Though the pages of Scripture contain many tragedies, the ones that stop my heart involve the loss of God’s presence. I think of Mary, who carried her Savior inside her womb, who likely studied the curve of His profile daily, who watched Him as He performed miracles. Then I try to imagine her at the foot of the cross. How could she find the strength to keep breathing when she pictured a future without Him near?
I think of the disciples, who’d physically walked and talked with Jesus and then had to wrap their minds around the fact that His body now lay lifeless in a tomb, shrouded in darkness. After they’d journeyed beside Jesus, how could they take a single step without Him?
And I think of the Israelites, who experienced God’s presence as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21), who then stared with wide-eyed wonder as His glory filled the temple (1Kings 8:11).
Imagine the gut punch of hearing God’s righteous judgment on the sins of His people: “Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I have seen it too” (Jeremiah 7:11). I want to hold my breath as He declares: “I will banish you from my presence” (v.15).
My heart aches when I read: “I will uproot Israel from the soil that I gave them, and this temple that I have sanctified for my name I will banish from my presence” (2Chronicles 7:20). As I read these passages describing the loss of God’s presence, David’s prayer reflexively bubbles up: “Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11).
When panic about the loss of God’s presence makes our palms start to sweat, we need only to open our Bibles again. God doesn’t give and take His presence away randomly. True, because God is holy, our sin and God’s presence cannot co-exist. But let’s pause and remember the miracle of the cross: Because of Christ’s death, we are welcomed into God’s presence wearing His righteousness—not our own failed attempts to achieve it.
Consider God’s presence with renewed wonder today, friend. Thank Jesus again that He has made a way for you to be near Him. If you are a follower of Christ, you need not waste a single nanosecond worrying that you will be forced to live outside His presence again. Look no further than the gospel; because of Jesus, we can now experience the joy and eternal pleasures in our Creator God’s presence (Psalm 16:11).
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50 thoughts on "God’s Presence Leaves the Temple"
I am so thankful for Jesus and the fact that he is enough. Enough to push away the eternal separation I deserve. Ezekiel 10 is very complex and a little confusing- but I am thankful for the truth of God
My heart aches because banishment is what I deserve. My heart rejoices because His death and resurrection mean He will never leave me. ❤️
Because of His righteousness we may approach God!!
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The house of the Lord will be amazing to experience! I can feel the warmth, the light, the glory that it exudes when I think of it! I welcome in God’s presence and walk with Him daily! He is my home and my sanctuary. We built our own kingdom together on this earth. Praise His holy name
That last verse at the end of this devotion is Psalm 16:11. It immediately reminded me of the song, “Satisfy” by Rivers and Robots. It is wonderful cap to remembering that God’s presence is the only thing that satisfies our hearts and is thus worth seeking.
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Happy Monday ladies! Today has been a busy day. I always try come on in the mornings but often fall short. It’s heavy for me to remember that sin and God cannot exist together. Trying to do my best all the time can be exhausting but knowing we also have God forgives is important. @TAYLOR – praying for your knee to heal! As a radiation therapist I totally know how it feels to be on your feet all day. A hurting body just won’t do. Praying you find peace in ending your relationship. @MICHELLE PATIRE – thanks for thinking of me ❤️. Praying for every one of you today .
I lived without the Lords presence for awhile. Me just me. It wasn’t pretty! I am so thankful because as long as He is near I am not left to my own understanding, knowledge , decisions, doings….He is my very present help!!!!!!❤️
What a hard hitting set of readings. I could not imagine the cherubim, I’ll have to see if I can find an artists’s rendition. Thank you Rhonda for asking for the prayer requests on fb, and thank you to everyone who is praying for my GI issues. Had a restless night last night from stomach pain and the 2 year sleep regression, I am hopeful and praying for better rest tonight. Praise God he does not ever leave us nor forsake us. Taylor- I am praying for you, like many here I too am guilty of putting other things first before God even though I don’t actively want to.
Hi Victoria praying for your stomach. Have you tried drinking warm lemon water in the mornings right when you wake up? I had GI problems too and that helped me
These readings couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Just yesterday at church the Pastor was talking about obeying God’s commands. I was confused and so I asked a few people in my family that are more well versed in the Bible. Something that I was told was that following God’s commands is not what makes us holy, but they put us on the right path to get closer to God and get to know Jesus because it is only through Him that we are redeemed and holy. I just feel like that goes hand in hand with what we read today. God wants to be present in our lives and have a relationship with us. All He asks is that we obey Him so that we CAN have that relationship. Our responsibilities are to follow His commands so that we can grow closer to Christ who, because of His sacrifice, not only makes us holy but also allows us to enjoy the wonders of God’s presence all the time. After the conversation with my family member and reading this I want to try even harder to obey God’s commands and put Him first instead of my own want to handle the things in my life. I ask for prayers today for a family member who has lost their way from God. He has not been very receptive with me going back to church and mending my faith. He has slightly insulted me when I talked about God a few times. He used to believe but has strayed away from his faith and I just ask for prayers that he find his way back. I pray every day for him because it truly breaks my heart.
@ Martha Hix I’m praying for a safe trip for you! @ Laura Dianne I’m so happy to hear that you have a healthy grandchild and that your daughter is doing well after labor ❤️ @Taylor I am praying not only for your knee to feel better but also that God brings you peace after ending your relationship and continues to guide you where you need to be and to the person you need to be with @Searching I am praying God gives you the wisdom you need during this time.
I am always praying for you wonderful women. I hope you all had a great start to your week! ❤️❤️
@ Rhonda J. I think it was Cheryl Blow who posted about obedience to the the voice of God. I was mostly centered on being heartbroken over the thought of my own repeated offense’s against God’s holiness.
♥️
Thank You Lord!
Rhonda, I appreciate that you post on our Facebook page on Sundays. Any requests that people might want to make. It is so much easier for me to look at that and pray for people than it is for me to go through all the comments here.
I love you sweet sisters. I am praying for your requests.
I’m so thankful for God’s presence in my life. Because of him, I am never alone. He is with me when I feel him and when I don’t. ❤️ I pray that I would be more aware of his presence in my life everyday.
Oh my word! I have read this before, but for some reason today it just really cut through me. To have the Lord remove his presence. I cannot even imagine. And yet there are days when I just want my idols and don’t put the Lord first. Lord, please forgive me. Fill me with your presence. Fill this temple with your Holy Spirit so that I can do good things for you. “Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Laura Diane- Congrats on the baby and the safety of delivery for her and your daughter!!
Mercy, Kris, and Cindy(? I think)…great comments about obedience!! I think there is a little too much grace preaching these days sadly! Thank you ladies for stating both!
Heidi–So GOOD to “see” you!
Taylor…Prayers!
Michelle- great that things were back to normal and no hard feeling with your brother. Little seeds…that’s all it takes. Your love for the Lord and actions will show over time..hold on to that. With family, I feel that is the safer approach, while they have scales on their eyes.
The Lord is both kind and severe. Two things really stood out to me today.
1- “Obey my voice and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you” (Jeremiah 7:23). Amen KRIS! totally agreed. We are free to make our choices, but we are not free from the consequences of them (1 Corinthians 10:23).
2- Walking with God requires obedience to the voice, the accepting of discipline, and truth (Jeremiah 7:28).
@MICHELLE PATIRE: thank you for the update, you are so wise in your observation. Praying things will change in God’s time and your heart be lightened in the mean time :)
@MIA FAITH: prayers for your family and safe travels.
@LAURA DIANE: big congrats! and prayers of blessings over your first grandchild.
@VICTORIA E: healing for your GI issues, and doctor appointments to go well.
@RHONDA J:❤️
@KELLY (NEO), @SEARCHING, @JULIA C: ❤️ thank you for your prayers!
Be blessed dear sisters.
Sitting with my thoughts on God’s holiness.
