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Practice the Presence of God 2
This Psalm is divided into three sections. V1-6, David expresses his confidence in God. V7-12, He expresses his conflicts to God in prayer. V13-14, He expresses his confidence again with regard to his future.
V1-3, The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear V1-3, The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 4
The first thing we should attend to is our relationship to God. 3 Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. The first thing we should attend to is our relationship to God. 5
Hudson Taylor said, “There will be pressure in life Hudson Taylor said, “There will be pressure in life. It doesn’t matter how great the pressure is. What matters is whether the pressure comes between you and God or whether it pushes you closer to God.” 6
V1-3, The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear V1-3, The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold (NAS, defense) of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? 7
V4-6, One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 8
What is the one thing that you think about as you begin your day? 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. What is the one thing that you think about as you begin your day? David first thought was to spend the day in the presence of God. 9
Brother Lawrence once asked, “I honestly can’t understand how people who claim to love the Lord can be content without practicing His presence.” He said, “My day-to-day life consists of giving God my simple loving attention. And it gives me such contentment and joy that I sometimes feel compelled to do rather childish things to control it.” 10
What about you? Do you have the determination to live your life in the conscious presence of God? 11
V7-12, Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. 12
The next thing is to address our problems in prayer. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. The next thing is to address our problems in prayer. 13
V10, Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Go to God for help. Pray these 6 verses back to God as prayer. 14
V7-12, Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
V13-14, I am still confident of this: (NAS, I would have despaired (fainted) unless I believed that) I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. 17
And he ends with the Lord in v 14, “Wait for the Lord.” David starts with the Lord in v 1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” And he ends with the Lord in v 14, “Wait for the Lord.” The last thing is to wait for the Lord to answer our prayers. 18
What is the source of David’s confidence? It is not self-confidence. The source of his confidence is based entirely on the goodness of the Lord. 19
Brother Lawrence said, “Even suffering will be easier when we are with Him, but without Him, even the greatest pleasures will be joyless.”
Paul wrote (Rm 5:3-5), “but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” 21
Is the Spirit prompting you to see the goodness of the Lord in your circumstances? Is He telling you to hope in God and wait for the Lord to resolve your problems? Pray these last 2 verses back to God as prayer.
V13-14, I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. 23
Go to the Pastoral Prayer slide as Pastor Sonny starts to pray. 24