Grateful: The Presence of God

Intro - I had a difficult time growing up as I shared last night. Dealing with rejection and an alcoholic mother. But the most difficult thing was dealing with an absent father. What was it like to be a man? How are you suppose to throw a baseball or football? How do you talk to a girl you like? How do you identify the girl’s you shouldn’t like? In my prayer time here recently God spoke to me. He took me to different times in my life and showed how He was there. Although not in a conventional way He was fathering me all along. He was guiding my eyes to watch and learn. Encouraging my disappointment. Healing my broken heart. He was truly a dad to me.

God’s goodness, as we spoke about last night, should lead to our thankfulness. His steadfast love should produce in us gratitude, just because He is worthy. If God were to do nothing else for us He’s worthy to be praised.

The angels of Heaven have experienced only His goodness and praise Him continually. They bow in worship to Him although He has never saved them. He has never invited them to come boldly into his presence. They worship Him purely because He is good. BUT with us....He is not only good....He is also NEAR.

God is Intimate

God is not only good but that goodness is expressed to His children.

Psalm 107:2–3 ESV

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

The Psalmist here states that not only is God good but He is intimate with HIs people. He is near to us.

In we read that God uses our situations for our good. To mold us into the image of Christ. So that Jesus would be the first born of many brothers.

Imagine what those angels think when they see this good God…being near to His children. Loving us in a way that they have never received.

Redeeming us, gathering us as a Father holds His children near.

Hebrews 1:5 ESV

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?

Here he is speaking of Jesus but we are called into the same relationship with the Father. See you can be grateful not just because God is good. But because He is near to you.

Your relationship with Him through Jesus is greater than even the angels.

He has not forgotten you. He wanted to be so near to you that He left the throne, took upon flesh, suffered as you have suffered, got on the cross, and paid for your sin.

God is not only good but He is present and active.

No matter your circumstance, God is using it to get you to fall out of love with this world and in love with Him.

He wants you to depend on Him and trust Him.

He is with you RIGHT NOW! Just speak to Him. Tell Him your pain, express to him your thoughts, your needs, your fears.

Be grateful, not because you are in a favorable situation. Be grateful that you have a favorable God. He favors you over all of creation. He gave you alone His image. To have His Spirit inside you.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

You can boldly go where angels fear to tread. You have the Father’s ear. You are invited to the throne to speak with Him directly because of the blood of Jesus.

I remember there was one time when I was little that I went to the store with my mom. We happened to pass by the toy aisle. I saw a toy that I really liked and stopped to take a look at it. Before I knew it I looked up and I was all alone. I rushed down every aisle trying to find her and I couldn’t. The more I searched the more lost I became. I eventually found an employee and told them I was lost. They told me to remain where I was and that they’d bring my mom to me. Eventually in a panic she found me and I was comforted.

Just like I was, some of your are so lost from God, that searching has only made it worse.

You have lost sight of Him because you took your eyes off and paid attention to the trinkets of this world.

Now you find yourself alone, dealing with circumstances, and unable to work your way out of them.

I’m here to be a representative and tell you, stay still. God is with you now and you’re no longer alone.

You can be thankful that even when you are lost, God is not. When you can’t find God, He can still find you. Tonight He has done just that…will you praise Him for that?

I was so grateful when my mom found me. Although we didn’t see eye to eye I knew that I was the safest in her arms. How much more so with God.

This is how we can be grateful in every circumstance. Because we know that God is always near.

Psalm 107:4–9 ESV

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

One of the most amazing things I’ve developed as a father is the ability to know my children’s cry. In a room full of other children, all yelling at the same time, I can pick out their voice.

Here we see that God, with His children wandering, hungry and thristy, He found them and delivered them.

PRAISE THE LORD THAT HE KNOWS YOUR VOICE....PRAISE THE LORD THAT HE HEARS YOUR CRY.....PRAISE THE LORD THAT HE IS NEAR TO YOU.

Many people may know God but God doesn’t know them....BUT those that are His children He never turns away from them!

One of the most terrifying times in my life was when I was out with my wife and kids. There were a bunch of kids playing and all of a sudden one of them came to me and said “daddy!”. I couldn’t run from that kid fast enough. I don’t know who was trying to set me up but it wasn’t going to work. That is NOT my child!

Although I say it in humor I mean it sincerely, God is proud that you are His! You can call Him father and he won’t turn from you.

Gratefulness is produced from knowing that a good Father loves you! He is not someone that birthed you and then left you alone. He is with you during your trouble.

Other gods have left their followers to fend for themselves. They can’t relate to them. They’re too far off to come to their people.

Our God left a throne of holiness. Of perfect peace and worship. To suffer alongside and for those He loves. He suffered at the hands of those He would save.

He allow them to mock Him and pierce Him. Because He wanted so bad to have them near to Him. And now here YOU ARE!

You who were once far off are now near to God....and HE IS NEAR TO YOU! Take your eyes off your problems, know that they are only for a season. They will pass in time! However, God’s love is near to you and will last far longer than your circumstance…PRAISE HIM BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY! PRAISE HIM BECAUSE HE…IS…NEAR!