“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.” As I began to unpack Psalm 84, I took each of these words, one-by-one, and I placed emphasis on each of the different words. By the time I got to the end of the second verse, I’m joyfully shouting to the living God with my entire being. It’s a song for stringed instruments, so I’m playing this song on my guitar, singing it until I experience what the psalmist wrote, “How happy are those who live in your house, always singing your praises. Happy are those who are strong in the LORD, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.” (v 4, 5)
Then I realized that God sent His Spirit to dwell within the hearts of those who believe. I’m a dwelling place of the LORD Almighty! He came and made His home in my heart. That is why the Apostle Paul prayed that Christ would be more and more at home in our hearts as we live by faith and become rooted in His love. (Ephesians 4) When our hearts and minds and bodies become increasingly full of His living, loving presence, we begin to see, feel, taste, touch, and smell the aroma of His presence within and all around us. And it keeps taking new expressions every day.
When we’re looking for fresh expressions of God’s Spirit, His dwelling places are everywhere. In fact, I’m going to just begin to list some of the “How lovely places” I’ve already experienced the LORD Almighty dwelling this summer. Maybe you can start sharing your “How Lovely” places with those around you.
Camp Bethany**Purple flower allegories***Answer to prayer pool balls***Supper delivered by friends**Visions & dreams***Purple flower photographs***Foster and adoptive families who make room for God’s beloved, hurting children***Bing cherries delivered from my mother***Young adults who can’t seem to get enough of loving God and people***Biking & kayaking with my dear friend***Questions that cut right to the heart***Kids’ sand tray stories***Tears***Smiles***Songs***Charcoal Talking Tool pictures***Silence***Listening friends***Tim Hortons***Homes***Strawberry pie***Playing with children***Stories shared by seniors***In the sky***In Scripture***My wife’s loving actions***Text messages***Homemade concord grape popsicles***Letters and cards in the mail***Prayer***
Psalm 84 closes with these words, “For the LORD God is our light and protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what is right. O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.” (v 11, 12) These words cause the Curious George in me to wonder, “Where is God going to shed His light next for us to see His goodness?” “How many ways in God protecting us, and we cannot even recognize it?” “How will He grace us next?” “What does it even mean that He will give us glory?” “What is He going to give us next?” I’m full of anticipation.
Will we trust God and take Him at His word?
How lovely are God’s dwelling places in your life?
Where will He show up next in your life?
What are you longing for?