How Blessed it is to Dwell in The House of God

O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! –

Psalm 84:12

Do you have something that you long for with intensity, a desire of your heart? The psalmist for today was seemingly in exile. His greatest desire was to be able to worship the Lord in the holy city of Jerusalem. The sparrows built their nests in the courts of the tabernacle and thus lived in God’s presence. The priests were blessed because they were able to dwell in God’s house “ever singing [God’s] praise.” To the psalmist, “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:4, 10).

To yearn to be in the temple was to yearn for the living God Himself. For one who thirsts for Him, God is a shield of protection. He is the Lord of Hosts, having all power in heaven and earth, who is able to supply strength to all who rely upon Him. He is the “Sun” to light your way and guide you so you neither veer to the left nor to the right. The Lord bestows favor and honor, withholding no good thing from those who walk uprightly (vs. 11). Blessed is the one who trusts in Him (vs. 12).

Blessed are those who put their confidence in God. Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote, “If we cannot go to the house of the Lord, we may go by faith to the Lord of the house.” How can you express your gratitude today for the blessing of His constant presence? Let your heart overflow with thanksgiving. Christ has come; if you know Him and believe, His Spirit lives within you!