Pastor’s Perspective: You want me to surrender?

By Guest Columnist Spencer Sullivan, Pastor, Pelahatchie Baptist

I don’t know how it is for you, but sometimes it’s hard for me to believe 2020 was 5 years ago. It was a very difficult time for many, and it was an incredibly frustrating time for all of us. The virus had significant implications for those that endured serious cases. For those that were largely unaffected physically by the virus, the worst part of the Covid-19 experience was the isolation.  For months, we could barely leave our houses. School was exclusively done online. For those that were able to continue working, that also was limited to what could be done through an internet connection.  One business that thrived during this season was Zoom Communications. Through Zoom and other like software programs, people are able to communicate ‘face to face’ through video conference technology.  During that season of life, many came to realize that this technology is a wonderful substitute when in-person gathering together is impossible. But it is a substitute. It’s still not close to the same thing as being in the physical presence of people.  Nothing can replace being in the same place, especially with those we love to spend time with. Presence is powerful.

King David certainly realized this. He prioritized presence, especially the presence of God. In Psalm 27 he made a remarkable statement: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.” He is essentially saying, if I have only one thing that I can request of God, this is it. I want to be with God all the days of my life. Why do you think this was David’s one request? God certainly isn’t a genie in a bottle, but He is all powerful and the source of every good thing. But, David didn’t ask Him for wealth or power. He didn’t ask for romantic love. He didn’t ask for health and a long life. More than anything else, He just wanted to be with God; He wanted to always be in His presence. Why? In the rest of the psalm, David talks about the valuable effects that result from pursuing the presence of God.  

God’s presence implies His protection, which then eliminates fear and produces confidence. In this psalm, David speaks with immense confidence as it relates to any threat posed by his enemies. He does so because God is his stronghold  and safe place. In addition, as David pursued God’s presence, he was after joy and satisfaction. This is what Adam and Eve experienced in God’s presence before sin entered and necessitated a separation between them and the unique presence they previously enjoyed. This kind of presence is what Jesus died to restore and that those who repent and believe will one day experience for eternity. David sought after and experienced joy and satisfaction as he gazed upon the beauty and glory of the Lord.  Finally, David found that God’s presence produces peace and security.  In this life, there is no greater sense of peace and security than the love and protection provided by a loving mom and dad. David wrote that even if his own mother and father abandoned him, the Lord would take him in.  

David experienced confidence, joy, satisfaction, peace, and security all through his pursuit of God’s presence. If you had one request of God, would it match David’s? Within Psalm 27, God Himself speaks.  He says, “Seek My face.” David’s response is “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” God says to you and me today: “Seek My face.” What is your response to this call?  Will you seek His face and His presence and then experience these same realities the way that David did?  May our response be “Your face, Lord, do I seek!”