WEBVTT

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 It is a great pleasure to be here with you all this evening to bring you the word.

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 Please turn with me, if you would, in the word of God to Psalm 126.

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 Our text this evening is particularly verse 3, but we will look at and read the whole psalm.

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 Psalm 126, let us hear God's own word.

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 A song of ascents.

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 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

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 Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy.

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 Then they said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them.

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 The Lord has done great things for us.

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 We are glad.

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 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev.

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 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.

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 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

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 So far, the reading of God's word.

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 Psalm 126 is one of 15 psalms that all bear the title Songs of Ascents.

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 Or we might translate that as Songs of Going Up.

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 Or maybe even Songs of Climbing Stairs.

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 And scholars are somewhat divided as to exactly what that title means.

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 But it seems related to the annual pilgrimages that God had said to ancient Israel.

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 The people were to make three times a year to Jerusalem.

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 Three times in the year.

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 Faithful Israelites, at least men with their older sons representing their families, though women and other children could come too.

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 They were to go to Jerusalem to worship God.

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 And that must have been quite a burden on a lot of people.

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 Three times in the year to leave behind family and work.

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 Many would have been farmers.

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 They would have been concerned about the farm.

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 Many would have lived far from Jerusalem, near border areas.

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 They would have been concerned about enemies coming in to attack, perhaps, while they were gone.

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 Many would have had to make difficult journeys.

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 They couldn't just pile the family in the car and drive there in an hour.

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 And so we may wonder, why did God impose such a difficult burden on his people?

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 At Passover, the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, they were to go up to Jerusalem to worship.

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 But God tells his people why he has laid this requirement upon them.

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 In Exodus 34, verse 24, where he says,

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 For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders.

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 No one shall covet your land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year.

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 And what God is saying here is,

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 When you go up three times a year, you will remember that I gave you the land.

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 And as I gave it to you, so will I preserve it for you.

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 This is an exercise in which you can remember the blessings of the Lord,

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 in which you can call to mind again that it is not by the skill of your farming,

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 that it is not by the strength you have to protect your border,

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 that you have what you have and you are what you are.

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 But it is because the Lord has given it to you.

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 And one of the things that is striking about these 15 psalms,

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 that may well have been sung when the pilgrims went up to Jerusalem,

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 or that may well have been sung when the pilgrims arrived in Jerusalem,

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 is how they celebrate different ways in which the Lord comes to his people to deliver them.

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 We can summarize them if we wanted to in short lines.

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 Psalm 120 is about how the Lord delivers.

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 Psalm 121, how the Lord keeps or guards.

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 We could go on through the songs of ascents,

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 how the Lord helps, how the Lord surrounds,

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 how the Lord builds, how the Lord blesses,

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 how the Lord forgives, how the Lord remembers.

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 And you see, these relatively brief songs are all intended to draw the mind of God's people back to the Lord

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 and to the various ways in which he remembers and blesses and provides for his people.

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 And this particular psalm, we might well say, could be summarized as the Lord restores.

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 Verse 1, we read,

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 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion.

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 God restores blessings to his people.

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 That's part of the character of our God.

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 And the first half of this psalm looks backward,

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 reflecting on the ways in which God restored his people in times past.

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 And the second half of this psalm looks forward

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 to how the Lord is going to restore the fortunes of his people in the future.

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 So it seemed to me a good psalm to think about at this time of year,

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 the beginning of a new year,

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 when we're prone to look back at the year past

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 and to look forward to the year to come,

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 that we might also reflect on what God has done

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 and what God promises that he will do.

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 And I'd like to suggest tonight that we can take a text from this psalm

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 for the new year of 2022.

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 A text that can direct us, inspire us, encourage us,

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 at least for the rest of the evening.

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 And it can be a verse, I think, to have in our mind

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 to encourage us as we live for the Lord in this year.

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 And that verse is Psalm 126, verse 3.

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 The Lord has done great things for us.

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 We are glad.

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 The Lord has done great things for us.

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 We are glad.

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 This verse declares to us that we should know something.

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 And it's an important thing for us to know

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 because there are many in this world, sadly, who do not know it

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 or are those who are prone to forget it.

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 You and I are prone to forget the truth of this verse

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 amid the trouble and the difficulty and the struggle of this life.

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 But this verse calls upon us to know, to acknowledge,

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 to embrace that unique relationship that exists with our covenant God.

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 Know that the Lord, Yahweh, the covenant God of his people,

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 He has done great things for us.

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 This is a verse about God's grace, about his provision,

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 about his mercy for his people.

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 Know that the Lord has done great things for you

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 if you are among his people.

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 And that should be a great encouragement for all of us in the new year.

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 That should help guide and direct us in our living.

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 We are those for whom the Lord has done great things.

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 And we need to know that.

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 We need to remember that.

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 We need to be reminded of that

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 so that when we find ourselves in need,

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 when we find ourselves discouraged,

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 when we find ourselves depleted,

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 tired, angry, anxious,

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 feeling losses in this life,

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 we can be assured that our God is a restoring God.

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 That the grace of our God surrounds us as his people to restore us.

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 So how does this psalm draw us to that truth

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 that God is a restoring God?

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 Well, the first half of this psalm really invites us to remember.

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 To remember what God has done for us in the past.

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 The Israelites, as they walked to Jerusalem,

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 had many things to think back on, didn't they?

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 That God had done for them.

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 How God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt

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 through his servant Moses.

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 How God had established a kingdom and a holy city for them

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 through his servant David.

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 How God had brought them back out of exile

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 and given them once more a land,

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 even after their sin and disobedience.

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 Perhaps the particular focus of this psalm.

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 How God again and again and again restored his people.

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 And we can look back at the history of the church, can't we?

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 And think of times of restoration.

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 Times amid chaos and controversy

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 when God restored his church.

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 In the ancient church.

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 We might think especially of the time of the Reformation.

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 God throughout the history of his people

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 comes from time to time

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 in remarkable power and blessing

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 to restore our fortunes.

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 Fortunes there not meaning riches,

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 but restoring the well-being of his people.

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 And it is good for us to think back

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 on those times of blessing

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 from the hand of the Lord.

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 As he builds up his church,

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 as he restores the life of his people.

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 But it's not just the blessings

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 that the Lord brings

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 into the people of God as a whole,

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 on a grand scale in view here.

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 This psalm, I think,

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 invites us to consider

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 more personally,

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 more individually,

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 about those times of blessing

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 and restoration and renewal

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 that the Lord brings into our own lives.

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 In fact, we might notice

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 that the next psalm

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 is a celebration of family.

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 The psalm after that

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 is a celebration of prosperity,

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 even in this life.

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 And I think that's not accidental.

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 So this psalm encourages us,

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 and certainly this time of year

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 encourages us to look back

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 and think,

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 how many are the blessings

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 that I've received

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 from the hands of the Lord,

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 even in my own personal life.

