WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.360 Let me read Psalm 33 for us, page 560. 00:00:10.759 --> 00:00:13.460 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous. 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:17.379 ! It is fitting for the upright to praise him. 00:00:18.080 --> 00:00:19.740 ! Praise the Lord with a harp. 00:00:21.019 --> 00:00:23.980 Make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 00:00:24.620 --> 00:00:26.379 Sing to him a new song. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.600 Play skillfully and shout for joy. 00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:33.179 For the word of the Lord is right and true. 00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:35.780 He is faithful in all he does. 00:00:36.439 --> 00:00:38.600 The Lord loves righteousness and justice. 00:00:39.399 --> 00:00:41.920 The earth is full of his unfailing love. 00:00:42.880 --> 00:00:45.240 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:47.760 their starry host by the breath of his mouth. 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:51.039 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars. 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:53.659 He puts the deep into storehouses. 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:56.299 Let all the earth fear the Lord. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.840 Let all the people of the world revere him. 00:00:58.840 --> 00:01:01.420 For he spoke and it came to be. 00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:04.100 He commanded and it stood firm. 00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:07.340 The Lord foils the plans of the nations. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:09.600 He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:12.960 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever. 00:01:13.520 --> 00:01:16.359 The purposes of his heart through all generations. 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:19.859 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:21.959 The people he chose for his inheritance. 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:26.060 From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind. 00:01:26.939 --> 00:01:30.780 From his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:33.319 He who forms the hearts of all. 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:35.180 Who considers everything they do. 00:01:35.180 --> 00:01:38.400 No king is saved by the size of his army. 00:01:38.520 --> 00:01:41.420 No warrior escapes by his great strength. 00:01:41.720 --> 00:01:43.560 A horse is vain hope for deliverance. 00:01:43.660 --> 00:01:45.860 Despite all its great strength it cannot save. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:49.260 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:52.280 On those who hope in his unfailing love. 00:01:52.820 --> 00:01:55.840 To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:59.000 We wait in hope for the Lord. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:00.760 He is our help and our shield. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:03.000 In him our hearts rejoice. 00:02:03.260 --> 00:02:04.939 For we trust in his holy name. 00:02:05.740 --> 00:02:08.099 May your unfailing love be with us Lord. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:11.080 Even as we put our hope in you. 00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:12.199 Amen. 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:12.299 Amen. 00:02:17.299 --> 00:02:21.280 Well thank you for having me share God's word with you tonight. 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:26.679 It's been amazing to be a part of this church for just over a year now. 00:02:27.179 --> 00:02:27.979 To be a member here. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:31.539 And it's a real privilege to speak to you all tonight. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:34.579 So should I pray before we start. 00:02:34.580 --> 00:02:41.140 Father God we thank you that your word is right and true. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:44.280 And help us now as we look at your word together. 00:02:45.080 --> 00:02:46.939 I pray that you give me the words to say. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:51.380 And give us all soft hearts to be changed and renewed through your word tonight. 00:02:52.100 --> 00:02:53.400 In Jesus precious name. 00:02:53.939 --> 00:02:54.200 Amen. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:03:02.600 So our psalm tonight starts with a call for all the righteous to sing joyfully to the Lord. 00:03:02.599 --> 00:03:08.919 As humans I think we're very good at singing praises and worshipping when things are going well. 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:13.359 This was the English after the Mexico win. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:15.019 This was us a few weeks ago. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:21.199 I'm sure there was lots of songs of it's coming home and Wonderwall ringing out in that bar. 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:25.259 But then this was us a few weeks later. 00:03:25.740 --> 00:03:30.280 After Argentina scored two late goals. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:32.699 And it was no longer coming home. 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:34.340 No more singing. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:35.719 No more celebrating. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:39.259 And the players were no longer the heroes. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:43.500 And it can be like that can't it in our normal life as well. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:47.699 It's easy to sing joyfully when the weather outside is nice. 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:50.300 Or after you've got that promotion at work. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:54.439 Or after a baby grandson or granddaughter has been born. 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:59.759 But it's a lot harder when you didn't get the job you've been applying for for ages. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.919 Or when you get bad news from the doctor. 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:05.659 Or when you check your bank balance and you've literally got nothing left. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:11.419 Or sometimes when you just feel a bit meh and a bit tired and bored. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.479 It's a lot harder. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:18.860 So why does this psalm start with a call for all of us as Christians to sing joyfully to the Lord? 00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:22.300 How can we do that when the world around us looks so bleak? 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:24.599 Or when we're going through our own personal difficulties? 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:29.860 It's not like the football chant where you only sing when you're winning. 00:04:30.599 --> 00:04:31.579 It seems to be the opposite. 00:04:32.180 --> 00:04:34.920 The psalmist doesn't say to sing joyfully when times are good. 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:37.839 We're to sing joyfully to the Lord always. 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:39.639 Even when times are hard. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:42.639 And it looks at all those around us that we're losing. 