WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.160 So, joy to be with you this evening. 00:00:02.280 --> 00:00:07.040 Thanks so much for all the very kind invitation. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:08.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.740 Who or what do you put your trust in? 00:00:35.060 --> 00:00:47.500 When times are difficult, when there is uncertainty, where do you turn for provision, for hope, for peace, for joy? 00:00:49.340 --> 00:00:51.900 It's interesting, I haven't been around for that many general elections, 00:00:51.899 --> 00:01:03.739 but in general it feels like each time the significance and the seriousness of the election is ever more important. 00:01:05.459 --> 00:01:12.659 There's a sense in the culture that if an election does not go the way we want it to, then all will be lost. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:17.319 Slate magazine ran an article looking at the history of the phrase, 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:20.079 most important election of our lifetime. 00:01:20.599 --> 00:01:25.119 The earliest record they could find was in October 1805. 00:01:26.139 --> 00:01:29.819 One amusing example of the saying being used was, 00:01:30.479 --> 00:01:34.419 Greenfield Democrat Sun, a newspaper in Tennessee, 00:01:35.379 --> 00:01:42.159 reported in 1923 that the most important election in the history of the county will take place, 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:46.699 where Green County will vote on resurfacing the roads. 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:56.919 One campaign manager for Barack Obama said he was regularly called up by Bill Clinton and told, 00:01:56.919 --> 00:02:03.159 Every presidential election around the world is always a referendum on the future. 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:11.400 Now what Psalm 146 tells us is that that is not true. 00:02:12.939 --> 00:02:22.680 That governments, politicians, the people, even ourselves, none of us hold the future. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:25.039 God does. 00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:30.099 Certainly elections and governments are important. 00:02:30.099 --> 00:02:32.479 We should care about the state of our nation. 00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:35.620 We should be praying for our next leader. 00:02:36.460 --> 00:02:38.840 But ultimately, God is in control. 00:02:39.039 --> 00:02:39.659 He rules. 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:41.060 He reigns. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:50.639 And ultimately, whoever is in charge, whoever wins the election, isn't ultimately in charge. 00:02:51.459 --> 00:02:55.840 And they cannot ultimately do what we most fundamentally need. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:58.920 They cannot save us. 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:01.219 God reigns. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:02.180 God rules. 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:06.740 And he does so with infinite wisdom and goodness. 00:03:07.920 --> 00:03:12.099 And so we should put our hope and our trust in God. 00:03:12.920 --> 00:03:19.280 So in Psalm 146, we're going to see three reasons why we should put our trust in God. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:20.280 God is creator. 00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:21.280 God is creator. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.120 He is creator. 00:03:24.919 --> 00:03:26.080 He is savior. 00:03:27.219 --> 00:03:28.479 And he is king. 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:31.199 So firstly, God is creator. 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:32.900 Let's read verses 5 and 6. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:38.620 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 00:03:38.699 --> 00:03:43.219 who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in there. 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:50.500 We worship the God who created the universe, who holds it in his hands. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:55.259 He uttered a word and creation came into being. 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:58.199 Nothing is outside of his control. 00:03:58.379 --> 00:03:59.939 He sustains it. 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:03.500 He is the help that we have. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:06.500 The one who brings us what we need to go on. 00:04:06.579 --> 00:04:10.879 He's the one behind what we need because he has all resources in his hands. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:13.699 He has all power. 00:04:14.799 --> 00:04:20.639 Colossians 1, we read, not only did he make all things, all things were created through him and for him, 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:26.600 but that he is before all things and in him all things hold together. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:31.139 I've read Economics University and it's often said, how do you summarize economics? 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:36.180 It's how to allocate finite resources with infinite ones. 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:39.719 God has infinite resources. 00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:43.320 Because he creates all things out of nothing. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:45.880 He is infinite. 00:04:46.080 --> 00:04:47.200 He is eternal. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:53.480 Yet we scramble around looking for help in places where they don't have the power 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:57.300 or the resources to give us what we need. 00:04:58.440 --> 00:05:03.440 In all things, he's behind us, working together in his wisdom. 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:09.560 Now some here, you may just say, well, I don't, I definitely don't, I'm fairly ambivalent about politics. 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.959 I don't trust my trust in politicians. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:15.199 I'm not like those people. 00:05:15.420 --> 00:05:17.899 But don't we end up putting trust in ourselves? 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:20.339 I can do this. 00:05:20.420 --> 00:05:21.300 I can make it. 00:05:21.300 --> 00:05:22.980 I made this happen. 00:05:24.100 --> 00:05:25.960 But see what God says in Deuteronomy 8. 00:05:25.960 --> 00:05:30.759 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:35.400 that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers as it is this day. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:38.199 Our gifts are from God. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:41.759 We are utterly dependent on God. 00:05:43.719 --> 00:05:46.879 He's the one who gives us the ability to do what we need to do. 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:52.199 Because he's sovereign and overrules all things as creator. 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:55.339 We see this in Psalm 127, don't we? 00:05:55.539 --> 00:05:58.459 Unless the Lord builds the house, the workers labour in vain. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:03.039 Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 00:06:03.040 --> 00:06:12.780 That's not to say that help in this world is useless or can't do anything. 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:15.320 Or that politicians in elections are unimportant. 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:18.660 Rather, we need to trust the Lord. 00:06:20.340 --> 00:06:23.020 And know that he is the one working behind all things. 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:24.939 He is the help behind the help. 00:06:26.640 --> 00:06:28.340 Remember Jesus' words to Pilate. 00:06:28.340 --> 00:06:32.500 You have no authority but that which is given from above. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:36.160 I very easily forget this. 00:06:36.840 --> 00:06:40.100 While I see what's going on in the world and I get frustrated. 00:06:41.700 --> 00:06:45.180 We need to remember that God is in control. 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:46.800 He's sovereign. 00:06:47.700 --> 00:06:48.780 He's the creator. 00:06:50.280 --> 00:06:56.080 It's fairly known that anxiety and mental health issues are worse than ever before. 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:58.199 Particularly amongst young people. 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:04.439 And I can't help but think our nation's moving away. 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:06.599 I know Christians struggle with these things as well. 00:07:07.159 --> 00:07:13.659 I can't help but think our nation's moving away from trusting in a sovereign creator hasn't helped. 00:07:13.660 --> 00:07:21.960 As Spurgeon said, the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which I lay my head. 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:25.320 The world does not have that pillow. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:30.379 And this also means we can turn to God in prayer. 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:35.459 Perhaps a big way our nation's shifted is our lack of trust. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:38.319 The fact that we don't turn to God in prayer. 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:40.000 Fascinating. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:42.060 Famously, May 1940. 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.219 Dunkirk. 00:07:43.779 --> 00:07:44.439 What happens? 00:07:44.699 --> 00:07:47.240 The nation is called to prayer. 00:07:47.860 --> 00:07:49.300 When it seems that all is lost. 00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:51.960 Fast forward to 2020. 