Title: The Christian Pilgrimage (Psalm 84) Meta: Though the Christian pilgrimage is full of heartaches and afflictions; it is also a path full of opportunities to trust the many promises from our God. We need to have the right perspective and not lose sight that one day in the Lord's courts is better than being a millionaire on this earth. We must keep pressing onward on the path to Zion. Tags: Psalm 84,Christian,pilgrimage,travel,heaven,believer 1 00:00:02,139 --> 00:00:07,072 Psalm 84 2 00:00:07,072 --> 00:00:08,094 As we turn there, 3 00:00:08,094 --> 00:00:11,789 I just want to remind us 4 00:00:11,789 --> 00:00:17,351 of a generalization - 5 00:00:17,351 --> 00:00:19,676 maybe a little theology - 6 00:00:19,676 --> 00:00:23,479 concerning the Psalms. 7 00:00:23,479 --> 00:00:26,035 The Psalms stand in a way 8 00:00:26,035 --> 00:00:31,391 in a unique place in Scripture. 9 00:00:31,391 --> 00:00:34,928 Of course, the multi-varied reality 10 00:00:34,928 --> 00:00:38,666 of 66 books in one book, 11 00:00:38,666 --> 00:00:41,326 there's many purposes 12 00:00:41,326 --> 00:00:45,912 for various books in the Scripture. 13 00:00:45,912 --> 00:00:49,466 I think of Hebrews and how uniquely 14 00:00:49,466 --> 00:00:53,844 it stands alone with one special emphasis 15 00:00:53,844 --> 00:00:56,250 in the New Testament. 16 00:00:56,250 --> 00:00:58,279 And you could say that about many books 17 00:00:58,279 --> 00:00:59,200 of the Bible, 18 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:00,063 but to me, 19 00:01:00,063 --> 00:01:01,684 the Psalms have a uniqueness 20 00:01:01,684 --> 00:01:07,403 that no other book of the Bible holds. 21 00:01:07,403 --> 00:01:09,975 Especially in two ways: 22 00:01:09,975 --> 00:01:13,195 Number one, we know that it was 23 00:01:13,195 --> 00:01:16,015 the psalter of the Old Testament people. 24 00:01:16,015 --> 00:01:20,122 For generations, from the Old Testament era 25 00:01:20,122 --> 00:01:22,747 as the Old Testament was compiled, 26 00:01:22,747 --> 00:01:25,420 and not just the Psalms. 27 00:01:25,420 --> 00:01:28,129 There was the Song of Moses they sang 28 00:01:28,129 --> 00:01:32,110 in coming through the Exodus deliverance. 29 00:01:32,110 --> 00:01:37,787 I think of Deborah and Barak's psalm in Judges. 30 00:01:37,787 --> 00:01:41,962 And so many songs in the Old Testament, 31 00:01:41,962 --> 00:01:44,332 but the psalmist - whether that's David 32 00:01:44,332 --> 00:01:47,576 or Asaph or even Moses, 33 00:01:47,576 --> 00:01:51,403 in the collection of the psalms that we have, 34 00:01:51,403 --> 00:01:53,840 stands in a unique way, 35 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:57,060 because it is a song book. 36 00:01:57,060 --> 00:01:59,999 And throughout the history of the Christian church, 37 00:01:59,999 --> 00:02:02,143 for some parts of the body of Christ, 38 00:02:02,143 --> 00:02:04,860 the only song book. 39 00:02:04,860 --> 00:02:08,712 And so, you look for instance 40 00:02:08,712 --> 00:02:13,076 at Psalm 120 to 134. 41 00:02:13,076 --> 00:02:14,886 Those psalms are known as 42 00:02:14,886 --> 00:02:17,479 the songs of ascent. 43 00:02:17,479 --> 00:02:24,474 And the pilgrims among Israel - 44 00:02:24,474 --> 00:02:28,209 the saints or the people of God, 45 00:02:28,209 --> 00:02:30,324 who would go up to Jerusalem, 46 00:02:30,324 --> 00:02:32,483 or to different feasts - 47 00:02:32,483 --> 00:02:37,269 they would sing some of those songs especially. 48 00:02:37,269 --> 00:02:39,374 And so it's a song book, 49 00:02:39,374 --> 00:02:41,933 and we should make it that. 50 00:02:41,933 --> 00:02:45,526 But it's also a prayer book. 51 00:02:45,526 --> 00:02:48,888 How many of the psalms are 52 00:02:48,888 --> 00:02:51,281 either entire prayers 53 00:02:51,281 --> 00:02:53,986 or they're filled with prayers 54 00:02:53,986 --> 00:02:56,167 of all kinds? 55 00:02:56,167 --> 00:02:57,505 And one of the unique things 56 00:02:57,505 --> 00:02:59,464 about the Psalms 57 00:02:59,464 --> 00:03:04,300 is the multi-faceted experiences 58 00:03:04,300 --> 00:03:06,399 the psalmist expresses: 59 00:03:06,399 --> 00:03:08,558 Anger. 60 00:03:08,558 --> 00:03:09,645 Doubt. 61 00:03:09,645 --> 00:03:11,563 Grief. 62 00:03:11,563 --> 00:03:12,831 Anguish. 63 00:03:12,831 --> 00:03:14,267 Unbelief. 64 00:03:14,267 --> 00:03:15,437 Tears. 65 00:03:15,437 --> 00:03:16,723 Hope. 66 00:03:16,723 --> 00:03:17,892 Joy. 67 00:03:17,892 --> 00:03:19,238 Ecstasy. 68 00:03:19,238 --> 00:03:21,008 Praise. 69 00:03:21,008 --> 00:03:25,438 We could keep naming adjectives or adverbs 70 00:03:25,438 --> 00:03:27,298 or various nouns 71 00:03:27,298 --> 00:03:29,590 that the psalmist expresses 72 00:03:29,590 --> 00:03:31,403 under inspiration. 73 00:03:31,403 --> 00:03:35,168 And that is because God wants us 74 00:03:35,168 --> 00:03:36,695 as believers 75 00:03:36,695 --> 00:03:43,686 to find in the Psalms 76 00:03:43,686 --> 00:03:47,858 spiritual antibiotics for what ails us. 77 00:03:47,858 --> 00:03:49,890 We should live in the Psalms. 78 00:03:49,890 --> 00:03:54,107 I endeavor to read three to five psalms 79 00:03:54,107 --> 00:03:56,548 every day with my other portions 80 00:03:56,548 --> 00:03:57,794 of Bible reading. 81 00:03:57,794 --> 00:03:59,753 Now, when I get to Psalm 119, 82 00:03:59,753 --> 00:04:01,814 that slows down a little bit. 83 00:04:01,814 --> 00:04:02,856 I'll divide it up. 84 00:04:02,856 --> 00:04:04,572 But you know what I'm saying. 85 00:04:04,572 --> 00:04:11,337 So, Psalm 84 is one of my favorites. 86 00:04:11,337 --> 00:04:15,692 It is so amazing. 87 00:04:15,692 --> 00:04:19,942 And when you read a psalm 88 00:04:19,942 --> 00:04:23,303 and you chew the cud, 89 00:04:23,303 --> 00:04:26,208 you will harvest - 90 00:04:26,208 --> 00:04:27,380 Ben, you don't even know 91 00:04:27,380 --> 00:04:28,537 what I'm talking about, 92 00:04:28,537 --> 00:04:29,505 but that's alright - 93 00:04:29,505 --> 00:04:30,393 chewing the cud, 94 00:04:30,393 --> 00:04:32,925 meditating on what you hear, 95 00:04:32,925 --> 00:04:33,932 what you read. 96 00:04:33,932 --> 00:04:39,208 You come up with so much food for prayer; 97 00:04:39,208 --> 00:04:41,379 so much food for faith; 98 00:04:41,379 --> 00:04:43,441 so much rich encouragement. 99 00:04:43,441 --> 00:04:44,922 It's astounding. 100 00:04:44,922 --> 00:04:47,834 And to me, Psalm 84 is that. 101 00:04:47,834 --> 00:04:51,976 Because here's what Psalm 84 is about - 102 00:04:51,976 --> 00:04:53,383 before we read it - 103 00:04:53,383 --> 00:04:56,682 kingdom perspective, 104 00:04:56,682 --> 00:04:58,294 pilgrimage, 105 00:04:58,294 --> 00:05:00,179 and promises. 106 00:05:00,179 --> 00:05:02,343 Kingdom perspective, 107 00:05:02,343 --> 00:05:03,650 pilgrimage, 108 00:05:03,650 --> 00:05:05,301 and promises. 109 00:05:05,301 --> 00:05:08,514 Let's read Psalm 84. 110 00:05:08,514 --> 00:05:13,321 I'll read from the ESV. 111 00:05:13,321 --> 00:05:15,521 "How lovely is Your dwelling place, 112 00:05:15,521 --> 00:05:18,254 O Lord of Hosts! 113 00:05:18,254 --> 00:05:20,490 My soul longs, 114 00:05:20,490 --> 00:05:22,922 yes, faints 115 00:05:22,922 --> 00:05:26,164 for the courts of the Lord. 116 00:05:26,164 --> 00:05:28,956 My heart and flesh sing for joy 117 00:05:28,956 --> 00:05:31,030 to the living God. 118 00:05:31,030 --> 00:05:34,816 Even the sparrow finds a home, 119 00:05:34,816 --> 00:05:38,927 and the swallow a nest for herself, 120 00:05:38,927 --> 00:05:41,985 where she may lay her young, 121 00:05:41,985 --> 00:05:45,787 at Your altars, O Lord of Hosts, 122 00:05:45,787 --> 00:05:48,759 my King and my God. 123 00:05:48,759 --> 00:05:52,196 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, 124 00:05:52,196 --> 00:05:55,308 ever singing Your praise. 125 00:05:55,308 --> 00:05:57,567 Selah. 126 00:05:57,567 --> 00:06:00,639 Blessed are those whose strength is in You, 127 00:06:00,639 --> 00:06:05,202 in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 128 00:06:05,202 --> 00:06:07,900 As they go through the Valley of Baca, 129 00:06:07,900 --> 00:06:11,368 they make it a place of springs. 130 00:06:11,368 --> 00:06:14,423 The early rain also covers it with pools. 131 00:06:14,423 --> 00:06:19,124 They go from strength to strength. 