Our purpose is to live a life of worship. To know and be known by God. We are to walk in His grace and be changed by it. This means understanding who we are in God’s presence — that our life is not ours. When gripped by grace, we experience abundant life. And then comes humility, obedience, and worship. Indeed, it is good to be near God.
A desire to be in God’s presence naturally fuels an authentic life of worship. It’s coming to a place where our hearts say, “God, everything else out there is a mirage. Only in Your presence is there life and fullness of joy.”
Christian, do you and I believe this? Do we think being in God’s presence is the best place to be? Is it our heart’s desire to be with God more than anywhere else?
One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 73. I’d for sure encourage you to read it. The chapter is full of the tension the psalmist (Asaph) felt. He desired to live for God, yet he felt the world’s pull on his flesh. He asked himself (and God) some pretty honest questions. Is righteously living a life of sacrifice best? Is it worth it? At face value, it can sometimes feel like everyone else in the world has such “peace” and “freedom.” It’s as if they get to do whatever they want. We, of course, know this isn’t the case. However, in our finite minds, we are deceived.
Clarity Found in His Presence
At the close of Psalm 73, the psalmist sees the end of this so-called “pleasure.” That is to say he recognizes it as fleeting and momentary and ending in death and disappointment. To me, one of the most beautiful parts of Asaph’s revelation is that he was confused until he says, “I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” (v.17)
Living for God (according to His truth) will absolutely last for eternity. The worldly life of “comfort and pleasure only” (which gives no thought to God and His ways) ends in destruction. Experiencing the true goodness of grace in God’s presence will bring clarity to our lives. Asaph put it this way, “But for me, it is good to be near God.” (v.28)
Needless to say, His presence gives us clarity in life. To put it another way, tasting the goodness and grace of our Savior will make us want to fight the temptations of sin and flesh. Eventually, it will be less enticing or satisfying to run after ruin. Admittedly, it doesn’t feel worth going after what we know ends in destruction.
Have you experienced that? Thank God today for His goodness and protection in your life.
Grace and Peace,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor