IN HIS PRESENCE
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16: 11NIV
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11 KJV
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. Acts 2:28
I came to know Christ at a tent revival in August 1967 where four Tulsa area pastors bought a tent and joined together singing and preaching each night. It was there as a 15 year old street kid, I first encountered the presence of God. What a powerful presence it was as my life changed. I spent the next couple of years chasing that tent around from one revival to another. How I long for those days.
I’ll never forget the sense of His presence when I first shared my testimony in church … or the night I surrendered to God’s call to preach … or in the Air Force Barracks where I renewed my commitment to preach in 1972. I recall His presence many times as we worshipped in the churches I have been honored to pastor. His wonderful presence in the worship services during the early years of the church I planted in Glenpool. And in those wonderful Spirit filled worship times in El Salvador during the 10 trips I have made there. His precious presence has blessed my years of ministry.
John Maxwell said, “The only thing beautiful about a church is Jesus. When as a congregation, we sense His presence in our services then all is well. When He comes, lives are changed, hurts are healed, and joy is received.” How absolutely true!
Through Christ’s redemptive work on the cross believers can come into His presence! Hear the words of the Apostle Paul, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:21 For Israel, God’s presence was in the Temple, separated from the people in the Holiest of Holies. But that vail was “ripped in two” at the death of Jesus on the Cross and His presence now dwells in all believers. Our body is the Temple of the Lord! His presence goes with us.
The psalmist said there is, guidance, joy and eternal pleasures in His presence! IF that is true, if “in His presence there is abundance of Joy”, why then are we in such a hurry to get out of it as we meet together for worship? And why do we spend most of our time avoiding His presence in our daily lives through Bible reading and prayer? It should be a priority to enter into Gods presence when we gather for worship in our churches. But that is not enough! there is great need to practice personal worship each day in the thick of things. The psalmist wrote:
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100:4-5
Into His Presence
Into His presence with singing.
Into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, bless His name.
The Lamb is worthy of praise.
Into His gates with thanksgiving.
Hear hosannas ring.
Into His presence with singing.
Praise to our soon coming King.
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