Scripture reading is taken from page 905, that's Psalm 84. We'll add two more verses to one we looked at the last time. We'll read the first three verses. And we are including the inscription, that's the little bit that came at the front that's often ignored, but as you saw the last time, that was an important part of understanding this text. Psalm 84, one through three, together. To the chief musician on an instrument of gath, a psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts. My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young even your altars oh lord of hosts my king and my god that is the word of the lord the wonder of worship longing for it. Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, the last time you saw the wonder and the beauty of worship, you learned that you worship Yahweh, covenant God, the one who sent his son to fulfill the covenant responsibilities for you, to live and die for you, specifically him, not any other god. You also learn that you worship in a special place, the tabernacle, ordinary looking, and yet It was a picture of Jesus Christ, like the tabernacle was plain and ordinary looking, you know, on the outside, like what Jesus, who Jesus was. And yet, the thing that happened inside was most remarkable for the soul. The soul found its Savior and was restored to relationship with God. And you also learn that Yahweh was lovely. Beautiful. And you say, where do we see that? The Bible says the tabernacles. Well, remember the tabernacles represented the person. That's why Jesus said in John four and the word became flesh and tabernacled among us. That's the original word showing that it was Jesus who was beautiful and not beautiful in terms of face, but in the work that he did. Well, think about it. If you have the most wonderful thing, your sins are forgiven, you are with the one who is most lovely, the one who brings all the blessings, the natural thing is to long for it. I got to have it. That's what people do in advertisements. They show you the new purse, or the new dress, or the new coat, or the new phone, and you long for it because you think that's beautiful. And that's what he does next. The psalmist longed for the worship of God. That's what you will hear about today under three headings. The internal longing, the external longing, and the illustrative longing. Our goals are that knowing what happens in worship, you get grace and how you are to give glory to God, that you will pine to be here to join with brothers and sisters to worship your Creator and Savior. Keep in mind that you're also joining with the hosts, and that's the word that's used in the first verse, that's Yahweh. of hosts. We join with the angels in this special place. So let's look at the internal longing first. The psalmist David gives a deep and strong cry in his soul to be in the courts of God. David earlier had prepared the way for the tabernacle to come back, to come and be among in the midst of God's people, but now he was driven away from the worship of God at the tabernacle and his heart ached. And in fact, the word longs is often used to represent the most intimate human desire. There's no stronger word that could be used to show a great desire for something. It was an intense desire, but not for physical pleasures, but for being in the presence of God. Look at another way this word is used. You think of it as a negative example, but you see the passion that a lion has when it sees a little rabbit someplace. Psalm 17, verse 12 says, together, As a lion is eager to tear his prey, and like a young lion lurking in secret places, that's the kind of desire, that's the kind of longing, the craving to be in the house of God. Now earlier, David had longed for the waters of Bethlehem when he was away, running away from Saul, when Saul was trying to kill him after he was anointed king. But now he longed for something deeper, not just the good waters of Bethlehem and the good food of Bethlehem, but he was longing for the being in the courts of God for that spiritual food. He was really longing for the spiritual Bethlehem. Remember what Bethlehem means. Beth means house, lechem means bread. It's the house of bread. He's longing to be where he would get that spiritual food. And in fact, David thinks, I not only am longing for this, I might faint. He might faint because of his desire for the Lord's house. It was so strong. Fainting is what happens when the body is so consumed by a strong feeling that it's overwhelmed and it shuts down. We've seen people fainting when something very shocking happens. Usually some awful news, they would faint because the body can't take the pressure of the news. That's how he feels. You see, the court was where God was, where there were great wonders, where the essential things were done for the people of God, where they were provided for, where they were guided, where they were prayed for, where there was forgiveness of the sins through the blood atonement that took place there. And you can see why he pants, why he longs, why he feels he's going to faint if he did not get it. Look at Psalm 42, verse one, together. to the chief musician a contemplation of the sons of korah as the dear pants for the water brooks so pants my soul for you oh god the desire was so strong psalm 63 verse 1 together A psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah. Oh 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. Imagine thirst being the picture that's used. You know when you're really thirsty? Craving for some cold water? And you drink it and it's so refreshing. It's far stronger than craving for food. And that's why this word is used there to picture it for us. And there's something else that's interesting here. In this verse, he says longing for the courts of the Lord. Well, technically, there's only one court where they could... Why does he use courts? Well, just like in the first verse, when he said tabernacles, when there was only one, the plural was often used in ancient literature to show the greatness of something. There's only one tabernacle, but it was so great, you could say tabernacles. Same thing here. That's how wonderful the courts of God are. But remember, It