1 00:00:00,799 --> 00:00:03,439 Please turn to Psalm 3. We are going 2 00:00:03,439 --> 00:00:03,939 to 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,440 look at Psalm 3 this morning as we 4 00:00:07,440 --> 00:00:08,419 continue our 5 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:10,800 summer series in the book of Psalms, where 6 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:13,299 we're gonna look at the first 12 Psalms 7 00:00:13,759 --> 00:00:14,500 this summer. 8 00:00:15,214 --> 00:00:17,135 And then in August once we're done with 9 00:00:17,135 --> 00:00:19,135 this series we'll go back to the book 10 00:00:19,135 --> 00:00:20,994 of Romans. Today we're looking again 11 00:00:22,175 --> 00:00:25,135 at Psalm 3. Please listen to the reading 12 00:00:25,135 --> 00:00:26,114 of God's word. 13 00:00:29,379 --> 00:00:31,079 A psalm of David 14 00:00:31,699 --> 00:00:34,520 when he fled from Absalom his son. 15 00:00:36,579 --> 00:00:38,600 Oh Lord, how many are my foes! 16 00:00:39,539 --> 00:00:41,640 Many are rising against me! 17 00:00:42,284 --> 00:00:44,765 Many are saying of my soul, 'There is 18 00:00:44,765 --> 00:00:47,024 no salvation for him in God.' 19 00:00:48,125 --> 00:00:50,924 But you, O Lord, are a shield about 20 00:00:50,924 --> 00:00:53,964 me, my glory and the lifter of my 21 00:00:53,964 --> 00:00:54,464 head. 22 00:00:55,219 --> 00:00:57,079 I cried aloud to the Lord, 23 00:00:57,380 --> 00:00:59,960 and he answered me from his holy hill. 24 00:01:00,820 --> 00:01:02,840 I lay down and slept. 25 00:01:03,539 --> 00:01:06,439 I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. 26 00:01:06,844 --> 00:01:08,924 I will not be afraid of many thousands 27 00:01:08,924 --> 00:01:11,424 of people who who have set themselves 28 00:01:11,885 --> 00:01:13,344 against me all around. 29 00:01:14,444 --> 00:01:17,185 Arise, O Lord. Save me, O my God. 30 00:01:17,644 --> 00:01:20,045 For you strike all my enemies on the 31 00:01:20,045 --> 00:01:20,545 cheek. 32 00:01:20,939 --> 00:01:23,039 You break the teeth of the wicked. 33 00:01:23,819 --> 00:01:25,920 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 34 00:01:26,459 --> 00:01:27,759 Your blessing be 35 00:01:28,140 --> 00:01:29,119 on your people. 36 00:01:29,659 --> 00:01:31,039 This is the word of the Lord. 37 00:01:31,659 --> 00:01:33,679 Thanks be to God. Please be seated. 38 00:01:41,524 --> 00:01:43,924 I'm sure you would agree with me that 39 00:01:43,924 --> 00:01:45,305 in our modern world, 40 00:01:46,084 --> 00:01:48,744 cultivating the discipline of prayer presents 41 00:01:49,140 --> 00:01:50,359 a great challenge. 42 00:01:51,299 --> 00:01:53,239 Of course, there are many reasons for this. 43 00:01:54,019 --> 00:01:55,799 The fast pace and busyness 44 00:01:56,180 --> 00:01:57,079 of our life, 45 00:01:57,780 --> 00:01:58,519 the all 46 00:01:58,819 --> 00:01:59,879 consuming distractions 47 00:02:01,140 --> 00:02:03,379 that come from our smartphones or from social 48 00:02:03,379 --> 00:02:03,879 media, 49 00:02:05,125 --> 00:02:07,924 the precedence of the material world over the 50 00:02:07,924 --> 00:02:08,905 spiritual world, 51 00:02:09,844 --> 00:02:10,905 feelings of guilt 52 00:02:11,365 --> 00:02:12,264 or inadequacy 53 00:02:12,564 --> 00:02:13,385 before God, 54 00:02:14,485 --> 00:02:15,784 the perceived ineffectiveness 55 00:02:16,085 --> 00:02:16,745 of prayer, 56 00:02:17,790 --> 00:02:19,810 or even an ever growing ignorance 57 00:02:20,349 --> 00:02:21,729 of what prayer is 58 00:02:22,909 --> 00:02:24,210 and how to pray. 59 00:02:24,510 --> 00:02:25,650 All of these things 60 00:02:26,110 --> 00:02:28,370 conspire together to arrest the development 61 00:02:29,069 --> 00:02:30,770 of the Christian's prayer life. 62 00:02:31,634 --> 00:02:33,715 As we continue our summer series in the 63 00:02:33,715 --> 00:02:34,615 book of Psalms, 64 00:02:34,995 --> 00:02:36,514 we will discover that one of the great 65 00:02:36,514 --> 00:02:37,814 blessings of the Psalter 66 00:02:38,115 --> 00:02:39,254 is that it records 67 00:02:40,034 --> 00:02:42,534 prayers for us that are inspired by God, 68 00:02:42,914 --> 00:02:44,615 and that are meant to be sung, 69 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:46,739 memorized, and recited 70 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:48,259 by God's people. 71 00:02:48,879 --> 00:02:51,219 Therefore, as we consider Psalm 3 this morning, 72 00:02:51,439 --> 00:02:53,539 we will focus on how this Psalm 73 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:55,379 teaches us to pray. 74 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:57,860 In particular, I want you to notice 75 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:01,034 that Psalm 3 is a balm for the 76 00:03:01,034 --> 00:03:02,014 embattled soul. 77 00:03:02,715 --> 00:03:04,875 This is the main point that I want 78 00:03:04,875 --> 00:03:06,334 you to remember this morning. 79 00:03:06,954 --> 00:03:09,375 If adversity is weighing you down, 80 00:03:10,155 --> 00:03:12,014 lift up your prayers to God 81 00:03:12,474 --> 00:03:13,375 and arise. 82 00:03:14,330 --> 00:03:15,610 That is what this Psalm calls us to 83 00:03:15,610 --> 00:03:17,789 do. If adversity is weighing you down, 84 00:03:18,169 --> 00:03:20,030 lift up your prayers to God 85 00:03:20,569 --> 00:03:21,310 and arise. 86 00:03:21,770 --> 00:03:24,169 So let's study what Psalm 3 teaches us 87 00:03:24,169 --> 00:03:25,870 about prayer under 88 00:03:27,134 --> 00:03:28,995 6 headings. You heard this right? 89 00:03:29,455 --> 00:03:30,275 Six headings. 90 00:03:31,775 --> 00:03:32,594 The context, 91 00:03:34,094 --> 00:03:34,914 the covenant, 92 00:03:36,254 --> 00:03:36,995 the conflict, 93 00:03:38,175 --> 00:03:38,995 the cry, 94 00:03:40,014 --> 00:03:40,754 the confidence, 95 00:03:42,009 --> 00:03:42,990 and the confession. 96 00:03:43,849 --> 00:03:46,270 Okay? So let's look at the first heading, 97 00:03:46,889 --> 00:03:47,789 the context. 98 00:03:48,650 --> 00:03:51,129 Note that Psalm 3 is the first Psalm 99 00:03:51,129 --> 00:03:53,530 with a superscript or a title that is 100 00:03:53,530 --> 00:03:54,590 attached to it. 101 00:03:55,215 --> 00:03:57,694 Most Christian theologians consider the titles to be 102 00:03:57,694 --> 00:04:00,514 part of the inspired Word of God, 103 00:04:00,814 --> 00:04:03,215 which means that the information recorded in the 104 00:04:03,215 --> 00:04:05,235 titles bears divine authority. 105 00:04:06,175 --> 00:04:09,235 Psalms 3 title reads, A Psalm of David 106 00:04:09,689 --> 00:04:11,389 when he fled from Absalom 107 00:04:12,009 --> 00:04:12,750 his son. 108 00:04:14,250 --> 00:04:15,310 So Psalm 3 109 00:04:15,769 --> 00:04:17,069 is a prayer of lament 110 00:04:17,449 --> 00:04:18,589 written by David 111 00:04:19,129 --> 00:04:21,529 as he wrestles with the anguish in his 112 00:04:21,529 --> 00:04:23,709 soul caused by his son, 113 00:04:24,115 --> 00:04:24,615 Absalom, 114 00:04:25,235 --> 00:04:26,534 who betrayed David 115 00:04:26,914 --> 00:04:27,894 by usurping 116 00:04:28,595 --> 00:04:29,654 Israel's throne. 117 00:04:30,595 --> 00:04:31,814 In 2nd Samuel, 118 00:04:32,354 --> 00:04:32,854 chapters 119 00:04:33,235 --> 00:04:34,454 13 to 19, 120 00:04:34,834 --> 00:04:36,134 we find the context 121 00:04:36,675 --> 00:04:37,814 for Psalm 3. 122 00:04:38,370 --> 00:04:39,830 It's a story of abuse, 123 00:04:40,689 --> 00:04:41,750 family betrayal, 124 00:04:42,770 --> 00:04:43,910 political entry, 125 00:04:44,689 --> 00:04:45,509 and war. 126 00:04:46,529 --> 00:04:50,069 And the tragic events there unfold after David's 127 00:04:50,129 --> 00:04:52,069 firstborn son Amnon 128 00:04:52,814 --> 00:04:54,115 rapes his half sister 129 00:04:54,654 --> 00:04:55,154 Tamar. 