Living in the presence of God is the greatest privilege for any believer. The presence of God is not just a feeling or a special moment during worship; it is a way of life. If you want to see God move in your life, grow in your faith, and experience His power, you must desire and seek His presence. This requires you to be hungry, humble, and holy. Let’s explore how these three practices open the door to a deeper relationship with God and help you live daily in His presence.
What Does It Mean to Live in the Presence of God?
The Bible teaches that God is always with us, closer than we can imagine. Psalm 73:23 says, “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.” Living in the presence of God means being constantly aware that He is right beside you, guiding, loving, and watching over you. It means living your life as if you are in the audience of One, knowing that God delights in you and wants to draw you closer to Himself.
Why the Presence of God Matters
When we encounter the presence of God, we cannot leave the same. If we allow Him to transform our hearts, we will be changed from the inside out, making us more like Jesus. God’s presence helps us make wise decisions, gives us peace that surpasses understanding, and leads us in the right direction (Proverbs 3:5-6). Through His Spirit, we are empowered to live out our faith and do things we could never do on our own. The presence of God is transformative for believers. But we must be hungry for His presence, humble to approach Him, and allow the Spirit to make us holy through sanctification.
1. Hunger for the Presence of God
Why Spiritual Hunger Is Essential
If you want to experience more of the presence of God, you must develop a deep hunger for Him. Spiritual hunger is different from physical hunger. While our bodies naturally crave food, our spirits do not naturally crave God. We must ask God to give us a hunger for His presence and come to Him in faith. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Signs You Are Hungry for God
- You desire to spend more time with God in prayer, worship, and reading the Bible.
- You are willing to make changes in your life to get closer to Him.
- You measure your hunger by how you spend your time, money, energy, thoughts, and affections.
Dangers of Losing Spiritual Hunger
- Filling your life with distractions and worldly pleasures can dull your appetite for God.
- Settling for a “crumb” of God’s presence means missing out on the fullness He wants to give you.
- If you try to have everything, you may end up sacrificing the most important thing: God’s presence.
How to Stir Up Spiritual Hunger
- Remember Past Encounters: Think back to times when you felt God’s presence powerfully in your life.
- Spend Time with Hungry Believers: Surround yourself with people who are passionate about God.
- Pray for Hunger: Ask God to make you hungry for His presence every day.
- Fast and Seek: Practice fasting, not just from food, but from anything that distracts you from God. Fasting helps put your desires in the right order, letting your spirit lead instead of your flesh.
- Fill Up on God’s Word: The more you read and meditate on Scripture, the more you will crave His presence.
2. Humility: The Key to Entering God’s Presence
Why Humility Is Required
James 4:6 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” We cannot enter God’s presence without being humble, because our pride will blind us to our need for Him. Humility is recognizing that we need God and cannot do anything without Him (John 15:5).
What Does Humility Look Like?
- Surrender: Giving up your right to be in control and letting God lead.
- Dependence: Admitting you need God’s help every day.
- Willingness to Serve: Putting others before yourself and seeking God’s glory, not your own.
The Dangers of Pride
- Pride leads us to rely on ourselves instead of God.
- When pride is present, God’s presence departs because He cannot share His glory with anyone else (1 Corinthians 1:28-29).
- Pride blocks us from receiving God’s grace and power.
How to Grow in Humility
- Pray for a Humble Heart: Ask God to reveal areas of pride and help you surrender them.
- Remember God’s Greatness: Focus on who God is and how much you need Him.
- Serve Others: Look for ways to put others first, just as Jesus did.
- Confess and Repent: Be quick to admit when you are wrong and seek God’s forgiveness.
3. Holiness: Becoming Pure in the Presence of God
The Call to Holiness
God is holy, and He calls us to be holy too. Holiness means being set apart for God, living in a way that pleases Him, and allowing Him to make us pure through the process of sanctification. In Psalm 139:23-24, the psalmist says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart… and see if there is any wicked way in me.”
What Is Sanctification?
Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, making us more like Jesus. It is a journey, not a one-time event. As we submit to God, He changes our hearts, thoughts, and actions to reflect His character.
Why Holiness Matters for God’s Presence
- God’s presence cannot dwell where there is unrepentant sin.
- Purity of heart leads to intimacy with God.
- The more we allow God to purify us, the more we experience His presence and power.
Steps to Pursuing Holiness
- Ask God to Search Your Heart: Invite Him to reveal anything that is not pleasing to Him.
- Confess and Repent: Turn away from sin and ask for God’s forgiveness.
- Obey the Holy Spirit: Listen to His guidance and make choices that honor God.
- Trust in God’s Grace: Remember, you will never be perfect, but as you get closer to God, you will sin less and love Him more.
- Stay Accountable: Find a trusted friend or mentor to encourage you in your walk with God.
How Hunger, Humility, and Holiness Work Together
These three attitudes are deeply connected. Here’s how they work together to help you live in the presence of God:
- Hunger draws you to seek God more.
- Humility opens your heart to receive from God.
- Holiness allows you to enjoy God’s presence without barriers.
If you want to grow in your relationship with God and see Him move in your life, you must ask Him to make you hungry, humble, and holy. You cannot do this on your own. It is a work of God’s Spirit in you.
6 Practical Ways to Live in the Presence of God Every Day
Did you know that you can live in the presence of God each day? If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have unlimited access to God. In fact, James 4:8 promises, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
- Start each day by inviting God’s presence into your life.
- Set aside time for prayer, worship, and reading the Bible.
- Fast regularly to focus your heart on God.
- Stay connected with other believers who are passionate about God.
- Be quick to confess sin and ask for forgiveness.
- Serve others and look for ways to show God’s love.
Reflection
The presence of God is available to every believer, but it requires a heart that is hungry, humble, and holy. Spiritual hunger is the fuel that drives you to seek God more. Humility is the doorway to God’s presence, while pride keeps you out. Holiness is the result of God’s ongoing work in your life, making you more like Jesus. You cannot make yourself hungry, humble, or holy. Only God can do that as you surrender to Him.
As you reflect on the three practice of hunger, humility, and holiness, ask yourself these questions:
- Are you truly hungry for the presence of God? What changes do you need to make to seek Him more?
- In what areas of your life do you need to grow in humility?
- Is there anything in your heart that is keeping you from experiencing God’s presence? Ask God to reveal it and help you turn away from it.
Final Encouragement
God wants you to live every day in His presence. He is always with you, longing for a deeper relationship. If you are hungry for Him, humble before Him, and allow Him to make you holy, you will experience the fullness of His presence and power in your life. Make it your prayer today: “God, make me hungry for Your presence. Make me humble before You. Make me holy, just like You.”
By focusing on these truths and living them out, you will grow in your faith and see God move in powerful ways. The presence of God is not just for special people or special moments. It is for you, right now, every day.
Do you want to learn more about who God is and how His presence can transform your life? Request your FREE copy of the Names of God Devotional here! This 3-week devotional will deepen your knowledge of God’s character and how you can worship Him personally.