Experiencing God
- Tyler Edge
- Jun 24, 2024
- 4 min read
Why is it that we tend to be so prone to only experiencing the presence of the Lord in the big moments? If polled, I imagine much of today's church would say they tend to feel the presence of God more during a loud worship session, or in front of a charismatic teacher than they would be to find His presence during their quiet time at home in their Bible reading. I think this is an issue. I do not find an issue in the way one feels the presence of God, but I do find an issue when it seems to be only in the loud and exciting. I am not certain exactly as to why this is, but I do have a theory.
I think we have been trained, be it by society, be it by concert style worship, or simply be it by personal preference to only believe that God makes Himself known in loud and miraculous ways! I think this belief is subconscious, I would imagine most people aren’t aware of this, but I do believe many people feel this way.
However, as we see in the Bible, that is not always the case! You will find that we have both. There are the exciting examples such as Saul when he is struck with blindness, or with Jonah and the massive whale! These are miraculous, these are loud! However, there are times when God does not choose to show up in this way. For example, Elijah.
1 Kings 19
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
In this story where Elijah is struggling with doubt and fear, God tells him to go and wait on His presence. It's important to understand that within the context of this story, Elijah had just seen God in a big and exciting way. Elijah called out to God and God incinerated the very dust on which the sacrifice was laid. Now just a short time after we see him in despair. I think it is fair to say that Elijah probably expected God in a very big way, based on what he had just experienced at Mt. Carmel, but the Bible takes care to show it was not that at all. God was not in the powerful wind, He was not in the earthquake, He was not in the fire, He was in a small and quiet voice.
In this moment God did not come to Elijah in the way he more than likely expected it, He came to Elijah in the way He wanted to. As it was with Elijah so too must it be with us, that no matter how God chooses to make Himself known to us, it is enough. We cannot focus simply on the extraordinary, always seeking the next "spiritual high". The simple fact of the matter is that any and all interaction with God is miraculous. Is a late night spent in prayer good enough for you? Is a quiet morning spent digging into God's word enough to satiate your spiritual appetite? Or do you crave the extraordinary? Because if you do, I would challenge you to make certain your interest is for the Lord, and not for the experiences you hope He will give to you.
This is both biblical, and it is practical. I have received the question so many times from despondent believers asking, "why do I not feel the presence of God". Or, "why does God not answer when I pray". I always in turn ask them what sort of a response they are expecting, and most of the time it is in some miraculous and "loud" way. In my experience most if not all of Gods answers in my life have been quiet, and they rely on me simply being aware and open to His guidance. If we always rely on the loud, we run the risk of becoming saddened and depressed when God comes in the quiet.
In Conclusion
All interaction with God is miraculous. Be it the miraculous "loud" or the still miraculous "quiet". We must always be open to God moving in the way He chooses, not the ways we demand of Him. If we pray, and we pray that His will be done, and we patiently wait for an answer in whatever capacity He sees fit, He will answer.
Do not be discouraged! Some people are so obsessed with the idea of "feeling His presence" when they cannot even explain what that means! If you desire to feel God's presence then find it in His Word. Or find it in genuine prayer pleaing with Him to align the desires of your heart with the desires of His. Pray that His will be done not your own. Worship Him in the quiet of your house. God is available even in the quiet, not just the loud and flashy.
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
& sometimes we need to quiet the noise to be able to hear Gods still small voice.