Whoever Seeks, Finds
My experience with God’s presence goes back to a time when I was a child who was fascinated with the supernatural. In my bedroom, lying on the floor I began to sing a song my mother had been playing in the house. I had grew up praying and wanting to know God, but I was about to enter into something that not only energized me – it truly has helped shape my life.
Lying on the floor I heard a still, small voice say “think about what you’re singing.” The song was a desperate cry for a God you needed more than life itself. I stopped for a moment. Did I really mean this song? Was I really that in love with Jesus? I continued - this time singing from my heart. A gentle flow of God’s presence swept over my body as I heard the words, “I love you” being spoken beside me.
This really changed my life, and demonstrates the first and one of the most important keys to God’s presence…
"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29)
"How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.” (Psalm 119:2)
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)
These verses demonstrate an important principle to receiving God’s presence. If you want God’s presence in your life, the first step is to seek it earnestly. You will live without God’s presence for as long as you are willing to do so. Start asking. Start seeking.
A New and Better Way
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)
In the Old Covenant a high priest went into the most holy place once a year, and not without a sacrifice (Heb. 9:7), it was there that God dwelt. The presence of God was kept shut up in a temple where only one person could enter each year, and where these men trembled for fear of dying. It was a awesome thing to go “behind the veil,” and into the Most Holy Place.
Of course this was a type and shadow of Jesus, who died and once and for all offered Himself to God for the sins of all humanity. “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
Many believe that their sins keep them out of fellowship with God. Isn’t that giving sin more value than Christ? “What?” you say. Yes, shutting yourself off from God’s fellowship because of sin is saying that your sin means more than what Jesus did to take the punishment for your sin… as though His offering were not enough. Sin is not the issue if you are born again. (Never take grace as a license to sin, however.)
Having put away sin, Christ made a way for us “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) Remember that the veil to holiest place has been done away with in Christ. When Christ died, the Bible says, “And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.” (Matt. 27:51)
Now, Hebrews tells us,
“but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. ” (Heb. 9:7-9)
To enter the Holiest place where God dwelt required huge amounts of customs, and many laws existed about such entering. But since Christ not only enter in for us (cleansing us from sin), but rent the veil, providing a way for us, Hebrews tells us,
“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Heb. 10:19-22)
The way if open for us – there aren’t any cherubs keeping us away any more (Heb. 9:4), and sin is no longer holding us back… we are (as born-again Christians) welcomed into God’s presence. God is open-armed, welcoming us into passionate, intimate fellowship with Him in the here and now.
Enter Boldly
Several years ago I found myself starting my devotion time with a dread of not entering into fellowship with God. I begged, pleaded, and even for a time gave into the popular teaching that, “dry times make the rain sweeter” – a catchy explanation to a question its preachers cannot answer. It took weeks and weeks for me to finally allow God to show me my part in entering.
To enter “boldly” would not imply that one is sheepish, questioning whether or not he belongs, or if he is welcome. Boldness means coming with confidence with expectation of promised results – simple faith – the missing ingredient that so many are missing.
God has done His part. Jesus came and died, providing a way for us, and God even tore the veil as a sign, and tells us to come boldly in His word. Grace (God’s part) is complete. Now it is up to us to go boldly and trust that the promises of God are true (2 Cor. 1:20). Faith is our part.
I will be honest that it took me a while. I had quite a bit of religion to work through. I soon began to see it work, but my feelings often got in the way of my faith. I have gotten better and better with this, and today I am experiencing God’s presence by faith, and am able to come boldly whenever I like. It sounds proud, but it is the most humbling experience. To know how unworthy I would be apart from Christ’s blood to approach a holy God, and yet in Christ have boldness – that’s something I truly cherish.
Helping Our Weakness
Now that you know what is yours, you must, as with all things regarding faith, act on fact and move from knowledge to experience. God’s part is done. He said He would never leave us nor forsake us – He is here now with us at this present time. All we must do is put our self in acknowledgement of His presence and begin to fellowship with Him.
I must quickly note, God’s presence is not a game. The things of God are not toys to play with. We are approaching a Holy God through a Holy Sacrifice (Jesus). We are welcomed freely, but we ought never to trample upon what is sacred.
I speak as one who has gone into His presence and know of what kind of intimacy awaits those who enter so far. This is special –sacred- and is more intimate that the marriage intimacy that is a shadow of our marriage with Christ as the church. But do not become needlessly afraid, because we do not have to enter alone, unassisted. For
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
It is important that we lean on the Holy Spirit to help us and strengthen us, and guide us in His presence. The Holy Spirit can even inspire our worship as we cry out “Abba, Father” is closeness to our Papa. (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6) It is the Holy Spirit in us that we can allow to inspire our worship and intimacy in the secret places of His presence. I have often been surprised at just how willing He is to do just that.
Appropriation by Faith
The Bible gives no specific “order of service” for our times of intimacy with God – and so it should be. No one comes to their Papa with a schedule of how to enjoy one another. Neither should we; but the Bible does give us some pointers that can help us move into experience.
Psalm 139:7-10
“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will lay hold of me.”
He is here. Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” Forget the noise that so many assume is needed. Quiet yourself before the Lord. Wait on Him. Psalm 102:2 says, “Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.” Isn’t odd that in nearly every culture people associate singing with worship? Not all singing is worship – not even two renditions of the same song by the same person are both necessarily worship – worship is a heartfelt expression of an attitude. Often we express ourselves in song.
Feelings are Fickle
Let me end with this: feelings are fickle. If you do not “feel” something today, do not be discouraged. God is not far from you. You will learn the more move into God’s presence. So whether you feel something or not, keep on expressing your love to Jesus and receive love from Him in faith… not feeling abandoned, but enabled by the Spirit of son-ship expressing love to your Papa.
So, in faith, close yours eyes and declare that God is here, now, and wanting passionate relationship with you, His child. Seek His face.
A Beginning
This is only the beginning. An in-depth teaching in this area could swell to volumes of books. As you begin this journey of fellowship you will undoubtedly learn many things along the way. You may also have questions. God has answers (and we can try to point you in the direction too).
Here are a few songs that I have used to convey my feelings to the Lord, and songs He has used to convey His feelings toward me. Please use these as a simple “start-point.”