WEBVTT 00:00:00.500 --> 00:00:04.919 Good morning. It's good to see you all here, both in person and on the live stream. 00:00:05.020 --> 00:00:07.219 We're glad you've joined us this morning. 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:14.000 I want you to picture a scene thousands of years ago in the land of Israel. 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:23.120 As the sun begins to lower in the west, a door opens in the east wall of the city of Jerusalem. 00:00:23.300 --> 00:00:26.780 A group of court officials and families hurriedly push past. 00:00:26.780 --> 00:00:32.719 Out of the walled city of Jerusalem, down into the kindred valley. 00:00:33.539 --> 00:00:37.700 They carry only weapons they can hastily grab and a few belongings. 00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:43.960 A sense of urgency, a sense of fear drive them. 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:50.700 As they go down from the city to the bottom of the valley and back up. 00:00:51.760 --> 00:00:54.740 Their great desire is to get up and away from the city. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:01:03.120 At their front, with his head bowed and his dusty face streaked with tears, King David walks barefoot in grief. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:08.579 The country itself cries out in lament. 00:01:08.939 --> 00:01:15.620 As the anointed king was forced to flee his throne because of the rebellion of his son Absalom. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:19.659 Who had stolen the hearts of many of his people and many of his warriors. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:29.379 David had heard from a messenger that Absalom was coming with an army to pursue him and to take him. 00:01:30.420 --> 00:01:37.539 So the king led a remnant of his people out of the city, up to the Mount of Olives, 00:01:38.259 --> 00:01:45.780 through the mountains to the other side towards the River Jordan where there would be a moment of peace and rest. 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:52.579 Friends, this is the scene, this is the setting for Psalm 3. 00:01:53.099 --> 00:01:59.180 Which is our psalm for this morning as we continue in our series this fall in the book of Psalms. 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:02.840 As we look at them as songs of hope in uncertain times. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:12.520 This is the account in 2 Samuel 15 and 16 that brings us to the writing of Psalm 3. 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:15.360 So let's look at Psalm 3 together. 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:18.120 If you're looking in your Bible, it's probably right about in the middle. 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:21.700 Psalm 3, let's read this together. 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:24.420 Psalm 3. 00:02:24.420 --> 00:02:28.240 A psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:33.120 O Lord, how many are my foes. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:35.219 Many are rising against me. 00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:40.480 Many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. 00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:42.479 Selah. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:48.439 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me. 00:02:48.659 --> 00:02:51.639 My glory and the lifter of my head. 00:02:51.839 --> 00:02:57.060 I cried aloud to the Lord and he answered me from his holy hill. 00:02:57.939 --> 00:02:58.399 Selah. 00:02:59.339 --> 00:03:01.159 I lay down and slept. 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:03.659 I woke again for the Lord sustained me. 00:03:04.459 --> 00:03:10.299 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 00:03:10.300 --> 00:03:13.960 Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God. 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:17.800 For you strike all my enemies on the cheek. 00:03:18.160 --> 00:03:20.060 You break the teeth of the wicked. 00:03:21.700 --> 00:03:24.100 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:28.060 Your blessing be on your people. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:29.820 Selah. 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:31.099 Let's pray together. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:35.039 Lord, we thank you this morning for this word. 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:40.340 We thank you for the word of comfort and hope that it brings us. 00:03:40.959 --> 00:03:48.359 I pray this morning that you would give us all ears to hear and hearts to receive the truth of your word. 00:03:48.360 --> 00:04:01.340 Lord, and by your spirit, Lord, may you strengthen us in faith as we know you, our rock and our redeemer, more through this song. 00:04:02.200 --> 00:04:03.820 Be with me as I speak. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:10.560 I pray for your help that you would be glorified in all that I say and all that we do this morning. 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:12.840 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:14.620 Amen. 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:23.319 As David writes this psalm, it breaks down into four very simple groupings, two verses each. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:29.420 Each one expressing a different aspect of David as he's processing his situation before the Lord. 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:33.500 The four aspects are this. 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:38.040 We can look at them not only for what they meant for David, but what they mean for us today. 00:04:38.640 --> 00:04:41.180 Verses 1 and 2 talk about his affliction. 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:46.100 Verses 3 and 4 talk about his affirmation of who God is. 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:52.100 Verses 5 and 6 describe his actions in response to what he knows of God. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:54.939 And verses 7 and 8 are his assurance. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:57.160 So let's look at this together. 00:04:57.160 --> 00:04:58.400 Verses 1 and 2. 00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:00.079 His affliction. 00:05:00.779 --> 00:05:03.259 For David, his foes were very real. 00:05:03.659 --> 00:05:11.759 His rebellious son was leading a group, an army of people to depose him and perhaps to kill him. 00:05:12.099 --> 00:05:15.620 Certainly to overthrow his kingship and to replace him. 00:05:16.039 --> 00:05:21.419 And if you look at verses 1 and 2, one of the things you notice is that the word that's repeated the most there is many. 00:05:21.859 --> 00:05:23.539 It wasn't just a few people. 00:05:23.679 --> 00:05:25.579 This is not a small palace coup. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:31.620 In fact, Absalom had gone away so that he might gather a large group of people to himself at Hebron. 00:05:31.719 --> 00:05:34.620 And then he was coming back to take over Jerusalem. 00:05:35.099 --> 00:05:39.240 And the picture here is one of like a rising tide. 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:44.860 Imagine Absalom at the head of an army that keeps gathering people as they go. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:49.120 A picture of an encircling army. 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:52.720 A picture of one that is closing in on him. 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:54.819 Hemming him in on every side. 00:05:54.819 --> 00:05:59.060 An ever increasing menace. 00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:02.639 This is what David was facing. 00:06:03.920 --> 00:06:09.860 And I wonder if you've ever felt that sense of panic and feeling trapped. 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:13.280 Feeling pursued like that. 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:18.240 Now, my guess is very few of us have been actually pursued by armies. 00:06:19.180 --> 00:06:21.939 That's normal in these days and days. 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:23.180 Maybe some of you have. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:27.319 But very few of us have not had actual armies pursuing us. 00:06:27.400 --> 00:06:31.720 But you know, if you've experienced it at all, you know it doesn't take an army. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:37.400 All it takes is one person determined to ruin your life. 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:39.759 One person who seeks your destruction. 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:44.660 To create that sense of trapness. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:46.680 And that sense of being pursued. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:49.019 That desire to flee. 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:57.319 It might be a fellow student in your high school class who is out to alienate and isolate you from your friend group. 00:06:57.539 --> 00:07:01.299 A co-worker who is determined to undermine your work and your reputation. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:07.639 A family member or a former friend who has turned on you in bitterness and anger. 00:07:09.539 --> 00:07:11.759 And you know, our foes may not even be people. 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:18.039 I think as we think about our lives, we realize that the enemies of our soul are many. 00:07:19.079 --> 00:07:24.620 There are other kinds of pressures and trials that create the same sense of feeling of a rising tide. 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:28.420 That is surrounding us and encircling us and entrapping us. 00:07:31.599 --> 00:07:36.519 Certainly in this day of pandemic, I have felt this more than usual. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:47.699 When my child gets a small cough or sneezes a couple of times, suddenly I have to think through all of this rising tide of questions. 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:49.039 Can I go to work tomorrow? 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.919 Can he go to school tomorrow? 00:07:51.039 --> 00:07:52.419 What do I do if he's really sick? 00:07:52.479 --> 00:07:53.319 Do I go to the doctor? 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:54.779 Do I have to get a COVID test? 00:07:54.979 --> 00:07:56.639 Do I have to quarantine for 14 days? 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:57.620 What about, what about? 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:03.579 And all these questions begin to surround me and create a panic. 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:10.680 There are other kinds of circumstances that also make it difficult. 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:17.459 Maybe some of you, I know some of you, have experienced loss in this time. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:24.680 You have lost a loved one, whether it be to COVID or just for other reasons. 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:35.379 And yet, that loss becomes a rising tide of grief because we are generally cut off from our normal means of grieving together. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:38.440 We can't gather in large groups to have funerals. 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:43.940 We can't get together to express this grief together. 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:54.800 Even normal, fundamental means of comfort, like a hug or a cup of tea with a friend, are at least a lot more fraught. 00:08:57.880 --> 00:09:01.020 Some of you, I think, have been surrounded by those. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:04.360 There are all sorts of other pressures and trials we face. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:12.180 Some of you live and work in places where the pressure for you to succeed and to perform and to get ahead is a never-ending pressure. 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:15.979 And every time you think, well, once I can get over this hump, it'll get better. 00:09:16.059 --> 00:09:16.659 It doesn't. 00:09:16.839 --> 00:09:19.059 It just seems like there's another mountain to climb. 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:22.799 And the pressures continue to rise and encircle you. 00:09:24.699 --> 00:09:35.219 And some of you carry around the ongoing burden of broken relationships and scars from old sins, the whispers of past lives. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:45.840 And all these things can be like a rising tide that surround us and make us feel trapped like David. 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:54.680 And they bring us often to the place where the accusers of David at the very end of verse 2 bring us. 00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:59.680 For they whisper the doubt that rises up in our own hearts as well. 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:04.919 Well, can God really save me from this? 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:10.479 Is there salvation in God in the midst of these trials and these problems? 00:10:13.399 --> 00:10:17.439 I think this is the thing that is actually the one that breaks us. 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:19.399 We can face all sorts of things. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:23.039 But when we start to doubt whether God can get us through, 00:10:23.459 --> 00:10:26.620 when we start to doubt that God will be with us through it, 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:32.440 that is when we truly are broken. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.560 One commentator writes this, 00:10:37.560 --> 00:10:39.720 In whatever form trouble comes, 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:44.460 the hostility of others, circumstantial problems and tragedies, personal sorrows, 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:47.060 its tendency is to drive us inward, 00:10:47.659 --> 00:10:49.580 to make us retire hurt. 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:56.500 It urges us to find some corner in which to moan over our lot, 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:58.879 to marvel at how unfair life is, 00:10:59.180 --> 00:11:01.780 and to chew the fat of our own misery. 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:05.960 I find that true. 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:10.460 How easy it is when it gets difficult to want to retreat, 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.360 and to run away, 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.640 and to complain. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:18.519 But David does not do that. 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:22.819 And he gives us a model of how we can respond differently as well. 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:24.580 Instead, he turns to God. 00:11:24.679 --> 00:11:25.779 In verses 3 and 4, 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.819 Having talked about his afflictions, 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:31.840 now David turns his gaze to the God that he knows. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:32.899 And he says, 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:36.080 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.059 my glory, 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:39.860 and the lifter of my head. 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:45.000 Remember, David's enemies were real. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:47.460 It was a real army with spears and swords. 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:48.779 And he says, 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:51.100 You, O Lord, are a shield. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:54.899 Now, many of you know I'm a Lord of the Rings fan, 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:58.340 and if you've ever seen The Hobbit, The Battle of Five Armies, 00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:04.060 it's a very, very poor excuse for the original book, 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:04.740 which is wonderful. 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:06.899 But it's still a pretty decent movie. 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:09.959 And one of the coolest things is, 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:11.519 in the Battle of the Armies, 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:13.399 when the dwarves show up to fight, 00:12:13.699 --> 00:12:15.620 they do this amazing thing, 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:17.860 where they line up in order, 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:19.480 and they pull their shields out, 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:22.679 and they actually are double-ranked, 00:12:22.939 --> 00:12:27.039 and it becomes this wall of shields that is impenetrable. 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:33.279 The Roman phalanx taken to another level of defensiveness. 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:36.399 And this is what David is saying God is for him. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:41.399 God surrounds him with this phalanx of shields, 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:44.860 with this impenetrable wall, 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:49.919 that no sword and no spear will ever be able to penetrate. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.759 God, you are a shield. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:57.759 Not only does David say, 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.620 you are a shield, 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:02.019 but you are my glory and the lifter of my head. 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:03.000 What does that mean? 00:13:03.319 --> 00:13:04.360 Well, think about David. 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:07.340 David sat in a place of all human glory. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:10.819 He was the king who sat on the throne of Israel 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:13.299 and its greatest power and influence. 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:18.299 And at this point, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:21.359 he was fleeing as a refugee. 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:26.059 He had lost all of his human glory, 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:28.859 and yet David knew where to look. 00:13:29.099 --> 00:13:30.559 He looked to God and he said, 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:32.779 God, even though I have lost all of that, 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:35.799 I have the most important glory I can ever have. 00:13:35.799 --> 00:13:38.279 And that is that I am yours. 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.759 I am with you. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:43.319 And that being related to you, 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:45.240 knowing that you are my God, 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:48.740 gives me a glory that enables me to withstand 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:50.699 the greatest trials. 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:55.020 You are not only my glory, 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:56.960 but you are the lifter of my head. 00:13:59.280 --> 00:14:02.020 If you went back and you read 2 Samuel, 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.920 and you have to go back a couple more chapters, 00:14:04.020 --> 00:14:05.440 go back to chapter 10, 00:14:05.800 --> 00:14:06.580 start there, 00:14:06.640 --> 00:14:07.540 and you read, 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.300 what happened with Absalom 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:14.280 was not completely without cause 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:17.080 or without reason because of David's actions. 