WEBVTT 00:00:00.560 --> 00:00:03.980 Well, good evening. It's good to be with you this evening at Brunsfield Evangelical Church. 00:00:04.179 --> 00:00:08.480 Greetings to you from the rest of the pastors and the elders at Corroboros Christian Centre across town. 00:00:09.200 --> 00:00:12.820 I have to apologise to you this evening if my voice starts to fade a little bit. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:18.100 The Nixon household has been unwell this week, and this morning I didn't have a voice when I woke up, 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:19.900 but fortunately when I was preaching it came back. 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:25.440 So let's hope it doesn't work the other way tonight that I start off with a voice and it runs out by the end. 00:00:25.900 --> 00:00:29.500 Now, it's been great to be able to sing the passage that we're going to be looking at together, 00:00:29.500 --> 00:00:35.320 this evening. It was also great to hear it in a word, wrapped, to us at the very start. 00:00:35.460 --> 00:00:40.840 I don't think I can follow that. I'm definitely more of an abide with me person rather than a 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:45.859 wrapped person, but it certainly helped us to think about what we're going to be looking at tonight in the Scriptures. 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:51.179 See, tonight we're going to be spending time in the heart and the soul of the psalmist Asaph. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:58.379 Imagine that you are sitting with this guy over here, over coughing, and he is unburdening his soul to you. 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:03.320 He is confessing to you how his faith in God almost collapsed and failed him. 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:08.480 You see, Asaph is cracking under the assault and the burden of doubts. 00:01:09.500 --> 00:01:14.280 If you have ever wrestled with hard questions or doubts about the Lord, questions like, 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:17.540 is the Bible historically reliable? Can I trust it? 00:01:19.460 --> 00:01:23.760 Is Jesus a real person? Did he really exist? Did he really live? Did he really die? Did he really rise again? 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:29.120 Can I be certain about his promises that he makes to me in the gospel that if I believe in him, 00:01:29.160 --> 00:01:31.359 I'll be forgiven for my sins and I'll have the hope of heaven? 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:35.219 If you've ever wrestled with questions about, can I be sure about these things, 00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:40.180 then you can well sympathize with Asaph in his time of uncertainty. 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:47.360 I've spent many hours in recent years fielding questions from sceptical people at universities around the country, 00:01:47.740 --> 00:01:51.520 people who think that the Christian faith is irrational and irrelevant. 00:01:52.420 --> 00:01:56.640 I've also spent many an hour pastorally counselling people in my own church and in other churches 00:01:56.640 --> 00:02:02.420 who have been struggling as believers, whose faith has been thrown into tremendous doubt and uncertainty 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:05.920 by things that they have read, by questions that have come into their minds 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:11.640 or that they have been exposed to in the world. And these doubts, they have stolen their joy 00:02:11.640 --> 00:02:14.580 and have hindered their walk and their effectiveness for Christ. 00:02:15.539 --> 00:02:19.159 And so when we think about doubts tonight, I know that we're going to a place that is dangerous. 00:02:19.659 --> 00:02:22.039 We're going into a place that is uncomfortable. 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:27.259 And it should be uncomfortable because we're actually going into the trenches this evening together. 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:31.639 The trenches at the front line of the war of scepticism against faith. 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:35.419 But before we get into that battle, before we jump into the trenches, 00:02:35.539 --> 00:02:39.179 it's so good to begin our time together where Asaph begins. 00:02:39.339 --> 00:02:41.319 Because he knows he's about to take us on a hard journey. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:45.259 And so right at the very beginning of his psalm, as we have heard, as we have sang, 00:02:45.979 --> 00:02:49.239 in verse 1, Asaph tells us what his ultimate conclusion was. 00:02:49.579 --> 00:02:53.060 The conviction that has been tested and tried in the furnace of affliction 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:55.219 and that has been proven to be true. 00:02:55.219 --> 00:03:03.000 Verse 1, truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:06.460 Asaph wants us to know before we get into this battle, 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:09.500 that it is possible to make it out onto the other side. 00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:12.259 It is possible to keep going in faith. 00:03:12.979 --> 00:03:17.400 And his confession in Psalm 73 shows us the way that we can go, 00:03:17.479 --> 00:03:20.800 the way through the minefield of spiritual doubt and uncertainty. 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:23.939 So I'm not going to read the passage again. 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:24.800 We've heard it. 00:03:24.880 --> 00:03:26.100 We've sang most of it. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:29.540 But what I'm planning to do is I plan to walk you through all the passage. 00:03:29.920 --> 00:03:31.920 So let's just get stuck in straight away. 00:03:31.980 --> 00:03:33.180 I've got three things for you this evening. 00:03:33.260 --> 00:03:36.900 The first thing is, the first step, if you like, through the minefield of doubt 00:03:36.900 --> 00:03:39.880 is to confess your doubts about God. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:43.400 You'll find this comes out of verses 1 to 14 of the passage. 00:03:44.320 --> 00:03:48.280 Asaph begins by confessing to us how unstable his faith has become. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:50.060 He says in verse 2, 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:54.400 As for me, my feet had almost stumbled. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:57.280 My steps had nearly slipped. 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:01.479 Now what has so deeply unsettled Asaph? 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:05.520 Well, he confesses to us the reason in verse 3, if you look at it. 00:04:06.139 --> 00:04:06.379 He says, 00:04:06.460 --> 00:04:11.379 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:18.659 Now you're meant to have a bit of an experience of deja vu when you hear the prosperity of the wicked here. 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:22.839 You're meant to hear an echo of the opening words of the opening psalm. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:23.560 Psalm 1. 00:04:24.519 --> 00:04:27.100 That psalm states that there are two roads in life. 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:29.459 There is the way of the righteous, which leads to life. 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:32.060 And there is the way of the wicked that leads to death. 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:35.399 Psalm 1 says these words very confidently. 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:40.060 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:41.799 It goes on and says, 00:04:42.039 --> 00:04:44.779 Instead, his delight is in the law of the Lord. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:48.560 In all that he does, he prospers. 00:04:50.159 --> 00:04:52.259 Then he finishes verse 6 of Psalm 1. 00:04:53.239 --> 00:04:55.839 The way of the wicked will perish. 00:04:56.659 --> 00:04:57.879 That's the way it's meant to be. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:04:59.659 The righteous are meant to prosper. 00:04:59.919 --> 00:05:01.539 The wicked are meant to perish. 00:05:01.979 --> 00:05:04.099 That's what the Bible says. 00:05:04.100 --> 00:05:05.240 Asaph knows that. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:09.540 And yet that is not what Asaph has experienced in life. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:11.920 He has seen the absolute reversal of that. 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:15.420 He, a righteous man, is suffering while the wicked prosper. 00:05:16.400 --> 00:05:18.600 You see, Asaph lived during dark and difficult days. 00:05:18.780 --> 00:05:20.740 Faithless times in the nation of Israel. 00:05:21.260 --> 00:05:24.680 It was a time of division socially, of decline and depravity. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:28.600 In the private home and also in the public square, 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:33.240 the sins of injustice and immorality and idolatry were rampant. 00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:35.259 This was a plague upon the nation. