October 22, 2023
Series: Serving God In Our Time
Message: Serving God When He’s Hard to Find
Psalm 139:7-12
Jer. 23:23 – I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth?
Acts 17:28 – He is not far from us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.
Fact: God is always with me, I just need to recognize.
How God’s Presence Benefits My Life
1. When I am lonely God’s presence is my Companion.
Psalm 25:16 – Turn to me Lord and be merciful, because I am lonely.
Heb. 13:5 – God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!
John 14:5 – I call you friends.
Psalm 16:11 – (David) your presence fills me with joy.
Benefit: God’s presence cheers me up.
2. When I am worried God is my Confidence.
Isa. 43:2-3- When you go through deep waters and great troubles, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you won’t drown! When you walk through the fires of oppression, you won’t be burned up.
Psalm 16:8-9- I am always aware of the Lord’s presence. He is near, and nothing can shake me. I’m so thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure.
Benefit: God’s presence calms me down.
Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
3. When I am tempted God is my Counselor.
II Cor. 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Benefit: God’s presence helps me out.
Job 13:27 – You (God) keep a close watch on all my paths.
4. When I am discouraged, God is my Comforter.
Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to those who are discouraged. He saves those who have lost hope.
(The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.)
Psalm 116:8-11 – The Lord stopped my tears and kept me from defeat. So I walk in the presence of the Lord, I kept on believing, even when I said, I’m completely crushed and even when I was afraid and said, No one can be trusted.
Benefit: God’s presence sees me through.
How to Practice God’s Presence:
Rev. 3:20 Invite Jesus into your life.
Psalm 46:10 Be quiet.
I Thes. 5:17 Talk to God about everything.
Psalm 100:4 Develop the habit of praise.