WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.099 Good evening, everybody. 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:05.740 This one. 00:00:07.140 --> 00:00:10.000 As Matt said, my name is Peter Alman. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:11.339 I'm a guy from the area. 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:14.740 My wife and I lived here. 00:00:16.359 --> 00:00:20.140 This is going to our fourth year for three years. 00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:26.920 I come to the church here roughly two members, roughly one. 00:00:26.920 --> 00:00:30.380 So, it's not my first time to reach. 00:00:31.100 --> 00:00:35.100 I have a little bit of a bigger flow there. 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:37.600 I've reached a number of servants. 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:41.260 Well, I think it was in the best place of city and the church today. 00:00:41.380 --> 00:00:42.100 I'm going to die here. 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:47.700 And tonight we're going to look at 2 Samuel still. 00:00:48.540 --> 00:00:51.960 Chapter 7, verses 18 through 29. 00:00:51.960 --> 00:01:02.500 And before we dive in, please try to ask people to see us here tonight. 00:01:03.760 --> 00:01:04.620 Help me now. 00:01:04.740 --> 00:01:06.159 Let's just pray. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:09.500 Let's just forget that. 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:11.960 I don't really feel like praying right now, honestly. 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:17.299 And actually, now that I think that I have this sermon to preach, I really should be focused on that. 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:18.679 So, let's just pray later. 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:21.539 I mean, why not? 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:22.219 What's the problem? 00:01:23.259 --> 00:01:25.179 I know it must be scandalous. 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:26.700 He can't do that. 00:01:27.739 --> 00:01:28.719 I mean, this is church. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:31.060 Doesn't he know this is church? 00:01:31.159 --> 00:01:31.979 He can't just stop. 00:01:33.019 --> 00:01:33.759 Well, why not? 00:01:34.759 --> 00:01:39.920 How is it any different from any one of you different than how I act on a daily basis? 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:42.539 Different than all of us. 00:01:42.679 --> 00:01:43.400 Than any of us. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:48.420 I think, friends, that we have a problem with prayer. 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:50.760 I think some of us hate prayer. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:51.620 We hate praying. 00:01:52.580 --> 00:01:54.100 You say, how dare you say that? 00:01:54.100 --> 00:01:54.800 I love praying. 00:01:55.320 --> 00:01:55.740 Do you? 00:01:56.540 --> 00:01:57.580 Do you love praying? 00:01:58.820 --> 00:02:00.060 He has some nerves, Jesse. 00:02:00.180 --> 00:02:00.840 I love prayer. 00:02:00.939 --> 00:02:01.700 I'm a Christian. 00:02:03.360 --> 00:02:04.719 What do your actions say? 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:07.320 Actions speak louder than words after all. 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:14.939 The aliens observed you for a week, where they conclude, wow, Miss Herklin really loves his or her God. 00:02:15.459 --> 00:02:16.879 He talks to them all the time. 00:02:18.079 --> 00:02:19.639 Almost certainly, no. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:31.099 You know, it's fashionable to reference the sterling prayer life of African nations and of Chinese Christians facing regular and rigorous persecution. 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:41.079 I've never been to either place, but I have lived here my life, and I can say with much confidence that American Christianity has a prayer problem. 00:02:42.079 --> 00:02:45.439 We don't prioritize it, and we don't practice it. 00:02:46.359 --> 00:02:50.000 And one could reasonably conclude, therefore, we don't like it. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:55.280 In fact, we may downright hate taking time to apply the solitude with the Lord. 00:02:56.419 --> 00:02:58.500 More corporate time with the Lord as well. 00:02:58.919 --> 00:03:01.659 Ask any average American pastor who's here tonight. 00:03:02.259 --> 00:03:03.840 How do prayer meetings are fair? 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:06.400 You're likely to hear a month or two shorter. 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:08.020 Prayer meeting? 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:11.300 What is a prayer meeting? 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:13.680 Oh, right, that thing. 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:15.039 Well, we did away with that ages ago. 00:03:15.120 --> 00:03:15.479 No, no. 00:03:15.479 --> 00:03:20.959 We've actually incorporated a new contemporary service with a killer band and awesome coffee. 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:22.659 Our numbers have never been better. 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:25.839 And that is the trend, friends. 00:03:25.899 --> 00:03:26.699 That is the truth. 00:03:27.239 --> 00:03:31.679 Prayer meetings are of dying freely in American Christianity today. 00:03:32.299 --> 00:03:34.819 Many churches, if not most churches, have done away with it. 00:03:35.839 --> 00:03:37.459 We don't love praying, friends. 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:39.699 Our hearts lead us to that which we love. 00:03:39.839 --> 00:03:41.579 Why don't we love prayer? 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:43.359 We're too busy. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:45.159 It's too hard. 00:03:45.479 --> 00:03:46.679 God knows I love Him. 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:48.060 He knows what I need. 00:03:48.679 --> 00:03:51.500 Anything and everything to proclaim to God, no. 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:54.479 I won't be spending the time with you today. 00:03:55.219 --> 00:03:56.659 That's how much it matters to me. 00:03:57.319 --> 00:03:58.339 I love and love, Lord. 00:03:58.419 --> 00:03:58.959 Much love. 00:03:59.079 --> 00:04:00.199 But no, not today. 00:04:01.839 --> 00:04:04.979 What we have before us this evening, someone who did love praying. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:09.780 Someone who in many ways exudes the very standard of our prayer life that should be. 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:12.419 And that person is David, of course. 00:04:12.419 --> 00:04:18.459 Our official text again is 2 Samuel 7, 18-19, or 29 rather. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:23.919 A prayer from David to God that should be a model for all of us, a true ideal. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:27.660 We will be looking at some other aspects of chapter 7 as well. 00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:31.360 And specifically exploring three broad points. 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:33.540 When David prays. 00:04:34.100 --> 00:04:35.840 Why David prays. 00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:39.160 And perhaps most importantly, how David prays. 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:51.720 My prayer is that as we look closely at the circumstances and content of David's prayer, we will be convicted to reaffirm and reconsecrate our priorities and our time. 00:04:52.280 --> 00:04:57.980 That our hearts will be deeply inclined to God and to draw near to Him by a rest and salvation. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:00.759 Point one. 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:02.560 When David prays. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:10.400 Looking back to the beginning of chapter 7 and even further, chapters 5 and 6, a number of notable things have occurred. 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:12.879 Chapter 5, verse 6. 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:21.600 We read that the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:28.319 You shall not come in here, but the blind and the lame will repell you, thinking David cannot come in here. 00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:33.399 Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:41.899 It's interesting to note that this is the first instance of the word Zion in all of scripture, and the only place it is found in Samuel. 00:05:43.099 --> 00:05:55.139 Later coming to denote all of Jerusalem and eventually all of Israel, we can begin to appreciate the theological significance of David's coming into the fullness of his kingship on Mount Zion. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:57.419 Jerusalem, the city of peace. 00:05:57.419 --> 00:06:02.899 A clear signpost among many of David's architectural connection with Jesus. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:11.560 Later, in chapter 5, verse 17, we are told that the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel. 00:06:12.159 --> 00:06:14.299 All the Philistines went up to search for David. 00:06:14.939 --> 00:06:17.319 And David heard of him and went down to the stronghold. 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:21.919 The Philistines also went and deplored themselves in the valley of Perhideon. 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:26.879 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:29.399 Will you deliver them into my hand? 00:06:30.039 --> 00:06:31.799 And the Lord said to David, Go up. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:35.560 For I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand. 00:06:36.520 --> 00:06:39.960 Take a moment to appreciate the sheer amazement of that statement. 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:48.019 In so many instances, God has taught his people and his servants with hard lessons and hard truths. 00:06:48.719 --> 00:06:50.120 He's always with them, of course. 00:06:50.519 --> 00:07:00.199 But oftentimes, he can appear far off, allowing his home to suffer and endure myriad trial and tribulation before ultimate deliverance. 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:02.019 Not so here. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:08.019 The conversation between God and David, an amazing statement in and of itself, is almost banal. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:10.319 So you're going to get them for me, Lord? 00:07:11.300 --> 00:07:12.459 Obviously, David. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:14.819 Samuel continues. 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:17.719 So David went to Baal-peres them. 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:19.500 And David defeated them there. 00:07:20.239 --> 00:07:20.919 Big surprise. 00:07:21.599 --> 00:07:26.859 And he said, The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breakthrough of water. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:30.740 One could call this a high point in David's life. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:45.180 In fact, we've come to find, and I think it could be rightly argued, that this early period of David's kingship, after these initial battles, represents a high mark of David's peace and prosperity, finding rest and favor with God. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:54.439 In the next chapter, chapter 6, David brings up the Ark of the Covenant, builds a home for himself, and enjoys a much-needed respite. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:59.060 And we find David in the opening of chapter 7, conversing with the prophet Nathan. 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:07.360 Now it came to pass, when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around him. 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:14.920 But the king said to Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the Ark of God dwells as I tend to hurt his cedar. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:18.879 You see, a cedar house was something very special. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:26.459 In the same way that cedars are prized with today for beautiful, working homes, it was even more so in the time of David. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:33.580 You'll often hear the phrase in scripture, The cedars have led the home as a cherished commodity to all people of the near east. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:40.860 For David, the cedar home represented something luxurious and aromatic, a kingly abode. 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:44.840 Not so in David's mind, on God's rest and place. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:52.660 For the Ark of the Covenant lay amidst a fabric, a tent, tattered and torn, war-weary and road-weary. 00:08:53.420 --> 00:09:02.519 And David very much desired to rectify the oversight, to provide for God a dwelling place fit for the divinity, a holy temple. 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:10.400 Nathan, of course, sees no problem with the endeavor, encourages David to do all that is in his heart, for the Lord is with him. 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:14.539 But not so fast Nathan, and not so fast David. 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:25.340 The Lord's thoughts are, of course, far above our own, including David and Nathan, and has no intention of having any will for him. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:26.860 God bless him. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:29.439 We hear God speak to Nathan in verse 5, 00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:35.340 Go and tell my servant David, Thus says the Lord, Would you build a house for me to belong? 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:45.260 For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabard at all. 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:55.280 Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:57.699 Why have you not built in a house for cedar? 00:09:58.579 --> 00:10:03.539 Now therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, Thus says the Lord of hosts, 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:09.220 I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel, 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:15.259 and have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies before you, 00:10:15.699 --> 00:10:19.620 and made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:27.039 Moreover, I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:30.700 Nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them any more, as previously. 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:37.580 Since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies, 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:41.100 also the Lord tells you that he will make you a house. 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:46.680 There's a lot to unpack here, and the sermon is not focused on these earlier verses primarily, 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:52.580 but it's important to understand what precipitates the prayer David prayed has been in the chapter. 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:58.080 We have this beautiful declaration of what God has done for his people up to this point, 00:10:58.860 --> 00:11:01.379 and almost like an addendum tacked on at the end. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:06.840 Oh yeah, and tell David, he doesn't build me a house, I build him a house. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:13.620 Curious, because David has just finished explaining in detail the beauty of his narrow cedar home. 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:17.320 But we of course understand that a house house means something. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:21.759 It's not a temporal home, it's an enduring home that we will have. Amen. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:27.600 We can discern for ourselves that David has been through a series of fortunous events. 00:11:27.920 --> 00:11:30.220 He's riding high, for lack of a better term. 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:35.800 And then we hear God speak and confirm to David through him all that has been done for him. 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:38.179 And all that will be done for him. 00:11:38.479 --> 00:11:43.759 Going so far as to highlight David's holy station as a shepherd prior to his rise and knowing that. 00:11:44.859 --> 00:11:50.019 And that, friends, is the occasion for the beautiful prayer found in the later verses of chapter 7. 00:11:50.579 --> 00:11:51.579 That's the when. 00:11:52.599 --> 00:11:58.120 And I ask you, do you pray when things are going particularly well for you? 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:01.620 Do you cry out to God when you're feeling good? 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:03.939 When everything is coming on basis? 00:12:03.940 --> 00:12:12.620 Do you quietly and soberly seek out the Lord when you ponder the station you found in and the station you find yourself in now? 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.380 I know that I know. 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:22.779 And I think this is one of the primary problems with prayer and the attitudes about prayer in this country. 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:27.100 Whether we would consider it or admittedly do consider it. 00:12:27.340 --> 00:12:35.679 Outside the context of Sunday morning worship, prayer is a largely negative thing or rather spurred on primarily through negativity. 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:40.860 This is reinforced by the culture around us, the media, movies, and television. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:42.740 Have you ever heard the aphorism? 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.680 There are no weakness in boxcalls. 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:46.659 It exists for a reason. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:49.980 We reach out to God when things are bad. 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.840 When terrible things have happened. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:53.480 When tragedy is struck. 00:12:53.800 --> 00:12:55.120 Whether big or small. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:57.580 My child has a high fever. 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:59.240 Lord, please heal her. 00:12:59.700 --> 00:13:01.379 I need you to do well on this exam. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:05.100 God, please give me the strength and mental fortitude to see it through. 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:09.320 Most recently, our country experienced another terrible shooting. 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.060 This time in rural Oregon. 00:13:11.680 --> 00:13:16.980 Everyone in the public, led by the President himself, declared that our prayers are good for families. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:21.019 How often have you seen the President come on air to say, 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.980 We've had a great fiscal quarter. 00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:24.460 Unemployment is down. 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:25.259 We just grew up. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:27.500 Peace is being achieved throughout the world. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:29.620 Let's turn to the Lord now in prayer. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.600 Of course it doesn't happen. 00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:32.759 And it wouldn't happen. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.360 And we are very different. 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:38.759 When things are going well for us, prayer is the last thing on our minds. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:42.720 Heck, when things are bad, they need to get really better. 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:46.220 Before we are genuinely moved to examine our prayer lives. 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:52.519 And David stands before us in stark contrast to this brand of pessimistic prayer. 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:54.620 A fair weather for us. 00:13:55.560 --> 00:13:59.279 Lord, when things get really hairy, I'm going to need you to have my back. 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:02.040 But when things get better, I'm sorry, I just can't fit in. 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:07.860 We need to do this part in prayer during times of relative ease as in times of strife. 00:14:08.699 --> 00:14:15.139 And what of our station, our positional relationship with the holy and righteous God is David so different than us? 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.519 You might say, of course he was. 00:14:18.219 --> 00:14:19.159 He was a king. 00:14:19.319 --> 00:14:20.779 He was a man after God's own heart. 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:23.279 He has his own covenant, the Davidic covenant. 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.019 I can have my own covenant. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:28.139 That giant covenant isn't a man as far as I can kill. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.500 We'll look closer for this. 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:35.919 God is swift to point out just where David was when he found him. 00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:38.659 Youngest of a group, better men. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:40.319 Tending sheep in the field. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:43.759 Not worthy enough to even be presented by just into Samuel. 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:50.519 God not only raised him up to overcome his enemies, strong nations, and out and unredeemed of the nation of Israel. 00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:56.720 He promised him that through him the Messiah would come and all the nations of the earth would be blessed. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:15:00.360 He would build him a house made of things far more precious than the secret. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.379 Friends, that is where God found you. 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.360 Lowly and unworthy. 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:06.840 He called you by name. 00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:07.759 He redeemed you. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:11.879 He anointed you and he brought you into adoption as co-heirs of Jesus himself. 00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:13.980 To rule and reign with him forever. 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:16.980 There is no greater truth in this world. 00:15:17.819 --> 00:15:21.500 There is no greater reason to be on your knees daily in prayer to God. 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:27.299 We know from other texts, name and psalms, that David was swift for many times a week. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:30.379 That is of course true and appropriate for us as well. 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:36.620 But we find here that even in the best of times, our hearts and our minds should be one of the things of God. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:41.580 And we should never be inclined to him, praying to him ceaselessly. 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:47.440 And now that we've considered when, we should turn our attention to the why. 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:51.360 And that doesn't seem like a silly question, very lofty, very philosophical. 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:53.980 Why do I pray? 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:55.220 Why does David pray? 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.820 I can assure you that it's practical. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:00.200 There are practical implications for it. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:07.180 You know, as a young, budding, Calvinist, baby Christian, I struggled heavily with prayer. 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:10.040 In fact, prayer is my most enduring struggle. 00:16:10.780 --> 00:16:17.740 Having graduated from baby Christian to the wise and siege before you, I still find myself scoffing at certain types of prayer. 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:20.740 Like the long dinner prayer. 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:23.080 Is anybody familiar with the long dinner prayer? 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:30.180 You know the one where halfway through prayer, people are like, you know, peering through one eye to figure out what their first bite is going to be? 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:32.120 Or who took the bigger piece of chain? 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:35.060 Or the Father God prayer. 00:16:35.180 --> 00:16:36.299 This one's a little bit more local. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:38.039 I grew up in Massachusetts. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:41.259 Anybody who's been around the Central Western Mass? 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:44.879 It's a picture of the prayer with the, you know, the Worcester accent. 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:51.019 The Father God, you just basically insert the phrase of Father God as many times as basically I normally allow. 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:54.100 Father God, tonight we pray Father God. 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:54.539 We're in the rules. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:57.419 Father God, Father God, we know that you are the Lord, Father God. 00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:59.340 And it just kind of goes on like that. 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:10.900 Both my cousins and my sister went to Liberty University and would relate to me how students were constantly praying and laying hands on anything and everything. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:15.580 A test, locking your keys in your car, being caught holding hands. 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:18.120 We can laugh if we want. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:23.220 But the truth is, it speaks all to us, our sincerity and commitment to God and God's word. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:34.280 Whenever we catch ourselves doing that, all prayer, no matter the occasion, when generated from a place of earnest love of God and desires to be in communion with Him, 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:36.500 is to be praised and encouraged. 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:43.619 And as we turn back to David, we're going to find some sobering truths about our need to follow on our face before God continually. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:49.279 As we've already mentioned, things have been going very well for David, not only that. 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:54.099 David has taken it upon himself to make sure that God is the next featured guest on MTV Prips. 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:56.880 God is going to get this sweet house. 