Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.
(The Shepherd David’s Song, sung with stringed instrument)

The shepherd boy turned King is one of the most authentic singers/prayers in the OT. I love how totally dependent on God he is. Well for a few minutes, anyway! 🙂 Then he begins to doubt. But he takes his trust and his doubt to God, his Refuge. I can relate to David’s spiritual journey with God. Trust, then fear. Faith, then doubt. Hope, then despair. The mountaintop, then the valley. Filled, then so empty.

I’m learning more than ever these days. Well I will reword that. I’m attempting to apply what I’m learning more than ever. In fact, most of what I’m “learning” I’ve known for years. It’s nothing new to me. I’ve read it before in my Bible. I’ve heard it taught/preached. So why now? Why in my mid-40s am I getting it? It’s because, like David, although I know that my God is my Refuge; He is my strong Tower and ever present Help in time of my need; He is the Rock that I can cling to in times of trouble, my heart grows faint. My faith is shallow. Oh how I really LONG TO DWELL …. dwell in His presence. Dwell in His goodness. Dwell in His shelter. To “dwell”: exist or be situated within.
Even as write and share my desires,  my thoughts fight within me. Today you desire God’s presence. Today you treasure His truths. Today you long for His joy and peace. Today you love Him. Today ….
But will you tomorrow?

I’m at a place in my life where I want to KNOW Him more. I want His joy more than ever. I pray that I won’t let the enemy remind me of failures of yesterday or fears of tomorrow. Trials and temptations come and go. They will until this life on earth is complete. Jesus is the same. Yesterday. Today. Forever.
I will be situated within the Lord today. Although I long to dwell in the tent forever, I will take it one day at a time. One hour. One moment. Praying for His presence. Clinging to His promises. Striving for His power.

I want to look like Jesus today. Father, work in me today. Hear my prayer today. I long to dwell ….