Longing for God: The Heart of True Religion

 

Summary

In Psalm 84, we find a profound expression of longing and devotion to God, penned likely by King David during a time of personal turmoil. Despite facing rebellion and uncertainty, David's heart is filled with gratitude and praise for the presence of God. This psalm is not merely theoretical; it is a testament to David's lived experience, even in the darkest moments of his life. It challenges us to consider how we react when life is at its worst. Can we, like David, find joy and contentment in God's presence, even when everything seems against us?

The essence of true religion, as highlighted in this psalm, is the knowledge of God. It is not about rituals or moral conduct alone, but about a personal relationship with the Living God. Many people today may have a form of religion without truly knowing God. They may attend services out of habit or view religion as a moral code or emotional experience. However, true religion begins with a deep understanding of who God is—His majesty, power, and love. It is about knowing God personally, being able to say, "My King and my God."

David's experience teaches us that this knowledge of God is accessed through the altars, symbolizing sacrifice and prayer. In the Old Testament, the altars were where sacrifices were made, and incense was burned, representing prayer. For us, this points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, and our High Priest. Through Christ's sacrifice, we are reconciled to God, and through Him, we can approach God with confidence.

Ultimately, when we truly know God, He becomes everything to us. Our whole being longs for Him, and nothing else matters. This is the heart of true religion—a deep, personal relationship with God that sustains us through all of life's challenges.

Key Takeaways:

1. True Religion and Knowledge of God: True religion is not about rituals or moral conduct but about knowing God personally. It begins with understanding God's majesty, power, and love, and recognizing Him as the Living God. This knowledge transforms our lives and sustains us through challenges. [10:06]

2. Personal Relationship with God: The psalmist emphasizes a personal relationship with God, not just theoretical knowledge. This relationship is characterized by trust and intimacy, where we can say, "My King and my God." It is this personal connection that brings peace and joy. [28:43]

3. The Role of Sacrifice and Prayer: Access to God is through the altars, symbolizing sacrifice and prayer. For Christians, this points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, and our High Priest. Through Christ, we are reconciled to God and can approach Him with confidence. [33:06]

4. God as the Center of Our Lives: When we truly know God, He becomes the center of our lives. Our whole being longs for Him, and nothing else matters. This deep, personal relationship with God is the heart of true religion and sustains us through life's challenges. [44:21]

5. Finding Rest and Peace in God: The psalmist finds rest and peace in God's presence, even amidst turmoil. This peace comes from knowing God personally and trusting in His promises. It is a reminder that true contentment is found in God alone. [45:27]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Psalm 84
- [01:13] - Context of the Psalm
- [02:27] - A Psalm of Experience
- [03:36] - Reacting to Life's Challenges
- [05:14] - The Essence of True Religion
- [07:26] - Understanding Religion's Nature
- [10:06] - Knowledge of God
- [13:56] - Misconceptions About Religion
- [16:20] - Starting with God
- [17:08] - The Living God
- [21:00] - The Lord of Hosts
- [25:27] - Jehovah: God's Revelation
- [28:43] - Personal Knowledge of God
- [33:06] - The Altars: Sacrifice and Prayer
- [39:24] - Accessing God Through Christ
- [44:21] - God as Our Everything
- [47:08] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 84

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 84:1-3
- Hebrews 4:14-16
- John 14:6

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the psalmist express about his longing for God's presence in Psalm 84:1-3? How does this reflect his personal relationship with God? [00:15]

2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the significance of the altars in the Old Testament, and what do they symbolize for Christians today? [33:06]

3. According to the sermon, what are some misconceptions people have about religion, and how do these differ from the psalmist's understanding of true religion? [10:23]

4. How does the pastor explain the role of Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice and High Priest in our relationship with God? [39:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the psalmist's experience during a time of personal turmoil challenge modern believers to find joy and contentment in God's presence? [02:27]

2. What does it mean to have a personal relationship with God, as emphasized in the sermon, and how does this differ from merely having theoretical knowledge of God? [28:43]

3. How does the concept of God as the "Living God" and "Lord of Hosts" influence a believer's understanding of God's majesty and power? [21:00]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that true religion begins with a deep understanding of who God is, and how does this knowledge transform a believer's life? [10:06]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced personal turmoil. How did your relationship with God influence your response, and what can you learn from the psalmist's example? [02:27]

