Psalm 84 [To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.] 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. 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. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
I rather be doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Notice that David called the tabernacle the courts of the Lord. Think about this from the standpoint of a king's court. Even though the tabernacle was a tent, he referred to it as if the courts were the foyer of a palace.
In reference to the first part on this subject, verses 1-4 show the consideration David had of God's house. He saw it as attractive and had not lost his feeling for it. God help us to retain that insight.
He was excited to come. He used the word fainteth for it. He said my soul longeth for it. How excited are we at coming to church? Do we want to know who will be here or who is preaching before we decide? Is the kind of mood we're in a factor in our decision to attend? Remember we won't have to worry about being in church a year or six months from now if we retain our excitement about coming.
Notice where we are and where we belong. The word dwell is used to signify that he belonged there. This church is ours even though services are not going on. Those that dwell in church and embrace God's house go from strength to strength. There is an upward progress; we draw strength from the house of God. There are strong forces outside; we need strength to survive.
Everyone who comes appeareth before God. The Lord is here; therefore we appear before him when we enter the church to worship. When we pray or read our Bible we are before the Lord. It is not our attitude that makes this the house of God. This is the house of God. IT IS IN OUR PERCEPTION of the church that is the factor that hinders. Too often God is not recognized in his own house.
David had three preferences in his value of God's house. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. David preferred the time he spent in God's house more than any other. We think he meant any other day. It could mean any amount of time, not just a day. Think of it though. One day at God's house was more important than a thousand more. There is no comparison to the time in God's house. He was more excited and preferred that more than anything else. Are we that way? Do we appreciate (prefer) God's house? He called it the house of my God. You can't beat God's house!
He preferred God's work over his work as king. He'd rather be a doorkeeper than to dwell in the tents of the wicked. What he did at the house of God was very important to him.
He also preferred the position he had in God's house more than any other position. Remember he was not the king when it came to being in God's house. He preferred his
position in the tabernacle over that of king. Every position is
important from the doorkeeper to being front and center. That was more important to him than being the king. Never elevate a position in your private life above your position in the house of God. Whether your position is in that church pew or a teacher or singer or even the preacher, that position must be more important. Remember to whom much is given, much is required. You may be important in roles outside of the church, but in God's house all are important. We don't have to worry about downsizing or losing our position. We are not much of a Christian if we don't uphold and enjoy our position in God's house.
What attracts us? What demands our time? Are we giving God, his house, and our position here time in our lives? You cannot be faithful in the "big" things until you're faithful in the "little" things.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 