Because this book, Tea Time With God, mentions the presence of God countless times, let’s discuss what that means.
Both in the Old and New Testaments, we find many places where God’s presence is symbolized. I won’t take for granted that each of you will take the time to look up scriptures I post, so the first one I will include now to show its importance.
Exodus 40:34-35 – The Cloud and the Glory
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
God’s glory is unmatched to anything you can comprehend! His presence can be so overwhelming that you cannot stand in His glory!
Look at some other examples of God’s presence listed in His Word:
- A smoking oven and a burning torch – Genesis 15:17
- Cloud by day and fire by night – Exodus 13:21-22; Numbers 9:15-23
- Cloud – Exodus 19:9, 16; Exodus 33:9-10; Exodus 34:5-6; Luke 9:34
- Fire, burning bush – Exodus 3:2; Deuteronomy 4:35-36
- Fire – 1 Kings 18:38-39
- Trumpet, Fire and Earthquake – Exodus 19:16-20
- At Pentecost, the roaring of a mighty windstorm and tongues of fire upon every head – Acts 2:2-3
In Exodus 34, Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights, fasting. This is when he obtained the second set of Ten Commandments from God because he had previously broken the first set. When Moses went back to the Israelites, his face shined with the glory of God.
Exodus 34:29-35 – The Shining Face of Moses
29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. 35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.
Glory to God for this next passage!
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
12 Since we know that this new glory will never go away, we can preach with great boldness, 13 and not as Moses did, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelis could not see the glory fade away.
14 Not only Moses’ face was veiled, but his people’s minds and understanding were veiled and blinded too. Even now when the Scripture is read it seems as though Jewish hearts and minds are covered by a thick veil, because they cannot see and understand the real meaning of the Scriptures. For this veil of misunderstanding can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings their hearts are blind and they think that obeying the Ten Commandments is the way to be saved.
16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord from his sins, then the veil is taken away. 17 The Lord is the Spirit who gives them life, and where he is there is freedom from trying to be saved by keeping the laws of God. 18 But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.
When Jesus went to pray before His crucifixion, The Living Bible version says, “His face began to shine”.
Luke 9:29 – 29 And as He was praying, His face began to shine, and His clothes became dazzling white and blazed with light.
The story continues with God’s presence being confirmed in a cloud,
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
I have personally witnessed glory clouds on several occasions in our midst. One hovered over the area where my husband was being water baptized. Another one hovered over the church where the youth group was praying, then worshipping and praising God. Upon visually seeing that cloud for themselves, those youth fell on their faces in reverence to the Lord! Both times, what we witnessed were not clouds from the sky. The glory clouds we saw were see-thru. The one over the water circled us, but the one over the church was stationery.
God may use dramatic methods in our lives for us to identify His presence, or He may speak in gentle whispers. In either way, He is always near to us. You will feel the warmth of His embrace and His presence when you are searching and seeking for Him, whether you are praying, reading His Word, worshipping or praising Him. When you do, let Him fill you with His Spirit, allow Him to speak to you, love on you, heal your hurts, restore your soul. Experiencing His Presence in special ways causes us to want to stay in His presence and it always leaves us with His peace. The more intimate you become with our Father, the sweeter His presence becomes!
I will end with this encouragement from Moses:
Deuteronomy 4:9 – “But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen God doing for you. May His miracles have a deep and permanent effect upon your lives! Tell your children and your grandchildren about the glorious miracles He did.
May we never keep God to ourselves, but share Him with the world, that they may glory in His presence also!!!
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Let us encourage one another and share some ways you have experienced God’s glorious presence?
