What If...
What if GOD couldn’t take the time to bless us today because we couldn’t take the time to thank Him yesterday?
What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn’t follow Him today?
What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD sent the rain?
What if GOD didn’t walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
What if GOD took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?
What if GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?
What if GOD didn’t send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?
What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
What if GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
What if GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?
What if GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?
What if GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives???
Psalm 84:
“What Does God Offer Me?”
“I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
God than dwell in the tents of wickedness”
FIRST: HE OFFERS ME A PLACE FOR MY LONGING (84:1,2).
The tabernacle and the temple had great meaning in the law of Moses,
both for God and His people. Our author begins with an exclamation
of his feelings about this at the beginning of Psalm 84. One lesson
for us is to remember that another tabernacle has been “pitched” by the
Lord Jesus (Hebrews 8:1-5). We who are members of it should have
a good understanding regarding its importance, too. And we should
look forward to opportunities to have our longings met as we approach God
in His tabernacle through the great high priest, Jesus Christ. Question:
Does my heart and flesh cry out for the living God?
SECOND: HE OFFERS ME A REASON FOR MY PRAISE (84:3,4).
THIRD: HE OFFERS ME STRENGTH FOR MY JOURNEY (84:5-7).
These verses indicate that God provides the “stranger and pilgrim”
that which he needs. “As I travel through life, with its trouble
and strife…”—I can count on Him to provide the strength if I have my heart
set on the pilgrimage. The “valley of Baca” is a difficult phrase.
Some think that it is a way of tears, some that it refers to a kind of
tree that was along a path (a tree that “weeps”, such as a balsam tree,
Kirkpatrick, p. 507). Whatever the specific reference is, the point
seems to be that a traveler who follows the ways of God is able to use
the things on his path for good. Verse 7 reminds us of Isaiah 40:31;
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” (NKJ)
Question: Am I leaning on His word so that I can gain strength for the rest of my journey?
FOURTH: HE OFFERS ME BLESSING FROM MY PRAYERS (84:8,9).
FIFTH: HE OFFERS ME A CONTRAST OF DWELLINGS (84:10).
SIXTH: HE OFFERS ME ALL GOOD THINGS FOR THE UPRIGHT (84:11).
SEVENTH: HE OFFERS ME A BLESSED STATE FOR THE JUST (84:12).
Now that we have studied the seven things that God offers, let us read the poem as a unit.
How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart
and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young--Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King
and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising
You. Selah
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set
on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in
Zion.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather
be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and
glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
(NKJ)
— Skip Andrews
Next Week:
Psalm 85:
Our God and Us:
Together
Duluth Lectureship
May 19-23, 2001
“Understandest Thou
What Thou Readest?”
A Study of Great Bible Words
We invite you to come
and be with us.
Listen to our Sunday services on the Web.
Just go to
duluthcofc.org
and follow the instructions.
SICK LIST:
Nell McClain is home after being hospitalized with a small stroke.
Zolia Pineda has pneumonia. Dee Haywood continues to need our prayers.
Michael Barclay (Katherine’s son) has Bell’s Palsy. Nancy Tipton’s
mother is recovering from a stroke. Electa Wilson is at Gwinnett
Extended Care. Let’s remember those who are ill and their families
in our prayers.
PLANTATION SOUTH: Group 3 is in charge of services today at 1:30.
GRADUATES:
Congratulations to our 2001 graduates: Devendra Williams — Central
Gwinnett, Joshua Reid — Collins Hill, and Neil Weekley — Georgia Tech.
BIBLE CAMP:
Bible Camp will be June 13-16. Registration forms are available in
the tract rack in the basement. Please consider this fun time as
we study the Bible together.
VBS:
Vacation Bible School is planned for July 11-13 (Wednesday-Friday) from
7:30-9:00. Our theme this year is Leadership—Personal, Home, and
Church. Please make plans to be here every night. If you would
like to help (teach, co-teach, help with refreshments, bulletin board,
etc.) please see William Howard.
BACK PEWS FOR OUR VISITORS: The elders are asking our members to leave the center two back pews for our visitors who may arrive late. Your cooperation is appreciated.
TRUTH FOR THE WORLD:
We always welcome those who would like to learn a job and become a part
of the volunteer force of workers. The message of the gospel is going
to nearly every country in the world—and results come in daily! Call
770 622-1525 to learn more, and check out the web page at www.tftw.org.
VOLUME 3:11 May 20, 2001