Every day, we go through the motions of our mundane lives like clockwork. At work or at home, we sometimes feel that God is not with us. But in our moments of solitude, brokenness, and despair, we question why God is nowhere to be found. Did God leave or forsake me? When tragedy strikes, we search for God.
We face a battle every day—a constant encounter with ourselves and with the enemy. Left to ourselves, we are helpless when faced with trials of many kinds. When confronted by the wiles of the devil, we also fall into sin, which impairs our holy relationship with God.
Nothing is more important than the profound presence of God. Remember that God is an omnipresent God; he is everywhere at all times. Whether we feel the power of God’s presence or not, rest assured that he manifests and dwells in us.
Contents
7 Incredible Things About The Presence Of God
Immanuel: God in Us
The presence of God finds its greatest expression in Immanuel—expressed from the Greek words “God with us.” Matthew 1:23 reads: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means God with us).”
The promised Messiah and child were given the name of Jesus but was also Immanuel—God in the flesh. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Immanuel represents the divine desire for God to be present among his entire nation, showing his love and purpose.
God Fills The Heavens And The Earth
Heaven is the inherent dwelling place of God and earth is God’s footstool. Jeremiah 23:24 reads: “‘Can a man hide in hiding places So I do not see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’ declares the Lord.”
Before the creation of the Earth, the Bible describes heaven as a place filled with God’s presence. Angels stand in God’s presence. Heaven is the highest, most exalted place of all, and it is fitting that God manifests his presence in this holiest place. The kingdom of God also reigns on the earth.
God Is Omnipresent
In the Old Testament, the high priest held a special role in accessing the presence of God in the most sacred place, the Holy of Holies. However, through the Lord Jesus, the ultimate high priest, the presence of God became accessible to all believers. This is what God wanted for us. Jesus emphasized the importance of faith and directed believers to seek him in the secret place of their hearts.
God’s presence is everywhere. In our home, place of work, or even on a mountain, God is present. This is the power of God’s presence. In Psalm 139:7–12, David says God is everywhere we might go in this life. He is on this throne in heaven, but he is also within us. We can trust God’s presence and blessing in every step and second of our lives.
The presence of the Lord is not limited to specific locations but extends to every corner of creation. God’s omnipresence ensures that his presence is not confined to one space but permeates every aspect of our lives. As believers, we have the privilege of experiencing his presence and hearing his voice through faith and a personal relationship with him.
Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit
God’s presence brings assurance and salvation to believers. It is through His presence that we find comfort, guidance, and strength. The dwelling of the Holy Spirit happens the moment a person receives the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The Spirit then begins his work in the life of the believers, empowering them to live in constant communion with God.
1 Corinthians 3:16 says: “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” God manifests and works in Christians through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Revealed In The Lives Of Adam And Our Forefathers
The presence of God manifested in the Garden of Eden. Aaron, David, Paul, and Moses spoke that he reigns over the whole earth. The New Testament is full of stories of how God has made his presence known and felt by his people in human history. Their encounters with God, including Moses’ close and personal encounter with the burning bush, showcased his authority, love, and desire to be intimately involved in the lives of his people.
In the same manner, God is with us in the present day through his son, Immanuel Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1–2 reads: “In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son.”
We Can’t Predict His Profound Presence
We usually can’t predict when God will make his presence known to us. In answers to prayers or in our dreams, we are sure about God’s nearness. The Lord’s presence can also be manifested at a huge evangelistic event, a church gathering, a Christian concert, and many more.
God is often portrayed as a personal and relational being who interacts with individuals and communities in unique and sometimes unexpected ways. A close and personal encounter with God’s presence is often seen as a result of God’s initiative and grace rather than something that can be predetermined or foreseen by us humans.
We Will Actually See God In Heaven
Compared to the earthly realm, we will actually see the Lord in heaven face to face. Revelation 22:3–4 reads: “The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads.” God promises us an eternal kingdom where we will see his physical presence and attain blessed pleasures forevermore.
What Does It Mean To Be In The Presence Of God?
Throughout history, individuals like the Apostle Paul experienced powerful encounters with God. Through these encounters, Apostle Paul became a vessel through which God shows his divine purpose and presence to the world. Paul’s transformation from a persecutor to a believer was a testament to the transformative power of encountering God’s presence.
