My soul yearns, even faints . . . my heart cries out for the living God. (Psalm 84:1,2)
The Word says that we are happy (blessed) when we dwell in that place – His dwelling place – that of The Lord Almighty.
In a previous article, (Click here) I’ve written about discovering what I thought could be a perfect secret place – or dwelling place of the Lord. But of course, the very place I wrote about represents my imagination. His lovely dwelling place is even more accessible – more available – more open to me than I could ever imagine. It’s a place where, as the Bible says, I am ever praising God.
“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:4,5)
It’s a place where, if my heart is set, He provides the strength to take me through each part of my pilgrimage,
“As they pass through the Valley of [Balsam trees], they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength. . .”
It’s a place where He stands beside me and gives me strength.
It’s a place where I am blessed (happy).
Yes, my soul yearns for Him – yearns to be in His dwelling place. And all I need do is set my heart, going from strength to strength.
Not coincidentally, throughout most of the last two years, since I wrote “I’m a Constant Guest in the Secret Place,” (linked above), God has shown me exactly how He leads me from strength to strength in my pilgrimage. Passing through valleys, He provided the “springs and rains” – the vision – the prophetic Word – and the sustenance, the very essence of Himself: The Bread of Life and The Living Water. When my strength was insufficient, He made it sufficient. When I sank, He reached for me, lifting me up. When I could not compose even a simple prayer in my storm-tossed mind, He held me close to Himself with His Word, hidden in my heart. In my deepest despair, He took me from one mount of strength to the next. I grasped the meaning of strength to strength, and even in my desperation, I recognized the Blessedness He promises.
Yes, His dwelling place is lovely, as the Psalmist writes.
Join me in setting your heart on it.
I’ll write more tomorrow – during “This Time of Reflection.”
Kathi
From Psalm 84
Click here to read the previous – and first – post of this series.
Click here to read the next post in the series, Lent: This Time of Reflection.
