Psalm 84:8-12

“O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

When you read the word “freedom,” what images come to your mind?

The bell ringing for school to be out on the last day before summer vacation.

An eagle soaring over mountains on a warm summer day.

An American flag.

The cross.

In Psalm 84:10, the author of this Psalm (probably David) says something curious. It reads, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” In other words, “I would rather be a servant for God than have freedom with the wicked.”

We understand what David is saying, and we know it’s right to honor God in this way, but honestly, I value my freedom, don’t you? I want to serve God, but I’m not too keen on the idea of being a servant or a doorkeeper.

Other verses in the Bible gives us clues into the meaning. In 2 Corinthians 3:17 it says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Then Psalm 84 continues with verse 11, which gives us another clue,

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.”

Neither of those verses led us to believe being a servant in God’s house leads to abuse. In fact, the verse in 2 Corinthians says when we are with the Spirit of the Lord, that is how we find freedom. Psalm 84 says when we walk with God, we will receive favor and honor, and no good thing will God withhold. That’s huge!

No Christian has an easy life of all sunshine and roses, yet it’s important that we remember a life of wickedness is bondage. It might look like freedom on the outside, but we are tightly bound by guilt, addictions, fear, and shame. True freedom comes from walking with God.

Dear God, please forgive me for the times I resist being a servant in your house. Help me to live by David’s example and remember that one day in your house is better than 1,000 spent elsewhere. When I am walking with You, that is when I have true freedom. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Thank you for always welcoming me home. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.