The best place in the world to be is in God’s presence: we should be continually seeking this out. David tells us that being in God’s presence is the chief thing he desired in life; saying, “One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” [Psa 27:4]

This is where our joy is completed. No other thing or place can give to us complete joy but God’s presence. David says again, “in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

David believed this so much, in fact, that he even tells us being in God’s presence is one thousand times better than being anywhere else. He writes,

"Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." [Psa 84:9-11]

From David’s passionate desire we can learn. We should be asking God to look upon our face continually, because to be in His presence for a day is better than a thousand days elsewhere. To be in The LORD’s presence for an hour or five minutes is better than being anywhere else, doing anything else, for a thousand times longer. Think of that! Do you love God’s presence that much? We all should strive for the heart that David had towards fellowship with our Lord.

Next time you have a few minutes, instead of watching something, or scrolling through something, or doing whatever: spend it in reading, in prayer. Even just one minute in prayer to The Lord or in listening to His voice through scripture is better than one thousand minutes (sixteen hours) doing anything else!

David also mentions that he would rather be a doorkeeper in God’s house than be dwelling luxuriously but in sin/wickedness. Sin can bring pleasure and luxury, but we must esteem God’s house better.

It is better to have the scraps in God’s kingdom and in His presence than to have the worlds riches elsewhere; it is better to have a low position but be in The LORD’s presence, Jesus’ presence, than elsewhere with a high position. We ought not to be looking for promotion, but for the place where we can experience Jesus the most.

CONCLUSION

Seek out God’s presence! Desire to be in His presence because He is a sun and a shield. He gives energy, life, light, and warmth; and He protects us like a shield. He gives grace and glory to those who walk uprightly. So seek to be in His presence and seek to walk uprightly before His face.