132 00:06:19,124 --> 00:06:24,076 Each one appears before God in Zion. 133 00:06:24,076 --> 00:06:25,351 O Lord God of Hosts, 134 00:06:25,351 --> 00:06:26,911 hear my prayer. 135 00:06:26,911 --> 00:06:29,055 Give ear, O God of Jacob. 136 00:06:29,055 --> 00:06:30,866 Selah. 137 00:06:30,866 --> 00:06:33,507 Behold our shield, O God. 138 00:06:33,507 --> 00:06:36,694 Look on the face of Your anointed. 139 00:06:36,694 --> 00:06:39,594 For a day in Your courts is better 140 00:06:39,594 --> 00:06:42,487 than a thousand elsewhere. 141 00:06:42,487 --> 00:06:44,600 I would rather be a doorkeeper 142 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,415 in the house of my God, 143 00:06:46,415 --> 00:06:50,057 than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 144 00:06:50,057 --> 00:06:53,596 For the Lord God is a sun and shield. 145 00:06:53,596 --> 00:06:56,685 The Lord bestows favor and honor." 146 00:06:56,685 --> 00:06:58,272 I like the authorized version: 147 00:06:58,272 --> 00:07:02,031 "The Lord gives grace and glory." 148 00:07:02,031 --> 00:07:03,800 "No good thing does He withhold 149 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:08,118 from those who walk uprightly. 150 00:07:08,118 --> 00:07:09,151 O Lord of Hosts, 151 00:07:09,151 --> 00:07:15,609 blessed is the one who trusts in You." 152 00:07:15,609 --> 00:07:18,431 Perspective. 153 00:07:18,431 --> 00:07:20,273 Pilgrimage. 154 00:07:20,273 --> 00:07:21,277 Promises. 155 00:07:21,277 --> 00:07:22,722 In a real sense, 156 00:07:22,722 --> 00:07:25,446 that is what the Christian life is all about, 157 00:07:25,446 --> 00:07:27,354 isn't it? 158 00:07:27,354 --> 00:07:29,669 The perspective - that is, the outlook, 159 00:07:29,669 --> 00:07:31,780 the worldview, if you will, 160 00:07:31,780 --> 00:07:33,850 of the believer - 161 00:07:33,850 --> 00:07:36,856 how they see things, 162 00:07:36,856 --> 00:07:38,291 how they adjust to things, 163 00:07:38,291 --> 00:07:41,661 how we choose to live and believe 164 00:07:41,661 --> 00:07:43,509 in our pilgrimage, 165 00:07:43,509 --> 00:07:46,511 and the promises of God that are ours, 166 00:07:46,511 --> 00:07:48,397 for our pilgrimage. 167 00:07:48,397 --> 00:07:52,257 Every Christian is on pilgrimage, 168 00:07:52,257 --> 00:07:53,414 the Bible tells us, 169 00:07:53,414 --> 00:07:57,271 with kingdom perspective 170 00:07:57,271 --> 00:07:59,474 that's developing. 171 00:07:59,474 --> 00:08:01,829 Romans 12:1-2 172 00:08:01,829 --> 00:08:03,930 The believer, the Bible tells us, 173 00:08:03,930 --> 00:08:05,808 both in the Old and New Testament, 174 00:08:05,808 --> 00:08:09,398 is a pilgrim, a sojourner, a stranger 175 00:08:09,398 --> 00:08:10,495 in the earth. 176 00:08:10,495 --> 00:08:12,522 In this world, the Bible says, 177 00:08:12,522 --> 00:08:15,293 we are looking for a city 178 00:08:15,293 --> 00:08:17,835 whose builder and maker is God. 179 00:08:17,835 --> 00:08:19,700 Hebrews 11 says 180 00:08:19,700 --> 00:08:22,907 they confessed that they were 181 00:08:22,907 --> 00:08:25,696 pilgrims and strangers on the earth. 182 00:08:25,696 --> 00:08:27,874 So, think about this, beloved. 183 00:08:27,874 --> 00:08:31,545 Don Currin and I are both 63 years old. 184 00:08:31,545 --> 00:08:33,307 It's like a summer passing 185 00:08:33,307 --> 00:08:37,060 that we were 20 years old. 186 00:08:37,060 --> 00:08:40,796 Ours, for all of us, is a quick journey 187 00:08:40,796 --> 00:08:42,954 on this earth. 188 00:08:42,954 --> 00:08:45,113 From birth to death, 189 00:08:45,113 --> 00:08:46,996 from the cradle to the grave, 190 00:08:46,996 --> 00:08:48,763 from the womb to the tomb, 191 00:08:48,763 --> 00:08:51,689 to the grave to the skies... 192 00:08:51,689 --> 00:08:54,975 James says life is a vapor, 193 00:08:54,975 --> 00:08:56,451 and it's here and gone. 194 00:08:56,451 --> 00:08:58,861 John Wesley said this life 195 00:08:58,861 --> 00:09:03,673 is only a dressing room for eternity. 196 00:09:03,673 --> 00:09:08,344 How are you dressing these days? 197 00:09:08,344 --> 00:09:14,295 We have had in our town Denton, Texas, 198 00:09:14,295 --> 00:09:18,684 recently young teenagers die tragically. 199 00:09:18,684 --> 00:09:20,877 Unexpectedly. 200 00:09:20,877 --> 00:09:25,588 And so it's not only people who are over 50 201 00:09:25,588 --> 00:09:27,650 that begin to think about the end of life 202 00:09:27,650 --> 00:09:29,081 and eternity, 203 00:09:29,081 --> 00:09:30,661 every one of us 204 00:09:30,661 --> 00:09:32,508 must have this perspective 205 00:09:32,508 --> 00:09:34,398 that life is truly a vapor. 206 00:09:34,398 --> 00:09:36,767 You're 20 - boom - you're 60. 207 00:09:36,767 --> 00:09:38,747 Where did 40 years go? 208 00:09:38,747 --> 00:09:40,381 You can't track it. 209 00:09:40,381 --> 00:09:44,387 This Christian life we're in is a journey, 210 00:09:44,387 --> 00:09:48,451 but Psalm 84 certainly shows us 211 00:09:48,451 --> 00:09:52,090 that it's the best of journey's. 212 00:09:52,090 --> 00:09:54,662 It is the most wonderful trip. 213 00:09:54,662 --> 00:09:56,649 Now, many of the psalms reflect 214 00:09:56,649 --> 00:09:59,325 David's pilgrimage and perspective. 215 00:09:59,325 --> 00:10:02,497 Psalm 119 for instance, 216 00:10:02,497 --> 00:10:06,509 is his perspective about what? 217 00:10:06,509 --> 00:10:08,302 The Word of God. 218 00:10:08,302 --> 00:10:10,830 176 verses in that psalm, 219 00:10:10,830 --> 00:10:15,005 at least 171 of them speak about 220 00:10:15,005 --> 00:10:17,175 the commandments, precepts, statutes, 221 00:10:17,175 --> 00:10:18,665 testimonies of the Lord, 222 00:10:18,665 --> 00:10:20,378 the law of God. 223 00:10:20,378 --> 00:10:21,417 Perspective. 224 00:10:21,417 --> 00:10:26,871 Psalm 73 is David's perspective about what? 225 00:10:26,871 --> 00:10:28,416 The wicked. 226 00:10:28,416 --> 00:10:29,837 Their prosperity. 227 00:10:29,837 --> 00:10:32,739 How easy they have it. 228 00:10:32,739 --> 00:10:34,054 And it cast him down, 229 00:10:34,054 --> 00:10:36,034 discouraged him, confused him, 230 00:10:36,034 --> 00:10:38,166 until, he says, 231 00:10:38,166 --> 00:10:40,827 I went into the house of God. 232 00:10:40,827 --> 00:10:43,136 Perspective clears. 233 00:10:43,136 --> 00:10:44,851 Eternity is in view. 234 00:10:44,851 --> 00:10:46,961 And he sees their end. 235 00:10:46,961 --> 00:10:48,491 Psalm 73 236 00:10:48,491 --> 00:10:52,511 His perspective of the prosperity of the wicked. 237 00:10:52,511 --> 00:10:55,334 His foggy views were made clear 238 00:10:55,334 --> 00:10:57,444 by the truth. 239 00:10:57,444 --> 00:11:00,087 Psalm 1, for instance, 240 00:11:00,087 --> 00:11:04,049 is his perspective about what? 241 00:11:04,049 --> 00:11:06,731 The righteous and the wicked contrasted. 242 00:11:06,731 --> 00:11:08,014 "How blessed is the man who 243 00:11:08,014 --> 00:11:11,712 walks not in the counsel of the wicked." 244 00:11:11,712 --> 00:11:13,138 The wicked are not so, 245 00:11:13,138 --> 00:11:15,962 but are like the chaff that the wind drives away. 246 00:11:15,962 --> 00:11:18,550 Contrasting the wicked and the righteous. 247 00:11:18,550 --> 00:11:23,480 So, how to view the Christian's journey on earth, 248 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:25,860 and what God has promised each of us. 249 00:11:25,860 --> 00:11:29,180 Psalm 84 is not one of those songs of ascent 250 00:11:29,180 --> 00:11:31,645 (120 through 134) 251 00:11:31,645 --> 00:11:34,313 that are known as the pilgrim psalms, 252 00:11:34,313 --> 00:11:37,773 but it still speaks to us 253 00:11:37,773 --> 00:11:39,784 of David's journey, 254 00:11:39,784 --> 00:11:41,578 his experience, 255 00:11:41,578 --> 00:11:43,426 and of every believer's journey - 256 00:11:43,426 --> 00:11:44,989 you and I as Christians, 257 00:11:44,989 --> 00:11:47,659 of what's true of us, 258 00:11:47,659 --> 00:11:49,943 what's true for us, 259 00:11:49,943 --> 00:11:51,580 what we're going to experience, 260 00:11:51,580 --> 00:11:54,115 and what God has promised us. 261 00:11:54,115 --> 00:11:56,554 Most of the psalms 262 00:11:56,554 --> 00:11:58,259 show us a wide range 263 00:11:58,259 --> 00:12:01,025 of human experience and emotions. 264 00:12:01,025 --> 00:12:05,445 They show us the need of daily grace and mercy. 