Psalm 84: Delight In The Almighty God

Beholding the Glory of God Moves us to Delight

Intro:

Introduce yourself — It is my first greatest privilege to be

a child of the king

Kat Newsome’s husband

Discontentment in singleness

It was simple all God needed to do was provide a wife and the discontentment would go away

Maybe some of you in here resonate with this sentiment, there’s just that one thing that the Lord needs to provide and the discontentment will go away

LIES:

Well maybe God just doesn’t care about me

He’s good to everyone else just not me

He may love me but I don’t think he particularly likes me

TRUTH: It was Psalm 84 that caused me to begin renewing my mind about who the God of the Bible is, as I began to memorize verse 11 holding on to the truth that God is not stingy, intentionally withholding good things from His people, but he is a giver of all that is good.

Now by God’s grace he provided a wife, however I can’t help but notice that in the time that I have known my wife, I’ve witnessed many brothers lose their wives

HUMOR: I realize that the greatest joys we get in this life don’t last, and what’s worse is the greatest joys in this life never produce lasting contentment — Got the wife, now a bigger house

TRUTH: There is an insatiable desire for something better…

Some of us we have grown weary in discontentment (striving to finally be satisfied and now we’re exhausted and discontent),

Others of us have been driven to apathy by a life of discouragement (we have given up hope, because maybe its easier to stop caring)

Context:

Psalm 84 is going to bring us to see that the insatiable desire for something better was etched into our heart and soul to only be satisfied by the God of Heaven.

READ - PSALM 84

Main Idea: Beholding the Glory of God Moves us to delight

The Psalm was penned by the descendants of Korah

Levites known for a variety of responsibilities (musicians & warriors)

One of their esteemed positions was actually being temple doorkeepers we learn back in 1 Chronicles 26

Responsible for tending to custodial and security needs of the temple, keeping inventory and monitoring who was going in and out

Because of their responsibility as a doorkeeper, they spent regular time in the tabernacle or temple of the Lord.

However in their more distant history, we find recorded in Numbers 16, where they grew discontent with mere temple service and they opposed Moses and Aaron for the role of the priesthood Numbers 16:8-11 the story of their rebellious ancestors that almost cost them their lineage and privilege of temple service Numbers 16:31-33

Numbers 16:8–11 ESV

8 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9 is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, 10 and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? 11 Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”

It goes on that Moses arranges a challenge for the priesthood inviting these men that have opposed Aaron to bring incense to the holy of holies and let the Lord judge between them.

Numbers 16:31–33 ESV

31 And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. 32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. 33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.

God has always been an opposer of the proud, and he delivers the mighty blow to squish this prideful uprising among his people

However by Numbers 26:9-11 we see that there was a remnant of the sons of Korah that were spared and generations later the descendants of Korah are restored to serve in the temple

The writer of this psalm would have been quite familiar with the legacy of his family marked by a discontentment with mere temple service, and yet to be the beneficiaries of a gracious God that welcomed them back into his presence

Its in this light that he pronounces 3 portraits of blessings for those who have come to treasure and trust in the God of Heaven

Dwelling For Delight — (Psalm 84:1-4)

The first portrait of blessing — those living in proximity to His presence

v. 1 — God Almighty is supremely delightful, supremely glorious, supremely satisfying — (“How beloved is your dwelling place…”)

Opening with this great proclamation of the loveableness of dwelling place of God

Who Is this God the Psalmist speaks of?

YHWH — The Covenant Keeping God of Israel, the God that is faithful to his promises

This God is a sovereign force executing his will on earth and in the heavens.

This is being communicated in Psalmist referring to God as Lord of Hosts or otherwise translated Lord Almighty

This is not commonly used in the Psalm but is repeated in this one

The Psalmist makes it clear that this is not a God that can be taken lightly, but puts all his enemies under his feet — remember Numbers 16

This God is supremely lovely —

All Satisfying

Deliverer of the oppressed

Vindicator of the weak

Redeemer of Sinners

All Benevolent, Giver of Good things

Faithful Promise Keeper

Holy - Unlike everything in creation

Condescends to Makes Himself accessible to His people

Therefore His presence or dwelling place (temple) is deeply cherished, the presence of the eternally worthy God

We get this — there are just some people that you just always want to be around they are a fountain of joy that brings life, and then there are some people where we are just looking for the next exit

In my last couple years of living at home with my mother, we had some extended family living with us that made the home pure chaos, (7-adults & 3-kids), and home became the place I avoided