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:39.480 And Asaph confesses to us this evening that these dark times 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:42.740 had raised dark thoughts in his mind and in his soul. 00:05:43.780 --> 00:05:45.540 As he then goes through the next set of verses, 00:05:45.639 --> 00:05:47.360 you can listen to him as he complains, 00:05:47.740 --> 00:05:50.480 as he confesses what he's angry at God for, 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:53.199 why he is frustrated, why he is doubting. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:55.340 Listen as he complains about, first of all, 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:57.800 how the wicked live in luxury and leisure. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:05:59.560 Verses 4 and 5. 00:05:59.560 --> 00:06:02.019 For they have no pangs until death. 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:04.639 Their bodies are fat and sleek. 00:06:05.459 --> 00:06:07.360 They are not in trouble as others are. 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:10.579 They are not stricken like the rest of mankind. 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:12.680 Jump down to verse 12. 00:06:12.780 --> 00:06:14.100 He returns to this theme again. 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:14.420 He says, 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:16.240 Behold, these are the wicked. 00:06:17.019 --> 00:06:19.660 Always at ease, they increase in riches. 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:22.399 Asaph is complaining here, it's not fair. 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:24.120 It shouldn't be this way. 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:28.280 He goes on in verses 6, 7, and 8 00:06:28.280 --> 00:06:31.280 to complain about how the wicked are desperately antisocial. 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:32.319 He says, 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:34.000 Therefore pride is their necklace. 00:06:34.759 --> 00:06:36.459 Violence covers them as a garment. 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:40.040 Their eyes swell out through fatness. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:43.120 Their hearts overflow with follies. 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:46.100 They scoff and speak with malice. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:48.340 Loftily they threaten oppression. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:51.699 You wouldn't want to live with these people as your neighbors. 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:53.720 These are horrendous people to live around. 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:56.860 Asaph lives in fear of his life day and night. 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:00.459 But he goes on again in verses 9, 10, and 11 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:04.480 to complain about how the wicked are defiant in their unbelief. 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:05.879 Verse 9. 00:07:06.840 --> 00:07:08.699 They set their mouths against the heavens 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:11.740 and their tongues struts through the earth. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:13.060 And they say, 00:07:13.139 --> 00:07:14.120 How can God know? 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:16.480 Is there knowledge in the Most High? 00:07:19.340 --> 00:07:22.280 If you were to put yourself for a moment into Asaph's shoes, 00:07:22.279 --> 00:07:25.859 if you were to feel with him and for him in the midst of this dark time, 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:27.659 then you'll recognize this is tough. 00:07:27.859 --> 00:07:29.619 This is really tough, excruciating. 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:33.659 It throws into question everything that he has believed about God 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:35.519 and God's promises to his people. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:38.959 Then in verses 13 and 14, 00:07:39.019 --> 00:07:42.299 he almost reached the lowest point of Asaph's journey. 00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:47.419 Listen as Asaph confesses just how dark his thoughts and his doubts had become. 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:52.540 All in vain have I kept my heart clean 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:54.960 and washed my hands in innocence. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:08:00.660 For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:04.420 What's the point? 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:05.960 Is basically what Asaph is asking. 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:07.700 What's the point? 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:11.160 It's not worth it. 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:13.480 It's a lie. 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:17.680 Maybe I would be better off throwing my lot in with the wicked. 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:22.280 Maybe you've been in a place like that before. 00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:27.640 Maybe you have asked hard questions about difficult issues. 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:30.199 Maybe you've considered questions like, 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:33.019 why would a good God allow bad things to happen 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:34.939 like the Manchester bombing a few weeks ago 00:08:34.939 --> 00:08:36.860 or like the London Bridge attack last night? 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:38.379 Where was God when that happened? 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.360 Maybe you would ask questions like, 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:44.939 what if my belief in God is just wishful, delusional thinking? 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.559 How can I be sure it's real? 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:52.360 What if I can't trust the Bible in light of the findings of science? 00:08:52.439 --> 00:08:53.480 What if it's not reliable? 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:54.759 What if it's not true? 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:59.740 These are hard questions that come to many of us at different times. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:02.059 I wouldn't be surprised if you struggle with these things. 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:04.980 Confess that I struggle with these things from time to time. 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:08.779 And all of us will face these things, these questions, these issues, 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:11.200 because we live in a dominantly secular society. 00:09:11.779 --> 00:09:14.220 21st century Scotland is a secular society. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:20.019 Fewer than 5% of the population would confess to be Christians of one sort or another. 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:26.360 We are day in, day out bombarded with information and media and ideology 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:29.500 that is contrary to what we believe is true in the Bible. 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:35.319 In our society today, our beliefs are often mocked 00:09:35.319 --> 00:09:39.340 and our values are now being seen as being positively dangerous. 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:43.240 There are very articulate atheist personalities 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:44.659 who are out there in the public square, 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:48.059 people like Richard Dawkins, Stephen Fry, Brian Cox. 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:52.179 And rarely do we hear what they have to say answered by a competent Christian spokesperson. 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:55.919 Usually these guys wipe the floor with some bishop in the Church of England. 00:09:56.579 --> 00:09:56.719 Okay? 00:09:58.500 --> 00:10:00.419 And so I would even suggest to you this evening 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:03.959 that we might face harder assaults on our faith 00:10:03.959 --> 00:10:07.519 than what Asaph endured all the years before in Psalm 73. 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:12.039 We are in a substantially more difficult situation today. 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:17.139 And that is why I'm so encouraged to find in God's book this psalm. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.259 To find that God has preserved for all the centuries, 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:21.799 for all his people, 00:10:22.719 --> 00:10:25.939 the journey of Asaph through his time of doubt, 00:10:26.039 --> 00:10:26.980 his time of darkness. 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.059 Because God has given us words to use 00:10:29.059 --> 00:10:30.779 when we find ourselves in this kind of place. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:32.919 God has given us a pathway to follow 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:35.500 through the minefield of spiritual doubt and affliction. 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:39.519 If you find yourselves wrestling with the things 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:42.159 that Asaph is wrestling with on your journey through life, 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:44.940 then turn to this psalm and follow Asaph. 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:46.980 He has charted the way through. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:49.559 And so the first thing that Asaph does 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:52.960 is he confesses his doubts about God. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:55.700 But he doesn't stop there. 00:10:57.679 --> 00:10:58.559 What's the way on? 00:10:58.600 --> 00:10:59.600 What are we to do with our doubts? 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:03.019 Well, the second thing is to bring your doubts to God. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:05.899 You see this in verses 15, 16, and 17. 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.799 And the first thing to notice in verse 15 is 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:12.439 there is one thing that Asaph did not do with his doubts. 00:11:12.819 --> 00:11:14.579 And that's that he did not recklessly expose 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:15.639 everyone else to them. 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:18.319 He didn't unnecessarily rattle everyone's faith. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.879 Remember, he's just buried his soul to us 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:22.919 in verses 13 and 14. 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:24.439 All in vain have I done these things. 00:11:24.519 --> 00:11:26.000 And then verse 15 picks up and says, 00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:28.939 if I had said, I will speak thus. 00:11:28.980 --> 00:11:31.059 That's stuff in verses 13 and 14. 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.579 If I had said those things, 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:36.659 I would have betrayed the generation of your children. 00:11:38.099 --> 00:11:40.659 You see, Asaph was a wee bit like Fiona this evening 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:41.619 who's been leading us in worship. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.479 Asaph was a worship leader in the temple of God. 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:47.459 He had a position of responsibility in God's people. 00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:49.139 He was an example to all of them 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:51.039 about what the life of faith looks like. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:55.959 And so as he, as the model believer, if you like, 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:57.019 the faithful Israelite, 00:11:57.399 --> 00:12:00.659 as he is gripped and crippled by doubts inside of him, 00:12:00.659 --> 00:12:02.139 he doesn't start a blog. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:05.179 He doesn't start tweeting to all of his followers 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:06.879 to publicly air these things. 00:12:07.819 --> 00:12:09.699 That would have done tremendously great harm 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:11.899 to faithful Israelites who already were struggling 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:13.500 in the midst of the dark times 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:15.759 that Israel was facing in those days. 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.860 They were looking up to Asaph, 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:20.019 and the last thing they needed was Asaph to go awal. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:23.399 And so Asaph did not recklessly tell everybody 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:25.299 what he was thinking. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:31.159 But also Asaph did not just hold on to these things privately 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:33.360 and keep them to himself and try and resolve them. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:36.039 Instead, the turning point for Asaph in this psalm 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:38.899 comes whenever he stopped holding on to his doubts himself, 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.299 trying to work them out on his own. 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:42.799 And he takes his complaints, he takes his questions, 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:45.679 he takes his doubts and his issues to God himself. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:48.359 Asaph, verses 16 and 17 said, 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:51.979 but when I thought how to understand this, 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:55.219 it seemed to me a wearisome task 00:12:55.219 --> 00:12:59.819 until I went into the sanctuary of God. 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:03.439 Then I discerned their end. 00:13:05.359 --> 00:13:08.099 Asaph went into God's temple in Jerusalem 00:13:08.099 --> 00:13:09.259 on top of Mount Zion. 00:13:09.599 --> 00:13:12.659 That is the place where he knew God could be found. 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:15.360 That is the place where God's presence 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.419 dwelled among his people. 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:21.100 I wonder, did Asaph remember the words of Solomon 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:25.219 whenever he had opened the temple years before? 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:28.719 Read about that event in 1 Kings chapter 8 00:13:28.719 --> 00:13:30.959 where Solomon prays in dedication. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:36.120 May your eyes be opened toward this temple night and day. 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:38.220 This place of which you have said, 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:40.639 my name shall be there. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:43.379 So that you will hear the prayer 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:45.360 your servant prays towards this place. 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:48.519 Hear the supplication of your servant 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.319 and of your people Israel 00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:52.059 when they pray towards this place. 00:13:53.059 --> 00:13:55.240 Hear from heaven your dwelling place. 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:58.259 And when you hear, forgive. 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:02.580 I wonder, is that the thing that is in Asaph's mind 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:04.600 when he chooses to go up to the temple of the Lord? 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.659 Does he remember the promise 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:08.379 that this is the one place that he knows 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.759 that God can be found? 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:11.899 This is the place where if he is praying, 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:13.559 God will be hearing 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:17.480 and God will be answering his requests for help. 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:21.700 And so Asaph, responding to the promise of God in the past, 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:23.039 goes up into the temple. 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:25.220 He perhaps stands with the congregation 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.939 as they stand and worship. 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:30.080 He sits as the priests open up the book of the law 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:31.600 and they preach and teach the people. 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:34.600 He observes the sacrifices taking place 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.460 as still faithful Israelites come 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:38.980 bringing their sacrifices to have their sins atoned for. 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:43.060 And as he spent time there in God's presence, 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.740 in the temple, 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:45.800 it seems that everything changed 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:49.600 in Asaph's troubled, disquieted soul and mind. 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:53.980 Now for us today, we don't have a temple, do we? 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:56.560 This place is a beautiful, wonderful place, 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.000 but this is not a temple. 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:01.779 We don't have a temple to bring our troubles 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.860 into a building. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:06.120 But we do have something, 00:15:06.319 --> 00:15:07.019 indeed someone, 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.059 that is far better. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.819 You see, the glory of God today 00:15:09.819 --> 00:15:11.980 does not dwell in a building of bricks and mortar, 00:15:12.459 --> 00:15:14.299 but the glory of God dwells in 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:16.759 the body of a person of flesh and blood. 