His Presence is the Prize

​Hope rested in my heart as my husband and I looked out over the bouncing waves to the sun as it began its evening dive into the ocean. Would we see it? A crowd was beginning to gather along the shoreline; the air was charged with a sense of expectancy. The horizon changed from lively shades of yellow to sleepy shades of orange and the gentle hum from the people on the beach faded into silence. As the sun closed its eyelid to sleep, the beautifully vivid glow of neon green light hovered over the water before it, too, went to sleep. There was dancing, cheering, clapping and much unashamed rejoicing in response to seeing the sunset’s green flash. One man even yelled, “Good job, God!”
 
I’m sure David also experienced a sense of anticipation and waiting from the time he was anointed as the next king of Israel until the time he actually took his place on the throne. 

​David experienced a range of emotions in the form of fear, pressure, anger, anxiety and more when he was forced out of Israel, on the run from Saul, fighting battles and surviving in a harsh land. But even in the midst of such adversity, it says in 2 Samuel 3:1 that “David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.” Finally, it was time. In chapter 5 David and his men took the stronghold of Zion (Jerusalem) and defeated the Philistines to secure the city in which the Lord would build David’s house. 
 
The victory over the Philistines was significant not because it secured David’s new place as king, but because David brought the presence of God (the Ark of the Covenant) out of the hands of the Philistines and into the midst of His people. The prize for David’s many years of waiting was the presence of the almighty God, rather than the presentation of a crown. David’s response was nothing short of inspiring. 
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“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets” (2 Sam. 6: 14-15). He worshiped undignified, unfiltered and unashamed. The weight of the wait was over and David found himself caught up in the moment, liberated by the joy of being in the presence of God. 

Do you ever feel the weight of the wait upon you? Maybe you feel the shame of being let go from a job, exhaustion of fighting night and day against the ever present voice of “mom guilt,” the anger of waiting on a promise that isn’t yet fulfilled or the fear of not knowing what’s going to happen to your child. David waited years to bring the presence of God to Israel, but because of Jesus, we can experience hope, freedom, joy and security in the presence of God always.

Because of God’s presence, we can release the weight of the wait and be fully present.

Friend, what things are keeping you from being in the moment today? What is the weight you are carrying? God sees you, He knows you and He wants to offer you freedom in the place of fear and pressure, joy in the place of anger and security in the place of anxiety. 

So, as the things of your life threaten to overtake you, take a moment to look to Jesus and let his presence bring you back to a place of liberating joy. 

Memory Verse: “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63: 3-4

Meet the Author

Hello, friend! My name is Tierney Nashleanas. I’m so glad you are here! I am a wife to my amazing husband, Trevor, a mama to our inspiring kiddos, Valor and Sylvie, and a health coach on the side. I enjoy experiencing the beauty of God in nature, getting my hands dirty in the garden, sitting by a glowy light to read a book and loading our family up in our 04’ Honda Odyssey we call, “The Adventure Van,” to see where the road takes us. I have a passion for creating words that encourage and inspire others to experience the love that God has for them in Christ.