When the Father is Present
Sermon Blog 6/15/25 - Rev. Rema Duncan
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to feel alone, even when surrounded by others. We may know intellectually that God is always with us, but do we truly feel His presence in our daily lives? There's a profound difference between someone being present and having presence – and understanding this distinction can revolutionize our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Imagine a room where someone is physically there, but their mind is elsewhere. They occupy space, but their essence is absent. Now contrast that with someone whose very being fills a room – their attention, their energy, their love permeating the atmosphere. This is the difference between mere presence and true presence. And it's this latter, powerful presence that God offers us.
Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." The emphasis on "very present" is significant. It's not just that God is there; He's actively engaged, aware, and available. This truth should fundamentally change how we approach our challenges and fears.
Yet, many believers struggle with anxiety, doubt, and vulnerability despite knowing God is omnipresent. Why? Because knowing something intellectually is different from feeling it emotionally and spiritually. When we can't tangibly feel or hear God, we may act out of character, doubting His protection and provision.
This dynamic often mirrors our earthly relationships, particularly with father figures. A father can be physically present in a home but emotionally absent. This absence, whether physical or emotional, can create deep-seated insecurities and vulnerabilities in children. They may know their father is there, but if they can't feel his love, attention, and guidance, they may seek validation and security elsewhere.
God, as our perfect Heavenly Father, offers a solution to this void. He's not just present; He's "very present." He's not just in the room; He's actively engaged in our lives. But to experience this fully, we must learn to tune into His presence.
One powerful way to do this is through praise and worship. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. When we lift our voices in adoration, regardless of our circumstances, we're inviting God's tangible presence to envelop us. It's like putting on a garment of praise – an outer covering that's bigger than ourselves, identifying us with our Father.
In biblical times, priests wore an ephod, also known as a garment of praise. This outer garment symbolized something greater than themselves. Similarly, when we praise God, we're clothing ourselves in His presence, inviting something far greater than our current circumstances to surround us.
This concept of a covering or mantle is seen throughout Scripture. Joseph received a coat of many colors from his father – a visible symbol of love and favor. Elijah's mantle fell to Elisha, transferring not just authority but a spiritual legacy. These physical representations point to a deeper spiritual truth: our Heavenly Father offers us a covering of His presence that is greater than anything we face.
But here's the critical part – we must actively engage with this presence. God can be right beside us, but until we lift our voices in praise and acknowledgment, we may not feel or recognize His nearness. It's not about God being absent; it's about us tuning our hearts to His frequency.
This truth challenges us, especially in difficult times. It's easy to praise God when everything is going well, but can we lift our voices when we're in the valley? Can we put on that garment of praise when we feel most vulnerable? It's in these moments that praise becomes most powerful – not because it changes God, but because it changes us. It shifts our focus from our problems to our Provider.
Moreover, this understanding of God's active presence calls us to reflect on our own presence in the lives of others. As image-bearers of God, how can we be more than just physically present for our loved ones? How can we cultivate a presence that truly impacts and uplifts those around us?
For fathers, this is a particularly poignant challenge. In a world where absentee fatherhood is cited as a root cause of many societal issues, how can we embody the present, engaged, and available nature of our Heavenly Father? It's not just about being in the same room; it's about being emotionally and spiritually available, offering a covering of love and security that reflects God's heart for His children.
This Father's Day, let's reflect on the profound gift of God's presence in our lives. Let's challenge ourselves to not just know He's there, but to actively engage with His presence through praise, worship, and intentional communion. And let's consider how we can mirror this presence in our relationships with others.
Remember, God is not just present – He's very present. He's not just aware; He's available. In times of trouble, in moments of joy, in seasons of uncertainty – He is there, offering a covering of love and strength that is bigger than anything we face.
So lift your voice. Put on that garment of praise. Invite the tangible presence of your Heavenly Father into every aspect of your life. As you do, you may find that the fears dissipate, the doubts fade, and a new confidence emerges – not in your own strength, but in the very present help of a God who is always there, always aware, and always available.
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, there's profound peace in knowing we have a Father who is not just present, but very present. May we learn to live in the reality of His presence every day, allowing it to transform us from the inside out.