is the covenant God, Yahweh, that he wants to be next to. It's not simply being in a place. And this is what is often misleading. Some people crave that they've got to go into Jerusalem. They have to go on that mountain where Jesus was crucified. They have to go on the lake where he was. And there's nothing wrong in that. There's bed in it for that, I'm sure. But it's not those things that make the difference. It's being in the presence of the Lord. That's why the tabernacle was set right smack dab in the middle of the 12 tribes, three on each side. Jesus was there in the middle and they were looking to him. That's why it was so special. Jesus was there. And other gods can be scary, other gods can be weak, other gods can be dominated by other gods. But Yahweh is the all-powerful God, the one who loved David and David wanted to be near Him. So David wasn't focused simply on the ceremonies that were there. He had to pay attention because those ceremonies pictured Christ. But it was ultimately a picture of being in the presence of Christ, where God would provide the things he needed for his soul. And remember, the things that were provided for the soul. As a recap, when you went into the tabernacle, on one side was the menorah, the seven-headed candlestick, picturing the God of lights, a representation of the Father who gives you guidance in where you should go. Seven lights, the number of perfection. And on the other side was a table of showbread, two stacks of six of bread representing the provision for the people of God, not just for the physical provision, but for Jesus, the bread of life. And then as they looked forward to the holiest place, they had to go through this altar of incense, which pictures the work of the Holy Spirit and the prayers that will be raised up to God on high. And then when they went into the holiest place at the back, that's where the most important thing happened. The blood was sprinkled on top of the Ark of the Covenant. reminding us that our sins are taken away and we have been forgiven. You see why this place was so special? You see why he's saying, I feel like I'm going to faint. It's so strong, my desire to be. there to worship God. What can we learn? Jesus said he is going to prepare a place for you in heaven, and it's the most remarkable place with eternal peace and joy, and you should long to be there. That's what Job said in Job 19. That craving, it was in his heart that he desired to see the glory of God. His body was wasting away, but he was thinking of heaven. there you will be in purity, and there you will behold the face of God without worries or distraction. There you will be blessed. Second, your longing must be to be with God and His people each Lord's Day as you wait for heaven so that you may grow. Look how both of these things are taught, not just our beholding of God, but also our relationship with each other. First John 1-3, together, that which we have seen and heard, we declare to you that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the father and with his son, Jesus Christ. You see the relationship? It's this horizontal. It is this vertical relationship. That's what we do in worship. God speaks to us. We speak to God and we are around each other. This is the time of year we start singing, O come, O come, what? Emmanuel, the one who will live in among us. Do you long for this, to gather with God's people, to worship him? Do you have a driving force that says, I got to be here? That's what God expects. but it's more than an internal longing. Our second point, it describes an external longing that we see, where the psalmist says, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. David then expresses aloud the deep longing to be in the presence of the Lord and to enjoy his benefits. If you know in Psalm 1, David says, don't go into the tents of the wicked, stay away from them. But here he says, you got to want to be in the tent of the Lord. That's where you are blessed, not in the tents of the wicked. But craving is different. Why? Here are God's people. Don't sit with the wicked, sit with the people of God. In fact, we could use the word coveting here as a synonym for the strong longing. And that's what Psalm 63 that we just read said. My soul thirsts for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. And I look at another illustration of how this craving was. Not just the internal, but the external. When Rachel, the wife of Jacob, could not have any children. Look at Genesis 30, verse 1, and let's read together. Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister and said, give me children or else I die. If she could not have children, she would rather have died. Such was the intense longing of her soul. And she cried out aloud. Of course, poor Jacob couldn't do anything about that. She needed God. And that's the desire that David is expressing here. He couldn't keep it inside. He knows, like, you have some good news, and someone is watching you, and they know you want to say something, and you're trying not to say, and you can't help it, and then you blurt it out. There's the good news. That's the passion he has for worship here. Let's get some lessons on this second point, this external longing that he has in his soul. First of all, have you ever heard someone in your home loudly saying on a Sunday morning, I just can't wait to get to church today to meet with God and his people. Most people are thinking, oh, it's already time. But this is the urge you ought to have. It should not only be in your heart, it should be on your lips. The people in your house should get irritated with how longing you, the great longing you have to be in church on Sunday. That you wake up and you start singing from the time you wake up. Maybe you turn on some gospel music. Maybe you start singing along. You want to get in the mood for worship because this is the most important thing you will ever do in your life. Say something encouraging to someone in the house so that they are prepared. This is work, but it's good work, and you want them to get excited, and don't ever say things that are harmful, that will destroy the mood of someone going to worship God. That's an evil