The tears streamed down my face. I was anchored to the pew. Ashamed. Others walked casually, chatting with their friends as they left the meeting. I couldn’t move. My friend sat silently next to me. Waiting. Waiting. Eventually she whispered, awareness is huge! 

It was a God-moment. I had heard His voice, His love, His invitation through the speaker that evening. God was present in the midst of my hard realization; and I was undone.

Awareness is huge!

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.
So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:8

The wind of the Spirit blew with hurricane force into my heart that evening . His presence met me and I’ve not been the same since.

The theme, the truth of God’s presence, is evident in every person Luke highlights in his “orderly account … that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”
(Luke 1:3 and 4)

Zechariah – The wind of the Holy Spirit through the angel Gabriel confronted Zechariah in the sanctuary — a place one would expect to experience God’s presence. That day Zechariah’s expectation as he entered the temple of the Lord was that he would fulfill his responsibility as a priest and burn incense. He was not expecting a visit from Gabriel. But God was there. God was present in the temple. (Luke 1:8-12)

Elizabeth – “After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived … ‘Thus the Lord has done for me …” (Luke 1:24 and 25) The Message rendition says, “This is how God acts …” Elizabeth was aware of the source of her pregnancy, her blessing, her answer to prayer, her long desire. Elizabeth was aware of God’s presence in a highly unlikely situation. The wind of the Holy Spirit met her on her marriage bed.

Mary – Gabriel’s first words to Mary, a young teen, were “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28) Although these words worried her and caused her to wonder, Mary listened and received Gabriel’s words. She believed. With Mary, Gabriel first affirmed her identity – favored one, or greatly loved one. He then reminded her of God’s presence.

God shows up and makes his presence known in the unexpected.

“… The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:6
“… And surely I am with you always …” Matthew 28:20
“… Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you …: Deuteronomy 31:8
(All scriptures from the NIV.)

The rock of God’s presence is not dependent upon my believing in the midst of those seemingly impossible, very hard circumstances — God keeps the promise of His presence in His court. It is based on His character and His promises.

Ruth Chou Simons prays, “Your presence is not a feeling, but true companionship in Christ… we are held by the promise of Your Word: We are never alone.” (Emmanuel, page 47)

When I practice the rock of dormancy, God reminds me of the rock of His presence.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, December 2022.

 

Next week – The Rock of Certainty.