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:18.759 His name is Jesus Christ. 00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:20.740 You don't have a place to go into, 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.539 but you do have a person 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:25.319 whom you can invite into your struggles. 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:27.819 Someone who is willing to walk alongside you 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:28.640 and journey with you 00:15:28.640 --> 00:15:31.260 and help you through those dark, 00:15:31.560 --> 00:15:33.900 difficult storms of fear and doubt. 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.420 And the Lord Jesus, 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.080 he is accessible anytime, 00:15:37.520 --> 00:15:38.080 anywhere, 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:39.700 about anything. 00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:43.220 And he welcomes us when we come to him. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.620 If our doubts and our struggles, 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:47.160 he's glad that we would come and turn to him. 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:49.020 He welcomes us even when we come 00:15:49.020 --> 00:15:49.860 with simple, 00:15:50.260 --> 00:15:50.900 struggling, 00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.540 doubting faith. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:55.199 I know that because 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:56.819 that's what you see 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:58.500 when you read about Jesus in the Gospels. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.219 When you read about his life, 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.480 that's exactly what happened 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:03.279 when people who were struggling came to him. 00:16:03.899 --> 00:16:06.480 One of my favorite stories in the Gospels 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.899 is in Mark chapter 9. 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.539 In that story, 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.379 a father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus. 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:14.299 The father has tried everything 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:16.480 to try and get his boy freed 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:19.399 from this force that wants to destroy 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.219 and take his life. 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:22.620 This demonic presence throws him into the fire, 00:16:22.920 --> 00:16:24.100 throws him into water to drown him. 00:16:24.180 --> 00:16:26.700 He's out to destroy this little boy's life. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.480 The father doesn't know what to do, 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:31.300 but he hears that Jesus is in town. 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:34.399 The father brings his son to Jesus 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.060 because he believes Jesus can do something to help 00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:37.180 that no one else can do. 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.000 Yet nevertheless, 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:41.019 the father does not fully know 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:42.040 what to make of Jesus. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:46.700 His faith is mixed with fear and uncertainty. 00:16:47.580 --> 00:16:48.639 And as he comes to Jesus, 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.680 he confesses this. 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:51.879 Mark chapter 9, verse 24. 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.759 Lord, I believe. 00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:57.019 Help me overcome my unbelief. 00:16:59.180 --> 00:17:00.920 You wonder, how will Jesus react? 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.120 He's just come to him and said, 00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:03.460 Jesus, I need you to help me with something, 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:05.079 but I'm not fully convinced. 00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:07.079 I've got some unbelief and doubt in me. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:09.100 Does Jesus react and say, go away? 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.460 Does Jesus say, 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.380 how dare you come to me 00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:13.880 when you don't fully believe in me? 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.559 Is Jesus angry? 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:15.700 No. 00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:16.700 No. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.819 No. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:23.140 Jesus sees this man's dear heart, 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:25.279 his love for his son. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.819 He sees that he is troubled, 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:30.960 that he is doubting and uncertain. 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:34.220 And Jesus gives him a reason to believe. 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.039 And Jesus helps him. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.860 And Jesus heals his son. 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:41.899 That story is great news for all of us 00:17:41.899 --> 00:17:43.979 when we struggle and we wrestle with our doubts. 00:17:44.199 --> 00:17:46.579 It shows us that Jesus has opened wide arms 00:17:46.579 --> 00:17:47.179 and says, come. 00:17:47.719 --> 00:17:49.379 Yeah, you've got struggling, doubting, faith. 00:17:49.719 --> 00:17:50.279 So come. 00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:53.740 Invite me into your doubts and into your struggles. 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.559 I'll be there with you. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.919 I won't abandon you. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:59.099 We can be honest with God. 00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:00.639 We don't have to run away and hide from him. 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:02.859 We don't have to pretend with him. 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:06.700 We don't have to be ashamed. 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:09.960 We can bring these things to God. 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:12.299 We can ask him for his help to work things through. 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:15.019 We can bring these things alongside 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:17.480 a trusted Christian friend. 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.599 Because God, by his Holy Spirit, 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.879 will minister to you through 00:18:20.879 --> 00:18:23.960 that wise Christian friend or pastor or elder. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.140 They will help you. 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.039 There have been many Christians 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:29.019 who I have never met in my lifetime, 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.579 but who have hugely helped me 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:33.160 and ministered to my heart and my soul 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:34.420 with my doubts and questions 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.759 through their books. 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:38.980 People like, if it comes up, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.880 Ravi Zacharias. 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:44.180 People like Tim Keller. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:47.740 Even people like C.S. Lewis or Lee Struble 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:50.259 who were committed skeptics, 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:53.700 who actually selected to disprove the Christian faith. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.759 And on their journey of research, 00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:57.200 discovered, oh goodness, it's true, 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.400 and became Christians. 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.779 These people and many more 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:02.460 have been dear friends to me 00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:04.120 whom God has used to minister 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:05.779 into my heart to teach me 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:07.779 and to help me work through things. 