Presence

EXPERIENCING GOD’S PRESENCE IN A NOISY WORLD

When was the last time you felt like you were fully engaged in a conversation? Were you able to look your friend straight in the eyes and genuinely listen to what they had to say? Let’s be honest, this can be a really hard thing to do, especially in the twenty-first century. With Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram only a click away, it’s easy to think that whatever is new or trending is the most important thing to pay attention to. Even when you’re in the middle of meaningful conversations, it’s tempting to look at your phone. Just one peek won’t hurt! Until you get sucked in…and you’re no longer present.

The sad fact is, this doesn’t just affect our relationships with other human beings. It can affect our relationship with God, too. The truth is, we were each designed to live in God’s presence. Just look at God’s relationship with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Genesis 3:8 says that God walked with them in the cool of the day. Can you imagine that – walking with the Creator of the universe?

Sadly, sin entered the picture and brought shame to us all. Adam and Eve realized they were naked and hid from God. Can you relate? The shame from our sin causes us to run away, instead of run to Him. The human condition is one of nakedness—we are born this way, and unless we come to Jesus Christ, we will die this way.

Thankfully, God provided a way for us to live in his presence without shame or fear. The truth is, God dealt with the punishment we deserve for our sin when he sent Jesus to the cross. Jesus gladly, willingly did it out of love (1 John 3:16). Because of his love, we don’t need to be ashamed to go to God. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That’s really good news! The gospel enables us to experience God’s presence and experience true, deep, lasting joy.

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Don’t you see it? Presence is the point of Christianity! Not religion. Not going to church. Not doing good things. Not our feelings. None of these things
will bring us the lasting joy that comes from living in the presence of the Creator of the universe! So, the million peso question is, how do you live in God’s presence?

First, it’s by faith, not feelings. The Bible says it’s impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We need to confess our sins and take God’s forgiveness by faith (even when we don’t feel forgiven).

Second, you’ll experience God’s presence through earnest, continual prayer. Get rid of the distractions and get alone with God. Set your phone down! Go for a walk with Him. Pray the Psalms. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Third, strip yourself of forbidden things. You cannot have God and hang on to sin. I repeat, you cannot have God and hang on to sin! It’s ridiculous to assume that you can experience God’s presence when you’re continually doing things contrary to God’s character. Holiness cannot dwell with impurity!

Lastly, get to know Jesus. Colossians 1:15 says, “He is the image of the invisible God.” No one can come to God except through Jesus (John 14:6) and He is the one who gives us abundant life (John 10:10). You want the presence of God in your life? Get to know His eternal, living, powerful Son.