Dear Friend,

     Have you ever sat quietly before the Lord in amazement and wonder? Speechless at the greatness and goodness of our God? Silent and still—just sitting in His presence?

     So often in our prayer times, our tendency is to begin at the top of our list of needs and requests. Without a doubt, we have plenty of reasons to ask for the Lord’s help and mercy. But how often do we just take time in silence before Him, simply adoring Him?

     This is a time of year when we hear the familiar words of favorite Christmas carols, especially “O, come let us adore Him.” Will we take time this season for admiring God?

 

Awe-struck by His Provision

     Over the last few weeks, I have been reading Delighted in God!—the classic biography of George Müller by Roger Steer. You may have heard Christian speakers refer to the amazing faith of Müller, the British Christian who clothed and fed thousands of orphans in Bristol, England—literally “praying in” the daily provision for their care.

     I was particularly moved by these words from Müller’s diary, penned on the day he had just received the largest financial contribution ever given to his orphan work:

 

     It is impossible to describe my joy in God when I received this donation. I was neither excited nor surprised; for I look out for answers to my prayers. I believe that God hears me. Yet my heart was so full of joy, that I could only sit before God, and admire Him, like David in 2 Samuel 7.

     “I could only sit before God, and admire Him.” Those words brought tears and deep conviction to me. How often do I just sit in silent worship, simply admiring God?
 

Praise and Thanksgiving

     Müller’s moment of wordless admiration for the Lord was not the end of this story. His time of silence soon erupted into an outpouring of praise and renewed commitment to the Lord Jesus. Please note this next sentence in his diary entry for that day:

 

     At last I cast myself flat down on my face, and burst forth in thanksgiving to God, and in surrendering my heart afresh to Him for His blessed service.

 

     Can’t you just envision this in your mind? Sitting in awe and wonder before the Lord—and then, being so overwhelmed with His goodness and grace that we shout out praises and thanksgivings to Jesus Christ. I believe that would qualify as admiring God.

King David’s Response

     We see a similar response of awe followed by worship in the incident to which Müller referred in his diary—the story from the life of King David in 2 Samuel 7. In this chapter of the Bible, David had expressed his desire to build a house for the Lord. But God turned the tables on David, telling him that He Himself would instead build an everlasting house for David and his family. How did David respond?

     “Then King David went in and sat before the _LORD.” I can just imagine David, sitting silently before the Lord, shaking his head in wonder and amazement. This is confirmed in the next words of verse 18: “And he [David] said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?’”

     A few verses later, David responded just as Müller had, letting loose in verse 22 with a flood of praise and adoration for the Lord: “Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” David simply couldn’t restrain himself from admiring God.

On Our Faces

     In one section of a profound message called “A Vision of Holiness,” Derek Prince shares some transparent remarks about what it might be like to be in the presence of Almighty God. The message talks about our response to God’s holiness, and what we will or should do when we are exposed to the glory of God. Really, it’s about worship.

     It makes me smile to realize that Derek’s conjecture is now a reality for him—as he enjoys his eternal home in the presence of the Lord. Here is what he said:

   I used to think that being in heaven—just sitting around singing hymns—wouldn’t exactly excite me. Then I thought about the elders in Revelation 4. All they did was sit on thrones in the presence of God.

     I still haven’t arrived at the point that I can fully accept it. But I have come to see that the direct, personal revelation of God is the highest that He has to offer. To be permanently in the presence of God—there is nothing beyond that. I don’t think I have arrived, but I am much nearer being fully satisfied with nothing but the presence of God.
     
     Let me remind you that God is a self-revealing God. He is a Creator who loves to reveal Himself. The highest reward God has to offer you is the revelation of Himself. So, back to these twenty-four victorious overcomers with golden wreaths on their heads who are in the presence of God. Every time they have a vision of the holiness of God, they end up on their faces.

     Well, brothers and sisters, if it’s good enough for the elders and the seraphim, it should be good enough for you and me.

Making Room in Our Schedules

     I’ll ask you the same question I am asking myself right now. How often do I take time to sit in quiet adoration in the presence of the Lord? Not asking for help; not placing urgent requests before Him; not giving Him my list. Instead, just simply admiring God.

     Would you like to join me in a prayer of commitment to make room for such times?

     
     First of all, dear Lord, I want to ask for Your forgiveness for not taking more time just to sit before You—in silent awe and wonder at Your majesty and might. You deserve all the glory that such a moment would bring to You.

     With this prayer, I want to commit myself to take more time in Your presence—especially in this season. I want to respond to that invitation: “O, come let us adore Him.” Jesus, you are worthy of all praise and honor. In this season, I will deliberately set apart times just to remain quiet in Your presence.

     I commit myself to sit before You, simply admiring You. Amen.

A Season of Adoration

    It’s a simple proposition, isn’t it? Nothing too complicated. Just sitting at the feet of Jesus with our mouths closed, waiting before Him in silent adoration.

     However, as you and I both know, it is a lot more difficult than we could imagine. It’s not easy, so please let all of us at Derek Prince Ministries offer some help. We want to encourage you in the commitment you have made—because we are making it as well. So, let’s help one another in this season of adoration to take more time in His presence.

     To make that fully possible, it may require a little more instruction. May we offer you Derek’s message, “A Vision of Holiness,” from which his quote was taken? It is our way of letting you know that we stand with you as you pursue time alone with Him.

     In that same vein, we are so grateful to you for standing with us through your prayers and gifts. Like George Müller, our DPM staff often overflows in thanksgiving for the way so many have shared so generously with us. Please receive our deepest thanks.

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus 

     I said earlier in the letter that I felt a deep sense of conviction reading about the response of George Müller to the blessing God had given him. My hope is that you will share that sense of conviction—but not receive it as a sense of condemnation. It is not our natural tendency to sit quietly before the Lord, and few of us are able to do it easily.

     My thoughts regularly go to Mary and Martha at Bethany, who welcomed Jesus into their home and had a deep love and regard for Him. Mary particularly took time just to sit at Jesus’ feet, adoring and admiring Him. Did she say anything during those times? Or did she just hang on every word Jesus shared as He conversed with her?

     I don’t know the answer to those questions. But I do know what Jesus said of Mary’s adoring attitude: “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). That’s the part I want as well.

     In this season, let us “come and adore Him.” Let us take time in admiring God.

All the best,

 

Dick Leggatt
President, DPM–USA

P.S. We are so grateful for your wonderful participation with us. We simply can’t thank you enough for your love and generosity. Please make sure to download the free MP3 message by Derek, “A Vision of Holiness,” which we are glad to provide with our blessings.