sin. You might think it's not, but you are robbing God of the praise of that person. And that's why you need to encourage each other. This is a Sunday morning activity from you to get the others in the mood for worship. Not harm it, but an encouragement. This is why it's important to be in bed early so that you don't wake up tired and a wasted Sunday morning because you're struggling to come to church. Second, when someone says, let's go to the Santa Claus parade, that was last week, shake your head and say, no way. Today I'm going to the house of God to be fed with a spiritual nourishment that will last for eternity. Not for the fun and entertainment and see people dancing and getting candies that they throw from the parade. Don't be afraid. Don't be ashamed. In fact, be proud to say, no way. I have better things to do. Nothing should come in the way of your worship. Absolutely nothing. And third, someone described it this ways. He said, worship is like a ladder that leads you to God. Who do you want to go to? What does Santa Claus do for you? What does shopping do for you? What does any other thing, what lasting benefits do you get? Now, I understand sometimes we're hindered by providence from coming to church. There's a beautiful snowfall or car breaks down. You can have those things. You're sick. But nothing should come in the way of worship. When you come here, climb that ladder because you're going up in the right way. Jacob's ladder led him to God. But there's a third point, which is an illustrative longing. There's a beautiful illustration that the psalmist used in verse 3. It involves a sparrow and a swallow. These were two common birds who knew instinctively the benefits of making their nests in the house of God. You know, God taught these birds to build these nests, and that's why he uses this. These little birds, their brains are about this big, and they can put together that intricate nest that none of you here would be able to put together with all your 10 fingers. God taught those birds to do that. So they would build their nests in the tabernacle. And they would usually go like the places above the windows of the tabernacle and the temple as well. And they knew that place they were safe, especially from little boys, knowing my own history, at small birds. No one would mess with them there. There they would be safe. They would be able to raise their young there, and they'd be able to go back there the next season. These birds were so well-trained that they would go and make nests as part of the altar where there will be burning sacrifices for their places where they were safe there. And they would be thinking, you know, if you think in human terms, here they're cutting off the heads of animals and burning them, and that's where we're going to go and make nests. They were safe there, just like you were safe near those altars because someone else took your place of suffering. And it's almost like David now is envious of the birds who could be that close to God while he was running. You know, even as he was running, David could have found a place to be safe. When he ran from Saul earlier, he was hiding in caves and God kept him safe. When he was running from Absalom, he was also safe. But there's no place that brought greater comfort than being in worship with God's people at the tabernacle. You know, we talk about safe space when people are offended by everything. This is the only safe space you've got, where God's people are, and we meet with him. And following up on that illustration, why would men then want to build their nests in the tabernacle? Well, men want to build their nests there because that's where they want to have their young. They want their young to be close to the altar where they will be taught the things of God about the sacrifices of animals and ultimately the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for their sins. Because without the shedding of blood, there's no forgiveness of sins. But when the children, and that's why he mentions not just the birds, but that's where they make their nests, that's where they raise their young, that's where you need to have your young. Not straying them, but raising them there. When they were strong enough, then they could go off and take on the world. It's true, men were made in the image of God and communed with God, but then men fell into sin and were put out of the garden. But here again, now you find the doors are opening. Remember what the French called worship? They called it paradise. It's a return to the Garden of Eden. because the blood was shed and the relationship was restored. It was a place of privilege because they didn't do it. The birds didn't do it. David didn't do it. It was Jesus Christ who did it. So we couldn't claim right to be there except that we were in Jesus. And then almost for good measure, David highlights that God was the Lord of the angelic hosts. We looked at that the last time. Angelic hosts do two things. They protect us from the enemies. They destroy the enemies. But there's also that spiritual battle that takes place when you're in worship, when your mind is taken off in different directions. and you wrestle against the things that are taking over your minds, but the angels come to help you, to work with you so that your prayers are focused on worshiping the true and the living God. So the birds were close to God, but David wasn't. And so he felt in a way like he was banished and he wanted to be near with the people of God. What can we learn? First of all, don't think that the church is the only place where God is. He is with you always. In the darkest nights of your life, when you are alone, when you are crying, when you lose your job, when your marriage is struggling or falling apart, when you are sick, when you are dying, the Lord is always with you. Let's read Isaiah 66, 1 and 2 together. But thus says the Lord, heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you will build me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things my hand has made, and all those things exist, says the Lord. But on this one will I look, on him who is poor and of a contrite heart and trembles at my word. The