Finding God's PresenceSýnishorn

The “With God” Life

The Bible begins with a God who hovers, speaks, and tames (see Genesis 1-2). Crashing waves are told where they must stop, and the first sunrise pierces the blackness of night. This cosmos-whispering God walks and talks with Adam and Eve. He is present with them.

Spoiler alert…the Bible ends with Heaven and Earth reunited (Revelation 21:1-8). The invisible God will be manifestly present again. We will be with Him forever.

Most of the 726,000+ words of Scripture describe people wrestling to live with the God whose presence today isn’t as obvious as it was in the beginning and will be in the end.

In the Gospels, the divine goes fetal (Matthew 1:22-23). God is with us yet lives incognito. Most miss Him or reject Him even when they can reach out and touch Him.

Jesus was an obedient son in a backwater town for three decades. When He started flexing His divinity, the story took some unexpected turns. Sometimes He healed and set free, but He was also crucified and let the Romans keep their worldly throne. He is our resurrected King, and yet Jerusalem was destroyed (again!).

The God revealed in Scripture often mystifies us. How can He be good and near when children die of cancer? Why does He choose liars and cheats like Jacob? Where was He when... (you fill in the blank)? Jesus Himself cries out, “My God…why have You forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).

Yet, this invisible God is surprisingly present. He forgives when we expect judgment, transforms when we think we’re stuck, and is always speaking (Psalm 19:1-14).

Gentlemen, the story of Scripture, history, and our lives turns upon whether or not we learn to recognize God’s presence and live with Him.

We’re called to be men who live with God. Our faith isn’t primarily about rules, attending church, spiritual disciplines, activism, or culture wars. All of our lives can become increasingly filled with an awareness of the God who is here, even though we don’t see Him.

Whether you’re at work or at home, spending time with your loved ones, or visiting a bereaved friend, God is ever present.

This week, we’ll discuss how, as sons of God, we can learn to live with that growing understanding, as well as seek out the places where we can expect to encounter God’s presence.

Prayer: Lord, I don’t always see You or see the signs of Your work. Many times, You seem far away. Open my eyes and help me to see. Lead me into the good, joyous life You have promised with You. Amen.

Reflection: In today’s Scripture reading, Jacob was running away in fear and discovered God’s presence and kindness despite his sin. Think about a time you were surprised to discover the presence of God and His kindness to you. Remember it and thank God for it!