WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:25.839 Please turn in your Bibles to Psalm 121, Psalm 121, Psalm 121, Psalm 121, Psalm 121, Psalm 121, Psalm 121, Psalm 121, and boys and girls as promised there will be a number of times I'll refer to you in this sermon so you can listen and follow along as well. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.980 Let's read the psalm again. 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:36.159 A song of ascents. 00:00:36.719 --> 00:00:38.899 I lift up my eyes to the hills. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:40.780 From where does my help come? 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:45.100 My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:47.740 He will not let your foot be moved. 00:00:48.100 --> 00:00:49.740 He who keeps you will not slumber. 00:00:51.539 --> 00:00:54.840 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 00:00:55.400 --> 00:00:56.500 The Lord is your keeper. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:00.079 The Lord is your shade on your right hand. 00:01:00.600 --> 00:01:04.140 The sun will not strike you by day nor the moon by night. 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:06.500 The Lord will keep you from all evil. 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:08.319 He will keep your life. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:14.980 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:21.180 Father God, our help is in you, the maker of heaven and earth. 00:01:22.100 --> 00:01:29.420 And so we pray that you would come now and by your spirit illuminate our minds, conform our wills, 00:01:29.880 --> 00:01:34.659 and stir our affections for your Son, our Saviour, 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:42.340 who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever praised, world without end. 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:43.859 Amen. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:49.980 Life is tough, but so are you. 00:01:50.640 --> 00:01:53.620 Life is tough, but so are you. 00:01:54.020 --> 00:01:55.400 That's a quote I came across. 00:01:55.500 --> 00:01:56.380 I think it was a tweet. 00:01:57.460 --> 00:01:59.180 Life is tough, but so are you. 00:01:59.560 --> 00:02:02.320 I thought the first part was refreshingly honest. 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:04.980 Life is tough. 00:02:04.980 --> 00:02:12.159 Sure, there are happy moments and fun moments, but there are also sad moments and hard moments. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:13.640 Life is tough. 00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:18.620 Just think about your daily routine or just think about the things you need to do each day. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:20.060 It's hard work, isn't it? 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:24.300 But then add to that the daily experiences of life. 00:02:25.020 --> 00:02:27.860 The relational problem with that colleague at work. 00:02:27.860 --> 00:02:30.920 The longing for companionship in marriage. 00:02:31.580 --> 00:02:35.320 The hidden pain of infertility month after month. 00:02:35.960 --> 00:02:40.700 The worry over a particular child or a strained relationship with a parent. 00:02:41.480 --> 00:02:44.120 The boredom of an uninspiring job. 00:02:44.600 --> 00:02:47.640 The financial constraints of a lack of a job or money. 00:02:48.380 --> 00:02:50.600 The hassle involved in moving house. 00:02:51.040 --> 00:02:54.900 The physical pains of old age or a chronic illness. 00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:58.520 That issue in your marriage you keep arguing over. 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:01.000 The heaviness of depression. 00:03:01.740 --> 00:03:03.480 Or the panic of anxiety. 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:11.240 The daily experiences of life make life hard going at times, don't they? 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:12.480 Life is tough. 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:16.540 And then there are the unforeseen crises of life. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:19.500 The sad news of some terrible illness. 00:03:20.420 --> 00:03:21.980 The breakdown in a relationship. 00:03:21.979 --> 00:03:26.099 The sudden shock of the death of a loved one. 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:29.280 The daily routine of life is hard work. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:33.199 The daily experiences of life are hard work. 00:03:33.799 --> 00:03:37.759 And the unforeseen crises of life can be heartbreaking. 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:40.819 Life is tough. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:44.219 I think the first part of that quote is refreshingly honest. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:46.479 Life is tough. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:47.319 Wouldn't you agree? 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:52.359 But the question is, what do we think of the second part of the quote? 00:03:52.459 --> 00:03:54.939 Life is tough, but so are you. 00:03:55.959 --> 00:03:57.599 Life is tough, but so are you. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:02.699 If the first part is refreshingly honest, the second part is incredibly telling. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:08.780 Not because I think it's true, but because I think it captures an underlying attitude in our secular culture. 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:16.399 And that is that you have the resources within yourself to deal with whatever life throws at you. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:17.800 Life is tough, sure. 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:18.920 But so are you. 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:22.660 It's like that classic song by Billy Ocean. 00:04:23.339 --> 00:04:26.939 When the going gets tough, the tough get going. 00:04:27.339 --> 00:04:27.500 Right? 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:30.939 Or that Chumbawamba song. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:33.879 I get knocked down, but I get up again. 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:35.139 Okay? 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:37.680 And boys and girls, have you seen the Trolls movie? 00:04:38.500 --> 00:04:39.199 Remember it? 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.519 Or you're a very sanctified lot. 00:04:42.459 --> 00:04:44.620 It's got that great song, Get Back Up Again. 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:47.060 Hey, I'm not giving up today. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:48.800 There's nothing getting in my way. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:52.680 And if you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again. 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:57.240 And if something goes a little wrong, well, you can go ahead and bring it on. 00:04:57.780 --> 00:05:01.600 Because if you knock, knock me over, I will get back up again. 00:05:02.900 --> 00:05:05.480 That is what our culture teaches us. 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:08.480 Life is tough, but so are you. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:12.399 And when you get knocked over, you just get yourself back up again. 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:20.579 Tweets like that, and song lyrics like that, reveal one of the great pillars of our secular culture. 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:22.859 Another word, self-sufficiency. 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:24.919 Self-sufficiency. 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:31.159 Boys and girls, that just means that you have the power to do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it. 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:35.079 There's two pillars of our secular culture. 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:36.039 Autonomy. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:39.319 Do what you want, when you want. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:43.159 Because you're the master of your fate, the captain of your soul. 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:46.459 And the second pillar is self-sufficiency. 00:05:46.459 --> 00:05:55.419 You have everything within yourself to be who you want to be, to do what you want to do, and to overcome whatever life throws at you. 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:56.060 Autonomy. 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:57.579 Self-sufficiency. 00:05:58.659 --> 00:06:02.120 And when the going gets tough, the tough get going. 00:06:02.219 --> 00:06:05.039 When you get knocked down, you just get back up again. 00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:10.900 Well, there's one thing this psalm does for us this evening. 00:06:11.400 --> 00:06:16.680 It's that it affirms the first part, and it denies the second part. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:18.320 Life is tough, yes. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:20.220 But so are you. 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:22.820 Well, no, says this psalm. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:27.300 It says, no, our help is in the Lord. 00:06:27.840 --> 00:06:30.220 Psalm 1-2-1 concerns normal life. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:31.620 Everyday life. 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:33.379 It affirms that first part. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:34.860 Life is tough. 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:37.860 You see in verse 3, the reference to our foot. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:39.959 It speaks of a journey we're on. 00:06:40.159 --> 00:06:42.860 Verse 8 speaks of comings and goings. 00:06:42.939 --> 00:06:44.639 That's our life, our normal life. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:48.040 And the psalm affirms that normal life is tough. 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:52.459 Verse 3, our foot sometimes slips along the journey. 00:06:53.659 --> 00:06:57.139 Verse 6, the sun and the moon can strike us. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:01.040 Verse 7, there is evil all around us. 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:06.760 So this normal life, life under the sun and moon life, everyday life is tough. 00:07:07.200 --> 00:07:08.060 Life is difficult. 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:09.000 It's dangerous. 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:10.000 It's tough. 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:12.620 That's what this psalm affirms. 00:07:13.320 --> 00:07:15.040 But then here's the thing the psalm denies. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:19.660 Our culture says, life is tough, but so are you. 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:26.100 And this psalm says, life is tough, but our help is in the name of the Lord. 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:30.480 Life is tough, but our help is in the Lord. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:33.780 Our world tells us to be self-sufficient. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:37.520 This psalm tells us to be God-dependent. 00:07:37.519 --> 00:07:40.799 And the psalm communicates that truth in two ways. 00:07:41.259 --> 00:07:45.439 Number one, life is tough, but the Lord is our helper. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:48.180 Life is tough, but the Lord is our helper. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:49.979 Verses 1 and 2. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:51.899 I lift up my eyes to the hills. 00:07:52.299 --> 00:07:53.899 From where does my help come? 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:58.659 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 00:07:59.939 --> 00:08:04.419 Now this verse 1, I lift up my eyes to the hills. 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:06.699 From where does my help come from? 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:09.660 That's been interpreted in different ways. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:12.759 Some people think, I lift up my eyes to the hills. 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.400 It carries an ominous tone. 00:08:15.900 --> 00:08:21.259 Hills were places of danger, where thieves and robbers would lie in wait in the mountain passages. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:27.100 Or hills were places of idolatry, where idols were worshipped on high places. 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:30.160 So some people think this has got a negative connotation. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.740 But I don't think that's the case. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:37.840 In the Psalms, the hills of Israel, especially Jerusalem, has a positive connotation. 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:43.060 John Calvin thought that the hills symbolize might and strength. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:45.840 And so the logic here is contrastive. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:47.980 I lift up my eyes to the hills. 00:08:48.560 --> 00:08:50.019 Where does my help come from? 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:54.060 Well, not even from something so great and mighty as the hills. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:09:00.639 But from the Lord, the maker, not only of the hills, but of heaven and earth. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:02.719 And that's definitely a possible reading. 00:09:02.859 --> 00:09:07.259 But I don't think the hills are meant here in a contrastive sense. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:10.119 I think they're meant in a complementary sense. 00:09:10.819 --> 00:09:15.059 Just look, if you just take a look at the heading of the psalm. 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:17.159 A psalm of ascents. 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:20.019 And Psalm 120 to 134. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:23.039 These are 15 psalms of ascents. 00:09:23.939 --> 00:09:25.799 There's some debate what that means. 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:27.119 The psalms of ascents. 00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:35.359 But I think the most sensible explanation is that it's a reference to the psalms they would sing as they made their way up to Jerusalem. 00:09:35.639 --> 00:09:38.279 Which was on a hill, on a mountain. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:41.059 And they would sing these psalms as they went up. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:46.539 And if you've ever been to Israel, you know that Jerusalem is on the top of this mountain range. 00:09:46.959 --> 00:09:49.399 When you fly into Tel Aviv, you're down by the sea. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:54.079 You get on the bus and you just slowly make your way up to Jerusalem. 00:09:54.239 --> 00:09:56.779 And you just keep going up and up and up and up. 00:09:57.639 --> 00:10:00.599 Jerusalem was set up in the hills. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:05.139 Your eyes as you drive up to Jerusalem are lifted up to these hills. 00:10:05.139 --> 00:10:11.480 Now think of what that eye lifting up experience signified for an Old Testament Israelite. 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:15.299 As they walked up to Mount Zion, what were they looking at? 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:18.080 God's home. 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.360 His temple. 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:23.399 It was situated on the top of the hills in Jerusalem. 00:10:24.199 --> 00:10:27.519 And so this psalmist is saying, I lift up my eyes to the hills. 00:10:27.939 --> 00:10:29.439 Where does my help come from? 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:33.120 My help comes from the God who lives in those hills. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:36.100 The God who lives in his temple. 00:10:36.919 --> 00:10:40.519 The hills of Jerusalem have a positive sense here. 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:41.960 I think they're complementary. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:43.919 Our help is in the hills. 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:46.580 In the God who lives in the hills. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:51.980 But in order to make sure we don't just domesticate God to the hills of Jerusalem, 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:53.700 the psalmist adds, 00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:56.659 Who made heaven and earth. 00:10:56.860 --> 00:11:00.519 My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:05.159 The God of the hills of Jerusalem is the maker of heaven and earth. 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:07.100 He is not a domestic deity. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.600 Heaven and earth is what's called a mayorism. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.840 It's two parts that make a whole and everything in between. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:19.500 My help comes from the Lord who made everything. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:23.259 And this is the reason why God can help us with anything. 00:11:23.960 --> 00:11:25.419 Because he made everything. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:27.440 God can help us with anything. 00:11:27.940 --> 00:11:29.759 Because he made everything. 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:32.940 Our God is our helper. 00:11:33.820 --> 00:11:36.200 Because he is first our creator. 00:11:36.820 --> 00:11:39.940 The reason why the gods of all other religions cannot help us 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:44.139 is first and foremost because they have never created anything in their life. 00:11:44.559 --> 00:11:46.240 Never mind the heavens and the earth. 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:50.100 The gods of the nations are created, not creator. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.980 They are made, not maker. 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:54.360 And that is why they cannot help people. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:56.740 Because they were made by people. 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:59.019 But the great claim of this psalm 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:02.139 is that the God of Israel, the Christian God, 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:05.600 the God whose name is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:07.519 is able to help people 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:10.500 for this one basic fundamental reason. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.299 He made everything. 00:12:12.299 --> 00:12:15.099 He created everything. 00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:17.659 And that's why he can help us with anything. 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:21.459 God is our helper because he is first our creator. 00:12:22.719 --> 00:12:24.259 And that is what we need to remember. 00:12:24.819 --> 00:12:26.399 Whatever happens in our lives, 00:12:26.599 --> 00:12:28.079 whatever life throws at us, 00:12:28.199 --> 00:12:29.399 whenever life gets tough, 00:12:29.899 --> 00:12:33.079 our help is in the Lord who made everything. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.979 When life gets tough, 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:37.299 it's so easy to look into ourselves 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:40.219 or around to others. 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:43.740 It's so easy to experience a difficulty in your life 00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:45.320 and to turn to Google 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:47.019 before you turn to God. 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:51.360 But what this psalm says to us this evening 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.500 is don't look in, 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:54.100 don't look around, 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:56.680 but look up to God. 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.980 When life gets tough, 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:01.259 the Lord is our helper. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:05.379 That's the first thing this psalm shows us. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.100 And then second, 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:08.139 life is tough, 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:10.340 but the Lord is our keeper. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:11.639 Life is tough, 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.939 but the Lord is our helper. 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.419 Verses 1 and 2. 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:14.899 And now, 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:16.259 life is tough, 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:17.960 but the Lord is our keeper. 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:20.080 Verses 3 to 8. 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:22.340 Now it's important to note 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:23.519 that verses 3 to 8 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:26.860 are not a prayer for protection. 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:27.980 Did you notice that? 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:31.759 Psalm 1 to 1 is not a prayer for protection, 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:33.680 it's a promise of protection. 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:36.139 And the promise is made sure 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.759 by the Lord, 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.680 who is our keeper, 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:39.860 our guard, 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:41.399 our protector. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.519 That's the key word through these verses. 00:13:43.659 --> 00:13:45.560 It occurs six times. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.820 The word keep or keeper. 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:49.360 Verse 3, 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.019 verse 4, 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:53.240 verse 5, 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.899 verse 7, 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:57.059 verse 8, 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.919 six times, 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:00.279 the word keeper, 00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:01.159 keeper is used. 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:02.079 Life is tough, 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.779 but the Lord is our keeper. 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:06.379 And we can see that in four ways. 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:07.159 Number one, 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.819 the Lord is our personal keeper. 00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:11.500 The Lord is our personal keeper. 00:14:12.079 --> 00:14:13.699 Did you notice how the psalm shifts 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:15.019 from the first person, 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:17.159 in verses 1 and 2, 00:14:17.959 --> 00:14:19.720 to the second person, 00:14:20.179 --> 00:14:20.960 you or your, 00:14:21.059 --> 00:14:22.899 in verses 3 to 8. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:26.019 Now some think that this is antiphonal singing. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:27.600 Verse 1 and 2 would have been sung 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:29.019 by one group of pilgrims, 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:30.639 and then verse 3 to 8 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:32.039 would be sung by another group. 00:14:32.959 --> 00:14:33.959 I think that's possible. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:35.799 I think a better way to think of it 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:37.079 is that verses 1 and 2 00:14:37.079 --> 00:14:39.439 is sung by the king of Israel, 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:41.480 and then verses 3 to 8 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.939 is sung by the priest, 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.819 or by the people, 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.720 to the king. 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:46.659 And I'll come back to that 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:47.819 at the end of the sermon. 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:48.519 But notice, 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.559 for now, 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:51.960 how deeply personal this sermon is. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:53.320 The words your, 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.080 or you, 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:56.180 are repeated over and over. 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.780 Alright, boys and girls, 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:59.100 perhaps you can help me here. 00:14:59.660 --> 00:15:01.340 I'm going to read out these verses, 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.560 and as I do so, 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:04.160 I want you to count on your hand, 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.139 okay, 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.040 with your fingers, 00:15:06.160 --> 00:15:07.139 how many times 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:08.519 you hear the word your, 00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:10.080 or your, 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:11.680 you say in England, 00:15:12.040 --> 00:15:12.800 or you. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:13.580 Okay, 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.879 so listen very carefully. 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:18.480 He will not let your foot 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.399 be moved. 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.159 He who keeps you 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:22.620 will not slumber. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:25.220 The Lord is your keeper. 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.980 The Lord is your shield 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.360 on your right hand. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.759 The sun will not strike you 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.439 by day, 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:33.500 nor the moon by night. 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.879 The Lord will keep you 00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.879 from all evil. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.779 He will keep your life. 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:39.220 The Lord will keep 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.340 your going out, 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.799 and your coming in, 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:43.419 from this time forth, 00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:44.819 and forevermore. 00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:46.479 How many did you get? 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:48.419 Ten. 00:15:48.579 --> 00:15:49.279 Very good. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.699 Ten times 00:15:50.699 --> 00:15:51.979 in six verses. 00:15:53.099 --> 00:15:53.939 Ten times 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.639 in six verses. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:55.879 The psalmist is saying, 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:57.759 the Lord is your keeper. 00:15:58.099 --> 00:15:59.319 He will keep you. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:01.599 You see how personal it is? 00:16:02.859 --> 00:16:03.620 Boys and girls, 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:04.519 it's a bit like that 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.719 kid's song you sing, 00:16:05.819 --> 00:16:05.919 you know, 00:16:05.979 --> 00:16:07.219 he's got the whole world 00:16:07.219 --> 00:16:08.099 in his hands. 00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.219 You know that song? 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:11.179 He's got the whole wide world 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.979 in his hands. 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:13.339 That's like verses one and two. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.139 God is the maker of everything. 00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.659 He's got the whole world 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.679 in his hands. 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.379 And then the second verse, 00:16:19.719 --> 00:16:21.639 he's got you and me, 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:22.719 brother, sister, 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.799 in his hands. 00:16:23.859 --> 00:16:24.819 He's got you and me 00:16:24.819 --> 00:16:25.419 in his hands. 00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:27.339 That's like verses three to eight. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.459 God's got the whole world 00:16:29.459 --> 00:16:30.279 in his hands, 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.399 verses one and two, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.359 because he made everything. 00:16:32.959 --> 00:16:34.079 And he's got you and me 00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:34.819 in his hands, 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.839 verses three to eight, 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:37.099 because he's our keeper. 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:39.479 He's looking after us. 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:42.639 The creator of the universe 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.960 is our personal bodyguard. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:47.840 He's got us in his hands. 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:49.800 So that's the first way 00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:51.039 we see that he's our keeper. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.560 He's our personal keeper. 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:53.120 Second, 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:56.180 he's our persistent keeper. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.940 Verses three to four, 00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:59.360 our persistent keeper. 00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:02.300 He will not let your foot be moved. 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:04.160 He who keeps you will not slumber. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:04.980 Behold, 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.019 he who keeps Israel 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:07.720 will neither slumber nor sleep. 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:10.559 The foot slipping here 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.579 is not merely referring 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:13.079 to tripping up on a path. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:14.779 That would suggest 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.460 that Christians 00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.380 are not exposed 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.759 to the normal accidents 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.180 and tragedies of life. 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:21.279 And we know from experience 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.680 that we are as Christians. 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:23.759 Rather, 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:25.240 the foot slipping imagery 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.100 in the Old Testament 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:26.980 speaks of someone 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.400 falling off the path 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:30.259 to eternal ruin. 00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:31.720 So for example, 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:33.600 Psalm 73 speaks of God 00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:34.880 setting the wicked 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:36.540 in slippery places 00:17:36.540 --> 00:17:39.040 so that they are swept away 00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:40.280 and utterly destroyed. 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:41.980 And the promise here 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.540 is that 00:17:42.540 --> 00:17:44.340 that will never happen 00:17:44.340 --> 00:17:45.260 to the Christian. 00:17:45.800 --> 00:17:46.460 And the reason 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:47.600 why it will never happen 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.580 is because the Lord 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:50.140 is our persistent keeper. 00:17:50.520 --> 00:17:51.780 He does not slumber 00:17:51.780 --> 00:17:53.080 or sleep. 00:17:54.260 --> 00:17:54.840 There's perhaps 00:17:54.840 --> 00:17:55.920 a progression here 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.740 in those verbs. 00:17:57.260 --> 00:17:58.200 Slumbering is like 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.040 dropping off 00:17:59.040 --> 00:17:59.940 for a wee nap 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.020 after a heavy meal. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.759 I had a wee slumber 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.700 this afternoon. 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.759 Or a sleep. 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.139 It's like a deep sleep 00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:08.180 at the end of the day. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.019 So the verbs 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.579 may just be 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.599 a slight progression 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:14.500 from a micro nap 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.579 to a deep sleep. 00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:16.019 Or, 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.200 they might just be 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.279 saying the same thing. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.940 In either case, 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.700 we get the point 00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:22.279 God's protective care 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.619 of us 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.680 never stops. 00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.019 It covers day 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.859 and night. 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:27.839 God never nods off. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:28.960 He never has 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.980 a micro sleep 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:31.059 while he's looking 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.860 after us. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.259 The reference 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:33.960 to Israel 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.819 here in verse 00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:36.339 4 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.680 indicates that 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.279 God is not just 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.860 our creator 00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:40.039 but also our redeemer. 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.099 He redeemed 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:42.279 his son Israel 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.900 out of Egypt. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.400 But the reference 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:45.539 to corporate Israel 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.339 doesn't take away 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.460 the personal nature 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.420 of God's protection. 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.880 If he's the keeper 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:51.180 of corporate Israel, 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.279 that means he's 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:52.640 the keeper 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:54.539 of individual Israelite. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.900 He is the keeper 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.880 of the church 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:57.759 as well as 00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.299 the Christian. 00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:00.440 So this is 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.579 the second thing 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.039 we see. 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.579 The Lord 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.240 is our 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.639 persistent 00:19:04.639 --> 00:19:05.639 keeper. 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:08.779 And this is why 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.440 as a church 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.480 and as a Christian 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.159 we can enjoy 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.039 our sleep 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:14.240 just like Jesus did. 00:19:14.419 --> 00:19:14.659 Have you ever 00:19:14.659 --> 00:19:15.159 noticed that? 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:16.139 Jesus enjoyed 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.859 his sleep 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:18.039 even in the midst 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.259 of a storm. 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.159 Why did he sleep 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:21.759 in the storm? 