## The Secret of the Blessed Life

## Psalms 84:1-12

Today you can hardly turn on the television without finding some program telling you how to become a success. In today's society many are looking for the "quick fix" or the "big score". One of the reason's for the popularity of the lottery in Indiana and across the U.S. is that fleeting dream of winning the "big one"! Unfortunately that same mind set is found among those who name the name of Christ. Walk into any Christian bookstore and you will find that the shelves are lined with all sorts of books telling you how to become a "Successful Christian". You can spend hundreds of dollars on seminars and special meetings that are designed to give the Christian what he needs to become a "Spiritual Success"!

This morning I want to save you time and money by simply calling your attention to the Word of God. In particular, the eighty-fourth Psalm. Here we will find the prescription for a blessed and successful life. Read: Psalm 84:1-12

I. There Must Be a Recognition of God.

A. Note: Psalm 14:1

1. The fool is identified by his belief (no God) and his behavior (no good).

2. He isn't a theoretical athiest, but rather, he is a practical one: No God for me!

B. For one to find happiness and success in this life, he must recognize God.

C. Not just that He exists, but know Him personally!

1. He is the "Lord of hosts" which speaks of His great POWER. v1, 3, 8, & 12.

2. He is the "living God" in v2 which tells us of His PROVISION. We do not serve a dead God, but a God who is active on behalf of His children!

3. He is "my King, and my God" in v3 which speaks of His PRE-EMINENCE. King of kings and Lord of lords.

4. He is "God our shield" in v9 & 11 which reminds us of His PROTECTION.

D. The first step toward a happy and successful life is to recognize God as an all-powerful, pre- eminent God who provides for and protects His own.

II. There Must Be a Desire for God.

A. Consider the unusual nesting place. v2-3

1. The psalmis isn't complaining because the altar has been so forsaken that birds have nested there.

2. He is longing and yearning to be with God. (the altar is where God meets with men)

3. The picture here is a beautiful one.

a. The altar was a place of bloodshedding and sacrifice; it foreshadowed the cross of Calvary where the ultimate sacrifice was made for mankind.

b. The place of death became a place of safety and a place of life for the weakest of God's creation, the sparrow and the swallow.

c. The cross is a place of safety and life for us when we realize the weakness of the flesh. Jesus said, "Whosoever will may come."

B. Consider the desire of the psalmist here. v2-4

1. It had been some time since he had been in God's house, and he longed for the privilege to be there.

2. He envied the birds who nested there.

3. Do we yearn after God like this? What do we desire most of all?

4. Multitudes of people are hungering and thirsting after worldly pleasure, in which there is no satisfaction.

5. The psalmist puts it in perspective for us in v10-11.

C. If we are to be blessed and successful Christians, we must recognize God for who He is, and we must desire Him with all of our heart!

III. There Must Be Walking With God. v5-8

A. In verse five we find the beginning of our journey with God.

1. We begin with strength from the Lord.

2. We continue our journey with His ways in our hearts.

a. Our walk with God is a walk of faith.

b. Thomas wanted to know the way to go and Jesus declared unto him, "I am the Way".

c. Paul said, "We walk by faith, not by sight."

B. In verse six we find that the highway is sometimes rough.

1. "the valley of Baca" was a dry and barren valley through which one would pass on his way to Jerusalem; literally it means the valley of tears or weeping.

2. In our walk with God there will be many times of heartbreak and sorrow, but the key word in this verse is "through"!

3. And as we go through these dry and difficult valleys God is able to make them times of blessings.

4. God never promised that our walk would be easy, but He will bring us through the hard times.

C. In verse seven we see that we will pass through the valley and find the strength to continue on until we reach our destination!

D. The strength for the walk comes when we stay in touch with Him through prayer. v8

E. We must recognize God, desire Him, and walk with Him.

IV. There Must Be a Trust in God. v11-12

A. Initial trust.

1. This is when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

2. Believing the promises of His Word, and being obedient to what He has said.

3. Repentance and faith is this initial trust in Him.

B. Day-by-day and moment-by-moment trust.

1. This is living the Christian life.

2. Practical trust in God for all our daily needs...No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

3. He will give us GRACE for all the journey down here and GLORY at the end of this life.

4. And along the way we find true happiness and success!

Conclusion: Are we recognizing God for who He is in our lives? Do we have this kind of desire for Him in our lives? Are we walking with Him and trusting in Him? These are the keys to a happy and successful life as a Christian.

If God has spoken to your heart this morning through this message, I encourage you to respond to Him. Come and meet with Him at this altar. If you are not a Christian, now is the time to accept Him by faith. If your life is filled with the things of this world and yet there is no satisfaction, come and find that satisfaction that only comes from Christ. Whatever the need, come now!