“A Doorkeeper in the House of My God”

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

BIBLE READING: Psalm 84

“I can’t wait to get home.” I remember thinking this as we ended our trip to Ethiopia this past January. I’m sure you’ve all felt that longing for home, but when you’re 8,000 miles from home, it’s a little different. We had a long way to go and there was nothing more that I wanted than to be in a familiar place with the people I cherish most. 

As great as it is to get away, see other places, or even do good work for others, the stress draws us back to a place of settling and security. For the psalmist that place was the dwelling of God. 

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God… 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.” (Psalm 84.1-2; 10-11)

Early in Israel’s history, God established a physical location to remind them of his presence among them (see Exodus 25.8; 29.45-46). As they looked to the center of the camp (Numbers 2.17) or up at the temple mount, this symbol represented God’s power, provision and protection.

The psalmist most likely served in the temple as a doorkeeper (see 1 Chronicles 9) and his declarations surely echoed his daily experience. He observed those who came for worship and left strengthened and settled by God’s presence. For him, this place of God’s dwelling was not about the magnificent structure but the magnificent God who affected those who entered. 

Although we no longer have a physical temple to attend, the presence of God is his promise to all believers in Christ. “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21.3). Through our obedience, all our longings for settling, strength and security are found in knowing that we can be at home with God and Christ (John 14.23). 

I can’t help but think of the prodigal son when I read this psalm (Luke 15.11-32). He left his father’s house to experience life and found himself sleeping with pigs. But he came to his senses, he realized it was better to be a servant in his father’s house than to live apart from him. He chose to come back, not because it would be easy but because he knew he would be provided for. Of course, the father didn’t make him a servant but restored and blessed him beyond measure. 

We will long for these things, and even pursue others means of satisfaction; but there is nothing better than to be at home with the LORD. 

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3.17)

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