Where does the Lord dwell? That’s the place to be! If one’s soul does not long for it, even faint for it, there’s something wrong with the soul. We were created to be one with God. Jesus came to restore that oneness.
Jesus prayed, “I pray... for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.” [2]
The prayer of Jesus reveals to us the heart of God to bring us back into oneness with God
“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.” [3]
Jesus said to His disciples, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” [4]
Sparrows are numerous, and yet God knows each one. The Psalmist compares himself to a sparrow nesting at the altar of God. He sees how common he is compared to the brilliance and power of Almighty God, and yet, God has provided a nesting place for him that is near to God. The altar is the place of sacrifice. It is through the precious atoning sacrifice of Christ that we have been brought near to God. “Thank You Jesus for Your blood that has redeemed us!”
“Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You. Selah” [5]
Praise fills the life of those who are near to God! As the words, “It is so cold” leap from the mouth of someone outside on a bitterly cold day, so “Praise the Lord!” leaps from the mouth of the one who is experiencing the presence of God.
“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from glory to glory; each one appears before God in Zion.” [6]
The one who is on a pilgrimage toward God is blessed. Even valleys become places of refreshment when one’s heart is pursuing God. No matter what happens, the pilgrim is appearing before God and experiencing His glory. As Peter wrote, “ If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” [7]
“O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” [8]
The Psalmist is most concerned about losing His closeness with God. So, he prays, saying to God in effect that I don’t need to be seated at the best place in Your court for a thousand days, just one day in Your court would be better than a thousand elsewhere. Just to be a doorkeeper for You would be better to me than to live in the rich places where wicked people dwell.
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts blessed is the man who trusts in You!” [9]
On top of everything else, the Lord is a sun, light and warmth for me. He is shield about me. He gives me unmerited grace and joy with His glory. He is good to me. He empowers me to make right choices, to walk uprightly. I am able to do so, because He has given me faith in His faithfulness to never let me down, but the rather to always provide more than I could have asked for or imagined.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” [10]
[1] Psalm 84:1-2
[2] John 17:20-23
[3] Psalm 84:3
[4] Matthew 10:28-30
[5] Psalm 84:4
[6] Psalm 84:5-7
[7] 1 Peter 4:14
[8] Psalm 84:8-10
[9] Psalm 84:11-12
[10] Ephesians 3:20
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