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Our gracious Lord invites His children to fellowship with Him.  He is pleased when we seek His presence.  King David in Psalm 27 marveled at God’s desire for fellowship with him: “When Thou saidst, ‘Seek ye My face;’ my heart said unto Thee, ‘Thy face, O LORD, will I seek’” (v. 8). 

To the psalmist, seeking the Lord’s presence was a delightful exercise, not  a burdensome duty.  He yearned to commune with the Lord all the days of his life:  “One thing have I desired of  the LORD, that will I seek after; 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 enquire in His temple.   5  For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock” (Ps. 27: 4-5).  In verse 5, the psalmist could be alluding to the ancient custom of offenders who used to flee to the altar for refuge from their pursuers (I Ki. 1: 50; 2: 28).

Indeed, the mercy-seat is the Christian’s safe haven where nothing earthly can assault.  Here, the child of God can enjoy quietness and calm.   Before the Father’s throne,  “troubles would not find him, for he should be hid in secret; there troubles would not reach him, for he should be set on high” – Matthew Henry.  Deep truths from God’s Word are brought to mind to comfort and edify the soul and to sustain him in the perplexities of life.

Communion with God - the secret of true rest

In this world of strife and sorrow, fear and distress, there is only one way to quieten our heart.  The secret of peace or strength is found only in the presence of God: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91: 1).  We may have to face the storms of life but when we learn to come apart and rest in the Lord, He eases our burdens and gives us the innate peace that passeth all understanding.  God provides His overshadowing Presence under which we rest secure and comforted.

Communion with God – the divine means of grace

While our body will one day perish, the soul – that “inner man” – can be sustained only by prayer and the Word of God.   Neglect these means of grace, and we become spiritually weak and lean.  No wonder there are so many in our churches who are spiritually impoverished!  Many are so ensnared with the demands of everyday life that they forget these divine providences of grace so freely available to us.

It is vital, therefore, that we commune daily in secret with the Lord.  We need Him to refresh our soul and revive our weary spirit.  Only by seeking the Lord’s presence can we be enabled to live a blessed life.   If we seek Him with all our heart, we are sure to find Him for “He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11: 6).

Communion with God – can be “seen” by others

In the Book of Acts, we read about the healing of the lame beggar by Peter and John.  Some of those present - the high priest, rulers and scribes - were hostile to Christianity.  They realised that the disciples were not ordinary people, but the followers of Christ:  “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.  And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it” (Acts 4: 13-14).  These enemies “could say nothing” but acknowledged that “they (the disciples) had been with Jesus.”  These statements are significant as they reiterate the importance of spending time with the Lord. 

Seeking God’s presence made that distinctive difference in the life and ministry of the early disciples.  They gave “evidence” that they had seen the Lord, been with Him, heard Him, and were convinced that He was the Messiah.  Though “unlearned and ignorant” they were taught by the best of teachers for three years – Christ Himself. 

“Those that have been with Jesus, in converse and communion with Him, have been attending on His word, praying in His name, and celebrating the memorials of His death and resurrection, should conduct themselves, in every thing, so that those who converse with them may take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus.  … One may know that they have been in the mount by the shining of their faces” – Matthew Henry.

Communion with God – a non-negotiable duty

Time with God is non-negotiable.  We must keep our daily appointment with Him.  Brethren, let us take time to be with the Lord.   Do not allow the activities of the day to crowd Him out.  Remember, there is enough time in each day for everything that is in the will of God.  May the Lord help us as we draw nigh unto Him.     
(… to be continued)                                                                                            

- Pastor