His Presence

Picture of Sarte’s 1947 Essay on Existentialism

Picture of Collin’s lyrics of “Bring In The Clowns”

Psalm 84 HCSB

For the choir director: on the Gittith. A psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord of Hosts. I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Even a sparrow finds a home, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young— near Your altars, Lord of Hosts, my King and my God. How happy are those who reside in Your house, who praise You continually. Selah Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings. They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion. Lord God of Hosts, hear my prayer; listen, God of Jacob. Selah Consider our shield, God; look on the face of Your anointed one. Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people. For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. Happy is the person who trusts in You, Lord of Hosts!

Place - Worship of God can involve a Place

Psalm 84:1-2

Psalm 84:1–2 HCSB

How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord of Hosts. I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

Psalm

Psalm 84:10 HCSB

Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people.

Discuss Tabernacle/Temple

Discuss Church

God commands that we gather together to worship Him in a Place in both the OT and NT

But God’s Presence and Worship are not exclusive to a Place.

Illustration of Great Presbyterian Church in Seoul, South Korea that was bombed during the Korean War… Part I

Presence - Worship of God acknowledges His Presence and enjoys Him.

Note references to Temple....came to represent the Presence of God.

Israelites took this to the extreme so Jeremiah was forced to rebuke them.

Jeremiah 7:3–4 HCSB

“This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your deeds, and I will allow you to live in this place. Do not trust deceitful words, chanting: This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.

Jeremi

Notice the Word “Happy” appears three times.

Question: Are you Happy in the presence of God? Have you so cultivated your Relationship with Him that you enjoy His presence? Or, if God somehow died, how long would it be before you noticed His absence in your life?

Psalm 84:1–2 HCSB

How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord of Hosts. I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

Which leads us to ....

Personal - Worship of God is Intensely Personal

Psalm 84:2 HCSB

I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.

Passion

Notice that Passionate Worshippers are those that are “Happy,” or Weary or Weeping.

Worshipping God in an intimate passionate way is not natural to us since the Fall. Our default setting is to isolate from God. In order to Worship God personally and passionately we must be intentional and on purpose. Worship is something we must cultivate. God’s Presence is Constant.... A Place to Worship may be available, but personally engaging in worship is something we must do on purpose.

Power

Psalm 84:5 HCSB

Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

Psalm 84:

Psalm 84:7 HCSB

They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:

Perspective

Psalm 84:10 HCSB

Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people.

Psalm 84:

Illustr of Great Presbyterian Church in Seoul, South Korea part II.