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 Maybe I wasn't at the Exodus,

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 or at the establishment of Jerusalem

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 at the capital city,

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 or even at the Reformation.

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 None of us here are that old,

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 I think.

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 But I see, nevertheless,

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 in my own family life,

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 in the life of my friends,

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 in the life of my work,

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 the hand of the Lord's blessing,

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 how he has been with me in the past,

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 how he has restored

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 and done so

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 in so many wonderful ways.

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 And of course, above all,

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 when we think of the restoration

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 of our God,

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 of his mercies in the past,

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 we must think of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 That's why we've read

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 from Acts chapter 3,

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 the wonderful sermon of Peter,

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 as he had healed the lame man.

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 But Peter did not want anyone

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 to think that this wonderful work of God

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 came from him,

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 or from anyone else.

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 It was a wonderful work of God

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 that should draw attention

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 only to Jesus Christ,

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 and the times of refreshing,

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 as he wrote.

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 The times of refreshment

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 that come from the hand of our Savior.

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 Times of refreshment.

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 It's a phrase we find

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 only there in Acts 3

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 in the New Testament.

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 Times of refreshment.

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 Times of restoration.

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 But that captures, I think,

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 the spirit of the first half

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 of Psalm 126.

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 That the Lord comes to his people

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 with times of restoration,

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 with times of refreshment.

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 And I hope for every one of us here,

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 at the end of 2021,

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 however difficult this year may have been,

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 a year that has been filled

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 with real difficulty for many of us,

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 that we can also look back

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 and think,

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 the refreshment of the Lord,

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 the restoration of the Lord,

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 the grace of the Lord,

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 the mercy of the Lord,

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 has been with me.

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 And this psalm

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 is a very happy psalm.

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 You might just go through some time

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 and underline

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 the number of times

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 the word joy appears

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 in this psalm.

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 When the psalmist,

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 or when the pilgrims, perhaps,

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 as they're heading towards Jerusalem,

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 think about what the Lord

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 has done for them,

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 they say,

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 we were like men who dreamed.

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 Have you ever had that experience?

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 Something happened to you

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 that's so good

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 that you can hardly believe it.

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 That's what the psalmist here is saying.

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 When we contemplate

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 those times of restoring

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 from the hand of the Lord,

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 sometimes we just have to step back

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 and say,

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 how can this be?

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 Am I dreaming

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 that the Lord would be so good,

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 so kind,

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 so merciful to me?

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 How could I have ever deserved this?

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 Am I dreaming?

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 Our mouth,

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 the text says,

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 was filled with laughter,

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 and our tongue

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 with shouts of joy.

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 Mouths filled with laughter.

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 It's a beautiful picture,

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 isn't it?

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 Laughter, I think,

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 may not always be

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 our greatest strength,

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 especially as Presbyterians

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 sitting in church,

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 but this psalm encourages us

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 to think about

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 that joy bubbling up in the heart,

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 so profound that we can't hold it back.

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 Songs of joy,

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 such blessings

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 that the psalmist says,

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 even the nations,

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 even the Gentiles

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 have to stand back and say,

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 the Lord has done

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 great things for them.

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 Great things.

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 Great things for them.

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 Do you know

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 that in your own heart

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 that the Lord

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 has done great things

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 for you?

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 It is one thing

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 to say with the nations,

00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.700
 the Lord has done

00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:13.000
 great things for them.

00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:16.039
 The nations watched

00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:16.759
 while Pharaoh

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.620
 and his armies

00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:19.200
 were plunged into the sea.

00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.980
 A great thing of God.

00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.980
 And they shuddered.

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.279
 But it's another thing

00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:26.060
 to say with the people of God,

00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:27.420
 the Lord has done

00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:29.000
 great things for us.

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.639
 Moses and the Israelites

00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.560
 crossed through

00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.700
 on dry ground.

00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.820
 A great thing of God.

00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:37.200
 And they smiled.

00:15:39.440 --> 00:15:39.960
 And of course,

00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:41.420
 in the coming of our Lord Jesus,

00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.360
 the nations,

00:15:42.680 --> 00:15:43.500
 the Gentiles,

00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:45.519
 don't only stand back

00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.200
 and observe

00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.820
 great things of God

00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:49.259
 or only wonder

00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:50.740
 at the power of our Lord

00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.519
 as he comes

00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.659
 in great judgment

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.500
 against them.

00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.740
 But the Lord is now

00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.779
 doing great things

00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.519
 for them too.

00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.159
 Praise God for that

00:15:59.159 --> 00:16:00.460
 or probably none of us

00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.500
 would be here tonight.

00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.759
 We're included

00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.919
 in the restoration,

00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:07.139
 in the times of refreshing,

00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:08.500
 so that we too

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:10.320
 can say with Israel of old,

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.960
 the Lord has done

00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:13.740
 great things for us.

00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:16.220
 And we are filled with joy.

00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:19.080
 Do you know that?

00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:22.080
 Do you feel that?

00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:26.040
 It's okay to feel things.

00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:28.000
 Don't overdo it.

00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:31.080
 But it is okay to feel things.

00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.980
 And this is what should

00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.519
 well up within us

00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:35.860
 when we think of the Lord

00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.759
 Jesus Christ

00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:38.600
 and his saving work for us.

00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.600
 When we think of God's

00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.519
 faithfulness to his people

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.519
 through the centuries.

00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:45.500
 When we think

00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.500
 how he overcame

00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.699
 again and again

00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:49.139
 the sin and rebellion

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.179
 of his people,

00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.679
 we should be filled

00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.419
 with joy.

00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.980
 We should be filled

00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.899
 with thanksgiving

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:57.539
 that the Lord

00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:59.000
 has done such things,

00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:00.039
 that the Lord

00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:00.659
 has done

00:17:00.659 --> 00:17:02.059
 great things

00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:02.799
 for us.

00:17:04.879 --> 00:17:05.799
 It's interesting

00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:06.220
 to note

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.119
 just a couple of

00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.000
 psalms over.

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:10.140
 In Psalm 131,

00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.579
 David,

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.960
 in another song

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:13.779
 of ascents,

00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:14.519
 writes,

00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.180
 O Lord,

00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.599
 my heart is not

00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.339
 lifted up,

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.880
 my eyes are not

00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.920
 raised too high,

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.299
 I do not occupy

00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.640
 myself with things

00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.460
 too great

00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.759
 and too marvelous

00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.440
 for me.

00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:28.200
 With things

00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:28.920
 too great,

00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.240
 with great things.

00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:32.279
 It's the same phrase.

00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.099
 David the king

00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.579
 is saying,

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.000
 you know,

00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:37.119
 great things

00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.700
 aren't really

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.200
 for me.

