Psalm 26, verse 8 “I love the house where You live, O LORD, the place where Your glory dwells.” Of course, when David was writing this psalm he was speaking of the tabernacle (and prophetically of the temple which would be built by his son, Solomon). For David, this was the very dwelling place, the presence of God on earth. When I prayed this verse this morning my prayer went something like this: “I love Your presence, O LORD. I also very much love the church – Your body. Thank You for placing in me and nurturing these ‘loves.'”  How about you? Do you delight in being in His presence? Is gathering with the family of God each Sunday to worship God in corporate worship a priority? Are you passionate for His presence in your life daily and for His gathered church weekly? If the answer is “no”, may I suggest you ask God to create in you a hunger, a passion for both His presence in your daily life and for His gathered church?

Psalm 56, verse 10 “In God, Whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise…”  I prayed a similar prayer about God’s word. My prayer was, “Thank You Lord for creating in me and nurturing a love for Your Word, the Scriptures. Thank You Holy Spirit for being my Private Tutor.”  God can create and or nurture such a love for the Bible in your heart too. All you need to do is sincerely ask Him and then be consistent in doing so and being in His Word daily.

Psalm 56, verse 9   “ God is for me!”  I have that look underlined in red and highlighted in bright yellow.  GOD IS FOR ME!!!  

Psalm 86:5 “You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to You.”  Amen! That is why we have hope! 

Psalm 86:11-13a, 16b   These verses can be prayed verbatim from the scripture. They are so  good: “Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth.  Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name . I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart. I will glorify Your Name forever for great is Your love toward me! Grant Your strength to Your servant.”  OK now you’ve read them. Go back and this time pray them.

Psalm 116:7 “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”  Next to this verse in my Bible I have written, “ahhh!” with a  smiley face. Oh the joy of rest in our Master!

I definitely “feel” the words of Psalm 116:12, “How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?”  How about you?

Let’s close out for today with  Psalm 116:17, “I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and call on the Name of the LORD.”  As we close our time together, will you pause and think of 5 specific things for which you are thankful and offer Him a “thank offering.” You’ll both be glad you did.

The day after tomorrow is Sunday. We get to come together for worship! I’m so excited! How about you? See you then.

Pastor