This is an excellent question that many believers ponder. If God is everywhere at all times, what makes being in His presence any different than going about our normal daily activities? Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about God’s omnipresence and the significance of entering into His presence.
God Is Omnipresent
The Bible clearly states that God is omnipresent, meaning He is present everywhere at all times (Psalm 139:7-12). As an infinite, spiritual being, God is not limited by time and space as we are. He exists outside of the physical universe He created. At the same time, He is present within His creation in all places and at all times.
Several verses affirm God’s omnipresence:
- “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:23-24)
- “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)
- “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” (Psalm 139:7-8)
As these verses demonstrate, there is nowhere in the universe God is not present. From the highest heavens to the lowest depths, He fills all things. This does not mean God is contained within His creation as if He is the same as His creation. Rather, He is transcendent over it all while also being immanently present.
God’s Special Presence
While God is everywhere, the Bible also speaks of God manifesting His presence in a special way in certain locations and at certain times. These special manifestations of God’s presence are what the Bible calls “the glory of the Lord.” His glory is the visible manifestation of His divine presence and power.
Throughout Scripture, God chose certain people, times, and places to specially display His glory. For example:
- God’s glory filled the tabernacle when it was completed (Exodus 40:34-35)
- God’s glory filled Solomon’s temple when it was dedicated (1 Kings 8:10-11)
- God’s glory rested on Mt. Sinai when He gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:15-16)
- God’s glory filled the temple again in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 44:4)
When Scripture speaks of people being “in God’s presence” or seeing His face, it is referring to experiencing the manifestation of God’s glory in a direct, intense way. This is different than merely sensing God’s omnipresence in the ordinary course of daily life.
Significance of God’s Special Presence
Why does God choose to specially manifest His presence in certain places and times? What is the significance of this for believers? Several key points help explain the purpose and blessing of being in God’s manifested presence:
- Intimacy with God – Being in God’s presence allows us to experience closeness and intimacy with Him. We are drawn near to God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
- Reverence for God – Standing in God’s glory fosters a sense of awe and holy fear. His power and holiness become tangible. This leads to heartfelt worship.
- Receiving from God – When God’s presence is manifested, it is often to impart blessings, commission people, or reveal His plans. Believers can receive prophetic inspiration, healing, or miracles (Exodus 40:34-38, 1 Kings 8:10-13).
- Equipping for service – Time spent in God’s presence prepares and empowers people for His work. After the Pentecost outpouring, the disciples were emboldened to preach the gospel (Acts 2).
- God’s glory revealed – God breaks through in visible glory so that people can witness and testify to His greatness. His glory draws people to salvation (Psalm 97:6).
- Foretaste of future glory – The manifestations of God’s presence give believers a glimpse of the future glory waiting in eternity. It awakens in us a hunger for more of His presence.
These unique purposes are why seeking out the Lord’s presence is so valuable. Experiencing God’s glory goes beyond merely knowing He is present as an attribute of His omnipresence.
Our Response to God’s Presence
Since being in God’s manifest presence is such a blessing, how should we respond when given an opportunity to enter in? The following principles can help us prepare our hearts and make the most of the Lord’s presence:
- Humility – Recognize your unworthiness for such an honor (Exodus 3:5-6)
- Reverence – Honor God’s holiness and majesty (Psalm 89:7)
- Awe – Feel overwhelmed by His glory and goodness (Exodus 3:6)
- Gratitude – Thank Him for granting you access to His presence (Psalm 100:4)
- Worship – Praise and adore Him for who He is (Psalm 95:6)
- Openness – Posture yourself to receive from the Lord (James 4:8)
- Surrender – Yield your life completely to His purposes (Romans 12:1)
When we respond properly to the privilege of God’s presence, it leads to lifelong transformation. Moses met with God and had his face permanently changed, reflecting God’s glory (Exodus 34:29-35). Meeting with the Lord should leave its mark on our lives.
Longing for God’s Presence
Since God’s presence is our greatest blessing, believers throughout history have longed to pursue the Lord and know His manifest presence. David captured this longing in many of his Psalms:
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42:1-2a)
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:25)
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)
David understood that experiencing God’s presence surpasses every other blessing in life. While God is always near us, there is nothing like being in the direct presence of His glory.
Cultivating God’s Presence
How can believers encounter God’s presence more consistently? The Bible offers many practical keys:
- Prayer – Regular, persistent prayer draws us close to God (Jeremiah 29:13)
- Bible study – God speaks through His word to reveal His will (John 5:39)
- Praise & worship – Focusing our hearts on adoration ushers in God’s presence (Psalm 22:3)
- Repentance – Dealing with sin removes barriers between us and God (Isaiah 59:2)
- Solitude & fasting – Removing distractions heightens our focus on the Lord (Luke 5:16)
- Serving others – Ministering to the needy pleases God (Isaiah 58:6-9)
- Gathering with believers – God manifests His presence when Christians fellowship and worship together (Matthew 18:20)
These spiritual disciplines help attune our hearts to discern the Lord’s presence even in the everyday. They allow us to encounter His glory in fresh ways.
In Conclusion…
As omnipresent God, the Lord is always near us, but there are special blessings found in His manifest presence. Though God is everywhere, taking time to enter into His glory through worship and biblical spiritual disciplines allows us to experience closeness with Him. This transforms our relationship with the Lord, empowering us to know Him deeply. Let us, like David, pursue the presence of God with all our hearts!
