Christ Church Daily Devotion Dec 1 2023

The daily devotion for December 1st, 2023, is centered around Psalm 84. The psalmist expresses their longing for the presence of God and praises His strength and glory. The psalm teaches us that we can talk to God about anything and that meeting Him in a designated place of worship can bring joy and strength. The devotion suggests reflecting on God's blessings and listening to a song called "Better Is One Day" by Matt Redmond. Welcome to Christ Church's daily devotion for December 1st, 2023. Today we will be reading from Psalm 84. 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. 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, blessed are those who dwell in your house. They are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs. The autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion. Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty. Listen to me, God of Jacob. Look on our shield, O God. Look with favor on your anointed one. 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. 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. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you. God gave us the gift of a Bible book that teaches us how to pray. The psalmist teaches us that we can talk to God about whatever we are experiencing. We can meet God anywhere at any time. The psalm celebrates God's strength, grace, and glory. Because of his strength, grace, and glory, he blesses those who come to him and serve and trust him. It can be difficult to find that time and place to meet God. However, we know that going to a special place designated for worship can help us step aside from the busyness of life so we can meditate and pray. We find joy and strength not only in the prayers, music, lessons, and sermons, but also in fellowship with other believers. Today's personal worship option. Praise God. Look for those things that God has blessed you with today. As you ponder God's goodness, listen to Matt Redmond's song, Better Is One Day. You can find this song on YouTube.