00:04:43.679 --> 00:04:46.419 So how can we sing joyfully to the Lord in these circumstances? 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:48.459 Or indeed can we do so? 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:52.839 Well the psalmist here suggests that not only we can but we must. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:54.479 So let's look down. 00:04:55.039 --> 00:04:57.859 And I'm going to read the first five verses of the psalms again. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:00.979 So from verse 1. 00:05:00.979 --> 00:05:03.259 Sing joyfully to the Lord you righteous. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:06.139 It is fitting for the upright to praise him. 00:05:06.139 --> 00:05:08.379 Praise the Lord with the harp. 00:05:08.719 --> 00:05:11.479 Make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:13.279 Sing to him a new song. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:15.479 Play skillfully and shout for joy. 00:05:16.159 --> 00:05:19.240 For the word of the Lord is right and true. 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:21.860 He is faithful in all he does. 00:05:22.899 --> 00:05:25.699 The Lord loves righteousness and justice. 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:29.139 The earth is full of his unfailing love. 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:35.099 So verses 4 and 5 give us the first reason why we can sing joyfully to the Lord. 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:37.140 I'm just going to read them again because they're so amazing. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:39.840 For the word of the Lord is right and true. 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:42.160 He is faithful in all he does. 00:05:42.700 --> 00:05:44.720 The Lord loves righteousness and justice. 00:05:45.340 --> 00:05:48.100 The earth is full of his unfailing love. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:53.260 Are there ever any more comforting words than this for a Christian? 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:58.040 God's words are right and true and he will do what he says. 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:05.280 These words were in my mind this morning when Steve said that the Bible is all God's word. 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.960 All the words that Jesus has spoken. 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:11.300 How precious are these words to us as a Christian? 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:13.720 How amazing are the promises in here? 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:16.600 And these words are all right and true. 00:06:17.660 --> 00:06:20.420 And I don't know about you but I need to be constantly reminded of this. 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:24.840 I'm constantly in awe of this truth as I look at God's word. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:31.540 My favourite verse in the Bible which was the first verse I learnt as a child. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:35.240 And it's not very imaginative but it was John 3, 16. 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:39.740 Which is probably the most famous verse in the Bible. 00:06:40.259 --> 00:06:43.139 And I like to keep things quite simple so it's still my favourite one. 00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:45.959 And for me this summarises the whole gospel promise. 00:06:46.479 --> 00:06:50.959 So it's for God so loves the world that he gave his one and only son. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:56.019 That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:06:57.019 --> 00:06:59.259 And it's sometimes hard to believe that. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:01.060 Because it seems so good. 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:02.639 It almost seems too good to be true. 00:07:03.339 --> 00:07:04.659 Can God really save me? 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:07.560 Will he really give me eternal life? 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:11.879 And I don't have to do anything except believe in Jesus his son? 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:17.620 It almost seems like one of those emails you receive from a long lost uncle. 00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:19.439 Who's just come into a... 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:21.620 Who you've never heard of and he's just received a large inheritance. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:27.740 And all you need to do for him to share it with you is give him your bank details. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:33.100 But the psalmist here reminds us that that is not the case when it comes to God's word. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:36.719 God's word is right and true. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.420 And how do we know that? 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:41.879 Because time and time again God has shown that through our history. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:46.159 So I work in property. 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:52.519 And when we are starting a new building project and we're going to select a new surveyor or architect. 00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:57.920 We have to go and check to see whether they actually can do what they say they can do. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.659 So we go get their CV. 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.399 We ask for references. 00:08:02.219 --> 00:08:02.740 We find out. 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:04.000 We basically want to check. 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:08.259 Can they walk the walk as well as talk the talk? 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:13.399 Well the psalmist does the same here for God's word. 00:08:14.719 --> 00:08:16.339 And so let's look down at verse 6. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:45.879 So here is God's CV. 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:47.480 A bit small. 00:08:48.420 --> 00:08:50.100 But we can see, can't we? 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:53.200 So looking at his past projects. 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.879 They include the heavens. 00:08:55.379 --> 00:09:00.460 So the sun and the moon and the stars and the Milky Way and many other galaxies. 00:09:01.660 --> 00:09:02.540 The waters. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:04.940 So there's the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean. 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:05.740 The depths. 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:08.879 The Marianas Trench which is probably the deepest part of the ocean. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:10.519 Then there's the earth. 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:12.759 So there's Mount Everest, Sahara Desert. 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:16.080 Elephants, lions, ants, wasps. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:17.240 Maybe that was an off day. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:18.120 People. 00:09:20.580 --> 00:09:23.120 And then imagine you're going, you're looking at the CV. 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:25.460 Oh sir, and how did you do that? 00:09:25.539 --> 00:09:26.820 It must have taken you ages. 