The Presence of God

A man can live ten days without sleep, about three days without water, about forty days without food and about three minutes without air. The reason this is true is because sleep, water, food, and air are vital for life as we know it. Under normal circumstances people do not purposely deprive themselves of these vitals. Although men have become accustomed to the absence of God’s presence, it is the most vital of the five mentioned for life.

How men live without His presence I will never know. The presence of God is something you may not realize you need in your life until it is taken away. The Lord so longs to fellowship with His children, and invites us daily to commune with Him. This invitation seems to be a burden to us at times rather than a blessing. Here are some of the many blessings we can have by being in the presence of the Lord:

We receive strength: 1 Chron. 16:27 – Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.

We receive hope: Isaiah 63:9 – In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

We become holy: Psalm 51:11 – Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

We receive wisdom: Psalm 31:20 – Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

We become secure: Psalm 23:5 – Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

We receive Joy: 1 Chron. 16:33 – Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.

We become reverential: Psalm 17:2 – Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.

We receive help: 2 Chron. 20:9 – If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

We will be caught up: 1 Thess. 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

Word for Today
Reverential ‑ Inspiring reverence

Quote for Today
“I was enabled to go on because I had the word of Gentleman, never known to break a promise that He would be with me always.”
- David Livingston