WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.980 Good morning. 00:00:09.580 --> 00:00:12.220 My name is Bo. I'm one of the elders in the church. 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:16.440 Today we will be talking on Psalm 102. 00:00:17.019 --> 00:00:19.699 I hope I will do justice to this great psalm. 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:21.820 Before we start, shall we pray? 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:51.799 May I pray? 00:00:52.179 --> 00:01:00.780 Lord, help us to pressure all the pressure that we have in Christ. 00:01:02.039 --> 00:01:07.299 Help us through this psalm to get to know you and worship you aright. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:11.700 Thank you, Father. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:18.439 So for today I've got three M's. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:23.539 First of all, I'd like to share with you how to read psalms. 00:01:23.899 --> 00:01:27.459 That's from my own experience. Hopefully that will help. 00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:30.539 Some of you to appreciate the psalms. 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:36.100 And then we'll go to Psalm 102 in particular, how we can read it. 00:01:36.820 --> 00:01:40.560 And then we'll talk about afflictions or suffering. 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:41.159 All right? 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:50.620 So for me, I learned, I mean, psalms usually is quite hard in terms of reading psalms for many years 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:54.620 until I learned how to read psalms. 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:58.460 First of all, psalms are prayers. 00:01:59.080 --> 00:02:02.880 And so sometimes it's shocking to see the expression in the psalms. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:07.560 But they are prayers, and God wants us to pray to Him truthfully. 00:02:07.819 --> 00:02:10.840 And so they are very raw feelings. 00:02:12.019 --> 00:02:14.099 And there's no makeup in the expression. 00:02:14.620 --> 00:02:16.019 There's no fancy dressing. 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:22.819 And so we need to understand that it's deep feeling of people who pray to God through psalms. 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:29.799 And there's psalms, the prayers, or psalms are the words that God has given to us to speak to Him. 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:31.519 Okay, that's one thing. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:37.400 Second one is that we need to understand Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 very well to know the psalms. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:42.340 Because the other psalms usually refer back to Psalm 1 and Psalm 2. 00:02:42.699 --> 00:02:46.579 If we do not understand Psalm 1 and Psalm 2, it's very hard to understand the other psalms. 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:48.400 So that is the second tip. 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:53.319 The third one is psalms are written in the structure of like climbing a mountain. 00:02:54.260 --> 00:02:58.900 Okay, so there's an ascend, and then there's a summit, and there's a descent. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:03.560 So we will see that the summit, as it climbs up the mountain, 00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:07.620 it will come up with a different sort of emotion. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:13.300 And then in the summit, it will immerse in the glory of the summit, 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:15.439 like someone climbing a mountain. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:18.479 And then he descends, there's a different emotion. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:21.759 And the summit is usually roughly in the middle of the psalm. 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:25.539 So if you want to know what is the most important part of the psalm, 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:29.800 usually you go to the middle part, okay, or somewhere there. 00:03:30.379 --> 00:03:33.360 And so these are the three things that help me to read the psalms. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:37.960 So Psalm 102, we can go through that structure. 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:42.340 To start with the ascend, the ascending part, so the part one, 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:49.480 we can see that the psalmist is ascending with a lot of emotion 00:03:49.480 --> 00:03:54.960 in the suffering that is affecting him, and also his people. 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:56.120 Okay, it's not only him. 00:03:56.300 --> 00:03:58.500 He talks about his people, the city of Zion. 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:02.960 And there are three parts of suffering that we can see that he's expressing. 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:07.140 One is the physical one, so it could be due to illnesses, 00:04:08.420 --> 00:04:12.360 or famine, or enemy invasion. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:15.620 We don't know exactly what the psalmist was suffering, 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:19.759 but at least we know that the city of Zion was destroyed, 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:24.600 and that would be the enemy taunting him and invading him. 00:04:24.780 --> 00:04:26.699 So the psalmist himself may be sick as well. 00:04:26.780 --> 00:04:27.439 We are not sure. 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:29.780 There's a mental affliction. 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:34.319 So he said all days his enemies teased him and used his name as curse. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:37.919 And the third part is relational afflictions. 00:04:38.500 --> 00:04:39.799 So he was suffering alone. 00:04:40.859 --> 00:04:43.779 His friends and God seemed to have abandoned him. 00:04:45.079 --> 00:04:47.419 So the psalmist, Peter with God to rescue him, 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.939 but it seems that God has hidden his faith from him. 00:04:51.299 --> 00:04:53.939 So that's how he was ascending to the mountain. 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:57.099 And then he gets to the psalmist in verse 12. 00:04:57.100 --> 00:04:59.900 So the psalmist said, 00:05:00.220 --> 00:05:03.000 But you, O Lord, are entorned forever. 00:05:03.460 --> 00:05:05.060 So there is a psalmist for the psalm. 00:05:05.900 --> 00:05:09.420 So he said that God is in control and in charge forever. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:12.480 God is there for all generations. 00:05:14.120 --> 00:05:15.100 And because of that, 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:19.300 there's three things also change to the perception of the psalmist, 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:20.720 to his suffering. 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:22.060 First of all, 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:23.600 in terms of time, 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:25.360 he said that God is forever. 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:29.220 So he's comparing his suffering, 00:05:29.320 --> 00:05:29.880 his life, 00:05:30.340 --> 00:05:31.300 with God's eternity. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:32.580 So suddenly, 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:36.060 his suffering becomes less of an issue 00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:37.560 in the sense that 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:40.360 his suffering is only transient. 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:43.400 And there's eternity with God. 00:05:43.760 --> 00:05:46.160 So it changes perception in there. 00:05:46.460 --> 00:05:48.340 So first one is time. 00:05:48.339 --> 00:05:49.219 Secondly, 00:05:49.419 --> 00:05:50.779 it's to do with white. 00:05:51.599 --> 00:05:52.799 White has been heavy. 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:55.279 So when we are suffering, 00:05:55.659 --> 00:05:58.519 we think that it's so hard to bear, 00:05:59.039 --> 00:06:01.319 so difficult to go through this. 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:02.719 It's weighing on us. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:04.699 But when we see God's glory, 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:05.719 as he saw that, 00:06:06.599 --> 00:06:08.639 the glory of God transformed his perception 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:10.899 of affliction and shame. 00:06:10.899 --> 00:06:14.279 Because the glory of God is such a big thing 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.019 that it just overwhelms him, 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:19.779 his own suffering becomes insignificant. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:23.259 And so the second thing is white. 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:25.579 The third thing is purpose. 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:29.779 He sees God's sovereignty, 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:32.560 and so that reassures him 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:34.560 that God knows about his suffering 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:35.899 and cares about that. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:40.439 And so the perception of suffering 00:06:40.439 --> 00:06:43.439 is changed as he went up to the summit. 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:44.919 So the three things, 00:06:45.039 --> 00:06:46.159 time, weight, and purpose. 00:06:47.139 --> 00:06:49.959 And then he descends the mountain. 00:06:50.919 --> 00:06:51.959 And as he descends, 00:06:52.159 --> 00:06:53.359 you can see the change 00:06:53.359 --> 00:06:55.379 in his focus of things. 00:06:55.779 --> 00:06:58.459 He was praying for the restoration of Zion, 00:06:59.699 --> 00:07:01.319 the restoration of the nations, 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:04.179 the restoration of worship towards God. 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:06.480 Okay, so there's a three part 00:07:06.480 --> 00:07:08.400 of Psalm 102. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:11.360 Now how do we apply to us 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:12.819 and how does it affect our life? 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:16.019 Then there are three ways 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:18.600 for us to read the Psalms or anything, 00:07:19.280 --> 00:07:20.180 at least three ways. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:22.879 Think of, as we approach life, 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:24.620 we can approach it 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:26.660 with three different sort of mindsets 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:27.699 or mixture of it. 00:07:28.360 --> 00:07:29.560 I'll call them devotional, 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:32.879 rational, and emotional. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.579 You can read that 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:36.339 in the Buridding Kawa 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:38.779 about those three mindsets 00:07:38.779 --> 00:07:42.540 that we use to approach life. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:45.399 Let us try to read the Psalm 00:07:45.399 --> 00:07:47.560 mainly with just an emotional mindset. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:48.980 If we just use it, 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:51.839 read it from the point of emotion 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:52.579 and feelings. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:55.500 So the first half of the Psalm 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:56.319 is full of feelings. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:57.959 So with this mindset, 00:07:57.959 --> 00:07:59.959 we could feel the desperation, 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:01.399 the fear, 00:08:01.799 --> 00:08:02.479 the pain, 00:08:02.919 --> 00:08:04.439 and the loneliness of the Psalmist. 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:06.699 In the first two verses alone, 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:09.399 the Psalmist pleaded with God five times 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:13.379 to listen and respond to him, 00:08:13.539 --> 00:08:14.899 to do something about his suffering. 00:08:15.979 --> 00:08:17.959 The Psalmist is describing his afflictions 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:20.859 as if he is living in hell. 00:08:20.859 --> 00:08:22.099 He's being burned, 00:08:22.599 --> 00:08:25.139 and his life is passing away like smoke. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:27.459 His heart is so depressed 00:08:27.459 --> 00:08:29.539 that he does not enjoy his food anymore. 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:31.219 He's eating ashes, 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:34.580 possibly as a sign of deep grieving. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:37.419 He feels that nobody is standing with him. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:39.799 He thinks he's suffering alone, 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:42.019 and God does not seem 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:43.740 to have done anything to help him. 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:46.720 God seems to have led his enemies 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:48.139 to triumph over him. 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:52.279 He thinks that God has conspired against him, 00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:54.620 as God has taken him up 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:55.519 and thrown him down. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:58.159 And he wants to enjoy good health 00:08:58.159 --> 00:08:59.460 and respect from others. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:01.620 Now he's sick. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:06.899 And his name is used for a curse. 00:09:09.220 --> 00:09:10.399 It's quite easy for us 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:12.120 to think like this in life. 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.259 I have a patient come in and said, 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:15.980 she's a Christian, 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:16.360 she said, 00:09:17.039 --> 00:09:18.419 in the past, 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:19.539 I don't have any illness. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:20.299 I was too well. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.279 God was good to me. 00:09:22.299 --> 00:09:22.639 I said, 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.019 isn't God good to you now? 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:26.320 He was taken aback 00:09:26.320 --> 00:09:27.159 when I asked him this, 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:28.379 asked her these questions. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:29.639 She couldn't answer me. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:31.940 So this is how, 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:34.539 if you just use emotional mindset 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:37.820 to assess or approach things in our life. 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:41.860 So even if we look at this psalmist 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:43.340 as he approached the mountain top, 00:09:44.280 --> 00:09:46.340 if we use the emotional mindset alone 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:47.680 to understand the psalm, 00:09:48.140 --> 00:09:49.760 we can sense that 00:09:49.760 --> 00:09:51.920 the psalmist may be resentful to God. 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:53.680 He was maybe saying that, 00:09:53.780 --> 00:09:54.180 oh God, 00:09:54.280 --> 00:09:55.760 you are enthroned forever up there 00:09:55.760 --> 00:09:58.280 and I am suffering down here. 00:09:58.879 --> 00:09:59.760 It's not fair. 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:00.180 I mean, 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:01.840 why is this one happening? 00:10:02.360 --> 00:10:03.660 Why is this happening to me? 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:06.179 If he just uses this mindset 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:07.139 to read the psalm, 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:08.620 it will be very difficult 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:09.639 for us to understand 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:11.000 the second half of the psalm. 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:14.480 It doesn't make sense 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:17.199 except verses 23, 24 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:19.579 when the psalmist complains again 00:10:19.579 --> 00:10:21.259 about God shortening his life. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:24.379 So I would like to add 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:25.579 a rational mindset 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.679 to the reading of the psalm. 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:27.919 So we are now reading it 00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:30.059 with both emotion and logic. 00:10:30.059 --> 00:10:31.559 So I said, 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:32.399 I feel sick. 00:10:32.979 --> 00:10:33.839 I feel depressed. 00:10:34.079 --> 00:10:35.759 I feel persecuted by others. 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:37.719 So besides feeling sorry 00:10:37.719 --> 00:10:38.839 and sad for myself, 00:10:39.099 --> 00:10:41.339 I start to think about my afflictions. 00:10:42.679 --> 00:10:43.739 Are my afflictions caused 00:10:43.739 --> 00:10:44.619 by my own doing, 00:10:45.359 --> 00:10:46.679 other people's doing, 00:10:47.079 --> 00:10:47.879 or God's doing? 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.219 The psalmist has concluded 00:10:50.219 --> 00:10:51.599 that it was all God's doing 00:10:51.599 --> 00:10:52.879 because in verse 10, 00:10:52.979 --> 00:10:53.199 it said, 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:56.419 because of your indignation and anger, 00:10:57.199 --> 00:10:58.559 for you have taken me up 00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.479 and thrown me down. 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:00.879 And verse 23, 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:03.019 he has broken my strength 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:03.779 in mid-cost. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:05.720 He has shortened my days. 00:11:07.420 --> 00:11:08.659 The psalmist does not explain 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:09.539 why God was doing 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.460 such a thing to him. 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:13.519 Maybe he does not understand either. 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:16.259 However, the psalmist understands 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.320 that his afflictions 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:19.200 are tied with the destruction of Zion. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:21.820 He suffers more intensely 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:23.460 as he thinks about Zion, 00:11:23.460 --> 00:11:25.879 as he holds on to the dust, 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.480 the broken stones of Zion 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.320 in his hands. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:32.460 So to the Old Testament people, 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:36.100 Zion was such an important place. 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.120 So if you don't understand it, 00:11:38.180 --> 00:11:40.120 it will have to understand this psalm. 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:41.560 So Zion was a place 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:42.659 of God's temple 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:43.379 and God's king. 00:11:44.180 --> 00:11:46.379 It was the only place on earth 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:48.100 where a person could meet God 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:49.879 without being consumed 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:50.820 by God's holiness. 00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:53.980 Now the city of Zion 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:54.820 had been destroyed. 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.340 Where could the psalmist 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.020 meet God? 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.879 His only hope 00:11:58.879 --> 00:11:59.640 was if God 00:11:59.640 --> 00:12:00.760 would restore Zion. 00:12:01.400 --> 00:12:01.900 Only then 00:12:01.900 --> 00:12:02.580 would the prayer 00:12:02.580 --> 00:12:03.400 of the destitute 00:12:03.400 --> 00:12:04.960 be heard by God. 00:12:05.780 --> 00:12:07.200 So the rational mindset 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:08.400 helps us to understand 00:12:08.400 --> 00:12:09.420 the psalm better. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:11.180 But still, 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.080 not enough 00:12:12.080 --> 00:12:13.160 for us to understand it 00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:13.940 fully and well. 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:15.820 For what purpose 00:12:15.820 --> 00:12:16.240 would God 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.500 break the psalmist's strength 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.800 in midcourse 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:19.780 and shorten his days? 00:12:20.560 --> 00:12:21.620 While his suffering 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.700 is most likely related 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:23.780 to the collective 00:12:23.780 --> 00:12:24.480 rebellion 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:25.520 of his nation 00:12:25.520 --> 00:12:26.180 against God, 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:28.000 how is his suffering 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.080 related to the hope 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:30.860 of having a people 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:32.040 yet to be created 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:33.480 to praise the Lord? 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:35.839 And the kingdoms 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:36.899 gather to worship 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:37.459 the Lord? 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:38.620 And the children 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.579 of the Lord's servant 00:12:39.579 --> 00:12:40.779 having a secure dwelling? 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:42.159 So it doesn't 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:43.079 explain all this 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:44.740 just by reasoning 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.360 or logic. 00:12:47.339 --> 00:12:48.000 So from my 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.439 interactions 00:12:48.439 --> 00:12:49.299 with patience, 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:49.980 I realize that 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:50.559 many people 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.879 approach life 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.699 mostly with 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.679 an emotional mindset. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.559 We do the same 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:57.120 when we say, 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.860 I feel comfortable 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:01.079 or I do not 00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:01.699 feel comfortable 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.920 about something. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:05.480 The criterion 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.240 for approving 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:06.940 or disapproving 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.340 something 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:07.960 has become 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:08.879 how we feel. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.320 Even in ministries, 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.200 we focus more 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:12.860 on making people 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:13.300 happy 00:13:13.300 --> 00:13:14.840 than helping people 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:15.620 to be holy. 00:13:16.420 --> 00:13:17.000 We pray more 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:17.720 for comfort 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:19.600 than for confirmation 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:20.660 to the image 00:13:20.660 --> 00:13:21.160 of Jesus. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.000 Patients 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.980 with chronic illness, 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.379 especially chronic pain, 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:26.780 find it very difficult 00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:27.400 to cope with 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:28.100 the persistent 00:13:28.100 --> 00:13:28.660 affliction. 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:29.780 They tend to 00:13:29.780 --> 00:13:30.440 blame others, 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.540 including the 00:13:31.539 --> 00:13:32.319 doctors for their 00:13:32.319 --> 00:13:33.159 persisting pain. 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:34.500 Some patients 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.399 try to understand 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.039 the afflictions. 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.120 Do I inherit 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.879 this from my parents? 