Strength to Strength: A Look at Psalm 84

I recently read Psalm 84 and God whispered to my heart that He is near and will give me just enough strength for today.

​I am so prone to worry about tomorrow. And as Spencer and I continue on not knowing when God's provision will come or what it will look like, Jesus continually reminds me that I have no need to worry.

He was in complete control when He created the heavens and the earth. He was in complete control when He was nailed to the cross. He remains in complete control as He sits enthroned in heaven.

He created the universe. He conquered sin and death. He sustains all things. 

He is Provider, Protector, Defender. And He is with us. He is with me. 

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
    my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
    look on the face of your anointed!

10 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.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you!

This beautiful song reminds us that God is good and He is among us.

Psalm 84 ties in with Leviticus in its discussion of worship and the dwelling place of the Lord. It reminds us of our need for Christian community and to gather with fellow believers. The beauty of reading it on this side of the cross is knowing that the Church is the dwelling place of God now. We all have access to God because of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. And we are blessed every time we come into His presence. And His presence is constant. He is not just Emmanuel, God with us, at Christmas. He is Emmanuel even now, because He has given us His Spirit. And we can go to Him with confidence knowing He hears, He sees, He knows. God is with His people. His presence is our joy. He is our joy.

This Psalm also reminds us that this journey is hard but He sustains His people.

We press on and walk with other believers through the treacherous terrains of life. The Valley of Baca was known as a dry place; it was known as the valley of weeping. We will all walk through dry seasons at some point during our lives. Our lives will lead us through valleys of weeping. But there is always hope and there is always joy for those who trust in the Lord. Our strength comes from the Lord. We can take things one day at a time, and we will grow stronger and stronger as He brings us from strength to strength.

Strength to strength.

That phrase. It speaks powerfully to my weary soul. I don't have to worry about tomorrow. God has given me strength enough for today. And He will give me strength enough for whatever comes with tomorrow.

God dwells with His people; He dwells in His people. He provides for our needs and He directs our paths. He protects us and He fights for us. He is a good God and He gives good gifts. God is perfectly trustworthy.  May we find joy in His presence and strength in His provision. And may we see it all as grace and use it all for His glory.