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The Faithful Focus · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

• 0:00
  Psalm 71.
• 0:04
  And over the next few weeks I hope to make our way through Psalm 71.
• 0:08
  Tonight we'll give our attention to the first section up to verse mark 11.
• 0:16
  Psalm 71 is a special psalm to many of us.
• 0:22
  I appreciate it as we read through it there.
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  The words are solemn.
• 0:27
  The words are thoughtful.
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  And it is thought provoking for us to come and read and consider what the psalmist is saying in it.
• 0:37
  As we read through it we can pick up that the psalmist experiences this vicious attack from the devil.
• 0:44
  The psalmist is in this most difficult of places.
• 0:48
  And he feels like he is also vulnerable.
• 0:52
  And yet as we go through it and we follow with his experience we find glimpses where he has joy.
• 0:59
  And he praises the God and his Lord.
• 1:03
  And as we look through this psalm together there is faith that undergirds it.
• 1:10
  There is his own faith and trust in his Lord.
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  And there is the Lord's faithfulness to his people and to the psalmist.
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  Now this psalm it is debated whether David wrote it.
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  David wrote the majority of the psalms.
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  But I don't think they are not too sure whether this is entirely his work.
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  There are parts from it.
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  From other psalms in its construction.
• 1:35
  But regardless of who wrote it.
• 1:39
  While we read through it we can understand that it is an elderly person that is writing it.
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  Or someone who is in old age.
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  If you go to verse 9.
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  It says there do not cast me off in the time of old age.
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  If you go to verse 18.
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  It is more of that.
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  So even to old age and grey hair.
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  O God do not forsake me.
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  This believer.
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  Psalmist.
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  Writer.
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  He has walked the narrow path.
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  He has followed the Christian way for many years.
• 2:15
  But if you look at the title of the psalm.
• 2:17
  If you have the ESV version.
• 2:19
  It will have a title to it.
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  It says forsake me not when my strength is spent.
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  The psalmist.
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  All his strength has gone.
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  There is nothing left to give.
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  He is running on empty.
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  As it were.
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  The faithful believer is facing the greatest trials.
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  And afflictions of his life.
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  And personal battles.
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  And through this psalm.
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  We are led into his experience.
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  Of what he is going through.
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  When he is just holding on.
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  When he says.
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  I am beat.
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  But I am still.
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  Holding on.
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  To my Lord.
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  He still has faith.
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  In his Lord.
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  And this is a.
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  Great lament.
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  Of the psalmist.
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  He cries out to God.
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  With the sorrows of his soul.
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  And we can imagine.
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  Like a crying child.
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  They cry out.
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  It is as simple as this.
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  Mommy or daddy.
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  They make that cry.
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  And.
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  No one else will do.
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  Until they are comforted.
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  By.
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  Their mother.
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  Or their father.
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  Until they feel that hand.
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  Until they hear.
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  That voice.
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  Comforting it.
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  And as we go through our lives.
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  We are faced with.
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  So many different challenges.
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  And afflictions.
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  Tribulations.
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  That's a reality.
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  Of our lives.
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  And we.
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  Often cry.
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  To God.
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  Because we don't know what to do.
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  Cry in the anguish.
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  Of our souls.
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  And we turn.
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  Like the psalmist here.
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  Oh Lord.
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  And.
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  I would be a fool.
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  If I was.
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  To say that.
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  If you became a Christian.
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  Or if you are a Christian.
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  Your.
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  Your life will be.
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  Without tests.
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  And trials.
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  That would be a lie.
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  For often the Christian.
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  Is afflicted.
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  In.
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  Many.
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  And.
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  Greater ways.
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  As.
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  Those who do not believe.
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  In the Lord.
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  But they have.
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  Someone to go with them.
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  Through it.
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  And to lead them through it.
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  They have the good shepherd.
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  To guide them through it.
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  Even if it is the valley.
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  Of the shadow of death.
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  There are times.
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  In our lives.
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  When we.
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  We make that great call.
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  Heavenward.
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  To our Lord.
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  And our God.
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  But there are times also.
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  Where we confess.
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  That we.
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  We don't make that call.
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  And we.
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  We search for other.
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  Comforters.
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  Which fail us.
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  And as we.
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  Look at the psalm.
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  And generally.
• 4:59
  As you study the psalms.
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  And look through them.
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  They say that the main point.
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  Is within the middle of the psalm.
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  The central idea.
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  Is found.
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  In the middle.
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  And you look at psalm 71.
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  You have a.
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  Distinct section there.
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  From verse mark 12.
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  To verse mark 16.
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  On either side.
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  Are small.
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  Two.
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  Smaller.
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  Paragraphs.
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  So.
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  From verse 12.
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  To 16.
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  It's the center.
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  Of the psalm.
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  And if you go to the center.
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  Of the center.
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  Of that section.
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  At verse 14.
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  It says.
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  But I will hope.
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  Continually.
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  And will praise you.
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  Yet.
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  More and more.
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  The psalmist.
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  Faith.
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  Continuing.
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  With.
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  His Lord.
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  And his God.
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  Regardless.
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  Of what the situation is.
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  Of the experience.
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  Of his life.
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  Regardless.
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  Of how he feels.
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  He is.
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  Holding on.
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  To his.
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  Only hope.
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  And his.
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  Only trust.
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  To go.
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  With God.
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  So.
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  As we consider this.
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  Short section.
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  Here.
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  Down to verse mark 11.
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  There's.
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  Three.
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  Distinct.
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  Focuses.
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  That the psalmist.
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  Has.
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  He.
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  He.
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  Firstly.
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  Has a focus.
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  On God.
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  He looks.
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  Towards God.
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  And rightly so.
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  Second look.
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  That he has.
• 6:24
  Is he.
• 6:24
  He looks.
• 6:25
  He looks.
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  At himself.
• 6:27
  He looks.
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  Inwardly.
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  At himself.
• 6:30
  And he also.
• 6:31
  Has a look.
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  Outwardly.
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  At those.
• 6:34
  Who are around him.
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  And the situation.
• 6:36
  That he is in.
• 6:38
  And.
• 6:39
  Elements of that.
• 6:40
  Overlap.
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  Throughout the psalm.
• 6:42
  But hopefully.
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  You can.
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  You can.
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  Grasp.
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  These ideas.
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  The three.
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  The three looks.
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  That he has.
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  Looks to God.
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  He looks.
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  Within himself.
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  And he looks.
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  Around.
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  At the.
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  Situation.
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  That he is in.
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  And.
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  We'll give.
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  Most of our attention.
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  To the most important.
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  Of those looks.
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  And that is.
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  The look that he has.
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  To his God.
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  And.
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  To his Lord.
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  As we look.
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  At the beginning.
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  Of the psalm.
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  Straight away.
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  His focus.
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  Is.
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  In that direction.
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  In you.
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  Oh Lord.
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  I do.
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  Take refuge.
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  And you can.
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  Feel.
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  The pleading.
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  Of the psalmist.
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  Beginning.
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  There.
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  His cry.
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  Oh Lord.
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  That.
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  His Lord.
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  Is his refuge.
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  In the time.
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  That he is experiencing.
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  There is no other.
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  Safety for him.
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  There is no other.
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  Refuge for him.
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  There is no other.
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  Shelter for him.
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  To go to.
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  Where he will find.
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  Protection.
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  But in his.
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  Lord.
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  I look.
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  To you Lord.
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  You are the one.
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  That will keep me.
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  The keeper.
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  Of my soul.
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  I too.
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  The Lord.
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  Will look.
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  For aid.
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  As we sung.
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  In Psalm.
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  One.
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  Two.
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  One.
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  He's got that.
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  Look.
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  Heavenward.
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  To the Lord.
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  That will hold him.
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  And it says.
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  In verse.
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  One.
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  Let me never.
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  Be put.
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  To shame.
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  So that he will have.
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  No shame.
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  In that cry.
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  As he looks.
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  Heavenly.
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  Heavenward.
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  To God.
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  There's no shame.
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  In his hope.
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  In his weight.
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  In his trust.
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  In this Lord.
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  In this God.
• 8:27
  Other translations.
• 8:28
  Will have this.
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  That he.
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  That he.
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  Would never.
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  Be put.
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  To confusion.
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  Rather than shame.
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  That he would never be.
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  Completely.
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  Bewildered.
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  As it were.
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  He pleads.
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  That his Lord.
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  Would ever.
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  Be faithful.
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  To him.
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  And his refuge.
• 8:47
  In him.
• 8:47
  And his trust.
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  In him.
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  Would not be shattered.
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  Or brought.
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  Into question.
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  You can imagine.
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  If you were to.
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  Set up a business.
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  You'd have all your hopes.
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  In this business.
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  And you would make your plans.
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  For this business.
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  And you would have your ideas.
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  And you would put it into motion.
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  You'd have shared this with people.
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  And people would have seen you.
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  Trying.
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  To form this business.
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  Set it up.
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  Get it running.
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  Employ people.
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  And on paper.
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  It all looks like it'll work.
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  And you've put everything into it.
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  All your hopes.
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  Are in this business.
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  But then it falls flat.
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  In its face.
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  The business fails.
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  And fails you.
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  You have an element of shame.
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  For having trusted.
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  In your plans.
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  Having trusted.
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  In this business.
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  You have an element of confusion.
• 9:37
  Because you can't figure out.
• 9:38
  What went wrong on paper.
• 9:39
  It should have worked.
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  But it didn't.
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  The shame and confusion.
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  In these things.
• 9:48
  But business.
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  Is so uncertain.
• 9:51
  The psalmist.
• 9:52
  The psalmist.
• 9:52
  Is crying.
• 9:53
  To his lord.
• 9:54
  Who is certain.
• 9:56
  So that he would not.
• 9:57
  Be put to shame.
• 9:59
  He's trusting.
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  In his lord.
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  That when he.
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  Expresses his hope.
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  And trust.
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  It will not fail.
• 10:08
  Because the lord.
• 10:09
  Will never fail.
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  His people.
• 10:12
  And he knows.
• 10:14
  He will never be put to shame.
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  By trusting.
• 10:17
  By trusting.
• 10:17
  By trusting.
• 10:17
  In his lord.
• 10:20
  Now as I said.
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  Confusion may.
• 10:24
  Leave us with questions.
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  And.
• 10:26
  We can't say that.
• 10:28
  If we come to.
• 10:29
  The lord.
• 10:30
  And we cry to the lord.
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  That we'll never have.
• 10:33
  Questions.
• 10:33
  We'll never.
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  Be left.
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  Bewildered at times.
• 10:37
  At what.
• 10:38
  At what.
• 10:38
  The lord is doing.
• 10:40
  There's.
• 10:40
  Situations.
• 10:42
  That leave us.
• 10:42
  Confused.
• 10:44
  And.
• 10:46
  Although the situation.
• 10:47
  Leaves us confused.
• 10:48
  Our hope.
• 10:49
  And our faith.
• 10:51
  Should never have.
• 10:52
  Confusion.
• 10:53
  We look to god.
• 10:55
  Our faith.
• 10:55
  Is in the god.
• 10:56
  Who has.
• 10:56
  Decreed all things.
• 10:58
  That he works.
• 11:00
  All things.
