When the psalmist thinks about God's temple, his heart aches with desire to be there (1-2). This is an expression of our soul's true desire to live with God. When the psalmist saw birds building nests around the Jerusalem temple, he also saw a metaphor for all creatures' desire to live in God's presence (3). To live sheltered by God's presence is true security and joy. In Christ, we can have the first fruits of God's presence within our own heart by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Jesus promised to prepare rooms for us in his Father's house (Jn 14:2).

If we view our life as a pilgrimage to God's house, we are most blessed. We will become a source of blessing wherever we go and grow continually stronger along the journey (5-7). Even the humblest role within God's house is better than all earthly blessings or prestige (10). This is because God's favor and honor are the most powerful, and they grant us everything good (11). When we have this value system and serve each other in the church, our fellowship becomes like God's family living in God's house.


Application: Father, thank you for inviting us into your heavenly kingdom, where we may be sheltered with eternal joy. Help me keep my eyes fixed on your dwelling place and live a life of pilgrimage.
One Word: Better is one day in your house than a thousand elsewhere.