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Enjoying the Presence of God

We have been learning lessons from the wilderness experience of the Israelite nation. In the wilderness we have a choice to make, we can die or be transformed. To be transformed, we need to learn the lessons of the wilderness and become people of faith who can obey God and fulfill His purposes in our lives and in this church.

We find that initially only a few of the Israelites wanted the presence of God near them. Most were afraid of God’s presence. They wanted Moses to go into the presence of God and hear what God had to say and then come and tell them.

Today, we find the same thing happening in the church. Most of the people want the pastor to get in the presence of God and then come preach a message to them. Most do not want to be in God’s presence themselves. Why is this the case in most churches?

First of all the presence of God includes supernatural phenomena. In our text, God’s presence on the mountain was described in frightening detail.

Exodus 19:16-19  Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.  And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.  Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.  And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.

Some think than since we live in New Testament times that things have changed but they are mistaken. On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) there was again supernatural phenomena. A loud sound, divided tongues like fire, and unlearned languages given to those present. Later in Acts 4, while praying, the place they were in was shaken by the power of God. All along there were many supernatural healings and devils cast out. In Acts 5, two people were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit.

When God’s presence comes it causes supernatural phenomena to happen.

In the early days of the Pentecostal movement there was often supernatural phenomena present. In fact, the people of that day were called “holy rollers” because some of them rolled on the floor under the power of God. Some danced and others “ran the isles.” My grandfather ran the back of the pews on one occasion.

What has happened to the supernatural phenomena? It was a manifestation of God’s presence so it seems evident that the same thing has happened to us that happened to Israel. Most of the people of Israel did not want God’s presence because of fear and withdrew to a “safe” distance.

Most of us have done the same thing. If there is any manifestation of the supernatural we are satisfied to watch at a distance and speculate about its validity. We need to be like Moses when he saw the burning bush and go closer to investigate.

There are two kinds of fear that keep us from desiring the presence of God. The first fear is a fear of God’s judgment on our sin. We know that sin cannot stand in the presence of God and are afraid of being struck dead or having some other judgment fall on us if we get too close to the presence of God.

There is great news for people with this kind of fear. We can confess our sins to God and accept Jesus’ sacrificial death for our sins and receive complete forgiveness that qualifies us to enter the presence of God. We can then “come boldly before the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16)

There is a second kind of fear that keeps us from the presence of God. This fear is that our sin will be exposed for all to see. We do not really want to forsake these kinds of sins. We have pleasure in them and enjoy them. We just don’t want others to know about them and realize the glory of God will reveal our hypocrisy to everyone.

There is only one hope for people with this second kind of fear. They must humble themselves, confess their hypocrisy, and receive forgiveness and power to forsake their sin. 

God desires to be near His people today just like He has since the beginning of creation. In the beginning, He walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. When they sinned and hid themselves, God came looking for them. He killed an animal to atone for their sin and pledged Himself to make provision for the restoration of the fellowship that had been lost. That provision is Jesus.

Jesus has been slain for our sins. He has been resurrected so we to can have eternal life. God is calling us as he called to Adam. “Adam, where are you?” Now He calls my name and your name. “Darryl, where are you?”

Let us confess our sin and come into the presence of our God. Let us enjoy His love and power without fear because of Jesus.

Let us hunger and thirst for the presence of God again in our lives and in our church. Let us not be afraid of what anyone might call us. Better to be called a “holy roller” and have the presence of God than to be called “dignified and acceptable” and not have His fellowship.

God is calling our name today.

 Let us go into His presence and let His power and love transform our lives.