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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 055. Psa 27:4. Attachment to God's House
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Psa_27:4. Attachment to God's House
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."—Psa_27:4.
Among the various excellencies which distinguished the Psa. ist, none was more prominent than that of devout and hearty attachment to the house of God. When driven into solitude, his heart thirsted for the courts of the Lord's house, that he might again appear publicly before him. He could sincerely aver, "I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth." He preferred even being a doorkeeper in God's house, to dwelling in the tents of wickedness. And in the language of the text, "One thing have I desired," &c. Let us,
I. Illustrate the Psa. ist's Attachment to God's House, as expressed in the text.
"One thing have I desired," &c. Notice,
1. The object of his attachment and desire.
"The house of the Lord." God's house is where Deity dwells. In one sense he dwells everywhere—he fills heaven and earth with his presence. He has, however, two distinguished places of residence,—the heaven of heavens, and his church on earth: the one is his sublime and holy habitation, where he is surrounded with the light which no creature can possibly approach unto; in the other, viz., his church on earth, he manifests himself in his gracious regards to the children of his adopted family. Wherever two or three of his children meet together to worship him, that is the Lord's house, and he has pledged himself "to be in the midst of them." Observe,
2. The nature of his attachment and desire.
He desires to "dwell in the house of the Lord," not merely to see it, or hear of it, but to be an abiding resident in it. Now our dwellings are places which we select and choose; where we generally may be found, and in which we take especial interest and delight. Thus the Psa. ist had chosen Zion as his most favored residence—here he went up statedly to worship, and its good he always sought; yea, it was his chief joy; Psalms 122., &c.
3. The extent and duration of his attachment and desire.
"All the days of my life." He desired to dwell in it, even to the termination of his life. He desired not to exchange it until he should ascend to God's holy hill, and dwell at his right hand, where there are pleasures for evermore. And what place so suited to give experience and wisdom to the young—to preserve the middle aged from being swallowed up in cares,—or where the old can better wait for the fulness of God's salvation?
4. The great end of this attachment and desire.
"That I may behold the beauty of the Lord, and inquire in his temple."
(1) "To behold the beauty of the Lord." This is seen imprinted on universal nature. The heavens—the earth—and the sea are all full of the beauty and glory of God. But in his courts we see the beauty of holiness; his goodness, his compassion, and his grace—the beauties of redeeming love—his harmonious attributes—his affectionate heart—his smiling face. He desired,
(2) To inquire in his temple. Perhaps in allusion to the ancient oracles to which the heathen warriors and others resorted, to ascertain the result of their undertakings. In God's house the most important and solemn queries are solved. Here, our inquiries after the way of pardon and peace and happiness are all satisfactorily answered. Here, too, the devotional soul can come to the throne of grace, and obtain mercy and grace to help in every time of need. Notice,
5. The preeminence of his attachment and desire.
"One thing," &c. That is, above every thing else, and before every thing else. Many other things lawful, and many of them truly desirable but this he longed after more than all, "that he might dwell in the house of the Lord," &c. Then, notice,
6. The resolution connected with this attachment and desire.
"And that will I seek after." He was not satisfied with wishing and desiring, but he would labor to obtain it. Seek after it with ardency of feeling, and with constancy and perseverance. How possible is it to multiply our privileges with care, and by seeking after them! We must be zealous, and faithful, and laborious in religion, if we intend to excel.
7. He had made the object of his soul's attachment a matter of prayer to God.
"Desired it of the Lord." To give him ability and opportunities, and a disposition to appear before him in his courts. A prayer highly acceptable to God, and in every way likely to be answered. Let us.
II. Vindicate his preeminent Attachment to the House of the Lord.
We vindicate supreme attachment to God's house,
1. From the dignity it confers.
What is the house of science or philosophy to this? What the senate, or the palace of an earthly monarch? Here Deity ever dwells to give audience to his saints.
2. From the happiness bestowed on its hallowed worshippers.
Here light, conviction, pardon, peace, joy, and solid comfort, are richly and freely communicated.
3. From the invaluable lessons we learn in it.
Of God's greatness, goodness, mercy, and doctrines of the cross. Duties of life. Perishableness of all created things. Value of God's favor, &c. David's feet well nigh slipped, till he went into God's house, &c.
4. From its resemblance to the heavenly temple.
In the heavenly temple God displays his glory. There is the vision of God. So is he seen here; and loved, and feared, and praised. Presence of Christ; so he is always in the assemblies of his saints. There is the congregation of the saints union of angels, and scenes of holy joy and worship; so in his house below.
"They sing the Lamb in hymns above,
And we in hymns below."
Heaven's joys are here anticipated, and the delights of God's house are happily expressed in the lines of the poet:—
"I have been there, and oft would go;
'Tis like a little heaven below."
Application
1. What true joy and peace they deprive themselves of who neglect God's house! 2. Let the subject administer reproof to the merely occasional worshipper; and, 3. Excite all the children of God to greater ardor and zeal for the prosperity of God's house.