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Dwelling or Dropping By?

By: Steve Negley

Posted: August 2, 2019

Category: Daily Devotional

Psalm 84

Often at funerals a newcomer to our church comments on the beauty of our sanctuary or our chapel. I tend to agree. The stained glass, the detail in the woodwork, and the marvelous musical instruments are touches that help make these worship spaces special. And these are some of what draws me back to worship God here. When we are together in worship, it’s as if God dwells here, and I am invited to dwell too rather than simply drop by.

The writer of the psalms had the same feeling while being in the temple.

Psalm 84
To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise. Selah

Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.[a]
As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.

10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Do you also get that type of “at home” feeling when you walk through the church doors? Come and dwell.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for flinging wide the doors to Your house so that people like me can get comfortable there. Guide my feet to worship regularly, so that I can be immersed in Your glorious presence. Amen.