Friday's Reflections

I would like to take a moment and look back at a recent Wednesday night Bible Study. The video teacher made a statement that challenged me that evening and still challenges me today. He said, “Our goal as Christians should be to get into the presence of God.” I believe that this should be a personal desire as well as a corporate desire. Listen to David’s words in Psalm 84:1-2, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”  WOW!! Isn’t that an awesome challenge but also a wonderful opportunity for each believer?

Have you heard the term “name dropper?” Human beings enjoy letting their family and friends know “who they know.” We enjoy dropping their names at just the right time in the conversation so that it will garner the most attention. Even preachers have been known to do this in their preaching. LOL We enjoy people knowing that we know someone of importance, fame, fortune, or a “star” in either sports or entertainment. There is certainly no sin being committed when we put that practice into action. BUT DO YOU REALIZE that believers know the One whom EVERYONE will bow before one day? (Philippians 2:10) Are we sure that we want to limit famous and powerful to this world only? REALLY?

In 1 Samuel 17:34-37 we see a glimpse into the impact of David meeting with God early in his life. Scripture says, But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” It was during David’s time in the fields that He learned of God’s power and desire for deliverance. He learned what it was to meet with God in the daily walk and work of life. And he carried that knowledge with him into every battle, trial, and failure. Yes, there is much more to learn from being in the presence of God as an individual BUT ALSO AS A CORPORATE BODY OF BELIEVERS!!!

I want to make being in the presence of God a priority in my life. I understand that we are all busy people with responsibilities. We are unable to spend each waking hour of our lives in some secluded place in our home. But doesn’t the Bible teach us to “pray without ceasing?” We know that there are physical limitations to that action BUT WE CAN LIVE WITH AN ATTITUDE OF PRAYER!! I believe that we can also live with an attitude of being in the presence of God throughout the day. That simply means that we can live with an “open heart” always looking for an encounter with God as well as always listening for Him to speak to us in some shape, form or manner!!