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.139 Because he knew 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:23.919 that his father 00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:24.879 neither slept 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:26.440 nor slumbered 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.140 over him. 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.340 Our sleep 00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:29.259 can be sweet 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.700 because God 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:32.019 does not sleep. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.380 Alexander the Great, 00:19:34.600 --> 00:19:35.620 the king of ancient 00:19:35.620 --> 00:19:36.059 Greece, 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:36.860 was once asked 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:37.640 why he slept 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:38.420 so well 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.360 while he was 00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:40.080 on his military 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:40.799 campaign. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.420 In those days 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:42.960 for a king 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.620 to sleep in his 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.460 tent in the midst 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.100 of a war 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:46.779 was a great risk. 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.160 His own men 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.180 could come in 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.940 and kill him 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:52.140 or the enemy 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:52.900 could come in 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.720 and kill him. 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:55.539 But Alexander the Great 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:55.960 was asked 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.519 why do you 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.460 sleep so well 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:59.519 in your military 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.279 campaigns 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.180 and he replied 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.180 because Parmenion 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:05.019 does not sleep. 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:06.539 Parmenion 00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.720 was his bodyguard 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:09.360 and that's why 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:10.259 he slept so well 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.120 because he knew 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:12.039 that Parmenion 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.579 never slept 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.519 when he looked 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.160 after him 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.339 and that is 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.220 what God 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.039 is like to us. 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:18.620 He is like 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.339 our personal 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:20.059 bodyguard 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.380 and he does 00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.380 not sleep. 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:24.720 Our anxiety 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.560 about life 00:20:25.560 --> 00:20:26.260 in general 00:20:26.260 --> 00:20:28.120 could be lessened 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:29.120 if we would 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.920 just remind 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.640 ourselves 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:31.980 that God 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.740 does not 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.300 sleep 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:34.260 or slumber 00:20:34.260 --> 00:20:34.960 in looking 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.800 after us. 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.460 He is attentive 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.960 and he is 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.960 our personal 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.940 persistent 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.880 keeper. 00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:44.040 Well third 00:20:44.040 --> 00:20:44.820 he is also 00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:45.720 our present 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.300 keeper. 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:46.880 The Lord 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.720 is our present 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.060 keeper. 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:48.800 Verse 5 00:20:48.800 --> 00:20:49.460 and 6 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.480 the Lord 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:50.799 is your 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.220 keeper. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:51.880 The Lord 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:52.180 is your 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.700 shade 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.019 on your 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.720 right hand. 00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:54.720 The sun 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.140 shall not 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.680 strike you 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.340 by day 00:20:56.340 --> 00:20:57.160 nor the 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:57.480 moon 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.680 by night. 00:20:59.340 --> 00:20:59.579 Now the 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.120 reference here 00:21:00.120 --> 00:21:00.539 to the sun 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:00.920 and the moon 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.559 are intriguing. 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.960 Obviously the 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.400 sun and moon 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:03.920 are not known 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.519 for dropping 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.039 out of the 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.000 sky like 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.120 some meteorite. 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.819 Have you seen 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:08.319 that recently 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.019 boys and girls? 00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:09.779 Being hit 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.940 by a star 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.660 have you recently? 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.920 Walking along 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.420 the street? 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:13.759 No. 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:15.000 The sun and moon 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.880 don't really fall 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.680 out of the heavens 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.220 do they? 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.160 So I don't 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.640 think this is 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:19.339 a physical 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:21.140 literal meaning. 00:21:21.380 --> 00:21:21.839 I think it's 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.380 symbolic. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.779 Just as the 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.519 hills were 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.259 symbolic of 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.860 where God 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.319 lives, 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.059 where our 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.620 health is, 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.920 just as the 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.680 foot was 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.500 symbolic of 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.100 slipping in 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:31.759 an eternal 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.980 sense, 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:34.380 so the sun 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.220 and the moon 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:35.700 here are 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.500 symbolic of 00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.039 danger. 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.339 Danger by 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:38.839 day, 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:40.420 danger by 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.940 night. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.960 The daytime 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.500 dangers and 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:46.819 then the 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.159 nighttime 00:21:47.159 --> 00:21:47.839 dangers. 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.939 Perhaps the 00:21:48.939 --> 00:21:49.439 moon here 00:21:49.439 --> 00:21:49.919 could refer 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:50.460 to moon 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:51.059 stroke, 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.159 imagined 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.919 danger by 00:21:52.919 --> 00:21:53.740 a person's 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.559 unstable 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.579 mental state. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.779 Perhaps those 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.259 of us who 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.939 suffer from 00:21:57.939 --> 00:21:59.099 anxiety or 00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:00.079 panic attacks 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.259 can identify 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.899 with that. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:03.439 But whatever 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:04.240 it means, 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.119 this daytime 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.980 danger or 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.379 nighttime 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:06.960 danger, 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.299 we get the 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:09.500 point that 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.980 nothing can 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.939 strike us 00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:13.000 a deadly 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.500 blow. 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:14.859 And that's 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.299 because of 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.700 what's in 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.420 verse 5. 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.460 The Lord 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.860 is your 00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:18.240 keeper, 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.299 the Lord 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:19.740 is your 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:21.200 shade at 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.819 your right 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.440 hand. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.180 Notice that. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.779 It's not that 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.620 God sends us 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.080 an angel, 00:22:26.620 --> 00:22:27.039 it's that 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.200 God sends 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.539 us himself. 