Today’s Tasting: Psalms 7, 27, 31, 34, 52: These Psalms are just five of the many written by David while he was running for his life from King Saul. He had many enemies and wicked men were after him continuously. He was hunted like an animal to be destroyed. He remained in hiding for years even though he had already been anointed as the future king of Israel.
David cries out to the Lord in each psalm, waiting patiently on the Lord for deliverance and continued protection. At times he was surrounded on all sides by his enemies. Evil men spoke lies against David to the king, stirring up more indignation and wrath against him. He had no one on his side but a band of defeated, destitute, depressed misfits. The future did not look promising for David during this time.
But that is not the end of the story. David knew the one true God of Israel. He had faith in God and a personal relationship with The Most High. He knew deep in his heart that no matter how things looked on the outside, God was with him and that fact gave him peace on the inside. He truly trusted God. In David’s words, “My heart will not fear; the Lord is my light; the Lord is my salvation; even then I will be confident.” (paraphrased from Psalm 21:1, 3).
Today’s Nourishment: David had an open “secret.” We discover what his secret was as we read these five songs he wrote to the Lord. In these present days, we take for granted this secret that David held close. However, if we activate David’s “secret” into our own lives, we too would live victorious in every situation we encounter. When life comes against us, we need to be acting on this special knowledge that David had. If we did, we too would experience great peace on the inside no matter what happens on the outside.
David’s secret was to remain in the presence of the God of the Universe, who is all wisdom and all power. This knowledge is on display in the record of David’s personal relationship with God. He stayed in God’s presence by seeking Him in every situation he faced. David spent time seeking God through his songs, through worship and through prayer. We, too, can come into the presence of our Holy God through worship, praise, and prayer. Praise and worship hold the keys to entering into the presence of God. Psalm 22:3 reads, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” Yes, David experienced many troubles and confronted many enemies, but not one of them could remove David from the presence and the protection of The Most High God. We can live just as secure in God’s presence.
In Psalm 27:4 David declares, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this only do I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his temple.” He continues in verse 5, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling, he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”
In Psalm 31:20, David says of those who fear God, “In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.”
Everything you and I need is to be found in the presence of God: His wisdom, His love, His forgiveness, His joy, His righteousness, His strength, His energy, His grace, and His mercy. These and more from His presence are waiting for you when you spend time in His presence. So, worship Him today, because He alone is worthy of our worship.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Psalms 56,120, and 140–142
June Smith, San Antonio, TX
mjunesmith@gmail.com
June, your post definitely reminds me to worship our Lord for who He is. He is a mighty God. He is a True God. He is a Worthy God to be praised and worship with our heart and lips. I worship You, my God! You are Mighty, True, Worthy, The Everlasting Father, Faithful, and Saving. Praise Your holy name.
As a go through my own “issues” I am also reminded daily to seek God’s presence. He is worthy and it is the best place to be.
Lord, today I seek you and long to be in your presence as I go through each day. I seek to have you flow through me in everything I say or do. I hang on tight to you. You are my everything.
Thank you June for this great post. As I was reading this I began to cry for it touched me and spoke to me right where I’m at in my life. I know that I know that it’s in His Presence where I am strong and where I belong. I haven’t been in His Presence the way I long to be and have let some life issues cause me to not rise above my circumstances. I choose this day to worship Him for, YES, He IS worthy of my worship and praise. Forgive me Father for taking my eyes off of You for I do know Lord that everything I need is in You praise your holy name!!!!!!