I was reading in the bible this morning and didn’t get very far before I began questioning myself. I was reading the 15th chapter of I Chronicles, which records how David returned the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. It had been constructed by Moses, as designed by God; and the Lord had chosen it as a place for his glory to dwell. It had been placed out of sight and out of mind in the days of Saul, but David had an overwhelming desire to return it to it’s rightful place in Jerusalem. The first verse says that he prepared a place for the ark of God. Almost immediately the question came to me, “Am I making the right preparations for God to dwell with me? Am I ordering my life (the time he gives me each day) in such a way that He feels welcome in it?
I know the Lord desires that daily communion because he filled me with his Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the promise he made to his disciples when he told them, “Even the Spirit of truth, … he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” I also know there are other things competing for my time and attention; and though they are certainly not as important, they often carry a greater sense of urgency. Mark put it this way by saying, “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” I have found, within myself, that when I give place to every mosquito of life through the day (reasoning that later will be a more convenient time to pray, read, and meditate with the Lord), by the end of the day (with my mind numb and by body weary) communing with the Lord no longer seems convenient. However, when I take the time, to include the Lord in my day … throughout the day, desiring that closeness with Him, creating that place for Him; then, I am more intensely aware of His presence, am more at peace, more joyful … and in turn more aware of opportunities and more willing to share the love of God and the joy of that I feel with others.
David, in preparing a place for the ark, in making the journey (moving it) the way the Lord had specified, in sacrificing and praising through word and song all along the way, laid the foundation for a glorious celebration of victory where he danced confidently with joy before the Lord with all his might. Let us prepare a place for the Lord as well, let us order our daily life by his word, let us sing his praises and testify of his infinite grace and mercy; and ultimately let us shout the glory down as we victoriously celebrate His entry! Hallelujah!!!
GOD BLESS AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Bro. Mickey