Entering the Presence of God: A Personal Journey

Have you ever felt God's presence in a powerful way during worship but struggled to maintain that connection in your daily life? The presence of God isn't meant to be experienced only in church settings but should be part of our everyday walk with Him.

When we talk about God's presence, we're not discussing some mystical concept. We're talking about God Himself—His Son, His Spirit that lives inside believers. The question is: how do we engage with Him? How do we acknowledge Him? How do we stay aware of Him?

What Does It Mean to Experience God's Presence?

The presence of God is His power, His anointing, and His essence working in our lives. It's similar to being married—there's always an awareness of your spouse's presence in your life, even when they're not physically with you. This awareness influences your decisions and behaviors.

Many Christians struggle because they spend more time focusing on their sins and troubles than on God's presence. When we spend time with God and His Spirit, what we experience is love, joy, peace, and confidence—not guilt and shame.

Why Do We Need God's Presence in Our Daily Lives?

Too many believers have a dry, boring, monotonous relationship with the Lord—no intimacy, no presence, no connection. Some are even afraid to draw near to God, thinking Christianity is all about suffering and sacrifice.

But Christianity at its core is about you and your Savior being in God's presence. Without Jesus, our faith becomes merely a concept rather than an intimate relationship that needs time and attention.

The Biblical Foundation for Personal Intimacy with God

In Hebrews 8:10-11, we read: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them."

This passage, quoting Jeremiah 31:34, prophesies a relationship we now have because of Jesus Christ. We have the right to personally know God on an intimate level. The word "know" here means to become acquainted with someone through intimate personal experience.

How Can I Enter God's Presence in My Personal Life?

Here are two practical ways to enter into God's presence:

1. Praying Scripture

Praying scripture is a way of drawing near to God that involves both reading the Bible and praying the Bible. Instead of trying to read as much as possible, slow down and focus inward.

Here's how to do it:

• Choose a particular scripture that will quiet and humble you before the Lord

• Read it slowly, word by word, phrase by phrase

• Focus on the words and begin to meditate on them

• Pray those words over yourself

• Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and reveal Himself

For example, with 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

Instead of analyzing it, focus on phrases like "grace abounding toward me" and "all sufficiency." Thank God for His grace abounding toward you. Ponder what it means to have all sufficiency in Christ.

2. Beholding the Lord

This involves stilling or focusing your mind so that your heart can tune into the presence of the Lord. The biggest challenge to spending time with God is distractions—your mind is a huge obstacle to overcome.

To behold the Lord:

• Set your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2)

• Focus singularly on the Lord

• Quiet yourself and silence the voices in your head

• Turn inward to your spirit

• When distractions come, gently redirect your focus back to the Lord

What Happens When We Enter God's Presence?

2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Transformation comes when we enter into His glory and His presence. We don't go in trying to be perfect, but we come just as we are, knowing He receives us as we are. In that moment, His Spirit rearranges, confirms, and transforms our very nature and character.

Every touch from the Lord leaves His divine impression on our soul. It engraves His character and nature upon us. It's as though in times of prayer, when we come to Him, He touches us and leaves His fingerprint upon our heart.

Life Application

This week, I challenge you to set aside time specifically for entering God's presence. Not for Bible study, not for asking for things, but simply to be with Him. Choose one of the two methods described:

1. Take a scripture that speaks to you and pray through it slowly, meditating on each phrase and allowing God to speak to your heart through it.

2. Practice beholding the Lord by quieting your mind and focusing solely on His presence, turning inward to your spirit where He dwells.

Ask yourself:

• Am I treating my relationship with God as a concept or as an intimate connection?

• What distractions most often pull me away from experiencing God's presence?

• How might my life change if I consistently made room for God's presence every day?

• What scripture could I begin praying through this week to deepen my connection with God?

Remember, the presence of God isn't just for emotional experiences in church—it's meant to transform your character and guide your daily life. As you make time for His presence, you'll find yourself becoming more aware of His voice and His leading in every area of your life.