Scripture
A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
~Psalm 84:10, NLT
Quote
Psalm 84 was written by one of Korah’s descendants. The sons of Korah where restored by Moses in spite of their father’s sin and rebellion. Moses made them the gatekeepers of the Tabernacle. The story of these gatekeepers is one of grace but that is my story also. None of us really deserve to be where we are: it is all GRACE. Psalm 84 is a hymn of rejoicing as the Psalmist thinks about a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the temple, probably for the feast of Tabernacles which had become the Jews harvest festival and they favorite celebration. No one knows where the Valley of Baca is located or if there is such a valley. Wiersbe believes the Valley is merely a symbol of sorrow. The word Baca comes from the Balsam Trees which secrete a sap that fall like tears. Somehow, I think it is a literal valley with Balsam trees but there is absolutely nothing about it on the net.
Christ Tomlin wrote a praise song based on this Plalm….Better Is One Day In His Courts [than a thousand elsewhere]. This descendant of Korah who wrote the Psalm is not getting to attend the festival [according to Wiersbe] and he is disappointed. He is envious of those who are getting to go and even of the birds that have built nest in the sanctuary. In other words, this guy loves worship, congregational worship and he yearns to go to the House of the LORD. He was not a leader of worship, he was a simple gatekeeper but his affinity was to be in the presence of the LORD. What an admirable attitude. I too love worship: you would have to hog tie me to keep me away. Unfortunately that is not true of the average Southern Baptist. On any given Sunday, only 38% show up. This is not good. May God give us the heart to be faithful in worship and the joy to embrace it.
This is an extra, so to speak. Does the name Alben Barkley ring a bell. He was the 35th Vice President of the United States. He was a democrat who served with Harry Truman. After serving at VP, he again ran for the Senate and won. He was invited to Washington and Lee University to make a speech in which he was bashing republicans. He was defending himself for returning to the Senate after he had presided over the senate at VP. Some one in the audience had asks him why he digressed from a higher position. He quoted Psalm 84:10b, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Those were the last words out of his mouth. He fell dead on stage before he could say another word. Hey, I’ll let you draw your own conclusion. At least he quoted scripture. I don’t know if he was inferring that the Republicans were the house of the wicked or not.
- Good attendance yesterday: DBC had 327. We had slightly less than that at Lebanon but we did have a great time. They gave us a royal welcome and we had a wonderful service. I loved every miniute and I am excited about going back this Sunday, LORD willing.
- Big day coming up with the solar eclispe. I don’t have any glasses. Holly told me not to worry: she said, “Daddy, it doesn’t effect your eyes for 40 years and you will be dead and way before then.” Thank you Mrs. encouragement: you sound like your mama.
- My heart aint in but I will be in the Golf tournament today and I am doing it for my sweet daughter in law. She better be glad she is the favorite. The shape my back is it, they may have to med-flight out of the golf course. When I pay 75$ to play, I make my own rules and all I am going to do is ride and putt.