Dwelling Place

Friends,

This morning, as I am thinking of you all, I am reminded of Psalm 84:1–2. This psalm of the sons of Korah, a group of songwriters who led the people of Israel in soulful worship unto God, expressed the following:

“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.”

One thing that caught my attention when mulling over this precious song is how this an- them arises from the very depth of the singer’s soul. From the heart—or more literally the gut!—to one’s outward being, believers are compelled to sing with utmost gladness unto God our Maker and Redeemer, who forever lives. This soul-filled praise is furthermore at- tended with a deeply emotional longing for the courts of the LORD—in essence, a place where God’s rule and reign are on the most magnificent display before our eyes!

Truly, can there be any better place for us to dwell than in this?

As such, the psalmists go on to say the following in verse 5, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” Meaning that for those who knowingly derive their vitality from God, the only God, their innermost thoughts and affec- tions are constantly being drawn unto the courts of the Life-giving LORD of angel armies. These are the women and men who go from one place of strength in the Lord to another, who cross through the Valley of the Shadow of Death and fear no evil, who know the over- coming power of Christ’s kingdom of grace over all of God’s enemies and ours. They are the ones whose battle-shield is no one less than Christ Jesus the Righteous and whose sword for the fight is nothing less than the Word of God.

May we be so equipped this very week, dear Church. May we have souls that are set ablaze for living God, feet ready to share the good news of Jesus, and protection in the gospel of peace for whatever we experience this week.

With love in Christ,

Rich