Usher Me Into the Presence of God

Scripture:  Psalms 84:1-2 - How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Psalms 27:4 - One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: 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 inquire in His temple.
Psalms 42:1-2 - As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Being ushered in the presence of the Lord reminds me of a beautiful praise song by Don Moen that I love (but arranged by Keith Staten) entitled “I Just Want To Be Where You Are”:
I just want to be where You are
Dwelling daily in Your presence
I don’t want to worship from afar
Draw me near to where You are

I just want to be where You are
Dwelling daily in Your presence
I don’t want to worship from afar
Draw me near to where You are

Oh my God
You are my strength and my song
And when I’m in Your presence
Though I’m weak
You’re always strong

I just want to be where
I just want to be where
Wherever You are
I just want to be where
I just want to be where
Wherever You are……

Some days don’t you long to stay in the presence of the Lord – praise and worshiping Him, singing to Him, praying to Him, and reading His Word (the Bible)?  Then for me,  I start thinking about the things I need to do during a given day.  Throughout the day I think about my Savior – who He is and His character, and what He has done for me, and how one day I will be in Heaven in His presence.  I am looking forward to seeing my loved ones who have gone on before me!  We are like pilgrims who are passing through.  I’m so glad that this is not my permanent home.  

Spending time with the Lord daily helps us to deal with  this journey of life, and it helps us make right decisions in our lives as we yield to the Holy Spirit within us.  Other scriptures that remind me of being ushered into Your presence are:

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

James 4:8 - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Psalms 27:8 - When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”


Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for ushering me in Your presence – where I have a closer glimpse of You.  As a result of being in Your presence, help me to make decisions in my life that glorify You.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)