265 00:12:05,445 --> 00:12:07,614 Many examples of how to pray, 266 00:12:07,614 --> 00:12:08,968 what to pray. 267 00:12:08,968 --> 00:12:10,520 How to praise God 268 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:11,941 and how to trust Him 269 00:12:11,941 --> 00:12:13,219 more and more. 270 00:12:13,219 --> 00:12:16,803 So, let's look at Psalm 84 271 00:12:16,803 --> 00:12:19,437 where we see perspective, 272 00:12:19,437 --> 00:12:20,743 pilgrimage, 273 00:12:20,743 --> 00:12:22,004 and promises. 274 00:12:22,004 --> 00:12:24,323 The psalm begins with perspective. 275 00:12:24,323 --> 00:12:29,011 Verse 1, "How lovely is Your dwelling place, 276 00:12:29,011 --> 00:12:30,146 O Lord of Hosts!" 277 00:12:30,146 --> 00:12:34,199 This is not a question. 278 00:12:34,199 --> 00:12:36,457 It's an observation. 279 00:12:36,457 --> 00:12:37,684 It's his perspective - 280 00:12:37,684 --> 00:12:39,358 the psalmist's perspective 281 00:12:39,358 --> 00:12:42,307 about the loveliness of God's dwelling place. 282 00:12:42,307 --> 00:12:44,958 The loveliness of God's tabernacle. 283 00:12:44,958 --> 00:12:47,678 The beauty of the dwelling place 284 00:12:47,678 --> 00:12:48,589 of the Lord. 285 00:12:48,589 --> 00:12:49,763 The courts of the Lord. 286 00:12:49,763 --> 00:12:51,095 The house of God. 287 00:12:51,095 --> 00:12:53,620 And in the New Testament, of course, 288 00:12:53,620 --> 00:12:56,841 this represents what? 289 00:12:56,841 --> 00:12:57,973 The church. 290 00:12:57,973 --> 00:12:58,947 The people of God. 291 00:12:58,947 --> 00:13:00,349 Peter makes it clear 292 00:13:00,349 --> 00:13:02,862 that we are Zion; 293 00:13:02,862 --> 00:13:07,566 we are the temple of God, 294 00:13:07,566 --> 00:13:10,238 the spiritual house as Paul tells us 295 00:13:10,238 --> 00:13:13,379 in Ephesians 2:22, 296 00:13:13,379 --> 00:13:16,100 that we are the habitation of God, 297 00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:17,616 through the Holy Spirit. 298 00:13:17,616 --> 00:13:21,460 So the church really - looking back 299 00:13:21,460 --> 00:13:24,940 on Psalm 84 through new covenant eyes, 300 00:13:24,940 --> 00:13:27,135 through New Testament lenses, 301 00:13:27,135 --> 00:13:29,346 we see the church here 302 00:13:29,346 --> 00:13:32,002 in our journey. 303 00:13:32,002 --> 00:13:36,735 And so, Christ in that Zion, 304 00:13:36,735 --> 00:13:40,295 is the Chief Cornerstone of God's people. 305 00:13:40,295 --> 00:13:42,508 So the perspective of the psalmist is, 306 00:13:42,508 --> 00:13:44,206 and let's apply it to the church - 307 00:13:44,206 --> 00:13:45,523 the body of Christ - 308 00:13:45,523 --> 00:13:47,759 the courts of the Lord 309 00:13:47,759 --> 00:13:51,243 are lovely and beautiful. 310 00:13:51,243 --> 00:13:53,661 As a Christian, is that how you see 311 00:13:53,661 --> 00:13:56,663 Christ's church and Christ's body? 312 00:13:56,663 --> 00:13:58,949 There's a lot of negativity 313 00:13:58,949 --> 00:14:02,251 because there are wrinkles and warts 314 00:14:02,251 --> 00:14:04,073 and problems and blemishes 315 00:14:04,073 --> 00:14:06,067 and needs and weaknesses 316 00:14:06,067 --> 00:14:08,429 and sin and failure 317 00:14:08,429 --> 00:14:10,490 and disappointment and heartache 318 00:14:10,490 --> 00:14:13,663 and, you could come up with 50 more words, 319 00:14:13,663 --> 00:14:15,004 couldn't you? 320 00:14:15,004 --> 00:14:17,430 That's there. 321 00:14:17,430 --> 00:14:19,159 But the Lord Jesus Christ 322 00:14:19,159 --> 00:14:21,570 loved the church and gave Himself for her. 323 00:14:21,570 --> 00:14:22,744 And Ephesians 5 says 324 00:14:22,744 --> 00:14:27,258 He's in the process of sanctifying and cleansing her 325 00:14:27,258 --> 00:14:29,705 with the washing of the water of the Word. 326 00:14:29,705 --> 00:14:32,035 He's carrying out that purpose. 327 00:14:32,035 --> 00:14:33,731 He's building His church. 328 00:14:33,731 --> 00:14:37,609 So here, David, with all of his failure 329 00:14:37,609 --> 00:14:39,546 and imperfections, 330 00:14:39,546 --> 00:14:41,256 seeing the people of God 331 00:14:41,256 --> 00:14:42,348 in the Old Testament, 332 00:14:42,348 --> 00:14:44,222 has this perspective by faith. 333 00:14:44,222 --> 00:14:45,508 The courts of the Lord 334 00:14:45,508 --> 00:14:47,190 are lovely and beautiful. 335 00:14:47,190 --> 00:14:50,093 How lovely is Your dwelling place, 336 00:14:50,093 --> 00:14:52,171 O Lord of Hosts! 337 00:14:52,171 --> 00:14:54,391 That's perspective. 338 00:14:54,391 --> 00:14:57,294 That's how you view the church. 339 00:14:57,294 --> 00:15:00,157 Also, you see perspective in v. 10. 340 00:15:00,157 --> 00:15:01,911 Look down there. 341 00:15:01,911 --> 00:15:03,443 Here's perspective. 342 00:15:03,443 --> 00:15:06,130 One day, Lord, in Your courts 343 00:15:06,130 --> 00:15:10,141 is better than a thousand elsewhere. 344 00:15:10,141 --> 00:15:13,989 Think about that. 345 00:15:13,989 --> 00:15:15,247 One day is better. 346 00:15:15,247 --> 00:15:18,844 It's better to be a Christian 347 00:15:18,844 --> 00:15:22,103 than to be a lost millionaire. 348 00:15:22,103 --> 00:15:25,629 It's better to be a believer unknown 349 00:15:25,629 --> 00:15:27,052 in a church - 350 00:15:27,052 --> 00:15:28,351 you're loving the Lord, 351 00:15:28,351 --> 00:15:30,447 you're living your life, 352 00:15:30,447 --> 00:15:32,945 you're not known, 353 00:15:32,945 --> 00:15:34,677 you have no reputation, 354 00:15:34,677 --> 00:15:39,668 you don't have a big bank account... 355 00:15:39,668 --> 00:15:42,211 it is better to be a Christian 356 00:15:42,211 --> 00:15:44,713 than to be anyone in this world 357 00:15:44,713 --> 00:15:47,167 who's not a believer. 358 00:15:47,167 --> 00:15:49,606 David says one day in Your courts 359 00:15:49,606 --> 00:15:51,666 is better than a thousand elsewhere. 360 00:15:51,666 --> 00:15:54,121 If you're here today and you're a Christian, 361 00:15:54,121 --> 00:15:55,839 no matter what your struggles are, 362 00:15:55,839 --> 00:15:57,372 no matter what your need is, 363 00:15:57,372 --> 00:15:59,019 no matter how much you're hurting, 364 00:15:59,019 --> 00:16:04,024 or how much difficulty you're going through, 365 00:16:04,024 --> 00:16:05,779 everything about your life is better 366 00:16:05,779 --> 00:16:07,707 than the lost person around you. 367 00:16:07,707 --> 00:16:09,625 Your condition is better. 368 00:16:09,625 --> 00:16:11,859 Your present life is better. 369 00:16:11,859 --> 00:16:13,357 Your friends are better. 370 00:16:13,357 --> 00:16:15,036 Your family is better, 371 00:16:15,036 --> 00:16:16,559 because you're a believer. 372 00:16:16,559 --> 00:16:18,531 Your identity, your inheritance, 373 00:16:18,531 --> 00:16:20,751 your future is better. 374 00:16:20,751 --> 00:16:24,895 A poor, financially broke believer, 375 00:16:24,895 --> 00:16:32,363 is better off than the wealthiest infidel. 376 00:16:32,363 --> 00:16:38,247 I would rather be with my church 377 00:16:38,247 --> 00:16:40,807 on a Sunday 378 00:16:40,807 --> 00:16:43,586 than on a month-long cruise 379 00:16:43,586 --> 00:16:45,112 with a bunch of wicked people 380 00:16:45,112 --> 00:16:46,836 in Hawaii or the Bahamas 381 00:16:46,836 --> 00:16:51,267 or Alaska, 382 00:16:51,267 --> 00:16:55,064 where you can have 8 meals a day, 383 00:16:55,064 --> 00:16:58,020 you can order a pizza at midnight, 384 00:16:58,020 --> 00:17:01,497 you could get the finest bottle of wine you want, 385 00:17:01,497 --> 00:17:03,917 and you stand around and sit around 386 00:17:03,917 --> 00:17:07,184 hearing wicked, vain, wealthy people 387 00:17:07,184 --> 00:17:09,478 brag about everything. 388 00:17:09,478 --> 00:17:13,315 Oh, the edification that would come from that. 389 00:17:13,315 --> 00:17:16,232 One day I'd rather be with Christians, 390 00:17:16,232 --> 00:17:18,104 than a world cruise. 391 00:17:18,104 --> 00:17:20,556 Perspective. 392 00:17:20,556 --> 00:17:21,863 How's your perspective 393 00:17:21,863 --> 00:17:24,359 about the church of Jesus Christ 394 00:17:24,359 --> 00:17:25,447 shaping up? 395 00:17:25,447 --> 00:17:27,384 And this pilgrimage you're on? 396 00:17:27,384 --> 00:17:29,683 Beloved, how we view things 397 00:17:29,683 --> 00:17:30,860 and what we believe 398 00:17:30,860 --> 00:17:32,075 and how we see things 399 00:17:32,075 --> 00:17:34,788 is all important, 400 00:17:34,788 --> 00:17:37,081 because how you view things 401 00:17:37,081 --> 00:17:39,143 is how you're going to respond 402 00:17:39,143 --> 00:17:41,422 in the hardest times of life 403 00:17:41,422 --> 00:17:42,700 when there's trials 404 00:17:42,700 --> 00:17:46,157 and heartaches and disappointment. 