00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:41.140
 Why does he say that?

00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.099
 Not to deny

00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.779
 that he has

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.640
 responsibilities

00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:46.339
 that are serious,

00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.720
 but to confess

00:17:47.720 --> 00:17:48.599
 before the Lord

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.599
 that even though

00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.519
 he is king,

00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.859
 great things

00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.599
 ultimately,

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.500
 always,

00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:54.660
 only belong

00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.319
 to God.

00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.980
 It is God

00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.799
 who is always

00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.539
 the one doing

00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.359
 great things

00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:00.180
 for his people.

00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:01.299
 And that's why

00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.240
 we rejoice.

00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:02.960
 That's why

00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.799
 we are filled

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:04.500
 with joy.

00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.980
 That's the truth

00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.740
 of our past

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.359
 as the people

00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:08.880
 of God.

00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:11.599
 But this psalm

00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.500
 goes on to say

00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.339
 that's the truth

00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.200
 of our future

00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.940
 as the people

00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.880
 of God as well.

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.220
 Verse 4,

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.680
 restore our fortunes,

00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:20.299
 O Lord.

00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.460
 This implies

00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.339
 that in the present

00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.099
 things are

00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.660
 somewhat problematic

00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.500
 for the people

00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.059
 of God.

00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:29.099
 They look back

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.339
 to a great day

00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.039
 of blessing.

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.880
 They look forward

00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.019
 to a great day

00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.759
 of blessing,

00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:36.259
 but they're praying

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.160
 for that blessing

00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.119
 because the present

00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:38.799
 is difficult.

00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:42.099
 Restore our fortunes,

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:42.940
 O Lord,

00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.579
 like streams

00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.440
 in the Negev,

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.960
 like streams

00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.879
 in the wilderness,

00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:51.539
 like water

00:18:51.539 --> 00:18:52.359
 in the desert.

00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.200
 What is the picture

00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.839
 of water

00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.460
 in the desert?

00:18:58.379 --> 00:18:59.559
 It's unexpected,

00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.160
 isn't it?

00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.859
 Because water

00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.720
 is so often

00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:02.460
 unexpected

00:19:02.460 --> 00:19:03.319
 in the desert.

00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.740
 But it's also

00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:06.480
 delightful.

00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.559
 It's powerful.

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.400
 The delightfulness

00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:11.880
 of suddenly seeing

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.480
 the desert

00:19:12.480 --> 00:19:13.579
 overflowing,

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.940
 even blooming

00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:16.980
 in all of its beauty.

00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.720
 That's the image

00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.319
 we're given

00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.500
 for when God

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.940
 restores the fortunes

00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.740
 of his people.

00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.200
 Unexpected,

00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.259
 delightful,

00:19:25.880 --> 00:19:26.519
 glorious,

00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:28.140
 wonderful times

00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:28.819
 of refreshing

00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.519
 from the hand

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.059
 of the Lord.

00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.179
 Lord.

00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.000
 And we should

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.579
 look forward

00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.039
 to that.

00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:33.500
 We should

00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.619
 anticipate that.

00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:35.619
 We should be

00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.899
 confident in that.

00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.099
 But there's also

00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.940
 a kind of hard

00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:42.279
 realism in this

00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:42.599
 psalm,

00:19:42.679 --> 00:19:43.139
 isn't there?

00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:45.019
 The psalmist

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.179
 is never sentimental,

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.579
 but is always

00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.059
 honest.

00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.419
 Verses 5

00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:51.059
 and 6.

00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:52.539
 Those who

00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.879
 sow in tears

00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:55.159
 shall reap

00:19:55.159 --> 00:19:55.879
 with shouts

00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.480
 of joy.

00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.319
 He who

00:19:58.319 --> 00:19:58.859
 goes out

00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.519
 weeping,

00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.599
 bearing the

00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.139
 seed for

00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:01.519
 sowing,

00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.619
 shall come

00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.259
 home with

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.839
 shouts of

00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.200
 joy,

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.419
 bringing his

00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:05.799
 sheaves

00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.339
 with him.

00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.339
 This is,

00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:09.679
 of course,

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.119
 the picture

00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.779
 of a farmer,

00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.379
 isn't it?

00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.619
 A farmer

00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.220
 who begins

00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:13.899
 by sowing

00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.519
 the seed

00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.599
 and then

00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.359
 only months

00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.179
 later is able

00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:17.859
 to reap

00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.539
 the harvest.

00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:20.519
 And the

00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.159
 picture drawn

00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:21.899
 here is of

00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:22.659
 a farmer

00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:23.180
 who finds

00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:23.759
 it hard

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.159
 to do

00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.839
 that work,

00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.859
 knowing that

00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.159
 there will

00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:26.720
 be fruit

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.099
 to it

00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.740
 only months

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.079
 later,

00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.859
 and then

00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.779
 only should

00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.440
 the Lord

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.619
 bless his

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.000
 labor.

00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.359
 So the

00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.899
 sowing is

00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.420
 seen as

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.059
 this hard

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.879
 struggle

00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:37.639
 of weeping.

00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.440
 But the

00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.159
 promise is

00:20:40.159 --> 00:20:40.740
 that out

00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.200
 of that

00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.940
 hard struggle

00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.500
 will come

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.019
 blessing

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.460
 and fruit

00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.920
 and joy.

00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:48.079
 And that's

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.619
 a description

00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:48.980
 of the

00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:49.279
 Christian

00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.679
 life,

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.159
 isn't it?

00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:51.599
 First

00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:51.980
 comes

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.460
 suffering

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.419
 and then

00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:53.720
 comes

00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.179
 glory.

00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:55.919
 First

00:20:55.919 --> 00:20:56.299
 comes

00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:56.779
 suffering

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.779
 and then

00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.099
 comes

00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.559
 glory.

00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.819
 It's the

00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.279
 picture of

00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:00.759
 David's

00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.179
 life as

00:21:01.179 --> 00:21:01.679
 he suffered

00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:01.980
 under

00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.399
 Saul

00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:03.220
 and only

00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.539
 later

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.039
 enjoyed

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.519
 the fruits

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.319
 of kingship.

00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.519
 It's

00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:06.779
 certainly

00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.339
 the picture

00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:07.699
 of our

00:21:07.699 --> 00:21:07.939
 Lord

00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:08.240
 Jesus

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.779
 Christ

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.000
 who

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.460
 suffered

00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:09.859
 in this

00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.179
 world

00:21:10.179 --> 00:21:11.059
 only

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.480
 later

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:14.500
 to enjoy

00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:14.980
 the fruits

00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.179
 of

00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:15.720
 resurrection,

00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.559
 the glory

00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:16.799
 of

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.339
 resurrection.

