WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 Of David I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart. Before the gods I sing your praise. 00:00:06.120 --> 00:00:13.419 I bow down towards your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 00:00:14.099 --> 00:00:22.379 For you have exalted above all things your name and your word. On the day I called, you answered me. My strength of soul you increased. 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:29.980 All the kings of earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, and they shall sing the way of your mouth. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.939 All the kings of the Lord. For great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. 00:00:40.519 --> 00:00:48.960 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hands against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. 00:00:49.379 --> 00:00:57.019 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. 00:00:57.020 --> 00:01:08.480 Now it's common to hear a critique or a common thought within Christianity, and then also with it outside of Christianity, 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:15.680 is that I've tried praying to God. I've tried to give him my concerns, my desires. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:18.280 I've tried to speak to him about this privately. 00:01:18.280 --> 00:01:21.400 But he doesn't seem to answer my prayers. 00:01:22.820 --> 00:01:27.780 Maybe you've experienced this, or it seems you are currently experiencing it. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:30.620 It appears that God is nowhere to be found. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:36.420 You might be thinking to yourself that he's asleep, he's on vacation, or listening to someone else. 00:01:37.460 --> 00:01:42.040 Perhaps you feel you've been left out to dry, and you don't want to give him praise anymore, 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:46.840 because you don't trust him, because it seems like he's not answering your prayers or listening to you. 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:56.380 So, the psalm that we're looking at this morning lays a framework before us on how to give God thanks and praise 00:01:56.380 --> 00:01:58.800 when it seems like it's hard to do so. 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:02.780 Turn with me to Psalm 138, if you haven't already. 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:06.740 It's very helpful to have it with you, in front of you, because we're going to work through it. 00:02:07.020 --> 00:02:12.539 And it's always good to see, and to make sure, I'm actually saying the words that are in the psalm, 00:02:12.580 --> 00:02:13.860 and not just my own words. 00:02:13.860 --> 00:02:18.340 See, the psalms, the thing about the book of psalms is that it's a book of poetry. 00:02:18.520 --> 00:02:23.120 There's many parts of the Bible that is poetry, but the whole book of psalms is poetry. 00:02:23.960 --> 00:02:27.140 And in the psalms, there's these things called stanzas. 00:02:27.580 --> 00:02:31.360 A stanza is a section of the psalm broken up. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:36.200 So you see in Psalm 138, if you have your Bible in front of you or on your screen, 00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:40.199 you can see there's three stanzas, three sections. 00:02:40.839 --> 00:02:45.659 And each stanza contains a certain topic within it. 00:02:46.019 --> 00:02:47.899 Every psalm has this within it. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:52.259 If you look at a different translation than what we have, the ESV, they might be a little bit differently, 00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:54.439 but there's stanzas within it. 00:02:54.519 --> 00:02:56.859 And this is a direct way of writing poetry. 00:02:57.859 --> 00:02:59.639 The psalms, this psalm has three. 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:02.280 And it's broken up into three in this way. 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:04.439 The first is worship and remembrance. 00:03:05.219 --> 00:03:08.219 The second is future hope and glory. 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:13.000 And the last one is present help and faithfulness. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:20.080 Worship and remembrance, future hope and glory, present help and faithfulness. 00:03:20.759 --> 00:03:27.300 This psalm marks the beginning of an eight-psalm section within the Psalter, the book of Psalms, 00:03:27.699 --> 00:03:29.219 that's attributed to David. 00:03:29.219 --> 00:03:32.099 And this is the last psalms that he wrote. 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:34.060 That are put into the psalm book. 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:39.319 So as we read this psalm together, we must reflect on David's life. 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:46.780 Because those who write poetry or do art, what they do very much embodies their life. 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:49.599 The life of the author is poured into what they write. 00:03:50.360 --> 00:03:56.319 It's all about, sorry, so it embodies the author and what they've experienced. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:58.419 A good example of this is Psalm 23. 00:03:59.459 --> 00:04:01.099 Most of us know this psalm. 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:05.180 Even those who don't go to church have heard this psalm and kind of know it, parts of it. 00:04:05.239 --> 00:04:06.519 Especially the Lord is my shepherd. 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:08.479 I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:12.060 But Psalm 23 is David's writing it. 00:04:12.239 --> 00:04:13.859 And it's about being led by a shepherd. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:15.799 David was a shepherd. 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:20.300 So he knows firsthand what it means to be led by a shepherd to peaceful meadows. 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:21.620 He leads his flock. 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:26.740 He leads his flock to still waters, peaceful streams to water them, to give them drink. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:29.540 And then gives them protection from attacks. 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:31.400 David knew this. 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:34.439 And David also knew what it was like to be attacked by people. 00:04:34.780 --> 00:04:39.280 Because he was one of the kings of Israel, the great king of Israel of that time. 00:04:39.639 --> 00:04:41.340 Everything has been attributed to David. 00:04:41.339 --> 00:04:45.579 David is often referred to as one of the shepherds of the people. 00:04:46.219 --> 00:04:48.839 He was a shepherd before being a king. 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:51.159 And he was a king who experienced much warfare. 00:04:51.739 --> 00:04:53.079 So let's look at the first point. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:54.099 Worship and remembrance. 00:04:54.259 --> 00:04:56.799 Look with me at verses 1 and 2. 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:02.719 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart. 00:05:03.479 --> 00:05:05.859 Before the gods I sing your praise. 