In Keeping With Devotional Life - Practicing the Presence of God
Today I read my devotions and made a discovery that caught my attention. In working with people who are dealing with difficult times and crisis in their lives, I often have consoled people who believe that God has abandoned them in their time of need. Many in Biblical days like Job and David have felt that God has abandoned them. Their grief was so over whelming that their interpretation of God’s presence was misunderstood.
In one scene you find David contemplating the immeasurable greatness of God. In Psalm 139:7-10 you find his narrative. He asks the question, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” See the end of this blog for the complete passage. It seems that at this time in David’s life the reality of God’s greatness is clear. In keeping with this, Meister Eckhart wrote: “God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God.”
The part that caught my attention is the thought that if God isn’t near that many assume that He has not moved but that we have somehow gotten away from Him. Well, this thought, while rational, isn’t exactly accurate. If God is capable of being near always, should not we assume that He tracks our ever subtle movement away from Himself. While this may be semantics, I think that we should realize that as humans, we are may feel like God is far away when in reality He isn’t. Because we are self-centered and narcissistic creatures we loose focus on the reality of God’s presence but He is never far away. No matter where we may go! The problem of God’s presence isn’t found in God but in ourselves. We “loose touch” with Him and believe that somehow God takes a vacation away from us.
God isn’t always interested in our good times. He is interested in our bad times too. He isn’t afraid to draw near to us in sad times. He, in fact loves to reveal His presence to us even in bad times. The next time you ruminate over this issue of God’s presence, realize that it is impossible to escape God’s presence! The only separation many will realize is in eternity but in this life, He is near. No matter if we recognize, ignore or attempt to deny the presence of God. HE IS ALWAYS NEAR AND NOT THAT FAR AWAY!
| New International Version |
| 1 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 5 You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. |
posted by Rev. Rick Carder '87 / ' 03 @ 6:54 AM
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