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.500
 And the

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:19.819
 psalmist

00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.319
 says to

00:21:20.319 --> 00:21:20.579
 us,

00:21:20.939 --> 00:21:21.259
 you know,

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.099
 this may

00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.500
 well be

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.019
 the picture

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.539
 of your

00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.259
 life too.

00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:25.919
 It may

00:21:25.919 --> 00:21:26.599
 well be

00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.099
 that in

00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.639
 the present

00:21:27.639 --> 00:21:28.539
 it is

00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.199
 not so

00:21:29.199 --> 00:21:29.839
 clearly

00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.359
 good.

00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:31.919
 It is

00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:32.439
 not so

00:21:32.439 --> 00:21:33.119
 obviously

00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.759
 joyful.

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.159
 It is

00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:35.819
 not so

00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.859
 evidently

00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.480
 wonderful

00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:39.519
 that this

00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.220
 life is

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.799
 and often

00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.419
 can be

00:21:41.419 --> 00:21:41.939
 a life

00:21:41.939 --> 00:21:42.639
 of weeping.

00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:45.380
 I

00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:45.620
 often

00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.140
 think about

00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:46.400
 this

00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.980
 sometimes

00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.280
 at

00:21:47.280 --> 00:21:48.100
 baptism

00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:49.020
 recalling

00:21:49.020 --> 00:21:49.180
 the

00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.520
 words

00:21:49.520 --> 00:21:49.860
 of one

00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:50.080
 of the

00:21:50.080 --> 00:21:50.280
 old

00:21:50.280 --> 00:21:50.920
 Reformation

00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.259
 era

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.840
 forms

00:21:51.840 --> 00:21:52.100
 for

00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:52.600
 baptism.

00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.320
 Some

00:21:53.320 --> 00:21:53.600
 of you

00:21:53.600 --> 00:21:53.840
 may

00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.100
 know

00:21:54.100 --> 00:21:54.300
 it.

00:21:54.800 --> 00:21:54.900
 The

00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:55.180
 prayer

00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.420
 that

00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:55.740
 God

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:55.940
 in

00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.180
 his

00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:56.540
 mercy

00:21:56.540 --> 00:21:56.759
 would

00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:56.940
 be

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.340
 pleased

00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:57.560
 to

00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:57.780
 call

00:21:57.780 --> 00:21:57.960
 out

00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.080
 of

00:21:58.080 --> 00:21:58.280
 this

00:21:58.280 --> 00:21:58.600
 life

00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:58.860
 this

00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.100
 one

00:21:59.100 --> 00:21:59.720
 baptized

00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.380
 out

00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:00.540
 of

00:22:00.540 --> 00:22:00.759
 this

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.100
 life

00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.340
 which

00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:01.520
 is

00:22:01.520 --> 00:22:01.860
 nothing

00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.100
 but

00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:02.259
 a

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.720
 constant

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.200
 death.

00:22:05.840 --> 00:22:06.340
 I've

00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:06.600
 wondered

00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:06.980
 is that

00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.180
 too

00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.980
 strong?

00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:10.380
 does

00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:10.579
 that

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:10.779
 too

00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.039
 much

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.599
 deny

00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:11.860
 the

00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.259
 blessings

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:12.599
 of

00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:12.839
 this

00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.240
 life?

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.680
 The

00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.180
 joys

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:14.339
 of

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.660
 this

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.099
 life?

00:22:16.339 --> 00:22:16.720
 I

00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:16.980
 think

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.200
 it's

00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:17.519
 right

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:17.740
 to

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:17.980
 say

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.259
 that

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.920
 this

00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.319
 life

00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:19.700
 even

00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.339
 amidst

00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.880
 blessing

00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:21.380
 and

00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.720
 joy

00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.400
 is

00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:22.920
 filled

00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.299
 so

00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:23.700
 often

00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:23.960
 with

00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.480
 suffering

00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:24.860
 from

00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:25.259
 sin

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:27.200
 that

00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.339
 it

00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:27.680
 can

00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:27.880
 be

00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.039
 a

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.259
 veil

00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.480
 of

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.059
 tears

00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.839
 if

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.099
 not

00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:30.599
 only

00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:30.900
 at

00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:31.120
 least

00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.660
 really

00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:31.980
 and

00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.400
 truly.

00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.259
 But

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.440
 there

00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:34.720
 is a

00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.160
 promise

00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:35.500
 here

00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:35.799
 isn't

00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.039
 there?

00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:36.660
 There

00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:36.960
 is a

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.380
 promise

00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:37.660
 of

00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.259
 laughter

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.420
 of

00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.039
 shouts

00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.299
 of

00:22:40.299 --> 00:22:40.700
 joy

00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.620
 there's

00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:41.779
 a

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.120
 promise

00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.360
 of

00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:42.900
 times

00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.100
 of

00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.759
 refreshment

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.180
 even

00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.640
 here

00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:44.900
 in

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.140
 this

00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.559
 life.

00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.400
 But

00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:49.680
 Acts

00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.059
 chapter

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.400
 3

00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:50.720
 not

00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:50.980
 only

00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.480
 promises

00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:51.980
 times

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.180
 of

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.759
 refreshment

00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:52.900
 in

00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.140
 this

00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.539
 life

00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.519
 but

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:54.799
 also

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:55.000
 it

00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.340
 calls

00:22:55.340 --> 00:22:55.559
 us

00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:55.840
 to

00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.220
 look

00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.680
 forward

00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.079
 doesn't

00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.279
 it?

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:57.940
 To

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.100
 a

00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.400
 time

00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:58.600
 of

00:22:58.600 --> 00:22:59.059
 restoration

00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.500
 of

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.059
 everything.

00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.500
 Acts

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:01.880
 chapter

00:23:01.880 --> 00:23:02.240
 3

00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.519
 verse

00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:02.960
 20

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.440
 Pray

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:04.740
 that

00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:04.920
 he

00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.200
 may

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.660
 send

00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:05.880
 the

00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.259
 Christ

00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.740
 appointed

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.019
 for

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.339
 you

00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.259
 Jesus

00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.380
 who

00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:09.680
 must

00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.079
 remain

00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.299
 in

00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.599
 heaven

00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.339
 until

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:11.559
 the

00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:11.880
 time

00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.380
 comes

00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:12.599
 for

00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:12.980
 God

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.519
 to

00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.099
 restore

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:14.920
 everything.

00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.099
 And at

00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.519
 the beginning

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:17.839
 of a

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.319
 new year

00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:19.240
 it's

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.599
 good

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.539
 for us

00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.160
 to remember

00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:21.859
 that a

00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.500
 time is

00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:22.880
 coming

00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.900
 when God

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.339
 will

00:23:24.339 --> 00:23:25.079
 restore

00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.180
 everything

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:27.160
 when

00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.519
 Jesus

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.019
 Christ

00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:28.599
 returns

00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:28.839
 in

00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.220
 glory.

