WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.339 Well, firstly, can I say thank you very much for having us here this morning. 00:00:03.899 --> 00:00:06.600 It's a real privilege to be able to speak to you. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:09.800 We've got lots of news that we want to tell you, 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:11.919 but as we mentioned earlier, 00:00:12.019 --> 00:00:14.919 we're going to be coming back a bit later on in the year 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:20.260 to give you much more time and to be able to tell more news. 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:23.600 We're looking forward to telling you our news, 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:26.219 and I wonder what kind of news you're expecting. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.759 I hope you're expecting great news of success 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:37.060 and of wisdom 00:00:37.060 --> 00:00:40.219 and of walking with the Lord 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:44.399 and of the great things that result from that. 00:00:46.899 --> 00:00:50.379 But what if we had failures to report? 00:00:51.379 --> 00:00:53.780 How would that be received? 00:00:53.780 --> 00:01:00.120 This psalm is a record of a godly man 00:01:00.120 --> 00:01:05.500 who's speaking about a time of failure in his life. 00:01:08.019 --> 00:01:11.520 We're not so good at talking about the bad stuff 00:01:11.520 --> 00:01:13.079 when we talk about the Christian life 00:01:13.079 --> 00:01:14.719 and the fear of the Lord 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:17.159 and the great things that result from wisdom. 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:19.740 It's generally all positive things. 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:24.219 It's true in other areas of our life too. 00:01:24.719 --> 00:01:26.399 We prefer everything to be reported 00:01:26.399 --> 00:01:28.339 from a positive point of view. 00:01:29.399 --> 00:01:32.159 A difficult employee is not a problem, 00:01:32.259 --> 00:01:33.019 he's a challenge. 00:01:34.099 --> 00:01:36.179 At least that's what somebody told me recently. 00:01:38.239 --> 00:01:40.739 Politicians always tell us of their successes 00:01:40.739 --> 00:01:44.599 and conveniently omit any of their failures. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:48.079 It's not just in the outside world, 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:49.179 in the church too. 00:01:49.299 --> 00:01:52.500 It's difficult to speak of difficult times. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:55.439 Whilst we were away, 00:01:55.919 --> 00:01:57.759 my mum and dad sent me 00:01:57.759 --> 00:02:01.000 issues of the Southern Cross magazine. 00:02:01.239 --> 00:02:02.679 You know the one I mean. 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:05.399 And there are many stories in there 00:02:05.399 --> 00:02:06.780 of church plants 00:02:06.780 --> 00:02:09.500 and testimonies of people 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:11.019 who have been converted and so on. 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:13.800 But there were not many articles 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:16.180 on churches that shrink 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:17.140 or that disappear 00:02:17.140 --> 00:02:20.000 or policies that have turned out 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:22.900 in retrospect not to have gone well 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:23.520 or so on. 00:02:24.660 --> 00:02:25.620 On the whole, 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:29.180 we're not so good at dealing with failure. 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:32.240 Unless we can blame it on something. 00:02:34.260 --> 00:02:35.719 But this psalm 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:38.379 is a testimony of regret. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:41.579 Even in spite of a godly 00:02:41.579 --> 00:02:43.919 and a wise life. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:48.159 Now don't get me wrong. 00:02:48.519 --> 00:02:50.400 Leading the Christian life 00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:51.939 in the fear of the Lord 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:53.539 ought to be a cause 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:54.800 of great happiness 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:55.819 most of the time. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:02:57.539 And it's right 00:02:57.539 --> 00:02:58.479 that that theme 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:00.240 should be centre stage. 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:02.120 The fear of the Lord 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:03.240 is the beginning of wisdom 00:03:03.240 --> 00:03:05.159 and of a blessed life. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:08.319 But it shouldn't be 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:10.039 the only thing on stage. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:12.579 It's right 00:03:12.579 --> 00:03:13.939 that most of the psalms 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:16.439 should be full of praise 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:18.099 and of things 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:18.960 learned 00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:20.939 and positive experiences. 00:03:22.419 --> 00:03:24.120 But like this psalm, 00:03:25.120 --> 00:03:27.099 there are sometimes occasions 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:28.939 when we need to admit 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.240 that despite living 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:31.419 in the fear of the Lord 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:33.199 and trying our best 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:34.539 to live a godly life, 00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:36.299 things have not gone well. 00:03:38.599 --> 00:03:40.339 Life is not always good 00:03:40.339 --> 00:03:41.479 for Christians. 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:45.739 When we were overseas, 00:03:46.339 --> 00:03:47.839 we met a number of families 00:03:47.839 --> 00:03:49.419 who had to return 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:50.639 after a short time 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:53.439 back to their sending churches 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:56.139 through no fault of their own. 00:03:56.959 --> 00:03:57.899 But I remember thinking 00:03:57.899 --> 00:03:59.299 how hard it would be 00:03:59.299 --> 00:03:59.839 for them 00:03:59.839 --> 00:04:01.219 to report back 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:02.740 to their sending churches. 00:04:04.699 --> 00:04:05.479 How could you 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:07.120 stand in front of a church 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:07.560 and say, 00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:08.460 well, we accomplished 00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:09.860 pretty much nothing 00:04:09.860 --> 00:04:10.759 and we're sorry 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:11.199 to be back 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:11.699 three weeks 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:12.500 after you sent us? 00:04:15.099 --> 00:04:15.539 Often, 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:16.779 we are addicted 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:17.519 to success. 