Psalm 27:4-5 – One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in his dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
King David lived to be in the presence of God. He craved it. He felt that his life, that any single day of his life, was not right unless he had spent time in the presence of the Lord. And not just spent time in it, but walked in it. Sometimes it is hard to grasp the best part of life is, here on earth, is being in the presence of God. To know what it is to be surrounded by His love, to be kept by it, to be fed and nourished by it. Some find it hard to believe that true everlasting reality is not what can be physically touched, seen, tasted or heard. What is most real is what is eternal. This earth, the trees, the animals, the wonderful emotional vistas of the world, the waterfalls, the ocean’s quiet and persistent tide or the breath taking power of storm driven waves all are temporary. They are real and a gift from God. The first time one beheld a beloved spouse, or the first time to hold a beloved child or grandchild or the baby of a beloved friend, all so special, so wonderful, such powerful gifts from God. Yet, even these, in our corrupted world, in the corrupted nature we are born into, are fleeting moments. They are ephemeral, here one day and too often, gone the next. We look at our children and our grandchildren, we watch them age, and utter what we don’t like to think about too deeply “Oh they grow up so fast. Time flies by.” We know what it means when we say these things. Soon they will be off to start school, then to go to college, then to move out and to get married. We enjoy the rhythms of life, and lament, and even fear, what they are pushing us toward. All of creation, including the living of this life with loved ones and dear friends, is all temporary.
What is not temporary is the presence of God. No-one and nothing else is permanent like the presence of God. The presence of God is a reality even for those who deny Him, whether they perceive it or not (though truly they may deceive themselves, to them the reality of God is a buried truth). Family and Friends, David knew what it was to be in the tangible and very real presence of God. Surely he looked for the time past his earthly life when He would dwell with the Lord in “Heaven.” When the times with God would not be punctuated with interruptions of life on this earth. But David said that in this life his desire was to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in his temple.” In this life here on earth David wanted to always be in the tangible presence of the Lord, to see the beauty of the Lord and to live with Him every moment of this life. Family and Friends I hope everyone understands and experiences what David did. David dwelt with God, God dwells within the Believer today. How much more should we know the friendship, the ever present companionship and the wonderful surrounding of His love? With every kindness to us from another, don’t we recognize the ultimate source of the kindness is from God? We are grateful to the person who is kind to us, but we know that their kindness and love is ultimately from God. But more than that, is to see with spiritual eyes what God has given us, what physical eyes cannot see. Unabashedly I testify that I spend time with God and am aware of His presence, I receive His instruction and guidance, and I feel His touch. And not just me, but I know many who would testify the same. So when it has been said to me that I think I know God but I don’t really know God, it makes me sad that people would really believe that. That they don’t know. I know that I know God. More importantly, He first knew me. What a blessing to dwell with God and know His presence while on this earth, and to long for the day when our attention will no longer be interrupted.
Family spend time with God every day, throughout the day. Be in His Word and sit at His feet as He explains it to us. Hear His voice. Feel His touch. Listen to His laughter and the tenderness and empathy for us in His voice. Yes, read His Word daily. And sometimes just say to the Lord “Here I am Lord. I just want to be with You.” Other times hear and sing songs of praise to Him. His Word, music to Him, alone time with Him all are special times used by God to minister to us. Change it up, be with Him in your prayer closet, or be with Him while on a bike, or motorcycle or car ride. Be with Him while walking or running. Be with Him on mountaintops or by the sea or a lake. Be with Him while admiring the sunrise, or the sunset, or while gazing up at the stars in the sky. Just be with Him every chance we can, because we can. Because He loves us!
Oh God Almighty, every day we long for You! Praise and Glory and Honor to You God! Oh how we long for Your presence! Oh how we love you Lord!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”