Words of Encouragement from Psalms 84

A friend wrote me today and shared her heart...she and her family are going through a tough, tough time. It has put a lot of stress on her husband, her marriage, and her relationship with God. It is hard to know that she is hurting and I am so far away...so I thought I'd dedicate this post to my friend...you know who you are!

How lovely is your dwelling place,

Oh 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,

O 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,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca (deep mourning),

they make it a place of springs (a beautiful place!!!!);

the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength,

till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:1-7

The funny thing is that I think I actually may have posted about these verses before (I'm being too lazy to go back and look), but I've found myself dwelling on them again for the last few days...and these verses are VERY appropriate for my friend's situation.

Sometimes it's very hard to know how to encourage someone when they are hurting...I don't know what to say. I love the Psalms because they apply so easily to life and are full of emotion and comfort...life is a pilgrimage and God gives me the strength I need to face each situation as it comes into view. And my eyes are on the final goal, to appear before God in Zion one day...that is my hope!

So friend, I hope I can be of encouragement to you today...know that you are in my thoughts and my prayers. I wish we could hang out for a few hours and have one of our good chats...someday...