June 30th, 2025
Psalm 84 is a love song, not between two people, but between a soul and God. This beautiful psalm was written by someone who desperately longed to make the pilgrimage to the tabernacle but couldn't get there. Their soul was devastated by this separation from God's dwelling place.
What Does It Mean to Long for God?
Think about something you long for in life. Maybe it's the return of a loved one who's traveling, or perhaps that first bite of your favorite dessert. The posture of Psalm 84 is this same kind of intense yearning, but directed toward God's presence.
The psalmist writes: "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."
This isn't casual interest, this is deep, physical longing. The writer's entire being cries out for connection with God.
The psalmist writes: "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."
This isn't casual interest, this is deep, physical longing. The writer's entire being cries out for connection with God.
Why Is the Story of Korah Important to Understanding This Psalm?
To fully appreciate Psalm 84, we need to understand its context. The Sons of Korah, mentioned in the psalm's introduction, have a significant backstory.
During Israel's wilderness wanderings, a man named Korah led an uprising against Moses and Aaron. Korah was a Levite, essentially a doorkeeper of the tabernacle, but he wasn't satisfied with his position. He wanted more power and gathered 250 men to challenge Moses' leadership.
God's response was severe. The earth opened up and swallowed Korah and his co-conspirators, and fire consumed the 250 rebels. Yet remarkably, the sons of Korah survived this judgment.
This history gives profound meaning to the line, "I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." The descendants of Korah understood the value of serving in God's house, even in the humblest position.
During Israel's wilderness wanderings, a man named Korah led an uprising against Moses and Aaron. Korah was a Levite, essentially a doorkeeper of the tabernacle, but he wasn't satisfied with his position. He wanted more power and gathered 250 men to challenge Moses' leadership.
God's response was severe. The earth opened up and swallowed Korah and his co-conspirators, and fire consumed the 250 rebels. Yet remarkably, the sons of Korah survived this judgment.
This history gives profound meaning to the line, "I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." The descendants of Korah understood the value of serving in God's house, even in the humblest position.
How Do We Return to Our Old Ways Despite God's Redemption?
The Israelites had a pattern: God would lead them out of trouble, but they would look back longingly at what they left behind. Even though they were slaves in Egypt, they sometimes wished to return there rather than face the challenges of following God.
This pattern continues in our lives today. God leads us out of destructive habits and sins, yet we often look back at them with nostalgia. These aren't always the obvious sins - they're often the familiar ones that have become comfortable, like a worn-out piece of clothing full of holes that we still prefer to wear.
As 2 Peter 2:22 reminds us: "A dog returns to its vomit, and a sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud." We escape the corruption of the world through Christ, only to become entangled in it again.
This pattern continues in our lives today. God leads us out of destructive habits and sins, yet we often look back at them with nostalgia. These aren't always the obvious sins - they're often the familiar ones that have become comfortable, like a worn-out piece of clothing full of holes that we still prefer to wear.
As 2 Peter 2:22 reminds us: "A dog returns to its vomit, and a sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud." We escape the corruption of the world through Christ, only to become entangled in it again.
What Does It Mean That We Are Now God's Temple?
The psalmist longed for the temple because that's where God's presence dwelled. The Holy of Holies contained God's glory, and only the high priest could enter once a year after extensive purification rituals.
But everything changed with Jesus. When Christ was crucified, the temple curtain tore from top to bottom, symbolizing our new direct access to God. Now, God no longer resides in a building - He lives in believers.
Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 3:16: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?" And again in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you."
This means we don't have to long for a physical place to experience God's presence. We carry His presence with us everywhere we go.
But everything changed with Jesus. When Christ was crucified, the temple curtain tore from top to bottom, symbolizing our new direct access to God. Now, God no longer resides in a building - He lives in believers.
Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 3:16: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?" And again in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you."
This means we don't have to long for a physical place to experience God's presence. We carry His presence with us everywhere we go.
How Can I Experience God's Presence When I Don't Feel It?
Many of us have had moments where we don't feel God's presence. Here are four practical ways to reconnect:
- Realize He's present - Be aware of His presence despite your feelings. Whether you feel God's presence doesn't change whether He's there.
- Pause regularly - Take one minute in the morning and evening to sit in silence and feel God's nearness. Ask yourself: "Am I living in active connection and dependence on Christ?"
- Praise continually - Intentionally point out God's presence in everyday moments. Notice the sunset, the growth of plants, the uniqueness of people around you.
- Participate in active obedience - Respond quickly to the Spirit's promptings. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Don't tamp down the Holy Spirit's voice until you no longer hear it.
What Happens When We Ignore the Holy Spirit?
We often deny the Holy Spirit not by outright refusal but by delay. We push off His promptings until we eventually forget them altogether. Maybe it's reaching out to someone in need, sharing your faith, or taking a bold step of faith.
This is like a friendship that gradually fades - not because of a fight, but because you stop making time for each other. Eventually, you realize you haven't spoken in years.
When we consistently ignore the Holy Spirit's voice, we become less sensitive to His guidance. If you haven't felt God's presence in a long time, ask yourself: Who moved? It wasn't God.
This is like a friendship that gradually fades - not because of a fight, but because you stop making time for each other. Eventually, you realize you haven't spoken in years.
When we consistently ignore the Holy Spirit's voice, we become less sensitive to His guidance. If you haven't felt God's presence in a long time, ask yourself: Who moved? It wasn't God.
Life Application
The final lesson from Psalm 84 is profound: We don't chase blessings; we live blessed. There's a significant difference. Living blessed means walking with purpose, staying near to God's heart, and seeking His presence above all else.
This week, challenge yourself to:
Ask yourself these questions:
Remember, the entire Bible from start to finish is about God making a way for you to be right before Him and to live in His presence. Don't miss out on the blessing of His nearness.
This week, challenge yourself to:
- Stop settling for less than God's full presence in your life.
- Stop looking back longingly at the empty things the world offers.
- Choose God boldly, fully, and wholeheartedly.
- Practice the four steps to experiencing God's presence daily.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What areas of my life am I still looking back at "Egypt"?
- When was the last time I clearly felt God's presence, and what has changed since then?
- What promptings of the Holy Spirit have I been delaying or ignoring?
- How can I build more awareness of God's presence into my daily routines?
Remember, the entire Bible from start to finish is about God making a way for you to be right before Him and to live in His presence. Don't miss out on the blessing of His nearness.
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