Dial Daily Bread

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":

Have you ever been tempted to doubt you belong in God’s house? Does He
consider you a homeless outsider? When you feel sinful and unworthy and
have fallen short, you wonder. One day a Bible writer (who, we don’t
know!), came to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem feeling guilty and
unworthy to enter in. Then he saw a sight that encouraged him: a little
sparrow had made its home in some little nook or cranny in the most
holy section of the Temple, right near the sacred altar. There it was,
twittering in joy, laying its eggs and rearing its young in that part
of Solomon’s glorious temple where even the ordinary priests had no
permission to enter! In fact, only the great high priest of Israel was
permitted to enter that twice-sacred spot, and that on only one day in
the entire year. And there was the little sparrow, totally unconcerned
about the stay-away rules of Leviticus, confident of a welcome in the
house of the Lord!

Then the poet wrote Psalm 84: “How lovely is Your dwelling place, O
Lord, Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord.
. . . Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for
herself, where she may have her young, a place near your altar, O Lord
Almighty, my King and my God” (vss. 1, 3, 4).

It is possible that Jesus had that poem in mind when He told the
disciples, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them
will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even
the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you
are worth more than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29, 30). If you own a home
and if your soul is generous, you will enjoy making visitors feel
welcome. It will be fun for you. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little
flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke
12:32). That word translated “pleased” means that it’s fun for the
Father to do that! He enjoys welcoming sinners to His house. It’s
constantly “open house” night and day. “The Spirit and the Bride say,
Come!” (Rev. 22:17). Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and
burdened” (Matt. 11:28). “Burdened” with what? More than carrying sacks
of cement or office work! “Burdened” with sin, convictions of
selfishness, vain regrets.

“Blessed [happy] are those who dwell in Your house” (Psalm 84:4). You
are invited; come as you are, don’t try to dress up first. For once the
Pharisees were right, “This Man welcomes sinners!” (Luke 15:2).

Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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