maggieWhen I was growing up, my father’s favorite verse was  from Psalm 91.  I remember him standing in church quoting it in the King James version.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in him will I trust.  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust…”  

A few days ago, the verse became quite vivid for me as I was worshipping the Lord.  I pondered the truth that we are made to worship our God.   I tried to focus on Him and remember that all our troubles in this life will pass away.  They mean nothing in light of what we will experience in heaven someday.  I just want to be in His presence!

Paul and Silas were in prison for casting out demons and worshipped the Lord.  They didn’t know that they would be released.  It didn’t matter to them. They were just that radical.  As they worshipped things happened, but that’s not why they worshipped.  They just wanted to be in His presence.   Paul talks about being changed daily by what he saw, “from glory to glory” (II Cor. 3:18).  I know that being in His presence is the key.

As we were worshipping  the Lord at a conference, I saw the verse from Psalm 91 in a word picture.  We have a wonderful Bichon dog named Maggie.  She loves us unconditionally.  She is content just to be in our presence.  When she jumps up to be with me, she lets me know she is there by pushing her face into my armpit a little (under my wings).  She wags her tail in utter pleasure because she is with me.  She is not getting any treats or any special privileges. She finds a place to lie and snuggles close to me.  She rests quietly and only moves away if I move. Maggie is totally at peace just to be with me!   That is the secret for us spiritually.  Our Father wants us to be content to be with Him.  When we wait there, we find that He is our refuge.  We gain strength.  Our worship becomes as incense to God, a sweet smell that pleases Him. God loves on us letting us know that we are protected and loved, just as I pet my dog and let her know that I appreciate her love for me.  II Cor. 3: 17 and 18 states that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom from bondage) and that we are changed as we behold (as in a mirror) the glory of the Lord.

Maggie reminds me of what our relationship with God should be like.  I depend on Him for my shelter, food, and companionship.  I need to be content with just being in His presence and from that, everything else (my worries and fears) become dim in the light of His glory.  

This was the picture that God gave me.

(When Nancy said,  ”God showed me a picture,” I listened intently.  She does not see/give word pictures too often.  I respect and admire her.  We literally walked in on a conference of pastors and church leaders.  Surprise!  The Lord showed up in a big way for us. We were encouraged.  God did something deep within us. We will follow with another report in a few days.)