One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of You, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; You have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me Your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:4-14
There are reasons that I do not fear a lot of things that others fear. This verse begins to uncover it…
My greatest and deepest desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord. I pray for it all the time. I long to not be on the outskirts of anything, no, I want to be right at God’s feet. I want to be “in the thick of it”, as they say.
Because of this desire and living a life intentionally focused upon His face, I don’t fear calamity. I am calamities foe. When a negative report or mandate of any sort comes, I immediately feel the protection of God and realize that He will give me a way out. That’s truly my default.
When taxes are raised or the oil field is seemingly destroyed, I begin to look around for the next way that God will provide exceedingly, abundantly more than I could ask or imagine.
Does this mean I never feel the stretch of circumstances? Well, I’ve been pretty honest to reveal that it doesn’t. But it does mean that I am unwilling to surrender the greatness of God’s calling on my life and the lives of my family members, due to circumstances.
See, even when we feel pressed and almost crushed, I’m still looking into the future and seeing success and blessing. The now, is just a time of waiting for them to unfold. The discomfort of today is just the growing of character to support the magnitude of the calling God’s placed upon my life.
Everything has purpose. Ever circumstance can be transformed into an opportunity.
I refuse to compromise with fear. I will stand firm on the promise. I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Prayer Moment: God, thank You for renewing my mind so I can see You everywhere I look. Thank You for constantly reminding me of the greater things to come. Thank You for repeatedly delivering me and my family from the evil one. We know we are secure in You. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
365 Days in the Presence 