| Introduction This psalm is likely the experience of David (anointed in v. 9) while running away from Absalom. This makes sense because the ark and the tabernacle would have been in Jerusalem by then and the temple had not yet been built (thus tabernacle in v.1). David may have recounted his longing for the worship of God to the sons of Korah who put it to music. One thing we know for sure: this psalm is the testimony a person who knows God personally and loves to worship him with his brothers and sisters in Christ. It seems to be part of human nature not to miss something good till we no longer have access to it. That is in a sense what is happening here. David doesn't have access to the tabernacle and his hear is aching because of that. We see in this psalm a deep longing for the presence of God in worship. Right way, let me say something about the word selah. In our translation, it appears in vv. 4 and 8. As far as we can tell, selah is a musical notation equivalent to a rest. It is inserted in the text, not to be read aloud, but to remind the reader/singer to take a contemplative pause because what he just read/sang is important. I would like us to see three things from this psalm this morning: the loveliness of the tabernacle and the longing of the soul (1-4, 8-11), those who love the tabernacle will enliven the earth (5-7), and a person who loves the tabernacle is blessed (12). The Loveliness of the Tabernacle and the Longing of the Soul, 1-4, 8-11. Why is the tabernacle lovely? There are at least two reasons. One is because there, God meets with mankind. There was no other place where God met with men with assurance of forgiveness because of the sacrifice of another. The tabernacle is still the only place God meets with men and accepts them (Heb. 9:6-9, 11-14). Unless you meet with God through Jesus by faith in the heavenly tabernacle, you'll never meet him as a gracious, loving, merciful, kind God because the basis of that relationship is the offering that Jesus Christ made of himself on behalf of his people. The second reason is because there, God's people met with each other. Three times a year they got to come to the tabernacle and adore their God together. It didn't matter their social status, financial status, or where they lived. They came in equal footing with everybody else and they got to be with them in God's house (or tent). The local church now carries that significance (1 Tim. 3:15). Now not just three times a year, but every week on the Lord's Day! We meet with our Lord in a way that we are not able to do anywhere else. We meet with each other and become one as we ascend the holy hill of Zion – that's what pilgrims did (Psalms of ascent). David looks at these two aspects of the tabernacle and says, "Oh, how lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts." Because the tabernacle is lovely David longs for it, 2. He wants to be there so badly that he almost faints with desire – that was often David's experience (Ps. 42:1-2; Ps. 63:1-2). Notice again how he equates being in the tabernacle with being with God and his heart is crying out to be there. Remember David is out in the desert running away from his son who is sitting on the throne in Jerusalem. He can't go to the tabernacle and his heart is breaking. Is that where you are? You can only be there if you are convinced that the God you are meeting is worth meeting even if that costs all you have, including your life. David was convinced that being in the house of God was better than anything else he could be doing at that moment, including gaining the riches of this world, 8-10. Look at David's prayer, 8-9. He says, "Look upon your anointed," that is, "Remember your promises to me as the one who you anointed to be on your throne." We do the same. When we are in a dry and thirsty land, when being in the house of the Lord means nothing, when we are at the end of our rope, we pray, "Lord, look at the face of your anointed." But we don't mean for God to look at David, but to look at his ultimate anointed one, the Messiah, the Christ, the Lord Jesus. We want him to remember his promise to be our God and to never leave us or forsake us. And we do that because we want to be with him. Are you convinced that a moment in the worship of God at the house of God is better than a thousand days elsewhere? If you are, you will organize your Sunday and Saturday and your entire weekly schedule to reflect this belief. Worship on the Lord's Day will not be an after thought for you. It will be in the forefront of everything you do. You are not going to allow things to get in the way. You will say no to certain things. It is sad that often the only adjustment that Christians are willing to make to their busy schedule is their church attendance and the corporate worship of God. The only thing that is negotiable and can go is being in church for the most glorious activity they can be involved in. Are you convinced that what God has to offer in worship is better than anything the world has to offer? Then even the most menial activity in the house of God will be a blessing to you (doorkeeper). Why is David so convinced that being is God's house is so good? After all, look at the people we have to worship with, look at the pastor, look at the lame sermons, look at the music, look at the ugly building, listen to the noise, feel the kids squirming around. How can this be so good? Yes, all of that is true, yet God appointed the here and the now for us to with him for his glory and for our good. Look at the God whom David goes to his house to meet, 11. He is a God who is a sun – the source of all life and the conqueror of darkness. He is the God who is a shield – the protector. He is a God who is the giver of grace and glory. He is the God who will not withhold anything good from those who follow him. One of the good things that he gives to us is the opportunity to worship him as a body every Lord's Day. If you don't see that as good, then you must adjust your definition of good. David gives one more comparison to help us understand the greatness of a day in the house of the Lord, 3-4. If it is a blessing for little birds who don't have souls, who cannot relate to God, to be in the house of God, how much more will it be a blessing for the blood-bought, sin-forgiven members of God's family to be in his house? It is a blessing to be in the house of God and we must believe that. This Is Important Because Those Who Love the Tabernacle Will Enliven the Earth, 5-7. Do you think this is a big claim? It is, but we serve a big God! The person who loves the tabernacle is on a pilgrimage from Sunday to Sunday, from Lord's Day to Lord's Day, 5. Look at what he/she does as they pilgrimage during the days of the week, 6-7. As the pilgrims walk through he valley of Baca (dry or weeping), the valley is transformed and become full of life. As Moses face shone with the glory of God after his was in God's presence and he didn't even know it, our faces will shine with God's glory and bring life through the transforming power of the gospel to every area of our existence. The pilgrims go from strength to strength because they are always going to Mt. Zion, 7. One Sunday ends and the pilgrimage to the next one begins. This goes on till our last pilgrimage to eternal life. As imperfect as it might be, the worship of God is the only time that we are at home. The rest of our time we are on a pilgrimage. This is a big claim because we worship a big God who will do great things through his Church that flows from worshipping him in his house. "Ambitions for God, if they are to be worthy, can never be modest. There is something inherently inappropriate about cherishing small ambitions for God. How can we ever be content that he should acquire just a little more honour in the world? Christians should be eager to develop their gifts, widen their opportunities, extend their influence and be given promotion in their work — not now to boost their own ego or build their own empire, but rather through everything they do to bring glory to God." John Stott A Person Who Loves the Tabernacle Is Blessed, 12. David puts the love for the worship of God in terms of trust. At the end of the day, that is exactly what it is: trust that what God says is good IS indeed good. God blesses those who trust him, including the trust that his tabernacle is lovely. Conclusion God in his goodness and mercy has called us to gather in his house once every week on his appointed day, so that he can bless us and strengthen us to enliven the earth. This is a big claim, but it is a true claim because we worship a big God who is the Lord of hosts.  | |||
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Friday, May 4, 2012
A Day in the Lord's House - Psalm 84
