But it seems Scripture is more concerned with his presence manifest in relationship and redemption. Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 10 Things You Should Know about the Presence of God 1. The Lord cast his people from his presence ( Jer 15:1 ; 52:3 ). In the book of Revelation, Eden has returned and expanded into new heaven and new earth where all of God’s people enjoy his presence eternally. Life is “from Him, to Him … (Psalms 100:2-5 NKJV) Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. However, he will exalt those who humble themselves before him ( James 4:10 ). And second, the presence of God is, not only an objective, it is also the means by which the redemptive mission is fulfilled. Paul constantly interceded for the Thessalonian church, bringing their name before the Father's presence ( 1 Thess 1:3 ). The problem is, real relationships don’t work this way—especially with the triune God. From the very beginning, Eden was not meant to be static; it was headed somewhere. God's presence provides comfort in times of trouble or anxiety ( Joshua 1:5 ). Others tried unsuccessfully to escape his presence ( Jon 1:3 ). Christians may approach the Lord with confidence because of Christ's finished work on our behalf ( Heb 4:15-16 ). Ps 72:19; Isa 11:9). God's presence is also a place of judgment. Read Scripture Aloud. The Lord is “God in the heavens above (transcendent) and on the earth beneath (immanent)” (Josh 2:11). He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Chase, and their four children. As the Israelites prepared to enter Canaan, Moses told them they stood in God's presence ( Deut 29:15 ). Dictionaries - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Presence of God, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Aaron was confirmed as high priest in God's presence ( Num 16:7 ; 17:9 ). These curses cut right to the heart of who they are and what they were made to do. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve are now exiles; their mission is in shambles as they stand outside of Eden. John Piper, Here Is Our God When we do, we find that it is first and foremost a theme on which the story of Scripture hinges. The Scriptures often speak of God's presence in human history. Through this image, we see that the community of Christ is—in this time of waiting on Christ’s return—the instrument the Lord uses to disseminate his presence to a lost and sinful world. His immediate presence will render a temple unnecessary ( Rev 21:22 ). False gods also become powerless before him ( Isa 19:1 ). God does all of this so that he can be our God and we can be his people (Gen 17:7; Ex 6:7; 29:45, Rev 21:3, etc.). What does it mean to be omnipresent? To experience God's presence is to experience the shining of God's face ( Psalm 67:1 ). We keep him on the shelf until troubles arise or there is something our neighbor has that we really want. As evangelicals, we talk a lot about the presence of God but seldom look to the Bible to see what it is. Fear and trembling are proper responses before the One who controls all creation ( Jer 5:22 ). Salem Media Group. The downcast seek him and find encouragement and strength to praise him ( Psalm 42:5 ). It is the anticipation of this presence that should motivate Christians to faithful service in this present age ( 1 Thess 2:19 ; 2 Peter 3:10-11 ). Likewise, God’s presence was to spread to the rest of the earth through Adam and Eve’s exercising dominion (Num 14:21; cf. When you audibly speak God's inspired Word, you will sense its power and His … To overcome man’s sin and ensure his purposes, the Creator becomes covenant Redeemer. The presence of God they once knew freely is no longer free. Those who see this judgment coming will beg for deliverance, but to no avail ( Rev 6:16 ).