Title: One thing have I desired!
Text: Ps. 27:1-14
Key v. 4
We have now entered a new year 2017, much has happened in 2016, and many are either pessimistic or optimistic about the future. If you have no relationship with God, then truly you have every reason to be pessimistic, but if you have a genuine relationship with Him, then no matter what life throws at you like many in the past who have walked with God can tell you, our lives have no purpose or meaning without a true relationship with God our creator, Ps 125:1,2- They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed (shaken, defeated), but abidethfor ever.2 As the mountains are round (surround) about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round(surrounds) about his people from henceforth even for ever. KJV
They have learned to hold on to such promises as:
Jer 29:11- 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (or a future and a hope). KJV
Isa 26:3-4- 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH (Yah) is everlasting strength: KJV
Isa 43:2- 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. KJV
Ps 31:15-15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. KJV / "My times" refers, not to some special schedule, but to all the events and circumstances that surrounded David. We would say, "All the affairs and details of my life are in the Lord's hands."
Key point: In order to deal with this life, one must have areal lasting relationship with God. One must have an eternal focus of life, life is meaningless without it!One of the Richest and Wisest men of his day King Solomon learned this the hard way after he tried everything under the sun that the flesh and sin can offer and still did not find full satisfaction, and only by the grace of God was kept alive to testify this:Eccl 12:8- 8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity (meaningless or empty).V.13-14- 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. KJV / Every human being is going to have to give an account of his life to his creator.
When it comes to dealing with life (present and future), it’s challenges, problems, sin, betrayal, or enemies, King David comes to mind. Psalm 27 reveals David’s journey of faith and His relationship with God, for he was one who knew His God! According to one commentator David was on the run from King Saul before he was anointed to be the next King of Israel.In this psalm, David teaches us that when we know the Lord and trust Him, He helps us overcome the fears that can paralyze our lives; especially one’s fear of the future.
[5 key principals to dealing with fear of the future.]
1.When God Almighty is your everything one need not fear anything. V.1-4
v.1 – David speaks about the LORD as his LORD. “My”(possessive pronoun) is used 3 times.
Davide spoke of his LORD as his light, salvation, and the strength of his life.
Light is the opposite of darkness, the darkness of this world, sin, and Satan.John 8:12-12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. KJV
Salvation speaks of deliverance and rescue – Deliverance from our enemies, especially the world, the flesh, and Satan. Col 1:13-14-13 Who hath delivered(rescued)us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: KJV
Strength is the opposite of weakness, when we are weak our God makes us strong. Strength to overcome in those moments when our faith is weak, when our physical, and emotional strength is waning. 2 Cor 12:9-9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. KJV/1 Sam. 30: 6Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
v.2,3 – David’s confidence in his LORD dispelled his fears from his enemies.
Ps. 34: 3,4 -3 O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
v.4 – David learned that the one thing that really matter in life was his relationship with His LORD.
Phil 3:13-14- 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thingI do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJV/ Question: Are you a single minded believer in Jesus or are you a double minded believer?
Note:James 1:8- 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. KJV
2.When one knows His God, He can offer up praises to Him in the midst of trouble. V.5,6
Praise and thanksgiving is not only given when there is victory, but also before victory. It reveals one’s utmost confidence in the God they serve, that He is more than able to bring the victory. A good example of this was when a huge army came against King Jehoshaphat and he declared a fast, called the people to the temple to pray! God spoke through Jahaziel and the word was given. 2 Chron.20:15-22
3.When one hears the voice of His God to seek His face in prayer he responds without delay. V.7,8
Isaiah 55:6,7 -6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
4.When you feel God and those close to you have abandon you always remember God never will. V.9,10
God cares for us as a father and mother care for their children (Isa 49:15; 63:16); and though it's unlikely that parents would abandon their children, it's certain that God never forsakes His own. (Wiersbe)
1 Sam 12:22- 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. KJV
5.When it seems, all hope is gone continue to trust in God through it all, never, ever give up hope! V.11-14
Hab 3:17-19- 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. KJV
Ps 27:4- 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 inquire in his temple. KJV