Psalm 84:1-7 (NRSV)
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Verse 1How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
Verse 2My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Verse 3Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Verse 4Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Selah
Verse 5Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Verse 6As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
Verse 7They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
Devotion
If we witness a bird building its nest, we can watch it spend hours finding the twigs, leaves and other parts needed for the comfort and protection of its babies. The babies do not realize all that the parent birds have done for them. Those birds do a lot to prepare, and in their careful preparations they offer us an image of God. God does so much to prepare for you, protecting you and loving you. We may not even realize how much God does for us every single day. As we live, we should pay attention to the ways in which we receive so many blessings in our life from God. May you find strength, hope and share God's love with all whom you encounter.
Prayer
Good and gracious God, as you prepare so much for us, open our hearts and eyes to the many blessings that you have placed in our life. Help us to be a blessing to others through our own life so we can share your love which you have given to us through Jesus Christ. Amen.