Blog 17:
It’s really amazing how God works sometimes. The way that He can guide our thoughts to a particular truth or reality can almost be overwhelming in its comprehensiveness. The thing He has been trying to reinforce in me the past few weeks is the importance of living in His presence with our whole lives, our whole beings. He has spoken to me about this specific topic during my personal prayer time, through the book we are reading in Sunday school, through my Scripture reading time, and even in the sermons Pastor Steve has preached. It has been so much reinforcement that it has taken me some time to process and unpack it to some level in this blog post. The song at the end is not finished but I felt it was at a point where God could use it to encourage you to find your way into His presence.
Within the song, verse 3 is from Psalm 89:14-16 in the NIV (slight word modification for phrasing/rhythmic reasons) and I chose it because the Hebrew word for presence here is the same that is used in Genesis 3:8 where Adam and Eve try to hide from God’s presence. That juxtaposition is striking to me because the text of the Psalm reads that those who walk in His presence are blessed whereas we read immediately after the verse in Genesis that Adam and Eve are cursed. This difference will be further and comprehensively made in eternity as the essential “definitions” of Heaven and Hell are where God is present eternally and where He is not eternally. We see throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament that being in the presence of God is a place of blessing… a place of providence; it is seen in the calling of Abraham and the calling of Moses, from the birth and ministry of Jesus to the very last promises in the book of Revelation. King David understood this long before he became a king; even as a young child it seems that he was aware of the blessings found in God’s presence.
The reign of David gives the clearest picture of the difference between being in God’s presence and not. Israel is blessed during his reign because he rules under God’s authority…living in His presence. However, the 2 times where he chose to not to be in God’s presence led to catastrophic results (Bathsheba/Uriah and census of the army). His family and the nation suffered greatly for these times that David did not live in God’s presence. David understands this as he wrote the confession found in Psalm 51 and asked God to restore their relationship…which God does.
I confess that it is often difficult for me to simply be in God’s presence. This song is more of a public confession and re-commitment to desiring Him more than anything else. As I typed the words out, I could feel the truth of them wash over me. I pray the Holy Spirit might use them to reaffirm that there is no place better than truly being in His presence. May His presence bless you richly according to His promises!
Because of Your Presence
Verse 1
I find myself having the same old fight inside,
Trying to make my Monday feel more like Sunday.
My nods of “Yes” to the preacher’s morning message
Are forgotten in a moment as I hear the world beckon.
I’m so busy doing the chores of church with Martha
There’s no time to simply worship my Lord with Mary.
Verse 2
For so long obedience has been my focus,
My life has become a list of do’s and don’ts.
But that obedience is not what You desire,
If it’s done at the cost of fellowship with You.
So you remind me of the words of David,
A man whose heart was one with Yours.
Chorus
Because of Your presence,
Everything I thought I knew is being made new.
Because of Your presence,
I need to alter what I’ve placed upon your altar.
Because of Your presence,
From this day forward I will surrender my will.
Because of Your presence,
Not just present but rejoicing in Your presence.
Verse 3
Righteousness and justice are the base of Your throne;
While love and faithfulness go before You.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You,
Who walk in the light of Your presence, O Lord.
They rejoice in Your name all the day long;
And they are exalted by Your righteousness.
Chorus
Verse 4
As this psalm leads me into Your holy presence,
I get the sense that I’m glimpsing eternity;
And the only thing that I can truly offer Him,
Is not my works, but my love and adoration.
So I go back and take a seat there next to Mary,
My one desire to be present in His presence.
Chorus w/tag last line x2