Yearning

Greeting

Good morning! My name is Joel Cossins, and I’m the pastor here at Libby COTN. I’d like to welcome all of our guests here today, especially to those of you checking us out online. Hello! If you’ve not yet visited us in person, I look forward to the day we can welcome you to our fellowship. You should know when you visit, you will most likely be invited to stay after, as we have a potluck every Sunday after the service—unless otherwise noted. So, come hungry for an encounter with JESUS and bring your appetite for food, as well!

Announce text: Psalm 84

Key Text: Psalm 84

Review

We’ve been marvelling at the timing of GOD, both

as we have approached

and have now entered this season of Lent

Our FATHER really is desiring to see transformation in and through HIS kids

It seems HIS vehicle is through fasting & prayer

Both a pruning—purification—and an adding to that HE is doing

It’s important to remember this is a season …

40 days of intentionally leaning into HIS Presence

seeking HIM in prayer & fasting

for transformation in ...

our lives as individuals & in our family

our church fellowship (our body)

our community

It’s also important for us to remember this is a season within a season ...

a season of change

Change fundamentally means exchanging one thing for another —though, that might sometimes be complex in nature—depending on the change

The concept encompasses making something different or radically different, transforming it, altering its direction, and undergoing modification or transition—

each variation capturing a different dimension of how transformation occurs in our lives.

I believe the season of change is going to be complex—meaning, many different facets of life will see change

(Joseph - 7 yrs of famine: buy an extra bag or two of rice, oatmeal, lentils, etc.—one for home, one for church)

not from fear, but from a place of preparation

at the onset and throughout this season of change, GOD is extending an invitation to rest in HIS Presence

last week, we looked at this burning invitation

Our text was Psalm 95 which presented a heartfelt appeal for worship

emphasizing both celebration and caution as it invites us to acknowledge God's power and mercy

while reminding us of the importance of listening to His voice and not hardening our hearts

Big Idea: Worship is an active engagement that requires both joy and a vigilant heart, calling us not only to celebrate God’s majesty but to continually seek His presence and guidance in our lives.

We discovered that genuine worship not only involves celebrating God’s goodness

but also requires a posture of humility and responsiveness to His guidance and word,

urging those who will listen to avoid spiritual complacency.

We looked at four observances from the passage (

which will be the pattern throughout this series, though the order of presentation may change:

grace- and trouble in the text, and grace- and trouble in the world).

Grace in the Text—The God of the universe invites us to come into God’s rest.

Trouble in the Text—The Israelites were hard of heart.

Trouble in the World—We are like the Israelites in that we often do not trust God for the journey.

Grace in the World—God still calls. Will we listen and come?

Announce text again: Psalm 84

Scripture Reading

Psalm 84 NIV

For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. 9 Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Prayer for added blessing to the reading of the Word

The title of our message this morning is A Burning Need.

Psalm 84 expresses a deep yearning for God's presence, illustrating the joy and satisfaction found in communion with Him. The psalmist highlights the beauty of the dwelling place of the LORD and the blessings that come from being in His Presence.

Big Idea: Our deepest need is for the Presence of GOD, which brings joy and strength in every season of life.

The psalmist in this passage portrays a heartfelt expression of longing for GOD's temple, depicting it as the ultimate refuge and source of life. He emphasizes not just the physical structure but the intimate relationship cultivated with GOD through worship. Each verse reveals layers of desire and praise, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from being in close proximity to GOD.

Our greatest fulfillment in this life is found only in GOD's Presence, and that fulfillment creates in us a yearning for GOD that leads to spiritual richness and joy. While we may face trials—in fact, JESUS assures us that we will—drawing near to GOD provides strength and sustenance for our journey.

How deeply—how desperately—do you long for HIS Presence? It will be reflected in your actions ...

Introduction

Have you ever been truly, deeply homesick?

Deployed to Saudi when Ashley was only about a month old.

Maybe you can identify with this. Whether it was when you moved away from home for the first time, or just moved to a new place period, or when you were on a trip, perhaps immersed in a new culture—that longing for home can be visceral—felt deeply and physically.

You feel uncomfortable and out of sorts. Nothing feels right. You may feel fear, or you may feel like you are grieving. You remember what was, and you wonder if things will ever be back the way you remember them. It can even make you physically sick as you wonder when or if you will ever feel truly at home again.

Anyone who has experienced this kind of homesickness can relate to the psalmist’s cries for the courts of the Lord.

As mentioned earlier, there are four observances or reflections from the passage we will look at this morning. The first observance is:

◆ TROUBLE IN THE TEXT

The psalmist longs for a home.

The psalmist wants to be at home.

In v.3, they write that ...

Psalm 84:3 NIV

3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

but the psalmist doesn’t seem to have found that home, that place of safety and peace.

This psalm is a song of Zion

in fact, you might have a superscription under the chapter heading in your Bible that states something like mine:

Longing for the Temple Worship

For the choir director; on the Gittith

Gittith—unknown meaning with 3 scholarly proposed possibilities:

an instrument originating from or with the Philistine city of Gath

might reference a “vintage song” whose melody guided Temple performance

or could denote a military march tune used by Gittite warriors

A Psalm of the sons of Korah

Descended from Korah,

a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron during Israel’s wilderness journey

at least one of his sons survived the judgment

according to Numbers 26:11, “the children of Korah died not,”

having heeded a warning and departed from the tents of the rebels.

Despite their ancestor’s infamy, later generations of the Korahite family were appointed as worship leaders in Jerusalem under David’s reign.

were incorporated among the Levites and formed a Temple guild

The superscription means they share with the sons of Asaph the honor of forming the Temple choir

Their office involved presiding over sanctuary music, arranging tunes, distributing parts, and possibly furnishing compositions for worship.

