Dwelling in His Presence

A month of unbroken prayer is coming to an end. Or is it? We may not show up to this house on the corner of Sixth and Jefferson every day after today...but it never was about taking refuge in the Nealon's house. It was about finding refuge in the shadow of the Lord's wings. It was about making His presence our dwelling. It was about abiding in Him. Psalm 91, my psalm for the day is all about that. So was psalm 61. So was psalm 31.

I've also been reading Joshua lately. I've been thinking about what made Joshua fit in the Lord's eyes to be the man to take over the reigns of leadership after Moses. I think the secret lies in his thirst for the presence of God. Look at what Exodus 33:7-11 has to say on this issue:

Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting" Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrance to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

This prayer room is a bit like the tent of meeting. We come here to meet face to face with the Lord, as a man speaks with his friend. When others hear that we are doing this it causes them to stand and worship the Lord. But the Lord is looking for Joshua's who will not leave the tent, when the appointed time is over. Oh, the tent itself, this house on Sixth street may not be open after today...but the Lord has made his tent in each of our hearts and he's inviting us to be a people of His presence. There's no reason why that two hour slot you signed up for can't continue...in the comfort of your own home. In fact, there's no reason that you can't keep a 24/7 vigil of hosting his presence all on your own everywhere you go. Let's pray like we breathe. When we're doing homework, it's "holy, holy, holy!" When we're doing dishes it's "holy, holy, holy!" When we're at a bible study it's "holy, holy, holy!" When we're loving the student who seems downright antagonistic to all that we hold dear, it's "holy, holy, holy!" When we choose to dwell in the One who chose to dwell in us, we become the people like Joshua who get to take the promised land for the Kingdom of God. Walls will start tumbling down. Rivers at flood level will not stop us from our destiny. "Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent". I'm leaving this house for now, but I'm not leaving the tent. Anyone with me?

"I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings" - Psalm 61:4

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues." - Psalm 31:19-20

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." - Psalm 91:4