The Mystery of His Presence
This past week I watched a
video (http://www.godvine.com/Sweet-Baby-Girl-Sings-fb-gh-3747.html) and it reminded of the times when my brothers and I
waited for Daddy to come home. I watched the video of the little girl sitting
backward in the backseat facing the back window as she said “Daddy, Daddy,
Daddy,” over and over. I related to the little girl’s feeling for I had the same
feeling when my Daddy came home. Every once in a while the tiny girl looked
toward her dad and said, ”Hi, Daddy!” After her Daddy answered, she
continued to say “Daddy Daddy, Daddy”.
Each time he answered her, I recognized her trust and her innocence in her
Daddy’s presence. Such complete confidence and peace in her Daddy is evident. Such
joy. I could not believe the thoughts and the feelings that went through me as
I related that Father/daughter relationship to my relationship with God, as I
cry to my Heavenly Father, I delight in the creation because He create the
mountains, the seas, the living creatures, the vast universe and each of us.
video (http://www.godvine.com/Sweet-Baby-Girl-Sings-fb-gh-3747.html) and it reminded of the times when my brothers and I
waited for Daddy to come home. I watched the video of the little girl sitting
backward in the backseat facing the back window as she said “Daddy, Daddy,
Daddy,” over and over. I related to the little girl’s feeling for I had the same
feeling when my Daddy came home. Every once in a while the tiny girl looked
toward her dad and said, ”Hi, Daddy!” After her Daddy answered, she
continued to say “Daddy Daddy, Daddy”.
Each time he answered her, I recognized her trust and her innocence in her
Daddy’s presence. Such complete confidence and peace in her Daddy is evident. Such
joy. I could not believe the thoughts and the feelings that went through me as
I related that Father/daughter relationship to my relationship with God, as I
cry to my Heavenly Father, I delight in the creation because He create the
mountains, the seas, the living creatures, the vast universe and each of us.
Is this the way the presence
of God should be in our lives? That we can say, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” We are in the presence of God always,
and he brings us joy and peace. This continues to intrigue me throughout my
lifetime. We hear about the mystery of the presence of God and there is no
doubt in my mind that His presence has to be recognized and accepted. We have to
choose God. We think that we have everything we need, but we need to be
reminded Who God is and seek out His presence. Without the presence of God we
have no peace. We have no joy. We have no hope. God longs for us to choose him
and that choosing is our responsibility. I heard once that God is a gentleman
and he does not want to intrude where He’s not wanted. That places the
responsibility on us to choose him. We know that this is an open door all we
need to do is ask. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you.” Matthew
7:7
of God should be in our lives? That we can say, “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!” We are in the presence of God always,
and he brings us joy and peace. This continues to intrigue me throughout my
lifetime. We hear about the mystery of the presence of God and there is no
doubt in my mind that His presence has to be recognized and accepted. We have to
choose God. We think that we have everything we need, but we need to be
reminded Who God is and seek out His presence. Without the presence of God we
have no peace. We have no joy. We have no hope. God longs for us to choose him
and that choosing is our responsibility. I heard once that God is a gentleman
and he does not want to intrude where He’s not wanted. That places the
responsibility on us to choose him. We know that this is an open door all we
need to do is ask. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you.” Matthew
7:7
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 We
can look to God in confidence.
righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 We
can look to God in confidence.
Is this what is meant by meditation,
that his words and his presence are to be sought? And then we ask how do we
know we are in his presence? That truly is a mystery. It is a mystery of faith
and trust. When I see this little girl raised her arms to in joy of the
presence of her Daddy. I know that same feeling when I am in the presence of
God. He is there when I choose Him and when I delight in Him.
that his words and his presence are to be sought? And then we ask how do we
know we are in his presence? That truly is a mystery. It is a mystery of faith
and trust. When I see this little girl raised her arms to in joy of the
presence of her Daddy. I know that same feeling when I am in the presence of
God. He is there when I choose Him and when I delight in Him.
There are several passages on
which I meditate when I need peace or when something is troubling me. The first I think about is, “Let not your hearts be
troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my
Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you
that I go to prepare a place for you? And if
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to
myself, that where I am you may be also. And
you know the way to where I am going.”
which I meditate when I need peace or when something is troubling me. The first I think about is, “Let not your hearts be
troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my
Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you
that I go to prepare a place for you? And if
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to
myself, that where I am you may be also. And
you know the way to where I am going.”
