Drawing Near

Finding Blessing in the Pursuit of God

Psalm 84

After a time of activity

Time to relax, refocus, and worship

 (NKJV) Psalm 84 1 How lovely is Your tabernacle (dwelling places), O Lord of hosts!

Time of reflection and drawing near to God

Play Glorious by the Newsboys

I.       Drawing Near: Longing for God

A.     Consumed with pursuing God

(NKJV) Psalm 84 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the Lord;

(NKJV) Psalm 84 2 … My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

1.      Entire being

2.      All else falls into the background

B.     Even the lowliest find a place

(NKJV) Psalm 84 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God.

1.      Finds refuge and safety in the place of God

2.      Place of sacrifice

C.     The place of blessing is near God

(NKJV) Psalm 84 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

1.      All

2.      Praising in the midst of all things

II.    Drawing Near: Finding blessing

A.     Find strength

(NKJV) Psalm 84 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

B.     Find purpose

(NKJV) Psalm 84 5 … Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

C.     Find refreshment  even in difficulty

(NKJV) Psalm 84 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.

1.      ‘root’ Place of affliction

2.      Sustained there

3.      Abundance there (early rains)

D.    Find help as needed

(NKJV) Psalm 84 7 They go from strength to strength;

1.      Suggests movement

2.      Go from one place of strength to another as needed

3.      Strength for the current task

E.     Find the presence of God

(NKJV) Psalm 84 7 ,,, Each one appears before God in Zion.

III. Drawing near: Finding Intimacy with Him

A.     The Supreme ruler

(NKJV) Psalm 84 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;

1.      Able to do what is needed

B.     The God of the struggler

(NKJV) Psalm 84 8 … Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

C.     The God who has exalted us

(NKJV) Psalm 84 9 O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed.

D.    The God who rewards

(NKJV) Psalm 84 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

E.     The God who is the glorious protector

(NKJV) Psalm 84 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

IV. Draw near: Expecting His response

A.     He will give grace

(NKJV) Psalm 84 11 … The Lord will give grace and glory;

B.     He will provide

(NKJV) Psalm 84 11 … No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

C.     He will make faith worth it

(NKJV) Psalm 84 12 O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!