PSALM 139:1–10 – O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

Ask any Christian the question, “Is God present everywhere and at all time?” and the resounding answer will be, “Absolutely.” Theologians call this attribute of God His “omnipresence” which literally means “constantly present”. Now ask this follow-up question to the same Christian, “Do you live in the conscious awareness of God’s Presence? ”The“ absolutely” might be slow coming. The evidence we don’t live in the sense of God’s constant presence is because it requires the exercise of faith. And the exercise of faith isn’t always easy. We are earthbound creatures with a weak flesh, a tempting devil, and prone to allow circumstances, situations, and what we see and feel drive our lives instead of faith. That is the reality of the struggle of living the Christian life. But we can get there. We really can progressively grow in our faith learning to live in the conscious, not always felt, presence of God. It requires two things . . .

First, diligently putting the Word of God in our hearts and minds. God has chosen to reveal Himself through His Word – Living in the Lord Jesus and written through His scriptures (John 1:1-14; 2 Timothy3:16).By giving us His Word, He places upon us the requirement for it to dwell within us so it controls our thinking, keeps our hearts on Him, and ensures we maintain a close awareness of His Presence – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God(Colossians 3:16). Christians without a continual building up of the reservoir of God’s Word in their hearts and minds won’t live in the awareness of God. They will live by changing circumstances and fleeting emotions resulting in a shallow, inconsistent spiritual life.

Another thing to do to live in the awareness of God’s Presence is make a life of holiness the highest of priorities. God makes Himself known to holy people; people who are serious about His commands and conformity to the image of His Holy Son, the Lord Jesus. Be passive, be loose in obeying commands and we will have little awareness of God’s Presence. He dwells with those who take holiness seriously. Spend a few minutes and see this in the following verses-Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.5He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah (Psalm 24:3-6).

Friends, someday we will live forever in the conscious awareness of our God because we will be in the constant Presence of Him literally. Think on that glorious day and allow its certainty help us live by faith in the awareness of His Presence now.

PRAYER: “Father, thank You that You are a God always near, always present, and will always be mine.”

QUOTE: “God’s constant presence is an encouragement to fight the good fight and a deterrent against sin.”