READING:
One-year plan: Psalms 80-87
Two-year plan: Proverbs 27-28, Galatians 1:1-10
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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 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.
I first wrote some of these words for a devotion in 2019, but more than five years later, I still wish I had the psalmist’s level of longing for God. I wish I were more intentionally grateful for the opportunity we have to meet God in worship. Even at age 64, I have much room for growth.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you cry out for the living God?
PRAYER: “God, I cry out for You today.”
TOMORROW’S READING:
One-year plan: Psalms 88-94
Two-year plan: Proverbs 29-30, Galatians 1:11-24
MEMORIZATION VERSE (June 16-30)
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Psa 19:14)