Being near God and walking with him daily is the greatest privilege a person can experience.  Being with God is not something that happens by accident but is a conscience decision of the person seeking to do so.  What causes a person to daily live desiring and acknowledging God’s presence the way the Psalmist does in verse 10?   There are many attributes of God that can move a person to bask in His presence, but let me suggest a few things to start the process of building this type of relationship for yourself.

      The first one can be the most difficult, yet it is the best place to begin.  Just be still, whatever thoughts or questions that continually race through your mind attempt to silent them and be still.

Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalms 46:10 ESV   Let the exaltation of God begin in your mind.  I believe everything begins in the mind, and what dominates our thoughts will affect how we view God.

 I believe many have missed what God is accomplishing because they are  busy with life and settling for second best- the tents of wickedness instead of being near him even if it is just a door keeper. The word of God can help the mind be still when reflecting upon it.  Many times God  will use scripture to speak to us when we slow down, become still,  and meditate on Him and His word.  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.  Psalms 119:15-16 ESV

       Secondly, God must become more real to you than the clothes your back.  God must not be just an acquaintance you see every once in a while, but a person whom you converse with through prayer often.  Let your conversation / pray with God be real…. talk with Him as you would if you could physically see him.  And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:7 ESV     Have  private personal conversations with God. Have times in your life for just  you and  God.  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 ESV  Jesus himself would go out from the crowds to get alone with his father.  And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35 ESV

      Thirdly, come to Him with singing, praise and worship in your heart.  Lets come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! Psalms 95:2 ESV    Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into his presence with singing.  Psalms 100:2 ESV   Anticipate being with  God; it will change how you view church / His courts.  Rather than just a place of attendance, it will be a place of intentional participation with God’s working presence.

         I pray your desire to acknowledge God’s presence will trump your desire for anything less.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David