The theme of Psalm 84 is clear: There are advantages that accompany one who is in touch with God, advantages that belong to the life of faith and fellowship with the living God.
When the psalmist writes about the dwelling place of God, it’s a reference to the Temple, in Jerusalem, where God’s Shekinah Glory—the visible, radiant manifestation of God’s presence dwelling among humanity—was manifest.
In the Holy of Holies of the Temple was a strange and mysterious light which marked the presence of God. No Israelite was permitted to enter that holy place except the High Priest—only once a year, and only under the most rigorous of rituals. When the Israelites came into the Temple, though they could not physically enter the holy of holies, in their hearts and minds—as they appreciated and understood the truth pictured by their sacrifices and other things—they entered, in spirit, into the Holy of Holies. This is what the psalmist is now singing about.
Christians know that the dwelling place of God is our bodies (I Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, we read the words of this psalm as an expression of the excitement that comes because of God’s indwelling presence.
There are three things that the Psalmist sees here that mark his experience:
· First, there is an inner beauty. The place where God lives, the heart where God dwells, becomes a lovely place, a beautiful spot.
· Second, there is a compelling hunger. Paradoxically, God both satisfies us and makes us desirous for more.
· Third, there is a joy-filled vitality that God’s presence gives. This is not an artificial excitement; it’s the real thing. It involves taking in the full scope of the transcendent contentment that God’s indwelling presence means.
The psalmist wants a closer relationship with God because life with God is incomparably better than anything else. There is no other place to go. Even more, life with God is incomparably complete. God is wonderfully responsive to our need. If we need protection, God is our Shield. If we need provision, God is our Shepherd. If we need potency, God is our Strength.
(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com)
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