Psalm 84 - 5.15.26

Scripture Psalm 84:1 - 12

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.

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, 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 then 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.

Observation:

There is no better place to be than God’s presence. David talks about how he loves to be in God’s courts. A King holds “court” himself.  It is a place where people come and have an audience with him. This is an analogy David is familiar with. 

We always have an audience with God.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. Now the temple God dwells in is not a building.  We are God’s temple. 

“Don’t you know that yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  1 Corinthians 3:16

When we are on a “pilgrimage,” our daily walk with God, and go through a dry valley, we make it a place of springs.  God in us shifts the atmosphere around us. God’s presence in us and our attitude of praise, have the power to transform places we go and the people we interact with.  He is a sun and a shield who bestows favor and honor.  He does not withhold any good thing from those whose walk is blameless.  We are blessed, happy when we trust in him.

Application

One of my favorite songs, “Better is One Day” by Hillsong, comes from this Psalm. Being in God’s presence and worshipping fill us up like nothing else can.  Reading this today, in its entirety, opened up an even greater meaning.  We have the “better” wherever we are because we are God’s temple.  His court is available any time and we can cry out to Him wherever we are.  This is a fact I want to remember as I go about my day.  My days are better when I dwell in His Court.

I also want to remember that He withholds no good thing.  When I walk with God, I will have good things as I seek His plan.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

You are amazing!  You created such a beautiful world and wonderful people to interact with.  Please help me remember every day can be the best day because your presence goes with me. You, glorified in me, has the ability to transform dry places.  Please help me worship you and bring your blessing everywhere I go. When things are discouraging or not happening the way I hoped, please help me trust you knowing that you don’t withhold good things. Thank you for providing all I need and that I always have an audience with you.

Amen

- Cindy Howard