In The Word
Read: Psalm 84
84 How lovely are Your dwelling places,
Lord of armies!
2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courtyards of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 The bird also has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may put her young:
Your altars, Lord of armies,
My King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You. Selah
5 Blessed is the person whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the roads to Zion!
6 Passing through the Valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
7 They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
8 Lord God of armies, hear my prayer;
Listen, God of Jacob! Selah
9 See our shield, God,
And look at the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than live in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
12 Lord of armies,
Blessed is the person who trusts in You!
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The psalmist conveyed his delight for the house of God. The place was beautiful to him. He wrote, “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.” He longed to be there again. It was not the temple building itself, but God who was the true object of his desire. The temple was simply the place to experience God’s full presence. There the people could offer up their prayers and corporately worship the living God. The writer closed with the blessings that come from trusting God and walking in all His ways.
The Lord loves corporate worship, people gathering together to sing and pray to Him in unity. That is why He created the tabernacle and temple, which were predecessors to local church gatherings. Personal time alone with God to pray and worship is crucial for a close relationship with Him. But both private and corporate worship are necessary for a healthy, complete spiritual life. As Christ’s body, it is important to faithfully gather together for worship, prayer, and the reading of God’s Word. That is why the author of Hebrews instructed his readers to not forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). The order and style of the service is not what matters. Unity and passion are the key elements.
Have you found yourself missing church worship services? Maybe you have put other events or people ahead of worshipping corporately? If so, renew your mind about the necessity of gathering with other believers.