[0:00] Turn in your Bibles to Psalm chapter 31. Psalm chapter 31.
[0:20] As we've been going through the Psalms, this has probably been one of the more edifying series of Scripture that we've gotten to go through in my time here at Highland Park. It's just been evident that Pastor Mike has been guided by the Spirit as he's been choosing the Psalms that he exposits.
[0:37] And, you know, every time I read through the Bible, the Psalms is always one of my favorite portions of Scripture to get to. I get excited when it's time to read through the Psalms again.
[0:48] Because in the Psalms, what you see is the full breadth of the human experience colliding with the worship of God. You see David vent the full breadth of his emotions.
[1:02] There's nothing that is hidden in what David is writing. But in every Psalm, despite the fact that David is just airing everything that is on his heart, there's still worship.
[1:14] There is still adoration of God as he is proclaiming these things, as he is crying out to God with the afflictions that he's dealing with. And all through these Psalms, we truly do see ourselves in these struggles that David is going through.
[1:29] We see our own struggles. If we're honest, I think we've all dealt with sin. We've all dealt with unrepentant sin that's just eaten away at us. We've all struggled with the throes of depression.
[1:42] We have all been on the mountaintop of joy and delight. And we've all been through the valley as well. In all of these times, though, we need to know how to glorify God.
[1:59] How to worship him in every season, in every affliction that we are going through. Because he is always worthy of our worship. You know, as we see David's story, as we see his thoughts and his heart in these Psalms, as we read through 1 and 2 Samuel, what we see is the same thing that we see in our own stories.
[2:20] And it's that what has sustained David is not anything that he's done. What has sustained David is the same thing that sustains us.
[2:31] And that is the goodness and the steadfast love and mercy of God. On the Psalm that we're studying today, we see that the psalmist is struggling through a low point in his life again.
[2:47] David is very much expressing a lament over his current circumstances, whatever the predicament might be. But he is still resting in God's steadfast love and presence.
[3:01] And I think it's important for us to remember that God's steadfast love in this life, it doesn't mean the absence of storms. It just means that we have a place of refuge in that storm.
[3:15] You know, I think for those of us that have grown up in Oklahoma, that have been here for several years, I think that we can all relate to various tornado stories. I think that all of us know people who have had some pretty dreadful stories.
[3:30] And I think all of us have our own stories of hunkering down in a bunker while you hear the song of our people howling over the loudspeakers in town. But as you hear these interviews, as you hear these stories of people that have lost during this storm, maybe they've lost their home or their possessions, but they were safe inside the shelter.
[3:51] You never hear them coming out of the shelter, blaming the shelter for the losses that have been inflicted on them. No, they're rejoicing. Because what is most important has walked out of that shelter alive to live another day.
[4:07] And we see the same thing in God as our shelter. What is most important, our hope, our eternal joy, is being preserved.
[4:18] Another truth that we're going to take note of in this psalm today is that repentance also doesn't mean the absence of earthly consequences. But it does mean that God's grace will have the final say-so in our lives.
[4:36] We also see in David's lament that our most honest praise sometimes comes from a place of brokenness.
[4:47] Because for the faithful, it is when we are broken that we are forced to lean on our unbreakable God, something that we know is not going to be shaken by the afflictions and the trials in our lives.
[5:04] So if you would, I want to read Psalm 31. This is a rather lengthy psalm, but it warrants reading the whole thing.
[5:14] So if you all would, let's stand together as we read God's word. Psalm 31. In you, O Lord, do I take refuge.
[5:26] Let me never be put to shame in your righteousness. Deliver me. Incline your ear to me. Rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
[5:41] For you are my rock and my fortress. And for your name's sake, lead me and guide me. You take me out of the net they have hidden for me.
[5:52] You are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. I hate those who pay worthless regards to idols.
[6:05] But I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in the steadfast love. Because you have seen my affliction. You have known the distress of my soul.
[6:16] And you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy. You have set my feet in a broad place. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress.
[6:27] My eye is wasted from grief. My soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity and my bones waste away.
