God is Present - First15 - August 1
God is Present
Weekly Overview:
There is no better father than Creator God. He formed us and knows us. He provides for us, loves us unconditionally, and longs for real, life-giving relationship with us. He runs out to meet us in our sin, clothes us with new identity, and restores to us the abundant life he has always planned for us. As we spend time looking at the father heart of God, may a fresh revelation of his love for you guide you into greater depths of relationship with your heavenly Father.
Scripture:“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Devotional:
If there’s one truth that has the power to guide you into the fullness of life available to you in Christ, it’s that God is present. Psalm 139:7-10 says,
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
No matter where you go, no matter what you do, God is with you. And he isn’t just with you
in an abstract sense, he is available for you to tangibly and powerfully experience. Psalm 23:4 says, “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.” In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of comfort. Throughout every season of your life, he is there ready to empower you, encourage you, strengthen you, and love you. He longs to meet you where you’re at and provide all the guidance, love, comfort, and fatherly encouragement you need.
You see, when God meets with us he both satisfies our emotions and transforms us. He heals our hearts and empowers us to live the life he has planned for us. As our Father, he not only comforts us when we need him, but guides and helps us through the various seasons of life. God is present not only to love you emotionally, but practically as well.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” As a father teaches his son or daughter how to walk by upholding them, your God longs to uphold you through whatever decision, trial, season, or pain you are presently experiencing. He is not a distant God who just gives his children rules and tells them to go through life on their own. He is not a far-off Creator who leaves his creation to its own devices. He is working presently in our midst to shepherd us toward the fullness of life Jesus died to give us. There is no more present, loving, or powerful father than our God. There is no greater helper than the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. And there is no greater life than one lived in constant communion with our Creator.
Whatever season you find yourself in today, press into the heart of your heavenly Father. As you enter into guided prayer, allow God to fill you, satisfy you, comfort you, and love you. Allow him to shepherd you, empower you, uphold you, and encourage you. Experience the nearness of your heavenly Father and walk today in constant communion with your God who is present.
Guided Prayer:
1. Meditate on the fact that God is present. Allow Scripture to fill you with the faith to encounter your heavenly Father today.
“‘Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23-24
“The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.” Zephaniah 3:15
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
2. Where do you need God to be present in your life? Where do you need his encouragement, love, guidance, and empowerment?
3. Ask God to make his presence known to you. Ask him to fill you with his love and nearness. Rest in his presence and allow him to love you and speak to you.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16
A vital part of Christian spirituality is making time to simply fellowship with God. Resting in the presence of the Lord puts all of life in perspective. It places God at a higher value than whatever else we could spend our time pursuing. It empowers us to live peacefully and purposefully. And it lays a foundation of God’s love on which we can live out the calling given to us by our heavenly Father. Take time throughout your day to receive God’s presence. Allow him to flood wherever you are with his love and encouragement. May your day be transformed by the nearness of God.
Extended Reading: Psalm 139
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