Being in the Presence of God Has Benefits
Being in the presence of God changed how we approach Him because of Jesus’ sacrifice. The veil covering the temple entrance split in half which meant worshippers no longer needed a priest to enter the Holy of Holies.
But even so, what do we say? How do we start a conversation with God? How do we enter into God’s presence and stay there all day and far into the night?
I’m talking about God here – the Creator of the universe. He’s the one who revolves the planets and stops them from plunging into outer space or worse yet, Earth.
It blows my mind to think He wants to meet with me because my frailties tag along. On second thought, why does that surprise me? He created me and you for His pleasure.
Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One, who will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Plus, He’s my Lord so the feeling is mutual. My heart aches to step closer to Him and share my deepest thoughts and desires. His bigness does not overpower my need to draw close to Him. I take the first steps toward Him because He’s unceasingly ready for a Holy Ghost jamboree.
Psalm 148:18 – The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Even when I hesitate to step toward Him, He tugs at my heart to follow Him.
Being in the Presence of God Means Taking Steps Toward Him
Psalm 17:5-6 – My steps have held to your paths;my feet have not stumbled. I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Are you like me and stumble toward God? When I roll out of bed, I’m not exactly steady on my feet or even presentable. That’s not what this scripture is about. God has already bulldozed a pathway that I should follow. I shouldn’t create my own road or take detours.
My job is to follow what He already carved out because He’s my spiritual Father and knows what’s best for me. That may sound one-sided, but it’s not and here’s why.
Being in the presence of God is all about His unending love for people. Everything God does is about us. He beckons me to spend time with Him because He knows me inside and out. I’ll encounter less trouble when I stay on the pathway He chooses specifically for me.
Experiencing the Presence of God
Jesus shields my trepidation when God’s greatness seems unapproachable. I can relate to Jesus because He lived in a human body. He’s closer to my size even though He too is God.
Jesus walked the same unpredictable path that I walk filled with chaos and betrayals. I speak my way into God’s presence because there I find relief and comfort. Here are ways to do that.
- Read Scripture Out Loud: Research proves that students who read out loud comprehend and retain those words better. I’m guessing that’s true for understanding scripture. It needs to lodge in my heart where it does the most good. That means I can stand on top of a hill, go down to a basement, or anywhere to read as loud as I want.
- Sing to the Lord: Sometimes I make up songs to sing to God. I also sing old hymns I grew up learning in church or familiar tunes by today’s musicians. My soul is more satisfied when my heart is full of melodies. From those songs, praises rise up to God.
- Praise God: King David was an awesome worshipper and knew how to come into God’s presence. Here’s one example but there are numerous others in the Book of Psalms. Psalm 18:1-3 –“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.”
- Pray: Time alone with God is important to retire from people and the world. Finding a prayer closet isn’t hard to do when my goal is to snuggle close to God. Rome banished John to a Greek island called Patmos but John and God had no trouble finding each other. When I resolve to find God, His abundance flows to me and I overflow with praise and thankfulness. I pray silently or orally – God understands either way and responds to me personally.
Psalm 21:2-6 You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, forever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
Benefits of God’s Presence
God is always there for me. When everyone else scatters, He’s still waiting. I can depend on Him and there is much joy in His presence! Do you remember how it feels when someone tucks you into bed or kisses you on the forehead? When I’m insecure, He bolsters me up by infilling me with more of Him. He’s utterly dependable and trustworthy.
Whatever I ask from Him, He grants. Does He give me everything I want? No, He gives me what I need to grow spiritually, financially, and physically. Many times His answers do not come in recognizable ways because what He gives is better than what I asked for! That’s because the Holy Spirit works into me what is good and perfect.
The more I speak God’s Word whether I’m reading, singing, praising, or praying—I see the reward for seeking God. Faith grows and I recharge spiritually when I speak to God often. When I’m full of God, I want to tell others.
Psalm 73:28 – For it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.
Being in the presence of God has benefits. The Holy Spirit living in my heart opens up communication lines to heaven. He provides more joy than anything else I come up with. The importance of seeking God’s presence cannot be overstated. Communing in His light outshines the darkness I encounter daily. I’m awestruck, amazed, and gobsmacked when I draw close to Him.