August 21, 2021
Prayer: For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! Psalm 84:11-12 ESV
Observation: Like Asaph, the sons of Korah were singers in the temple and contributed several psalms to the Psalter. In the above psalm, they express their desire and joy of being in the presence of Yahweh (in his court) and then praise him for who he is:
- A sun (who lights their way).
- A shield (who protects them from their enemies).
- A giver of good gifts.
- The Lord of all heavenly beings (Lord of hosts).
The parallels to the Messiah are striking here. In his revelation of the end times, John writes that when Christ returns and makes all things new, we who are the redeemed will need no sun or light, for the Lord will be our light. In Jesus’ fourth “I am” teaching, he declares that he is the Good Shepherd who protects his flock from the enemy (John 10:11-18). In James’ opening remarks to the church, this half-brother of Jesus states that every perfect gift comes from the Father of lights (James 1:17), and the greatest of which is his Son. Lastly, in Paul’s “kenosis” (self-emptying) hymn, he ends his praise with the declaration that the Father exalted Christ above every name and that all creation will humble themselves before him and declare that he is Lord (Philippians 2:5-11).
Takeaway: For all these reasons, we join with the Sons of Korah and sing with joy that a day in our Lord’s court is better than a thousand elsewhere (verse 10a), and blessed are we who trust in him (verse 12)!
Prayer: Father God, please turn our affections away from ourselves and the world toward you and your Son, that we might trust in you and enjoy you forever. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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