Through the Word in 2020 #62 - June 26 / A Friday Prayer

Once again I am faced with having to choose from several passages that each call for attention. Given Ephesians 6:10-20, Luke 2:8-38, 2 Kings 23:31-24:20 and Psalm 105, I will settle oh so briefly on Psalm 105, and that, just 1 verse out of that Psalm, vs. 4: “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.’

I’m Reid Ferguson, and that’s our focus today on Through the Word in 2020.

“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually.” What a wonderful admonition that is.

I don’t know about you, I can only speak for myself. But it is so easy to go through my day, even making sure I spend some time reading the Word and a time of prayer, but to do so in such a way that my soul is never really quieted before the Throne. Do it all, but never having a sense of having entered His presence. Of my soul’s having truly sought Him, and not just His truth or answers to my petitions.

Now the Lord so gracious, so patient, so kind. He waits for us to step aside, even for a few moments, to just be in His presence. And doesn’t it speak volumes that He has to include an exhortation to seek His presence in His Word - when it is the thing which will bless us most and do us the most good?

So let me be brief today and just pray with you to that end.

Heavenly Father, the volumes that need to be written on this one thought. How destitute we are of joy, comfort, peace, understanding, righteousness, instruction and strength - because we do not seek your presence continually.

Because we go back and forth. We imagine that we go in and out of your presence.

But it is not so.

You are with us always. We do not leave your presence, we merely ignore it. Oh horror of horrors! Please forgive us. Forgive us for uttering one syllable as though you are not hearing in the room with us. Forgive us for the way we speak to others. For the ways we think - as though you are not privy to every thought.

For pursuing some sort of abstract “strength” in our weak moments, instead of simply seeking your presence - for there, for YOU, are our strength. Strength isn’t some “thing” disconnected from you.

Forgive us for what we let our eyes see and our ears hear. All because we are not living in the seeking - the act of recognizing your presence with us. May that never again be true from this day forward.

May we seek your presence at all times and in all places. What of your presence we can have now, especially in the sanctum of the prayer closet and the fellowship of your people in gathered worship. And seeking to be in your full, unveiled presence in the resurrection.

For your promise is, you will be found by those who seek you.

In Jesus’ name we ask it.

God bless - and God willing, we’ll be back Monday.