WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.240 Please open your Bibles to Psalm 103. We began last week. This week we're looking at verses 6-14. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:17.920 ! Psalm 103, verses 6-14. And I want to begin with a question. And it's a question I want you to ask in your head. 00:00:19.660 --> 00:00:27.000 To answer in your head as I ask it. And so here's my question, alright? How are you? 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:43.140 How are you? Answer it. How are you? Now I want you to change your answer. How are you? Here's the answer. Better than I deserve. 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:50.340 How are you? Better than I deserve. Would you do that for me this week when someone asks you how you're doing? 00:00:50.519 --> 00:00:55.060 You say better than I deserve. There was a man in the church I grew up in. That was always his answer. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:59.880 When things were going well and life was happy and he was enjoying himself. 00:00:59.980 --> 00:01:04.840 Then with a smile on his face he would say to the question, how are you? Doing better than I deserved. 00:01:06.420 --> 00:01:11.180 And when things were not so great. Still his response was better than I deserve. 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:16.200 And I don't think that's a kind of quaint, twee phrase that he said. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:18.420 But it was a statement that came from a deep conviction. 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:21.740 Both about himself and about the grace of God. 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:28.000 And it's the very same conviction I think that summarises verses 6 to 14 of Psalm 103. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.600 Do you remember the command in verse 1? 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:35.079 Bless the Lord, O my soul. 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:41.280 It begins in verses 1 to 5 with this internal command. 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:42.659 Bless the Lord, O my soul. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:43.959 It's internal. 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:48.099 And then in verse 6 it moves to the external. 00:01:49.539 --> 00:01:53.039 The psalmist calls for all those who've been forgiven. 00:01:53.780 --> 00:01:55.259 All those who've been justified. 00:01:55.759 --> 00:01:57.299 All those who are being sanctified. 00:01:57.480 --> 00:01:59.200 All those who've been redeemed from the pit. 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:02.060 To join worship together. 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:04.620 And bless the Lord. 00:02:06.020 --> 00:02:09.439 The personal praise moves into corporate praise. 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:15.580 It goes from inside the heart to outside in the room. 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:21.280 It goes from the individual in verse 1 to the corporate in verse 6. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:23.879 From his own soul to the people of God. 00:02:25.319 --> 00:02:26.560 And then there's a mood change. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:27.640 Can you look at verse 5? 00:02:27.639 --> 00:02:29.959 Do you remember where we left him? 00:02:31.039 --> 00:02:32.339 He's left there, isn't he? 00:02:32.359 --> 00:02:33.599 He's soaring with the eagles. 00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:35.279 He's on top of the world. 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:37.500 But in verse 6. 00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:39.519 He's with the oppressed. 00:02:41.799 --> 00:02:43.579 One verse on top of the world. 00:02:45.399 --> 00:02:46.399 Next verse oppressed. 00:02:47.739 --> 00:02:49.159 That's very much how we can feel as Christians. 00:02:49.339 --> 00:02:52.119 That we live our lives in the world oppressed. 00:02:52.199 --> 00:02:53.719 By the world and the flesh and the devil. 00:02:54.739 --> 00:02:57.179 And we can often feel marginalized in school. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:02:57.939 And society. 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:02.000 And we can feel demonized for not compromising our beliefs. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:04.620 And yet the command comes to us again. 00:03:04.819 --> 00:03:05.480 I want to argue. 00:03:05.640 --> 00:03:06.580 Bless the Lord. 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:10.000 Three reasons to bless the Lord tonight. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:10.700 Number one. 00:03:10.860 --> 00:03:12.439 Because of what he has done. 00:03:13.020 --> 00:03:14.280 That's verses 6 to 8. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:16.900 Bless the Lord. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:17.500 Praise the Lord. 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:18.900 Because of what he has done. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:19.620 Verse 6. 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:23.180 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:25.200 He made known his ways to Moses. 00:03:25.879 --> 00:03:27.180 His acts to the people of Israel. 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:28.920 The Lord is merciful and gracious. 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:31.379 Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:34.799 You see that he tells us. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:39.840 That the Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 00:03:41.400 --> 00:03:42.340 His righteousness. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:49.000 That means his commitment to act in line with his righteous nature. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:52.039 He acts in the right. 00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:54.680 He is in the right. 00:03:54.759 --> 00:03:55.580 And so he acts in the right. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:58.539 His judgments are the carrying out of that commitment. 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:02.379 And so he's shown us what his character is like. 00:04:02.580 --> 00:04:04.219 And his actions match that character. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:07.280 But David is a far better preacher. 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:10.539 Than just to leave us with the statement of the fact. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:12.379 He illustrates it in verses 6 to 7. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:14.379 You know when you're watching a TV series. 