Good Morning She’s!! Last night was not very restful- I spent the day with relatives whom I love dearly, grew up with together and unfortunately when my grandmother passed the relationships were strained (which often goes hand in hand with grief) however I kept running through my mind the words and scenarios of the day – this no sleep and yet today I am reminded by God “Do not trust deceitful words” multiple times in Jeremiah 7! Thank you Lord for reminding me to not let the devil and his deceitful words creep into my mind! God is so good and I just wanted to share this little story to remind you she’s that he is always there!!! Happy Monday!! ☮️❤️
We just love to talk about God’s goodness, His compassion, His love, His provision, His kindness, His salvation, His redemption…. all the good stuff about Him. But we don’t like to hear about our responsibility to OBEY Him. Too many Christians continue to go about their lives making this mistake here, another one there, will little regard to the consequences. BUT because He is HOLY, we, too, are called to be holy. God is full of all the good things, but He is still to be revered, respected, feared. We can’t make Him too common, too comfortable, our equal. He is just too big, too holy, too far above us. He has given us rules to make our lives better, and we need to obey them. The only time I’ve had trouble in my life is when I wasn’t obeying His precepts. But, like the scripture said, when I obey Him things go well for me.
Kris ❤️
Thank you, Lord for your presence! You will and can fill me with your peace.
Praying for your requests.
Please pray for me as I prepare to go Waco on Wednesday to babysit my grandkids. My daughter and SIL will be going to a marriage conference In Colorado. They celebrated 18 years of marriage this month.
Being rested, getting sleep, and driving by myself makes me anxious in anticipation of leaving. I would appreciate your prayers. Those are concerns I never had when my husband was here and did all the driving….I miss him.
Thankful for all my SRT friends!
❤️
So odd… I left a response/comment here around 6:45am and it has since disappeared? Very strange…
What jumped out at me today was the reading in Jeremiah 7:9-10. I’m so guilty of that… I go and live life according to my understanding and my timeline and when (as it always does!) it doesn’t turn out the way I’d hoped, I run back and say, “oh well, God has me, I’m saved – He’ll fix it”. And note- YES. It’s true, He DOES have me and does save me and will always be there calling me back to Him, wanting to save me from my own humanity. Praise be to Him for that…
But the sadness is that my heart is saying, I’ve got this, when in reality how disrespectful is that to the One who really does have it all figured out? What’s so baffling to me is that God has solved all the problems and then OFFERS ME HIS CHEAT-SHEET for free — and I have the audacity to refuse it. Forget spiritually speaking, just logically speaking that’s such nonsense! We have a God who says you owe me nothing, friend. I’m laying these guidelines down for you SO THAT ALL MAY GO WELL. FOR. YOU! (Jer. 7:22). He is never asking us to commit to His ways because we owe him – but rather because he loves us so much He wants to see our success in living out the purpose He planted into us from the beginning to live our lives for the good of mankind and the glory of Him.
IF I could just get out of my own way sometimes…
Have missed you, She’s – glad to be here today ❤️
Heidi Good to see you back!
This is such a great reminder of what we have in Christ. It is also a call to obedience. We do have grace but obedience to Zhod’s vo
Reading today’s scripture, I cannot help thinking back to the crucifixion, and that moment when the veil in the temple tears in two. It has always been a bit baffling to me how, aside from the mention Matthew, nobody else stops to take in the significance of this moment. God’s presence was no longer confined to the temple– we can speak to Him directly because His presence is now all around us thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice. I wish there was a text or something sharing what the priests and the Jewish leaders thought when they saw or heard about this. Did some of them believe that Jesus was the Son of God when they saw this? But we will never know.
I am thankful that God’s presence is with us when we walk in His faith. Because just thinking about a life devoid of His presence, like the devotional author, makes my hands clammy and my heart race a little faster. But then again, I am glad I have that physical reaction because it shows me how far Jesus has brought me. Thank you Father, that you NEVER gave up on me. Thank you, Jesus.
Maria I love this too!
Praise be to God that He promises to never leave us.
I am so thankful for this study. Yesterday, I clung to the presence of God. My daughter was in labor with our first grandchild. I was sick as a dog in bed. Our SIL was updating us on her progress, and it was taking so long. She labored a long time and pushed a long time. It was so hard for my mom heart. And to know that I absolutely could not go to her because I was so sick (literally couldn’t stand up without being dizzy), I could simply pray. And pray I did. I prayed for God’s presence to be in that hospital room. I prayed for God’s presence to be with the doctors to make wise decisions. At one point, we were so worried because it was taking too long and I was certain the worst had happened. So I prayed for God’ glory to shine through. Because that’s what it is about. God’s glory – He WILL be glorified in ALL situations and I had to accept that, even if things didn’t turn out okay. It was a dark but intimate place. Feeling God’s hand on my daughter when I was powerless to do anything but trust in Him.
