My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

                                                                          Psalm 84:1-12

 

August 6, 2022

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!  My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and 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.  Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.  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; each one appears before God 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!  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 dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!

 

Let us begin with a word study, The Gittith, which was mentioned in at least 3 Psalms is a string Instrument.  The Valley of Baca was the valley of weeping, it was probably a literal place located near Jerusalem.

 

As a follower of Christ, we also have or valley of Baca, as we navigate through this evil a sinful world.  Our battle is not with Flesh and Blood, but often our flesh if not controlled by the Spirit will go there.  

 

What if we, you, and I set our hearts and minds on Christ's life and put no trust in mankind?  How would we be different, we show love instead of judgment, we would not be anxious about anything, and we would share the hope we have in our Creator, Redeemer, and Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

I’m in overtime so says my Son-in-Law, and he was trying to tell me I’m passed my prime, and that may be true, but I long to rest in the shield of my Lord.  I have this dear Sister in Christ who sends me encouragement daily.  Today it was a verse from Isaiah 40:29, “He gives strength to those who are tired, to the ones who lack power, He give s renewed energy.”

Then Carmen, had this to share with me; "When circumstances are beyond your control, and you see no way to overcome, don’t forget who you are in Christ.  As a believer, you have His strength and power to do all things.  Take your troubles to Christ who is able!” 

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice