Enjoying God Presence

Over and over again in Scripture, God declares that He wants us to enjoy His presence. As Ecclesiastes tells us, " For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight" Eccl. 2:26. 

The Power of Darkness

The human heart is full of pain and darkness. However, with God you can totally lose yourself and in losing yourself you can lose the darkness. To feel the presence of God you must totally forget about yourself. To feel the presence of God you must totally remove yourself. In order to totally lose, forget, and remove yourself, you must turn away from the darkness within you and turn toward Christ. Whenever temptation comes, turn away from the temptation.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ( Matthew 11:28 ) 

Whenever pain comes, turn away from the pain. Whenever doubt comes, turn away from the doubt. We must not just turn away, we must turn toward Christ. In our turning away we can always feel the presence of God as we turn to Christ. In our turning away, we have only two directions in which we can turn. We can turn toward God and His presence of love or we can turn toward Satan.

There are no gray areas. Our choice in this matter is clear. If we do not feel the presence of God, we do not feel His presence because the power of darkness is coming against us and we have not turned toward Christ. However, we are not helpless or hopeless in this spiritual war. Our greatest weapon is our will and our ability to use our will so we can, every second we are alive, turn away from darkness and turn toward Christ. So whenever temptation comes, turn toward Christ and actually feel His presence. Whenever pain comes, turn toward Christ and actually feel His presence. Whenever doubt comes, turn toward Christ and actually feel His presence.

Why then, do so many people fail to enjoy God's presence? 

First, they don't really know Him. Often they see God as and untouchable, invisible force that cares very little about His creation. But nothing is further from the truth. God desires a close, abiding relationship with you. When you fail to realize the depth of His love, you miss a great blessing. God says to you today, as He did to his ancient people, " Yes, I love you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.

( Jer 31:3 )

Second, they have a wrong view of God's attitude. God is no legalist, Jesus says, He came to set you free. Remember this: " God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17.

Third, they are afraid of him. God calls you to reverence His Holiness, but never to be afraid of Him. This is why He so often tells his people, " do not be afraid"

Fourth, sin breaks the Fellowship God wants us to enjoy with Him. Sin not only blocks God's best for us, it eliminates joy. Forsaking sin puts us in prime position for God's blessing. Not only does God extend forgiveness, He also promises restoration.

Fifth, they refuse God's acceptance. God loves you the way you are!  There is nothing you can do to become more acceptable to God. His love for you is unconditional and never ending.

How can you begin to enjoy God? Realize God enjoys being with you, and then learn to spend time with Him and begin to trust him to meet all your needs.

The Greatest Key To Spiritual Growth