405 00:17:46,157 --> 00:17:50,261 Another thing the psalmist said, 406 00:17:50,261 --> 00:17:53,409 think about this: 407 00:17:53,409 --> 00:17:55,816 Not here, but another psalm 408 00:17:55,816 --> 00:17:57,151 that comes to my mind, 409 00:17:57,151 --> 00:18:00,645 "Lord, Your steadfast love is better than life." 410 00:18:00,645 --> 00:18:02,787 That's perspective. 411 00:18:02,787 --> 00:18:05,277 And we say it by faith. 412 00:18:05,277 --> 00:18:07,097 This is all about viewing things 413 00:18:07,097 --> 00:18:10,286 with reality and in a right way. 414 00:18:10,286 --> 00:18:12,310 The Bible says in another place, 415 00:18:12,310 --> 00:18:15,047 "A little that a righteous man has 416 00:18:15,047 --> 00:18:19,129 is better than the riches of many wicked people." 417 00:18:19,129 --> 00:18:21,264 Now think about that. 418 00:18:21,264 --> 00:18:22,779 Stack them up. 419 00:18:22,779 --> 00:18:25,049 I heard one guy, 420 00:18:25,049 --> 00:18:28,276 a young man just exceeded Bill Gates 421 00:18:28,276 --> 00:18:32,140 as the wealthiest man in the world. 422 00:18:32,140 --> 00:18:35,262 Stack up the wealthy guys. 423 00:18:35,262 --> 00:18:36,735 I could name them. I won't. 424 00:18:36,735 --> 00:18:38,569 You know the names. 425 00:18:38,569 --> 00:18:40,745 The Bible says a little bit 426 00:18:40,745 --> 00:18:42,609 that a righteous person has 427 00:18:42,609 --> 00:18:45,249 is better than the riches 428 00:18:45,249 --> 00:18:49,189 of many wicked people. 429 00:18:49,189 --> 00:18:51,437 Does this world believe that? 430 00:18:51,437 --> 00:18:52,882 Not for a second. 431 00:18:52,882 --> 00:18:54,450 Is that what Scripture says? 432 00:18:54,450 --> 00:18:57,315 Yes, and that's the right perspective to have. 433 00:18:57,315 --> 00:19:01,207 Beloved, our perspective is very, very important. 434 00:19:01,207 --> 00:19:03,609 David sees the people of God 435 00:19:03,609 --> 00:19:05,064 and his place among them 436 00:19:05,064 --> 00:19:08,117 as lovely and all important. 437 00:19:08,117 --> 00:19:11,610 More desirable than anything under the sun. 438 00:19:11,610 --> 00:19:14,366 The kingdom of God is better. 439 00:19:14,366 --> 00:19:16,191 The Gospel is more lovely. 440 00:19:16,191 --> 00:19:18,069 The Word of God is more desirable. 441 00:19:18,069 --> 00:19:20,567 The people of God are more beautiful 442 00:19:20,567 --> 00:19:22,532 and more of a treasure 443 00:19:22,532 --> 00:19:25,133 than anything else you have in this world - 444 00:19:25,133 --> 00:19:27,893 your house, your future, 445 00:19:27,893 --> 00:19:31,843 extended family that aren't Christians... 446 00:19:31,843 --> 00:19:34,211 The people of God are more glorious and lovely 447 00:19:34,211 --> 00:19:36,924 than all the world has to offer. 448 00:19:36,924 --> 00:19:40,206 And then look at v. 3 here. 449 00:19:40,206 --> 00:19:42,849 It's quite an amazing statement. 450 00:19:42,849 --> 00:19:44,903 The psalmist begins to speak about birds. 451 00:19:44,903 --> 00:19:46,218 Why would he do this? 452 00:19:46,218 --> 00:19:48,117 "Even the sparrow finds a home, 453 00:19:48,117 --> 00:19:50,623 and the swallow a nest for herself." 454 00:19:50,623 --> 00:19:52,247 Two birds. 455 00:19:52,247 --> 00:19:54,337 Did Jesus talk about birds sometimes? Yeah. 456 00:19:54,337 --> 00:19:57,801 Behold the fowls of the air. 457 00:19:57,801 --> 00:20:00,010 Not even a sparrow can fall to the ground, 458 00:20:00,010 --> 00:20:02,079 without what? 459 00:20:02,079 --> 00:20:04,399 Your Father being there. 460 00:20:04,399 --> 00:20:07,811 A few months ago, 461 00:20:07,811 --> 00:20:10,927 we left our garage door open, I guess, too much, 462 00:20:10,927 --> 00:20:14,344 and a bird built a nest in a bicycle helmet 463 00:20:14,344 --> 00:20:23,037 that was hanging from a closet door in our garage. 464 00:20:23,037 --> 00:20:27,060 And I just wanted to clear it out. 465 00:20:27,060 --> 00:20:30,648 My wife, being more sanctified - 466 00:20:30,648 --> 00:20:32,524 "the righteous one regards 467 00:20:32,524 --> 00:20:34,422 the life of the beast." 468 00:20:34,422 --> 00:20:40,017 She said, no honey, leave it alone. 469 00:20:40,017 --> 00:20:42,193 So, after awhile, we'd see these 470 00:20:42,193 --> 00:20:46,582 little heads peaking up, 471 00:20:46,582 --> 00:20:48,004 waiting on food. 472 00:20:48,004 --> 00:20:51,735 We had to leave our garage open all day, 473 00:20:51,735 --> 00:20:54,242 but shut it at bedtime finally. 474 00:20:54,242 --> 00:20:57,508 And so these birds, 475 00:20:57,508 --> 00:20:59,095 we had to treat them right. 476 00:20:59,095 --> 00:21:00,385 We had to care for them. 477 00:21:00,385 --> 00:21:04,794 Why would David speak about birds here? 478 00:21:04,794 --> 00:21:07,463 "The sparrows find a home 479 00:21:07,463 --> 00:21:09,946 and the swallow finds a nest for herself 480 00:21:09,946 --> 00:21:11,683 where she may lay her young." 481 00:21:11,683 --> 00:21:13,437 Where does it say? 482 00:21:13,437 --> 00:21:17,204 At Your altars, O Lord. 483 00:21:17,204 --> 00:21:20,950 That's quite amazing. 484 00:21:20,950 --> 00:21:23,842 Why would God say that? 485 00:21:23,842 --> 00:21:26,710 Because if God would even care 486 00:21:26,710 --> 00:21:29,912 for the birds, 487 00:21:29,912 --> 00:21:33,640 of how much more value are you? 488 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,097 Even the smallest, 489 00:21:36,097 --> 00:21:38,940 most seemingly insignificant, 490 00:21:38,940 --> 00:21:42,214 weakest Christian in the kingdom, 491 00:21:42,214 --> 00:21:43,371 in the church, 492 00:21:43,371 --> 00:21:44,663 in the house of the Lord, 493 00:21:44,663 --> 00:21:48,204 has special significance and love 494 00:21:48,204 --> 00:21:51,115 from the Father. 495 00:21:51,115 --> 00:21:53,413 That's why that's there. 496 00:21:53,413 --> 00:21:54,781 Even the swallows, 497 00:21:54,781 --> 00:21:58,788 even the sparrows. 498 00:21:58,788 --> 00:22:01,901 Now if a crow builds a nest in my garage, 499 00:22:01,901 --> 00:22:04,796 I don't know what I'll do. 500 00:22:04,796 --> 00:22:07,477 But beloved, if the birds of the air 501 00:22:07,477 --> 00:22:08,965 are noticed by the Father 502 00:22:08,965 --> 00:22:10,612 and not one can fall to the ground 503 00:22:10,612 --> 00:22:12,284 without Him? 504 00:22:12,284 --> 00:22:15,512 Jesus said of how much more value 505 00:22:15,512 --> 00:22:18,655 are you than they? 506 00:22:18,655 --> 00:22:21,246 This is perspective. 507 00:22:21,246 --> 00:22:26,668 Well, let's move on quickly. 508 00:22:26,668 --> 00:22:32,084 Second, we see, not only 509 00:22:32,084 --> 00:22:34,401 the pilgrim's perspective, 510 00:22:34,401 --> 00:22:38,673 but pilgrimage realities. 511 00:22:38,673 --> 00:22:40,316 What do I mean by that? 512 00:22:40,316 --> 00:22:41,440 Look at v. 2. 513 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:44,390 Spiritual realities, spiritual experience. 514 00:22:44,390 --> 00:22:49,984 Brother Don, last night, used the word experimental. 515 00:22:49,984 --> 00:22:52,345 Experiential - it's the same idea. 516 00:22:52,345 --> 00:22:55,282 Experiencing God. 517 00:22:55,282 --> 00:22:58,589 Truth going from our brains and our minds 518 00:22:58,589 --> 00:22:59,762 and our intellect, 519 00:22:59,762 --> 00:23:01,746 to get into our heart, 520 00:23:01,746 --> 00:23:03,351 to get into our conscience, 521 00:23:03,351 --> 00:23:04,989 to shape our thinking, 522 00:23:04,989 --> 00:23:08,500 to shape our hands and our feet 523 00:23:08,500 --> 00:23:11,455 and our tongue, 524 00:23:11,455 --> 00:23:14,109 in all of life. 525 00:23:14,109 --> 00:23:16,382 Pilgrimage realities. 526 00:23:16,382 --> 00:23:18,658 Look at v. 2. 527 00:23:18,658 --> 00:23:21,220 The psalmist says, "My soul longs..." 528 00:23:21,220 --> 00:23:24,301 Well, it's even more than longing. 