The Settledness of Living in God's Courts

Wednesday, August 03, 2011 Bryan Hudson 1 Comments

Psalm 65:4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!  We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. 5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, 6 who formed the mountains by your power,  having armed yourself with strength, 7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. 8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

The word "court" literally means, "the place surrounded by a fence." A court is an enclosure, a settled abode, or a settlement.

Everyone abides somewhere. Not only do we have an abode called "home," we abide in many places of the heart of and mind. Whatever captures our interest, stirs our passion, or commands our time, defines the outlines of our "courts."

In this text, David is clearly focused on the courts of God. Looking at his life, especially when we consider his episodes in courts of failure and compromise, David learned to greatly appreciate the benefits of living in God's presence. He wrote, "We are filled with the good things of your house…"  and, "The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy"

This are the words of a man living in God's courts. What are the tone and substance of our words? When we, as dwellers in His court, are surrounded by the elements of God, our thoughts, words, plans, and actions will reflect a new "settledness" in us.