Just as there was a gate into the Old Testament tabernacle, there is a gate into the presence of God. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise"(Psalm 100:4). Psalm 22:3 reminds us that God inhabits the praises of His people. God is present where there is joyful praise.

One evening while we were on vacation, I took my Bible to a quiet spot where I could read, meditate, and watch the sun set behind the mountains. That evening God arranged a most spectacular sunset. Brilliant pink rays outlined the rolling clouds. I sat in awe and read Psalm 104, “O Lord my God, you are very great….He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.” I was overwhelmed with His majesty as I thought on His Word and His chariots.

In the past after yet another failure, I often thought, “Isn’t God tired of my asking His forgiveness?” Then I discovered a comforting verse in Psalm 146:5, “God takes pleasure in those who…hope in his mercy.” It was as though He said, “I’m especially delighted when you hope in My mercy rather than despair because you’ve failed.” What comfort this verse often gives me.

I met a lovely Christian named Ruth who told me, “People say to my parents, ‘It’s so wonderful that all of your three children love the Lord. How did you do it?’

Mozafar, a devout Muslim in Egypt, had been commanded by his Islamic leader to read the Bible so he could write an argument to expose and defeat the Christians. He trusted Mozafar whose zeal had led him to attack churches and to persecute and burn the property of Christians. But when Mozafar opened the Bible, he was stunned by the mercy and grace Jesus offered in the gospel of Matthew. He was so drawn by the gospel that he rented a hotel room so he could read the Bible without interruption.

One of my joys is to read promises God has given me—some of them years ago. I have written many on index cards, and I praise God while reading them. Rather than dwelling on the fact that they are not yet fulfilled, I rejoice in knowing that in God’s perfect timing, they will be. He gave the promises and He will accomplish them.

Yesterday I had an hour before leaving for an appointment. What should I do? I wondered. As I considered several options, I remembered the dinner guests coming in a few days who do not know Jesus. This thought occurred to me: How I spend this small amount of time might affect how another spends all eternity. With that thought in my mind nothing seemed to be more important than prayer.

If only I had looked to the Lord and had trusted Him for guidance when I made that decision! It may not have been a major situation, but at the moment, all I could think about was that I had made a mistake. The incident left me wondering how I could obey His word to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4)?