00:04:14.819 --> 00:04:16.920 And they're struggling for storylines. 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:18.259 They do flashbacks don't they? 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:20.980 And verses 6 to 7 you have a flashback. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:24.439 There's a flashback into real life history. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:28.600 He tells us that God has made known. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:30.480 Those words remind us. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:34.580 That God in his great act of sovereign grace. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:36.660 And condescending love. 00:04:36.819 --> 00:04:37.980 Even though we don't deserve it. 00:04:38.020 --> 00:04:40.020 The Lord reveals himself to his people. 00:04:40.140 --> 00:04:41.259 That's the story of the Bible. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:47.100 Don't take for granted that God has revealed himself. 00:04:47.240 --> 00:04:47.860 He didn't need to. 00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:51.280 He has made known. 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:56.360 He did not leave Moses to somehow discover the truth. 00:04:56.360 --> 00:04:58.220 Or work it out for himself. 00:04:58.660 --> 00:05:00.319 He became Moses' instructor. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.879 As he's become our instructor. 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:04.480 God alone. 00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:06.200 Can reveal himself. 00:05:07.400 --> 00:05:09.500 And so we're taken back to the second book of the Bible. 00:05:09.580 --> 00:05:10.259 The book of Exodus. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:11.980 To the people of God. 00:05:12.520 --> 00:05:13.560 Oppressed in Egypt. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:17.120 And God delivers them out of Egyptian slavery. 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:18.040 It's a famous story. 00:05:18.360 --> 00:05:19.680 He rescues Israel. 00:05:19.939 --> 00:05:21.180 He humiliates Pharaoh. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:24.920 He works righteousness and justice. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:25.900 For his people. 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:28.259 He takes the people of Israel. 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:29.779 Through the Red Sea. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:32.259 And he leads them into the wilderness. 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:36.319 And then he finally brings them to Mount Sinai. 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:38.019 Where he will give them his law. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:41.719 God makes known his ways to Moses. 00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:43.759 And his acts to the people of Israel. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:46.000 He saves them from slavery. 00:05:46.180 --> 00:05:47.219 He defeats their enemy. 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:48.719 He provides for them. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:49.939 He feeds them. 00:05:50.039 --> 00:05:51.000 He protects them. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:53.439 And then he brings them to Mount Sinai. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:57.040 And that is why some of these verses are familiar to you. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:05:58.079 So look at verse 8. 00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:02.180 As the psalmist sang this. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:03.779 The people of God. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:04.639 As they joined in. 00:06:04.720 --> 00:06:05.779 Would have had deja vu. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:08.379 The Lord is merciful and gracious. 00:06:09.519 --> 00:06:10.420 Slow to anger. 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.160 And abounding in steadfast love. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:14.720 And you might not realise at first. 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:16.140 But that is a direct quotation. 00:06:16.460 --> 00:06:17.800 From Exodus chapter 34. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:18.700 And verse 6. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:21.520 And I think as we go back there. 00:06:21.700 --> 00:06:22.540 It actually sheds light. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:25.500 So keep a finger in Psalm 103. 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:27.140 But come with me to Acts 34. 00:06:30.640 --> 00:06:32.680 The whole section is that Moses. 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:34.579 Moses is up on the mountain. 00:06:35.840 --> 00:06:38.139 Receiving the law from God. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:41.519 Moses the leader is up on the mountain. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:42.819 Receiving the law from God. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:45.240 But the people are down the foot of the mountain. 00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:48.879 The story is very famous. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:49.780 It's familiar isn't it? 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:52.540 The people say we don't know what's become of this Moses. 00:06:52.660 --> 00:06:53.600 He's up there for weeks. 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:56.840 Has he forgotten about us? 00:06:57.980 --> 00:07:00.500 And so instead of waiting for Moses. 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:01.560 And waiting for God. 00:07:01.699 --> 00:07:02.379 You remember what they do? 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:04.339 They create for themselves a golden calf. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:08.800 Moses in the end comes down from the mountain. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.959 Carrying the Ten Commandments. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:13.240 And when he sees the commotion. 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:14.540 When he sees what they've done. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:17.519 He smashes the Ten Commandments. 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:19.060 At the foot of the mountain. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:21.939 Maybe he smashes them on the golden calf. 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:23.219 We don't know that. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:25.000 But he certainly smashes them at the foot of the mountain. 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:27.379 And it is a highly symbolic act. 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:29.759 You know when I was a child. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:31.519 And I heard of the story of Moses. 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:32.979 He's smashing the Ten Commandments. 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:34.979 I just thought to myself. 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:36.139 Moses got a bit angry. 00:07:36.899 --> 00:07:38.500 Moses loses his temper. 00:07:39.299 --> 00:07:41.199 And so he smashes the tablets. 00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:45.099 The tablets are the bits of stone. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:45.539 They're good. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:47.219 Not the things you write on. 00:07:47.359 --> 00:07:47.519 All right. 00:07:47.519 --> 00:07:48.519 Moses. 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:49.359 And Moses. 00:07:49.359 --> 00:07:49.459 And Moses. 00:07:49.459 --> 00:07:49.539 Moses. 00:07:49.539 --> 00:07:49.539 00:07:49.539 --> 00:07:49.539 00:07:49.539 --> 00:07:49.959 And Moses. 00:07:49.959 --> 00:07:53.039 He smashes the tablets of stone. 00:07:53.159 --> 00:07:54.279 With the Ten Commandments written on them. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:56.500 And is he just losing his rag? 00:07:56.539 --> 00:07:57.339 Is he just frustrated? 00:07:59.479 --> 00:07:59.979 No. 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:01.620 It's highly, highly symbolic. 00:08:01.859 --> 00:08:02.680 What Moses does. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:07.459 Because in that golden calf. 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:09.900 In the creating of that golden calf. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:14.040 The fact is that Israel have broken God's covenant. 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:17.920 It's an important point to grasp. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:23.939 Moses is there meeting with the God who has redeemed them. 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:27.420 Who's revealed his righteous acts. 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.000 Who's rescued the oppressed. 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:31.680 And Moses is meeting with that God on Mount Sinai. 00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:33.700 He's formalizing the covenant. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:37.039 By which he would be God to Israel. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:39.379 That he would be special. 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:41.259 They would be special to him. 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:42.779 Amongst all the nations of the earth. 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:44.379 And he would bring them into the promised land. 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:46.820 And yet at the very same moment. 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:48.240 At the bottom of the mountain. 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:50.360 Israel is violating the covenant. 00:08:51.460 --> 00:08:53.139 By making a golden calf. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:54.700 By proclaiming this is our God. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.080 And then bowing down to it. 00:08:57.320 --> 00:08:58.620 Israel broke the covenant. 00:08:59.680 --> 00:09:00.899 Even as it was being made. 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:06.440 And that's why when Moses carries the two copies of the Ten Commandments. 00:09:06.539 --> 00:09:07.100 In both arms. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:08.039 There's one for God. 00:09:08.100 --> 00:09:08.860 And one for the people. 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:10.519 And he sees what they've done. 00:09:10.580 --> 00:09:11.580 He smashes them. 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:13.639 Because that is what Israel have done with the covenant. 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:17.220 And then in chapter 33. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:18.540 Israel intercedes. 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:20.600 He pleads with God on behalf of the people. 00:09:20.680 --> 00:09:21.580 And God spares them. 00:09:23.160 --> 00:09:25.240 God did not have to spare the people of Israel. 00:09:25.540 --> 00:09:27.000 Because they had broken the covenant. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:30.379 God had every right to destroy Israel. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:32.160 There and then. 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.759 But he turns from punishment. 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:36.899 And he does not give them what they deserve. 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:39.180 And it's right after that. 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:41.600 That God writes two new tablets for them. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:44.200 That's what happens in chapter 34. 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:47.920 In fact the heading in my Bible is right. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:48.180 Isn't it? 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:48.960 The covenant renewed. 00:09:50.140 --> 00:09:51.400 The covenant has been broken. 00:09:51.540 --> 00:09:52.740 And yet in chapter 34. 00:09:53.060 --> 00:09:54.500 The covenant is being remade. 00:09:55.540 --> 00:09:57.340 And God didn't have to do that. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:59.360 But he's chosen to renew it. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:01.160 And after the new tablets are made. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:02.740 We read in verses 6 and 7. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:04.000 Let me start with verse 5. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:06.899 The Lord descended in the cloud. 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:09.440 And he stood with Moses. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:12.460 And he proclaimed the name of the Lord. 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:14.879 And the Lord passed before him. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:15.659 And proclaimed. 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:17.179 The Lord, the Lord. 