WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.620 Ian's going to read from Psalm 22, which is on page 554, the first 21 verses, and then 00:00:09.620 --> 00:00:15.080 Jürgen is going to pick up from the end. Thank you. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:17.440 Psalm 22. 00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:26.060 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from 00:00:26.059 --> 00:00:32.060 the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, and by night, 00:00:32.140 --> 00:00:38.140 and I am not silent. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One. You are the praise of Israel. 00:00:38.239 --> 00:00:44.500 In you our fathers put their trust. They trusted, and you delivered them. They cried to you and 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:50.739 were saved. In you they trusted, and were not disappointed. But I am a worm and not a man, 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:58.079 scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me. They hurl insults, 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:03.420 shaking their heads. He trusts in the Lord. Let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:09.299 since he delights in him. Yet you brought me out of the womb. You made me trust in you, 00:01:09.340 --> 00:01:15.379 even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you, and from my mother's womb you have been 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:23.539 my God. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help. Many bulls 00:01:23.539 --> 00:01:29.719 surround me. Strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:36.759 wide against me. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned 00:01:36.759 --> 00:01:44.159 to wax. It has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to 00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:50.939 the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me. A band of evil men 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:57.659 has encircled me, and they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. People stare 00:01:57.659 --> 00:02:04.140 and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them, and cast lots from my clothing. But you, O Lord, 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:10.419 be not far off. O my strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver my life from the sword, 00:02:10.419 --> 00:02:17.879 my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouths of the lions. Save me from the 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:19.779 horns of the wild oxen. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:27.120 I will declare your name to my brothers. In a congregation I will praise you. You who fear the 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:33.120 Lord, praise him. All you descendants of Jacob, honour him. Revere him, all you descendants of Israel. 00:02:33.659 --> 00:02:39.840 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one. He has not hidden his face from 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:46.020 him, but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly. 00:02:46.020 --> 00:02:53.240 Before those who fear you will I fulfil my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied. They who seek 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:59.080 the Lord will praise him. May your hearts live forever. All the ends of the earth will remember 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:04.980 and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him. For dominion 00:03:04.980 --> 00:03:10.960 belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship. 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:16.320 All who go down to the dust will kneel before him. Those who cannot keep themselves alive. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:23.260 Posterity will serve him. Future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim 00:03:23.260 --> 00:03:27.680 his righteousness to a people yet unborn, for he has done it. 00:03:27.760 --> 00:03:33.640 Judge Jean-Laure Jo Assam. Thank you, Alex. 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:36.039 Thank you, Alex. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:54.079 Great for Alex and for us as we look at this together. 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:57.859 Father, again, we thank you so much for the Psalms, 00:03:57.959 --> 00:04:00.819 for all the things we have been learning from them, 00:04:00.899 --> 00:04:03.099 primarily about you and your son. 00:04:04.319 --> 00:04:05.879 And we thank you for Alex, 00:04:06.019 --> 00:04:09.339 for the time that he has put in preparing this. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:13.359 We pray that you would fill him now with your spirit, 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.500 as we ask that you would fill us with your spirit, 00:04:16.599 --> 00:04:19.800 that we may hear your words to us. 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:23.039 May it change us and transform us 00:04:23.039 --> 00:04:26.560 to see your world and life from your perspective. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:31.879 And may we be better equipped to follow you 00:04:31.879 --> 00:04:34.120 as we live in this world. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.000 Encourage us all this morning and we pray. 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:38.540 In Jesus' name. 00:04:39.219 --> 00:04:39.459 Amen. 00:04:39.459 --> 00:04:51.399 Well, thank you all for your prayers during the week. 00:04:51.399 --> 00:04:55.919 As I've been working my way through this Psalm, 00:04:56.739 --> 00:05:00.359 it's been an encouragement and it's been a challenge. 00:05:01.479 --> 00:05:04.120 And it's only been through God's spirit at work 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:06.639 that it has been able to be that for me. 00:05:06.979 --> 00:05:10.819 And I'm afraid that as we look at this Psalm 22 this morning, 00:05:11.099 --> 00:05:14.699 it'll be encouraging and challenging as well for you, 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:16.339 as well as you listen to it. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:23.279 As many of you know, over the last year, 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:27.019 we as a wider family have had health issues. 00:05:28.500 --> 00:05:30.479 Many questions have been asked of God, 00:05:31.239 --> 00:05:32.599 like why does he allow suffering 00:05:32.599 --> 00:05:34.299 when he's meant to be a loving God? 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:37.659 Why does this happen to good people? 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:40.699 A friend of mine recently told me 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:43.579 that his son had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:46.439 And in this past year, 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:48.339 we have all experienced, 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:50.659 either firsthand or by association, 00:05:51.359 --> 00:05:53.560 the realities of the economic collapse 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:56.000 and the effect on jobs and employment. 00:05:57.459 --> 00:05:58.879 We have heard of corruption 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:01.719 and inequality in world politics. 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:05.560 Every week we seem to hear of celebrity 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.159 or normal people, 00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:10.419 marriage breakups or relationship breakups. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:14.520 We have heard of yet more natural disasters, 00:06:15.540 --> 00:06:17.540 not to mention their horrific car crash 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:18.660 up in Donegal recently. 00:06:20.020 --> 00:06:21.319 We have heard of Christians, 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:23.480 followers of Jesus Christ, 00:06:24.020 --> 00:06:24.700 being captured, 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:25.819 tortured 00:06:25.819 --> 00:06:27.480 and sometimes killed 00:06:27.480 --> 00:06:28.939 just for saying that they followed him. 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:31.340 On a daily basis, 00:06:31.960 --> 00:06:33.460 some of us or people we know 00:06:33.460 --> 00:06:34.759 struggle just to get out of bed. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:36.960 They can't think of a single reason 00:06:36.960 --> 00:06:38.620 why they should even continue to live. 00:06:38.620 --> 00:06:41.939 I paint a bleak picture, 00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:42.959 I know, 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:45.560 but this is the reality of life. 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:46.980 This is the way it is. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:48.800 There is nowhere in the Bible 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:49.920 or anywhere else 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:53.180 that says that life as a follower of Jesus or not 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:54.240 will be easy. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:56.840 There is no self-help book. 00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:58.680 There is no secret mantra. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:01.139 There is no special tea cocktail. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:03.220 There is no secret password. 00:07:03.220 --> 00:07:04.980 There is no religion 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:06.220 can promise us 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:07.040 or deliver 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:08.280 a pain-free 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:09.740 or suffering-free life. 00:07:10.760 --> 00:07:11.200 Suffering 00:07:11.200 --> 00:07:13.020 is part and parcel of life 00:07:13.020 --> 00:07:15.420 whether you are a Christian or not. 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:18.120 And if you are not sure about that, 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:19.360 just look around the room. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:20.940 I am sure we have all stubbed a toe. 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:24.839 Our text this morning, 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:26.060 Psalm 22, 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:27.519 Paints and 30 blue pits for two. 00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:30.240 David is at the stage 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:30.899 where he is either 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:31.719 king-in-waiting 00:07:31.719 --> 00:07:33.360 or anointed king. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:35.259 And so has every reason 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:36.819 to be joyful and celebratory. 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:38.699 But the reality 00:07:38.699 --> 00:07:40.480 is the tongue-lofters. 00:07:41.159 --> 00:07:42.920 He is in deep turmoil and anguish. 00:07:44.159 --> 00:07:44.980 Let's read it. 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:46.800 First one. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:48.259 My God, 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:49.120 my God, 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:51.400 why have you forsaken me? 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.360 Why are you so far 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:54.199 from saving me? 00:07:54.740 --> 00:07:55.980 So far from the words 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:56.660 of my groaning. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:00.580 Here David is crying out to God 00:08:00.580 --> 00:08:02.460 in a brutally honest way. 00:08:03.580 --> 00:08:05.259 It's not obvious from the psalm 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:07.220 why exactly he is feeling like this. 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:08.960 But it is safe to say 00:08:08.960 --> 00:08:10.540 that he is suffering deeply, 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:11.420 psychologically. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:13.420 He feels abandoned, 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:14.460 hopeless. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:16.540 Look at the end of verse 2. 00:08:17.280 --> 00:08:18.699 Or even at verse 2. 00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:19.620 Oh my God, 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.139 I cry out by day, 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:22.759 but you do not answer. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:23.720 By night, 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:25.040 and I'm not silent. 00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:27.520 He can't even sleep, 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:28.939 he's crying out to God so much. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.159 But there is some indication 00:08:32.159 --> 00:08:33.279 as to why he is suffering. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.620 You do not answer. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:38.860 God is silent. 00:08:40.139 --> 00:08:41.720 David is calling out to God 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:42.399 day and night, 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:43.220 continuously. 00:08:43.220 --> 00:08:44.320 And God, 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.300 the same God, 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:46.840 who commanded Samuel 00:08:46.840 --> 00:08:48.300 in 1 Samuel 16 00:08:48.300 --> 00:08:49.720 to anoint David 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:50.820 as king over Israel. 00:08:51.540 --> 00:08:52.120 This God 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.320 is silent. 00:08:54.420 --> 00:08:56.620 David rightly feels abandoned 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:57.160 by God. 00:08:57.960 --> 00:08:59.379 We too can feel abandoned 00:08:59.379 --> 00:08:59.920 by God 00:08:59.920 --> 00:09:01.840 when we face yet another 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:03.120 uphill battle in our life. 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:04.660 And we must face it 00:09:04.660 --> 00:09:06.279 with a seemingly silent God. 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:08.839 We are reminded of Jesus' 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:10.079 suffering on the cross 00:09:10.079 --> 00:09:11.299 in Matthew 27, 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:14.459 verse 46, 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:15.139 where he says, 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:16.000 also, 00:09:16.939 --> 00:09:17.500 My God, 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:18.299 my God, 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:20.039 why have you forsaken me? 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:22.959 Jesus himself feels abandoned 00:09:22.959 --> 00:09:23.539 by God. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.219 I'm sure at some stage 00:09:27.219 --> 00:09:29.079 we have all cried out 00:09:29.079 --> 00:09:29.679 like David. 00:09:30.339 --> 00:09:31.860 Maybe not those very words, 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:33.099 but still, 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.379 it's been a cry of anguish 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:35.679 called out to God. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:39.079 The reality of our lives 00:09:39.079 --> 00:09:39.879 is that very often 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:40.599 we feel like 00:09:40.599 --> 00:09:42.299 God either isn't there, 00:09:42.980 --> 00:09:43.919 or if he is there, 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:45.199 he just doesn't care, 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:48.020 or he is silent 00:09:48.020 --> 00:09:49.320 and can't actually do anything 00:09:49.320 --> 00:09:50.140 to help us anyway. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:52.400 Does that sound familiar? 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:53.620 Can you think of 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:55.160 times in your own life 00:09:55.160 --> 00:09:56.120 when you felt like that? 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:58.600 Well, surely, 00:09:58.820 --> 00:09:59.820 surely that's not 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:00.860 what the passage is saying. 00:10:01.580 --> 00:10:02.140 Is it? 00:10:03.160 --> 00:10:04.340 When we look at the passage 00:10:04.340 --> 00:10:05.259 we get a very different, 00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.640 we get very different 00:10:06.640 --> 00:10:07.460 pictures of David 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:08.080 and of God. 00:10:09.080 --> 00:10:09.920 Look how David 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:10.620 sees himself 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.420 in verse 6. 00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:14.259 But I am a worm 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:15.180 and not a man. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:16.879 Scorned by men 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.680 and despised 00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:18.300 by the people. 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:20.220 All who see me 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:20.800 mock me. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.540 They hurl insults, 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:23.420 shaking their heads, 00:10:23.520 --> 00:10:23.740 saying, 00:10:24.060 --> 00:10:24.980 He trusts in the Lord. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:26.140 Let the Lord rescue him. 00:10:26.520 --> 00:10:27.480 Let him deliver him, 00:10:27.620 --> 00:10:28.720 since he delights in him. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:31.320 How different that is 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:31.879 from the people 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.700 of the past 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:35.020 who put their trust in God. 00:10:36.160 --> 00:10:37.360 Verses 4 and 5. 00:10:38.180 --> 00:10:39.080 In you our fathers 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:39.840 put their trust. 00:10:40.300 --> 00:10:40.920 They trusted 00:10:40.920 --> 00:10:41.780 and you delivered them. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.220 They cried out to you 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:44.000 and were saved. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.379 In you they trusted 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:46.820 and were not disappointed. 00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:50.120 poor, poor David. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:52.260 He sees that in the past 00:10:52.260 --> 00:10:53.540 those who trusted in God 00:10:53.540 --> 00:10:54.700 and cried out to him 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:55.760 were rescued 00:10:55.760 --> 00:10:56.560 and saved. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.720 But yet when David 00:10:58.720 --> 00:10:59.600 does the same thing, 00:11:00.420 --> 00:11:01.080 where is God? 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:04.040 A further contrast 00:11:04.040 --> 00:11:05.240 is in verses 9 and 10. 00:11:05.920 --> 00:11:06.920 Yet you brought me 00:11:06.920 --> 00:11:07.560 out of the womb. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:09.560 You made me trust in you, 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:10.840 even at my mother's breast. 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:12.360 From birth 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:13.540 I was cast upon you. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:15.399 From my mother's womb 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:16.600 you have been my God. 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:21.320 David acknowledges 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:22.639 that God controls life. 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:24.259 He is sovereign. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:26.120 But the verses that follow 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.280 show David 00:11:27.280 --> 00:11:28.259 in dire straits. 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:30.639 He is fearful for his life 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:32.000 and he is spent. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:33.700 We get the feeling 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.920 that he is ready to give up. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:36.879 We'll get to those verses 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.399 in a minute. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.279 But first let's just recap. 00:11:39.839 --> 00:11:40.579 David is feeling 00:11:40.579 --> 00:11:41.839 completely overwhelmed. 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.299 He is crying out 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.079 to a faithful 00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:45.860 God 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:46.759 who now, 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.959 when David seems to need him 00:11:47.959 --> 00:11:48.559 more than ever, 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.039 seems to be silent. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:52.719 Let's look at verses 12 to 16. 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:57.120 Many bulls surround me. 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:59.040 Strong bulls of fashion 00:11:59.040 --> 00:11:59.779 encircle me. 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:01.500 Roaring lions 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.420 tearing their prey 00:12:02.420 --> 00:12:03.840 open their mouths 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.660 wide against me. 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:07.080 I am poured out like water 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:08.500 and all my bones 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:09.220 are out of joint. 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:10.680 My heart 00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:11.800 has turned to wax. 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:13.600 It has melted away 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.120 within me. 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:15.879 My strength 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.700 is dried up 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.519 like a potsherd 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:18.879 and my tongue 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.779 sticks to the roof 00:12:19.779 --> 00:12:20.399 of my mouth. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.959 You lay me 00:12:21.959 --> 00:12:22.919 in the dust of death. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.480 Dogs have surrounded me. 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.899 A band of evil men 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:27.939 has encircled me. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.419 They have pierced 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.039 my hands 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.980 and my feet. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:33.899 I don't think 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:34.779 this literally means 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.920 that David is surrounded 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.840 by wild animals. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:38.500 But we get the feeling 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.259 a little bit like 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:41.000 David is a gladiator 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:41.620 in a ring 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:43.879 where everybody 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.100 just wants to see him killed. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:49.139 David sees his only outcome 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.080 as being destroyed. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:51.659 Death. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.039 The obvious thing 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:54.500 at this stage 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:55.300 is to just give up, 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:55.720 isn't it? 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.580 Reject God 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.980 and take his chances 00:12:58.980 --> 00:12:59.940 with the wild animals 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:00.780 who want to kill him. 00:13:02.900 --> 00:13:04.260 But what does David do? 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.060 Let's read on. 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:08.220 Verses 19 to 21. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.720 But you, O Lord, 00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:12.080 be not far off. 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.720 O my strength, 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.020 come quickly to help me. 00:13:16.060 --> 00:13:16.920 Deliver my life 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:17.640 from the sword, 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.260 my precious life 00:13:19.260 --> 00:13:19.920 from the power 00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:20.580 of the dogs. 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.020 Rescue me 00:13:23.020 --> 00:13:24.000 from the mouth 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.680 of the lions. 00:13:25.400 --> 00:13:26.060 Save me 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:27.140 from the horns 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.080 of the wild oxen. 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.159 He asks God 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:30.699 for help, 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:32.100 for deliverance, 00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:33.480 for rescue. 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.319 How can David 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:37.360 possibly ask God 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:37.899 for help 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:39.519 when he has no reason 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.120 at this stage 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.559 to believe 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:41.720 that he is even there? 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:44.039 David is a man 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.080 in desperate times, 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:47.139 but he is also 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:47.540 a man 00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:48.500 of very deep 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:50.520 and very real faith. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.639 Turn with me, 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:52.940 please, 00:13:53.040 --> 00:13:54.379 to Hebrews 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.440 chapter 11. 00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.740 Somebody get the page 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.600 because they shouted out. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.540 12.09. 00:14:06.540 --> 00:14:06.600 12.09. 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:06.639 12.09. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:06.700 12.09. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:06.740 12.09. 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:19.320 So the writer here 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.020 in Hebrews 00:14:20.020 --> 00:14:21.200 is describing faith 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:22.120 and he says, 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.300 now faith 00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:24.600 is being sure 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.639 of what we hope for 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.000 and certain 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.440 of what we do not see. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.759 This is what the ancients 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.660 were commended for. 00:14:34.520 --> 00:14:35.620 And then the rest 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.200 of the chapter 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.560 in Hebrews 00:14:37.560 --> 00:14:38.440 gives us examples 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:39.480 of people of faith 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:41.500 in the past 00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:42.500 in difficult times 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.420 including David. 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:46.000 And then we get 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:46.360 to the end 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.039 in verse 9, 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:47.639 39, 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:49.139 where it concludes, 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.219 These were all 00:14:50.219 --> 00:14:51.519 commended for their faith, 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.059 yet none of them 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:53.799 received what 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.500 had been promised. 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:58.779 It is with this faith 00:14:58.779 --> 00:15:00.500 which goes against 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:01.439 everything logical 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:01.979 at times 00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:03.899 that David continues 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.519 in the psalm 00:15:04.519 --> 00:15:05.719 praising God. 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.179 Let's look at 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:07.860 a few examples 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:08.240 of that. 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.939 Verse 24. 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.579 For he has not 00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.919 despised or disdained 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.579 the suffering 00:15:16.579 --> 00:15:17.579 of the afflicted one. 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:18.979 He has not 00:15:18.979 --> 00:15:19.759 hidden his face 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.219 from him 00:15:20.219 --> 00:15:21.620 but has listened 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.879 to his cry for help. 00:15:24.479 --> 00:15:25.819 It's a direct response 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.919 to his initial cry 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.860 of anguish 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:28.959 in verses 1 and 2. 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.459 Do you think 00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:36.559 David has been released 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.219 from his suffering 00:15:37.219 --> 00:15:37.839 at this point? 