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.139 Is my affliction 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.339 caused by my choices 00:13:41.339 --> 00:13:42.399 of activities 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:43.120 and diet 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:44.679 during my younger days? 00:13:45.099 --> 00:13:46.099 Is my affliction 00:13:46.099 --> 00:13:46.819 caused by the 00:13:46.819 --> 00:13:47.959 environment I live in? 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.259 So understanding 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:49.839 the cost 00:13:49.839 --> 00:13:50.639 helps a bit. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:52.559 But the affliction 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:53.419 remains difficult 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.059 to live with. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.419 It is only 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:56.439 when they have 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.339 something bigger 00:13:57.339 --> 00:13:58.459 than themselves 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.240 to live for. 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.460 They could start 00:14:00.460 --> 00:14:01.259 to be free 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:01.960 from the torment 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:02.740 of the affliction. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.879 Now let's 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:07.600 add devotional mindset 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.519 to the psalm. 00:14:08.900 --> 00:14:09.759 This is a radical 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:10.960 change in mindset 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:12.300 because the focus 00:14:12.300 --> 00:14:13.060 is no longer 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:14.860 on the author's 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:15.900 feeling or reasons. 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:16.740 The focus 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.560 is now shifted 00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:18.180 to God. 00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:19.360 So God 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.300 is enthroned 00:14:20.300 --> 00:14:21.000 forever. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.420 The psalmist 00:14:22.420 --> 00:14:23.340 has seen history 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.740 and his own experience 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.560 with God 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.200 being center 00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:27.020 of the universe. 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:29.480 His main concern 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.300 is God's will 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:31.100 and God's glory. 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.759 So to understand 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.520 the psalm better 00:14:33.520 --> 00:14:34.420 we refer to 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:35.180 Psalm 2. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.879 So Psalm 2 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.420 verse 6 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:38.700 God says 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:40.120 As for me 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.000 I have set 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.379 my king on Zion 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.940 my holy hill. 00:14:45.540 --> 00:14:46.340 By the time 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:46.940 Psalm 102 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:47.860 was written 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:49.220 the city of Zion 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.100 had been destroyed. 00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:50.900 The temple 00:14:50.900 --> 00:14:51.740 had been destroyed 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.379 and her king 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.020 was suffering. 00:14:54.280 --> 00:14:54.680 The writer 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.440 of Psalm 102 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:57.000 could be the king 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:57.540 then 00:14:57.540 --> 00:14:58.380 or at least 00:14:58.380 --> 00:14:58.760 the leader 00:14:58.760 --> 00:14:59.880 of God's people. 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.720 With a devotional 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.200 mindset 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.580 we can see 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.040 that while 00:15:04.040 --> 00:15:04.560 the psalmist 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.400 was in pain 00:15:05.400 --> 00:15:06.020 and shame 00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:07.080 by his enemies 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.680 his main concern 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:09.560 was not so much 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:10.600 of his own 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:11.440 pain and shame 00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.540 his concern 00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:13.400 was with God's 00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:13.740 honor. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:14.860 What 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.300 happened to 00:15:16.300 --> 00:15:17.000 God's promise 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:18.080 in Psalm 2 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:19.460 that his king 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:20.220 would be in Zion? 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:21.960 How could 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:22.300 a good 00:15:22.300 --> 00:15:23.020 a great God 00:15:23.020 --> 00:15:23.420 let his 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.020 anointed king 00:15:24.020 --> 00:15:24.380 suffer? 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:26.120 his anointed 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.899 city be 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.439 captured? 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:28.779 His temple 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.460 be destroyed? 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.320 How do we know 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:32.519 that? 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.159 This was the 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:33.840 writer's concern. 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:34.879 So that's from 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.279 the second 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.480 half of the 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:36.820 psalm. 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.320 So as a 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:38.779 psalmist 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:40.259 descended the 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:40.600 mountain 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.220 he was 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.360 longing for 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.740 something. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:43.740 He did not 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.360 pray for his 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.100 own comfort. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.039 He prayed for 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.639 one, 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:48.379 nations who 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:48.740 fear the 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.159 name of the 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.360 Lord. 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:50.440 Two, 00:15:50.440 --> 00:15:51.379 Zion to be 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:51.820 rebuilt. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:52.980 Three, 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.740 a people to 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.399 be created 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:54.960 to worship 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.440 the Lord 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:56.620 and for 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:57.539 the prayers 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:57.919 of the 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.340 destitute 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:58.840 and the 00:15:58.840 --> 00:15:59.240 prisoners 00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.620 will be 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.620 heard and 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.399 their afflictions 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.720 will be 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:03.039 transformed to 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:03.680 God's 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:04.180 praises. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.180 So at 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:06.779 this point 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:07.320 we can 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:08.320 appreciate 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:08.820 that this 00:16:08.820 --> 00:16:10.259 psalm is 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:10.620 actually 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.539 written 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:13.740 by Jesus 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.180 Christ. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.700 It's a 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:15.360 prayer of 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:15.700 the Lord 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.460 Jesus Christ 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:17.980 because he 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:18.259 is the 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:18.940 only one 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:19.639 who will 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.460 fit in 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:20.740 this 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.580 picture 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.820 because he 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.680 is the 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.500 only person 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.720 who can 00:16:25.720 --> 00:16:26.200 rightfully 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:26.940 expect God 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:27.400 not to 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:27.900 hide his 00:16:27.900 --> 00:16:28.340 faith from 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:28.600 him. 00:16:29.280 --> 00:16:29.600 So when 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.180 we look 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:30.379 at 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.280 Psalms, 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.259 many times 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:32.480 the 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:32.800 psalm has 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.220 asked God 00:16:33.220 --> 00:16:33.519 not to 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.300 hide his 00:16:34.300 --> 00:16:34.740 faith from 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:35.360 them. 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.620 In actual 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.019 fact, 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.820 if we pray 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:42.280 the same 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.900 way on 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:44.379 our own, 00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.540 we could 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.320 not expect 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:46.800 God not to 00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:47.379 hide his 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:47.759 faith from 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.019 us, 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:48.600 from our 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:48.879 sinful 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.259 nature. 