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:58.000 And the uncertainty and the chaos of COVID and nothing. 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:05.639 We're placing our trust elsewhere and even told it's too dangerous to worship God. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:08.680 It was not essential. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:14.259 When we have and know a sovereign God, we go to him in prayer. 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:19.139 It's been said the spiritual health of a church can be seen in its prayer. 00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:24.520 But this isn't just a big national issue. 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:28.199 It's for the small issues in our lives too. 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:36.960 Nothing is too big or too small that we can't go to God in prayer for. 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:41.060 As one commentator put it, these verses. 00:08:41.059 --> 00:08:53.179 A God who has the wisdom and power to create the universe certainly has the wisdom and power necessary for us to experience well-being in every area of our lives. 00:08:53.179 --> 00:09:04.419 If we genuinely believe and know that God is creator and sovereign, then we would surely turn to him in prayer more. 00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:11.099 We would go to the one who holds all things in his hands and trust in him. 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:13.899 So we can trust God because he is creator. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:15.120 He is sovereign. 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:19.779 Secondly, God is savior. 00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:22.399 Let's look back at those verses again. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:27.580 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:29.539 End of verse 6. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:35.019 God is who keeps faith forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. 00:09:35.579 --> 00:09:38.019 The Lord sets the prisoners free. 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:40.819 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. 00:09:40.939 --> 00:09:43.579 The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. 00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:45.860 The Lord loves the righteous. 00:09:47.099 --> 00:09:49.399 The Lord watches over the sojourners. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:52.039 He upholds the widow and the fatherless. 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:58.559 God, being sovereign and creator, is also savior and redeemer. 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:07.459 Now these words in this passage are strikingly similar to Isaiah 61, which Jesus quotes in Luke 4. 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:08.959 It says, 00:10:09.959 --> 00:10:15.000 As was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day and he stood up to read, 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:18.240 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:22.580 He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:25.500 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, 00:10:26.100 --> 00:10:29.899 because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:33.440 He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives, 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:36.139 and recovering of sight of the blind, 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:39.060 to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:41.940 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.820 He rolled up a scroll, gave it back to the attendant, 00:10:45.820 --> 00:10:49.820 and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him. 00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:51.640 And he began to say to them, 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:55.980 Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. 00:10:56.920 --> 00:11:03.240 The fulfillment of all that's in this psalm is found in Jesus Christ, 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:05.020 the Son of God. 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:07.860 Jesus' name literally means, 00:11:08.420 --> 00:11:10.260 Yahweh is salvation. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:17.279 All of these images in Psalm 146 are pictures which Jesus performed in his earthly ministry. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:18.319 He welcomed the oppressed, 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.700 he fed the 5,000, 00:11:19.819 --> 00:11:20.779 he healed the blind. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:27.620 All these were pictures of the great salvation that Jesus accomplished for us 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:30.779 by his death and resurrection and ascension. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:35.000 One thing we always need to remember is that no politician, 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:37.799 no mere mortal man, 00:11:37.919 --> 00:11:39.079 no one we look up to, 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:40.019 no one we admire, 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:44.379 can do what we most fundamentally need. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:48.439 Our greatest need is salvation, 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:52.740 because our greatest problem is our sin. 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:59.080 And that's why we put our ultimate hope and trust in Christ, 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:02.039 because he is the only one who can deal with that 00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:04.580 by taking the penalty that was due us, 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:07.379 going to the cross in our place, 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:11.220 when we deserved death and judgment. 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:14.740 He died that we might live, 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.799 and he did this because he loved us. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:19.899 Whilst we were still sinners, 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:21.939 God's shown his love for us, 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:24.259 then this might die for us. 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:27.159 Only Christ could do this. 00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:29.079 Only he could save us. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.779 And so that's why verse 3, 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:32.639 put not your trust in princes, 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:33.699 in a son of man, 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:35.819 in whom there is no salvation. 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:40.059 Instead, we put our trust in the prince of peace, 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:41.240 the son of man, 00:12:41.579 --> 00:12:43.439 in whom there is salvation. 00:12:45.199 --> 00:12:46.699 There is no other name 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:48.960 by which we may be saved. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:53.199 So whoever wins the leadership election, 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:55.519 whoever wins our next general election, 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.840 whoever wins whatever election, 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.939 they cannot save us. 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.299 But God chose us 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:05.279 before the foundation of the world 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.840 to be adopted into his family, 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:08.399 to stand before him, 00:13:08.459 --> 00:13:09.319 holy and blameless. 00:13:10.579 --> 00:13:14.100 The Holy Spirit works a miracle in our hearts, 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:15.879 opening our eyes, 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:18.799 taking out our cold, 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.659 dead hearts of stone 00:13:20.659 --> 00:13:23.019 and turning them into hearts of flesh. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:25.259 He makes us righteous. 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.320 The righteous ones. 00:13:27.700 --> 00:13:28.059 The Lord, 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:28.779 verse 8, 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.340 the Lord loves the righteous. 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:33.039 The righteous there are his children. 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:34.419 That's us 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:37.139 that he loves. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.759 His children 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:40.279 that he has bought 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:42.159 and that he is sanctifying. 00:13:43.439 --> 00:13:45.439 And so that puts everything into perspective. 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:48.959 When faced with uncertainty and trials, 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:51.059 whatever we're going through, 00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:53.299 we can remember 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:55.399 and hold on to the fact 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:57.459 that Jesus Christ, 00:13:57.579 --> 00:13:58.299 the son of God, 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.799 died for us 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:01.360 so that we can stand forgiven. 