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:29.799 And you must have had a big team, lots of resources behind you. 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:32.199 Well, look down at verse 9. 00:09:32.659 --> 00:09:35.539 It says, he spoke and it came to be. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.240 He commanded and it stood firm. 00:09:39.419 --> 00:09:43.000 Well, I think you'd be hiring him on the spot if that was the CV you saw. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:50.879 Well, the psalmist is saying here that we see in creation that God's word is never empty. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:53.820 What he says, he does. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:56.279 What he says happens. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:59.519 He spoke and it came to be. 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:04.159 So we're used to relying on words in our everyday lives, aren't we? 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:05.860 Simple everyday promises. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:07.879 Yes, I'll take the bins out tonight. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:10.179 Or I'll go and fill up the car with petrol. 00:10:10.179 --> 00:10:14.479 Or I promise I won't watch the next episode of our favourite Netflix show without you. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:21.399 But to more formal words, there's legal contracts or wedding vows or election manifestos. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.500 We trust words every day. 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:25.039 Or maybe not the election manifestos. 00:10:25.159 --> 00:10:26.939 But we trust words every day. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:30.539 But the difference is, every human word can fail. 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:32.759 But God's word never does. 00:10:33.959 --> 00:10:37.919 And this is why worship here is grounded in truth rather than emotion. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:41.959 We don't sing joyfully to the Lord just because we feel like it. 00:10:42.459 --> 00:10:46.599 We worship because God is faithful, even when circumstances say otherwise. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:48.939 Even when our emotions fluctuate. 00:10:49.639 --> 00:10:51.879 Even when our prayers seem unanswered. 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:56.799 God remains exactly who he has always been and will do what he says. 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:58.919 He spoke and it came to be. 00:10:59.459 --> 00:11:01.019 His words are right and true. 00:11:01.019 --> 00:11:09.039 And we can sing joyfully because we know that the promises God has made to us, particularly in Jesus, are true. 00:11:09.819 --> 00:11:13.620 As promised in John 3.16, God did give us his son. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:17.439 And if we believe in him, we will have eternal life. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.079 His words are right and true. 00:11:20.360 --> 00:11:21.059 Isn't that amazing? 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:21.139 Isn't that amazing? 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:37.039 So the psalmist then moves from creation to human history and reminds us that God is in control and so his plans will never fail. 00:11:37.740 --> 00:11:40.120 Let's look down at verses 10 to 11. 00:11:40.120 --> 00:12:04.039 Again, let's just dwell on the magnificence of these verses. 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:08.039 What encouraging verses are these for anxious humankind? 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:11.620 The plans of the Lord stand firm forever. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:16.039 Now we all love to make plans, don't we? 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:23.279 Whether that be plans for our career, where we're going to live or just what we're going to do at the weekend. 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:26.339 And sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.939 Sometimes they work out better than we expected. 00:12:29.360 --> 00:12:31.360 But sometimes they just fail completely. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:37.200 But the psalmist here reminds us that God's plans are not like that. 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.940 God's plans never fail. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:40.659 They always work out. 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.740 Nothing surprises him. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.840 Nothing threatens him. 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:46.159 Nothing forces him into Bambi. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:51.180 Again, we need to be reminded of this time and time again. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:56.659 Sadly, as we open the news and look around us, it can be hard to remember that God is in charge. 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:59.120 As we see bombs hit in Kiev. 00:12:59.719 --> 00:13:07.559 As we read about, in America, a couple suing their surrogate mother for refusing to abort a baby that had a cleft lip but was otherwise healthy. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:13.559 As we see people on our doorstep unable to afford food or even somewhere to live. 00:13:14.599 --> 00:13:19.739 And as we hear about our brothers and sisters in places like North Korea being tortured and killed for their belief. 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:23.419 It is hard to remember that God is in charge. 00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:27.199 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever. 00:13:27.979 --> 00:13:31.979 God is in control and we know that one day Jesus will come back. 00:13:32.439 --> 00:13:33.779 And there will be no more suffering. 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:39.240 And we and our brothers and sisters who have suffered for their faith will live with him forever in glory. 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:41.319 And how do we know that? 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:45.179 Because he has told us so in his word which is right and true. 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:51.159 So if we skip ahead to verse 16. 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:55.679 No king is saved by the size of his army. 00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:58.179 No warrior escapes by his great strength. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:01.639 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance. 00:14:02.219 --> 00:14:04.699 Despite all its great strength, it cannot save. 00:14:05.359 --> 00:14:08.000 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him. 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:11.419 On those whose hope is in his unfailing love. 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:15.059 To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:21.519 So for Israel at the time, military power represented security. 00:14:22.339 --> 00:14:26.399 And the horse in verse 17 was the ancient world's military technology of the day. 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:28.519 The tank or the drone of today. 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:36.939 And today in a world of ever increasing danger, the world seems to be building up their military might again. 