529 00:23:24,301 --> 00:23:27,357 It's achingly fainting for it. 530 00:23:27,357 --> 00:23:29,868 Acute desire is what's pictured here. 531 00:23:29,868 --> 00:23:32,574 "My soul longs, yes, even faints 532 00:23:32,574 --> 00:23:34,019 for the courts of the Lord." 533 00:23:34,019 --> 00:23:35,598 Not only does the psalmist 534 00:23:35,598 --> 00:23:38,822 see the church as lovely, 535 00:23:38,822 --> 00:23:43,161 he longs for the people of God. 536 00:23:43,161 --> 00:23:45,318 I grew up as a non-Christian. 537 00:23:45,318 --> 00:23:47,767 My parents died by the time I was 8. 538 00:23:47,767 --> 00:23:49,374 My cousin raised me. 539 00:23:49,374 --> 00:23:51,132 I was in church, 540 00:23:51,132 --> 00:23:57,721 and it was absolutely boring. 541 00:23:57,721 --> 00:24:00,422 Until God saved me 542 00:24:00,422 --> 00:24:02,073 when I was 19. 543 00:24:02,073 --> 00:24:04,686 And the most boring day of the week, 544 00:24:04,686 --> 00:24:06,252 became the most exciting day 545 00:24:06,252 --> 00:24:08,146 of the week. 546 00:24:08,146 --> 00:24:10,967 I often wake up on Sundays - 547 00:24:10,967 --> 00:24:14,517 now usually Linda's busy with responsibilities, 548 00:24:14,517 --> 00:24:16,898 so she may not feel this way all the time, 549 00:24:16,898 --> 00:24:21,978 but she does feel this way 550 00:24:21,978 --> 00:24:24,893 over the long haul. 551 00:24:24,893 --> 00:24:28,064 I have this thought in my mind. 552 00:24:28,064 --> 00:24:30,450 Whether I'm preaching that day or not: 553 00:24:30,450 --> 00:24:33,116 I get to be with the saints today. 554 00:24:33,116 --> 00:24:34,499 I get to be in church. 555 00:24:34,499 --> 00:24:36,839 I get to worship God. 556 00:24:36,839 --> 00:24:39,101 What a privilege! 557 00:24:39,101 --> 00:24:42,727 And beloved, when you don't have a church, 558 00:24:42,727 --> 00:24:46,751 you feel that. 559 00:24:46,751 --> 00:24:49,422 And so, here, David says, 560 00:24:49,422 --> 00:24:51,286 my soul longs and faints 561 00:24:51,286 --> 00:24:53,089 for the courts of the Lord. 562 00:24:53,089 --> 00:24:55,446 Do we not only see the church properly, 563 00:24:55,446 --> 00:24:57,576 but do we love our church 564 00:24:57,576 --> 00:25:00,231 and treasure what we have? 565 00:25:00,231 --> 00:25:03,124 This spiritual desire that's in his heart, 566 00:25:03,124 --> 00:25:05,531 he says my soul longs and faints 567 00:25:05,531 --> 00:25:06,724 with desire. 568 00:25:06,724 --> 00:25:09,557 It reminds me of Psalm 63 or Psalm 42. 569 00:25:09,557 --> 00:25:13,893 As the deer pants for the water brooks, 570 00:25:13,893 --> 00:25:19,605 so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. 571 00:25:19,605 --> 00:25:25,480 Now look at v. 5. 572 00:25:25,480 --> 00:25:32,017 He says, "in whose heart are the ways to Zion." 573 00:25:32,017 --> 00:25:36,959 Every believer has planted within his heart 574 00:25:36,959 --> 00:25:39,606 in the moment of regeneration 575 00:25:39,606 --> 00:25:42,575 the highway to Zion. 576 00:25:42,575 --> 00:25:44,916 The pathway of the Christian 577 00:25:44,916 --> 00:25:46,422 is planted in your heart; 578 00:25:46,422 --> 00:25:49,327 where you want to walk in the ways of God. 579 00:25:49,327 --> 00:25:51,511 Where you want to follow the Lord. 580 00:25:51,511 --> 00:25:55,423 The path of the upright. 581 00:25:55,423 --> 00:25:59,587 The paths of the Lord. 582 00:25:59,587 --> 00:26:01,272 And you long to walk in obedience. 583 00:26:01,272 --> 00:26:03,679 You want to follow Christ. 584 00:26:03,679 --> 00:26:05,553 Revelation says they follow the Lamb 585 00:26:05,553 --> 00:26:07,294 wherever He goes. 586 00:26:07,294 --> 00:26:10,305 So, the Christian has in his heart 587 00:26:10,305 --> 00:26:13,160 the ways to Zion. 588 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:15,740 The Christian longs for and desires 589 00:26:15,740 --> 00:26:17,170 the things of God. 590 00:26:17,170 --> 00:26:19,336 This is a pilgrim's way. 591 00:26:19,336 --> 00:26:22,669 That's what a true Christian is like. 592 00:26:22,669 --> 00:26:25,358 How do you know if you're a Christian? 593 00:26:25,358 --> 00:26:27,847 As Paul Washer once said, 594 00:26:27,847 --> 00:26:30,768 probably a thousand times, 595 00:26:30,768 --> 00:26:34,346 do the things you once hated - 596 00:26:34,346 --> 00:26:35,605 the things of God - 597 00:26:35,605 --> 00:26:37,270 do you now love? 598 00:26:37,270 --> 00:26:39,774 The things you once loved - 599 00:26:39,774 --> 00:26:42,752 sin and worldliness - 600 00:26:42,752 --> 00:26:43,909 do you now hate 601 00:26:43,909 --> 00:26:47,928 and not want it anymore? 602 00:26:47,928 --> 00:26:49,483 The church of Jesus Christ 603 00:26:49,483 --> 00:26:51,927 that you would have never been interested in, 604 00:26:51,927 --> 00:26:53,540 before conversion, 605 00:26:53,540 --> 00:26:55,001 is it now the people of God 606 00:26:55,001 --> 00:26:57,995 you want to be with? 607 00:26:57,995 --> 00:26:59,885 Nobody can keep you away? 608 00:26:59,885 --> 00:27:05,284 Listen, if persecution ravishes America, 609 00:27:05,284 --> 00:27:08,643 and it becomes illegal to be 610 00:27:08,643 --> 00:27:11,299 a recognized church in America, 611 00:27:11,299 --> 00:27:12,678 and it becomes illegal 612 00:27:12,678 --> 00:27:15,875 to speak the name of Jesus, 613 00:27:15,875 --> 00:27:17,365 the church will be underground. 614 00:27:17,365 --> 00:27:20,243 It will thrive. 615 00:27:20,243 --> 00:27:24,216 Caesar's not controlling this thing. 616 00:27:24,216 --> 00:27:26,122 Christ will build His church. 617 00:27:26,122 --> 00:27:27,512 And the kingdom will go on. 618 00:27:27,512 --> 00:27:30,856 And the believers will find other believers 619 00:27:30,856 --> 00:27:31,908 to meet with. 620 00:27:31,908 --> 00:27:34,724 It will happen automatically. 621 00:27:34,724 --> 00:27:38,666 The Christian wants to be with the children of God. 622 00:27:38,666 --> 00:27:40,766 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house 623 00:27:40,766 --> 00:27:42,638 ever singing Your praises. 624 00:27:42,638 --> 00:27:46,045 A Christian, in his heart, loves fellowship. 625 00:27:46,045 --> 00:27:47,661 Loves true preaching, 626 00:27:47,661 --> 00:27:49,176 loves the things of Christ. 627 00:27:49,176 --> 00:27:52,624 Longs for the things of Zion. 628 00:27:52,624 --> 00:27:56,196 As John Newton said in one hymn, 629 00:27:56,196 --> 00:27:59,432 "fading is the worldling's pleasure, 630 00:27:59,432 --> 00:28:03,854 all his boasted pomp and show, 631 00:28:03,854 --> 00:28:07,793 solid joys and lasting treasures, 632 00:28:07,793 --> 00:28:12,011 none but Zion's children know." 633 00:28:12,011 --> 00:28:13,949 Ever longing, the psalmist says. 634 00:28:13,949 --> 00:28:16,149 Ever singing. 635 00:28:16,149 --> 00:28:19,544 Now, singing - the word in English is not here, 636 00:28:19,544 --> 00:28:23,263 verse 2: my soul longs and faints. 637 00:28:23,263 --> 00:28:24,877 In the ESV it says, 638 00:28:24,877 --> 00:28:26,766 "My heart and flesh sing for joy." 639 00:28:26,766 --> 00:28:31,007 Some translations don't have the word sing. 640 00:28:31,007 --> 00:28:35,225 But the ESV has it in v. 2 and v. 4. 641 00:28:35,225 --> 00:28:38,182 But it's the idea in Hebrew of 642 00:28:38,182 --> 00:28:39,816 we cry out. 643 00:28:39,816 --> 00:28:41,207 We cry out in prayer. 644 00:28:41,207 --> 00:28:46,270 We cry out in praise to God. 645 00:28:46,270 --> 00:28:48,395 This includes singing. 646 00:28:48,395 --> 00:28:50,811 Christians are the only ones in the world 647 00:28:50,811 --> 00:28:54,241 that have anything to sing about. 648 00:28:54,241 --> 00:28:56,544 Now, Hollywood sings. 649 00:28:56,544 --> 00:29:00,128 And the music of this world 650 00:29:00,128 --> 00:29:04,200 is always ramping it up, right? 651 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:05,437 But they don't know that 652 00:29:05,437 --> 00:29:09,246 they don't have anything really to sing about. 653 00:29:09,246 --> 00:29:10,573 It's not lasting joys. 654 00:29:10,573 --> 00:29:14,937 It's not true reality. 655 00:29:14,937 --> 00:29:17,379 But the Christian longs to praise God, 656 00:29:17,379 --> 00:29:19,144 longs to sing praises to God. 657 00:29:19,144 --> 00:29:20,625 Why do we sing? 658 00:29:20,625 --> 00:29:23,925 Why do you we sing each session here? 659 00:29:23,925 --> 00:29:28,950 Singing is so important in worship. 