Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Psalm 27:4-9 

4 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.

5 For He will hide me in His shelter

   in the day of trouble;

He will conceal me under the cover of His tent;

   He will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up

   above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in His tent

   sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;

   be gracious to me and answer me!

8 You have said, “Seek my face.”

   My heart says to you,

      “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”

      9 Hide not Your face from me.

Turn not Your servant away in anger,

   O You who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

   O God of my salvation!

In this Advent season, let us seek the LORD. He invites us to seek Him, and I trust that in His invitation He will not hide His face. God is our Help! God is our Salvation! He hides us in His shelter, He hears our prayer, He lifts us up to place us on a sure foundation. For these things and more we can praise Him and continually seek His face. Oh that we may desire more of His presence and to dwell with Him always. 

Prayer:

Psalm 27:1, 10-14

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;…

10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

   but the LORD will take me in.

11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,

   and lead me on a level path

   because of my enemies.

12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

   for false witnesses have risen against me,

   and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD

   in the land of the living!

14 Wait for the LORD;

   be strong, and let your heart take courage;

   wait for the LORD!

LORD, You are the Light and Salvation for all people. Please draw Buddhists to You. For new believers in the Buddhist world, we pray that You will strengthen them in the face of adversity and persecution—especially from their parents and close family members. Please, LORD, protect them from their adversaries and grant them favor and respect in their communities. Draw others to Your light through their lives of perseverance and testimonies of life change because of Jesus. Teach them Your way, O LORD, and lead them on a level path. May they look upon Your goodness and know that all they endure for You is for their future glory and for Your Kingdom’s sake. Strengthen them and give them courage as they wait for You! Amen.