00:19:09.140 --> 00:19:11.039 And so when you are struggling with doubt, 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:12.360 the first thing to do 00:19:12.360 --> 00:19:14.420 is to confess your doubts about God. 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.620 And the next thing to do 00:19:15.620 --> 00:19:17.440 is to bring your doubts to God. 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:20.480 He's big enough. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.799 But then we need to see what happens next 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:27.279 as the psalm resolves itself 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.860 in verses 18 to 28. 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:31.019 And this is the third thing, 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:32.440 that you can resolve your doubts 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:34.299 by taking God at his word. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.860 You see, doubts ultimately revolve 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:37.620 around the question, 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.539 can I trust what God has said is true? 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.299 Can I trust that what God has said 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:43.740 in his book is true? 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:45.700 Can I stake my life, my death, 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:47.259 my eternity upon it? 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.380 That's the question 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:49.779 that Asaph is wrestling with. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:51.019 Is it in vain? 00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:55.220 And that's the question 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.599 that is resolved in his mind 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:58.240 and in his heart through his journey. 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.079 In the temple, 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.700 there were no heavenly visions. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.359 There were no incredible miracles. 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.140 God didn't answer 00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:06.420 all of Asaph's questions, 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:08.279 didn't resolve all of his issues and doubts. 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:10.819 But God did bring into new focus 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:13.180 in Asaph's mind some old truths. 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.299 And that's what got him through. 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:17.600 Indeed, there are three new assurances 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.860 about old truths 00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:21.000 in this last part of the psalm. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:23.140 These are the things that served as fuel 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:25.940 to keep the flame of Asaph's faith burning 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.759 in the midst of the dark times 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.580 in which he lived. 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:29.960 First of all, 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.860 there was a new assurance 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:32.640 about the peril of the wicked. 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:35.060 See this in verses 18 to 20. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:38.220 Of the wicked, Asaph now sees, 00:20:38.620 --> 00:20:41.360 truly you set them in slippery places. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:43.659 You make them fall to ruin. 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:46.039 How they are destroyed in a moment, 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:48.500 swept away utterly by terrors. 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.659 Like a dream when one awakes, 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:52.479 O Lord, when you rise yourself, 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:54.799 you despise them as phantoms. 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:58.740 Then there's a new assurance 00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:00.659 about the security of the righteous. 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:03.099 Verse 21 to verse 24. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.440 Asaph says, 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.000 When my soul was embittered, 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.180 when I was pricked in heart, 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:09.279 I was brutish and ignorant. 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:11.500 I was like a beast towards you. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:12.839 Nevertheless, 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.859 I am continually with you. 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:17.099 You hold my right hand. 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.980 You guide me with your counsel. 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:20.180 And afterward, 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:22.220 you will receive me to glory. 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:26.539 And then there's a new assurance 00:21:26.539 --> 00:21:28.319 about the goodness of God. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.880 The last four verses. 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:34.559 Whom am I in heaven but you? 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.940 And there is nothing on earth 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:39.120 that I desire besides you. 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:42.960 My flesh and my heart may fail, 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:46.180 but God is the strength of my heart 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:48.180 and my portion forever. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:49.920 For behold, 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:52.500 those who are far from you shall perish. 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.920 You put an end to everyone 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:55.380 who is unfaithful to you. 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.360 But for me, 00:21:57.960 --> 00:22:00.039 it is good to be near God. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:03.059 I have made the Lord God my refuge 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:06.100 that I may tell of all your works. 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.000 Finish it off. 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.940 Go back to verse one. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:10.079 Truly God is good to Israel, 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:12.860 to those who are pure in heart. 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:16.579 Asaph's struggle was provoked 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:19.700 by his present sufferings. 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.680 The righteous suffering, 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.180 the wicked prospering. 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.019 It's the wrong way around. 00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:26.240 But now he has a new perspective 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.920 on these events 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:28.039 in the light of the future. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.100 Because yes, right now, 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.559 the righteous do suffer, 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:33.400 the wicked do prosper. 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:36.319 But it will not always be that way. 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.360 God's going to put things right. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.160 Just as you wouldn't judge 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.180 the winner of a race 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:44.700 by who's leading at halfway time. 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.279 Just in the same way, 00:22:47.320 --> 00:22:48.380 you shouldn't say that 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.420 just because the wicked are ahead, 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.220 just know that they're always 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.940 going to be ahead. 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:54.560 No, when all is said and done, 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.920 when time is up, 00:22:56.860 --> 00:22:58.420 when the finish line is crossed, 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.279 we will find things being 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.539 as yackly as God has said, 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:02.380 that the righteous 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:04.380 shall prosper forevermore 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:06.960 and the wicked shall perish 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.320 forevermore. 