April 25: AN ENCOURAGING TRUTH

There are some beautiful passages in the Bible that describe the Lord’s presence with His people. They are the kind that give you the “warm fuzzies” if you are a believer.
Genesis 3:8 says “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day”. Then in Exodus 33:11 “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” In John 1:14, the Bible says “the word became flesh and pitched his tent among us.” Technically, you call these anthropomorphic or the attributing of human behavior to the Divine. Nevertheless, they are filled with personal encouragement for the believer.
Generally, religions have to do with statues, idols, or pictures that can make no personal response. Religions often are based on a fear of an absentee Divinity that has great power to harm those who offend him or her.
One difference in a revealed religion like Christianity is that the Almighty has revealed himself as present and caring. For instance, in the earlier reference to John 1:14 is the truth that God is not “out there” but “here and now”. He is present and He is not silent!
The great story of the Exodus is that God’s Presence was always going before the people; the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. God’s presence was so necessary that even when the Israelites arrived near the Promised Land, they refused to go up and take possession unless they be assured that God would go with them. (Exodus 33:15)
The other side of this is that you can’t hide from God or evade Him. David asked, “Where can I run from your Presence?” (Psalm 139”7) That is a super serious consideration also for those who reject him.
Is this truth helpful to you or scary? What is most appealing to you; a God who is out there somewhere or a God who is in the now who wants to be your friend?

“Our hearts are strangely warmed when we consider the possibility of
having You live in our hearts. Thank You for this wonderful option. Amen”