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            The presence of God meant everything to those in the Bible—it meant He was at their service for anything they needed or desired from Him—victory over temptation; the supply of all needs; perfect protection from any harm; and the answer to every prayer in the will of God.  If that is what the presence of God meant in the Bible, it has to mean the same thing to us today.

            When we know that God is personally present with us, and what His attitude is toward us, then we can receive the benefit of His power.  Jesus said to the woman at the well—as He came to help those who were sinful, in trouble, burdened, depressed, or afflicted—which is why we can claim God’s help.  John 4:10 "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is” with whom you are speaking—that God, through His Son, is talking personally with you, "You would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

            She needed the Holy Spirit first, so she could be inspired to believe what the presence of God meant to her.  That is what God’s presence meant to Israel, when Moses said that he did not want to go unless God went with them.  God’s presence fully supplied every need; protected them from harm; and led the entire nation to a veritable paradise.  That is what God wants to do for anyone.

            Two things we must know—that God is actually present with us, and His attitude is perfect love toward us.  Matthew 28:18, 20 “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  Everything that God’s presence could mean—all that He could do and everything He possesses is ours for the asking.

            His attitude toward us is the same as His love toward His Son—God is waiting and willing to do anything we need done.  Jesus prayed to the Father John 17:23 [Thou] “hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”  Since God gave us His Son to forgive our sins Romans 8:32 “how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

            When God is given the opportunity, by our willingness to believe and trust Him in faith, He will move quickly to help us.  God wants to do things for everyone, but so many will not trust Him in faith, which begins the process.  A person has to be willfully rebellious not to let God do things for them.  Far too many turn away from God over a little temptation and eventually forfeit their own souls.

            We feel bad about this, but how must God feel when He is present with us to do everything we could need, and that a very real Lake of Fire exists for anyone who will not believe Him and trust Him in faith!  God certainly knows how glorious a place Heaven is, and that His services are free for anyone who is willing to prove the above.  Luke 12:32 ”Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom”—but He cannot give the kingdom if we will not trust Him in faith.

            How grieved God must feel when people deliberately turn away from Him—even though He is right by their side with enormous power, and unselfish love, ready to do things for them; but they will not allow Him, because they will not trust Him—how lamentable indeed!

            If anyone will give God the least opportunity to help them, He will work to encourage them, and do everything possible to lead them to victory.  God is ready to show anyone how valuable His financial plan is, and is waiting to bless them, but they need to be convinced of His presence.

            We always use the best tool for the job when doing something.  We do not use a stick to write a check; nor rent a house and live in the alley.  It is just as common-sense reasoning to use the benefits of the presence of God, as it is to use anything else we possess to accomplish something.

            The Godhead consists of three Persons who are exactly alike—One’s presence means all are present.  God is the same as Christ; Christ is the same as God; the Holy Spirit is the same as Jesus and the Father.  The devil wants us to differentiate between Jesus and God. Or Christ and the Holy Spirit, when there is no difference at all—all are the same God.  There is Ephesians 4:5-6 ”One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

            When Jesus was present, He was God on earth in the flesh.  When He ascended, He sent the third person of the Trinity.  John 16:7 “It is expedient [beneficial] for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you”—14:16 “that he may abide with you for ever.”

            The Holy Spirit is the same as God and did the work of creation—Genesis 1:2 “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”  The Holy Spirit did all the healing; gave all spiritual light and strength we need; and He enables us to resist Satan.  It is a fact that the great God of Heaven is with us.  Everything that God in Heaven means to us, God on earth means to us.  If God is at our side to do anything for us, then Romans 8:31 “who can be against us?”

            In the Bible, they knew what it meant to have God to defend and protect them.  We are as safe with God present, no matter what or who comes against us, as if we were in Heaven with Him.  The unarmed nation of Israel came to a raging sea in front, and had well trained enemy forces in back—they were trapped.  There was no human hope of escape, but God delivered them with no problem.  Hebrews 11:29 ”By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.”

            An entire army surrounded Elisha, and his servant could not see anything except with his natural eyes.  2 Kings 6:15 “Alas, my master! how shall we do?”  An entire military force sent to capture and kill you is far worse than a cross look or a mean lie told on us.  Elisha told his servant what the presence of God meant.  16 “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

            The prophet believed what Moses wrote.  He knew what the presence of God meant concerning this direct attack from the devil; 17 “Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.  And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”  God defeated that entire military force.

            The apostle Paul went through a violent storm for fourteen days—dangerous weather conditions sent by Satan to destroy him and everyone else on board.  The apostle was calm and peaceful, because he knew what the presence of God meant.  If they were going through a raging storm on the open sea, or enjoying a walk on a summer day, a creator God was with them so there was is no need to be afraid or upset by any circumstance.

            He said Acts 27:22-23 ”Be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve.”  God’s presence meant no loss of life, so the apostle said 25 “I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.”

            God’s presence protected them, so all got safely to land; and a group of people heard the Truth for the first time.  The words Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, who can be against us” is not a line of poetry, but a declaration of truth concerning God’s presence that will lift any burden, trouble or sorrow we could experience—it means deliverance, victory, and divine protection.

            Three Hebrews walked around in a furnace so hot that the flames killed the soldiers who threw them in it.  They walked around like it was a rose garden, and came out with not a hair singed or clothing burnt.  The king exclaimed Daniel 3:25 "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God [a divine being]."

            The entire Bible is a revelation of what the presence of God means; and we are indeed blessed to know that His presence means the same today.  There should be no fear because God is with us.  In Babylon, they caged lions and starved them for executing malefactors.  Because of Daniel’s religion of faith in God, they threw him to the lions.  God’s presence did not allow those animals to touch him.

            The list is long of those Hebrews 11:33-34 ”Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”  If God’s presence did those things then, He would have to do them today—because He cannot change.

            When we deserved nothing, He gave His best.  Romans 8:32 ”He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”  If we would give someone a hundred dollars, we would surely give them a dollar.

            If God would give His Son to die for us when we were enemies in our minds, then He will surely give us—“all things that pertain unto life and godliness” 2 Peter 1:3.  If we will give God the least opportunity, He will manifest His love, mercy, and power—and will 2 Chronicles 16:9 show “himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

            It will be a rude awakening for professing Christians, trusting in human help, to realize that the great God of Heaven was at their side and intensely eager to give them everything they needed—all the peace; all the health and healing; all the protection, and every blessing God has promised.

            It will be a sad discovery indeed, and the worst of regrets, to find out in the Lake of Fire—when it is too late—that it could all have been so different—and 100% their own fault!—because they deliberately ignored God’s presence in their life.