God’s Presence

God is always in the picture even when we may not be able to see Him. The reality with God is that we are never speaking or acting in His absence. The psalmist said, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8, NIV).

While we acknowledge that God is always present, He does allow us to sometimes feel as if we are away from Him. I think He does this for a specific reason. Do you ever drive differently when you see a squad car behind you? Why? It is not because your heart is changed. It is not because you see that squad car and think, “Oh, I want to be a good driver.” Driving habits change because you don’t want to get a ticket! You don’t want to see bright flashing lights in the rearview mirror.

What’s the point? God doesn’t want forced compliance or obedience on our part. He is so immense that if He were too visible, people would give forced compliance without expressing their heart. Therefore, God makes it possible, in enormous love, for us to live as if He were not there, in order to allow us to choose how we live, respond, speak and act. God will never create a life for us that makes Him unnecessary, but likewise, He will never create a life for us that forces us to follow Him. In His unlimited love and compassion for humans, His desire is for us to want to follow Him and love Him even in the darkest moments of life.

Allow me to encourage you today to live for God in the knowledge that He is always present, even when you feel that He is miles away. It is in those times that He may very well be showing His love for you more strongly than He does when you feel He is right beside you. That statement may sound a little contradictory, but consider this; He loves us so much that He respects our choices and gives us liberty in order to test our allegiance. Choose to acknowledge God’s presence today despite how you feel, and you will soon realize that He is there, regardless of where you may be!

Pray with Me:

God, thank you that there is nowhere I go where you are not already there. Today, I realize that when I feel you are distant, you are awaiting my choice to follow you, and that you are always near. Amen.