Q: #30. Why is it important to seek God's presence?
A: The Bible seems to make it clear that one of the most important things to God, is finding those people who seek to be in His presence. We are told in (Ps 53:2) that God is looking down from Heaven for those who are seeking Him. (Heb 11:6) says, “God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” And, we are told in (James 4:8) “Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh to you…”
What happens when we diligently seek to draw near to God? We will have: fullness of joy (Ps 16:11), rest (Ex 33:14), not lack for any good thing (Ps 34:10), and be blessed (Ps 119:2).
The Psalms are filled with verses stressing the importance of seeking God.
(Ps 9:10) This is the generation of them that seek him, That seek thy face…
(Ps 27:4) One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
(Ps 27:8) When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
(Ps 31:20) Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence…
(Ps 42:1-2) As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee O God. (2) My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?
(Ps 51:11) Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me.
(Ps 63:1) O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee…
(Ps 73:25-28) Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon the earth that I desire beside thee. (26) My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (27) For lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. (28) But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all thy works.
(Ps 84:2) My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
(Ps 105:4) Seek the Lord, and his strength: Seek his face evermore.
(Ps 140:13) … The upright shall dwell in thy presence.
(Ps 143:6) I stretch forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Can we EVER go wrong if we are seeking to do God’s will in ALL we do? Think carefully about this. Would we sin if we are seeking God’s presence? No… In fact, sin is rebellion against God. Sin separates us from God (Isa 59:2)(Ps 66:18) (Jn 9:31)(1 Pet 3:12)(Jer 5:25). When we sin, we are running away from God, and not towards God.
(Deut 4:29) says that if you seek the Lord with all of your heart and soul, you will find Him (Also see: 2 Chr 15:2). The Lord despises those who are lukewarm towards Him (Rev 3:16). Let us fervently and passionately seek the Lord’s presence with singing (Ps 100:2), praise (Ps 22:26), thanksgiving (Ps 95:2)(Ps 100:4), rejoicing and gladness (Ps 40:16)(Ps 70:4), and trembling (Job 23:15)(Jer 5:22)(Ps 114:7). May the desire of our souls be to the remembrance of God and His name (Ps 26:8).
Most importantly, we must remember that without Jesus, we cannot stand in God’s presence at all (Jude 1:24). Jesus gave his life to pay the penalty for our sins, and allow us to spend eternity with our Lord. A life without Jesus while we are alive on this Earth, means an ETERNITY without the presence of the Lord when we die (2 Th 1:9). Please do not allow this to happen. If you have not surrendered your life to Jesus and made Him your Lord and Savior, please go here to see how you may do so today.