00:05:06.599 --> 00:05:08.779 I bow down toward your holy temple. 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:12.879 And give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 00:05:13.619 --> 00:05:17.219 For you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:20.659 Here we see David is in a temple setting. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:22.099 He is in the temple. 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:25.019 The place where God's presence dwelt. 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:25.979 The holy sanctuary. 00:05:26.599 --> 00:05:29.819 And you may have noticed this interesting phrase that he says, 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:32.739 Before the gods I sing your praise. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:38.279 Now when I first read this, I thought it meant about the gods of the world. 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:39.199 A quick reading. 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:40.419 It's easy to think this. 00:05:40.799 --> 00:05:42.239 That I thought it was about money. 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:43.199 Or sex. 00:05:43.359 --> 00:05:44.199 Or pagan worship. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:44.979 Or spirituality. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:50.500 But a commentator, Bruce Waltke, who is a great commentator on the Psalms and Proverbs. 00:05:50.719 --> 00:05:52.059 And anything really in the Old Testament. 00:05:52.699 --> 00:05:55.939 Points out that he's actually referring to the Ark. 00:05:56.059 --> 00:05:57.000 The Ark of the Covenant. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:02.779 See the gods that he's referring to, lowercase g, are the cherubim. 00:06:02.779 --> 00:06:06.179 Those who are resting on top of the Ark cover. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:08.879 And this is where God's presence dwelt. 00:06:09.159 --> 00:06:10.439 On top of the Ark. 00:06:10.519 --> 00:06:11.779 Within the Holy of Holies. 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:15.059 Because the temple setting is split into two. 00:06:15.799 --> 00:06:18.119 There's the one holy place. 00:06:18.219 --> 00:06:19.799 And then there's the Holy of Holy place. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:25.859 Where the high priest would only go once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people of Israel. 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:31.960 And within the Ark, there's the two tablets of the law and then Moses' staff. 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:35.480 The Ark was in the temple area where the high priest could only go. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:40.920 He continues, David, in this language of humble worship, of thankfulness and praise. 00:06:41.160 --> 00:06:43.740 By bowing towards the temple. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:48.759 This entire section is steeped in humble worship. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:50.540 But why? 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:54.280 If you look again at verse 2, it says this. 00:06:54.279 --> 00:06:57.559 I bow down toward your holy temple. 00:06:58.239 --> 00:07:01.779 I give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness. 00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:06.319 For you have exalted above all things your name and your word. 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:09.439 Your name, your word. 00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:11.659 What are these? 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:18.099 See, anytime we hear the name of the Lord, it's referring to God and how he's revealed himself. 00:07:18.299 --> 00:07:19.459 His very person. 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:21.799 How he's revealed himself to humanity. 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:26.439 See, God normally reveals himself through creation. 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:28.100 You can look around you and see it. 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:36.300 It's like when you go hiking and you enter into a vista area and you see a beautiful scene before you. 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:37.860 God speaks through that. 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:39.019 It points to the creator. 00:07:39.019 --> 00:07:44.039 Or if you are a scientist and you look at a molecule and how much it's orderly designed. 00:07:44.740 --> 00:07:46.560 You see how there's order to it. 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:49.819 And God, that speaks to God and his creation. 00:07:50.719 --> 00:07:53.259 Or, God speaks through his acts. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:54.359 Through his word. 00:07:54.899 --> 00:08:00.299 He speaks through, an example of this, and this is what David would have been reflecting on, is Moses. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:03.159 See, the staff of Moses is within the ark. 00:08:03.219 --> 00:08:04.259 What he's bowing towards. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:08.480 So, in his mind, he's thinking about how God worked through Moses. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:11.480 And how this staff signified it. 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:13.159 And how God worked through the staff. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:16.019 Turning it into a snake before Pharaoh. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:17.000 It budded. 00:08:17.159 --> 00:08:18.500 He used it to hit the rock. 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:19.219 To give water. 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:20.980 To give provision to the people. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:24.399 This is what's being talked about here. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:27.599 This is what David would have been remembering within the temple. 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:28.439 Bowing towards. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:32.440 How God has worked through his name. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:33.700 By what he's revealed. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:35.799 But what about the word? 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:36.580 What does it mean? 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:40.399 Well, on the tablets within the ark is the law. 00:08:41.080 --> 00:08:41.980 We think of the law. 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:43.159 We hear the Ten Commandments. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:44.620 But there's other parts of the law. 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:47.000 That's God giving his word. 00:08:47.559 --> 00:08:49.240 And God also gives his promise. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:53.440 Just a good example is to think of Abraham in the book of Genesis. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:57.560 Who's attributed as the father of the people of Israel. 00:08:57.680 --> 00:08:58.740 The father of the faith. 00:08:59.680 --> 00:09:02.360 God led him out before creation at night. 