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:19.460 A God merciful and gracious. 00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:20.620 Slow to anger. 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:24.179 And abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:29.339 And that is the phrase that David uses in Psalm 103. 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:35.219 And so David has this particular instance in mind when he says it. 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:37.979 He's thinking about this picture of God's mercy. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:43.599 That the very people whom God had just delivered out of bondage and slavery in Egypt. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:48.220 By breaking the bonds of their captivity. 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:50.899 By leading them to freedom in the promised land. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:52.440 He's brought them through the Red Sea. 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.519 He's given them manna. 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.060 He's brought them to the mountain. 00:10:56.440 --> 00:11:01.420 And instead of bowing down in worship of Yahweh for all those blessings. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:03.200 They spit in God's face. 00:11:04.200 --> 00:11:06.120 And they turn aside from him. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.660 And they make an idol. 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:12.079 That they make out of their earrings. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:13.459 And their necklaces. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:14.659 And their bangles. 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:17.419 And they form it into a golden calf. 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:19.120 And they bow down and they worship. 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:21.860 But God did not utterly destroy them. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.839 He stopped his punishment. 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:27.079 And he showed his mercy. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:32.720 And that verse in Exodus 34 becomes a mantra. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:37.579 It becomes the confession of faith of the people of God throughout the Old Testament. 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:39.960 It appears in Psalm 86 verse 15. 00:11:41.160 --> 00:11:42.920 In Psalm 145 verse 8. 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:44.660 In Nehemiah 9 verse 17. 00:11:44.780 --> 00:11:46.020 In Joel 2 verse 13. 00:11:46.420 --> 00:11:48.600 The Lord is merciful. 00:11:50.300 --> 00:11:54.200 He does not give us what we deserve. 00:11:55.660 --> 00:11:57.580 He is gracious. 00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:02.460 He gives us what we do not deserve. 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:07.759 He is slow to anger. 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:11.519 It's a beautiful thing isn't it? 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.100 God is slow. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.960 And my dad is 91. 00:12:17.620 --> 00:12:20.320 And he's known Remarkable Health until the last couple of years. 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:23.060 But now my dad is 91 and everything is slow. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:24.720 Drives me nuts. 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:27.060 I ring on the phone. 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.899 Conversations take an age. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.860 I ask him a question. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:32.800 And it's slow. 00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.899 We walk to the car. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:35.720 It's slow. 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.440 Eating is slow. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:41.340 Answering the door is slow. 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:42.560 It's not a compliment is it? 00:12:44.060 --> 00:12:45.180 If I said of some of you. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:46.399 He's a lovely chap. 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.740 He's a little bit slow. 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:47.820 Slow. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:52.039 That's not a kind thing to say is it? 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.279 But it is with God. 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.600 God is wonderfully slow. 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.820 I think of Noah. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:03.519 Building the ark for 120 years. 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.480 Preaching righteousness. 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:06.120 Preaching judgment to come. 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.299 God is slow to anger. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:10.000 I think of the nations. 00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:11.659 In the promised land. 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.720 God spoke to Abraham. 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:16.120 And he gave those nations 400 years of warning. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.600 That judgment was coming. 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:19.240 He is slow to anger. 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:22.659 Think of the preaching of the gospel. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.519 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 9. 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:26.779 God is patient with you tonight. 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:29.000 Why are you here? 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.200 Because God is patient with you. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:32.039 He's not willing that any should perish. 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:33.879 But that all should come to repentance. 00:13:34.980 --> 00:13:36.860 We should praise God. 00:13:37.799 --> 00:13:39.060 For his slowness. 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:42.500 His slowness in judgment. 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.340 His slowness to anger. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:49.840 He is abounding in steadfast love. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:53.379 The covenant love that will not let Israel go. 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:57.379 A covenant love that will not let me go. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:59.580 That will not let us go as his people. 00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:00.160 For some reason. 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:00.160 --> 00:14:00.160 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:35.560 done but secondly bless the lord because of what he will not do look at verses 9 and 10 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:39.660 can you see the knots there's four in there 00:14:39.660 --> 00:14:48.720 bless the lord because of what he will not do he will not always chide 00:14:48.720 --> 00:15:00.360 nor will he keep his anger forever he will not be angry forever he does not deal with us according 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:08.680 to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities there are four knots he will not always 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:15.300 chide he will not keep his anger forever he will not deal with us according to our sins he will 00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:20.399 not repay us according to our iniquities bless the lord for what he will do what he has done 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:27.299 bless the lord for what he does not do and we don't use the word chide do we i don't anyway 00:15:27.299 --> 00:15:30.120 what does it mean 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:42.959 it means to strive with someone scold rebuke it's that family of words to contend angrily with someone 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:48.920 that's usually um from a position of authority to correct behavior 00:15:48.920 --> 00:15:52.780 it can be sometimes from an inferior to a superior 00:15:52.780 --> 00:16:01.940 jacob in genesis gets i'm crossed with laban and he tries to angrily collect correct him he chides him 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:07.340 and the people of israel in the wilderness they they don't have water in numbers 20 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:15.920 and they quarrel and they grumble at moses and at god and they chide him they say why have you brought us out here to die 00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:18.160 it's a dispute 00:16:18.160 --> 00:16:24.639 and there will be times when god will dispute with us 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:30.940 at the life of the christian there are times when god painfully confronts us 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:36.960 there are times out there where we know the lord has rightly disciplined us 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:40.000 but he will not always chide 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:48.240 in both those cases that i mentioned that of jacob and the people of israel they bring a charge 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:52.380 they bring a charge they make an accusation 00:16:52.379 --> 00:17:00.860 we know wonderfully don't we from romans 8 that god will not bring a charge against his people 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:07.500 it's that legal sense he will bring no lawsuit against his people he will not contend with them 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:12.700 so who will bring any charge against god's elect it's a beautiful thing 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:17.100 he will not always chide 00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:21.500 then he will not keep his anger forever 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:27.799 there's something um says david about god's very nature 00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:31.340 that dislikes staying angry 00:17:31.340 --> 00:17:35.500 there is something about god's very nature 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:42.220 that dislikes staying angry god's wrath is real david knows that he believes that 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.180 he is aware of that 00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:51.579 but martin luther put it this way he put it saying that wrath god's anger is his strange work 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:58.319 anger is an is an alien attribute of god 00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:01.220 and so think about that with me for a moment 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:06.140 it is called into existence by something external to god's own person 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:08.480 god was not angry in eternity 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:14.319 and before the foundation of the world god was not angry in eternity was he 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:21.279 god the father the son and the holy spirit they existed in perfect blessedness 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:23.200 happiness joy 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:28.880 but when sin entered into god's world he is angry 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:34.559 there was a time before the world was made when there was no anger at all in the heart of god 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:38.319 for there was no sin to provoke it 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:47.839 the bible tells us equally that there will be a time in the future when in the new heavens and the new earth there will be nothing to rouse god's anger 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:51.899 for all things in heaven and on earth will be reconciled to him 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:56.620 he does not deal with us according 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:58.780 to our sins 00:18:58.780 --> 00:18:59.660 the root word 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:04.700 the deal there is is the same word as benefits in verse two 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:09.500 god could repay you 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.640 with wrath 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.940 because of your sins 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:15.820 but he repays you 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:17.540 with undeserved benefits 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.659 so bless the lord 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:23.139 and he does not repay us according to our iniquities 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.259 it is not 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:27.220 quid pro quo 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:34.099 and so for every single one of us we have never suffered 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.819 what we deserve to suffer 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.940 we've never suffered 00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.339 what we deserve to suffer 00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:53.220 there's um the famous stories now of napoleon is a bit hackneyed but um the the um young deserter from the army is brought before napoleon 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:53.220 ! 