In 1995, Greg Maddox, the pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, won the Cy Young award for an unprecedented 4th time. The Cy Young award is given to the outstanding pitcher in each league. When he received his 3rd Cy Young award, Maddux reflected and said, “It’s very exciting! You always set goals, but to win a Cy Young, or three of them, was never a goal. Anytime you exceed your expectations, it’s more gratifying.”
Heaven is going to exceed our expectations. The blessings that God gives us should exceed our expectations on a regular basis. Our worship is a result of our faith that God serves our time and our adoration.
Do you love worshipping God as much as Jesus did?
Do you love worshipping God as much as David did?
Do you love worshipping God as much as the sons of Korah did? The sons of Korah were descendants of Levi whom David appointed over the worship in the temple of God. Psalm 84 is written by a son of Korah and it seems to be a call to Israel to come worship God and in the temple of God. Let’s compare our hearts and our love for worship to the thoughts shared here.
THERE IS STRENGTH FOR THOSE WHO DWELL IN GOD’S HOUSE – 84:1-4:
First, the psalmist praises the loveliness of God’s dwelling places. Wherever God is, there is beauty. Because of the loveliness of God’s dwelling places, the psalmist wants to be there with all that he is. His soul “longs” to be there. He “yearns” to be in the courts of the Lord. His heart, his flesh sing for joy to the living God, in contrast to the dead or non-living idols which the pagans around would worship.
THERE IS STRENGTH FOR THOSE WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN GOD – 84:5-8:
Where do we find our strength? Is it in our spouse? A friend? Children? Even the church? Human beings will fail us. I hesitate to say they “always will,” but there are failures in humanity. You know the expression “to err is human, to forgive divine.” “To err is human.” That’s why we need to find our source of strength in our God.
The one whose strength is in God will find that strength. Jesus Christ is our “way” to God, correct? John 14:6. He is the “highway to holiness.” We find strength living in Jesus Christ and absorbing His teachings and His promises into our minds, our hearts, our lives.
THERE IS STRENGTH FOR THOSE WHO TRUST IN GOD – 84:9-12:
In verse 10, the psalmist states that a day in God’s presence is better than 1,000 days outside of God’s presence. Isn’t there truth in that!? Where would we rather be than in worship to God? What is more fulfilling that worshipping God? What has better long-term repercussions, especially into eternity, than worshipping God? We should never say there is no value in worshipping God. There is value in worshipping God every minute of every day of every year. How could we ever think that there is no value to studying God’s word for one more hour? Praying to God for one more hour? Singing praises to God for one more hour? Having fellowship with others of God’s family for one more hour?
The psalmist in fact says that he would rather stand on the threshold of the temple than dwell in the tents of wickedness. He would rather be barely into the place of worship, barely into the presence of God, than be in the tents of the wicked. Where would we rather be?
If you trust God, you will find strength. If you trust yourself, you will find failure, doubt, fear.
Dwell in God’s house, find strength from Him, and trust Him.
Paul Holland