READ: Psalms 82-84
Many
songs have been written based on Psalm 84. This song oscillates between singing
about being in heaven, in the actual presence of the Lord, and being in His
presence while we’re still here on earth.
In
Psalm 84:2 the psalmist expresses his soul-deep longing to be in the presence
of God. His yearning for God is so strong he feels it physically. He begins the
chapter by calling the dwelling place of God ‘lovely’. Yet as we read through
the chapter we see what lovely really means. The original word is used in every
other place to mean ‘beloved’. This is the only verse where it is translated
‘lovely’. When we read ‘lovely’ we think pretty, or serene. However, the depth
of meaning we often miss due to translation could steer us away from the full
sense of the passage. This verse is not saying “heaven is very pretty that’s
why I want to go there”. Rather, it is saying, “the dwelling place of God is as
significant to me as that of one I love very, very dearly”. This is why his longing is so deep. It’s as a
lover who has been torn away from his first love. His heart beats for the
presence of God.
As we
read through this psalm we see verse upon verse recounting the incredible
blessings of those who spend time in God’s presence. They also are constantly
praising God. How can you not? There is safety (vs. 3), and strength (vs. 5),
and refreshing (vs. 6). As a matter of fact, verse 7 talks about going from
strength to strength.
In
this generation’s church culture we often talk about ‘mountain top
experiences’. We tend to believe those are reserved for retreats, special
experiences, etc. Yet, this passage talks about going from strength to
strength. No valleys! And who is it that gets to live from strength to
strength? It’s those who live in the presence of God and who spend time
praising Him. So how is it that they go from strength to strength? Besides the
obvious reason that God gives them success after success, there is another very
powerful reason: they spend time in God’s presence.
When
we are truly in the presence of the Lord, and when we are truly taking account
of all He has done so we can praise Him, we can’t help but go from strength to
strength. In light of God’s greatness and goodness even my worst situation can
become our strength because we see God’s hand at work.
The
value the psalmist places on time with God is so great he easily says one day
as a measly grounds servant (a lowly position) would be better than a thousand
days spent anywhere else. Anywhere! It is evident this psalmist has tasted of
the Lord and determined that indeed, God is still the best choice ever.
JOURNALING AND
PRAYER
1. Ask the Lord to
reveal to your heart whether or not you truly long for heaven and the presence
of God. The Psalmist longs for the presence of God so much he feels it
physically. Ask the Lord what “symptoms” you have that show you are yearning
for heaven. Then ask Him to grow that desire to spend time with Him in His
presence every single day so your longing for heaven will grow even deeper and
stronger.
2. Think back to a
time when you were in a very distressing situation and after spending time in
God’s presence the very difficulty you were in became a powerfully
life-changing experience – a mountain top moment in the midst of the valley. Thank
God for being your strength during that time. Make a commitment to spend more
time in His presence and to be deliberate about living in His strength every
day, all day.
3. Ask the Lord what
stands in the way of your time with Him. The Psalmist would rather be in the
presence of God than anywhere else. Some of us would rather be in bed or
playing golf or even at work! Let the Holy Spirit reveal to you what needs to
happen in order to develop that deep longing to be in the Presence of the Lord.
Write down what the Holy Spirit tells you.
