When I got on my final flight home this week, I was literally longing for home. My husband and I have been married a long time. Whenever we spend time apart, it brings back memories of our engagement when we were separated almost 6 months (to finish our college semesters). He arrived 2 days before the wedding to whisk me away!!

We told each other that we would never live apart again. Not taking that for granted, I appreciate anew our commitment whenever I get home from a trip.

Similarly, when I trust in the Lord my heart is always with Him. I know the road home (like a highway in my heart), strengthened by faith. Singing songs of praise, I bask in this heavenly relationship.

Until I see Him face to face, I will go from strength to strength. Even in the valley of Baca (or balsam tree) also to weep. He refreshes me. In fact, He withholds no good thing from my life. I can even trust Him for strength to walk uprightly.

Yes, it may come as a surprise but God is trustworthy. We are programmed to lack trust especially if our family of origin has dysfunctional behaviors.

A resume writer on Linked In (Adnan) posted this morning: Don’t Run. You prayed for this.-God. When I read the verse stating “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere”, it reminded me of a few years ago when I prayed to be able to retire from my job. He allowed it and I have time to spend as a “doorkeeper” in God’s house. It does not appear glamorous or fast-paced, but I trust it is connecting with His heart. #celestialteam

Lord, we look to you. Our souls may even faint with longing for your presence. Because you are God of the living (and of the resurrection), you are a shield about us. – Teresa #fainting #yetfulfilled

Psalm 84English Standard Version*

My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.^[a] A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

84 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
² My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

³ Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
⁴ Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.^[b]
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
⁷ They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

⁸ O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
⁹ Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

¹⁰ For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
¹² O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

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Footnotes

1. Psalm 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
2. Psalm 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion

*OneyearBibleonline