Even the sparrow has found a home

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar." - Psalm 84:3

The other day I noticed a sparrow sitting on an old telephone wire. She looked busy but not stressed. Obviously, I don't speak "sparrow", so I don't know for sure, but it seemed to me that she wasn't anxious about her life. She trusted that all would be ok.

The Psalmist must have also noticed the activity of the sparrows and swallows. He was able to see that they found a safe place for their young, and that their nests were near the altar of the Lord. 

I find this a remarkable reminder of the compassion of God. Compared to the might of the Lord, the sparrow is quite puny, yet she is not afraid of God - in fact, she trusts so much in God's protective love, that she makes her home as close to His presence as possible. 

Surely, there is a lesson for us in this action. Have we made our 'homes' close to the altar of the Lord?

Luke 12:6 - “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Going from strength to strength

"They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion." - Psalm 84:7

What would it mean for us to go from strength to strength? The implication is that we are moving from one success to another, like a sports team that is showing great signs of improvement. Turning a losing streak into one victory at a time.

However, in our spiritual lives, would this have the same meaning? We don't always feel as if we are moving from success to success, but perhaps this is where we understand that the strength we spring from is not our own. We can move from 'strength to strength', when we acknowledge that the foundation of all our movement comes from Jesus Christ.

Thought: As we come to rest in Christ's love for us, may this move us from strength to strength.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

 

Passing through the valley of weeping

 

"As they pass through the valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools." - Psalm 84:6

The valley of Baka (or Baca) was known as the place of weeping. It may have been a reference to the indigenous trees found in the valley, that oozed sap from their bark. However, it could also have been a simple a reference to a place that witnessed a lot of pain and tears. 

What I like about the image is that there is a purpose in the weeping. The tears become springs of living water and there are signs of life, despite the pain and suffering. I see this as a message of hope for our troubled world. Even though we will all travel through some valleys of pain, God will use our tears to bring life and hope.

“Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow.” — Rita Schiano

Living in Grace

D3LM3

From Strength to Strength

Words and phrases creep into our common language over time and we forget their origins. In Psalm 84:7 David uses the following phrase:

"They go from strength to strength;"

It mainly relates to how the Israelites get stronger and stronger, after a period of trial and grief. However, it can also be very meaningful for us today - that when we bring our needs and troubles to the Lord, he helps us grow from strength to strength.

We may not be as strong as we would like to be at the moment, but we must ask the Spirit of Christ to lead us forward. Let us remain connected to the VINE and trust that the Spirit of love will flow through our lives and give us strength.

Living in Grace
D3LM3