July 2, 2010 Life in the Strong Tower

Did you feel the refreshment in the Psalm today?  After such dark histories of human failings and selfishness, idol worship, the shedding of innocent blood, the uproar of a sea of humanity fighting against God-- we're thrilled by the pure, brilliant excellence of a simple call to praise God instead of rail against Him!  This is the atmosphere of heaven, which we can bring to earth through our faith: by words, songs, actions, attitudes.  Light and life overcome darkness and death.  They are in God.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10  I've always loved this verse, and I like how it dovetails with the meaning of the Psalm.  Since the name stands for His character, nature and authority, a great way to "run into" the name of God is to meditate on His goodness and His mighty acts, and to speak, sing or shout them out in praise and thanksgiving.  This praise brings us into a strong tower of His presence--an awareness of who He is and that He is there all around us.  It brings us into the place of remembering to love and trust Him, and in this place of remembrance, we enter into a deep place of worship.  It is here we know that there is no place like God.  Here we are safe.  What evil could ever harm us in heaven?

Once we discover that we may live in this tower always-- we never have to leave it, that it goes with us everywhere when we are in communion with God-- we gain the courage to live a meaningful and selfless life. 

April 15, 2010

It's one of those days I just have to spend extra time with the Lord and get filled up.  Psalm 84 really resonated with me today!  My heart is on pilgrimage, and if I don't keep my focus on Christ, as He's my destination, I won't see the desert turn into springs.  If I don't stay filled up with His water and light, I might end up turning into a pillar of salt, having preferred the "refreshments" of the world.  Just being in the Lord's presence, soaking in the music of heaven, feasting on His words, and taking the burdens of life before His throne are the things that keep us going on our pilgrimage.  We need one another and we need to shine our lights in the world.  But if we're not filled up, we're not going to be a blessing for anyone else, and our light will be darkness.  Psalm 84 is a lifestyle of the heart.  I hope you will always take time to be with Jesus, who is our life.