Daily Devotion

June 29, 2006

Psalms 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

The great warrior king of the most powerful empire in the Middle East is jealous of the sparrows and the swallows that frequent the temple courts.  

The sparrow, the most ordinary of all birds, freely comes to the peace and serenity of the temple courtyard in hopes of finding crumbs, grains and other foods. The presence of meek and lowly birds is often seen as a mark of God’s blessings upon one’s household; none dares to shoo them away. David wishes that he too had the privilege of ever so freely partaking of the heavenly atmosphere and food of the Lord’s house.  

Swallows nested under the eaves of the priest’s house. They found in the house of the Lord a place where to raise their young. We rejoice not only in our own pleasure, but we also love to bring our children to the fellowship of the saints.  We love to see them play and interact in a place that is safe and spiritually nourishing. David, whose family was violently torn by murders, lusts and jealousies, wishes that he too, like the swallows, could have the privilege of bringing up his children in the constant presence of the LORD’s Spirit.  

Beloved, you may not be a most powerful king; you may not live in a palace of cedar and hewed stones, but a refuge from the madness and confusion of the world is available to you. In the secret of the inner chambers of your heart, you will be, at any time of the day or night, in the presence of the LORD. You will find the peace and serenity of the Holy of Holies and partake of its heavenly food. Give a refuge also to your children from the temptation filled highways, and let them nestle and grow in the nurturing presence and fellowship of those who fear and respect the LORD.

Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Patrick Lumbroso
For past issues of the daily devotion go to my blog at:
htt\p://hearthstoneministries.blogspot.com/