May 18, 2025

Background:

• True joy is far deeper than happiness
• Happiness is temporary because it is based on circumstance
• Joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us
• The Joy we have the world cannot take because the world did not give it to us
• Unspeakable Joy allows us to be happy on the inside though it may be raining on the outside

Key Sermon Points:

1. David's passion for God

• If we have a deep passion for God we are enthusiastic and we know him, serve him, and obey Him (v 1-2)
• We must have a personal relationship with Him
• David is reflecting on his intimate relationship with the Lord:
• More than knowing about God
• He knows him personally as His God
• Once we experience him in our life and how he has blessed us can we say "That is My God"
• When we get up early seeking his face there are things God will bless us with
• We seek him early because we do not know what our day will be like and we sometimes need to be saved from ourselves
• David felt more than physical thirst for water, he experienced and intense inter longing for God
• We must maintain a close vibrant relationship with God
• If we do it will strengthen, satisfy, and sustain us
• God is who keeps us upright and satisfied
• David's passion longed for God because of his past encounter that he had back in Jerusalem

2. David's praise for God

• Having encountered God so mightily David was ready to praise Him
• Too many times we complain about situations instead of praising Him
• We find ourselves going through better if we praise Him
• The Lord's love is better to us than our lives
• Gods always shows up when we do not
• Through thick and thin He will show up despite being undeserving
• David experienced God in all places just as we do today
• God is always up to something even if we do not know it
• We must thank Him for what he has done for, in, and through us
• We must be active in praising God
• We should not wait to praise Him later for something he has already done
• We must praise Him for his mighty acts for who he is and what he stands for
• The only way out of the desert is to praise
• Only God can satisfy our true longing of our soul

3. David's pursuit of God

• We must pursue God (Psalm 63:6-8)
• When David awoke in the night his first and best thoughts were about God
• Sometimes our mind is preoccupied with what we must do rather than focusing on God
• David was a man with a mind that sought the Lord
• We are satisfied when we seek God first
• David was in the desert not an oasis
• It is in the desert that God can really use us and speak to us
• David does not complain about his situation he continues to praise God
• David found shade in the comfort of God
• We should trust God all the way
• Under the fire heap of trials he found relief in the shadow of God's presence
• God was David's strength and encouragement in these scorching trials
• David remembered how his mind was consumed with thoughts of God

4. David's protection from God

• The final thoughts in this psalms were David's recognition that god was his protector
• David knew that god would protect him from his enemies
• They will be given over to the sword- punishment from God
• David confirmed his God's care over his enemies and knew that God would protect him
• No matter what anyone says we must continue to trust in God