The year was 1969. The group was Blind Faith. One of the main members was a man whom you probably have heard of. At the time he was also one of the founding members of another well-known group from the era: Cream. His name was Eric Clapton. Cream was known for “In the white room with black curtains is a station.” By the way, did you know that was not a drug song or about a drug trip? It was a song about purity and innocence-no drugs, no Nam, and no trouble. Okay…circle back. Blind Faith recorded a song that was so strange at the time called Presence of the Lord. The final chorus had the following lyrics: “Everybody knows the secret/Everybody knows the score/I have finally found a place to live/Oh, in the presence of the Lord.” I’m not sure what was on Clapton’s mind or heart at the time. Perhaps he was figuring out the futility of the 60s kind of love. (As many of you may know Clapton again wondered about heaven and would his son know him in “Tears in Heaven.”)
My reading this morning was from Exodus 33-35 and its main them was the Presence of the Lord. At one point God told Moses He wanted him to go back up the mountain in order to receive the 10 Commandments again (Moses had smashed the original ones out of anger). I was struck by Moses’ requests from God. Here they are in a nutshell:
“Lord, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully.” (33:13)
“Lord, guarantee your presence.” (33:16)
“Lord, show me Your glory.” (3318)
For each of these requests God has a favorable answer. He desires we seek Him. He desires that we know His ways in order to follow. He desires that we know His presence will always be there. And He desires that we seek/crave His presence.
Blind Faith (and Moses) had it right. The best place to be is in the presence of the Lord. I’m not naive to think we won’t have distractions today. But I also know those distractions do not and will not impact our day as deeply if we are living with the promise of God’s presence. Why not begin today…right now…by praying these three requests Moses made? I can’t and won’t promise you a pain-free or trouble-free day. But I can promise you God’s presence throughout the day. Stop right now and pray those three thoughts and then live today with them in mind.
A prayer worth praying every day and all day.
Agreed. Thank for recognizing that.
I hadn’t thought about how bold these requests Moses made were before you deftly outlined them here today, Bill. Wow! God is never more than a breath away, and He is absolutely present and listening to us. I know my day will only get better because of your reminder of that wonder.
Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I am glad to hear that you plan to implement them by praying.
You are absolutely right Bill, no matter what happens being in the Lord’s presence is the only important focus we should have. I like adding those verses to my daily prayers, thanks Bill.
I like that you are adding them Gail.