OUR REST ONLY IN GOD.
Psalm 84:1-4.
At the end of the celebration of Passover, in Jewish homes scattered throughout the world, the parting toast is, ‘Next year in Jerusalem!’ The sentiment echoes a common consciousness, a restlessness if you will, which is forever drawing God’s people back towards their roots in the land of their fathers.
The Psalmist was one of those who had been familiar with the days of worship in the tabernacle in the holy land. Immediately prior to the building of the Temple by Solomon, the tabernacle had been situated in the City of David, just below the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It has been suggested that Psalm 84 was written by King David when he left Jerusalem during the rebellion led by his son Absalom.
“How lovely is your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts,” he intoned (Psalm 84:1). Not that God dwells in tents or buildings: but nevertheless our soul is only ever satisfied (as Augustine of Hippo is often quoted as saying) when it finds its rest in the LORD (Psalm 84:2). In fact, our ultimate rest is only found in Jesus, the Word who became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled!) among us (John 1:14).
The Psalmist compares his soul to the sparrow, and to the swallow, little birds that are forever flitting around seeking a home (Psalm 84:3). Not that either of these could ever safely nest on the altar of sacrifice (!) - but his soul has found its rest in the altars (plural) of the LORD of hosts. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22), and his rest and ours is found first in the altar of burnt offering, where the sacrifice is presented (representing to us the Cross of Calvary) and next in the altar of incense, where the risen Lord Jesus lifts our prayers, mingled with His, up to the LORD.
The Psalmist calls the LORD of hosts, “my King and my God” (Psalm 84:3). The Christian faith is deeply personal, a relationship rather than a religion. Blessed are those who abide in Christ, and He in them (John 15:4; John 15:7): THEY shall ever be praising Him (Psalm 84:4), and ‘shall have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming’ (1 John 2:28).
"Selah." Pause and think on this.
