THE QUEST FOR GOD (Part 17).
Psalm 84. Verses 1 – 3 read:
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 a 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.
Psalm 84 was written by the sons of Korah, who were Levites. Korah, their father, was a leader in the community of Israel. It is on record that Korah rebelled against Moses along with Dathan, Abiram, and two hundred and fifty co-conspirators. Refer to Numbers 16. In an interesting twist, by the time of David, the sons or descendants of Korah had established themselves as temple attendants and musicians in the temple of God. Like the sons of Korah, anyone who passionately follows the Lord will be drawn from rebellion to the place of intimacy with God and noble service.
Today’s text begins with a statement of admiration from the sons of Korah regarding the tabernacle or abode of God. The beauty of God’s presence created a craving in their souls for God. Indeed, they fainted for the courts of the Lord. If only believers can behold and focus on the glory of God’s presence, we will have a deep longing, which will translate into an encounter and walk with God. The craving of the sons of Korah for God was so deep that their hearts or spirits and flesh or body cried out to the living God. Everything within them craved for God.
One of the key lessons the sons of Korah learnt was how lesser creatures of God, specifically birds, made their abode in the presence of God. According to today’s text, both the sparrow and swallow had found a place where they laid their nest for themselves and their young, near God’s altar. If creatures that are less endowed by God find God’s abode a priority, then men who are created in God’s image and likeness must do better. It all begins with having a picture of the glory of God’s presence and passionately pursuing it.
SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