Page 31 - Biblical Ethics Course

(10) The desire for peace (Phil. 4:9) and joy (Heb. 12:1–2) in our lives.

(11) The desire to do what God commands, simply because his commands are right, and we delight in doing
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what is right (Phil. 4:8; Ps. 40:8).

Practicing the presence of God.

I. Definition: The experiential recognition of God’s presence
and care, at any given moment of our existence, as
acknowledged by word or thought.

II. Scriptural Support
A. Psalm 139:7-10
B. Psalm 27:7-8
C. Psalm 63:1-3, 6-8
D. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

III. Insights from Spiritual Leaders

A. “There is no mode of life in the world more pleasing and fuller of delight than continual conversation with
God; only those who practice and experience it can understand it. I do not, however, advise you to pursue it for
this purpose. We should not be seeking consolation from this practice, but let us do it motivated by love and
because God wishes it… I cannot understand how religious people can live contented lives without the practice
of the presence of God. For myself I withdraw as much as I can to the deepest recesses of my soul with Him,
and while I am thus with Him I fear nothing: but the least running away from Him is hell for me… Do not be
discouraged by the resistance you will encounter from your human nature; you must go against your human
inclination. Often, in the beginning, you will think that you are wasting time, but you must go on, be determined
and persevere in it until death, despite all the difficulties.” (Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of
God, pp. 60-62)

B. “God dwells in His creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all His works. This is boldly taught by
prophet and apostle and is accepted by Christian theology generally. That is, it appears in the books, but for
some reason it has not sunk into the average Christian’s heart so as to become a part of his believing self… The
presence and the manifestation of the Presence are not the same. There can be the one without the other. God
is here when we are wholly unaware of it. He is manifest only as we are aware of His presence. On our part,
there must be surrender to the Spirit of God, for His work is to show us the Father and the Son. If we cooperate
with Him in loving obedience, God will manifest Himself to us, and that manifestation will be the difference
between a nominal Christian life and a life radiant with the light of His face.” (A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God,
pp. 61, 64)

C. “Early on, Puritans perfected methods of meditation and contemplation supportive of heart religion.
According to the master guide of Puritan contemplation, Richard Baxter, contemplation should occur at stated
times to avoid omission, frequently to prevent shyness between God and the soul and prevent unskillfulness and
‘loss of heat and life’ and seasonably. Prayer should be engaged in several times daily, more frequently on the
sabbath, on special occasions when God warms the heart, when sick, and when dying. Devout Puritans often

13 Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Leicester, England; Grand
Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004), 757–758.

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