130 00:04:56,254 --> 00:04:58,675 2 years later, Tamar's brother Absalom 131 00:04:59,455 --> 00:05:02,495 avenges her death by hosting a feast, and 132 00:05:02,495 --> 00:05:05,215 then getting Amnon drunk at that feast, and 133 00:05:05,215 --> 00:05:06,595 sending his servants 134 00:05:06,975 --> 00:05:08,115 to murder him. 135 00:05:08,990 --> 00:05:12,269 Absalom then flees Jerusalem and goes north beyond 136 00:05:12,269 --> 00:05:13,250 David's kingdom, 137 00:05:13,709 --> 00:05:15,410 taking refuge in Geshur 138 00:05:15,870 --> 00:05:18,289 where his maternal grandfather was king. 139 00:05:19,229 --> 00:05:22,370 Thus, Absalom lives in exile for 3 years. 140 00:05:23,264 --> 00:05:23,764 David, 141 00:05:24,305 --> 00:05:26,884 grieving the loss of his son, his firstborn 142 00:05:26,944 --> 00:05:27,845 son, Amnon, 143 00:05:28,545 --> 00:05:32,245 but also longing to see Absalom again, eventually 144 00:05:32,464 --> 00:05:34,404 allows him, Absalom, 145 00:05:34,705 --> 00:05:36,004 to return to Jerusalem. 146 00:05:38,180 --> 00:05:38,680 And 147 00:05:39,060 --> 00:05:40,040 after 2 years, 148 00:05:41,379 --> 00:05:42,439 David finally 149 00:05:43,060 --> 00:05:44,279 receives him because 150 00:05:44,580 --> 00:05:45,639 even though he 151 00:05:46,899 --> 00:05:49,060 sorry. Not after 2 years. Absalom lives in 152 00:05:49,060 --> 00:05:51,014 exile for 3 years and then 153 00:05:51,574 --> 00:05:54,375 then then he he comes, he receives them, 154 00:05:54,375 --> 00:05:57,495 but David forbids Absalom from being in his 155 00:05:57,495 --> 00:05:57,995 presence. 156 00:05:58,855 --> 00:06:00,875 So think about that. He brings him back, 157 00:06:01,175 --> 00:06:02,715 but he doesn't receive him. 158 00:06:03,095 --> 00:06:05,430 He longs to see him. He yearns to 159 00:06:05,430 --> 00:06:07,750 be with him, but he actually doesn't allow 160 00:06:07,750 --> 00:06:09,750 him to be with him. I think that 161 00:06:09,750 --> 00:06:11,689 alone is a lesson for us on forgiveness. 162 00:06:12,310 --> 00:06:13,829 If we're going to forgive, we need to 163 00:06:13,829 --> 00:06:15,129 forgive all the way. 164 00:06:16,069 --> 00:06:17,449 It doesn't benefit anybody 165 00:06:18,664 --> 00:06:20,444 to not come all the way, 166 00:06:20,985 --> 00:06:23,064 to the throne of mercy, and plead for 167 00:06:23,064 --> 00:06:25,625 mercy, and ask for forgiveness, and forgive others 168 00:06:25,625 --> 00:06:27,865 even if we don't do it fully. And 169 00:06:27,865 --> 00:06:28,604 here David 170 00:06:28,904 --> 00:06:31,060 sins in that regard. He brings his son 171 00:06:31,060 --> 00:06:32,419 back, but he actually doesn't allow him in 172 00:06:32,419 --> 00:06:35,000 his presence. And this brings great problems because, 173 00:06:35,779 --> 00:06:37,699 Absalom during this time that he's back in 174 00:06:37,699 --> 00:06:40,039 Jerusalem, but unable to see his father, 175 00:06:40,419 --> 00:06:42,039 grows even more bitter 176 00:06:42,435 --> 00:06:43,175 towards him. 177 00:06:43,795 --> 00:06:45,574 Well, like I said, after 2 years, 178 00:06:46,035 --> 00:06:49,475 David finally receives Absalom in his presence. But 179 00:06:49,475 --> 00:06:51,714 over the next 4 years, as that bitterness 180 00:06:51,714 --> 00:06:53,014 in Absalom had grown, 181 00:06:53,875 --> 00:06:56,194 he spends that time, these next 4 years 182 00:06:56,194 --> 00:06:57,240 Absalom does, 183 00:06:57,879 --> 00:06:59,979 drawing the hearts of the people of Israel 184 00:07:00,199 --> 00:07:02,539 away from David and toward him. 185 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:05,019 And after he wins enough support, 186 00:07:05,479 --> 00:07:07,099 Absalom travels to Hebron 187 00:07:07,479 --> 00:07:09,740 and declares himself king there. 188 00:07:10,705 --> 00:07:13,345 This leads to full scale rebellion in the 189 00:07:13,345 --> 00:07:16,245 land of Israel, forcing David to flee Jerusalem 190 00:07:16,705 --> 00:07:18,485 to avoid Absalom's army. 191 00:07:19,345 --> 00:07:22,324 So David crosses the Kidron Valley and weeps 192 00:07:22,384 --> 00:07:24,645 bitterly as he ascends the Mount of Olives 193 00:07:25,330 --> 00:07:27,730 with his heart heavy in sorrow because of 194 00:07:27,730 --> 00:07:28,710 his son's betrayal. 195 00:07:29,970 --> 00:07:31,029 David's flight 196 00:07:31,569 --> 00:07:33,430 forces him to go into the wilderness 197 00:07:33,810 --> 00:07:36,389 where he crosses the Jordan and travels north 198 00:07:36,529 --> 00:07:37,029 across 199 00:07:37,970 --> 00:07:38,470 Gilead 200 00:07:39,564 --> 00:07:42,045 and through the forest of Ephraim until he 201 00:07:42,045 --> 00:07:42,865 finds refuge 202 00:07:43,245 --> 00:07:44,705 in a city called Mahanaim, 203 00:07:45,324 --> 00:07:47,024 some 60 miles northeast 204 00:07:47,805 --> 00:07:48,545 of Jerusalem. 205 00:07:49,725 --> 00:07:52,064 David's flight is marked by grief 206 00:07:52,444 --> 00:07:53,585 and great uncertainty. 207 00:07:54,419 --> 00:07:56,680 Yet in the midst of overwhelming adversity, 208 00:07:57,300 --> 00:07:58,839 the prayer of Psalm 3 209 00:07:59,379 --> 00:08:01,160 articulates David's trust 210 00:08:01,620 --> 00:08:02,839 in God's protection. 211 00:08:03,860 --> 00:08:05,779 So this is the first lesson about prayer 212 00:08:05,779 --> 00:08:07,319 that Psalm 3 teaches us. 213 00:08:08,045 --> 00:08:08,545 Everyone 214 00:08:09,004 --> 00:08:10,064 needs prayer. 215 00:08:11,084 --> 00:08:11,584 Everyone 216 00:08:11,884 --> 00:08:12,705 needs prayer. 217 00:08:13,404 --> 00:08:15,504 Even the most powerful person 218 00:08:16,125 --> 00:08:17,105 needs to pray. 219 00:08:18,205 --> 00:08:19,345 David was renowned 220 00:08:19,805 --> 00:08:20,785 for his power, 221 00:08:21,439 --> 00:08:22,259 for his wisdom, 222 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:23,860 and for his charisma. 223 00:08:24,639 --> 00:08:26,639 He appeared to have all the things in 224 00:08:26,639 --> 00:08:27,379 his kingdom 225 00:08:27,839 --> 00:08:29,219 completely under control. 226 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,060 Yet in a moment 227 00:08:31,519 --> 00:08:34,019 everything changed and David found himself 228 00:08:34,399 --> 00:08:37,139 abandoning his throne and running for his life. 229 00:08:38,215 --> 00:08:39,195 Sooner or later, 230 00:08:39,815 --> 00:08:41,115 the trials of life 231 00:08:41,654 --> 00:08:43,195 drive all of us to our knees. 232 00:08:44,295 --> 00:08:45,434 And in that moment, 233 00:08:45,894 --> 00:08:47,754 it is good to avail ourselves 234 00:08:48,295 --> 00:08:49,835 of the blessed recourse 235 00:08:50,615 --> 00:08:51,355 of prayer. 236 00:08:52,540 --> 00:08:55,179 Think about the challenges in your life that 237 00:08:55,179 --> 00:08:56,960 you find most pressing today. 238 00:08:58,220 --> 00:09:00,139 The things that are keeping you up at 239 00:09:00,139 --> 00:09:00,639 night, 240 00:09:01,660 --> 00:09:03,679 the things that might be provoking anxiety 241 00:09:04,299 --> 00:09:05,200 in your heart, 242 00:09:06,264 --> 00:09:07,884 tensions with your family perhaps, 243 00:09:08,985 --> 00:09:09,485 concerns 244 00:09:10,024 --> 00:09:12,044 about your children or grandchildren, 245 00:09:12,664 --> 00:09:14,684 or by your parents or grandparents, 246 00:09:16,105 --> 00:09:16,924 health concerns, 247 00:09:18,289 --> 00:09:19,589 relational problems, challenges 248 00:09:20,850 --> 00:09:22,789 at work or at school, 249 00:09:23,889 --> 00:09:25,110 financial stress, 250 00:09:25,970 --> 00:09:28,929 perhaps even the the feelings of guilt or 251 00:09:28,929 --> 00:09:29,429 shame 252 00:09:30,209 --> 00:09:33,009 because of past or present sin in your 253 00:09:33,009 --> 00:09:33,509 life. 254 00:09:34,975 --> 00:09:35,955 Are you praying 255 00:09:36,815 --> 00:09:37,875 about these things? 