Drawing Near to God...

But truly, as the LORD lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death."...As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.—1 Samuel 20:3;41

At this point David had to leave all behind him and live the life of a fugitive for many years.  During this very difficult time David must have been very conscious of his own mortality.  Saul and his armies were hunting him like an animal.   David stood in jeopardy each passing hour...day and night his life hung in the balance.

What was the result?  David drew near to His God and learned to depend on Him.  He began to understand with heart knowledge that his life was truly in His Father's hands.  He began to comprehend that his sufficiency was not of himself but from His God.   David lifted up His soul to Him who was able to save him not only from earthly death but from spiritual death as well.  He put His trust in the One who was and is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!

Lord...give me eyes and a heart to live depending on You...I want to hear Your still small voice saying, “this is the way, walk in it.”  Keep me from going my own way...down my own paths.   I want your song to drown the voices in my head that speak lies...that cause my heart to become fretful and anxious. 

I want that inner calm that You promise to the one who is thankful...the one whose confidence in You does not waver.   The one who trusts that You are able to do what is best for His beloved child. Give me time today to think on how I live, how I think and what I meditate on.  I want Your perfect peace to rule my heart and mind, not the unmerciful and fearful voices of self and the world.  Help me to dwell on Your word...to set my mind on things above...to focus on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable...if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, set my mind on these things.  Be louder than me, Father.   Show me Your right way.  In Your presence is fullness of joy and at Your right hand pleasures forevermore. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.—Isaiah 26