Psalm 84; Luke 11:14-36

Psalm 84
Apparently the psalmist was not able to join the others at the required Jewish celebrations. (I believe there were 3 a year that were required in the Old Testament.) However, he longed to be there. Then he goes on to praise the Lord.

He praises the Lord for God's dwelling place. He compares his desire to that of a bird who treasures its nest. He says, "What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises." As New Testament believers, God is always dwelling within us in the form of the Holy Spirit. And so we can always know His presence! "What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD...When they walk through the Valley of Weeping," God will refresh them. "They will continue to grow stronger."

vv. 10-12 goes on with the same theme with a little more emphasis on attitude. Sometimes we are unable to perform what we want to do, but it's what's in our hearts that really counts to God. The psalmist says in v. 10 that a single day in God's courts is better than a thousand anywhere else, and that he would rather serve God than be served anywhere else.

v. 11 calls God our sun and shield. Think about the sun; what does it do for us? Well, actually it provides everything we need for physical life. We could not survive without it. And so God is our provider. As our shield, He is our protector. He gives us grace--which is kindness we do not deserve--and glory. I'm not sure what "glory" means in this instance, but it sounds like a good thing! :) v. 11 goes on to say, "The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." We can certainly trust Him for all we really need even when life is disappointing. v. 12

Luke 11:14-36
Here Jesus faces challenges to His authority and even open hostility when some accused Him of working in the power of Satan. He responds by reminding them that a divided kingdom or even a divided family cannot stand. Then he goes on to acknowledge that Satan is powerful v 21, but God is more powerful! v. 22 This is a truth we must never forget.

Then these unbelievers asked for a sign of Jesus' authority, and He responds that we have the greatest sign of all, the sign of Jonah which is the resurrection. Just as Jonah (coming out of the belly of the fish after 3 days) was a sign to his generation, so Jesus (coming out of the grave--the belly of the earth--after 3 days) would be a sign to this and all future generations. If people will not believe what Jesus has already done, they will not believe no matter what signs they see.

vv. 33-36 deals with light which is a common theme in the New Testament. Jesus has banished the darkness of sin. The light of Jesus is within us, and we must let it shine forth. "If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light." v. 36