Introduction
As we near the end of our week on living an unveiled lifestyle, we’re going to take time today to discover and reflect on the omnipresence of God. The tearing of the veil at Jesus’ death tells us that God’s presence is no longer contained to a specific place, but wholly available. In fact Scripture tells us that we’re now the temple of God’s Spirit, that God’s presence is with us. May you have a profound sense of God’s nearness today as we look at the incredible availability of God’s presence.
Scripture
“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars.” PSALM 84:3
Worship
Breathe / What A Friend I’ve Found | Hillsong Worship
Devotional
The presence of our God is everywhere. He moves, lives, breathes, and works all around us. Psalm 84:3 declares the extensiveness of our heavenly Father’s presence in saying, “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars.” Psalm 84 proclaims that even the birds of the air find their home before the altars of the almighty, living God. Even the birds of the air come before God’s presence as they lay their young in the canopies. The psalm begs the question: if the birds come before their Creator while simply existing here on Earth, how much more available is the presence of our heavenly Father to us, his children? How much farther does his hand reach to us who are now covered by the powerful sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ?
There is nowhere we can run to and escape God’s reach. David writes in Psalm 139:7-12, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” The God of all comfort, of all mercy, of all forgiveness, and of all love surrounds you right now. And as a child of God, his Spirit now dwells within you.
Prior to Jesus’ death, God’s people did not have constant access to the fullness of his presence. The nature of his holiness and our sin created an insurmountable crevasse between us and him. But through Jesus’ death, we now have access to God’s nearness any time, any place. The veil between God and us has been torn, and we can now live our lives constantly experiencing the manifest presence of our heavenly Father.
Where do you need God’s presence to fill you today? Where do you need comfort, peace, or patience? Where do you need to be loved, held, liked, or wanted? Your heavenly Father is waiting to run out to meet you as the father did with the prodigal son. He’s waiting to throw you a party where you are his guest of honor. He loves you, likes you, wants you, and now, he has you. There is no better experience in life than connecting directly with your heavenly Father. May you open your heart and experience all that he longs to pour out over you today as you spend time encountering him in prayer.
Prayer
1. Meditate on the omnipresence of God. Renew your mind to the availability of his tangible presence.
“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars.” Psalm 84:3
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.”Psalm 139:7-12
2. Now ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his presence around you. Ask him to show you his face. Ask him how he feels about you and what he wants to do in, around, and through you today. Open your heart and mind to him. Tear down any walls you have built up between you and him.
3. Rest in the glorious presence of your heavenly Father. Take time to allow his presence to go deeper and deeper. Ask him to make you increasingly aware of his goodness and nearness.
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!” Psalm 84:1-4
Go
We are created for direct connection with our heavenly Father. Experiencing him is meant to be our lifeblood. Walking and talking with him is the absolute most important part of life. From this type of relationship with God comes purpose, ability, grace, and love for others. This connection is what fuels us to live life here fulfilled, satisfied, empowered, and open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Fight for your relationship with God above all else. Let nothing come before time spent with your heavenly Father in experiencing his goodness. May you live, breathe, move, and work in the presence of God today.
Extended Reading: Psalm 84 or watch The Bible Project’s video on Psalms.