THANKFULNESS INVITES THE PRESENCE OF GOD

A devotion by husband Steve Long - Visit his blog at Reflecting the Light

There are certain things you cannot understand unless you’ve experienced it. Like these:

•         Just how hot
       it gets in
       Texas.
•          What it’s like
       to win a
       champion-
       ship. 
•          How it feels
       when you
       start to get
       old.
•          Having a
       baby.
       (they say)
•          Eating the
       banana pudding my Mom used to make.
•          Having the privilege of being a Pawpaw.

Do you ever wonder why God seems so far away? Perhaps you know in your mind that he is here but you cannot feel it in your soul. Someone has said; “If it ever seems as if God is far away ….. Guess who moved.”

There is much truth to that, for the bible says that God is immoveable. “For I am the LORD, I change not,” (Malachi 3.6) and “his compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3.22). It says, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13.8) God does not change, but we do, often removing ourselves from his discernible presence.

How can we enter again into that Shekinah glory of God, his dwelling presence? God’s word says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4.8). Faith is a factor, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10.22), as well as obedience. When we disobey, we are running from God’s presence as did Jonah (Jonah 1.3).

One of the most important things for entering back into the dear presence of God is through thanksgiving. Paul writes, “…with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God … and the God of peace will be with you.” (See Philippians 4.6-8)

This passage had already said we would have the “peace of God.” Now we see that we will also have the presence of the “God of peace.” 

We are told that God inhabits the praises of his people, Israel. This means that where people praise him and give him thanks, there he dwells. That’s where you will find his presence. Where he is present in such a way, there is his glory.

Some people may not understand what the term “glory of God” means. It is one of those things that will you’ll never really be understood until you’ve experienced it. 

And, once you’ve experienced it, you’ll never want to be without it. So, give thanks to Him.