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.400 He is so 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.240 close to us 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.779 that he is 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.440 our own 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.279 shade. 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.400 Now boys 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:35.779 and girls, 00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.160 I don't know 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:36.539 if you've ever 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.720 tried to 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.519 chase someone 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.420 else's shadow 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.960 and stand on it. 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.319 Have you ever 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:42.779 tried to do 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.019 that? 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.079 The sun, 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.379 yeah? 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:44.859 And what 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.200 do you have 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:45.579 to do if 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:45.740 you're going 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.399 to stand 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:46.879 on someone 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.680 else's shadow? 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.460 How close 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.879 do you have 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.240 to be? 00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:51.539 You've got to 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.379 be very close. 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:53.000 You can't do 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.740 it 20 yards 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:54.119 away, you've 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:54.379 got to get 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:54.940 close to 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.119 them. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.000 And if the 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.059 Lord is 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:58.319 our sheath 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:58.759 at our 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.839 right hand, 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.000 then that 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.559 means that 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.379 we are close 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.180 to God and 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.019 God is close 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.359 to us in 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:05.799 order for 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.539 him to be 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.700 our sheath. 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.539 If in 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.519 verse 2 he's 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.200 our creator, 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:12.480 and if in 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.400 verse 4 he's 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.080 our redeemer, 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:14.620 here in 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:15.440 verse 5 we 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.600 might say that 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:17.019 he's our 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.640 companion. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.100 He's the 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:19.380 one who 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:19.880 comes and 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:21.059 walks close 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.319 beside us so 00:23:22.319 --> 00:23:23.120 that we live 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:24.140 in his 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.720 sheath. 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.559 The Lord is 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:27.080 your sheath on 00:23:27.080 --> 00:23:27.640 your right 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.120 hand. 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.500 So we have 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.000 those three 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.620 pictures of 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.240 God here, 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:31.759 creator, 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.380 redeemer, 00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.880 and companion. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.180 Sounds a 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.640 bit like the 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.019 Trinity, 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:36.620 doesn't it? 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.900 God the 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.039 Father creates, 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:39.860 God the 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.880 Son redeems, 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.520 and God the 00:23:41.520 --> 00:23:42.400 Spirit comes 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.740 alongside us. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:46.340 Psalm 121 is 00:23:46.340 --> 00:23:46.780 the Holy 00:23:46.780 --> 00:23:47.620 Trinity 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:48.980 incognito. 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.640 And it's 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:51.580 this aspect of 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:53.040 God's companionship 00:23:53.040 --> 00:23:54.540 as our ever 00:23:54.540 --> 00:23:55.580 present help 00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:55.920 that is 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.840 highlighted here. 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:57.800 Life is 00:23:57.800 --> 00:23:58.260 tough, 00:23:58.800 --> 00:23:59.120 but the 00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.600 Lord is our 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.440 personal keeper, 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.380 he's our 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:02.020 persistent 00:24:02.020 --> 00:24:02.540 keeper, 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.460 and he is 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.420 our present 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.220 keeper. 00:24:06.100 --> 00:24:06.780 He stands 00:24:06.780 --> 00:24:07.580 beside us 00:24:07.579 --> 00:24:08.439 and is 00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:09.240 our shade 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.679 at our 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.399 right hand. 00:24:12.119 --> 00:24:12.399 And then 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:12.839 fourth, 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.799 the Lord is 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.899 our perpetual 00:24:14.899 --> 00:24:15.720 keeper. 00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:16.859 The Lord is 00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.699 our perpetual 00:24:17.699 --> 00:24:18.240 keeper, 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.639 or eternal 00:24:19.639 --> 00:24:20.319 keeper. 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.460 But we 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.899 needed a 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:23.699 fourth P, 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.460 didn't we? 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.279 The Lord will 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:26.939 keep you from 00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:27.460 all evil, 00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.179 he will keep 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:28.759 your life, 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.539 the Lord will 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.199 keep your going 00:24:30.199 --> 00:24:30.439 out, 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:30.699 and you're 00:24:30.699 --> 00:24:31.299 coming in 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.139 from this 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:32.839 time forth, 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.980 and forever 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.379 more. 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:35.320 We see the 00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:36.200 totality of 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.720 his care 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.060 in these 00:24:37.060 --> 00:24:37.440 verses. 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.080 Do you 00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:38.520 notice that? 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:38.800 The Lord 00:24:38.800 --> 00:24:39.280 keeps us 00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:40.020 from all 00:24:40.020 --> 00:24:40.620 evil, 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:41.900 the all 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:42.820 encapsulates 00:24:42.820 --> 00:24:43.620 day and 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.020 night. 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.080 Verse 00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:45.720 7, 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.620 our life 00:24:46.620 --> 00:24:47.200 in all 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.940 its fullness 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.560 is kept 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.120 by God. 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.420 Verse 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:49.800 8, 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.660 he keeps 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.220 our going 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.640 out and 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.060 our coming 00:24:52.060 --> 00:24:52.300 in, 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:52.640 another 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.320 merism, 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.140 two parts 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.940 to communicate 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.880 the whole 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:56.400 of life. 00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:57.420 God watches 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:58.520 over our 00:24:58.520 --> 00:24:59.060 everyday 00:24:59.060 --> 00:24:59.920 wanderings, 00:25:00.020 --> 00:25:00.500 our comings 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.120 and goings, 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:01.920 from womb 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.980 to tomb. 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.759 God watches 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.599 over us. 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.680 His care 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.480 is total, 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:08.880 but also, 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.799 notice the 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.660 final words, 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.620 his care 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.559 is perpetual, 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.339 it is 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.799 eternal, 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.839 from this 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.660 time forth 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:18.799 and forever 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.299 more. 