Today’s Scripture: But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 73:28 ESV
Asaph wrote this Psalm. Like us, Asaph witnessed the highs and lows of life. He served under David and Solomon and experienced the wonder of God and the wandering of man.
Like us, he was tempted to fall for what the world offers. He almost fell for wealth and security. He says he almost gave up until he went into the sanctuary of God. Have you gone into the sanctuary of God? This is going into the Builder and not the building.
Going into the presence of God where we learn to fear Him over fearing life. Coming to know Him instead attempting to understand life protects us from our own temptations and delusions.
Yes, it is good for me to be near God, how about you?
Today’s Prayer: LORD God, thank You for taking sanctuary with me. Only with You do I find Your strength, wisdom and understanding. Only with You can I keep my feet and my heart secure. You are my strength and I love being near You and confess my needs and thanksgivings to you. It is good. Amen
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
“Coming to know Him instead of attempting to understand life protects us from our own temptations and delusions.” Now that is an astute observation! Thanks Tom!
Thanks Jelillie! Moving beyond our understanding takes us near. Far beyond…Blessings!
Many times in the Old Testament it speaks of being in the presence of God as we are feasting. I relate feasting in those instances as to feasting on the Word. When we stay in the Word, we keep our hearts pure & are able to resist temptation. But we mustn’t think of ourselves better than others because we have a closer walk with God.
A verse which goes along with your devotional is in Jude 1 verse 24: “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.” In this passage, it instructs us to encourage each other, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and wait for the mercy of Jesus Christ, which will keep us safe in God’s love.
Thank you Kimberly! I love your Jude 1 24 verse. It is a great joy isn’t it?! Thank you for your encouragement, prayers and sharing of the feasting of His Word! No place is safer! Blessings to you and I thank you for your sharing, you are a blessing!
Being next to God is the best thing a child of God can do…when you are in His presence it’s like I know for me that this world and it’s problems just don’t exist I get lost when I am in His presence…And I thank God I am able to have that….and even when a day goes where it might be a not so good day I don’t have to wait till I get home to be in His presence for He is every where I go, so I can sing while walking I can talk to Him on a bus or I can go to the nearest bathroom and pray in there and use it as my prayer closet..Glory to GOD
Thanks Desiray! Glory to God and thankful He is always with us and made us to be near Him! Blessings!
Kimberly, You said, “But we mustn’t think of ourselves better than others because we have a closer walk with God.” SO true! We are blessed, not better!
Yes, we are Blessed! vs 22-23 of Jude 1 says we should show mercy to others & ‘snatch them fm judgement & goes on by saying to do so with great caution.’ We are to abhor the sin, not the sinner.
Thanks Kimberly!
Thanks Katy for sharing. The humbleness it takes to enter into His sanctuary makes us realize we are not better than anyone doesn’t it?!
The converse to that is so true: It is not good to not be near God. So glad He draws me to Himself.
Me too! Thanks Bill!
Thank you for blessing us and continuously encouraging us to get near to God! It is the best thing ever!! God bless you!
Thanks Deb for stopping by. Cherish your nearness to God today! Blessings.
Being near to HIm is the only only only way I can live- and strangely, it’s the first thing I’m tempted to let go of when trouble comes…but like your prayer, only with Him am I able to keep my feet and my heart secure.
Thanks Robin for sharing your presence and prayers! We are a weird creation aren’t we?!! Flesh and spirit at conflict at all times. May our spirits continually be drawn near and our flesh in quick pursuit!! Blessing and intimacy with our Creator to you today!