Young Adults' Group

Setting Our Hearts On The Lord’s House

by Pastor Mark
June 05, 2014

The blessing of strength

When we have a deep longing for the house of the Lord, it would be our desire to want to be in the Lord’s holy sanctuary. But we also recognise that through the course of the week, we may have to face all kinds of challenges. Sustaining our efforts in going to His house with great longing for the Lord may not be easy. The sons of Korah recognised the need for strength for those who travel to the house of the Lord. They wrote, “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,” (Ps 84:5) What did the sons of Korah count as a real blessing in life? There is the blessing of strength that God gives to sustain His people. This divine strength can only come from the Lord Himself. When we learn to focus and to have faith in the Lord, He gives strength for our journey.

Going to the house of the Lord

“Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” (Ps 84:5) The Lord gave strength to those who set their hearts on His house…on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Three times a year, all Jewish men would make the pilgrimage to go to Jerusalem and worship at the temple during festivals such as the Passover. These were the commandments of the Lord and He gave strength to hearts of the people to make the journey to Jerusalem. They were able to find strength to fulfil the commandment of the Lord.

The challenges along the way

“As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools.” (Ps 84:6) But along the way, many would encounter all kinds of challenges. The valley of Baca is not a geographical place but rather something symbolic. The word “Baca” means “tears.” There will be hardships to be experienced on the journey that would bring tears. A vital need for their journey is water. The pilgrims would have to dig for springs, which required very hard work. But God would do His part by providing rain for them…to quench their thirst. It was indeed challenging for them. We too will experience moments of tears along our own life journey. But the Lord will provide us strength.

Going from strength to strength

“They go from strength to strength;” (Ps 84:7) There will be strength enough for each challenge faced. With each new challenge encountered, new strength is provided by the Lord. The people learn to turn their tears into strength. They will not give up…keeping their focus on the Lord and on the house of the Lord. Let’s be challenged to go from strength to strength as we face the difficulties of life.

Appearing before God in His house

“Each one appears before God in Zion. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed.” (Ps 84:8,9)

At the end of each week, as we return to the house of the Lord, there is no greater joy than to appear before the Lord. We should be conscious that we are coming before our God…the Lord God of hosts. There is no better place than the house of God to offer our prayers to Him. Indeed, let us be thankful to God for being our shield and protection…for blessing us. Let’s be challenged to develop a heart for the Lord’s house. May we set our hearts on being in the house of the Lord! No matter what challenges we will face, let’s seek to go from strength to strength in overcoming them and to enter into the house of the Lord with a thankful heart.

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