The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

SPARROWS AND SWALLOWS

The psalmist desired nothing more than to be with God. This psalm seems to indicate that — at that moment — the psalmist, likely a Levite who normally served in the temple, did not have the physical access his soul desired. In the first stanza, he gave the readers an illustration. While the psalmist found himself away from the temple, nothing hindered the birds from staying as long as they desired (v. 3). The psalmist would go on to pen that one day in the temple courts was better than a thousand elsewhere (v. 10). He would sing that the blessed dwell in that temple (v. 4). These sparrows and swallows enjoyed the highest of privileges: never having to leave God’s house.

Since the fall, humanity suffers from this separation. The Gospel of John says that Jesus came and made his dwelling among humans (Jn 1:14). He bridged the gulf caused by human sin and made a way for mankind to be made right with God once more. God’s people, like the birds in this psalm, enjoy unfettered access to God through this Christ.

Jesus, thank you for bridging the gulf between my Creator and me. Thank you for defeating the separation my selfishness caused. Amen.