Experiencing God’s Presence When Reading His Word

Last spring, at one of our Wednesday night discipleship programs, I began our discussion of God’s presence in our work from chapters 5 and 6 of my book, by asking the class, “Where or when do you experience God’s presence?”

One member sensed God’s presence in fellowship with other ladies. Another said that she prays when she wakes up in the middle of the night. One gentleman told us that he felt God’s presence while he was in Vietnam by reciting the Lord’s prayer every night. I experience nearness to God when I take long walks around the neighborhood and pray.

God’s constant presence is meant to be experienced in a variety of ways. Brother Lawrence, in his classic book, The Practice of the Presence of God wrote that it can be experienced even while he was hard at work washing dishes in the kitchen. However, without circling back to read God’s word occasionally, how can we know that our practices align with the truth? We can’t fellowship, pray, or worship if we don’t learn how to do it from the Bible.

I invite you to join me as I show how God’s Word brings us into His presence, which enables us to know Him, and teaches us how to walk with Him. The presence of God is a common thread that ties these things together.

God’s Word brings us into His presence

When I teach my class on Wednesday nights using my book, class members get to ask me questions about what I meant to say as I laid out some deep theological ideas. In the same way, when we read the holy Scriptures, we come into direct contact with the author. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were involved in writing this book. Moreover, each of them is involved now in helping us understand it. We can fellowship with each member of the Godhead when we carefully, prayerfully, and worshipfully meditate on His word.

For example, Ps. 23:4 highlights David experiencing God’s presence when he needed it most. He wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death ourselves, we can feel the same nearness to God as we read these words. Many of us have sensed God’s presence in this psalm. I know I have.

There are other passages in the Psalms and other places that move us because we can relate to them. Verses about God’s protection, wisdom, guidance, and provision come to mind. When we need help with a major decision, don’t we all look for some kind of an answer from the heart of the Father that give us confidence to make the right choice?

God’s Word enables us to know Him

When we are in the presence of God as we read His Word, God is not just revealing interesting information about Himself, He reveals to us who He is.

The truth about God is found in His infallible word, from Genesis to Revelation. This is the only source of divine truth. Those who have been given spiritual ears to hear and eyes to see through faith in Jesus Christ can read it, understand it, and know God in a personal way. Jesus stated in John 8:31-32, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jesus is the truth (John 14:6).

The third Person of the Trinity is specifically identified as the one who will help us to understand the Scriptures as we read. The key to this understanding is that the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian. Jesus said the Holy Spirit was with His disciples and would be in them (John 14:17). He would be their teacher (John 14:26). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the one who enables us to know God the Father in real time as we read the Scriptures.

Like any good teacher, the Holy Spirit not only helps us understand what we are reading, but is also aware of the timing of what we need to learn. My wife wisely observed that we may read a passage for years and see the same thing, but then one day we will read it again and will see something new. Just when we truly need it, the Spirit shines the light.

God’s Word teaches us how to walk with Him

Reading God’s word allows us to experience His presence and to know Him. More importantly, it instructs us how to live as His chosen people.

As Joshua began to lead the Israelites to the promised land after Moses died, Yahweh instructed him on the key to his success. He said, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from our mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Josh. 1:8).

James also emphasized that the goal of knowing God’s Word is to obey it. He wrote, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).

However, like most Christians who have tried to live in accordance with God’s word simply by their own human efforts, I found that I need to humble myself in complete dependance on God’s presence with me to receive the strength to obey God’s word consistently, and to be able to walk with God, abide in Christ, and be filled with the Spirit.

Closing challenge

Dwight L. Moody wisely said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” I can agree with that. When I read the Word on a regular basis, my mind and my heart are set on things above, not on things below. (See Col. 3:1.)

When I go several days without some quality quiet time, I struggle more than usual with the things of the flesh. I don’t know about you, but I imagine your experience is similar to mine. Although we will never be completely sinless in this life, we can sin less when we keep the Bible close by, and go there to be reminded of who God is and who we are in Christ. There, and only there, will we find strength to walk with God in His presence.

Russell E. Gehrlein holds a B.S from Colorado State University and an M.A. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. A retired Master Sergeant, he continues to serve the U.S. Army in a civilian capacity. He and his wife of 43 years live in Missouri and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. To discover more of his work please visit Reflections on Theological Topics of Interest.

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