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.720 God's keeping 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.500 does not end 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.240 in this life 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.779 and in this 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.099 world, 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.740 it continues 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.160 into the 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.759 next world. 00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:27.880 When we get 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.400 to heaven, 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:29.240 God's 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.039 protecting care 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.519 of us is 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.019 not over. 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.039 You could 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.440 say it's 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.980 only just 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.460 beginning. 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.340 When our 00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:35.960 loved ones 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.440 get to 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:36.700 heaven, 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.200 God does 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.940 not stop 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.400 keeping 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:38.720 them, 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:39.940 he is 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.340 still 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:40.900 keeping 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.220 them. 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:42.320 The 00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:42.720 Lord is 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:42.960 our 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.680 perpetual 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.200 keeper 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:44.720 from this 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:44.980 time 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.460 forth 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.420 and 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:47.240 forever 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.740 more. 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.420 So those 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:48.860 are four 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.680 aspects of 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.120 God as 00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:50.299 our 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.640 keeper. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.200 He's 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.360 our 00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:51.820 personal 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:52.299 keeper. 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.140 Remember 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.559 boys and 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:53.779 girls, 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.180 how many 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.680 you and 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.039 yours 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:55.500 were there? 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.160 Ten. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.779 He's 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:57.940 our 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.500 personal 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:58.920 keeper. 00:25:59.460 --> 00:25:59.740 He's 00:25:59.740 --> 00:25:59.960 our 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.740 persistent 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.279 keeper. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:01.759 He doesn't 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.519 sleep or 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.019 slumber. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.339 He is 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:04.879 our 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:06.079 present 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.519 keeper, 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.740 but he's 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.440 the shade 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:08.799 at our 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:09.639 right hand, 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.619 and he's 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:10.819 our 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.440 perpetual 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:11.940 keeper. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.480 He will 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.299 keep us 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.299 forever and 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.500 ever. 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.779 And this 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.139 is the 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.559 second 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.759 great truth 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.200 that this 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:18.839 psalm gives 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.319 us in the 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.299 midst of 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.720 life's 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.220 difficulties. 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.019 Our 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.720 culture says 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.180 life is 00:26:23.180 --> 00:26:23.559 tough, 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.579 but so 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.000 are you. 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:25.980 This 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.539 psalm says 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:26.980 life is 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.279 tough, 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.680 yes, 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:29.080 for the 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:29.580 Lord is 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:29.759 our 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.100 helper. 00:26:30.820 --> 00:26:30.980 The 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.580 Lord is 00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:31.799 our 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.200 keeper. 00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:33.960 In 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.360 closing, 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:34.779 I want 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.320 to ask 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:36.500 what does 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.039 the Lord 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.200 keeping our 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.860 goings and 00:26:38.860 --> 00:26:39.360 comings 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.500 actually mean? 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:40.940 What does 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.880 it mean for 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.360 him to 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:42.960 keep us 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.620 from all 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.740 evil and 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.140 to keep 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.660 our life? 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.279 What does 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.779 it mean that 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.340 the sun and 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:47.640 the moon 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.160 will not 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:49.080 strike us? 00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:49.900 What does 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.480 it mean that 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.019 our foot 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.539 will not 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.660 slip in 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.460 verse 3? 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.640 Is this 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.259 some kind 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.740 of health, 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.259 wealth, 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.060 and prosperity 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.639 gospel? 00:26:58.639 --> 00:26:58.940 Is it 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.419 the Christian 00:26:59.419 --> 00:26:59.940 life is 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.819 trouble-free? 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.119 Well, 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:02.460 no. 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.619 We walk 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.059 along the 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.899 same paths 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.500 in life as 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.099 unbelievers 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:06.480 do. 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.419 We live 00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:07.740 out our 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.279 lives under 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.759 the same 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.359 sun and 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:09.639 moon, 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.639 and we 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:11.019 encounter 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.519 the same 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.319 evils that 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.799 they do. 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:13.919 Life is 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.419 tough, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.299 whoever you 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.679 are, 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.679 wherever you 00:27:16.679 --> 00:27:17.059 are, 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:17.899 and being a 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.639 Christian doesn't 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.500 make it less 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.179 tough. 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.899 So what 00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:22.720 exactly is 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.679 this keeping 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:24.720 that the 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.099 psalmist 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:26.039 promises us? 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.759 Because 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.079 remember, 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.440 it's a 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:27.819 promise, 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.279 not a 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.660 prayer, 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.440 that God 00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.900 will keep 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.180 us. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.500 Well, 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:31.920 the answer 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.319 to what 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.839 the Lord's 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.500 keeping means 00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:33.819 is in 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.500 those final 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.099 words, 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:35.980 from this 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.700 time forth 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.900 and forever 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.339 more. 00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:40.460 Let me 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.140 unpack those 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:41.759 words by 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.319 telling you 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:43.000 about a 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.400 Vietnamese 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.460 pastor and 00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:44.839 translator 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.319 called 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:45.819 Hien. 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.059 After 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.480 Vietnam 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.339 fell in 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.519 the 1970s, 00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:50.160 Hien was 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.940 captured by 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.379 the Viet 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:51.940 Con and 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.839 imprisoned and 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.599 tortured. 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:55.119 his captors 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.659 beat him 00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:56.259 continually, 00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:57.480 they forced 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:57.959 him to 00:27:57.959 --> 00:27:58.759 clean the 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.919 toilet latrines, 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.299 they brainwashed 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:01.699 him with 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:02.179 communist 00:28:02.179 --> 00:28:02.879 material, 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.859 and eventually 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.519 after some 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.019 time he 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.240 cracked and 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.599 stopped 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.219 praying and 00:28:07.219 --> 00:28:07.859 he became 00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.959 an atheist. 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.379 But a 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:10.759 couple of 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.379 years later 00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.099 the guard 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.919 put him on 00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:14.419 toilet duty, 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.740 and as he 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.299 was cleaning 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.719 out the 00:28:16.719 --> 00:28:17.179 toilet he 00:28:17.179 --> 00:28:17.679 saw a 00:28:17.679 --> 00:28:18.119 piece of 00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.619 paper that 00:28:19.619 --> 00:28:19.939 had been 00:28:19.939 --> 00:28:20.519 used as 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.339 toilet paper. 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.659 he noticed 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.179 some writing 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:23.500 on the 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.139 top corner 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:24.579 of it, 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.019 Romans. 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.399 He rubbed 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:28.879 off the 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.799 human excrement 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.379 that was on 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:31.319 it, folded 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.799 it up and 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.159 put it in 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:32.659 his pocket, 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:33.519 and that 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:33.959 night in 00:28:33.959 --> 00:28:34.480 the darkness 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.039 of his 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.039 cell he 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.740 switched on 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.399 his torch 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.339 and he 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:38.819 read these 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.319 words, 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:40.879 And we 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:42.139 know that 00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:42.539 in all 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:43.419 things God 00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:44.159 works for 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:44.599 the good of 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.059 those who 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.539 love him, 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.299 who have 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.980 been called 00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.639 according to 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.279 his purpose. 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.339 What then 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:49.919 shall we say 00:28:49.919 --> 00:28:50.720 in response to 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.000 this? 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:51.759 If God 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.279 is for 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.559 us, 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:52.899 who can 00:28:52.899 --> 00:28:53.419 be against 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:53.819 us? 00:28:54.159 --> 00:28:54.639 He who 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:55.099 did not 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:55.720 spare his 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.359 own son, 00:28:56.439 --> 00:28:56.759 but gave 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.199 him up for 00:28:57.199 --> 00:28:57.599 us all, 00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:58.399 how will 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:58.679 he not 00:28:58.679 --> 00:28:59.399 also along 00:28:59.399 --> 00:28:59.740 with him 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.459 graciously 00:29:00.459 --> 00:29:00.919 give us 00:29:00.919 --> 00:29:01.639 all things? 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.539 Who will 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.000 bring any 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.839 charge against 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.419 those whom 00:29:04.419 --> 00:29:04.839 God has 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.220 chosen? 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.019 Who shall 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.019 separate us 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.519 from the 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:07.879 love of 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.359 Christ? 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.000 Shall 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.480 trouble, 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.359 or hardship, 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.480 or persecution, 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.659 or famine, 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.819 or nakedness, 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.619 or danger, 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.459 or sword? 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.639 No, in all 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.459 these things we 00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.119 are more than 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.980 conquerors through 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.559 him who loved 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:19.879 us. 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.779 For I am 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.420 convinced that 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:22.119 neither death 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.799 nor life, 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.039 neither angels 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.740 nor demons, 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.660 neither the 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.420 present nor the 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.740 future, nor any 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:29.399 part, neither height 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:30.639 nor depth, nor 00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.440 anything else in 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.240 all creation, 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.420 will be able to 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.680 separate us from 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.559 the love of God 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.779 that is in Christ 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.839 Jesus our Lord. 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.439 God. 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:40.279 He began to cry. 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:41.699 And then he said 00:29:41.699 --> 00:29:42.359 these words, 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:44.879 Lord, you would 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:46.059 not let me out of 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.839 your reach for 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:49.059 even one day. 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:51.179 You would not let 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:51.819 me out of your 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.599 reach for even 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.159 one day. 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.399 That's the kind 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:56.019 of keeping that 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:57.519 Psalm 121 is 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.279 talking about. 00:29:58.879 --> 00:29:59.459 It's the 00:29:59.459 --> 00:30:01.099 preservation of 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:03.019 God's people in 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.039 relationship with 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.740 him now and for 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.759 eternity, come 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:08.400 hell or high 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.799 water. 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.180 The next day, 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.079 Hien asked if he 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:12.740 could do toilet 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.440 duty again. 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:14.920 And would you 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.940 believe it, he 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.660 recovered the 00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.259 whole book of 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.779 Romans from the 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.140 toilets. 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:21.240 And his faith was 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.759 restored. 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.400 He later escaped, 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.720 became a pastor to 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:26.339 Vietnamese people in 00:30:26.339 --> 00:30:26.799 America. 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:30.940 Psalm 121 is to 00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:31.700 Old Testament 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:33.940 saints what Romans 8 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:35.100 is to New Testament 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.620 saints. 