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:03.740 To look up at the stars. 00:09:04.160 --> 00:09:05.620 To see how they are endless. 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:07.880 And then he promises him. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:09.900 That I will make you a great nation. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:13.920 And yet his wife Sarai at that time is barren. 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:16.340 And they are well advanced in age. 00:09:16.880 --> 00:09:18.680 So the promise seems so ridiculous. 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.140 But God follows through with the promise. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:23.279 And Sarai becomes pregnant. 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:25.019 And Isaac is born. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:28.059 These are the things that are going through David's mind. 00:09:28.220 --> 00:09:30.199 As he reflects and writes this. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.939 As he worships in the temple. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.460 That brings him to great worship. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:38.199 But if you look with me at verse 3. 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:40.679 There's something that's very important about this stanza. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:41.939 Look with me at verse 3. 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:44.019 On the day I called you. 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:45.240 You answered me. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:47.779 My strength of soul you increased. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:50.899 See David is remembering his prayers to God. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:53.259 What we need to realize though. 00:09:53.319 --> 00:09:54.600 Is that these aren't prayers. 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:57.199 These prayers that David is giving. 00:09:57.379 --> 00:09:59.240 Aren't prayers that he can just sit back. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:02.240 And wait for God to follow through. 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:04.519 David is remembering a time. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.759 When he prayed. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:07.199 That when he went to battle. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:08.240 He was victorious. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.259 That God led him through battle. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:13.480 But most likely at that time. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:14.620 It probably felt like. 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:16.399 He was probably intimidated. 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:17.939 It probably felt hopeless. 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:18.580 In a sense. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.640 Because there's many instances. 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:21.000 That you read about. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:22.800 Where they are greatly outnumbered. 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:25.580 Most of us I'm sure. 00:10:25.680 --> 00:10:27.060 Have never been in a battle setting. 00:10:27.460 --> 00:10:28.880 So it's hard to relate to this. 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:31.220 But we can think of battles of our life. 00:10:31.280 --> 00:10:32.320 That we face every day. 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:34.000 Whether for some. 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:35.500 It's the addiction of working. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:36.420 Of overwork. 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:37.520 For others. 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.640 It might be family issues. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.500 That things that just seem so difficult. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:42.580 Or it's for us all. 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:45.240 The things that dwell within us. 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:47.960 The sin that dwells so deeply within us. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:49.700 These wage war on us. 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:51.259 And it's only through prayer. 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:53.080 Reliance on the finished work of Christ. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:54.659 That these can be overcome. 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:57.059 Now you might be thinking right now. 00:10:57.139 --> 00:10:58.779 That this sounds so simplistic. 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.919 It sounds so moralistic. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:01.820 Just try harder. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:04.580 That's not what I'm getting at here. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:05.919 What I'm getting at here. 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.759 Is that you try to fix issues. 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:10.480 The things that turn your eyes from Christ. 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:13.539 That they will fall immediately. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:14.740 They'll fall now. 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:16.080 Or they'll fall later on. 00:11:16.920 --> 00:11:18.399 But as when you come to God. 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:19.259 Humbly. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:20.740 As you see David doing here. 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:22.480 God will work in your life. 00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:23.840 He'll begin to work in your life. 00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:25.139 But the thing is that. 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:26.159 What we need to realize. 00:11:26.560 --> 00:11:27.000 Is that. 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:28.480 When we pray to God. 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:29.899 When we worship him. 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:32.379 And we ask him to work in our lives. 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:34.480 For something that might be plaguing us. 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:35.820 Or for something that's happening. 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.100 Outside of our means. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:39.800 God will normally work. 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:40.500 In a way. 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:42.599 That we actually didn't ask him to work. 00:11:43.099 --> 00:11:43.859 And it might be. 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:45.459 It's for our benefit. 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:46.639 But it might not at the time. 00:11:46.719 --> 00:11:47.719 Seem like for our benefit. 