Sermons
Books Preached
Psalm 15
The most important question to ask is the question of Psalm 15: who can dwell with God? The most difficult answer to accept is that nobody, according to their own goodness and merit, can dwell with God. We have rebelled against God and fallen short of His righteous standard. Jesus, however, is the man who ascended God's holy hill for us. In Jesus' blood and righteousness, we can dwell with God.
Psalm 14
In Psalm 14, David identifies a fool as a person who denies the existence of God in the way that they live. As this psalm is directed at Israel, we discovered that this psalm can also describe our lives. We can profess to believe in God, but actually be functional atheists. This foolish fantasy leads to God's judgement. Yet, in Christ, fools are taken from dread to deliverance. It's because of Jesus that we can run to God as our refuge and fortress.
Psalm 13
David comes to God in exasperation. He complains that God has forgotten him, his own thoughts trouble him and his enemies are exalted over him. These complaints are very true to our own experience with suffering. We too cry out to God, "How long, O LORD?" David teaches us that we can bring our exasperation to God, calling on Him to consider, answer and light up our eyes - give us hope and energy in the darkness. David also tells us where to find comfort: in God's steadfast love. God's steadfast, covenant love is ultimately displayed in Jesus. Jesus is the answer to the question of "How long?" Jesus suffered, bled and died so that His people would never be alone in their suffering and have the certain hope of future glory, free from suffering, death and pain.
Psalm 12
David cries out to God for deliverance from a generation of liars. Deceitfulness, flattery and boasting were just as much characteristic of David's day as it is of ours. God's people are persecuted by perverse words, but it's God's pure words that save and preserve His people. We are saved and guarded through Jesus, the Word made flesh. It is in Him that we can persevere with the paradox of living in a culture that have abandoned the truth with the certainty of the truth of God's word.
Psalm 11
When we go through suffering, trials and temptations, we can find it hard to see beyond our circumstance. David finds himself in this position in Psalm 11. His friends urge him to give up and run away. Instead, David finds refuge in God who is reigns over all things, who is righteous and who will judge the wicked. As king, David tells us to take refuge in God. David's greater son, Jesus, tells us to take refuge in Him as our God and King. In Jesus, we are presented righteous before the Father and experience the great joy of fellowship with Him, even in our trials.
