The Promise of the Presence

Before Christ, God (primarily) met His people by coming down and choosing to dwell in places. On Mount Sinai, in the burning bush, the pillar's of cloud and fire, the Holy of Holies. His presence was asked for. Before great events or battles, the men of God had to beseech Him to go with them. To worship God involved going to the altar, the tent of meeting, the mountain top. But then God sent His Son. The temple veil was torn in two and then, as Christ promised, God sent His Spirit to dwell in all who would believe. His presence was now, not confined to the Holy of Holies or other external manifestations He chose, but within us. He made good on His promise to never leave us nor forsake us. Wherever we go, He is there...and so is His strength and goodness and mercy and direction and wisdom and power. We need not ask for His help in times of weakness or temptation...it is there, we need only take it. In times of confusion and uncertainty...we have the promise of His direction. He goes before, he hems us in behind and walks with us along the way. All the while, He is saying "This is the way, walk in it." We do not need to look for Him. He is always there. We do not need to call Him down to us. He is always there. We do not need to ask for the favor of His presence. He is always there. We simply need to walk in that truth and trust in it. For just as surely as He lives, His presence is with us and His promises are certain. We need never fear or feel we are powerless against our sin and weakness. He is always there. He will always help. He will always answer us when we call on Him. And when we do call out, we will always find that He is very near and was truly there all along.