“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24 ESV)
What does it mean to be in someone’s presence? To my point in this article, it means to be “face-to-face” with the one with whom we’re speaking; to be able to have physical contact, to shake their hand or give them a hug; the ability to make eye contact, to see one another’s responses and reactions as they speak with one another; to know one another and find joy in one another’s presence.
I can tell you I was in Chuck Colson’s presence or Billy Graham’s presence, and while I wouldn’t be lying, I’d be exaggerating. I was in the same room with them, but they didn’t know me from Adam. It’s not the same as what I’m inferring in this message.
To be in God’s presence is to have an audience of ONE with Almighty God. He has the capacity to sit with us and love us as if we were the only person in the universe. There is a sense in which when Jesus died on the Cross, if you’d been the only one who needed a Savior, He would have died just for you. That’s how much you’re loved; that’s how much you mean to God!
The privilege of God’s undivided presence with us is a gift given to anyone willing to take the time and make the effort to let it happen. God is always willing, so, whether it happens rests on us. Are you willing? Before you answer, think of the implications of a “sit down” with God.
Perhaps many of us would jump at the chance to sit and speak with the Lord of Creation. We have this long list of complaints and questions we think we’d like to bring before Him, but it’s my sense that we have little frame of reference to understand what it’s like to sit in the presence of pure love. Think of those, like the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43ff) who came up behind Him wishing only to touch the hem of His robe, or the young man in Mark 10:17 who knelt in reverence to the Lord.
My guess is if we really thought about it, we’d be speechless in His awesome presence, so in awe of Him whatever questions we thought we had would be gone. But that’s essentially the attitude I believe we need to approach Him, waiting for Him to acknowledge us and allow us to speak. I’ve grown so accustomed to relying on His presence, His voice, His directives in my life that I sometimes apologize to Him and ask Him to forgive me for presuming I have the right to rush into His presence as a small child into the presence of their father.
But He assures me that’s exactly what He wants us to do. He’s given us that privilege, and it saddens Him that so few take advantage of the opportunity to find an audience with Him. Please, if that’s you, get over yourself, come humbly, but boldly into your Father’s presence, knowing He is waiting with open arms to hold you, listen to you, love you, and meet your needs.
Do you have questions? He’s a great listener, but I have a feeling being in His presence will answer a lot of them. It’s amazing how many questions are answered by loving acceptance, grace, and kindness. And here’s the best part: He NEVER leaves you! So? That means you are ALWAYS in His presence, which means whatever your need, whenever it occurs, He’s not distant; He’s as close as your breath.
Speak to Him. He’s always listening.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 