by Pastor Douglas Brauner
Invited into Jesus’ Presence
You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.
A person can climb some of the rock formations in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and this only with the proper equipment and permit. Every year the parks department rescues someone who thinks they are Alex Honnold, the man who recently free climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan.
This individual is standing on the razors edge of the eastern most uplift of the Three Graces rock formation, far above us mere mortals hiking below. His only enemies are pigeons that call this rock home as he stands firmly secured with ropes.
“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”
Psalm 27:5 New International Version
Psalm 27 is a psalm of lament where the writer faces an enemy whose desire is to kill him (v. 2). He has one prayer, he wants to “dwell in the house of the Lord.” (v. 4) Verse five expresses the psalmist’s faith in his God to bring him into that place of safety and to lift him high above these enemies as he dwells in his presence.
Standing high on a rock is not merely to be above our enemies but to be in the presence of the Lord, to dwell in his sanctuary. God’s sanctuary has come and dwelt with us, not in a building, but in a person. Our refuge is Jesus. It is Jesus who lifts us up as we dwell in him, as we enjoy his presence in our world and in our lives.
Though the psalmist speaks out of his pain, suffering is not a prerequisite to experiencing the blessing of Christ’s presence. Every day the Holy Spirit invites us into the heart of Jesus that we might stand high on a rock with him.
He invites you into his presence today.
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
