Seeking God’s Face

Mayor Gerardo Balmori

The Salvation Army

THOSE WHO SEEK GOD’S FACE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT DELIVERANCE

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 encamps against me, my heart will not fear; though war arises 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?