John
14:1-4. The second verse is in the same
chapter, verse 27. “Peace I leave with you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
14:1-4. The second verse is in the same
chapter, verse 27. “Peace I leave with you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
One
way to delight in God is to reflect on the attributes of his character and the
passages in his Word where we find these attributes.
way to delight in God is to reflect on the attributes of his character and the
passages in his Word where we find these attributes.
While
reading a book written by Eugene Peterson, I found the phrase, Lectio
Divina, consisting of four
parts, reading a passage, meditating on that passage, praying, and
contemplating God.
reading a book written by Eugene Peterson, I found the phrase, Lectio
Divina, consisting of four
parts, reading a passage, meditating on that passage, praying, and
contemplating God.
One
attribute of God is his love. This word contains his mercy, grace, and loving-
kindness. God wants to share a relationship with each of us. I John 4:7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love
is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who
does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Another attribute is God’s righteousness. I
John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” There are many
more attributes of God. (https://www.woodmenvalley.org/images/images_WVC/365%20Attributes%20of%20God.pdf)
attribute of God is his love. This word contains his mercy, grace, and loving-
kindness. God wants to share a relationship with each of us. I John 4:7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love
is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who
does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Another attribute is God’s righteousness. I
John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” There are many
more attributes of God. (https://www.woodmenvalley.org/images/images_WVC/365%20Attributes%20of%20God.pdf)
Have
you ever tried to put who God is to you into mere words? David the writer of
the Psalms did this pouring out his heart to God. For he recognized that God is
sovereign, just, holy, and loved him in a way no one else ever could. Today’s
contemporary music gives us a chance to worship. Phrases are sound over and
over that give praise to God. I love to sing the phrases that repeat because I
am meditating and each time I receive a phrase as it sinks deeper into my
heart.
you ever tried to put who God is to you into mere words? David the writer of
the Psalms did this pouring out his heart to God. For he recognized that God is
sovereign, just, holy, and loved him in a way no one else ever could. Today’s
contemporary music gives us a chance to worship. Phrases are sound over and
over that give praise to God. I love to sing the phrases that repeat because I
am meditating and each time I receive a phrase as it sinks deeper into my
heart.
So
often as we read Scripture the words simply fly by without grasping the beauty
and the depth of the meaning. When we repeat the words they sink deeper into
our hearts. When these words just as in the video include “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” we are reminded of who our God is to us.
often as we read Scripture the words simply fly by without grasping the beauty
and the depth of the meaning. When we repeat the words they sink deeper into
our hearts. When these words just as in the video include “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” we are reminded of who our God is to us.
When
I read Scripture as in Mark 10:21, Jesus “looked at him and loved him.” Picture yourself in the young ruler’s place,
Jesus is looking at you. Jesus is looking at me. Can you imagine the intensity
of his gaze? Can you imagine the excitement and love that you will feel knowing
that Jesus who died on the cross for you and for me is looking just at us? He
is beside you now and beside me.
I read Scripture as in Mark 10:21, Jesus “looked at him and loved him.” Picture yourself in the young ruler’s place,
Jesus is looking at you. Jesus is looking at me. Can you imagine the intensity
of his gaze? Can you imagine the excitement and love that you will feel knowing
that Jesus who died on the cross for you and for me is looking just at us? He
is beside you now and beside me.
Then
you will understand how to delight in the Lord. I often wonder about the
thinking of those who write lyrics for us to sing in the Lord’s house. I think
one of the most exciting set of lyrics that paints a picture of who God is for
me is, The Revelation Song (Kari Jobe – –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-zk-E55dRk).
you will understand how to delight in the Lord. I often wonder about the
thinking of those who write lyrics for us to sing in the Lord’s house. I think
one of the most exciting set of lyrics that paints a picture of who God is for
me is, The Revelation Song (Kari Jobe – –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-zk-E55dRk).
Worthy is the
Lamb who was slain, Holy, holy is He.
Lamb who was slain, Holy, holy is He.
Sing a new
song to Him who sits on Heaven’s mercy seat.
song to Him who sits on Heaven’s mercy seat.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation, I sing praise to the king of
Kings
Kings
You are my everything and I will adore you.
Clothed in rainbows of living color,
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder,
Blessing and honor, strength and glory, and
power be
power be
To you the only wise King.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of
Kings
Kings
You are my everything and I will adore You.
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the
mention of your name
mention of your name
Jesus your name is power, bread and living
water,
water,
Such a marvelous mystery.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of
Kings
Kings
You are my every thing and I will adore You, I
will adore You.
will adore You.
Comments? eacombs@att.net