A Devo From Scot - Psalm 84

Dear Church,

In a continuing season of “less,” I’d like to invite you to “more.” And a far better “more” than you might imagine.

The past four months have definitely been the most challenging in my entire pastoral ministry experience. I’m sure you can relate. Most of us have had to make do with less. Less freedom and less options. (Hopefully not less toilet paper.) Less movement. Less gatherings. We even had our first all-digital Easter Sunday, with way less interaction and fellowship. Some of us are living with less financial resources. Our relational engagements have been fewer and we’ve had to get along with far less hugs and handshakes. Even smiles are sometimes hard to see.

However, there is a whole lot of “more” available, even in the “less.” I encourage you to step into the “more” by engaging Psalm 84 today. Take time to read it right now. In it, you will see the sons of Korah, worship leaders in the temple, burst into joyful celebration of the wonders of God’s presence. Now that’s something that is always more. Always near. Never restricted. Never on backorder. Pay attention to the beautiful language of Psalm 84. Read it several times.

Verses 5 and 6 pronounce a blessing on anyone who longs to draw near to God’s presence. The “valley of Baca” is a reference to a valley of weeping. This fallen world has a constant supply of sad reminders of the joy and light of God’s presence. In that day, it was located in the Temple - specifically above the ark of the covenant. Today, thanks to the finished work of Jesus on the cross, the veil has been torn and God’s presence is fully available to all of us by faith in Jesus.

You can draw near to Him right now, wherever you are. Revive your faith in Jesus. Cry out to Him. Just one moment in the presence of God is far better than a thousand elsewhere (see verse 10). Even with so much “less” around us, nothing can ever diminish the infinite pleasure of God’s unfiltered presence. He is inviting you in. He always welcomes His children.

I pray as you draw near to God in prayer, worship and meditation on His Word, that He would, yet again, prove to “be a sun and shield to you… and give you grace and glory.”

I love you, church.

Scot