Experiencing God's Presence #37

Experiencing God's Presence #37

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.

Genesis 3:8

Imagine a place where God’s Presence is obvious, where He can be sensed and experienced. In this place, there’s nothing to keep you from knowing Him. No shame, no guilt, no fear—nothing. You are free to be completely yourself, knowing that He’s fine with exactly who you are. You experience Him fully.

That’s how it was in Eden. But when our first parents disobeyed God, that sense of Presence was lost. They were afraid and embarrassed to be around Him. Designed for an intimate relationship with their Creator, they wanted only to hide.

Ever since then, we’ve felt distant from God. We don’t see or hear Him like the first human beings did. We feel ashamed and just assume God doesn’t want to be close to us. And we question whether we can trust Him: “I know He loves others, but does He really love me?” “Does He even like me? Or am I on His bad side today?” “I know His plans for me are good—by His definition—but will I like them?” Our questions come because of the distance we feel. We can’t see His smile or feel His love or hear the warmth of His voice. We mistrust an invisible God.

God wants an extremely deep, very personal relationship with us. We believe—at least theologically—that everything standing between us and Him was removed through Jesus’ sacrifice. But do we really live as though nothing stands between us? Not often. Our instinct is often still to hide. Yet Scripture is clear: the relationship is restored. Nothing can hinder it but unbelief. So what’s the key to experiencing His Presence? Believing. Know that He is there and live as though it’s true.

Father, I believe that there’s nothing between You and me, and I choose to base my life on that fact. I have nothing to hide from You. I come to You as I am—and pray that You would come to me as You are.