SEEKING BETTER THINGS

"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. . . . But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6)

Devotion 22 of 26

ONE CAN BE BETTER

It is possible for one day to outweigh all others--for the experiences of a single occasion to be of greater value than that of a thousand days. In fact, the devil appeals to people with this principle in mind. He offers the "pleasure of sin for a season" (Heb 11:25), leading simple and unstable souls to believe they will be the better for the pleasure of a single transgression. Thus Eve was tempted to eat the forbidden fruit, thinking it would bring her great benefit. Aachan coveted the forbidden wares of Jericho, thinking it brought him advantage. David summoned Bathsheba to his house when his fleshly lusts cried out for her. All of these, and more, found that Satan's lures yield only temporary satisfaction. The pleasures of sin are short-lived, indeed. They cannot carry over from one day to another.

There are, however, lofty experiences of soul that compensate for all of the hardships of life -- times when the light is so bright the night cannot be remembered. These are times when one day--a single occasion--is better than a thousand days spend under the umbrella of delusion!

Being a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14), we should expect David, "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Sam 23:1) to know of such times. Hear the cry of this man of God as he hungered for one of those days--one of those times of spiritual refreshment and strength. "O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary" (Psa 63:1-2). O, such times are like a sweet elixir to the soul! To see the power and glory of God is like a refreshing tidal wave to the soul, cleansing, refreshing, and refurbishing its latent powers.

When one "tastes that the Lord is good" (Psa 34:8), firm resolves begin to dominate the soul. David expressed it this way. "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple" (Psa 27:4). He had realized such satisfaction, peace, and joy in the presence of the Lord, he would spare no effort to "dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Hear the man of God as he testifies of the inexplicable beauty of God's dwelling place. "How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!" (Psa 84:1). Something that is "amiable" is well loved, or lovely. There is something satisfying and refreshing about being with the Lord--in His "tabernacles." This is the place where the Lord is evident. It is where the things of this world recede into the background.

It is no wonder that the psalmist had such a strong appetite for the Lord's "courts," where He is more apparent, and His blessings are more within our reach. How marvelously David says it. "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God" (Psa 84:2).

ONE DAY IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND

That brings us to the text to which this devotion refers. It is a text that says one day can be better than a thousand days. It is possible for more benefit to be compressed into a single day than the world can pour into a thousand days. "For a day in Thy courts IS BETTER than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Psalm 84:10).

How glorious is the statement! More benefit, more joy, and more blessing can take place where God is dwelling than can be accumulated in a thousand days where He cannot be found! Legion is the name of those seeking pleasure and advantage in places where such things really do not exist. Such poor souls do not know that the world is like the "two daughters" of the "horseleach" which cry our incessantly, "GIVE, GIVE!" (Prov 3015), never giving in return.

Let me spend a single day in the "courts of the Lord!" Let me be more conscience of a sacrifice for sins, cleansing for the soul, and the fragrance of Divine goodpleasure," and I will gather strength to run the race set before me! Like Elijah who ate a meal prepared by the angel of the Lord, I will be able "to go in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God" (1 Kgs 19:8). In every way, a day in the courts of the Lord is better than a thousand anywhere else!

Once such a day has been experienced, it will become apparent that being a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord is better that dwelling in the tents of wickedness! It is better to linger in the vestibule of Divine presence than to dwell in opulence alone!

O reader, may you experience that one day that is better than a thousand! May you know the benefit of being a keeper of the door that leads to blessing.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank You for the grandeur of time in Your presence, and for the gracious invitation to abide under Your gracious care and tutelage.

-- Tomorrow: IT IS BETTER TO TRUST --