In His Presence

“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.” Psalm 5:3

The alarm rings, the phone vibrates, and the sun awakens us with the light of day.  What we do next is of utmost importance.   As thoughts bombard our minds, whatever we choose to dwell on will be produced in snapshots throughout the rest of the day.  Before we know it, we begin to act on each image from these hidden thoughts.

How desperate we are then to understand what David knew so well.  We must begin each day in God’s presence–our place of worship and meditation.  David understood that his mind had to be trained daily to listen to God.  The art of listening to God is more than a human discipline; it is a spiritual necessity for those who are serious about knowing and abiding in Christ.  Each morning David laid his petitions before the altar of grace and mercy and understood that God does not take pleasure in evil. The wicked will not find footing in His dwelling.

He declares those who embrace the spirit of arrogance cannot stand in the presence of God.  We must come humbly to bow before our God each day and confess the sin that so easily entangles.

David, a man after God’s own heart, was a mighty man, a great leader and awesome king, yet he came before his Creator as a desperate peasant, not a domineering conqueror.  He understood who he was in the eyes of Almighty God.  As we understand our own position before God, we can then find liberty, justice, freedom, transformation, and salvation.  The Lord will then lead us through each day in His own righteousness, leaving our enemies and foes far behind.  He is our shield, provider and provision.

Let us daily seek to abide in the presence of Almighty God so we can take refuge in Him and be glad.  Joy will overtake us.  His protection will be our security.  Blessing will spill over from His righteousness as we practice the discipline of seeking to live our lives in His presence each and every day.

“The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.” ~ Edward McKendree Bounds

Father God, I want to be like David.  I want to seek you in the wee hours of the morning and then all the hours that follow.  Please help me to do whatever is necessary to seek You first each day.  I give you my calendar, my agenda, and my priorities.  Please help me to die to me so I can live for You.  Thank You for Jesus, Your Son and my Savior, who modeled the life I want to live.  In His name I pray, Amen.