- Protection
God is our ultimate protector. Psalm 91:9–10 says, “‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.”
To be in God’s presence means he will keep us safe from all harm, hidden dangers, and deadly diseases. In the Old Testament, Moses told the Israelites God will protect them if they will nurture faith.
- Strength
Our limited and frail physical and psychological capacities get exhausted. But we can draw strength from God’s power when we have a close and personal encounter with him.
Isaiah 40:31 reads: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” When we call unto God, he gives us added strength to overcome all weariness and difficulties in our lives.
- Triumph
We are often led astray by the Devil and fall into sin. The wiles of the enemy make us somehow powerless and vulnerable to sin. But with God’s presence, we can resist and defeat the enemy’s plots and schemes. James 4:7 reads: “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
- Happiness
When we fix our minds on God and are filled with his presence, nothing can take away joy from our hearts. Acts 2:28 reads: “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” The Lord’s presence means we need to trust God’s Word and that he always gives us his blessings.
- Comfort
In the daily grind of our lives, we experience worries and anxieties anytime, anywhere, and in any situation. Because of the concerns of this world, we become exhausted and troubled—devoid of joy and peace.
In Scripture, the Lord Jesus Christ is also our High Priest who gives us rest. But God’s presence provides comfort in times of trouble or anxiety. Joshua 1:5 reads: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
How To Experience God’s Presence
As God’s people, we can experience the transformative presence of God in practical ways. His presence becomes a guiding light in our journey of life, allowing us to find grace, receive mercy, and live a life that reflects his love and truth.
- Confession and Repentance
Sometimes we can’t sense God’s presence because unconfessed sin blocks his mighty presence in us. 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Confession and repentance cleanse us from sin and restores our holy fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, allowing us to experience the presence of God.
- Prayer and Bible-reading
When we, God’s people, pray, we invite God’s presence and seek his blessings in our lives. Jeremiah 29:12 reads: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” In our moments of solitude and trouble, prayer gives us access to God’s presence.
God’s Word is the source of truth. When we read the words of scripture, we experience the profoundness of God’s presence and the impactful revelation of his teachings in life. God draws near to us in prayer and study of scriptures. In a life lived in this present age, the New Testament is a valuable guide for practical ways to experience God’s presence.
Psalm 119:105 reads: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Reading the Bible is a fundamental activity for every Christian to discern the Lord’s presence and the magnificence of his guidance in our lives.
- Praise and Worship
Congregational praise and worship embody our collective exaltation to our one true God. When we lift our hands together in prayer, praise, and worship we experience the awesome presence of the Lord.
Psalm 86:9 reads: “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name.” When we worship him as a holy nation in spirit and in truth, we magnify God’s presence in our midst.
7 Bible Verses That Prove God’s Presence
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
— Genesis 3:8
Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
— Matthew 18:19–20
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
— Psalm 23:4
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
— John 1:14
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
— Joshua 1:9
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
— Genesis 28:15
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
— Matthew 18:20
Conclusion
God is omnipresent and omniscient[1] regardless if we feel his presence or not. He is assuredly around us and his Spirit dwells within us. We don’t have to wait until Sunday before we can experience God’s presence. When we turn to him in prayer, study God’s Word, and exalt him in praise and worship, we profoundly enjoy his splendor and glory.
God has promised he will never leave us nor forsake us. We can be assured of the Lord’s presence, even if we are struggling with pain and desperation. But in the coming eternal and heavenly age to come, we will be ultimately blessed, for we will meet God face to face and will forever be in the Lord’s presence.
Hello, Am I mistaken about the Holy Spirit, that he lives in us as we live in Christ?
It seems to me that if we are praising God (wholeheartedly–as instructed throughout the Word) we rely on the Holy Spirit. That is to say we could not truly understand God to attribute adequate worth to our worship without the Spirit of God in us. In us in a specific way as Jesus explains. Different than the God (the Father) is present everywhere all the time–which could sound a bit generic/impersonal. Jesus responded to individuals in need according to the will of the Father, healing etc. I understand that His Spirit lives in believers in a personal way. As if we were chosen to live in Christ and He in us.
Again, am I mistaken?