Jan 21 — Reverence of Desiring God's Continual Presence

Isaiah 58:2e (NKJV) — … They take delight in approaching God.

Isaiah 58:2e (YLT) — The drawing near of God they desire:

“I love, I love Your presence.”  We sing it on Sunday mornings with lots of passion.  This is nothing new.  There are several psalms (Psalms 120-134) that are termed Psalms of Ascents.  There are different thoughts on what that means but one is that they were songs to sing while on the way to celebrate before God at His temple.  “In His presence is fullness of joy.”  In the context of all of verse 2 and the whole chapter, the question is why I delight to approach Him.  Is it self-seeking?  I may love His presence, but does He?  Does He delight in my approach?

This portion of the verse can also be translated to indicate that the people of God want Him to draw near.  It would fit with the previous part where we want Him to come pass judgements.  There are times I want God to come near so that in His presence I will be healed, delivered or renewed.  The Orthodox Jewish Bible says that they seem eager for revival.  God’s tangible presence coming near is a definite component for a revival.  Do I seek a revival so that His Name might be given due status and glory?  Do I seek a revival so that I can be proved right?  All of the sacrifices and ridicule I have endured will then seem worth it because of a revival.  However, then a revival becomes about my name and not His.

Either way, whether approaching Him or wanting Him to approach us, what do I expect from the presence of God?  How do I expect God to manifest Himself?  If I expect Him to make me feel loved and lovely, will I accept His holy, terrible, fearful presence?  Most encounters with the presence of God involve falling on your face.  Even seeing Jesus in His glory can cause you to fall down as though dead.  We need the presence of God but we have to accept His appearance as He wants it to be.

Lord, I seek to draw near to You and that You would draw near to me.  I have loved encountering Your presence but also realize I know nothing of the fullness of Your presence.  I need a revival for Your Name’s sake.  The world needs to encounter Your tangible presence and it starts with me having that encounter.  Forgive me for thinking what I have experienced is something greater than it is.  We seek Your presence and Your glory.  Come Lord Jesus.

[Also meditate on: Ps. 16:11; Ez. 1; Mt. 17:1-8; Jn. 5:1-16; 1 Co. 1:26-31; Jas. 4:7-10; Rev. 1:12-18]