Full Transcript for Psalm 145: Praise

00:03:01.780 It's been great to meet a few of you already, and I look forward to meeting more of you later on. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:05.039 Why don't I open in prayer as we begin? 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:09.479 Father, we thank you so much for your living word. 00:03:10.139 --> 00:03:11.620 Thank you that you speak to us. 00:03:12.299 --> 00:03:16.159 Please would you strengthen our souls as we look at this psalm together. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.859 Please, will you give us thankful hearts that respond to you, to your grace. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:23.359 And we ask all of these things in Jesus' name. 00:03:23.879 --> 00:03:24.159 Amen. 00:03:25.319 --> 00:03:31.780 Well, it's a privilege to be opening up this psalm together, which is all about praising God. 00:03:32.460 --> 00:03:35.900 But what exactly does it mean to praise the Lord? 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:38.159 Why should we praise God? 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:42.479 As believers, praise is often associated with music and singing. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:47.840 And so we sing songs calling us to rejoice and to bless the Lord's holy name. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:55.599 And often it's a real joy to sing, isn't it, as we just did earlier, as we remind each other of God's goodness. 00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:58.739 Often it's a foretaste of the new creation almost. 00:03:58.899 --> 00:04:01.620 I don't know if you've been to a big Christian conference. 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:07.159 Perhaps you get a glimpse, a taster of what the new creation will be like. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:11.179 But sadly, it doesn't always feel like that, doesn't it? 00:04:11.180 --> 00:04:14.620 Perhaps it's been a tiring week at work. 00:04:15.460 --> 00:04:17.579 Perhaps the kids have been up all night. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:20.920 Perhaps you've experienced a great loss recently. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:25.079 Or perhaps we're simply a glass half empty kind of person. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:28.680 And we just struggle naturally to feel thankful to God. 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:36.079 A number of years ago, I was a ministry trainee in the west of England at a small village church. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:39.740 And the minister there was in charge of two parish churches. 00:04:40.099 --> 00:04:45.379 One of which had about 12 people attending where the average age was about 60 years old. 00:04:46.339 --> 00:04:49.800 And we sang traditional hymns accompanied by the organ every week. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:55.620 And to be honest, often it was a struggle to feel thankful, to feel the words I was singing. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:05:00.780 I'd been used to going to a big city church with great music and singing. 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:03.500 And now it just felt like the complete opposite. 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:08.060 So what does it mean to praise the Lord? 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:09.480 Why should we? 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:12.780 How can we when we don't feel like it? 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:16.480

Well, our psalm today helps us with all of these questions. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:22.540 As we're near the end of the book of psalms, we come to the last psalm of King David. 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:28.240 King David, as he leads his people to meditate on and praise our great God. 00:05:29.220 --> 00:05:36.700 If you've got your glasses on, you may have noticed in the footnote that this psalm is what's called an acrostic psalm. 00:05:36.840 --> 00:05:41.600 Meaning that every line begins with the next letter in the Hebrew alphabet. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:46.120 And so this psalm is kind of an A to Z of praise. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:51.600 You might want to call it 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord if you're writing a modern hymn about it. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:57.860 And whilst we're on the fascinating topic of footnotes, you might also have noticed another one for verse 13. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:03.600 Which says that these two lines are supplied by one Hebrew manuscript, Septuagint and Syriac. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:11.439 Which just means that it's unclear whether that bracketed verse was part of the original psalm or whether it was added in later. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:18.839 But either way, it doesn't really affect the main meaning of the psalm as it says the same thing to the rest of the psalm. 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:24.779 As we work through this psalm, we're going to see an increasing volume of praise. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:28.279 And increasing reasons to praise the Lord. 00:06:29.480 --> 00:06:31.519 And so we come to our first point. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:33.319 Praise the Lord. 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:35.439 Have a look at verse 1. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:37.459 Verse 1. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:42.420 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:47.060 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:49.939 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:52.039 And his greatness is unsearchable. 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:57.200 I wonder how you felt as you read those words. 00:06:58.180 --> 00:07:00.939 If you're anything like me, it sounds a bit over the top, doesn't it? 00:07:01.720 --> 00:07:07.320 I mean, sure, I can praise the Lord on a Sunday or when I'm feeling okay about life. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:13.720 But every day, forever and ever, it just sounds a bit much, doesn't it? 00:07:13.960 --> 00:07:15.180 And overly pious. 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:21.420 But David reminds the people of God, God's name in verse 1. 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:24.699 Referring to God's personal name, Yahweh. 00:07:25.220 --> 00:07:28.840 The one who revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush. 