Time with God – James Heenan

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭36‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭‬‬‬‬‬‬

That, to me, is the most beautiful picture of God’s goodness. First of all, we turn to Him out of our need. We come to Him for refuge because we’re oppressed, because we cannot handle our problems alone. We take refuge in the shadow of His wings, but when we get in there under the shadow of His wings, then we discover that He’s provided much more for us than mere refuge. He’s provided a feast. He’s provided abundance. We feast on the abundance of His house, and not only that, but He gives us to drink of the river of His delights. To me, that’s staggering! God does not give us to drink of a river of our own delights, but of His delights. He shares with us the things that delight Him, and like a river, His delights are ever-flowing.

You see, there are so many things that we would naturally take pleasure in that are harmful. For instance, take the practice of smoking. Many people find great pleasure in smoking, but unfortunately we all know today it’s extremely harmful. It’s a potential cause of cancer. The difference with God’s pleasures is they are never harmful, and God wants to share with us His pleasures. He wants to give us good abundance - to drink of the river of His pleasures, and not only are they pleasant but they are beneficial. They’re never harmful.

I wonder has your mind gone where my mind went when I read these verses from Psalm 36?

Do you see Jesus in these words? We can come to Jesus and never thirst again. We can come to Jesus and he will give us rest. The Spirit and the bride say come. As you read this, let’s come to Jesus and take refuge in Him and feast on the abundance of His house and drink from the water that brings forth everlasting life.

Lord Jesus, thank You that in You we can take refuge. Thank You that You provide a feast of abundance. Thank You that I may come to You and drink from Your living water, never to be thirsty again. Make me a vessel of living water for many others to come to know these truths, by following Your example, through Your presence and love in my life. Let me overflow Lord! Amen.

Written by James Heenan
Officer in 1st Slieve Donard & Chair of Anchors Panel .