In God's Presence

We started a daily devotional for the Lenten season.  Every special season our church does beautiful devotions designed to lead us deeper into the spirit and meaning of Easter or Christmas.  I love these types of things. 

The question was asked about what it felt like when you were in God's Presence.  At first I balked at the question.  My memory is so bad and I tend to forget these moments easily. (Hence, this blog.  LOL).  I need constant reminders, notes, notebooks of musings and experiences....all of that or I forget after five minutes.  I have even gone so far as to set the alarm on my phone for hourly reminders to be grateful.  (It may be time to do that again).  

All that being said, I sat there and searched my memories banks for those special times of feeling as if I was in the Presence of my Savior and I realized I could actually remember the feelings.  Peace, comfortable joy, quiet serenity, warmth.  I felt as if His love and almost like an anointing or cloaking would fall down over me as I prayed on my knees.  It truly is amazing.  It was nothing loud or large or bigger than life...but a quiet flowing of Jesus.  Beautiful.

I became so glad to answer this question that had at first scared me.  I was moved back through those times and warmed by their memory.  The devotional series is called "Torn," and it's a reference to Matthew 5:27:50-51 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.   We are now welcomed into the Lord's Presence, accepted, loved and encouraged to linger there, soaking up His love, His  peace and His joy.  It's there that we find mercy and grace.  Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with complete confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.  We come into His Presence with reverence and awe, but also with a boldness because we know we are welcomed.  Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

It's amazing, this relationship we have with our Father and King.  This visit made me heart smile.  

Lord, what an amazing, wonderful, welcoming, holy, awesome God You are.  The same God that Isaiah fell down before and exclaimed:  “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5) is the same God that tells us to come to Him as little children, being assured of His welcome and acceptance.  I am always amazed that You desire a relationship with me.  But oh so very glad.  Thank You.  Just Thank You.  

Spend time in the Presence of the Lord.  Don't look for or do anything fancy, just quiet your heart before Him and sit. He's there.  Hallelujah, He's there.