The Dwelling Place of God

 

O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 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. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! (Psalm 84:1-4 ESV).

 

Our reading today describes a person whose soul yearns for the “courts of the Lord” (v. 1). Often this reading is used incorrectly to urge people to be in a church building for worship activities. While it is always profitable to be in community with other believers to worship, study, and fellowship, this is not the central focus of the writer. The key is in the second verse. He mentions the sparrows and swallows who find a safe place to nest. That place is at “the altar” of the Lord. The strong emotions he uses give us an understanding of a similar instruction from Jesus in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6 ESV).

 

In this psalm, the writer praises the Lord for the beauty of His dwelling place. It’s a place where he can find rest, worship, and draw near to the Lord and be strengthened. In the writer’s day the only place that could be accomplished was at the Temple. God had restricted His presence to the Holy of Holies within the Temple. However, that changed with the death of Jesus. The barrier was ripped away and God’s Spirit was loosed into the heart and mind of every believer. The wonder of this act is that we no longer to make a literal pilgrimage to a geographical place to find this safe dwelling place.

 

I’ve watched the sparrows and swallow come and go with the seasons at our house. The sparrows often go back to same spots they have always gone. The swallows are especially fond of building their nests in the same corners and eaves of the house. I suppose that’s simply because they have found these places safe from predators and easily accessible. Make the connection. We now have the very presence of God living with us. The Holy Spirit has made our heart His home. Therefore, we take this safe dwelling place with us wherever we go. I admit that there are some places that feel more like the altar of God to me. I find it much easier to feel God sitting in a tree hunting, or drifting in a boat fishing; but, I am always with God, safe and secure. That knowledge gives me great comfort. When you learn this truth it will do the same for you. Long for it… thirst for it… hunger for it. You will find it!