DEVOTIONAL

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that in the stillness I find your peace and presence. Today   I praise you and worship you and as I come into your wonderful presence. will you please have mercy on me and forgive me from all my sins and cleanse me, so that I may be as white as snow. And I ask you today, as I come into your presence, speak to me, encourage me and draw me closer to see you in all your majesty and the splendour of your holiness.

O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; when I call answer me.

O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; come and listen to me.  

Scripture Reading for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 115:1

"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."

Worship Song Sung or Said: Draw Me Close (Michael W. Smith)

https://youtu.be/67yWFbmVxAA

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I'm your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
'Cause nothing else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to you

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know you are near

Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I'm your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
'Cause nothing else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to you

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know you are near

You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know you are near

Help me know you are near
Help me know you are near

Gods Word for Today: Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God.”

Devotional/Study: Part 2

Yesterday we looked at how important it is to spend time been still in God presence. It’s in the stillness of his divine presence our hearts are strengthened and we can say with the Psalmist in Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” It’s in the stillness we can move from a place of despair to a place of hope. In Psalm 13 David’s seems to be in despair. His heart is in anguish and is in a place of pain and despair because he feels God had forgotten him and was hiding or distancing Himself from David and says in Psalm13:3 "Look on me and answer, Lord my God.” 

As he looks to God his heart changes and moves from a place of discouragement to a place of trust and is able to say in Psalm 13:5 "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” Whatever storm roars and comes our way we can trust and hope in the Lord. For Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 40 :31 that "God will renew our strength and we will soar on wings like eagles; we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and not be faint.”

Whatever you are going through in your life at this time, Be still and wait on the Lord and be strong, and let your heart take courage in Him. Trust Him because He is trustworthy and He is the one who hears our prayers. Psalm 66:17-20 "17 I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.” 18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; 19 but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” 20 Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" 

Psalm 18:6 "In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.” From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

When we get closer to God in stillness, the more we see the darkness of our hearts and experience His forgiveness and mercy and say with David in Psalm 51:1-2 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” 

It’s in the stillness we can let God love us and sing that lovely song “O let the Son of God enfold you With His Spirit and His love, Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul O let Him have the things that hold you And His Spirit like a dove Will descend upon your life and make you whole, O give Him all your tears and sadness Give Him all your years of pain and you'll enter into life in Jesus' name.  These words speak of letting the one triune God enfold you in that place of stillness and worship”. (John Wimber). 

Why not take time right now to listen to this beautiful song link is below 

https://youtu.be/kjVLUY_dNLk

Brothers and sisters when we have been hurt or wounded by someone or a situation, we can find peace and healing when we sit in quietness looking to God.  

It’s wonderful to know that the Holy Spirit who is our comforter will comfort and sooth our soul. As we seek God in the brokenness, He touches and brings healing into our wounded hearts. When we are wounded, we read in Psalm 147:3 "He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” 

It’s in the tears God holds us close so that we can rest in his presence and say, what David said in Psalm 62:1-2 "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken.” 

"It’s in the stillness of God’s presence, we hear the gentle whisper of our wonderful God I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3). It’s in that stillness we can express our love for and say I love you, Lord, my strength.” (Psalm 18:1) 

Brothers and sisters do you remember that lovely song I love you Lord if you know it, you may want to sing it now as an expression of your love for our one true God, Father, Son 

The desire of our hearts should be to rest in God’s presence, not rushing away but to seek and go deeper into the depths of His heart. It was in the being still Gods people would and Holy Spirit.

“I Love You, Lord and I lift my voice to worship You o my soul, rejoice!
Take joy, My King, in what You hear, may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.” (Laurie Klein)

know that God was their hope, watching out for them, protecting them, and fighting for them and knowing that He was their very present help, refuge, and strength (Psalm 46:1).

I have learnt how important in the busyness of life to be still and sit with God and let me just love you, which in turns takes you into a place of worship. This prayer approach has helped me greatly as I tend to live a very busy life. 

"My aim in life is to learn to stop striving, to let go and give all to God and live out the words of the Psalmist Cease striving and know that I am God.” Psalm 47:10

What things are there in your life that draws you away from been still and resting in His presence? If we desire to go deeper and hear Gods voice, we must make space and be in a place of stillness and calm.

Brothers and sisters, as I was writing this devotion, I myself have been convicted to make time with God and within that time to spend time in reflection, stillness and listening to Gods voice. Can I ask when was the last time you gave God real quality time to be in solitude, reading, praying, mediating and just loving God your father and letting Him love you without rushing away? It’s time with God where our souls are refreshed and inspired to love God and worship Him. 

There is a lovely song called to be in Your presence. It’s a beautiful song written by Noel Richards. “To be in Your presence to sit at Your feet, Where Your love surrounds me, and makes me complete.This is my desire; O Lord This is my desire. This is my desire, O Lord, this is my desire. To rest in Your presence, Not rushing away; To cherish each moment, Here I would stay. This is my desire; O Lord This is my desire. This is my desire, O Lord, this is my desire.”

Personal Prayers: