THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH!
Psalm 84:1-7
INTRODUCTION: Attending church regularly is very important, but people can come up with all kinds of excuses why they just don’t make it a priority in their lives. The person who finds their strength in the Lord is described in the Bible as a “blessed person” and it is often through the local church that people learn about the Lord and His blessings.
- WHERE GOD STRENGTHENS HIS PEOPLE!
Have you ever found yourself in a place in your life where you needed more strength? In all seriousness there are times in our lives when we need the strength of the Lord to see us through. Psalm 84:6. Valleys, in the Bible are often symbolic of the trials in our lives. Watchman Nee said, “We seldom learn anything new about God except through adversity.” Trials are God-sent and God-sanctioned. God always has a plan and a purpose in all our trials. James 1:2-5. The name “Baca” means “weeping or tears.” Psalm 6:6-9. When we come to the end of our strength, it is then that the Lord will lift us up. In our valley of Baka the Lord gives us His strength: Isaiah 40:29-31; 2 Chronicles 16:9.
2. THE POWER OF GOD BY WHICH WE ARE STRENGTHENED!
To be strong in the Lord our strength is not from ourselves but from our God as we learn to trust and wait upon Him. Psalm 84:5. We often do not have within ourselves the strength to overcome the obstacles the Lord allows into our lives but the good news is we do not have to face life alone! Psalm 38:8-10; Psalm 18:30-36. The strength that our God gives us is a daily strength: Psalm 84:7. What a wonderful promise God gave to the tribe of Asher: Deuteronomy 33:24-29. 1 Chronicles 16:8-11: Do you need strength today? Where are you looking for the strength you need? The man or woman who looks to the Lord for His strength will go from strength to strength.
3. GOD’S SANCTUARY AT WHICH WE ARE STRENGTHENED!
Psalm 84:1-4 tells us that if we dwell in the house of the Lord we will be among the blessed. The Psalmist delighted in the house of God. Psalm 84:2 tells us the Psalmist longed to be in the courts of the Lord. The local church is the place God’s children meet together to worship and serve their God! Matthew 18:20. Psalm 84:3: the sparrow found a home in God’s house. Going to church does not save anyone but going to church on a regular basis is walking in obedience to your Lord’s command: Psalm 84:4 tells us those who dwell in God’s house will be blessed and be praising their Lord. Psalm 84:5 says blessed are those who find their strength in God and have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Being in a local Bible preaching church is good medicine for our soul: Hebrews 10:19-25.