[6:42] Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors. And an object of dread to my acquaintances. Those who see me in the street flee from me.
[6:53] I have been forgotten like one who is dead. I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many, terror on every side. As they scheme together against me.
[7:06] As they plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O Lord. I say, you are my God. My times are in your hand.
[7:18] Rescue me from the hand of the enemies from my persecutors. Make your face shine on your servant. Save me in your steadfast love. O Lord, let me not be put to shame.
[7:31] For I call upon you. Let the wicked be put to shame. Let them go silently to Sheol. Let the lying lips be mute. Which speak insolently against the righteous.
[7:42] In pride and contempt. O how abundant is your goodness. Which you have stored up for those who fear you. And worked for those who take refuge in you.
[7:53] In the sight of the children of mankind. In the cover of your presence you hide them. From the plots of men. You store them in your shelter. From the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord.
[8:05] For he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me. When I was in a besieged city. I said in my alarm. I am cut off from your sight. But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
[8:19] When I cried to you for help. Love the Lord. All you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful. But abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
[8:30] Be strong. And let your heart take courage. All you who wait for the Lord. This is the word of the Lord. You may have a seat. The main idea.
[8:45] Of our text today is. God's goodness. Is our only source of hope. God's goodness. Is our only source of hope. You know in Psalm 31.
[8:57] It has this recurring theme. That we see in other Psalms. And that we see throughout scripture. That God's goodness. Is the only hope for sinners. Despite the fact that.
[9:09] That David's life seems to be falling apart. You know we see him all the more. Throwing himself on the goodness of God. Because he knows. That God is faithful. He is faithful to his promises.
[9:22] That his mercies are new every morning. And that his steadfast love endures forever. These are things about God. That do not change. Despite our earthly afflictions.
[9:33] Despite our circumstances. God does not change. And that is something. That we can always throw ourselves on. David's story. Is not about being an overcomer.
[9:44] But about being overcome. By the grace of an eternally good God. In anything. David's story. Like I said earlier. It's our story. Which is that we would be.
[9:56] Hopelessly. Lost. Were it not for God's grace. God's goodness. So today we're going to look at three ways. That God's goodness.
[10:07] Manifests itself. In our life. The first one is this. God's goodness. Is our refuge. God's goodness is our refuge.
[10:20] And again. As we look at this psalm. David is. Obviously in a rough spot here. As I read this psalm. You know we see in verse 10. That David is also reflecting.
[10:31] On some sin in his life. On some iniquity. That is before him. And when you look back on his life. After his affair. With Bathsheba. God told David.
[10:43] Through the prophet Nathan. That the sword. Would never leave. His house. And we see the fulfillment. Of that prophecy. All through. The rest of David's life.
[10:55] Just to kind of give you. A brief. Rundown. Synopsis. Of the rest of David's life. Even after he repented. We see that. His daughter Tamar. Was raped by her brother.
[11:06] Amnon. After David's silence. On the matter. Amnon is killed. In an act of revenge. By his brother. Absalom. Absalom. Is then forced to flee. Into exile.
[11:17] And upon Absalom's return. To Israel. He stages a coup. And tries to get David. Thrown off of the throne. Ultimately. This leads to a civil war.
[11:27] Which leads to Absalom's death. And after this. David's kingdom. Is yet divided again. By Sheba's rebellion. War breaks out. With the Philistines again. David takes an unlawful census.
[11:39] That leads to the death. Of 70,000 men. Finally. Even when David. Is on his deathbed. When he's days away. From passing away. David deals yet again.
[11:51] With another rebellion. His son Adonijah. seeks to establish himself. As king. Over Solomon. And even wins the loyalty. Of David's trusted followers. So. As David is.
[12:03] Dealing with all these tragedies. In his life. I just have to wonder. If he's thinking back. To those words. From Nathan. The consequences.
[12:15] Of his iniquities. When he says things like this. In verse 10. My strength. Fails. Because of my iniquity. So.
[12:25] Our sins. They have earthly consequences. But because of God's goodness. Because his goodness. Is not affected by the evil. In the world. Because God is just as merciful.
