DAILY?READINGS: 1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26; Colossians 3:5 to 4:1
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts (presence) of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars. Psalm 84:2-3a
This portion is often called “The Psalm of the Pilgrim and his Pining Soul.” The psalmist faints with longing for God’s presence and thinks of two birds that nest there—the sparrow, considered a worthless bird, and the swallow, a restless bird. Both nested on the altars with unhindered access. The brazen altar was the place of the sin sacrifice and the incense altar, the place of adoration. Do you long for the presence of God? In His presence we can find rest. —Jim Comte
Oh, the perfect peace of dwelling in Your altars, O my King,
Where the swallow and the sparrow—yes, and even I may sing.—Mary Helen Anderson