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.459 And so he hasn't given us 00:14:03.459 --> 00:14:04.439 a spirit of slavery 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:05.699 to fall back into fear. 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:06.840 He has given us 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.180 a spirit of adoption 00:14:08.180 --> 00:14:10.020 as sons and daughters 00:14:10.020 --> 00:14:12.040 by whom we cry, 00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:12.780 Abba, 00:14:13.420 --> 00:14:13.780 Father. 00:14:15.340 --> 00:14:16.700 And so knowing God as Saviour 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:17.680 gives us perspective 00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:18.960 and a reason to rejoice, 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:19.900 to trust in him. 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.379 And what's important here 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.700 is that not only 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:24.400 has Jesus made us righteous, 00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:25.840 but by his spirit 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:26.980 he empowers us 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:28.379 to live holy lives. 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:31.240 And so trusting in God 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:31.700 as Saviour 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:34.040 is not only 00:14:34.040 --> 00:14:35.080 knowing our need 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:35.820 for a Saviour 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.700 and trusting in that, 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:38.700 but also trusting God 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:40.920 that his ways 00:14:40.920 --> 00:14:41.860 are better 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:43.460 and the way 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.200 he has called us 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:44.800 to live 00:14:44.800 --> 00:14:45.460 is better. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.759 But we would only 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.520 see that 00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:49.540 if we know God 00:14:49.540 --> 00:14:50.240 as Saviour 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.360 and that he is good. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.160 Otherwise, 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:53.940 we end up making 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.680 the same mistake 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.879 as Eve, 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.320 doubting the goodness 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:57.759 of God, 00:14:58.040 --> 00:14:59.100 listening to the serpent 00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.460 say, 00:14:59.780 --> 00:15:01.140 did God really 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.799 say. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.439 As Christians, 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:05.500 our disobedience 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.159 can often be 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.759 because we think 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.799 whatever choice 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.600 we're wanting to make 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.679 will be better 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.500 than what God 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.539 has for us. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.100 We doubt 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.419 that God's ways 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:16.699 are good. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:18.539 But when we see 00:15:18.539 --> 00:15:19.379 God as Saviour 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:20.220 and Father 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:21.439 who wants the best 00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:21.980 for us 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:23.559 and follow him 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:25.080 in light of his love, 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:27.100 then we can come 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:27.980 to trust him 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.939 knowing that 00:15:28.939 --> 00:15:29.340 obedience 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.279 is good. 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:32.039 We can sing 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.100 with the psalmist 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:33.899 in Psalm 19, 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:34.580 the law 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:35.500 of the Lord 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.379 is perfect, 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.639 reviving the soul. 00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:38.559 The testimony 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:39.279 of the Lord 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:39.860 is sure, 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:41.039 making wise 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.559 the simple. 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.439 The precepts 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:42.899 of the Lord 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.399 are right, 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:45.000 rejoicing the heart. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.279 The commandment 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:46.779 of the Lord 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.360 is pure, 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.919 enlightening the others. 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:50.840 We can only 00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:52.600 sing that, 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.740 pray that, 00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.679 if we know 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:55.279 that God 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.939 is good. 00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:59.500 whatever situation 00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.000 we're in, 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.860 we need to trust 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.380 God that 00:16:01.380 --> 00:16:02.220 obedience to him 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.100 will always 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:04.300 be right. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.100 So whether it's 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.640 the temptation 00:16:06.640 --> 00:16:08.180 to lie 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:10.040 about something, 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:11.000 to cover up, 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:13.100 such as at work 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:13.880 or in your family, 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.460 downplaying your faith, 00:16:17.020 --> 00:16:17.900 hiding what you believe 00:16:17.900 --> 00:16:19.000 about a particular issue 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:19.940 in front of colleagues, 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:22.480 or entertaining 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.120 the idea 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.680 of dating 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:24.260 or marrying 00:16:24.260 --> 00:16:24.900 a non-Christian 00:16:24.900 --> 00:16:26.200 because of fear 00:16:26.200 --> 00:16:27.240 of never marrying, 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.920 there are a million ways 00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:29.940 where we can be tempted 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:31.460 to be disobedient 00:16:31.460 --> 00:16:32.540 because in the moment 00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:34.180 we think it is best. 00:16:35.540 --> 00:16:36.660 But God is good. 00:16:38.260 --> 00:16:39.080 Trusting and being 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:39.740 obedient to him 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.360 is always 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.040 the way 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.280 forward. 00:16:43.520 --> 00:16:44.280 But we'll only 00:16:44.280 --> 00:16:44.800 see that 00:16:44.800 --> 00:16:46.360 if we taste 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:46.960 and see 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.560 that the Lord 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.080 is good. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.640 Blessed is he 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.439 who takes refuge 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:51.000 in the Lord. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:54.000 Now look at the end 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.580 of verse 6. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:55.819 The Lord 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:56.699 who keeps 00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:58.080 faith forever. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.939 He is faithful. 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.080 He will do 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.039 what he has promised. 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.039 He won't leave us 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:05.539 or abandon us 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:07.099 even when we 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.859 make what seem 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.039 to be costly decisions 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.779 out of obedience 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.220 to him. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.879 I can genuinely 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:12.440 say 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.440 the times 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:14.819 when I'm 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.859 the most delighted 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.879 in Christ 00:17:16.879 --> 00:17:18.579 are the times 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:18.940 when I've been 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.600 under the most 00:17:19.600 --> 00:17:20.160 pressure 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.019 or opposition. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.700 A couple years ago 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:25.200 or two years ago 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:25.740 I 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:28.600 got into a bit 00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:28.960 of trouble 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.519 because I 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:32.580 said the 00:17:32.580 --> 00:17:34.059 denomination 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.820 that I'm a part of 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:35.799 should hold on 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.519 to orthodoxy 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.900 and drive out 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.700 false teachers. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.180 Said it 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.240 with more words 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.320 and less nuanced. 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:48.399 and for whatever 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:48.799 reason 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.639 it got a bit 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:51.740 more response 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.460 than I had 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.460 or as we'd 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:53.960 been expecting. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.759 It was for 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.299 Christian San. 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.399 and 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:59.740 I think 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.339 on the Sunday 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.480 it was discussed 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.680 on BBC Radio 4 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.339 at some point. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.799 I think 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.960 I came here 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:08.240 which was 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.500 a blessing. 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:09.940 But 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:11.460 basically 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.819 a fundamentalist 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.240 figure 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:16.779 says the stuff. 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:18.680 and it 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:20.420 was a really 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.119 difficult time 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.859 and 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:25.359 lots of 00:18:25.359 --> 00:18:25.759 criticism 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.579 lots of 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.000 opposition 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:30.339 from without 00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.759 and from within 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:34.240 family 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:36.500 saying 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:38.000 you shouldn't 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.539 have said that 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.000 what you're 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.660 saying is wrong 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.440 you're being 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:40.920 hateful 00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:44.779 and 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.960 lots of 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.539 pressure 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:48.299 and it was 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:49.119 in that moment 00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:49.799 I can genuinely 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.579 say that I 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:52.559 was able to 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.680 praise God 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.099 and say 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:54.700 he is faithful. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.240 So even 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.279 in the most 00:18:58.279 --> 00:18:59.140 difficult times 00:18:59.140 --> 00:19:00.859 God is faithful 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.960 he is with us 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:04.180 he sustains us. 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:06.320 As Jesus 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:06.620 says 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.100 in this world 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:07.560 you will have 00:19:07.560 --> 00:19:07.840 trouble 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.240 but take 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.640 heart 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.820 he has 00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.160 overcome 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:10.640 the world. 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.640 We have 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.380 eternal hope 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:13.720 that puts 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.340 everything in 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:14.759 perspective 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.380 as Paul says 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:17.000 for this 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.660 light 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.820 and momentary 00:19:18.820 --> 00:19:19.580 affliction 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:21.519 is preparing 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.120 for us 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:22.660 an eternal 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.019 weight of 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.340 glory 00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:24.019 beyond 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.259 all 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:24.759 comparison 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:26.180 as we 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.620 look not 00:19:26.620 --> 00:19:26.880 to the 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.220 things 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.940 that are 00:19:27.940 --> 00:19:28.220 seen 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.539 but to 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:28.680 the 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:28.980 things 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.340 that are 00:19:29.340 --> 00:19:29.759 unseen 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.240 for the 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.580 things 00:19:30.580 --> 00:19:31.299 that are 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:31.600 seen 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:31.779 are 00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.240 transient 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:32.900 and 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.019 the 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.240 things 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:33.519 that are 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.000 unseen 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:34.900 are 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.720 eternal. 