[12:38] As he is wrathful. We have hope. We know. That these sins. That the consequences of our sins. They are not going to have the final say. In our life.
[12:48] Our hope for eternity. Is not shaken. So because of that. I want to point out two. Truths. About this hope. That we have. About why we can call.
[12:59] On God. In the midst of our afflictions. Even if these afflictions. Are because of sin. In our life. Why we can still. Call on God. And the first is this. That God is still.
[13:09] Our deliverer. David asked. The Lord. To deliver him. David. David has seen. God's deliverance.
[13:20] First hand. In his life. Time and time. Again. And he knows. That there is nothing. Too great. For God. To deliver him from. And we see similar pleas.
[13:31] Throughout the Psalms. In Psalm 40. Verses 9 and 10. Says. I have told. The glad news. Of deliverance. In the great congregation. Behold.
[13:41] I have not restrained. My lips. As you know. Oh Lord. I have not hidden. Your deliverance. Within my heart. I have spoken. Of your faithfulness. And your salvation. I have not concealed.
[13:53] Your steadfast love. And your faithfulness. From the great. Congregation. Too many times. In David's life. God has shown himself. Faithful.
[14:08] And David continues. To throw himself. On the mercies. Of God. God. David may be caught. In the toils of life. And he may be dealing. With the consequences. Of his sin here.
[14:19] But he knows. That God. Is still mighty. To save. But he said. Something interesting. He said. In your righteousness. Deliver me. In your righteousness.
[14:30] Deliver me. David is trying. To tie God's. Deliverance. To his righteousness. And this is why. God is too. Righteous.
[14:41] He is too holy. To allow sin. To have the final say. In the life. Of his saints. Now does that speak. To earthly deliverance.
[14:53] Not necessarily. Not all the time. The sword. Never left. David's family. And the rest of his life. He was dealing. With the consequences. Of that one sin. That he had.
[15:03] With Bathsheba. But David did know. That one day. God would deliver him. That in spite of all. That he was suffering. God was still good.
[15:14] And worthy. Of his worship. And we know that. In spite of all. That we suffer. That there is something. Greater waiting for us. As well. That we can look forward to. In the midst of our afflictions.
[15:25] TJ read this passage earlier. I want to read it again. Romans 8. Verses 18 through 21. Says. For I consider. That the sufferings. Of this present time. Are not worth comparing.
[15:35] With the glory. That is to be revealed to us. For the creation. Waits with eager longing. For the revealing. Of the sons of God. For the creation. Was subjected to futility.
[15:46] Not willingly. But because of him. Who subjected it. In hope. That the creation itself. Will be set free. From its bondage. To corruption. And obtain the freedom.
[15:57] Of the glory. Of the children of God. What this passage is saying. Is that brokenness. Comes with suffering.
[16:07] Living in a broken world. Comes with afflictions. But our deliverance. Is also coming. And it will be well.
[16:17] Worth the wait. When we get to the other side. And are glorified. God is still our deliverer. He is still the only person. That we can call to. And that's why I want to point out.
[16:30] The second truth. And that's this. That God hears us. David says in verse 2. Incline your ear to me. Rescue me speedily.
[16:42] Be a rock of refuge for me. A strong fortress. To save me. When we pray. These are not just empty words.
[16:53] This is not just wishful thinking. On our part. When we are lifting up. Our request to God. God hears. The pleas of his saints.
[17:04] Here's a few passages. That speak to this. First John 5.14. Says. And this is the confidence. That we have toward him. That if we ask anything. According to his will.
[17:15] He hears us. Psalm 34.17. When the righteous cry for help. The Lord hears. And delivers them out of their troubles.
[17:28] Proverbs 15.29. The Lord is far from the wicked. But he hears. The prayers of the righteous. These are just a few of the verses.
[17:39] That speak to the fact. That God hears our prayers. He hears our pleas. So are you suffering today? Are you in a place of affliction.
[17:50] In your life? Have you cried out to God? And if the answer to that is yes. Then my encouragement to you is this. God hears you.
