Psalm 84

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 84

A Day in Your Courts

1 How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

9 O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You.
Psalm 84:1-2 and 9-12, NKJV

It's hard to reproduce only a part of the 84th Psalm. If you have the time, get your Bible out or go online and read the entire Psalm. I always feel like this Psalm is a refreshing oasis in the midst of Psalms dealing with the difficulties of our life.

Warning! Verses 9-12 are not politically correct! In our day it is politically correct to boost mankind up as the highest power. Because of this, our chief concern lies in getting the approval of those around us. Political figures worry about their approval ratings; actors, actresses, and models worry about maintaining their physical appearance to keep their popularity in their viewers' eyes. It would be totally unreasonable for most people to think that a day in God's courts is better than 1000 or that being a doorkeeper for God is better than living with the wicked.

What do we do? Don't get me wrong, it's not wrong to be beautiful, popular, rich, etc. The error lies in the heart attitude. What is more important to you; how does God fit into your life? If you find your faith lagging or your joy in Christ waning, spend some time praising God and reflecting on what He has done for you. Read some Psalms of praise and reflect on how they relate to you.

Pray today that God would give you a spirit of joy and praise in Him, and if you need it pray like David did, Restore to me the joy of my salvation.

Next: Psalm 85 - The Lord Will Give What is Good

More Devotions on the 84th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions

In God's Presence, verses 1-4

Heart for God, verses 5-7

Power of Prayer, verses 8-9

Better Than Life, verses 10-12