00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:20.480 David had failed multiple times in his kingship, 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.279 in his leadership, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.220 in his character, 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:24.019 in his leading of his family 00:14:24.019 --> 00:14:26.360 and addressing evils within his family. 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:29.740 And so Absalom's rebellion 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:35.519 was not without some cause for shame for David. 00:14:35.980 --> 00:14:37.879 So not only was he fleeing 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:40.639 because he was afraid of his life, 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:42.539 but he was fleeing in shame. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:44.560 And he looks up to God, 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.300 and God says, 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:47.720 not shame, 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.159 lift up your eyes, 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:52.879 I am going to come, 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.420 and I am going to restore your honor. 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:58.019 I am going to restore your glory. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:59.360 You are not a failure. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.159 You are not ashamed. 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.879 But as David looks up, 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:07.580 he knows that as God lifts his head up, 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:09.700 he can be bright-faced 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:13.680 and looking with hope and faith to God himself. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:21.879 The other thing that David sees 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:24.220 that maybe isn't quite as obvious in this verse 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:27.200 is to which God is David looking. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.720 In my Bible, 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.160 likely in your Bible, 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.379 there's some indication in verse 3, 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:32.879 but you, 00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:33.600 oh Lord, 00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:35.020 that word in my Bible 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:35.639 has Lord 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.980 in three smaller capitals, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.500 right? 00:15:38.939 --> 00:15:39.879 And lots of times, 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:41.279 Bible versions in the English 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:43.139 try to distinguish this word 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.759 because it's the word 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:46.240 that God used 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:48.179 when he revealed himself to Moses 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:50.240 at the burning bush. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.639 And it's the word 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:52.579 that is used 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.879 throughout the Old Testament 00:15:53.879 --> 00:15:55.079 for Yahweh, 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:58.079 the covenant-keeping God, 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.519 the particular God 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.919 of the people of Israel, 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:04.419 the God who created 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.099 the whole world, 00:16:05.219 --> 00:16:05.399 yes, 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.599 but then who also 00:16:06.599 --> 00:16:08.740 enters into a covenant 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.379 with his people. 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.559 It is the same God 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.759 who came to David 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.120 in 2 Samuel 7 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.759 and said, 00:16:16.219 --> 00:16:18.319 I'm going to make you 00:16:18.319 --> 00:16:19.659 the father of a, 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:21.419 or the first of a line. 00:16:21.559 --> 00:16:23.399 I'm going to seat your descendants 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:25.139 on the throne 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:27.679 where you will reign forever. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:30.699 Your family will reign forever. 00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:33.039 This is a covenant-keeping God 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:35.199 who enters into binding agreement 00:16:35.199 --> 00:16:36.179 with his people 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:37.459 to be their God 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:38.740 and they will be his people. 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:39.799 And as they enter 00:16:39.799 --> 00:16:40.719 into that covenant, 00:16:41.459 --> 00:16:43.259 there is great hope 00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:45.259 in that unbreakable bond. 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:49.879 So as God looks up 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.039 to this God, 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.860 his shield, 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:53.719 his glory, 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:57.259 the lifter of his head, 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.339 the covenant-keeping God, 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:01.340 he cries out to him 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.759 and he knows 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.399 that the Lord 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.319 will answer him. 00:17:05.100 --> 00:17:06.860 And it's really beautiful 00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:07.860 to see that David, 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:10.100 having fled the holy hill 00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:11.640 that he used to sit 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:12.720 on his throne in, 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.299 looks back 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.860 and he knows, 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.460 you know what? 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:17.059 I have lost that throne. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.759 I have lost my holy hill. 00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:19.920 I've lost my seat there. 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.240 Absalom may sit there, 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:23.880 but though I may have lost 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.660 all those things, 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:26.279 God is still sitting 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.759 on his holy hill. 00:17:28.040 --> 00:17:29.200 He is still reigning 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.180 over his people 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.120 and over his nation. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.200 He is still reigning 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.519 over my life. 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:36.019 And so I will have hope. 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:41.160 So when the rising tide 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.880 of affliction surround us, 00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.660 David gives us a model. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:46.640 We can turn and look to God 00:17:46.640 --> 00:17:47.940 and look to his character, 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:50.060 to look to his nature, 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:53.039 to see his faithfulness. 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:55.279 And friends, 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.659 this isn't just for David 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:58.539 as an Old Testament king, 00:17:58.619 --> 00:17:59.919 but this is for all 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:01.859 of his people 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:03.299 throughout the years. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.539 Listen to the words 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.579 of the Apostle Paul 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:06.519 in Romans 8 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:08.559 as the church 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.859 looks to God 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.859 in a similar way. 00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.879 What then shall we say 00:18:12.879 --> 00:18:13.879 to these things? 00:18:14.679 --> 00:18:16.279 If God is for us, 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.039 who can be against us? 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.980 He who did not spare 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.899 his own son, 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.000 but gave him up 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.779 for us all, 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.480 how will he not also 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.659 with him graciously 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.980 give us all things? 