Intro: 

Two weeks ago, I had an experience I wanted to share with you that connects to what I’m talking about today. I was asked to officiate a wedding for a couple I knew. I have officiated many weddings, but this one was a little different. It was in Cabos, Mexico, at a beautiful resort. I had never been to a resort like this before. When we arrived, they took our bags and gave us a cold towel to wipe our hands or wash our faces. They put something warm around our necks as we checked in. They gave my wife a rose. At that point, I knew I was in a different place. This wasn’t the Double Tree Hotel. They told us there were multiple restaurants there and we could eat anything. The spa, pool, and beach were all available to us. They even told us we had a butler assigned us to get anything we needed. My wife’s Butler story 

As I walked around the resort, I noticed everyone looked happy. It was like they were living a different life. They have found what I call the “Secret Sauce.” I had a thought that some people go to church often but don’t seem as happy as others. It feels like they haven’t tapped into all God has for them. In Pslam 84, You can tell that David had tapped into some truths that I think we all need. David found a secret sauce.

David’s Secret Sauce was: 

1. Pleasure in God’s Presence 

Psalm 84:1-2a (NLT) - How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, 

Psalm 84:10 (NLT) - A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God. 

1. David had this deep desire to be in the presence of God. Listen to David’s wording. “I long, I faint, with my whole body and soul.” He didn’t just miss being in church, He longed for it. He found pleasure in being in the presence of God. True happiness comes from being in the presence of God. 
2. Alcohol, drugs, relationships, and hobbies can’t bring you true pleasure. It can only come from God. He fulfills every desire you have. 
3. He not only desired to be in God’s presence but to be in his courts. Many believe David wrote this Psalm when Absalom forced him to leave his city. He missed being in the holy city. There is something about gathering together and enjoying the presence of God that brings you pleasure. 
4. Time spent at God’s house was better and more valuable than time spent elsewhere.
   1. Before 2020 we didn’t know what it was like to be unable to gather together. My Church at Home experience was great for about two weeks. After that, I wanted to gather together with others in the presence of God. 

2. Power in our Praise 

Psalm 84:4-5 (NLT) - What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 

1. David understood the power of praise. He wrote an entire chapter in praise in Psalm 150. 
2. There are three things that praise does.
   1. Praise confuses the enemy. The enemy doesn’t know what to do when you praise God because it doesn't make sense to him. When he throws everything he has at you, and you praise God anyway, it confuses him.
   2. Praise lifts your spirit. It’s hard to stay discouraged when you praise the Lord.
   3. Praise gives you a different perspective. You feel like you have the victory.
3. Praise is not emotional or personality driven. Praise is a spiritual thing.
4. You will not always feel like praising, but you must tell yourself, “I will bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me.” 

3. Provision in God’s Promises 

Psalm 84:11 (NLT) - For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. 

1. We have a promise that God always provides.
2. Everything that God has for us, he wants to give to us. He wants to give us joy, peace, protection, and resources. It’s ours! 
3. There is no need to stress how God will take care of you. David said, “ I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging for bread.
4. College Student missions trip paid off. 

May we all find pleasure in God's presence, power in our praise, and provision in his promises. Amen.