Young People's Group

CULTIVATING A GREAT REGARD FOR THE LORD’S HOUSE

May 25, 2014

How Lovely Is Your Tabernacle (Bethany), O Lord Of Hosts!

There is no greater place that I would rather be than to be in the courts of God. You can travel all over the world but once you have tasted and experienced what it means to be in the courtyards of Bethany and in her sanctuary, there is just a deep desire to want to be in His house all the time. We are reminded of the words of the sons of Korah as they endearingly thought of serving at His house.

“How lovely is your tabernacle, 
O Lord of hosts!” 
Psalm 84:1

When God and His glory are dwelling in a place, every part of it is lovely. The tabernacle was His abode from the times of Moses to the times of David and Solomon. When the Lord and His glory filled the tabernacle (as recorded in the text of Exodus 40:34-35) it must have indeed been a glorious sight. The author of this psalm greatly loved the house of the Lord. There was such a special and high regard for it. Young people, let’s also learn to love Bethany as the place of God’s dwelling.

A Deep Sense Of Longing For God’s House

“My soul longs, yes, even faints 
For the courts of the Lord; 
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” 
Psalm 84:2

When there is a high regard for His house, there is also a deep sense of longing for it. The sons of Korah were Levites who served in the courtyards of the Tabernacle. They were there to assist the priests in whatever that was needed to be done in the courtyard. There was just this deep sense of yearning to be in His house and with the Lord. The author wrote of how his whole being was involved in the crying out for the Lord. His soul, heart and flesh cried out for God in prayer. The Lord was not a figment of his imagination. He is indeed real and living. Let’s also long to come to Bethany to worship and pray to our living God that our soul’s longing may be deeply satisfied.

Even The Sparrow Has Found A Home

“Even the sparrow has found a home, 
And the swallow a nest for herself, 
Where she may lay her young-
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, 
My King and my God.” 
Psalm 84:3

The gentleness of the Lord can be seen in how He allows the swallow and the sparrow to build their homes on the altars in His house. The Levites were not allowed to come near the articles of the sanctuary and the altars. If they did, they would be summarily dealt with (Numbers 18:3). But the sparrow and the swallow were allowed to build their nests on the altars. The Lord shows His gentleness even though He is Lord of hosts, the commander of His army. Bethany will always be home for many of us. Let’s always seek to treasure her.

Blessed Are Those Who Dwell In Your House

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; 
They will still be praising you.” 
Psalm 84:4

Truly it is indeed a great privilege for the priests and Levites to dwell in the house of the Lord. The Lord spoke to Aaron concerning how the priesthood was a gift for service (Numbers 18:7). This was indeed a gift from God for Aaron that he could serve Him in this way. It is indeed something special to be able to come to His house and to honour Him. They would be specially blessed and will continue to give praise to Him. Let’s always have the greatest joy in dwelling in Bethany, draw close to the Lord and be blessed. Let’s praise Him with hearts of deep appreciation for His blessing.

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