[18:02] He sees you. He has heard your pleas. And he is still. Your deliverer. So what is our response.
[18:15] To the God of refuge. It's simply this. Commit yourself to the goodness of God. In verse five. David said this.
[18:26] Into your hand. I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me. Oh Lord. Faithful God. You can trust God.
[18:36] There is no one else to trust. In your afflictions. There is no one else to trust. People have tried to use God's sovereignty. As an excuse to blame him. For all the things that are going wrong.
[18:48] In your life. But the truth is. If God is really sovereign. Which he is. There is no one else. That you can turn to. How could you not trust him? David knew this full well.
[19:00] In verse 15. He said. My times. Are in your hand. I love that phrase. I love that verse. My times. Are in your hand.
[19:13] What that's saying. Is that there is not a day. In your life. That is going to catch God off guard. There is not a circumstance. That you are facing. That he is not already working out.
[19:25] For your good. You may not see it yet. You may not know. How these things are working out. For your good. And God's glory. But you can hang on.
[19:38] To that promise. From your scripture. That whatever God. Is working out. That it's going to be. According to his righteousness. And for your good. Now the second.
[19:49] Point here. The way that God. Manifests his goodness. In our life. Is that God's goodness. Is our restoration. His goodness. Is our restoration. You know.
[19:59] As you read through the scripture. You see David. Lamenting over the host. Of unrighteous enemies. Around him. Those who would. Like to see. David's downfall. And David.
[20:10] Is yet again. Feeling the weight. Of his sin. And the prophecy. Of Nathan. In his life. That the sword. Would never leave his house. Well. The good news though. For every saint.
[20:20] That falls into sin. Is that God forgives. And God restores. Now again. Does this mean. That restoration. Negates all earthly consequences. Not necessarily.
[20:31] David's sin. With Bathsheba. Had a lifetime. Of consequences. But David. Was never. Cut off. From God. He never left. God's sight. As a matter of fact.
[20:43] All throughout. The Old Testament. As you're reading. Through the history. Of the kings. You hear this. Phrase. Repeated. That because. Of my servant. David. In other words.
[20:55] Because of the promise. That he made. To David. That he would build him. An everlasting kingdom. That God was going to maintain. David's line. In Israel. David was never.
[21:07] Cut off. From God's sight. David knew this. Full well. And even though. Yes. His earthly blessings. Were strained. The eternal blessing. Knowing that he was in God's sight.
[21:18] Gave him joy. In every circumstance. In every affliction. He had that joy. That sustained him. And that led him. Through these difficult times. Now the beauty of repentance.
[21:35] Is this. Is that the God. That we have offended. Is also the God. That presents himself. As our salvation. The God. That we owe a debt to. Is the God.
[21:46] That is showing himself. As the source. Of our restoration. If we just come to him. If we just repent. As David has done. I want to point out.
[21:58] Two traits. Of genuine repentance. The first is this. That our hearts. Will break. Because of our sin. If we are.
[22:09] Genuinely. Repentant. Our hearts. Will be broken. Because of our sin. When sin. Is allowed. To reign. Unchecked. In a believer's life. By our very actions. What we are doing.
[22:20] Is that we are. Separating ourselves. From the joy. That should come. From an obedient. Lifestyle. To God. God has a desire. For his saints. To live in a way. That reflects.
[22:31] His holiness. And when we remove. Ourself. From that trajectory. God is not going. To honor that. In our lives. Verses. Nine and ten. Again. Says. Be gracious.
[22:42] To me. Oh Lord. For I am in distress. My eye. Is wasted. From grief. My soul. And my body. Also. For my life. Is spent. With sorrow.
[22:52] And my years. With sighing. My strength. Fails. Because of my iniquity. And my bones. Waste. Away. Listen.
[23:03] Your heart. Belongs. To the Lord. If you are one of his saints. Your heart. Belongs. To him. And when you. Received. That spirit. Of adoption. That grief.
