June 29, 2008
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PRAYING THE PSALMS
To Touch God and Be Touched by Him
- Elmer L. Towns
Psalm 84
‘Ashrey’ in His Presence
There is a word for ‘blessed’ in the original language of the Psalms. That word for bless is ashrey, which means happiness. When God blesses you with ashrey you are positive, upbeat, i.e., you just feel good. Lord, I want to feel good. Teach me what I must do to be happy.
The Psalmist describes a sparrow making a nest in the sanctuary, near the presence of God. The Temple was so peaceable, the sparrow made a nest, laying eggs, and going about her normal duties. The Psalmist wanted to be as close to God in the Temple, as was the sparrow. The Psalmist described the intimacy he wanted with God on a continuous basis.
“My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord …
even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young–even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God” {Ps. 84: 2-3}.
The Psalmist is crying out to enjoy the peace he finds in God’s presence. Lord, I love Your presence.
You will be happy like the Psalmist when you stay in God’s presence to enjoy intimacy with Him.
“Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
they will still be praising You” {Ps. 84: 4}.
Lord, I am comfortable in Your presence.
The world’s happiness is only a feeling that gets you excited and makes you temporarily forget your problems.
But after the world’s happiness is over, the troubles of life return because,
“Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” {Job 14:1}.
But the happiness that God gives is lasting, because God is the giver and He goes with you.
“Blessed [happy, ashrey] is the man whose strength is in You” {Ps. 84: 5}.
Lord, I am happy at this moment because I am in Your presence.
Lord, go with me to keep me happy along life’s way.
“Happy are the people who are in such a state [who obey the Lord];
happy [ashrey] are the people whose God is the Lord” {Ps. 144:15}.
PSALM 84
~ A Prayer To Enjoy God’s Presence In His House ~
Lord, I enjoy coming into Your presence in the Tabernacle;
O Lord of hosts.
I have such a deep passion for the courts of Your presence
That my flesh cries out when I’m not hrere.
Lord, the sparrows are so comfortable in Your presence;
That they make their nest within sight of Your altar.
I also want to rest near Your presence,
Because You are my King and my God.
Lord, bless those who stay in Your house;
Because they worship and praise You, Selah!
Lord, bless those who realize their strength is in You’
Because Your principles are in their heart.
Lord, they come to You through a valley of weeping;
They fill pools with their tears.
Lord, they continue climbing from strength to strength
In their endeavor to find Your peace.
Lord God, my desire is to know You;
And to look in to Your face. Selah!
For one day in the courts of Your presence,
Is better than a thousand days anywhere else.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in Your house,
Than live sumptuously in the tents of wickedness.
Lord, You shine warmth on my life like the sun;
You protect me like a shield.
You will not withhold any good thing from me,
If I walk uprightly.
Blessed are those who trust in You.
~ Amen ~
**Thank you for your thoughts and prayers
… they are surely felt, and so very appreciated.
I’ve kept busy this week, and I’ve also been exercising …
that is helping me to feel a little better each day.
I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend, so far.
I’ve had some trouble the past couple of days getting, and staying on the Internet.
Is anyone else having a problem with that? I’m hoping they get the problem dealt with soon.
I’ve lost a few comments as I’ve watched them just disappear!
I think it just might be okay now … I hope!
It’s so much fun trying to remember exactly what you typed, so you can type it again!
We have a children’s play at church today … I’m hoping to get pictures.
After church, not sure yet what the day holds …
maybe a drive in the country … as long as it isn’t raining!
I pray your Sunday is abundantly blessed … I’ll be back to catch up with you soon.
Hugs ~ Deborah <><
P.S. The spelling of Elmer L. Towns last name is just that.
They have it spelled wrong above, in what I’m ‘currently reading.’
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Comments (4)
:sunny: Hey beautiful woman!!:love: Im glad your doing better. The only problems Im having with xanga right now is it wont let me change the colors on my layout HOW RUDE!!:wha:
Good Morning Sweet Friend! Sunny and Clear here today!…..Not going to Church
……..We decided to purchase a much needed mattress for our bed! We decided this was our anniversary gift!(June 3rd)……..We have had a water bed all these years and it is finally just losing it’s shape and worn out! So we bought a sleep-by-number to fit the frame
………Looking forward to a good-nights sleep!……They are delivering it this afternoon. So we will be busy cleaning around the bed, behind it and preparing for them to set-up the new one today!……Hope you and Lew have a Very Blessed Day! (((((Hugs)))))……..In Christ’s Love….Monic
Great devotional! I :heartbeat: it! I am so glad that now, we don’t have to go into the temple or a church to meet with God. We can come into His presence in the kitchen, the car or sitting on a rock watching the ocean waves! Hie presence isn’t a place, but a state of knowing — of entering in to His heart. Oh, and it is so wonderful to be there with Him! In Danish we sing a song “jeg længes efter Dig..” It means I long for you. I pray that we would all feel that hunger within us to be in His presence, and that we would make it a priority. When we do, then we truly will be living in the blessing! ~~ We had a visit yesterday from a young couple we mentor. They came in with a cold box and started unloading all this meat for our freezer! Oh my goodness! What a blessing! There is enough meat there for probably three weeks! I was not able to buy meat this week when we shopped, but I felt real peace about it. We had eggs and cheese, so I knew I could make meals with some protein. But, God had already taken care of it! :yes: He is so incredible! They also gave us a box with coffee, tea, chocolate and a few other things. I am so thankful for the wonderful care our Heavenly Father gives. I live in the blessing! :goodjob: ~~ I pray you have a wonderful Sunday, my sweet friend. We have my Danish grandson’s birthday party to attend after church today. I made the brownies, but I am not so sure about them! It’s hard when you use an American recipe, but have to substitute with items. I think I needed to put more chocolate in them. I don’t think the Danish baking chocolate is the same quality. Hmmmm. They just don’t seem very “chocolatey” to me. ~~ We will call our daughters later today. It is another thing that makes Sundays special! ~~ I am glad you were able to talk to Ian this week. “Hi Mommy…” How sweet is that? I love it when my grown up daughters call me Mommy. I love that tie that binds our hearts. ~~ Well, enough wordiness!
~~ Enjoy your day. :sunny: Love you!
Better to dwell in the house of the Lord…
I only got a little painting done Saturday. Oh well.
Catch you later.