Week 42: Innocent Birds

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Jeremiah 23:21-25:38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17, Psalm 84:1-12, Proverbs 25:15
• Monday: Jeremiah 26:1-27:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18, Psalm 85:1-13, Proverbs 25:16
• Tuesday: Jeremiah 28:1-29:32, 1 Timothy 1:1-20, Psalm 86:1-17, Proverbs 25:17
• Wednesday: Jeremiah 30:1-31:26, 1 Timothy 2:1-15, Psalm 87:1-7, Proverbs 25:18-19
• Thursday: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44, 1 Timothy 3:1-16, Psalm 88:1-18, Proverbs 25:20-22
• Friday: Jeremiah 33:1-34:22, 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 25:23-24
• Saturday: Jeremiah 35:1-36:32, 1 Timothy 5:1-25, Psalm 89:14-37, Proverbs 25:25-27

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Psalms:

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-4
1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty. 2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young -- at a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God! 4 How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.

Observation:

In last week's SOAP we talked about the song "I will boast". This week's reading of Psalm 84 connects us with another famous song "Better is one day in your courts". The first two verses of this Psalm are also the opening verses of that song. The writer of the Psalm proclaims his love and desire for God's house, the Temple. He longs to enter the courts of the LORD, yes, he even faints with longing. His heart is burning to be in the presence of the LORD. With his whole being he is shouting joyfully to the living God.

The verse that caught my eye, though, is verse 3: Even the sparrow finds a home there, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young -- at a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God! The psalm writer paints a picture of birds that were simply flying in and out of the temple. Unlike people, who had to come through the gates at certain times (and not even all people were allowed to enter) birds didn't have any restrictions. They could simply fly in and out. Even build a nest near the altar and raise their young there!

Application:

To me, this picture of innocent birds flying in and out of the temple, is a beautiful picture of how God wants us Christians to live: simply come into his presence without any restriction or obstacle. Simply build your nest near His altar, and raise your young in his house. Simply come to Him, the fount of our blessing, and live in the shadow and protection of his wings. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that we can come to you as innocent birds. Through Jesus Christ, You allow us into your presence. Through Him, you see us faultless, perfect and holy, even though we know we are not! Thank you for the peace we find in you. How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praise. In Jesus Name, Amen.

As you go about your week, enjoy God's presence. Sing his praise, and know that He loves you unconditionally.

In Him,

Dick