The Breath of LentNäide

"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Verse 10 describes two different locations: the tents of the wicked and the house of my God. Allow your mind to wander for a moment, exploring the feelings that you might experience in the "tent of the wicked," a dwelling place for that which is evil or morally wrong, that which is intended to or capable of harming someone or something, that which is extremely unpleasant (those are definitions of the word "wicked" found in the dictionary). The tents of the wicked allow one to be fully immersed in the space, fully partaking. You may have experienced, to some degree, a season of being surrounded by or fully immersed in wickedness. This tent has an emptiness, even if you are all the way "welcomed" in.

Now, allow your mind to wander into the feelings that may arise while in the house of God. The writer of Psalm 84 says, "I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God." The contrast of the beauty, strength, peace, and loveliness in God's presence is so strong that it would be better to be stationed just outside the Lord's dwelling. It would be better to be close to His presence than somewhere He is not. The Lord bestows favor and honor. He withholds nothing from those who walk with Him. Use your breath prayer today as a consistent reminder of the place you long to be - His presence.

Inhale: Better is one day in your courts

Exhale: than a thousand elsewhere