Even a sparrow finds a home, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young near Your altars, Lord of Hosts, my King and my God.

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 2, 2017 His Presence Background and Lesson: Psalm 84:1-12 Motivation: What difference does it make in a person to be acutely aware of God s presence? For Moses, God s presence meant communion (Exodus 33:11), for Elijah, comfort (1Kings 17:3-4) and for Isaiah, confession (Isaiah 6:1-5) and commission (6:8). One thing is certain; God s presence makes an impact. Since the Israelites associated the temple in Jerusalem with God s presence, this psalm may have been sung by pilgrims journeying there. Just as the temple did not contain God but represented His presence, so the church building today is associated with the gathering of God s people who are indwelled by the living Christ. Examination: I. The Passion (1-4) How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord of Hosts. 2 I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even a sparrow finds a home, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young near Your altars, Lord of Hosts, my King and my God. 4 How happy are those who reside in Your house, who praise You continually. Selah (1-4) A. Church Should be Associated with Pleasant Thoughts How lovely (1) A thorough reading of this psalm helps one understand that lovely was not just an architectural description. It expresses an anticipation and joy upon approaching 1 / 6

2 God s house. Parents and grandparents need to take a serious look at how they portray the church to the next generations. B. Church Should Summon our Deepest Passion long yearn cry out for (2) Our passion for God should not take a backseat to our passion for sports or food. Yet, too often we re glancing nervously at our watches or phones as noon on Sunday approaches; thoughts of restaurant lines and anticipation of sporting events can distract and even drain us of our passion for God s presence. C. Church Should be a Place where Community is Found finds a home (3) We describe Houston s First as a relevant, biblical community. Just as the wild birds found sanctuary in the eaves of the ancient temple, we should provide a safe landing place for people desiring a Christian family. D. Church Should be a Happy Place How happy (4) People often identify their happy place as a favorite vacation spot or state of mind. Yet, shouldn t the congregation of Believers, gathered to sing God s praises, truly be a happy place for Christians? HCSB: p. 964: 84:4-5 These verses mirror the structure of the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12), setting forth some of the conditions of happiness. Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage is literally the highways are on their hearts. This describes the minds of the godly, their thoughts focused on the ascent to Zion. II. The Priority (5-7) Happy are the people whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of springwater; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion. (5-7) 2 / 6

3 A. God s Presence provides Joy Happy are the people (5) Happy is repeated from verse 4; it is both a motivation to go to worship and a result from the act of worship. When our strength comes from God and our hearts are set on our upward journey to Him, the result will be joy. B. God s Presence provides Refreshment a source of spring water (6) HCSB: p. 964: 84:6 The Valley of Baca derives from the Hebrew term baka, to weep. The joyful tears of the pilgrims transformed the source of sadness and grief into a spring of blessing, just as the early rains of autumn restored water to the valley. C. God s Presence provides Strength strength to strength (7) Just as Nehemiah declared The joy of the Lord is our strength (8:10), Both Paul (Galatians 5:22-23) and Peter (2 Peter 1:5-7) list characteristics that spring from God s presence in our lives. As we draw closer to God, our strength builds upon the shoulders of prior strength. In other words, God s presence creates a synergy of strength which empowers us. III. The Prayer (8-9) Lord God of Hosts, hear my prayer; listen, God of Jacob. Selah 9 Consider our shield, God; look on the face of Your anointed one. (8-9) Commentators disagree upon the identity of our shield and Your anointed one. Many believe both to be references to Israel s earthly king. Other commentators see shield as a reference to God and anointed one to Jesus the Messiah. In a sense, both could be correct, because Israel s earthly king could be 3 / 6

4 a shield and anointed one only as he represented God to the people. IV. The Presence (10-12) Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. 12 Happy is the person who trusts in You, Lord of Hosts! (10-12) A. God s Time Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else. (10) Going back to the happy place of verse 4, how many Christians would rather spend one day in church rather than 1,000 days in Vail, or the beach or any of dozens of other vacation dream spots? This might be an interesting discussion question! B. God s Place I would rather be at the door of the house of my God than to live in the tents of wicked people. (10b) KJV reads I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. This is a great verse for our Greeter Ministry! 1. Aspiration I would rather Many Christian, especially in North America, set life goals pretty much the same as lost people based on material security, significance and success. A life is spent aspiring to comfort, convenience and accumulation of things. By contrast, a Christian worldview would define success in terms of impact for God s kingdom rather than admiration from peers. 2. Assignment be at the door live in the tents Whether you identify this assignment as a butler, greeter or petitioner, it involves standing in the cold, heat or rain rather than living comfortably under shelter. The assignment speaks to humility, and values service over status. 4 / 6

5 3. Association house of God wickedness One is known and influenced by his/her friends. Face it, you gravitate toward people you like or aspire to imitate. Here the psalmist writes that it is better to be on the fringes of godly company, than to be in the middle of wicked friends. Application: 1. The church should be a gathering place of joy. 2. Worship should bring forth our passion and enthusiasm. 3. Success is not measured by material possessions, but by impact for God s kingdom. Leader Pack Item 5: Chart: Messianic Psalms; Item 8: Poster: God in the Psalms; Item 9: Poster: Authorship of the Psalms. Biblical Illustrator p. 34 Birds as Biblical Imagery Notes: **You may now access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: y.org ; also, the Highpoint Bible Study (Downtown) is available on MP3 at the HFBC site under the Highpoint link/downloads. Dates: 6/25 Timothy Loop; 6/26-29 VBS (children) & VBX (students); 7/2 David the Loop; 7/4 Independence Day office closed; 7/9 Dr. Kevin the Loop; 5 / 6

6 7/9-13 Houston 1:8; 7/15 Oasis Single Mom s Conf.; 7/16 Ben the Loop; 7/17 RUSHWEEK Rally; 7/21-27 RUSHWEEK 2017; 7/23 - SPF Birthday Bash; 8/2 RUSH Celebration; 8/20 Back to School Sunday; 8/23 Midlink/Milestones Preview Night; 8/27 SPF Birthday Bash; 8/30 11/15 Midlink on Wednesdays; 9/4 Labor Day Church offices closed; 9/8 - Marriage Matters. 6 / 6