Living in God's presence

Living in God’s Presence
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” - Psalm 139:7-10
God’s presence is a truth that transcends our emotions, perceptions, and circumstances. Though we may feel alone at times, Scripture assures us that we are never outside of His reach. He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). This reality is both comforting and convicting—comforting because we are never abandoned, and convicting because we are always before Him.

Awareness vs. Reality
Our awareness of God’s presence does not determine His presence. As Thomas Merton wisely observed, “God, who is everywhere, never leaves us. Yet He seems sometimes to be present, sometimes to be absent. If we do not know Him well, we do not realize that He may be more present to us when He is absent than when He is present.” This paradox highlights the importance of faith beyond feelings. There will be seasons where God feels distant, yet He remains as near as ever.
Abraham experienced this firsthand. In Genesis 17:1, when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” God’s presence called him to a life of faithfulness and trust. The same is true for us today.

Signs of Living in God’s Presence
When we are attuned to God’s presence, several things become evident in our daily lives:

He is constantly in our thoughts – God’s presence shifts our focus, making Him central in our decisions, desires, and actions.
We experience a hunger for His Word – A heart aware of God longs for the nourishment of Scripture.
We feel a continual dependence on Him – Recognizing our need for God leads us to deeper trust and reliance on Him.

Practicing the Presence of God

While God is always with us, we must cultivate an awareness of His presence through intentional practices:

• Purity of heart – Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). A heart free from sin and distraction is more receptive to Him.
• Faithfulness of practice – Daily prayer, worship, and meditation on Scripture train our hearts to recognize and enjoy God’s presence.

As Jude 24 reminds us, God is “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” This is our great hope—that through Christ, we are continually drawn into the presence of God, not by our own merit but by His grace.

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