Posted: 14 July 2022
From a sermon given on 09 July 2023:
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
(Psalm 84:1-2)
When we visit friends or on vacation, we feel thrilled by 'their' places and all efforts are done to give us "a home away from home" atmosphere. But despite the good people,weather and hospitality, we are still pilgrims . This is not meant to be home. In a short while,homesick crouches and we start longing for our true residence,and the heart detaches and flies back home. Home is what is familiar and comfortable.
The psalmist had tasted and experienced the goodness of dwelling in God's presence to a point that it became his residence. He was drooling over the thought of being home where God's presence was. His soul was longing so deeply that he bursts out with song to the LORD.
How often do our longings for home have anything to do with God? Do we feel like pilgrims away from the presence of God? Do we near the point of fainting when we think of being in his presence? Our hearts were made to consistently yearn and be at home with God. “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;" (Psalm 63:1) How beautiful it is to enjoy the sweet presence of our God!
Further readings:
Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,
(1 Chronicles 17:9)
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(John 14:2-3)
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
(John 14:23)
