Desiring His Presence

God’s presence as Creator sustains all creation and remains personal and active—God wills and acts to be present to every creature at every moment. However, the divine presence we can be aware of is always particular —God meets individuals and communities in specific ways. God may be present with individuals in their ongoing life, in the pillar of cloud and fire guiding the Israelites, or in the tabernacle and temple where sacrifices enabled his people to enter his holy presence.

The New Testament centers on Jesus Christ as Immanuel, “God with us,” the primary manifestation of God’s presence. After the incarnation, the enduring form of God’s presence with his people is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, present and active within believers. Believers together form the temple of God where the Spirit of God lives. (1 Cor 3:16)