Weekly Devotional

It’s of the utmost importance that we take time to quietly and deliberately sit in the presence of our Lord. Though everywhere is in the presence of omnipresent God, we must choose to seek His face and receive from Him divine instruction. David’s mission statement is found in Psalms 27:4 and this should be ours as well. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.”(Ps 27:4) There are many reasons why Believers need to seek the Lord; behold His awesome characteristics; and enquire in His presence, but we will discuss only three.

First and most importantly, we can experience intimate fellowship and communion with our Heavenly Father. Only by the blood of Jesus are we given access to the throne of God. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16) The Holy Spirit indwells us and we are the temple of God. (see I Cor 6:19) The purpose of the old temple was for a place to meet with God and commune with Him. The same is true of our “new” temple. How shall we learn His ways and what He calls us to be if we do not meet with Him and humbly listen to receive guidance?

The second reason we need time of devotion before the Lord is for the cleansing and purifying of our hearts. Because we are sinners and our flesh constantly longs to sin, scripture admonishes us to confess and forsake it, that God may forgive and cleanse. (see IJn 1:9) If we are walking in sin and impurity we will not walk in oneness and peace with God. (see Isa 59:2) Therefore, we all need to sit at the feet of our Lord and meditate upon scripture. Through obedience to His word our walk is strengthened, as our heart is cleansed and purified. (see Jn 15:3; IPt 1:22)

A third reason we need time before the Lord is to refresh our souls and restore strength to our weary spirits. Daily schedules and constant commitments of life can drain us. This can leave us feeling exhausted, but God promises to ‘renew our strength’ as we wait upon Him. (Isa 40:31) Psalm 23 reminds us that our Great Shepherd continually ministers to our needs and restores our soul by His word and His Spirit. “That He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;”(see Eph 3:12-21)