*How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place*

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and lesh sing for joy to the living God. (Psalm 84:1-2)

Father,

You are the Lord of hosts. You speak and the all the hosts of heaven obey. You command all the angel armies, you rule over all demonic spirits, all of heaven and earth is at your beck and command. And yet you let me dwell in your presence. The seraphim cover their eyes and cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” as they encircle your throne, yet you invite me into your presence. The hills melt like wax before you, yet you invite me to draw near to the throne of grace. How astonishing, incredible, and amazing. Forgive me for the many times I have taken this privilege for granted. Forgive me for coming into your presence without appropriate awe and gratefulness.

Lord, in your presence is fullness of joy. When I experience your presence in creation, it fills me with joy. When I experience your presence through fellowship with other believers, it fills me with delight. When I experience your presence through singing, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. When I experience your presence as I read your Word, I’m filled with joy. It’s only in your presence that I find fullness of joy. The things of this world give some joy, you give fullness of joy.

Cause me to long for your presence even more! I’m far too easily satisfied with the trinkets and baubles of this world. My heart grows cold quickly, and often becomes dull to spiritual things. Cause me to thirst for your presence as though I were in a dry and parched desert. Cause me to hunger for true spiritual food. Forgive me for trying to satisfy my thirst with things other than you. Only you can satisfy the longings of my soul. Only you can give me true, lasting, indestructible joy.

I sing for joy that I know the living God! What an incredible thing to have intimate fellowship with the World Maker. What an incredible thing to call the Holy One, “Father,”. Lord, I need and want nothing more than you. Merry Christmas.