A Lovely Reminder

5821767319_5d902eb286_z“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!” Psalm 84:1

One morning when a full, out-of-town day stretched before me, I wanted a taste of God’s Word to begin my day. I decided to open my Bible to a random Psalm and read wherever my eyes landed. I don’t do this often but am so glad I did that day.

I opened to Psalm 84, and as I read the first verse, the taste I desired exploded into a feast. They were familiar words, but in that instant, I saw them in a new light, with a deeper understanding. My drive-through, random reading suddenly felt like a full course meal.

This psalm, this verse, was written in Old Testament times, of course, and the words “dwelling place” referred to the temple of God. But where is His dwelling place—His temple—now? In us! In the hearts of believers. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

So if you’re a believer like me, what does this truth mean for us in the context of this verse? Because He lives in us, friends, we are lovely. And not just an off-hand use of the word lovely, but lovely emphasized—how lovely. In other words, you and I are very lovely. Extremely lovely. Amazing, huh?!

I’ve got to be honest. I don’t usually think of myself as lovely—in the physical or the spiritual sense. Too often I concentrate on the imperfections in both realms. I dwell on the warts of my shortcomings.

I think it’s about time I start seeing myself as God sees me. Redeemed and dearly loved as one of His children. As very lovely because He lives in me. Anyone else need that reminder today?

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

*Flickr photo by Shandi-lee, Creative Commons License

*Deadline for the Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is Nov 13. Details are in my Oct. 16 post and sign-up is to the right. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

Comments

  1. So glad I found you today! I subscribe to Hope Clark and saw your comment on her Nov. 3 post. Your light shown through in your simple comment on a resource-Christian Writers Digest- you use. :)
    Lovely thoughts on the Ps. 84 verses! Thanks for the reminder of how much He loves us and who we are to Him.
    Have a great week and keep shining the Light.
    Blessings.

  2. This is a beautiful post! I love that verse – it’s one of my favorites! And isn’t it wonderful when we see part of Scripture in a new light?!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

  3. Ruth, so glad you found me — and thanks so much for the encouragement! Sherri, I’m so glad you stopped by today. Thanks for your sweet words!

  4. As words to start my morning with. Thanks Cheryl!

  5. I don’t know how you do it, but you always seem to reference the verse that I most need to read at the moment that I stop by for a visit. Thank you for always being so encouraging and honest. :)

  6. Jeff, welcome to my blog! So glad you stopped by and were blessed!

    And Kirsten, so happy the verse from God’s Word spoke to you. What a blessing to hear!

  7. Beautiful post and thank you for stopping by and visiting. It is lovely to meet you, hope you have a blessed day :)

  8. I don’t feel very lovely this morning, but serving as the temple of the Holy Spirit brings a large loveliness into view. Thanks for the reminder.

    peace~elaine

  9. llyzlm

Leave a Comment

*