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.259
 That's

00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:32.759
 our ultimate

00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.160
 hope

00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.460
 isn't

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:33.660
 it?

00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.120
 God

00:23:34.120 --> 00:23:35.320
 that

00:23:35.320 --> 00:23:35.480
 no

00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:35.720
 matter

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:35.960
 how

00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.259
 good

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.460
 the

00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.000
 harvest

00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.259
 of

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.820
 2022

00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:38.500
 will

00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:38.800
 be,

00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.800
 no

00:23:40.800 --> 00:23:41.019
 matter

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.259
 how

00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.700
 glad

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:41.920
 we

00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.100
 are

00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.279
 to

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.540
 turn

00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:42.700
 the

00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.160
 page

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.400
 of

00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:43.560
 the

00:23:43.560 --> 00:23:44.000
 calendar,

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.540
 to

00:23:44.540 --> 00:23:44.779
 move

00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.060
 on

00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:45.259
 from

00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.800
 difficult

00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:46.500
 times

00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.680
 for

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:47.900
 so

00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.160
 many

00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.380
 of

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:48.580
 us

00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:48.740
 of

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.480
 isolation,

00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:50.920
 of

00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:51.500
 illness,

00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:52.500
 of

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:52.640
 the

00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:52.920
 needs

00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.100
 we

00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:53.400
 have

00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:53.680
 as

00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.240
 sinful

00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:54.700
 creatures

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.100
 in

00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.279
 a

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.560
 sinful

00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:56.060
 world,

00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:56.940
 that

00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.440
 this

00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:57.600
 is

00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:57.820
 not

00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:57.960
 a

00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.360
 restoration

00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.820
 of

00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.259
 everything,

00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.259
 but a

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.640
 restoration

00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.119
 is

00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:01.680
 promised

00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.180
 to

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.500
 us

00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:02.819
 one

00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.099
 day

00:24:03.099 --> 00:24:03.279
 in

00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.440
 the

00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:03.859
 glorious

00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.339
 appearing

00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:04.579
 of

00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:04.740
 our

00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:04.980
 Lord

00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.299
 Jesus

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.900
 Christ.

00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:08.039
 And

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.339
 whatever

00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:08.640
 the

00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.079
 weeping

00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.339
 of

00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:09.579
 this

00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:09.980
 life

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.240
 has

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.559
 been,

00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.720
 the

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.160
 joy

00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:12.440
 of

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:12.660
 that

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.000
 great

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.379
 day

00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.140
 will

00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:14.359
 be

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.379
 unimaginable

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.839
 to

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.420
 everyone

00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:16.960
 who

00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.140
 is

00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:17.319
 in

00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:17.740
 Christ.

00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.059
 We

00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.220
 will

00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:19.400
 be

00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.660
 like

00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.019
 those

00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.220
 who

00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.700
 dream.

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.180
 Then

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.359
 there

00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:22.480
 will

00:24:22.480 --> 00:24:22.660
 be

00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.160
 laughter

00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.779
 and

00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.299
 shouts

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.539
 of

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:24.839
 joy

00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.119
 among

00:24:25.119 --> 00:24:25.339
 the

00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.680
 righteous.

00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.579
 So

00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:28.939
 as we

00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:29.500
 remember

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.059
 God's

00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:30.559
 restoring

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.059
 grace

00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.299
 in

00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:31.419
 the

00:24:31.419 --> 00:24:31.919
 past

00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:32.379
 and

00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:32.559
 as

00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:32.740
 we

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:32.960
 look

00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.439
 forward

00:24:33.439 --> 00:24:33.720
 to

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.259
 God's

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.879
 restoring

00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.399
 grace

00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:35.599
 in

00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:35.740
 the

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.119
 future,

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:36.980
 what

00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.199
 are

00:24:37.199 --> 00:24:37.419
 we

00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:37.619
 to

00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:37.919
 do

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.399
 in

00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:38.539
 the

00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:38.839
 present?

00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:40.779
 Well,

00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:40.980
 this

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.279
 psalm

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.439
 would

00:24:41.439 --> 00:24:41.659
 say

00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:41.899
 to

00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:42.259
 us

00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.419
 we're

00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:43.599
 to

00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:43.939
 pray.

00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.099
 Verse

00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.359
 4

00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:46.839
 is a

00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.099
 prayer.

00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.059
 Restore

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.359
 our

00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.139
 fortunes,

00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:50.519
 O

00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:50.839
 Lord.

00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.359
 In

00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:53.579
 this

00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:53.919
 life,

00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.220
 one of

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.359
 the

00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:54.579
 great

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.179
 privileges

00:24:55.179 --> 00:24:55.779
 and

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:55.939
 one

00:24:55.939 --> 00:24:56.079
 of

00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.179
 the

00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:56.419
 great

00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.079
 tasks

00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.460
 to

00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:57.659
 which

00:24:57.659 --> 00:24:57.980
 we are

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.460
 called

00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.319
 is the

00:24:59.319 --> 00:24:59.759
 task

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.019
 of

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.399
 prayer.

00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.299
 Many

00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.599
 of you

00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:03.799
 will

00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.000
 know

00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.379
 one of

00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:04.699
 John

00:25:04.699 --> 00:25:05.299
 Calvin's

00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.539
 more

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.039
 profound

00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.599
 statements

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.500
 that

00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.059
 prayer

00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.759
 is the

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.039
 chief

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.659
 exercise

00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.059
 of

00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.259
 our

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.659
 faith.

00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.220
 How

00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:12.519
 do we

00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.039
 build up

00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.299
 our

00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.699
 faith?

00:25:14.439 --> 00:25:15.000
 It's

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.220
 by

00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.740
 praying.

00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.939
 Because

00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:18.500
 prayer

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.399
 is a

00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:19.919
 turning

00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.199
 to

00:25:20.199 --> 00:25:20.619
 God

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:21.220
 with

00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:21.579
 an

00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.299
 acknowledgement

00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:23.460
 that

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:23.859
 he is

00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:24.039
 in

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.460
 charge.

00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.079
 God

00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.160
 that

00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.620
 he is

00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:26.799
 the

00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.059
 one

00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:27.319
 who

00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:27.500
 can

00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:27.779
 do

00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.240
 what

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.400
 we

00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:28.720
 cannot

00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.039
 do

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.319
 for

00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.920
 ourselves.

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.559
 That

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.019
 he is

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.180
 the

00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:32.340
 one

00:25:32.340 --> 00:25:32.519
 who

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.680
 undergirds

00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:33.900
 us

00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.259
 with the

00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.500
 loving

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:34.900
 arms

00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.200
 of a

00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.559
 father.

