THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD
Text: Psalm 27
4 July 2010
(I) THE SEARCH FOR GOD
1. A personal desire to seek God in His house
“One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,” Psalm 27:4
2. The call of the Lord to seek His face
“Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8, 9
(II) SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS
1. It is seeing the beauty of God
“To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
2. It is seeing the face of God
” When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.” Psalm 27:8, 9
3. It takes faith to see the goodness of the Lord
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
(III) THE SITUATIONS OF LIFE THAT GOD’S GOODNESS CAN BE SEEN
1. In times of fear
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.” Psalm 27:1-3
2. In times of trouble
“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5
3. In times when close ones forsake us
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.” Psalm 27:10
4. In times of discouragement
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
(IV) SPECIFIC RESPONSES TO THE LORD’S GOODNESS
1. Offer sacrifice of joy and praise
“And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.” Psalm 27:6
2. Pray for the Lord’s leading
“Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence.” Psalm 27:11, 12
3. The challenge to wait upon the Lord for His further goodness
“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14