06 September 2026

Sunday Worship 6 September 2026 : So I looked for You in the Sanctuary

Sunday Worship 6 September 2026 : So I looked for You in the Sanctuary
Text: Psalm 63

Speaker:
Rev Dr Charles Tan
Series:
So I looked for You in the Sanctuary

Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. New series of Pulpit Messages
Focus: The Sanctuary of the Lord

2. Davidic Understanding of the House of the Lord

3. It began with Discovery

4. It Developed into a deep love for God’s House

A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE

A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.

2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

Psalm 63:1-2

1. The Wilderness of Judah

a) David spent a few years in the Wilderness
b) King Saul saw David as a threat to his reign as king
c) He had a huge task force to hunt for David

2. A Candid confession

a) A thirst for God
b) A deep longing for the Lord
c) The Wilderness was a dry and thirsty land

3. Discovery of the Sanctuary of God

a) This was not always there
b) It was not there in David’s growing-up years

GOD’S DIVINE PLAN OF THE TABERNACLE

1. God gave the plans to Moses to build a Tabernacle (Exodus 25-40)

8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.

Exodus 25:8-9

2. God called upon Israel to build a Sanctuary

a) “Let them make Me a Sanctuary”
b) “That I may dwell among them”

THE LACK OF REGARD FOR THE LORD’S SANCTUARY

1. The Conquest of Canaan

a) Joshua devoted all his time to conquer enemies
b) He was unable to establish the Tabernacle ministry

2. The Period of the Judges

a) This covered 410 years
b) Israel was constantly being harassed by enemies
c) Tabernacle Worship was virtually non-existent

3. The prophet Samuel

a) He was a Judge
b) He was also a Seer (Prophet)
c) His ministry was not Tabernacle-related very much

IN DAVID’S TIME

1. He succeeded King Saul

2. He was immensely successful as a ruler

a) Enemies were routed
b) The land of Israel was at peace

3. His focus turned to the Sanctuary of the Lord

a) There was a Desire to build a House for the Lord
b) David determined that he would turn his attention to build a House for the Lord

RECALLING WHAT GOD HAD DONE

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:3-8

1. God’s lovingkindness

2. God’s help

3. God’s protective care

APPROPRIATE RESPONSE

1. To offer heartfelt praise

2. To bless the Lord’s name

3. To meditate on the Lord

4. To love the Sanctuary of the Lord