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Devotion - August 10, 2012
Devotion - August 10, 2012
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. 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. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:10-12
A Better Place; A Gracious God
What would you choose? One day in God’s house or a thousand days at Disneyland. One day in God’s house or a thousand days seeing the most beautiful sights of your homeland. One day in God’s house or a thousand days visiting the wonders of the world. One day in God’s house or a thousand days exploring the universe. One day in God’s house or…
There are a lot of places I would like to see. There are a lot of things I would like to do. Yet the Psalmist helps me keep it all in perspective: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” There are many wonderful, beautiful things in this world—things created by God and untouched by human hands, and things fashioned by human hands from the things God created. I could spend a lifetime seeking them, finding them, enjoying them. But there is still this perspective: None of them is better than spending time with God himself!
The devil, the sinful world, and my own sinful flesh want to convince me otherwise. They tell me I will be happy (blessed) if I go where God has told me not to go, if I do what I know I should not do. If I satisfy my sinful desire, if I indulge my sinful urges, if I lose this silly concern about what others (including God) think, if I stop stressing about how my life impacts others (including my relationship with God)—then I will be happy.
But the Psalmist says, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Why?
The Lord God is a sun; he provides light, warmth, life for you. The Lord God is a shield; he protects you and keeps you safe. The Lord bestows favor and honor on you. He lifts you up from the depths of despair. He assures you of forgiveness through the blood of his Son, Jesus. He makes you his child and guarantees an eternal inheritance kept for you in heaven. He calls you into his service and gives you important work to do. In the good times, in the challenging times, at all times—he embraces you with his love. No good thing does he withhold from the one who walks with him. The one who trusts in him is blessed. Truly, eternally blessed!
There is nothing better than spending time with your gracious God.
Prayer:
Lord God, you have surrounded me with countless blessings, some of which you have given me the privilege of enjoying. Help me maintain a proper perspective. Help me remember that nothing is better than spending time with you now, my gracious God, and when I will spend eternity with you in heaven. Amen.
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
