Day 12: The Presence

“And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Exodus 33:14

Presence  [prez–uh ns] noun

1. the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.

2. attendance or company

3. immediate vicinity; proximity

4. a divine or supernatural spirit felt to be present

The Presence of God

The Presence of God is a reason for ThanksLiving. In the Garden of Eden man walked in the very presence of God. After the Fall, man walked differently with God; he was separated from Him because of sin.

The first advent brought a baby in a stable and again man walked differently. God’s Presence tabernacled among us. God walked with us.

But that wasn’t enough Presence.

After the crib came the cross and then Pentecost. Again, man walked differently with God. No longer was God just with us, but God was within us.  His Presence tabernacle-ing within man. Hallelujah!

The Hebrew word for presence is paniym, which means face, surface, presence. But paniym also means, before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before, to the front of. Amazing.

His Presence leads to ThanksLiving

Why can we be at rest? Why can we be at peace? Because His Presence is behind us, going before us, in front of us, behind us, toward us, beyond us. He is with us, guiding us, protecting us, leading us, holding us in the palm of his hands.  God’s presence is all over and all in us. His Presence brings us rest. This holiday season, when we are feeling rushed and stressed, we don’t need to seek peace; we need to seek Presence. God’s Presence leads to ThanksLiving.

More ThanksLiving Presence