WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:10.080 We'll be reading from Psalm 145, and you can follow along in your own Bibles, and of course follow along in the Church Bible if you don't have one. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:20.920 If you're following along in the Church Bible, it will be page 491 to 492. Psalm 145. 00:00:20.920 --> 00:00:30.720 Hear then God's word to us today. 00:00:30.720 --> 00:00:42.299 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 00:00:43.180 --> 00:00:48.359 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. 00:00:48.359 --> 00:00:54.500 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 00:00:54.799 --> 00:01:00.019 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:05.299 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. 00:01:06.039 --> 00:01:11.439 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:21.500 The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:27.239 The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:33.299 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you. 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:44.219 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 00:01:45.219 --> 00:01:50.840 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. 00:01:51.739 --> 00:01:57.400 The Lord is faithful in all his words, and kind in all his works. 00:01:57.400 --> 00:02:02.859 The Lord upholds all who are falling, and rises up all who are bowed down. 00:02:03.400 --> 00:02:08.560 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 00:02:09.219 --> 00:02:13.400 You open your hand, you satisfy the desire of every living thing. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:18.740 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and kind in all his works. 00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:24.800 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:27.880 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him. 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.000 He also hears their cry, and saves them. 00:02:31.640 --> 00:02:36.920 The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:44.580 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:49.600 Let us believe and respond to God's true and living word. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:56.740 Well, it's great to be with you, and thank you so much for your warm welcome. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:01.780 It's been great to meet a few of you already, and I look forward to meeting more of you later on. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:05.039 Why don't I open in prayer as we begin? 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:09.479 Father, we thank you so much for your living word. 00:03:10.139 --> 00:03:11.620 Thank you that you speak to us. 00:03:12.299 --> 00:03:16.159 Please would you strengthen our souls as we look at this psalm together. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.859 Please, will you give us thankful hearts that respond to you, to your grace. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:23.359 And we ask all of these things in Jesus' name. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:24.159 Amen. 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:31.780 Well, it's a privilege to be opening up this psalm together, which is all about praising God. 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:35.900 But what exactly does it mean to praise the Lord? 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:38.159 Why should we praise God? 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.479 As believers, praise is often associated with music and singing. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:47.840 And so we sing songs calling us to rejoice and to bless the Lord's holy name. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:55.599 And often it's a real joy to sing, isn't it, as we just did earlier, as we remind each other of God's goodness. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:58.739 Often it's a foretaste of the new creation almost. 00:03:58.899 --> 00:04:01.620 I don't know if you've been to a big Christian conference. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:07.159 Perhaps you get a glimpse, a taster of what the new creation will be like. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:11.179 But sadly, it doesn't always feel like that, doesn't it? 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:14.620 Perhaps it's been a tiring week at work. 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:17.579 Perhaps the kids have been up all night. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:20.920 Perhaps you've experienced a great loss recently. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:25.079 Or perhaps we're simply a glass half empty kind of person. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:28.680 And we just struggle naturally to feel thankful to God. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:36.079 A number of years ago, I was a ministry trainee in the west of England at a small village church. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:39.740 And the minister there was in charge of two parish churches. 00:04:40.099 --> 00:04:45.379 One of which had about 12 people attending where the average age was about 60 years old. 00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:49.800 And we sang traditional hymns accompanied by the organ every week. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:55.620 And to be honest, often it was a struggle to feel thankful, to feel the words I was singing. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:05:00.780 I'd been used to going to a big city church with great music and singing. 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:03.500 And now it just felt like the complete opposite. 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:08.060 So what does it mean to praise the Lord? 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:09.480 Why should we? 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:12.780 How can we when we don't feel like it? 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:16.480 Well, our psalm today helps us with all of these questions. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:22.540 As we're near the end of the book of psalms, we come to the last psalm of King David. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:28.240 King David, as he leads his people to meditate on and praise our great God. 00:05:29.220 --> 00:05:36.700 If you've got your glasses on, you may have noticed in the footnote that this psalm is what's called an acrostic psalm. 00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:41.600 Meaning that every line begins with the next letter in the Hebrew alphabet. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:46.120 And so this psalm is kind of an A to Z of praise. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:51.600 You might want to call it 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord if you're writing a modern hymn about it. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:57.860 And whilst we're on the fascinating topic of footnotes, you might also have noticed another one for verse 13. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:03.600 Which says that these two lines are supplied by one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint and Syriac. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:11.439 Which just means that it's unclear whether that bracketed verse was part of the original psalm or whether it was added in later. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:18.839 But either way, it doesn't really affect the main meaning of the psalm as it says the same thing to the rest of the psalm. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:24.779 As we work through this psalm, we're going to see an increasing volume of praise. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:28.279 And increasing reasons to praise the Lord. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:31.519 And so we come to our first point. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:33.319 Praise the Lord. 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:35.439 Have a look at verse 1. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:37.459 Verse 1. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:42.420 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:47.060 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:49.939 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:52.039 And his greatness is unsearchable. 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:57.200 I wonder how you felt as you read those words. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:00.939 If you're anything like me, it sounds a bit over the top, doesn't it? 00:07:01.720 --> 00:07:07.320 I mean, sure, I can praise the Lord on a Sunday or when I'm feeling okay about life. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:13.720 But every day, forever and ever, it just sounds a bit much, doesn't it? 00:07:13.960 --> 00:07:15.180 And overly pious. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:21.420 But David reminds the people of God, God's name in verse 1. 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:24.699 Referring to God's personal name, Yahweh. 00:07:25.220 --> 00:07:28.840 The one who revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush. 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:35.240 And to Israel when he saved them from the Egyptians and led them through the Red Sea. 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:41.879 And so David, even though he is Israel's king, he is also the model Israelite. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:47.240 And he models for the people of God the correct response to God. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:54.219 And so you can imagine an Israelite back then reading this after having been rescued from their exile to Babylon. 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:58.699 And singing this psalm to praise God for rescuing them. 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:02.060 And even Israelite back then could pray this. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.300 Well, how much more can we? 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:09.600 Because in the Lord Jesus, we do have infinite reasons to praise the Lord. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:14.200 He is our great God and King who has rescued us from our sin. 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:18.320 And so we have all the more reason now to sing verse 3. 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:21.760 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:24.540 And His greatness is unsearchable. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:29.900 Now you've probably heard a lot of World Cup related illustrations over the summer. 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:32.080 So I'm sorry I'm going to use another one. 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:36.519 But if you were watching the World Cup over the summer, you may have heard a lot about goats. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:39.100 Now I'm not talking about the hairy animal. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:43.720 But I'm talking about the acronym which stands for the greatest of all time. 00:08:44.079 --> 00:08:48.379 Which has become a slightly overused word to describe athletes at the top of their game. 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:51.460 Or even to describe the chicken shop with the best wings. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:56.199 But it's a term which apparently traces back to the boxer Muhammad Ali. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:58.539 Who often called himself the greatest. 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:01.039 He once said, I am the greatest. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:03.759 I said that even before I knew I was. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.980 Which I guess makes him a prophet as well. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:09.740 But that's the way of the world, isn't it? 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:12.879 Greatness is measured in outward success. 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:14.980 And beating down your opponents. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:19.460 Whether that's on the pitch, in the boardroom, or in the exam scores. 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:24.720 But true greatness according to Jesus looks the complete opposite, doesn't it? 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:26.620 Philippians 2. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:32.120 You'll know that Jesus humbled himself by taking on the form of a human servant. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:35.279 Even to the point of death on a cross. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.879 It's absolutely outrageous. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:42.000 The Son of God, the King of Kings, empties himself. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:47.620 He empties himself of his greatness and willingly stoops to bear our sin. 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:50.620 To purchase our freedom and forgiveness. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:56.620 And therefore God has highly exalted him and given him the name above all names. 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:00.519 That is what true greatness looks like. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:04.019 Laying down one's life to serve others. 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:08.659 And so of course we give our praise to this great King. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:15.759 And so it's a challenging reminder that actually devotion to God is not just a Sunday thing. 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:18.480 But it's more of a daily instinct. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.740 A heart posture. 00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:24.279 A default mindset that always wants to give thanks to God. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.779 Which sounds quite difficult, doesn't it? 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:28.379 And frankly impossible. 