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.400 David is going to see it. 00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:09.600 But it's not the events that went to that point, the battlefield victories for all the secret houses of Lebanon, that prompted David to understand the question, why do I pray? 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:16.240 It's God's message through David again that promised a glorious prayer at the end of chapter 7. 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:18.880 Looking and starting in verse 11, 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:37.120 V� battlesя aiopi scales which they call to understand the Amenりah 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:40.199 chasing him with the rod of men and the blows of the sons of men. 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:43.579 But my mercy shall not depart from him, as I took from Saul, 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:45.599 and saw my room from before you. 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:50.759 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. 00:18:51.199 --> 00:18:53.039 Your throne shall be established forever. 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:56.379 According to all these words and according to all this vision, 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.979 so did he spoke to David. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:05.439 You know, the continuity that we find in Scripture has always astounded me. 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:10.600 It's always been my personal source of internal apologetics 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:13.360 whenever my faith is shaken. 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:18.240 The way in which God's promises and the way he brings to fruition those promises 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:20.600 are the same from Genesis to Revelation. 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:24.700 And as God speaks through Nathan, we can follow. 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:27.980 Like the river in Ezekiel that flows from the holy throne, 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:31.880 God's promise from the garden straight through Scripture. 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:35.600 Going back to Genesis 3.15, speaking to the serpent, 00:19:36.040 --> 00:19:38.240 I will put my pen to you between you and the woman, 00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:39.940 between your seed and her seed. 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:42.600 He shall crush your head, and you shall lose his heel. 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:44.060 Verse 21, 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:48.240 Also for Adam and his wife, the Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them. 00:19:49.060 --> 00:19:50.540 I will build you a house. 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:53.120 Genesis 12, speaking to Abraham, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:56.360 Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, 00:19:56.520 --> 00:19:58.120 to a land that I will show you. 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.659 I will make you a great nation. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.739 I will bless you and make your name great. 00:20:01.959 --> 00:20:02.919 And you shall be a blessing. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.799 I will bless those who bless you, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:06.099 and I will curse them who curse you. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:09.399 And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:20:10.179 --> 00:20:12.079 Here in 2 Samuel, speaking to David, 00:20:12.479 --> 00:20:14.959 When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:17.299 I will set them for a seed after you, 00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:18.559 who will come from your body, 00:20:18.659 --> 00:20:19.919 and I will establish his kingdom. 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:21.859 He shall build a house for our name, 00:20:21.959 --> 00:20:25.339 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:28.759 Why does David fall in his kingdom prayer? 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:31.679 He plainly tells us in verse 27, 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:35.059 For you, O Lord of Moses, God of Israel, 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.859 have revealed this to your servant, 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:39.359 saying, I will build you a house. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:42.480 Therefore your servant has found it in his heart 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.779 to pray this prayer to you. 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:50.740 David is awestruck at the promises of God to him and to us. 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:54.759 The same promise from Genesis through David 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:56.640 right on through to the cross. 00:20:57.420 --> 00:21:00.079 That promise is the gospel of his kingdom. 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:02.220 That God would choose me, 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:04.400 set me apart, save me, 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:06.920 and bring me to himself to enjoy him forever. 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:11.160 What can David do in the face of such monumental grace? 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:15.200 He just got finished wiping the blood off his blade, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:18.359 declaring that God would now be properly worshipped. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:20.439 God simply says, no, David. 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:23.819 Remember what I've been saying all along. 00:21:24.699 --> 00:21:26.699 I'm going to carry you. 00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:29.479 I'm going to build you a kingdom, 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:31.019 a kingdom without a pen. 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:34.779 I'm going to fill it with undeserved people just like you, 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:37.519 and I'm going to finance it with my own blood. 00:21:38.979 --> 00:21:43.099 One can marvel at the heinous audacity of the world 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:46.480 to declare that all religions are basically the same 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:49.699 and that all paths ultimately lead to God. 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:53.039 Only Christianity worships a God 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:56.099 that condescended from perfection to become one of us 00:21:56.099 --> 00:21:58.439 and to shed his own blood for the wicked, 00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:01.639 a spotless lamb poured out for a wasteland 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:04.079 through jealous idolatry and malice, 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:07.639 and finally taking the route of the just and holy God 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:10.599 upon his sinless self so that we can live. 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:12.259 What a scandal. 00:22:13.219 --> 00:22:16.259 For among the muck and mire that is the world's idolatry, 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:19.719 God stands alone with Christ at his right hand, 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:23.500 declaring I am, and this is my beloved son, 00:22:23.699 --> 00:22:24.939 whose blood is shed for you. 00:22:25.159 --> 00:22:26.219 Don't bring me gifts. 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.500 Don't bring me houses. 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:31.599 I bring to you, freely, grace and mercy untold. 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:35.879 It's the gospel of Jesus Christ that rebels the air to pray 00:22:35.879 --> 00:22:37.939 and must compel us as well. 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:41.360 And look at David's reaction in verse 18. 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.640 Who am I, O Lord God, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:46.500 and what is my house that you have brought me this far? 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:49.700 He had those beautiful words he would write in Psalm 8. 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:51.960 What is man that you are mindful of him 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.620 and the son of man that you visit him? 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.920 Okay, verse 2. 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:56.740 What is man that you are mindful of him 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:58.620 or the son of man that you take care of him? 