Enjoying God

In my childhood years, each Sunday morning church service would include an offertory prayer. Often, we would sing:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

And take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

And uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12 ESV

Over the past few weeks, these familiar verses, to the familiar liturgical tune, have been flowing through my mind. And, along with the melody, this thought: Do we enjoy God?

This would seem an odd combination! After all, David was proclaiming these words to God while going through a really deep struggle in his life. He had just committed adultery with Bathsheba, and had come to a place where he fully understood the depth of his poor decision. Yet, in the midst of his trial, he longed to stay connected to God. He longed to be in His presence.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation” is of particular prominence. In times of trouble, really, in all times, do we enjoy the redemption we’ve received in Christ? We are taught to treat God with the holiness and reverence He deserves. We are taught to respect his splendor. But, as we do this, do we miss out on something deeper? Something more intimate?

Judah Smith, Lead Pastor of The City Church in Seattle, recently noted, we often treat our relationship with God as an antique piece of furniture or like the formal living room. We like to admire the beauty of the antique, the craftsmanship and the history. We covet an orderly formal living room. When others want to sit in that beautiful piece of furniture or children want to play in the formal living room, we are quick to redirect.

Is it possible that God, in all His glory and eminence, is longing for a deeper connection with us? That just maybe He desires for our relationship with Him to be more comparable to an Ikea couch? Of course we are to treat God with the admiration and righteousness of which He is worthy, but in our communication with Him, in our daily relationship with Him, do we hold him at a distance that we don’t fully enjoy all He is?

In your times of trouble or simply in day-to-day life, how do you spend time with Him? Do you include Him in more than just your church service or daily quiet time? Do you talk with Him in the car or while doing the dishes? Do you include Him in all things, not just the seemingly important decisions?

Are you dwelling in His love and resting in His grace?

Just as David hungered for His presence, God longs for that connection with us.

To listen to Judah Smith’s sermon on Enjoying God, listen here: http://thecity.org/message/enjoying_god