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:35.299 Often when I'm praying, my tendency is just to bring my requests immediately to God. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.000 You know, God help me with this thing. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:40.419 God help me to love that annoying person at work. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:43.000 Which is of course right to do. 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:46.000 God calls us to lay our burdens before him. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:52.960 But this psalm in particular challenges us intentionally to give thanks to God. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:55.200 Which is hard, right? 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.879 You can't just force yourself to do it. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:00.340 If I tell you just be thankful. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:02.720 Like it doesn't work, does it? 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:06.200 Well thankfully the Lord gives us reasons. 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:09.460 And he gives us fuel to give thanks to him. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:12.000 And that's where the psalmist goes next. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:16.960 And so point two, we can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:19.800 We can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:21.519 Have a look at verse four. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:23.920 Verse four. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:32.319 Well what are these mighty acts, you might ask? 00:11:32.979 --> 00:11:33.959 Well have a look at verse eight. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:36.479 The Lord is gracious and merciful. 00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:39.939 Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:42.059 The Lord is good to all. 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:45.939 And his mercy is over all that he has made. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:53.020 Now if you're an Israelite back then, you would immediately know the back story to these verses. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:57.980 Because these words are some of the most significant words in the entire Bible. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:02.700 And it came at a critical point in Israel's history. 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:07.940 You may remember the disaster of the golden calf in Exodus 32. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:10.840 God's people have just been rescued out of Egypt. 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:14.660 And God has been speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai. 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:19.920 Laying out the terms of the covenant relationship he will establish with his people. 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:25.480 But after 40 days of Moses going AWOL, the people decide, okay we've had enough. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:32.139 We're just going to chuck our earrings into the pan and make this golden calf as a stand-in for God. 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:38.480 And yet despite this treachery, God still decides to take them back. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:41.759 And he proclaims these beautiful words. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:44.159 That he is gracious and merciful. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:47.659 Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:54.300 And for the Christian believer, well we have all the more reason to praise God. 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:59.740 Because this steadfast love has been revealed more fully at the cross. 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:03.480 As Jesus willingly takes the punishment we deserve. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:06.800 He satisfies the justice of God. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:10.799 And extends mercy and forgiveness to all of us. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:15.240 And so we can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:18.120 But who does the praising here? 00:13:18.579 --> 00:13:20.579 And who are they speaking to? 00:13:21.479 --> 00:13:22.579 Have a look at verse 10. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.579 That all your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord. 00:13:26.819 --> 00:13:29.120 And all your saints shall bless you. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:35.460 And so here God's works in his creation displays the glory of God. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:39.060 All creation points to the glory of God. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:41.600 And all his people praise the Lord. 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:44.279 And so it's clear who does the praising. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:47.919 But who they are speaking to is quite surprising. 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:51.320 While it's verse 10, the saints bless the Lord. 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:55.040 But actually the emphasis here seems to be speaking to one another. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.480 To other people. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.780 Did you see that in verse 4? 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:02.140 One generation shall commend your works to another. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.580 And verse 11. 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:06.280 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom. 00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:07.260 And tell of your power. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:10.060 To make known to the children of man. 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.780 Your mighty deeds. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:14.399 And the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:18.059 And so we are not only to praise the Lord. 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.519 But we are to declare it to each other. 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:23.220 Which is quite a surprising thing. 00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:25.000 Because when we think about praise. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:28.539 Often we think of it in terms of the vertical dimension. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:30.279 It's just between me and God. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:33.659 But actually here and elsewhere in the Bible. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:36.240 Often the emphasis is on encouraging each other. 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:38.139 Even as we praise God. 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:41.059 And so whilst we are called to praise God. 