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:52.779 And it 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:52.960 would be 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.600 illogical 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.139 just to 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.840 pray like 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:55.480 that, 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:57.159 except if 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.840 the person 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.100 is without 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.460 sin. 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.439 And so 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.100 Jesus Christ 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.379 is the 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.840 only one 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.220 who can 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.620 rightfully 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.200 expect God 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:03.500 not to 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:03.879 hide his 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:04.299 faith from 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:04.559 him. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.039 But God 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.539 did hide 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:06.980 his faith 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.400 from him. 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:09.500 And Jesus 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.099 Christ is the 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.660 only person 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.000 who does 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.599 not deserve 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.299 any suffering 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:14.259 because he 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.819 never sinned. 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:16.839 But he 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.619 was afflicted 00:17:17.619 --> 00:17:18.179 and shamed 00:17:18.179 --> 00:17:19.079 unjustly. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:19.579 He was 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:19.879 not only 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:20.419 afflicted, 00:17:20.639 --> 00:17:20.899 he was 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:21.559 afflicted so 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.279 severely that 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:22.939 his bones 00:17:22.939 --> 00:17:23.379 cling to 00:17:23.379 --> 00:17:23.959 his flesh, 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:24.579 as the 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:24.979 son said. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.799 And also 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.199 he was 00:17:27.199 --> 00:17:27.659 afflicted 00:17:27.659 --> 00:17:28.679 alone with 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:29.219 all his 00:17:29.219 --> 00:17:29.699 allies 00:17:29.699 --> 00:17:31.159 leaving him. 00:17:33.199 --> 00:17:33.439 And 00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:33.779 thirdly, 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:34.419 Jesus Christ 00:17:34.419 --> 00:17:34.699 is the 00:17:34.699 --> 00:17:35.259 only person 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.579 who can 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.099 expect to 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.639 live forever 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.439 because of 00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.219 his obedience 00:17:39.219 --> 00:17:40.099 and relationship 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:40.679 to God. 00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:41.479 But he 00:17:41.479 --> 00:17:42.219 was condemned 00:17:42.219 --> 00:17:43.500 by God 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.359 and his 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:44.779 life was 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.139 shortened 00:17:45.139 --> 00:17:46.639 in God's 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:46.979 wrath. 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.639 So we 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.079 can refer 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:49.479 this to 00:17:49.479 --> 00:17:49.939 Isaiah 00:17:49.939 --> 00:17:50.979 53 00:17:50.979 --> 00:17:51.839 verses 3 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.399 to 6. 00:17:53.479 --> 00:17:53.919 It says 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:54.679 that he 00:17:54.679 --> 00:17:55.799 was despised 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.319 and rejected 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.939 by man, 00:17:57.439 --> 00:17:57.939 a man of 00:17:57.939 --> 00:17:58.899 sorrow and 00:17:58.899 --> 00:17:59.579 acquainted with 00:17:59.579 --> 00:17:59.919 grief. 00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:01.259 And as 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.719 one from 00:18:01.719 --> 00:18:02.419 whom men 00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:02.939 hide their 00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:03.339 faces, 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:03.899 he was 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:04.559 despised, 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:05.379 and we 00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:05.959 esteem him 00:18:05.959 --> 00:18:06.439 not. 00:18:07.719 --> 00:18:08.159 Surely 00:18:08.159 --> 00:18:09.059 he has 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.539 borne our 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.299 grief and 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:11.179 carried our 00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:11.659 sorrow, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:12.919 yet we 00:18:12.919 --> 00:18:13.519 esteem him 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.039 stricken, 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.219 smitten by 00:18:15.219 --> 00:18:15.579 God, 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.519 and afflicted. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.259 But he 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.960 was wounded 00:18:18.960 --> 00:18:19.720 for our 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.519 transgressions, 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.420 he was 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.299 crushed for 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:22.500 our 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.139 iniquities. 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:24.879 Upon him 00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:28.119 was the 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.480 chastisement 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.960 of that 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.480 brought us 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:31.839 peace, 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:32.639 and with 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.319 his stripes 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.700 we are 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.000 healed. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.460 All we 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:35.920 like sheep 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.339 have gone 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:36.779 astray, 00:18:37.139 --> 00:18:37.400 we have 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:37.839 turned 00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.920 every one 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.299 of us 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:39.740 to his 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.200 own way, 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.119 and the 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:41.519 Lord has 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:42.000 laid on 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.779 him the 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.220 iniquity 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:43.620 of us 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:43.860 all. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:44.660 So, 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.200 through 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.559 these 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:47.100 Isaiah 00:18:47.100 --> 00:18:47.440 verses, 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.200 we can 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.039 understand 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.640 what Psalm 00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.120 1 or 2 00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:51.079 is primarily 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.460 about. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.779 We are 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:54.420 thankful that 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:54.680 the Psalm 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.019 does not 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.640 just end 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.100 there. 00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:56.740 In 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.299 verse 22 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:57.980 and 23, 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.480 Jesus was 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:00.920 saying that 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:01.420 his days 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:01.960 have been 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:03.460 cut short. 00:19:04.140 --> 00:19:04.319 He's 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:04.839 appearing to 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.319 the fact 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:06.680 that God 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.279 is eternal, 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:08.880 and it's 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.440 unthinkable 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.420 that as the 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.019 Son of God 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.539 there's an 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.220 ending to 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.740 his days. 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.220 So, 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.500 how do 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:14.740 we know 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.140 this Psalm 00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:15.600 is about 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.079 God's 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.460 Son, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.319 about Jesus 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:17.700 Christ? 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.059 Because 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:19.579 Hebrews 1 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.339 8 tells 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:20.759 us that 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:21.180 if we go 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:21.839 to the 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.039 book, 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.460 Hebrews 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.000 chapter 1 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.480 verse 8, 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:24.519 it has 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:24.799 got the 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.180 exact 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.100 code from 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:27.000 verses 25 00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:27.700 to 21 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.579 in that 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.380 book, 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.100 and it 00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:30.460 says that 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:30.640 it's 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.319 applying to 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.600 Jesus 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.059 Christ. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:32.920 These 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.180 verses 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.700 tell us 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:34.920 that 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:35.180 Jesus' 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:35.620 days 00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.360 will 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:36.680 never 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.259 come to 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.680 an end. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.440 In 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:38.660 fact, 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.059 they tell 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.420 us that 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.860 Jesus is 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.240 the one 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.759 who decides 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.200 the days 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:41.519 of all 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.059 creation. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.759 these 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.400 verses also 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.299 foretold the 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.100 resurrection of 00:19:46.100 --> 00:19:47.519 Jesus because 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.279 his days 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.640 would never 00:19:48.640 --> 00:19:48.980 come to 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.440 an end. 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.559 So, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.839 when he 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.860 stays the 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.779 end in 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.420 order to 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:54.819 take away 00:19:54.819 --> 00:19:55.000 our 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.720 condemnation, 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.500 he needs to 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.120 be resurrected 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:59.039 because otherwise 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.460 his days 00:19:59.460 --> 00:19:59.860 would come to 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.140 an end. 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.079 So, 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.860 he foretold 00:20:01.860 --> 00:20:02.980 us about 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:03.259 his 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.799 resurrection, 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.039 and he 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.720 was raised 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.160 again to 00:20:06.160 --> 00:20:07.059 prove that 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.460 he is a 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.140 rightful king 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.819 who will 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.360 secure and 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.000 establish his 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.279 kingdom. 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:12.279 Jesus was 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.399 condemned so 00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.019 that those 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.259 of us who 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.660 are in 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.359 Christ are 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.839 no longer 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.399 condemned. 00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.259 Jesus was 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.920 afflicted. 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.339 Does that 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:21.779 mean that 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.200 those of 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.299 us who 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:23.599 are in 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.099 Christ will 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.819 no longer 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.059 be 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.579 afflicted? 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:27.720 I think 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.099 there are 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.659 two different 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.399 issues here 00:20:29.399 --> 00:20:29.699 when we 00:20:29.699 --> 00:20:30.039 think about 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.579 affliction. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.319 Jesus' 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.139 affliction was 00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.699 for our 00:20:33.699 --> 00:20:34.519 justification. 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.220 Our 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.939 affliction is 00:20:36.939 --> 00:20:37.359 for our 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:38.019 sanctification. 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:39.619 Jesus was 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.500 afflicted when 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:40.939 he bore 00:20:40.939 --> 00:20:41.639 our 00:20:41.639 --> 00:20:42.319 condemnation. 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:43.519 We, 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:44.480 as Christians, 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.039 are afflicted 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.539 because we 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.000 live in the 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.299 world, 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.019 and God 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.460 is also 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.199 changing us 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:50.480 through 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:50.960 affliction. 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:52.419 So, 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.259 in John 16, 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.819 33, 00:20:54.199 --> 00:20:54.679 Jesus told 00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.259 his disciples, 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.859 in the 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.139 world, 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.539 you will 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.839 have 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.460 tubulation, 00:20:58.939 --> 00:20:59.279 but take 00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.599 heart, 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.299 I have 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.679 overcome 00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:00.939 the 00:21:00.939 --> 00:21:01.199 world. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:02.679 In 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.339 Romans 8, 00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:03.980 17, 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:04.579 we are 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.099 told that 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.899 provided we 00:21:06.899 --> 00:21:07.519 suffer with 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.000 Christ, 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:08.740 in order 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.179 that we 00:21:09.179 --> 00:21:09.819 might also 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.720 be glorified 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.319 with him. 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.339 Whether we 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.819 are Christians 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.579 or not, 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.259 suffering is 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.599 part of 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.000 life. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:16.699 The 00:21:16.699 --> 00:21:17.240 question is 00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.740 not if 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.000 we can 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.279 avoid 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.720 suffering, 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:19.419 the 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:19.919 question is 00:21:19.919 --> 00:21:20.480 if we 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.919 suffer with 00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:23.099 Christ or 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:23.699 suffer without 00:21:23.699 --> 00:21:24.099 Christ. 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.480 I have 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:26.799 seen many 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.159 patients 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:27.519 suffering 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:27.819 without 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.299 Christ. 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.699 They usually 00:21:29.699 --> 00:21:30.299 suffer not 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:30.939 only physically 00:21:30.939 --> 00:21:32.899 but mentally 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:33.659 as well. 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:34.939 They become 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.679 depressed and 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:36.279 irritable. 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:37.639 They are 00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:38.159 difficult to 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:38.579 live with. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.019 They often 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.179 complain to 00:21:41.179 --> 00:21:42.000 me how rude 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.619 their families 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.419 and friends 00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:44.039 were towards 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.339 them. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:45.839 Suffering 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.139 without 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:46.720 Christ has 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.379 changed them 00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.299 into someone 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.939 who constantly 00:21:48.939 --> 00:21:49.699 craves for 00:21:49.699 --> 00:21:50.359 sympathy from 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.699 others but 00:21:51.699 --> 00:21:52.299 who is unable 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.960 to consider 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.480 the need 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.440 of others. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:56.799 Among 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.319 my patients 00:21:57.319 --> 00:21:58.079 mostly are 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:59.180 elderly and 00:21:59.180 --> 00:21:59.559 retired. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.039 I only have 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.740 very few 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.440 people who 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:01.920 are working. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:02.799 But even 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.339 among those 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:03.819 very few 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.599 working people, 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:05.480 I've got 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.240 four patients 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:08.880 who have 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.440 been in 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:09.900 dispute 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.500 with their 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.160 workplaces 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.099 for unfair 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.500 treatment. 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:13.960 They feel 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.900 being discriminated, 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.559 regulated, 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.360 persecuted 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.880 by their 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.519 supervisors. 