• 11:00
  For good.
• 11:02
  Mysteriously.
• 11:04
  That's beyond.
• 11:04
  Our understanding.
• 11:06
  Beyond what we can.
• 11:07
  Grasp.
• 11:08
  But our faith.
• 11:09
  Is to.
• 11:10
  Trust.
• 11:11
  In that god.
• 11:12
  Who works.
• 11:14
  All things.
• 11:14
  For good.
• 11:16
  To have faith.
• 11:17
  In that god.
• 11:18
  Who will not.
• 11:19
  Put us to shame.
• 11:20
  And not leave us.
• 11:21
  Confused.
• 11:21
  Because he has.
• 11:23
  Foreordained.
• 11:24
  All things.
• 11:28
  Our lord.
• 11:29
  Will not.
• 11:30
  Fail us.
• 11:32
  And though.
• 11:33
  There are days.
• 11:34
  Where it may feel like shame.
• 11:36
  And the honesty of our hearts.
• 11:38
  For trusting in the lord.
• 11:39
  When we go out.
• 11:39
  And live.
• 11:40
  And live.
• 11:40
  A Christian life.
• 11:41
  In this world.
• 11:43
  There may be an element.
• 11:44
  Of shame.
• 11:45
  Because we don't have the answers.
• 11:46
  We like.
• 11:47
  To give people.
• 11:49
  We don't.
• 11:51
  Feel.
• 11:51
  Like god.
• 11:52
  Like god.
• 11:53
  So close to us.
• 11:54
  As we would desire.
• 11:58
  But.
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  The lord.
• 12:01
  Will not.
• 12:02
  Fail us.
• 12:04
  The lord.
• 12:05
  Who works.
• 12:06
  All things for good.
• 12:07
  All things for good.
• 12:07
  In his time.
• 12:09
  Will not bring shame.
• 12:11
  To the people.
• 12:12
  Who trust in him.
• 12:15
  The lord.
• 12:16
  Will honor.
• 12:17
  His people in time.
• 12:19
  Who are faithful.
• 12:20
  To him.
• 12:21
  And trust in him.
• 12:23
  And with this.
• 12:25
  Focus.
• 12:25
  On god.
• 12:27
  That the psalmist has.
• 12:28
  He looks towards.
• 12:33
  This.
• 12:34
  His lord.
• 12:36
  And he.
• 12:36
  It's almost as if he can't help.
• 12:39
  But feel.
• 12:40
  His own failures.
• 12:42
  As we come before the holiness of god.
• 12:45
  And we see god.
• 12:46
  Clear.
• 12:46
  And we look upon him.
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  I say I confessed.
• 12:52
  When he saw god.
• 12:53
  I am a man of unclean lips.
• 12:55
  He sees his own failures.
• 12:57
  And we acknowledge them.
• 12:59
  As we come.
• 13:01
  We confess our sins.
• 13:02
  To our lord.
• 13:05
  The psalmist knows.
• 13:06
  That.
• 13:07
  There's no goodness.
• 13:08
  Of him.
• 13:09
  Worth rescue.
• 13:10
  In your righteousness.
• 13:11
  Deliver me.
• 13:12
  And rescue me.
• 13:14
  In your righteousness.
• 13:16
  The lord.
• 13:17
  Who is righteous.
• 13:17
  In all things.
• 13:19
  And he looks at himself.
• 13:20
  And he says.
• 13:23
  I am so unrighteous.
• 13:25
  I do not deserve.
• 13:27
  To be rescued.
• 13:29
  But.
• 13:31
  I hold fast.
• 13:32
  To you.
• 13:33
  My lord.
• 13:34
  And you.
• 13:35
  Know.
• 13:36
  That I have not.
• 13:37
  Chased after other gods.
• 13:38
  You know.
• 13:39
  I have held fast.
• 13:40
  To your word.
• 13:42
  And I've been faithful.
• 13:43
  To you.
• 13:45
  And in.
• 13:46
  Your righteousness.
• 13:47
  Deliver.
• 13:48
  Me.
• 13:48
  Hear.
• 13:53
  Hear.
• 13:54
  My cry.
• 13:56
  Incline.
• 13:56
  Your ear.
• 13:57
  To me.
• 13:59
  And save.
• 14:00
  Me.
• 14:00
  Me.
• 14:03
  He knew.
• 14:04
  As he.
• 14:04
  He looks himself.
• 14:07
  His.
• 14:08
  Sins leave him.
• 14:10
  Staying.
• 14:10
  Before his god.
• 14:14
  And he wants god.
• 14:15
  To hear.
• 14:17
  The.
• 14:19
  Sorrows.
• 14:20
  Of his soul.
• 14:21
  The anxieties.
• 14:22
  Of his soul.
• 14:23
  Incline.
• 14:25
  Your ear.
• 14:25
  To hear.
• 14:26
  Me.
• 14:27
  And save.
• 14:28
  Me.
• 14:30
  Remember.
• 14:31
  The psalmist.
• 14:32
  It is.
• 14:32
  All his strength.
• 14:33
  Is gone.
• 14:34
  He's got nothing.
• 14:35
  Left to give.
• 14:38
  He knows.
• 14:39
  He's got nothing.
• 14:40
  Worth.
• 14:41
  Rescue.
• 14:42
  Being.
• 14:42
  Of himself.
• 14:44
  And he's calling.
• 14:45
  Out to god.
• 14:46
  Lord.
• 14:47
  In your.
• 14:48
  Righteousness.
• 14:49
  Rescue.
• 14:50
  Me.
• 14:51
  Hear.
• 14:51
  Me.
• 14:52
  And climb.
• 14:53
  Your ear.
• 14:54
  To hear.
