Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Opening Scripture

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy, your protection and provision, your comfort and healing. Help me to trust you in all things and orient my life toward you today. May my mind’s attention and heart’s affection be on you. Guide my choices and direct my decisions for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Reflection  

Like Psalms 42 and 43, this song of praise expresses a deep longing and yearning to be in the presence of Almighty God. In those previous expressions, the psalmist remembers fondly the places where he has met with God.

In Psalm 84, the author continues that theme. Although it’s not included in the “Songs of Ascent” (Psalms 120-134) the pilgrims sang as they made their way “up” to Jerusalem for the Jewish festivals, Psalm 84 is for those “who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.”

The Valley of Baka may have been a dry, barren area the pilgrims traveled through on their way to Zion (Jerusalem). The joy and expectation of being in God’s presence was “like streams of water in the desert” for them (Isaiah 32:2). Truly, the joy of the LORD was their strength.

The temple in Jerusalem was such a special place for God’s people that the psalmist envied not just the priests who served there, but even the birds who built their nests near the altar.

Sacred space and ceremony – time and place devoted solely to God – is powerful and significant. It reinforces our identity and establishes a transcendent foundation. It provides an encouraging relational connection to God and other worshipers. No wonder the psalmist declared, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD’” (Psalm 122:1). 

Flourishing Habit

Meaning and Purpose

The imagery of pilgrimage is a powerful illustration of what it means to choose the flourishing path – the way of life. Those who long for God’s presence are blessed! Almighty God provides “strength to strength” for those who seek Him, no matter the challenges or difficulties.

The psalmist describes his yearning for God with intense sensory language.

• As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
• My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the LORD.
• My flesh cries out for the living God.

Have you ever felt like that? Do you long for God’s presence?

Psalm 34:8 encourages us to “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” We need to experience God deeply and personally!

When we realize that we were created for God’s pleasure, it should come as no surprise that our souls are most satisfied in Him.

Think of a time in your life when you felt close to God. Where were you? What were you doing? How did you feel?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!