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.
Psalm 84:10, ESV
These words from the Psalmist are beautiful, and I am sure that many know these words from a popular praise song. There are some of you that may have sung them out loudly and proudly. Have you ever pondered them? These words are a deep yearning not given at a high point but in the midst of a deep struggle where it would have been easier not openly to follow God. These are the words of those who have been imprisoned because they were unwilling to deny Christ. These words are the words of one suffering for the faith. It is easy to praise God on Sunday or at a worship event surrounded by fellow believers, but God desires our worship everywhere and at all times. As you go throughout your day, seek to praise God.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.