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:10.860 Indeed, 00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.360 verse 20 says 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:13.720 that the wicked will vanish 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:15.000 like a bad dream 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.580 when you wake up 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:16.440 first thing in the morning. 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.980 It was so real. 00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.620 And then you open your eyes 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.320 and you can't even remember 00:23:20.320 --> 00:23:20.780 what it was. 00:23:20.840 --> 00:23:21.620 They will vanish 00:23:21.620 --> 00:23:23.500 like phantoms. 00:23:24.840 --> 00:23:25.480 And Asaph takes 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.240 all these things, 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.280 all these old truths 00:23:27.280 --> 00:23:28.460 to heart in a new way. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.160 And he resolves 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.080 to trust God 00:23:31.080 --> 00:23:32.760 in these dark days. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.279 And Asaph today 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:35.599 is alive in glory. 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.599 Asaph today 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.720 sees 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.119 that this is true, 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:40.660 that God 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:41.879 did not disappoint him. 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.500 And Asaph would say to us 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.220 if he was here, 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.180 keep going. 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.359 Keep going. 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.400 Things will right themselves 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.599 in the end. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.279 Now as we sort of 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.440 wrap things up 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.180 for this evening, 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.339 we have to ask 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:59.900 who do you most identify with 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:01.180 in this psalm? 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.420 Whom are you? 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:04.819 Are you an Asaph? 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:05.940 A Christian, 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:06.720 a believer, 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.200 but you're beset 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.660 by troubles and doubts 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.240 at this time 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.000 about your faith. 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:13.119 Let me urge you 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.420 to follow in Asaph's footsteps 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.640 and do exactly 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.220 these things, 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.440 to confess these things 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.460 openly about God, 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.819 to bring them to him 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:21.259 and to someone 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.900 who's trusted, 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.859 to read, 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.579 to learn, 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.299 to discuss, 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:26.859 to pray 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:27.940 and ask for help. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:30.460 and resolve 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.340 by trusting 00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:32.660 that what God says 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.160 is true 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.059 and will be proved 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.660 to be true. 00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.000 So, 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.059 wise piece of advice. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.460 I've never been able 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.440 to find out who said it, 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.240 but they said, 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:42.180 doubt your doubts 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:44.059 and believe your beliefs. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.600 But whatever you do, 00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.539 don't make the mistake 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:48.059 of doubting your beliefs 00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:50.400 and believing your doubts. 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:51.720 You need to know 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.200 that every time 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.820 you have a doubt, 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.539 what you're actually 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.319 encountering 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.599 is an entirely 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.980 alternative set of beliefs. 00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.299 So, 00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:59.500 you're doubting your beliefs 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.539 and that doubt itself 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.200 is a world 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.960 of alternative beliefs. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.279 And so, 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.339 when you encounter a doubt, 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.539 you need to ask 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:07.000 questions of it. 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.599 You need to push back 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.299 against it 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.200 and ask, 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.480 okay, 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:11.539 you're raising questions 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.420 about my faith 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:12.980 and the reasons 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.940 that I have for my faith, 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.779 but what reasons 00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:15.759 do you have doubt 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.079 for saying what you say? 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.659 Are your reasons 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.859 any better than my reasons 00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.420 for believing 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.319 that Jesus Christ 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.180 is the Son of God 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:22.740 in the flesh, 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.359 that he lived, 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:23.759 he died, 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.459 he rose again? 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.879 Do you have better reasons 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.399 to doubt? 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.379 I guarantee you, 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.099 time after time 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.599 after time, 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.659 it doesn't. 00:25:31.939 --> 00:25:32.240 And so, 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.319 believe your beliefs, 00:25:33.699 --> 00:25:34.599 doubt your doubts. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.779 Don't make the mistake 00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:37.559 of believing your doubts 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:39.019 and doubting your beliefs. 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.899 Look at the reasons. 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:47.479 Are you like those tonight 00:25:47.479 --> 00:25:48.500 who are called 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:49.479 by Asaph the wicked? 