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.” [Ps 65:4]
“How Happy!” (Hebrew: ‘esher) are those you bring near. Is that not the goal of every true Christian – to be “near” to God. David, in writing this song, reminds us that being near to God fills us with the good things of God’s house, the good things of God’s holy temple.
When David wrote about the good things of God’s house, God’s holy temple, Solomon’s magnificent temple had not yet been built. The Ark of God dwelt in a tent. David must have understood that “the good things of God’s house” was the very presence of God Himself.
The writer to Hebrews wrote: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith….” [Heb 10:19-22]
When the writer of Hebrews spoke of the Most Holy Place, he, too, was not looking at an earthly temple. He was looking to that heavenly house which was opened to us by the blood of our Savior and Lord. He too, understood that the “good things of God’s house” was the presence of God Himself.
“How Happy!” we are that God has chosen to bring us close to Him. When our sin blocked entrance into His presence, He, Himself, came and opened the way for us to be near to Him.
Thank you, Lord, I am blessed to be near to You. May I always seek the good things I find in You. Amen.