June 14, 2022 – Reflections on “Precious Presence!”

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are! I John 3:1a (NIV)

         Over fifty years ago, my Mother, Anna Daisy Siemens, wrote a poem. She named it “Precious Presence.” As I studied the poem in preparation to think on its message, I realize how many Bible passages she must have been thinking of when she wrote this poem.

          How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them. Psalm 139:17.  He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart.Ecclesiastes 3:11a.

Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will. Ephesians 1:3-4.

Before God made man in His Image, this was His Plan. Then in God’s Time, He sent Jesus, His only Son, to teach us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Why would He give His only Son Jesus? Love is the answer! “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. John 15:12-14. As I read these verses, I remember the song, “Oh, the love of God, How rich and pure, How boundless, oh, how strong! Forevermore it will endure, How measureless is His Love.” (Shelley Johnson).

         Jesus gave us commandments to follow in our lives. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33.  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13.

         We often desire things to go our way without thinking about pleasing and honoring God. We are free to make that choice, but then His promises are no longer ours when we ignore our God.

         Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act. Psalm 37:3-5.  When our desire is for faith, hope and love, things we cannot see, and we stand firm in Him, and we will know the joy and strength of Jesus. The things God has created all around us are to teach and remind us of our Lord God and His Son’s great love.

         When we desire to know more about our Father God and His deep Love, that desire will build fruit in our lives. We often desire money, and the things money can buy. “Agree with God and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. Receive instruction from His mouth and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you remove injustice far from your tents, if you lay gold in the dust, and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed, then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver.” Job 22:21-25.

         In His Goodness, we not only have the Presence of Jesus with us constantly, but God sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. John 14:27-28.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.

Mother’s poem, below, gives us  joy as we remember Jesus and His Gift of Forgiveness and Love through His death on the cross. Thank you, Mother, for your gifts of remembrance, for our life of praising God.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do His commandments. The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:17-19.

Precious Presence –

Precious Presence, We are gathered Where your emblems now are spread, From the vineyard and the wheat field – Flowing Cup and living Bread. We come hungry to the table For a filling from the Lord: Quench our thirst with living water. Amply feed us in the Word.

Precious Presence, we remember, All your love on Calvary’s hill; Warm us with Your great Compassion. Bend us to obey your will. Touch us with your love and mercy. Let us share the touch we feel: Let us hear your gentle speaking, Promised words that bless and heal.

 Precious Presence, we are kneeling, Wearied of earth’s emptiness: Feed and fill us with your power, As we strive for holiness. As we strive for holiness. Let us walk to gain perfection. More like Christ in every way. Let us walk to gain perfection. More like Christ in every way, ‘Till we stand in joy before You. On that great and glorious day.  (Anna Daisy Siemens)