Longing for God’s Presence - Martin Wiles

Then Moses said, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place.” Exodus 33:15 NLT

She longed for their presence: her son and husband. Both fought in a Middle Eastern war. She worried night and day, never totally focused on anything she did. What if both were killed? Or suppose they were critically injured? How would that change the life she had known?

Another time and place. Another person. She and her husband longed for the presence of their son. He had made some unwise decisions that landed him in jail. Six years had passed with only temporary visits. They longed for him to be released so he could move back home, where they could talk and visit regularly.

Moses, too, longed for God’s presence. He had agreed to God’s assignment and led God’s people out of slavery. But no sooner had they left Egypt than the rebels rebelled. While Moses received the Ten Commandments on a mountain, they lounged below and wondered what had happened to him. Additionally, they fashioned a golden calf to take God’s place. God considered annihilating them and starting over with Moses. Moses, however, interceded for the people and begged God to go with them on their journey to the Promised Land. He didn’t want to move one step if God wasn’t by his side.

Emotions can trigger our longing for God’s presence. A soul-stirring musical concert or fiery sermon can easily arouse them. We can be stirred, feel God’s presence, and be ready to take on the world for Christ. However, the danger of longing for God’s presence only when something stirs our emotions is that the feeling is typically short-lived. Though important and necessary, emotions mimic a roller coaster’s up-and-down movement.

A longing for God’s presence that results from an inner conviction that we need and want his presence is more permanent. Faith and a firm commitment will carry us farther than an emotional experience.

When we long for God’s presence, as Moses did, we strive to please him with our actions, words, and attitudes. We live a holy lifestyle, recognizing that our bodies are a temple of his presence. And we move closer to him daily, long to grasp the opportunities he sends and share him with others.

Pursue those things that will help you long even more for God’s presence.

Father, I believe you are with me always. Help me long to feel your presence with me continuously. 

Tweetable: Do you long for God's presence? 

 

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Longing for Home - Martin Wiles

He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

Longing for home can make the heart grow fonder; it can also cause it to grow callous.

Deployed soldiers know this well. Tours of duty seem forever. Years pass without them seeing their loved ones. Letters, texts, emails, and phone calls are the best they can hope for. Though technological advances have changed the scenario, they still don’t bring the loved one home.

Sadly, for some, the longing for home can sour if they receive a “Dear John” correspondence. Their loved one couldn’t stand the loneliness any longer. Or another came along and wooed them away, giving them the immediate attention they weren’t getting from the one separated from them.

A perusal of world history reveals the truth of the writer’s conclusion. God has placed a longing for eternity in our hearts. Rarely, if ever, could we locate a people group who didn’t worship something. The recognition of a higher power is prevalent. God has planted this longing in our souls so we will look beyond ourselves to him.

While I enjoy this earth, I long for something better: a new heaven and a new earth. A place where I can see and fellowship with the Savior who died for me. A place where I can meet all the saints who’ve gone before me and see my family members. No more being limited through Bible study, prayer, and listening to the Spirit. A place where all the manifestations of evil will be removed. A place where purity will reign as it did when God first created the earth.

I’ve lived in places where I didn’t feel at home. Neither should we on earth. We don’t feel at home here because we don’t belong here—at least not as it is in its current form. 

If we feel at home here—if we stop longing for what’s ahead—we’ll fall into the same trap many spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends did. We’ll look for present things to satisfy us. And they can’t. Only when we’re home will we be completely content.

Are you longing for home or living as if this is your home?

Prayer: Father, help us not to get too attached to the things of this world. 

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Christmas Far Away - Martin Wiles

Christmas Far Away

With the exception of a few months following my birth, I had always lived in South Carolina near my grandparents. But the early 1970’s ushered in a few Christmases that were far away.

Celebrating Christmas with parents that love you is enjoyable, but parents don’t normally spoil their children like grandparents do. And mine did—at least my father’s. 

My father received the disturbing news that he would soon be shipped to Taiwan. Read more...

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