Earlier this week my family and I returned from vacationing a few days in the warmer climate of central Florida. As soon as I pulled into the driveway, I dropped everyone off and drove over to the vet where we boarded our sweet old dog Rosie for these few days. Rosie appreciated the boarding since the temperatures here dropped into the teens some of those nights.
As I waited in the vet’s office, I heard the door open and saw Rosie coming through on leash with one of the attendants. I gave a soft high whistle that she instantly recognized. Her tail wagged furiously as she made it through another door to get to me. I took the leash and escorted her to the van. Rosie seemed to relish familiar territory again, on the leash behind her master and jumping into a van that carried her on many a short trip. Arriving home, Rosie moved instinctively and purposely across the yard and porch she knows so well. Sight and smell satisfied this happy dog.
What does this have to do with God’s will? Let me make a stretch and say that what Rosie experienced was like knowing God’s presence in our lives. In unfamiliar territory, the dog could not perceive her master’s presence. She was calm since the master led her there, and then she was happy because the master returned. Once again with us, she knew our presence meant security. We feed her, we shelter her, we take care of her.
Is this not what our Lord God does for us? How often have you paused to sense His presence with you? This is an essential step to knowing God’s will, that is, to know His presence, to know His provision, to know His care. These are all exhibited in His attributes. A study of His omnipresence should occupy a large part of your time in the Word so that you begin to understand how God works and what His presence means to us. For example, Psalm 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help. Ever present, I like that.
There have been times when I have wondered about the Lord’s presence. But the wonder really took on the wrong perspective when I doubted His presence. I do sense His presence when I read Scripture, when I pray, when my thoughts turn to the Lord. But further, I sense His presence when I am involved in just the daily acts of living. There may be times when my thoughts turn from God, but I always return to a consciousness of His presence.
Ask God to reveal His presence to you. Just like in Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”
