Sermons

← back to list

Oct 07, 2018

Prayer for the Lord's Blessing

Prayer for the Lord's Blessing

Passage: Psalms 132:1-18

Speaker: James Gallaher

Series: The Believer's Journey

Category: Sunday Morning

No matter our condition or circumstances, God wants to be at the center of our lives and has great promises for us.

Psalm 132  Prayer for the Lord’s Blessing

Observation #1 THE CENTER – God needs to become the center of your life. 

David was committed to put God right in the center of his world both figuratively and spiritually. He swore to God that He would not remain on the fringes of life. 

How do you know if God is at the center?

A good first start is to check your heart. The desire was placed in David’s heart to bring back the ark to the central of Israel. What is at the center of my life? What is my desire? Is it money? Is it time? Is it thoughts? Which of these consume most of your life? The answer will give a clear picture of what the center in our lives is. 

Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

To live the life Christ has called us to live and to experience the promises He has given, we must bring the covenant front and center to our lives. It is easy to stay in the fringes or outskirts of the center. That way we can continue to live our lives with Christ as a safety net without really having to give up the parts of my life that I would rather hang on to. But if God is indeed at the center, then He is not a safety net. No need to worry about back up plans. David didn’t come to this conclusion because his life was easy; he came to this conclusion because his life was hard.

Observation #2 THE PROMISE – God doesn’t turn from His promises.

God doesn’t forget! God knows His plans for you. He has orchestrated your life to live in His supply. He has made provisions for your future but He has to be the center. We tend to quit before we understand; we give up before we see the breakthrough, we think because it’s hard He must not be in it. Don’t give up! Don’t quit! He has a promise for you!

Isaiah 40:29; 40:31, 54:10, Deuteronomy 31:8; John 8:36; Mark 11:24; Phil. 4:19; Psalm 34:17-18; 50:15; 86:5; Romans 8:28; Phil 4:6-7

Observation #3 THE CHOICE – God Chose You

In verse 13, Zion represents His church and we are “those” who make up His church. In Christ, we become the temple for the Most High God. I Cor 6:19.

Paul was writing to a church that was full of all sorts of immorality, ungodly behavior, infighting, and jealousy and yet God was still choosing to inhabit His people. We are the desired dwelling place of the Most High God - chosen in spite of our weaknesses, doubts, and fears. Chosen! II Cor. 5:21
The enemy is continually trying to convince you that there is no way God could use you. He Chose You – and no unchoosing! Deut 31:6

Observation #4 THE PROVISION – He will

We tend to think it is our responsibility to make things happen but only God can bring the “I will.” Give it back to Him and let Him make it effective; allow Him to bring the increase.

He chose you because of who He is, not because of who you are. 

Phil 4:19 “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 6:33 “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”

Psalm 132:14-18 I WILL . . . 1) Dwell . . .  2) Bless . . . 3) Satisfy . . . 4) Clothe . . . 5) Increase . . . 6) Prepare . . .  7) Cause . . .

If our center has become unbalanced, off-track, the great promise keeper is here for us. Give it to Him – let Him use it.

How do you know if God is at the center of your life?

What promise do you need to hold on to?

What hardships do you have that cause you to think God can’t use you?