The Good Shepherd: Devotions Inspired by Psalm 23Sample

What a Difference a Day Makes 

By Olen Griffing 

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else. Psalm 84:10 (NLT) 

The moment I read Psalm 84, I was impressed with two words: “single day.” I began to recall single days I had experienced that left a lasting impression on my life—the most notable being the day my wife, Syble, and I met. I was knocked off my feet the moment I saw her, and today we have two children, six grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. When we have our monthly Shabbat meal at our daughter’s home, it is a packed house! What a difference a single day made! 

King David also knew the difference a single day could make because he had personally experienced it. Almost immediately after he became the second king of Israel, David saw the necessity for the Ark of the Covenant—God’s manifest presence—to be restored to Jerusalem. King David had personally encountered God’s presence and did not want to govern the people of Israel without God, so he pursued the Ark of the Covenant. 

Gathering all his people, David carried out a plan to retrieve the Ark from where it was at that time, Kiriath Jearim. Imagine that—King David along with all of Israel retrieved the Ark and placed God’s presence on a cart destined for Jerusalem. The people joyously celebrated with singing, shouting, dancing, and playing instruments. It would have been easy to hear David’s voice rising above the crowd as he celebrated what he had been longing for: just one more day in the presence of God! 

This is where the story of Obed-Edom, one of my personal favorites, begins. On the way back to Jerusalem, King David’s mighty procession experienced trouble and had to leave the Ark of God with Obed-Edom. As 1 Chronicles 13:13–14 describes, that day of trouble for King David became the single day that changed the trajectory of Obed- Edom and his entire household. The Scripture shares this: 

“So David would not move the ark with him into the City of David, but took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.” 

Three things stand out to me in this passage. First, we never know when God will show up. Obed-Edom was going about his day when God was brought to his door! Talk about a surprise visitor! Likewise, God knocks on the doors of our hearts. He provided a way for our salvation to bring us into an ongoing, deep, personal relationship with Him. 

Second, when God shows up, our response matters. I can see it now: Obed-Edom quickly rearranging his belongings—all to make room for the Ark of God. Once we receive Christ as our Savior, God wants us to make room for His presence to dwell with us daily. 

Third, we experience the blessings of God in His presence. God blessed all Obed-Edom had—can you imagine! His marriage, his kids, his friends, his livestock, his garden—everything! No more sibling rivalry. Tomatoes as big as cantaloupes. Wool so thick his sheep could hardly stand! When we abide in God’s presence, we no longer need to worry. We can trust that the promises of God found in Scripture apply to us today. 

So what happened to Obed-Edom after the Ark of God left his home and was finally returned to Jerusalem? In 1 Chronicles 15, we learn Obed-Edom became a doorkeeper for the Ark of God. He just wanted to be in God’s presence! Once we encounter the presence of God, we too just want to be with Him. 

Psalm 84:10 illustrates the same kind of longing of a worshipper to spend a single day in God’s courts, enjoying His manifest presence. Just one day with Him is better than a thousand elsewhere! 

You are an “Obed-Edom.” I am an “Obed-Edom.” God has chosen to live in us—not just one day but all the days of our lives. He wants us to have an ongoing, deep, personal relationship with Him. May God guide our hearts so we can know and walk in the calling He has on our lives. 

PRAYER 

Father, we ask that You enlighten our hearts to understand how wide, how high, and how deep Your love is for us. Give us spiritual wisdom and insight to help us grow in our knowledge of You so we can know You better. Flood our hearts with light so we can understand the hope found only in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION   

• Do you feel something may be lacking in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you personally, then spend time listening to Him today.   
• Ask God to remove any distractions that may prevent you from dwelling in His presence every day.

Holy Spirit, what are You saying to me today?

MEMORY VERSE

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6