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Todd Barry - Family & Friends

Practice The Presence Of God

by Jean Martz

Madame Guyon (1648-1717), a French mystic, spent most of her adult life in prison just because of her faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary. She attributed her peace and joy in those trying circumstances to practicing the presence of God. She wrote many hymns and her autobiography while in prison. A few phrases from her writings show how she constantly lived in the presence of God:

  • "My Lord, how full of sweet content, I pass my years of banishment, where'er I dwell, I dwell with Thee."
  • "I can be free from care on any shore since God is there."
  • "But with my God to guide my way, 'tis equal joy to go or stay."

A consciousness of God's presence will make a believer content, full of joy and peace. Remember Jacob's "ladder experience" in Genesis 28! He made the statement at that time, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not." Are we unaware of God's presence? Exodus 33:14 says, "My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest." We have been promised the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives as believers. (Rom. 8:9; John 14:16; Mt. 28:20).

First of all, in order to practice His presence, we need to be aware of the fact that God has said, "My presence shall go with thee..." The Psalmist says in Psalm 31:20, "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of presence" which speaks of a close, special relationship, being particularly favored. Then as we read the Word and pray, we surely are conscious of His presence. But, Moses reminded the children of God concerning His Word that they must be always conscious of the Word — when they sat down, when they walked, when they lay down, when they got up — he also said put it on your person and around your home as a reminder. When we follow these instructions, we will be living, practicing His presence.

As we talk, walk, eat, go to bed, get up to do our daily jobs practicing God's presence, we will:

  • Keep our hearts in tune with God.
  • Keep our thoughts pure and clean. (I Cor. 10:5b)
  • Make all our decisions in the light of His presence.
  • Bring every chore and duty into His presence (James 4:15)
    doing His will.

Living moment by moment conscious of the Lord's presence in our lives is the key to a joyous, peaceful life in Christ.

In Him,
Jean Martz

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