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.019 Who shall separate us 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.159 from the love of Christ? 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.579 Shall tribulation 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.159 or distress 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:33.000 or persecution 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.859 or famine 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:34.579 or nakedness 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.099 or danger 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:36.159 or sword? 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.799 No. 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.659 In all these things 00:18:39.659 --> 00:18:41.240 we are more than conquerors 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:41.819 through him 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.659 who loved us. 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.440 For I am sure 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.819 that neither death 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.579 nor life 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.839 nor angels 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.519 nor rulers 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.980 nor things present 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.039 nor things to come 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.639 nor powers 00:18:51.639 --> 00:18:52.099 nor height 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.539 nor depth 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.480 nor anything else 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.539 in all creation 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.459 will be able 00:18:55.459 --> 00:18:56.619 to separate us 00:18:56.619 --> 00:18:58.079 from the love of God 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:59.559 in Christ Jesus 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.439 our Lord. 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:06.699 David, 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:09.039 having named 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.759 his affliction 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.000 and having looked 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.759 to his God, 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.139 then responds 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:13.980 in his actions 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.379 in verses 5 and 6. 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:17.380 you can look with me 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.120 and he says, 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.540 I lay down 00:19:19.540 --> 00:19:20.520 and slept. 00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:22.600 Now, 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.620 imagine this. 00:19:24.280 --> 00:19:25.120 Because David 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:25.800 was not going 00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:26.400 to a hotel 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.960 nor was he going 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.120 to a fortified fortress. 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:31.180 He was in the wilderness. 00:19:32.320 --> 00:19:33.200 He was by the 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.940 bank of the Jordan River. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.460 But he had 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:37.840 no protection, 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.140 no great army, 00:19:39.300 --> 00:19:40.020 no bulwarks 00:19:40.020 --> 00:19:41.460 were erected 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.420 to protect him. 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:43.740 And yet, 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:45.059 because he knew 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:45.900 the God 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:47.299 that he had trusted in, 00:19:47.360 --> 00:19:48.059 that his God 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:49.100 would be his shield, 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.680 he lay down 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:51.420 and slept 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.900 even when he 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:53.960 was being pursued 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:56.840 by an army 00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:58.380 intent to kill him. 00:19:58.380 --> 00:20:03.160 I don't know 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:03.640 if you've ever 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.660 experienced this. 00:20:04.800 --> 00:20:05.760 I had an experience 00:20:05.760 --> 00:20:06.400 this week. 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.600 I had a kind 00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.160 of rough week 00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.800 in a number 00:20:09.800 --> 00:20:10.340 of areas 00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:11.800 and felt like 00:20:11.800 --> 00:20:12.920 the rising tide 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:14.380 of troubles 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.540 were a bit 00:20:15.540 --> 00:20:16.060 overwhelming 00:20:16.060 --> 00:20:16.780 for me. 00:20:18.280 --> 00:20:19.040 And on Thursday 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.400 night, 00:20:20.280 --> 00:20:21.160 instead of working 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.040 more on my sermon, 00:20:22.800 --> 00:20:23.660 hopefully it doesn't 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.280 show too much, 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:26.260 but instead of working 00:20:26.260 --> 00:20:27.120 more on my sermon, 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:27.680 which had been 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.920 my plan for the evening, 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:31.060 feeling this rising tide 00:20:31.060 --> 00:20:33.539 and remembering 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.200 this verse, 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.759 I went to sleep 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:37.259 early. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.700 I never go to sleep 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.019 early. 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.560 I went to sleep 00:20:40.560 --> 00:20:42.220 and I rested 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.160 and the Lord 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:44.160 gave me rest. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.920 And he gave me 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.380 confidence 00:20:47.380 --> 00:20:47.960 that he could 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.680 take care of 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.440 all the things 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.340 that I was facing. 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:52.860 And then the days 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.100 since he has 00:20:54.100 --> 00:20:54.720 taken care of 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.120 some of them, 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.759 not all of them, 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.180 he hasn't made 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.980 them all go away. 00:20:57.680 --> 00:21:01.820 But stopping 00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:02.680 and sleeping 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:03.580 and trusting 00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:05.759 is one of the 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.519 best ways 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.200 that we can 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.720 exhibit our faith 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.279 in God 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.779 and act it out. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.180 And David shows us 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:13.120 why we can do this. 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:13.960 He gives us two things. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.320 He says, 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:14.700 first, 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:15.680 he did this 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.779 because he was confident 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.600 that the Lord 00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:19.060 would sustain him, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.519 that the Lord 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.460 would continue 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:24.100 the covenant 00:21:24.100 --> 00:21:24.860 that God had made 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.660 in the past, 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:26.640 that God would 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:27.800 not abandon 00:21:27.800 --> 00:21:28.580 that and so 00:21:28.580 --> 00:21:29.360 that he knew 00:21:29.360 --> 00:21:29.620 that, 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.220 look, 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.680 the Lord 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.420 will take care 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:33.880 of me. 