Lord is near anyone who is going through any difficult time. He's not stuck here. In fact, the Bible says you are the temple of the living God. Wherever you are, God is there. So keep that in mind. But, second application. There is a special place where God's people gather together. And that place is here. It doesn't have to be a building. It could be in the catacombs. It could be out in the snow. It could be in a house. It could be in a basement. It could be here. This is where God's people are specially called to gather together, where they're specially fed, they're nourished, where they're specially encouraged, where they're specially secured, either through discipline or in other ways. Jesus is here, specially, and that's why you should never miss the worship of God. value what He has given to you. Third, this is a place where the world should be. So tell them so they can come and find rest. Again, Isaiah 62, let me read this. For Zion's sake, I will not hold my peace. And for Jerusalem's sake, I will not rest until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and our salvation goes forth as lamps as a lamp that burns, the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, that's the light of your righteousness, that is Jesus Christ, and all kings, your glory that you receive from your Lord, you shall be called a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name." The church of Jesus Christ, composing of all kinds of people from all different backgrounds, not a long unity. You know this narrative that goes around that we need to be inclusive, and that means tolerate all kinds of bad behavior. No, we are centered around the work of Jesus Christ, His righteousness and His holiness that are credited to our account. And it's kind of interesting because in this church, as in all true churches, It doesn't matter if you're small. People come from every nation, every tribe, every language, every economic situation, every racial class. It doesn't matter. You're welcome to be part of the communion of God. Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that a special treasure? Your children being raised in the house of God are learning something incredible. Not only the promises of God, but they're seeing the reality of how God changes people from sinners into saints, who helps them to overcome the troubles of their life. So, four, do you feel bad, even jealous, when others can come to worship and you are not able to do so? I hope you are. you ought to be. Worship should not be something you do if you have nothing else to do. Worship should not be something you do at Easter and Christmas and Mother's Day and Father's Day. You should long to be here. If you don't long to be here, if you don't feel jealous or upset that you're not able to be in worship, you must examine your heart. make sure that your heart is right with God. Because if you know what God has done for you, you will long to be here. And in five, in the worship of God, this is where you will have and raise your children. Here is the food that your children need. More than the fast food, more than the delicious food, more than the salad that you give them at home and the broccoli, is the gospel truth. and they get that here. Like the birds, raise your children where they will be nourished with that which is good and needful for their souls. Let's conclude. David had a deep longing in his heart to be able to be at the tabernacle to worship God. The longing was even outward, where he cries aloud in his flesh, I want to be there. I need to be there. And then he illustrated his longing, even his jealousy. by speaking of the birds that lived there and raised their young and the blessings they had. So beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, are you longing for worship, longing for the water of life, for the bread of life that comes to you each Sunday? Does your family hear you getting ready for worship on Sunday? You don't want to miss a minute of it? Do you sing songs in preparation for worship? You ever say, I can't wait for worship? What a blessed day! What a day to stop from all the business and rest in Jesus Christ and prepare for eternity. That's how you should be longing. You will long this way for worship if your heart has been changed by the Spirit of God. working through the Word. And the more the Spirit of God works, the more you will long to be here. That's why you read your Bible every day. That's why you pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you more and more, because the stronger will be your desire to be with God's people. And third, don't you want to bring others in so they can join in worship? They can enjoy the Lord and all His benefits and then bring glory to Him. By the way, the more people bring in, it's never shorting what God will give you. He has everything. Bring others in. This is what God expects from His saved children. And finally, Jesus had to leave heaven and live and die for you so you could have access to the tabernacle of God. Remember, they could not go into the holiest place without the blood, and so you can never go into heaven without the blood of Jesus Christ. You want access to heaven? It's available for free. It's free for you, but it wasn't free for the Lord. He gave His life. If you accept that blood, there you'll be nourished and kept. You will have the menorah to guide you. You'll have the bread of life to nourish you. You will have the Holy Spirit to pray for you. What more could you want in life? You have it all in Jesus. Let's pray. Thank you, Heavenly Father, that you have given us your words again to reflect on. the blessings of worship and how we should crave to be here inwardly, outwardly, even as the birds. Lord, that we will be nourished, that our children will be raised in a way that will introduce them to the one who lived and died for them and receive his blessing. Forgive us, Lord, for sometimes being careless about how we worship. Looking at it in kind of a weak way is something we do if it's not too inconvenient. For Lord, we need to go through inconvenience for that which is the best thing in the world, and teach us to do so. Hear us, we ask in Jesus' name, amen.