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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise How amazing to think that you, the Creator of the universe, would condescend to dwell on the earth among your people. I praise you today as the God who “tabernacles” with men. You delight to fellowship with those who love and serve you. As the psalmist said, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Ps 84:10). Today in Your Word Today you shared with me more of the psalms of the sons of Korah. Several of these psalms express a love of and a delight in the city of Zion, Jerusalem. Psalm 48 says, “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King” (Ps 48:1–2). Psalm 84 says, “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” (Ps 84:1–2). Psalm 87 says, “On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God” (Ps 87:1–3). These psalms praised Jerusalem, not for being the largest or strongest city on earth, but for being the city “of our God,” the city where you lived among your people, and where you ruled in holiness and power. Zion’s greatness came from its connection to you, for you had graciously chosen to build your temple there, and you acted as “a sun and shield” for the city. One day Jesus will rule the world from Jerusalem, and the nations of the earth will come to worship him (Zech 14:16). “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious” (Isa 11:10 NIV). I look forward to the day when Jerusalem will be the capital of the world! Reflection The sons of Korah eloquently described the futility of worldliness in Psalm 49, for when the wicked man dies, “He will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him” (Ps 49:17). Am I living my life in the light of eternity, or am I clinging to things that will surely pass away? Request Father, the doors of my heart are wide open. Come and fill me with your sweet presence. I ask that you would rule over my life and conform me to the image of your Son! Thanksgiving Thank you for the promise that “the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps 84:11). Praise the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” — John Newton. Meditation Verse: Psalm 84:12. |