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:35.240 And to Israel when he saved them from the Egyptians and led them through the Red Sea. 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:41.879 And so David, even though he is Israel's king, he is also the model Israelite. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:47.240 And he models for the people of God the correct response to God. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:54.219 And so you can imagine an Israelite back then reading this after having been rescued from their exile to Babylon. 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:58.699 And singing this psalm to praise God for rescuing them. 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:02.060 And even Israelite back then could pray this. 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.300 Well, how much more can we? 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:09.600 Because in the Lord Jesus, we do have infinite reasons to praise the Lord. 00:08:09.600 --> 00:08:14.200 He is our great God and King who has rescued us from our sin. 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:18.320 And so we have all the more reason now to sing verse 3. 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:21.760 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:24.540 And His greatness is unsearchable. 00:08:26.300 --> 00:08:29.900 Now you've probably heard a lot of World Cup related illustrations over the summer. 00:08:30.020 --> 00:08:32.080 So I'm sorry I'm going to use another one. 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:36.519 But if you were watching the World Cup over the summer, you may have heard a lot about goats. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:39.100 Now I'm not talking about the hairy animal. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:43.720 But I'm talking about the acronym which stands for the greatest of all time. 00:08:44.079 --> 00:08:48.379 Which has become a slightly overused word to describe athletes at the top of their game. 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:51.460 Or even to describe the chicken shop with the best wings. 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:56.199 But it's a term which apparently traces back to the boxer Muhammad Ali. 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:58.539 Who often called himself the greatest. 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:01.039 He once said, I am the greatest. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:03.759 I said that even before I knew I was. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.980 Which I guess makes him a prophet as well. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:09.740 But that's the way of the world, isn't it? 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:12.879 Greatness is measured in outward success. 00:09:13.439 --> 00:09:14.980 And beating down your opponents. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:19.460 Whether that's on the pitch, in the boardroom, or in the exam scores. 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:24.720 But true greatness according to Jesus looks the complete opposite, doesn't it? 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:26.620 Philippians 2. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:32.120 You'll know that Jesus humbled himself by taking on the form of a human servant. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:35.279 Even to the point of death on a cross. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.879 It's absolutely outrageous. 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:42.000 The Son of God, the King of Kings, empties himself. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:47.620 He empties himself of his greatness and willingly stoops to bear our sin. 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:50.620 To purchase our freedom and forgiveness. 00:09:50.620 --> 00:09:56.620 And

therefore God has highly exalted him and given him the name above all names. 00:09:57.940 --> 00:10:00.519 That is what true greatness looks like. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:04.019 Laying down one's life to serve others. 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:08.659 And so of course we give our praise to this great King. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:15.759 And so it's a challenging reminder that actually devotion to God is not just a Sunday thing. 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:18.480 But it's more of a daily instinct. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.740 A heart posture. 00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:24.279 A default mindset that always wants to give thanks to God. 00:10:25.579 --> 00:10:26.779 Which sounds quite difficult, doesn't it? 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:28.379 And frankly impossible. 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:35.299 Often when I'm praying, my tendency is just to bring my requests immediately to God. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:37.000 You know, God help me with this thing. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:40.419 God help me to love that annoying person at work. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:43.000 Which is of course right to do. 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:46.000 God calls us to lay our burdens before him. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:52.960 But this psalm in particular challenges us intentionally to give thanks to God. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:55.200 Which is hard, right? 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.879 You can't just force yourself to do it. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:00.340 If I tell you just be thankful. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:02.720 Like it doesn't work, does it? 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:06.200 Well thankfully the Lord gives us reasons. 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:09.460 And he gives us fuel to give thanks to him. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:12.000 And that's where the psalmist goes next. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:16.960 And so point two, we can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:19.800 We can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:11:20.560 --> 00:11:21.519 Have a look at verse four. 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:23.920 Verse four. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:32.319 Well what are these mighty acts, you might ask? 00:11:32.979 --> 00:11:33.959 Well have a look at verse eight. 