Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. – Psalms 89:15

This was the verse I decided to meditate on this morning.  I have loved the practice of Lectio Divina in my faith journey.  I read this verse several times slowly.  Then I just asked if God had anything He wants to say to me.  Of course I could get it wrong.  This was just what came to my heart.  I know God to be a good, loving Father so I trust that he knows my heart and my desire to hear from him.  So here is what I journaled this morning:

[I love you. I love you when you hear the call.  I love you when you miss the invitation.  Praise (worship) shifts perspective. It is like praise is the password to My presence.  My Presence is always there and always with you but you are not always present. You are often distracted by the messes around you, or the projects you have not completed. When you focus on the crazy around you whether it be a mess or a person’s hurtful verbal attacks- it steals the light I have for you.  My Presence offers a warm, comforting light. It helps you see that you are not alone.

Fear is not hanging out in My light. Fear lurks in the darkness.  When you tap into my Presence, the light shines and the fear scatters. My Presence is with you but you do not recognize it.  Turning on praise music or letting a song rise up in your heart redirects your focus.  It helps you remember My goodness, My love, My strength, My power- all of which are accessible to you. You gotta plug into My Presence and recognize what is available to you and live in such a way.

So many live defeated because they are not living/believing what is true. They have been convinced of lies like I’m not real, I’m not good, I’m not with them, I’m holding their sins against them.  In My Presence those lies scatter like the roaches they are.  Roaches are stealth and sneaky. They wait til darkness to creep or when a head is turned.  But practicing My Presence, regularly turning your heart and thoughts back to Me- keep them at bay.  Bring your frustrations, fears, failures to Me. Let Me show you the treasures to be found in trials. Bring your heart and mind back to Me and I will show you things you had not seen when living in the dark prison of fear.

Remember happy are those who hear the call to worship for they walk in the warmth, light of my love.]

After I journaled, I then read the daily reading in Jesus Calling. I loved what it had to say. “You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence…As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand.  Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance (or fear) can take from you.”