Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16:11
Today’s verse says to seek God’s presence. God is omnipresent, meaning He’s everywhere (Jeremiah 23:23-24). So why seek Him? The Bible reveals different aspects of God’s presence. His manifest presence or glory showed up at Solomon’s dedication of the temple to the point where the priests could not stand (2 Chronicles 5:14). There’s corporate presence. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). There’s a personal relational presence. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
From Adam and Eve to Abraham, to Israel, to believers in Jesus, throughout history God has been raising up a people for Himself. Author and theology professor, J. Ryan Lister writes, “First, the Bible makes clear that the presence of God is a central goal in God’s redemptive mission. All of God’s work ends with the Lord dwelling with man. And second, the presence of God is, not only an objective, it is also the means by which the redemptive mission is fulfilled. God writes himself into his own story to bring salvation. To understand our Bibles and how it changes us, we need to know God’s presence.”
What an amazing invitation. The Creator of Heaven and Earth desires to have fellowship with you. Like today’s verse says, seek the Lord and His strength and His presence. Thank Him for this desire He has to fellowship with His people. Bring Him your cares and concerns and those of the United States. And remember, in your weaknesses He rises in strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Today’s Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