00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.039
 That

00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.440
 he is

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.559
 the

00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:37.740
 one

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:37.920
 who

00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.079
 has

00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.360
 given

00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:38.900
 us

00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.299
 the

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.600
 gift

00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:39.740
 of

00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:39.900
 his

00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.120
 own

00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:40.500
 son

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:40.720
 to

00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.140
 save

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:41.400
 us

00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:41.559
 and

00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:41.720
 to

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.120
 preserve

00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.420
 us.

00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.840
 That

00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.079
 he

00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.299
 is

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.440
 the

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.660
 one

00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:43.860
 who

00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.279
 sends

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.500
 his

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.860
 spirit

00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.200
 into

00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.460
 our

00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:45.779
 midst

00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.220
 to

00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.720
 refresh

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.140
 us.

00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:49.540
 So it

00:25:49.540 --> 00:25:49.960
 is good

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.380
 for us

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.860
 to call

00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:51.220
 upon

00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.480
 him,

00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:52.080
 to plead

00:25:52.080 --> 00:25:52.340
 with

00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:52.560
 him,

00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.000
 that he

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.300
 might

00:25:53.300 --> 00:25:54.100
 restore

00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.560
 us

00:25:54.560 --> 00:25:55.200
 when we

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.600
 are in

00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:56.060
 need

00:25:56.060 --> 00:25:56.560
 of

00:25:56.560 --> 00:25:57.120
 times

00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:57.360
 of

00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:57.860
 refreshing,

00:25:58.560 --> 00:25:59.060
 times

00:25:59.060 --> 00:25:59.400
 of

00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.340
 restoration.

00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:02.800
 But we

00:26:02.800 --> 00:26:03.140
 should be

00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.500
 praying,

00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.060
 shouldn't we,

00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.000
 also for

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.540
 one another.

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.320
 We should

00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:07.800
 be praying

00:26:07.800 --> 00:26:08.180
 for the

00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:08.540
 difficult

00:26:08.540 --> 00:26:09.280
 times that

00:26:09.280 --> 00:26:09.640
 some of

00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:09.840
 us

00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.240
 face.

00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:11.840
 We

00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.200
 should be

00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.500
 praying

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:12.900
 for the

00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.140
 church

00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.460
 around

00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:13.660
 the

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:13.980
 world,

00:26:14.320 --> 00:26:14.580
 some

00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:14.880
 of our

00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.160
 brothers

00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:15.759
 and sisters

00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.120
 who are

00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.740
 persecuted,

00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:17.660
 or living

00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.160
 in parts

00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:18.380
 of the

00:26:18.380 --> 00:26:18.660
 world

00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.540
 where the

00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:19.840
 church

00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:20.420
 has become

00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.300
 so old

00:26:21.300 --> 00:26:21.900
 and weak

00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:23.300
 or

00:26:23.300 --> 00:26:24.440
 impressed

00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.060
 more with

00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:25.600
 itself

00:26:25.600 --> 00:26:26.320
 than with

00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:26.860
 the Savior

00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:28.100
 that it

00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.380
 seems

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:28.920
 hardly to

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.360
 function.

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.640
 We

00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:31.980
 should be

00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.340
 praying

00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:32.740
 with the

00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.200
 psalmist,

00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:34.060
 restore

00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:34.440
 our

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.280
 fortunes,

00:26:35.520 --> 00:26:35.660
 O

00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.020
 Lord.

00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.980
 But as

00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.580
 we pray,

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.840
 we should

00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.320
 remember,

00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:41.740
 too,

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.960
 that our

00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.820
 Lord Jesus

00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.920
 Christ is

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.860
 still praying

00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.740
 for us.

00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.140
 He

00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.580
 still

00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:48.980
 knows

00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.240
 our

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.660
 needs.

00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:50.860
 He

00:26:50.860 --> 00:26:51.220
 still

00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:51.759
 sees

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.040
 us

00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:52.240
 in

00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.440
 our

00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.060
 difficulties.

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:54.600
 He

00:26:54.600 --> 00:26:55.240
 prays

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.540
 to the

00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:55.840
 Father

00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.520
 for us

00:26:56.520 --> 00:26:57.240
 that we

00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:57.740
 might be

00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.140
 guarded

00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:58.880
 and

00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.360
 protected.

00:27:01.120 --> 00:27:01.360
 Hebrews

00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.600
 7.25

00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.460
 tells us

00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.080
 He

00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:04.600
 always

00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.380
 intercedes

00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:05.820
 for His

00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.220
 people.

00:27:07.800 --> 00:27:08.060
 Hebrews

00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:08.940
 4.14

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.840
 reminds us

00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.120
 He

00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:10.680
 is still

00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:10.880
 the

00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.180
 great

00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.480
 high

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:11.920
 priest.

00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.280
 Hebrews

00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.240
 9.24

00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.119
 tells us

00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:15.500
 He

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.000
 appears

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.440
 in

00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:16.819
 God's

00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.399
 presence

00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:18.599
 for us.

00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.099
 Isaiah

00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:21.319
 53.13

00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.220
 reminds us

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.619
 He

00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:22.920
 made

00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.720
 intercession

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.299
 for

00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.519
 transgressors.

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.440
 And that's

00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:27.920
 a critical

00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.519
 part of

00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.019
 the ministry

00:27:29.019 --> 00:27:29.440
 of our

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:29.980
 Lord Jesus

00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.500
 Christ

00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.920
 that is

00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:31.279
 still

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:32.019
 going on

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.059
 to this

00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:33.420
 day.

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.339
 Does that

00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.119
 encourage you

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.700
 in your own

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.160
 praying?

00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.340
 that we

00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:39.900
 have a

00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.220
 Savior

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.920
 who also

00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.540
 prays

00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:42.140
 for us

00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:43.620
 that when

00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:43.860
 we

00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:44.500
 struggle

00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:46.540
 we can

00:27:46.540 --> 00:27:46.960
 know

00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:48.140
 as our

00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.660
 Lord Jesus

00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.120
 Christ

00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:49.660
 said to

00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.000
 Peter

00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:51.180
 I have

00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.700
 prayed

00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.279
 for you

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.400
 that your

00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:53.940
 faith may

00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.560
 not fail.

00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.259
 I have

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.720
 prayed

00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.300
 for you

00:27:57.300 --> 00:28:00.100
 so go

00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:00.779
 and strengthen

00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.300
 the brothers

00:28:01.300 --> 00:28:01.660
 in the

00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.019
 faith.

00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:04.759
 Often

00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.259
 it seems

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:05.840
 we pray

00:28:05.840 --> 00:28:06.620
 just thinking

00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:07.700
 that if

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.100
 only we

00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:08.440
 could pray

00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.200
 hard enough

00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:10.279
 or long

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:10.660
 enough

00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:11.400
 or loud

00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:11.759
 enough

00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.420
 then perhaps

00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:12.960
 then God

00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:13.400
 would hear

00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:13.799
 us.

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.000
 But we

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.360
 need to

00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:16.840
 remember

00:28:16.840 --> 00:28:18.100
 that Jesus

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:19.059
 stands there

00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.880
 next to us

00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.620
 and for us

00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.680
 praying with

00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.400
 us as well

00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:23.059
 as for us

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.220
 carrying our

00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:24.860
 prayers to

00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:25.340
 the Father

00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.759
 standing before

00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.360
 the Father

00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:27.819
 as the

00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.340
 sacrifice

00:28:28.340 --> 00:28:28.960
 with his

00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.700
 wounds yet

00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:30.360
 there present

00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:30.940
 in heaven

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:32.100
 caring for

00:28:32.100 --> 00:28:32.360
 us

00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.059
 guarding

00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.600
 us

00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.860
 always ready

00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.720
 to restore

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.299
 us.

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.960
 Romans

00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.700
 8.34

00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.200
 says

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.059
 Christ

00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.420
 is at

00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:41.759
 the right

00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.200
 hand of

00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.539
 God

00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:42.940
 and is

00:28:42.940 --> 00:28:43.299
 also

00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.259
 interceding

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:44.920
 for us.

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.080
 He's

00:28:46.080 --> 00:28:46.660
 there as

00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.600
 the glorified

00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.039
 Savior.

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.819
 He's

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.340
 there as

00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:49.840
 the Son

00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.460
 seated at

00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:50.900
 the place

00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.340
 of honor

00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:52.059
 but he's

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.680
 also there

00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.580
 interceding

00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:54.360
 still

00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:55.019
 providing

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.019
 still

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.559
 praying

00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.420
 still

00:28:57.420 --> 00:28:57.819
 ready

00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.779
 to restore

00:28:58.779 --> 00:28:59.259
 us

00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.880
 in our

00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.319
 need.

