March 13
March 13
Read: Psalm 84
Devotion:
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty.”
There is something so sacred about a home.
We know the feeling of going to our own place after a long day. It is where we can rest. It is where we are known. It is where we feel safe. We take care of it and fill it with memories because it matters to us.
Psalm 84 begins with that same feeling, but it is directed toward God. The writer is not just admiring a physical space. He is expressing love for being in God’s presence. “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord.” That language shows a deep desire. He knows that, like all of us, his heart needs God.
In the time this was written, people had to take time and effort to travel to the temple to worship. It was not easy, but they believed that it was worth it. They believed that being near God mattered more than staying comfortable.
That connects to costly discipleship. Following Jesus costs us something. It might cost us our time. It might cost us our pride. It might cost us some habits or distractions.
Choosing to pray, to forgive, to trust, or to obey is not always the most convenient choice, but the psalm reminds us that being with God is always worth it.
One of the most powerful lines in this psalm says, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” It means that one day with God is better than a whole lifetime without Him. Nothing compares to His presence. Not comfort; not even our own home could compare.
At the end, the psalm says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in you.” Trust is what makes God our true home. When we trust Him, we begin to see that He is our safety, our comfort, and our strength.
Lent is a time to slow down and ask what we are building our lives around. Where do we go when we need comfort? What fills our thoughts? Psalm 84 gently reminds us that our deepest sense of home is found in the Lord.
Earthly homes are beautiful gifts. But our truest dwelling place is with God Himself.
Reflect:
• When you think about “home,” what feelings come to mind? How might those same longings point you toward God?
• What is one practical way you can make space to dwell with the Lord this week?
Pray:
Lord, You are our dwelling place. Thank You for the gift of Your comforting presence. Create in me a deeper longing to be near You. Help me choose communion with You over comfort and convenience. Teach me that one day with You is better than a thousand elsewhere. Amen.