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:02.180 We often say that God's people in the Old Testament 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:04.500 are actively looking forward to the cross, 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:07.920 while the New Testament Church explains the reality 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:11.039 of the kingdom of God through the events witnessed on the cross. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:14.380 So that the cross is always central in Scripture, 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:16.480 whether looking at Genesis or Revelation. 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:19.119 And David remains true in this principle. 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:22.160 While we consider why David prays, 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:24.619 and by extension, why should any of us pray, 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:27.680 we are mightily confronted by the content of David's prayer. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:30.960 He has just been carried through monumental events, 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:34.440 first the survival of a calculated assassination plan 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:36.180 carried through by his own countrymen, 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:38.519 and then the triumphant over multiple nations, 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.620 all bigger than Israel. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:42.160 And yet, as David prays, 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:44.340 it is always forward-looking. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:47.700 Rather than focus on what God has just done, 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:51.200 he is consumed by what God is going to do. 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.880 You're going to establish my house forever, 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.960 and it will be a blessing. 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:58.559 David is consumed in looking forward to the cross, 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:00.579 even if he can't fully understand it yet. 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:02.319 I will build you a house. 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:05.019 Therefore, your servant has found it in his heart 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.240 to pray this prayer to you. 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:09.059 Do you not believe in your residence 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.440 of that very same house? 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.120 You are. 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.660 We are. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:16.440 David prays at the end of chapter 7, 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:19.460 because the promise of the gospel of the cross 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.600 compels him to. 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.700 And what's our excuse? 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.019 Finally, 00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:28.519 we must consider how David prays. 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.240 When I began to honor this question, 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:33.819 I was most struck by the way in which David prays 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:36.940 in comparison to your average and temporary prayer. 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:41.240 It made me feel that even if I could look to all of David's actions 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:44.900 to easily understand why he's a man out of bounds on the heart, 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:48.400 when examining the way in which he prays, 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.200 there can be no doubt. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:53.920 The same year that David and I got engaged, 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.240 my now father-in-law, 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:58.460 who was pastor of the Selene Church for over 35 years, 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:00.420 gave me a great Christmas gift. 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:03.220 It was a collection of Puritan prayers 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.420 called the Valley of the Bishop. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:07.299 Some of you should have heard of it. 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.640 Being an entry reader 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.920 and a lover of great literature, 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:13.420 I was immediately smitten with the sheer belief 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.580 of the Puritan prayers. 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:16.539 And it's sad, 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:18.339 because Puritan's often had an image 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.079 of being cold, 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.579 downward, 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.699 passionless people. 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:22.419 Read the Valley of Bishop, 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:24.960 and I will smash that direction faster. 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.460 After reading through the book, 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:29.759 I couldn't escape the remarkable differences 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.759 between these prayers 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:34.039 and the ways in which people pray today. 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:36.639 They were glorifying and edifying to God 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.339 to a fault, 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:39.759 almost completely focused on who he was, 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.579 his character, 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.079 what he was doing, 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.759 and what he was willing to do. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:46.019 With very little me, me, me, 00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.259 and I, I, I, 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:49.500 which I think much prayer has been common. 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:52.160 And when I looked closely at David's prayer 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:53.220 at the end of chapter 7, 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.980 I felt almost like I was reading 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.200 the Valley of Bishop again. 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.839 Look at that prayer, 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.660 and I'm going to start in verse 18. 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:01.519 I'm going to add a nephesis. 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:05.119 Then King David went in 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.319 and sat before the Lord, 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.200 and he said, 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.700 Who am I, O Lord God, 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.079 and what is my house 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:13.240 that you have brought me this far? 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.980 And yet this was a small thing 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.859 in your sight, 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:16.759 O Lord God, 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:18.519 and you have also spoken 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.940 to your servant's house 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:21.319 for a great while to come. 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:23.039 Is this the manner of man, 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.819 O Lord God? 00:26:24.619 --> 00:26:26.579 Now what more can David say to you? 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.299 For you, 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.940 O Lord God, 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.119 know your servant, 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:31.079 for your words of sin, 00:26:31.299 --> 00:26:32.420 and according to the Lord 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.200 on the heart, 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:35.539 you have done all these great things 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:37.039 to make your servant 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:39.960 to make your servant 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.440 for them. