Presence of God

Much has been written and said about the presence of God.  But I am truly convinced that we need to understand and recognize that the presence of God is not just some mystical manifestation of our imagination.  The presence of God is not just an appearance of a cloud or smoke but the presence of God is a true revelation of the nearness of God to our everyday lives. 

Jesus taught us concerning the presence of God in John 14:16-17, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world can not receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you" (NASB).  Doesn't that promise from Christ raise a strong hope and assurance in your heart today?  We can depend on the presence of God being with us and in us as true believers in Christ and His Word.  That assurance allows us to understand that no matter what circumstances of life that we face we are never alone.  The presence of God is with us and He watches over us wherever we go on a daily basis.  We are able to accept the reality of the presence of God through faith in the truth that God speaks to us through His Word.  We are able to build our life on this absolute truth.  The enemy seeks to make us feel all alone and away from the presence of God.  There have been times during my travels that I felt so far from home and I would find myself feeling all alone as I set out to perform my daily duties.  But I would quickly remember that my wife loved me and that she was praying for me and that she knew my location at that very moment.  I would find comfort in those natural thoughts about home and my family.  How much more can I take comfort in the fact that with Christ at my side and that I am never alone?  He ALWAYS knows my location and He knows the challenges that I may be facing at any particular moment.  O child of God, you can lift your head and heart today if you are feeling alone or forsaken.  Your faith and hope can be strengthened through the knowledge that you are never out of the sight of the Chief Shepherd.  He knows your location and His presence is with you at this very moment.