Envision the Enveloping Presence of God
This week, I
said goodbye to our son and his wife. He had six hours of travel ahead and we
prayed together before they left.
said goodbye to our son and his wife. He had six hours of travel ahead and we
prayed together before they left.
A chance of thunderstorms ahead of him, and we trusted God. I walked back
into the quiet house and could still feel his presence. The brief visit
reminded me of how much I love my children.
into the quiet house and could still feel his presence. The brief visit
reminded me of how much I love my children.
Like a blazing light, I realize how much God loves us. We can’t visually
see God, but He is so real. He is ever Present and Creator of Heaven and
Earth, the One who created us in His image. The One who sent Jesus to
earth to make a Way for us to have life, more abundantly, in His Name.
Such love is incomprehensible to us.
see God, but He is so real. He is ever Present and Creator of Heaven and
Earth, the One who created us in His image. The One who sent Jesus to
earth to make a Way for us to have life, more abundantly, in His Name.
Such love is incomprehensible to us.
The Presence of God makes a difference in our lives each day. From the
time I can remember the song, “And He walks with me and He talks with me…”
These
scriptures in the Psalms show the differences the Presence of God makes for us:
scriptures in the Psalms show the differences the Presence of God makes for us:
For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor
as with a shield. 5:12.
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you
surround me with shouts of deliverance. 32:7.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one
who trusts in the Lord. 32:10.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my
thoughts from afar. 139:2.
How do we know God’s Presence is real? Because it is recorded in His
Word:
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of
the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not
able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the
glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40: 34-35.
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house
of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because
of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of
the Lord. I Kings 8:10-11.
Verses
such as these, help me visualize the Presence of God. I look for the
clouds and the stars in the sky, His creation, and am reassured of two
things – His Presence and His Love.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have
seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full
of grace and truth. John 1:14.
.…and
to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be
filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 2:19.
to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be
filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 2:19.
The
Love of Christ surpasses all knowledge. Jesus didn’t study the book, He
wrote the Book of Truth. That was then, but what about our ‘now?’ Surely, He is
real just for the Old and New Testament? How many years is Abraham’s Promise
from God valid? As we scan our homes for replacements for the expired items,
the Holy Bible has no expiration date. It lasts for an eternity.
The first time, I read the following phrase, I knew God without question, this
God is real. I sing, “He will never let me down!”
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20b.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet
a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see
me. Because I live, you also will live. In
that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me,
and I in you. Whoever has my commandments
and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves
me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest
myself to him.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Yes!
Jesus lives, and when we love Him and others in His Name, we can depend on this
love forever.
What
lens have you used to know God? There are ways to practice His
Presence. How long is your friend, a friend, when you do not acknowledge
him?
No
texts, no get-togethers, no sharing, and soon the friend is not a friend. It is
the same with our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus.
texts, no get-togethers, no sharing, and soon the friend is not a friend. It is
the same with our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus.
Amy
Carmichael said, “Remind yourself of His nearness in every situation.”
Carmichael said, “Remind yourself of His nearness in every situation.”
In
sorrow, in trouble, in shame, in rejoicing situations – remember He
walks beside you and He is the God Who Sees. He brings comfort, hope, and He
rejoices with you. We find comfort and joy in small things. In everything, give
thanks!
sorrow, in trouble, in shame, in rejoicing situations – remember He
walks beside you and He is the God Who Sees. He brings comfort, hope, and He
rejoices with you. We find comfort and joy in small things. In everything, give
thanks!
Access His presence through prayer, He brings hope and peace. Think about the
One who brings joy and gladness. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God,
and He will draw near to you. James 4:7-8a.
When Jesus rose from the grave on the Third Day, we know He speaks Truth.
When He left this earth in
the clouds, His conveyance, we remember these verses. And when he had said these things, as they were looking
on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And
while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood
by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you
stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into
heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11.
Awesome
is God from His sanctuary; the God of Israel—He is the One who gives power and strength to His
people. Blessed be God! Psalm 77:68.
is God from His sanctuary; the God of Israel—He is the One who gives power and strength to His
people. Blessed be God! Psalm 77:68.
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