WE WANT TO DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Proclamation:

“For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.  I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”  Psalm 61:3-4 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  David begins this psalm with a prayer.  He is far from home and feeling overwhelmed.  He asks The Lord God to lead him to a rock that is higher than he is then. (Psalm 61:2)  Some Bible scholars believe that the rock that he is referring to is Christ, The Rock of Israel, The Rock of our salvation, and our refuge.  In the next verse he states that God has been his refuge.  The he states that he longs to dwell in the house of God and take refuge under His wings. (Psalm 61:3 and 4)  He wants to be in the presence of God here and throughout eternity. (Psalm 23:6 and 61:4)

Application:

Being far away from our home and our normal place of worship can cause some feelings of being lost, alone, and depressed.  When we are “down in the dumps” we need God’s help to climb back up on “The Rock of our salvation.” (Psalm 89:26 and 95:1)  Even though we know that The Lord God is always with us, there are times when we feel like we have fallen down and lost the joy of our salvation and we need God’s help to restore that joy. (Psalm 51:12)  We want to enjoy the presence of God now and throughout eternity.