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:37.539 In the 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.019 gospel we 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.420 have all 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:38.740 we need 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.279 because we 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:39.420 have 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.880 Christ 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:41.259 because he 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:41.559 is our 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:41.920 saviour. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.019 He has 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.539 rescued us 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:43.799 he has 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.160 given us 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:44.579 salvation 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.480 something 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:45.880 that no 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.400 other person 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.859 can do. 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.779 Others 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.460 might say 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.960 it's only 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:51.920 in Christ 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.599 that there 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:52.920 is no 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.480 condemnation. 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.140 So yes 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:55.539 we need to 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:55.759 pursue 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.380 holy lives. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.460 Jesus 00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:58.819 died 00:19:58.819 --> 00:19:59.460 he predestined 00:19:59.460 --> 00:19:59.819 us to be 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.380 conformed 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:00.619 to the 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:00.880 image of 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:01.279 his son. 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.579 He died 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:02.859 that we 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.240 may say 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.720 no to 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.279 ungodliness 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.279 but even 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.640 when we 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:05.940 fall 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:07.000 and slip 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.360 up 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:09.460 and make 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:09.980 mistakes 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.720 and sin 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.980 there is 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.680 no condemnation 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.019 for those 00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.180 who are in 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:14.799 Christ Jesus. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.319 Trusting God 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.180 also means 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.819 trusting that 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:18.339 that we are 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.600 forgiven 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:20.120 that there is 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.440 grace 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:22.720 so we can 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.319 trust God 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.600 because he 00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:24.920 is our 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.160 sinner 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:26.400 he is 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:26.640 good. 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.299 Finally 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:31.579 God is 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.099 king. 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.899 Verse 10 00:20:33.899 --> 00:20:35.539 the Lord 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.879 will reign 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:38.039 forever. 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.059 Your God 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:40.680 is Zion 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:42.319 to all 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:42.940 generations. 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.779 Christ is 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.180 ruling and 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.359 reigning 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:46.899 right now 00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:48.599 and establishing 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.359 his kingdom. 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.139 He's already 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.740 established his 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:50.960 kingdom. 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:51.659 Nothing 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:52.599 can afford 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.240 his purposes. 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:55.200 no matter 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:55.799 how big 00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.420 or powerful 00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.359 or influential 00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.220 whatever it is 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.940 in front of us 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.700 in our lives 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.299 God 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.140 still 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:02.259 reigns. 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:04.519 see the 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.140 contrast with 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.619 verse 4 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:07.839 when the 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.140 prince 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:10.000 departs 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.900 he returns 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.559 to the earth 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:11.879 on that 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.660 very day 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:14.839 his plans 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.839 perish. 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.160 Even those 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.779 we read about 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.299 in the history 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:19.720 books 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.539 and left 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.000 legacies 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.519 they still 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.039 died 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.900 and became 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:25.359 dust. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.640 God's plans 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.059 will never 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.480 perish. 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.180 They will 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:30.900 come 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.660 to pass. 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.180 He is 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:32.519 king of 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:32.779 kings 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.160 and lord 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:33.320 of 00:21:33.320 --> 00:21:33.640 lords. 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.080 So no 00:21:35.080 --> 00:21:35.540 matter what 00:21:35.540 --> 00:21:36.460 any power 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.900 ruler 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.600 or authority 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:38.200 or government 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:38.860 says or 00:21:38.860 --> 00:21:39.259 promise 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.320 it is 00:21:40.320 --> 00:21:40.700 ultimately 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.240 God who 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:41.680 reigns. 