“万军之耶和华－我的王，我的 神啊，在你祭坛那里，麻雀为自己找着房屋，燕子为自己找着抱雏之窝。” – 诗 84:3
几年前，一个建筑承包商在我们教堂旁边的一块新工地上开了工，他问我们是否注意到那些在我们教堂的阁楼上飞来飞去的小鸟。我们不得不承认我们之前确实没有注意到！
诗篇第84篇的作者看到一只鸟在耶和华的殿里筑巢，作者认为这是最好的家。神的慷慨接纳遍及祂所造的一切，对于爱主的人来说，没有比神的家更好的地方了。
这首诗是一首表达深深渴望在敬拜之地与神建立属灵关系的诗歌。敬拜的喜乐给客旅力量。即使他们远离神的殿，即使在流泪谷那样干燥的地方，神也与他们同在。无论他们走到哪里，他们都能在敬拜中体验到神同在的甘甜，因此他们能够不断靠主得力。
当耶稣在撒玛利亚的井边遇见一个女人时，祂向女人重复提到这个教导；祂说，神在哪里，敬拜就在哪里。当女人发现耶稣是弥赛亚，神的儿子时，她就去告诉城里的每一个人，他们就出来迎接他（约 4章）。
祷告
主啊，在你的院宇住一日，胜似在别处住千日。无论我们走到哪里，都感谢你的同在、接纳的温暖怀抱。阿们。
诗篇 84篇
1万军之耶和华啊，你的居所何等可爱！
2我羡慕渴想耶和华的院宇，我的心肠、我的肉体向永生神呼吁。
3万军之耶和华，我的王我的神啊，在你祭坛那里，麻雀为自己找着房屋，燕子为自己找着抱雏之窝。
4如此住在你殿中的，便为有福！他们仍要赞美你。（细拉）
5靠你有力量，心中想往锡安大道的，这人便为有福！
6他们经过流泪谷，叫这谷变为泉源之地，并有秋雨之福盖满了全谷。
7他们行走，力上加力，各人到锡安朝见神。
8耶和华万军之神啊，求你听我的祷告！雅各的神啊，求你留心听！（细拉）
9神啊，你是我们的盾牌，求你垂顾观看你受膏者的面。
10在你的院宇住一日，胜似在别处住千日。宁可在我神殿中看门，不愿住在恶人的帐篷里。
11因为耶和华神是日头，是盾牌，要赐下恩惠和荣耀，他未尝留下一样好处，不给那些行动正直的人。12万军之耶和华啊，倚靠你的人便为有福！
Settling Near God’s Heart
“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.” – Psalm 84:3
Several years ago, a building contractor who was working on a new site next to our church asked if we were aware of the birds that were flying in and out of the attic of our church building. We had to admit that we hadn’t noticed!
The songwriter of Psalm 84 saw a bird that had built her nest in the Lord’s temple, and the writer reasoned that this was the best place to make oneself at home. God’s hospitality extends to all that he has made, and for people who love the Lord there is no better place to be.
This psalm is a song of deep yearning for spiritual connection with God in a place of worship. The joy of worshiping God gives strength for people who travel. Even when they are far away from God’s house, even in a dry place like the valley of Baka, God’s presence goes with them. Wherever they may go, they can find the sweetness of God’s presence in worship, so they are able to go from strength to strength.
Jesus echoed this teaching when he met a woman at a well in Samaria; he taught her that the place of worship is wherever God is. And when she discovered that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, she went to tell everyone in her town, and they came out to meet with him (John 4)!
Prayer
Better is one day with you, Lord, than a thousand elsewhere. Thank you for welcoming us into your presence wherever we go. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
