PSALM 84. For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

Theme: God's living presence is our greatest joy. His radiant presence helps us grow in strength, grace and glory.

Author: The sons of Korah (temple assisstants)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/84.html

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, 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. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. 9 Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 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. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Study Notes:

84:1, 4 The writer longed to get away from the bustling world to meet God inside his dwelling place, his holy temple. We can meet God anywhere, at any time. But we know that going into a church building can help us step aside from the busy mainstream of life so we can quietly meditate and pray. We find joy not only in the beautiful building but also in the prayers, music, lessons, sermons, and fellowship.

84:5-7 The pilgrimage to the temple passed through the barren Valley of Baca. No specific valley has been identified with Baca. Because Baca can mean "weeping," it may have been a symbolic reference to the times of struggles and tears through which people must pass on their way to meet God. Growing strong in God's presence is often proceeded by a journey through barren places in our lives. The person who loves to spend time with God will see his or her adversity as an opportunity to re-experience God's faithfulness. If you are walking through your own valley of Baca today, be sure your pilgrimage leads towards God, not away from him.

84:11 God does not promise to give us everything we think is good, but he will not withhold what is permanently good. He will give us the means to walk along his paths, but we must do the walking. When we obey him, he will not hold anything back that will help us serve him.

Mark Brnovich is in my prayers this morning. I asked God to strengthen him, to guide and protect him. I thanked God for him and for the work that God does through him and all the AZ Audit Patriots. They and others around the world are demonstrating how to walk the difficult paths of truth. I still don't understand why it has to be so difficult. But God overcomes the resistance with persistence.

Almighty God, thank you for your presence in all situations and places. Thank you for helping us see clearly your paths. Thank you for showing us the Way and the Truth. May we choose to walk firmly and fairly with integrity on your paths of righteousness. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

A Song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aQqS1rR_05g

Have a blessed day.