Here are some faulty reasons for feeling the need for God’s presence in our worship:
* What I have experienced so far is inadequate
No. I don’t (or at least shouldn’t) need anything more in order to be content. A popular song a few years ago said, “I want to touch you, I want to see your face. I want to know you more.” This is a positive idea if it carries with it the attitude of Moses who cried to Yahweh, “show me Your glory!” Moses wanted more, though he was already speaking with God “face to face, as a man speaks with another man.” The problem comes when our longing is birthed out of dissatisfaction, or some sense of entitlement. How about a chorus that sings, “I’ve already experienced more than I could have dreamed, and if the rest of my days are a spiritual desert without any sense of your presence, I still will have received infinitesimally more than I deserve.” I’m not sure it would be a big hit…but it would contain more than a kernel of truth.
* We seek spiritual “highs” every week to sustain corporate enthusiasm, and to stay competitive in the ecclesiastical marketplace
If you’re not on staff at a church, you might think that a thought like this would only be conceived by an un-spiritual, back-slidden pastor. But this kind of thinking is out there. There are a lot of churches out there, and no leader wants to be the pastor of a church where God doesn’t show up, and lives are being radically changed. It’s a short path from wanting to experience God for the pleasure of that experience, to wanting it just for the tangible blessings of that encounter, and what those blessing might bring in.
Yes, His presence also translates into many benefits. God doesn’t promise us incredible treasures so that we will feign a false humility, reject them, and stay out in the field with the prodigal son’s brother. No, we’re invited to the dance, and we ought to, with “inexpressible and glorious joy,” step into the thrill of His blessing. “Forget not all of His benefits,” says the Psalmist. Still, whether our life with God is in dancing in the green pastures or mourning in the valley of the shadow, His presence alone is promised, and always remains…and should be enough for us.
So, why long for the presence of God?
Our longing is to be rooted in the scriptures, which give consistent testimony that the God being present among His people is His design, His pleasure, and His initiative. And, His dwelling amongst His people is, and always has been, an indispensable factor in actualizing the covenant life He calls forth.
In other words, Jesus died for our sins to make us holy – so that we could enjoy the presence and fellowship with God. How crazy is it to believe that, and then not enter into that relational experience with God?
And, God really wants us to enjoy Him! If for no other reason, we should long to be with God for His pleasure, over and above our own.
More on this tomorrow…