2. The sermon emphasizes knowing God personally. What steps can you take this week to deepen your personal relationship with God, beyond attending church services? [28:43]

3. Consider the role of Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice and High Priest. How does this understanding impact your approach to prayer and worship? [39:24]

4. The pastor mentioned misconceptions about religion. Identify one misconception you might have held in the past. How has your understanding of true religion evolved? [10:23]

5. How can you make God the center of your life, ensuring that your whole being longs for Him, as described in the sermon? What practical changes can you implement to achieve this? [44:21]

6. The psalmist finds rest and peace in God's presence. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to experience this peace amidst life's challenges? [45:27]

7. Reflect on the idea of God as the "Living God." How does this perspective change the way you view your relationship with Him and your daily life? [17:08]

Devotional

Day 1: True Religion is Knowing God Personally
True religion is not about rituals or moral conduct but about knowing God personally. It begins with understanding God's majesty, power, and love, and recognizing Him as the Living God. This knowledge transforms our lives and sustains us through challenges. Many people today may have a form of religion without truly knowing God. They may attend services out of habit or view religion as a moral code or emotional experience. However, true religion begins with a deep understanding of who God is—His majesty, power, and love. It is about knowing God personally, being able to say, "My King and my God." [10:06]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of God's character today, moving beyond rituals to a personal relationship with Him?


Day 2: A Personal Relationship with God Brings Peace and Joy
The psalmist emphasizes a personal relationship with God, not just theoretical knowledge. This relationship is characterized by trust and intimacy, where we can say, "My King and my God." It is this personal connection that brings peace and joy. When we truly know God, He becomes everything to us. Our whole being longs for Him, and nothing else matters. This is the heart of true religion—a deep, personal relationship with God that sustains us through all of life's challenges. [28:43]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy with God today, allowing His presence to bring you peace and joy?


Day 3: Access to God Through Sacrifice and Prayer
Access to God is through the altars, symbolizing sacrifice and prayer. For Christians, this points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, and our High Priest. Through Christ, we are reconciled to God and can approach Him with confidence. David's experience teaches us that this knowledge of God is accessed through the altars, symbolizing sacrifice and prayer. In the Old Testament, the altars were where sacrifices were made, and incense was burned, representing prayer. For us, this points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, and our High Priest. [33:06]

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to approach God with confidence through prayer and the sacrifice of Jesus?


Day 4: God as the Center of Our Lives
When we truly know God, He becomes the center of our lives. Our whole being longs for Him, and nothing else matters. This deep, personal relationship with God is the heart of true religion and sustains us through life's challenges. Ultimately, when we truly know God, He becomes everything to us. Our whole being longs for Him, and nothing else matters. This is the heart of true religion—a deep, personal relationship with God that sustains us through all of life's challenges. [44:21]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to make God the center? How can you begin to shift your focus today?


Day 5: Finding Rest and Peace in God's Presence
The psalmist finds rest and peace in God's presence, even amidst turmoil. This peace comes from knowing God personally and trusting in His promises. It is a reminder that true contentment is found in God alone. Despite facing rebellion and uncertainty, David's heart is filled with gratitude and praise for the presence of God. This psalm is not merely theoretical; it is a testament to David's lived experience, even in the darkest moments of his life. [45:27]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally seek God's presence today to find rest and peace amidst your current challenges?

Quotes

I should like to call your attention this evening to the message of the 84th Psalm dealing perhaps particularly tonight with the uh first three verses the first three verses in the 84th Psalm how amiable are thy Tabernacles oh lord of hosts my soul longth yeah even fainteth for the C of the Lord my heart and my flesh crith out for the Living God yay the sparrow ha found an house and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young even thine altars oh lord of hosts my king and my God. [00:01:41]

The psalmist is praising and thanking God for all the blessings of The Godly and of the religious life it is generally agreed that this was probably a Psalm written by King David and written probably at the time of the rebellion of his own son absum when everything as it were was going against David and when it seemed very doubtful whether he'd ever return to Jerusalem again and ever have the privilege of reigning anymore as king it is probably such a Psalm written by David at such a time and here he is thanking God thanking God for all that he meant that he God meant to David and for everything that he'd ever received from him. [00:01:58]

