A Desire For God

There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge." Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, "What do you want?" "Knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile.

Socrates put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. "What do you want?" he asked again. "Wisdom," the young man sputtered, "O great and wise Socrates."

Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. "What do you want, young man?" Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, "Knowledge, O wise and wonderful..."

Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. "What do you want?" "Air!" he screeched. "I need air!"

"When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge."

Same thing goes for God, when we desire God above everything else, we will have Him!

The text today deals with the reign of Asa, king of Judah. He was a king who, for the most part, sought the ways of God,

14:2 – And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:

He led Judah in two reforms, taking away the altars of false worship and leading the people to follow the Lord.

The prophet Azariah brought word from the Lord and motivated Asa to desire the Lord above anything else.

These verses deal with the lives of God’s people thousands of years ago, but they are rich in application for our lives. In them Azariah reveals the need to obtain and possess the presence of God.

The same principles that applied to the nation of Judah remain relevant and essential in our lives today. As we look at this text today I want to ask you this question:

Do you really have a desire for God? If so, we must do as Azariah revealed to Asa. Let’s take a few moments to consider the presence of the Lord.

I. The Standard For God’s Presence (1-4)

– I want to begin by examining the foundation or the fundamentals of God’s presence. God has not changed and the same fundamentals remain today.

These verses reveal that:

A. His Presence is Attainable (2)

– Azariah tells Asa that the Lord is with those who are with Him and is found of those who seek Him.

Few may have enjoyed the presence of God, but it wasn’t the Lord who was lacking.

His presence was available to all who have desired Him and who will desire Him.

It is possible to enjoy and possess a closeness to God in the day in which we live. He is near to those who desire Him and is found of those who seek Him. He is not a God who is far off and distant, but One who is near to all who desire to have fellowship with Him.

Jam.4:8

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

B. His Presence is Conditional (2-3)

– Azariah also reveals that those who forsake God will be forsaken of Him. Israel had been a long season without the presence of God simply because they no longer sought Him or desired His ways.

Those who desire the Lord’s presence can have it, but we must meet the Lord’s conditions.

The Children of Isreal had to meet certain conditions in Exodus for God to dwell with them.

If we are to enjoy His presence we must live a life that honors Him, one free of sin and reproach.

Psalm 5:4 KJV 1900

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Neither shall evil dwell with thee.

Psalm 101:6 KJV 1900

Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.

If you are determined to live as you please and go your own way, you can certainly do that, just don’t expect God to go with you.

I am aware that the saved are indwelt by the Spirit of God, but we can get to the place in our lives where we no longer feel the presence of God. It is a lonely place when we get away from God and no longer have the blessing of His presence in our lives.

C. His Presence is Reliable (4)

– When the people realized their need and sought the Lord, he was always faithful to be found of them.

Judah could rest assured that the Lord would be near to those who were near to Him.

I rejoice that my Lord is an ever present help in my time of need.

I have never had a need that He couldn’t supply.

I have never faced a trial where I sought His help and guidance that He was not there for me.

God wants to have an active part in each of our lives.

He takes no pleasure in our pain and misery.

God wants to walk with us and guide our steps.

We need not fear that God will keep His presence from those who seek Him.

How many times have you found Him in the midst of your storm? Has there ever been a situation where God abandoned you? If we will turn to Him, He will be there for you!

I. The Standard For God’s Presence (1-4)

II. The Security Found in God’s Presence (5-6)

You might ask why we need the presence of God. Will it really make that much of a difference?

These verses reveal what happens when God’s presence is absent in our lives and we find what His presence can do for us.

It is a miserable existence to live without the presence of the Lord.

God’s hand on our lives can keep us from some difficult situations.

Notice:

A. His Presence Prevents Corruption (5)

– When God’s people live without His presence there are always consequences.

Without Him there is no peace and great vexations, or great turmoil, confusion, and trouble.

Without God’s presence to lead us, we soon go astray.

If we are not living in light of God’s holiness we are prone to wander in sin.

There is no joy for the child of God living apart from His divine presence.

The most miserable people I’ve ever met are those who are outside the will of God. We need His presence to keep us near to Him and on the right path!

If you want to lose your joy and bring heartache to your life and those around you, simply get out of the will of God apart from His presence. We need His presence to guide our lives and prevent corruption.

B. His Presence Prevents Devastation (6)

This was a time of renewal and reform for Judah, but it would not last. Azariah warned that those who walked apart from God were destined for devastation.

Our founding fathers may have had some issues but there is one thing for certain, God blessed this nation because they desired God’s presence.

Many homes have been destroyed and relationships ruined because people no longer desired the presence of God in their lives.

I am convinced that the divorce rate would see a dramatic reduction if people desired the presence of God in their lives.

Churches would not be torn apart and divided if their members sought the presence of God.

This nation would see a healing of Christians would actually get a desire for the presence of God.

I. The Standard for God’s Presence; II. The Security Found In God’s Presence

III. The Setting Needed For God’s Presence (8-15)

– Azariah wanted Judah to know that God could be found of those who sought Him, but he also wanted them to know what was expected to obtain His presence.

Let me say that we serve a holy God. We serve the Lord God Almighty. He is the Creator of all things; He is the Redeemer of our souls. If we are to come before the Lord and enjoy His presence, we must come in the proper manner.

