LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Life has been extremely busy lately. It seems like I always have something that is taking me away from just spending quality time with my wife. That’s why this week is so nice because we are on a long trip together.  In my old age I have realized something incredible – all I really want is her presence, and that’s all she ever wants from me. Just knowing she is always there for me is all I need to motivate every other aspect of my day. What is most meaningful and most memorable to me is her presence.

Just like it should be with our Lord.

When we get up every morning and plan our day, do we spend some time in the presence of the Lord, or do we need something special to happen during the day to think that God is present?

When we make our plans to go to church on Sunday, what are we really looking for? Special music? A special guest speaker? A special time of worship? A special attraction within the service like a drama or testimony? Or is the simple yet incredible presence of God sufficient?

In two New Testament passages the Apostle Paul makes a wonderful point about the Body of Christ  – wherever it is, God is present.

Colossians 1:27 “To the saints God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

Wherever two or more of the saints are gathered in the Name of Jesus, God dwells there. But wait, there’s more. He’s not just present, He lives there. He is active and moving and working.  When two Christians come together for any purpose, God has an eternal investment in that moment.

WOW! That should change our perspective on fellowship and the church. It certainly should change our attitudes of me-ism: those attitudes that demand something special for ourselves for the event to have had any lasting impact or significance. What has happened to our relationship with God when we demand something bigger and better to prove its significance? What happened to the true test of maturity and security in a relationship – presence?

Denise has always desired my presence more than any activity.  I have learned the value of that. Take away all the trips and gifts and special events, but do not take away your presence from me.

Can we say that about our relationship with God? Can we honestly say to God, “Take away all of the music, all of the preaching, all of the ministries of the church, and all of the special events, but do not take away Your presence from me?”

That was David’s prayer following the confession of his sin of adultery in which he wanted something more special than what he already had. He said in Psalms 51:10-12, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Let this be true of us in our spiritual lives – there is nothing more special than God’s presence. That alone is what sustains us.

Pastor John