Experiencing God's Presence #209

Experiencing God's Presence #209

May I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 103:2

Surrounded by self-serving Christianity, many believers have determined to worship God for who He is, not for what He does. The desire is admirable, but the practice isn’t really possible. Nor is it biblical. For one thing, we only know God by the works He has done. We call Him Deliverer because He has actually delivered people, for example, or Provider because He has actually provided—not because of abstract theology. But in addition to knowing Him in the context of His actions, it’s entirely biblical to praise Him for what He has done. David’s statement in verse 2 clearly expresses a desire to praise God for His benefits.

And those benefits are many. He promises to forgive sins, heal diseases, ransom us from death, surround us with mercy and good things, renew our youth, and defend us with righteousness and justice (vv. 3-6). God never tells us to ignore the blessings of His Presence in order to focus on His Person. It’s true that we can become preoccupied only with His blessings and treat Him as our heavenly Santa Claus, but an equally troubling error is to become so “spiritual” that we neglect what He has offered. His Presence is meant to benefit us in a multitude of ways. He knows we’re needy and meets us in our need.

What needs do you have today? Seek God’s Presence for His ability to meet those needs. Certainly seek Him for more than that, but know that He enjoys opportunities to provide, deliver, comfort, heal, redeem, restore, empower, and more. He wants to help you, not just in your spiritual growth but also in your practical circumstances. Know Him for who He is—but never forget the good things He does for you.

Father, I enjoy Your blessings, and I know it’s okay to seek them. I want You for more than those, of course; I need You, not just Your gifts. But I do need Your gifts and Your help. Please let me fully experience Your benefits.