all

00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.980
 he keeps

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.660
 all his bones

00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.259
 not one of

00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.319
 them is broken

00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:53.779
 there again

00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.200
 you have the

00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:54.759
 contrast

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.720
 affliction

00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.480
 will slay

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.920
 the wicked

00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.819
 those who

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.220
 hate the

00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:58.519
 righteous

00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:58.920
 will be

00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.339
 condemned

00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.000
 but the lord

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.579
 redeems

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.579
 the life

00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.339
 of his servants

00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:03.160
 none of those

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.480
 who take

00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.259
 refuge in him

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.180
 will be

00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.940
 condemned

00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.940
 well he says

00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.940
 many are the

00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.559
 afflictions

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.759
 of the righteous

00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:12.859
 many in number

00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:15.079
 many in kind

00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:16.839
 he's just

00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:17.559
 stating that

00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.700
 very matter of

00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:19.339
 fact like

00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.579
 but it's

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:20.960
 something

00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.079
 that obviously

00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.819
 he knows

00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.579
 is a reality

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:25.200
 but out of

00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.779
 them all

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.900
 the lord

00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.720
 delivers them

00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:29.359
 not necessarily

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.099
 while they're

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.839
 in this life

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.339
 entirely

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.460
 but the lord

00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.039
 will deliver

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.700
 them out of

00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.559
 all of

00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:34.779
 these

00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.420
 afflictions

00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.120
 ultimately

00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:37.880
 and especially

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:39.180
 when the

00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.620
 afflictions

00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:39.980
 are left

00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.480
 behind

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.620
 as we

00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:42.019
 leave this

00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.319
 life

00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.900
 behind

00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:44.900
 let's

00:27:44.900 --> 00:27:45.240
 think about

00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.840
 the contrast

00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.120
 then

00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:47.059
 not only

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.299
 with the

00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.440
 wicked

00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.160
 but contrast

00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.640
 how things

00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:49.059
 are with

00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:49.259
 you

00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.259
 in terms

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.700
 of your

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.059
 need

00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.900
 presently

00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.200
 in this

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.640
 life

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.840
 look at

00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:54.059
 all the

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.360
 different

00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:54.740
 kinds

00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.400
 of people

00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.100
 of experts

00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:56.539
 that you

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:56.900
 need

00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:57.640
 in order

00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:58.120
 to help

00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:58.420
 you through

00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:58.880
 various

00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.259
 things

00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.779
 that you

00:27:59.779 --> 00:28:00.039
 need to

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.400
 deal with

00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:00.640
 in the

00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:00.980
 course of

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.420
 your life

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.059
 if you're

00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.440
 something

00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.500
 legal

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:03.839
 that you

00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:04.099
 need to

00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.440
 attend

00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.599
 to

00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:04.900
 you need

00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.279
 a lawyer

00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.519
 who's

00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.059
 qualified

00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:07.019
 solicitor

00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:08.000
 if it's

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.460
 a health

00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:09.859
 matter

00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.380
 a physical

00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:10.700
 health

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.059
 matter

00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.559
 you need

00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:11.740
 to go

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.319
 to a doctor

00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:12.700
 you might

00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.140
 have to

00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.900
 consult a

00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.319
 surgeon

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.960
 somebody who's

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.640
 expert in

00:28:15.640 --> 00:28:16.240
 that field

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:16.980
 if it's a

00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.559
 mental health

00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:17.920
 issues

00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.440
 you go to

00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:18.759
 someone

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.640
 who can

00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.119
 hopefully

00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:20.680
 help you

00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:21.119
 with that

00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.519
 as well

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:21.920
 and give

00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:23.299
 you some

00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:23.779
 support

00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:24.299
 all the way

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.759
 through it

00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.299
 if it's a

00:28:25.299 --> 00:28:26.059
 spiritual issue

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.200
 well we hope

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.240
 that although

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.740
 it's not very

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.359
 common in this

00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.920
 world we hope

00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.599
 that as

00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.359
 ministers of the

00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.019
 gospel people

00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.920
 would ask

00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:33.359
 us look I've

00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:33.740
 got this

00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.119
 spiritual

00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:34.680
 problem can

00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.000
 you help

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.379
 me with

00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:35.680
 it

00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:38.759
 all of

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.259
 these different

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.359
 people and

00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.700
 there are many

00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:42.240
 more each

00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.839
 of them with a

00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:44.019
 specific area of

00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:45.180
 expertise that

00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.559
 can hopefully

00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.480
 help hopefully

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:48.259
 help us but

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.900
 when you go to

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.440
 Jesus and to

00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:52.460
 the Lord the

00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.000
 Lord of your

00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:55.619
 life all of

00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.619
 the expertise is

00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:57.359
 packed into the

00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:57.980
 one person

00:28:57.980 --> 00:29:00.860
 many are the

00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.720
 afflictions of

00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.240
 the righteous

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.900
 but the Lord

00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.740
 delivers him

00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.400
 out of them

00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:07.240
 all you only

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.860
 need the one

00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:09.960
 expert this

00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.680
 Christ this

00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:12.660
 Lord he has

00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:13.259
 everything in

00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:15.140
 himself for

00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:15.880
 you to appeal

00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:17.140
 to for you to

00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:17.860
 apply to

00:29:17.860 --> 00:29:19.779
 whatever kind

00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:20.220
 of need

00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:22.839
 arises and

00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.180
 of course

00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:24.559
 that's something

00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.079
 that carries

00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.740
 through into

00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:27.000
 the very end

00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.460
 of your life

00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.180
 and on into

00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:29.319
 eternity

00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.119
 itself

00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:31.220
 now that

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.700
 David doesn't

00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.619
 merely list

00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:34.759
 these as

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.819
 truths for us

00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.380
 that God

00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:37.480
 has his people

00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.220
 in mind that

00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.819
 God helps

00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.259
 them in his

00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.480
 might and the

00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.019
 various points

00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.680
 we've looked at

00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.799
 under each of

00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.400
 these headings

00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.460
 he's not content

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:45.339
 simply to

00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.299
 specify these

00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.279
 he's actually

00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:48.740
 inviting those

00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.220
 that are going

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.859
 to be reading

00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.559
 the psalm

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.180
 those that are

00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.539
 going to be

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.119
 listening to

00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:52.579
 what he's saying

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.240
 here he's

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.119
 inviting them to

00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:55.359
 come and prove

00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.400
 this put it to

00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.859
 the test

00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.679
 experience it

00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.799
 for themselves

00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.779
 look at what

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.279
 he says there

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.819
 verse 3

00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:03.479
 oh magnify

00:30:03.479 --> 00:30:04.019
 the Lord

00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.599
 with me

00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.419
 let us

00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:06.019
 exalt his

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.359
 name

00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:07.379
 look at

00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:07.899
 verse 8

00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:09.099
 oh taste

00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.539
 and see

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.099
 that the

00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:10.559
 Lord is

00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:10.819
 good

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.119
 look at

00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:11.559
 verse 9

00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.639
 oh fear

00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:13.119
 the Lord

