God’s presence is an incredible blessing.  David wanted to build a house for God’s presence.  God’s response to David through the prophet was to give David amazing promises, to make David great, to provide his people a place, to give peace, and establish a house and kingdom for David.  David was a man after God’s own heart (1Sam. 13:14) who rejoiced in God’s presence (Psalm 21:6) and wanted to put Him first.  God rewarded David’s devotion richly, and besides these very tangible gifts, David also experienced God’s presence, and felt God with him wherever he went (2 Sam 7:9). Part of the great promises God gave to David was to raise up offspring to succeed him.  This was not only David’s son Solomon, who would build God’s temple, but a kingdom what would endure forever before God.  Ultimately, this promise would reach its fulfillment in the Son of David, Jesus, whose kingdom is eternal (2 Pet. 1:11).  

 

Whether God rewards us on earth for our devotion, in tangible ways like David or not, the greatest reward is God’s presence. The psalmist Asaph explains how God’s presence makes everything else seem unimportant in comparison when he states, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Ps. 73:25)  This has become my favorite passage of Scripture (or life verse), because it helps focus me on God’s presence.  How can you dwell in God’s presence today?  Is there a passage of Scripture (perhaps a Psalm), a hymn, a spiritual song, or a time of prayer that helps usher you into His presence?  I hope that God will use these daily Bible readings first of all to draw you closer to Him.  

 

A fellow traveler,

 

Bill