December 3, 2019 SHARE: (Psalm 84 sounds to me like a pastor in prayer. I hope these thoughts in recent weeks and this last section, give your own prayer life a lift.) “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked” (Psalm 84:10). Your courts. The place where your glory dwells. We gather in your name, Lord, and there you are in our midst, and bathed in Word and Sacrament, we dwell with you. What a marvel and a wonder, what a precious gift and treasure to live with you, to be the place of your presence. And of all people, you’ve given me the honor of tending the door. Doorkeeper. That’s not bad at all, Father. I come before your face, unworthy, and you invite me to tend the door, to open wide the door, to summon your holy people to gather and to sing and to glory in your glory and I’m humbled beyond description. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (Psalm 84:11). So be my Sun, O God, my Lamp and my Light. Enlighten me with the truth of your Word that when I stand before your people, the brightness and glory of our Sun of Righteousness will be reflected off of my inadequate words and they will know the light of truth, the beauty of your perfect love. And shield me from your holy wrath by my Shield, Jesus, that I might be bold enough day by day and week by week to lead your people to stand before you and to know with Mr. Beaver that “‘Course he isn’t safe, but he’s good.” And there remind us that we stand blameless, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, our Sun and our Shield, and remind us that you have not withheld any good thing, for you did not even spare your own Son, but for his sake you gladly give us every good and gracious gift of heaven. When we gather in your courts, lavish us with your gifts, for without them, we are lost. “Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (Psalm 84:12). I do trust you, Lord. Only in the confidence of your grace do I return to your courts each week, and how lovely this dwelling place of yours truly is. I’m overwhelmed, but I am at peace. I’m impoverished, but I am blessed. I’m frightened and intimidated much of the time, but I am happy, for like the sparrow, I have found a home. So send your people. I’ll hold the door. Our hearts and our flesh cry out for you. And you do not disappoint us. “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!” Our ministry is made possible by the generous donations of people just like you. Click here to discover how simple it is to make your gift of any size to Grace Place Wellness.