Are you able to react to life when it's at its worst and darkest as David did in this way when everything seems to be against you as the hym writer puts it when all things seem against us to drive us to despair when your in treachery perhaps as David was the treachery of a son a daughter a husband a wife a friend a trusted companion there's nothing worse than that but even when you're facing that sort of thing how do you react to it you see how David reacted these are his terms how amable of thy Tabernacles oh lord of hosts blessed are they that dwell in thy house they will be ever praising thee Oh Lord God of hosts hear my prayer give ear oh god of Jacob. [00:03:36]

Religion consists of or in the knowledge of God that's the thing this man is talking about isn't it the knowledge of God now there is nothing which is more remarkable than the way in which that which is the first principle is so frequently and so regularly forgotten it's almost incredible but there are are large numbers of people who have what we may describe as a religion without God and there is such a thing possible you can have religion without God but it isn't this True Religion about which this man is speaking for the very essence of religion I say is to know God. [00:09:59]

True religion not only consists in a knowledge of God it consists in a personal knowledge of God do you notice how he puts it in the third verse even thine altars oh Lord Jehovah of hosts my king and my God in other words the psalmist is not talking here about some theoretical knowledge only he is concerned about and interested in a personal relationship and this is something that I cannot emphasize over much you can have a theoretical abstract intellectual knowledge of God but it isn't religion here is a man I say who is resting in the knowledge who is rejoicing in it who is calm and collected and happy. [00:28:43]

How can I know God and how can I know him as the Living God as the true God as the king as this glorious God of hosts how can I know that God is my God and will never leave me no forsake me how can I get into the position of this man or David in the 23rd psalm the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want even though I go through the valley of the shadow of death I have no fear I fear no evil why thy rod and thy staff they comfort me now then how can we get there that is the question wouldn't you like to be able to pray as this man prayed. [00:31:42]

There is only one way whereby we can ever come to this position and to this knowledge listen yay the sparrow hath found an house house and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young where is it even thine altars my king and my God what's he mean by this well here I say is the secret of it all how did this man find God how did he get to know him what is the secret of this peace and joy that he's enjoying he answers by saying that the secret is the altars did you notice the plural he doesn't say even thine altar but even thine altars the plural more than one. [00:33:06]

The altar of sacrifice what's this well God had given them the commandment and had taught them the way he had said that there was no approach into his presence except they brought blood there is no remission of sins without shedding of blood so they took animals and they smoked them they slew them and they took the blood they burnt the bodies and then they went in with the blood the high priest the altar of sacrifice and then there was another altar which was called the altar of incense what does that mean well there was an altar on which they always burnt this incense and that is typ typifying prayer you first of all have to sacrifice then you go with the blood but even then you need the incense and then you go into the presence of God. [00:34:08]

There is no knowledge of God except in Jesus Christ and him crucified there is no other way into his presence you don't understand I know I don't understand I believe it God has appointed the altar having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus Oh says the sonist it is even thine altars oh god of hosts that gives me everything the sacrifice the incense and we have it all in the person of the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us his body was broken his blood was shed that's why we do this we declare his death it's his death that gives us life it's in and through him the living way that we enter into the presence of God knowing that in Christ and him crucified God has forgiven all our sins and has reconciled us unto himself and is ever ready and willing to receive us graciously. [00:41:44]

When a man has thus found God and has come to know him nothing else matters to him you notice that it takes up the whole Men My Soul longth yeah even fainteth for the courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh crith out for the Living God my soul my heart my flesh my whole men bless the Lord all my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name that's what he's saying are you saying it this is true religion when we have it when we know God this God as our God he is everything to us and there is nothing else that is worth bothering about if you've caught but a glimpse of him well then I say the desire of your whole being will be to know him. [00:44:21]

My dear friends this is the question do you know him have you found him are you resting in him and rejoicing in him can you say blessed is the man that trusteth in him are you blessed would you like to be would you like to know him I say again there is only one thing to do come to the altars Jesus Christ a sacrifice for sins Jesus Christ the high priest seated at the right hand of God who knows all about us who's been in this world has been weary and faint sorrowful and sad has experienced treachery and shame per persecution and all the ills of the world he knows all about you and he is with God seated at his right hand visit the altars rest at the altars. [00:45:27]

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