256 00:09:39,294 --> 00:09:40,434 Have you asked others 257 00:09:41,134 --> 00:09:41,875 to pray 258 00:09:42,575 --> 00:09:44,834 for you in these concerns? 259 00:09:46,139 --> 00:09:48,059 In other words, how is the context of 260 00:09:48,059 --> 00:09:48,799 your life 261 00:09:49,659 --> 00:09:50,959 informing the content 262 00:09:51,980 --> 00:09:52,959 of your prayer? 263 00:09:54,620 --> 00:09:56,940 Is this adversity driving you to your knees 264 00:09:56,940 --> 00:09:57,679 in dejection? 265 00:09:59,339 --> 00:10:01,279 Or is it driving you to your knees 266 00:10:01,794 --> 00:10:03,495 in reliance upon God? 267 00:10:04,754 --> 00:10:06,995 You see, your prayer life reveals the substance 268 00:10:06,995 --> 00:10:07,815 of your faith, 269 00:10:08,754 --> 00:10:10,375 the soundness of your theology, 270 00:10:11,154 --> 00:10:12,215 and the sincerity 271 00:10:12,754 --> 00:10:13,654 of your hope. 272 00:10:14,830 --> 00:10:15,730 In other words, 273 00:10:16,190 --> 00:10:18,210 one might ask or say, 274 00:10:18,590 --> 00:10:20,289 tell me what you pray for 275 00:10:20,590 --> 00:10:22,289 and I'll tell you what you believe. 276 00:10:23,629 --> 00:10:25,090 What does your prayer life 277 00:10:25,629 --> 00:10:26,690 say about you? 278 00:10:27,804 --> 00:10:30,605 Remember, if adversity is weighing you down, you 279 00:10:30,605 --> 00:10:32,705 need to lift up your prayers to God 280 00:10:33,085 --> 00:10:33,904 and arise. 281 00:10:34,764 --> 00:10:38,205 David found solace by turning to God during 282 00:10:38,205 --> 00:10:39,345 his darkest moments. 283 00:10:40,139 --> 00:10:43,419 You also can find encouragement and hope through 284 00:10:43,419 --> 00:10:43,919 prayer, 285 00:10:44,299 --> 00:10:44,799 knowing 286 00:10:45,259 --> 00:10:47,759 that God hears and sustains you 287 00:10:48,220 --> 00:10:49,279 in your trials. 288 00:10:50,139 --> 00:10:51,679 So having looked at the context, 289 00:10:52,059 --> 00:10:53,679 let's consider the second heading, 290 00:10:54,059 --> 00:10:54,720 the covenant. 291 00:10:55,725 --> 00:10:56,705 Verse 1 reads, 292 00:10:58,284 --> 00:10:58,945 O Lord, 293 00:10:59,485 --> 00:11:01,024 how many are my foes? 294 00:11:01,485 --> 00:11:03,664 Many are rising against me. 295 00:11:04,445 --> 00:11:07,164 Notice that David addresses God by using His 296 00:11:07,164 --> 00:11:08,100 covenant name, 297 00:11:08,579 --> 00:11:09,079 Yahweh, 298 00:11:09,379 --> 00:11:12,679 here translated as Lord in uppercase letters. 299 00:11:13,940 --> 00:11:16,519 This teaches us that prayer is the privilege 300 00:11:17,059 --> 00:11:18,600 of God's covenant people. 301 00:11:19,699 --> 00:11:21,720 The truth is that there is no reason 302 00:11:22,475 --> 00:11:22,975 why 303 00:11:23,355 --> 00:11:24,495 a holy God 304 00:11:25,035 --> 00:11:26,014 who is good, 305 00:11:26,715 --> 00:11:27,375 and righteous, 306 00:11:28,075 --> 00:11:28,894 and just 307 00:11:29,274 --> 00:11:31,274 should listen to the prayers of a people 308 00:11:31,274 --> 00:11:32,175 who are sinful, 309 00:11:32,715 --> 00:11:33,535 and disloyal, 310 00:11:34,154 --> 00:11:35,055 and altogether 311 00:11:35,435 --> 00:11:35,935 untrustworthy 312 00:11:36,955 --> 00:11:37,935 like we are. 313 00:11:39,330 --> 00:11:40,309 But he does. 314 00:11:41,169 --> 00:11:43,830 He does in fact listen to our prayers. 315 00:11:44,529 --> 00:11:47,570 In 1st Peter chapter 3 verse 12, the 316 00:11:47,570 --> 00:11:50,230 Apostle writes that God's ears are open 317 00:11:50,610 --> 00:11:52,230 to the prayers of his people. 318 00:11:53,815 --> 00:11:56,075 In 1st John chapter 5 verse 15, 319 00:11:57,014 --> 00:11:59,975 the beloved disciple remind reminds Christians that we 320 00:11:59,975 --> 00:12:00,875 can be confident 321 00:12:01,495 --> 00:12:04,475 that God hears us when we pray 322 00:12:04,855 --> 00:12:06,235 according to his will. 323 00:12:07,100 --> 00:12:08,000 And in Philippians 324 00:12:08,700 --> 00:12:10,000 chapter 4 verse 6, 325 00:12:10,460 --> 00:12:12,080 Paul exhorts us to pray 326 00:12:12,540 --> 00:12:15,600 making our request known to God with thanksgiving. 327 00:12:17,179 --> 00:12:19,440 And the reason God does this 328 00:12:20,225 --> 00:12:21,764 is that He has graciously 329 00:12:22,144 --> 00:12:22,644 condescended 330 00:12:23,504 --> 00:12:26,625 and entered into a covenant with us through 331 00:12:26,625 --> 00:12:27,764 His Son and Savior, 332 00:12:28,785 --> 00:12:30,485 through His Son and our Savior, 333 00:12:30,945 --> 00:12:32,245 Jesus Christ. 334 00:12:33,269 --> 00:12:34,250 The prophet Jeremiah 335 00:12:35,429 --> 00:12:38,549 prophesied this in Jeremiah 31 verses 31 to 336 00:12:38,549 --> 00:12:39,049 34. 337 00:12:39,429 --> 00:12:41,850 Part of it which we already read today 338 00:12:42,070 --> 00:12:43,289 where he writes this, 339 00:12:45,295 --> 00:12:45,795 Behold, 340 00:12:46,575 --> 00:12:48,754 the days are coming, declares the Lord, 341 00:12:49,215 --> 00:12:51,695 when I will make a new covenant with 342 00:12:51,695 --> 00:12:52,754 the house of Israel 343 00:12:53,295 --> 00:12:54,514 and the house of Judah. 344 00:12:55,295 --> 00:12:57,615 Not like the covenant that I made with 345 00:12:57,615 --> 00:12:58,434 their fathers 346 00:12:58,735 --> 00:13:00,175 on the day when I took them by 347 00:13:00,175 --> 00:13:02,149 the hand to bring them out of the 348 00:13:02,149 --> 00:13:03,129 land of Egypt, 349 00:13:03,990 --> 00:13:06,089 my covenant that they broke 350 00:13:06,549 --> 00:13:08,009 though I was their husband, 351 00:13:08,389 --> 00:13:09,450 declares the Lord. 352 00:13:10,309 --> 00:13:11,529 For this is the covenant 353 00:13:12,149 --> 00:13:13,990 that I will make with the house of 354 00:13:13,990 --> 00:13:16,995 Israel after those days, declares the Lord. 355 00:13:17,695 --> 00:13:18,674 I will put 356 00:13:19,294 --> 00:13:20,754 my law within them, 357 00:13:21,214 --> 00:13:23,154 and I will write it on their hearts. 358 00:13:24,014 --> 00:13:25,554 And I will be their God, 359 00:13:25,934 --> 00:13:27,875 and they shall be my people. 360 00:13:28,769 --> 00:13:31,089 And no longer shall each one teach his 361 00:13:31,089 --> 00:13:33,889 neighbor and each his brother saying, know the 362 00:13:33,889 --> 00:13:34,389 Lord 363 00:13:35,089 --> 00:13:36,870 for they shall all know me. 364 00:13:37,490 --> 00:13:39,829 From the least of them to the greatest 365 00:13:40,289 --> 00:13:41,429 declares the Lord. 366 00:13:42,054 --> 00:13:44,235 For I will forgive their iniquity, 367 00:13:44,934 --> 00:13:48,235 and I will remember their sin no more. 368 00:13:49,415 --> 00:13:50,235 Dear Christian, 369 00:13:51,495 --> 00:13:53,915 the prophet Jeremiah prophesied this 370 00:13:54,529 --> 00:13:55,350 about you. 371 00:13:56,129 --> 00:13:57,829 This is God's promise to 372 00:13:58,289 --> 00:14:00,149 you. He has forgiven your sin. 373 00:14:00,769 --> 00:14:02,389 He remembers it no more. 374 00:14:02,929 --> 00:14:05,250 And because He has promised to be your 375 00:14:05,250 --> 00:14:05,750 God, 376 00:14:06,414 --> 00:14:09,154 He cares about your life, and He listens 377 00:14:09,615 --> 00:14:10,595 to your prayers. 378 00:14:11,455 --> 00:14:13,695 So the second lesson that Psalm 3 teaches 379 00:14:13,695 --> 00:14:16,335 us about prayer is that prayer is the 380 00:14:16,335 --> 00:14:16,835 privilege 381 00:14:17,215 --> 00:14:18,914 of God's covenant people. 382 00:14:19,990 --> 00:14:21,370 Because of Jesus Christ, 383 00:14:22,389 --> 00:14:25,190 because of His perfect and finished work to 384 00:14:25,190 --> 00:14:26,490 atone for your sin, 385 00:14:27,190 --> 00:14:30,230 because you're united to Him through a spirit 386 00:14:30,230 --> 00:14:31,129 wrought faith, 387 00:14:31,829 --> 00:14:34,409 because of Christ's ascension into heaven 388 00:14:35,455 --> 00:14:37,534 where He intercedes for you as your High 389 00:14:37,534 --> 00:14:38,034 Priest, 390 00:14:38,815 --> 00:14:40,195 you have an audience 391 00:14:40,975 --> 00:14:42,674 before the King of the universe. 