Nougat 24

Hi

Hope you’re having a great day. If not today’s Holy Nougat invites us to consider being contented where God is

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Psalms 84:1 NLT

Having met the song, I hear it whenever I read this psalm. And it is as it ought to be, since psalms are to be sung. Although it’s not mentioned in the introduction, it feels like it could have been a song of ascents, that is – sung on the way up to the temple. But then, the ensuing verses make reference to the king, so it might have been written in honor of the king by the psalmist. Whatever the case, it’s a compelling though subtle invitation to be situated in a place of worship.

God’s dwelling place is lovely, a place one wishes to be. In a later verse, the psalmist declares that dwelling on the outer fringes in God’s house/presence as a gate-keeper outweighs the joys of luxury offered elsewhere. Truly the author adored being in God’s house!

But what about us? Do we enjoy being in God’s temple? And before we answer, let’s remember 1 Corinthians 6 emphatically states that our bodies house the Spirit of God. You see God desires the physical and metaphorical temples to be lovely and well kept. The physical temple often shows the world how we make provision for God’s full-time workers and the gathering place for communal worship. Do we find God’s dwelling place lovely?

And the metaphorical – Is it a permanent home or intended as a summer cottage? Why? Sometimes we completely forget that God created the temple our spirits dwell in so that God’s Spirit May also be there. And if God desires to dwell within us, then it ought also be considered as lovely. Since God does dwell within, it would do us well to first, Love God’s dwelling place (ourselves); and then to ensure its overall maintenance and upkeep. Body, mind and spirit. (Hmmn hmm, I know some of us are squirming – me included).

Today when others words and actions (or our own self-perceptions) would say differently, I urge us to remember that God’s dwelling place IS lovely. Might need a bit of upkeep; but it’s God’s dwelling place and it is fearfully and wonderfully made.

God bless you and good morning

P.s

Here’s the link for the song if you wondered

In Christ’s love and grace . . .