How lovely is your dwelling place, 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.
Psalm 84:1-3
Today’s verses are from the opening words of Psalm 84 – a psalm I can never read without being undone by its beauty and longing, its tenderness, its majesty and sweetness.
Psalm 84 is a song of burning, yearning, searing emotions. And, at the heart of the psalm, sits a little birdie that has built its nest in the temple of the Lord God Almighty (verse 3). That nest isn’t lodged in some inconspicuous, faraway corner of the temple. Nope. That bird’s nest is snuggled right next to the altar of God – the very altar that is the holiest place of offering, repentance, sacrifice, and thanksgiving for the people of God.
Isn’t this where we want to be? Near to God? Welcomed to nest in the shadow of the Almighty?
I have entitled this meditation, “I will build me a nest on the greatness of God.” Those words come from the poem, “The Marshes of Glynn,” which serves as our prayer for today. Sidney Lanier’s poem is set in the salt marshes of coastal Georgia (learn more
here).
His poem provides us with a word picture of what it means, and how it feels to nest in the glory of God. The central theme of these stanzas is God’s majesty – as manifested in the beauty of the sky and water of the marsh, and in the tenacity of the marsh-hens’ nests. Their nests are built strong with interlaced plants, and built long and deep into the fiber of the marsh, so that the eggs are protected from the pull of the tides and the dangers of predators (see
here).
It is a great thing to soar in the glory of God. We all can give testimony to glorious times of worship, of friendships, of walking in nature or cathedrals, or any of a myriad of expected and unexpected moments. Search out such moments! Pay attention and give thanks when they appear! But, can we pay particular attention to building our nests strong and close to the altar of God – through prayer, through love and study of Scripture, through worship, through care for what we watch, read, do, and say; and how we use our treasures?
Whether in times of turmoil or peace, Christ is at our right hand and at our left. He surrounds us with His always approachable presence.
Glory be to you, Lord Christ!
I want to build my nest in the greatness of God.
God bless you!
Donna
