We started our series on Dwelling In the presence of God in the last episode. And in
that episode we looked at what it means exactly to dwell in the presence of God. Today
we are considering the need to have that desire to be in the presence of God.
There is a need for us to desire, to crave, to want to be in the presence of God because
if we do not crave His presence, we may not really be able to abide in His presence and
and enjoy it.
In Exodus 33, Moses was having a conversation with God. And God said to Moses, “My
Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Moses said to God, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.
16  For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight,
except You go with us?”
Before this time Moses had turned down God’s promise to send an angel with His
people as a substitute. Moses rejected the presence of an angel as their guide. His
desire was that God’s presence would be with them.
Today, many Christians have replaced the hunger for God with the worship of
individuals and activities. Many Christians are so consumed with following and idolizing
men of God that they sometimes accept the philosophies of men in place of the Word of
God. Many Christians run after signs and wonders not minding the power behind such
signs that there is absolutely no hunger to dwell in the presence of God. Some
Christians are so busy with Church activities that they end up not desiring to dwell in the
presence of God. They work for God but do not work with God. Many Christians today
are satisfied with a substitute and as a result do not appreciate or desire the presence
of God. But Moses and Israel rejected an alternative because the presence of an angel
was not a good substitute for the presence of God.
Moses said in Exodus 33:15: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up
from here. In order words, if we don’t have Your presence, Lord, please, let us stay
where we are.
Accepting substitutes from the devil or man would distract us and take the place of our
thirst for dwelling in the presence of God.
Sometimes, we get so dejected with the problems of life. We feel that God is not
answering our prayers or meeting our needs, so we just decide to switch off and just
stay away from the presence of God.
Sometimes, the devil through people around us reminds us that we have failed and are
not worthy to approach the presence of God. Revelation 2:10 says that the devil
accuses the brethren before God.

But let me remind you of our teaching in Episode 54-The Writer of the Book of Hebrew
said in Hebrew 4:16, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that
we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”.
God says we should draw near to receive mercy and Grace. Grace means to receive
what we do not deserve while mercy is not to receive what we deserve. So this scripture
tells us to come to God to receive what we do not deserve. If you separate yourself from
God, out of fear, disappointment or guilt, how will you receive the forgiveness and
favours He is offering?
Some of us form the habit of being off and on in our relationships with God: studying the
Word of God and attending bible study is a serious challenge and done without
consistency. The same applies to praying and keeping a daily time of devotion. As long
as we are not consistent in these activities, we can’t grow in our desire to dwell in the
presence of God.
So If you find yourself in this condition where you lack the desire to be in the presence
of God or where you have made individuals a substitute for the presence of God. I urge
you to speak to the Holy Spirit about it.
God says you should come boldly to His presence to receive grace and mercy so just
start talking to God and reading the scriptures even if you don’t feel like doing so. Recall
God’s invitation in Revelation 3:20-I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my
voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with me. Your simple
prayer and invitation to the Holy Spirit will slowly and steadily produce a hunger and
thirst to dwell in the presence of God in your heart.
I also encourage you to pray the prayers of David in Psalms 27:4-5 and Psalm 42:1-2
as often as possible. These prayers are guaranteed to awaken a thirst for the presence
of God in you.
Psalm 27
One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of
the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in
His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret
place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
Psalms 42
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
Father may our hearts desire; pant; and thirst for your presence in Jesus Name.