Experiencing God's Presence #153

Then Solomon prayed, “O LORD, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness. Now I have built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever!”

2 Chronicles 6:1-2

It’s true. “Dark clouds surround him” (Psalm 97:2). Ever since Eden, God has been obscure to those who speculate, or even to those of us who diligently seek Him. Though He promises to reward seekers with the ability to find Him, He can seem elusive and hidden for years. He is not accessible to casual observers.

That’s a deal-breaker for all but the truly hungry—which, perhaps, is why God waits in obscurity until a seeker persists. But when those who hunger for Him position themselves to receive Him—when a temple is prepared for Him to inhabit—He makes His Presence known. The thick cloud of darkness that hides Him is pierced by the desire of those who aren’t swayed by it.

This is the progression of God’s revelation since Eden—from hiddenness to revelation. That’s just the way He chooses to show Himself. Some people are put off by His obscurity, as though if He isn’t visible in the sky, then He must not be real. That isn’t the way of faith.

Don’t be swayed by the thick clouds that surround your God. If He seems distant, keep seeking. If He is slow to show Himself, keep pressing in. If you don’t feel His touch, continue to position yourself for it anyway. Prepare the temple of your heart for a visitation, and don’t give up hope that He will make His Presence known. If you believe, He already dwells in you by faith. Faith will hang on until you experience His indwelling.

Lord, I’m not giving up. In my driest time, even when You seem far away, I’m seeking You with all my heart and not giving up. I know You’ll show Yourself more clearly in Your own good time.

From the book