Azariah reveals the setting for God’s presence. It involves:

A. An Attitude of Service (8-10)

Asa set out to clean house. His attitude was right. He wanted to serve God and nothing else. v.8

When others saw his attitude others wanted in. v.9

The people of Judah gathered themselves in Jerusalem for one purpose, to serve the Lord. v.10

They had experienced a sense of renewal and the people desired the presence of God.

I know this is a deep theological truth, but those who desire the presence of God must serve Him.

If you want the Lord’s presence in your life, you must come before Him with a heart of service.

B. An Attitude of Sacrifice (11)

The people of Judah spared no expense; they brought an abundant sacrifice unto the Lord.

The gift of salvation is free to all who will receive it, but having the presence of God will cost you something.

I am in no way implying that we can buy the presence of God or His blessing with money, but there must be a sacrifice.

We must be willing to give of ourselves to have more of His presence in our lives.

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

This goes hand in hand with serving God.

How can we expect God to move in our midst and bless us with His presence if we are not willing to give of our own selves to Him?

How much have you given to the Lord this week?

Have you made time for Him?

Have you spent time in prayer; have you read and studied His Word?

Are you willing to be used of God and fulfill the work that He has called you to do?

Are you willing to sacrifice those things you want and desire so that you might glorify Him and be a blessing to others?

If we are to experience the presence and power of God, there must be an attitude of sacrifice. God must be the priority in our lives. We must be committed to Him above all else!

C. An Attitude of Seeking (12)

Judah had come to Jerusalem to serve Him and came to offer up sacrifice to Him, both of those things we need to do, but if we dont come with an attitude of seeking Him, the other two are pointless.

This wasn’t just a casual gathering.

They hadn’t come with the attitude of: Lord we’re all here; You can pour out your blessings now.

They had come with a heart of reverence, seeking the Lord.

Having the presence of God in our lives requires dedication and effort.

You won’t have it by simply showing up for the 11:00am worship service. or even simply being a faithful member

It won’t be found by a 30 second prayer at bedtime, or reading a short Psalm each day to feed your soul.

If you want God’s presence in your life, you must diligently seek Him with your whole heart, with all that is within you.

You must determine that you want God’s presence in your life more than anything else.

Many don’t have God’s presence because they don’t seek it!

Do you want His presence?

Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV 1900

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Psalm 27:4 KJV 1900

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 63:1 KJV 1900

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Isaiah 55:6 KJV 1900

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, Call ye upon him while he is near:

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

D. An Attitude of Sincerity (14)

– This was not a sad occasion. They rejoiced that their eyes had been opened. They were glad that the Lord had spoken to them and offered spiritual renewal. They lifted up their voices and praised the Lord.

We will never enjoy the presence of God with a casual, half-hearted attitude.

Our service to Him cannot be viewed as a burden or difficulty.

We must come before Him with a sincere heart, offering praise and thanksgiving for His wonderful blessings.

God will meet with those who sincerely desire Him, but He will not attend to those who have no real desire.

Psalm 40:16 KJV 1900

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

E. An Attitude of Submission (15)

The attitude that Judah revealed was one of obligation and submission to the Lord.

They had been reminded of the covenant that God had made with them and they desired to submit to the will of God.

They submitted with their whole heart to God’s demands for their lives.

These are strong words, they had sworn themselves to keep His covenant; they made a solemn promise to God!

The last part of v15 says, the Lord gave them rest round about.

That word rest carries with it a sense of to be in a state of freedom from conflict.

Does it seem like everyone and everything is at odds with you?

Maybe you need to submit to him and his desire to be with you will become your desire to be with him.

When you completly submit to God and have a true desire for the presence of God, He will give you rest from those things that have been bugging you.

Do you Desire the presence of God in your life?

This isn’t something that we can commit to on Sunday and have a different attitude on Monday.

If we are to have the presence of God, we must submit to the Lord and live for Him each day.

Have you lived for Him this past week?

If not..

Are you willing to make that solemn vow today that from this day forward you will desire Him and seek to please Him?

If you want God’s presence, there must be a desire for Him.

If you love Him, let Him know! If you are thankful for all that Christ has done for you, worship Him.

God inhabits the praise of His people. If you desire His presence, praise Him and I assure you that He will show up and meet with you!

As I pondered this verse, I was reminded of the drawing of the Holy Ghost and the presence of God. I rejoice for the day that God’s presence dealt with my heart and I saw my need of salvation. For those who deny His merciful presence and the pleading of the Spirit to come and be saved, eternal death will be the judgment.

Thank God that I belong to Him and can feel His presence, but for those who deny His tender plea, eternal separation will be their lot. Jesus is the only way to be forgiven of sin and reconciled to God.

If you have never trusted Christ as your personal Savior and the presence of God is dealing with your heart, don’t turn Him away.

God has revealed Himself to you so that you might be saved!

I am thankful for the presence of God in my life.

I desire to have more of it than I ever have.

What about you?

Do you enjoy that sweet fellowship with the Lord or is there something standing in the way of you receiving the abundant presence of God.

Maybe you have never felt that presence until now. If so God is pleading with you. Why not come to Him today?

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