[23:14] You feel. Over your sin. That's the Holy Spirit. Working in your life. That is God. Calling you back. As Pastor Mike. Said a couple of weeks ago. That's God. Making you miserable. Over your sin.
[23:25] I thought that was a good way. To put that. God is convicting you. To call you back. To restore you. To a right relationship. With him. In Psalm.
[23:38] 119. 75 and 76. Says this. I know. Oh Lord. That your rules. Are righteous. And that in faithfulness. You have afflicted me.
[23:49] I like that line. In faithfulness. You have afflicted me. Your steadfast love. Comfort me. According to your promise. To your servant. You know.
[24:02] In our. Household. One thing. That has always been. Kind of humbling. For me. To observe. Is when our kids. Have crossed the line.
[24:12] One too many times. And it's. You know. Time to bring down. The hammer of justice. I love watching my wife. Take care of this. And I'll tell you why.
[24:25] She. She has a way. Of making it very clear. To our kids. You've messed up. Like you've done. The wrong thing here. And it's time. For justice. And then after justice.
[24:35] Has been served. After she has called down. Fire from heaven. On our poor children. She says. Now give me a hug. And you know what.
[24:45] It always ends that way. The kids come in. And they. They get snuggles. From mama. They know. That they are loved. Yes. They know. They've messed up. But they also know. At the same time. They've been restored.
[24:56] Mama still loves them. Mama's got a fire extinguisher. For the. Fire. She just called down. From on them. And it's amazing. To watch that. But in the same way. That's really what God does.
[25:07] For us. Whenever he is calling us. To repentance. In 2nd Corinthians 7 10. It says. For godly grief. Produces a repentance. That leads to salvation.
[25:18] Without regret. Whereas worldly grief. Produces. Death. God's discipline. Is meant to reflect.
[25:30] His righteousness. And his faithfulness. God. And it is also meant. To bring restoration. To his children. This brings up.
[25:42] The next. Point. Of genuine repentance. Is that. Our hearts. Will find. Joy. In the Lord. Again. Through genuine repentance.
[25:52] Our hearts. Will find joy. In the Lord. Again. In the life. Of a true believer. Sin. Is going. To bring shame. Where there was once joy. We see that.
[26:03] In the very first sin. In the garden of Eden. Where Adam and Eve. Used to walk. Side by side. With God. In the garden. Their sin. Had led them. To hide. From the God. In shame. The God.
[26:14] That they used. To enjoy. This fellowship. With. Genuine repentance. Is going to produce. A joy. For the things. Of God. Again. We have seen.
[26:25] David. At his high points. We have seen him. At his low points. And in those low points. They were really low. Just a complete. Disregard. For the things. Of God. But in a psalm.
[26:37] Like this. Where we have seen. That he has expressed. Genuine repentance. We see a restoration. Of his joy. In the Lord. If you go back. And read verse 8.
[26:47] Again. He says. You have put my feet. In a spacious. Place. David. David still has. Full.
[26:58] Confidence. In the Lord. He is. Secure. Knowing. That God. Still loves him. And that God. Has not. Abandoned him. To death.
[27:08] And to the consequences. Of his sin. This is a theme. That you see. All throughout the psalms. There is joy. When we are living. As God's saints.
[27:18] When we are living. In a right standing. With the Lord. That is how we have. That abundant life. That has been promised to us. Through joyful obedience. In Psalm.
[27:30] Chapter 1. Verses 1 through 3. It says. Blessed is the man. Who walks. Not in the counsel. Of the wicked. Nor stands in the way. Of sinners. Nor sits in the seat. Of scoffers.
[27:40] But his delight. Is in the law. Of the Lord. And on his law. He meditates. Day and night. He is like a tree. Planted.
[27:51] By streams of water. That yields. Its fruit. In its season. And its leaf. Does not wither. And all that he does. He prospers. So David is expressing.
[28:03] That same joy. In this psalm. When you look at the language. That he's used. Whenever he turns. From lamenting. To worshiping. He says. I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice.
[28:15] And be glad. In your steadfast love. Even though. David is still living. Through the consequences. Of his sin. He is still able.
