Just for the record, I am thoroughly enjoying this time of digging into the Psalms.

The fasting situation has been a bit tough, but I’m holding on and feeling closer to God than I have in a while.

Today’s readings: Psalm 4, 44, 84 and 124

One of the first worship songs I ever learnt to play on the guitar was “Better is one day” by Matt Redman. It’s one of my most loved songs and it’s based on Psalm 84.

Verses 1 and 2 say:

“1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.”

What a beautiful Psalm. I love verse 2. It speaks of this deep yearning for God. We were created for Him, so naturally our very being cries out for Him.

Verse 10 says:

“Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”

Now, in my life, I don’t see this as being a literal place.

Back in the day God’s presence dwelt behind a curtain in the Holy of Holies in a temple, but when Jesus died that curtain was torn straight down the middle. We can now freely dwell with God wherever we are. His Holy Spirit is with us always. We are free to enter into His presence whenever we want to. What an amazing gift!

I desire and yearn for God, but I’m not going to sit in a church building all day and say it’s better to be in this church building because that is where the Lord dwells. The Lord is with me wherever I am. We are now all temples of the living God.

To me I see this verse as meaning that it’s better to be in communion with God, to live in his presence, to walk closely with Him than it is to live outside of his presence.

I desire to walk closer with Him everyday. I’m praying that He will teach me how to do this.

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