"His Presence"

I sensed it long before I knew,

And through the years awareness grew,

No matter what I chose to do,

The Lord was always there.

Sometimes the breeze would die on down,

And horseback grasslands without sound,

Miles and miles from any town,

In the middle of nowhere.

I’d feel the Lord was there with me,

Though surprised He’d want to be,

My hidden secrets He could see,

But made His presence known.

Sometimes ashamed I’d stop and cry,

And other times, I don’t know why,

I’d wonder if it’s time to die,

But only love was shown.

I’d hear Him say I died for you,

I’ve always known that it was true,

But He’d repeat afresh, anew,

The cross offered His grace.

Still I ran and still He came,

In the darkness called my name,

I died for you, always the same,

A smile upon His face.

The living word always He spoke,

Offering the easy yoke,

Until my selfish will He broke,

And homesick for His peace.

Nowhere I went He didn’t go,

At long last I got in the flow,

Of love past all that I could know,

He gives the best release.

His presence now I celebrate,

His miracles are never late,

Though sometimes I have to wait,

His presence gives me life.

The One who said He died for me,

Lives within my soul, you see,

By His presence I’m set free,

From all my sin and strife.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17, NIV)

It is relatively easy to envision the Lord as the Father and the Son, but somewhat more challenging to imagine the Holy Spirit. Yet He is the part of God that relates to us in this time/space dimension. We can say God is present because the Holy Spirit is present with us. The Scriptures point to the fact that the Spirit is, and has always been, with us. The psalmist said that he could not get away from the Spirit, even if he made his bed in hell. The Spirit is with us, and will give us freedom if we receive Him and the truth He tells us about Jesus. His presence becomes our life.

Lord, help us to expect, receive, and cooperate with Your presence, in Jesus’ name.

Art by R.S. Riddick, used by permission. Thanks, Mr. Riddick, and God bless you.