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.319 I don't think so. 00:15:40.199 --> 00:15:41.039 But here David 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.480 is looking 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.959 to a future hope. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.199 Head down to 00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:47.139 verse 26. 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:48.299 The poor will eat 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:49.099 and be satisfied. 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.579 They who seek 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.000 the Lord 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.779 will praise him. 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:55.059 May your hearts 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.679 live forever. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:57.659 Again, 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.500 David is speaking 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.379 of the assurance 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.099 that he has 00:16:00.099 --> 00:16:00.879 of a future 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:02.159 where there will be 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:02.879 satisfaction 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.819 and plenty. 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.199 In verse 31, 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:07.779 they will proclaim 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.519 his righteousness 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.620 to a people 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.319 yet unborn 00:16:10.319 --> 00:16:12.059 for he has done it. 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:13.779 This speaks 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:14.340 of the hope 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.939 that David has 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:17.480 that future generations 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.159 will not only 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.039 hear about the Lord 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:20.679 but they in turn 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.559 will proclaim it. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.039 Their faith 00:16:23.039 --> 00:16:23.600 will be such 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.240 that they will be 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.860 telling others 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.120 about this faithful God. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:30.039 In this context, 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:30.699 David's faith 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.319 is incredible 00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:32.539 because it was 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:33.500 always looking forward 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.519 to a future hope. 00:16:34.519 --> 00:16:36.740 with only the experience 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.819 of God's faithfulness 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:38.419 to him 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:40.100 and to his forefathers 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.840 behind him. 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.759 Abraham had been 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.659 promised great things 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.379 back in Genesis 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.840 and as we journey 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.779 through the Old Testament 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.399 we hear of leaders 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.740 trying to lead 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.360 God's people 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.120 to God's kingdom 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.620 but that kingdom 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.500 was never reached 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:56.000 and here we have 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.620 King David 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.019 in a bad way 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.360 but yet is still 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.000 praising God. 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.600 Where is this kingdom 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.620 that David hopes for? 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:05.220 Where is this kingdom? 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.259 Where as verse 26 says 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.299 the poor will eat 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.319 and be satisfied. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:12.039 Where as verse 27 says 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.440 all the families 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.099 of the nations 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.880 will bow down 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.740 before the Lord. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.539 And verse 29 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:18.480 where the rich 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.180 will feast 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.259 and worship 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.799 and all who go down 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.460 to the dust 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.240 or the poor 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.940 will kneel before him. 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.180 Verse 24 again 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:28.799 reminds us 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.220 that God 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:30.259 has not been silent 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.680 but has heard 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.619 the cry for help. 00:17:33.619 --> 00:17:34.759 God hears the prayers 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.379 of the faithful 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.879 and answers them 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.539 just not always 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.219 how he would like 00:17:39.219 --> 00:17:39.719 them answered. 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.959 He sent his son Jesus 00:17:42.959 --> 00:17:44.619 to be a man 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:45.539 like David 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.939 who would suffer 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:48.299 like David. 00:17:49.679 --> 00:17:50.599 Let's look at the psalm 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.839 again in verse 6 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:54.759 and let's look at it 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.079 from Jesus' point of view. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:18:00.899 Jesus was hated. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.359 Jesus was mocked 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.079 and insulted 00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:04.879 in verse 7. 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:06.779 He was surrounded 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.639 by mobs 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:08.599 wanting to kill him 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.359 like the imagery 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:11.859 in verses 11 to 13. 