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to feel alone, even when surrounded by others. We may know intellectually that God is always with us, but do we truly feel His presence in our daily lives? There's a profound difference between someone being present and having presence – and understanding this distinction can revolutionize our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Imagine a room where someone is physically there, but their mind is elsewhere. They occupy space, but their essence is absent. Now contrast that with someone whose very being fills a room – their attention, their energy, their love permeating the atmosphere. This is the difference between mere presence and true presence. And it's this latter, powerful presence that God offers us.
Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." The emphasis on "very present" is significant. It's not just that God is there; He's actively engaged, aware, and available. This truth should fundamentally change how we approach our challenges and fears.
Yet, many believers struggle with anxiety, doubt, and vulnerability despite knowing God is omnipresent. Why? Because knowing something intellectually is different from feeling it emotionally and spiritually. When we can't tangibly feel or hear God, we may act out of character, doubting His protection and provision.
This dynamic often mirrors our earthly relationships, particularly with father figures. A father can be physically present in a home but emotionally absent. This absence, whether physical or emotional, can create deep-seated insecurities and vulnerabilities in children. They may know their father is there, but if they can't feel his love, attention, and guidance, they may seek validation and security elsewhere.
God, as our perfect Heavenly Father, offers a solution to this void. He's not just present; He's "very present." He's not just in the room; He's actively engaged in our lives. But to experience this fully, we must learn to tune into His presence.
One powerful way to do this is through praise and worship. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. When we lift our voices in adoration, regardless of our circumstances, we're inviting God's tangible presence to envelop us. It's like putting on a garment of praise – an outer covering that's bigger than ourselves, identifying us with our Father.
In biblical times, priests wore an ephod, also known as a garment of praise. This outer garment symbolized something greater than themselves. Similarly, when we praise God, we're clothing ourselves in His presence, inviting something far greater than our current circumstances to surround us.
This concept of a covering or mantle is seen throughout Scripture. Joseph received a coat of many colors from his father – a visible symbol of love and favor. Elijah's mantle fell to Elisha, transferring not just authority but a spiritual legacy. These physical representations point to a deeper spiritual truth: our Heavenly Father offers us a covering of His presence that is greater than anything we face.
But here's the critical part – we must actively engage with this presence. God can be right beside us, but until we lift our voices in praise and acknowledgment, we may not feel or recognize His nearness. It's not about God being absent; it's about us tuning our hearts to His frequency.
This truth challenges us, especially in difficult times. It's easy to praise God when everything is going well, but can we lift our voices when we're in the valley? Can we put on that garment of praise when we feel most vulnerable? It's in these moments that praise becomes most powerful – not because it changes God, but because it changes us. It shifts our focus from our problems to our Provider.
Moreover, this understanding of God's active presence calls us to reflect on our own presence in the lives of others. As image-bearers of God, how can we be more than just physically present for our loved ones? How can we cultivate a presence that truly impacts and uplifts those around us?
For fathers, this is a particularly poignant challenge. In a world where absentee fatherhood is cited as a root cause of many societal issues, how can we embody the present, engaged, and available nature of our Heavenly Father? It's not just about being in the same room; it's about being emotionally and spiritually available, offering a covering of love and security that reflects God's heart for His children.
This Father's Day, let's reflect on the profound gift of God's presence in our lives. Let's challenge ourselves to not just know He's there, but to actively engage with His presence through praise, worship, and intentional communion. And let's consider how we can mirror this presence in our relationships with others.
Remember, God is not just present – He's very present. He's not just aware; He's available. In times of trouble, in moments of joy, in seasons of uncertainty – He is there, offering a covering of love and strength that is bigger than anything we face.
So lift your voice. Put on that garment of praise. Invite the tangible presence of your Heavenly Father into every aspect of your life. As you do, you may find that the fears dissipate, the doubts fade, and a new confidence emerges – not in your own strength, but in the very present help of a God who is always there, always aware, and always available.
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, there's profound peace in knowing we have a Father who is not just present, but very present. May we learn to live in the reality of His presence every day, allowing it to transform us from the inside out.
Recent
Archive
2025
February
May
No Comments