Finding God’s Presence in your life
Jeremiah 29:13 ‘And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Introduction
This morning I want to continue our Summer Reflections by asking one question: how do I find God; how do I find God’s presence in my life (be it overall or in a specific area).
Think about it: life is often exhausting. It often catches us off guard. It often comes at us one thing after another. Not only that, it often leaves us frightened and emotionally, spiritually, and mentally drained. Maybe right now that is you; or maybe right now everything is going fine but you feel far away from God; maybe your walk seems dry and stagnant; or maybe there is a specific area of your life where you need God’s special help and presence. Regardless, how do we go about finding God at such a time and in such cases?
I. Proper Gear
The first thing we need when trying find God; when trying to find His presence at work in our life, is the right instrument/assessment [Think about it: if we want to know the length of a table, we don’t grab a measuring cup. If we need a pint of milk for a recipe, we don’t reach for a ruler. Instead, we use the specific measure that will give us the information that we require. The same thing holds true for our walk with God]. Thus, while feelings, situations, and our human assessments are all important, they are not the ultimate deciding factor in any area of life. Listen to
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things
2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight
Notice the result: how do I know for certain that I have found God? Because God promises that when I draw close to Him in His Word, in His House, at His Table, and in prayer, He will always/every time be there with us and for us
James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Acts 2:21 ‘And it shall be, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (also Jn 6:37)
Simply put, how do I know that I have found God. I know because God says I have found Him whenever I call.
Importance: our study really should have started with this underlying principle: Scripture assures you that your search for God is never a lonely or solitary quest. In other words, it is not you and me trying to reach for God on our own. Instead, the Bible tells us that God always takes the initiative. Therefore, your desire for God and your unrest apart from Him are sure signs/indicators that God is already at work drawing you to Him.
1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Bottom line: our desire to be close to God is a concrete sign/indicator that God has already drawn close to use. So, how do I know that I have found God? I know because He says I have found Him.
II. What Next?
That said, what is finding God supposed to look like? What should I expect? What are some indications that I am on the right path?
A] First, it is important to understand that finding God might not be at all what you expect. God may be doing something completely different in your life than either you thought or wanted.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.
Jeremiah 29:11 ‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
B] Notice then, if finding God does not always look like what we want or expect, what does it look? What can we always count on? First, finding God provides an underlying peace, assurance, and confidence that you and your situation are in God’s hands. And God never lets go
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
C] Finding God yields signs and indications that His hand is sustaining you and His providence is directly at work in your situation (signposts and road markers along the way)
Isaiah 41:10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (see Isa 30:15; 21)
D] Finding God will keep you coming back. You will stumble, have set backs, perform poorly, and have bad spiritual hair days. However, understanding that the matter is in God’s hands to fix, will keep you coming back to His throne of Grace
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. FN#1-3
Bottom line: How do I know that I have found God? I know because God says that I have found Him. Not only that Scripture assures me that my very desire to find God is a certain sign and indicator that God is already at work drawing me to Him. Thus, I have the peace that surpasses every situation and feeling- it is all in God’s hands and God will not let go. Therefore, if you need God in your life in a real way:
· Simply ask. Then,
· Stay in God’s Word, house, and prayer
· And when you don’t know what to do, make sure that what you do is the sort of things that please God
Footnote
1] Another thing you need to do when feeling far from God is know your sin. Two points:
1. First, if you are doing things that you know are wrong; if you are turning your back on God; or grieving His Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30), then you need to stop. Your first move is to confess your sins, ask God to heal your sinfulness, and stay away from situations that foster your sin, while staying in those places that promote healing
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. Second, knowing your sin means understanding that Satin will tell you that you have blown it; he will play on your rightful guilt; and he will use your sin as the reason to have you shy away from God. However, sin is exactly the reason God pursues us and draws close to us (God sent His Son- Rom 5:8). In turn, sin is exactly why we need to turn to God (our sin is sin because it has already turned us away)
James 4:6 God gives a greater grace.
2] Finding God might us lead into (not away from) difficulty. Sometimes the right way is difficult while the wrong way is alluringly easy. (God often calls us to follow Him on a difficult and scary path. Yet He is with us every step of the way and our hardship is never arbitrary, alone, or in vain)
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
3] Finally, finding God yields concrete direction and fruit. You will keep coming back; you won’t wander as far; you will have the confidence to respond faithfully (instead of lashing out); you will put aside unfaithful/unfruitful thoughts, desires and reaction. In other words, even when you don’t know what to do, you will have the confidence to make sure the next thing you do is the sort of thing that is pleasing to God.
1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before Him,