Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The true and living God does
not dwell in temples made with hands, but it pleased him to
condescend to man's weakness and to have him establish a place
where he would be worshipped and would make his presence known
unto men. So the Lord gave detailed instructions
to Moses about how this tabernacle was to be built, even down to
the number of rings that held up each curtain. No detail is
insignificant in any of God's design even as we see in his
creation. He is an absolute God who leaves
nothing to chance or outside of his ordained purpose. David
was a man after God's own heart and how truly did he yearn for
the presence of God in the dry and thirsty land that he found
himself in as he was pursued by Saul and then his own son
Absalom. He longed for the tabernacle
of the Lord. The New Testament church is where God has promised
to meet with his people. Yet I dare say that the vast
majority of those who profess to be the sons of God and who
claim together with his church have little if any knowledge
of the beauty of his presence. Even those who have no printed
liturgy are content to go through their rituals. They sing their
songs, pray their prayers, and listen to the preaching of the
Bible, but they have no consideration of whether or not he is truly
dwelling in their midst. They are as content to go home
when the time for the meeting is over as they were to attend
in the first place. Yet those sons of God who have
been given eyes to see cannot help but cry out to the living
God and long for His presence. They cannot be content with religion,
however fine it may appear or well defined by scriptural example
and order it may be. The fervor or solemnity of its
practice can never fill the void that they feel, as they have
a constant need to hear His voice and enter His courts. How beautiful
are His dwelling places! Nothing is more precious to the
sons of God. For a day in thy courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere. Some have thought that ecstatic
utterances and odd gyrations are the result of this desire.
Yet this is no momentary quest which is easily fulfilled by
some charismatic excess or the touch of some prophet's hand.
When they wake or when they sleep, this desire ever burns within
them, and religion of any type is but a hindrance to them in
finding a fulfillment. They seek no glory but His. I
had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell
in the tents of wickedness. Even the lowest of stations in
this life is acceptable, as long as they can commune with Him.
They need no recognition or approval of others, nor can they be satisfied
by a mutual admiration society or the assurances of men. They
feel that they must perish without his presence. My soul longeth,
yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my
flesh cry out for the living God. This is the very impetus
to prayer and is the evidence of the spirit at work in their
lives. For how can a man have such a desire except that the
Lord gives it to him? This is not a temporary mindset
nor the product of a fickle spirit. Blessed are they that dwell in
thy house. They will be still praising thee." Notice that this
blessedness is to those who dwell in his house and not just those
who visit from time to time. The fleshly religionist is satisfied
to come and go as he pleases. Not so the son who really sees.
He cannot depart for this is his home. Regardless of the circumstances,
they will be found clinging to him, who passing through the
valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth the pools.
Whether it be through tears of sadness or tears of joy, to whom
else can they turn and upon whom can they rely? All of their strength
is found in Him. They go from strength to strength.
Every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. He is their rock,
their sword, and their shield. They cannot fear anything but
their own deceitful heart, and He is greater than their heart.
O Lord, open our eyes and stir our cold hearts, that we may
behold Thee in Thy beauty. We languish and die without a
glimpse of Thee. O Lord, I have heard Thy speech
and was afraid. O Lord, revive Thy work in the
midst of the years, and in the midst of the years make known.
In wrath remember mercy. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the
man that trusteth in Thee. Do you long for His presence,
or are you satisfied with an emotional religious experience
which is orchestrated by others claiming to have the power to
cause you to be blessed? The Lord alone can meet the needs
of His people, and He is ever faithful to meet with them when
they gather in His name. He alone can bring this to pass. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to for the poor at windstream.net.