00:11:47.719 --> 00:11:48.779 Until we look back. 00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:51.819 God works in ways. 00:11:51.819 --> 00:11:52.919 That we can't imagine. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.179 That he'll work in our lives. 00:11:54.479 --> 00:11:55.479 But when we look back. 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.399 We see his fingerprints. 00:11:56.399 --> 00:11:57.139 All through it. 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:58.779 As David does in verse 3. 00:11:59.000 --> 00:11:59.719 He's reflecting. 00:12:00.579 --> 00:12:00.839 See. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:01.980 When he's in the temple. 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:04.740 He sees God's work through history. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.759 He sees God's work in creation. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:09.000 The temple is surrounded by works. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.560 Of creation art. 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:11.259 Within it. 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:11.780 On the walls. 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:12.540 On the tapestry. 00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:14.620 And then there's the art. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:16.500 Of God working through his word. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:17.700 See. 00:12:18.180 --> 00:12:19.000 Humble worship. 00:12:19.180 --> 00:12:20.240 Focus on God's name. 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:20.820 And his word. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.580 Leads to thankful remembrance. 00:12:22.800 --> 00:12:24.320 And we see this in the first stanza. 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:26.660 But then we move into the next stanza. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:28.240 In verses 4 to 6. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.279 Look with me at them. 00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.860 All the kings of the earth. 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.980 Shall give you thanks. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.460 O Lord. 00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:36.180 For they have heard the words of your mouth. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:38.820 And they shall sing of the ways of the Lord. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:41.299 For great is the glory of the Lord. 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:43.000 For though the Lord is high. 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.039 He regards the lowly. 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:46.360 But the haughty. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.519 He knows from afar. 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:50.000 David now takes our attention. 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:51.399 Out of the temple courts. 00:12:51.740 --> 00:12:52.879 And moves the scene. 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:54.019 To a future scene. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.980 Where the whole world. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:57.320 The kings of the world. 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:59.660 Are giving the Lord thanks and praise. 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.160 How does this happen? 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:02.440 And when will it happen? 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:04.460 That probably comes to our minds. 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:05.400 See. 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.760 No one can say when it will happen. 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.780 You may read on. 00:13:07.920 --> 00:13:08.860 You may see online. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:09.600 These videos. 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.680 That people are predicting. 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:12.160 When the end of the world is going to happen. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.280 It never happens. 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.000 No one can predict it. 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:16.720 No one can say for certain. 00:13:16.760 --> 00:13:17.420 When it will happen. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.920 But one thing that we can say for certain. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.000 Is that it will be a time. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.360 Of unbelievable worship. 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:25.860 That Christians from around the world. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.480 Will sing together. 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.580 Praises to God. 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.259 It will sound like. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.340 It will be a sound. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.899 That's never been heard before. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.620 We can't even imagine it. 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:35.480 It's unimaginable. 00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.180 It will be glorious. 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:39.019 And David wants his readers. 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:41.500 And those who hear this psalm read. 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:43.120 To think about this. 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.539 To think about this in the psalm. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.539 Of the future hope. 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:48.120 Of when God will call his people to himself. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.180 But how does this happen? 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:53.359 Well look again at verses 4 and 5. 00:13:54.959 --> 00:13:57.939 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks O Lord. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:00.259 For they have heard the words of your mouth. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:03.519 And they shall sing of the ways of the Lord. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:05.899 You notice here it says. 00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:07.679 They have heard the words of your mouth. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:10.219 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord. 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.439 We see it again. 00:14:11.959 --> 00:14:12.620 God's name. 00:14:13.099 --> 00:14:13.759 God's word. 00:14:13.959 --> 00:14:15.399 Are being praised and thanked. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:18.079 Without a focus on God's word. 00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:18.819 His name. 00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:20.360 His name. 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.079 Sorry. 