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.240 Therefore, 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:42.240 you are a great, 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.859 O Lord God, 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.259 for there is none like you, 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.500 nor is there any God 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.379 besides you, 00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.420 according to all 00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:48.099 that we have heard 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.779 that our heirs. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.799 And who is like your people, 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.559 like Israel, 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.920 the one nation on the earth, 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:54.139 who God want to redeem 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:55.680 for himself as a people, 00:26:56.119 --> 00:26:57.539 to make for himself a name, 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.180 and to do for yourself 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.299 great and awesome deeds 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.180 from your land, 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.559 before your people, 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.440 that you redeem 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.319 through yourself 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.059 from Egypt, 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.000 the nations, 00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:06.740 and their gods. 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:08.179 For you have made 00:27:08.179 --> 00:27:08.839 your people, 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.139 Israel, 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:09.579 more, 00:27:09.679 --> 00:27:10.779 very little people forever. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.720 And you, 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.019 Lord, 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.000 have become their God. 00:27:13.919 --> 00:27:14.399 Now, 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.659 O Lord God, 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:17.299 the word which you have spoken 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.559 concerning your servant 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.960 and concerning his house, 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.259 establish it forever 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.639 and do as you have said. 00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:24.200 So let your name 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.220 be magnified forever, 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:25.779 saying, 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:27.019 The Lord who hosts 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.779 this is the God 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.399 over Israel. 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.539 Now let the house 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:30.399 of your servant, 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:30.700 David, 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.299 be established 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.879 before you. 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.980 For you, 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:34.060 O Lord of hosts, 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.200 God of Israel, 00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:35.920 I revealed this 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.940 to your servants, 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:38.820 I will build you a house. 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:39.800 Therefore, 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:40.680 your servant 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.760 has found it in his heart 00:27:41.760 --> 00:27:42.580 to pray this prayer 00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:43.300 to you. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.460 And now, 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:45.360 O Lord God, 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.400 you are God 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.760 and your words are true. 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.800 You have promised 00:27:48.800 --> 00:27:49.360 this goodness 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:50.240 to your servant. 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.220 Now, 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:51.660 therefore, 00:27:51.780 --> 00:27:52.740 let it please you 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.600 to bless the house 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.380 of your servant 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.520 that it may continue 00:27:55.520 --> 00:27:56.780 before you forever. 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.420 For you, 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:58.220 O Lord God, 00:27:58.280 --> 00:27:59.080 have spoken it 00:27:59.080 --> 00:28:00.420 and with your blessing 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.240 let the house 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.099 of your servant 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:03.120 be blessed forever. 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.099 I don't know 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.920 if anybody was counting. 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:08.079 That's 44 times 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:09.519 in 11 verses 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.920 that David mentioned 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:11.380 you, 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:11.859 O Lord. 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.319 His prayer 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.460 is just one giant 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:15.920 you, 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.480 you, 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.220 you. 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.359 I just stopped right there. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.259 That's the answer 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.120 to question three. 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.460 How does David pray? 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.400 You, 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.240 dumb, 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:24.880 and firm. 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:26.500 But alas, 00:28:26.540 --> 00:28:27.340 there is a good word 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:27.920 to be said. 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:30.140 Why don't we like 00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.080 to pray like this? 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.720 Why are our hearts 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.380 not behind 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:34.260 to worship God 00:28:34.260 --> 00:28:34.980 through prayer 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.640 this way? 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:37.380 It's often so inward. 00:28:38.080 --> 00:28:38.480 Lord, 00:28:38.560 --> 00:28:39.300 I'm struggling 00:28:39.300 --> 00:28:39.840 with this. 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.020 Please help me 00:28:41.020 --> 00:28:41.560 with that. 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.440 Lord, 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:43.560 we need your help. 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:45.040 Help us. 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.840 Even David 00:28:46.840 --> 00:28:47.660 couldn't excuse 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.540 the prayer that way 00:28:48.540 --> 00:28:49.200 given the recent 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.100 events of his life. 00:28:51.060 --> 00:28:51.280 Lord, 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.240 you have carried me 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:53.059 through and sought 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:54.220 to raise me up. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.120 You have caused 00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:55.960 nations to fall 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.599 before me. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.779 Now please establish 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.599 my house forever 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.720 as you promised me. 