Repositioning God

Introduction

Tonight we continue our ‘Summer of Psalms’ with this Psalm 132.

Just to be clear, I’m not planning a specific course through this book, nor will we speak on each one. But for the Summer months mainly, we’re going to examine a Psalms or Psalms that God directs me to each week.

Last week we were in Ps. 2, tonight we’re jumping ahead to Ps. 132. They are very different Psalms, with very different subject matter.

This (as far as I know) is the only Psalm to speak about the Ark of the Covenant.

Before we begin the message tonight, I want to give you some background on the Ark of the Covenant.

The Ark - along with the Mercy Seat - was one of the articles of furniture given by God unto Moses for the COI to build under the Mosaic Covenant.

After God made His Covenant with the COI, God gave them the 10 commandments, He also gave them ceremonial laws - but one thing that God gave - and it was of necessity - was the Tabernacle.

I say it was necessary because the Law without the Tabernacle, the COI are doomed.

The Law itself convicts, condemns, finds one guilty

The Tabernacle is the answer to that. In it lies the Grace of God, Redemption through blood atonement, Salvation

When it comes to the Ark and Mercy Seat (as you never have one without the other) they resided in the backside of the Tabernacle in the Holy of Holies.

The Ark represented God Himself.

There are times when they took the Ark into battle - and when under God’s direction, they emerged victorious (We see an instance in Jos. 6.

However, there was a time when the Ark of God was taken into battle and the COI were destroyed, and the Ark seized by the Philistines. The reason was wicked leadership, unconfessed sin & using God as a means to an end instead of following the lead and instruction of God.

The Ark ended up in Ashdod and caused Dagon’s statue to fall over and break. Then the Philistines were cursed by God and finally returned the Ark, and it was brought to a border town called ‘Kiriath-Jearim’ (1Sam. 7:1-2) where it sat for 20 years.

Ultimately, David desired to bring the Ark to it’s proper place in Jerusalem.

The message tonight is titled “Repositioning God”

The reason it’s titled that is because the Psalm’s premise is moving the Ark of God back to where it needed to be. Back where it belonged.

As we read this Psalm, the first thing that we’re introduced to is the Determination of David

I. The Determination of David

David knew that where the Throne of God was, was NOT where He was supposed to be. So we see David was Determined to get God to where He needed to be.

We see in that Determination that He Vowed unto the LORD

He Vowed unto the LORD (v2)

This past Wednesday we examined a man by the name of Jephthah - and in the life of Jephthah, we understand the seriousness of vows.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.”

David was serious about his desire to get God back where he belonged.

He Vowed unto the LORD

He Vexed Himself (v3-4)

David was so determined, he vexed himself. He troubled his own self. He’d decided that he wasn’t going to take comfort, nor rest till the task was completed.

(Ill.) This afternoon, I kept reminding myself of David’s vexation, do you know why? I wanted to give rest unto my eyelids. I haven’t slept much lately and was up late last night in study, and as I was studying, I would sit back and think “man, I really would like to eat my dinner with a side of nap today!” But then I recalled this in which I was studying and remembered that some things are worth discomfort!

Getting God where He belongs is worth some discomfort

(Ill.) I thought of my Daughter and Malachi - in order to bring him into this world, she experienced GREAT discomfort - ask her if it was worth it!

In the hearts and lives of many Christians today, God is not where He should be! Yet, though they may know that, they’re not determined enough to experience some displeasure in order to get him where He needs to be!

He Vexed Himself

He Valued God Above All

The reason David was willing to lay it all on the line with a vow, then willfully vex himself, because David realized, ‘it’s not about him, it’s about God!’

This is what’s lacking in the lives of many Christians - proper placement of God.

You see, whatever you value most is what will get the most of your ‘Time, Tithes and Talents’ - you’ll be very passionate about the subject.

(Ill.) Consider sports fans. When their team or sport is on TV, they make time to watch. When they win they cheer, when they lose they blame the refs - or the coaches. They buy the paraphernalia and the $100 jerseys, etc… Then replace sports with whatever hobby you can think of.

I’m not saying that it’s wrong to have hobbies, what I am saying is that they should be in their proper place - and ANY hobby above God is in the wrong spot.

David put God above everything else!

David was Determined. Secondly, let’s see the Desires Displayed

II. The Desires Displayed

David Desired a Place for the LORD (v5)

We’ve already spoken about this somewhat. David desired a resting place for God.

Consider that for a moment. A resting place. A habitation. This eludes to a place of permanence.

David didn’t want the Ark of God bouncing around Kiriath-Jearim or Ashdod or Baalah or Shiloah. He desired a place of residence for the God of Heaven.

All too often in the hearts of believers, God is bounced around. Sometimes He’s nigh, sometimes afar off, sometimes forgotten altogether for 20 years.

David knew that wasn’t good. God deserved a permanent place in the camp.