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:39.199 It brings these verses to the forefront again. 00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:45.120 Our government has pledged to increase our defence budget by 15 billion pounds per year by 2020. 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:50.599 And now whether these decisions are right or wrong is not for us to decide here. 00:14:51.239 --> 00:14:57.239 But what we do know is that that isn't going to save anyone from the UK from death. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.620 It might delay it. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:04.740 It may improve our lives by deterring an aggressor from attacking the UK. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:07.600 But ultimately death will get us all in the end. 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:16.820 Even the mighty USA who spend over 900 billion dollars per year on their armed forces cannot prevent even one of its citizens from dying. 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:20.779 Only the Lord is able to deliver us from death. 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:23.040 Look at verses 18 and 19. 00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:27.920 Our only hope is in the Lord's unfailing love to deliver us from death. 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:31.059 And what about closer to home? 00:15:31.479 --> 00:15:33.939 We might not rely on our own private armies. 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:38.019 But what else do we rely on in our day-to-day life for our security? 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:39.579 Our careers? 00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.979 Our bank accounts? 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:41.860 Our education? 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:42.799 Our reputation? 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.419 Our intelligence? 00:15:44.979 --> 00:15:45.639 Our health? 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.179 None of these things are inherently wrong. 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:52.739 But what happens when we start relying on them? 00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:56.359 We trust in them for our security rather than in God. 00:15:57.439 --> 00:16:01.019 We are no longer people whose hope is in the Lord's unfailing love. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:05.199 Rather we are people whose hope is in our bank balance or our job. 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:09.819 These things can so easily replace God as our saviour. 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:14.579 And just like the horse is a vain hope for deliverance, these things cannot save us. 00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:16.939 They are a vain hope for deliverance. 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:23.480 If we are relying on these things, how can we sing joyfully to the Lord when those things go? 00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:26.640 When we lose our job and our salary? 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.880 When our body starts to fail us? 00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:30.620 When a loved one dies? 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:34.340 If we rely on these things, in the words of the football chant, 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.420 you will only be singing when you're winning. 00:16:41.020 --> 00:16:46.020 Now I have seen this psalm lived out by two very close friends of mine. 00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:52.000 They are both very competent people and from a worldly sense had lots going for them. 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:55.879 They are both well educated and from nice homes. 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:59.860 And shortly after I met them, the man and the couple, 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:03.980 he was a trainee pastor at a very large church in central London. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:08.119 They had one child, a boy who was two, 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:10.940 and they were expecting their second child. 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:16.860 I'm sure they were making plans for how life would be like as a family of four for them. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:20.799 It would have been easy for them to put their hope in these things. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:28.940 But then they went along to the 20-week scan and discovered that their unborn baby's heart had not developed properly. 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:33.539 He only had half a heart and there were holes in the half of the heart he did have. 00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:36.099 The prognosis was not good at all. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:41.000 He would need to have emergency surgery as soon as he was born 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:43.519 and then various other surgeries. 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:47.299 And even if they went well, it was highly unlikely that he would make it to adulthood. 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.319 Bam! 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:54.619 Those plans they had been making for their family of four were stopped in their tracks. 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:59.259 What do you do in that situation? 00:17:59.900 --> 00:18:02.319 If you're relying on your own strength, 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:04.619 on the things you can bring to the table, 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:05.779 you are crushed. 00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:09.059 There is literally no hope in that situation. 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:11.500 No matter how big your army is, 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.980 you cannot do anything about it. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:22.160 But instead, I'm glad to say my friends clung to the truths of this Psalm 33. 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.839 That God's word is true 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:28.440 and that he is in control of history. 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:32.000 And they trusted in God's unfailing love. 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.019 It was hard. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:37.079 There were lots and lots and lots of tears 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:39.720 and even anger throughout. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:43.480 And singing joyfully to the Lord did not always look the same. 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:46.299 Often they were singing through their tears, 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:48.639 but still they clung to these truths. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:52.980 And sadly, the little boy died just before he turned one. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.240 He lived most of his life in hospital. 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:58.680 And at the funeral, we read Psalm 86, 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:02.779 which is very appropriate for someone who had part of his heart missing. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:05.480 This is the section that I remember. 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:10.480 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness. 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:15.380 Give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:20.099 I will praise you, Lord, my God, with all my heart. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:23.039 I will glorify your name forever. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:26.220 For great is your love toward me. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:30.059 You have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:35.460 I can honestly say it was the saddest occasion I've been at, 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:39.059 and one where there was nobody in the room who wasn't in floods of tears. 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:43.039 But even in that depth of despair and amidst the tears, 00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:45.139 his parents were still praising God. 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:47.779 They were still singing joyfully to the Lord. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:50.299 And how could they do that? 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:53.420 Because they knew that God was still in control. 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:58.420 They knew that it's only God who can lift them up from the depths of sadness and mourning. 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:02.119 Only God who can rescue us and deliver us from death. 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:05.079 And only God whose plans will never fail. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:10.539 Their hope at that time was in the Lord's unfailing love. 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:18.859 So it was a real inspiration for me to see what praising God and singing joyfully to the Lord 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:21.299 looked like in the midst of such deep suffering. 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:27.379 And I've seen that same witness in so many people here at West Kilburn as well over the last year. 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:32.039 When Psalm 33 calls us to sing joyfully to the Lord, 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:38.399 it is not just talking about having an uplifting experience as we sing together on a Sunday. 00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:43.780 Joyful praise is not the absence of sorrow. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:46.280 It is the presence of hope. 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:50.800 Hope in the Lord's unfailing love, even in the midst of suffering and pain. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:54.700 It is the response of hearts that trust God, love him, 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:58.880 and know that he is worthy of praise, even when life is hard. 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:01.800 We can sing with joy through tears, 00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:05.900 because our joy is rooted not in our circumstances, but in the Lord himself. 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:13.220 Whatever life throws at us, good or bad, our hope is always in the Lord's unfailing love. 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:19.360 And it is only then that we can sing joyfully to the Lord, even when times are tough. 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:23.600 And brothers, sisters, isn't that such a privilege? 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:28.780 Unique to the Christian, that our joy is rooted in the Lord, 00:21:29.320 --> 00:21:32.880 who never changes, and whose love is unfailing. 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:35.260 And nothing can ever shake that. 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:40.800 And friends, you may be listening today and you're not yet a Christian. 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:43.700 You've not yet put your hope in the Lord. 00:21:44.520 --> 00:21:48.260 Well, I hope you may see what a privilege these truths are for the Christian. 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:53.520 You may have seen this lived out in the friend who introduced you to church. 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:59.099 And if so, I'd urge you to look into his word. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:01.559 It is right here in the Bible. 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.759 And it is right and true. 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:09.039 And it has the power to change your life. 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:12.220 It's the same word that created the whole world. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:17.700 And I'm sure your Christian friend or any one of the leaders here would love to help you do that. 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:23.700 So please speak to them, or me, if you want to find out more about why we, as Christians, 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:27.420 can sing joyfully in the Lord, whatever our circumstances. 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:36.720 But now, let's see how the psalmist draws the psalm to a close. 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:39.100 Let's look down at verse 20. 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:44.820 We wait in hope for the Lord. 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:47.600 He is our help and our shield. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:50.500 In him our hearts rejoice. 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.940 But we trust in his holy name. 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:56.720 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:59.660 Even as we put our hope in you. 00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:07.640 So the psalm started with the fanfare of the harp and the ten-stringed lyre. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:10.480 But it ends with waiting. 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:15.940 In contrast to the joyful singing at the start of the psalm, 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:18.160 the psalm ends quietly. 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:23.200 Not with shouting, not with victory, but with waiting. 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:28.360 Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of the Christian life. 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.740 Waiting for a job. 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.180 Waiting for healing. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.279 Waiting for children. 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.299 Waiting for direction. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:34.940 Waiting for reconciliation. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:36.759 Waiting for justice. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:39.019 Waiting for Christ's return. 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:45.140 Waiting is often seen as a negative thing in our culture. 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:50.340 We are told to seize the day and go get what you deserve, whatever that means. 