One deep question for life seekers: “what does connection with God look like?” For years authors have pondered this, scientifically, philosophically, and through the optics of faith. For Moses it was all about shelter. Check out Psalm 90.
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
You turn man back into dust and say, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night. You have swept them away like a flood and they fall asleep. In the morning they are like grass which sprouts again – in the morning it flourishes and sprouts and toward evening it fades and withers away.
For we have been consumed by Your anger and by Your wrath we have been dismayed. You have placed our iniquities before You and our secret sins in the light of Your presence. For all our days have declined in Your fury and we have finished our years like a sigh. As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride amounts only to labor and sorrow. For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Who understands the power of Your anger and Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. Do return, O Lord; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants. Satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us, and the years we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants and Your majesty to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and confirm for us the work of our hands. Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
A Psalm of David/Psalm 61
For the choir director on a stringed instrument.
“Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah (I lift this up).
For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name. You will prolong the king’s life; his years will be as many generations. He will abide before God forever; appoint lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him. So I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may pay my vows day by day.”
David understood a number of things about his connection to His King.
√ Stability comes from a higher place.
√ True shelter is forever.
√ Living in God’s tent is a choice – and a blessing for this life and the one to come.
√ For David it was a connection of heart, mind, and soul.
Connection Questions:
– When and how have you felt most connected to your Creator?
– What brings this kind of connection for you?
– Do you feel you have come to trust God for your welfare?
– In what ways does fear challenge you?
Where does Jesus fit into your God connection?
John 17 is a Son-to-Father connection conversation. Take the time to check it out. What was it that Jesus wanted for His children?
Headed where we belong!
Dave and Burnadette
Storiesofshelter.com