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:18.960 Cases 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.319 like this 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:19.579 are very 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:19.860 hard to 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:20.360 resolve 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:23.419 because the 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:24.639 employers 00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.639 want to 00:22:25.639 --> 00:22:26.059 side with 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.179 the 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.639 supervisors. 00:22:27.579 --> 00:22:28.299 It's very 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:29.059 difficult to 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.019 resolve. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.519 They want 00:22:30.519 --> 00:22:31.019 justice. 00:22:31.199 --> 00:22:31.439 They want 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:31.859 fairness. 00:22:33.899 --> 00:22:34.839 One of the 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.159 patients 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.579 have been 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.059 in dispute 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.199 with her 00:22:37.199 --> 00:22:37.879 employer 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.639 for about 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.259 five years. 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:39.859 She's not 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.399 been working 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:40.799 for five 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:40.959 years. 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.559 She just 00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.059 wanted her 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.559 supervisor 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.059 to be 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.500 punished 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.299 by the 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.740 employer. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.719 When she 00:22:48.719 --> 00:22:49.039 saw me 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.500 recently, 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.259 she said 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.200 that particular 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.759 supervisor 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.399 has left 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.099 the company, 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.619 no longer 00:22:53.619 --> 00:22:54.279 working there. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.399 She was 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.579 at loss 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.500 as how 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:58.920 she could 00:22:58.920 --> 00:22:59.579 be vindicated 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.099 now. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.259 She's just 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.700 so depressed. 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.319 She could 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.700 not get 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.079 out of 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:05.319 that. 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.200 She wants 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.440 to be 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.039 vindicated, 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:07.839 but now 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.500 the person 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:08.839 is not 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:10.119 even there 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:10.639 in the 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:10.839 company 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.220 anymore. 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:11.799 What do 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.099 you do? 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:14.000 So she's 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.819 just become 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.279 her own 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.359 prisoner 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:17.819 in terms 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.279 of wanting 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:18.659 to get 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.240 justice 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.939 and 00:23:19.939 --> 00:23:20.399 fairness. 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:21.579 And this 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.460 is the 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:24.079 mental 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.619 torment 00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:25.119 that is 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.379 going 00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:25.740 through. 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.740 So some 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.000 of us 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.500 here are 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:27.819 struggling 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.079 with 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:28.460 physical 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.220 afflictions. 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:30.299 I think 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.679 some of 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:31.059 us have 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.859 migraine 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.519 headaches 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.339 quite often, 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:35.099 arthritis 00:23:35.099 --> 00:23:36.359 or other 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:36.980 disabilities. 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:38.539 Some of 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:38.740 us are 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.259 suffering 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.939 from mental 00:23:39.939 --> 00:23:40.819 afflictions 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.539 or being 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.359 infertile 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:42.899 or being 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.299 lonely. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:45.419 I think 00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:45.819 the most 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.099 common 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.539 afflictions 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:46.680 are 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.139 relational 00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:47.960 in terms 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.440 of how 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.240 we feel 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.759 that people 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:50.279 are treating 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.680 us. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.879 Have you 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.379 ever been 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:54.899 misunderstood 00:23:54.899 --> 00:23:56.099 and you 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.419 could not 00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:56.759 explain 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.319 yourself? 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:58.700 Have you 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.139 ever been 00:23:59.139 --> 00:23:59.599 falsely 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.039 accused 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:00.440 and you 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:00.779 could not 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.220 defend 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.680 yourself? 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.579 There are 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.139 times that 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:05.119 you might 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.720 wish those 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:05.960 who are 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.379 close to 00:24:06.379 --> 00:24:06.759 you would 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.220 understand 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.720 your 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.779 aspirations 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.919 and actions 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.759 but they 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.220 keep giving 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.159 you negative 00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:12.879 remarks. 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:14.359 The 00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:14.879 afflictions 00:24:14.879 --> 00:24:15.279 of being 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:15.659 bullied 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:16.599 or misunderstood 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.379 are difficult 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:17.899 to bear. 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:18.779 We appear 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.419 to many 00:24:19.419 --> 00:24:19.859 venues 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.399 to vindicate 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:20.919 ourselves. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.139 Sometimes 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:22.639 it's just 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.259 not possible 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.639 to get 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.119 justice. 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:25.119 It could 00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:25.419 be that 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:25.720 our 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.180 opponent 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:26.619 is simply 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:26.839 too 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.299 powerful 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.419 or there 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:28.740 is not 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.079 enough 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.539 evidence 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.619 or we 00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:30.819 cannot 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.220 fully 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.659 explain 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.139 ourselves. 00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:34.720 Sometimes 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.319 when we 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:36.740 are in 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.159 an argument 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:37.700 with someone 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:39.119 we know 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.039 that we 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.639 will create 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:40.879 more 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.460 conflict 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.399 when we 00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:42.799 try to 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.019 win 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.940 an argument 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:44.980 so we 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.359 buy our 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:45.740 tongues 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.839 and feel 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.519 the resentment 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.039 inside. 