My Devotion - June 26

I remember some years ago reading or hearing a story about a missing cat. The cat’s owner looked for weeks for their beloved cat. They had lost hope when one day while doing some yardwork, they heard a faint meow coming from the crawl space vent openings under the house. The couple rushed to the door access to see if this was their missing cat making a plea for help. Sure enough, their beloved cat had somehow been trapped underneath the house this entire time. They could only think their precious little kitty had wandered underneath the house when the HVAC man came to do his annual inspection and maintenance several weeks back.  Their cat must have been locked in behind him.
 
The cat was thin and boney. How it survived for over 4 weeks under the house is a miracle. The couple was filled with remorse for not thinking to look underneath the house as they rushed the cat into the cool indoors. They immediately put down fresh water and a huge bowl of food. The cat however, would not eat. Instead, the cat was frantically rubbing up against them for affection and love… which it was receiving. In fact, it continued to want to just be close to its owners and would not eat or drink. The precious little kitty just wanted to be with its owners and be loved. After almost an hour of this, the cat finally stopped to eat and drink, but only if the owners remained in the room.  
 
This almost starved and dehydrated cat was more concerned about basking in the presence of the two people it loved, more than it desired food and water. It was satisfied being in their presence. 
 
I wonder if we have experienced that kind of relationship with God Almighty. A relationship where our greatest desire is to just be in the presence of the Lord through private prayer. The kind of quiet and secret prayer time with God that leaves you longing for more and more of it. Or maybe, it is in your Bible reading when His Word literally grabs hold of you and you experience God revelation. The kind of God revelation that gives you a greater understanding of God and His purposes. 
 
But the sad truth, too often we are too busy asking God to do something for us and or give us something. Unlike the cat, who longed to bask in the presence of its owners not concerned with food or water; we can be the complete opposite focusing more on the gift than the giver. 
 
Listen to the results of being in the presence of the Lord found in the Bible. And let me be clear, not in the emotional sense, but in the life changing intimate sense. 
 
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16:11)
 
Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20 You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.  (Psalms 31:19-20 NKJV)
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. (Psalms 34:18-19 NKJV)
 
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. (Psalms 46:1 NKJV)
 
Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:2-5 NKJV) 
 
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 9 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. (Psalms 139:7-8 NKJV)
 
And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14 NKJV)
 
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. (Psalms 145:18-19 NKJV) 
 
Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7 NKJV)
 
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3 NKJV) 
 
There is a peace that cannot be described in the presence of the Lord Almighty. There is a security that surpasses circumstance found in the Lord Almighty. There is a rest that strengthens the soul in the Lord Almighty. There is everlasting joy found in the presence of the Lord Almighty.  If you have not discovered this truth for life, will you pray this prayer with me. Father God, will You come into my life today as I pray and seek You. You have promised in Your Word, “When you seek Me and seek Me with all your heart, I will be found by you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:13). Let me come into Your presence and experience the life change, peace, security and everlasting joy that is found in knowing You and being in Your presence. Let me make studying Your Word part of my daily task and not for habit or tradition, but to know You and understand Your ways more. Forgive me for neglecting the importance of my relationship to the You the God of the Universe. Forgive me of wrong, trespass and sin in my life and let me know that in this moment as I discover the Joy of knowing You. Amen