Scripture Passage
Psalms 27-32
Scripture Focus
The one thing I ask of the LORD—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
delighting in the LORD’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the LORD with music.
(Psalm 27:4-6 NLT)
Observation
(Okay—just to warn you, today’s thoughts, though absolutely genuine, seem uncharacteristically syrupy sweet to the author.)
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It must be “old hymn week” in the Duncan noggin’.
(For the uninitiated, “noggin’” is Ozarkian for “head” or “mind”, i.e., “You can git those foolish notions outta yer noggin’ right now, boy!”)
I wasn’t five verses into today’s reading—this wonderful psalm of David where he affirms his trust in God’s covering, and asks of God one thing—that he never be disconnected from the Lord’s Presence…that he never be unable to be in the House of the Lord—…not five verses in before I was remembering the lyrics to Ralph Carmichael’s song “A Quiet Place”…
There is a quiet place
Far from the rapid pace
Where God can soothe my troubled mind.
There’s much more to that song—but it’s about gardens and mountains and such, and I’m just not that into nature…
The point is, this psalm opens with expressions about all kinds of legitimate concerns—evil people intent on devouring, enemies determined to attack—and David finds that place where he knows he has nothing to fear (“Why should I be afraid? Why should I tremble”) when he crawls into the safety of the presence of the Lord.
It’s there he finds protection. It’s there he finds covering. It’s there he finds renewed confidence and strengthened hope.
Oh, how we need that very same thing. Oh, how we need repeated, consistent immersion in the presence of the Lord. If memory serves, Robert Webber said it like this: “True worship really sets the world in order.” Oh, how we need those times when we immerse ourselves in God’s presence and reframe our days from an eternal perspective.
(Conveniently, this is a Sunday morning post. I hope you're headed to the House of the Lord, today.)
Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the LORD with music.
(Psalm 27:6 NLT)
Addendum:
Speaking of syrupy-sweet…want to hear a rendition of Ralph Carmichael’s syrupy-sweet song performed by syrupy-sweet Bill Pearce on a syrupy-sweet trombone complete will syrupy-sweet full orchestral accompaniment?
Click "play" below...
Ahhh that is good stuff. Both the message and the song. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteDavid is giving a good example here. Praising God for the help and the hope he provided. If we put our complete trust in God as our guide, deliverer and protector. If we seek God constantly we can be sure that when problems arise, He will watch over us, make our way secure, and draw us even nearer to Him. Yes, it is Sunday and I am heading to His house so I can feel God's Hand on my soul. Glen H
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