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.740 Those who live their lives 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:53.039 independently from 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.639 and defiantly 00:25:53.639 --> 00:25:54.599 against God. 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.460 Because Asaph sees 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.039 that if that is 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:59.159 who you are this evening, 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.480 if that is how you live 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.579 your life here and now, 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:04.059 then that is also 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.000 how you will live your life 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.139 throughout all the endless 00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.139 ages of eternity. 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.279 C.S. Lewis, 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:10.000 the Christian writer, 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:10.940 once said that in the end 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.700 there are only two types 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.659 of people in the world. 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:15.879 Those who say to God, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.019 thy will be done, 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:19.700 and those to whom God 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.240 will say, 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.779 your will be done. 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.000 Terrible words. 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.500 And God does not want you 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.480 to perish like the wicked. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.940 That's why he sent his son, 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.139 Jesus, 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.000 into this world. 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.579 John 3.16 tells us, 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.980 for God so loved the world 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.379 that he sent us 00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:39.019 his one and only son 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:40.720 so that whoever believes 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.599 in him should not perish 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:45.679 but have everlasting life. 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:47.059 The thing that Asaph 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.319 was hoping for 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:48.980 and looking for 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.720 in this psalm. 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:52.519 If you're among the wicked 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.019 this evening, 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.279 then turn and trust in Jesus. 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.200 But maybe there's a third 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.019 type of person 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.600 who would be here 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.100 this evening. 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.319 And maybe you're 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.000 the sort of person 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.500 who is searching. 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.100 You're searching for answers. 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.480 You're searching for meaning. 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:08.240 You're searching for that thing 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.319 that seems to be missing 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.240 in your life. 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:12.079 And maybe you have discovered 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:13.160 that the prosperity 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.980 of the wicked, 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.339 the prosperity of this present life 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:17.120 doesn't truly satisfy. 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.620 Perhaps you're like 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.979 the old billionaire 00:27:19.979 --> 00:27:20.859 Robert Maxwell 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.419 who said, 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.359 I worked all my life 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.259 to reach the top 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.339 only to realize 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:24.899 when I got there 00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:25.699 there's nothing there. 00:27:26.739 --> 00:27:27.500 A man who was found 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.739 not long after saying that 00:27:28.739 --> 00:27:29.879 over the side 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:31.519 of his private yacht 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.539 dead in the water. 00:27:35.199 --> 00:27:36.139 Perhaps you are 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:38.000 wanting the kind of assurance 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.819 that Asaph has 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.679 at the end of this psalm 00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:40.299 that he can say 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.899 that even though 00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:42.019 my heart and my flesh 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.639 shall fail 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.799 yet you are 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.939 the strength of my life 00:27:44.939 --> 00:27:46.479 and my portion forever. 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:48.419 If you're here 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:48.779 this evening 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.480 and you are searching 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.140 and you're looking 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:51.519 then what you're looking for 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.200 is the Lord Jesus. 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.560 Your heart is 00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:54.519 like a home and beacon 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.759 for him. 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:58.120 And so I'd urge you 00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:59.519 I would encourage you 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.200 to please 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.420 investigate Jesus 00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.120 for yourself. 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:02.960 There are people here 00:28:02.960 --> 00:28:03.640 at the church 00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.519 who can help you. 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.380 Someone who brought you 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:06.900 perhaps can help you 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:07.300 and point you 00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:08.060 in the right direction. 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.660 But please 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.539 whatever you do 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:11.360 investigate him. 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.060 It will be the most 00:28:12.060 --> 00:28:12.660 important thing 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.380 that you ever do. 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.539 With these words 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:16.120 I want to close 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.959 in there from C.S. Lewis 00:28:16.959 --> 00:28:17.839 again and he said 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.399 that Christianity 00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:19.379 is a statement 00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:20.979 which if false 00:28:20.979 --> 00:28:22.399 is of no importance 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:24.079 and if true 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:26.079 of infinite importance 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:27.719 the one thing 00:28:27.719 --> 00:28:28.359 it cannot be 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:29.519 is moderately important. 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.559 So if you're searching 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.099 tonight 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:33.979 find out more. 