Psalm 65:4 (NIV)
"Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple."
That's what the church of Jesus is--those chosen by God to live in his courts, receiving the good things of the life of faith. Of course, we don't physically live in God's courts, but we are those blessed with God's nearness.
Several things about the church are revealed to us in this verse. Note first that we are those who have been chosen. Before the foundation of this world, God chose to love us in Christ. Our salvation is not based on any goodness or worthiness on our part, but on God's decision to love us. Being chosen means we've not been left alone. We're wanted, and not just by anyone, but the God of this universe.
Next, the church is made up of those who have been brought near to Christ. Whereas sin separated us God's presence, for our sinful unrighteousness could not dwell with God's holiness without suffering destruction, God reached across this divide suffering destruction on our behalf. Through faith in Christ, we're invited fully into God's presence, bearing not our own righteousness, but Christ's holiness.
Finally, this verse speaks of the church as those who dwell in God's courts. Essentially, we are those of God's household, joint heirs of the kingdom with Jesus Christ. While we all have earthly families, through Jesus, we join the household of faith, becoming God's own possession. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have a home, but even if all we know on this earth passes away, we have a home in Christ, dwelling in God's courts.