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.460 And so I can 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.180 lie down 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.880 and sleep 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:40.540 entrusting these 00:21:40.540 --> 00:21:41.620 problems to God. 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:45.519 not only could he 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.519 say that he was 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.359 confident that the 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.139 Lord would sustain 00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.339 him, 00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.000 but it also 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.019 expresses that he 00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.859 was not afraid 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.879 of these rising 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:52.339 armies. 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.619 Verse 6 says, 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.859 I will not be afraid 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.919 of many thousands, 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:57.139 even ten thousands. 00:21:57.140 --> 00:22:01.180 And David is not 00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:01.780 saying this 00:22:01.780 --> 00:22:02.520 with masculine 00:22:02.520 --> 00:22:03.160 bravado. 00:22:03.340 --> 00:22:04.200 He's not saying 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:05.040 it in denial 00:22:05.040 --> 00:22:05.980 of the reality 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.620 of the army 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:07.460 that was chasing him. 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.220 He was saying 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.860 it in the face 00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.759 that he was looking 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:11.460 at that reality 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.140 and knowing 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:13.220 that it was true 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.920 and he was saying, 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.160 even though 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:15.820 these things 00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.500 are true, 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.820 I will not 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:18.620 be afraid 00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:21.560 because God 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:22.340 is my shield 00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:24.120 and my protection. 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:29.019 friends, 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.379 I wonder 00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.059 how you're doing 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:31.119 facing the rising 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.899 tide in your life 00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:33.439 right now. 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:37.679 Are you able 00:22:37.679 --> 00:22:38.259 to lie down 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.859 and sleep 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:39.639 and trust 00:22:39.639 --> 00:22:41.539 in the character 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.299 and the work 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:42.799 of God 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.719 in your lives? 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.779 Now look, 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.679 we need to be careful 00:22:45.679 --> 00:22:46.479 as we think about 00:22:46.479 --> 00:22:47.479 how to apply this 00:22:47.479 --> 00:22:48.659 because there are 00:22:48.659 --> 00:22:49.319 times when 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.839 you can see it 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.459 throughout Scripture 00:22:51.459 --> 00:22:52.219 and throughout church 00:22:52.219 --> 00:22:53.099 history where God 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.539 does 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.500 intervene 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.279 miraculously, 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:55.899 wonderfully 00:22:55.899 --> 00:22:56.639 and he changes 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.599 our circumstances. 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:59.299 He neutralizes 00:22:59.299 --> 00:22:59.920 our enemies. 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:00.859 He removes 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:02.299 the trials. 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.319 He takes away. 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.139 He comforts 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:04.720 our grief. 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.099 There are many ways 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.819 in which God 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.440 can and has 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.299 and continues 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.059 to act 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.119 in wonderful ways 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:11.639 to provide 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.379 for his people 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.559 and we in faith 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.200 ought to look 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.740 for that 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:16.139 and to expect 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:16.700 that God 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.720 will do this 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:19.799 at times. 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:23.480 to know 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:23.819 that God 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.359 delights 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.299 to help us 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:27.819 but we also 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.619 need to know 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:30.119 because Scripture 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:30.759 tells us 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.220 and because 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.700 the history 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.200 of the church 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.740 tells us 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.319 that God 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.019 doesn't always 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.879 deliver us. 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.200 He doesn't 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.200 always remove 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.299 us from the 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.819 difficulties. 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.359 He doesn't 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.759 always lessen 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.919 the rising tide. 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:45.140 sometimes 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.420 he allows 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.120 suffering 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.900 and trials 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.860 to come 00:23:48.860 --> 00:23:49.880 into our lives 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:52.800 but in the 00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:53.519 midst of that 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:56.120 he is still 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.800 with us. 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.080 He is still 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:58.720 our shield 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.539 and our protector 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.539 and though he may 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.279 not remove 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:01.860 the storm 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.400 outside 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.019 he's able 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.600 to create 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.060 a place 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:04.680 of peace 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.660 within his 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.220 protection 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.740 and within 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.580 his care 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.500 where we can 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:08.940 live with 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.420 confidence 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.039 and walk 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:10.500 through the 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:10.920 hardest 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.680 things. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:13.660 with faith 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.200 and hope. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.720 This is what 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.440 Paul refers 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:16.920 to in 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.420 Philippians 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.279 chapter 4 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.400 when he talks 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.580 about praying 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:21.039 and bringing 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.680 all of our 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.340 requests and 00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.039 petitions to 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.480 God 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:25.019 praying that 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:27.019 God himself 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.160 would surround 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:28.560 us, would 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.180 keep our 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.400 hearts in 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.539 perfect peace 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.799 and would 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.560 guard our 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:34.120 hearts and 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.400 minds in 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:36.220 Christ Jesus. 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.420 Jesus. 00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.440 He will 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.360 sustain us 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.500 and he 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.039 will comfort 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.279 us and he 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.779 will allow 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.500 us to lie 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.079 down and 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:49.000 sleep even 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.680 in the midst 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:50.019 of the 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:50.539 trials. 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:54.299 And friends 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.740 we know 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.140 that this 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.339 rest for 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.100 our souls 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.600 is a 00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.500 precursor to 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.039 the rest 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.680 that will 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:00.160 come in 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.640 our eternal 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.279 salvation 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.240 when God 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.100 will defeat 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:03.640 all of his 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:04.000 enemies, 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.500 when they 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.339 will no 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.220 longer be 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.319 these powers 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.079 that rise 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.839 himself up 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.480 against our 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.059 souls. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.220 But God 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.519 will have 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.200 defeated them 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.460 and we 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:12.960 will enter 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.519 into an 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.099 eternal 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:15.559 Sabbath rest 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.140 of joy 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:16.640 and peace 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.220 with God. 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:21.859 So David 00:25:21.859 --> 00:25:22.319 having 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.619 named his 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.200 affliction, 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.359 affirmed the 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:25.980 character of 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.359 God, 00:25:26.880 --> 00:25:27.619 responded in 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.420 these actions 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:30.420 then finishes 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.279 his psalm 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.059 with a 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.859 statement of 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.539 assurance 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:33.659 Jesus. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.759 He cries 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.159 out, 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.500 verse 7, 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.079 he cries 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.379 out, 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:38.940 God will 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.599 you act, 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.339 will you 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.279 now act 00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:41.659 on what 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:42.139 all that 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:42.440 I have 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:42.779 said, 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.680 will you 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.440 destroy 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.159 the enemies? 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:45.740 And the 00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.500 images here 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.379 are powerful 00:25:47.379 --> 00:25:47.899 and sometimes 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:48.559 we feel a 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.220 little uncomfortable 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:49.879 with them 00:25:49.879 --> 00:25:50.980 in our day 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.480 and age. 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:52.200 But let's 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.619 think about 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.039 what they 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.420 mean. 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.079 Verse 7 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.579 says, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.519 Arise oh 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.019 Lord save 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.379 me my 00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:56.740 God for 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.339 you strike 00:25:57.339 --> 00:25:57.740 all my 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.220 enemies 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.779 on the 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.000 cheek. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.200 What 00:25:59.200 --> 00:25:59.599 does that 00:25:59.599 --> 00:25:59.940 mean? 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.839 That is a 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.500 slap in the 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.420 face is 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:03.740 what it 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.080 means. 00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:05.039 It is a 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.539 will you 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:06.460 humiliate, 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:06.860 will you 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:08.200 bring low 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.240 those who 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.080 have raised 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:11.000 themselves up 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.820 against me? 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.680 Will you 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.180 show that 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.640 you are 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.340 greater than 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:19.019 them in 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.900 your deliverance? 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:21.360 And then the 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:22.019 second one, 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.160 will you break 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:23.860 the teeth of 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.259 the wicked? 