DELUXE PAVILION - PART 4

THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2023

Reference: PSALM 27:4-5 The Message (MSG) "I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with Him in His house my whole life long. I'll contemplate His beauty; I'll study at His feet. That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic."

What is so powerful, enriching and unique about God and His pavilion, which King David considered as the secret place of His presence? Psalm 16:11 has the answer, and it reads, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" (NIV).

God fills us with joy in His pavilion, and with eternal pleasures at His right hand. The force of this Scripture is this; all the treasures of pleasure and luxury are contained in His presence, not merely some of it. Therefore the search for pleasure outside of His presence comes with lack of fulfilment and short-lived satisfying benefits, which are expressive of fleeting moments, designed to fade. It is also worthy of notice that eternal pleasures are at God's right hand, where Christ is. In other words, such pleasures are not matters of external observances; they are contained in Christ, and so, we must attend to this truth with deep reverence and constant meditation.

Eternal pleasures do not lie on the surface, but are firmly established in God's presence at a deep and profound level. So the real luxury is the secret place of His presence, and it must be earnestly sought for, as men seek for hidden treasure. And its through Christ, the mystery of God, revealed in us, because He is characterized as the grand fulfilment of God's promised blessings to us (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV). Simply put, the secret of eternal pleasures is Christ; He is our unco luxury. And He noted it in John 10:10 saying, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (NLT). So Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Just before the above versified statement, Jesus affirmed, "I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture." To that effect, Paul expressed it in this manner in Ephesians 2:18-19 (NIV), "For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of His household."

What's more, King David used the notion of a pavilion while King Solomon also used the term "strong tower" in his wisdom literature collections. In the New American Standard Bible of Proverbs 18:10, he said, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe." Now understand that the idea of the righteous running into it and becoming safe, does not suggest that he is afraid or functioning in fear probably because enemies are so powerful and pursued him into a strong tower. Essentially, it denotes an exceptional level of fitness and strength that is required of us in attending to the Lord's presence. Got it? We have run into His presence gladly, enthusiastically and boldly, not timidly, uneasily or cowardly, and it's an atmospheric and guaranteed system of safety we have settled into - permanently.

As the righteous in Christ, you must obtain the understanding that you were called to function as bold as lion. In fact, it is part of your glorious destiny, and it should find expression in you as an active ministry. The newest version of this perspective is "Come boldly." In other words, no matter the circumstance or whatever has become the description of the challenge you encounter in life, train your mind to think differently and function courageously, instead of pressing the panic button in any given situation. To that effect, Hebrews 4:16 reads, "Let us therefore COME BOLDLY unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (KJV). Stay tuned for part 5. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Psalm 25:12-13; Isaiah 58:11; Psalm 36:7-8; Psalm 46:4.

Guided Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for making my life precious and outstanding in Christ. For in Him, I have life and heavenly wealth, and I have them abundantly. Hence, the excellency of partaking in the divine nature and luxury of your majesty and glory on earth is guaranteed in Christ, in Jesus' Name, Amen!