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:01.519 He doesn't pray 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:02.220 that way because 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.980 it would ultimately 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.120 be blasphemous. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.259 It would assume 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.039 that somehow 00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.779 any of this 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.720 is about David. 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:09.759 And despite 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.759 some of David's 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.440 misgivings, 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.640 I think we can 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.220 conclude 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.759 that ultimately 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:16.980 David gets 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:17.680 that none of this 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.839 has to do with him. 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.380 And subsequently 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.720 that primarily 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:23.079 forms the how 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.900 of his prayer. 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.100 Lord, 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.819 you have done 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.299 this because 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.220 it pleases you. 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:28.440 You will carry me 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.059 through and you 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.660 will see your 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.420 kingdom established 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:30.839 forever. 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.000 I invite you 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:33.920 to pray this way. 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:35.339 Practically speaking, 00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.900 I invite you 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:37.559 to pray with 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.339 the understanding 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.579 that it's not 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.620 about you either. 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.940 It's about God 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:43.279 and who he is 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.519 and what he has 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.600 done and what 00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.640 he is going to do. 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.440 Start examining 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.200 your own daily 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.319 or weekly prayers. 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.419 I hope to be 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:52.039 calm daily 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.059 and start praying 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.599 this way. 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.720 What if each of 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.519 us started the day 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:56.799 with, 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:57.579 Lord, 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.299 you have chosen 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:59.079 me and retained 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.319 me. 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:00.220 I'm going to 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.720 love you and 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.500 serve you today. 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.419 You are going 00:30:02.419 --> 00:30:03.039 to carry me 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.700 through and see 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.419 your will done 00:30:04.419 --> 00:30:05.319 because your 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:05.859 word always 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.639 accomplishes what 00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.519 it sets out to do. 00:30:08.079 --> 00:30:08.759 You will protect 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.659 me and my family 00:30:09.659 --> 00:30:11.819 and work all 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.359 things in our 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.179 lives for good 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.159 because your 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:14.819 word declares 00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.159 it. 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.960 Your word is 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:16.720 the only truth. 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.139 You are going 00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:18.779 to come again 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.440 and consummate 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:19.960 a new heaven 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.639 and new earth 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.299 and we will 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.779 be in more 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.160 presence 00:30:22.160 --> 00:30:22.639 and worship 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:23.220 you forever. 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.599 That's how 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.240 David prays 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.559 here in 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.139 chapter 7 00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:27.099 and that's 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.339 how we 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:27.720 should pray 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.220 always. 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.720 So in 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.319 chapter 7 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.379 David is in 00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:32.899 a unique 00:30:32.899 --> 00:30:33.639 position where 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.139 God has 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:35.079 ordered all 00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:35.500 things for 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.019 his favor 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.399 and his 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:36.859 rise. 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.759 David is 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.359 king over 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.099 God's people 00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:40.220 and nothing 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:40.559 could be 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:41.039 going better 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.579 for him. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.639 The when? 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.680 Despite 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.240 his countless 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:46.379 blessings and 00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:47.099 despite David's 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.980 desire to do 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.599 for God, 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.019 God on 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.339 heaven, 00:30:51.079 --> 00:30:51.420 he will 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.079 continue to 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:52.460 do for 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.000 David and 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.579 his people, 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.460 he will 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:54.980 build them 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.380 a house, 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:55.680 he will 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.440 establish them 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:56.960 as a holy 00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.380 nation, 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.140 he will 00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:58.579 see it 00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.099 have no 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.779 end and 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.099 see it 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.680 bless the 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.319 whole world 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:01.880 and he 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:02.240 will do 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.420 it 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:03.259 unconditionally 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.720 through 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.799 sheer grace, 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.380 mercy, 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.120 and love. 