392 00:14:43,294 --> 00:14:46,595 It is your legal right in Jesus Christ. 393 00:14:47,534 --> 00:14:48,355 Don't forsake 394 00:14:49,379 --> 00:14:50,120 this privilege 395 00:14:50,820 --> 00:14:51,559 and gift. 396 00:14:53,059 --> 00:14:53,879 Avail yourself 397 00:14:54,259 --> 00:14:55,240 of this right 398 00:14:55,620 --> 00:14:58,920 to come before God's heavenly throne in prayer. 399 00:15:00,259 --> 00:15:02,660 So having looked at the context and the 400 00:15:02,660 --> 00:15:03,160 covenant, 401 00:15:03,605 --> 00:15:06,105 let's consider the 3rd heading, the conflict. 402 00:15:06,725 --> 00:15:08,665 Again, look at verses 12. 403 00:15:10,725 --> 00:15:12,665 Oh Lord, how many are my foes? 404 00:15:13,205 --> 00:15:15,225 Many are rising against me. 405 00:15:15,730 --> 00:15:17,570 Many are saying of my soul, there is 406 00:15:17,570 --> 00:15:18,389 no salvation 407 00:15:18,929 --> 00:15:19,750 for him 408 00:15:20,129 --> 00:15:20,870 in God. 409 00:15:21,970 --> 00:15:24,549 Having already spoken about the covenantal nature 410 00:15:24,850 --> 00:15:25,830 of this prayer, 411 00:15:26,210 --> 00:15:27,750 I want to draw your attention 412 00:15:28,289 --> 00:15:30,549 to 2 more things in these verses. 413 00:15:31,325 --> 00:15:31,825 First, 414 00:15:32,684 --> 00:15:35,325 notice that David underscores the great number of 415 00:15:35,325 --> 00:15:36,144 his adversaries. 416 00:15:37,164 --> 00:15:39,804 He says and repeats that his foes are 417 00:15:39,804 --> 00:15:40,304 many. 418 00:15:41,485 --> 00:15:42,705 In the history of Israel, 419 00:15:43,470 --> 00:15:45,949 few if any men have enjoyed as much 420 00:15:45,949 --> 00:15:46,449 popularity 421 00:15:46,990 --> 00:15:49,009 as David had up to that point. 422 00:15:49,389 --> 00:15:52,029 And yet in an instant everything changed, and 423 00:15:52,029 --> 00:15:54,289 David's world was turned upside down. 424 00:15:55,230 --> 00:15:56,610 Many of the same people 425 00:15:56,985 --> 00:15:59,705 who celebrated his military victories on behalf of 426 00:15:59,705 --> 00:16:00,205 Israel 427 00:16:00,664 --> 00:16:03,085 had now sworn their allegiance to Absalom 428 00:16:03,784 --> 00:16:05,485 and were pursuing David 429 00:16:05,865 --> 00:16:07,085 to take his life. 430 00:16:08,424 --> 00:16:10,284 Perhaps you notice how this foreshadows 431 00:16:10,929 --> 00:16:12,870 our Lord Jesus's own experience, 432 00:16:13,250 --> 00:16:15,750 who after entering Jerusalem to great acclaim 433 00:16:16,610 --> 00:16:19,009 as the multitude cried out, Hosanna to the 434 00:16:19,009 --> 00:16:21,190 son of David on Palm Sunday, 435 00:16:21,570 --> 00:16:24,710 by week's end would hear the crowd shouting, 436 00:16:25,009 --> 00:16:26,230 crucify Him. 437 00:16:27,644 --> 00:16:30,544 This admonishes us from pursuing popularity 438 00:16:31,404 --> 00:16:32,784 and highlights the foolishness 439 00:16:33,325 --> 00:16:35,264 of putting our trust in man. 440 00:16:36,524 --> 00:16:39,245 In Jeremiah 17:5, the prophet puts it more 441 00:16:39,245 --> 00:16:40,544 strongly when he writes, 442 00:16:40,924 --> 00:16:41,424 cursed 443 00:16:42,190 --> 00:16:43,970 is the man who trusts in man 444 00:16:44,590 --> 00:16:46,769 and makes flesh his strength, 445 00:16:47,230 --> 00:16:49,330 whose heart turns away 446 00:16:49,950 --> 00:16:50,769 from the Lord. 447 00:16:52,590 --> 00:16:54,290 Listen, popularity contests 448 00:16:54,990 --> 00:16:56,370 are a waste of time 449 00:16:56,815 --> 00:16:59,235 and they're not worthy of your devotion. 450 00:17:00,014 --> 00:17:01,955 I know social media and all the algorithms 451 00:17:02,254 --> 00:17:04,755 are designed for you to pursue that popularity. 452 00:17:04,974 --> 00:17:05,795 They're worthless. 453 00:17:06,575 --> 00:17:08,835 It's worthless. It's a trap. It's a snare. 454 00:17:08,894 --> 00:17:10,595 It's a snare from the pit of hell. 455 00:17:10,815 --> 00:17:12,195 Don't fall into it. 456 00:17:12,829 --> 00:17:15,309 The hearts and the will of human beings 457 00:17:15,309 --> 00:17:16,130 are fickle, 458 00:17:16,990 --> 00:17:19,230 and the security that they offer is nothing 459 00:17:19,230 --> 00:17:21,150 more than a house of cards. It will 460 00:17:21,150 --> 00:17:23,890 collapse at the slightest blowing of the wind. 461 00:17:25,174 --> 00:17:26,875 Psalm 3 teaches us therefore 462 00:17:27,255 --> 00:17:29,734 to turn our hearts towards the Lord through 463 00:17:29,734 --> 00:17:30,234 prayer, 464 00:17:30,615 --> 00:17:33,035 for He will neither turn away from us 465 00:17:33,494 --> 00:17:34,875 nor turn against us. 466 00:17:35,575 --> 00:17:36,075 Instead, 467 00:17:36,615 --> 00:17:38,554 in Psalm 116 verse 2, 468 00:17:39,190 --> 00:17:39,930 the psalmist 469 00:17:40,390 --> 00:17:43,430 writes that because God inclines his ear toward 470 00:17:43,430 --> 00:17:43,930 him, 471 00:17:44,549 --> 00:17:46,630 He will call on him as long as 472 00:17:46,630 --> 00:17:47,369 he lives. 473 00:17:48,309 --> 00:17:49,849 Oh, that that would be our posture. 474 00:17:50,710 --> 00:17:52,390 That we would know that the Lord inclines 475 00:17:52,390 --> 00:17:53,830 his ear toward us. So we will call 476 00:17:53,830 --> 00:17:56,445 on him with every breath that we have, 477 00:17:56,445 --> 00:17:58,224 every day of our lives. 478 00:18:00,045 --> 00:18:01,565 The second thing I want you to notice 479 00:18:01,565 --> 00:18:02,945 in verses 1 and 2 480 00:18:03,484 --> 00:18:06,464 is that David's adversaries are making are maligning 481 00:18:07,109 --> 00:18:08,009 God's character 482 00:18:08,549 --> 00:18:10,569 because they don't understand God's grace. 483 00:18:11,509 --> 00:18:14,069 David says in verse 2 that many are 484 00:18:14,069 --> 00:18:16,710 saying of him, 'There is no salvation for 485 00:18:16,710 --> 00:18:17,609 him in God.' 486 00:18:19,234 --> 00:18:21,335 At the beginning of David's flight from Absalom, 487 00:18:22,035 --> 00:18:23,795 David and his men go through a town 488 00:18:23,795 --> 00:18:25,015 called Bahurim 489 00:18:25,795 --> 00:18:28,275 on the north eastern slope of the Mount 490 00:18:28,275 --> 00:18:28,934 of Olives. 491 00:18:29,715 --> 00:18:31,174 In 2nd Samuel 16, 492 00:18:31,555 --> 00:18:33,494 we read that a man named Shemae, 493 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:34,859 a Benjaminite 494 00:18:35,319 --> 00:18:36,619 from the house of Saul 495 00:18:37,079 --> 00:18:39,339 begins to throw stones at David 496 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:41,480 and to curse him as he is going 497 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:42,779 through this town saying, 498 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:43,980 Get out. 499 00:18:44,679 --> 00:18:46,619 Get out you man of blood, 500 00:18:47,159 --> 00:18:48,539 you worthless man. 501 00:18:49,244 --> 00:18:50,464 The Lord has avenged 502 00:18:51,005 --> 00:18:53,244 on the Lord has avenged on you all 503 00:18:53,244 --> 00:18:55,585 the blood of the house of Saul, 504 00:18:56,125 --> 00:18:58,305 in whose place you have reigned. 505 00:18:58,924 --> 00:19:01,005 And the Lord has given the kingdom into 506 00:19:01,005 --> 00:19:02,865 the hand of your son Absalom. 507 00:19:03,950 --> 00:19:07,390 See, your evil is on you for you 508 00:19:07,390 --> 00:19:08,930 are a man of blood. 