A Reflection on Psalm 84

My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. - vs 2 NKJV 
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. - vs 5 NKJV 
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly. - vs 11 NKJV 
O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You! - vs 12 NKJV

My heart and flesh cry out for the living God. As I reflect on these words of Scripture, I can say they are truer now than ever before.

Until Jesus becomes our Bread of Life and our Living Water, we will keep hungering for things of this world, and thirsting, in dissatisfaction. Because it’s true—even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest to lay her young. But we were made for more.

The longings from deep within will never be fully settled and satisfied this side of eternity.
Our innermost being was created for communion with God.

Indeed, the Holy Spirit is a gift. He’s our Comforter and Counsellor as we walk this road called life.
But there are so many distractions, temptations, and illusions bent on separating us from the intimacy we so crave.

We are blessed when our strength is found in God alone and when our hearts are set on pilgrimage. Why?

Being nourished by Jesus is the fulfillment of our spirit’s longings, even as pilgrims still not quite home. (Read more about this pilgrimage here.)

When all we crave is Jesus, we have all we need.

It’s a backwards thought for our self-sufficient, consumer-based culture. But, heightened unrest, anxiety, fear, and despair that have accompanied our advanced lifestyles only further evidence this phenomenon as being true.

Look away! Away from the false hopes that offer pleasure, peace, and prosperity.
They are lies, set to steal, kill, and destroy our spirit.

God is our sun and our shield.

He’s our light, illuminating the darkness with hope, clarity, and truth.

The psalmist also says that God’s Word is a “lamp for our feet and a light to our path.“

He makes our paths straight through His Word.
But how can that be, unless we know the Scriptures by spending time in them! Confusion is eradicated by intentionally seeking and discerning the Scriptures.

God is our shield, a sure defense when we choose to stand in faith.

What would it look like to not be moved when the storms rage?
What would it feel like to be completely confident; assured of God’s presence, provision, and care?

To know Him is to trust Him, and we know God through His Word.
Blessed is the one who trusts in Him. No good thing will be withheld.

Cravings stem from a feeling of lack.

BUT:

• When our eyes are seeing clearly
• When our feet are walking uprightly
• When our hearts are trusting fully

There is no lack.

That’s a blessed life.
That’s an abundant life.
That’s the life that Jesus bought for us, and it’s waiting to be claimed with humility and victory!