How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
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. Verse 1-2,10
These verses seem to be the inspiration for Matt Redman's song, "Better Is One Day."
Matthew 21:23-27 A Question of Authority
They answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." Verse 27
This passage depicts one of several occasions when the religious leaders failed to "get it." When they came and asked him the source of his authority, they weren't really interested in the truth. Rather, they were trying to trap him. In fact, regardless of his answer, they would have been able to arrest him, either for blasphemy (had he answered that his authority came from man) or sedition (if he had claimed divine authority). Jesus, of course, turned it right back around on them by asking where John the Baptizer's authority came from. They found themselves in a trap not unlike the one they had set for Jesus, and could not give him an answer. John MacArthur says of this encounter, "Jesus exposes their own lack of any authority to examine Him."
Matthew Henry comments on this passage, as well..."When we, like the scribes and priests in today's passage, refuse to submit to the evidence in front of us, we are left with no right to expect further revelation of the truth. Obedience today is the prerequisite for fuller knowledge of the things of God tomorrow."
Well...time to go to church. God bless!
Grace and peace, friends!