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:44.019 The context here is within the corporate gathering. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:47.759 Encouraging each other as we praise God together. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:50.279 Which is echoed in the New Testament. 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:53.199 As we are called to speak the truth in love to each other. 00:14:53.339 --> 00:14:55.279 And to teach and admonish each other. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.279 Through singing hymns and psalms. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:01.319 At Bible College we have an old chapel. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:06.559 Which we occasionally use for some of our chapel services. 00:15:06.859 --> 00:15:08.899 It's an old long building. 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:12.519 With pews lined up against the wall on either side. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:16.879 And so you are kind of sat there facing other people on the other side. 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:20.120 A bit like choir stores if you have been to an old Anglican church. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:22.860 Or a bit like the houses of parliament in the UK. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:26.919 But the idea is that you can see each other as you sing. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:29.379 And as you read out the liturgy. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.220 Now I always find it's a bit awkward. 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:37.639 When you sing and when you catch the eye of somebody else on the other side. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:41.560 But actually the architecture reflects the theological point here. 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:44.039 We are called to sing to God. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.919 But also to each other. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:47.599 As encouragement. 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:52.639 Now I'm not advocating that you start looking around the room when you sing. 00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:55.099 But it wouldn't be a bad idea. 00:15:55.719 --> 00:15:57.799 Because there is something quite powerful. 00:15:58.179 --> 00:16:00.139 About seeing and hearing each other. 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:02.019 As we declare God's praises. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.000 I remember a guy once. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:06.459 Who was belting out the song behind me. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:08.059 And he was slightly out of tune. 00:16:08.479 --> 00:16:10.459 Which actually was all the more encouraging to me. 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:14.060 Because it was clear that he was not trying to audition for the X Factor. 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:18.259 But he was trying to encourage his brothers and sisters. 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:24.019 And of course we can also declare God's greatness to each other when we're not singing. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:27.200 Whether that's sharing with each other after church. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:29.900 This particular truth really encouraged me. 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:32.500 Or doing that in small groups during the week. 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:34.280 Or during a one-to-one catch-up. 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:40.060 This psalm reminds us that believers are people who speak about God. 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.040 All throughout the Bible. 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:44.920 That is the mark of a genuinely converted believer. 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:48.300 Their tongues are loosened to declare God's greatness. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:51.139 As Peter and John say in the book of Acts. 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:55.019 We cannot but speak of what we have heard and seen. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.019 And so whether that's encouraging believers. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:00.120 Or proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers. 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:03.019 Let's keep spurring each other to do that. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:08.600 So we've seen we can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:17:09.179 --> 00:17:10.719 But now we come to our second reason. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:15.359 We can praise the Lord because of his kind preservation. 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:19.279 We can praise the Lord because of his kind preservation. 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:23.759 Here comes the loudest point of the psalm. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.679 We started off with the psalmist praising God. 00:17:27.179 --> 00:17:30.179 Who then summons all the saints to praise him. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:33.080 But now the end in verse 21. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:39.000 The psalmist calls all flesh to bless his holy name forever and ever. 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:45.820 And the big reason that all people should praise him is because of his kind preservation. 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:48.060 Have a look at verse 14. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.039 Verse 14. 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:55.079 The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:59.559 The eyes of all look to you and you give them their food in due season. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.740 You open your hand. 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:04.559 You satisfy the desire of every living thing. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:09.659 These verses here describe a general preservation of the world. 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:13.559 God sustains the universe by the word of his power. 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:17.119 And provides for people in a general sense. 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:23.119 It doesn't mean that God always provides for every single person at all times. 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:26.979 But it does mean that he provides indiscriminately. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:33.559 He pours out his common grace on all humanity regardless of gender, class or ethnicity. 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:38.479 But the focus of the next few verses homes in on God's people. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.879 Have a look at verse 18. 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:45.379 The Lord is near to all who call on him. 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:47.860 To all who call on him in truth. 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:51.760 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him. 00:18:52.760 --> 00:18:54.720 He also hears their cry and saves them. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:57.740 The Lord preserves all who love him. 00:18:58.580 --> 00:19:00.460 But all the wicked he will destroy. 00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:07.620 And so God especially preserves his people who humble themselves before God. 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.340 Who trust him and fear him. 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:14.079 But he does not promise believers a blank check. 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:20.559 In the same way that a wise parent does not give in to everything that a child desires. 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:25.779 But God will give us everything we need to sustain our faith. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.740 Verse 19. 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:32.119 The desires of those who fear him will be desires that please God. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:35.599 Desires that align with what God's word teaches. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:40.619 And even if what God gives does not match our desires. 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:45.219 We can still trust that he knows what's best for us. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:51.480 I've been reading the biography of a Scottish missionary called John Payton recently. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:54.559 And honestly it's one of the best Christian biographies I've ever read. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:20:01.599 In 1858 John Payton travelled all the way from Scotland to the islands of the New Hebrides. 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:04.899 Or what is known as Vanuatu today in the South Pacific Ocean. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.039 John faced many threats. 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:09.659 Including savage cannibals on the island. 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:12.460 Malaria and rampant superstitious beliefs. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:20.039 And he describes one time when a wild chief was chasing him through the bush for four hours with a loaded gun. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:22.599 And John tries to speak kindly to him. 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:23.759 He tries to reason with him. 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:26.119 To talk him out of killing him. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:29.000 And you can see there he says, 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:32.559 Looking up in unceasing prayer to our dear Lord Jesus, 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:37.019 I left all in his hands and felt immortal till my work was done. 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:42.119 Without that abiding consciousness of the presence and power of my dear Lord and Saviour, 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:49.680 nothing else in all the world could have preserved me from losing my reason and perishing miserably. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:55.759 And that basically defined John Payton's life and ministry. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:21:01.500 Unceasing prayer and bold faith in God in defiance of all the odds. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:08.819 And amazingly, God restrained the hands of the wicked many times and preserved John's life. 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:16.619 Now the point isn't to say that God will always preserve our lives and rescue us out of every trouble we face. 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:22.479 But it is true that God will preserve and sustain our faith. 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:25.039 As long as we keep trusting in him. 00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:27.639 As long as we keep calling on him. 00:21:27.739 --> 00:21:28.339 Verse 18. 00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:30.679 He promises he will be near to us. 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:34.719 John knew the truth of these verses. 00:21:35.719 --> 00:21:36.719 And so he could praise. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:49.180 Friends, I wonder if you know that. 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:50.759 How do you believe that? 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:55.660 How we have a God who has not only saved us in the past. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:22:00.660 But we have a God who will preserve us till the finish line. 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:04.500 Perhaps we're going through the valley ourselves. 00:22:05.560 --> 00:22:08.040 Perhaps it's been a season of trial and testing. 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:11.580 And you just don't feel like praising God in any way. 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.759 And while God sees you. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.320 And he understands. 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:18.460 And he calls us to go back to his word. 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:20.359 To remember who he is. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:22.740 To remember his steadfast love. 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:27.240 To remember that he will preserve us till the end. 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:33.319 One way to keep remembering these things is simply to pray through this psalm. 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:36.159 Use it as a spark for your own thanksgiving. 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:43.599 I think a couple of weeks back, Kevin mentioned in the sermon that the psalms often encourage us to talk to ourselves. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:45.379 To speak to our own souls. 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:48.500 To rouse our weary souls. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.839 Which is what verses 1 to 3 actually does. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:53.799 Have a look at verse 1. 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:56.339 I will extol you, my God and King. 00:22:57.319 --> 00:23:00.879 When I don't feel like praising God, I need to rouse myself to action. 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.419 Verse 2. 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:07.059 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.240 And again, verse 21. 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:12.399 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:14.080 The psalmist is rousing himself. 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.980 He's determined. 00:23:15.780 --> 00:23:18.340 Whatever he feels like to praise God. 