509 00:19:10,829 --> 00:19:13,470 When Abishai, one of David's men, asked David 510 00:19:13,470 --> 00:19:16,029 for permission to save the king's honor by 511 00:19:16,029 --> 00:19:16,529 personally 512 00:19:17,384 --> 00:19:19,005 cutting off Shimei's head, 513 00:19:19,625 --> 00:19:20,684 David answers, 514 00:19:22,424 --> 00:19:24,845 behold, my own son seeks my life. 515 00:19:25,625 --> 00:19:28,684 How much more now may this Benjaminite 516 00:19:29,899 --> 00:19:30,799 leave him alone 517 00:19:31,419 --> 00:19:32,640 and let him curse 518 00:19:33,339 --> 00:19:35,039 for the Lord has told him to. 519 00:19:35,740 --> 00:19:37,339 It may be that the Lord will look 520 00:19:37,339 --> 00:19:39,259 on the wrong done to me and the 521 00:19:39,259 --> 00:19:41,659 Lord will repay me with good for his 522 00:19:41,659 --> 00:19:42,159 cursing 523 00:19:42,619 --> 00:19:43,119 today. 524 00:19:44,684 --> 00:19:46,284 There's 2 things I want you to notice. 525 00:19:46,284 --> 00:19:46,784 1st, 526 00:19:47,724 --> 00:19:49,984 Shimei calls David a man of blood, 527 00:19:50,524 --> 00:19:51,904 and indeed he is. 528 00:19:52,845 --> 00:19:55,024 David had led many military campaigns 529 00:19:55,565 --> 00:19:58,065 and had therefore shed much blood. 530 00:19:59,039 --> 00:20:01,359 But David was also guilty of shedding innocent 531 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:01,859 blood. 532 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,019 Like the blood of his own general, 533 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:04,900 Uriah, 534 00:20:05,519 --> 00:20:07,519 whom David sent to die on the front 535 00:20:07,519 --> 00:20:10,080 line in a vain attempt to cover up 536 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:13,460 his adulterous relationship with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. 537 00:20:15,025 --> 00:20:17,505 Whether Shamay is aware of this sinful act 538 00:20:17,505 --> 00:20:19,204 of David is beside the point. 539 00:20:19,664 --> 00:20:21,904 What we do know is that Shamay holds 540 00:20:21,904 --> 00:20:22,805 David responsible 541 00:20:23,505 --> 00:20:25,684 for the demise of the house of Saul. 542 00:20:26,720 --> 00:20:28,339 In that particular case, 543 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,059 wrongly impugning sin to David. 544 00:20:31,920 --> 00:20:32,660 And yet, 545 00:20:33,039 --> 00:20:34,019 what is evident 546 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:36,339 is that Shimei does not understand 547 00:20:37,279 --> 00:20:38,420 God's grace. 548 00:20:40,304 --> 00:20:42,005 Because even though David is indeed 549 00:20:42,704 --> 00:20:43,765 a man of blood, 550 00:20:45,345 --> 00:20:46,484 it is also true 551 00:20:46,944 --> 00:20:47,924 that the Lord 552 00:20:48,224 --> 00:20:50,325 is a God whose love for his people 553 00:20:50,625 --> 00:20:51,365 is steadfast 554 00:20:52,410 --> 00:20:54,029 and whose mercies are new 555 00:20:54,490 --> 00:20:55,230 every morning. 556 00:20:56,330 --> 00:20:57,950 A God who saves sinners, 557 00:20:58,970 --> 00:20:59,710 who saves 558 00:21:00,090 --> 00:21:01,230 even men of blood. 559 00:21:02,330 --> 00:21:03,230 So the accusation 560 00:21:04,634 --> 00:21:07,134 that David hears that there is no salvation 561 00:21:07,195 --> 00:21:09,934 for him in God is entirely baseless, 562 00:21:10,394 --> 00:21:12,095 not because of David's sinful 563 00:21:12,474 --> 00:21:12,974 character, 564 00:21:13,515 --> 00:21:16,095 but because of God's righteous character. 565 00:21:17,779 --> 00:21:18,279 Secondly, 566 00:21:19,380 --> 00:21:22,039 David's response hints that he himself believes 567 00:21:22,419 --> 00:21:24,200 that God may be punishing him 568 00:21:24,500 --> 00:21:25,480 for his sin. 569 00:21:26,819 --> 00:21:28,679 Now listen, God does not punish 570 00:21:29,220 --> 00:21:30,039 his people. 571 00:21:30,904 --> 00:21:33,005 He punished Jesus in our behalf. 572 00:21:34,025 --> 00:21:37,704 But He does discipline and chastise us as 573 00:21:37,704 --> 00:21:40,125 a loving parent does a child. 574 00:21:40,984 --> 00:21:42,284 But David's doubt 575 00:21:42,940 --> 00:21:45,039 ought to serve as a warning to us 576 00:21:45,420 --> 00:21:47,599 because it shows that one of the devastating 577 00:21:47,980 --> 00:21:49,359 consequences of sin 578 00:21:50,059 --> 00:21:52,940 is that it tempts us to doubt God's 579 00:21:52,940 --> 00:21:53,440 love. 580 00:21:55,664 --> 00:21:57,764 Are there times when you doubt God's love? 581 00:22:00,065 --> 00:22:01,204 Times when you question 582 00:22:01,984 --> 00:22:03,605 the extent of God's mercy? 583 00:22:06,144 --> 00:22:08,144 Times when you wonder whether his grace is 584 00:22:08,144 --> 00:22:09,365 sufficient for you? 585 00:22:11,859 --> 00:22:13,859 The conflict in verses 1 and 2 is 586 00:22:13,859 --> 00:22:15,319 a conflict between the believer 587 00:22:15,700 --> 00:22:18,599 and the unbelieving world, a world which denies 588 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:20,440 that God's grace is real. 589 00:22:21,859 --> 00:22:24,099 But it is also a conflict within the 590 00:22:24,099 --> 00:22:25,079 believer himself 591 00:22:26,904 --> 00:22:28,045 whose own sin 592 00:22:28,744 --> 00:22:29,965 tempts him to deny 593 00:22:30,424 --> 00:22:33,164 that God's grace is sufficient for him. 594 00:22:34,585 --> 00:22:36,585 So the 3rd lesson Psalm 3 teaches us 595 00:22:36,585 --> 00:22:37,325 about prayer 596 00:22:37,865 --> 00:22:39,005 is that our sin 597 00:22:39,545 --> 00:22:41,644 should not drive us away from God 598 00:22:42,289 --> 00:22:43,509 but should drive us 599 00:22:43,890 --> 00:22:44,630 to God 600 00:22:45,250 --> 00:22:47,269 because he neither turns away from us 601 00:22:47,730 --> 00:22:49,190 nor does he turn us away. 602 00:22:51,089 --> 00:22:52,630 So having looked at the context, 603 00:22:53,329 --> 00:22:54,069 the covenant, 604 00:22:55,089 --> 00:22:56,069 the end, the conflict, 605 00:22:56,664 --> 00:22:58,204 let's consider our 4th heading, 606 00:22:58,664 --> 00:22:59,404 the cry. 607 00:23:00,345 --> 00:23:02,125 In verses 3 and 4 we read, 608 00:23:03,065 --> 00:23:05,224 but you, oh Lord, are a shield about 609 00:23:05,224 --> 00:23:07,944 me, my glory and the lifter of my 610 00:23:07,944 --> 00:23:08,444 head. 611 00:23:09,019 --> 00:23:11,259 I cried aloud to the Lord, and He 612 00:23:11,259 --> 00:23:12,159 answered me 613 00:23:12,460 --> 00:23:13,919 from His holy hill. 614 00:23:15,099 --> 00:23:16,319 Notice the contrast 615 00:23:16,700 --> 00:23:17,759 of verse 3 616 00:23:18,220 --> 00:23:19,519 with verse 2. 617 00:23:20,220 --> 00:23:22,619 In verse 2, the unbelieving world says, There 618 00:23:22,619 --> 00:23:24,285 is no salvation for the sinner. 619 00:23:25,325 --> 00:23:26,384 But in verse 3 620 00:23:26,845 --> 00:23:29,025 says David, But you, O Lord, 621 00:23:29,404 --> 00:23:30,384 are a shield 622 00:23:30,845 --> 00:23:31,664 about me. 623 00:23:32,765 --> 00:23:33,744 The word translated 624 00:23:34,045 --> 00:23:35,664 about me means 625 00:23:36,285 --> 00:23:37,184 around me, 626 00:23:37,965 --> 00:23:38,945 behind me, 627 00:23:39,509 --> 00:23:40,250 through me, 628 00:23:40,710 --> 00:23:42,490 and even for my benefit. 629 00:23:43,830 --> 00:23:46,150 The Greek translation of the old testament renders 630 00:23:46,150 --> 00:23:46,650 it 631 00:23:46,950 --> 00:23:47,690 my helper 632 00:23:48,230 --> 00:23:49,450 or my protector. 633 00:23:50,549 --> 00:23:51,450 In other words, 634 00:23:52,304 --> 00:23:54,865 far from there being no salvation for the 635 00:23:54,865 --> 00:23:55,924 sinner in God, 636 00:23:56,625 --> 00:23:57,444 God alone 637 00:23:58,224 --> 00:23:59,684 is the sinner's salvation. 638 00:24:00,784 --> 00:24:03,524 He is a shield that goes before you, 639 00:24:04,144 --> 00:24:06,325 behind you, above you, 640 00:24:06,690 --> 00:24:09,329 and around you. He is your helper. He 641 00:24:09,329 --> 00:24:10,389 is your protector. 