This is not the case with the dwelling place of God Almighty — it is sweet to be with Him — there’s plenty of room for you and the God that is in our midst is more lovely than anything

v. 2 — The Only Response of the Desperate Soul — (“My soul longs…my heart & flesh cry out”)

The psalmist echoes sentiments of v. 1 intensifying the language

Imagery of one thirsting or suffocating / First football play in HS

The remedy for the for the pain & suffering, the lack, the sorrow that is so common to man — is the presence of the living God

The God that breathed life into man designed man to have every fiber of his being aspirating for the very presence of God

C.S. Lewis calls this the “unappeasable want” that is etched into our very nature, this is by God’s design that we would come to long for Him

This is the response of the desperate soul

v. 3 — An Almighty God Mindful of the Least of All (“…the sparrow finds a home…my King and my God”)

We then get this illustration of the Character of this God our very being longs for

Picture of insignificant birds, that are welcome and safe in the presence of the God

This is not by happenstance as God is not unfamiliar with keeping that which didn't belong out

How much more will his goodness bless his people? (Matt 10:31)

Matthew 10:31 ESV

31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

It is in light of this that the Psalmist affections and allegiance is stirred up…”my King and my God”

Who wouldn’t want to live for the God who is Almighty and yet all mindful, and all inviting?

A God welcomes all to take part in the blessedness of His presence

v. 4 — Delighting in His Presence (“Blessed…who dwell in your house”)

The consequence of those who see God for who He is (almighty and yet giver of good) and cherish Him…is true delight…blessedness

To live in the presence of God by way of serving Him is one that is guaranteed to yield blessing and the Psalmist knew this all to well

This blessedness produces a praise that wells up in the heart of those who have the privilege of the presence of God

We have this blessing more sure in the incarnate Christ , the one through whom God dwelt among his people — Immanuel (Matthew 1:23, John 1:14), and then granted us his Spirit (John 14:16-17) who is God dwelling in us.

We have the Spirit of God inside of us, if we belong to Him we are never without His presence

The very presence of God has been made accessible to us here and now

Pause to consider if you have a soul yearning for the presence of God, to know the blessing & favor there in… and if you find in there a lacking, consider again who this God Almighty is!

There is a call here and invitation for all to know the presence of God, have you exhausted everything apart from God and found it empty or falling short, look upon the God who is all satisfying

We also can’t miss a clear longing for heaven, the day we get to live with the living God

One author puts it this way — Randy Alcorn, Heaven

“We may imagine we want a thousand different things, but God is the one we really long for. His presence brings satisfaction; his absence brings thirst and longing. Our longing for Heaven is a longing for God.” (Heaven, 165)

We are left with this unappeasable want, that ultimately is a desire for God

Departing For Delight (Psalm 84:5-7 )

Transition: So it follows that even in the expression of the God’s presence we are granted in this life, we are still left wanting, because our experience here is not pure blessedness as it truly is in the presence of God. We get this next portrait of blessing in verses 5-7

v. 5 — Pilgrims delight in pursuit (“Blessed…whose strength is in you…hearts are pilgrimage”)

Everyone did not have proximity to the temple, but many made the journey to Jerusalem

Psalmist pronounces that those journeying to the presence of God have placed their confidence in God

The heart that is for God, ultimately knows the joy that is from God

v.6 — Pilgrims delight in passing through (“As they go…they make it a place of springs…pools”

Those with hearts for God are the recipients of God’s blessing and therefore breathe life into dry places (hard places) as they place their hope and trust in the sovereign God. The blessing of God upon them is evidence by the “springs” and “pools”. The God who is able to work all things for good (Romans 8:28)

It is the privilege of saints to pilgrim with one another, being a mutual encouragement of those living with hearts devoted to God and having the hope of being in the presence of God soon.

Consider Ephesians 2:22 “ In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

The church is both our picture of heaven now and our encouragement to press on until our faith becomes sight

v.7 — Pilgrims delight in enduring to the end (“They go from strength to strength…each one arrives”)

The Psalmist pictures the pilgrim being carried along by a trust in their God, that only strengthens with each step of their journey towards His presence.

They are progressing to soon be united with their King and on their journey they are looking more and more like Him

This reminds us of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 3:18 —“18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

With their sights set on reaching the presence of their King, the pilgrim is sure to reach Him.

As our eyes and hearts are fixed on being in the presence of our God we are reminded of a better hope that we have

Reflection: Saints we have a better promise than this life, just as this Psalmist had in mind pilgrims making their journey to Jerusalem, we are just pilgrims passing through, pressing on until we reach home!

Reflection: Is the longing of your heart for heaven? Are you one who knows they are citizens of a different country? (Philippians 3:20-21)

Depending For Delight (Psalm 84:8-12 )

The last portrait of blessing that we get in this Psalm is blessing for those who trust in the Lord regardless of their proximity to the temple.

v. 8-9 — Petition to the Almighty God, for the King (“…hear my prayer…look on…messiah”)

The Psalmist makes an abrupt turn to petitioning the covenant keeping God — YHWH to find favor with his King.

This King which serves as his protector “shield” may have been a reference to David or a King in the Davidic line or a looking forward to the promised King as this phrase anointed one is where we derive the term messiah, and in Greek translates to Christ.

The Psalmist knew this king to be a refuge and prays that the Almighty God would grant favor to the earthly King.

This ought to fix our gaze on the greater son of David — Christ on whom the favor of God has been bestowed and in him we have found safety! And this favor upon Christ has become the privilege of his people! We know God’s favor because of his goodness poured out on and through Christ!

Will you take refuge and safety in the one whom God has poured out all blessings upon?

v. 10 — Proclaiming the immeasurable worth of God (“…a day in your courts is better…rather be a doorkeeper…”)

Absolutely nothing compares to the the riches of the presence of God. The God who is infinitely valuable makes every moment with Him infinitely more pleasing than anything.

The psalmist captures the heart of this truth in making the claim that to even stand at the entrance of the temple is better than knowing the finest lifestyle among the wicked.

While being a doorkeeper (or guard) at the entrance of the tabernacle in the Psalmist’s context was a position of esteem (contrary to our context), it seems the heart of what is communicated here is more in line with this translated as one who is like a beggar. Showing the surpassing worth of being in the presence of God, whether of high esteem or low esteem.

It is better to be with our God! It is better to have God than everything else!

Listen to the words of a well known writer-theologian

A. W. Tozer:

“The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One…Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it purely, legitimately, forever.”

The Psalmist has a loose enough grip on this world to make this proclamation from the depths of His Heart

This glorious truth leaves me convicted because this is not always my experience or sentiment

I cling tightly to the things of this life

I hold on to the belief that there’s enough here to satisfy

I convince myself that there is something comparable to the presence of God

We may need to ask questions of our hearts like —

Do I have an appetite for the glorious God himself? Or has your view God shrunk to the size of your burdens in this life?

Would you want Heaven if God were not there?

But in faithfulness to the text, it does us no good to wallow in a heart that doesn’t always say the same as this Psalmist, rather look through the eyes of this Psalmist at what he has seen to be able to say the same — Behold God…look on Him in His infinite worth, grace, compassion, and blessing!

Christ died so that you and I can have God! That is the highest blessing, God is the satisfying treasure our heart longs for!

1 Peter 3:18 “18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,”

Oh that we would believe heaven is worth residing because God is there!

The God who the Psalmist says is a gracious and generous God

v.11 — The giver of all that is good (“…a sun & shield…bestows favor & honor…No good thing does he withhold…”)

All those who submit to the Lord by faith, will know the presence and the blessing of the Lord

God is a sun that brings hope in a world full of hopelessness

He is a refuge and safety amidst a world full of enemies

He is the one who blesses and vindicates His people, who like Moses “…chose rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25)

We have every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)

Yet our experience is not one of always knowing good in this life and yet we are reminded that the same God who said through Joseph, “what is meant for evil, God means it for good” (Genesis 50:20) and later inspires Paul to say (Romans 8:28) “…for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

v.12 — To Trust Him, is to know the Delight of His Blessings (“…blessed is the one who trusts in you!”)

The call of this Psalm is to Trust in the Almighty God — look to Him in all His glory & might, and place your trust in Him alone.

Why? Because He is Trustworthy…God has displayed his faithfulness, its been all over this Psalm (caring for the least of all, blessing those enduring the miseries of this life by faith, and giving good things to all those that walk with Him

Consider the words of this sweet hymn:

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there's no other way… To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”

There is a blessing that belongs to those who trust in the Lord, you will know delight in Him!

If you find yourself weary in discontentment or discouraged into apathy…

Encouragement:

Trust in the Lord — as revealed in scripture (Isaiah 40:31)

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Delight in His Church — see the glimpse of heaven in His church (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Because this is where God is meeting us this side of Heaven

Long for Heaven — It gets so much better than this (Revelation 21:1-7)

Revelation 21:1–7 ESV

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

Because there we will get the fullness of His presence and know the blessing of being in His presence!