A New Dawn: Daily Devotions for Fresh Perspective

TUESDAY, 28 MAY 2024

TEXT: PSALM 84:1-12

1: How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!

2: My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3: 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.

4: Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

5: Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6: As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

7: They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

8: Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.

9: Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

10: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11: 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.

12: Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: TIME IN GOD'S PRESENCE

This Psalm is said to have been written by the sons of Korah who rebelled against Moses and God punished him. He served as a Levite but became jealous of Aaron and Moses. There are still many believers even pastors who exhibit this attitude today.

When you move away from God and what He called you to do, your heart will be taken over by jealousy and vile competition.

But Korah's children chose not to follow in his footsteps. Their desire to worship God led them to invite people to celebrate this God in their worship and fellowship in and out of the temple.

The idea here is that as the pilgrims travel up to Mount Zion to worship God, they are progressively strengthened by their trust in God.

Today, we are the temple of God where His Spirit lives. We no longer live for only one day in God's presence. We live every second of our lives in His presence, which gives us strength and hope.

QUESTION: What does it mean to be in the presence of God?

PRAYER: Thank You dear Lord, for choosing and making me Your temple. Help me to keep it pure and holy befitting Your presence, in Jesus name. Amen.