At Home in God's Presence

'Lord, through all the generations You have been our home!...' Psalm 90:1 NLT

Yesterday we looked at imitating Christ. Paul says that you have been 'predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.' (Romans 8:29 NRS) Such a lifestyle is promised, but it's not guaranteed. Following Gods word and having relationship with Christ take some effort but at the end of a hard day doesn't it feel good to go home to a place you know-a place where you can kick off your shoes, run around in your bathrobe and not worry about what anybody thinks. And reverently speaking, God's presence can become equally comfortable to you too. With time, you can learn to go there for strength, for protection, and for guidance. God wants you to be at home in His presence and aware of His nearness at all times. We think of God as a deity to discuss instead of a place to dwell, but God wants us to see Him as the One in whom '...we live and move and have our being...' (Acts 17:28 NIV) When God led the children of Israel through the wilderness, He didn't just show up once a day and then disappear. No, the pillar of fire was present with them all night and the cloud of smoke was present with them all day. God never leaves us. Jesus promised, '...I am with you always...' (Matthew 28:20 NIV) The Psalmist said, 'The one thing I ask of the Lord-the thing I seek most-is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life...' (Psalm 27:4 NLT) 'That's nice,' you say. 'I'd love to live in God's house too, but I'm stuck in the real world.' No, just the opposite; you are just one decision away from your Father's presence. You don't need to change your address-just your perception. Wherever you go today, whatever you face today, remind yourself: 'He is with me!' You are loved!