Sermon Central
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How Is Your Desire?
Contributed by Craig Benner on Mar 6, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: Are you guilty of going through the motions at church because you know it is what you should be doing, but your heart is just not feeling it?
DESIRE OR OBLIGATION
Marjorie Goff lived in the same apartment from 1949 to 1979 and only left her residence on 3 occasions during those 30 years. She suffered from agoraphobia. It is literally the fear of fear. About one in twenty Americans suffer from it to some degree.
The psalmist David addresses this subject in verse 1.
Fear will stop you from advancing in your life.
It will also keep you from the best that God has planned for you.
Replace your fears with praise and worship to the living God.
What do you really want?
David was just a human as any of us. He had fleshly desires. But he had to put his priorities in order.
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Desire vs. Obligation
If you really desire something, you are going to pursue it.
All of our fears and troubles should just be catalysts that usher us into continual praise and worship.
IL.: Cyrus and his prisoners
It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, "What will you give me if I release you?" "The half of my wealth," was his reply. "And if I release your children?" "Everything I possess." "And if I release your wife?" "Your Majesty, I will give myself."
Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all.
As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, "Wasn't Cyrus a handsome man!" With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, "I didn't notice. I could only keep my eyes on you-the one who was willing to give himself for me."
If you do something out of obligation, that is commendable. If you do it out of desire, that shows your loyalty.
David found a true refuge .Ps 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
Pr 18:10 ¶ The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Col. 3:1.2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
If King David had his rathers, they would be to always in the presence of God. The best place for that is the house of God.
David knew that time spent in the tabernacle of God would draw him closer to God.
This king was a fanatic about worshipping God. He even took off his royal garb to freely dance before the Lord. His wife, Michal, despised him, but he worshipped anyway.
You don't wait for a praise, you create one.
Verse 14 tells us to wait on the Lord. You may have to wait for an answer, or wait for a certain blessing, but don't wait any longer to praise His holy name. He is already worthy to be praised. Go ahead and your wait won't seem nearly as long.
