Ps 26:8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells
David has a way of expressing his heart that has given words to millions since. He loved being in the presence of the Lord and would choose that over anything else. Why? Because he knew that is where God’s glory dwells. Where God’s presence dwells, His glory is present. Where God’s glory is present, the fullness of God exists, and in that place is where all peace and joy are available to us.
When David was out with the sheep, playing his harp and singing songs to the Lord, he discovered God’s presence. It wasn’t the surroundings that made it way. Out in the middle of nature isn’t the only place where you can experience the presence of God. It wasn’t the song he was singing. We don’t even know how he sang these songs. What ushered him into the presence of God is his heart. He blocked everything out and focused on the Lord. Too often, we can’t experience God’s presence because we are too distracted. We need to work at getting to the place where it is just God and us.
Why did David love the presence and glory of the Lord? There are too many words to describe it, but to boil it down to the basics: in the presence of the Lord, there is power, peace, and a closeness not felt anywhere else. Once you experience it, there is nothing else that tops that. That is what David is expressing. It is the most spirit-satisfying thing there is this side of heaven.
Most Christians never experience the presence of God. Many actually downplay or deny that it even exists, yet David talks about it often in his psalms. The presence of the Lord doesn’t just happen; you have to pursue it. Most of what you see in the charismatic movements is fabricated. To experience the presence of God, you need to settle your heart, push through wandering thoughts, set aside distractions, and begin to pray and worship. What you will discover is that this sweet communion with God will descend upon your spirit.
