Pursuing the Presence of God: A Transformative Journey

This blog was inspired by Col Stringer’s recent message preached at Faith Legacy Believers Church on the 30th of July, 2023

Introduction:

The pursuit of the presence of God has been a central theme in the scriptures, with various verses emphasizing the significance of seeking God above all else. This journey involves delving into the depth of our relationship with the Creator, experiencing His love, wisdom, and guidance, and ultimately finding our true purpose and fulfilment in life. In this blog, we will explore several powerful scriptures that highlight the importance of pursuing the presence of God and how it can transform our lives.

(#1) Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

In this Psalm, we are reminded of the importance of stillness and quietude in our pursuit of God’s presence. In the chaos of life, taking time to be still and meditate on His greatness allows us to experience His divine presence more intimately. When we focus on Him, we gain a deeper understanding of His character and majesty, finding peace and strength in His presence.

(#2) John 5:19-20 – “So Jesus explained, ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing.'”

In this passage, Jesus sets a profound example of pursuing the presence of God. His close relationship with the Father enabled Him to discern the Father’s will and walk in obedience. Likewise, as we seek God’s presence through prayer, studying His Word, and engaging in worship, we can align our lives with His purposes, walking in His divine plan for us.

(#3) John 17:3 (NLT) – “And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.”

Eternal life is not merely about the duration of existence but also about knowing God deeply and intimately. Pursuing the presence of God is not just for a temporary experience, but it leads to an everlasting relationship with the Creator. In seeking Him, we find true purpose and meaning, which transcends the temporal pursuits of this world.

(#4) Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT) – “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources, he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers exemplifies the transformative power of pursuing the presence of God. As we open our hearts to His Spirit, we become rooted in His love, enabling us to comprehend the vastness of His love and experience its fullness. This intimacy with God leads to a profound sense of wholeness and spiritual growth.

(#5) Philippians 3:8 (NLT) – “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage so that I could gain Christ.”

In this verse, Paul’s devotion to Christ illustrates the supreme worth of knowing God. He considered all worldly achievements and possessions as insignificant compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ. Pursuing God’s presence requires a willingness to let go of the things that hinder us from drawing closer to Him, and in doing so, we find true treasure in Christ.

(#6) Romans 8:32 (NLT) – “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

Understanding God’s immense love for us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, strengthens our resolve to pursue His presence. Knowing that God willingly gave His best for us, we can trust that He will provide everything we need as we seek Him. This assurance enables us to walk boldly on this journey of pursuing God.

(#7) Philippians 3:9-10 (Amplified) – “[My goal is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope].”

In this amplified version of Philippians 3:9-10, Paul expresses his heartfelt desire to intimately know God and experience the transformative power of His resurrection. This knowledge of God leads to a deeper identification with Christ, resulting in a profound spiritual transformation that moulds us into His likeness.

Conclusion:

The scriptures emphasize the immeasurable value of pursuing the presence of God. Through stillness, obedience, prayer, and meditation on His Word, we can experience God’s love, power, and purpose more intimately. As we align our hearts with His, we discover the true essence of life and find fulfilment in knowing our Creator. May we all embark on this transformative journey, seeking God’s presence with all our hearts, and experiencing the fullness of life that comes from being in communion with Him.