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.600 With God's word and his name. 00:14:22.699 --> 00:14:24.000 True worship can never happen. 00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:26.199 The heart will never be stirred. 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:28.600 To sing out thanksgiving and praise. 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:30.840 To use an example. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:33.279 I use it at the 830 service. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.299 My son John. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.220 He's 16 months. 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:37.819 And every time he wakes up. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.879 Either from the night. 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:40.559 Or from a nap. 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:43.299 The first thing he wants is a book. 00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:46.279 His whole focus is on a book. 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.179 He shakes. 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.359 He gets so excited. 00:14:48.839 --> 00:14:50.000 Until he gets that book. 00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.339 And then he looks through it. 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.959 And his whole focus is on it. 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:55.699 That is what's being talked about here. 00:14:56.099 --> 00:14:57.039 Is that the worship. 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:59.000 The worship on God's name. 00:14:59.079 --> 00:14:59.859 And God's word. 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:02.339 As the whole focus of all creation. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.259 In this section. 00:15:03.359 --> 00:15:05.779 The kings are so focused on it. 00:15:06.339 --> 00:15:07.199 Brother Lawrence. 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:09.439 Who is a very famous monk. 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:10.240 He wrote a book. 00:15:10.719 --> 00:15:12.199 Practicing the presence of God. 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:14.240 And the concept of this book. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:16.220 Is that everything you do. 00:15:16.280 --> 00:15:16.879 In your life. 00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.400 You do in prayer. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.500 And you do in worship. 00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:21.080 There's the famous section. 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.500 What most people will quote. 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:24.020 Is that when he washed dishes. 00:15:24.180 --> 00:15:25.080 He would sing praises. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.640 And people would hear him. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.960 But the thing about Brother Lawrence. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.540 Is that he did this in a time. 00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:32.200 Where it seemed like no one. 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:34.280 Wanted to give God praise. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.180 Committedly. 00:15:35.520 --> 00:15:36.879 And no one wanted to pray to him. 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:37.500 Committedly. 00:15:37.520 --> 00:15:38.980 Everyone had a cold heart to him. 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:40.080 He says in his letters. 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:41.940 No one was praying. 00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:42.900 And no one had devotion. 00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:43.740 To reading the word. 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.060 Friends. 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:45.840 This is you. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.759 And I put myself in this. 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:48.500 Because there's weeks. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.600 Where I feel so cold. 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.660 Reorient yourself. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.740 To hear God's word. 00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:54.320 Notice his ways. 00:15:54.780 --> 00:15:55.900 Notice how he's revealed. 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:56.920 His name to you. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.220 And to everyone else. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.379 Don't just settle. 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:01.259 For checking the church box. 00:16:01.780 --> 00:16:03.240 And moving on with your week. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.620 Take the time. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.100 To sing God's praises. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.600 To him. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.259 Through his word. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.560 And focusing on his name. 00:16:08.559 --> 00:16:10.559 Because if we look again. 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:11.719 At verses four to six. 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:13.719 We see something also else. 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:14.000 In it. 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:15.799 All the kings of the earth. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:16.819 Shall give you thanks. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.299 O Lord. 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:18.639 For they. 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.639 For they have heard. 00:16:19.739 --> 00:16:20.719 The words of your mouth. 00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:22.099 And they shall sing. 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.139 Of the ways of the Lord. 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:24.359 For great. 00:16:24.479 --> 00:16:25.639 Is the glory of the Lord. 00:16:25.959 --> 00:16:27.179 For though the Lord is high. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.219 He regards the lowly. 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:30.559 But the haughty. 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.699 He knows from afar. 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:33.539 Glory. 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:35.859 Is shown through mercy. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.259 Mercy. 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:39.000 Mercy is shown. 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.379 The one. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.919 Who all the kings of the earth. 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.120 Are singing praise to. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:44.080 The one. 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.879 Who everyone is given thanks to. 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.419 Stoops down. 