Young People's Group

The Lord Is a Sun and Shield

by Mitchell Tan
September 02, 2021

A FRESH UNDERSTANDING OF THE LORD

The sons of Korah had written a wonderful psalm about having a love for the Lord and His house. There was this personal and deep desire to want to be in His house and to be in His presence. As the sons of Korah dwelt on the Lord, there was a fresh understanding of Him.

UNDERSTANDING THE METAPHOR OF GOD AS THE SUN

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield”
Psalm 84:11

The sons of Korah wrote of how the Lord is a sun. This brings across the idea of how glorious He is. He truly shines forth in all that He is and does.

1. WELL-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT THE LORD GOD

A. WITH REFERENCE TO HOW HE IS HONOURED – HE HAS A TABERNACLE (PSALM 84:1-4)

A tabernacle had been built to worship and to praise the Lord God.

B. WITH REFERENCE TO THE TITLES GIVEN TO HIM

I. HE IS KING (PSALM 84:3)

The Lord God is King and sovereign over all things. He is in total control of all things.

II. HE IS THE GOD OF JACOB (PSALM 84:8)

The Lord has been most merciful and gracious to the nation of Israel even though she may have been sinful and rebellious.

III. HE IS THE LORD OF HOSTS (PSALM 84:12)

The Lord of hosts is the commander of the angelic hosts. The heavenly hosts of angels are at His command.

C. WITH REFERENCE TO WHAT HE DOES

I. HE IS A SHIELD THAT PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE (PSALM 84:11A)

The Lord had been a shield for the people of Israel. He had specially protected them and kept them from their enemies. The Lord is a sun and shield to His people.

II. HE WILL GIVE GRACE AND GLORY (PSALM 84:11B)

The Lord God will also grant grace to those who fear Him and He will specially bless them. He will honour them and grant them glory.

2. APPRECIATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW GOD

There should be a personal appreciation of what it means to have come to know the Lord God.

A. SEEING HOW LOVELY IS HIS TABERNACLE (PSALM 84:1)

There is the appreciation of how beautiful is the Lord and His house.

B. LOVE (LONGING) FOR THE TABERNACLE (PSALM 84:1)

There is this love for the Lord and His house. There comes a longing to be with Him in His house.

C. PRAISE OF THE LORD (PSALM 84:4)

There will be this desire to praise Him and glorify Him. Let’s learn to appreciate the Lord God in a special way and to give Him the glory that is due to Him.

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