BELOVED HOME

OPENING PRAYER:

I praise You, my Father, that I can come freely and boldly into Your presence because of Christ Jesus.

READ: Psalm 84

For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.[d] They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield,[e] O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you. Psalm 84

REFLECT:

List what you love about spending time with God. God responds lovingly to the small steps we make towards Him. Have you ever experienced walking to greet a loved one who has been absent? As you get closer, you break into a run and a warm hug ensues. It seems in Psalm 84 that the psalmist has broken into that run. He is so wonderfully desperate to be in God’s presence, the distance between him and God has become intolerable. The psalmist’s outpouring of love for God is fulsome and of the heart. He understands God’s grace. He simply desires to be in the courts of the Lord but for some reason cannot go. His whole being yearns for God (2), constantly calling upon or praising Him. He the sparrows, the Temple dwellers and pilgrims (3–7). The Jews loved attending the Temple in Jerusalem – God’s dwelling place amongst His people. The New Testament teaches that our bodies are the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). He dwells within us and that is sacred space. When we trust His grace and forgiveness through Jesus, we too are running to God. It is trusting in God that brings blessing (12). indwelling presence of God deserves, inspires, and requires celebration.

APPLY:

What could you do today as a celebration of being in God’s “courts” (10)? Sing Him a song? Write a psalm? Offer Him the gift of your obedience?

CLOSING PRAYER:

My God, I rejoice in Your presence! You are more magnificent than words can describe. May I never take Your presence for granted.

WORSHIP:

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