Psalm 84 - Praying To Enjoy God's Presence Lesson 4 Series

A. FINDING GOD’S PRESENCE

“I want you to enjoy coming into My presence in the tabernacle; and expressing 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, ELT).

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 God’s house.

3. David was consumed with the thought (fainted) even thinking of coming God’s 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, “Realizing your strength is in God, because His principles direct your steps” (v. 4, ELT).

3. “Come to God through a valley of weeping” (v. 6). Your tears of joy fill pools with water because, “They find strength in thoughts of God to continue climbing to find actual strength in His presence.”

4. Why the continued journey? “From strength to strength.” You find life’s purpose in God’s peace (v. 7).

5. Because travel saps your strength, “climb, “from strength to strength” (v. 7).

6. What is your ultimate purpose? ”Desire to know God, and to look into His face. Selah!” (v. 9).

7. What is ultimate satisfaction? “One day in God’s courts enjoying His presence is better than a thousand days anywhere else” (v. 10, ELT). Author compares one day of satisfaction in God’s 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. “They 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 us for His purpose, i.e., His glory.

3. The promise. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (v. 11, KJV). Then God said, “Blessed are those who trust in Me” (v. 12).

Valleys are threatening places where vicious animals and robbers hide to attack me. I lose my way in valleys of life and there are box canyons where I can get lost and cannot find my way home. There are dangerous cliffs and pits into which I may fall. So, the psalmist said when “passing through the valley of Baca (weeping) make it a well” (v. 6). I am to dig a well in difficult places for life-giving water. Remember enjoyable water refreshes my spirit; and gives me a desire to go on through a treacherous valley. Lord, I will dig a well of water when facing danger or disappointment. I will not give up; I will renew my strength with water from Your presence. I will refresh my discouragement with Your satisfaction. Ah … Your water is invigorating! Amen.