00:21:43.540 --> 00:21:43.779 That's what 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.080 we see 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:45.019 in 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:47.080 this 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:47.320 psalm. 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:47.620 We see 00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:47.880 it in 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.420 Psalm 2. 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:48.779 We see 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.120 it in 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:50.140 Romans 13. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.340 All 00:21:54.340 --> 00:21:54.860 authority 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.340 is his. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.620 Or 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.420 Philippians 2. 00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.480 God 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.120 has highly 00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:00.560 exalted 00:22:00.560 --> 00:22:01.040 Christ 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.899 bestowed 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.460 on him 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.399 the name 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:03.879 that is 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.299 above 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.319 every name 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.680 so that 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:06.960 at the 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.299 name of 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.619 Jesus 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.579 every knee 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:08.779 should 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.099 bow 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:10.220 in heaven 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.259 and on 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.659 earth 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:12.399 and under 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.099 the earth 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:14.339 and every 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.799 tongue 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.579 confess 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.500 that 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:16.879 Jesus 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.599 Christ 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.379 is 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:18.759 Lord 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.700 to the 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.099 glory 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.059 of God 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.799 the Father. 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.180 So one 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:23.599 day every 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:23.960 knee will 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.279 bow. 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.879 even 00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:26.119 Liz 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.480 Truss 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:26.660 and 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:26.899 Rishi 00:22:26.899 --> 00:22:27.279 Sinai 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.319 even 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:28.980 Joe 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.279 Biden 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:29.480 or 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:29.759 Putin 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:29.960 or 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.379 Zelensky 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:30.779 or Boris 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.059 Johnson 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.599 they will 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:31.859 all 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.180 bow 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.879 and whoever 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:34.599 becomes our 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:34.819 next 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.259 Prime Minister 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.339 it doesn't 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.039 change the 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.500 reality 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.700 that Christ 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.519 is King 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:41.980 and so 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.119 they will 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.420 bow 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.599 either 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:45.900 as sons 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.579 and daughters 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:48.200 or in fear 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:48.599 of God's 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:48.900 judgment 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:50.259 because it 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.660 will one 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.119 day come. 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.319 We see the 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:53.639 ultimate 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:54.400 destinies for 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.920 those who do 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.519 not trust in 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:55.759 him 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:59.059 and the 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.539 way of the 00:22:59.539 --> 00:22:59.839 wicked 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:01.240 he brings 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.799 to Rory 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.680 at verse 9 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:04.259 but if we 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.799 know Christ 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.120 as our 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:05.440 Saviour 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:05.860 and King 00:23:05.860 --> 00:23:07.000 as our 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.440 help 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:10.039 verse 4 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.900 verse 5 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:11.680 we are 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.080 blessed 00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:14.100 we are 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:14.720 happy 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.660 we have 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.360 joy and 00:23:17.360 --> 00:23:17.779 peace 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.600 God is 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:19.860 King 00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:20.340 he rules 00:23:20.340 --> 00:23:20.900 he reigns 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:21.120 he has 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.640 all power 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:23.220 so trust 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.180 him 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:26.980 we've seen 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.039 three reasons 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.460 why we should 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.019 put our trust 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.400 in God 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:29.759 he is 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.180 creator 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.720 he is 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.120 Saviour 00:23:31.120 --> 00:23:32.180 he is 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.259 King 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:35.340 now just 00:23:35.340 --> 00:23:37.840 two diagnostic 00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.560 questions 00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:39.940 for you 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:41.140 as we think 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.519 about 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.860 do you 00:23:42.860 --> 00:23:43.620 trust in 00:23:43.620 --> 00:23:44.759 the Lord 00:23:44.759 --> 00:23:45.460 you may say 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.880 we do 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:47.500 how do you 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.380 respond when 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:48.920 things are 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.660 going badly 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:51.519 