03.07. Psalm 84:10

Psalms 84:10. "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Those who only know the pleasures of the tents of wickedness, can have no proper conception of the true, solid, lasting pleasures of the courts of the Lord. Those who know both can speak positively of the difference. Who that has spent a day with God in spirit and in the varying exercises of meditation and devotion, cannot speak of its blessedness? But the testimony of scripture on the subject is full and safer to judge from. The Spirit of truth, by Solomon, has said, "For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 7:6) Noisy, empty, sparkling, it may be, for a moment, and then extinguished for ever. Such, alas! is the character of the so-called pleasure in the tents of wickedness. But what shall we say of the fearful condition of those who are feeling the sharp sting of sin after the pleasure is gone? Is it not misery — great misery, even in this life? But, oh! what must it be when all its bitterness is felt in the place where hope never enters! The remembrance of those shallow, short-lived pleasures of earth will afford no relief there. But we turn to the other and brighter side of the question and there we read of something very different — may this be the happy portion of all who read these lines! "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalms 16:11) Which now, dear reader, may I ask, do you prefer? Ecclesiastes 7:6 is as true as Psalms 16:11. But the path of life in the latter and the path of folly in the former are as wide apart as heaven and hell. Which, think you, my dear reader, is the nobler, higher, manlier, worthier, wiser path? The boisterous, hollow, unmeaning mirth of the worldling, or the calm, real, lasting joy of the Christian? Do you hesitate? Need you hesitate? The Lord enable you to choose the better part — the part that shall never be taken from you. This itself is no small comfort to the believer. "Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42) We may not always enjoy or value the good part as we ought to do, but it shall not be taken away from us. God says it, and that is enough to faith.

Besides, the same blessed truth is plainly taught in our text: "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." What a wonderful place and portion we have here! The Lord’s name be praised. What a field for meditation! Enter it, my soul, I pray thee; come and meditate with spiritual power on these wonderful words, "Thy right hand" — the place of dignity, power and special privilege. "Fulness of joy" — nothing lacking. "all spiritual blessings." "Pleasures for evermore." Not only is it the place of honour and joy, but it is our everlasting place — "for evermore." "Pleasures for evermore." No alloy, no fear of these pleasures ever coming to an end — they are "for evermore."

Better, surely, better far, be in the humblest condition as to this life, with the knowledge of Jesus, than be the greatest and most exalted monarch that ever sat upon a throne without the knowledge of Jesus. From the lowest ranks in this life faith aspires to the highest enjoyments in heaven. It is high-born, high-souled, high in its aspirations and high in its destinies. It affirms that one day — a single day, spent in the house of God, is better far than a thousand spent in the tents of wickedness. And if it be so now, oh, what must it be hereafter! Then the faithful in Christ Jesus shall ascend to the house of many mansions, where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore. But alas, alas, those who preferred the tents of wickedness to the company of the godly during their earthly days, can have no part or lot with them in those abodes of unmingled, neverending blessedness. May the Lord in His rich grace prevent such a fearful end in the case of all who read these meditations! And to His name alone be all the praise and glory.

"The Lamb is there, my soul -
There God Himself doth rest,
In love divine diffused through all,
With Him supremely blest.

God and the Lamb — ’tis well,
I know that source divine
Of joy and love no tongue can tell,
Yet know that all is mine."