Seeking God's Face Series

BIG IDEA:

THOSE WHO SEEK GOD’S FACE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT DELIVERANCE

INTRODUCTION:

THE SECRET OF THE SEEKER -- How can he be so confident when the enemies are so terrible and the goodness of the Lord is nowhere to be seen?

I. (:1-3) THE LORD IS THE ANSWER TO ALL MY FEARS

(NO PANIC)

A. (:1) The Lord is the Source of My Confidence

1. My light and My salvation -- the Lord makes me tick -- my reason for living

Whom shall I fear? -- no place for darkness or death

2. The defense of My life -- the Lord keeps me ticking

Whom shall I dread? -- no place for panic or dread

B. (:2-3) No Enemy Can Rob Me of My Confidence

1. (:2) Evildoers = my adversaries and my enemies

“When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.”

2. (:3) Army waging war against me

They have no chance of succeeding against God

“Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.”

II. (:4-6) THERE IS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEEKING GOD’S FACE AND CONFIDENTLY EXPECTING DELIVERANCE

(GOD’S PERSPECTIVE)

A. (:4) The Lord is the Focus of My Seeking

1. The Concentrated Focus

concentrated prayer -- "One thing I have asked from the Lord"

concentrated effort -- "that I shall seek "

2. The Defined Focus

Enjoyment of the Lord’s presence

"that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life"

Meditation on the Lord’s person

"to behold the beauty of the Lord"

"to meditate in His temple"

B. (:5) The Lord will Protect Me from Harm

1. The Stronghold of His tabernacle.

2. The Stronghold of His tent

3. The Stronghold of His cliff

C. (:6) Deliverance Prompts Sacrifices and Songs of Praise

“And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me;

And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.”

III. (:7-10) SEEKING GOD’S FACE ENGAGES THE STRUGGLE OF FAITH

(RELENTLESS PRAYER)

A. (:7) The Plea for Help

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,

And be gracious to me and answer me.”

B. (:8) The Pursuit of God’s Face

“When Thou didst say, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to Thee,

‘Thy face, O Lord, I shall seek.’

C. (:9-10) The Impossibility of Rejection

“Do not hide Thy face from me,

Do not turn Thy servant away in anger;

Thou hast been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!

For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

But the Lord will take me up.”

IV. (:11-12) SUBMITTING TO GOD’S DIRECTION IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO DELIVERANCE

(SECURE PATHWAY)

A. (:11a) The Submissive Seek God’s Teaching

“Teach me Thy way, O Lord”

B. (:11b) The Submissive Seek God’s Guidance

“And lead me in a level path, Because of my foes.”

C. (:12) The Submissive Can Expect God’s Deliverance

“Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries;

For false witnesses have risen against me,

And such as breathe out violence.”

V. (:13-14) FAITH IS THE VICTORY

(CONFIDENT PATIENCE)

A. (:13) Believe in the Goodness of the Lord (to be manifested in this lifetime!).

This is the protection against Despair.

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”.

B. (:14) Persevere in Believing that God will come and Deliver.

This requires patient waiting.

“Wait for the Lord;

Be strong, and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.”

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) What is your response when faced with panic situations? How quickly are you able to refocus on God and draw confidence from His presence and goodness and

protection?

2) In what sense is the Lord “my Light”?

3) What practical steps can we take to “behold the beauty of the Lord” and to “meditate in His temple”? What are some of the distractions that draw us away from seeking His face? (cf. how single-minded the psalmist was in this endeavor)

4) In what sense is “waiting upon the Lord” an active vs. a passive exercise?

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