BIG IDEA:
LOOK TO THE LORD AS THE SOURCE OF EVERY BLESSING
INTRODUCTION:
Alan Campbell: "This psalm is a celebration of the house of God, in all its glory and in all
its beauty. It arises out of a heart that has come to love God’s dwelling-place, and that delights to be where God is honoured in the sanctuary."
I. (:1-4) LOOK TO THE LORD AS YOUR SANCTUARY
"How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house" (:4a)
the sons of Korah were talking about the Temple; the place where the presence of God dwelt among the people;
How important is the presence of God to us?
A. (:1) Are you attracted to the right things? Check out Your Value System
"How lovely are Thy dwelling places"
where God dwells it is by definition a lovely place;
that’s why Christians are beautiful people (even with all of our blemishes);
to some extent the beauty of the presence of the Lord shines through and radiates to others
B. (:2a) Are you seeking after the best things? Check out Your Ambitions
"longed" / "yearned"
C. (:2b) What gives you the greatest joy? Check out Your Heart’s Focus
"sing for joy"
D. (:3) Significance of a Sanctuary
Def: a sacred or holy place (like a temple or church)
1. A Home = Place of Family Relationship and Protection
cf. Wildlife sanctuary
"His eye is on the sparrow" I know He’s watching me
2. An Altar = Place of Sacrifice and Worship and Service
Response: "They are ever praising Thee" (:4b)
II. (:5-7) LOOK TO THE LORD AS YOUR STRENGTH
"How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee" (:5a)
A. (:5b) Spiritual Strength means No Clogged Arteries (obstacles to fellowship)
"in whose heart are the highways to heaven"
importance of being connected to God with no blockage
B. (:6) Spiritual Strength Transforms Desolation Into Fertility
Valley of Baca (cf. Tucson Desert, golf course) valley of weeping or of desolation;
Cf. Experience of David at Ziklag (1 Sam. 30) -- look how he strengthened himself in the Lord in the most difficult of circumstances
C. (:7a) Spiritual Strength Must be Continually Renewed
"They go from strength to strength"
Response: "Every one of them appears before God in Zion" (:7b)
completion of pilgrimage to the house of God
III. (:8-12) LOOK TO THE LORD AS YOUR SUPPLIER
"How blessed is the man who trusts in Thee!" (:12)
Supplier = the one who gives you what you need
As a company we deal with many different suppliers -- looking at the quality of their products,
how quickly they respond, how well they service what they sell, pricing, stability of their company
(will they still be around in 2 years)
A. (:10-11a) Review -- Look to the Lord as Your:
1. Sanctuary (:10)
"tents of wickedness" cf. Las Vegas (lots of glitter and glamour)
2. Strength (:11a) "sun and shield"
B. (:11b) God’s Nature is to Give -- Not Withhold
C. (:11b) God’s Gifts are the Best
1. Grace and Glory
2. Every Good Thing
(:8-9) Response: Prayer
Hear / Give ear
Behold / Look upon
* * * * * * *
DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:
1) What types of “beatitudes” are expressed in this psalm?.
2) If the house of the Lord is receptive to the nesting swallow, how much more should we feel at home in the dwelling place of the Lord?
3) How would you describe the armies which the Lord of hosts commands?
4) Why do we waste time striving after worldly status and position when just being a doorman in the house of God is far preferable?
Download the entire Psalms commentary in pdf format
(including notes on each psalm from other commentators)
from:
http://www.bibleoutlines.com