00:11:34.679 --> 00:11:36.479 The Lord is gracious and merciful. 00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:39.939 Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:42.059 The Lord is good to all. 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:45.939 And his mercy is over all that he has made. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:53.020 Now if you're an Israelite back then, you would immediately know the back story to these verses. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:57.980 Because these words are some of the most significant words in the entire Bible. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:02.700 And it came at a critical point in Israel's history. 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:07.940 You may remember the disaster of the golden calf in Exodus 32. 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:10.840 God's people have just been rescued out of Egypt. 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:14.660 And God has been

speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai. 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:19.920 Laying out the terms of the covenant relationship he will establish with his people. 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:25.480 But after 40 days of Moses going AWOL, the people decide, okay we've had enough. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:32.139 We're just going to chuck our earrings into the pan and make this golden calf as a stand-in for God. 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:38.480 And yet despite this treachery, God still decides to take them back. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:41.759 And he proclaims these beautiful words. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:44.159 That he is gracious and merciful. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:47.659 Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:54.300 And for the Christian believer, well we have all the more reason to praise God. 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:59.740 Because this steadfast love has been revealed more fully at the cross. 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:03.480 As Jesus willingly takes the punishment we deserve. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:06.800 He satisfies the justice of God. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:10.799 And extends mercy and forgiveness to all of us. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:15.240 And so we can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:18.120 But who does the praising here? 00:13:18.579 --> 00:13:20.579 And who are they speaking to? 00:13:21.479 --> 00:13:22.579 Have a look at verse 10. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.579 That all your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord. 00:13:26.819 --> 00:13:29.120 And all your saints shall bless you. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:35.460 And so here God's works in his creation displays the glory of God. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:39.060 All creation points to the glory of God. 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:41.600 And all his people praise the Lord. 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:44.279 And so it's clear who does the praising. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:47.919 But who they are speaking to is quite surprising. 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:51.320 While it's verse 10, the saints bless the Lord. 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:55.040 But actually the emphasis here seems to be speaking to one another. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:56.480 To other people. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.780 Did you see that in verse 4? 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:02.140 One generation shall commend your works to another. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.580 And verse 11. 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:06.280 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom. 00:14:06.400 --> 00:14:07.260 And tell of your power. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:10.060 To make known to the children of man. 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.780 Your mighty deeds. 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:14.399 And the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:18.059 And so we are not only to praise the Lord. 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.519 But we are to declare it to each other. 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:23.220 Which is quite a surprising thing. 00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:25.000 Because when we think about praise. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:28.539 Often we think of it in terms of the vertical dimension. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:30.279 It's just between me and God. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:33.659 But actually here and elsewhere in the Bible. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:36.240 Often the emphasis is on encouraging each other. 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:38.139 Even as we praise God. 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:41.059 And so whilst we are called to praise God. 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:44.019 The context here is within the corporate gathering. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:47.759 Encouraging each other as we praise God together. 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:50.279 Which is echoed in the New Testament. 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:53.199 As we are called to speak the truth in love to each other. 00:14:53.339 --> 00:14:55.279 And to teach and admonish each other. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:57.279 Through singing hymns and psalms. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:01.319 At Bible College we have an old chapel. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:06.559 Which we occasionally use for some of our chapel services. 00:15:06.859 --> 00:15:08.899 It's an old long building. 00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:12.519 With pews lined up against the wall on either side. 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:16.879 And so you are kind of sat there facing other people on the other side. 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:20.120 A bit like choir stores if you have been to an old Anglican church. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:22.860 Or a bit like the houses of parliament in the UK. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:26.919 But the idea is that you can see each other as you sing. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:29.379 And as you read out the liturgy. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.220 Now I always find it's a bit awkward. 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:37.639 When you sing and when you catch the eye of somebody else on the other side. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:41.560 But actually the architecture reflects the theological point here. 00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:44.039 We are called to sing to God. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.919 But also to each other. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:47.599 As encouragement. 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:52.639 Now I'm not advocating that you start looking around the room when you sing. 00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:55.099 But it wouldn't be a bad idea. 00:15:55.719 --> 00:15:57.799 Because there is something quite powerful. 00:15:58.179 --> 00:16:00.139 About seeing and hearing each other. 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:02.019 As we declare God's praises. 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.000 I remember a guy once. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:06.459 Who was belting out the song behind me. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:08.059 And he was slightly out of tune. 00:16:08.479 --> 00:16:10.459 Which actually was all the more encouraging to me. 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:14.060 Because it was clear that he was not trying to audition for the X Factor. 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:18.259 But he was trying to encourage his brothers and sisters. 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:24.019 And of course we can also declare God's greatness to each other when we're not

singing. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:27.200 Whether that's sharing with each other after church. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:29.900 This particular truth really encouraged me. 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:32.500 Or doing that in small groups during the week. 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:34.280 Or during a one-to-one catch-up. 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:40.060 This psalm reminds us that believers are people who speak about God. 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.040 All throughout the Bible. 00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:44.920 That is the mark of a genuinely converted believer. 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:48.300 Their tongues are loosened to declare God's greatness. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:51.139 As Peter and John say in the book of Acts. 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:55.019 We cannot but speak of what we have heard and seen. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:58.019 And so whether that's encouraging believers. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:00.120 Or proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers. 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:03.019 Let's keep spurring each other to do that. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:08.600 So we've seen we can praise the Lord because of his steadfast love. 00:17:09.179 --> 00:17:10.719 But now we come to our second reason. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:15.359 We can praise the Lord because of his kind preservation. 00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:19.279 We can praise the Lord because of his kind preservation. 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:23.759 Here comes the loudest point of the psalm. 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:26.679 We started off with the psalmist praising God. 00:17:27.179 --> 00:17:30.179 Who then summons all the saints to praise him. 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:33.080 But now the end in verse 21. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:39.000 The psalmist calls all flesh to bless his holy name forever and ever. 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:45.820 And the big reason that all people should praise him is because of his kind preservation. 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:48.060 Have a look at verse 14. 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:50.039 Verse 14. 00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:55.079 The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:59.559 The eyes of all look to you and you give them their food in due season. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.740 You open your hand. 00:18:01.899 --> 00:18:04.559 You satisfy the desire of every living thing. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:09.659 These verses here describe a general preservation of the world. 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:13.559 God sustains the universe by the word of his power. 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:17.119 And provides for people in a general sense. 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:23.119 It doesn't mean that God always provides for every single person at all times. 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:26.979 But it does mean that he provides indiscriminately. 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:33.559 He pours out his common grace on all humanity regardless of gender, class or ethnicity. 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:38.479 But the focus of the next few verses homes in on God's people. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.879 Have