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:49.320 And regards the lowly. 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.180 The destitute. 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.060 The one. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:52.840 Who can barely hold up their heads. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:53.800 The one. 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.759 Who can barely say. 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.620 Because of the weight. 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:56.379 Of their sin. 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.639 And the torment. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.120 Of certain things in life. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.100 Lord. 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.240 Have mercy. 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:01.840 On me. 00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.320 A sinner. 00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:03.580 The one. 00:17:03.659 --> 00:17:04.259 Who is overlooked. 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.940 By the world. 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.160 The king of the universe. 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.140 Regards the lowly. 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:08.000 With high esteem. 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:10.420 This is the complete opposite. 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.720 The way the world works. 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.400 In our world. 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:13.839 The woe. 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:15.319 Those who have influence. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.400 Are put into power. 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.940 Those who have many followers. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.200 Are given platforms. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:21.539 And what they say. 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.220 Is taken as. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.420 As fact. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.220 At face value. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:24.680 Even though. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.519 They may have no idea. 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.379 What they're talking about. 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.059 An example of this. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.799 I think I've used it before here. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.920 But I'm going to use it again. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.259 Leonardo DiCaprio. 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:33.900 We all know him. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.900 He's a famous actor. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.220 He has many movies. 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:38.440 He was filming a movie once. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.079 In Calgary. 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:39.879 Which is. 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:41.160 Calgary is right at the base. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.440 Of the city. 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.220 He's right at the base. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.839 Of the mountains. 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.379 And he was in the plains. 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:46.420 Right at the beginning. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.039 Of the mountains. 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:48.440 And he was filming. 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.379 He was in winter time. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.379 And then. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.420 During his filming. 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.099 All of a sudden. 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.980 It got really warm. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.539 And the snow started to melt. 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.460 And he actually went online. 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.539 And started talking about. 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.400 How this is an act. 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.240 Of global warming. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.940 But what it actually is. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.779 Is just a Chinook. 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.400 He had no idea. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.299 What he's talking about. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:06.200 But he has influence. 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.140 And he has a platform. 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:08.400 So it's given to him. 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.539 And he is raised up. 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:10.440 See. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.019 But here's the thing. 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.339 Both sides of the spectrum. 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.980 Have this problem. 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:15.559 If they were seen. 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.880 To give regard to the lowly. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.480 They would lose their status. 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:19.880 Or be accused. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.519 Of doing it. 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.299 Just for views. 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.680 But here. 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:24.240 The God of the universe. 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.039 Regards the lowly. 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.779 And is far from the haughty. 00:18:28.399 --> 00:18:29.559 Another word for the haughty. 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.680 Is the prideful. 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.519 Or self-sufficient. 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.339 We live in a. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.440 We live in suburbia. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.980 We meet in a church. 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.839 That's in suburbia. 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:38.919 Right in the heart of suburbia. 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.440 In Kanata. 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:42.359 And at the heart of suburbia. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.559 Is self-sufficiency. 00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.639 The idol. 