My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2
It’s important we understand the reason why God the Father sent His one and only Son. It’s easy for us to focus almost solely on the forgiveness of God or the removal of the stain of sin, probably because each of us is keenly aware of our weakness before God. Though the journey of sanctification might start with a revelation of God’s love toward us in His forgiveness, it was never meant to end there. Jesus didn’t just come only to forgive us for our sins. That alone would’ve been much more than we deserve, and that forgiveness alone is breathtaking. What’s even more incredible is that the forgiveness of God is unto His purpose that he “set forth in Christ as a plan to unite all things back unto Himself.” (Eph. 1:10) God’s plan for us is not just forgiveness but habitation. He wants to teach us now by His Spirit how to be dwelling places of the living God. “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place”
Here in this beautiful Psalm, we see David’s heart after God’s dwelling presence. Remember David was writing these words long before the coming of Jesus, so here in a time of the old covenant, a time of types and shadows, a time of sacrifices and priests, here in the middle of this time, David sings about the Dwelling Place of the Lord Of Hosts. You and I are now in the time of the New Covenant, where Jesus the final High Priest has entered into the Holy Of Holies once and for all on our behalf to fulfill the Father’s purpose, to unite us back unto Himself. Jesus even prays in John 17. An almost incomprehensible prayer to the Father, “that they may be one even as You and I are one.” What would our day look like if we were to receive God’s invitation by the blood of Jesus and by His Spirit to live as His dwelling place? To live as His temple? For we are His image bearers in the world. His children. “To any who believed in Him, He gave them the right to be called children of God.” John 1:12
And if we ask, how are we to know where our hearts are, the answer is just as simple – everything which hinders us from loving God above all things and acts as a barrier between ourselves and our obedience to Jesus is our treasure, and the place where our heart is. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Reflection: The psalmist’s whole being, soul, heart, and flesh—longed for the privilege of being in the presence of the living God. What is it that you long for? In what specific ways do your heart (mind, will, and emotions) and flesh (physical body) cry out for the living God? 1. Heart (example: peace, forgiveness) 2. Flesh (example: rest in His presence, expressive praise) God’s Command.
Prayer: Lord, I enter into your presence and come before you with an open heart, longing to connect with you, my true source. In your presence, I find empowering strength for every circumstance and every relationship. You never leave me to figure anything out on my own. You are my wisdom, my teacher, my guide, and my strength. You are it, God, the source of my very life. Nothing else on this side of heaven compares to the beauty of communing with you. There is abundance of life in fellowship with your Spirit. I come alive in this holy exchange. You take my weariness, and you lift my burdens as I offer you praise and honor. You have my attention, Lord, for it is in you that I find the depths of my longings fulfilled. No one else can compare to the pure love that you offer. Who else can call the dead to life? Who can take the ashes of my defeat and bring beauty out of them? Only you, Father! I will not hold myself back from you today, for it is in the light of your face that I find my true place. I belong to you and with you. Oh, how I love you!
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