As Christians we should enjoy setting time apart to be in God’s Presence. Seeking His Presence should be a regular part of our lives. Not something done out of duty. Many preachers today are not preaching this because they believe that we are causing people to ‘do good works’ instead of believing in Christ’s finished work. However, we can’t take this stand and expect everyone to become true followers of Christ. If we want to grow, we need His Presence.

All throughout the Bible we read about the importance of God’s Presence. If we read either the Old or New Testament we find so many references to the importance of God’s Presence. This helps us understand what Jesus meant when he told us to pray “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:10

When we come into God’s Presence we’re living out this verse. God’s kingdom is invading the earth. God’s will is at work as we seek His face. We are to be a part of God’s purposes on earth.

Yes, often this can sound like one is telling you what to do. However, it is just reality. When told to seek God more. Don’t become offended. Instead get on your knees and begin to do it. Not out of obligation, rather from a heart filled with love and gratitude. If our heart is right, our desire will be to seek God.

Constant Awareness of His Presence

In the Old Testament, we see that the Israelites were constantly aware of God’s Presence. Wherever they went, they were sure that God was leading them. I’m sure at times we would all like the physical assurance that God is with us. Let’s look at what it was like to live in the Wilderness.

Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.  Exodus 40:36-38

In the 40 years that the children of Israel were in the wilderness, the cloud or fire was there. It led them wherever they needed to go. All the time it was a constant reminder that God was definitely leading them and was with them as they went. There was no second guessing. If the cloud or fire didn’t move, neither did they.

Read Numbers 9:15-23 and you will see that the children of Israel were completely obedient. They wouldn’t budge if the cloud or fire didn’t move. The Word declares that they would wait, no matter how long it took. The Israelites lived a life without an agenda. They were sure to wait for God to say to move. This wasn’t something that just came and went at times, it was God Presence always present. Is this your desire today, to always have God’s tangible Presence in your life?

God’s Presence in Our Meetings

As a missionary/pastor my desire is to see God’s Presence in every one of our meetings. Many times, in both Old & New Testaments we see that when God showed up powerful things happened. Healings and miracles were commonplace. Our desire is for God’s Presence to fill our meetings and to see people saved.

Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.  2 Chronicles 5:13, 14

God’s Presence showed up in such a powerful way and this being the Old Testament! Can you imagine how much more God has for us if we tap into it? God interrupted their service. They were singing praise to God and suddenly, the atmosphere changed completely.   

How can we not want this in our services? I believe this is a holy desire that we should all have. When challenged to seek God more, don’t feel condemned or offended. Just realize that God has so much more for you.

God wants His Presence to be of highest priority in our lives. He wants us to be constantly aware of what He is doing so we can follow Him. Let’s make His Presence the agenda of our church services and daily lives.

We must have God’s Presence! There’s nothing greater we could seek.