INTRODUCTION: As she went out of the church building she shook her head.
       "I just don't get anything out of worship anymore." Many Christians find no joy in worship. Many feel that they must "have their toes stepped on" in order to get anything out of worship. Others feel that they have sinned if they feel happy about worship. They say, "I didn't come to get entertained."
       This has led to perversions in worship. Some have sought a wild emotional experience. Others have gone the opposite route, either going into legalism and cold formality or not worshiping at all.
       In Psalm 84 the psalmist shows us the proper attitude of God's children toward worship.

BODY

I. DAVID'S LOVE FOR GOD'S HOUSE (VERSES 1-3).

A. God's tabernacles are lovely. Verse 1.

1. Dear, beloved.

2. Spiritual beauty

3. Where God dwelt (shekinah).

4. Christ is among his people, the church.

a. Matthew 18:20- ""For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.""

b. Revelation 1:13- "and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band."

B. He longed to worship God. Verse 2

1. Literally "consumed with longing."

2. Worship was most important in the Psalmist's life.

a. Psalms 122:1- "I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD.""

3. Psalms 42:1-2- "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. {2} My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

4. Thirst for worship should be our attitude.
a. Matthew 5:6- "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."

5. Hebrews 10:25- "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

C. An example given. Verse 3

1. He wished he was like the bird who dwelt int he tabernacle. The birds were there all the time.

II. BLESSINGS OF GOD'S SERVANTS (VERSES 4-7).

A. The man of God is blessed because he dwelt in God's house. Verse 4

1. Happy because his desire is fulfilled.
2. Christians are continual priests in God's house.

a. 1 Peter 2:5- "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

3. Therefore, Christians are blessed (happy).

a. Romans 12:12- "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;"

b. Philippians 4:4- "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

B. The Psalmist is blessed because his strength is in the Lord. Verses 5-7

1. God showers blessings.

2. Example of a pilgrim going through a dry valley.

3. God cares for His children today.

a. Romans 8:28- "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

b. 2 Timothy 2:19- "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.""

III. HIS PRAYER OF PRAISE TO GOD (VERSES 8-11).

A. Calls on God to hear his prayer. Verse 8

1. The Lord of Hosts.

a. The great self-existent leader of the "Angel's armies."

b. Description of His mighty power.

2. But He is also the God of Jacob.

a. A personal God.

b. Can answer the prayers of the individual.

3. Our God is powerful - yet personal enough to answer the prayers of the individual Christian today.

a. Ephesians 3:20- "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,"

b. Philippians 4:6- "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

c. 1 Thessalonians 5:17- "pray without ceasing,"

B. The Psalmist praises God for being able to come before the heavenly throne. Verses 9-10

1. Serving in God's presence is greater than anything in the world.

2. He would rather be a servant in God's house than great among the wicked.

C. God is his protection. Verse 11

1. He is a sun.

a. Shines down blessings.

b. Lights the way through troubles.

2. He is a shield.

a. A shield used for protection.

b. God shields His children from danger.

c. Genesis 15:1- "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.""

d. Psalms 115:9- "O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield."

e. Ephesians 6:16- "above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

IV. TO RECEIVE THESE BLESSINGS, WE MUST TRUST GOD (VERSE 12).

A. Happy is the man who trusts God.

1. 2 Timothy 1:12- "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."

B. This trust is the foundation of the man of God's joy in worship.

1. Hebrews 11:6- "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
2. 1 John 5:4- "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith."
3. When we trust in God our worship is more meaningful.

CONCLUSION: Worship is a great joy for the true child of God. It is an opportunity to come before God and express our gratitude for the greatness of God and the salvation that He has given as a gift to us.

Copyright 1999 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.