[28:25] To experience. The joy. Of the Lord. So what is our response. To this. In our affliction. Even. When we're enduring.
[28:35] The consequences. Of sin. What we must do. Is that we must trust. In the goodness. Of God. We must trust. In the goodness. Of God. In our trials.
[28:45] And afflictions. God is still good. Church. What does it look like. To trust. In God's goodness. A couple of things. If your affliction.
[28:56] Is due to sin. Then the answer. Is genuine repentance. That's how we trust. In God's goodness. We have this promise. From scripture. In first. John one. Nine. If we confess. Our sins. He is faithful.
[29:06] And just to forgive us. Of our sins. And to cleanse us. From all. Unrighteousness. I said earlier. That because God is good.
[29:17] He will not allow sin. To have the final say. In the lives of his saints. And this is how. There's no unrighteousness. That God cannot cleanse us from. There is no sin. That he will not forgive us.
[29:29] Through the gift. Of God's. Goodness. We have repentance. And it's made clear. That we can be made clean.
[29:40] Through that gift. And how do you trust. In the goodness of God. If these trials. Are not due to your sin. Necessarily. Because there's some of us.
[29:52] In here that. It might just seem like. Life has dealt you. A sour hand. Where there's really. No explanation. For the things. That you are going through. You can trust.
[30:05] In God's goodness. By resting in his sovereignty. David said this. He said. My times. Are in your hands. I've witnessed.
[30:15] Several people. Going through difficult times. In this church. We've had several church members. That have been dealing. With. Sicknesses. Like cancer. We've had church members.
[30:26] That. Have dealt with. Unexpected tragedies. And every time. I talk to these people. They say something. Akin to the statement.
[30:37] That we just read here. My times are in your hands. They know that God. Is still good. Even though. Their circumstances. May not seem. Good. They know. That God.
[30:48] Is good. And they are trusting. In God. To act out of his goodness. In their lives. What's even more humbling. Is their desire.
[30:59] To still be effective. For God's kingdom. When they're the ones. That are suffering. They've asked for prayer. That they'd be a witness. To their doctors. And nurses. Or. Whenever they're going. Through the loss. Of a loved one.
[31:09] And they know. That there's family. That's coming in. That's not saved. They ask to be a witness. To those. That are around them. That's how you trust. In God's goodness.
[31:20] In your afflictions. You know. That God. Is still good. That he is still sovereign. And he is not done. With you. And this leads.
[31:31] To the third. Manifestation. Of God's goodness. In our lives. God's goodness. Is our cause. For rejoicing. God's goodness.
[31:43] Is our cause. For rejoicing. In our trials. We can be tempted. To withhold our praise.
[31:56] Because we want. To rejoice. In our circumstances. We want to see. Tangible. You know. Proof of God's goodness. In our lives. So when things. Don't seem to be. Pointing towards that.
[32:06] The temptation can be. To withhold our praise. And our adoration. Of God. We're so focused. On the things. That go wrong. That we forget.
[32:16] That there is a good God. That is still. In complete. Control. Of everything. This is why. I love. The psalms. The psalmist.
[32:26] Afflictions. That they are very real. His anguish. In this life. Is real. But in every psalm. There is still. This theme. Of praise. There is still. This theme. Of praise. And worship.
[32:37] Of a good God. Who is transcending. All of the circumstances. That the psalmist. Is talking about. There is still. Worship. Taking place. This. I wish.
[32:48] I could say. That the theme. Of my prayer life. And my prayer journal entries. Has been this. All the time. That's why. I like reading. The psalms. Because it reminds me.
[32:58] That I need to be. Worshipping. In my times of grief. In my times of sorrow. That I need to be. Praising. That I need to be. Looking to God. Resting in the assurance. That God is still good.
[33:08] He still holds my days. In his hands. And I. Can entrust. My spirit. To him. The greatest lie. That Satan. Will tempt you. To believe.
[33:19] In your afflictions. Is that maybe. God. Isn't good. That is the greatest lie. That Satan. Is going to tempt you. To believe. When you are going.