642 00:24:11,649 --> 00:24:12,869 And that's not all. 643 00:24:13,409 --> 00:24:15,029 In 2nd Samuel 15:30, 644 00:24:15,329 --> 00:24:18,069 we read that, As David fled from Absalom, 645 00:24:18,984 --> 00:24:21,404 he ascended the Mount of Olives weeping 646 00:24:21,944 --> 00:24:24,204 barefoot and with his head covered. 647 00:24:25,625 --> 00:24:26,444 But now, 648 00:24:27,384 --> 00:24:30,105 David's prayer says that God is also His 649 00:24:30,105 --> 00:24:30,605 glory 650 00:24:30,984 --> 00:24:31,884 and the lifter 651 00:24:32,424 --> 00:24:33,484 of his head. 652 00:24:34,710 --> 00:24:36,009 A 1000 years later, 653 00:24:36,630 --> 00:24:38,890 when the Son of David ascended the cross 654 00:24:39,670 --> 00:24:40,410 on Calvary, 655 00:24:41,269 --> 00:24:44,089 his head was also covered and weighed down, 656 00:24:44,710 --> 00:24:46,970 this time by a crown of thorns. 657 00:24:47,855 --> 00:24:50,095 But his heavenly father lifted up his head 658 00:24:50,095 --> 00:24:51,474 and raised him up in glory. 659 00:24:52,015 --> 00:24:53,615 And if you are united to him by 660 00:24:53,615 --> 00:24:54,115 faith, 661 00:24:54,494 --> 00:24:55,234 so too 662 00:24:55,695 --> 00:24:58,255 shall he lift up your head in glory 663 00:24:58,255 --> 00:24:58,994 one day. 664 00:25:00,110 --> 00:25:02,590 In verse 4, David says, that after he 665 00:25:02,590 --> 00:25:03,650 cried to the Lord, 666 00:25:04,029 --> 00:25:06,130 God answered him from his holy hill. 667 00:25:06,670 --> 00:25:09,630 Once again, the context in 2nd Samuel sheds 668 00:25:09,630 --> 00:25:10,130 light 669 00:25:10,430 --> 00:25:11,970 on Psalm 3. 670 00:25:12,544 --> 00:25:13,444 In 2nd Samuel 671 00:25:14,224 --> 00:25:15,984 15, we read that as David was leading 672 00:25:15,984 --> 00:25:17,365 the army out of Jerusalem, 673 00:25:17,825 --> 00:25:18,565 2 priests 674 00:25:19,025 --> 00:25:20,644 brought him the Ark of the Covenant. 675 00:25:21,585 --> 00:25:22,085 However, 676 00:25:22,865 --> 00:25:25,525 David commanded them to carry the Ark back 677 00:25:25,984 --> 00:25:27,204 to the holy hill. 678 00:25:28,019 --> 00:25:29,960 Instead of falling into superstition 679 00:25:30,660 --> 00:25:32,519 by treating the ark like an amulet, 680 00:25:32,820 --> 00:25:34,279 like a good luck charm, 681 00:25:35,220 --> 00:25:36,920 David prays that God himself 682 00:25:37,700 --> 00:25:40,340 will protect him and bring him back to 683 00:25:40,340 --> 00:25:42,340 the city so that he can see the 684 00:25:42,340 --> 00:25:44,755 ark in its dwelling place once 685 00:25:45,934 --> 00:25:47,954 again. David cries out to God 686 00:25:48,575 --> 00:25:50,194 and God hears his prayer. 687 00:25:50,894 --> 00:25:52,115 God protects him. 688 00:25:52,734 --> 00:25:55,454 God provides for him. And ultimately, God propels 689 00:25:55,454 --> 00:25:56,434 him to victory 690 00:25:56,974 --> 00:25:58,650 under God's providential 691 00:26:00,710 --> 00:26:02,490 care. You know, studies have shown 692 00:26:03,509 --> 00:26:04,329 that children, 693 00:26:05,349 --> 00:26:07,369 in poorly managed orphanages 694 00:26:08,390 --> 00:26:09,529 exhibit the severe 695 00:26:09,990 --> 00:26:13,210 emotional and developmental and developmental impact 696 00:26:13,525 --> 00:26:14,265 of neglect. 697 00:26:15,285 --> 00:26:17,384 Many children in these orphanages become 698 00:26:17,845 --> 00:26:18,984 emotionally detached 699 00:26:19,684 --> 00:26:21,224 and even stop crying 700 00:26:21,684 --> 00:26:22,184 altogether 701 00:26:22,884 --> 00:26:24,964 since they learn that their cries does not 702 00:26:24,964 --> 00:26:27,304 result in receiving any comfort or attention. 703 00:26:28,859 --> 00:26:30,619 So they learn to suppress their emotion. They 704 00:26:30,619 --> 00:26:33,200 even learn to suppress the need to cry, 705 00:26:33,740 --> 00:26:35,599 and they do this as a coping mechanism. 706 00:26:37,339 --> 00:26:38,799 Psalm 3 teaches us 707 00:26:39,259 --> 00:26:40,400 that we're not orphans. 708 00:26:41,835 --> 00:26:43,134 Psalm 3 teaches us 709 00:26:43,595 --> 00:26:45,934 that we don't have to suppress our emotions 710 00:26:46,234 --> 00:26:47,615 before our heavenly Father. 711 00:26:48,875 --> 00:26:51,134 Our heavenly Father does not neglect us. 712 00:26:51,914 --> 00:26:53,535 He always hears our cries. 713 00:26:53,994 --> 00:26:55,214 He always answers 714 00:26:55,674 --> 00:26:57,054 from His holy hill. 715 00:26:57,809 --> 00:26:59,890 So the 4th lesson that Psalm 3 teaches 716 00:26:59,890 --> 00:27:00,869 us about prayer 717 00:27:01,250 --> 00:27:03,089 is that when we cry out to God 718 00:27:03,089 --> 00:27:03,829 in prayer, 719 00:27:04,289 --> 00:27:07,190 our heavenly father will never neglect us. 720 00:27:07,809 --> 00:27:09,409 When we cry out to God in prayer, 721 00:27:09,409 --> 00:27:12,744 our heavenly father will never neglect us. He 722 00:27:12,744 --> 00:27:14,585 may not always answer the prayers in the 723 00:27:14,585 --> 00:27:15,484 way that we want, 724 00:27:16,105 --> 00:27:18,424 but He always answers our prayers according to 725 00:27:18,424 --> 00:27:19,804 His goodwill for us. 726 00:27:20,744 --> 00:27:21,565 Like David, 727 00:27:21,865 --> 00:27:23,724 it is a good practice by the way 728 00:27:23,784 --> 00:27:25,164 to write down your prayers, 729 00:27:25,700 --> 00:27:27,619 so that you can record when and how 730 00:27:27,619 --> 00:27:28,759 God answers them. 731 00:27:29,380 --> 00:27:31,779 This discipline will help you to give God 732 00:27:31,779 --> 00:27:33,960 the glory for His past provision 733 00:27:34,420 --> 00:27:36,599 and will embolden your future hope 734 00:27:36,900 --> 00:27:39,079 knowing that the God of the universe 735 00:27:39,460 --> 00:27:40,759 hears your voice. 736 00:27:42,204 --> 00:27:43,744 So having looked at the context, 737 00:27:44,125 --> 00:27:44,865 the covenant, 738 00:27:45,325 --> 00:27:47,804 the conflict, and the cry, let's consider our 739 00:27:47,804 --> 00:27:48,704 5th heading, 740 00:27:49,164 --> 00:27:49,904 the confidence. 741 00:27:50,684 --> 00:27:53,085 In verses 5 and 6 we read, I 742 00:27:53,085 --> 00:27:54,384 laid down and slept. 743 00:27:55,099 --> 00:27:57,440 I woke again for the Lord sustained me. 744 00:27:58,140 --> 00:28:00,460 I will not be afraid of many thousands 745 00:28:00,460 --> 00:28:03,339 of people who have set themselves against me 746 00:28:03,339 --> 00:28:04,080 all around. 747 00:28:05,339 --> 00:28:06,960 When we say that some people, 748 00:28:07,500 --> 00:28:08,880 or when we say that someone 749 00:28:09,259 --> 00:28:10,400 slept like a baby, 750 00:28:11,014 --> 00:28:13,095 we mean that such a person slept very 751 00:28:13,095 --> 00:28:13,595 soundly 752 00:28:14,134 --> 00:28:16,214 as if that person had no care in 753 00:28:16,214 --> 00:28:16,794 the world. 754 00:28:18,054 --> 00:28:19,914 Babies really only have 2 cares. 755 00:28:20,615 --> 00:28:21,674 They want to eat 756 00:28:22,294 --> 00:28:23,914 and they want their diaper changed. 757 00:28:25,230 --> 00:28:26,210 Luckily for them, 758 00:28:26,670 --> 00:28:29,150 they aren't even responsible to make sure that 759 00:28:29,150 --> 00:28:30,609 either care is met. 760 00:28:31,230 --> 00:28:32,369 A loving parent 761 00:28:32,910 --> 00:28:35,869 make sure that the baby's needs are taken 762 00:28:35,869 --> 00:28:36,609 care of. 763 00:28:37,424 --> 00:28:39,045 That's why babies sleep 764 00:28:40,305 --> 00:28:41,125 like a baby. 765 00:28:42,705 --> 00:28:45,105 But you get older, the amount of cares 766 00:28:45,105 --> 00:28:45,605 increase, 767 00:28:46,144 --> 00:28:48,884 and restful sleep often becomes elusive. 