What I Wouldn’t Give

A day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psalm 84:10

You know it when it happens. It might be someone you feel could mentor you in your vocation. Or it might be a new friend with whom you establish an immediate connection. Or it might be the love of your life. Regardless of when and how, there are times when you think, “I’d give up next week for the chance to spend one more day with this person!”

The author of Psalm 84 felt that way, only he was ready to give up more than a week: he was ready to give up a thousand days for one day in God’s presence. A young Jewish man, Andrew, and his friend followed Jesus as soon as they met Him, and they spent the rest of the day hanging out with Him (John 1:35-40). That’s how most people today feel when they meet Jesus—they just can’t get enough of Him. A lot of people who are not followers of Christ would probably become Christians if they could just make contact with His irresistible presence. Many have given up a lot to spend as much time with Him as they can.

It’s also easy to take His presence for granted, to forget what a pure pleasure Jesus can be, one-on-one. If it’s been awhile since you gave up something to be with Him, consider doing so soon.

The Christian tastes God in all his or her pleasures.

J. I. PACKER