Remembering God’s Presence
Open Your Bible
Deuteronomy 4:29-31, 1 Chronicles 16:7-36, Psalm 73:28, Colossians 3:14-17
BY Kara Gause
Someone once asked me to picture my ideal eternity. I thought of everyone I love being present and accounted for, healthy and satisfied and fulfilled, with all my favorite treats and fun ways to while away the hours (if such a time constraint exists in heaven). If I could have everything I’ve ever wanted or imagined wanting, but God was not there, would I still be happy? Was my idea of heaven still “heaven” if God was not there?
Huh.
Now, I knew what the “right” answer was—boy, did I—but if I’m really honest, the right answer brought me no comfort or peace and, while I’m ashamed to admit it, no honest-to-goodness joy. The truth is that, when I imagined actually being in the presence of God, in the same room with Him so to speak, I felt all good with one of us being on the other side of the door.
Needless to say, that one question took me on a journey of really beginning to look for God, to seek out His person, to really know Him. Because if He laid out His life for me, for the joy of having me with Him for eternity (Hebrews 12:2), and yet I somehow still felt the need for separation and physical distance from Him, then that was a problem. I had a sense that He went to the cross for more than just the effort of making us all good with one another. I recognized my need for Him, and He went to the cross for me so that we could actually be in the same room together.
I realized that to “seek His face,” I had to seek Him out intimately (1Chronicles 16:11). And when I searched for Him, when I sought Him out with all my heart and all my soul (Deuteronomy 4:29), He showed Himself to be anything but indifferent toward me. Through His Word, by His Spirit, and by the testimony of His Church (Colossians 3:14–16), He led me to really see the passion that led Him to the cross to die for me. All of this so we could be in the presence of one another unencumbered by my sin, because “the LORD [our] God is a compassionate God” (Deuteronomy 4:31). The reality is that He is always with me, and that’s where He wants to be. That truth leaves me utterly awestruck, yet somehow, I’m still prone to forget.
If you have been brought back into God’s presence through the blood of Jesus, then His presence and holiness aren’t meant to cause trembling from a place of fear, but of excitement and anticipation that one day, not so long from now, we won’t have to search for Him because we will get to see Him face to face (1Corinthians 13:12). Until that day, we don’t have to settle for just being “okay” with God—we get to have a relationship with Him.
Are you like me, closing your heart off from a true relationship with Him? Have you believed the lie that the one who died to save you is somehow indifferent toward you? Take Him at His Word: seek Him, and He’ll remind you of what is true.
51 thoughts on "Remembering God’s Presence"
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Praying that I will seek Him with all my heart and soul. And praying the desire to do so daily. Amen!
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“Seek Him, and He’ll remind you of what is true.” This just struck me as I am trying to fix my relationship with God. I turned my back on Him and when I recently began to want to seek Him out again, I was afraid that He would not want to have a relationship with me. I feared that I blew it and would never be able to regain what I had. But now that I am seeking Him out, I am reminded that even when I turned away from God, He never left my side. He didn’t give up on me. In fact, He was just waiting and wanting me to go back to Him to have a relationship with Him. How rewarding is that to think about? I still have a long way to go in fixing my relationship but I am so glad to be reminded from these readings that God wants me and He loves me regardless of what I have done. I am trying to take all the comfort in know that and working to do as Psalm 73:28 stated, making God my refuge. Madeleine, I am praying for your son to be well and have a speedy recovery. I hope all of you wonderful women have an amazing and blessed weekend. ❤️
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CHRISTINE BALDOCK-
Yes, reading God’s Word is a fantastic start in getting to know who God is. Spending time in prayer, having fellowship with other Christians, going to church, memorising scripture, fasting, singing to him, silence and solitude are other ways we can know him more.
It is great the Holy Spirit has made you aware of how far you are from God. That is God himself working in your life! Showing you how much you need him. Most of us have all been there too. Jesus is ready to fill that space and bring you to himself. Glad you are here, reading these scriptures with us. Praying for you today.
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Thpught i had posted this.. oops!
My earthly father was not perfect, by a long shot, but he was my loving, protective, forever gracious, provider, comforter, listener. He was always there for me.. I, in my heart could not fault him, but, he was only human..
BUT GOD..
In those younger days, when life seemed great, and I had my daddy, I could not see, although we attended church, and I went to a church school, the God I see now. For whatever reason, though I heard the Word, I could recite some Psalms and sing hymns, I was closed to the real deal of Our God.. to His presence..
If I had died in those days, I reckon I would have been one of those refered to as.. ” not all who say Lord Lord will enter the kingdom..”
My eyes were not open, but they are now.. I am soooo not perfect, but I am closer to God than I was yesteryear!His presence, has been tangible, His Word my truth.. I may not always remember His presence, but His presence is always with me, in me and around me.
Thank you Lord God, Thank you.
AMEN.
Covering you all in hugs and prayers my dears..♥️
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Yes, we learn more about Jesus and grow closer to Him through the Bible. Ps119:105
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@Traci Gendron. Praying for you sweet girl!
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@Madeleine, Praying right now for you sweet baby boy and for YOU as well.
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This devotional has really made me aware of my seperation from God. Kara stares that she realised that she needed to seek him out intimately, to really know him, but how? Is it through reading the word??
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