LESSON 1: IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MAIN IDEA: God has promised to be present when we worship.
There really is nothing like being in God’s presence. According to the dictionary, presence means “the state or fact of being present, immediate vicinity, proximity.” God’s presence is proof that He exists and is always with us. Another word used when referring to God’s presence is manifest, which means “obvious, apparent.” When God’s presence is manifest, it is unmistakable and undeniable! There is no doubt that He exists and is present at that moment.
In this class we will explore God’s presence, various ways God has manifested His presence in the past, ways we can experience God’s presence today, and how the experience of being in God’s presence affects our lives.
Three Dimensions of God’s Presence
Jack Hayford is a renowned Christian leader who has led worship and taught about worship for over 50 years. In his book Manifest Presence: Expecting a Visitation of God’s Presence through Worship, he offers this insight:
The Bible reveals at least three different dimensions by which God makes His presence known. Indeed, He is everywhere! But the ways He chooses to manifest Himself imply certain distinctions. Consider: God’s awesome presence, God’s abiding presence and God’s amazing presence.
Of course, these three dimensions of God’s presence are not exhaustive, but they can help us begin to understand the meaning and benefit of being in God’s presence. As Blackaby and King write in Experiencing God, the first step to experiencing God in our lives is understanding that He is at work around us all the time. So as we examine these three dimensions of God’s presence, see if you can relate them to specific parts of your life today.
God’s Awesome Presence
God’s awesome presence is often described as God’s omnipresence, which means that God is present in all places at the same time. This dimension of God’s presence is undeniable. Consider these words of King David:
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. Psalm 139:7-8, NKJV
Likewise, the apostle Paul gave a great picture of the awesome omnipresence of God as he helped the people of Athens identify the true identify of their “unknown god.” Take a few minutes to read this account in Acts 17:22-28 of your Bible.
God is indeed everywhere at all times whether we have a relationship with Him or not. The Bible explains that God is just and considers everything we say and do. God’s awesome presence surrounds us all the days of our lives, and nothing escapes His notice.
God’s Abiding Presence
God’s abiding presence is evidenced by God’s loving, tender, understanding, and intimate relationship with those who call upon Him as Lord. The Bible tells us often of God’s abiding presence. Consider these examples:
He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Remember, I am with you always.” Matthew 28:20
God’s presence is an abiding help in time of need and in times of great victory. Again, King David’s words bring God’s abiding presence to life for us:
If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me. Psalm 139:9-10
God is very serious about abiding with us in an intimate relationship. And we have been given the privilege of responding by abiding in Him. Jesus made it very clear: if we dwell in Him, we will bear fruit and glorify God — we will prove ourselves to be His disciples.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.” John 15:5, 8
It is truly a divine mystery that God Himself would choose to dwell in us, but it is a fact. God continues to invite human beings like us into relationship! How does “remaining in Him” factor into your worship?
God’s Amazing Presence
God’s amazing presence — sometimes called His manifest presence — is God’s response to His followers as they call out for His intervention. Which of us hasn’t cried out to God at some time in our lives? The leaders of the church in Acts depended on God’s unmistakable intervention. Their very lives depended on God’s amazing presence, as this passage from the Book of Acts reveals:
“Now, Lord, … grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness. Acts 4:29-31
Most Christians today don’t face the persecution that these dear saints faced daily, but many around the world still do. As the Kingdom of God presses into every corner of the globe, missionaries — much like those in the early church — know the reality of their need for God’s amazing presence to deliver them from evil and to confirm His power to those who desperately need a Savior.
Throughout our study we have read about many people — people living today as well as Bible heroes who lived long ago — who have worshiped God and encountered His amazing presence. From Abraham to Nehemiah to Mary, to the individuals whose stories we’ve shared with you, God’s amazing presence is a proven reality.
Yes, God’s amazing presence is still available today. As we worship, we can expect Him to respond. God always delights in the praises of His people. We have every reason to expect God to respond as we worship.
You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3
God Is Always Present
Recently, I found myself in a familiar place: sitting in an auditorium waiting for my son Lee and the rest of the choir to take the stage. Like most choir members, Lee and his fellow university students had been working diligently on their program, and now was the moment of truth!
As the choir made its way to the platform, I could see Lee scanning the audience, looking for dad. I remembered Lee’s first choir program as a four-year-old. I was there then, as well, along with all the other proud papas.
All these years later, Lee probably didn’t want me to notice that he was looking for me, but I did. And it filled my heart with joy to catch his eye just as I did when he was four — letting him know that yes, indeed, ol’ dad was right there watching and cheering him on as he sang with all his heart.
The Bible makes it clear that God is doing the same thing every time we come to worship Him. He has promised to be there, and if we will focus our attention on the One who made us, we will find Him in the audience. He loves to hear our voices of praise!
Questions for Reflection
• How have you recognized or experienced God’s awesome presence?
• What has been the result of your awareness or encounter?
• How have you recognized or experienced God’s abiding presence?
• What has been the result of your awareness or encounter?
• How have you recognized or experienced God’s amazing presence?
LESSON 1 REVIEW
• What statement or Scripture you read in this lesson was most meaningful?
• Reword the statement or Scripture into a prayer of response.
• What does God want you to do in response to this lesson?