Spiritual Health Indicator

Bible Passage: Psalm 84

I. The psalmist reminisces his visit(s) to the House of God and longs to be back again

1. How lovely is your dwelling place (verse 1)
2. My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord (verse 2)—a passion for the presence of God
3. My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God (verse 2)—deep feelings and emotions
4. A day in your courts is better than thousand elsewhere (verse 10)
5. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness (verse 10)

II. Description of the house of God

1. A lovely place—to long for, yearn for, and to cry out to (verses 1-2)
2. A secure place—even for birds when they take shelter (verses 3-4)
3. A sure protection—“sun” and a “shield” (verse 11)
4. A place of recognition and blessing—“favor” and “honor” (verse 11)
5. A sure source of provision—“no good thing will He withhold” (verse 11)

III. Description of the LORD

1. Lord Saboath (verse 1, 8)—the LORD who rules over all (the LORD of hosts)
2. King and God (verse 3)— My King and my God
3. Sun and Shield (verse 11)—The Lord is a sun and shield
4. Bestows favor and honor (verse 11)
5. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (verse 11)

IV. Description of the blessed one

1. “Dwells in your house and ever singing your praise” (verse 4)
2. “Whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion” (verse 5)
3. “They appear before God in Zion” (verse 7)
4. “Blessed is the one who trusts in you” (verse 12)

V. Observations:

1. The psalmist had a healthy appetite for God and maintained a nourishing fellowship with Him
2. Though the psalmist remained at home, his heart was set on pilgrimage, and the map to the House of God was etched on his heart
3. There seems to have a direct correlation between his conception of God and his desire for worship
5. The greater God was in his eyes, the greater was his desire to worship Him

VI. Believers Privilege (Heb 10:19-25)

1. Believers today have constant open access into the presence of God by means of Jesus’ blood (Heb. 7:25; 10:19–25)
2. Jesus is the High Priest over the house of God

VII. The believers are exhorted to:

1. Draw near to God (verse 22) (sprinkling and washing)
2. Hold to the faith unwaveringly (verse 23)
3. Spur one another to love and good works (verse 24)
4. Not abandoning the corporate gatherings (verse 25)

Take Away

Monitor your spiritual appetite and keep nourishing your love for God