This week in our current series, Seeking Him<\/b><\/i>, we will focus on the joy of intentionally seeking the Lord and His presence during our quiet time.<\/p>\n
Each Saturday we have been looking in-depth at a few of the most important aspects of having a dedicated, purposeful quiet time.\u00a0 At the beginning of this series I had the privilege of sharing with you a few thoughts from some friends about their own quiet time.\u00a0 Gathering from their experiences, there seem to be a few basics which include:<\/p>\n
Bible reading
\nPrayer
\nPraise Songs
\nMeditation
\nSeeking the Lord<\/b><\/p>\n
As we have taken the time each week to consider each of these aspects in turn, we have\u00a0learned that the quality and the depth of our quiet time is truly based on our hearts’ attitude as we enter into it each day.\u00a0 If we force ourselves to simply eke out a few minutes…sing a song…and read a few verses…voice a quick prayer—and be done—we surely are not going to experience the joy of what the Psalmist communicates as he wrote about how important his time with the Lord was. Here is just one example from the book of Psalms where we read of David expressing his absolute need of, desire for, love for seeking his God and being in His presence.\u00a0 Listen….<\/p>\n
Psalms 27:4-11<\/strong> Can you feel yourself being drawn into David\u2019s experience?\u00a0 Can you ‘hear’ the passion in his voice?\u00a0 Can you understand, to an extent, just how very much David yearned to just dwell in his Lord\u2019s presence?<\/p>\n Here…try this: read these verses through again and this time, in each place where David speaks of and about himself, think of your<\/em>self.\u00a0 Put your<\/em> name in there.\u00a0 Try it, would you?<\/p>\n Almighty God desires to make Himself known to you.<\/p>\n He wants you to\u00a0seek Him with all your heart.<\/p>\n \n \n
\nOne thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require:
\nthat I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life,
\nto behold and<\/i> gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness]
\nof the Lord and to meditate, consider, and<\/i> inquire in His temple.
\nFor in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter;
\nin the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.
\nAnd now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me;
\nin His tent I will offer sacrifices and<\/i> shouting of joy;
\nI will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
\nHear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and<\/i> be gracious to me and answer me!
\nYou have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need].
\nMy heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek,
\ninquire for, and<\/i> require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].
\nHide not Your face from me; turn not Your servant away in anger,
\nYou Who have been my help! Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!
\nAlthough my father and my mother have forsaken me,
\nyet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child].
\nTeach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and<\/i> even path
\nbecause of my enemies [those who lie in wait for me].<\/p>\n