Psalm 84 Part 5
It is good to be reminded that “ The entrance of Your words gives light” (Psalm 119: 130), Reading God’s word can have such a powerful impact on our lives if we allow God’s inspiration to change us. Psalm 84 is no exception, the words of this ‘song’ are so inspirational and challenging. Verse 10 has had that effect on me when it says “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand of my own choosing, I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked”. NLT “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of the Lord than live a good life in the homes of the wicked”. This verse challenges us to the core of what we believe and experience. Is loving God worth it? Do I think at times it is not worth belonging to Jesus? I believe it is so good from time to time to stop and assess the way that we are living, there is a great danger that we can allow loving God to become routine and there is no fresh experience in the Lord. We are reminded in Luke 8:14 that if we are not careful the cares, riches and pleasures of life can choke our love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is not something that happens at once but something that happens to us when other things become more important to us than loving the Lord with all our strength. This verse highlights the value we place on living God’s way. The first thing that this verse says is that one day in God’s courts is better than a thousand pleasing me. We need to stop and look at the reality of this – one day versus one thousand, for what happens on that day must be so outstanding to be considered. It talks about being the courts of our God – the courts of our God are the place where He has absolute dominion – none can challenge what He says and does. In this season of COVD19, I see so many people being tempted to believe that they have a right and the government cannot tell them what to do. This is a very dangerous thought to harbour because it suggests that I am better off when I am in control. We need to pause and be reminded it is far better when we are experiencing God in control of our lives. The verse goes on to say that “I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness”. The first thing that this verse suggests is that being a doorkeeper is not a very glamorous job. The key statement is that the door is in the house of my God, this explains the significance of the position – my God is so wonderful, I have such satisfaction and pleasure when I am experiencing a personal relationship with my God. We must realise that the world has nothing to offer us compared with our relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. May we always be on guard to stop anything from coming into our lives and tricking us into to stop putting Jesus first in our lives.