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The Power Of The Interlude
Jon Burgess“They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Interlude Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle.” Psalms 24:5-8
The power of the interlude is in full effect here in Psalm 24. It's almost like two sides of the same coin and the interlude is the flip. It's like two chapters in the same book. Both are describing in vivid detail our relationship with God and Gods relationship to us. The first half describes an intimate relationship that we can have with a holy God on the mountain. The second half describes the intensity of battle of a warrior God who fights on our behalf. The hinge between the two is the interlude. We wait on God and then we war with Him! Intimacy leads to intensity of focus. We open up our hearts in confession and then we open up the doors to our community! We find His face and then we fight with grace!
Every time I take Cyndi out on a date I'm reminded of the power of the interlude. Time away from the kids, not rushing through dinner, not helping with homework, just talking to each other. It's out of that intimacy that comes the ability to fight for our marriage, our family, our ministry, etc. If there's no time to connect in the quiet then we will become disconnected in the fight. The same is true in my relationship with my Lord. I must meet Him on the mountain before I fight with Him in the valley. I must wrestle with the God of Jacob (This title: God connecting Himself in relationship to a man) before I can welcome in the King of glory (This title: God infinitely above all of creation). Where does this happen? In the power of the interlude. The pause. The deep breath. The solitude. The silence. The rest in His presence that reveals the fullness of God in my life.
Thank you for this interlude about intimacey the day after Valentines Day. What a poignant and timely reminder that I not only need to be alone with You but that You actually want me to as well. When I can experience You personally I can welcome You corporately! I throw open the gates for the God of Jon and welcome the King of Glory to reign over Oahu and beyond!
