Last night after youth group I decided to go grab some half-apps at Applebee’s, and while I was there reading Psalm 84, my mind went back to a game that I always used to play growing up: Would You Rather. You may recognize that game and I am sure some of you have played it. Would You Rather is a game where you give someone two different choices and they must pick one of the options. For example, would you rather eat a snot smoothie, or a scab sandwich? Another one might be, would you rather only eat potatoes (any form) the rest of your life or never again eat potatoes for the rest of your life? I am sure you get the point. Anyway, while I was reading Psalm 84, the psalmist says to God in verse 10, “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.”
So here is my question for you; Would you rather spend one day in the house of God or a thousand days without God? The author of this Psalm is presumably a son of Korah (a Levite) who at one point carried out responsibilities in the temple of God. However, at the point that this Psalm was written, it appears that he no longer had access to the House of God probably due to the fact that Sennacherib was destroying Judah (2 Kings 18).
The author of this Psalm begins by crying out, “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!” The passion, the desire, and the love that the author has for God is inspiring! Without dwelling in the House of God, he feels lost. He feels broken. He feels incomplete. Knowing what it is like to be both with God and apart from God, he knows that one day with God is better than 1,000 without Him! He even goes as far to say that he would rather serve humbly being a doorkeeper in the House of God, than dwelling with the wicked!
So, what is your heart desiring today? What are you yearning for? Are you trying to find satisfaction in the tents of the wicked or are you running to the One True God? Today, be informed and be encouraged that the One True God holds the keys to true joy, true satisfaction, and true life. The author of this Psalm states that one day with God is better than a thousand without Him. A son of Korah experienced this truth, I have experienced this truth, and now would like to ask you again; Would you rather spend one day in the courts of God, or a thousand elsewhere?
It’s your time to answer.
-Greg Salmon
Youth Director
