The life-altering view of God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 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."

This psalm, of the sons of Korah, focuses on the beauty of God's "dwelling place." It starts with the beautiful observation in verses 1-4,

"How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
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.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you."

These are clearly the reflections of one who has had a glimpse of God, who has taken David's words to heart, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8. Psalm 84 is not written by someone who has learned of God from a distance, who has failed to avail himself of all God has provided us in knowing him.

When one claims his "soul yearns, even faints" for something, it is clearly heartfelt. It is one thing to hear of something and then repeat the matter, it is quite another to go and witness it, to be impacted by it, to have a life-altering experience by it. This is what I see in this psalm. A man who has seen the dwelling place of God which has altered his life. I take from this that the author of this psalm has not literally seen God as we normally see things, as John tells us in 1 John 4:12, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 

However, God has left us the revelation of himself in his word, and when one avails himself of that, he then can see God as he interacts within his creation, as he interacts with us. Within the Scriptures we have revealed to us God's magnificent character and nature. We see his abounding love, his frightful justice on display. We read of the amazing things he has done. We are told that Scripture is God-breathed in 2 Timothy 3:16. As believers spend time in God's word, the Holy Spirit brings it to life within our hearts and we begin to behold God in all of his many-splendored perfections, a view that is simply life-transforming. This is what I see taking place in the life of our psalmist in the magnificent Psalm 84.

We all have that some opportunity! Why not avail ourselves of it today?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com