Present God, Our God

by Laura Springer

Key Passages: Deuteronomy 6.4-‬9; Haggai 2.5-9; 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 2 Corinthians 5.1-5]; Ephesians 1.3-14; 2:19-22; Philippians 4.6-7

Key Idea: Because God is present with and for his people, starting now as the indwelling Spirit and continuing eternally in our face-to-face presence with Father, Son, and Spirit, those who trust him can live with courage and generosity.

God is present with his people, for God the Spirit lives in each and all who trust Jesus. He is with us now and through eternity. Because he is in us, our bodies are temples where God is worshiped. Because God is among us, we together are God's building.

God is present for his people as our strong protector and capable carer. He gives us the courage to come to him and rest and forms us from the inside out to dwell in his presence forever. He has covenanted to be our one God and make us his one people. Therefore, he blesses us beyond measure and comforts us beyond understanding. His affection for us spills out in our affection for one another and our care for the world.

God is present with and for us right now. He abides in us, so we need not wait to abide in God. He is right here to comfort and correct, to guide and restore. We can do whatever ministry assignments he has given us, for he equips us with capacity and opportunity. We can become the people he has called us to be, for he will bring salvation to its glorious end.

Best of all, the presence of God that starts now continues forever and gets better, for all who trust God will live face-to-face with Father, Son, and Spirit forever. No matter what is happening in our moments, our end is sure, and that end is a life of love and service in God's direct presence.

So, let us come to him and rest in him as stained imagers bringing blunt mutterings and messy whole-self abiding. We need not and cannot clean ourselves up. We come just as we are, deciding day by day, and sometimes moment by moment, to live in his direction. So, let us keep choosing to direct our minds, will, and emotions toward his glory and by his grace. Let us rest in his ability and do our work without fear. Let us give of ourselves generously; his presence supplies everything we need.

Who writes Academy? Laura has an MDiv in Christian Education, a ThM in Systematic Theology, and a PhD in Educational Studies. She also serves TFB as a guitarist (primarily) and singer in TFB's worship band.