ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (OCTOBER 31, 2011)

The LORD Bestows Grace
Psalm 84:1-12
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
(PSALM 84:11)
Psalm 84 is rich poetry. It speaks of the beauty of the courts of the Lord and the blessing of those who dwell there. "My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God" (v.2). "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere" (v.10). The psalmist gushes forth with deep emotion as he expresses in these familiar verses his love for God and the wonder of living closely with Him.
He goes on to describe how "the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
That last phrase gives me pause. Is all of this truly only for the one whose walk is blameless? In spite of all my best efforts, that certainly does not describe me. Fortunately, for those of us who believe the gospel, the blamelessness of Christ has been credited to our account, qualifying us as blameless. Now we can fully rejoice with the psalmist and know that the LORD bestows favor (grace) and honor even on us.
INSIGHT
Jesus said all the Scriptures are about Him. Look and find Him and Hs grace on all the pages of the Bible.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Jeremiah 27-28
Psalm 117
1 Corinthians 8-9
Psalm 84:1-12
Psalm 84[a]
For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3 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,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.[c]
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield,[e] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
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.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Footnotes:a.Psalm 84:1 In Hebrew texts 84:1-12 is numbered 84:2-13.
b.Psalm 84:1 Title: Probably a musical term
c.Psalm 84:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.
d.Psalm 84:6 Or blessings
e.Psalm 84:9 Or sovereign
SMASHING IDOLS [PART 3]
Scripture teaches that all of us create and serve idols. This is an anxious and unfulfilling way to live. Only Jesus can free us from this.