Articles . Volume 12 | Issue 12

The Very Best Place to Be

Written by: Bill Elliff

There are some wonderful places to be in life. Home for Christmas. In a delivery room at the birth of your child. Sitting in a concert with your favorite musicians. Each spot brings its own joy.

But there is simply no better place than God’s presence. The Psalmist recognizes this in Psalm 84, extolling the glory of being in God’s temple in Jerusalem. For believers now, this symbolizes the thrill of experiencing God in intimacy every day. Dwelling in His manifest presence. Knowing God in the deepest sense of that term.

The Psalmist says the most blessed man is the man in whose heart are the roadways to this place of intimacy with the LORD God Himself–in “whose heart are the highways to Zion.” And look at the treasures he finds!

A LOVELY PLACE
“How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!” (vs. 1)

A PLACE TO BE LONGED FOR
“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD” (vs. 2)

When we discover the value of God’s presence, we desire it more and more.

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
“Even the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a net for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts…” (Vs. 3)

A PLACE WHERE THE SOVEREIGN KING DWELLS
“O LORD of hosts, my King and my God.” (vs. 3b)

A PLACE OF JOYFUL SINGING AND PRAISE!
“Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” (vs. 4)

Those who dwell in God’s presence have the perspective that leads to praise as they see things as they really are.

A PLACE OF INCREASING STRENGTH
“They go from strength to strength (vs. 7)

As we make our way deeper and deeper into growing intimacy with Him, we find our strength increasing exponentially.

A PERSONAL PLACE
“…each one appears before God in Zion.” (vs. 7)

Like a father or mother who loves each child the same, God’s love is inexhaustibly personal. Every believer who enjoys God’s presence is treated individually and finds the acceptance, grace, and intimacy as if they were the only one in the world.

A PLACE OF PROTECTION
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield” (vs. 11)

His presence lights our way, protecting us with each step.

A PLACE OF PROVISION
“No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

He can gladly invest His best gifts to those who can be trusted because they are trusting Him.

A PLACE OF BLESSING
“O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You!” (Vs. 12)

SIMPLY THE BEST POSSIBLE PLACE!
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (vs. 10)

Where are you choosing to dwell today? In the world’s environments or in the place of God’s presence? Why settle for a substitute spot when the door to the best place in heaven and earth is open wide?

(Copyright, Bill Elliff)