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.539 It's the leading idol. 00:18:46.419 --> 00:18:48.159 And the people who make up the church. 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:49.519 Are not free from this either. 00:18:50.419 --> 00:18:51.259 It says here. 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.980 The Lord has no place for the haughty. 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.700 David was a powerful king. 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.839 Who had been. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.379 Who had God on his side. 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.200 In many acts. 00:19:00.659 --> 00:19:02.460 He had all reason to be prideful. 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:04.279 No one could stand before him. 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:05.980 But here we see. 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:07.500 He is in humble worship. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:08.960 And he's saying. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:10.059 All the kings will give. 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.559 The ultimate king worship. 00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.139 But David. 00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:15.159 Is in no way perfect. 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.740 Most people know the stories of David. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.339 Pride seeps into his life. 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:21.759 And he commits awful acts. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:24.059 But the Lord rebukes him. 00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:25.279 Through Nathan the prophet. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:27.480 And he has to give account for it. 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:29.119 And you see it through his family line. 00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:30.299 Played out. 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.679 No matter who you are. 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.259 Pride and self-sufficiency. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.579 Will always be an issue. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.859 It manifests in many different ways. 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:41.979 This is why the Christian gospel is so profound. 00:19:42.699 --> 00:19:43.099 God. 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:45.439 God knowing the heart of humanity. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.899 Became lowly. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:49.479 Through sending his only son into the world. 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:51.299 To take upon himself our sins. 00:19:51.719 --> 00:19:53.539 To go to the cross for our sins. 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:56.379 To die the death we deserve for our sins. 00:19:56.699 --> 00:19:59.219 So we may be able to truly hear his word. 00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:01.559 And give thanks and praise for his name. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:05.759 This also points to the future hope as well. 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:08.539 That those who put their faith and trust in Jesus. 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.779 As their Lord and Savior. 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:12.659 Will be a part of the great assembly of kings. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:17.419 Because we all will be given a status of royalty. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:19.579 And we will shout in unison. 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.980 Thanksgiving and praise. 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.240 To the God of the universe. 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.299 Our Heavenly Father. 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:27.000 God's glory is shown through mercy. 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:29.440 And we see it most powerfully. 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.240 In his son on the cross. 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:35.200 The psalm now moves into the third stanza. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.200 And we see it here. 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.779 Present help and faithfulness. 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:39.980 Look with me at verses 7 and 8. 00:20:42.619 --> 00:20:44.859 Though I walk in the midst of trouble. 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.900 You preserve my life. 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:50.299 You stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:52.440 And your right hand delivers me. 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:55.019 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:57.639 Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:00.319 Do not forsake the work of your hands. 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.480 David moves the reader now. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.180 And the hearer. 00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.599 From temple worship. 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:07.180 To the future heavenly worship. 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:10.119 To reflection on God's present help. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.019 In everyday life. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:13.859 This is a very common theme in his psalms. 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:16.460 He experienced much war and persecution. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.799 But he can say this with confidence. 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:21.519 How is the reader or hearer. 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:23.200 Supposed to take this section? 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:26.860 I think the first two stanzas set us up for this. 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:29.500 Through humble worship of God's revealed self. 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.259 In his son. 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:31.420 And his word. 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:34.380 And remembrance of times when God worked in our lives. 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:37.299 And then through hope in Christ's return. 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:39.039 And future worship with all believers. 00:21:39.580 --> 00:21:41.259 We can then say confidently. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.860 Though I walk in the midst of trouble. 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:45.480 You preserve my life. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.259 Through Christ's finished work. 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:50.380 You stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:52.460 Through Christ's finished work. 