'How amiable are thy tabernacles....'

"How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." Psalm 84:1-2 (Read 1-12)

There was a day when the thought of going to church and spending an hour or more hearing God's Word and worshiping wasn't my favorite thing to do. In fact, I was often glad when the service was over and I could go out into the world and do other things I considered more fun and enjoyable. Perhaps many of you can relate to that as well.

And what about heaven? The thought of standing around the throne and offering up worship and praise forever and ever -- well, it sounded better than the alternative but wasn't necessarily all that appealing.

But something happened to change all that. Now God's house (or tabernacle) is a lovable place to be. Instead of being glad when worship is over and it's time to go back out into the world, it's kind of sad. It's wonderful to be in the presence of the LORD God, to hear His Word and to offer up worship and praise. And how wonderful it will be to dwell forever in the house of the LORD -- to never have to stop praising His name and giving Him the glory!

With the psalmist, I can say: "How amiable [are] thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God ... A day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."

What changed? By the grace and mercy of God, I've come to see the futility of this world and its ways and the beauty of the LORD -- how He in love redeemed me from sin and death and vanity through the innocent sufferings and death of the Son. I've come to see that we were created and redeemed to give God glory and praise in all we do. In the world there is emptiness and futility and death. In God's house is grace and glory and life in our Lord Jesus Christ.

And what a blessing to walk in fellowship with God our maker through the shed blood of Jesus! What a blessing to be accepted of Him and to dwell in His presence! What a blessing to live for Him and praise His name forever!

O gracious and merciful God, grant that I may love Your house and dwell in Your presence forevermore, all for Jesus' sake. Amen.

[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible. More devotions at www.goodshepherdrogers.org.]