JOY COMES THROUGH INTIMACY WITH GOD

May 4, 2017

JOY COMES THROUGH INTIMACY WITH GOD

Psalm 84

Kristen Fraser

Central Truth

God planted the desire for more of Him in believers' hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We miss out on soul-satisfying worship of the living God on this side of heaven if we don't spend time getting to know Him personally. Only knowing about God robs us of the abundant life Jesus promises (John 10:10).

For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
(Psalm 84:10)

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the LORD

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.^{1

84:1
Probably a musical or liturgical term} A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
    for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
    my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.^{2

84:5
Hebrew lacks to Zion}
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
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 bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Footnotes

[1] 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
[2] 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion

Do you agree with this verse? Do you truly desire to be in God’s presence above ANYTHING else? If I am honest, there are days when my head would say, “Yes,” but my heart would be given to other desires, like marriage, control, success at work, etc. What is it for you? More money? The next promotion? Controlling your secret sin? The desire for marriage or children? It’s hard to respond “Yes” unless you personally know this God and have given your life to Him. The world fights for our hearts, and the enemy attacks with distraction. These desires are not bad things unless they become more important to us than the Lord. God says to worship Him alone.

Before Christ and the New Covenant at the Resurrection, people had to go to the temple, journeying many miles, to experience God’s presence. Now we have the precious gift of always being in God’s presence through the gift of the Holy Spirit inside every believer. He will never leave nor forsake us! There is a distinct difference in knowing about God versus knowing Him personally. Jesus invites us to have a personal relationship with Him by abiding with Him (John 15:5). We can have life in abundance now. He wants our entire heart, not just our leftovers.

Understanding God’s character allows us to know Him. Some of my favorites:

God’s promises are true; He cannot lie. (Hebrews 6:18)
God never changes. (Malachi 3:6)
God is for us. (Romans 8:31)
Jesus is the way, truth and life. (John 14:6)
God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, rich in love. (Psalm 145:8)

These truths humble me to worship and praise Him for who He is. Time spent with God makes us look radiant (Psalm 34:5), looking more like Jesus and less like the world. Jesus knocks on the door of our lives . . . have you responded?

Let’s not waste our days with worldly distractions when the God of the universe says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). In His presence, there is fullness of joy.

1. Pick one truth about God’s character—either from the list above or from one you found in Scripture—and reflect on how this truth impacts your relationship with Him.

2. Examine your heart. Is there anything you desire more than God? If so, confess it to Him now, and ask Him to help you worship Him alone.

3. What does eternity mean to you? Can you say with confidence that you are heaven-bound because of Christ? Why or why not?