God’s Presence #9—Present In Praise

You are holy, inhabiting the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted and you delivered them. Psalm 22:3-4

“Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm dost still the restless wave,” I celebrate your holiness—your infinite, unexcelled, and irreplaceable worth. In your presence, I recognize my finitude and weakness, and I admit my inability to secure the good I desire in life. But you have proved yourself to be wise, powerful, and fervent as you pursued me so that I can experience the goodness of your grace. Out of the joy you share in the Trinity, you have acted so I can share in that joy. You have proved yourself to be holy in my life. Even in the midst of conflict and loneliness, you have been with me. When my heart melted like wax in the hot sun, you were there to mold me back into shape. You did not hide your face from me for long; when I repented, you welcomed me with a father’s open arms. As a mother weaning her child, you have caused me to trust you. While I do not always sense you there, I have made it through nights and days without sleep; so I know you were with me. I have survived attacks and disappointments from enemies, and even from friends; so I know you were keeping me from failing in my allegiance to Jesus, just as you kept Peter from failing when he encountered opposition. Heavenly Father, thank you for making your reputation holy in my heart. Thank you for exerting your kingdom power in my part of your realm. Grant me grace to do your will gladly, as the angels do, in Jesus’ name. Amen.