84:1-2 In Mark 12:30, we are told to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." The Psalmist opening of this Psalm is an expression of that love. It is an expression of awe and longing for God and the arrival of His just kingdom on the earth. Above all other longings of the heart and flesh, the Psalmist longed for God.
As humans there are a lot of things and scenarios and people we dream of having and, being in and being with. But for a child of God, our ultimate longing is for Him and for His will in our lives. Our awe in His master plan causes us to push everything else out of the way to make space for it in the forefront of our lives.
84:3-4 Our God is welcoming and gracious; His love extends to all: large and small, arboreal and terrestrial. He is the tree of life, the haven by which we all receive protection and provision. We are loved and blessed and so we praise from our place on His tree.
84:5-7 Blessed are those who derive their strength from God. Blessed are we whose purpose and heart and mind and soul is solely focused on our journey to the heart and Kingdom of God. Our path is straightforward and lighted. We are blessed because on this path, we have the mercy, compassion, provision, protection, guidance and light of God.
Along God's path we walk through spring and living waters, from strength to strength. It is a different path than the secular world chooses. Our path is selfless, righteous, faithful. Bright and restful and forgiving and generous. Our experience in life is wholly different because of God's fingerprints all over every part of our lives we devote to Him.
84:8-9 The Psalmist prayed for the ear and attention of God on His faithful children. And to that prayer, God always answers: yes. It is our duty to ensure that we are prayed to Him, inviting Him into our lives and handing over control to His hands. Because He will answer yes to the prayer, yes to the invitation, and yes to the responsibility of maintaining your life. But we must ask! Freedom of choice requires that we choose God.
84:10 The Psalmist perspective is perfect: A day in God's courts is better than a thousand days outside of it; the doorstep of the House of God is better than a whole dwelling place in the midst of wickedness. A humble life in the presence of our righteous God is better than an arrogant, controlling, greedy life away from Him.
The victory, the abundance, the honor humans seek is only ever truly established through humility and obedience to God. The power and responsibility is found in servitude to God. The secular world seeks victory and honor, abundance and power by trampling on justice and rejecting selfishness. We must work on our perspective or we will never find true victory or honor.
84:11 God is a sun and a shield; He is our light and protection. He generously gives grace and glory and good things to those who live righteously.
84:12 Blessed indeed is the person who trusts in God. His wisdom is sound and eternal. His path is clear and leads to life. His justice is perfect. His plan is complete. His victory is secured. His love for you is true. His purpose for you is good.
