The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / SPARROWS AND SWALLOWS

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 257 of 365 SPARROWS AND SWALLOWS The psalmist desired nothing more than to be with God. This psalm seems to indicate that - at that moment - the psalmist, likely a Levite who normally served in the temple, did not have the physical access his soul desired. In the first stanza, he gave the readers an illustration. While the psalmist found himself away from the temple, nothing hindered the birds from staying as long as they desired (v. 3). The psalmist would go on to pen that one day in the temple courts was better than a thousand elsewhere (v. 10). He would sing that the blessed dwell in that temple (v. 4). These sparrows and swallows enjoyed the highest of privileges: never having to leave God's house. Since the fall, humanity suffers from this separation. The Gospel of John says that Jesus came and made his dwelling among humans (Jn 1:14). He bridged the gulf caused by human sin and made a way for mankind to be made right with God once more. God's people, like the birds in this psalm, enjoy unfettered access to God through this Christ. Jesus, thank you for bridging the gulf between my Creator and me. Thank you for defeating the separation my selfishness caused. Amen. Psalms 84:1-12 NASB 1 How lovely are Your dwelling places, O L ord of hosts! 2 My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the L ord ; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 The bird also has found a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even Your altars, O L ord of hosts, My King and my God. 4How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah. 5 How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion! 6 Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings. 7 They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion. 8 O L ord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah. 9 Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed. 10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the L ord God is a sun and shield; The L ord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O L ord of hosts, John 1:14 NASB 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.