Being Present With God

I was looking for some verses to help us enter into worship as I prepared for a gathering I’ll be attending on Sunday. When we are holding chapels in the prison we always begin with a prayer where we make ourselves present to God and ask Him to be present to us. 

These words from Psalm 138 capture the heart of that, I think.  Let’s look at them a couple of sentences at a time and pray them back to God.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. Psalm 138:1-2

There’s nothing I rely on more than God’s unfailing love for me.  He promises to be forgiving when I turn to Him and that promise is backed up by the honour of His name.  I’ve found it to be true over and over again.

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.  Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.  Psalm 138:3, 6

Who of us doesn’t need strength, today and any day.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that God answers us as soon as we pray?  He encourages us, gives us strength, and cares for us.But I take note of the one condition – God does that for those who are humble, admitting their need and asking for His help.  Those who are proud and think they don’t need help are on their own.

But I take note of the one condition – God does that for those who are humble, admitting their need and asking for His help.  Those who are proud and think they don’t need help are on their own.

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.  Psalm 138:7-8

We live surrounded by troubles and I’m grateful that we can look to God for protection every moment of every day.  His powerful right hand will save us.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8

I don’t know what’s up even as I go through this day so I’m grateful that I can rely on God to work out His plans for my life, plans that are filled with His faithful love.

Let’s pray those words back with faith and gratitude to God shall we?

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. Psalm 138:1-2

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.  Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.  Psalm 138:3, 6

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.  Psalm 138:7-8

The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8

Have a wonderful day.