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.139 And if 00:24:50.139 --> 00:24:50.460 you are a 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.339 leader in 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.000 any capacity 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.379 in the 00:24:52.379 --> 00:24:52.899 church or 00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.720 at home 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:55.399 you tend 00:24:55.399 --> 00:24:55.839 to get a 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:56.139 lot more 00:24:56.139 --> 00:24:56.819 criticism 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:58.240 when you 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.740 try to do 00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.139 something 00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.740 new. 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:00.440 And that's 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.779 life and 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.319 that's what 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:02.779 we will 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.759 go through. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:04.919 So how 00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:05.259 should we 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.659 cope with 00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:06.059 all these 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.799 afflictions? 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:08.799 Firstly 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.279 we need to 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.899 examine our 00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:10.379 hearts to 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:10.720 make sure 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:10.980 that we 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.279 are not 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:11.819 the ones 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.120 who are 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.460 afflicting 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.000 others. 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.299 So Paul 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.460 in 1 00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:16.240 Corinthians 6 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:16.960 7 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.799 8 says 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:19.019 to have 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.579 lawsuits 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.279 at all 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.620 with one 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.220 another is 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.740 already a 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.279 defeat for 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.519 you. 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:23.740 Why not 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.380 rather suffer 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:24.779 wrong? 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:25.920 Why not 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.420 rather be 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:26.880 defrauded? 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.380 But you 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.100 yourself wrong 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.700 and defraud 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.819 even your 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.460 own brothers. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.240 Paul was 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.940 dismayed that 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.500 the Corinthian 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.319 Christians were 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.460 not only not 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.860 willing to 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:37.519 suffer wrong, 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.440 they were 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.860 afflicting 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.919 others. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:40.819 We are 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.199 called to 00:25:41.199 --> 00:25:42.199 suffer with 00:25:42.199 --> 00:25:42.539 Christ. 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:44.899 Secondly, 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.000 we trust that 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.639 God is always 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.459 in control 00:25:47.459 --> 00:25:48.419 and he cares. 00:25:49.199 --> 00:25:49.759 The writer of 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.179 Psalm 102 00:25:50.179 --> 00:25:51.319 was suffering 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.079 alone and 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.599 his enemies 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.219 were making 00:25:53.219 --> 00:25:53.979 fun of him. 00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:55.619 His only 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.059 venue of 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:56.579 appeal was 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:57.079 to God. 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:57.959 God turned 00:25:57.959 --> 00:25:58.679 his face 00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.799 away from 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.319 the psalmist 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.859 because his 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.399 affliction 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:03.419 anticipates 00:26:03.419 --> 00:26:04.339 the affliction 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:04.959 of Christ. 00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:06.319 When we are 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:06.819 suffering with 00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.179 Christ, 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:08.159 we know that 00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.580 God will 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:09.060 never turn 00:26:09.060 --> 00:26:09.560 his face 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:10.100 away from 00:26:10.100 --> 00:26:10.560 us again. 00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:13.040 Thirdly, 00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:13.700 we suffer 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.320 with Christ. 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.380 What does 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:15.940 suffering with 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.560 Christ mean? 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.259 When Christ 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.680 suffered, 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.759 he did not 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.420 focus on 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.740 vindicating 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.279 himself. 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:23.440 He appealed 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:23.920 to God 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.440 and prayed 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.120 for the 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.560 restoration 00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:26.120 of God's 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:26.420 kingdom. 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:27.779 He trusted 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:29.460 that God 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:31.320 is entorned 00:26:31.320 --> 00:26:31.700 forever. 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.360 He knew 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:32.800 that nothing 00:26:32.800 --> 00:26:33.460 would happen 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.300 outside God's 00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:34.800 control. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.340 He thought 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.100 of others 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.740 who were 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.299 suffering as 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.460 well. 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.180 He looked 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:40.539 forward to 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.000 a people 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.400 who would 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.180 be created 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.720 to praise 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.099 the Lord. 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.079 He longed 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.359 for the 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:44.660 gathering 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:46.019 of people 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.900 to worship 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.359 the Lord. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.480 So that's 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.180 how Christ 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.539 suffered. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.200 Fourthly, 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:51.940 we know 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.240 that our 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.599 affliction 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.099 is good 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:54.079 for our 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.900 sanctification. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.240 Psalm 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.759 119, 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.680 verse 71, 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.660 it is good 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.180 for me 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.740 that I was 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.339 afflicted, 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.279 that I might 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.819 learn your 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:04.339 statutes. 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.019 Through 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.519 affliction, 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.579 God is 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:07.940 changing 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.259 us. 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.160 Affliction 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.720 helps us 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.160 to grow 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.579 in our 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.039 trust in 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.379 God and 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:11.539 His 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:11.960 promises. 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.400 Affliction 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:14.460 helps us 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:14.859 to learn 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.299 to forget 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.680 ourselves 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.059 and hope 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.500 in God's 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:16.799 kingdom. 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:17.960 Affliction 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.519 helps us 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:18.920 not to 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.440 love this 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.960 world and 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.379 long for 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:21.779 the city 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.079 that is 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.519 to come. 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.240 One of 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.680 the reasons 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.180 why the 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:25.740 church in 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.259 our generation 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.920 is so weak 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:27.379 is because 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:27.900 it focuses 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:29.279 too much 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.720 on our 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:30.180 individual 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.859 afflictions. 