• 14:54
  The agonies.
• 14:55
  Of my heart.
• 14:57
  And save.
• 14:58
  Me.
• 14:59
  And it's often.
• 14:59
  Like that.
• 15:01
  When we are.
• 15:02
  So perplexed.
• 15:03
  At times.
• 15:04
  We don't have.
• 15:05
  The answers.
• 15:06
  It is often.
• 15:07
  Just that.
• 15:08
  Short.
• 15:08
  And effective.
• 15:09
  Prayer.
• 15:09
  That says.
• 15:11
  Save.
• 15:13
  And it's a prayer.
• 15:14
  That I'm sure.
• 15:15
  Many of us.
• 15:15
  Have prayed.
• 15:17
  In years.
• 15:17
  Gone by.
• 15:19
  And often.
• 15:19
  A prayer.
• 15:20
  That comes back.
• 15:21
  To us.
• 15:22
  At difficult times.
• 15:23
  In our lives.
• 15:24
  We don't know what to say.
• 15:25
  There's no words.
• 15:25
  To express it.
• 15:27
  But just.
• 15:28
  Oh Lord.
• 15:30
  Save me.
• 15:31
  We run.
• 15:32
  To our Lord.
• 15:33
  We call on him.
• 15:34
  And there's a beautiful.
• 15:35
  Version.
• 15:35
  Isaiah.
• 15:37
  58.
• 15:38
  Verse 9.
• 15:40
  Thou shalt cry.
• 15:41
  And he shalt say.
• 15:43
  Here I am.
• 15:45
  Thou shalt cry.
• 15:47
  And he shalt say.
• 15:48
  Here.
• 15:49
  I am.
• 15:50
  The Lord.
• 15:52
  The Lord.
• 15:52
  Who hears.
• 15:53
  The cries.
• 15:53
  Of his people.
• 15:55
  And saves them.
• 15:58
  He hears that cry.
• 15:59
  Of salvation.
• 16:00
  And the psalmist.
• 16:00
  Has his salvation.
• 16:03
  Founded.
• 16:04
  In his Lord.
• 16:06
  In verse 3.
• 16:07
  Be a rock.
• 16:08
  Of refuge.
• 16:09
  To which I may.
• 16:11
  Continually come.
• 16:13
  You have given.
• 16:14
  The command.
• 16:15
  To save me.
• 16:17
  You are.
• 16:18
  My rock.
• 16:19
  And my refuge.
• 16:21
  This place is.
• 16:22
  Immovable.
• 16:24
  It is like this.
• 16:25
  Huge.
• 16:26
  Rock.
• 16:27
  That he can come.
• 16:28
  And.
• 16:29
  Clamber.
• 16:29
  Under.
• 16:30
  And every time.
• 16:32
  He comes.
• 16:33
  To that place.
• 16:34
  He will find.
• 16:34
  Safety.
• 16:35
  Security.
• 16:37
  It is a.
• 16:38
  Impenetrable.
• 16:39
  Wall.
• 16:39
  Of defense.
• 16:40
  A fortress.
• 16:41
  To him.
• 16:42
  That he can come.
• 16:44
  To this place.
• 16:46
  And know.
• 16:47
  That it is a place.
• 16:48
  Where it's.
• 16:49
  Does not change.
• 16:50
  It is sure.
• 16:52
  It is strong.
• 16:53
  And it will always.
• 16:54
  Be there.
• 16:55
  But the assurance.
• 16:56
  He has.
• 16:56
  In coming.
• 16:57
  To this place.
• 16:59
  Is found.
• 17:00
  In God's word.
• 17:02
  He continues.
• 17:03
  To come.
• 17:06
  You have given.
• 17:07
  The command.
• 17:08
  To save me.
• 17:10
  See.
• 17:11
  He finds.
• 17:11
  His assurance.
• 17:12
  In God's word.
• 17:14
  He's reasoned.
• 17:15
  He's calling on his God.
• 17:17
  And he comes back.
• 17:17
  To God's word.
• 17:19
  And what the Lord.
• 17:19
  Has commanded.
• 17:21
  You have given.
• 17:22
  The command.
• 17:23
  To save me.
• 17:25
  And when God.
• 17:26
  Speaks.
• 17:27
  A command.
• 17:27
  It is.
• 17:28
  Equates.
• 17:29
  To a promise.
• 17:31
  What the Lord.
• 17:32
  Says.
• 17:32
  What he speaks.
• 17:33
  And it shall come.
• 17:34
  To be.
• 17:37
  And whoever.
• 17:38
  Shall call.
• 17:39
  Upon the name.
• 17:39
  Of the Lord.
• 17:41
  Shall be saved.
• 17:42
  A.
• 17:44
  W.
• 17:45
  Pink.
• 17:45
  Says.
• 17:46
  It is.
• 17:47
  Because.
• 17:47
  God.
• 17:48
  Has promised.
• 17:49
  A certain.
• 17:49
  Thing.
• 17:51
  That we can.
• 17:51
  Ask.
• 17:52
  Of them.
• 17:52
  With full assurance.
• 17:53
  Of faith.
• 17:55
  It is.
• 17:56
  Because.
• 17:56
  God.
• 17:56
  Has promised.
• 17:57
  A certain.
• 17:57
  Thing.
• 17:58
  In his word.
• 17:59
  The promises.
• 18:00
  Are there.
• 18:01
  That we can.
• 18:01
  Ask.
• 18:02
  Of them.
• 18:02
  With full assurance.
• 18:03
  Of faith.
• 18:05
  We can.
• 18:05
  Ask.
• 18:05
  Of these.
• 18:06
  Things.
• 18:06
  That are.
• 18:06
  In his word.