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:57.379 and napoleon determines that the man should be shot 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:06.659 and at that point the young soldier's mother comes forward and begs for her son's life and she cries out have mercy on him 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:14.340 she pleads with napoleon have mercy upon him but napoleon replies defiantly he doesn't deserve any mercy 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:19.300 and it's at that point the mother exclaimed if he deserved mercy it would not be mercy 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:29.620 David is reflecting isn't it on the undeserved kindness of god towards him 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:34.579 he's remembering a time when the lord ceased stopped his punishment 00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:41.219 and he did not deal with god's people according to their sins nor repay them according to their iniquities and 00:20:41.699 --> 00:20:45.059 david wants you to see that god limits his punishment upon his people 00:20:46.739 --> 00:20:48.500 and therefore he shows us mercy 00:20:50.659 --> 00:20:57.619 and so verses 11 to 14 they flow out of what he has done and what he will not do and we bless god for 00:20:57.619 --> 00:21:00.899 what he's done for what he will not do but we bless god because of his love 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.699 and can you again see the distance 00:21:07.219 --> 00:21:16.979 from verses 11 to 14 we've moved verse 1 from my very own soul to the people of god in verse 6 to the 00:21:16.979 --> 00:21:24.339 uttermost part of the universe for as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is his steadfast 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:29.299 love towards those who fear him as far as the east is from the west so far does he remove his 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:35.619 transgressions from us as a father shows compassion to his children so the lord shows compassion to those 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:42.579 who fear him for he knows our frame he remembers that we are just can you see the magnitude of god's love 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:48.419 for as high as the heavens above the earth so great is his love for those who fear him 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:55.299 children do you ever play this game with your mom and dad do you ever say um how much do you love me 00:21:56.099 --> 00:22:04.659 how much do you love me how much how much do you love me this much love me that much do you love me that much 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:11.540 uh that much how much do you love me that much how much do you love me the arms are wide not this much 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:17.540 this much this much no no this much but when david plays that game with god his arms aren't are just 00:22:17.540 --> 00:22:27.540 not long enough when it comes to demonstrating how much god loves him the universe itself cannot 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:32.339 cannot cannot cannot cannot tell you it is it is not big enough 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:38.339 there's no tape measure long enough to measure god's love for his people 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:50.500 the comprehensiveness of god's forgiveness can you see it it is as high as the heavens are above the earth so 00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:57.379 great so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him and then verse 12 as far as the east 00:22:57.380 --> 00:23:04.260 is from the west so far does he remove his transgressions our transgressions from us i think 00:23:04.260 --> 00:23:06.580 the picture is slightly different from verse 11 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:15.620 in in verse 11 you you have this just incomprehensible incomprehensible incomprehensible 00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:23.700 height but in in verse 12 i want you to picture you go to um you see a sign and one side of the 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:30.259 the sign says east on one side one side says west and you've got to choose to go one way or the other 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:39.539 you can't go both directions you can't see the sunrise and the sunset at the same time and 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:49.380 david is giving us this picture that when god forgives us he puts our sin and us in two different horizons 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:58.740 and so when god is looking at our sins he's not looking at us and when he's looking at us he's not 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:02.900 looking at our sins he has justified us 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:12.820 god has found a way of detaching our sin from us so that he can condemn the one without condemning the 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:14.980 other it is a timeless beautiful illustration 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:20.579 in verse 13 the tenderness of god's compassion 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.259 as a father shows 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.299 compassion to his children 00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:31.539 so the lord shows compassion to those who fear him 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:36.980 i don't think you can read psalm 103 without thinking about the prodigal son 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:41.539 the prodigal son who said to his father remember we talked about it last week he said i wish you 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:47.700 were dead and he goes off into the far country and he squanders the wealth that his gracious father 