SUBJ: The Lord's function in the care of His people and His provision for the journey.

AIM: That we may be confident in Him as we see Him in the role as comfort and defense, provider of favor and honor and the promised provision of all things needed.

INTR: The greatness of our salvation may be described in many ways. Here it is described as the desire for the Lord attended by the assurance of His care for us.
1. The longing of the pilgrim in vv. 1-3 (My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts and c.
2. The nature of the journey in vv. 4-7 (They go from strength to strength...)
3. The prayer in vv. 8-10 (I... had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.)

THESIS: The Lord is not merely the provider of confidence. He is our confidence and here we see why. Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

I. A sun and Shield (Warmth and protection)
1. We see Christ as the Day Star with function: 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2. He is further called the Sun of righteousness: Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3. He is the Light of the world, the light of men. He is the provider of warmth in the form of joy and happiness.
4. In the same sense that the sun overspreads it all so does He shine on every aspect of our lives.
5. He is a shield: our protection near at hand, the shield of salvation and faith in particular.
1) From divine justice
2) From the wrath to come
3) From all danger

II. The Giver of Grace and Glory - these are not separated
1. The grace of Christ was to provide salvation, the aim of God is glory - we partaking of His.
2. In view is the grace of conversion and all that pertains to it.
3. We think we see an emphasis on “the Lord will give ... - and we are reminded of Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
4. Of grace and glory: grace is glory begun; glory is grace complete (heard or read somewhere)
1) We are given the right to glory by His grace
2) We are made fit to appreciate His glory by His grace
5. Consider James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble - precious connection here.
6. Grace is seen in Love, Joy, Peace as well as justification, pardon, adoption and perseverance.
7. Glory provides honor and distinction among men and reflects standing with God.

III. Nothing Withheld that is needed
1. He who did not spare His own Son: Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
2. This is about good things. What are they?
1) 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2) See further: Psalms 34:9-10 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
3) And the meaning of " ...seek ye first the kingdom ..."
3. Good thing implies that these are "good for us."
4. The gifts and calling (Romans 11:29)
1) He has determined
2) He will not back off
3) How much of what we receive is that for which we do not ask.