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).
@ 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.
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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.