Better is One Day

This last month has been an exciting month of experiencing what God intended. As I’ve been changing my attitude and actions I have enjoyed days that have brought peace, hope and excitement. There have been many moments that I wished would last forever and that life would always be like this.

Days like that only make me want more of them. Days filled with love, communication and a sincere desire to serve others from a grateful heart. I believe that God gives us the good days so that we will have something to remember through the not so good days.

I knew that the enemy would eventually make an appearance and try to drag me back to the wrong attitudes that I had before and I have to say that he came at me with guns a blazing. Everything that had previously pushed me over the edge was targeted and his flaming arrows were hitting their marks. He left no relationship or circumstance untouched.

I could feel my inner spirit resisting and in my head I was screaming, “NO, I don’t want to be that way again.” “Help me Lord!” And He did. He didn’t stop the attacks but He gave me the words to say and He gave me to courage to stand up to the enemy. He gave me a choice to resist the enemy as well as my own desires.

In my previous mindset I would have easily found justification for responses and being angry, but God has been showing me a different way, His way. And I have to say that His way is so much better. In the midst of the struggles I found myself wanting a day like I had with God. To be at peace and hopeful. To truly desire what was best for someone else especially when they weren’t doing the same.

It reminded me of Psalm 84:1-2,10

“How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
 My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”

Those good days were days that I was living for God and experiencing His presence. They created a desire in me for more, more of Him. In my desire for more of Him, God gave me more opportunities to choose Him. He had shown me that it is possible to love when I don’t feel like it. To forgive again remembering that I need constant forgiveness. To show grace because I have received so much grace. To practice patience because God is always patient with me.

There is a song written about Psalm 84 and one of the verses goes like this:

My heart and flesh cry out
For You, the Living God
Your Spirit’s water for my soul
I’ve tasted and I’ve seen
Come once again to me
I will draw near to You
I will draw near to You

That is exactly how I feel. I’ve tasted and seen what living in His presence can be like and I want more. The beauty of that desire is that I can be in His presence anytime and anywhere by drawing near to Him. What I really want and need in those trials is more of Him. His Spirit to guide me and give me His word. His Spirit to give me courage and strength. His Spirit to remind me that one day in His presence is better than a thousand elsewhere.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for the good and bad days. Both provide opportunities to choose Your presence whether in worship and praise or in seeking Your guidance and peace. Days with You Lord are the best and I realize that it’s my choice in how many I spend with You. Your door is always open and You are always ready and willing to spend time with me. I Love You Lord! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Psalm 84: 1-2, 10

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
 My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God

Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere.