The above text promises that the Lord's presence is within all those who open the door of their hearts. If you have done that, you can be sure that the Lord is not only with you, but in you. He has made your heart a home, a dwelling place, a temple and it is so that you might enjoy God's presence. What greater guest could anyone have in his or her house? No one will ever regret that his body has become a house for the Lord. Rather, all those who have opened their hearts and lives to the Lord will enjoy God's presence, and we call this having communion and fellowship with Lord God. That idea is expressed in the above text where the result of the Lord entering into a man is that he can then dine with the Lord in his inner being. How few professing Christians enjoy this glorious communion! What delights are they missing out on!
The etymology of the word "enthusiasm" means "God within." One of the names of the Lord Jesus Christ is "Immanuel" which means "God with us." Is God within you? How can you know that God's presence is with you and in you? Do Scriptures enter your mind? Do you sense God's presence when you read the Bible?
God In Your Thoughts?
"The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts." (Psa. 10: 4 nkjv)
The lost do not have God dwelling in their thoughts. The saved do have God dwelling in their thoughts. It is in our meditations upon the Lord and his word that we joyously experience God's presence. It is when the believer is in deep thought about the Lord that God's presence becomes very real, a time when he can sense the presence of the Lord. If you want to discern God's presence, then begin thinking upon him regularly throughout your day.
God In Your Praises
"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." (Psa. 22: 3 kjv)
Not only can we be sure of God's presence when we are meditating upon God and his word, but also when we are praising him sincerely and in truth.
God In Your Humble Spirit
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isa. 57: 15 kjv)
God is far away from the proud in heart. However, he dwells with the humble and meek. If you would enjoy and realize God's presence, then you must begin with inviting him into your heart, and by daily meditating upon his word, and by daily praising him.
Notice these words of the Lord Jesus:
"Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14: 23 nkjv)
If you want the Father, the Son, and the Spirit to dwell within you, begin by opening the door of your heart to him, and by meditating upon his word, and by keeping his word.
Every believer has the same promise that God made to his servant Moses.
"And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exo. 33: 14 nkjv)
Make your heart and home a dwelling for the Lord. Make him the guest there. His presence will sustain and bless you.
Sometimes even those who have God dwelling within them lose sight of God, cannot sense his presence as in previous times. But, God has never left, for he has said "I will never leave you." (Heb. 13: 5) However, he may withdraw his immediate felt presence so that you may be disciplined. In such times, a believer should return to prayer and praise, and he will then find that God will return as before.
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