READING: Psalms 84-88, 1 Corinthians 2:1-3:4
The words of the psalmist in psalm 84 challenge me today. He was amazed that he could actually meet God in the place of worship. He who is the omnipotent One invited worshipers into his presence, and happy were those followers who “hung around” the temple.
Indeed, the psalmist’s words reveal his deep, heartfelt passion to be with God: “I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God” (Psa 84:2). He piles up the compounding verbs – “long, yearn, cry out” – to reflect his heart, and all of his being is wrapped up in that longing. It’s as if he cannot contain his emotions, and the intensity of his desire is almost impossible to put into words.
How I wish I longed for God the same way! I fear that I sometimes take my access to Him for granted, and I forget the miraculous grace of God that welcomes us to His temple and into His presence. My prayer today is that God will increase my longing for Him.
PRAYER: “God, please bring me to the place where I’d truly rather have one day in Your house than a thousand elsewhere.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 89-90, 1 Corinthians 3:5-4:5