David Desired a Place for the LORD - that’s what David wanted

The People Desired God’s Presence and Power (v8)

This isn’t a Psalm OF David, it’s a Psalm ABOUT David. This is why he’s spoken of as ‘him’ or ‘he’. Therefore the Israelites perspective is where this point comes from.

The COI desired the Presence of God. (v8a)

Church, there’s nothing like the presence of God. There’s nothing like resting in the bosom of the LORD. But that’s not all we see…

The COI desired the Power of God. (v8b)

There is strength in the LORD

There’s Power in His Word

There’s Power in Prayer

There’s Power by the Spirit

And Thank God, there’s Power in the Blood!

The People desired God’s Presence and Power

The People Desired the Promise Fulfilled (v10-11)

Here, the COI reference the Davidic Covenant. The main text of the Covenant is 2Sam. 7:8-16; however, for brevity sake we’ll read: Psalm 89:3–4 “I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, And build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.”

What we see here is a people who are speaking and relying on the promise of God. God promised a perpetual kingdom, and that’s what they expected. AND GUESS WHAT, THAT’S WHAT THEY GOT IN KING JESUS!

Paul spoke of Abraham - which is spoken of a lot in the NT. Listen, do you know what made Abraham great? Abraham had great faith. Paul said of Abraham: Romans 4:20–21 “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

The People desired a promise - but look now at what God desired

God Desired the Heart of His People (v13-14)

You know, it doesn’t really matter what you and I want. It doesn’t matter what others want. What really matters is what God wants. And God wanted to be in the heart of His people.

As we look back and consider the history of the tabernacle, we take special note of the arrangement of things. Num. 1:47-2:34.

So God arranged the COI to encamp all around the Tabernacle, where He abode.

Now He wants to go to Zion - Jerusalem - which guess what? Is in essence the center of the COI. It was THE place of prominence - and that’s where God desired to be.

Do you know that God doesn’t want to be in your life, He desires to be in the center of your life. AND THAT’S WHERE HE BELONGS!

YOU SEE, DAVID KNEW THAT, that’s why he was determined to reposition God!

There’s a lot of Christians today that need to reposition God in their lives. He needs not be on the outskirts, but right in the center of your life. Your life SHOULD REVOLVE around Jesus - Jesus shouldn’t revolve around your life.

God Desired the Heart of His People

III. A Destiny Assured

God Always Fulfills His Promises

When God is in the Heart - in the center of His people… look at the outcome.

God Supplies Every Need (v15a)

Let me tell you what - God has the ability to supply every need!

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Aren’t you glad God does!

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

You may go without your wants, but you’ll never go without your needs!

God Supplies Every Need

God Satisfies the Hungry (v15b)

Not only does He supply our needs sufficiently, but He fills us to satisfaction.

Make no mistake - there’s a difference between eating sufficiently, then eating to satisfaction!

God Satisfies the Hungry

God Covers with Salvation (v16a)

The Bible says that God will ‘clothe’ her priests - as a garment.

In other words, their Salvation is not invisible such as circumcision, but is worn as a garment for the world to see!

This identifies the COI with the God of Heaven!

Listen, when God is in the center of your life, people notice! You don’t have to tell them you’re a Christian, they already know!

I tell you, I’d hate to spend any amount of time with someone and them not immediately perceive that I’m a Christian. (Ill.) There’s been times in my life when I’ve had relative strangers say to me ‘you’re a Christian, aren’t you?’ I’d say ‘yes’ and ask how they knew, then they’d just say ‘Oh, I could tell!’

That’s what the world will notice when God is in His proper place

God Covers with Salvation

God Causes Saints to Shout (v16b)

God in His proper place will free you from the embarrassment of publically worshipping him.

(Ill.) It’s been a joy to watch these teens grow. One thing that I’ve noticed is that the Amen’s here are getting louder. As they’ve grown and God repositioning to the center of their lives, He’s given them an Amen!

God Causes Saints to Shout

God’s Covenant will be Shown (v17)

There - in the center - in His proper place, the horn of David will bud.

In other words, when God makes His way to the center of your life, Jesus buds - He springs forth and the evidence of that is shown to others!

God’s Covenant will be Shown

God’s Enemies Suffer Shame (v18a)

While the Righteous will be clothed with Salvation, God’s enemies will be clothed with Shame.

Church, there’s a consequence for every choice.

God’s Enemies will Suffer Shame

God’s Crown will Shine (v18b)

Lastly, then end result is that God is edified.

That’s the goal church.

I don’t know about you - but I know what my purpose on earth is: “To know God and make Him known.” I want God to shine. I want God to get the glory of good things in my life.

In order for God to shine in our lives, God needs to be in position to shine.

God’s Crown will Shine

Conclusion

Question: Where is God in your life? Is He right where He needs to be, or is He on the outskirts somewhere?