"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 18 October 2016 with Scripture Psalm 84:1-7

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 18 October 2016 with Scripture Psalm 84:1-7
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Psalm 84:1 (0) For the leader. On the gittit. A psalm of the sons of Korach:
2 (1) How deeply loved are your dwelling-places,
Adonai-Tzva’ot!
3 (2) My soul yearns, yes, faints with longing
for the courtyards of Adonai;
my heart and body cry for joy
to the living God.
4 (3) As the sparrow finds herself a home
and the swallow her nest, where she lays her young,
[so my resting-place is] by your altars,
Adonai-Tzva’ot, my king and my God.
5 (4) How happy are those who live in your house;
they never cease to praise you! (Selah)
6 (5) How happy the man whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are [pilgrim] highways.
7 (6) Passing through the [dry] Baka Valley,
they make it a place of springs,
and the early rain clothes it with blessings.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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If we witness a bird building its nest, we can watch it spend hours finding the twigs, leaves and other parts needed for the comfort and protection of its babies. The babies do not realize all that the parent birds have done for them. Those birds do a lot to prepare, and in their careful preparations they offer us an image of God. God does so much to prepare for you, protecting you and loving you. We may not even realize how much God does for us every single day. As we live, we should pay attention to the ways in which we receive so many blessings in our life from God. May you find strength, hope and share God's love with all whom you encounter. 
Good and gracious God, as you prepare so much for us, open our hearts and eyes to the many blessings that you have placed in our life. Help us to be a blessing to others through our own life so we can share your love which you have given to us through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Nathan Strong, '11
Senior Pastor, Portland Lutheran Parish, Portland, N.D.
Psalm 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. (Selah)
5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.[New Revised Standard Version]

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