Praise God, our little baby girl came into the world healthy and my daughter was also healthy (but very, very tired.) We will see them all today – my heart is full of love but also so grateful for God’s presence in the midst of all of it. I never want to be separated from Him.
I am grieved for those who don’t see God pausing to linger over them. Waiting for their repentance. As He paused over the temple court. That really breaks my heart. Knowing Jesus is just so kind and patient, yet we choose to just live for ourselves. God, we do not deserve Your great love, yet we are so lost without it.
I am praying we notice His lingering. A song popped up on my Spotify a few weeks ago by a Christian indie artist named Spencer Annis called “Notice” the first stanza really spoke to me about being aware of what God is doing in our lives..
“I had a dream last night
That You walked right by
I didn’t even notice
I was on my phone…”
May we notice Him. Lord, forgive us for not noticing You lingering…
♥️
Have been trying to catch up on prayer requests. Taylor ♥️ praying you stay close to God. It is good He has opened your eyes to where you place your affections. May you find He is worthy of obeying, even when it means waiting for what we desire so much. I don’t know you personally, but I hold great desire for you to be successful in the Lord’s will as you wait for the right guy. I also think of our other Shes here @Sarah D, Kimberly Z- waiting and following Jesus… May we do it with grace and patience. Love you girls. ♥️
GM!
That was a really good devotional by Erin Davis. It’s strange how sometimes, like this wkd at church I can really feel the overwhelming presence of God, then in the mundane times of my everyday I feel so …human. Broken, tired, weary, melancholy, old. I think I need my bike ride this morning which brings me into the beauty of his nature. Then I put on my praise music and worship at the canal dock. Awake in me Lord, show me your Glory, Shine your presence upon me. You are here whether I “feel” you are not. I praise your name, you are the LIVING LORD!
Praying for my She’s
…”Because of Jesus, we can now experience the joy and eternal pleasures in our Creator God’s presence.” Thank you Father God that You never leave us or forsake us!
There is such peace in knowing God’s presence, so thankful that we never have to worry about Him leaving us because He never will…to even think about walking in Mary’s shoes, or that of the disciples makes me realize how blessed we are as the children of God to have His Holy Spirit living inside of us. Thank you God!
Prayers today for @Searching & @Taylor, also thinking of each of you and the requests that you have previously given. Praying.
Have a blessed Monday!
When I thought of not being in God’s presence, what Mary, the disciples, Israel faced, it took my breath away. It was like a sucker punch to the gut. But at the same time, because of Jesus, we will never face a moment without His presence! Hallelujah! And one day we will see Him face to face!! In His presence is fullness of joy!
Amen Shes❣️
Good morning She’s! I am back from spending a week in England visiting my best friend from college who is studying for her masters. It was a great week of traveling all over England, but boy am I tired.
I have two prayer requests. First, my knee started hurting during my trip (probably from walking over 80 miles in 6 days). It is thankfully starting to feel a little better, but it worries me because my job as an occupational therapist and field hockey official are dependent on my ability to move. Please pray for healing, relief from pain, and strength to carry out my responsibilities.
Second, I’ve been having a lot of regret/doubt if I made the right decision leaving my relationship. My heart is really missing my ex-boyfriend and I just don’t feel the peace I expected to feel after leaving the relationship. God revealed to me yesterday at church that my relationship was an idol in my life so I spent yesterday praying that I would follow God’s will for my life, feel peace about ending the relationship, and lay down any idols at the foot of the cross. If you could pray for me I would greatly appreciate it <3
Love to all and I pray everyone has a blessed start to their week!
Proud of you Taylor for recognizing what your past relationship was, and looking forward to what God has next for you.
The reminder that sin and God cannot coexist is crucial. Know that I do not have to worry that God’s presence will be taken away from me is reassuring. This doesn’t mean to go about sinning. But rather long to be close to him. And not only study His word but live it out.
