Gatekeeper or the Good Life?

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven's Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. Psalm 84: 10-12 NLT

Would you rather be a gatekeeper in God's house than live the good life in the homes of the wicked?

Sadly, even though we say we would be a servant we secretly want to live the good life.

We forget that God is our light and our protection. We need to be reminded that God gives us grace and glory. We know intellectually that God gives good things to those who do what is right. It is our hearts and desires that don't necessarily follow.

And if we secretly desire the good life, how do we teach our children to do what is right and to follow God -- even when that means living the life of a servant rather than a party goer? The Black-eyed Peas have a song about partying all night and sleeping all day -- what teenager or young person doesn't see this as their ultimate goal? I can't see any top forty hits about keeping the gates manned or the doors open.

Yet, true joy is found in trusting God rather than good times.

God, hep us to remember that a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere! Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Prayers for Leaders

O Lord God of Heaven's Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. O God, look with favor upon the king, our sheild! Show favor to the one you have anointed. Psalm 84: 8-9 NLT

This week is the week of our National Day of Prayer. Although it has been a controversial day – and has become way too political – there is something about being reminded to pray for our nation that is incredibly powerful.

The psalmist not only prays for individual needs but for the nation, in particular the king of the nation.

We tend to immediately think of King David when we think of God's anointed but there were other kings who were anointed and led the people of Israel and Judah. Some of them were actually good leaders and good people. Even if they weren't, would it be bad to pray for them?

We need to remember to always pray for our leaders. Whether good or bad, whether they line up with our own ideologies or not, we need to always pray for them.

Spend some time this week in lifting up our national, state and local leaders by name in your prayers.

God, look with favor upon our leaders. Bless them with your best. Give them your guidance and your strength. May they hear you and carry our your will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. Psalm 84: 4-7 NLT

A pilgrimage to Jerusalem is a holy experience. These days, you would not walk all the way there as the psalmist would have known. However, you would certainly walk within the city when you arrived.

I am not certain where the valley of weeping is but it most likely would be in the area around the city. The city is on a hill surrounded by valleys. This particular valley may be referring to where Rebecca's nurse, Deborah, was buried as she was buried in a place named Oak of Weeping. The point for the psalmist is that there would be no crying. Rather, the pilgrim would find refreshment, knowing that they were so close to the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem. Instead of weariness, the pilgrim would be strengthened with joy.

Do you experience joy as you approach your place of worship? Or do you find yourself weeping instead? Are you refreshed even as you journey to the sanctuary or are you filled with dread?

God, give us renewal and joy as we come to worship you in your sanctuary. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Entering the Sanctuary

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven's Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God! Psalm 84: 1-3 NLT

This sounds like a prayer of someone who is not allowed into God's temple. In my imagination, this is a woman's prayer. She cannot go into the Holy sight and that is where her longing comes from. She admires and is perhaps a bit jealous of the sparrow who finds a home near God's altar. Even with her distance from God's place, she remains shouting joyfully to God with her whole being. Despite her removal from God's side, she is worshipping God Most High.

You and I can enter God's sanctuary at any time. Where is our desire to be there? How much do we long to enter God's courts? How often are we singing, shouting and proclaiming God's glory wherever we are?

With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to you, the living God. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims