Wednesday, February 10
Read Psalm 84:1-12.
"Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah" (v. 4).
At the time of this writing, many of us have not been in the building, which houses the group with whom we affiliate, which we call the church. We know that the church is not made of brick and mortar. 1 Peter 2:5 says, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." Christ indwells believers, and His presence is always with us. Those who live close to Him are aware of His presence.
As a missionary-teacher, I was often in the Mercer home, where Sis. Mercer made cooking and hospitality her ministry. But that was not all of her ministry. She lived in the presence of God. Though she spent a great deal of time in her kitchen, her well-worn Bible was never far away. Further, she was almost constantly in touch with her Heavenly Father. She often could be heard praying as she worked. Once I stepped to the front porch and just to my left was the open kitchen door, and there Sis. Mercer's brown face was glowing with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her hands were raised in praise. I felt I was an intruder into her private worship, but that was her life. Perhaps praise was the secret ingredient in her delicious meals.
It has been my blessed privilege to be with God's saints in all kinds of situations – worship services, sorrow, serious illness, and the list could go on. What is interesting and wonderful is that in those situations, God is present, praise is practiced, and the countenance of those praising is lightened. (Lonnie R.Witt)
Joy-bells, joy-bells, ringing in my soul;
Joy-bells, joy-bells, I am free and whole.
Jesus sought and found me,
Placed His arms around me,
Set the blessèd joy-bells ringing in my soul.
— James Rowe