• 18:08
  That if he.
• 18:09
  Shall save you.
• 18:09
  And you call upon him.
• 18:11
  From the depths.
• 18:12
  Of your heart.
• 18:13
  He will hear you.
• 18:15
  And answer you.
• 18:17
  And we have.
• 18:18
  Find the assurance.
• 18:20
  In his given.
• 18:22
  Commandments.
• 18:22
  Given.
• 18:23
  To us.
• 18:24
  That he will save us.
• 18:26
  And hear us.
• 18:28
  When we.
• 18:29
  Cry out.
• 18:30
  To him.
• 18:31
  But our.
• 18:33
  Rock.
• 18:34
  And our.
• 18:35
  Refuge.
• 18:35
  Is the Lord.
• 18:36
  Jesus Christ.
• 18:38
  He is the one.
• 18:40
  That we.
• 18:40
  Come to.
• 18:41
  And cry to.
• 18:42
  He is the one.
• 18:43
  That takes out.
• 18:44
  Prayers.
• 18:46
  And hears.
• 18:49
  He is the one.
• 18:50
  That died on the cross.
• 18:51
  For us.
• 18:51
  He is the one.
• 18:52
  That bore.
• 18:53
  Our.
• 18:54
  Shame.
• 18:55
  He took.
• 18:56
  All.
• 18:56
  Of our.
• 18:57
  Shame.
• 18:58
  So that we would be.
• 18:59
  Honored.
• 18:59
  By God.
• 19:00
  He is the one.
• 19:02
  Who bore.
• 19:03
  All.
• 19:03
  Our.
• 19:04
  Unrighteousness.
• 19:05
  So that we.
• 19:06
  Would be.
• 19:07
  Righteous.
• 19:09
  He is the one.
• 19:10
  Who bore.
• 19:11
  The wrath.
• 19:11
  Of God.
• 19:13
  So that we.
• 19:14
  May be.
• 19:14
  Saved.
• 19:16
  The Lord.
• 19:17
  Jesus Christ.
• 19:19
  Is a refuge.
• 19:20
  On a rock.
• 19:21
  In a day.
• 19:21
  Of trouble.
• 19:23
  He is a fortress.
• 19:24
  Of protection.
• 19:26
  Against us.
• 19:28
  That we.
• 19:28
  Must continually.
• 19:29
  Come to.
• 19:30
  And be guarded.
• 19:32
  By.
• 19:32
  The schemes.
• 19:33
  Of the devil.
• 19:34
  And his attacks.
• 19:36
  The Lord.
• 19:37
  Jesus Christ.
• 19:38
  Is the one.
• 19:40
  When we call out.
• 19:41
  To him.
• 19:41
  To save us.
• 19:43
  He will answer that.
• 19:45
  And he.
• 19:46
  Will save.
• 19:46
  The one.
• 19:47
  Who calls.
• 19:48
  To him.
• 19:49
  It is promised.
• 19:50
  Of the word.
• 19:51
  That those.
• 19:52
  Who call upon him.
• 19:53
  Shall be saved.
• 19:55
  And he.
• 19:55
  Who has promised.
• 19:57
  Is faithful.
• 19:58
  Our Lord.
• 20:00
  Our Lord.
• 20:01
  Is faithful.
• 20:03
  To us.
• 20:04
  And we.
• 20:05
  Come.
• 20:06
  To him.
• 20:07
  Year.
• 20:08
  After year.
• 20:10
  As the.
• 20:10
  Psalmist.
• 20:11
  Here.
• 20:12
  As an elderly person.
• 20:14
  Is looking.
• 20:14
  Back.
• 20:16
  The years.
• 20:16
  Come.
• 20:16
  And the years.
• 20:17
  Go.
• 20:17
  but we constantly come to the word as well we come back to the word of god for our encouragement
• 20:25
  for our assurance for every step that we take into the days that are unknown we don't know what
• 20:32
  lies ahead of us and there are many days where we will cry out oh lord hear me answer me are you there
• 20:40
  to listen to my cry and we come back to this word we find his assurances and his promises as a comfort
• 20:51
  to us as a reminder that he is there as a rock and refuge and that he is protecting us
• 20:59
  the faith that has matured over years does not easily let go in the time of trouble
• 21:07
  it holds on and holds on fast whether we are whether we are young or old here
• 21:14
  it's good to remind ourselves to hold on to god and to keep looking to him whatever situation we are in
• 21:27
  to keep coming back to his word and be reminded of what it says to us
• 21:33
  and how it guides us and shows us who the god is that we are looking at
• 21:41
  the psalmist here he looks to god but he also looks to himself
• 21:48
  verse 4 almost introduces this transition rescue me oh my god we have that call of heavenward again
• 21:57
  from the hand of the wicked and then he comes down from this vertical look almost to this horizontal
• 22:03
  look to those that are around him those that are surrounding him the situation that he is in
• 22:08
  the hand of the wicked from the grasp of the cruel and the unjust man
• 22:14
  it's almost as if he is in this hand that has overpowered him he feels so vulnerable and helpless all his strength has gone
• 22:23
  he's in this hand of the evil one
• 22:27
  it almost feels like he's been controlled by this hand
• 22:34
  and maybe he's asking himself is this where the believer belongs is this where i'm meant to be
• 22:40
  no he knows that is not where he will be
• 22:45
  he seeks to be rescued and he cries out to be rescued from that place
• 22:51
  he knows that's not this natural place
• 22:56
