For Me or For Him
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“How precious are your thoughts concerning me …” Psalm 139:17
It had been anything but a “quiet” time. Although I had closed the door and opened my Bible, my attention skittered between meetings just attended, people needs for which I felt responsible, and future events crowding the calendar. A glance at the clock too soon revealed that it was time to leave my private chamber and tend to the day’s responsibilities. “So much for spiritual preparation” was my somewhat whiny comment to God.
Then came His voice speaking into my heart—as clearly as if He had been physically standing before me: “That okay, my daughter. I just wanted to sit here with you. I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
We delude ourselves into thinking that our quiet times are primarily for our own benefit. We are intellectually aware that God is always with us, that His eye is not only on the sparrow but on each of us. We claim a personal relationship with Him yet are slow to understand much of what that means.
How different would be our attitudes if we began to learn that we come into His presence to give Him joy.
God, I am so grateful for Your personal love for me. To think that You simply desire me to be inYour presence is overwhelming. I love You.
Reflection: Sit quietly and imagine the look on God’s face as you come into His presence. What words of welcome might He be saying to you?
Hello Paul,
I can’t get into much details but your story has encouraged me to keep on. Thank you brother.
Dear Sister in the Lord, Marilyn;
I enjoyed that very appropriate lesson this morning. I shared this story a while back but I feel good to share it again with you.
I watched at a traffic light about 20 years ago as a boy was walking froom his house, and obviously in an urgent matter to attend! His mongrel pooch was walking behind and wanting his attention. Evidently they had spent time playing together and the pup wanted his attention. The boy shouted to the dog to “go home” several times, but when he looked back the dog was still persuing his attention with his tail wagging and a look of excited expectancy on his countenance. Finally the young man turned, frustrated by the dog’s persistance, and picked up a stone and threw it at the dog, nearly missing him. The dog turned and ran, avoiding the missle. When the dog turned toward the boy this time he had a different look on him; one of disappointment and rejection. He walked away this time with his tail folded between his legs and his head hanging, walking slowly. I was, at this time, fighting alcoholism in my life, and God and the Holy Spirit were drawing me to Him. My mom was/is an intercessor. God showed me in an instant that dog is just like He, wanting to fellowship with me and I am turning away from Him with other matters on my agenda more important than spending time and letting Him have control and healing my distorted life. It was, literally, almost like I had been frozen in that moment while He spoke to me. I have never forgotten that encounter to this day. He did set me free from alchoholism and wonderfully saved me. But moments as you just described, he still comes so patiently to me and reminds me of that pup, and I can see him just as if it were today. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice, and opens the door I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with me.” It’s truly amazing the precious moments we discard with His fellowship and choose rather to get hammered with all the cares and stresses of this life isn’t it? What a lousey trade off!