November 02nd, 2023

Psalms 84:1-2, 10 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God…10 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.
 
WHEN all is said. When all is done. What is the best thing to happen to you? According to the Sons of Korah – the psalm writers – the best thing above all things is to dwell in the courts of the Living God. Even if you would spend just one day there, you would never experience a place so grand and glorious as the dwelling place of the LORD Almighty. Do you eagerly anticipate your arrival there?
   We certainly hope you do. But you don’t have to wait until you die in the flesh to live in God’s glorious house. You can begin to experience his courts now. How is that possible?
   When Jesus talked to the crowds about John the Baptist, he said this amazing truth: “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28) Does that mean you, who are a Christian, are greater than John? John was a great prophet, considered the highest of any “Old Testament” prophet because he personally pointed to Jesus. And he baptized Jesus. This is extraordinary favor God granted John. Each of God’s true prophets longed to see the Messiah.
   But John’s greatness as a prophet is not as great as even the least in the Kingdom of God. “Kingdom of God” is the evident presence of God. Jesus announced, “The time has come,” he said. “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Then he went into people’s lives to welcome them into the Kingdom for a moment, an hour, a day. His disciples experienced kingdom living for three years. Wherever Jesus went, he demonstrated the glory of dwelling in God’s courts.
   How did people respond? The believers ran after him. They camped out awaiting his arrival in the hillsides, towns and villages. They pressed against him. They went hungry, so they could hear his teachings. They stood along the Sea of Galilee and also met Jesus in the desert. Why?
   They would rather spend one day with Jesus than to be anywhere else. The Lord Jesus loved them. They knew his healing. They head his teaching. The faithful knew one from God was among them. They responded with great joy.
   John was born of man. As a Christian you are born again. “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3) Your dwelling place in the Lord’s courts begins to take shape when you are born again under the Spirit’s power through Jesus’ blood. By God’s grace, you confess faith in Jesus Christ. By faith, your greatest desire is to go to Jesus. You are eager each day to spend time with him in prayer and devoted Bible reading. You love going to church because it is a physical display on earth of God’s courts in heaven .
   When you are born again, kingdom citizenship is now, and it is forever. Remember, God has called you into his court. He sees you as “great in the kingdom” because you belong to him. Live in praise of God’s eternal gift for you. His place is prepared for your eternal dwelling in his courts. Psalm 84:4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.