00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.400
 And what

00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:02.140
 an encouragement

00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.000
 is that we

00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:04.120
 have such a

00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:04.440
 Savior

00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.440
 and such

00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.240
 a mediator

00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.440
 who always

00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.120
 cares for

00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:08.420
 us

00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.279
 who never

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.920
 forgets

00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.100
 us

00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:10.900
 who never

00:29:10.900 --> 00:29:11.460
 lets us

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:11.700
 go

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.500
 who never

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:12.940
 ceases

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.660
 to provide

00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:16.799
 so that

00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.200
 when we

00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.940
 plead to

00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.299
 God

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.200
 to restore

00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:20.380
 our fortunes

00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:21.600
 we can have

00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.440
 confidence

00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:24.779
 when we

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.480
 look back

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.720
 in joy

00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.299
 at God's

00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.720
 restoring

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.279
 grace

00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.360
 and when we

00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.080
 look forward

00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:30.720
 in joy

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.660
 with anticipation

00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.580
 of God's

00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:33.080
 restoring

00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:33.560
 grace

00:29:33.560 --> 00:29:34.980
 we look

00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.540
 ultimately

00:29:35.540 --> 00:29:36.060
 at our

00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:36.440
 Savior

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:38.779
 and then

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.440
 in Christ

00:29:39.440 --> 00:29:39.840
 we can

00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.200
 say

00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.279
 my God

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.040
 goes before

00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:42.360
 me

00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:43.380
 my God

00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:43.980
 goes with

00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.279
 me

00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:45.259
 my God

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.860
 surrounds

00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.180
 me

00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:47.120
 my God

00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.660
 provides

00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.100
 for me

00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:49.180
 even

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.940
 water

00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.640
 in the

00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:50.980
 desert

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:53.900
 even

00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.380
 water

00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.800
 in the

00:29:54.800 --> 00:29:55.200
 desert

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:58.180
 whether

00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.800
 this is

00:29:58.800 --> 00:29:59.340
 a year

00:29:59.340 --> 00:29:59.860
 of great

00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:00.320
 blessing

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:02.700
 or a

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:02.939
 year

00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:03.559
 of much

00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.019
 weeping

00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.019
 the promise

00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.379
 of the

00:30:05.379 --> 00:30:05.599
 Lord

00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.119
 stands

00:30:06.119 --> 00:30:06.659
 strong

00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:08.799
 weeping

00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.500
 may last

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:09.960
 for a

00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.220
 night

00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.919
 but joy

00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.460
 comes

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:12.799
 in the

00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.139
 morning

00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:14.919
 sowing

00:30:14.919 --> 00:30:15.379
 may be

00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:15.899
 tough

00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.339
 in the

00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:17.119
 springtime

00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:18.119
 but oh

00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:18.539
 it is

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.159
 sweet

00:30:19.159 --> 00:30:19.639
 in the

00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:19.919
 autumn

00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:21.059
 when the

00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.379
 sheaves

00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:21.980
 are gathered

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.539
 and that's

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.319
 the promise

00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:25.779
 that God

00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.659
 will restore

00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:27.339
 all things

00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:27.919
 one day

00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:28.579
 that there

00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.200
 is a

00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.679
 future

00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.500
 for the

00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:30.799
 people

00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.380
 of God

00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:33.600
 but even

00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:33.920
 in the

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.480
 meantime

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:36.980
 even

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.500
 now

00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:37.980
 in the

00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.539
 meantime

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.480
 God

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.100
 promises

00:30:40.100 --> 00:30:40.640
 that he

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.340
 will season

00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:42.340
 our lives

00:30:42.340 --> 00:30:43.960
 with refreshment

00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:45.480
 that he

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.120
 will use

00:30:46.120 --> 00:30:46.820
 his gracious

00:30:46.820 --> 00:30:47.400
 power

00:30:47.400 --> 00:30:48.660
 to sustain

00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:49.120
 us

00:30:49.120 --> 00:30:50.900
 that in

00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.580
 our need

00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:52.539
 he provides

00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.860
 that in

00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:54.519
 our weakness

00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.600
 he is strong

00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.700
 that in

00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.299
 our hunger

00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.820
 and in

00:30:57.820 --> 00:30:58.519
 our thirst

00:30:58.519 --> 00:30:59.400
 he prepares

00:30:59.400 --> 00:31:00.379
 a table

00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.000
 for us

00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.339
 in the

00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:01.720
 wilderness

00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.599
 before the

00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:02.960
 presence

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:03.339
 of our

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:03.700
 enemies

00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:04.720
 that he

00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.460
 feeds us

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.240
 with himself

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.000
 that our

00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.420
 cup

00:31:07.420 --> 00:31:08.559
 overflows

00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:11.160
 even as we

00:31:11.160 --> 00:31:12.019
 come to hear

00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.660
 the word

00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.680
 preached to us

00:31:13.680 --> 00:31:14.259
 on the

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.940
 Lord's day

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:16.139
 when we see

00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:16.740
 the eternal

00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.420
 word made

00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:17.920
 visible

00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:19.079
 in baptism

00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:19.480
 in the

00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:19.819
 Lord's

00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.099
 supper

00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.900
 those signs

00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:21.519
 and seals

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:21.859
 of the

00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.139
 covenant

00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.799
 of grace

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.680
 we are

00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.500
 nourished

00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:27.099
 and we

00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.799
 can marvel

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.700
 in great

00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.559
 confidence

00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.099
 with the

00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.579
 psalmist

00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:31.119
 and say

00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.980
 God

00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:33.220
 has restored

00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.399
 my soul

00:31:34.399 --> 00:31:37.339
 and we

00:31:37.339 --> 00:31:37.819
 can say

00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:38.200
 with the

00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.659
 psalmist

00:31:38.659 --> 00:31:39.440
 surely

00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.619
 surely

00:31:40.619 --> 00:31:41.379
 goodness

00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:42.339
 and mercy

00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:43.259
 will follow

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.919
 me all

00:31:43.919 --> 00:31:44.379
 the days

00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:44.799
 of my

00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.220
 life

00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:47.319
 for the

00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:47.639
 Lord

00:31:47.639 --> 00:31:48.279
 has done

00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.759
 great

00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.240
 things

00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.940
 for us

00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:52.299
 the

00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.660
 Lord

00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:53.299
 has done

00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:53.900
 great

00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.400
 things

00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.039
 for us

00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:56.160
 we are

00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:56.640
 glad

00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:57.759
 let's

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.160
 pray to

00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.920
 that end

00:31:58.920 --> 00:31:59.660
 for the

00:31:59.660 --> 00:31:59.859
 year

00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.500
 2022

00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:02.240
 amen

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:04.500
 let us

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.859
 pray

00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:10.740
 oh

00:32:10.740 --> 00:32:11.160
 Lord

00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:13.019
 how rich

00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.819
 and encouraging

00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:14.319
 is your

00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:14.819
 word

00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.740
 and how

00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.200
 precious

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.720
 is the

00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.120
 promise

00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.440
 that

00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:18.480
 in Jesus

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:18.940
 Christ

00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.519
 you have

00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:19.799
 done

00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.140
 great

00:32:20.140 --> 00:32:20.519
 things

00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.120
 for us

00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:22.620
 and how

00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:23.059
 thankful

00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:23.539
 we are

00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.160
 that beyond

00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:24.640
 what we

00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.220
 could hope

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.039
 beyond

00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.539
 what we

00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.000
 could do

00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.880
 you are

00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:28.200
 our

00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.740
 righteousness

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.880
 and you

00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.480
 are our

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.059
 refuge

00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:32.039
 and you

00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.640
 are our

00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.259
 rest

00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:34.600
 and we

00:32:34.600 --> 00:32:35.080
 pray that

00:32:35.080 --> 00:32:35.539
 out of

00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.080
 that great

00:32:36.080 --> 00:32:36.600
 saving

00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:36.980
 work

00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.380
 that you

00:32:37.380 --> 00:32:37.940
 have done

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.519
 for us

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.080
 in Jesus

00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:39.620
 Christ

00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:41.200
 that we

00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:41.640
 might be

00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.100
 a people

00:32:42.100 --> 00:32:42.759
 who knows

00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.460
 how great

00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.039
 a God

00:32:44.039 --> 00:32:44.860
 we have

00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:46.259
 that knows

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.799
 the greatness

00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.279
 of our

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.720
 sin and

00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.100
 misery

00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.819
 in our

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.240
 guilt

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.480
 that knows

00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.199
 how great

00:32:51.199 --> 00:32:52.019
 a deliverer

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.639
 you are

00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:53.619
 in your

00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:54.179
 grace

00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:55.139
 and that

00:32:55.139 --> 00:32:55.659
 knows how

00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:55.980
 we are

00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.319
 to be

00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.819
 thankful

00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.279
 to you

00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.759
 for such

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.599
 a deliverance

00:32:58.599 --> 00:32:59.299
 and such

00:32:59.299 --> 00:33:00.099
 a restoration

00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:01.500
 and gratitude

00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:03.740
 but Lord

00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.339
 we would also

00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:05.019
 be bold

00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.639
 to pray

00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.779
 that often

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.419
 in the new

00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:07.779
 year

00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.759
 we might

00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.139
 be able

00:33:09.139 --> 00:33:09.740
 to say

00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.539
 with joy

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.859
 the Lord

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.480
 has done

00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.279
 great things

00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:14.019
 for us

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:15.960
 but we

00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.440
 would pray

00:33:16.440 --> 00:33:16.859
 that even

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.240
 in the

00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.819
 times of

00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:18.200
 weeping

00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:18.759
 that must

00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.220
 come

00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.180
 we would

00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.980
 still say

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.400
 the Lord

00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:23.119
 has done

00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:24.099
 great things

00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:24.799
 for us

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:26.839
 and we

00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.319
 pray that

00:33:27.319 --> 00:33:27.680
 in this

00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:28.319
 coming year

00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:29.039
 our hearts

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:30.039
 over and

00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:30.819
 over again

00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.240
 would be

00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:31.879
 filled with

00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:32.379
 praise

00:33:32.379 --> 00:33:33.319
 and prayer

00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.079
 for you

00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:34.980
 are great

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.579
 and good

00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.519
 beyond our

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:37.019
 imagining

00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:39.220
 and we

00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.700
 would also

00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.079
 pray

00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:40.740
 oh Lord

00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.920
 come

00:33:41.920 --> 00:33:42.400
 quickly

00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.960
 come

00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.420
 quickly

00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:44.900
 Lord

00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:45.279
 Jesus

00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.619
 and restore

00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.200
 everything

00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:48.420
 and fill

00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:48.960
 our hearts

00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.500
 and our

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:49.900
 mouths

00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:51.180
 with laughter

00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.200
 and with

00:33:52.200 --> 00:33:52.960
 songs of

00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.319
 joy

00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:54.500
 forevermore

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:56.160
 hear us

00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.819
 for we pray

00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.359
 in Jesus

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:57.859
 name

00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:59.139
 Amen

00:33:59.139 --> 00:34:06.400
 excuse me

00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:08.579
 would you

00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.280
 please stand

00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:09.780
 for our

00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.639
 final item

00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:11.300
 of praise

00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:13.400
 this morning

00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:14.059
 we sang

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:15.019
 Psalm 23

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.039
 in the

00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.860
 Sing Psalms

00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.960
 version

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.700
 so I thought

00:34:18.700 --> 00:34:20.039
 tonight we would

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.680
 sing it in the

00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:21.680
 superior version

00:34:21.680 --> 00:34:23.220
 of the old

00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:24.139
 Scottish Psalter

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:27.240
 so let us

00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:28.280
 sing the words

00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.780
 of the Psalm

00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.180
 together