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:50.579 has given him and he's in a terrible way 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:58.660 he's he's he's in total degradation and he thinks the servants in my father's house live better than i do 00:24:58.660 --> 00:25:02.420 i'm going to go home and he he goes home he's rehearsing the speech his name 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:11.380 he feels awful he's aware of his sin he's aware of his iniquity he's aware of his rebellion and he 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:18.980 goes home and we're told that the father is there outside the house looking and waiting for his son 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:25.380 and the father we're told he does what no middle east man would he he runs to his son 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:28.900 he showers him with with blessings 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:38.580 that's the picture isn't it as a father shows compassion to his children 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:42.580 you you children here tonight you you know that 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:49.300 your dad sometimes occasionally very occasionally gets angry with you i know 00:25:50.340 --> 00:25:53.620 but but you will know what it is that your father shows compassion upon you 00:25:53.619 --> 00:26:00.500 those times when when you when you know you've done wrong where you where you where you know that you 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:00.979 deserve 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:11.459 hiding uh where you you know that you've done wrong and and yet your father shows compassion on you you 00:26:11.459 --> 00:26:12.419 know those moments 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:17.379 can you see the repeated word verse 13 compassion compassion 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:26.820 and then in verses well in verses 11 to 12 you have these immeasurable distances as high as the heavens 00:26:26.820 --> 00:26:32.500 are above the earth as far as the east is from the west but in verse 13 it's intimate relationships 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:32.900 isn't it 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:39.140 and then in verse 14 it's one of the most precious verses in the bible 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:43.700 bless the lord because what does god know 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:47.620 he knows your friend 00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:54.900 and bless the lord because of what he remembers 00:26:57.940 --> 00:27:00.900 so we move again don't we from the cosmic extremes of the universe 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:03.940 the heights as high as the heavens are above the earth 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:11.059 and the breath as far as east is from the west infinite measurements and then we come to verse 13 and 14 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:16.820 i google earth you know google earth it's not it's not as trendy anymore is it but um 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:21.620 i love it isn't it you google earth you go on it and you you start off in outer space 00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:27.460 and you type in your postcode and you go from outer space to the globe 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:35.539 uh to the continent to the country to the city to the borough to your street to your very home 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:45.940 god says i know your frame i remember that you are dust the word frame there um it's it has the meaning 00:27:45.940 --> 00:27:54.019 of pottery and so you're you've got the potter's wheel and there's a purpose isn't there so if you make a 00:27:54.019 --> 00:28:00.099 cup why have you made a cup to drink from if you make a vase on the potter's wheel it's to put your flowers in 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:08.019 and and god made you he knows you he knows what you're meant to be he knows what you're meant to do 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:13.059 god knows how you were made he knows the purpose for which you made he knows how you look he knows 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:19.059 who you are he knows your constitution your temperament your weakness your strengths he knows your frame 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:23.139 and then it tells us he remembers something 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:32.500 and again we've got to keep remembering remembering that that when the bible uses the word remember we 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:36.099 mustn't think that he's forgotten something and it comes back to his memory oh yeah i forgot that 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:42.419 as if god's memory needs jolting no when god remembers he is recalling truth to act 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:51.940 in psalm 113 verse 14 he remembers a rich biblical term he remembers that you are dust 00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:57.140 where dust occurs about 110 times in the bible 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:06.980 in the beginning that the lord god formed the man out of the dust of the ground in genesis 3 after the 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:14.500 fall the serpent is told you will eat dust adam is told for you are dust and to dust you will return 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:24.740 gordon wenham he died last year he was an old testament scholar and um he's got this brilliant chiasm 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:32.740 all right and so he says um you were created from dust and you live independence 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:46.180 and you grow and you flower and you give and you depend and then to dust and the whole of life is 00:29:46.180 --> 00:29:55.380 framed within this movement of dust to flowering job says do you remember and you have made me like clay and you will 00:29:55.380 --> 00:30:01.300 return me to dust it's it's a really beautiful reminder of our limitations 00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:08.580 when i was growing up in the 1980s the prime minister was a lady called margaret thatcher she 00:30:08.580 --> 00:30:15.220 wasn't particularly well liked in south wales but she was called the iron lady the iron lady 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:23.220 the heavyweight boxing champion of the world was called