“Here’s the one thing I crave from God,
the one thing I seek above all else:
I want the privilege of living with Him every moment in His house,
finding the sweet loveliness of His face,
filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace.
I want to live my life so close to him
that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.”
Psalm 27:3-4
Prayer is a relationship with Papa. It is not a project we undertake, or a duty to fulfil. It is the highest, most wonderful privilege of humanity. To be invited into the very counsel of the Godhead. To sit in the midst of trinity and share their thoughts and engage with eternal purpose. How amazing! How humbling to think that such magnificent intimacy is ours!
I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer!
Like Jesus, Papa’s testimony over us, his song of love, is that we are his treasured child. The beloved in whom He is well pleased.
Prayer was never meant to be a drudgery. It is the chamber in which we find loveliness, where we are filled with awe and delight in glory and abundant grace.
Marriage reflects this perfect union in so many ways. Prayer is the secret place, the place of passionate union hidden from the world and embraced in close communion. It is the spiritual equivalent of two becoming one, where spirits intermingle and purposes and passions fuse.
I have said before and say again, God is a passionate God!
He does not sit on the sidelines with a steely heart, weighing every motive and narrowly judging our pale efforts at worship.
Far from it! He takes pleasure in his people, and their prayers are a fragrant irresistible incense to his nostrils. Breath to his lungs. Joy to his heart. He longs to meet our deepest needs and to lavish such love upon us that we don’t have room enough to comprehend it. This is amazing grace, and is only an ask away.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23 KJV)
Knowing and receiving God’s love empowers you to obey Him. Not a forced or fearful obedience, but a willing yielding of our will to a greater will than our own. A will that we know will lead to fullness and satisfaction beyond the wildest pleasures of this world.
People sometimes look at the lovers of God and wonder why they would sacrifice so many pursuits in the name of their religion, but when a man or woman has tasted the sweet loveliness of Jesus, and beheld his wonderful Person, other pleasures fade in comparison.
As believers we have discovered the Kingdom.
It was hidden all along in the dirt of the world. In all of our mess and confusion, there it was. Hope. In our darkness. Light. In our brokenness. Eternity’s seed.
“The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44 AMP)
Jesus is the treasure you have sought and found. And He has found you. He gave everything that he might win you, pull you from the mire and bestow honour upon you.
And now, with thankful willing heart we bestow honour on Him, the King of kings. The fairest of ten thousand. The delight of the Father’s heart. The Beloved joy of nations.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
Just the name alone is nectar to our thirsting soul. Even the whispers of his voice overflows the banks of our heart with streams of thankful adoration.
Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
“Papa, I adore you. I thank you for your beloved Son, Jesus. For the blood that was poured out so freely for me, yet at a price unspeakable for you. Still, you did it! You, Papa, Jesus and the precious Holy Spirit, spared nothing in your pursuit of me. Holy God, how can any man or woman even begin to express the depth of gratitude owed and gladly given – You deserve all the praise and all my heart without reserve. I joy in you, my God. Not only am I in your house, I AM your house. Built together with brothers and sisters, a habitation for your glory.”
“Child. My treasure. The joy of my heart. The delight of my days. How precious you are to me. All of heaven’s vast array rejoiced at your arrival, and we cheer your progress as you grow in love and grace. What you crave and seek is my own desire, deep calling to deep – intimate communion and oneness of spirit with every obstacle removed. Blood washed, set apart, and truly loved. My child, in whom I am well pleased.”
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