A person is composed of far more than the physical space they occupy. You know how it is! A personality enters a room, relationship, or routine and completely changes the dynamic.
Presence comes with persona. And so it is with God, but on an infinitely loftier scale!
How could I even begin to describe God’s presence? He fills the entire earth, His Spirit radiating glory and infusing loving kindness into the far reaches of the world!
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!”
– Isaiah 6:3
“He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.”
– Psalm 33:5
God is ever-present among His creation—compassionate to provide for each organism, merciful to rescue mankind from sin. As He moves, we respond in worship!
“His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of His praise.”
– Habakkuk 3:3
This is the very same God who comforts me in sorrow, uplifts me in disappointment, and ministers to my journey. Psalm 46 says He is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” In other words, He is always available as a source of protection and power!
As leader of God’s people Israel, Moses points this out in Deuteronomy 4:7.
“For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him?”
God’s Word is full of promises to befriend us with His presence. Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8 assure us that the Lord goes before us and will be with us, never leaving or forsaking us. Joshua 1:9 reiterates that God is with us wherever we go. Psalm 23:4 contains the comfort of God’s presence in “the valley of the shadow of death.”
Ultimately, He presented Himself among us in flesh. God the Son became one of us—human—to dwell among us (John 1:14).
His message is one of hope.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.”
– Acts 3:19-20
God’s Provision: One day, all will be acquainted with this God. “As the waters cover the sea,” so will the earth be full of the knowledge of the LORD God (Isaiah 11:9, Habakkuk 2:14). We can claim Psalm 73: “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory” (23-24).
Word of the Week: Midst. God stirs, sings, and saves within and among us. For, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
The essence of God’s presence meets every need, calms every fear, and satisfies every hope.
Abby
