Psalm 27

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Psalm 27

I. Why should God care for us?

A. Psalm 8:3-4 – Compared to the majesty of heaven, what is man?

B. Jo, Texas—beholding the magnificence of the stars, feel insignificant

C. Psalm 144:3-4 – Man’s life is a vapor compared to the eternal nature of God

D. We are sinful beings

E. Romans 3:9-12, 23 – We have all sinned Ephesians 2:1-3 – We have rebelled and become children of wrath

II. Yet God seeks us

A. Psalm 27:4 “Seek My face”

B. Despite our sinfulness, God sought us

C. Ephesians 2:4-7 – God sought us in our sinful condition Romans 5:8 – While we were sinners, Christ died for us

D. He sought us while were in rebellion!

E. He did not wait for us to crawl back to Him, but sent Jesus to reconcile us to Him though the cross If we reject such great mercy, we have no hope for forgiveness

F. John 4:23 – God seeks true worshippers to serve Him in spirit and truth

G. He does not want our actions, Malachi 1:11-13 God wants our heart, Matthew 22:37

H. God seeks us because He desires our companionship

I. God delighted in the company of the Old Testament faithful

J. James 2:23 – Abraham was called the friend of God Exodus 33:11 – God spoke to Moses as a friend John 15:13-17 – Jesus called His disciples friends for they obeyed Him1 John 3:1; 5:3 – We also demonstrate our love for Jesus (who first loved us) by obeying His word and loving our brethren

K. He desires an intimate relationship with us

L. 1 Corinthians 2:6-12 - God revealed Himself to us

M. It would be impossible for us to learn about God on our own power. God wants a relationship; therefore, He has opened Himself to us in ways that we can comprehend

N. Hebrews 1:3 – Jesus is the “express image of God”

O. When we see Jesus, we see God revealed in flesh John 14:5-11 – We see the Father in Jesus We cannot know everything about God but we can know what God revealed about Himself

P. Sent Jesus to draw us to him

III. We must seek God

A. Desire God’s companionship

B. Psalm 27:8 – “I will seek you” Hebrews 13:5-6 - He is a friend that will never leave us or forsake us We must be aware of how low God has stooped to be our friend so that we will not be so arrogant as to ignore Him. We should not seek God’s companionship because of what He does for us—helps, saves, and gives us an eternal home—but for who He is.

C. Desire to see God’s beauty

D. Psalm 27:4 - Desire to see God’s beauty

E. Psalm 27:13 - See His goodness around you now

F. We can see God’s goodness in the love of friends and brethren. We can see God’s goodness in the little acts of kindness. We can see God’s goodness in the comfort and strength we receive from His inspired revelation. We can see God’s goodness in the hope we have in an eternal home. In visions of Isaiah, Ezekiel and John, God is described in such majesty, glory, and splendor that we should desire to behold His beauty ourselves.

G. Desire to learn from Him

H. Psalm 27:5, 11 – To inquire of God Romans 11:33-34 – God is the boundless source of knowledge Hosea 8:12 – Great things of God are considered strange by the wicked

I. God’s children realize that His knowledge will prepare us for everything

J. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – God’s word fully equips man for life We should seek answers from God instead of relying on the ever changing philosophies of the world

K. Desire His protection

L. Psalm 27:5, 12

M. God can deliver us from our most powerful adversary, Satan

N. 1 Peter 5:6-11 – Satan seeks to devour us; God will deliver us But we must humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand if we want His protection

O. We can have courage in the face of our enemy

P. Psalm 27:2-3 – Our courage comes from our trust Psalm 118:5-9 – Man cannot destroy us

Q. We should only fear God who will destroy the wicked

R. Luke 12:4-5 Hebrews 10:26-31 – Fearful thing to fall into God’s wrath

S. God will have mercy on His children

T. Luke 18:7 – God will have mercy on those who cry to Him Psalm 145:17-21 – He hears the cries of His children

U. Wait on the Lord – Be patient

IV. Conclusion: Review. We can only seek God if we look in the right place—His word.