Experiencing God's Presence #169

Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”

John 11:40

God has been pretty indiscriminate in publishing His stories. His dealings with human beings have been recorded in the bestselling book of all time, as have His extravagant promises. He has not kept secrets or established a highly exclusive club. Whoever chooses to follow Him may do so. Membership in His family is still wide open.

If that’s true, why do some people experience His blessings and His Presence while others don’t? What distinguishes those who only know of His promises from those who see them fulfilled? Belief. God has chosen faith to be the currency of His Kingdom. If we believe what He promises, we can experience it. If we remain in unbelief, His promises remain nothing more than words to us. God divides people into two categories: those who believe and those who don’t.

That sounds awfully conditional for a God who doesn’t show partiality (Acts 10:34), but it’s true. Though God’s love is unconditional, His responses to us aren’t. Scripture contains a repeated and emphatic “if” when it comes to faith. If we believe, we can experience what He promises. If we believe, we can see His glory. If we believe, we can be saved. And if not? Then we have refused to use the currency of His Kingdom. And we can’t receive very much without it.

Unbelief will block the Presence, not because God is weak and can’t overcome our faithlessness, but because He chooses to encounter us on His terms. When we have faith that has been tried and tested and has endured, we will eventually see His promises, including His manifest Presence, come to pass in our lives. If we believe, we will see His glory.

Jesus, I accept Your words—and Your conditions—as true. I know my faith is necessary to experience You the way I was meant to. When You say I will see Your glory if I believe, You’re implying that I won’t if I don’t. So I choose to believe You—in everything—and ask You to show me Your glory.

From the book