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.440 It's an 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:26.860 imagery that's 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.400 taken from 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:27.940 the wild 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.539 animals. 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:29.580 Might be 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:29.940 rephrased. 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.320 Will you 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:31.439 defang the 00:26:31.439 --> 00:26:31.759 enemy? 00:26:31.919 --> 00:26:32.159 Will you 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:33.200 take the 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.119 weapons out 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:34.439 of their 00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:34.819 hands? 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.579 Will you 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.419 take away 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:37.019 the very 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.000 tools that 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.819 they have 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.759 to inflict 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.179 harm? 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:40.579 Will you 00:26:40.579 --> 00:26:41.839 remove them? 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:44.059 And in 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.700 doing so 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.019 will you 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.759 remove the 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:47.000 threat that 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.559 they bring 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.099 to me? 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.359 Now David 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:54.179 had very real 00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:54.879 enemies that 00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:55.519 had swords 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.200 and spears. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.279 And you 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.440 will see if 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:00.900 you continue 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:01.519 reading in 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.519 2 Samuel that 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.319 in fact God 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.019 provides in 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.680 lots of ways 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.859 for David and 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.579 eventually he 00:27:06.579 --> 00:27:07.639 is restored to 00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.259 his throne. 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.759 There are 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.940 many times when 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.599 we have very 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.319 real enemies 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.139 who want evil 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:16.259 for us as 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.539 well. 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.720 But we also 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.379 must remember 00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.559 Jesus' words in 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.279 Matthew 10 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.920 28. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:23.839 Do not fear 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.460 those who can 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.200 kill the body 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:26.259 but cannot 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.160 kill the soul. 00:27:28.360 --> 00:27:29.340 Rather fear 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:30.160 him who can 00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:31.640 destroy both 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.779 the soul and 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.860 the body in 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.160 hell. 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.400 Because friends 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:38.340 part of the 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:39.420 great hope of 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:39.900 the Christian 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:41.140 gospel is that 00:27:41.140 --> 00:27:42.080 this life is not 00:27:42.080 --> 00:27:42.860 all that there 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.880 is but that 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.380 there is an 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.220 eternity that 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.059 God is preparing 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.840 us for. 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.440 And that in 00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.720 that our 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.660 greatest enemies 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.360 are not our 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.600 difficult circumstances 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.360 are not the 00:27:53.360 --> 00:27:53.920 people who 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.539 oppose us 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.440 are not the 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.399 trials that we 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:56.859 face. 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.299 But the 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.480 greatest danger 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.720 is that our 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.559 souls might be 00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.379 turned away from 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:02.859 God. 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:04.119 That sin and 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.639 death would 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.200 reign. 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.700 That the devil 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:07.960 would have power 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.819 over us and 00:28:08.819 --> 00:28:09.819 pull us away 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:10.619 so that we 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.559 might actually 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:13.000 deny God. 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.759 These are our 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.599 great enemies. 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:15.679 enemies. 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.240 And the great 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.279 hope that we 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.480 have, the 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.419 great confidence 00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:22.399 that we have 00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:23.659 is that those 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.399 powers have 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.279 already been 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.779 defeated. 00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.459 The cross and 00:28:27.459 --> 00:28:28.039 the resurrection 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.579 of Jesus 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.099 Christ. 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.459 And that we 00:28:31.459 --> 00:28:32.359 know that one 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:34.099 day they will 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:36.159 be finally and 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.599 fully eradicated. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:37.699 died. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.079 This is the 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:41.319 striking final 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.980 statement that 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.439 he says. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:44.379 Salvation belongs 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:45.179 to the Lord. 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.379 Salvation is not 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:47.279 simply something 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:47.939 that the Lord 00:28:47.939 --> 00:28:49.139 gives to us or 00:28:49.139 --> 00:28:49.799 something that he 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.279 does for us but 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.899 that it actually 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:53.039 belongs to him. 00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:54.719 That it is a 00:28:54.719 --> 00:28:55.799 part of who he 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.899 is that he is a 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:58.519 saving God and he 00:28:58.519 --> 00:29:00.480 overflows with this 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:02.219 salvation to us in 00:29:02.219 --> 00:29:02.740 Jesus. 