“LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?”
Psalm 15:1
I’ve been reading Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, and am reminded that God is always at work and He invites me to join Him in that work. I’ve been convicted to consider how often I have asked God to join me in my work – to come to my tent and bless what I have planned – instead of asking Him what He has planned and how I can be a part of it. The difference may be subtle or it may be substantial.
In the verse above David puts the focus on GOD’s tent and GOD’s mountain. He wanted to join God – to be where God was. His prayer was not asking God to come to his tent. Rather, David wanted to be part of what God was doing.
I’m learning to shift the focus of my thought life and my prayers. I’m learning to begin by asking God what His plans are, how He is working, and how He wants me to contribute. I’m determined to dwell in God’s tent rather than ask Him to come dwell in mine.
This short verse also reveals a gospel nugget to be mined out. David’s question, “Who may dwell…who may live…?” reminds us that none are worthy to dwell in God’s sacred tent or live on His holy mountain. But because of Jesus, I am declared righteous. I can join Him. What I could never earn on my own has been given to me as a gift.
I invite you to join with me in praying Psalm 15:1 back to God:
O God, thank you for the gift of righteousness in Jesus. It is “righteousness by faith from first to last!” Help me to live by this faith. Help me, God, to learn to pray differently – to focus on Your plan, Your way, and Your will. Forgive me for often asking You to come dwell in my tent—to bless my plans. I want to dwell in Your tent! I want to follow You plan! Thank you, Holy Spirit, for gently reminding me even as I began in prayer today that I needed to realign what I was asking. Thank you for being a gentle teacher and guide. Lord, what are you up to today? And how can I join You?
In this week’s devotional video, Laura shares some thoughts from the first chapter of her upcoming Bible study in II Kings. We invite you to listen, and then to pray about who God would like you to look on as “precious in His sight.”