do you get 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.299 anxious and 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:52.680 worried 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.759 doubt God's 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.360 control and 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:54.720 sovereignty 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.660 doubt God's 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.100 goodness 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:57.620 perhaps you 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.320 get frustrated 00:23:58.320 --> 00:23:59.060 I know that 00:23:59.060 --> 00:23:59.680 I can 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.680 do you turn 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.000 to God 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.600 in prayer 00:24:02.600 --> 00:24:03.620 or try 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.440 to find a 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.759 way through 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.480 it independently 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.120 in your own 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:06.620 strength 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:08.019 do you fall 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.759 into despair 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.340 as though all 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:09.799 is lost 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.220 do you turn 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:10.700 your eyes 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.519 on the things 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:12.120 that are wrong 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.980 do you forget 00:24:13.980 --> 00:24:15.080 the rich blessings 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:15.779 that he has 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.200 lavished on us 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.840 in Christ 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:20.259 how do you 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.740 respond when 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.039 things are 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.399 going badly 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:21.699 secondly 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.299 how do you 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.779 respond when 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.079 things are 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.579 going well 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:25.619 do you think 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.139 it's your own 00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:26.419 doing 00:24:26.419 --> 00:24:27.819 that you have 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.480 achieved things 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.079 for yourself 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.059 are you 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:30.839 grateful and 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:31.379 thankful to 00:24:31.379 --> 00:24:31.699 God 00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.759 is your 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.399 happiness in 00:24:33.399 --> 00:24:34.279 your circumstances 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.139 or in God 00:24:35.139 --> 00:24:36.839 do you praise 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.579 and thank you 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:41.220 so two 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.619 diagnostic 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:41.919 questions 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.299 how do you 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.699 respond when 00:24:42.699 --> 00:24:42.980 things are 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.379 going badly 00:24:43.379 --> 00:24:43.799 how do you 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.779 respond when 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.139 things are 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:45.639 going well 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.919 so how can 00:24:46.919 --> 00:24:47.359 we trust 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.859 in God 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.919 how can we 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:49.699 grow in trust 00:24:49.699 --> 00:24:52.159 firstly we need to 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:53.079 meditate on God 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:53.779 and who he is 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.539 on his character 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:56.359 know the rich 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:56.699 goodness 00:24:56.699 --> 00:24:58.139 of his character 00:24:58.139 --> 00:25:00.079 hear his voice 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.619 in the words 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.099 of scripture 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:02.460 meditate on who 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:02.699 he is 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.519 this psalm 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.100 itself 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:05.100 is glorious 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:06.059 has glorious 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.620 truths 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:07.779 about who 00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.360 he is 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:10.360 as we read 00:25:10.360 --> 00:25:10.700 scripture 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.299 we are hearing 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.660 God 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.700 literally 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:14.059 speak to us 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.799 he is our 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.160 father 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.640 secondly 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.580 repent and pray 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:21.019 ask for forgiveness 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.759 for our lack of 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.019 trust 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.720 ask God 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.539 by his spirit 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.460 to give us 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.220 greater faith 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:25.840 and trust 00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.319 in him 00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:27.299 do we turn 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.700 to God 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.700 in all circumstances 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.039 Paul says 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.460 in the Philippines 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.420 do not be anxious 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.039 about anything 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.460 but in everything 00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.500 by prayer 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.440 and supplication 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.180 with thanksgiving 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.339 let your requests 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.440 be known to God 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.819 one theologian 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.879 described prayerlessness 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:42.480 as practical 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.460 atheism 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:45.940 turn to God 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.460 in prayer 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.299 in the good 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.019 and the bad 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.359 i.e. