A Longing for God
Read Psalm 84 and ask yourself this question, “Do I long to be in God’s presence like the psalmist?” The Old Testament believer had to travel to the God’s temple in Jerusalem to worship Him. The psalmist “longs,” and “yearns” for the courts of YHWH (2).
The psalmist finds the greatest joy in his life in God Himself (2). He expresses his envy of the birds that are privileged to make their nests on the temple and the Levites who serve continually in the house of his king and his God (3). Brethren, we have the immense privilege of being able to worship the Lord anywhere and everywhere. God is with us and in us always and will never leave us or forsake us (Jn 14:17; Heb 13:5). We can go into God’s presence at any time by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus (Heb 10:19-20).
The psalmist shifts the scene to those that are on the highways making the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship (5-8). Those that seek the Lord are never disappointed. Even though they may go through dry places in their journey, God provides blessings to strengthen them (6-7). Those that truly trust God in faith will not fail to find Him (7). Brethren, God is near to those that seek Him (Jam 4:8).
The psalmist continues with his heartfelt desire to be in God’s presence. One day in God’s presence is better than a thousand elsewhere (10-11). The pleasures that the ungodly engage in do not allure him (10). Why? He says God is a light in darkness, He is a protector of His people, He gives grace, and exalts His saints (11). God withholds no good thing from His people. The Psalmist can rightly say, “how blessed is the person who trusts in You!”