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Daily Devotion: Psalm 84:1-4

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Psalm 84:1-4  To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!  (2)  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.  (3)  Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.  (4)  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah."

There has been an empty place within mankind from the time of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden. Because of sin, we were separated from fellowship with God our Creator, our Heavenly Father. That separation left a void within us and humanity is constantly trying to find something to fill that empty place within us. Verse 2 begins with three words that describe this empty place: "My soul longeth...."  People go from place to place trying this, that, or the other in order to find contentment. They look to the world to find peace and acceptance only to find out that society is a place of takers rather than givers. Billions of dollars are spent on things such as alcohol, drugs, sports, and all other kinds of recreational activities. Yes, there is a longing within us that can only be filled by one source.

"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." Only God can fill that place. We do ourselves a great justice when we are brought to that understanding.  The Psalmist declares to us the place where contentment and fulfillment reside and that place is found only in the presence of the Lord God Almighty. Through the blood of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to walk in fellowship with our Heavenly Father. Jesus said He came to "seek and to save that which was lost." Yes, we can apply that to His people. The Angel told Joseph, "She shall bring forth a Son and He shall save His people from their sins." But in that salvation, we find fellowship restored. The separation of fellowship with God which was lost has been restored through the work of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and by His grace we can dwell in Him. Even the sparrows "... lay her young at thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God." The sparrows find peace, comfort, and shelter in the arms of God. Not one sparrow shall "... fall on the ground without your Father. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7) Yes, only in our Heavenly Father can that void within us be filled.

Sheltered in the Arms of God by Dottie Rambo

I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender. They′re leading me in paths that I must trod.
I'll have no fear when Jesus walks beside me For I′m sheltered in the arms of God.

So let the storms rage high, The dark clouds rise, They won't worry me;
For I′m sheltered safe within the arms of God.
He walks with me, And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I'm sheltered in the arms of God

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