Worship In The Wilderness

Intro

Greeting, introduction.

My new superpower…

[discuss how parenting has changed my sleeping habits]

When we get physically exhausted (tired, hungry, thirsty) we need a proper recharge from the right energy source.

But while many of us would like to think we get proper rest and nutrition, we don’t always, do we?

Discuss how we often turn to cheap, fake energy (social media, fast food).

Life is exhausting… sometimes very exhausting… leading to difficult, spiritually dry seasons.

Transition to passage

READ: Psalm 63

Psalm 63 NIV

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. 1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you [meditate] through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. 9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

v.1-2

Explain context

“…in a dry and parched land…”

David’s flight: fleeing from Saul or Absalom?..

While we are unsure of which period of life David was in during when this Psalm was written we at least know this: David fell on some hard times in his life, and (quite literally) experienced lengthy, dry seasons.

However, notice the opening phrase…

“You, God, are my God…”

Discuss how “my God” indicates a personal connection with God.

In other religions and worldviews, god is viewed as a distant, unloving, and unkind tyrant who cares little of the affairs of humanity… but the one true God is not that way!

We see this when Jesus told The Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15…

Luke 15:20 NIV

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

That is not a distant God, that is a kind and loving father that wants to bring us to Himself in a personal, loving way.

Explain what it means to have a relationship with God.

When we are in the wilderness, we begin to find restoration in the relationship… Not rote religion (fire insurance).

v. 3-4

“…your love is better than life…”

Think about that for a second… how ridiculous is that? What could be better than life?! There’s not much to enjoy or experience if your not alive…

the life that David is referring to here is the material life…

Someone I immediately thought of in this regard was Paul…

Explain Paul’s testimony…

Paul went from having everything this world had to offer, then nothing. Yet was fully satisfied in Jesus.

Philippians 4:11–13 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Knowing Jesus changed everything.

Paul understood that we’re never truly alive without Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,”)

So, when we know Jesus as Paul knew Jesus, or David knew YAHWEH, we know something better than life itself.

PAUSE

“…my lips WILL glorify you. I WILL praise you as long as I live, and in your name I WILL lift up my hands.”

Throughout the rest of this passage, you may notice the word “will” is used 11 times…

David says “will” not “am,”, indicating a commitment.

David does not feel like worshipping in the wilderness; he is choosing to worship.

Leroy’s advice…

If we only did what we feel like doing in life, nothing would move forward or be accomplished.

“But what if I feel distant from God?.. Perhaps I have no relationship with Him to begin with.”

The danger of distance… (we can start to fool ourselves)

Romans 8:1 NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

We should worship more when we feel distant from God, not less. God is always close.

Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 1; Q & A 1:

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A. That I am not my own… but belong— body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

All else in life fades, but our seat with Christ in eternity never fades. Let us, therefore, lean into our eternal hope in worship. Not away.

v. 5-8

“…I think of you [meditate] through the watches of the night…”

“Meditate” is ESV.

Define what it means to “meditate” (or what it doesn’t mean).

To “meditate” in the biblical sense is…

To abide.

John 15:4 ESV

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

To think.

Philippians 4:8 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

“Dusty Bible” Song by Josiah Queen…

Chorus lyrics: “We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones No wonder why we feel this way We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks And I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles”

Importance of a good prayer/devotional life…

How can we expect to have a relationship with God when we don’t pursue one? (David understood this well, which is why he cites it here)

v. 9-11

David’s high expectations…

Why not expect great things from God?

John 15:7 NIV

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

David’s merely asking what he knows is in God’s will…

What God gives us is not always what we want, but we know it’s always good.

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Conclusion

Our wilderness… (why we lift our hands)

Brad’s example

We can always find hope in the arms of our Savior; our living water; in our wilderness

CLOSING PRAYER