When you are not busy with your job, or caring for your family, where do you like to spend your time? Many people like to be outside, perhaps enjoying nature or some sports activity. Some get involved with a hobby or enjoying a good book. Others may just sit down and watch some TV. The Sons of Korah, who wrote today’s psalm selection, wanted to be by the tabernacle of God above any other place. Let’s take a look at what this psalm today has to say.
Who were the Sons of Korah? In the Book of Numbers we read of a rebellion that Korah led against Moses and his leadership. God destroyed Korah and those who followed him in his revolt by opening up the earth and swallowing them alive (Numbers 16:1-35). However, not all of Korah’s family followed him in his rebellion (Numbers 26:11), and those descendants continued to love and serve the Lord for generations. About eleven psalms in the Bible were written by the Sons of Korah.
As our psalm opens we read how the psalmist desires to be with God, in His presence, more than anything or anywhere else (vs. 1-2). This wasn’t just a casual saying that he didn’t mind attending Temple worship once a week or so, like we might not mind going to church. This was a great desire. He couldn’t wait to go! He’d be there every time the doors were open, if there wasn’t something else he absolutely had to do. He even envied the birds who were able to build their nests by the corners of the building! (vs. 3). He felt they were lucky to be able to stay by the altar of the Lord all the time.
How do we feel about taking time each week to come worship the Lord? Do we look forward to it, or has it become something done out of habit, with a bored, ho-hum feeling? Do we look for any excuse to get out? That certainly was not the case with our psalmist. His heart and flesh cried out to be in God’s presence. He knew that those who come to God in worship, praise, and prayer are blessed or truly happy (vs. 4). Getting away from the bustling world to meet with God is a true blessing.
As our psalm continues, the writer speaks of passing through the “Valley of Baca” (vs. 6). The word “baca” in Hebrew means “weeping”. He was describing going through a valley of tears, of weeping. Just about every one of us has spent some time in that valley throughout our life. We all go through times of struggles and tears. If we are walking with the Lord in our life, He will bring us through that valley. We won’t remain there forever. With the Lord with us, we will pass through it, and He will make that arid valley into a spring, into a place of joy. Growing strong in God’s presence (vs. 7) is often preceded by a journey through barren places in our lives. When we desire to spend time with God, we will see our adversity as an opportunity to experience God’s faithfulness.
Our psalmist continues with the thought of desiring to be with God more than anything else. In verse 10 he claims that he would rather be a doorkeeper at God’s house than any more glorious place with the wicked. A humble place of service with the Lord is better than an exalted position of power or fame in the world without Him. A few moments in the presence of God is greater than anything Satan or the world would have to offer, a thousand times over. One day being near God in fellowship is better than a thousand days fellowshipping with the world.
What is your shield in life? What do you turn to for security when the enemy comes around for attack? The Sons of Korah looked to the Lord God as their shield (vs. 9, 11). When we have Him as our shield we are protected by the Almighty One. God has given as part of our armor the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). With that we are able to quench the fiery darts of Satan. God shields us when the enemy plots his greatest onslaught against us.
Our psalm closes with a promise that God will not withhold good things from those who walk uprightly (vs. 11). This is a conditional promise. It is not for just everybody, but is for those who walk uprightly. If God isn’t meeting our needs as we think He should, either He may have a different plan for us, or there is something in our life that may be a hindrance. One reason for unanswered prayer is sin in our life. We should not assume we know what the “good things” are. We need to allow God to give us the “good things” that He desires to give. God will never withhold what is permanently good. When we obey Him, He will not withhold anything back that will help us serve Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment