Experiencing His Presence
Throughout the days of Saul, we paid no regard to it. – 1 Chronicles 13:3
1 Chronicles 13:1-4
David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army. Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: “If you approve and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pasturelands.
Let us invite them to come and join us. It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”
The whole assembly agreed to this, for the people could see it was the right thing to do.
Understanding the Presence of the Lord
The phrase “The presence of the Lord” signifies a profound and personal experience that evokes awe, reverence, peace, and a close spiritual connection. The “presence of the Lord” often refers to a heightened awareness or a tangible sense of His nearness.
The Presence of God in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God’s presence was closely associated with sacred spaces such as the Tabernacle and the Temple, where His people could experience it in a tangible way. These locations served as a strong reminder of His dwelling among the Israelites. Some specific examples of God’s presence include:
- Exodus 19:16-18: “On the morning of the third day, thunder roared, and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.”
- Exodus 40:34-35: “Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.”
- 2 Chronicles 6:1-2: “Then Solomon prayed, ‘O Lord, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness. Now I have built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever!’”
These moments show the special ways God’s presence was revealed among the Israelites.
God’s Omnipresence and Manifest Presence
God’s Omnipresence refers to His existence everywhere at all times. As the Creator, God is not confined by space or time, and there is no place where His presence is absent. In contrast, the Manifest Presence of God refers to specific moments when God makes His presence tangibly known to individuals or groups.
His omnipresence is constant and unseen, encompassing all of creation at all times. In contrast, His manifest presence is a purposeful and often profound revelation of Himself, where He draws near in a tangible way. This is when God’s presence becomes unmistakable, deeply personal, and transformative. For the children of the King, it is often an intimate expression of His love, bringing comfort, reassurance, and a profound sense of connection.
The Tragedy of Rejecting God’s Presence
When people neglect to love God or cultivate a personal relationship with Him, they also fail to seek His presence. This reality is painfully evident in the life of King Saul. Although chosen to lead Israel as its king, Saul lacked both love for God and a desire to draw near to Him. To Saul, God was of little significance, and he made no effort to invite Him into his life or to build a relationship with Him.
In stark contrast, God yearns to be close to His children. His love for them is deep, everlasting, and unwavering. His love is rooted in a strong desire for an intimate relationship with them. Saul’s story serves as a sad example of unrequited love, freely and abundantly offered by the Father but rejected by His creation.
A Leader’s Legacy of Neglect
Dutch Sheets powerfully expresses the sorrow of this situation: “What a sad epitaph for a leader: ‘The presence of God was not sought after during his reign.’ And what sad days those must have been for the Lord.”
Pause for a moment and imagine, visualize how God the Father felt. Each of us has experienced some form of rejection from those we really care about. What would it be like to be the most loving and compassionate being in existence, yet be spurned? Can you imagine the agony, grief, and sorrow that He might have experienced?
REFLECT & PRAY
It only takes one generation that fails to know the God of the Bible to create a society that completely disregards Him. When God is pushed aside, society becomes loveless, lawless, and cold, metaphorically throwing Him onto the garbage heap of history.
Father, thank You for loving me with an unconditional, eternal love. Strengthen my heart to seek Your presence and to experience the fullness of Your love.
INSIGHT
The Fatherhood and Motherhood of God
Numerous metaphors and illustrations are used to describe the relationship between God and believers. These include examples such as shepherd and sheep, vine and branches, head and body, bride and bridegroom, and husband and wife. However, the most prevalent and profound metaphor is that of the Father-child relationship. The Scriptures highlight God’s role as a Father.
Less known is that He is also portrayed as a caring Mother. Just as a mother loves, comforts, and cares for her children, the eternal God watches over and considers each child of the King in His Forever Family (Isaiah 66:13).
God’s Unwavering Presence
In moments of despair, isolation, or loneliness, it is easy for people to feel abandoned and say, “The Lord has forsaken me.” Nothing could be further from the truth. God’s connection to His people is compared to a mother’s innate bond with her infant child, an attachment that is instinctive, natural, and permanent.
As noted in The NET Bible, “The Lord has an innate attachment to Zion, just like a mother does for her infant child. But even if mothers were to abandon their children suddenly, the Lord would never forsake Zion. In other words, the Lord’s attachment to Zion is like a mother’s attachment to her infant child, but even stronger.”
The Nature of Mother-Love
A mother’s love is limitless, unconditional, and enduring. A child does not need to earn or deserve their mother’s love. Mother-love is selfless and flows naturally from the bond between mother and child. It transcends the child’s personality, traits, or circumstances. Mother-love is not something a child earns; it is given freely because of who the child is, not what they do.
God has designed mothers with an instinctive love bond that forms immediately, often beginning when the mother learns she is pregnant. However, this bond peaks at the moment of birth. Mothers possess a natural instinct to nurture and protect their children with unwavering devotion.
God’s Love: Beyond Human Limitations
While it is possible for a mother to neglect or mistreat her child, such instances are tragic exceptions rather than the rule. However, our King would never do this! God’s love is perfect and unchanging.
The Father reassures His people of His steadfast love by comparing Himself to a compassionate mother. This analogy portrays Israel as a nursing child, fully dependent on its mother. Just as a devoted mother would never abandon her child, the Lord remains faithful, pouring out His divine motherly love that surpasses even the strongest human bonds.
Isaiah 49:15-16:
“Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
God’s Love: A Father’s Strength and a Mother’s Compassion
Understanding the depth of God’s love reveals a perfect balance of two complementary qualities: the protective strength of a Father and the nurturing tenderness of a Mother. This dual imagery highlights the limitless nature of His care, portraying a love that is both strong and deeply compassionate.
God’s fatherly love embodies strength, guidance, and unwavering protection, offering His children a foundation of security and stability. Simultaneously, His motherly love reflects gentleness, comfort, and attentive care, meeting the needs of His people with tender compassion.
Together, these dual aspects of divine love form an unbreakable bond that remains constant despite human flaws and life’s uncertainties.
The presence of God is not merely a theological concept but a transformative reality. When we grasp the magnitude of His love, it becomes evident why seeking His presence is so vital. In His presence, we experience the fullness of His care, the security of His protection, the tender embrace of His compassion, and the unshakable assurance of His eternal love.
Psalms 16:11: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 