Prayer: Father, I am so privileged to have access to Your presence 24/7. May I lead others into a daily lifestyle to entering Your presence every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reading: Psalm 84 key: vs. 10-11
10 O God, look at our shield,
and look upon the face of Your anointed.
11 For a day in Your courts is better
than a thousand anywhere else.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the House of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Attention: You and I live in a day in which we have access into God’s presence as frequently and as often as we want or desire. In fact, I hope you come to the place where you stay in His presence all the time as He indwells you.
The psalmist did not know God the way that we have the opportunity to know Him. He had an intermediary called a priest, who had a high priest who interceded for the people. When Jesus went to the cross, He became our High Priest and we became priests, having direct access to God. We no longer need an earthly high priest as our advocate. Jesus is our advocate.
The psalmist did understand that he wanted and longed to be in Adonai’s presence and proclaimed this amazing personal proclamation:
“For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the House of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
He is not talking about the Church, as that concept didn’t exist yet. He is not talking about the Temple although that is all he knew. He is talking about being in God’s presence. Where is His presence?
Jesus gives us a clue in His conversation with the woman at the well. You can find the full discourse in John 4 but here is what Yeshua tells her,
“… an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… an hour is coming – it is here now—when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshipers. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Yeshua spoke correctly, “it is here now!” The time is “now” for us to worship Him in spirit and truth. We have the opportunity to course correct and worship Him daily as He occupies the throne of our hearts. I hope you can say, I would rather be in His presence than anywhere else. I hope you will establish your study as an act of worship as a daily lifestyle and expression of your heart. Will you join me?
Action: I want to worship Adonai in spirit and truth. I will commit to establishing a daily lifestyle of study which leads to worship through the Choose Life Journal plan.
Yield: When I yield to the Spirit, I worship Adonai.
Engage: When I engage in worship, I am being obedient.
Relationship: Full relationship emerges into worship and worship brings presence.
Prayer: Father, I want to stay in Your presence. I want to worship You in spirit and in truth. Help me to develop a lifestyle of seeking to stay in Your presence, hearing Your voice and worshiping You the way You desire. In Yeshua’s name, amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 84:11
11 For a day in Your courts is better
than a thousand anywhere else.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the House of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Music Video: Matt Redman – Better Is One Day (Lyrics And Chords)
Remember, “Abide in Jesus, today!”