God’s Presence, God’s Provision
This past Sunday, I mentioned Debbie and I having lunch with our friends Val and Diane McDaniel. Today I met them in Denver at the Capitol so they could return to the place where they were married, outside the House Chambers on the west balcony. They even dressed in the “wedding attire” for the occasion.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.” Psalm 84:11,2 HCSB
Psalm 84, is one the most beautiful of the Psalms. I would encourage you to read it, in its entirety slowly, contemplatively.
It begins with a focus on the Lord’s presence, we read, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.…What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.” (Psalm 84:1-2,4 HCSB)
David declared, “…in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV) Cultivating the Lord’s presence in our life and being in God’s House are the most important opportunities we have to refocus our attention, priorities and perspective of life and ourselves.
In God’s presence we find rest, we find encouragement, we find a foretaste of the eternity the Lord promises for those who love Him. A friend of mine who just celebrated another birthday made the comment, “each year is a year closer to being with the Lord.” That is not a morbid, view of the temporary nature of this life, but it is a hope-filled anticipation of a better life that awaits God’s children.
As we move through the psalm we see the Lord’s gracious provision for our life. He grants us strength and even when we walk through a “valley of weeping” He is able to bring refreshing and comfort.
“What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord…When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs...They will continue to grow stronger…” (Psalm 84:5-7 HCSB)
When then see this imagery of the Lord as a “sun and shield.” The Lord brightens our path, turns darkness to light. He also is a source of protection. A shield not only absorbed the arrows of the enemy, but served as a form of shade from the hot sun.
The all encompassing promise is, “…The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” (Psalm 84:11 HCSB)
The response to that is to place our full trust in the Lord and to allow Him to be to us what we need. All that is found in His abiding presence and His gracious provision.
Prayer for today…. Lord, as I ponder the words of this Psalm, it calls me to pause and to worship You and give You thanks for who You are and what You offer to those who place their faith and trust in You. How great You are!