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. (Psalm 84:3)
The psalmist is in the courts of the temple and perhaps he looks up and sees… a sparrow has found a home, a swallow has made a nest for her young… in the temple!
You can hear the religious leaders, “Get those birds out of here! Get that nest down! They’re messing up the house of God!”
But the inspired psalmist’s response is, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you” (v. 4).
Apparently, God is more concerned with providing a place of refuge for the weak who long for Him and who seek Him, than He is with neatness and tidiness in His house.
Church life is messy, and God is not offended. He does not forbid birds, nests or babies in His home. We should be thankful!
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O 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.
(Psalm 84:1-4)