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.000 Jesus. 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:07.519 He is the 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.299 covenant keeping 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:08.759 God. 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.339 You see that? 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.140 It's the same 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.059 Lord again. 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:11.799 He is the 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.559 covenant keeping 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.200 God who has 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:14.339 made a new 00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:15.440 covenant in the 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.200 blood of Jesus 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.160 Christ that by 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.259 Jesus life and 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.039 death and 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:21.200 resurrection salvation 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:23.759 is finally fully 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.039 accomplished in 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.579 him. 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.759 That he has 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:29.160 taken sin that 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:30.059 is ours on 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.559 himself. 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.319 That he has 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.220 borne a death 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.460 that we deserve. 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:33.980 That he has 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.839 risen from the 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:36.039 dead to defeat 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.240 those powers of 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:38.079 sin and death. 00:29:39.539 --> 00:29:40.799 And so the early 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.839 church can proclaim 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:43.100 in Acts 4.12 00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:44.519 There is salvation 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.700 in no one else 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.700 for there is no 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.559 other name under 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:49.160 heaven given 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.980 among men by 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.360 which we must be 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:52.120 saved. 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.400 Jesus has 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.460 defeated death 00:29:57.460 --> 00:30:00.120 and so he is 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:01.339 our shield. 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:04.319 in this life. 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:06.200 He is our glory 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.839 and the lifter of 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.539 our head. 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.940 He is the one 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:11.039 who when we are 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.880 joined with him 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:14.779 by faith we are 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:16.200 raised from death 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.680 to life. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.579 We are raised from 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.539 shame to acceptance. 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.819 We are raised from 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:22.079 abandonment to 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:25.660 welcome and status as 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.720 a member of his 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.180 family. 00:30:27.860 --> 00:30:29.500 He is our refuge in 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.759 the rising tide. 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:32.339 So when we feel 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:33.920 overwhelmed, when we 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.640 feel that our 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.579 enemies will not 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:37.619 stop, when our 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.579 trials and our 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.539 sufferings and our 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:41.519 losses mount, when we 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:43.259 feel encircled and 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:45.539 trapped, we doubt if 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.879 God is able to save 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.259 us. 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.299 Friends, we have a 00:30:49.299 --> 00:30:50.039 place to look. 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:50.879 We look at the 00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:52.180 cross of Jesus 00:30:52.180 --> 00:30:52.720 Christ. 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.920 We look to the 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:55.619 empty tomb and we 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:57.559 know that God is our 00:30:57.559 --> 00:30:58.400 shield and our 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:58.940 refuge. 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.620 We cry out to this 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:05.420 God for help and 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.660 then we go to bed and 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:09.560 sleep and rest in him 00:31:09.560 --> 00:31:12.120 and trust that he is 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:14.320 able to sustain us and 00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:15.660 he is able to save us. 00:31:15.780 --> 00:31:16.780 Let's pray together. 00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:20.140 Lord, we thank you for 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:21.320 this word of comfort. 00:31:21.800 --> 00:31:22.800 We thank you for this 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.820 word of encouragement. 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:26.799 Lord, we thank you that 00:31:26.799 --> 00:31:27.700 you are a God who 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.139 saves. 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.619 Lord, I pray this 00:31:30.619 --> 00:31:33.279 morning that, Lord, 00:31:33.339 --> 00:31:34.759 when we are facing the 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:36.099 rising tide of trials, 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.599 Lord, that we would be 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:39.519 encouraged to look to 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:39.819 you. 00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:41.679 Lord, that we would be 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.819 strengthened in our 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.980 confidence that you are 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.899 a God who is able to 00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:47.480 save and that you are a 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:49.539 God who does save all 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.480 who trust in you. 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:52.759 Lord, I pray this 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.799 morning for those who 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:56.500 may be facing particular 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.160 trials. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.220 Lord, that you would 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.720 minister to them this 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.900 morning the truth of 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:03.660 this word, that you are 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.720 their shield and their 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.120 glory. 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.299 Lord, I pray for those 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:08.440 who may be with us this 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.559 morning who may be 00:32:09.559 --> 00:32:10.700 exploring Christianity. 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.660 Lord, that they would 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:14.299 see what kind of a God 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:16.660 you are, who is our 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:19.599 help in time of need. 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.620 Lord, that they would be 00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:24.360 drawn to you and to put 00:32:24.360 --> 00:32:26.160 their faith in you this 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.500 morning. 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:29.019 Lord, thank you for this 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:30.240 word we pray in Jesus' 00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:30.620 name. 00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:31.539 Amen.