What A Comfort In Jesus
We all need encouragement at times, it’s part of the human nature. We all look for ways to make a difficult time seem manageable or to be reminded that the struggles now will be worth it in the end. The Bible is filled with many verses and passages that offer encouragement, although the most prevalent ones could be found in the Book of Psalm. It is one such psalm that I want to look at today. Psalm 84 is filled with verses that can bring encouragement to the reader and one that I hope you will all look at if you find yourself overwhelmed.
Psalm 84 begins with the writer describing the dwelling places of the Lord. “How lovely are Your dwelling places, Lord of armies! 2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courtyards of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 The bird also has found a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may put her young: Your altars, Lord of armies, My King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah” Psalm 84:1-4. In these verses I am often reminded of how God cares for even the smallest of His creatures. Even the birds have found a place to rest, if God cares enough for the smallest creation how much more will He care for mankind which was created after God’s own image? When we abide with Christ, we are blessed even in times of trouble and because of this we always have a right and capability to praise God.
The next set of verses describe those who have found that their strength is in God. “Blessed is the person whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the roads to Zion! 6 Passing through the Valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion.” Psalm 84:5-7. These short set of passages have always reminded me that our strength does not come from ourselves, it comes from God. Because of this there is no situation that we cannot handle because God is the one that we lean on. Through the strength given by our faith in Him, we can conquer any situation that is presented to us.
The last set of verses in this Psalm hold some of the most quoted verses. “Lord God of armies, hear my prayer; Listen, God of Jacob! Selah 9 See our shield, God, And look at the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than live in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity. 12 Lord of armies, Blessed is the person who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:8-12. Here we are reminded that God is our shield in times of trouble, this goes back to the concept of the Armor of God found in Ephesians chapter 6. No aspect of the armor can be put on without faith in God and in this psalm we are reminded that God guides and protects us even when we stumble. The next key point to this psalm is that God is justice, He judges the world perfectly and in His presence we will see that it is better to walk in His ways then follow the ways of the unrighteous. God not only protects us, but He also guides us in His perfect judgement. By walking in His ways, we are reminded that God does not withhold good things from those who follow Him. This is echoed in James 1:17, “17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
So, remember this when life is hard, so you know to lean on the Lord. But remember this even more when life appears to all fall into place, for God is in control of everything and we need to recognize this fact if we are to continuously be reliant on Him. God is so good to those who desire to follow Him, no matter what life throws at us, He is there. Psalm 84 reflects the comfort we can have in Christ.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex