Corona Devo 1697

Have you ever been there, in His courts?  In the dwelling place of the Lord Almighty?

Oh, it's lovely.  And although it sounds faraway and impossible to get-to or attain, it's not.  His courts are not an everyday place to visit (at least for me).  But we can get there.  Indeed, God has made it possible, but our strength must be in Him, and not ourselves or our own devices.  

We must have our hearts set on Him, and on the daily pilgrimage to get to Him and His courts.   Pilgrimage is a perfect word too.  Seeking our Savior's courts is a journey, and we (for the most part), we must trek it alone.  We learn from others about the journey-to-Jesus, but making that voyage--it's up to us.  It's a pilgrimage that each man or woman must decide-for-themselves to set out upon, and to engage in...daily.

But if we will try and meet/reach/worship/glorify/obey the Lord, then He goes with us.  He takes us from strength to strength.  From the moments and days and seasons of no strength...to the brief but beautiful moments of strength: God takes us and we go from strength to strength with Him, and we know it when we are in his courts.

There is peace in our hearts when we are there in his courts.  We might be gazing at sunset or in the middle of throngs of people, but we know when we're in tune with the King and standing in His courts, because we'd rather be there than anywhere.  It's better to have one day there, than a thousand in riches of purposelessness, or crowds of superficiality.  

Yes, 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 (Psalm 84:10). 

Yes, His courts are accessible, but our walk must be blameless, and so many (most!) days we don't enter, but sometimes we do, and Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you (Psalm 84:12).

~~~

(1) How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!  

(2) My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  

(3) Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 

(4) Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.  

(5) Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. (6) As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 

(7) They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.  

(8) Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. (9) Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

(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.  

(11) For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  

(12) Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.  ~Psalm 84:1-12

~~~

Where are His courts?  

Anywhere and everywhere.  

His courts are on the tarmac at sunrise.  His courts are around the supper table with spouse, family, or friends.  His courts are in the first cup of coffee and open pages of the Bible and to His leading for our day.  His courts are behind bars in the prison ministries.  His courts are nursing home visits to the bedridden.  His courts are in Sunday school classrooms and pre-game prayers.  His courts are assisting with disaster relief and relaxing on the beach in paradise.  His courts are in the workplace/the marketplace/ and in our own personal space.  His courts are everywhere that we meet and connect and vibe with Him, and How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!  Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere (Psalm 84:1, 10).  

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com