Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches on Psalms 26-29 "The Theology of Intimacy" on 12/10/2025 for our Wednesday service.
Psalms 26–29
Theme: The desire and struggles of a Christian to draw near to this Holy God.
I. THE PROVING — PSALM 26
Text: Psalm 26:2
“I want to be right with You.” David cries out, “Search me, O Lord. Examine me. Prove me.”
This is the heart of one who desires true intimacy with God—a willingness to be purified and tested. To be near Him means to be open before Him. The proving of faith is not to shame us but to shape us. God refines those He loves.
Intimacy begins where pretense ends.
II. THE PURSUIT — PSALM 27
Text: Psalm 27:4 and 8
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
David’s pursuit is simple but deep—he longs for God’s presence. He seeks not blessings, but the Blesser Himself.
Verse 8 reveals a beautiful truth: “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’” The surprise of grace is that while we desire God, He desires us more. “I just want to be with You,” David says—and the Lord responds, “I want to be with you.”
Intimacy grows as pursuit becomes mutual.
III. THE PETITION — PSALM 28
Text: Psalm 28:2, 7–8
“Hear the voice of my supplication.” David now prays not just from desire, but from dependence. The cry of faith is “Lord, don’t let me leave You. Keep me close.”
There is a struggle here—an honest question of worthiness. “Am I worthy to be near You?” Yet even in his weakness, David finds strength in the Lord. Verses 7–8 declare, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped.”
True prayer is not confidence in our worth, but trust in His mercy.
IV. THE PRAISE — PSALM 29
Text: Psalm 29:1–2, 9c
“This awesome God of power is worthy to be praised.” David ends not in petition but in praise. The more he draws near, the more he marvels.
The beauty and blessing of nearness bring both awe and joy. “In His temple everyone says, ‘Glory!’” The fear of nearness is not terror—it is reverent wonder before a holy God.
Intimacy with God leads the soul from proving, to pursuing, to petitioning, to praising. It is a journey of transformation.
CONCLUSION
Psalm 26: The proving of faith—“Search me.”
Psalm 27: The pursuit of His presence—“Seek me.”
Psalm 28: The petition of the heart—“Keep me.”
Psalm 29: The praise of worship—“Glory to You.”
The theology of intimacy is not about earning closeness but embracing it. God calls us nearer, not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious.
The closer we draw, the more we discover both the beauty and the mystery of His holiness.
