Text: Psalm 27:1-6 (NASB)
Introduction: This morning we are continuing our series on Hope. We have learned that our confidence in the Lord is a provider of hope. We have also learned that our confidence in the performance of the Lord is a wonderful source of hope. This is because God will do what He says that He will do. In addition, our commitment to the Lord provides a great source of hope for us in the midst of our trials.
I. Our comfort in the Lord provides hope.
A. Psalm 27:5 (NASB) 5For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
B. Psalm 27:5 (AMP) 5For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.
C. God has a sheltered place for us.
1. David tells us that the Lord will hide him in His shelter.
2. A king’s shelter was a tent that was erected in the middle of the army’s encampment.
3. The tent was then surrounded by an army of brave soldiers.
4. With all the host of the army camped about, the king’s tent was the safest place on the battlefield.
5. Those who were fortunate enough to be allowed to enter the king’s tent were protected by the soldiers and entertained by the king during the battle!
6. The word “hide” here in this verse means “to treasure away.”
7. As the battles of life rage about us, we are safely tucked away in our King’s shelter.
8. The Bible tells us that our lives are hidden away with Christ in God.
9. Colossians 3:3 (AMP) 3For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
10. What does it mean that a believer’s life is “hidden with Christ”?
11. Hidden means concealed and safe.
12. This is not only a future hope, but an accomplished fact right now.
13. Our service and conduct do not earn our salvation, but they are results of our salvation.
14. Take heart that your salvation is sure, and live each day for Christ.
15. Could there be a safer place in the entire universe?
16. Of course not!
17. Those who have entered His shelter are protected by Him and, even while the battles rage around them, they are entertained with the peace and joy of the King Himself.
18. This is a promise to those who will abide in that close place!
19. No enemy can penetrate the defenses and enter this private place.
20. The shelter of the King is protected from the enemy!
21. The assurance of His sheltering place allows us to weather the storms of life with hope.
22. This assurance allowed the Apostle Paul to continue even when he suffered greatly.
23. 2nd Corinthians 12:7-11 (NASB) 7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 11I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
D. Psalm 27:5 (NASB) 5For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.
E. God has a secret place for us.
1. The word “tabernacle” brings to mind the place of worship.
2. The “secret” refers to the “holy of holies”.
3. That place which was off limits to all but the High Priest, and he could only enter there one day per year, and the only with the blood of an innocent sacrifice.
4. It was a place that other men entered under the penalty of death.
5. Yet, it is that secret place, to which God takes His precious friends.
6. The Holy of Holies was a place where the very presence of God dwelt and the glory of God could be seen.
7. It was there that God took David during the battles of his life.
8. It was there David found himself shut up with God and shut off from the world around him.
9. In a king’s home, this place referred to the private apartment of the king.
10. It was a place no one could enter unless they did so at his bidding.
11. To do otherwise invited instant death.
12. The word “hide” means “to conceal”
13. It is amazing that there is a place of solitude in a world filled with people.
14. There is a place that you and I can flee to during the crushing battles that rage about us.
15. A place that affords us quiet, peace, and the profound presence of God.
16. Those who have learned to abide in Him have been to that place and know the glory of it.
17. It is a place where the enemy dares not follow.
18. It is a place reserved for those who love the Lord their God.
19. Have you ever been to that place?
20. That place where God meets with you and you alone.
21. That place where all else falls away and you are left with Him and Him alone?
22. That is the place He invites those who abide to enter!
23. It is possible for us to enter that sacred, secret place where the world dims away and God becomes greater and larger than everything else does!
F. Psalm 27:5, 6 (NASB) 5For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. 6And 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.
G. God has a secure place for us.
1. David has the assurance that even when life threatens to overflow him, the Lord will set him on a rock, a place that is unchangeable, powerful, and immovable.
2. Of course, the Rock he refers to is none other than the Lord Himself.
3. Psalm 40:1, 2 (NASB) 1I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
4. It is a rock that is far above the battles going on at its feet.
5. It allows those who ride its heights to rise far above the turmoil beneath!
6. Isaiah 40:31 (NASB) 31Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
7. This is the gift to all those who know Him!
8. We are promised that we have a place of refuge that will lift us far above the stormy seas that would threaten to drown us.
9. Like the eagle, who takes refuge above the storm until it has passed; those who abide in Him are given grace that bears them higher than the storms and keeps them safe until danger has passed.
10. Those who wish to rise above there circumstances are given wings to do so!
11. Notice the passive nature of all the things mentioned in verse 5.
12. All of these things David mentions are not things he does to himself; but they are things done to him by the Lord.
13. The believer is required to do nothing but be in a close relationship to the Lord.
14. These things are done by the Lord for His child.
H. Psalm 27:6 (NASB) 6And 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.
I. God has a special place for us.
1. David says that he will worship the Lord; he will praise the Lord; because of the things the Lord has done for him.
2. Because the Lord has lifted him above the battles; because the Lord has hidden him away in the secret place; because the Lord sheltered him away from the terrors of the battles; he will praise His name!
3. What a lesson to us!
4. When hope has turned to reality in our lives; when the Lord has come through for us again and delivered us from the enemy; we should be quick to praise Him and offer to Him the worship and adoration He deserves.
5. When He brings us through our battles, He will put us in a special place from which we can exalt His lovely Name.
6. Hebrews 13:15 (NASB) 15Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