00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.579
 you his

00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:13.939
 sins

00:30:13.939 --> 00:30:14.979
 for those

00:30:14.979 --> 00:30:15.379
 who fear

00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:16.119
 him have

00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.799
 no lack

00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.659
 and then

00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.179
 verse 11

00:30:18.179 --> 00:30:19.259
 come oh

00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.079
 children listen

00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:20.459
 to me

00:30:20.459 --> 00:30:21.879
 I will teach

00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.959
 you the

00:30:22.959 --> 00:30:24.039
 fear of

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.599
 the Lord

00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:26.480
 and so

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.720
 as he

00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.159
 makes his

00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:28.659
 appeals

00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:30.379
 so we

00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:30.819
 tonight

00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.399
 are the

00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:31.920
 beneficiaries

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:33.659
 of this

00:30:33.659 --> 00:30:34.579
 great psalm

00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.980
 this portion

00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.599
 of God's

00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:36.940
 word

00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:39.119
 and where

00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:39.539
 tonight

00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:41.059
 God has

00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.599
 laid out

00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.220
 these great

00:30:42.220 --> 00:30:42.940
 truths for

00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:43.299
 us

00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:44.779
 he's also

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.240
 saying to

00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:45.500
 you and

00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:45.779
 he's saying

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.200
 to me

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:47.920
 come and

00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.700
 see and

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.059
 taste

00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:50.379
 that the

00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.779
 Lord is

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.119
 good

00:30:51.119 --> 00:30:52.539
 come and

00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.119
 fear him

00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:54.139
 oh you

00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:54.700
 saints

00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:56.039
 come God

00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.399
 is saying

00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:56.659
 to you

00:30:56.659 --> 00:30:57.279
 come oh

00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.899
 my children

00:30:57.899 --> 00:30:59.419
 listen to

00:30:59.419 --> 00:30:59.799
 me

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:01.220
 put into

00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.859
 practice

00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:03.339
 the wisdom

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.659
 that I'm

00:31:04.659 --> 00:31:05.179
 setting out

00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:05.740
 for you

00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:07.740
 Lord our

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.200
 God we

00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:08.759
 thank you

00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:10.059
 that we

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.759
 have such

00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:13.279
 such great

00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.859
 words as

00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.500
 these to

00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.299
 console our

00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.740
 hearts and

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.399
 to guide us

00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:18.139
 we thank you

00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.619
 tonight for

00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.099
 the way that

00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.659
 your regard

00:31:19.659 --> 00:31:20.119
 for your

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.679
 people is

00:31:20.679 --> 00:31:21.259
 constant

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.519
 unfailing

00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.059
 and true

00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:24.619
 we thank

00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:24.899
 you oh

00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.419
 Lord that

00:31:25.419 --> 00:31:26.059
 even such

00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:26.379
 as we

00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.879
 are can

00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.579
 actually say

00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.119
 these things

00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:29.919
 of ourselves

00:31:29.919 --> 00:31:31.419
 oh Lord

00:31:31.419 --> 00:31:32.039
 help us we

00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.519
 pray in

00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.579
 the confidence

00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.319
 that we must

00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:34.779
 have in the

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.139
 Lord help

00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.719
 us never to

00:31:36.719 --> 00:31:37.399
 doubt you or

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:37.879
 to doubt your

00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:39.519
 wisdom give

00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.039
 us to

00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:41.699
 progress in

00:31:41.699 --> 00:31:42.259
 our Christian

00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:42.859
 lives in

00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:44.419
 our walk in

00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:44.959
 such a way

00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.559
 oh Lord as

00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.259
 would seek to

00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.399
 draw our

00:31:47.399 --> 00:31:47.919
 encouragement

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.720
 and our

00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:50.019
 strength from

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.500
 these great

00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.060
 truths that

00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:51.300
 you have

00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:51.960
 given us

00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.140
 grant his

00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:53.640
 mercies to

00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:53.900
 us we

00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.440
 pray now

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.600
 accept our

00:31:55.600 --> 00:31:56.240
 worship and

00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.940
 cleanse us from

00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.620
 all our sin

00:31:57.620 --> 00:31:58.660
 for Jesus

00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.680
 sake amen

00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:02.160
 and we're going

00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.600
 to conclude

00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.600
 from Psalm 34

00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:05.240
 robert

00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:18.539
 on the

00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.059
 of

00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.639
 the

00:32:19.639 --> 00:32:21.279
 of

00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.619
 the

00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:21.799
 the

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:21.939
 the

00:32:21.939 --> 00:32:22.279
 the