PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD       

Raphael Oye. Taiwo

INTRODUCTION:

    What I mean when I say ‘practice the presence of God’ is ‘learn, by constant performance, to experience and enjoy the presence of God; get used to the presence of God by bringing yourself repeatedly before the Him’

1.   THE BIBLE PROPHETS AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Many people of God, in the Bible, experienced the presence of God:

1.1. Abraham. The Lord commanded Abraham in Genesis 12:1, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you” (NIV). This is an instruction to Abraham to keep his eyes on the Lord and follow the Lord's step-by-step leading -- acknowledging and submitting to the Lord's direction at every turn. Abraham’s obedience enabled him to bask regularly in God’s presence, e.g. Gen 12:7; Gen 18:17

1.2. Moses. Exodus 33:7-11. Moses regularly acknowledged and enjoyed intimate friendship with the Lord. He practiced the presence of God.

1.3. David practiced God's presence by keeping his eyes and heart on the Lord, regularly. Psalms 16:7-8; Psalm 25:15.

2.   HOW TO PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF GOD

2.1.             Walk in the fear of God. In all your ways acknowledge him.’  Proverbs 2:5 associates the fear of the Lord with knowing the Lord. Those who really know the Lord enjoy His presence. To practice the presence of God, walk in the fear of God – loving Him, obeying Him and doing His perfect will. Many of the Bible Prophets practiced the Presence of God as part of what it meant to them to walk in the fear of the Lord - they actively sought the Lord and acknowledged Him in all they did. Proverbs 3:6 associates the fear of the Lord with recognizing the Lord in everything. ‘

2.2.             Live a Prayerful life. The Bible prophets who experienced the presence of God devoted themselves to regular prayer. All the Prophets of the Bible (Old and New Testament Prophets) lived prayerful lives). Daniel, a busy government official, set aside time for the Lord three times a day to lift up his requests and give thanks to God - Dan. 6:10. It was during a long prayer and fasting period that he received the age-long prophetic revelation of Daniel 10, which is still being fulfilled in our days. Amos saw the Lord in Amos 9:1 while in the midst of interceding for Israel (in Amos Chapters 7, 8, 9). The place of intercession was the place of intimate communication with the Lord and the place of prophetic revelation. To enjoy the same experience, you must learn to come regularly before God in prayer.

2.3.             Wait regularly on the Lord. David, the great prophet-king, practiced the presence of God by waiting on Him regularly- Ps 25:5; Ps 25:21; Ps 59:9. That is why he encouraged God’s people to wait on the Lord, so as to receive the result that comes from the presence of God - Ps 27:14; Ps. 37:34. Habakkuk waited to hear the Lord speak to him and then he wrote down what he got from the Lord - Hab. 2:1-2

2.4.             Live a holy life. Ps 5:5; Ps 24:3-5; Matt 7:23. Those who are favored with the presence of God every time are those whose lives are pure and holy before the Lord.

2.5.             Praise God always Ps 140:13; Ps. 22:3; Acts 16:23-26. Praise brings down the presence of God. You will not fail to experience His presence as you worship and praise Him from your heart, in love and holiness.

2.6.             Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Eph 5:18. To experience the presence of God every time you must be filled with the Holy Spirit, on daily basis.