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:07.720 David is 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.660 awestruck at 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.420 God's grace 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:09.940 for the 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.380 gospel. 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:11.980 The why? 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.000 Finally, 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.579 David is 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.400 compelled to 00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:15.799 do nothing 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.680 but fall 00:31:16.680 --> 00:31:17.000 in his 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.839 face before 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.379 almighty 00:31:18.379 --> 00:31:18.940 and glorious 00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.500 God and 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.279 declare you, 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.819 you are, 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.619 you have 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.000 done, 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:23.980 and you 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.720 will do 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:26.099 the how? 00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:27.799 Friends, 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:28.460 let's now go to 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:28.919 God and 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.259 learn his 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:29.579 prayer. 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:30.639 Please pray 00:31:30.639 --> 00:31:30.980 for me. 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.119 Lord, I 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.399 thank you 00:31:34.399 --> 00:31:35.099 for giving us 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.639 your servant 00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:37.039 David as 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.680 perhaps the 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.399 best example 00:31:39.399 --> 00:31:40.180 of the 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.940 Jesus himself 00:31:40.940 --> 00:31:41.399 in scripture 00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:42.180 for how we 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.659 should pray 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.380 and why 00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:43.740 we should 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.940 pray and 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.480 when we 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:45.880 should pray 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:46.220 Lord. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.340 We come 00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:48.600 to the 00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:48.820 national 00:31:48.820 --> 00:31:49.240 forgiveness 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.460 that we 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:50.860 don't pray 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.180 to you 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:51.540 enough, 00:31:52.300 --> 00:31:52.640 that we 00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.060 don't give 00:31:53.060 --> 00:31:53.340 you the 00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:53.800 time that 00:31:53.800 --> 00:31:54.120 you really 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:54.680 deserve, 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:55.860 that when 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.160 we do 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:56.560 come to 00:31:56.560 --> 00:31:57.000 you Lord 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.259 it's 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:57.779 because 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.500 things 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.200 could be 00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.380 going 00:31:59.380 --> 00:31:59.860 better for 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:00.160 us. 00:32:01.800 --> 00:32:02.120 I think 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:02.620 we understand 00:32:02.620 --> 00:32:03.180 now Lord 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:04.400 that when 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:04.900 everything is 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.500 going great 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.140 that's the 00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.779 best time 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:08.060 to find 00:32:08.060 --> 00:32:08.820 quiet time 00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.300 to come 00:32:09.300 --> 00:32:09.680 and give 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.279 you praise, 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.759 to let 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.180 you know 00:32:12.180 --> 00:32:12.600 Lord that 00:32:12.600 --> 00:32:13.259 we understand 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:13.759 that you 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.820 have accomplished 00:32:14.820 --> 00:32:15.360 everything 00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:16.500 according to 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.160 your will, 00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:17.920 that you 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.440 have saved 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:18.940 us through 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.380 grace, 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.560 that you 00:32:20.560 --> 00:32:21.200 love us 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.539 because of 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.000 nothing that 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.680 we can do 00:32:23.680 --> 00:32:25.680 and that you 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:26.539 want to save 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.880 us, bring 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:28.600 us to you 00:32:28.600 --> 00:32:30.180 and allow 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.039 us to enjoy 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:32.019 you forever 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.460 and ever. 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.360 Pray Lord 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:34.580 that we 00:32:34.580 --> 00:32:35.160 go to this 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:35.720 place tonight 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.340 praying that 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:36.660 way, 00:32:37.320 --> 00:32:37.779 recommitting 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.539 our lives 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.460 to be 00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:41.000 regular prayers 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:42.339 into leading 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:43.039 our families 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:44.980 and setting 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.619 examples for 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:46.180 our co-workers 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:46.519 and our 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:46.740 community 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.000 to be 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.220 Lord. 00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:48.880 Pray all 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.240 these things 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.619 in Jesus' 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.000 name. 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:50.779 Amen.