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.519 Let's pray. 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:36.539 Let's pray. 00:28:36.539 --> 00:28:40.819 Lord and Father 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.279 we thank you 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:42.039 that you truly 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.240 are good to Israel. 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:44.000 You are truly good 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.779 to your church. 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:45.779 Thank you for your 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.339 wonderful love 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.619 that you sent your son 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.819 to rescue us. 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.960 We who were counted 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.639 among the wicked. 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:52.180 We who lived our lives 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:52.799 in sin 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.740 ignoring you 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.740 couldn't care less 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.319 about you. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.839 Thank you 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:57.519 that you have 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.259 come down 00:28:58.259 --> 00:29:00.019 and rescued us. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.399 Thank you 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:02.299 that you are 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.680 the God 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.220 who also 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.539 is open to questions 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:05.200 that you have 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.759 given us 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:07.039 minds to think 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.140 and to reason. 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:09.079 Thank you 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:11.660 that the faith 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:12.259 that we have 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.420 stands up to scrutiny. 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.599 We thank you 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.180 for the great 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:15.740 encouragements 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.799 that over the 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.539 many centuries 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.319 that the Christian 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.379 church has been here 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:20.740 that the greatest 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.819 intellectual minds 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.359 of atheism 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.319 have attacked it 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:24.240 and sought 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.359 to destroy it. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.079 Other religions 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.619 have come in 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.819 with their other ideas 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.319 and yet the one thing 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.000 that has stood 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.720 unshakable, 00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.160 firm, 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:31.779 unmoving 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:33.240 is the word of God 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:33.700 and the Bible 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.279 and the gospel 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.440 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.180 Thank you 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:36.720 that it has 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.619 stood the test 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.099 of time. 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.900 It has stood 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.660 as the rock 00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:40.259 of ages 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:42.119 and so help us 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:42.920 today 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:44.259 to cling tightly 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.160 as we live 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:46.079 in our society 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.779 which is filled 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.539 with unbelief 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.059 and doubt 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.779 and godlessness 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.700 and atheism 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.059 and agnosticism. 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.539 Help us 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.500 to stand firm 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.379 and cling fast 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:54.079 to the rock 00:29:54.079 --> 00:29:55.400 and help us 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:55.599 Lord 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.259 as we wrestle 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.200 with the 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.220 uncertainties 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.920 and the questions 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.460 that come up 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.359 into our minds, 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.400 the questions 00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:02.920 that other people 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.700 would share with us 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.299 that they're wrestling 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:04.480 with. 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:04.920 Help us 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:05.519 to journey 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.299 with Asaph 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.400 and help us 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.240 to reach the other 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.680 side, 00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:10.080 keeping going 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.700 in faith 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.840 and reaching 00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.980 that same conclusion 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.519 that truly 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.259 you are good, 00:30:14.680 --> 00:30:15.660 truly your word 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.799 is trustworthy. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.340 So Lord, 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:18.920 have your way 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.779 in our hearts 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.259 and our minds 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.759 this evening. 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.460 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.420 Amen. 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:23.600 Amen. 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:23.640 Amen. 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:23.700 Amen. 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:23.720 Amen. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:23.740 Amen. 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:23.759 Amen. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:23.799 Amen. 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:25.759 Amen. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:25.779 Amen. 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:25.819 Amen. 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:27.759 Amen. 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:27.799 Amen. 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:27.819 Amen. 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:27.880 Amen. 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:29.759 Amen. 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:29.819 Amen. 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:31.759 Amen. 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:31.819 Amen. 00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:31.840 Amen. 00:30:31.840 --> 00:30:33.680 Amen.