Better Is One Day

“Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people.”
— Psalm 84:10 CSB

One day with God is better than a thousand days anywhere else.

We spend so much of our lives chasing things we believe will make us happy—success, money, possessions, recognition, comfort. None of those things are necessarily wrong, but they are temporary, and sometimes God allows us to be reminded just how temporary they really are.

I received word that our Tiffin motorhome will be totaled after the tire blowout and accident we recently experienced. At first, I was perturbed. I didn’t want to lose it. We enjoyed it, made memories in it, and I certainly wasn’t planning on giving it up this way.

But then my perspective began to change.

It’s just a possession.

Something that came into my life and, just as quickly, can leave it.

Instead of asking, “Why is this being taken away from me?” I started asking, “God, what are You trying to teach me in this season?”

Maybe I need to spend more time at home. Maybe God has somewhere else He wants my time, attention, or resources focused. I don’t know yet—and maybe understanding the reason isn’t the most important thing right now.

Maybe the important thing is being thankful.

I’m thankful my wife and I are okay. I’m thankful no one was seriously hurt. I’m thankful the insurance will allow us to pay off the motorhome. And I’m thankful for every memory we were able to make while God allowed us to have it.

Job understood this kind of perspective:

“Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?”
— Job 2:10 CSB

And earlier he declared:

“The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
— Job 1:21 CSB

That’s where I choose to stand.

I can sit stagnant, lamenting what I lost, or I can thank God for what He gave me and start looking for His purpose in what comes next.

Everything this world gives us is temporary. Houses, vehicles, money, possessions—they can be here today and gone tomorrow.

But the presence of God remains.

That’s why I understand Psalm 84:10 a little differently today.

Better one day with Him than a thousand days surrounded by everything this world could ever give me.

Don’t become so attached to the gift that you lose sight of the Giver. Be thankful for what God has placed in your hands today, be willing to release it when the season changes, and trust Him with whatever comes next.

Have a Blessed Day!

Rev. Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.org