In His Presence: Fear or Faith?

“All humanity will come to You, the one who hears prayer. Iniquities overwhelm me; only You can atone for our rebellions.” – Psalm 65:2-3

Real prayer has that effect. In fact, it is one of the chief indications that you are encountering the Holy One. What is this indication of imminence? Awareness of sinfulness.

It is a paradox. The closer that I get to the Holy God, the more aware I am of my own unholiness. As I draw near to Him in prayer, my faults and failures, mixed motivations, and hidden intentions are brought into the light. There is no place to hide.

For some, they experience this indication of imminence and conclude that God has no place for them. Surely there is no way the Holy One would hear their prayer or accept their presence. They sense The Presence and shrink back to the dark in fear. This is a mistake.

The indication of imminence is not intended to evoke fear but faith. “Only You can atone…” This is the heart of one who sees his own rebellion more clearly…yet does not run away. Rather, he trusts that the Holy One who hears his prayers can cover (atone) for his sins.

When did you last sense The Presence? When did you experience the indication of imminence, the awareness of your sinfulness? Did you shrink in fear or stand in faith?

You are invited today to really pray. Be ready though…the Holy One is there.