areliablefaith

Psalms 82-82 Romans 2. I like the image that comes to mind when I read Psalm 84:10. ‘Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.’ The picture is one of joyful exuberance as I swing the door wide to welcome people – young and old, excited and exhausted, some that look like me and many who look nothing like me, multi-colored, varieties of dress, just lots of people who are drawn to be near the Lord God Almighty.

I can clearly see the smile on my face and the joy in my eyes as I know Who awaits them inside. Many streaming in already know Him and have an abiding relationship with the Lover of their soul. Some do not, but they have hope and so they come. God, who is Love, has brought them to the doors of faith and He is ready to meet them where they are and draw them to Himself.

There is historical context to this Psalm that is helpful to know. The Jewish people had three high feast days when it was expected that they would travel to Jerusalem to worship as God’s gathered people. For a time, God placed a unique manifestation of His presence in the Temple. While God is omnipresent, i.e. present in all places at all times, He can and does chose to manifest His presence in a more tangible way in discrete places for periods of time. He can do this in human form like He did in Babylon in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abenego, He can do it like He did with the Ark of the Covenant, or He can do it like He did in the Temple in Jerusalem as a cloud. The point is God is both always present and, at times, manifestly present. To come to the Temple is to say, I want to be as close to the Lord as I possibly can. And that is a good thing.

One final thought. Standing at the door we get to experience God’s presence while at the same time extending His invitation to others who have not experienced Him. Being in His presence and soaking up His lovingkindness does wonders for us, but it is also meant to motivate us to share it with others. God’s love in contagious in the most wonderful way. We work in concert with the Holy Spirit as we do life with others, taking the opportunities presented to point to Him, to speak of Him, to live in a manner that represents Him well. As we do, we are swinging the door wide and offering the invitation, “Come inside, the LORD invites you to join Him. He is so glad you came!”

LORD, you are Holy. That you invite us to join you is wonderful, amazing, and a bit surprising. But through your Son, Jesus, you made a way that we can enter in. You offered cleansing from sin by His precious blood spilled on our behalf. So, with gratitude and in great humility we bend the knee and say, “thank you”. While we rightfully should remain in this posture, you reach down and lift us up, saying, “Arise my child, your sins are forgiven. Come join the celebration!” And we do. Glory, honor, and praise be ever to our King, our Lord, the one true God. Amen and AMEN!