  and he cries out to be rescued the god that hears him will not abandon him for whatever reason he's in that hand
• 23:05
  he cries out to god
• 23:09
  and the hand that holds him as the evil hand is weak before god
• 23:17
  for the lord's hand is a mighty hand it's a strong hand
• 23:24
  and if you look at this the one that has fallen into this hand of the evil one for whatever reason
• 23:30
  it speaks of job six job's experience
• 23:33
  it's it's kind of written over this experience of the psalmist as well
• 23:37
  but his faith just wouldn't let go
• 23:41
  all his strength is spent all his resources has been taken from him
• 23:45
  he's got nothing absolutely nothing he's on empty
• 23:48
  he's holding on to god
• 23:51
  others are coming and telling him
• 23:54
  curse god and die
• 23:56
  abandon god
• 23:59
  but what was job's cry
• 24:01
  i know that my redeemer lives
• 24:05
  he knew that his rescuer was there
• 24:07
  to hear his prayer
• 24:09
  and in time would save him
• 24:11
  he looks to god
• 24:14
  he looks within himself
• 24:16
  and he has this personal declaration in verse 5
• 24:21
  for you oh lord are my hope my trust oh lord from my youth
• 24:26
  upon you i have leaned from before my birth
• 24:30
  casting his mind back over the years of his experience
• 24:35
  his hope and trust has always been in this lord
• 24:38
  even from his youth
• 24:40
  but he extends that look even
• 24:42
  to his birth
• 24:44
  keeps going back
• 24:45
  and it says there
• 24:47
  upon you i leaned from before my birth
• 24:50
  now that kind of implies that he made some sort of conscious decision
• 24:54
  to
• 24:55
  rely upon god or to trust on god
• 24:59
  but if you
• 25:01
  took the king james version
• 25:03
  maybe the translation here isn't so
• 25:06
  clear
• 25:07
  the king james version says
• 25:09
  by thee i have been
• 25:11
  hold
• 25:11
  holding up in the womb
• 25:13
  by thee i have been upheld in the womb
• 25:16
  so he looks back to all the way back to his birth
• 25:19
  and he says
• 25:19
  well even there oh lord
• 25:22
  you kept me
• 25:23
  you upheld me
• 25:24
  you chose to keep me
• 25:28
  even in that moment
• 25:29
  god in his grace
• 25:32
  chose him first
• 25:33
  god in his grace
• 25:35
  loved him
• 25:35
  first
• 25:36
  god in his grace
• 25:39
  protected him
• 25:40
  even when he knew nothing of god
• 25:42
  as he did for
• 25:44
  even when we didn't have any word of god
• 25:46
  god in his grace
• 25:47
  was looking out over us
• 25:50
  and when the psalmist here
• 25:52
  is recalling these things
• 25:53
  he's
• 25:54
  thinking of himself
• 25:55
  that baby
• 25:56
  in the most vulnerable
• 25:57
  of situations
• 25:59
  where there's no word of god
• 26:02
  can't do anything for himself
• 26:05
  so weak and fragile
• 26:07
  completely reliant on another
• 26:09
  he thinks
• 26:11
  well
• 26:12
  you kept me then
• 26:13
  and when all his strength is spent
• 26:16
  in the day
• 26:17
  where he has no strength
• 26:19
  where he cannot do anything for himself
• 26:22
  and he feels like
• 26:23
  he is so vulnerable
• 26:24
  as a child that can do nothing
• 26:27
  he looks to the lord
• 26:30
  who will keep him
• 26:32
  who trusts in him
• 26:34
  and has faith in him
• 26:35
  when he looks to himself
• 26:39
  he sees that
• 26:40
  great hand of god
• 26:42
  the greater hand of power
• 26:45
  than
• 26:45
  all the powers of the evil
• 26:47
  and of this world at work
• 26:49
  the one who has
• 26:50
  decreed all things
• 26:52
  he who is there
• 26:55
  in that day
• 26:56
  and he who is with me
• 26:58
  even to this day
• 26:59
  and this is true
• 27:00
  of the christian
• 27:01
  today
• 27:02
  that the lord
• 27:04
  is there with him
• 27:06
  and at the end of verse 6
• 27:09
  when he considers
• 27:11
  all these things
• 27:12
  even in the turmoil
• 27:13
  that he is in
• 27:14
  he says
• 27:16
  my praise
• 27:18
  is continually
• 27:19
  of you
• 27:20
  he looks to himself
• 27:22
  and he's
• 27:23
  immediately
• 27:24
  directed back
• 27:26
  heavenward
• 27:27
  to the lord
• 27:29
  who is faithful
• 27:30
  to him
• 27:32
  he has kept him
• 27:34
  he has not left him
• 27:36
  he has been with him
• 27:39
  through his youth
• 27:41
  through his life
• 27:42
  even to this day
• 27:44
  to other people
• 27:47
  he is a wonder
• 27:48
  it says in verse 7
• 27:50
  I have been
• 27:50
  a portent
• 27:52
  to many
• 27:52
  that means just
• 27:53
