Experiencing God's Presence #222

Experiencing God's Presence #222

Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

Luke 19:8

Zacchaeus had a reputation for greed, corruption, and fraud. Some of that notoriety came with the title of “tax collector,” but even he admitted that his reputation was deserved. When he met Jesus, he vowed to give his wealth to the poor and repay more than God’s laws of restitution required to those whom he had overtaxed. He stands in stark contrast to the rich young ruler, who met Jesus and decided to hold on to his wealth. Zacchaeus encountered Jesus and wanted to let go of everything else.

The elders around the throne of God couldn’t even hold on to their crowns in the glory of the Presence. How much more difficult it is to hold on to our sins—or even our less-offensive attachments—when we encounter God. If the rich young ruler had truly recognized who Jesus was, he would have gladly let go of his relatively worthless treasures. When we know we are truly in the Presence of God, everything else fades. As an old hymn says, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

We pray for purity and wholehearted passion, but as is often the case, that’s a prayer for an outcome rather than a relational dynamic that produces the outcome. Why not pray for a deeper encounter with Him, a growing sense of His nearness? The purity and passion will take care of themselves when we see Him for who He is.

Jesus, help me see You more clearly and sense You more fully. I want pure and deep devotion to You, and I know Your Presence will provoke it in me. Please draw near, Lord.