Grains of Sand

care2.com (Google Images) Psalm 21 starts out with a a list of things for which praise can be offered up to God. David could easily recite a litany of blessings that he had received from the Lord—and he does. But it is verse 6 of the psalm that hit me hard this morning: “ Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. ” The presence of God. Nothing that God could have given David compared to that. As I sat thinking about the words of the psalm, the lyrics to a popular worship song came to mind. I have the song on a CD sung by Lynn DeShazo and produced by Integrity Music. It beautifully captures what so often eludes us—time in His presence. IN YOUR PRESENCE O GOD. In Your presence That's where I am strong In Your presence O Lord my God In Your presence That's where I belong Seeking Your face Touching Your grace In the cleft of the Rock In Your presence O God I want to go Where the rivers Cannot overflow me Where my feet are On ...

Google Image " When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord " (Exodus 34:29, NIV). I'm pea-green with envy. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life when people couldn't look at my face because the presence of God was reflected on it. I wish. I want. I desire. I covet. Moses had spoken with God. My speaking with God leaves a lot to be desired. I get sidetracked, distracted. I don't approach Him as He deserves to be approached—the worship isn't always there. Sometimes the submission is lacking, the confession scant, the shopping list preeminent. Maybe I don't listen enough to hear His voice. Perhaps I don't stop long enough with Him to let His beauty settle on my face. So it's not just wishing, wanting, desiring, coveting. Being green doesn't cut it. It's " Be still, and know that I am G...