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.720 always turn to God 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.139 in prayer 00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:53.519 and third 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.019 and finally 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.319 praise 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.279 the Lord 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.859 this is what we see 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.420 in this psalm 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.819 praise the Lord 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:01.220 praise the Lord 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.259 oh my soul 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:02.259 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.480 I will praise 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.900 the Lord 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.740 as long as I live 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.660 I will sing 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.799 praises to my God 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.960 while I have 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.700 my being 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.759 notice the resolve 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.680 I will 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.799 I will 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:13.740 this is the 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.920 first of the last 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.600 the five 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:16.819 hallelujah psalms 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.400 at the end 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:18.019 of the psalter 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.980 all of them 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.960 beginning and ending 00:26:19.960 --> 00:26:21.100 with praise the Lord 00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:21.900 hallelujah 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:23.420 all of the psalms 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.039 have been working 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.819 up to this point 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.480 of praise 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.480 just as all of 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.140 history 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:28.180 is working up 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.700 to this point 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.860 all of our lives 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:30.759 working up 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.340 to this point 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.920 praise the Lord 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:33.759 hallelujah 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.500 resolve 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.620 in the good 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.519 and the bad 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.840 as long as we 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.519 have our being 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.580 meaning as long 00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:40.720 as we are alive 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.240 to sing praises 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.560 to our God 00:26:43.560 --> 00:26:45.580 singing praises 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:46.000 to God 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.500 is not only 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.060 in response 00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:47.680 to the trust 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.000 in God 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.700 but it builds 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.180 our trust 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.620 in God 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:51.180 praise the Lord 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.940 oh my soul 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.759 tell yourself 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.720 preach to yourself 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.799 implore yourself 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.440 to praise 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.279 and worship 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.740 God 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.700 because that 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.419 is ultimately 00:26:58.419 --> 00:26:59.639 what we are 00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.399 made for 00:27:00.399 --> 00:27:02.099 Charles Ferdinand 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.779 commenting on these 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.079 verses 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.639 and I'll close 00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.039 with this 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.460 wrote 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:06.700 when we praise 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:07.119 God 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:08.639 let us arouse 00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.819 our innermost self 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:11.000 our central life 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.180 we have 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.119 but one soul 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:14.279 and if it be 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.960 saved from 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.700 eternal wrath 00:27:15.700 --> 00:27:16.399 it is bound 00:27:16.399 --> 00:27:17.099 to praise 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.680 its saviour 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.119 come 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.839 heart 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.500 mind 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.139 thoughts 00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:20.740 come my 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.399 whole being 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.099 my soul 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.980 my all 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.919 be all 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.640 on flame 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.340 with joyful 00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:25.940 adoration 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.140 up my brethren 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:28.200 lift up the song 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.620 praise ye the Lord 00:27:29.620 --> 00:27:31.380 I shall not live here 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:31.700 forever 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.759 this mortal life 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.300 will find 00:27:33.300 --> 00:27:34.140 finish in death 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.400 but while it lasts 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.480 I will lord 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.560 the Lord my God 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:39.340 I cannot tell 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:39.900 how long 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.320 or short 00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:41.240 my life may be 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.400 but every hour 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.039 of it shall be 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.360 given 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.420 to the praises 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:45.220 of my God 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.460 while I live 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.039 our love 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:48.000 and while I breathe 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.600 our bless 00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:49.320 the glorious 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:49.800 Jehovah 00:27:49.800 --> 00:27:50.960 is my God 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.440 my own God 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.200 by covenant 00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.140 and by blood 00:27:54.140 --> 00:27:54.740 relationship 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.539 in Christ 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:55.900 Jesus 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:57.940 I have no being 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:59.059 apart from my God 00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.500 therefore 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:01.240 I will not attempt 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.420 to enjoy my being 00:28:02.420 --> 00:28:03.059 otherwise 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.380 than by singing 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.080 to his honour 00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:07.000 twice the psalmist 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.880 says I will 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:09.940 we cannot be too firm 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:11.259 in the holy resolve 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.240 to praise God 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.980 for it is the chief end 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.140 of our living and being 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:17.160 that we should glorify God 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.440 and enjoy him 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.220 forever 00:28:19.220 --> 00:28:20.539 Amen 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.119 Amen 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.119 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:51.099 Thank you.