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:55.220 And enemies here isn't just warfare enemies. 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:57.680 It can be anything that plagues our spirits. 00:21:57.820 --> 00:21:59.120 And turns our eyes from Jesus. 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:01.400 And then we can say. 00:22:01.520 --> 00:22:02.820 Your right hand delivers me. 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:04.840 Through Christ's finished work. 00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:08.020 Notice here in verses 2 and 8. 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.640 It says. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.020 Your steadfast love oh Lord. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.320 See God's love for his people. 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.400 Is always faithful. 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.300 And endures forever. 00:22:14.800 --> 00:22:17.280 This isn't a love that's based off performance. 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:20.220 Or consumeristic morality or mentality. 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:22.899 It's a love that knows no bounds. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.819 And it's fully realized in his son Jesus. 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:27.099 The deepest love you feel for someone. 00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.200 Is just a glimpse. 00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:32.579 To just reflect on prayer. 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:36.740 I often forget the prayers I give. 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.799 When I pray. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:40.359 And I started doing something. 00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:42.519 Where I keep a prayer journal. 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.480 And it's not just like. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.620 It's not just writing like a diary. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.059 It's just I write the prayers down. 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.900 That I pray to God. 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.079 And I've been doing it now. 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.839 For a couple years. 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:53.660 And the thing that I find so profound about it. 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.259 Is that when you give. 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:55.720 When I. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.740 When you give prayer. 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.099 Sometimes it seems like. 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.019 It's too grand. 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.200 Or God. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:02.000 It seems like God is not listening to you. 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.519 And it feels so cold in the moment. 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.759 But you can look back on this. 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.640 On these journals. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.519 Years later. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:10.120 And you can see how God has worked through. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.839 The fabric of your life. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.960 Through things that seem like. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:16.180 That they weren't answers to your prayer. 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.039 But looking back. 00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:18.620 They actually are answers to your prayer. 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:20.740 I would encourage you to keep a prayer journal. 00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:22.799 Because it helps you to remember. 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:24.480 How God is working through your life. 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.380 Over the years. 00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:27.140 Because there's times in life. 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.960 Where it feels extremely difficult. 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:30.180 And it feels very cold. 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:32.960 But you can see how God works in your life. 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:35.539 It helps you to focus your worship. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.880 On God's name and word. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.640 It helps you to remember. 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.039 What he has done in your life. 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:42.079 It helps you to look to the future hope. 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.019 Of Christ's return. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.359 And have confidence. 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.699 That the Lord is with you. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.399 In your struggles. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.699 His steadfast love and faithfulness. 00:23:48.699 --> 00:23:49.480 Endures forever. 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.720 As it says in this psalm. 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.799 And all through the Bible. 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.740 But it's only done. 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:55.659 When we put the finished work of Christ. 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.619 On the cross. 00:23:56.919 --> 00:23:58.059 And his resurrection. 00:23:58.539 --> 00:23:59.319 Before us. 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:01.299 It's only done through that. 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:03.179 If we try to put ourselves. 00:24:03.179 --> 00:24:03.859 Before it. 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.519 Or above it. 00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.740 It's never going to happen. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.839 We will just turn in on ourselves. 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:09.379 And try to be self-sufficient. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.279 But when we put our problems. 00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.579 To the cross. 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:14.199 And we ask God. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.439 To work in our lives. 00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:16.619 He will. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.980 He will do it faithfully. 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:19.220 Because he is steadfast. 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:20.500 And it endures forever. 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:20.660 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:50.640 Here we go.