Dwell in the house of the Lord

 

PSALM 27

It is the last Sunday of the year. Did we survive? Yes, we did.

I was so happy to hear testimonies form you. Every Sunday I try to give you what God gave me from His Word. Today I heard how God walked with you day by day.

He walked with me day by day. It was tough year. We lost many loved ones. The economy did not encourage us; in fact, it is going worse.

It is depressing time anyway after Christmas. People were waiting for something to happen, and for many nothing happened. Even children are feeling down after opening all the gifts they do not need, and now they don’t find anything interesting.

 

I look back and I see life was not boring and never will be. As long as we learn to walk with the Lord, life will never be boring. In fact, there will be uncertainties in coming year. So where do we turn for help?

Psalm 27 is my New Year gift to you.

First three verses:

 

God’s Presence Gives Confidence for the Future

          1         The Lord is my light and my salvation;

                   Whom shall I fear?

              The Lord is the defense of my life;

                   Whom shall I dread?

          2   When evildoers came upon me

                   to devour my flesh,

              My adversaries and my enemies,

                   they stumbled and fell.

          3   Though a host encamp against me,

                   My heart will not fear;

              Though war arise against me,

                   In spite of this I shall be confident.

God gives confidence to David in the midst of uncertainties. 1st and 3rd verse give confidence.

Now in uncertainties, David found refuge in God.  Verse 4 is his plea and also the key verse for being secure in the Lord.

 

          4  One thing I have asked from the Lord,

                   that I shall seek:

              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 meditate in His temple.

          5   For in the day of trouble

                   He will conceal me in His tabernacle;

              In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;

                   He will lift me up on a rock.

          6   And now my head will be lifted up

                   above my enemies around me,

               And I will offer in His tent

                   sacrifices with shouts of joy;

                        I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

 

David learned to DWELL, BEHOLD , MEDIDATE, SING, SHOUT WITH JOY, SING PRAISES.

David found out that fighting enemies is not the most important thing. He found out HE needs to DWELL in the presence of our Lord.

 

We are celebrating Christmas. God is sending His Son who will DWELL among us.

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,  (tabernacled among us”) and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

 

David is learning that the geographical place is not important. One can have confidence without having the most “secure” fortress. One can have confidence in God wherever he is in the wilderness or elsewhere. Not only in the usual places like the tabernacle (where God dwelt), but God existed everywhere. David found that on a rock in the wilderness he can find God, and God can be his refuge and security.

I look back at 2008 and I examine my life at CACC.  I see that God gave us opportunities to dwell in His house. It does not mean just being in church;  it means God gave us opportunities to dwell in His presence, individually and collectively. He gave us an opportunity to be among His people, in our church. He worked in our hearts to change us, so we can serve Him for His Glory.

 

(Let us look at a quick preview of the year 2008 at CACC).

 

As you see we had wonderful moments, and we had sad moments.

 

Let us learn from David.

 

The Memory of God’s Presence Gives Hope In Pain  

          7   Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,

                  And be gracious 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 help;

              Do not abandon me nor forsake me,

                  O God of my salvation!

          10    For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

                  But the Lord will take me up.

 

The beginning six verses indicate that David found rescue in God. Then 7-10 we find that God is not present near him. He seems to be far away while David is seeking His face:

“Be gracious... answer me… do not hide from me…. Do not turn your servant away….do not abandon me… if everyone forsake me not you O Lord.”

 

I don’t know about you, but there were days I felt this way. We need to learn from David. He did not give up. He searched God’s face (presence). One thing I wish that we will not stop from following Jesus. Maybe there were some disappointments in your life, do not give up from following Jesus.

11      Teach me Your way, O Lord,

                   And lead me in a level path

                        Because of my foes.

14      Wait for the Lord;

                   Be strong and let your heart take courage;

                        Yes, wait for the Lord.

There is message for 2009. Keep teaching me, also teach me to be patient. Teach me to wait for the Lord.