May 28
“LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?..” (Psalm 15:1)
A lot of people want to have God with them wherever they go. They want God to guide them… and lead them… and bless them… and keep them safe and comfortable.
But they often want all these things on their own terms. They want God to be where THEY are – whether it is in God’s (or their) best interests to be there, or not. They want God to show up in their times of need – and to assist them in what they want to do.
But in this Psalm, David presents a different perspective. He gives us a better way – a more certain plan of action. A much more rewarding way of living life.
We need to go where GOD is. We need to abide where GOD is. We need to desire to be (and stay) in HIS Presence. We need to give Him the reigns… and let Him be the Boss. We need to come to God on HIS terms.
Strangely, that is the only way to assure that He will be there for us… leading us, guiding us, providing for us, and protecting us.
We always seem to get into trouble whenever we seek our own way, forge our own path, desire to do things our own way – rather than to get where God is and stay there. To move when He moves… to act when He wants… to say what is in His Heart (the kinds of things that can only be heard because we are close enough to hear His still small voice). David gives us a change of focus that makes all the difference in the world.
So what is the manner of person that lives/dwells/abides in God’s Presence?
The one…
In other words, the one whose heart’s desire is to be a living reflection of the Heart of God. This is the type of person who draws near to God… and discovers that God draws near in return. God only draws near to those who seek Him on His terms. And His terms always begin with having us abandoning our own strength and resources to seek His strength and resources alone. It is simple: Get in God’s Presence, trust Him – and stay there.
Jesus said the same thing… a little differently: “Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, is the one that bears much fruit…” (John 15:5) The key to finding all that this life can offer is to find the One Who is the Source of Life – Who offers Himself freely to us – and stay in His Presence.
David ends his Psalm with a promise: those who dwell in God’s Presence… “will never be shaken.” They will find that firm and everlasting foundation that stands the test of time and the times of testing. In the end, nothing is more important than knowing Your Creator personally and discovering the immense value His personal attention and affection.
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