Finding Yourself in the Psalms

Psalm 84

A Psalm for Those Longing for God’s Presence

PSALM 84

God’s Presence – in the OLD TESTAMENT – The SHEKINAH GLORY.

• Exodus 40:34

• 2 Chronicles 7:1

3 Times each year:

• First fruits

• Passover

• Pentecost

“If the 23rd Psalm is the most popular, the 103rd the most joyful, , the 119th the most practical, the 51st the most reflective, this is one of the most sweet of the Psalms of

Peace.” Spurgeon

3 parts. Divided by “selah”

Tells of the SPIRITUAL JOURNEY into GOD’s PRESENCE “Are you experiencing God’s presence?”

I. Longing for God’s Presence. Our soul’s SEARCH for God. 84:1-4
A. “Our soul is not at rest until if finds rest in God”
B. 10 different names for God!
C. EVERY PART of his BEING. (V. 2)
1. Soul, Heart , Flesh
2. (Matthew 22:37) "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’"
D. Envy of a sparrow! (V. 3)
II. Learning from life’s Journey. Our soul’s STRUGGLE on earth. 84:5-8
A. Pilgrimage.
B. (Philippians 3:20) "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a

Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,"

C. Baca Valley = “valley of tears”
1. Difficult journey up to Jerusalem
2. The delight of getting there motivated them!
3. TRIALS on OUR JOURNEY!
4. The Lord HONORS those who seek after Him!
a. (Deuteronomy 4:29) "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."
b. (Psalm 9:10) "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
c. (Proverbs 8:17) "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."
d. (Hebrews 11:6) "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
III. Living in God’s Love . Our Soul’s SATISFACTION in God. 84:9-12
A. Where would you rather be? Another picture
1. FOR the SON’S of KORAH: Worship happened in the Temple
a. Sacrifice
b. Forgiveness c. God’s Glory
d. God’s Presence (SHEKINAH)
2. FOR the BELIEVER: God’s presence is living in us!
(Matthew 27:51) "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split."
3. We can LIVE in GOD’S PRESENCE!
a. Romans 5:1-2 b. Eph 2:15b-18 c. Eph 3:12
d. Hebrews 10:19-25
B. What keeps us from enjoying God’s presence?
1. SIN
2. BUSINESS
3. LACK of FAITH
Do you LONG for God’s Presence?????