God invites us into His Presence. The word invite means “to request the presence or participation of.”[1] An invitation always begins with someone else. Moses had been a shepherd for 40 years in the land of Midian since his exile from Egypt. What began as a normal day with his sheep suddenly changed when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a burning bush that did not burn up.
Exodus 3:4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. 5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.[2]
Moses did not expect to encounter the Lord in a supernatural way that day. God, in His timing, invited Moses into His presence. In reverence, God asked Moses to take off his sandals. God’s presence made the area where Moses was standing holy. God invited Moses into His presence to give Moses a new assignment. Moses’ life would never be the same after his encounter with the presence of God. When God has more for us, He takes the initiative.
God Invites Us into His Presence Because He Loves Us
Our Heavenly Father invites us into His presence because He loves us more than we can imagine. When we are in His presence, He gives us great joy. Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. [3] One of the most important spiritual aspects that we can engage in is to spend time in God’s presence. When I am aware that I am connected to God, I have peace, hope and the spiritual strength that I need for whatever the day brings me.
For me, to be in God’s presence usually begins with prayer. I often feel the greatest presence of God when I am interceding for others. I regularly remember the scripture James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.[4]This is a promise that God gives us in his Word.
God’s presence is real, full of love, and completely transformational. It takes what was broken and brings healing. It satisfies the weary, brings light to the darkness, and pours out the refreshing rain of God’s love on the driest, deepest parts of the soul.
Make Time to be in God’s Presence
Scripture contains story after story of God coming down to meet God’s children where they are like our story today of Moses. He longs to make the reality of His presence known to you. He longs to refresh you with his nearness. You were created for encountering God, and you will never be satisfied until you continually live in the experience for which you were created. Allow your desires to be stirred up to encounter the living God as you read His word and spend time in prayer.
Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” [5]
To hear how God invites us into His presence, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-a-call-for-moses
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invite
[2-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.