God wants to be in our presence

Prayer Force:  The Presence of God

My father taught Sunday School in our church for many years and one of his favorite experiences was the sharing of a weekly Scripture dealing with God’s desire to have fellowship with His people.  It started one day when He asked God a question.  “Do you enjoy it when we come into your presence?”  He didn’t receive an immediate answer, but as he went about his daily business the Holy Spirit spoke to his heart.  The family dog jumped up on the couch and Dad heard the Holy Spirit ask him, “Whose little dog is this?”  Dad answered back, “He is my little dog.”  The Spirit prodded one more time….”Do you like it when he comes to you on his own accord just to spend time with you?”  Dad understood what was being said.  “Yes, yes I do”   Some balk at the notion that the God of the universe would care about spending time with an individual.  They are quick to point out that God doesn’t need anything.  However, the Scripture tells us we were made for His pleasure.  My husband John and I didn’t need children to survive, but we desired them and it is our greatest joy even now that they are grown to be in their presence or to receive a phone call.  God desired fellowship and made us in His image….like him.  Two early circumstances in the Bible come to mind that speaks to this….one in Genesis 3:8 we see that God came to Adam and Eve in the cool of the day…which seems to have been a habit before the fall.  Then in Leviticus 26:11 as instructions are being given for the tabernacle we see that God desired to “tabernacle” or dwell among His people.  The tent of His presence was to be in the middle of the camp.  Today we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and He desires us to be willing vessels of His presence.  When we take time with Him, we become like him in character and mind, we are healed in body and spirit, and we are strengthened in heart and purpose.  This week as we anticipate the Lord’s Day and the gathering of ourselves together to worship let’s come into His presence in our homes and workplaces….worship can be so much more when it is our daily habit.  Instead of having to prime the pump…we begin to flow in His presence immediately.