Monday 10 February 2014

Is it wrong to ask for God's Presence


I got the same feeling as you might be having right now as I was asked this question. But as believers we are limited by our level of understanding of scriptures. So much so that Paul prayed for the Ephesians for this reason "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." Ephesians 1:17-18. Here was my reply to the question.
 
Psalms 24:1 reveals the Earth as the Lord's and everything in it. And it is seen in Joel 2:28 speaking about the outpouring of His spirit on all Flesh. God's Presence is therefore manifest in all the Earth, in the works of His Creation all around and within us. We know this further because we understand that He is "Omnipresent".  You do not give an invitation to someone whose house you already are. If the Host is not home waiting for you then you could say he is a terrible Host. "...I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found..." Isaiah 45:19(NLT) God does not play “hide and seek” games and most definitely, God is not an Absentee Host.  For in him we live and move and exist... ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28. How possibly could He miss us, He who’s Presence we already stood? It was C.S Lewis who said ''we may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God, the world is crowded with him. He walks everywhere incognito"

               Remember we serve a good God. Ever reliable, forever dependable and eternally faithful. In Exodus 33:14. God offered His Presence to Moses. Now take note of the circumstances that led to that meeting. They sort of consecrated themselves to meet the Lord including Moses, and God was in that Tenth waiting for him. The Moment Moses entered they both started a Friendly conversation. Notice, also Moses didn't have to summon or ask for God's Presence, God already marked Present. Moses had Favor in His sight. But that's the very Position God has put us today. Hebrews 4:16 "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most". We boldly come… not to ask for His Presence, because that’s where we've always been. We have a Promise never to be Left alone Hebrews 13:5b.   
               Though we are before God and His Spirit is poured in us and the proof of His existence manifested in Creation. For us to access a deeper Fellowship with Him Psalms 100 lays it down emphatically the "Protocol" to His Presence. God He is present and always present. We come to Him. How could I be standing right before my dad, and then start praying for him to be there, its sounds ridiculous. As God's own people we necessarily do not pray for His Presence, we Celebrate and acknowledge His Presence in our meetings and in our Lives. In verse 2 of Psalms 100 "...come before His presence with singing"
The very first criterion to enjoy a conscious and consistent Fellowship with God is that of Service with Gladness of our Heart. Secondly you must know who God is and who you are to Him, that's your source of Worship. Thirdly, approaching him even closer, you must pass His Gates with a Heart of Thanksgiving, and finally burst forth His Courts where you meet Him in Person, with Praises on your Lips. Once you are there Bless His name. His name because you Know Him well enough. It takes a level of intimacy to enjoy such a place of fellowship with God.
               So is it now wrong to ask for God's presence? I am sure you have an answer in your Heart. Celebrating and Thanking Him for His ever abiding Presence is what we should always do. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there." Mathew 18:20. When the purpose of your gathering is of Him, His Presence is not a Bluff.