My dear friend, it's a joy today to meditate on God's word and His promise for us. But before that, this day marks the 8th year since the beginning of the Couples Esther Prayer Group. It was started by my grandmother, Mrs. Stella Dhinakaran, for couples to come together in prayer, serving the Lord. So, you too can join this ministry, pray for this ministry, and support it, that it may continue to expand and be a blessing. Today, God promises us a special blessing from Psalm 140:13, "The upright shall dwell in Your presence." What a blessing it is to dwell always in the presence of God, to experience His presence continually! Imagine having such deep joy within you, and nothing being able to break the peace that rests in your heart. We all long for it, don’t we? This verse says the upright receive such a blessing. So let’s ask God, “Make us upright people, Lord, so that we can dwell in Your presence, always.”

Who are the upright? As Psalm 1:2 says, they are those who love meditating on the word of the Lord day and night. They delight in hearing the words of God. The upright are also those who sacrifice the desires of their flesh and only do what is right in the eyes of God. The pleasures of sin may creep into our flesh, but the upright are the ones who say, “I don't want it. I must stay pure, doing what is right for God.” These are the people who belong to the Lord. And they are also the ones who choose only to do and perfect the will of God, saying, “I will not disobey the Lord. It hurts my heart to disobey Him. I will always obey, listening to His will.” Such people are upright before God.

Even more, the upright are those who sacrificially give, even in the midst of their losses and lack in life. They give cheerfully to the Lord, trusting Him completely. And finally, the upright are those who are always thankful to the Lord. Even in the worst of circumstances, they continue to say “Thanks to the Lord,” and they keep their faith strong, saying, “The Lord will still do good to me.” These are the upright ones whom God delights in. Today, let’s ask the Lord to make us such upright people so that we may continue to dwell in His glorious presence, day and night.

PRAYER: 
Dear Lord, thank You for the promise that the upright shall dwell in Your presence. I long to live each day walking closely with You. Make me upright, Lord, pure in heart, obedient in spirit, and joyful in sacrifice. Help me to let go of fleshly desires and choose what is right in Your eyes. Teach me to be thankful in every season and to give cheerfully, even in times of lack. Please enable me to delight in Your Word day and night and live to fulfill Your will. Let nothing shake the peace You place in my heart. I want to dwell in Your presence always. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.