[33:29] Through these difficult seasons. In your life. That maybe God. Isn't good. You know. We were just talking. About temptation.
[33:40] With our children. The other night. We were going. Through the story. Of Jesus. And his temptation. In the wilderness. And it is. When we are. At our weakest point. That Satan. Is going to levy. His attacks against us.
[33:51] Where he will feed us. These lies. It is in our most desperate times. That Satan will offer us. What seems to be. An easy way out. Of our trials. And afflictions. And it is in these times.
[34:04] That we must rely. On the word of God. God's word. Is the source of truth. For every circumstance. And it will constantly.
[34:15] Remind us. Of God's worthiness. Of our worship. When we were having family. Bible time. The other night. When we were talking. About temptation. I asked the question. After we got done. Reading the story.
[34:25] Of Jesus temptation. How do we fight temptation? How do we fight. The lies. Of the devil. To which Skyler. Simply said. We need to read the Bible. And she's right.
[34:39] In a world of lies. Where the greatest deceiver. Is trying to lead you astray. There is no greater thing. That we can do for ourselves. Than to arm ourselves. With the truth of God's word. Psalm 119.
[34:52] Verses 25 to 28. David said this. My soul clings to the dust. Give me life. According to your word. When I told of my ways.
[35:04] You answered me. Teach me. Your statutes. Make me understand. The way of your precepts. And I will meditate. On your wondrous works. My soul melts away.
[35:17] For sorrow. Strengthen me. According to your word. There is no greater reminder. Of God's goodness.
[35:27] In our lives. And in our afflictions. Than God's word. God's word. The only way. To keep Satan. From speaking the lies. Through our trials.
[35:37] Is to constantly invest. The word of the Lord. Into our hearts. And his word. Tells me. That no matter what. Satan in this world. Can inflict on me. That God is still good.
[35:48] He is still on his throne. And he can be trusted. Nahum. 1 7. Says that the Lord. Is good. A stronghold.
[35:59] In the day of trouble. He knows those. Who take refuge in him. Church. The Lord is good. And my hope. Is that rejoicing.
[36:11] Will be your anthem. Through the trials. In your life. Not just on the other side. Of your trials. But in the midst of them.
[36:23] That God's goodness. Would be. Your place. Of refuge. That it would be. Your foundation. Of joy. In any time. Of affliction. And that also.
[36:33] His goodness. Will be your hope. And repentance. As well. The final response. That we'll look at. Today. Is this. Love the Lord. Because you are preserved.
[36:46] Preserved. By the goodness. Of God. Verse 23. After saying. All these things. This is how David. Ends his. Psalm.
[36:57] He says. Love the Lord. All you his saints. For the Lord. Preserves. The faithful. But abundantly. Repays. The one. Who acts in pride. Be strong. And let your heart.
[37:08] Take courage. All of you. Who wait. For the Lord. That's our response. To this. To love. The Lord. I can't tell you.
[37:19] How easy it is. For our love. To grow cold. How easy it is. For us to. Forget that it is. God who is preserving us. Through all of these times. It is God.
[37:32] Who is upholding us. With his strong. And mighty. Right hand. Church. You may be tempted. To let your trials. Draw your heart. From the Lord. But it's through. Our difficult times.
[37:42] That we can draw near. To God. In a way that we never. Could. Otherwise. So love.
[37:52] The Lord. Learn to do it now. In the good times. Don't wait. For trials to come. To learn. How to trust in God. Trials are not going. To strengthen a faith.
[38:03] That wasn't there. In the first place. So learn. To trust. The Lord. Now. Love him. Now. And when these times. Of hardship.
[38:14] Come on you. You will be able. To experience. And see. And rest. In the goodness of God. I want to end our time together. A little differently.
[38:24] With this. Christ connection. And it's this. That God's goodness. Is manifested. In Christ. God's goodness.
[38:36] Is manifested. In Christ. David. Was a man. Who knew what it was. To sin against a holy God.
[38:47] He also knew. What it meant. To receive grace. And restoration. That's why David said. In verse five. Into your hands. I commit my spirit. You have redeemed me.
