What are some of the benefits of being in God’s presence?

Philippians 2:13God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

God’s presence empowers and encourages us to obey and please him.

2 Corinthians 3:17The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

God’s presence frees us from being slaves to sin, so we can live a life of increasing freedom.

Romans 8:9-17You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Finding the way into God’s presence is finding the way to eternal life. God’s Spirit confirms not only our status as his children but also our ongoing access to God.

Psalm 23:4Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Isaiah 43:2When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

God’s presence gives us both protection and comfort. Remembering his presence is an antidote to fear. We can learn to see the promise of his presence as stronger than any doubt or fear we might feel.

Deuteronomy 20:1“When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you!”

Joshua 1:9“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God’s presence should give us courage. Because God is with us, the circumstances we face should not be the determining factor for the actions we take. If we acknowledge and trust God in all our ways, he will make our way into the future clear.

Psalm 40:1-2I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.

Psalm 63:8I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

Matthew 10:28“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

God’s presence helps and encourages us in our darkest times and with deepest insecurities, both now and forever. A proper fear of God puts all other fears in perspective, helping us see that our fears in this life are ultimately insignificant.

Exodus 33:14The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

Psalm 23:1-3The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Philippians 4:13I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

God’s presence refreshes us with courage, peace, and rest. We can learn to practice the presence of God each day throughout our lives.

Psalm 16:8-9, 11I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. . . . You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Acts 2:28“You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

Philippians 1:21To me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

God’s presence gives us lasting joy, not only in the ebb and flow of our experiences in this life, but in our ultimate hope in eternal life.