The Song of the Janitors

God's house is a place for the worthless and the restless.

Psalm 84 was written by the sons of Korah. One of the specific Levite families which were considered the janitors at the temple. In that light this Psalm becomes incredibly beautiful. For the janitors of God's house are not doing what they do out of resentment or frustration, but are thoroughly in love with being in the presence of God doing the work of God.

What have they found?
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. (Psalms 84:1-2 NLT)

I have learned that every church has people who would be there whether you paid them or not, whether you needed them or not, or asked them to be there or not. They just love to be in God's house with God's people. They have learned through experience the blessing of being in the presence of the Lord.

The sons of Korah are case in point.

Then this phrase:
Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God! (Psalms 84:3 NLT)

The two birds that are mentioned are interesting.
The Bible teaches us that the sparrow is a worthless bird. It's incredibly cheap. It was known to be sold - four for a penny, as Jesus mentions.

God's house in God's presence are for those who feel worthless. The owner and creator of the universe wants to do well with those who feel unworthy. And the invitation is open, for Jesus said "come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest."

The second bird is the swallow. Swallow is known for its restlessness. It was a bird that had weak feet which were unfit to walk or stand on for long periods of time. Therefore it learned to stay in the air constantly and flutter about. What a beautiful picture of God's house – a place for those who can't find comfort anywhere else. But more than comfort, the swallow finds a family. That's the beauty of this faith, people who can't find family anywhere else, find it in the house of God.

Are you restless? Do you feel worthless? God's house is open to you.

But don't for one minute think that it's all about coming to church. The Psalmist has much more in mind, and the Psalm has a larger picture beyond some building where Christians gather on the weekends. It's looking forward to heaven, the eternal city for God's presence will do well with man in perfection forever.

That's who heaven is open for... You, me, the janitors... And everyone in between.

Come.

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