All Scriptures are from The Bible by Jesus
A. FINDING GOD’S PRESENCE
“I want you to enjoy coming into My presence in the tabernacle; express your deep passion for the courts of My house, may your flesh cry out when you are not there. The sparrows are so comfortable in My presence that they make their nest within sight of My altar. I want you to rest near My presence because I am your King and your God. I will bless those who linger in My house because they worship and praise Me, Selah! I will bless those who realize their strength is in Me because My principles direct their hearts. Worshipers come to Me through a valley of weeping; they fill pools with their tears. They continue climbing from strength to strength in their endeavor to find My peace. They desire to know Me, their Lord and God, and to look into My face, Selah! One day in My courts enjoying My presence is better than a thousand days anywhere else. Worshipers would rather be a doorkeeper in My house than live sumptuously in the tents of wickedness. I will shine warmth on their life like the sun; I will protect them like a shield. I will not withhold any good thing from them when they walk uprightly. Blessed are those who trust in Me” (Psalm 84).
B. APPROACHING GOD’S PRESENCE – vv. 1-3
1. The King James uses the world amiable. “How amiable are thy tabernacle, O LORD of host” (v. 1). Amiable means “pleasing, sociably acceptable. From French “to love” you feel God’s love in God’s presence.
2. Tabernacle is plural, meaning the many courts (v. 2). David felt loved in every room in My house.
3. David was consumed with the thought (fainted) even thinking of coming My presence. “Your deep passion for My court” (v. 2, BBJ).
4. Birds make nest and lay eggs (life), where they are comfortable. “Sparrows are comfortable in My presence” (v. 3).
5. “Thine altars” (plural), (v. 3, KJV). Both burnt altar (sacrifice), and the altar of incense (prayer).
C. ENJOYING GOD’S PRESENCE – vv. 4-10
1. “Dwell” (KJV), “linger” (BBJ), means to serve God, i.e., “They worship and praised Me. Selah” (v. 4).
2. You are blessed when they, “Realize their strength is in Me, because My principles direct their steps” (v. 4).
3. “Come to Me through a valley of weeping” (v. 6). Their tears of joy fill pools with water because, “They find strength in thoughts of Me to continue climbing to find actual strength in My presence.”
4. Why the continued journey? “From strength to strength to find in their endeavor My peace” (v. 7).
5. Because travel saps your strength, “climb, “from strength to strength” (v. 7).
6. What is the ultimate purpose? “They desire to know Me, their Lord and God, and to look into My face. Selah!” (v. 9).
7. What is ultimate satisfaction? “One day in My courts enjoying My presence is better than a thousand days anywhere else” (v. 10). He compares one day of satisfaction in His courts, better than 1,000 days of happiness (millennium), anywhere else.
8. A “doorkeeper” is one who (1) gives entrance into tabernacle, (2) who greets and welcomes, (3) who looks after needs (butler). Jerry Falwell began “doorkeepers” to raise millions for Liberty University.
9. “Then live sumptuously (dwell) in the tents of wickedness” (v. 10).
D. RESULTS OF BEING IN GOD’S PRESENCE – vv. 11-12
1. “The LORD God is a sun and shield” (v. 11, KJV). “I will shine warmth on their life like the sun, I will protect them like a shield (v. 11). You get the source of life and continuation of life.
2. “Give grace and glory” (v. 11, KJV). This means the grace of salvation and the glory of eternal life. When God gives grace, he secures it for a purpose, His glory.
3. The promise. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (v. 11, KJV). Then God gives, “Blessed are those who trust in Me” (v. 12).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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