Jeremiah 7 hit hard: 9 “ ‘Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known? Then do you come and stand before me in this house that bears my name and say, “We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts”
I’m not burning incense to Baal but how many times a DAY do I turn from what I know is right in order to do things my own way, in my own timing and my own understanding? Then, as I intentionally do my own thing, I keep in the back of my head – “it’s cool, even if it fails, I’m saved. God will show up again to fix my mistakes…”
It’s like a form of spiritual Russian roulette with how I live. I AM so grateful for His everlasting presence in my life, and it IS true that as I screw things up, He’s always there to call on even WANTS me to call on. But the issue is that God make sit so clear- do these things, follow my instructions (why?) so it may go WELL FOR YOU. He’s thinking of me and my well-being and I continue to push back and say “I got from here thanks…”
God- I’m grateful you never leave and will never leave. Thank you that you sit right there, hurting FOR me in my sin, never annoyed or angry AT me. You know my humanity and you demonstrate patience and kindness in all things- above and beyond my imagination. Your grace is new and unending. Thank you…❤️
Have missed my SRT friends-
hope you are well :)
Oh Lord Jesus what a gift Your Blood shed on the cross for us. Hallelujah! Father fill me fresh with Your Holy Spirit. Thank Uou for Grace and Mercy that Hou will never leave or forsake us. In Jesus name, Amen
God’s presence cannot be taken away. Grace. Love. Christ.
Amen
I stared at today’s title, not wanting to read about God’s presence leaving the temple. But then I did, leaving me a teary mess, heartbroken over the children of Israel turning away from God and over those I loved dearly doing the same, or they have never known Him and say they don’t care to know Him. And the state of our world … heartbroken. 2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Thankful I have the hope of Jesus, where would I be without Him?
Praying sisters, for needs mentioned and those that aren’t.
TINA ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️
KELLY (NEO) ❣️
JULIA C ❤️
Prayer request for wisdom in decision making for elderly relative and their care.
Searching I agree with what you are saying about reading His presence leaving the temple.
O the heartbreaking truth of Israel’s indifference to God’s presence departing. Lord, my I never become indifferent to Your promise, “behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20) or grow numb to Your indwelling Spirit.
MICHELLE PATIRE – glad you had a peceful encounter with your brother
SEARCHING – happy Tax Day ;-)
FOSTER MAMA – praying what your goddaughter heard sinks deepinto her heart.
Hallelujah
“Because of Christ’s death, we are welcomed into God’s presence wearing His righteousness—not our own failed attempts to achieve it.” Amen and Amen, ERIN DAVIS!
Dear Father,
There is no need to “panic about the loss of Your presence”.
And therefore there is no need to panic at all.
You are with us and that is all we need.
Thank You for Your infinite grace, thank You for making a way.
May we leave our troubles and sorrows at your feet, knowing that You give us joy, hope, and peace in return.
AMEN.
TINA – Good morning, dear sister. Sending a hug right back to you ❤️
KARRIE – Thank you for the update on your foot. Continued prayers for a quick recovery ❤️
ALL SHE’s – What/How can I pray for you today?
I absolutely hear you ERIN DAVIS!
When those we have loved from our birth, or their birth leave this world, there is an ache, a total ‘hole in the heart’ ache.. And this is here in earth, with earthly people.. How much more God’s presence..
Here’s the thing, though our forever loved, loved ones who have left this world and with them their presence, our Father God, though, because of Jesus’ death, and gift of life and redemption, we get to be in Father God’s presence, not through what we have done, but by and through Jesus.
I, for one am thankful for His Word, His Word that brings me back to Him when I mess up, when life is looking bleak, or I am lost. I fall to my knees at this gift, this gift to not be without His, God’s presence, for I know I CAN NOT do life without my God..
BUT GOD..
BUT GOD..
BUT GOD..❤
Thank you Jesus, thank you for the gift of never being without our Father Gods presence.. Thank you, thank you Jesus.. Forever in my heart..
AMEN.
Happy Monday my dears.. Hugs from across the pond covered in prayers.❤