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.940 We spend 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.420 a lot of 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.539 resources to 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:34.879 vindicate 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.400 ourselves, 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.420 to keep 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.840 ourselves 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.400 comfortable 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.000 or to 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.300 collect 00:27:38.300 --> 00:27:38.720 sympathy 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.000 from 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.320 other 00:27:39.320 --> 00:27:39.840 people. 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:41.960 Paradoxically, 00:27:42.540 --> 00:27:42.900 when we 00:27:42.900 --> 00:27:43.380 learn to 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:43.880 suffer with 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.320 Christ, 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.360 we start 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:46.019 to care 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.500 for the 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.860 church of 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.200 Christ, 00:27:47.800 --> 00:27:48.160 and our 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.320 own 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:48.960 afflictions 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.440 become 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.060 bearable. 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:52.620 More than 00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:52.880 that, 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:54.019 as Romans 5 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.600 tells us, 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.580 we rejoice 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:56.000 in our 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.380 suffering. 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:57.900 The writer 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:59.200 of Psalm 102 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:00.019 knows that 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.780 unless Zion 00:28:00.780 --> 00:28:01.540 is restored, 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:02.759 his own 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.259 affliction 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.320 could not 00:28:04.320 --> 00:28:05.080 be resolved. 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.940 When we 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.600 are afflicted, 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.019 we can 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.000 pray Psalm 102. 00:28:10.040 --> 00:28:10.400 We know 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.780 that God 00:28:10.780 --> 00:28:11.519 will hear 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.000 our prayer 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.060 because of 00:28:13.060 --> 00:28:13.420 the blood 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.880 of Jesus. 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.600 God may 00:28:15.600 --> 00:28:16.120 not remove 00:28:16.120 --> 00:28:16.300 the 00:28:16.300 --> 00:28:16.900 afflictions, 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.480 but he 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:17.860 will give 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.460 us peace 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:18.960 that will 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.400 guard our 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:20.019 hearts and 00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.560 our minds 00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.200 in Christ 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.540 Jesus. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.360 We do 00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:23.860 not suffer 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.519 alone because 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.120 Jesus has 00:28:25.120 --> 00:28:25.440 suffered 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:25.900 alone, 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:28.300 and Jesus 00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:28.780 is now 00:28:28.780 --> 00:28:29.200 with us 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:29.680 until the 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.019 end of 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.440 the age. 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:32.539 our days 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.220 on earth 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:33.880 may be 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:34.440 cut short, 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:35.080 but we 00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:35.580 know that 00:28:35.580 --> 00:28:36.019 we are 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.539 secure in 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:37.580 Christ and 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:37.759 we will 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.460 never perish. 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:39.880 With such 00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.539 an assurance, 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.320 we can 00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:41.700 turn the 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.900 focus of 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.039 our 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.740 afflictions to 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:43.980 greater 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.420 things. 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.680 We might 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.400 then pray 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.820 that God's 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:48.259 church may 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.940 be established. 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:50.320 We might 00:28:50.320 --> 00:28:50.880 pray for the 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.660 destitute and 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.080 those who are 00:28:52.080 --> 00:28:52.480 suffering, 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.259 and we 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.900 might ask 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.539 God's kingdom 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.420 to come. 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.960 I will 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.359 end with 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:00.539 Hebrews 11 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.759 verses 24 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.519 to 26. 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.720 By faith, 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.220 Moses, 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.220 when he was 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.879 grown up, 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.819 refused to 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.339 be called 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:08.980 the son of 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.440 Pharaoh's 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.779 daughter, 00:29:10.700 --> 00:29:11.299 chosen rather 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.220 to be mistreated 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:12.659 with the 00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.180 people of 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.839 God than 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.339 to enjoy 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:15.839 the fleeting 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:16.519 pleasures of 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.779 sin. 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:17.740 He 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.420 considered the 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.319 reproach of 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.139 Christ greater 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:21.240 wealth than 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.659 the treasure 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.379 of Egypt, 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.619 for he was 00:29:23.619 --> 00:29:25.119 looking to 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:25.779 the reward. 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.259 Moses had 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.739 the opportunity 00:29:28.739 --> 00:29:29.679 to live an 00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:31.599 affliction-free 00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.079 life. 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.219 He gave it 00:29:33.219 --> 00:29:34.099 up because 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.419 he was 00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:35.779 looking for 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:36.359 something much 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.279 greater than 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.019 the feeding 00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.759 pleasures of 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.219 this world. 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:41.359 He chose to 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:41.839 suffer with 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:43.039 Christ in 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.899 order that he 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.399 might be 00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:45.319 glorified with 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:45.579 him. 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:47.279 Let us 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.539 pray. 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:56.759 O Father 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:56.939 God, 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:59.339 we want 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.259 to look 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:00.939 to our 00:30:00.939 --> 00:30:01.339 Lord Jesus 00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:01.799 Christ, 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:02.759 the founder 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.919 and perfecter 00:30:03.919 --> 00:30:04.259 of our 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:04.659 faith, 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:05.779 who for 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.299 the joy 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:06.659 that is 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:07.139 set before 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:07.519 him, 00:30:08.719 --> 00:30:09.619 enjoy the 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.019 cross, 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:11.079 despising the 00:30:11.079 --> 00:30:11.419 shame. 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.239 O Father, 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.659 help us 00:30:15.659 --> 00:30:16.919 to live 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:18.599 for the 00:30:18.599 --> 00:30:18.979 Lord Jesus 00:30:18.979 --> 00:30:19.479 Christ, 00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.659 to live 00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.059 for something 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.559 greater, 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.119 and help 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:26.039 us to 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.599 turn our 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.319 afflictions 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.919 to your 00:30:28.919 --> 00:30:29.379 glory and 00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:29.639 honour. 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.019 Thank you, 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:31.159 Lord. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.740 We pray in 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.359 Jesus' name. 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.500 Amen.