660 00:29:28,950 --> 00:29:34,155 The previous Republican and Democratic Conventions, 661 00:29:34,155 --> 00:29:38,116 I don't think they were singing were they? 662 00:29:38,116 --> 00:29:44,698 I mean, why at Apple's headquarters, 663 00:29:44,698 --> 00:29:45,910 at their staff meetings, 664 00:29:45,910 --> 00:29:49,190 will they not sing? 665 00:29:49,190 --> 00:29:52,097 Toyota, IBM, Starbucks - 666 00:29:52,097 --> 00:29:53,546 they won't be singing 667 00:29:53,546 --> 00:29:55,963 at their shareholder's annual meetings. 668 00:29:55,963 --> 00:29:56,887 Why? 669 00:29:56,887 --> 00:29:58,386 Christians are the only ones 670 00:29:58,386 --> 00:30:00,353 who truly sing about things, 671 00:30:00,353 --> 00:30:02,130 because they're the only ones 672 00:30:02,130 --> 00:30:05,321 that have things to sing about. 673 00:30:05,321 --> 00:30:07,056 Do you sing privately? 674 00:30:07,056 --> 00:30:09,087 Do you make melody in your heart? 675 00:30:09,087 --> 00:30:11,588 When you come to worship, 676 00:30:11,588 --> 00:30:13,478 are you mediocre 677 00:30:13,478 --> 00:30:17,229 and kind of half laying out 678 00:30:17,229 --> 00:30:18,357 on the singing, 679 00:30:18,357 --> 00:30:21,351 waiting for the sermon? 680 00:30:21,351 --> 00:30:25,038 Be engaged. 681 00:30:25,038 --> 00:30:26,496 Ever longing, ever singing, 682 00:30:26,496 --> 00:30:27,995 ever praising God 683 00:30:27,995 --> 00:30:29,441 in our pilgrimage. 684 00:30:29,441 --> 00:30:31,632 "Blessed are those who dwell in Your house." 685 00:30:31,632 --> 00:30:32,471 Verse 4 686 00:30:32,471 --> 00:30:35,532 "...ever singing Your praise." 687 00:30:35,532 --> 00:30:38,305 You may not be able to preach or teach 688 00:30:38,305 --> 00:30:40,632 or have some outward gift 689 00:30:40,632 --> 00:30:41,918 that someone sees, 690 00:30:41,918 --> 00:30:43,892 but if you as a believer 691 00:30:43,892 --> 00:30:46,188 bring your heart to worship, 692 00:30:46,188 --> 00:30:48,289 and you say I am going to sing 693 00:30:48,289 --> 00:30:49,862 from my heart to the Lord, 694 00:30:49,862 --> 00:30:51,653 I'm going to sing in worship, 695 00:30:51,653 --> 00:30:53,182 I'm going to lift up my voice 696 00:30:53,182 --> 00:30:56,146 and focus on Him and sing to Him, 697 00:30:56,146 --> 00:31:02,602 that is ministry to Christ. 698 00:31:02,602 --> 00:31:07,144 Now, another reality in v. 5-7, 699 00:31:07,144 --> 00:31:10,410 "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, 700 00:31:10,410 --> 00:31:12,422 in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 701 00:31:12,422 --> 00:31:15,928 As they go through the Valley of Baca, 702 00:31:15,928 --> 00:31:18,181 they make it a place of springs. 703 00:31:18,181 --> 00:31:20,235 The early rains also cover it with pools. 704 00:31:20,235 --> 00:31:23,053 They go from strength to strength, 705 00:31:23,053 --> 00:31:29,033 and every one of them appears before God." 706 00:31:29,033 --> 00:31:32,463 Who passing through... notice that phrase. 707 00:31:32,463 --> 00:31:35,274 They go from strength to strength. 708 00:31:35,274 --> 00:31:38,026 Every one of them appears before God. 709 00:31:38,026 --> 00:31:40,854 Here is perseverance. 710 00:31:40,854 --> 00:31:42,955 That's a spiritual reality. 711 00:31:42,955 --> 00:31:46,252 True Christians never quit. 712 00:31:46,252 --> 00:31:50,961 False Christians stay awhile and fall away. 713 00:31:50,961 --> 00:31:55,573 Jesus said he that endures to the end, what? 714 00:31:55,573 --> 00:31:57,426 Shall be saved. 715 00:31:57,426 --> 00:32:01,015 The true evidence of knowing the Lord 716 00:32:01,015 --> 00:32:03,830 is that you go on to know the Lord. 717 00:32:03,830 --> 00:32:05,279 That you keep on. 718 00:32:05,279 --> 00:32:06,958 That you stick with the stuff. 719 00:32:06,958 --> 00:32:09,627 That you're faithful in the things of God. 720 00:32:09,627 --> 00:32:10,792 You're dependable. 721 00:32:10,792 --> 00:32:12,645 It's a spiritual discipline 722 00:32:12,645 --> 00:32:16,037 to press on and keep on. 723 00:32:16,037 --> 00:32:18,781 Perseverance. 724 00:32:18,781 --> 00:32:22,062 Paul said in one epistle 725 00:32:22,062 --> 00:32:25,114 we are kept by the power of God 726 00:32:25,114 --> 00:32:29,191 through what? Faith. 727 00:32:29,191 --> 00:32:31,570 We keep believing God. 728 00:32:31,570 --> 00:32:33,873 This pilgrim in Psalm 84 729 00:32:33,873 --> 00:32:36,284 is pressing on, laying hold. 730 00:32:36,284 --> 00:32:38,177 But you know what's going to happen? 731 00:32:38,177 --> 00:32:41,069 He's going to come into a valley. 732 00:32:41,069 --> 00:32:43,877 Look at v. 6. 733 00:32:43,877 --> 00:32:47,033 "As they go through the Valley of Baca..." 734 00:32:47,033 --> 00:32:51,754 What does Baca mean? 735 00:32:51,754 --> 00:32:54,800 Somebody tell me? 736 00:32:54,800 --> 00:32:58,662 Kenny? 737 00:32:58,662 --> 00:33:00,803 Place of weeping. 738 00:33:00,803 --> 00:33:03,135 It's a picture of trouble, 739 00:33:03,135 --> 00:33:07,232 hardship, anguish, weeping. 740 00:33:07,232 --> 00:33:11,035 As this pilgrim comes into 741 00:33:11,035 --> 00:33:13,952 a time and a place of weeping 742 00:33:13,952 --> 00:33:16,959 and hardship - 743 00:33:16,959 --> 00:33:19,455 none of you ever go through that, 744 00:33:19,455 --> 00:33:23,086 do you? 745 00:33:23,086 --> 00:33:25,715 One dear brother of mine 746 00:33:25,715 --> 00:33:28,932 recently said, I think the past year 747 00:33:28,932 --> 00:33:33,924 has been the hardest year of my Christian life. 748 00:33:33,924 --> 00:33:35,483 I think I'll write a book, 749 00:33:35,483 --> 00:33:39,662 "My Worst Year... Now." 750 00:33:39,662 --> 00:33:44,986 It won't be a best seller, will it? 751 00:33:44,986 --> 00:33:46,451 We go through this. 752 00:33:46,451 --> 00:33:48,412 You have been through, 753 00:33:48,412 --> 00:33:50,023 you are going through, 754 00:33:50,023 --> 00:33:51,519 or you will go through 755 00:33:51,519 --> 00:33:55,939 the Valley of Baca. 756 00:33:55,939 --> 00:33:58,134 What do we do? 757 00:33:58,134 --> 00:33:59,342 It's a valley of trouble. 758 00:33:59,342 --> 00:34:00,765 Notice what it says 759 00:34:00,765 --> 00:34:02,631 that the pilgrim does. 760 00:34:02,631 --> 00:34:05,842 Not God - the grace is implied. 761 00:34:05,842 --> 00:34:08,551 It's hidden in here. 762 00:34:08,551 --> 00:34:11,145 Because none of us will go on 763 00:34:11,145 --> 00:34:13,684 and persevere without keeping grace 764 00:34:13,684 --> 00:34:16,490 and without the regular activity of the Holy Spirit. 765 00:34:16,490 --> 00:34:17,454 We know that. 766 00:34:17,454 --> 00:34:20,746 But they make the Valley of Baca 767 00:34:20,746 --> 00:34:23,271 a place of springs. 768 00:34:23,271 --> 00:34:25,469 This is wonderful. 769 00:34:25,469 --> 00:34:27,294 The cry of the pilgrim's heart: 770 00:34:27,294 --> 00:34:29,568 I'm pressing on the upward way. 771 00:34:29,568 --> 00:34:31,386 New heights I'm gaining every day. 772 00:34:31,386 --> 00:34:33,967 Still praying as I onward bound, 773 00:34:33,967 --> 00:34:37,920 Lord, plant my feet on higher ground. 774 00:34:37,920 --> 00:34:42,828 Ever onward through the Valley of Baca. 775 00:34:42,828 --> 00:34:47,002 They turn it into a spring. 776 00:34:47,002 --> 00:34:47,935 How do you do that? 777 00:34:47,935 --> 00:34:50,356 Perspective. 778 00:34:50,356 --> 00:34:53,284 And perseverance. 779 00:34:53,284 --> 00:34:58,345 You allow God to take your hardest times 780 00:34:58,345 --> 00:35:02,067 to make them a source of blessing, 781 00:35:02,067 --> 00:35:04,104 where He, in the midst of your tears, 782 00:35:04,104 --> 00:35:05,317 He can dry them. 783 00:35:05,317 --> 00:35:07,486 He can refresh you. 784 00:35:07,486 --> 00:35:09,208 And He makes it a place of springs 785 00:35:09,208 --> 00:35:11,804 where you get refreshing. 786 00:35:11,804 --> 00:35:13,335 There's a hymn that says, 787 00:35:13,335 --> 00:35:16,519 though my weary steps may falter, 788 00:35:16,519 --> 00:35:20,483 and though my soul athirst may be, 789 00:35:20,483 --> 00:35:23,189 gushing from the rock before me, 790 00:35:23,189 --> 00:35:25,447 lo, a spring of joy I see. 791 00:35:25,447 --> 00:35:28,079 Have you ever had the Lord, 792 00:35:28,079 --> 00:35:30,448 in the hardest moment, 793 00:35:30,448 --> 00:35:32,542 suddenly, in a moment, 794 00:35:32,542 --> 00:35:34,003 with a Scripture, 795 00:35:34,003 --> 00:35:35,950 in prayer, 796 00:35:35,950 --> 00:35:38,120 He comforts you 797 00:35:38,120 --> 00:35:40,237 and He strengthens you, 798 00:35:40,237 --> 00:35:42,079 and He reminds you of a truth; 799 00:35:42,079 --> 00:35:43,689 He gives you fresh perspective, 800 00:35:43,689 --> 00:35:45,071 He lifts the burden, 801 00:35:45,071 --> 00:35:47,611 He gives you peace. 