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.840 It's the 00:30:36.840 --> 00:30:38.019 reassurance that 00:30:38.019 --> 00:30:38.980 nothing in this 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.039 life or the next 00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:41.779 life can separate 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.940 us from the God 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:44.240 who has redeemed 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.500 us in his son, 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.440 Jesus Christ. 00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.200 The help and 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:49.460 protection promised 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:52.460 in Psalm 121 is 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.820 the promise never 00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.940 to be separated 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:56.360 from the love of 00:30:56.360 --> 00:30:57.660 God that is in 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.400 Christ Jesus. 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.980 Because that is 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:01.340 where Psalm 121 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.079 finds its 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.899 fulfillment. 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.699 Because every 00:31:05.699 --> 00:31:06.859 benefit we receive 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.599 in this life, 00:31:07.679 --> 00:31:08.720 including protection, 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.779 comes to us 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.619 through Christ. 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.480 And only when we're 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.779 united to Christ 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.859 do we receive the 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.259 benefits. 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:16.980 And those benefits 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.059 are only ours 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.740 because they were 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:20.359 first Christ's. 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.559 Remember earlier I 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:24.199 said that one way 00:31:24.199 --> 00:31:26.139 to read the shift 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:26.980 from the first 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:28.659 person in verses 00:31:28.659 --> 00:31:29.699 1 and 2 to the 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.759 second person in 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.720 verses 3 to 8 00:31:31.720 --> 00:31:33.380 is to see verses 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.819 1 and 2 sung by 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.740 the king of 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:37.259 Israel and then 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.779 verses 3 to 8 sung 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:40.319 by the people to 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.860 the king. 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.640 And I think that's 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.400 the best way to 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:44.000 read that. 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.380 Here's the king of 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:46.240 Israel saying, 00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:48.059 I lift up my 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.759 eyes to the 00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.080 hills. 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.279 Where does my 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:51.019 help come from? 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.240 My help comes from 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.559 the Lord who made 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.240 heaven and earth. 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:55.000 And then the people 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.100 sing to the king, 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:58.379 yes, he will not 00:31:58.379 --> 00:32:00.019 let your foot slip. 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.599 In other words, 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:04.059 Psalm 121, it was 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.059 sung by Christ. 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.339 Remember, he sung 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.139 the psalms. 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.619 These experiences 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:10.119 were his experience. 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.480 And the psalm is 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.639 first for the king, 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.419 for Christ, and 00:32:15.419 --> 00:32:15.939 then for the 00:32:15.939 --> 00:32:16.339 Christian. 00:32:16.919 --> 00:32:17.639 Because think about 00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.899 it, Christ sung and 00:32:18.899 --> 00:32:20.219 experienced what is 00:32:20.219 --> 00:32:21.000 in this psalm. 00:32:21.219 --> 00:32:22.039 The Lord was his 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.379 helper. 00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:23.860 The Lord did not 00:32:23.860 --> 00:32:25.440 let his foot slip 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.560 in battle with 00:32:26.560 --> 00:32:27.020 the devil. 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.220 The Lord watched 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:28.780 over him. 00:32:29.220 --> 00:32:30.140 The sun did not 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:31.600 strike him by day 00:32:31.600 --> 00:32:32.400 nor the moon by 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:32.740 night. 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.020 The Lord kept him 00:32:34.020 --> 00:32:34.780 from all evil. 00:32:35.360 --> 00:32:36.180 He resisted the 00:32:36.180 --> 00:32:37.880 devil's temptations. 00:32:38.300 --> 00:32:39.120 The Lord kept his 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:39.500 life. 00:32:39.780 --> 00:32:40.820 He raised him from 00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:41.320 the dead. 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.860 The Lord kept his 00:32:42.860 --> 00:32:43.780 going out from 00:32:43.780 --> 00:32:44.900 heaven and his 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:46.480 coming back into 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:46.860 heaven. 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:49.460 Christ experienced 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:52.060 Psalm 121 as 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:52.740 the faithful 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.980 Israelite as 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:55.339 Israel's faithful 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:57.059 representative king. 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.740 Verses 1 and 2 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.500 may well be a 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.440 statement of faith 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.519 with his people 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.379 then speaking the 00:33:02.379 --> 00:33:03.539 promise of 00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:04.619 protection over him 00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:06.119 in verses 3 to 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.500 8. 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:08.399 And because Christ 00:33:08.399 --> 00:33:10.559 was kept by his 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:12.299 father, he can now 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.019 keep us. 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:14.799 He is after all the 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.619 good shepherd who 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.980 said, my sheep are 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.059 in my hands. 00:33:18.679 --> 00:33:19.519 None shall pluck 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.379 them from me. 00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:22.560 because I am in 00:33:22.560 --> 00:33:24.020 my father's hands. 00:33:24.620 --> 00:33:25.560 He was the one 00:33:25.560 --> 00:33:27.000 who first experienced 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:29.060 God his father as 00:33:29.060 --> 00:33:30.600 helper and keeper. 00:33:31.320 --> 00:33:32.060 And that is where 00:33:32.060 --> 00:33:33.500 our trust should lie 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.020 tonight. 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.500 Not in ourselves, 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:37.920 but in the Lord who 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:38.560 made heaven and 00:33:38.560 --> 00:33:40.080 earth and sent his 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:41.580 son to be our 00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:41.960 savior. 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:45.940 Life is tough and we 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.520 are not. 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:48.660 Just think of 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.839 Hien, the Vietnamese 00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:50.460 pastor. 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:52.039 When life got tough, 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.740 he did not get 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:54.059 going. 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.539 When he got knocked 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:57.180 down, he didn't get 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:57.920 back up again. 00:33:58.920 --> 00:34:00.019 When life got tough, 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.799 Hien did not get 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:03.059 going, but God did. 00:34:03.819 --> 00:34:05.160 God did not sleep 00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:06.579 nor slumber over him 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:08.139 because God never 00:34:08.139 --> 00:34:09.079 slept nor slumbered 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:11.239 over his son, Jesus 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:13.099 Christ, when he was 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.599 on earth. 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:15.539 It is just as Hien 00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:17.059 said after he read 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:18.139 Romans 8 in the cell 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:19.480 that night, Lord, you 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.440 would not let me out 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.799 of your reach for 00:34:21.799 --> 00:34:22.739 even one day. 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:24.940 Nothing shall 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:26.559 separate us from the 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:28.259 love of God which is 00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:29.500 in Christ Jesus our 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:29.699 Lord. 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.799 That is what it means 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:32.799 for God to be our 00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:33.239 keeper. 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:35.559 So brothers and 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.400 sisters, when life 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:38.259 gets tough, and it 00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:41.519 will get tough, we 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.400 don't get tough. 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:44.000 When life gets 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:45.579 tough, our help is 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:46.980 in the Lord, the 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:47.860 maker of heaven and 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.139 earth. 00:34:49.099 --> 00:34:49.960 Let us pray.