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:24.740 So why not turn this psalm into your own prayer of thanksgiving this week. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:29.580 Father, thank you so much for your steadfast love towards us in the Lord Jesus. 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.460 Thank you for your grace and mercy. 00:23:32.060 --> 00:23:36.400 Thank you that you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:37.640 Verse 14. 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:40.600 Thank you that you uphold all those who are falling. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.100 And verse 18. 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:47.180 Thank you so much that you here, you are near to those who call upon you. 00:23:49.060 --> 00:23:50.920 And actually that's a great habit in general. 00:23:51.040 --> 00:23:52.380 As we read through the Bible. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:56.000 Turning every line we read into prayer. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:02.640 George Whitefield, the great evangelist in the 18th century, called this habit reading the Bible on our knees. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:08.799 As we turn every line we read in the Bible into prayers of petition or thanksgiving. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:13.680 And as Kevin mentioned earlier, actually another helpful thing is to try journaling. 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:17.779 See if you can write down something at the end of the day. 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:20.659 A few things that you are thankful to God for. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:27.159 Whether that's little things or things that the Lord has been teaching you from his word. 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:32.980 And as the psalm ends, it lifts our eyes upwards and forwards. 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:38.560 David calls us to bless the Lord's holy name forever and ever. 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:42.640 And it's a picture of eternity in a way. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:47.640 It is a picture of the new creation, the new world that God is drawing us towards. 00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:50.040 And where the praise will never end. 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:56.340 Because the praises of the saints will be the eternal anthem of heaven. 00:24:56.339 --> 00:25:01.839 We will be forever praising the Lord, praising the Lamb who was slain. 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:08.579 And so our praises now are a dim reflection of this perfected praise in eternity. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.240 And that is what we were made for. 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:13.980 It is our heart's deepest desire. 00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:21.659 Whether we know it or not, to magnify the Lord, to adore him, to give thanks to him for his mighty works in Jesus. 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:26.660 If you're not trusting in Jesus, yes, perhaps this is news to you. 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:29.440 That following Jesus is about knowing him. 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:32.120 It is about being in a relationship with him. 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.820 That is not being good enough. 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.800 Or being a better person. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.420 Jesus does not need us to work for him. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:47.080 But he simply wants our hearts, our praise, as a grateful response to what he has already done for us. 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:53.900 If we are trusting in Jesus here, as we praise God now, during the highs and the lows, 00:25:54.380 --> 00:26:00.720 individually or corporately, in song or in speech, in prayer or in one another encouragement, 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:05.299 let us do that with our hearts fixed on eternity. 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:08.200 One of my favorite hymns has these words, 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.579 I long to be where the praise is never ending. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:13.660 I yearn to dwell where the glory never fades. 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:16.720 Where countless worshippers will share one song. 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:20.559 And cries of worthy will honor the Lamb. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:24.000 What a glorious hope we have, right? 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:28.220 And so even as we praise the Lord imperfectly now, 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:35.120 let us long and yearn for that final day when our praise will be perfected. 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:38.819 And as we journey on in our earthly pilgrimage, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:43.839 let us keep opening our mouths in praise because of the Lord's steadfast love 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:46.799 and because of his kind preservation. 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:50.259 Verse 8, the Lord is gracious and merciful, 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:54.240 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:58.819 And verse 20, the Lord preserves all who love him, 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:01.259 but all the wicked he will destroy. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:04.940 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:10.259 and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.460 Let's pray together. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:18.120 Father, we thank you so much that you are worthy of all our praise 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:21.940 because of your steadfast love towards us in sending your son 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:24.579 and because of your kind preservation. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:28.279 Please would you give us thankful hearts each day, 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:31.880 hearts which delight in praising you in song, in prayer, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.200 in our words to each other. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:36.620 And help us even when we don't feel like that. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.559 Draw us back to your word. 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:43.480 And please would you energize our hearts and fix our rise on that glorious day 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:46.480 when our praise will finally be perfected. 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:49.379 And we ask all of these things in Jesus' name. 00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:50.200 Amen.