People spend time and money creating spaces with ambiance and atmosphere where they feel welcome, rested, and at peace. Customers will pay good money to spend time at a spa or get a massage to relax and find a moment of solace in their chaotic world. While this sounds good right now, true comfort and relief can only come from God’s presence, reaching the inner depths of your true self and replenishing and restoring your ability and strength to accomplish life’s demands.
While running errands with my kids, I began to talk to them not just about knowing the word of God, which is important, but about knowing the God of the word, valuing His presence, and learning to live in and experience His closeness. I believe that knowledge without relationship becomes a weapon of destruction that holds one captive and in bondage. This is one definition of poor religion: activity without intimacy.
Proverbs 20:27 (NKJV) says, “The spirit of a man is the lamp (or light) of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.” This is one of those verses that can be intimidating to understand, or at least it was for me. Let me break it down.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “…your whole spirit, soul and body.” Knowing that we are spirit living in flesh, with a mind, will, and emotions, encourages how we approach God. John 4:24 says, “God is a spirit…” God’s word can affect natural circumstances; we see this in Scripture as Jesus speaks to waves, fig trees, and in healing bodies, but God affects His children spirit to spirit.
Your mind has a place, your body has a place, as God made them both, but He never said your body or intellect are the lamp or light of the Lord. He said your spirit is. God gives understanding and revelation of His character and will through your spirit, and what is revealed determines the level of intimacy. Why do I say this? Because God said to me, “The atmosphere of your life is up to you! Too many have a happenstance mentality. It’s not by happenstance or chance, but by what you allow to draw you.”
James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” When you draw near to peace instead of panic, the peace of God that passes all understanding will bring great calm to your life.
Until you understand how God deals with you, spirit to spirit, and how to respond to Him, you will mistake noise for guidance, feelings for faith, and circumstances for God’s voice.
I continue to encourage the body of Christ that God’s presence is not a luxury but a primary necessity for this time and season.
I continue to encourage my children in this area, not just to regurgitate words, but to let Him, through an intimate working relationship, be the light, the lamp that gives instruction, revelation, and insight into the meaning of their lives and circumstances. I love how Psalms 100:4 in The Message Bible says, “Enter with the password: ‘Thank You!’” Thanksgiving is the easiest way to enter His presence instantly, where His word becomes clear, and we understand how to apply it to life.
God’s presence solidifies purpose.
God’s presence gives power.
God’s presence provides peace.
When we draw near to Him, the author and giver of life, He guides and directs all of life’s endeavors to create meaning and significance, as well as all of life’s pursuits and desires. When we stop to soak and rest in what He reveals to our spirits, everything takes shape, gains meaning, and gives us the passion to possess what He has freely provided.
Psalms 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” God’s preparation for you is seen not by focusing on the enemy’s presence, but by fully engaging, embracing, and drawing near to Him despite what the enemy has planned for your demise.