You Can Experience Peace Now In The Presence Of God

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I’ve been sitting at my keyboard for more than an hour searching and finally praying … asking the Lord to tell me what He wants me to write about Psalm 132.

The war in Israel has been going on for more than a month and I know that it’s hard for us to imagine what the state of the world will be going forward. Many of us are praying for peace in Jerusalem as God’s people have for generations. Peace from war is so very important but true peace, spiritual peace, can only be found in the presence of God.

There are few people in Scripture who loved the Lord like David loved Him. It was evident to everyone around him, especially his son, Solomon who is believed to be the author the these words…

Lord, remember David
    and all that he suffered.
He made a solemn promise to the Lord.
    He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel,
“I will not go home;
    I will not let myself rest.
I will not let my eyes sleep
    nor close my eyelids in slumber
until I find a place to build a house for the Lord,
    a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel.”

Psalm 132:1–5

David built a beautiful palace for himself and it bothered him deeply that the Ark of the Covenant (the symbol of God’s presence with His people) resided in a tent. He believed that God deserved to be worshiped in a beautiful Temple. In fact, it bothered him so much that it kept him awake at night.

Augustine wrote…

“Because God has made us for Himself, our hearts are restless until they rest in Him.”

David definitely knew that he didn’t have to be in a Temple to experience peace in the presence of God, he wrote…

He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams

Psalm 23:2

The Lord gives His people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

Psalm 29:11

Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
    May all who love this city prosper.

Psalm 122:6

But he wanted to honor God for all of His countless blessings and worship Him with all His people in a beautiful setting built specifically for Him.

I believe that is true for you and me. We can worship and glorify God wherever we are but it’s also important to gather with His people and lift Him up in worship and praise. There is peace in the presence of God as we gather with one another with faith, hope, and love.

God promised David…

“I will place one of your descendants
    on your throne…
then your royal line
    will continue forever and ever.”

Psalm 132:11b, 12b

Jesus is that descendant and the source of our hope.

Peter experienced love in the presence of Jesus and with faith and hope he wrote…

Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

1 Peter 1:13b

So may we also live with faith, hope, and love. May we worship in the presence of God with His people and whatever we do, wherever we are, may we trust the Lord and find peace in His presence. May we joyfully live each day in anticipation as we await His great and glorious return to take us home.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Worship in the Presence of God

Father, I want to be completely surrendered to You. I want to give You my all—heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to worship You everywhere I go and with everything I do. But I know I fall short of fulfilling my desires. I get caught up in life’s distractions and concerns.

Please help me, Lord. By the power of Your Spirit, give me a heart filled with worship and praise. Wherever I am and through everything I do may I worship and glorify You. Whether I am singing Your praises together with Your people in a packed sanctuary or washing dishes, doing laundry, and loving on my people. Even when I am standing alone in a field of Your creation … I want to do everything with a heart of adoration.

May I always remember that You promised to be with me forever and always. You promise to give me the peace that passes understanding. You promise to give me everything I need when I SEEK You above all else in my life.

I give myself to You. I worship You knowing that I am in Your holy presence. You are always with me. Wherever I go You are there. All because of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

As we look at the chaos taking place around the world, may we remember the words of Jesus…

“And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.”

“For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.”
 
“People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Luke 21:20, 22, 26–28

None of the events happening around the world are a surprise to God and they shouldn’t be a surprise to us either. All of creation is firmly in His hands. We can trust Him … we can count on His promises.

So, SEEK to KNOW Him because when you do, you will be prompted by the Holy Spirit to TRUST, LOVE, and OBEY Him. Spend time with Him in the Word, in Worship, and in Prayer. Experience peace in the presence of God.

Let’s close with this prayer of St. Augustine…

“Oh, God, to know you is life. To serve You is freedom. To praise You is the soul’s joy and delight. Guard me with the power of Your grace here and in all places. Now and at all times, forever. Amen.” ~ St. Augustine

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