Praise God for His Presence

October 24, 2021 Background Scripture: Psalm 84 Lesson Passage: Psalm 84 Have you ever sensed the presence of God? Whether it was an audible voice, an unexpected and unusually cool breeze out of nowhere, or the hair-raising experience of knowing that you are not alone, without doubt you will never forget the experience. Some of us have even experienced visions, night and day, that were too real to be just dreams. Jacob's first recorded experience of God's presence was by way of a vision at night, After Jacob awaken, he had no doubt that it was not just a dream. He referred to that divine encounter several times afterwards. That experience gave Jacob the assurance he needed to endure some otherwise challenging situations. Today's lesson celebrates God revealing His presence to children of Israel. Psalm 84, which is attributed to the sons of Korah, is used as the biblical text for this study. It is somewhat of an irony that Psalm 84 would be used for this lesson. The author is important because these are the men who descended from a man, Korah, who rebelled against the principles and specific guidelines of God pertaining to the proper way to worship God. God provided guidelines so that the children of Israel would not do something that would unintentionally offend Him. God declared who was allowed to approach His presence, and the proper preparation that must be done prior to them approaching Him. God also prescribed the specific times when He would allow the designated persons to approach Him. Korah, and some of his followers, ignored those instructions from God and took it upon themselves to approach God in the manner they chose to. God killed them for their arrogance and their transgression of His commandment. In Psalm 84, the sons of Korah praised God for His tabernacle and its courts. They praised God for the assignment He gave them as doorkeepers there. Korah died because he decided he wanted to serve at the altar, and not be restricted to serving at the doors. Here, Korah's sons praise God for the privilege to be found doing the work that God had assigned them to do, keeping the doors—or ushering. They declared that one day of being at the tabernacle of God and doing their assignment was far greater than a thousand days hanging out with wicked people in another tent. So, how does this psalm celebrate and praise God for His presence? The tabernacle of God is the place where He allowed Israel to see a manifestation of His presence among them. At night, Israel saw what appeared to be a pillar of fire suspended over the tabernacle. In the daytime, Israel saw what appeared to be a pillar of cloud, or smoke, suspended over the tabernacle. The sons of Korah were allowed to be doorkeepers at the tabernacle where God's presence was manifested. Most of the people of Israel were not allowed to even come near the tabernacle of God. What a blessing it was to be able to serve where God's presence was visibly manifested. The sons of Korah praised God for the assignment He had given them through Moses. What assignment has God given you in the place where people of faith gather for corporate worship and the congregational study of His word? Are you grateful for the opportunity to be somewhere near God's presence? People who continue to bring themselves into the presence of God with a grateful heart will eventually be allowed to sense His presence. Once you have sensed the presence of God, the proper response is always to praise God for His presence. Robert C. Hudson September 18, 2021