00:04:17.620 --> 00:04:18.600 I use the word addiction 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:20.439 because addiction 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:21.639 tends to crowd out 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:22.220 other things 00:04:22.220 --> 00:04:22.860 and sometimes 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:24.480 our thirst for success 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:25.519 and growth 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:26.240 in godliness 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:27.220 and wanting 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:29.420 to hear positive news 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:30.480 of the results 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:32.020 of living a godly life 00:04:32.020 --> 00:04:32.939 in the fear of the Lord. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:33.660 Often, 00:04:33.860 --> 00:04:34.560 that thirst 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:35.460 for success 00:04:35.460 --> 00:04:37.100 can drive out 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:37.840 our willingness 00:04:37.840 --> 00:04:39.300 to hear 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:40.379 the negative. 00:04:43.020 --> 00:04:43.980 And it's 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:44.500 psalms like 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:45.439 Psalm 73 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:47.420 that enable us 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:48.520 to retrieve 00:04:48.520 --> 00:04:49.280 our bearings 00:04:49.280 --> 00:04:50.040 and get a grip 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:51.100 on reality. 00:04:53.639 --> 00:04:54.420 Otherwise, 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:55.000 we simply 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:55.980 have no place 00:04:55.980 --> 00:04:57.480 for understanding 00:04:57.480 --> 00:04:58.040 doubt 00:04:58.040 --> 00:04:58.680 or sin 00:04:58.680 --> 00:04:59.860 in the Christian life. 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:02.879 There is a happy ending 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:04.400 to Psalm 73 00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:06.300 but it comes 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:06.879 after 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:08.120 a very difficult 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:08.760 time. 00:05:11.760 --> 00:05:11.920 You know, 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:12.320 I think 00:05:12.320 --> 00:05:13.439 Christians today, 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:14.759 probably more than 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:15.939 say, 00:05:16.020 --> 00:05:17.300 20 or 30 years ago, 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:18.220 are reasonably 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:18.879 comfortable 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:20.020 talking about 00:05:20.020 --> 00:05:20.560 doubt 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:22.000 in the Christian life. 00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:24.140 In some 00:05:24.140 --> 00:05:24.820 Christian circles, 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:25.759 it's actually 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:26.200 fashionable 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:27.240 to talk about 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:27.779 your doubts 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:28.459 and your struggles 00:05:28.459 --> 00:05:30.060 as a regular thing. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:32.879 But one thing 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:33.459 that we're not 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:34.300 comfortable about 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:35.439 is speaking 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:36.579 of regret 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:38.920 in the Christian life. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:41.420 Regret is saying 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:41.939 something like, 00:05:42.039 --> 00:05:42.139 look, 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:43.159 I have been living 00:05:43.159 --> 00:05:43.839 as a Christian, 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:46.039 living in the fear 00:05:46.039 --> 00:05:46.819 of the Lord 00:05:46.819 --> 00:05:48.819 and I regret 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:49.919 doing so. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:52.720 what a waste 00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:54.120 of my time. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:57.100 But that's 00:05:57.100 --> 00:05:57.780 exactly what 00:05:57.780 --> 00:05:58.379 the psalmist 00:05:58.379 --> 00:05:58.840 writes. 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:00.199 If you have a look 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:00.980 at verse 13 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:01.520 and 14, 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:01.900 he says, 00:06:01.960 --> 00:06:02.819 surely in vain 00:06:02.819 --> 00:06:03.860 I have kept 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:04.560 my heart 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:05.040 pure. 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:06.720 He's not 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:07.300 lamenting 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.000 some sin 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:08.520 he committed, 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:09.879 he's lamenting 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:11.400 living in the fear 00:06:11.400 --> 00:06:12.000 of the Lord. 00:06:12.220 --> 00:06:13.280 He's lamenting 00:06:13.280 --> 00:06:14.460 and regretting 00:06:14.460 --> 00:06:15.280 his life 00:06:15.280 --> 00:06:15.980 of godliness. 00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:18.500 In vain 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:19.480 I washed 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:20.140 my hands 00:06:20.140 --> 00:06:20.819 in innocence. 00:06:22.340 --> 00:06:23.060 And all 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:23.600 that he has 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:24.200 experienced 00:06:24.200 --> 00:06:25.300 has been bad. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:26.740 All day long 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:27.660 I've been plagued, 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:28.800 I have been punished 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:29.860 every morning. 00:06:32.020 --> 00:06:32.860 He'd been living 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:34.040 the godly life. 00:06:36.160 --> 00:06:37.100 Not cheating 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:37.759 on his taxes, 00:06:38.280 --> 00:06:38.819 not stealing 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:39.860 his neighbour's 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:40.400 donkey 00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:41.379 or nicking 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:41.840 his wheat 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:43.060 or whatever 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:43.860 he did 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:44.319 back then. 00:06:45.980 --> 00:06:46.540 And you know 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:46.780 what? 00:06:46.840 --> 00:06:47.600 It got him 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:47.960 nowhere. 00:06:49.259 --> 00:06:49.720 Absolutely 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:50.100 nowhere. 00:06:52.280 --> 00:06:53.000 He kept 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:53.660 on receiving 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:54.700 bad news. 00:06:55.140 --> 00:06:55.520 Meanwhile, 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:57.620 the bad guys 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:58.720 were doing 00:06:58.720 --> 00:06:59.360 very well 00:06:59.360 --> 00:07:00.319 on Easy 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:00.700 Street 00:07:00.700 --> 00:07:01.980 and he 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:02.939 envied 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:03.259 them. 00:07:05.100 --> 00:07:05.680 In verse 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:06.420 4 he says, 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:08.160 those bad guys 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:08.600 they just have 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:09.319 no struggles. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:10.420 Their bodies 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:11.160 are healthy 00:07:11.160 --> 00:07:12.160 and strong, 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:13.500 free from 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.040 burdens. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:15.700 they got 00:07:15.700 --> 00:07:16.160 away with 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:16.980 all sorts 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:17.920 of violence. 00:07:18.720 --> 00:07:19.080 Pride 00:07:19.080 --> 00:07:19.560 was at the 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:19.920 centre of 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:20.460 their hearts. 00:07:20.840 --> 00:07:21.379 They said 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.100 no to 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:22.439 God. 00:07:22.760 --> 00:07:23.060 There was 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:23.640 no fear 00:07:23.640 --> 00:07:24.060 of God 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:24.500 in their 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:24.960 lives 00:07:24.960 --> 00:07:25.600 and the 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:25.980 result, 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:28.080 their lives 00:07:28.080 --> 00:07:28.860 were great. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:30.900 And the 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:31.180 psalmist 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:31.480 said, 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:33.860 I regret 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:35.240 being 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.080 a believer. 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:40.979 all day 00:07:40.979 --> 00:07:41.500 long I've 00:07:41.500 --> 00:07:41.620 been 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:42.139 afflicted. 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:42.680 Every 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:43.180 morning 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:43.979 brings 00:07:43.979 --> 00:07:44.300 new 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:44.959 punishments. 00:07:47.359 --> 00:07:48.180 This 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:48.459 isn't 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:48.860 just 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:49.500 a 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:50.039 passing 00:07:50.039 --> 00:07:50.879 thought 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:52.299 on his 00:07:52.299 --> 00:07:52.740 part. 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:55.659 The 00:07:55.659 --> 00:07:56.000 psalm 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:56.560 does not 00:07:56.560 --> 00:07:56.979 mention 00:07:56.979 --> 00:07:57.360 any 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:58.159 scale 00:07:58.159 --> 00:07:59.000 of time 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:00.180 explicitly, 00:08:00.659 --> 00:08:01.120 but the 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:01.479 amount 00:08:01.479 --> 00:08:02.319 of detail 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:03.259 and number 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:04.199 of examples 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:05.019 that he 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:05.439 gives, 00:08:07.240 --> 00:08:07.759 lead me to 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:08.079 think that 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:08.420 it's at 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:08.959 least weeks 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:09.539 and probably 00:08:09.539 --> 00:08:10.180 months that 00:08:10.180 --> 00:08:11.099 he was 00:08:11.099 --> 00:08:11.860 experiencing 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:12.319 this. 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:15.279 it's not 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:16.319 an isolated 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:16.860 thought, 00:08:17.599 --> 00:08:18.839 but countless 00:08:18.839 --> 00:08:20.099 examples that 00:08:20.099 --> 00:08:20.519 he gives 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:21.500 in verses 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:23.420 4 and 5 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:23.779 and all the 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:24.319 way up to 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:24.759 11. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:27.699 And he 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:28.159 concludes, 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.240 this is what 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:29.560 the wicked 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:30.039 are like, 00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:31.180 always care 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:31.560 free, 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.240 they increase 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:34.419 in wealth. 