Getting In God's Presence

Scripture teaches that God is omnipresent, meaning that He is everywhere.  David declares in Psalm 139:7-10, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

However, oftentimes we hear messages about "Getting In God's Presence" or "Stepping out of God's Presence."  But how can this be correct if God is indeed omnipresent?   Well, if we are pursuing pathways in life that are dishonoring to God, we can be out of His Will and thus, spiritually not in His presence.  Another example relates to being in church.  Whether it was the Old Testament directive to go to the Temple to worship God or the New Testament instruction to the church, being in "God's House" is a way to physically, relationally, and mentally be in God's presence.   A portion of Scripture that captures both of these understandings of being in God's presence is found in the 84th Psalm, which says,

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you.
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield, O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you."

Take time to get in the presence of God by attending church today!