768 00:28:50,089 --> 00:28:52,910 As David's grip on his kingdom collapsed, 769 00:28:53,450 --> 00:28:55,789 and he found himself running for his life 770 00:28:56,250 --> 00:28:58,349 because of his own son's army 771 00:28:59,369 --> 00:29:02,410 persecuting him, his own son's army trying to 772 00:29:02,410 --> 00:29:04,670 kill him, we might have expected 773 00:29:05,295 --> 00:29:08,115 David to ask God to remove his insomnia. 774 00:29:09,775 --> 00:29:10,275 Instead, 775 00:29:10,735 --> 00:29:12,735 in Psalm 3, David says that he lie 776 00:29:12,735 --> 00:29:13,955 down and slept, 777 00:29:14,735 --> 00:29:17,394 and he woke up because God sustained him. 778 00:29:18,450 --> 00:29:20,710 So with confidence David boldly declares 779 00:29:21,009 --> 00:29:22,710 that he will not be afraid 780 00:29:23,009 --> 00:29:25,890 though many thousands are set against him as 781 00:29:25,890 --> 00:29:27,029 they literally were. 782 00:29:29,250 --> 00:29:30,549 Because of verse 5, 783 00:29:31,184 --> 00:29:33,664 many commentators consider Psalm 3 to be a 784 00:29:33,664 --> 00:29:34,724 morning prayer. 785 00:29:35,585 --> 00:29:37,444 And as such, verses 56 786 00:29:38,224 --> 00:29:40,565 teach us to entrust our cares to God 787 00:29:40,625 --> 00:29:42,884 for He is the one who sustains us. 788 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:45,660 In the middle of war, 789 00:29:46,680 --> 00:29:48,220 David could sleep soundly 790 00:29:48,600 --> 00:29:49,820 because he was confident 791 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:52,220 that God would sustain him. 792 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:55,019 But in the middle of the storm, 793 00:29:56,039 --> 00:29:57,340 Jesus slept soundly 794 00:29:57,880 --> 00:30:00,625 because He is the one who sustains the 795 00:30:00,625 --> 00:30:01,444 whole universe 796 00:30:01,984 --> 00:30:04,144 by the word of his power as the 797 00:30:04,144 --> 00:30:06,644 author of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 1:3. 798 00:30:08,625 --> 00:30:11,025 In the storms and vicissitudes of life, you 799 00:30:11,025 --> 00:30:12,884 might become paralyzed by fear, 800 00:30:13,420 --> 00:30:15,519 focusing on the weakness of your flesh 801 00:30:15,980 --> 00:30:16,960 instead of focusing 802 00:30:17,259 --> 00:30:18,960 on the strength of your father. 803 00:30:20,220 --> 00:30:22,220 If we focused on our own gifts and 804 00:30:22,220 --> 00:30:22,720 abilities, 805 00:30:23,259 --> 00:30:23,759 we 806 00:30:24,380 --> 00:30:26,640 would never dare to plant this church. 807 00:30:27,154 --> 00:30:28,994 We would never dare to share the gospel 808 00:30:28,994 --> 00:30:29,894 with our friends, 809 00:30:30,434 --> 00:30:31,335 with our coworkers. 810 00:30:31,954 --> 00:30:34,434 We would never dare to send missionaries to 811 00:30:34,434 --> 00:30:35,174 other countries. 812 00:30:36,434 --> 00:30:38,214 Our adversaries are too many. 813 00:30:39,009 --> 00:30:40,630 Our barriers are too high. 814 00:30:42,130 --> 00:30:43,890 And we would be and we are too 815 00:30:43,890 --> 00:30:46,150 weak, and we are too weary. 816 00:30:46,929 --> 00:30:49,490 And yet Psalm 3 invites us to say 817 00:30:49,490 --> 00:30:51,910 with David, we will not be afraid, 818 00:30:52,575 --> 00:30:53,554 though many 1,000 819 00:30:53,855 --> 00:30:55,714 set themselves against us. 820 00:30:56,414 --> 00:30:58,494 You see the 5th lesson Psalm 3 teaches 821 00:30:58,494 --> 00:31:00,654 us about prayer is that we can pray 822 00:31:00,654 --> 00:31:01,474 with confidence 823 00:31:01,855 --> 00:31:04,355 because God is the one who sustains us. 824 00:31:05,294 --> 00:31:06,515 Therefore, our troubles 825 00:31:07,319 --> 00:31:09,899 and challenges should never make us anxious. 826 00:31:10,679 --> 00:31:12,519 Instead, we can lift our prayers to the 827 00:31:12,519 --> 00:31:13,659 Lord with thanksgiving, 828 00:31:14,519 --> 00:31:17,179 confident in His love and power. 829 00:31:18,279 --> 00:31:20,220 With a peace that surpasses knowledge, 830 00:31:20,855 --> 00:31:22,634 we can go to sleep at night, 831 00:31:23,015 --> 00:31:25,095 confident that we will arise in the morning 832 00:31:25,095 --> 00:31:27,355 for God will sustain us. 833 00:31:28,855 --> 00:31:30,634 And when the Lord calls us home, 834 00:31:31,414 --> 00:31:33,654 we can close our eyes with the same 835 00:31:33,654 --> 00:31:34,154 confidence 836 00:31:34,730 --> 00:31:36,990 that we shall again hear a voice saying, 837 00:31:37,369 --> 00:31:38,670 awake, oh sleeper, 838 00:31:39,210 --> 00:31:41,769 and arise from the dead, and Christ will 839 00:31:41,769 --> 00:31:44,970 shine His light on us. He will sustain 840 00:31:44,970 --> 00:31:45,470 us. 841 00:31:46,570 --> 00:31:48,109 So having looked at the context, 842 00:31:48,715 --> 00:31:49,455 the covenant, 843 00:31:49,994 --> 00:31:50,815 the conflict, 844 00:31:51,355 --> 00:31:52,174 the cry, 845 00:31:52,555 --> 00:31:55,134 and the confidence, let's consider our final heading, 846 00:31:55,434 --> 00:31:56,174 the confession. 847 00:31:57,355 --> 00:31:59,595 Verses 7 and 8. In verses 7 and 848 00:31:59,595 --> 00:32:00,494 8 we read, 849 00:32:01,674 --> 00:32:02,894 Arise, O Lord, 850 00:32:03,649 --> 00:32:05,109 Save me, O my God. 851 00:32:05,490 --> 00:32:07,730 For You strike all my enemies on the 852 00:32:07,730 --> 00:32:08,230 cheek, 853 00:32:08,609 --> 00:32:11,269 You break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation 854 00:32:11,490 --> 00:32:14,529 belongs to the Lord. Your blessing be on 855 00:32:14,529 --> 00:32:15,349 your people. 856 00:32:16,875 --> 00:32:18,095 As you know, Moses 857 00:32:18,555 --> 00:32:20,815 led Israel out of Egypt through the wilderness. 858 00:32:21,755 --> 00:32:23,455 And whenever they would set out, 859 00:32:23,914 --> 00:32:27,055 knowing they would face many dangers, including armies 860 00:32:27,355 --> 00:32:28,734 seeking to defeat them, 861 00:32:29,509 --> 00:32:31,429 the ark would go before the people of 862 00:32:31,429 --> 00:32:34,470 Israel. And Moses would cry out, arise, oh 863 00:32:34,470 --> 00:32:37,049 Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, 864 00:32:37,509 --> 00:32:40,069 and let those who hate you flee before 865 00:32:40,069 --> 00:32:40,569 you. 866 00:32:41,855 --> 00:32:43,315 In 2nd Samuel 15, 867 00:32:44,174 --> 00:32:45,855 we learned that David did not take the 868 00:32:45,855 --> 00:32:46,914 ark to the wilderness, 869 00:32:47,375 --> 00:32:49,634 but instead sent the ark back to Jerusalem. 870 00:32:50,894 --> 00:32:51,394 However, 871 00:32:52,015 --> 00:32:52,994 David knew 872 00:32:53,455 --> 00:32:55,775 that God would answer his prayer from his 873 00:32:55,775 --> 00:32:56,595 holy hill. 874 00:32:57,119 --> 00:32:59,680 So here David proclaims the old battle cry 875 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:00,339 of Israel, 876 00:33:00,640 --> 00:33:02,880 summoning the Lord to lead his people to 877 00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:04,420 victory and his enemies 878 00:33:04,799 --> 00:33:06,099 to resounding defeat. 879 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:07,700 David characterizes 880 00:33:08,000 --> 00:33:08,740 his adversaries 881 00:33:09,119 --> 00:33:11,839 as wild beasts who are eager to devour 882 00:33:11,839 --> 00:33:12,339 him. 883 00:33:13,265 --> 00:33:15,684 But to demonstrate his confidence in the Lord, 884 00:33:16,065 --> 00:33:18,884 David calls on God to slap his enemies 885 00:33:18,944 --> 00:33:19,765 on the cheek, 886 00:33:20,384 --> 00:33:22,944 showing his utter disdain for them, for the 887 00:33:22,944 --> 00:33:24,884 slap was considered a great insult. 888 00:33:25,650 --> 00:33:27,330 And he calls on God to break their 889 00:33:27,330 --> 00:33:27,830 teeth, 890 00:33:28,450 --> 00:33:29,670 rendering the beasts 891 00:33:30,049 --> 00:33:30,549 harmless. 892 00:33:32,130 --> 00:33:34,789 In 1st Peter chapter 5 verse 8, 893 00:33:35,250 --> 00:33:37,670 Peter writes that our adversary, the devil, 894 00:33:37,970 --> 00:33:40,070 prowls around like a roaring lion 895 00:33:40,525 --> 00:33:41,984 seeking someone to devour. 896 00:33:43,565 --> 00:33:45,424 But though this is a call to sobriety, 897 00:33:46,365 --> 00:33:47,825 it's not a call to fear. 898 00:33:48,525 --> 00:33:51,005 For Psalm 3 teaches us that even an 899 00:33:51,005 --> 00:33:52,224 even greater lion, 900 00:33:52,819 --> 00:33:54,420 that is to say the lion of the 901 00:33:54,420 --> 00:33:55,400 tribe of Judah, 902 00:33:56,259 --> 00:33:57,480 goes into battle 903 00:33:57,859 --> 00:33:58,519 for us 904 00:33:58,980 --> 00:34:00,200 and before us, 905 00:34:00,660 --> 00:34:01,960 breaking our adversary's 906 00:34:02,259 --> 00:34:05,160 neck and dashing its teeth from its jaw. 907 00:34:06,684 --> 00:34:08,704 David ends Psalm 3 by confessing 908 00:34:09,005 --> 00:34:09,824 that salvation 909 00:34:10,125 --> 00:34:12,204 belongs to the Lord and that His blessing 910 00:34:12,204 --> 00:34:12,945 shall be 911 00:34:13,244 --> 00:34:14,305 upon His people. 912 00:34:15,724 --> 00:34:18,045 And so the 6th lesson that Psalm 3 913 00:34:18,045 --> 00:34:19,344 teaches us about prayer 914 00:34:19,929 --> 00:34:21,710 is that we must pray for the lost. 915 00:34:22,329 --> 00:34:24,349 Because salvation is God's work, 916 00:34:24,650 --> 00:34:25,390 not theirs. 917 00:34:25,929 --> 00:34:27,230 And no adversary 918 00:34:27,530 --> 00:34:28,269 will prevail 919 00:34:28,890 --> 00:34:31,630 against God's power to save. 920 00:34:33,464 --> 00:34:35,784 2nd Samuel 14 says that no one in 921 00:34:35,784 --> 00:34:36,284 Israel 922 00:34:36,984 --> 00:34:38,125 was more handsome 923 00:34:38,585 --> 00:34:39,484 than Absalom. 924 00:34:40,424 --> 00:34:42,105 It says that from the sole of his 925 00:34:42,105 --> 00:34:42,605 foot 926 00:34:42,984 --> 00:34:44,525 to the crown of his head, 927 00:34:44,984 --> 00:34:46,764 Absalom was without blemish. 928 00:34:49,349 --> 00:34:50,809 But his lust for revenge 929 00:34:51,909 --> 00:34:53,609 and his appetite for power 930 00:34:54,150 --> 00:34:56,329 caused him to break his father's heart. 931 00:34:58,069 --> 00:34:59,449 Yet in the heat of the battle, 932 00:34:59,829 --> 00:35:01,289 as he rode his mule, 933 00:35:01,914 --> 00:35:04,315 his hair got caught on a tree and 934 00:35:04,315 --> 00:35:05,855 he could not break free 935 00:35:06,234 --> 00:35:08,014 from that thick feather. 936 00:35:08,634 --> 00:35:10,734 So Absalom hung on a tree 937 00:35:11,594 --> 00:35:12,734 where he was pierced 938 00:35:13,194 --> 00:35:14,014 by a sword, 939 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:17,340 And He died as a curse. For Deuteronomy 940 00:35:17,559 --> 00:35:20,460 21, the chapter that describes the rebellious son, 941 00:35:21,239 --> 00:35:23,320 states that the man who hangs on a 942 00:35:23,320 --> 00:35:23,820 tree 943 00:35:24,440 --> 00:35:25,179 is cursed. 944 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:28,380 Isaiah 53 945 00:35:29,765 --> 00:35:32,425 says that the Messiah the Messiah's physical appearance 946 00:35:32,805 --> 00:35:33,945 had neither majesty 947 00:35:34,644 --> 00:35:35,385 nor beauty. 948 00:35:37,045 --> 00:35:39,364 Yet in 1st Peter chapter 1 verses 18 949 00:35:39,364 --> 00:35:40,105 to 19, 950 00:35:40,405 --> 00:35:42,744 we read that Jesus is the lamb without 951 00:35:42,805 --> 00:35:43,305 blemish, 952 00:35:44,289 --> 00:35:45,029 whose blood 953 00:35:45,809 --> 00:35:47,750 cleanses us from our sin. 954 00:35:49,650 --> 00:35:51,269 He's not a slave to revenge, 955 00:35:52,130 --> 00:35:53,670 but a minister of reconciliation. 956 00:35:55,409 --> 00:35:57,429 He has no appetite for power, 957 00:35:58,034 --> 00:35:58,534 rather 958 00:35:58,994 --> 00:36:01,734 his food is to do his father's will. 959 00:36:02,994 --> 00:36:05,734 He does not break his father's heart rather 960 00:36:05,954 --> 00:36:07,255 his own heart breaks 961 00:36:07,714 --> 00:36:08,694 for his people. 962 00:36:10,130 --> 00:36:12,390 So he rides a donkey into Jerusalem 963 00:36:13,489 --> 00:36:15,030 as David's greater son. 964 00:36:15,809 --> 00:36:16,710 And instead of 965 00:36:17,250 --> 00:36:18,710 usurping David's crown, 966 00:36:19,329 --> 00:36:21,489 he trades his greater crown for a crown 967 00:36:21,489 --> 00:36:22,150 of thorns. 968 00:36:24,324 --> 00:36:26,025 That's where his hair gets caught 969 00:36:27,364 --> 00:36:29,785 on a crown of thorns as he hangs 970 00:36:29,925 --> 00:36:30,824 on a tree 971 00:36:31,445 --> 00:36:32,184 in Calvary. 972 00:36:34,324 --> 00:36:36,324 He takes the place of the rebellious sons 973 00:36:36,324 --> 00:36:38,244 and daughters of God, and he becomes a 974 00:36:38,244 --> 00:36:39,210 curse for us, 975 00:36:39,530 --> 00:36:41,849 liberating us from the guilt and from the 976 00:36:41,849 --> 00:36:42,829 power of sin. 977 00:36:44,010 --> 00:36:45,789 Salvation belongs to Him 978 00:36:46,170 --> 00:36:47,630 because He purchased it. 979 00:36:48,250 --> 00:36:49,550 He paid with His blood. 980 00:36:50,010 --> 00:36:53,150 And so His blessing is indeed upon us. 981 00:36:54,464 --> 00:36:57,525 That's why David ends Psalm 3 by confessing, 982 00:36:57,585 --> 00:37:00,704 Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing be 983 00:37:00,704 --> 00:37:01,525 on your people. 984 00:37:02,704 --> 00:37:04,085 So beloved Christian, 985 00:37:05,184 --> 00:37:05,924 if adversity 986 00:37:06,224 --> 00:37:07,525 is weighing you down, 987 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:11,179 lift up your prayers to God and arise. 988 00:37:12,039 --> 00:37:14,380 For the Risen One has ascended into heaven 989 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:17,820 and is seated at the Father's right hand, 990 00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:20,460 whereas your High Priest 991 00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:22,860 He delights in blessing you. 992 00:37:23,655 --> 00:37:24,954 So this church plant 993 00:37:25,255 --> 00:37:26,715 will be a praying church. 994 00:37:27,335 --> 00:37:29,355 After all, Psalm 3 has taught us 995 00:37:29,974 --> 00:37:31,594 that everyone needs to pray. 996 00:37:32,375 --> 00:37:33,355 So we will. 997 00:37:34,054 --> 00:37:36,215 That prayer is the privilege of God's covenant 998 00:37:36,215 --> 00:37:36,715 people. 999 00:37:37,380 --> 00:37:40,039 So we will avail ourselves of this right. 1000 00:37:41,139 --> 00:37:43,400 That our sin should drive us to God, 1001 00:37:43,779 --> 00:37:45,000 not away from Him. 1002 00:37:45,539 --> 00:37:47,619 So we will confess our sin and we 1003 00:37:47,619 --> 00:37:48,920 will relish His grace. 1004 00:37:49,784 --> 00:37:52,184 That our heavenly father never neglects us when 1005 00:37:52,184 --> 00:37:53,964 we cry out in prayer, 1006 00:37:54,505 --> 00:37:55,885 so we will trust Him 1007 00:37:56,664 --> 00:37:58,284 with our heart's desires. 1008 00:37:59,545 --> 00:38:01,085 That God sustains us, 1009 00:38:01,530 --> 00:38:03,070 so we should pray with confidence, 1010 00:38:04,090 --> 00:38:06,329 so we will be at peace even when 1011 00:38:06,329 --> 00:38:07,150 God's enemies 1012 00:38:07,610 --> 00:38:09,710 scheme against us and surround us. 1013 00:38:10,809 --> 00:38:13,610 And that salvation is God's work so that 1014 00:38:13,610 --> 00:38:15,530 we must pray for the lost, so we 1015 00:38:15,530 --> 00:38:17,695 will never give up on anyone 1016 00:38:18,474 --> 00:38:19,534 because mercy 1017 00:38:19,914 --> 00:38:21,135 triumphs over judgment. 1018 00:38:22,235 --> 00:38:24,015 So we will pray without ceasing, 1019 00:38:24,954 --> 00:38:27,614 and God will move without failing. 1020 00:38:28,235 --> 00:38:29,054 Let's pray.