THE JOY OF WORSHIP

Psalm 132

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, November 6, 2022

(Psalm 132, NLT) “Lord, remember David and all that he suffered. He made a solemn promise to the Lord. He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel, “I will not go home; I will not let myself rest. I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the Lord, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.” We heard that the Ark was in Ephrathah; then we found it in the distant countryside of Jaar. Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord; let us worship at the footstool of his throne. Arise, O Lord, and enter your resting place, along with the Ark, the symbol of your power. May your priests be clothed in godliness; may your loyal servants sing for joy. For the sake of your servant David, do not reject the king you have anointed. The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne. If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.” For the Lord has chosen Jerusalem; he has desired it for his home. “This is my resting place forever,” he said. “I will live here, for this is the home I desired. I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy its poor with food. I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy. Here I will increase the power of David; my anointed one will be a light for my people. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but he will be a glorious king.”

1. I EXPERIENCE VICTORY AS I WORSHIP THE LORD.

(Psalm 132:7, NLT) “Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord; let us worship at the footstool of his throne.”

a. The victory of God was for you and me.

(Hebrews 1:13, NLT) “And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

b. God’s presence terrifies His enemies.

(Acts 7:49a, NLT) “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.”

c. Recognize and invite His presence and power through worship.

(John 1:14, NLT) “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

(Psalm 22:3, NLT) “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”

2. I MAKE A COMMITMENT WHEN I WORSHIP THE LORD.

(Psalm 132:8, 12–13, ESV) “If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne.”

3. I WILL BUILD A LIFE ON THE ROCK OF ZION, JESUS CHRIST.

(Psalm 132: 13, ESV)“For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:”

(Psalm 87:6, Message) “God registers their names in his book: “This one, this one, and this one— born again, right here.”

(1 Peter 2:6, Message) “The Scriptures provide precedent: Look! I’m setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it.”

a. I am only as strong as my foundation.

b. I will build my life on the virtues and truths Christ lived and taught.

c. I am joined with the body of Christ by the love of Christ.

(1 Peter 2:5, NCV) “You also are like living stones, so let yourselves be used to build a spiritual temple—to be holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to God. He will accept those sacrifices through Jesus Christ.”

4. I TRUST THE PROMISES GOD MAKES TO HIS WORSHIPPERS.

(Psalm 132:14–18, NLT) “This is my resting place forever,” he said. “I will live here, for this is the home I desired. I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy its poor with food. I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy. Here I will increase the power of David; my anointed one will be a light for my people. I will clothe his enemies with shame, but he will be a glorious king.”

a. I will live here – His presence (Ps. 132:14)

b. I will bless and make prosperous – Multiplication (Ps. 132:15a)

c. I will satisfy her poor with food – Satisfaction (Ps. 132:15b)

d. I will clothe her priests with godliness – Prevailing Power (Ps. 132:16a)

e. Her servants will sing with joy – Praise (Ps. 132:16b)

f. I will increase the power of David – Authority and Dominion (Ps. 132:17a)

g. I will have Christ as the light of my life – Fruitful Life (Ps. 132:17b)

h. I will clothe his enemies with shame – Victory (Ps. 132:18)