00:23:51.280 --> 00:23:54.200 Yet biblical waiting is never passive resignation. 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:56.520 It is active confidence. 00:23:57.560 --> 00:24:00.620 We are saying, I don't necessarily understand what God is doing, 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:02.320 but I know who he is. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:06.500 And I trust in him and his unfailing love. 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:09.960 I know his word is right and true. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:12.200 And I know that he is in control. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:19.860 And it is in this context that we reach the climax of the psalm in verse 22. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:25.259 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:32.940 So I don't read Hebrew, but I've been told that the Hebrew word translated as love here is hest, 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:35.299 which means God's covenant love. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:40.139 His unbreakable commitment to his people throughout history. 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:45.019 His loyal, faithful, never-ending love that we see throughout the Bible. 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:50.519 And how do we know that God's love is unfading and never-ending? 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:55.480 Well, as 21st century Christians, we can see that most clearly in the cross. 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:59.599 Because at the cross, God did not spare his own son. 00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:06.240 The creator that the psalm speaks of in verses 6 to 9 entered his own creation. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:12.779 The sovereign king, described in verses 10 to 19, allowed himself to wear a crown of thorns. 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:19.279 And the God whose eye watches over those who fear him became the one who cried, 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:22.419 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:25.079 As he took his final breaths on the cross. 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:31.000 Jesus experienced abandonment so that we could experience unfailing love forever. 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:38.500 And then the resurrection became God's ultimate declaration that his purposes cannot fail. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:44.439 If death itself could not stop God's plan, neither can the uncertainties we face today. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:48.240 And that is why, as Christians, we can wait with hope. 00:25:49.179 --> 00:25:52.659 That is why we can trust in Jesus' beautiful words about where we are heading. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:59.080 When he promises in John 6 that anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die. 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:05.259 Or in John 14, when he promises he is going to prepare a room for us in his father's house, 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:07.400 And that he will come back and take us with him. 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:14.180 Brothers and sisters, this psalm reminds us that those words of Jesus are trustworthy and true. 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:16.720 And that he will do what he says. 00:26:17.540 --> 00:26:19.640 And nothing in this world can stop it. 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:25.440 Therefore, even when times are tough, or when times are good, 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:30.000 Or when you are just feeling a bit neutral and a bit jaded and tired, 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:37.720 We can sing praises to him as we trust and put our hope in him as we wait for his return. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:43.339 So, Psalm 33 doesn't promise an easy life. 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.920 But it promises a trustworthy God. 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.559 And that's even better. 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.960 Because circumstances change. 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:51.120 We lose our job. 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.460 We get sick. 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:53.940 Someone we love dies. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:58.960 But the Lord remains the same yesterday, today and forever. 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:03.880 The psalmist calls us to lift our eyes away from ourselves and onto God. 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:06.100 We can worship. 00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:09.640 Not because life is easy or because everything is going well. 00:27:10.060 --> 00:27:12.980 But because God is worthy to be worshipped. 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:18.600 So, Psalm 33 begins with singing and ends with waiting. 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:22.640 These two ideas belong together. 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:28.720 As people who know God, we can sing because we know how the story ends. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:32.960 Our hope is not that life will always make sense. 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:37.720 Our hope is not that every prayer will be answered in the way that we expect. 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:41.640 Our hope is that the God who created the world, 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.480 rules history, 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:48.319 and revealed his unfailing love in Jesus Christ is still on his throne. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:53.220 Our hope is in the Lord and in his unfailing love. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:58.160 So, let us worship him, trust him, and wait for him. 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:05.779 So, as I close, let me use the final words of the psalm as a prayer for us. 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.339 Let's pray. 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.700 Heavenly Father, 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:39.259 Father God, we pray that these words will be true for us all today. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:44.559 Help us to remember always that your words are right and true. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:46.519 And that you are in control, 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:49.920 even when the world all around us seems to be falling apart. 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:53.440 And help us to wait and hope for the Lord. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:56.980 And may your unfailing love be with us, Lord, 00:28:57.500 --> 00:29:00.079 as we put our hope in you until Christ's return. 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.920 In Jesus' name. 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:02.740 Amen. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.319 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.420 Amen. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:09.420 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:39.400 Thank you.