"The one thing I ask of the Lord -- the thing I seek most -- is to live in the house of the Lord (God's presence) all of the days of my life, delighting in the Lord's perfections and meditating in his Temple." (vs 4) David's greatest desire was to daily live in God's presence. This verse is a challenge to me, to each of us. My life (my attention/focus, affection, and adoration) reflects what I spend my time seeking after. Does my life reflect my seeking after God? Am I creating an atmosphere for God's presence?
Because of vs 4, David could say "my heart will know no fear" ... I remain confident... even when surrounded by a mighty army...even if they attack me." How could David say that when Saul was trying to kill him...when his army abandoned him... when his wives and children were taken captive? Because David was a man after God's own heart...a man who lived in God's presence...not in his circumstances. David did not deny the existence of those events in his life but he was "confident that he would see the Lord's goodness while he was here in the land of the living."
What is the "mighty army" that surrounds you or me, threatening to attack us? The economy, sickness, rejection, misunderstanding? Is fear imprisoning us within ourselves or are we confident that God will see us through?
Father, the one thing we ask of you is to daily live in your presence. We purpose to read and speak your word, to worship you, to prepare a daily atmosphere for Your presence in our lives. Amen.
2 comments:
Amen to all of that Pastor Arlene. That is exactly what i feel about this Psalm. There is something so sweet about a life that pursues the presence of God above everything else in their life, like David. I am with you. That is the life I want and the atmosphere Isaac and I want to set in our home for our children. I love what you wrote pastor Arlene.
The other verse that spoke to me is in verse 6 where it says that even though enemies (and affliction) surround him "therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in the tabernacle." Joy is an attitude and a choice, not a happiness or personality or right circumstance. Sometimes joy is a sacrifice when difficult circumstance surrounds us, like David. But, we set our heart on Him, and choose an attitude of joy that exalts and worships God and yes, maybe we are honest about a situation, but it doesn't need to get us down. God is in control and He has plan. Sometimes we just need to worship our way out of circumstance and even if that circumstance doesn't change, we will change in the process as we CHOOSE and ATTITUDE of joy.
I also love verse 13 "I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." This is honest. When we are going through difficult times, we need to hope in God and believe that good things aren't just going to happen when we get delivered from all this in heaven, but that we will see His goodness at work in our life in the land of the living. We all need hope that God will do great things in our life through any circumstance. I would lose heart in my life too if I didn't believe that God had great things in store for me. I would lose heart if I didn't believe that everything He takes me through is with purpose and to prepare me for the great things He has in store for me, for my husband, for my kids, etc. He will do great things in our life when we're looking for it. Sometimes the most difficult seasons are the ones that God comes through the most. David was next to be King. He has great things for you and me and there is no way we can lose heart if our heart and hope is set on Him.
Great comments, Pastor Kirsten. Isn't David such a great example of choosing an attitude of joy in all circumstances...and he definately had circumstances in his life! What a wonderful promise vs 13 -- to see the goodness of God in this life, not just in the sweet-by-and-by. The waiting times of seeing that promise fulfilled are times of refreshing and renewing and instruction for us! Have a blessed day!
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