They formed a guild of musicians who composed or edited a collection of psalms—

a dozen stirring songs that were utterly God-centered,

demonstrating that the rebellious spirit of their ancestor had been completely transformed by their era

This means it was likely sung during a pilgrimage to the temple for festivals.

Festival pilgrimages were times of great celebration and worship.

Whole communities would pilgrimage together.

However, a pilgrimage was not always a safe journey.

There were dangers along the road.

It could be a very long journey, which meant it would be exhausting; those undertaking a pilgrimage had to make sure to have all the necessary provisions.

The psalmist imagines this long journey and wonders when they will get to their location—when they will be at home in the presence of God again.

The pilgrims are praying for God’s safety and for GOD’s Presence, as well as for God’s strength for the journey.

They yearn. They faint. They cry out for God’s house, GOD’s Presence.

The good news for the desperate traveler is there is also grace found in our text.

◆ GRACE IN THE TEXT

God’s home is everything they long for.

Thankfully, they know that at the end of the journey they will enter into the temple—the house of the Lord. And it is full of everything they could ever long for.

It is a lovely home!

It is a place that provides strength.

It is where favor and honor are bestowed by God.

It is where God shines like the sun and withholds no good thing.

The psalmist proclaims in verse 10, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere!”

Psalm 84:10 NIV

10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

That is how wonderful the house of God is.

They feel at home in GOD’s Presence.

They enter into worship of God and are amazed by the feelings of comfort and security they find.

They find immense joy and hope when they come to worship.

Having explored how the psalmist discovers comfort, strength, and joy within the very walls of God’s temple, we now shift our gaze outward. The question becomes: how do the same longings and promises play out amid the brokenness and anxieties of our everyday world?

◆ TROUBLE IN THE WORLD

Do we yearn for God’s presence?

Is this how we treat entering into worship of God?

Is God our place of security, of comfort and strength? Or do we seek security elsewhere?

In our wealth or our privilege?

In our job or our position in society?

What would it look like to truly yearn for God’s presence?

It might mean coming to worship on Sunday morning with a renewed sense of wonder at

God’s majesty and glory.

It might mean coming to worship without asking what we can get out of it but instead asking what we can give God as we encounter God.

However, yearning for GOD’s Presence does not just refer to when we come into this building for worship.

While the realities of work pressures, family strain, and personal disappointment reveal the stark contrast between our yearning for God’s presence and the emptiness of worldly security, we must also ask: where does God’s sustaining grace intervene in those very circumstances?

◆ GRACE IN THE WORLD

God’s presence is with us.

Do you yearn for GOD’s Presence throughout the week?

When you’re frustrated at work?

When you’re at home washing dishes?

When you’re struggling to fall asleep?

Last week, we talked about how God journeys with us in the wilderness.

GOD’s Presence goes with us in the ups and downs of life.

The joy of Holy Spirit is that GOD’s Presence is no longer limited to a temple. It is able to be found every day in every location.

But do we want it? Or would we rather trust in our own strength and security?

Do we yearn and faint and cry out for God? Or is God an afterthought? Something to be thought of and worried about after we have done all our normal, day-to-day, “more pressing” tasks?

During Lent, we fast in part to help us recognize that there is nothing we need more than God.

GOD’s Presence is what truly sustains us.

So come home. God is waiting.

So, pj … What’s the point?

Conclusion

Maybe you can identify with this. Whether it was when you moved away from home for the first time, or just moved to a new place period, or when you were on a trip, perhaps immersed in a new culture—that longing for home can be visceral.

As we conclude the message this morning, let us remember that our deepest longing—for security, strength, and joy—is fulfilled only in GOD's Presence. For those who have felt homesick, like an airmen deployed or spouse sent to work in a place far from home, or like someone uprooted to a new place, envision this: embracing God's invitation transforms every wilderness into a place of springs (v. 6). We go from strength to strength (v. 7), finding our true home not in circumstances but in Him—yearning for His courts with joyful praise (vv. 1-4), drawing resilience through valleys (vv. 5-7), and discovering unmatched delight in His shield and favor (vv. 8-12).

If we all applied this, our church would become a vibrant pilgrimage: families supporting one another through hardships with unwavering trust, newcomers feeling instantly at home in God's family, and our worship overflowing with authentic praise that draws others in. This points ultimately to Christ, the living temple who embodies GOD's Presence among us (John 2:19-21). In Him, we find perfect communion, bridging our earthly wanderings to our heavenly home.

May we yearn daily for His courts, journey faithfully through valleys, and rejoice in His presence.

Bow our head & close our eyes:

Maybe this morning, you need to respond to the message. Perhaps HOLY SPIRIT is speaking to you, and you know you need to respond. Now, is the time. Do not delay in responding obediently to what HE is speaking to you. Let this be part of the introspection we participate in with HOLY SPIRIT as we prepare for Communion.

Remember, we do not take the LORD’s Supper lightly. We want to make sure we deal with anything the FATHER reveals to us to make right. If you’re heart is clear—meaning, you aren’t convicted of anything you need to address first before Communion—then use this time to thank the LORD for HIS faithfulness and goodness to you—for the atoning sacrifice HE made for you and I.

Closing prayer & Introspection for Communion

Father, ignite in us a burning need for You. Draw us near, strengthen our steps, and fill us with Your joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:24 NASB95

24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25 NASB95

25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Benediction

Numbers 6:24–26 NASB95

24 The Lord bless you, and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’

Numbers 6:27 GW

27 “So whenever they use my name to bless the Israelites, I will bless them.” 

So, receive and go with the blessings of YAHWEH!