We talk and hear about the presence of God. Do we really know what it is or is it an abstract expression we don’t quite grasp? Here is a definition from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology –
Presence of God. The Scriptures often speak of God’s presence in human history. The most common Hebrew term for “presence” is panim [yIn’P], which is also translated “face, ” implying a close and personal encounter with the Lord.
This is what Christians want, that close, personal relationship with God. A day by day encounter with the Lord.
In the last blog post, How to Cultivate Joy When Life Feels Overwhelming, we talked about how God’s presence is our joy. (Psalm 16:11 NIV) That lead me to thinking about the benefits we find within His presence.
How do we find God’s Presence?
Psalm 27:7-8 NIV “Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek His face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
David needs immediate help. He knows from experience that God wants him to depend on Him and not his own resources. “My heart says of You, “Seek His face”. We find God’s presence by seeking Him with all of our heart.
God’s Joy
Psalm 16:11 NIV “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
We are always looking for happiness. It seems to be elusive and feels like the moment we touch it, it disappears. That is what happiness without the Lord is like. Joy is more lasting because we can have it in God’s presence and it spreads throughout our daily life. It’s there for the asking.
The privilege of guidance is there for us too. Ask the Father for it, turn it loose and walk in His freedom. There are eternal pleasures waiting for us.
Grace and Mercy
Hebrews 4:16 NIV “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
When we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we can come into God’s presence with confidence. Our needs are received by God and answered because of His grace and mercy for those who love Him. This in itself gives us hope and joy.
God’s Goodness
Psalm 31:19-20 NIV “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.”
“The Lord is “good” by working things out righteously for those “who fear [him].” Even when they are oppressed like a “besieged city,” they are kept safe in “the shelter of [his] presence.” While he may “hide them,” he nevertheless makes it clear “in the sight of men” that the godly are under his protection. In the context of injustice and adversity, he manifests his “wonderful love” in loneliness and abandonment. The formula of blessing “praise be to the LORD” expresses the joy of the redeemed after having experienced his salvation.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament
In God’s goodness we are protected, His love is manifested in us in loneliness and abandonment. We give praise to God for His goodness and salvation.
God’s Love
1 John 4:16 NIV “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
God has placed an important emphasis upon love. The first two commandments tell us to love God with all our heart and love others. His nature glows with His love.
In His presence, we are envelope with His love and this permeates our heart. In this verse, if we have God’s love, we know He abides in us.
God’s Hope
Romans 15:13 NIV “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Our God begins with hope, He is hope. The key to this hope is our trust in Him. He not only blesses us in His presence with hope, but joy and peace as well. We will overflow with hope. How wonderful is that?
Our Shepherd
Psalm 23:1-6 NIV “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This passage is one most of us have memorized. Have we ever seen it as the presence of God?
As shepherd, God is responsible for the care of His flock. With Him, everything is taken care of.
- He gives us rest.
- He guides us.
- He protects us.
- We are God’s guests.
- We are safeguarded from our enemies.
- We are anointed with God’s honor.
- His goodness and love follow us.
- We will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This is a beautiful picture of the presence of God. How could we not want to stay there?
God’s Beauty
Psalm 84:1-2 NIV “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
The Psalmist in this passage is overcome with the beauty of God’s presence, so much so that He wants to stay there. Somehow, in our humanness, we don’t understand the holiness and majesty of our God. We need to pray for more understanding.
Conclusion
Studying God’s Word about His presence brings it into focus. We can learn more about who He is and want to stay closer to experience it.
Seeing all the benefits brings His presence into reality and how as Christians we can allow that presence to mature us. It also keeps it ever on our mind to reach out to others to share our wonderful experience in God.
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