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Longing for God’s Presence - Matthew 28:16-20

By Steve Jeantet | March 30, 2007

Key verse: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” We’ve all heard the expression and we’ve probably all doubted its wisdom. I have a friend whom we will call Charlie. Charlie moved from Texas to Maryland to start a new job, but his wife, Katherine, couldn’t follow for another two months as she finished grad school. Something tragic happened in those two months. By the time Katherine graduated and moved to Maryland, neither one wanted to be with the other. Absence certainly had not made the heart grow fonder. If anything, those two months sealed the fate of their marriage.

Likewise, absence from the presence of God does not make our heart grow fonder, but hardens our heart. Over the next couple of weeks as we, as a church, prepare to relaunch in January, we must start by seeking the presence of God. We can’t have God’s heart or experience His power at work through us if we do not have Him. We can’t make God known to the nations if we ourselves don’t know Him.

And therein lies the promise of Matthew 28:16-20. As we shall see in the coming weeks, Matthew 28 offers the power of God to fulfill the mission He has given His followers, but it all rests on the promise that closes the book of Matthew, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Never again do you need to experience absence from the presence of God because in Christ, God has made Himself present to us, promising to never leave us or forsake us. Since His presence is promised to us, let us walk in the joy of knowing Christ.

Reflection: When was the last time you experienced the presence of Christ in your life?
What obstacles in your life cause you to doubt Christ’s presence with you?
Application: Pray that you would see Christ at work in your life and then keep your eyes open so that you don’t miss it when it happens.

Topics: Devotionals, Matthew |

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