802 00:35:47,611 --> 00:35:49,743 That is your Valley of Baca 803 00:35:49,743 --> 00:35:53,711 being turned into a place of springs. 804 00:35:53,711 --> 00:35:55,922 You and I should ask the Lord, 805 00:35:55,922 --> 00:36:00,724 Father, teach me how to make 806 00:36:00,724 --> 00:36:03,268 my valley of trouble and my place of weeping 807 00:36:03,268 --> 00:36:05,558 a place of springs. 808 00:36:05,558 --> 00:36:09,218 Don't waste your sorrows. 809 00:36:09,218 --> 00:36:12,850 That's what the pilgrim does. 810 00:36:12,850 --> 00:36:15,337 Well, let's move on. 811 00:36:15,337 --> 00:36:18,965 Look at v. 11. 812 00:36:18,965 --> 00:36:22,236 Well, before we go to 11, look at v. 7. 813 00:36:22,236 --> 00:36:24,471 "They go from strength to strength, 814 00:36:24,471 --> 00:36:26,258 each one appears before God." 815 00:36:26,258 --> 00:36:29,933 There is eternal security, biblically speaking. 816 00:36:29,933 --> 00:36:33,262 Every Christian's going to make it. 817 00:36:33,262 --> 00:36:35,203 You're strengthened, you're changed 818 00:36:35,203 --> 00:36:36,196 by the Holy Spirit, 819 00:36:36,196 --> 00:36:37,526 and He's going to cause you 820 00:36:37,526 --> 00:36:39,550 to go from strength to strength 821 00:36:39,550 --> 00:36:41,194 to strength to strength - 822 00:36:41,194 --> 00:36:43,415 even though there's times of weakness. 823 00:36:43,415 --> 00:36:45,527 You don't know from strength to weakness 824 00:36:45,527 --> 00:36:46,949 and keep getting weaker. 825 00:36:46,949 --> 00:36:49,144 He even causes your weakness 826 00:36:49,144 --> 00:36:50,570 ultimately to strengthen you. 827 00:36:50,570 --> 00:36:53,353 Every believer goes from strength to strength, 828 00:36:53,353 --> 00:36:56,228 growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. 829 00:36:56,228 --> 00:36:58,945 And every one, the psalmist says, 830 00:36:58,945 --> 00:37:01,789 does appear before God. 831 00:37:01,789 --> 00:37:03,606 Kept by the power of God. 832 00:37:03,606 --> 00:37:05,265 If you're a true believer, 833 00:37:05,265 --> 00:37:07,334 regardless of what you're going through, 834 00:37:07,334 --> 00:37:08,739 you're kept by Christ, 835 00:37:08,739 --> 00:37:10,090 and you will make it. 836 00:37:10,090 --> 00:37:14,410 You will appear before God in glory 837 00:37:14,410 --> 00:37:17,577 with absolute certainty. 838 00:37:17,577 --> 00:37:21,091 Well, v. 11 brings us into thinking 839 00:37:21,091 --> 00:37:23,817 about the pilgrim's promises. 840 00:37:23,817 --> 00:37:27,911 V. 11 is a big promise. 841 00:37:27,911 --> 00:37:32,606 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield. 842 00:37:32,606 --> 00:37:34,625 The Lord bestows favor and honor." 843 00:37:34,625 --> 00:37:36,292 The other day I was cast down 844 00:37:36,292 --> 00:37:37,855 early in the morning, 845 00:37:37,855 --> 00:37:40,101 already feeling some pressures 846 00:37:40,101 --> 00:37:42,680 and stresses and discouragement. 847 00:37:42,680 --> 00:37:44,654 And a verse I read in the Psalms 848 00:37:44,654 --> 00:37:46,652 just came to life. 849 00:37:46,652 --> 00:37:49,046 And it's where David said 850 00:37:49,046 --> 00:37:54,269 "the Lord is my refuge and strength." 851 00:37:54,269 --> 00:37:58,023 And I just stopped. 852 00:37:58,023 --> 00:37:59,677 And for a long time, 853 00:37:59,677 --> 00:38:01,766 I was chewing the cud. 854 00:38:01,766 --> 00:38:04,193 It became life-giving to me. 855 00:38:04,193 --> 00:38:05,205 I told the Lord, 856 00:38:05,205 --> 00:38:06,703 Lord, You are my refuge, 857 00:38:06,703 --> 00:38:07,948 right now. 858 00:38:07,948 --> 00:38:10,755 No man is my refuge. 859 00:38:10,755 --> 00:38:12,922 Not even my church is my refuge. 860 00:38:12,922 --> 00:38:14,327 You are. 861 00:38:14,327 --> 00:38:16,770 You've said here, You're my refuge. 862 00:38:16,770 --> 00:38:18,579 So be my refuge now. 863 00:38:18,579 --> 00:38:20,321 I come to You 864 00:38:20,321 --> 00:38:22,378 and I will take my refuge, 865 00:38:22,378 --> 00:38:26,040 I'll take my hiding in You. 866 00:38:26,040 --> 00:38:27,472 And You are my strength. 867 00:38:27,472 --> 00:38:29,006 Strengthen me. 868 00:38:29,006 --> 00:38:31,307 That verse became life-giving. 869 00:38:31,307 --> 00:38:36,723 These exceeding, great, and precious promises, 870 00:38:36,723 --> 00:38:38,172 that the New Testament says, 871 00:38:38,172 --> 00:38:39,762 by these we become partakers 872 00:38:39,762 --> 00:38:41,011 of the divine nature. 873 00:38:41,011 --> 00:38:42,396 Boy, I don't understand that. 874 00:38:42,396 --> 00:38:45,102 How can the promises of God 875 00:38:45,102 --> 00:38:46,324 when they get in us, 876 00:38:46,324 --> 00:38:48,562 cause us increasingly to partake 877 00:38:48,562 --> 00:38:50,253 of the divine nature? 878 00:38:50,253 --> 00:38:51,746 Peter said that. 879 00:38:51,746 --> 00:38:54,120 There's a transformation that goes on. 880 00:38:54,120 --> 00:38:55,706 More Christ-likeness. 881 00:38:55,706 --> 00:38:57,180 More heavenly perspective. 882 00:38:57,180 --> 00:38:59,238 More renewed mind. 883 00:38:59,238 --> 00:39:01,981 More mortification of sin. 884 00:39:01,981 --> 00:39:04,311 More freedom. 885 00:39:04,311 --> 00:39:06,179 More glory and beauty in Christ - 886 00:39:06,179 --> 00:39:07,446 we see Him more, 887 00:39:07,446 --> 00:39:11,105 and so we're changed into His image more. 888 00:39:11,105 --> 00:39:13,541 What an amazing thing! 889 00:39:13,541 --> 00:39:15,852 And this one, 890 00:39:15,852 --> 00:39:18,328 "The Lord God is a sun and shield. 891 00:39:18,328 --> 00:39:21,579 He will give grace and glory." 892 00:39:21,579 --> 00:39:23,906 He will give you as a believer, 893 00:39:23,906 --> 00:39:25,324 in your journey, 894 00:39:25,324 --> 00:39:26,626 favor and honor. 895 00:39:26,626 --> 00:39:30,845 I love praying that verse 896 00:39:30,845 --> 00:39:32,736 where it says 897 00:39:32,736 --> 00:39:36,185 "The Lord will surround them with favor 898 00:39:36,185 --> 00:39:38,496 like a shield." 899 00:39:38,496 --> 00:39:39,632 Think of that. 900 00:39:39,632 --> 00:39:40,661 When you go on a trip 901 00:39:40,661 --> 00:39:42,350 and you have to leave your family, 902 00:39:42,350 --> 00:39:43,438 as a man, pray that. 903 00:39:43,438 --> 00:39:47,246 Lord, surround my family with favor like a shield. 904 00:39:47,246 --> 00:39:48,871 You have unregenerate children 905 00:39:48,871 --> 00:39:50,805 out in the world... 906 00:39:50,805 --> 00:39:52,265 pray that. 907 00:39:52,265 --> 00:39:54,897 Lord, surround him, surround her 908 00:39:54,897 --> 00:39:57,869 with favor like a shield. 909 00:39:57,869 --> 00:39:59,634 God will answer such prayers. 910 00:39:59,634 --> 00:40:01,457 And we don't know how He'll apply it. 911 00:40:01,457 --> 00:40:03,395 That's His business. 912 00:40:03,395 --> 00:40:06,616 Exceeding great and precious promises. 913 00:40:06,616 --> 00:40:08,459 Do we use them? Do we believe them? 914 00:40:08,459 --> 00:40:11,925 Do we milk from them? 915 00:40:11,925 --> 00:40:14,629 Do we suck from them? 916 00:40:14,629 --> 00:40:17,068 All the nourishment and reality we can. 917 00:40:17,068 --> 00:40:19,427 They're not there for our information. 918 00:40:19,427 --> 00:40:24,111 They're there for our use. 919 00:40:24,111 --> 00:40:26,171 And then notice the next thing v. 11 920 00:40:26,171 --> 00:40:27,451 says at the end. 921 00:40:27,451 --> 00:40:30,562 I tell single people this all the time 922 00:40:30,562 --> 00:40:33,853 who want to be married. 923 00:40:33,853 --> 00:40:36,788 No good thing will He withhold 924 00:40:36,788 --> 00:40:39,421 from those who walk uprightly. 925 00:40:39,421 --> 00:40:40,588 If it's good for you, 926 00:40:40,588 --> 00:40:42,452 He's not going to withhold it from you. 927 00:40:42,452 --> 00:40:44,109 When you're ready for marriage, 928 00:40:44,109 --> 00:40:46,855 and the person that you're going to marry 929 00:40:46,855 --> 00:40:48,733 is ready and He brings you together - 930 00:40:48,733 --> 00:40:50,334 no good thing will He withhold 931 00:40:50,334 --> 00:40:53,771 from those who walk uprightly. 