  we know the
• 27:54
  Psalter version
• 27:55
  more
• 27:56
  more familiar
• 27:58
  with us
• 27:58
  I have been a wonder
• 27:59
  to many
• 28:00
  that's just what
• 28:01
  that word means
• 28:01
  I have been a wonder
• 28:03
  to many
• 28:03
  maybe he looks back
• 28:06
  on his experience
• 28:06
  and people
• 28:07
  people that he knew
• 28:09
  maybe have wondered
• 28:10
  at him
• 28:11
  for
• 28:11
  having trusted
• 28:12
  in the lord
• 28:13
  in these days
• 28:14
  of turmoil
• 28:15
  where other people
• 28:16
  are questioning
• 28:17
  why are you
• 28:17
  why are you
• 28:18
  still trusting
• 28:19
  in that lord
• 28:20
  what can he do
• 28:21
  for you
• 28:22
  but he does not
• 28:25
  let go
• 28:26
  the lord
• 28:28
  has not
• 28:28
  let him down
• 28:29
  even though
• 28:32
  he may have
• 28:33
  walked away
• 28:34
  he may have
• 28:35
  walked in a
• 28:36
  different direction
• 28:37
  but he comes
• 28:40
  back to god
• 28:41
  and this may
• 28:44
  be a cause
• 28:44
  of wonder
• 28:45
  to many
• 28:45
  but they go
• 28:47
  out to the world
• 28:48
  looking for
• 28:49
  other comforters
• 28:50
  they come back
• 28:51
  to their lord
• 28:52
  and their god
• 28:53
  they realise
• 28:54
  the foolishness
• 28:55
  of their way
• 28:56
  like the
• 28:56
  prodigal son
• 28:58
  that went out
• 28:58
  on his own way
• 28:59
  returned to his
• 29:01
  father
• 29:01
  his father
• 29:03
  welcomed him
• 29:04
  the behaviour
• 29:06
  of the christian
• 29:07
  the world
• 29:07
  doesn't get it
• 29:09
  the world
• 29:10
  left baffled
• 29:11
  and wondered
• 29:12
  why you would
• 29:13
  act in such a way
• 29:14
  the faithfulness
• 29:17
  of the christian
• 29:18
  should be the same
• 29:19
  that we
• 29:20
  trust in god
• 29:22
  every day
• 29:23
  every step
• 29:24
  we read our bible
• 29:25
  and are guided by it
• 29:26
  and the world
• 29:27
  just look at you
• 29:28
  and wonder
• 29:29
  what is he doing
• 29:31
  they don't grasp it
• 29:36
  and it is only
• 29:36
  by the power
• 29:37
  of the spirit
• 29:37
  that has been
• 29:38
  at work
• 29:39
  within us
• 29:39
  do we ever
• 29:41
  understand
• 29:41
  we look
• 29:45
  at ourselves
• 29:47
  at times
• 29:48
  but not
• 29:49
  for too long
• 29:50
  like shane
• 29:51
  said
• 29:52
  every look
• 29:53
  at yourself
• 29:54
  have ten looks
• 29:55
  at christ
• 29:56
  when we look
• 29:57
  at ourselves
• 29:58
  for too long
• 29:59
  there is kind
• 29:59
  of every reason
• 30:00
  that why would
• 30:02
  the lord save us
• 30:03
  why would the lord
• 30:04
  love us
• 30:04
  we see so much
• 30:05
  of ourselves
• 30:06
  it is so sinful
• 30:06
  but the lord
• 30:09
  jesus christ
• 30:10
  will never leave thee
• 30:11
  or forsake thee
• 30:12
  we look back
• 30:15
  at god's faithfulness
• 30:16
  and the faith
• 30:18
  that he has worked
• 30:19
  in us
• 30:19
  over the years
• 30:20
  we ourselves
• 30:22
  can be at times
• 30:24
  in awe
• 30:25
  of what he has done
• 30:27
  the psalmist
• 30:31
  mouth is filled
• 30:32
  with your praise
• 30:34
  and with your glory
• 30:35
  all the day long
• 30:37
  all day
• 30:39
  the psalmist's mind
• 30:41
  is on his lord
• 30:42
  but then we see
• 30:44
  this on element
• 30:45
  of doubt
• 30:45
  in verse 9
• 30:46
  do not cast me off
• 30:48
  in the time
• 30:49
  of old age
• 30:49
  forsake me not
• 30:51
  when my strength
• 30:52
  is spent
• 30:53
  you know
• 30:55
  there's people
• 30:57
  in our lives
• 30:57
  and we may think
• 30:58
  of elderly
• 30:59
  christians
• 31:00
  witnesses
• 31:01
  and we may look
• 31:02
  at them
• 31:02
  and we think
• 31:02
  they're so strong
• 31:03
  and yet it's
• 31:06
  probably true
• 31:07
  that they equally
• 31:08
  have their own
• 31:10
  doubts
• 31:10
  this person
• 31:14
  this psalmist
• 31:15
  on the outward
• 31:16
  to the world
• 31:17
  he probably looks
• 31:17
  so strong
• 31:18
  and so faithful
• 31:19
  and yet he
• 31:21
  there's an element
• 31:22
  of doubt
• 31:23
  coming in
• 31:23
  which is true
• 31:24
  of ourselves
• 31:25
  as well
• 31:25
  there's times
• 31:26
  where we doubt
• 31:27
  that god
• 31:27
  would hear our cry
• 31:28
  we doubt
• 31:30
  that god
• 31:30
  will go with us
• 31:31
  we doubt
• 31:32
  that god
• 31:32
  would keep us
• 31:33
  do not cast me off
• 31:36
  in the time
• 31:37
  of old age
• 31:38
  forsake me not
• 31:40
  when my strength