iron mike mike tyson 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:30.420 and that prime minister has died and that boxer is a shadow of what he was both are from the dust 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:35.940 we're reminded aren't we every funeral you've ever been to from dust to dust 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:41.779 it's an amazing thing tonight that the lord knows every single thing about you 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:48.420 there's not a molecule that he didn't personally design he understands the complexity of your brain 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:51.539 the unpredictability of your feelings the subtlety of your genetics 00:30:52.899 --> 00:30:57.619 he understands the powerful influence of your upbringing the lust of your flesh the 00:30:57.619 --> 00:31:03.220 temptations that afflict you he understands the mystery of birth the terror of death 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:09.619 he knows the temptations of satan there's nothing about a human being which god does not know 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:15.859 he knows when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak he knows when i'm fearful and overwhelmed he knows 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:20.579 but there's an even better truth to this verse isn't there 00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:26.899 that in the incarnation the lord of heaven became the dust of the earth 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:30.979 that jesus took on our humanity in its fullness 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:37.940 he was fearfully and wonderfully made in mary's womb he assumed our nature to redeem it and he steps 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.380 out 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:43.299 to accomplish our salvation 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:43.299 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:52.579 and when he kind of steps out into his public ministry he's baptized and jesus the father cries out from 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.539 heaven this is my son 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.460 with whom i'm well pleased 00:31:55.460 --> 00:32:03.140 he lives a dusty life his father knows his frame and remembers his dust 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.500 he lives for you he 00:32:07.860 --> 00:32:13.299 goes to the cross for you he is risen for you he ascends to heaven for you and he is seated at the right hand 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.940 of the majesty on high for you 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:24.259 that's why rabbi duncan could could say wonderfully couldn't i could need that the dust of the earth is on the throne of the majesty on high 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:29.620 and our savior has been given a resurrected body we will one day share in that 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:36.340 because the first man adam was from the earth a man of dust and the second man is from heaven as 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:37.460 was the man from the dust 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:39.620 so also are those of the dust 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.420 as is the man of heaven 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:48.980 and so just as we've born the image of the man of dust we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven 1 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.700 christians 15 00:32:52.180 --> 00:32:53.140 a minister that i knew 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:58.820 i recently heard that um on his deathbed his final words were thanks be to god 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.300 for remembering the dust of the earth 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:10.099 there's so much in these verses let me give you one thing there's a doctrine of sin here can you see it verse 10 00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.899 talks of my sins 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:18.019 that is my falling short my not hitting the mark 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:25.139 in verse 10 it talks about iniquity the the bias of my heart to always go astray like the bowling ball that 00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:31.620 i i bowl down the middle of the green and yet it always goes astray and then in verse 12 it talks about my 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:36.500 transgressions my outright rebellion where i say to god i'm going to live my way i don't care what you're saying 00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:42.820 and i'm guilty of all those three this week and so are you 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:48.100 and it's possible isn't it when we understand our hearts to despair of them 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:52.259 my falling short my veering off in the wrong direction my outright rebellion 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:58.579 and so look at the what these verses what they tell you that god can do for you tonight 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:05.299 that if you will call out to god if you will trust in his son the lord jesus christ 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:14.820 he will not deal with you according to your sins he will not repay you according to your iniquities 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:19.860 he will remove your transgressions from you 00:34:22.260 --> 00:34:27.700 and that is wonderful wonderful comfort for the believer 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:31.380 but it is only for the believer 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:37.780 as if you have not trusted in the lord jesus christ tonight 00:34:39.140 --> 00:34:43.780 if you've not given yourself to him and come on your knees and pleaded with god for his forgiveness 00:34:43.780 --> 00:34:49.300 these promises are not for you but if you will tonight where you are seated 00:34:50.740 --> 00:34:54.340 admit your sin admit your iniquity admit your transgressions 00:34:56.100 --> 00:34:57.780 trust jesus christ 00:34:57.780 --> 00:35:09.780 he will forgive you he will redeem you he will not treat you according to your sins 00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:16.580 so let me ask you the question how are you 00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:30.579 better than i just died let's pray