Choosing to Enter God’s Presence

Psalm 65:1-13 It was a cold wintry day, and someone was knocking violently at my door. I looked through the peephole to discover two frightened young ladies who seemed desperate. Then I heard dogs barking in the background. I opened the door, and they said, “Please let us in!! Some dogs are chasing us!!” They were going door to door selling magazines, and some neighborhood dogs were following them. I let them in quickly, and they ended up staying with me for two hours. They were so relieved to find a refuge in my home. After some conversation and some hot tea, one of the ladies asked, “Don’t you get lonely in this big house?” My husband was at work, and my children were at school. I answered, “No, I never get lonely because the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are always with me, and we have a tea party every day.” Suddenly one of the ladies said with urgency in her voice, “We’ve got to go now.” I guess they thought I was crazy, but at least my statement finally made them leave.

This incident reminds me of the times I have chosen to enter God’s presence, His dwelling place, just to find refuge and comfort because I am desperate. So often I neglect my quiet times in the morning when things are going well in my life, but I would not dream of missing time with the Lord when I am going through hard times.

This psalm speaks of the blessing that awaits those who approach God. “Blessed is the man You choose and cause to approach unto You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple” (v. 4).

Note it was God who chose and caused the man in this psalm to approach Him. This offers hope for me in the discipline of a daily quiet time. Sometimes I just don’t feel I have the time to spend alone with the Lord, and frankly sometimes I just don’t want to take the time. When those times come in my life now, I can pray this prayer:

Lord, cause me to approach Your throne. Don’t let anything stop me from entering into Your presence. Give me the excitement and expectancy I need to draw me faithfully into Your presence. Amen.

READ: Numbers 33:40-35:34; Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 11:23