[38:58] Oh Lord. Faithful God. David knew. The mercies of the Lord. Were greater. Than his afflictions. And we see. A greater image. Of this goodness. On the cross.
[39:09] In Christ. Jesus. For in Christ. We see God's. Innocent son. Besieged. And surrounded. By enemies. On the cross. Suffering affliction. That wasn't due him.
[39:19] So that we could receive. Grace and mercy. Through him. And at the height. Of his suffering. He cried out. In a loud voice. Father. Into your hands.
[39:30] I commit my spirit. Luke 23. Verse 46. Jesus. Knowing that part of God's goodness. Is his wrath on sin. That needed to be satisfied.
[39:40] And yet he still. Cried out these words. On the cross. Jesus embodies. The goodness of God. By receiving. The wrath. That was due us. That we. Deserved.
[39:51] So that we could receive. The mercy. That we could never earn. Where David. Pleaded. With God. To act according. To his righteousness. Jesus.
[40:03] Was made sin. For our sake. So that we could become. The righteousness. Of God. Second Corinthians. 521. When David cried out. In verse 22.
[40:14] I am cut off. From your sight. Only to receive. God's mercy. Jesus cried out. From the cross. My God. Why have you forsaken me? Only to receive.
[40:26] God's wrath. In our place. In verse 7. David rejoiced. In the Lord. For seeing his affliction. In Isaiah.
[40:38] 53. 4. Says. About Jesus. Surely he has borne. Our griefs. And carried our sorrows. Jesus is the fulfillment. Of everything.
[40:48] That he hoped for. Of everything. That he prayed for. And he is still the one. That we can look to today. To constantly remind us. Of the goodness of God.
[41:01] To the lost. That are here today. I know I have said this. Many times. But I want to say it again. That God is good. And you can experience. That goodness.
[41:11] Through faith. In Jesus. Your sins. Can be washed away. You can receive salvation. And be restored. Through a relationship.
[41:22] With Jesus Christ. To the saints here. That are burdened with sin. God's goodness. Restores. His goodness.
[41:36] Brings healing. God still loves you. He can forgive you. There is not a time. Where God is going to say. I am done with you. You can repent. You can be made clean.
[41:47] From all unrighteousness. That is the promise. That God. Makes to us. As believers. That is the promise. That David clung to. In these times. Of affliction. So trust in the goodness.
[41:58] Of God. He is able to cleanse. And make right. As we pray today. The altar is open. If you are.
[42:09] Someone that is lost. And you want to experience. The goodness of God. Through the forgiveness. Of sin. And a right standing. With him. The altar is open today.
[42:22] Come and talk to me. Come and talk to one of the elders. Of the Sunday school teachers today. We want to tell you. How you can be made right. Through Christ. The same thing.
[42:33] If you are a saint. If you are somebody. That has been born again. Through faith in Christ. And you are struggling with sin. Maybe you are dealing. With the afflictions. Of a sin.
[42:43] That you have already repented of. Just like David was. In this psalm. The altar is open. For you to cry out to God. For you to throw yourself. On the goodness of his mercies.
[42:54] His grace. And to rest in the promise. That he is still good. He still loves you. His face still shines upon you. Let's pray. Father.
[43:11] As this psalm. Has constantly. Reminded us. You are good. And we know that because.
[43:22] You are good. Yes Lord. There is wrath for sin. But because you are good as well. There is mercy. There is grace. For sin. And Lord. I pray for those here today.
[43:33] That have never experienced that grace. I pray that today. Would be the day of salvation. That they would come today. That they would place their faith.
[43:44] And trust. In Jesus Christ. Knowing that he is the only way. The truth and the life. To be with you Lord. Lord for those here.
[43:56] That have been reborn. That are your children. Lord I pray. That you would be their place of refuge. In the midst of their trials. And afflictions.
[44:07] I pray that they would find rest. In you. Knowing that you restore. Knowing that you preserve. That you provide. Lord we thank you for your goodness.
[44:20] Lord it's for all these things. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. Thank you.