There is a Psalm that I absolutely love, it says “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to you, Your face, O Lord, I will seek [ on the authority of Your word].” This was the first scripture I fell in love with when I became interested in the presence of God. Unfortunately, we often miss a simple principle while juggling all the other principles (biblical and manmade) of Christianity. But as I mature in the Lord, I am starting to understand that God’s presence is the most essential, most valuable, most beautiful, most honorable attainment in this life. So, let’s talk about this today. I believe a shift is happening across the Kingdom of God, where we are turning from seeking gifts and benefits of the Spirit of God to looking directly into the face of God above all things. That is when we will honestly know Him and experience Him both intimately and in displays of power. In short, we’re discussing the value of the presence of God today. Because maybe if we understood its importance, we would not overlook it.
The Cost. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus are often viewed 1 dimensionally as a means of the forgiveness of our sins. This is absolutely true, Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins so that we could be right with God once again, but it did not stop there. After the Death, Burial, and Resurrection, Jesus also ascended. Jesus explains His ascension to His disciples in John 16:7. “However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].” Jesus had to die, be raised again, and return to Heaven so that we can experience the presence of God, the Holy Spirit. It is our loss if we only receive forgiveness, not because forgiveness isn’t essential, but because he is offering so much more. So when you remember what Jesus has sacrificed, it is so we could have the best that can be provided in life. As you take communion, remember that His body was broken and His blood was shed so that we could have constant communion of the soul with Him.
The Expression. To this day, I wrestle with seeing the presence of God as this mystical fog that is somewhere out there versus what it truly is, here with me and for me. God’s presence is tangible in the most active part of our being, the spirit. This is why it must be something that is sought after and sacrificed for. The presence resides in a dimension that we exist in but are not as aware of. We must connect in spirit before we can see the manifestation outwardly. From the depth of us, the Spirit of God becomes our “Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby.” It’s God’s way of expressing pure companionship with us. When we experience the presence of God as an accessible, living, breathing force, only then will we understand why Jesus says it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous). But the experience must begin in our belief and understanding.
The Value. A relationship with God is the most important relationship we can receive. It is the source that remains in this life and the next as everything else passes away. Relationships end in separation or death, jobs change, roles change, businesses run their course, fame is only for a moment, possessions decay, but intimacy with the Lord is forever. If nothing in this life is eternal we must exist to know Him, not just know of Him. We must seek the presence of God as our highest requirement. Every day, in every season, in every high and low, the goal is to know and love Him. I want to encourage you to begin to build your life around having communion with Him, not just receiving from Him. If we receive all that we pray for but never walk with Him as a companion, we have missed the greatest gift that we could ever receive. I know this post may not be what you are used to but I wanted to lay a foundation. It’s time that we make God’s presence a necessity and honor it as our most incredible privilege. Join me next week as I talk more about the presence of God.
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