Series: Blessed Be
Psalm 84:1-2 ESV
*Psalm 84:8-13 ESV
Several years ago I learned about the importance of gratitude and recognizing our blessings. That doesn’t mean we are only grateful for our home and for the food we eat.
It means that we stop and recognize every blessing every minute of every day that comes our way.
Psalm 84 was written by the Sons of Korah who recognize the blessing of God.
The Sons of Korah were faithful sons mentioned in Exodus and Numbers. The Sons of Korah wrote Psalms 42, 44–49; 84; 85; 87; and 88.
In Psalm 84:1-2 they write:
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
The first thing we noticed is the careful attention the psalm writers give to the place where God resides. We are told, or reminded the dwelling place of God, which IS God is our ultimate hope and fulfillment.
We can long to be in God, to reside in God, and to find our peace as we sit with God.
I am personally reminded that years ago through a series of events and people I met ( including my personal Spiritual Director at the time) I became acquainted with the term, ‘Sit with God’. Some people refer to it as sitting in God, but whatever you choose to call it, call it good.
Sitting in or with God is not a place. It’s a way of being in and with the fullness of God.
Some people experience it as they sit in a crowded room filled with like-minded people they’ve known for years.
Still others find it atop a tall mountain as they sit with the birds and the small animals scattering about.
Many have a special spot near water whether that be a pond or a lake where they can go sit with God.
Because I’ve moved around from one church to another in different regions, I’Ve not been connected to a specific congregation for long periods of time.
I also do not live near the mountains. I don’t even have hills where I live.
There are no lakes or ponds nearby.
But, that doesn’t mean I cannot sit with God. All I need is a quiet spot. I do need to be in a spot where the television (or music from the radio or smartphone is turned off) and I like quiet. If other people are around they often want to talk and so I choose to sit in a secluded spot. I often sit with my dog because he does not interrupt.
; )
Years ago I used to sit with God late at night after the children were all tucked in for the night. We lived in a quiet small town and I had a back porch where I could sit without any interruptions. I loved sitting with God under the stars!
Years later I lived in a small city and there were car lights at night that interrupted my time with God. So, I started going outside very early in the morning before anyone else was awake. I watched the sun come up as I sat with God, immersed in the peace of God.
The point is that wherever we live and whatever the circumstance, we can find a quiet secluded place where we can experience the peace of God.
The Sons of Korah seem to understand the blessing and the importance of sitting with God.
In Psalm 84:8-12 they write:
“O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!
For a day in your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!”
Notice at the end of the first full line the word “Selah”
Selah in the psalms is a Hebrew word that means a pause, a rest, or a time to reflect and take in peace.
It’s a beautiful carefully placed word that has great meaning. It’s not a word to be taken lightly.
In this case the psalm writers make it clear that as they pause and reflect they realize the importance of the moment. The word that follows the time of reflection is “behold!”
It’s as if the psalm writers have really realized ‘God is our shield’.
The reflection reminded them that God protects and shields us wherever we go. In the next phrase they realize they have been noticed. The God of the heavens and the earth who resides everywhere all at once sees them and they know it is a holy set apart moment.
Consider what it’s like to be “seen” and loved by anyone, let alone creator God! Then the writers recognize one day is like a thousand elsewhere, and they are exactly where they want to be for God is sun and shield. God gives favor and honor. God does not withhold any good thing when we seek His face, and ALL who seek God will be blessed!
In that moment, we…you and I are blessed. We are not blessed because of our deeds or our good thoughts.
We are blessed because we took the time to sit with God, we pause, and we take in God.
In other words blessing is given simply because God loves us!
Spiritual Practice: Pray and Plan
Consider your way of sitting with God.
In God, Deborah