How to Praise God When You Are Stressed
Psalm 27:1-6
Last week we looked at “Understand the Personality of God” – Psalm 27:1-3. Today we look at
II. SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD – vs. 4
Vs. 4 – One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
David did not just live off of past victories. He didn’t just spend his time reflecting on what God had done for him. He continued to seek the Lord. He said, “I will seek after (the Lord) that I may dwell in His house all the days of my life”.
As a result of past experiences, David knew just how sweet it was to fellowship with the Lord. It is a great thing to know that we can run to the Lord in times of trouble. It is comforting to know that we can trust Him to protect us in the midst of the storm. There is great assurance in knowing that He will walk with us through the valleys of life. It is very encouraging to know that we can trust Him to conquer our enemies and secure victory in the battle. However, we don’t have to wait until our world is falling apart to seek the Lord. In fact, we should have the desire to seek Him and to experience His presence all the days of our lives!
In this passage David indicates that he desired to live in the tabernacle itself, so that he could be surrounded by the presence of God daily. He states that his desire was to “behold the beauty of the LORD”. Understand, he was not referring to the glory of the Temple, for it did not yet exist. At this point in time Israel’s Temple was the Tabernacle which was little more than a tent. This proves that it was not an earthly structure, nor its contents that David longed for. It was the beauty of the Lord that he was fascinated with. He longed for the sweetness of the Lord’s presence. He wanted more of God. Even though he had a wonderful relationship with Him, he wanted to know more about Him. That is the way it should be for each and every one of us who belong to Him. David also states that he wanted to “enquire in his temple”. He knew that when he was in the presence of the Lord, he could make his requests known unto Him.
And that is exactly what he does in the latter part of this Psalm. Notice:
Vs. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
In order to successfully make your requests known unto the Lord, you must seek His presence. When you comprehend the personality of God you will seek the presence of God.