4 August 2022 - The Presence of God

1 Samuel 1:22 (ESV) “But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.”

The Hebrew word for presence is “face,” and it implies a personal relationship, implying a close and personal encounter with the Lord. Hannah’s intention was that her son would appear in the presence of God— face-to-face—for his entire life.

God’s Presence Is Everywhere. This is called God’s omnipresence. Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV) “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.”

God’s Presence Also Fills the Earth Isaiah 6:3 (NIV) “And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

God’s Presence Takes Up Residence in Every Christian: Romans 8:9 (ESV) “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

The effect of being in the Presence of God Psalm 16:11, (NLT) You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever”

Psalm 37:7, (NLT) “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes”

Matthew 11:28-30, (MSG) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly”

Psalm 37:4 (MSG) “…Keep company with God, get in on the best”