The Presence and Power of God with His People

God is Spirit and is everywhere, yet believers can experience an intimate, conscious awareness of His presence that transforms ordinary moments into sacred encounters. This manifest presence brings joy, guidance, and power to those who cultivate relationship with Him.

The Reality of God's Presence

When our senses are awakened to His presence, we enjoy an atmosphere reflecting heaven's qualities: "In your presence is fulness of joy" (Ps 16:11). The name Immanuel, given to Jesus, means "God with us" (Mt 1:23). Moses, who knew the necessity of God's tangible expression, declared, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (Ex 33:14-16).

Conversely, we can discern the forbidding presence of evil in certain localities or people. The pure in heart will "see" God, while sinful practices cause disengagement, for He is holy and cannot tolerate sin (Ex 20:3; Isa 59:1-2; Mt 5:8; Mk 12:30; Lk 24:31-32).

The Indwelling Spirit

Jesus, our prime example, was known by His gracious words and the power working through Him. As Luke recorded, "The power of God was present for Him to heal the sick" (Mt 7:29; Mk 1:27; Lk 4:22, 4:18-19, 5:17, 6:19; Act 10:38).

It is possible to quench His activity, so we are exhorted to "be filled with the Spirit" through ongoing replenishment (Eph 2:22, 5:18). Endeavor to eliminate hindrances by living cleansed, obedient lives (Heb 12:1; Jas 4:8).

Living by Faith in His Presence

Experiencing His presence will be blocked if we view life from the world's ungodly perspective or demote Him from first place in our lives. We must reprogram our minds to live with consciousness that God's presence is continually with us.

Besides dealing with sin, bring your thoughts into submission and keep a close watch on your words. Spend time in worship, prayer, reading the Word and meditating on Jesus to be realigned with the Spirit (2 Cor 10:5). Then you will be sensitive to His presence, recognize what He is doing and be able to co-operate with Him.

Revealing His Presence to Others

In our daily lives the fruit of the Spirit should make us clearly distinguishable as "Christ's ones" (Ex 33:16; Gal 5:22-23). We owe the unsaved a valid representation of Christ's life and the transformation He can make (Mk 16:15-18; Act 4:13).

God wants intimate heart-to-heart relationship, as was the norm in Eden until sin broke the connection (Gen 3:8-9). For this interaction to be tangible, we must deal with past sin, then ask for and expect Him to reveal Himself (1 Sam 3:21; Lk 11:13; Jn 21:1). While sometimes we may be physically aware of His nearness, our heart/spirit is the most important area to be impacted (Prov 4:23). It is as we reach out in faith that He touches us and makes us whole (Lk 8:45-47).

Some Implications:

1/. In the Old Testament God's felt presence was manifest in the Tabernacle and Temple. This changed at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit's presence came into and radically changed those who embraced Christ. We are now the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (Act 2:2-4; 1 Cor 6:19). As believers unite, there is increased awareness of the divine: "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them" (Mt 18:20). Nurture His unmistakable presence which provides protection (Ps 31:19-20).

2/. Paul wrote, "The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power...a demonstration of the Spirit's power" (1 Cor 2:4-5, 4:20). Understanding God's presence truly empowers. Believers can persevere under enormous difficulty because they see Him "who is invisible" and are "looking for a better country" (Heb 11:16,27).

3/. Jesus will present all believers faultless before God with "exceeding joy" and they will live forever in that state, while unbelievers will be shut out (1 Thes 4:17; 2 Thes 1:8-9; Jud 1:24; Rev 21:8).

4/. "Spending time in God's presence" refers to specifically focusing on Him in personal devotions of worship, Bible reading, reflection and prayer. We must intentionally give Him our attention, for although He desires intimacy, He will not force Himself into our lives but waits to be invited (Jer 29:13; Heb 10:22; Jas 4:8; Rev 3:20). He often speaks in a "still, small voice" which can be easily drowned out (1 Kgs 19:12). As we become like those we spend time with, don't you want to spend time with Him?

5/. As sin blocks awareness of His presence, the remedy is to "Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Act 3:19).

6/. Most Protestants consider Jesus spiritually (but not physically) present at communion, the elements being symbols directing attention to commune with the Lord through remembrance and worship (1 Cor 11:23-26). In contrast, the traditional Roman Catholic view is transubstantiation, in which the elements change into Christ's physical body and blood, undiscernible to the senses.