Quietly in His Presence

 

I was fighting a restlessness in my soul that I couldn't identify. I had done my Bible reading, and prayed, and knew Lord had heard my prayers, but still, the restlessness continued.  Trying to gain some type of focus, I'd done some chores around the house and even a small craft project. Thinking I would dive into another project, I turned on praise music and dug out an old journal with the thought to decorate some of the pages. I wasn't too many pages in when I realized the purpose was not to continue adding floral colors to the pages. 

At the top of the page written in purple ink was the passage from 2 Chronicles 20:17 "Position yourself, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD who is with you." as well as Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

Stopping what I thought was the purpose of being in the journal, I began reading what I had written nearly 20 years previously. I smiled as I realized God was reminding me to rest in His sufficiency and not allow the enemy a foothold. The page was describing the importance of quietly dwelling in His Presence. I share it here in hopes that it may offer someone else the same sense of peace it has afforded me.

Journal entry from August 20, 2007

The greatest difficulty in dwelling lies in one's ability to be obedient to the command to "Be still". Resting and allowing another to do the work, (and gain the glory) isn't easy (especially one's ego). But that is what the Lord desires. He knows we don't have the capacity to do what He's asked us to do without His help. After all, He made us. It is our pride that rises up like the defiant two year old who stamps her foot and says 'I do it myself" that prevents the free flow of His grace. He knows our limitations - but He wants us to recognize them and our need for His intervention and help. It's humbling, and yet that's exactly what we need to be in His presence.

And then the amazing happens. 

As we bow humbly before Him and acknowledge our helpless state He bends down and lifts us up and beckons us to meet His gaze-which is filled with the most marvelous mercy and grace-beyond our wildest imagination. 

And as we meet His gaze He fills us to overflowing with His Spirit; cleansing, purging, empowering grace and love beyond human comprehension. 

There is no better place to stand, albeit weak kneed, before Him, marveling in the majesty and glory of all He does and is continually doing. 

The most powerful position we will ever claim is when we recognize we are being held in a standing position before Him and gazing on His unveiled face. 

That, and that alone is true power and position. Power that will blow your socks off as us to stand Barefoot with God.*

"Take off your sandals for you are standing on Holy ground."

Here I stand once again quietly in His Presence overwhelmed by His deep love for me.

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*Barefoot with God is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-God-tyranny-unresolved-child-like-ebook/dp/B07BPSDS7D