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:17.179 In verse 15 00:18:17.179 --> 00:18:19.359 his strength too 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.059 was dried up 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.799 like a fragment 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.559 of old pottery. 00:18:22.139 --> 00:18:23.299 That's what a potchard 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:24.719 is archaeologically speaking. 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.859 I hope that's correct 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.219 Juergen. 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.939 Jesus too 00:18:29.939 --> 00:18:30.799 was left to die 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.139 and saw his clothes 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.799 divided up 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.939 by his executioners. 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:39.440 Jesus 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:41.059 God's own son 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:42.680 Christ the king 00:18:42.680 --> 00:18:44.580 would cry out 00:18:44.580 --> 00:18:45.200 to God 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:47.180 just like in verse 1 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:48.420 My God 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.100 my God 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:50.539 why have you forsaken me? 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.480 And it would appear 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.000 that God 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.480 didn't hear him 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:56.039 or answer him 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.940 because Jesus died. 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:00.740 And that's where 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.299 the twist is. 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.920 That's where the paradox is. 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.640 the apparently 00:19:03.640 --> 00:19:04.920 contradictory statement 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:06.820 it is here on the cross 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:08.500 on which Jesus died 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.880 that God answers 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.860 our cry for help. 00:19:12.120 --> 00:19:13.000 We have seen 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.880 the power of the cross. 00:19:14.700 --> 00:19:15.200 We have heard 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.820 the testimony 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:17.220 of the lives 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.380 that have been changed 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.840 by faith in Christ Jesus 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:21.680 throughout the New Testament. 00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:24.220 How much more faith 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.320 should we have 00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:25.840 than David? 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:28.080 We know how God 00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:29.300 has heard our cry for help. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.080 David's hope 00:19:32.080 --> 00:19:32.840 was not just for 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.720 immediate protection. 00:19:34.419 --> 00:19:34.980 He was looking 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:36.039 at the bigger picture. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:37.579 Verse 26 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:38.939 Lives 00:19:38.939 --> 00:19:40.859 or hearts 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.819 that live forever. 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.579 David, yes, 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.559 is in a bad way 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.799 but still 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.279 he remembers 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.279 God's faithfulness 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:50.500 and is urging others 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.379 to acknowledge him. 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.899 David's predicament 00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:54.859 and the faith 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:55.419 he showed 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:56.259 in it 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.839 eventually results 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.559 in many people 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.179 having faith 00:19:59.179 --> 00:19:59.699 in the Lord. 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:02.640 Jesus' suffering 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.400 and death 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:04.980 leads to many people 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.660 being saved 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.720 from eternal death 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:08.000 and separation 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.740 from himself. 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:12.200 in the midst 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.339 of our toughest trials 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.700 when we feel 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.140 our world 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.420 is falling in around us 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.660 we too 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.400 can have hope 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.519 that God 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.099 will use it 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:20.980 to bring many people 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.620 to himself. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.680 It's a counter-cultural hope 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.720 that says 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.140 that God 00:20:26.140 --> 00:20:26.799 is in control. 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.779 The God 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.720 who gave us life 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.680 verses 9 and 10 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:35.440 is in control 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:37.880 whether our fear 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.519 is cancer 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:40.279 or MS 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:42.240 or car crashes 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.320 or poverty 00:20:43.320 --> 00:20:45.340 or just the unknown 00:20:45.340 --> 00:20:48.120 we all fear death. 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.279 My friend 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.880 and his son 00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.960 fear death. 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.420 Jesus 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.759 when he said 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.940 my God 00:20:56.940 --> 00:20:57.880 my God 00:20:57.880 --> 00:20:59.180 why have you 00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.880 forsaken me 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:01.940 he feared death 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:04.580 but it is 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.520 at that very moment 00:21:05.520 --> 00:21:06.000 in time 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.580 when he was 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:08.460 hanging on the cross 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.820 that death 00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.660 lost its fear. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.080 John chapter 19 00:21:14.080 --> 00:21:14.800 verse 31 00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:15.300 says 00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:17.000 it is finished 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.540 Jesus' words 00:21:18.540 --> 00:21:19.140 on the cross. 00:21:20.260 --> 00:21:21.100 Psalm 22 00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.520 verse 31 00:21:22.520 --> 00:21:23.020 says 00:21:23.020 --> 00:21:24.640 he has done it 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:26.980 because it was then 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.980 that Jesus died 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:30.360 so that we don't 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:30.740 have to. 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.960 We can have hope 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.160 if we're trusting 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:34.960 in the Lord Jesus. 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.100 There is light 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:37.860 at the end of the tunnel 00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:39.040 and it's not 00:21:39.040 --> 00:21:39.840 an oncoming train. 00:21:41.620 --> 00:21:42.240 Verse 24 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.040 again says 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:44.400 he has not 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:45.140 despised 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:45.900 or disdained 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:46.480 the suffering 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.420 of the afflicted one. 00:21:48.060 --> 00:21:48.720 He has not 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.500 hidden his face 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.980 from him 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.340 but has listened 00:21:51.340 --> 00:21:52.100 to his cry 00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:52.580 for help. 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:56.159 If you are here 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:56.500 today 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.779 and you do not 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:59.079 have faith 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.639 in Christ 00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:01.000 then there is 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.439 no reason 00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:02.019 to have hope. 00:22:03.199 --> 00:22:03.819 There is not 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.500 the security 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.859 or the promise 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:06.399 of eternity 00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:07.039 with Christ. 00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:09.059 Only the Bible 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.579 is promise 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.599 of separation 00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:11.159 from him. 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.240 But if you do 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.699 have faith 00:22:14.699 --> 00:22:15.039 in him 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:17.619 then you are 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:17.960 still going 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.319 to suffer. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.000 Sometimes it 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.439 might be only 00:22:20.439 --> 00:22:20.980 short term 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:22.220 sometimes it 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.519 might be 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:22.920 lifelong 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.400 suffering. 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:25.240 But if we 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:25.839 have faith 00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.980 then we know 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.480 that Christ 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.099 has been there 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.480 before. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.140 That doesn't 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:30.720 make our pain 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.500 any less real 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.980 but it gives us 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.980 hope that one 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.460 day it will 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:34.700 end. 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.700 How do we 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.240 like David 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.599 turn our despair 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.220 into praise? 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.740 We pray 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.640 and as we pray 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.660 we remind 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.539 ourselves of 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.440 God's faithfulness 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:47.059 in the past. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.740 we remember 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.440 that he sent 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.179 his son Jesus 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:51.319 as an answer 00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.159 to our cries 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:52.579 for help. 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:54.599 Suffering 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.099 will come. 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.039 Some of it 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.700 may not be 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.740 relieved 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.220 this side 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.779 of eternity 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:00.819 for either 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.299 believers 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.980 or those 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.359 who don't 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:02.779 believe. 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:04.779 But we 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.299 like David 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.299 in verse 22 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:10.460 where he says 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:10.779 I will 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.120 declare 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.640 your name 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:11.940 to my 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.259 brothers 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:12.640 in the 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:13.180 congregation 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.600 I will 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.120 praise you. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.900 We too 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.319 need to 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.000 declare 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.500 his name 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:17.799 to our 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.120 neighbours 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:19.319 and tell 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:19.680 them about 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:20.100 the light 00:23:20.100 --> 00:23:20.539 at the end 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:20.980 of the tunnel. 00:23:21.860 --> 00:23:22.360 Not just 00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:22.779 agree with 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.259 their grumbling 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.759 about the 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.220 state of the 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.519 world 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.240 or their 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.420 own 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.000 situation 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.259 but point 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.620 them back 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:27.940 to the 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.240 light. 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.340 Some 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:30.740 tunnels 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.180 may be 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.420 longer 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:31.940 than others 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.579 but the 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:33.880 light 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.799 is eternity 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.299 with our 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:35.779 Lord Jesus 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.299 Christ. 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.279 Are you 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.579 going to 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:39.960 turn your 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.420 despair 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:41.820 into praise? 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.700 Where do 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:44.940 you have 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.400 your hope? 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.240 Let us 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.500 pray. 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.340 Father God 00:23:59.340 --> 00:24:01.140 thank you 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.000 that we 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.460 can have 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:02.820 hope 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:03.920 and faith 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.300 in you. 00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.620 Thank you 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:06.960 that you 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:07.519 hear our 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.120 cries for 00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:08.420 help 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.759 and that 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:09.900 you 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.220 haven't 00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:10.480 ignored 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:10.819 us. 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.819 Thank you 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.119 that you 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.599 sent your 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.240 son Jesus 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.379 to live 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.980 like us 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.740 and to 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.019 suffer 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.640 like us 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.839 and that 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.259 when he 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:19.640 died 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.740 he died 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.019 in our 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.379 place. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.700 Thank you 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.000 that when 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.420 he rose 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.000 again from 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.400 the dead 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:26.519 he rose 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:26.839 so that 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.180 we can 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:27.740 have hope. 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.440 That our 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:29.759 suffering 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.339 is known 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:31.339 and experienced 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:31.359 and experienced 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.339 and experienced 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:32.359 by you. 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.099 Please help 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:34.740 us in times 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.459 of rejoicing 00:24:35.459 --> 00:24:36.720 and in times 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.259 of suffering 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.659 to always cry 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.179 out to you 00:24:39.179 --> 00:24:39.679 honestly 00:24:39.679 --> 00:24:40.959 in praise. 00:24:43.459 --> 00:24:44.199 Remind us 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:44.720 of how you 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.059 have been 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.819 faithful in the 00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.199 past. 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.859 Encourage us 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.519 that one day 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.299 it will end 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:51.019 and convict 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.740 us to 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.279 tell people 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:52.639 of the 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:52.899 hope 00:24:52.899 --> 00:24:53.759 that we 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.159 have in 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.359 you. 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.319 Thank you 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.639 for your 00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:58.240 faithfulness 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:59.500 and help 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.019 us as we 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.680 remember it. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.539 In Jesus 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:02.919 name. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.099 Amen. 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:05.099 Amen.