a look at verse 18. 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:45.379 The Lord is near to all who call on him. 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:47.860 To all who call on him in truth. 00:18:49.100 --> 00:18:51.760 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him. 00:18:52.760 --> 00:18:54.720 He also hears their cry and saves them. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:57.740 The Lord preserves all who love him. 00:18:58.580 --> 00:19:00.460 But all the wicked he will destroy. 00:19:02.340 --> 00:19:07.620 And so God especially preserves his people who humble themselves before God. 00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:09.340 Who trust him and fear him. 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:14.079 But he does not promise believers a blank check. 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:20.559 In the same way that a wise parent does not give in to everything that a child desires. 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:25.779 But God will give us everything we need to sustain our faith. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.740 Verse 19. 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:32.119 The desires of those who fear him will be desires that please God. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:35.599 Desires that align with what God's word teaches. 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:40.619 And even if what God gives does not match our desires. 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:45.219 We can still trust that he knows what's best for us. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:51.480 I've been reading the biography of a Scottish missionary called John Payton recently. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:54.559 And honestly it's one of the best Christian biographies I've ever read. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:20:01.599 In 1858 John Payton travelled all the way from Scotland to the islands of the New Hebrides. 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:04.899 Or what is known as Vanuatu today in the South Pacific Ocean. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.039 John faced many threats. 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:09.659 Including savage cannibals on the island. 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:12.460 Malaria and rampant superstitious beliefs. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:20.039 And he describes one time when a wild chief was chasing him through the bush for four hours with a loaded gun. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:22.599 And John tries to speak kindly to him. 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:23.759 He tries to reason with him. 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:26.119 To talk him out of killing him. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:29.000 And you can see there he says, 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:32.559 Looking up in unceasing prayer to our dear Lord Jesus, 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:37.019 I left all in his hands and felt immortal till my work was done. 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:42.119 Without that abiding consciousness of the presence and power of my dear Lord and Saviour, 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:49.680 nothing else in all the world could have preserved me from losing my reason and perishing miserably. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:55.759 And that basically defined John Payton's life and ministry. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:21:01.500 Unceasing prayer and bold faith in God in defiance of all the odds. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:08.819 And amazingly, God restrained the hands of the wicked many times and preserved John's life. 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:16.619 Now the point isn't to say that God will always preserve our lives and rescue us out of every trouble we face. 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:22.479 But it is true that God will preserve and sustain our faith. 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:25.039 As long as we keep trusting in him. 00:21:25.679 --> 00:21:27.639 As long as we keep calling on him. 00:21:27.739 --> 00:21:28.339 Verse 18. 00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:30.679 He promises he will be near to us. 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:34.719 John knew the truth of these verses. 00:21:35.719 --> 00:21:36.719 And so he could praise. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:49.180 Friends, I wonder if you know that. 00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:50.759 How do you believe that? 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:55.660 How we have a God who has not only saved us in the past. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:22:00.660 But we have a God who will preserve us till the finish line. 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:04.500 Perhaps we're going through the valley ourselves. 00:22:05.560 --> 00:22:08.040 Perhaps it's been a season of trial and testing. 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:11.580 And you just don't feel like praising God in any way. 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.759 And while God sees you. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.320 And he understands. 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:18.460 And he calls us to go back to his word. 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:20.359 To remember who he is. 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:22.740 To remember his steadfast love. 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:27.240 To remember that he will preserve us till the end. 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:33.319 One way to keep remembering these things is simply to pray through this psalm. 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:36.159 Use it as a spark for your own thanksgiving. 00:22:37.379 --> 00:22:43.599 I think a couple of weeks back, Kevin mentioned in the sermon that the psalms often encourage us to talk to ourselves. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:45.379 To speak to our own souls. 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:48.500 To rouse our weary souls. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:51.839 Which is what verses 1 to 3 actually does. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:53.799 Have a look at verse 1. 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:56.339 I will extol you, my God and King. 00:22:57.319 --> 00:23:00.879 When I don't feel like praising God, I need to rouse myself to action. 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.419 Verse 2. 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:07.059 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.240 And again, verse 21. 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:12.399 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:14.080 The psalmist is rousing himself. 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.980 He's determined. 00:23:15.780 --> 00:23:18.340 Whatever he feels like to praise God. 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:24.740 So why not turn this psalm into your own prayer of thanksgiving this week. 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:29.580 Father, thank you so much for your steadfast love towards us in the Lord Jesus.

