God’s Presence: What Is It Really?

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “God’s presence” or “the presence of the Lord.” Do we truly know the meaning of this phrase? Have we even pondered it?

In order to truly seek God and worship Him, we must know what—or more correctly—who we are seeking. I have a sense that some in the Body of Christ think of differing things when they think of “His presence.”

Will this be something we feel? Not necessarily, as some might say, though at times we may seem to tangibly feel His presence—sensing His peace or comfort as we read the Word for example.

Let’s find out what the phrase “His presence” actually means. It’s so simple. 🙂

His presence is His Person. It is God Himself! Profound, I know.

If we are seeking a feeling or some tangible experience that we see as defining the experience of His presence more than we are seeking Him as God, we may completely miss the point.

Feelings and emotions are not our basis for defining our relationship with God anymore than someone feeling joy while listening to a person sing would indicate that they may be close friends or not.

Think of it this way: Say you call a friend on the phone, and they say they can’t talk at the moment because they’re visiting with a guest. This means that they are in the room with the guest, and even more so, it means they are with the person spending time with them, talking to them, complimenting or encouraging them, etc.

Furthermore, in thinking along the lines of having guests stay overnight, it means you are sharing your home with them, giving them a place not only to interact with you in close quarters, but they also eat with you and rest there in your home.

Jesus wants to have His home in our hearts, and us to have our home in His. He wants us to spend time getting to know Him and His Word through the Scriptures. The Lord wants companions and friends, not simply distant acquaintances who just want to feel or experience something by their senses. Jesus wants to be our Best Friend and Highest Priority, just as we are His. Not just to feel something, but to know, love and obey Him. He wants to be with us, and He wants us to be with Him.

When you pursue the Lord’s presence, remember what you are truly seeking: to spend time with Him, to get to know Him and be transformed as your mind is renewed in His Word. Ask His Holy Spirit to open your eyes to His truth and help you grow in knowing Christ Jesus.

Remember that God’s Spirit dwells inside of our spirits. His indwelling presence is always with us. We can encounter God’s presence at any time, even when in the midst of our daily tasks we can turn our minds and hearts toward loving conversation with Him. It’s not about a feeling, it’s a fact of our right standing with God because of what Jesus has done for us on the Cross.

Know that because of Jesus you can come boldly into the throne room of grace to spend time with your heavenly Father! He loves you so much. As you seek His presence with this understanding, you will find that your connection to Christ becomes even deeper and your friendship with Him grows more and more.

You will show me the path of life;
in Your presence is fullness of joy,
at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 (AMP)