Psalm 76

What is the real priority in your life? What is your strong desire? The Lord can help us to focus on Him and to long for Him. This will lead us to different decisions about prayer and service. We can actually change even today by the grace of God.

In the place where God dwells, among the people that He has chosen, God is known. (Why not me, Lord? Come quickly, and show yourself to me!)

God dwells in the Jerusalem above, but He also “lived” in the temple on Mount Zion. Now in the New Testament age, He still lives in His heavenly sanctuary, where Christ has cleansed the way for us with us blood, but He has a new temple on earth: the gatherings of His worshiping people, and even the individuals who call out to Him.

These heaven and earth dwelling places of God are closely related, as if heaven is dwelling within us since heaven's God is in us. By the Holy Spirit we have Christ in us, the hope of Glory. His gift is also called the “earnest” of the Holy Spirit, the taste today of tomorrow's heavenly life in the Lord.

The One God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is with you now. Seek and you shall find. God brings us peace that passes understanding. He has the power to end war. The first great step of worldwide shalom has taken place through the shedding of Messiah's blood on the cross. The power of peace is spreading. There is no reason why we can not ask the Lord with confidence for His gift of the sensation of peace today.

The place where the Lord dwells is glorious! What enemy can ultimately win there? The proud will be humbled before the Lord. He speaks new life from the heavens. His sheep hear His voice not only in heaven, but also on earth. They know Him and they follow Him. The enemy of worldliness in distracted souls must yield to Him like every other enemy. His Word can dwell all the more richly within His living temple everywhere. (This can't just be for others Lord. I am your child also.)

The Lord hears the cry of the humble. He opposes the proud, but He saves His people with His mighty grace, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is so powerful that He can make the wrath of His enemies to praise Him. Every day we read about powerful nations hoping to extinguish the flame of Christ from their lands. They will fail. Even some of the individuals who are His persecutors today will be His servants and worshipers tomorrow. See Acts 9 and think about what He did to Saul of Tarsus. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. The chosen of the Lord, though acting like enemies today, will soon be a part of the body of Christ. What a mighty God we serve!

Have you promised yourself to the Lord in earlier days? Fulfill your vow to God by receiving His love and forgiveness now and rising up to love Him with newness of life as He gives you strength. Stronger than your own vow is the promise of Jesus who died for you. He has vowed to the Father to bring the praise of the nations into His holy temple. He will do it.

Resistance really is futile. Smile. Joy unspeakable and full of glory is yours because of the sufferings of your Savior. Even your trials must work today toward the accomplishment of His eternal purpose. Fear the Lord, and then let His perfect love cast out all fear. Rejoice, the Lord is King, and He loves you!