932 00:40:53,771 --> 00:40:55,281 What a promise! 933 00:40:55,281 --> 00:40:57,251 And that applies to married people too. 934 00:40:57,251 --> 00:40:59,751 Your future is uncertain? 935 00:40:59,751 --> 00:41:02,100 No good thing will He withhold 936 00:41:02,100 --> 00:41:04,221 from those who walk uprightly. 937 00:41:04,221 --> 00:41:07,146 The promises of God are ours. 938 00:41:07,146 --> 00:41:09,549 Like Psalm 25, "The meek will He guide 939 00:41:09,549 --> 00:41:10,536 in true judgment, 940 00:41:10,536 --> 00:41:15,469 and the humble, He will show their path." 941 00:41:15,469 --> 00:41:18,957 Psalm 32, "Steadfast love surrounds the one 942 00:41:18,957 --> 00:41:20,390 who trusts the Lord." 943 00:41:20,390 --> 00:41:23,761 Psalm 34, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, 944 00:41:23,761 --> 00:41:27,615 but the Lord delivers him through all of them." 945 00:41:27,615 --> 00:41:30,456 Psalm 59: "You are the Lord, 946 00:41:30,456 --> 00:41:32,236 You are the God who shows me 947 00:41:32,236 --> 00:41:33,796 steadfast love." 948 00:41:33,796 --> 00:41:35,872 Romans 15, I love this one, 949 00:41:35,872 --> 00:41:38,535 "May the God of hope fill you 950 00:41:38,535 --> 00:41:41,171 with all joy and peace through believing, 951 00:41:41,171 --> 00:41:43,087 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit, 952 00:41:43,087 --> 00:41:48,096 you may abound in hope." 953 00:41:48,096 --> 00:41:50,466 2 Corinthians 9:8 954 00:41:50,466 --> 00:41:52,013 God is able. 955 00:41:52,013 --> 00:41:53,395 He's able to do what? 956 00:41:53,395 --> 00:41:56,048 He's able to make all grace abound toward you 957 00:41:56,048 --> 00:42:00,702 that you, having all sufficiency in all things, 958 00:42:00,702 --> 00:42:02,954 may abound. 959 00:42:02,954 --> 00:42:04,769 And Philippians 1:6. 960 00:42:04,769 --> 00:42:07,232 "He who began a good work in you..." 961 00:42:07,232 --> 00:42:10,147 Has He? 962 00:42:10,147 --> 00:42:12,001 Maybe He did for you 40 years ago. 963 00:42:12,001 --> 00:42:13,362 Maybe a month ago. 964 00:42:13,362 --> 00:42:14,707 It doesn't matter. 965 00:42:14,707 --> 00:42:16,796 "He who began a good work in you..." 966 00:42:16,796 --> 00:42:18,409 will what? 967 00:42:18,409 --> 00:42:20,492 Complete it and perfect it 968 00:42:20,492 --> 00:42:24,049 until the very day of Jesus Christ. 969 00:42:24,049 --> 00:42:25,938 Faithful is He Who calls you 970 00:42:25,938 --> 00:42:27,264 Who also will do it. 971 00:42:27,264 --> 00:42:32,022 Finally, we have here 972 00:42:32,022 --> 00:42:34,424 a forgotten beatitude. 973 00:42:34,424 --> 00:42:37,168 The pilgrim's perspective, 974 00:42:37,168 --> 00:42:38,805 pilgrim realities, 975 00:42:38,805 --> 00:42:42,592 pilgrim promises, 976 00:42:42,592 --> 00:42:45,060 and here, v. 12, 977 00:42:45,060 --> 00:42:46,503 all that I can call it is 978 00:42:46,503 --> 00:42:50,832 the pilgrim's forgotten beatitude. 979 00:42:50,832 --> 00:42:52,932 "O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the one 980 00:42:52,932 --> 00:42:54,408 who trusts in You." 981 00:42:54,408 --> 00:42:56,561 The blessedness. The beatitudes. 982 00:42:56,561 --> 00:42:59,199 There's many beatitudes 983 00:42:59,199 --> 00:43:04,186 beyond the Sermon on the Mount, right? 984 00:43:04,186 --> 00:43:07,442 Vance Havner, I love to quote. 985 00:43:07,442 --> 00:43:09,605 Blessed is he who's not offended in Me. 986 00:43:09,605 --> 00:43:10,900 Jesus said that. 987 00:43:10,900 --> 00:43:14,177 Blessed is he who is not offended in Me. 988 00:43:14,177 --> 00:43:15,408 Vance Havner said 989 00:43:15,408 --> 00:43:18,033 that really means blessed is the one 990 00:43:18,033 --> 00:43:20,231 who doesn't get cantankerous 991 00:43:20,231 --> 00:43:22,169 and upset and mad 992 00:43:22,169 --> 00:43:26,182 about how I run My kingdom. 993 00:43:26,182 --> 00:43:27,920 Blessed is he or she who's not 994 00:43:27,920 --> 00:43:29,895 offended in Me. 995 00:43:29,895 --> 00:43:32,208 Well, here, blessed is the one 996 00:43:32,208 --> 00:43:35,972 who trusts in the Lord. 997 00:43:35,972 --> 00:43:37,644 Everything in the Christian life 998 00:43:37,644 --> 00:43:39,470 is a life of faith. 999 00:43:39,470 --> 00:43:40,955 When we walk with the Lord 1000 00:43:40,955 --> 00:43:42,251 in the light of His Word, 1001 00:43:42,251 --> 00:43:44,320 what a glory He sheds on our way. 1002 00:43:44,320 --> 00:43:47,187 As we do His good will, 1003 00:43:47,187 --> 00:43:49,259 He abides with us still, 1004 00:43:49,259 --> 00:43:52,670 and for all who will trust and obey. 1005 00:43:52,670 --> 00:43:54,665 Leonard Ravenhill said 1006 00:43:54,665 --> 00:43:55,858 you better trust and obey 1007 00:43:55,858 --> 00:43:58,168 or you'll rust and decay. 1008 00:43:58,168 --> 00:43:59,739 You've got one of two choices. 1009 00:43:59,739 --> 00:44:02,820 Trust and obey, right? 1010 00:44:02,820 --> 00:44:04,791 This perspective, this pilgrimage, 1011 00:44:04,791 --> 00:44:07,332 these promises are ours. 1012 00:44:07,332 --> 00:44:09,703 And the great reality is 1013 00:44:09,703 --> 00:44:11,432 we are marching to Zion. 1014 00:44:11,432 --> 00:44:13,297 I love to sing that hymn. 1015 00:44:13,297 --> 00:44:15,406 We're marching to Zion. 1016 00:44:15,406 --> 00:44:17,667 And one stanza says 1017 00:44:17,667 --> 00:44:20,063 the hill of Zion yields 1018 00:44:20,063 --> 00:44:23,466 a thousand sacred sweets. 1019 00:44:23,466 --> 00:44:25,777 Before we reach the heavenly field 1020 00:44:25,777 --> 00:44:27,808 or walk the streets of gold. 1021 00:44:27,808 --> 00:44:32,968 Beloved, you are a dear pilgrim. 1022 00:44:32,968 --> 00:44:34,897 To quote Alistair Begg, 1023 00:44:34,897 --> 00:44:37,483 "Dear ones..." 1024 00:44:37,483 --> 00:44:40,477 I love it when I hear him say that. 1025 00:44:40,477 --> 00:44:44,789 Dear ones, you are a pilgrim 1026 00:44:44,789 --> 00:44:47,095 in your journey 1027 00:44:47,095 --> 00:44:49,640 for a brief window of time 1028 00:44:49,640 --> 00:44:51,615 on your way to Zion. 1029 00:44:51,615 --> 00:44:53,626 Get your perspective right 1030 00:44:53,626 --> 00:44:57,449 on everything kingdom-wise. 1031 00:44:57,449 --> 00:45:02,164 Experience realities in the Christian life 1032 00:45:02,164 --> 00:45:05,143 of Christ and the Holy Spirit. 1033 00:45:05,143 --> 00:45:07,897 Feed on the promises of God. 1034 00:45:07,897 --> 00:45:11,761 See yourself as a blessed one, 1035 00:45:11,761 --> 00:45:14,240 because you trust in the Lord. 1036 00:45:14,240 --> 00:45:16,141 We're all going to make it 1037 00:45:16,141 --> 00:45:17,933 if we know and love Christ. 1038 00:45:17,933 --> 00:45:21,234 And you are among those who will. 1039 00:45:21,234 --> 00:45:24,157 Let's pray. 1040 00:45:24,157 --> 00:45:30,809 Father, this psalm really is life giving. 1041 00:45:30,809 --> 00:45:34,042 I pray that You would quicken it 1042 00:45:34,042 --> 00:45:35,392 to our hearts, 1043 00:45:35,392 --> 00:45:36,371 and that this day, 1044 00:45:36,371 --> 00:45:40,522 we would take it from this place 1045 00:45:40,522 --> 00:45:44,064 and draw from it as a well, 1046 00:45:44,064 --> 00:45:46,261 more of the water of life that's there. 1047 00:45:46,261 --> 00:45:49,219 That we would treat it, Lord, 1048 00:45:49,219 --> 00:45:50,532 as a banqueting table 1049 00:45:50,532 --> 00:45:54,486 that's been set before us. 1050 00:45:54,486 --> 00:45:56,874 And that we would chew on it, 1051 00:45:56,874 --> 00:45:59,800 and bring it up again. 1052 00:45:59,800 --> 00:46:03,943 Lord, we pray that You'd seal 1053 00:46:03,943 --> 00:46:06,573 the truth of it in our hearts. 1054 00:46:06,573 --> 00:46:09,508 Let it bear real fruit by your Holy Spirit. 1055 00:46:09,508 --> 00:46:11,568 And guard the Word, we pray. 1056 00:46:11,568 --> 00:46:13,063 Guard the seed, 1057 00:46:13,063 --> 00:46:15,578 that the enemy wouldn't steal it, 1058 00:46:15,578 --> 00:46:18,032 that it wouldn't fall on shallow 1059 00:46:18,032 --> 00:46:20,200 or rocky ground, 1060 00:46:20,200 --> 00:46:21,967 but in the good soil in our hearts 1061 00:46:21,967 --> 00:46:23,347 and bring forth fruit, 1062 00:46:23,347 --> 00:46:26,169 30, 60, 100-fold. 1063 00:46:26,169 --> 00:46:27,657 Blessed be Your name, 1064 00:46:27,657 --> 00:46:30,147 Lord, for your Word. 1065 00:46:30,147 --> 00:46:32,267 Amen.