• 31:40
  is spent
• 31:41
  and we look
• 31:42
  at ourselves
• 31:43
  we must
• 31:44
  only do so
• 31:46
  briefly
• 31:46
  we come back
• 31:48
  to the word
• 31:49
  of god
• 31:49
  we see
• 31:50
  our lord
• 31:51
  we see
• 31:51
  our rock
• 31:52
  we see
• 31:54
  a god
• 31:54
  that does
• 31:55
  not leave
• 31:55
  us
• 31:55
  nor forsake
• 31:56
  us
• 31:56
  even when
• 31:58
  we feel
• 31:59
  like he should
• 32:00
  you'll always
• 32:02
  remain with us
• 32:03
  and be
• 32:04
  constantly
• 32:04
  faithful
• 32:06
  to the people
• 32:08
  that trust
• 32:09
  in him
• 32:10
  so the
• 32:12
  psalmist
• 32:12
  of psalm
• 32:13
  71
• 32:14
  who is
• 32:16
  of old age
• 32:18
  looking back
• 32:19
  afflicted
• 32:21
  his strength
• 32:22
  is spent
• 32:23
  the attack
• 32:25
  of the enemies
• 32:25
  come
• 32:26
  there in
• 32:28
  verse 10
• 32:29
  and 11
• 32:29
  they're chasing
• 32:32
  him
• 32:33
  they're almost
• 32:33
  as if they're
• 32:34
  pursuing him
• 32:35
  to catch him
• 32:36
  to trap him
• 32:37
  but we know
• 32:40
  he is not
• 32:41
  left there
• 32:41
  we know
• 32:43
  that the
• 32:44
  psalmist
• 32:44
  even in this
• 32:46
  situation
• 32:47
  he lifts
• 32:48
  his eyes
• 32:48
  heavenward
• 32:49
  to god
• 32:49
  and he
• 32:51
  finds
• 32:51
  himself
• 32:53
  praising god
• 32:55
  all the
• 32:55
  day long
• 32:56
  for the
• 32:58
  lord's
• 32:59
  faithfulness
• 33:00
  in every
• 33:00
  step
• 33:01
  every year
• 33:02
  every day
• 33:04
  we come
• 33:07
  to the
• 33:08
  beginning
• 33:08
  of our
• 33:08
  new year
• 33:09
  and what
• 33:12
  does the
• 33:12
  lord ask
• 33:13
  for
• 33:13
  of his
• 33:14
  people
• 33:14
  that they
• 33:15
  would be
• 33:16
  faithful
• 33:16
  but to
• 33:18
  be faithful
• 33:19
  is maybe
• 33:20
  one of the
• 33:20
  hardest
• 33:21
  things
• 33:21
  of our
• 33:23
  lives
• 33:23
  as
• 33:24
  Christians
• 33:25
  it is
• 33:26
  hard
• 33:26
  to be
• 33:27
  constantly
• 33:28
  faithful
• 33:29
  and to
• 33:30
  be obedient
• 33:31
  to what
• 33:32
  he asks
• 33:32
  of us
• 33:33
  but we
• 33:36
  must be
• 33:37
  that is
• 33:37
  what forms
• 33:38
  a Christian
• 33:39
  our faith
• 33:40
  that is
• 33:41
  our identity
• 33:42
  our faith
• 33:43
  in Jesus
• 33:44
  Christ
• 33:44
  what is it
• 33:46
  that Christ
• 33:46
  asks for
• 33:47
  on the
• 33:47
  day of
• 33:47
  judgment
• 33:48
  not that
• 33:48
  you
• 33:49
  understood
• 33:50
  your bible
• 33:50
  you knew
• 33:51
  everything
• 33:52
  you didn't
• 33:52
  you weren't
• 33:53
  anxious
• 33:53
  you weren't
• 33:54
  in turmoil
• 33:55
  so you
• 33:56
  can enter
• 33:56
  heaven
• 33:57
  good
• 34:00
  and faithful
• 34:01
  servant
• 34:02
  the servants
• 34:04
  of the
• 34:05
  lord who
• 34:05
  hold fast
• 34:06
  to his
• 34:06
  word
• 34:07
  cling
• 34:08
  to
• 34:09
  his
• 34:10
  promises
• 34:10
  and do
• 34:12
  not let
• 34:12
  go
• 34:12
  even when
• 34:14
  all their
• 34:15
  strength is
• 34:16
  spent
• 34:16
  when the
• 34:18
  tank is
• 34:18
  empty
• 34:19
  maybe
• 34:21
  you feel
• 34:21
  like that's
• 34:21
  the beginning
• 34:22
  of a new
• 34:22
  year
• 34:22
  maybe you
• 34:23
  feel like
• 34:24
  you feel
• 34:25
  so dry
• 34:25
  come back
• 34:27
  to God
• 34:28
  cry out
• 34:29
  to him
• 34:30
  oh lord
• 34:31
  rescue me
• 34:33
  oh lord
• 34:34
  hear my
• 34:35
  prayer
• 34:36
  oh lord
• 34:37
  save me
• 34:38
  we turn
• 34:40
  to him
• 34:41
  we look
• 34:43
  back over
• 34:43
  the years
• 34:44
  and may
• 34:45
  we
• 34:45
  lift our
• 34:47
  heads
• 34:47
  and voices
• 34:48
  heavenward
• 34:49
  prayerfully
• 34:51
  praising
• 34:52
  our lord
• 34:53
  who is
• 34:54
  faithful
• 34:55
  to those
• 34:56
  who are
• 34:56
  faithful
• 34:57
  the lord
• 34:58
  will never
• 34:58
  leave his
• 34:59
  people
• 35:00
  nor
• 35:01
  forsake
• 35:01
  them
• 35:01
  may these
• 35:03
  thoughts
• 35:03
  be blessed
• 35:04
  to us
• 35:05
  this evening
• 35:06
  we'll conclude
• 35:08
  by singing
• 35:08
  and sun
• 35:10
  joy
• 35:12
  of
• 35:13
  a
• 35:13
  verse
• 35:14
  and
• 35:15
  extend
• 35:16
  to them
• 35:18
  for
• 35:22
  and
• 35:24
  let's
• 35:25
  say
• 35:26
  well
• 35:27
  that's
• 35:28
  this evening
• 35:28
  and
• 35:29
  do
• 35:29
  to tab
• 35:30
  out
• 35:31
  and
• 35:31
  say
• 35:31
  how
• 35:32
  to
• 35:32
  instead
• 35:34
  of