00:08:37.819 --> 00:08:38.559 And he 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:39.340 envies them 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:40.679 and more 00:08:40.679 --> 00:08:41.000 than that, 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:41.860 he regrets 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:43.320 living a 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:43.840 life in 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:44.200 the fear 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:44.460 of the 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:44.740 Lord. 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:45.500 He 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:45.860 regrets 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:46.059 it. 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:47.759 In 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:48.379 vain I've 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:48.799 kept my 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:49.200 heart 00:08:49.200 --> 00:08:49.860 pure. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:53.919 We 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:54.440 know I'm 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:55.700 glad that 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:56.360 the psalmist 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:57.879 told me that 00:08:57.879 --> 00:08:58.480 he felt like 00:08:58.480 --> 00:08:58.740 that. 00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:01.659 And I'm 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:02.639 glad that 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:03.539 God allowed 00:09:03.539 --> 00:09:04.580 this psalm 00:09:04.580 --> 00:09:05.179 to be 00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:05.580 published. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:07.740 God 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:08.159 didn't 00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:09.139 censor 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.440 it as 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:10.940 an opinion 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:11.840 that might 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:12.680 disturb the 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:13.800 faith of 00:09:13.800 --> 00:09:13.940 the 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:14.260 faithful. 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:17.700 The 00:09:17.700 --> 00:09:18.320 psalms are 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:19.540 remarkable for 00:09:19.540 --> 00:09:20.140 their lack 00:09:20.140 --> 00:09:21.380 of censorship 00:09:21.380 --> 00:09:22.380 of human 00:09:22.380 --> 00:09:22.800 emotion. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:26.200 Whilst we 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:26.680 were overseas, 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:28.480 I frequently 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:29.140 visited a 00:09:29.140 --> 00:09:29.500 bookshop. 00:09:30.820 --> 00:09:31.460 And on one 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:32.020 occasion I was 00:09:32.020 --> 00:09:32.660 trying to find a 00:09:32.660 --> 00:09:33.040 book on a 00:09:33.040 --> 00:09:33.600 certain topic, 00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:34.060 I won't tell 00:09:34.060 --> 00:09:34.400 you what, 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.240 and I couldn't 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:35.860 find what I 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:36.180 wanted. 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:37.459 I asked the 00:09:37.459 --> 00:09:37.759 manager, 00:09:38.359 --> 00:09:39.039 and he said, 00:09:39.559 --> 00:09:40.219 oh, we're not 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:40.799 allowed to sell 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:41.399 books on that 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:41.719 topic. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:44.459 Now, if you 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:44.879 went to this 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:45.379 bookshop and 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:45.959 you just scanned 00:09:45.959 --> 00:09:46.500 the shelves, 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:47.919 you'd not think 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:49.239 anything awry, 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:50.279 you'd not notice 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.039 anything missing. 00:09:52.219 --> 00:09:53.079 But if you look 00:09:53.079 --> 00:09:53.919 more carefully, 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:56.919 entire sections 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:58.039 were missing. 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:00.279 Accounts of 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:00.959 battles that the 00:10:00.959 --> 00:10:01.759 country had lost, 00:10:02.319 --> 00:10:02.839 for example, 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:04.019 recent political 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:04.540 history, 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:06.120 criticism of the 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.080 national religion, 00:10:07.680 --> 00:10:08.460 no matter how 00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:08.920 academic, 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:10.660 books on biology, 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:12.240 there was a lot 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:13.060 of censorship. 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:15.460 And most people 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.460 were not aware 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:16.820 of it. 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:19.240 They simply knew 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.680 subconsciously that 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:21.180 there were some 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:22.019 things that you do 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:22.860 not talk about. 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:26.920 I think that 00:10:26.920 --> 00:10:28.100 regret in the 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.560 Christian life is 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:30.340 something that in 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.519 church we 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:32.620 subconsciously believe 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:33.480 ought not be 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.100 talked about. 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.179 But the psalm 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:36.299 here forces us 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:37.279 to because it 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.019 makes it public. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:43.919 Successful 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:44.879 Christian living, 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:47.039 stories about 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:47.720 living in the 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:48.259 fear of the 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.240 Lord and the 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.060 great benefits 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:50.820 that arise from 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:52.279 this, ought to 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:53.360 take center stage. 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:55.460 But they ought 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:56.159 not to be the 00:10:56.159 --> 00:10:57.220 only things on 00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:57.820 the stage. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.000 Because sometimes 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.500 these stories of 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:02.419 success can act 00:11:02.419 --> 00:11:03.919 subconsciously as 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:04.620 senses. 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:05.579 We just don't 00:11:05.579 --> 00:11:06.259 want to listen to 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.360 things like that. 00:11:10.599 --> 00:11:12.059 People feel ashamed 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:13.179 of saying anything 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:14.779 negative. 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:17.939 But if doubts and 00:11:17.939 --> 00:11:20.240 struggles, and not 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:20.799 just doubts and 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:21.459 struggles, but if 00:11:21.459 --> 00:11:24.139 sheer regret and 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:26.019 pure envy, if that 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:28.139 becomes unspeakable 00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:31.699 publicly in church, then 00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:32.699 it's not long before 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:34.580 they become unspeakable 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:36.559 privately before God. 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:38.759 And after a while, 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:40.000 people simply don't 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:42.340 know what to expect of 00:11:42.340 --> 00:11:43.220 the Christian life. 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:46.740 The Bible is very 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.120 different. 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:49.379 There are entire 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:50.699 books in the Bible, 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:53.299 like Job, like 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:55.000 Ecclesiastes, that 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.599 explore this darker 00:11:56.599 --> 00:11:58.199 side to life. 00:12:00.839 --> 00:12:01.819 And there are 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:04.179 psalms, which we 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:05.439 should probably 00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:06.219 consider just to be 00:12:06.219 --> 00:12:07.219 like church songs. 00:12:07.819 --> 00:12:08.819 There are psalms that 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:10.839 speak of times of 00:12:10.839 --> 00:12:11.839 regret and of 00:12:11.839 --> 00:12:13.799 anger and of 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:15.719 sadness, despite 00:12:15.719 --> 00:12:16.819 living a godly 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:17.259 life. 00:12:19.699 --> 00:12:20.579 They're not the 00:12:20.579 --> 00:12:22.679 majority, but they 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.239 are there. 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.839 The life of 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:27.739 Jesus is not 00:12:27.739 --> 00:12:28.239 dissimilar. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:31.299 Of the three 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.399 years, approximately, 00:12:32.939 --> 00:12:33.879 that we believe he 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.919 engaged in public 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:36.039 ministry, teaching, and 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:38.099 so on, about so 00:12:38.099 --> 00:12:38.759 much is written. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.339 And about the 00:12:41.339 --> 00:12:42.719 same is written about 00:12:42.719 --> 00:12:43.979 the last week of his 00:12:43.979 --> 00:12:45.379 life, which was a 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.219 terrible event. 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:54.859 But our God is 00:12:54.859 --> 00:12:56.539 kind and 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:58.739 generous and 00:12:58.739 --> 00:13:00.859 not insecure, and 00:13:00.859 --> 00:13:01.839 he does not act 00:13:01.839 --> 00:13:03.259 like a censor. 00:13:04.599 --> 00:13:05.500 When Jesus 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:07.459 cried out on the 00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:08.659 cross, my God, my 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:09.679 God, why have you 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:10.439 forsaken me? 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:12.419 God didn't 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:14.059 say to the 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:15.439 gospel writer, I 00:13:15.439 --> 00:13:15.779 think you should 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.259 leave that bit 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.539 out. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:17.719 A bit 00:13:17.719 --> 00:13:18.399 uncomfortable, that 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.439 bit, especially 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:20.000 coming from the 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.419 Son of God. 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:26.279 God is not 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.000 insecure. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:28.539 He's so 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.699 different to the 00:13:29.699 --> 00:13:31.379 dictators of the 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:33.159 Middle East that we 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:33.659 read about. 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.599 Now, it's not just 00:13:36.599 --> 00:13:37.919 that God wants us to 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.299 be honest with our 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:39.939 feelings, although 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.779 that's true. 