00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:31.460 Thank you for your grace and mercy. 00:23:32.060 --> 00:23:36.400 Thank you that you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:37.640 Verse 14. 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:40.600 Thank you that you uphold all those who are falling. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.100 And verse 18. 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:47.180 Thank you so much that you here, you are near to those who call upon you. 00:23:49.060 --> 00:23:50.920 And actually that's a great habit in general. 00:23:51.040 --> 00:23:52.380 As we read through the Bible. 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:56.000 Turning every line we read into prayer. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:02.640 George Whitefield, the great evangelist in the 18th century, called this habit reading the Bible on our knees. 00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:08.799 As we turn every line we read in the Bible into prayers of petition or thanksgiving. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:13.680 And as Kevin mentioned earlier, actually another helpful thing is to try journaling. 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:17.779 See if you can write down something at the end of the day. 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:20.659 A few things that you are thankful to God for. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:27.159 Whether that's little things or things that the Lord has been teaching you from his word. 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:32.980 And as the psalm ends, it lifts our eyes upwards and forwards. 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:38.560 David calls us to bless the Lord's holy name forever and ever. 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:42.640 And it's a picture of eternity in a way. 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:47.640 It is a picture of the new creation, the new world that God is drawing us towards. 00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:50.040 And where the praise will never end. 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:56.340 Because the praises of the saints will be the eternal anthem of heaven. 00:24:56.339 --> 00:25:01.839 We will be forever praising the Lord, praising the Lamb who was slain. 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:08.579 And so our praises now are a dim reflection of this perfected praise in eternity. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.240 And that is what we were made for. 00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:13.980 It is our heart's deepest desire. 00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:21.659 Whether we know it or not, to magnify the Lord, to adore him, to give thanks to him for his mighty works in Jesus. 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:26.660 If you're not trusting in Jesus, yes, perhaps this is news to you. 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:29.440 That following Jesus is about knowing him. 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:32.120 It is about being in a relationship with him. 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.820 That is not being good enough. 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.800 Or being a better person. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:40.420 Jesus does not need us to work for him. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:47.080 But he simply wants our hearts, our praise, as a grateful response to what he has already done for us. 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:53.900 If we are trusting in Jesus here, as we praise God now, during the highs and the lows, 00:25:54.380 --> 00:26:00.720 individually or corporately, in song or in speech, in prayer or in one another encouragement, 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:05.299 let us do that with our hearts fixed on eternity. 00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:08.200 One of my favorite hymns has these words, 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.579 I long to be where the praise is never ending. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:13.660 I yearn to dwell where the glory never fades. 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:16.720 Where countless worshippers will share one song. 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:20.559 And cries of worthy will honor the Lamb. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:24.000 What a glorious hope we have, right? 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:28.220 And so even as we praise the Lord imperfectly now, 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:35.120 let us long and yearn for that final day when our praise will be perfected. 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:38.819 And as we journey on in our earthly pilgrimage, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:43.839 let us keep opening our mouths in praise because of the Lord's steadfast love 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:46.799 and because of his kind preservation. 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:50.259 Verse 8, the Lord is gracious and merciful, 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:54.240 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:58.819 And verse 20, the Lord preserves all who love him, 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:01.259 but all the wicked he will destroy. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:04.940 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:10.259 and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.460 Let's pray together. 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:18.120 Father, we thank you so much that you are worthy of all our praise 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:21.940 because of your steadfast love towards us in sending your son 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:24.579 and because of your kind preservation. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:28.279 Please would you give us thankful hearts each day, 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:31.880 hearts which delight in praising you in song, in prayer, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.200 in our words to each other. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:36.620 And help us even when we don't feel like that. 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.559 Draw us back to your word. 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:43.480 And please would you energize our hearts and fix our rise on that glorious day 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:46.480 when our praise will finally be perfected. 00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:49.379 And we ask all of these things in Jesus' name. 00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:50.200 Amen.