My family loves musicals. While our preferences for movies differ, we all share a deep appreciation for the musicals. My wife loves Les Misérables. My daughters love The Greatest Showman. The reigning champion of musicals at the present for me is Hamilton. I was fortunate to attend a performance of this musical earlier this year. I couldn’t wait to go. I dressed up. I listened to the soundtrack before the show to refresh my memory of the lyrics. I shook in anticipation to see this record breaking musical live. It lived up to the hype. It was an amazing show. I can’t wait to see it again someday.
My longing (craving) to see that musical intensified the closer I got to attending the show. I can’t help but wonder if my longing to be in God’s presence for worship rivals the intensity, I felt in wanting to hear my favorite songs from Hamilton. It grants me a moment of spiritual introspection. Exactly how lovely is the dwelling place of God? Do I long to be in the presence of God? Is one day in the presence of the Lord more valuable than watching Hamilton 100 times from the front row, performed by the original cast, in New York City on a Broadway stage? Herein lies fodder for meditation today. How have my cravings for other aspects/events of life encroached on my craving for God?
In the space below, write a prayer describing your love for worshipping the almighty God. Share your deepest feelings in response to engaging God’s glory. Share your hopes and expectations of a Holy encounter with God. How will it change you? How will it heal you? How lovely is God’s dwelling place?
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3 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,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.