The Beauty of His Presence

Song of Solomon 2:9-10 (TPT) Let me describe Him: He is graceful as a gazelle, swift as a wild stag. Now He comes closer, even to the places where I hide. He gazes into my soul, peering through the portal as He blossoms within my heart. The one I love calls to me: Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. Come away with me! I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out. For now is the time, my beautiful one.

Oh, the depths of His love! It’s not merely head knowledge but deeply felt and experienced right here in His presence. Life can be closing in and both physical and heart felt pain can be knocking on the door, fighting hard for our attention. Worry, insecurity, doubt and fear bringing pressure for us to agree with the lies…

As the door is shut to the devices of the enemy a new door is opened and as we step through, we emerge into the beauty of His glory, majesty, and the wonder of His love! Nothing compares! 

All that’s found here in the Secret Place is pure unadulterated love and acceptance. Oh, don’t let that deceive you. Though we are loved and accepted as we are, His Word illuminates the dark crevices of our soul and draws us deeper... deeper than our flesh could ever take us. Darkness cannot remain where such Holiness abides. We are washed by His Word and transformed by His Glory! No... nothing compares!

We may enter this place with a hundred requests but once we behold His beauty and grace... nothing else matters! An audience with the King of kings and Lord of lords - He is our Savior, refuge, redeemer, healer, provider, deliverer, strength, peace, and sound mind! That doesn't begin to describe Him! He's our Bride Groom, closest friend, and Lover of our soul... still mere words cannot accurately illustrate such incredible... magnificence... my mind can't comprehend it...yet, He takes me there... 

It can only be experienced when all earthly agendas are eliminated and all that's left is pure worship, repentance, and surrender... He awaits for you there!

How often do people demand something from God that can only be fulfilled through a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him? They want all the benefits without any of the sacrifice. Yes, there's many promises in the Word of God, but there are also conditions. Psalm 91 can be quoted, and people wonder where the protection is that He has promised. These promises aren’t made for casual visitors but for those who dwell in the Secret Place. That's a deep intimate place of His presence. It's not experienced simply by praying on our ride to work or reading a scripture. It's a place of sacrifice, we're we've crucified our flesh of its desires, put everything else aside and set our hearts on seeking Him with everything within us! Not being distracted by the world or the desires of the flesh but passionately pursuing the lover of our soul! It's the place that our thirst is quenched and our hunger fulfilled, yet we are never satisfied.... continually seeking and desiring more of Him! Even as we come into a Psalm 91 relationship, we won't be exempt from problems, they just won't affect us as they once did. We will face them fearlessly and know that our God, the one we have a passionate and intimate relationship with, will deliver us!

So, today, join me in stepping up my devotion to Him, searching my heart, increasing my time in His Word and presence, and worshiping Him with complete adoration and abandon! He's worthy and nothing else is as important or life changing! 

Psalm 42:1-2 (TPT) I long to drink of you, O God, drinking deeply from the streams of pleasure flowing from your presence. My longings overwhelm me for more of you! My soul thirsts, pants, and longs for the living God. I want to come and see the face of God. 

Psalm 84:1-2, 4-6, 8-12 (TPT) God of Heaven’s Armies, you find so much beauty in your people! They’re like lovely sanctuaries of your presence. Deep within me are these lovesick longings, desires, and daydreams of living in union with you. When I’m near you my heart and my soul will sing and worship with my joyful songs of you, my true source and spring of life! What pleasure fills those who live every day in your temple, enjoying you as they worship in your presence! Pause in His presence. How enriched are they who find their strength in the Lord; within their hearts are the highways of holiness! Even when their paths wind through the dark valley of tears, they dig deep to find a pleasant pool where others find only pain. He gives to them a brook of blessing filled from the rain of an outpouring. They grow stronger and stronger with every step forward, and the God of all gods will appear before them in Zion. God, your wrap-around presence is our defense. In your kindness look upon the faces of your anointed ones. For just one day of intimacy with you is like a thousand days of joy rolled into one! I’d rather stand at the threshold in front of the Gate Beautiful, ready to go in and worship my God, than to live my life without you in the most beautiful palace of the wicked. For the Lord God is brighter than the brilliance of a sunrise! Wrapping himself around me like a shield, he is so generous with his gifts of grace and glory. Those who walk along his paths with integrity will never lack one thing they need, for he provides it all! O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what euphoria fills those who forever trust in you!