We seek God’s presence to hear His Word.
At least we should.
The Bible connects the presence of the Lord with the Word of the Lord.
“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.” – Luke 5:1
People pressed Jesus because they wanted to hear a message of hope and possibility. Of power. Of salvation.
When we draw near to Christ, we have the opportunity to receive life-changing direction and encouragement.
And through His grace, we also get the chance to share the gifts of His presence and His Word with others.
For example,
“The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.” – 1 Kings 10:24
I’d love to have millions clamoring for my spiritual insights! How about you? Do you believe that the Lord can fill you with His wisdom? If He does, He will expect you to express it. God blesses us so we can bless others.
The apostle Peter demonstrates this practice.
“So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” – Acts 10:33
Cornelius, a paradoxical blend of Roman centurion and devout worshipper of God, spoke for everyone crammed into his house that they were ready to listen to Peter. They didn’t know what the apostle would say, but they believed that it would be God’s truth for them.
How did Cornelius know that they were in the presence of God? Did He feel something? The Bible doesn’t tell us, but it lets us know that the mind of this military officer connected the presence of God to the Word of God. He didn’t choose between them; he wanted both!
Whether we’re speakers like Peter or listeners like Cornelius, so should we. The presence of the Holy Spirit and the proclamation of Holy Scripture belong together.
Accept no substitutes!
Sin causes us to avoid God’s presence because we fear His judgment.
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” – Genesis 3:8
What sound did the Lord make as He strolled in Eden? Did Adam and Eve hear His feet brushing against the grass or snapping twigs? Was God singing? Calling out their names?
We only know that they wanted to neither see Him nor hear Him. Sin separates us from God.
Be careful also about listening to the wrong things.
“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.” – 2 Timothy 2:14
Gathering together in the name of Jesus only to debate and gossip dishonors God. Throwing away the occasion to learn from the Lord wastes valuable spiritual resources. Don’t go down that road!
When you pursue the presence of God, open your soul to His Word. When you’re here with the Lord, you will hear His voice. It’s more than a promise, it’s a pattern for your life.
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