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.879 In this psalm, it's 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.539 not honesty which 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:46.519 comes to the fore, 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:48.740 but it's that God 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.659 wants us to know 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.360 that there is a 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.019 way out. 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:56.240 God trains us to 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.000 acknowledge the 00:13:57.000 --> 00:14:00.120 darkness and to 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.539 be assured that 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.279 there is a way 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.319 out of the 00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:03.639 darkness. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.319 This psalm is not 00:14:05.319 --> 00:14:06.600 just a candid 00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.939 admission of 00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:08.399 regret. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:11.319 It is also the 00:14:11.319 --> 00:14:11.899 account of 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:13.500 thanksgiving, where 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.500 he says, I move 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.659 through that time of 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:16.860 regret, and I 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:20.620 see now how 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.579 good God is. 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.179 You know, the 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:25.860 writer of this 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:26.679 psalm speaks of 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.799 personal regret, but 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.799 it also speaks of a 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:31.219 time of a return to 00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:32.299 confident and happy 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:33.059 faith in God. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.199 And he concludes 00:14:35.199 --> 00:14:37.059 by saying how good 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:38.339 God is. 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:42.200 I had this period of 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:44.300 regret, and then I 00:14:44.300 --> 00:14:45.780 realized how great 00:14:45.780 --> 00:14:47.940 God is, and how 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:49.420 the life of lying 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:50.500 and violence that I 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:52.680 envied won't end 00:14:52.680 --> 00:14:55.100 well, and how one 00:14:55.100 --> 00:14:56.100 day they will be 00:14:56.100 --> 00:14:57.320 swept away in your 00:14:57.320 --> 00:14:58.920 anger, oh Lord. 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:58.959 God. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:05.259 The writer reminds us 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.199 of some wonderful 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:06.799 things. 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:09.379 In verse 22, when 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.059 I was a senseless and 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:14.879 ignorant beast, God 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:16.959 you still held on to 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:17.139 me. 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:19.459 You've always held my 00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:20.319 right hand. 00:15:21.839 --> 00:15:22.819 This psalm is a great 00:15:22.819 --> 00:15:24.399 testimony to the 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:26.360 weakness of man and 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:28.199 the strength of God in 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.740 hanging on to us, even 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:31.300 in the middle of the 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:32.560 times when we regret 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:33.420 being a Christian. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.900 And after that time of 00:15:38.900 --> 00:15:40.220 regret, when we come 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.080 back to a time of 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:42.540 faith, as this 00:15:42.540 --> 00:15:45.700 psalmist does, we 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.500 come back to God and 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.820 we say, whom have I 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.620 in heaven but you? 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:49.940 There is nothing in 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:51.540 heaven on earth or on 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:52.960 earth that can replace 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:53.460 you, oh God. 00:15:53.520 --> 00:15:55.580 To live with you is all 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:56.220 I desire. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:16:01.740 When Steve asked a 00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:03.740 moment ago, everybody, 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.700 you know, what is it 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:07.040 that they would want 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:07.740 to have that somebody 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.960 else has that they 00:16:08.960 --> 00:16:09.420 haven't got? 00:16:11.020 --> 00:16:12.240 I said a new iPad. 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:16.259 You know, there are 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:16.980 times when you feel 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.420 like that. 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.740 If only I had this or 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.060 that. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:23.320 But to know God, well 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.960 that is the best thing 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.480 of all. 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:26.980 It cannot be replaced. 00:16:28.280 --> 00:16:29.840 Nothing in heaven or 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:31.500 on earth can replace 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:31.780 you. 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.940 To live in fellowship 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:34.400 with God is the most 00:16:34.400 --> 00:16:35.680 wonderful thing of all. 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.700 You know, we cannot 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.960 depend on our own 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:43.600 strength or even the 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.720 steadfastness of our 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:45.400 own faith. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.960 In this psalm, the 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.720 psalmist candidly admits 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:51.639 that he regretted being 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.199 a believer. 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.539 Now, we cannot depend 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.939 on our own steadfastness 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:57.819 of faith, but we can 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:59.559 depend on God, who 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.759 will hold our hand 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.500 even though we do not 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:03.399 know it, even in those 00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:03.879 times. 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.759 God alone is our 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.480 refuge. 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.220 So this psalm is there 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:15.879 so that when you really 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:18.099 regret being a Christian, 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.559 you know that you are 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.539 not the first. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.259 And you know that it's 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.980 okay to tell God 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.539 about it. 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.719 The psalm is there to 00:17:27.719 --> 00:17:30.359 remind us that lives 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.899 in the church, even 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:34.000 godly lives, are not 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:36.019 simple success stories 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.799 all the time. 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:38.019 There are some people 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.139 who live the godly life 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:41.159 for a long time, who 00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:42.659 find themselves saying 00:17:42.659 --> 00:17:43.959 to themselves, you 00:17:43.959 --> 00:17:45.879 know, I regret being 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:46.500 a Christian. 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:51.140 What a waste of my 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:51.580 efforts. 00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:55.320 The psalm reminds us 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:56.480 that those thoughts 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.640 do occur to us. 00:17:57.920 --> 00:17:58.680 We are not above 00:17:58.680 --> 00:17:58.980 them. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.660 Difficulties with faith 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:05.840 are real, and they 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.880 ought to be openly 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.960 expressed like they 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:09.080 are here in the psalm, 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:11.280 in a frame of coming 00:18:11.280 --> 00:18:12.460 back to knowing God, 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.200 but there is still a 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.160 candid admission that 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.700 there was a time when 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.700 we felt like this. 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:23.540 In fact, can you 00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:24.740 imagine singing a 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:26.220 song, and in the 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.400 chorus it said, 00:18:27.540 --> 00:18:28.759 surely in vain I have 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:30.019 kept my heart pure. 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.080 What a waste. 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.500 You can imagine this 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.779 song being put to 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:35.160 music, and the music 00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:35.860 writer thinking to 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:37.160 himself, I wonder what 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.420 sort of music I should 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.040 set this to. 00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:40.380 How do you express 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.740 musically I regret being 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.160 a Christian? 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:45.380 Do the drums come in at 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:45.779 that point? 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:52.460 But as well as 00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:54.320 acknowledging difficulty, 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.960 this psalm also shows 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:56.720 the way out. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.500 It reminds us that the 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.960 fear of the Lord continues 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.800 to be the beginning of 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.460 all wisdom. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:09.860 It points the way back 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.960 to God without being 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.640 trite. 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:14.600 It might be that you're 00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:15.559 one of those people 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:17.120 not experiencing any 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:17.900 problems at the 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:19.019 moment, and that's 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.559 fantastic. 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.440 Rejoice in the 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:23.279 experiences of people 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:24.700 like this psalmist, 00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.819 who have turnarounds 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.420 in faith. 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.779 These things happen all 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.420 the time in the 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:30.980 Christian life. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.000 Do not have an 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:34.960 over-rosy expectation 00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:36.079 of the Christian 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.539 life. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.559 For even the most 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:39.420 godly person, like 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.299 the psalmist here, 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:42.220 will have times when 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.700 he regrets being a 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:43.980 believer. 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.579 It could be that 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.400 you're about halfway 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.279 through this psalm, 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.140 and currently you do 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:52.119 regret being a 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:53.299 Christian, and you 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.859 feel like that those 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:56.200 people on the outside 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.680 who have no regard for 00:19:57.680 --> 00:20:00.319 God whatsoever, are 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:01.180 frankly doing better 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.640 than you, by a long 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:02.960 way. 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.700 Well, in verse 2, the 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.640 psalmist writes this, 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.259 but as for me, my 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.259 feet had almost 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:10.740 slipped. 00:20:11.060 --> 00:20:12.840 I had nearly lost my 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:13.380 foothold. 00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.400 Well, don't let that 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:18.380 almost and nearly 00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:19.960 turn into a 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.440 completely. 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.360 Let this psalm from 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.920 God remind you that 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.960 God understands the 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.900 evil in this world, 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:29.820 and he calls you out 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.119 of it. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:32.960 Be patient. 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:35.279 Keep on coming to 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.200 church, meeting with 00:20:36.200 --> 00:20:36.779 other Christians. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:39.099 It's during that time 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:40.059 the psalmist said that 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.839 he came to a fresh 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:43.200 understanding of God. 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:45.059 He says it was when he 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:46.319 came into the sanctuary 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:48.460 of God, where there 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.359 would be the reading of 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.799 God's word and the 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.539 reminders of the life 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.819 of wisdom in the fear 00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:54.299 of the Lord. 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:54.339 God's word. 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:57.379 So be patient if that's 00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:57.619 you. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.599 Churches need to speak 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:02.680 about the real world, 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:05.059 not just success stories. 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:08.859 A healthy church can 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:10.720 cope with real life. 00:21:14.159 --> 00:21:15.799 You know, even in an 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:17.259 unhealthy church, it's 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.359 possible for the believer 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:21.859 so to trust God that he's 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:24.339 not worried really by the 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:25.259 silly things that other 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.339 people sometimes think, 00:21:26.939 --> 00:21:27.939 simplistic views of 00:21:27.939 --> 00:21:28.879 success and so on. 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:32.299 God is bigger and 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:34.819 kinder than all that. 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:38.439 I don't know whether the 00:21:38.439 --> 00:21:39.339 psalmist felt embarrassed 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:41.839 to write this psalm or 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.639 whether he felt that he 00:21:42.639 --> 00:21:43.899 was breaking new ground in 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:46.279 the church by including a 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.079 song like this. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.720 It must have taken a great 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.480 deal of confidence to 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:53.000 candidly tell everybody at 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:54.859 church or the temple at 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.519 that time that he had 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:58.059 regretted being a believer. 00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:00.939 It must have been his great 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:04.299 confidence in God that in 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:05.319 the end it was God's 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.180 opinion of him that 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.019 mattered more than 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.759 anything else. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:11.500 I think you can see that 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:14.379 in the memory verse that 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.000 we had earlier. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.460 My flesh and my heart may 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:18.779 fail, but God is the 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.519 strength of my heart and 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.940 my portion forever. 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.079 Amen.