What does it really mean to practice the presence of God? After reflecting on it for a bit, I decided that for me it meant really believing and realizing that God is truly with me. Yes, I do all the Christian things I should do (pray, church, bible, meditate, etc.), and I know that God is real, but do I truly believe that He is always with me? Do you truly believe it? What is the difference between knowing and believing? I would say that I know God is always with me, my mind knows this to be true, but what about my heart? What about my soul? What about the very deepest part of me? Do I truly believe? My answer could easily be “Yes!” But, as I reflect, I have to say that if this were really true, my actions and/or life would look a little different. Not that I think I’m a horrible person, or living a life displeasing to God, but I think that maybe I would do more, be more.
These thought circle back to practicing the presence of God. In order to believe that God is truly in our life, we need to go back and see what He says about it in the bible. That makes it easier for me, because I trust in God’s promises. I believe His words. There are several scriptures that I found which make it clear that God is always with us. Here are some that I thought I would share. I’m sure there are plenty more, but this is a good start.
SCRIPTURES - God is with us always.
Isaiah 41: 10 (ESV) - 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.
Joshua 1:9 (ESV) - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)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.”
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) - The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Matthew 28:20 (ESV) - Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 23:4 (ESV) - 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.
Matthew 1:23 (ESV) - “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
SCRIPTURES - Don't forget about the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.
John 14:16-17 (ESV) - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV) - Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
Now that I have read God’s word and have a better realization that God is with me, I need to acknowledge this in my daily life. I need to stop and talk to God; thank Him; ask Him for advice; trust Him; sit quietly with Him; and in all my ways acknowledging Him. This is not always easy to do. We are taught that seeing is believing, but we can't see God. How do we learn to believe? It can be done with practice. For me, this is called, “Practicing the Presence of God.” I can call out to God. I can think on all the times that had he not been with me, things could have gone horribly wrong. I can clearly and confidently say, “God is with me! He is right here! Right now!" I can trust! My hope is to truly, with every part of me, believe the fact that God is with me. My prayer is for it to be the same for you.
Good Bless you always!
*Resource: God Being With Us - Topical Bible - https://www.openbible.info/topics/god_being_with_us
