Do You Have a Longing for Heaven?

May 3

May 3 Do You Have a Longing for Heaven?

Devos and Studies, Psalms Devos_Studies, God's Word

The Hope of Heaven

Do you ever wonder what it will be like in heaven? I do. The older I get, the more I long for heaven. It’s not that I’m in a hurry to die. I enjoy my life here on the earth. Still, I long for heaven—to be in the presence of God for eternity.

We can read the apostle John’s description of his visit to Heaven in the book of Revelation, especially in chapters four and five. In the Old Testament, there were only glimpses of heaven as those shared by the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel (Isaiah 6:1; Ezek 1:1).

Peter, James, and John also got a glimpse of Heaven when they went up a mountain with Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8). But these are brief, limited visions by others. It almost leaves us with more questions than answers.

There is still much more to be revealed, but the greatest assurance we have for our hope of Heaven is in the Lord Jesus. He came from Heaven—sent by the Father to redeem us—and He returned to Heaven and holds a place for us there (John 13:3; 14:1-4).

As you read through Psalm 84, take time to imagine what it will be like to be in the presence of God for eternity. Even if we only “stand in the entrance to God’s… house…,” it’s better than anything imaginable here on earth.

Scripture

For the choir director; on the gittith; a psalm by Korah’s descendants.

Your dwelling place is lovely, O Lord of Armies!
My soul longs and yearns for the Lord’s courtyards.
My whole body shouts for joy to the living God.
Even sparrows find a home, and swallows find a nest for themselves.
There they hatch their young near your altars, O Lord of Armies, my king and my God.
Blessed are those who live in your house.
They are always praising you. Selah [vss 1-4]
Blessed are those who find strength in you. Their hearts are on the road that leads to you.
As they pass through a valley where balsam trees grow, they make it a place of springs. The early rains cover it with blessings.
Their strength grows as they go along until each one of them appears in front of God in Zion.
O Lord God, commander of armies, hear my prayer.
Open your ears, O God of Jacob. Selah [vss 5-8]
Look at our shield, O God. Look with favor on the face of your anointed one.
One day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else.
I would rather stand in the entrance to my God’s house than live inside wicked people’s homes.
The Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor.
He does not hold back any blessing from those who live innocently.
O Lord of Armies, blessed is the person who trusts you. [vss 9-12]

(Psalms 84:1-12 GW [Context– Psalm 84]

Psalm 84

Reflections and Insights

This psalm has three parts to it. First, a longing for God's presence and the contentment it brings to a person's soul, then the assurance of God's protecting strength because of His presence. The psalmist closes his prayerful song with a confident declaration of contentment his personal trust in God brings.

We often read of the longing to be in God’s presence in the Psalms. It’s described with the Tabernacle or Temple in view. Moses was instructed to make the Tabernacle according to an exact pattern of what was in Heaven (Hebrews 8:1-5).

The tent (or tabernacle) during the time of Moses, and later the temple King Solomon built, represented the dwelling place of God on earth. When the people of Israel traveled through the desert wilderness and then into the Promised Land, the tent of God's presence was a place of strength and security for them.

It reminded God's people that their God was a living God, present with them, and His protection was more powerful than any army on earth.

When Israel was taken captive and exiled from their land—first by the Assyrian empire, then by Babylon—they longed for the assurance of God's presence and protection. God promised His people that wherever they were, when they returned to trusting in Him and repenting of their unfaithfulness and sin, God would restore them.

These glimpses of Heaven by others and this Tabernacle pattern instill in us our hope of Heaven. It is not just wistful longing. It is the confidence every believer should have by faith, as we look beyond the limitations of this life on earth into eternity.

As it says in verse 10—

"One day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else.”

Reflection—

Does it seem like God is far from you right now? He isn't far away at all, just draw near to Him with an open heart in faith. Draw confidence from those who’ve had a glimpse into Heaven.

Prayer Focus—

When it seems like God is distant and life on earth overwhelms you, call out to God in faith. Put your trust in Him who came from Heaven, returned there, and will come again for those who trust in Him.

Would you like some musical inspiration to fit with this devotion? Here are two worship songs I’ve found to be encouraging—

Here's one of my favorite songs taken from this psalm— Better Is One Day

Here's an older song from Psalm 84— How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place

Would you like a free study guide for your study of Psalms?

Click the link for a free Psalms Study Guide

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