How to Have God’s Presence All the Time

Have you wondered how to have God’s presence all the time? How can we maintain God’s presence in our lives and keep possession of Him?

God desires for us to retain Him and keep possession of Him as He possesses us as His most treasured, chosen, and beloved possessions. The fact that as believers we belong to Him forever, is one of the most powerful truths we can lean into, especially when our faith is challenged.

Since we have a loving relationship with God, He invites us to have and possess His presence all the time. What is the origin of this concept, and how can we have God’s presence all the time?

Since we have a loving relationship with God, He invites us to have and possess His presence all the time. #Biblestudy #trustGod #faith Share on X

Jacob Wrestles with God

In Genesis 32:22-31, we find the story of Jacob, who wrestles with God and receives a new name from God – the name Israel. In the meaning of this name, we can trace the concept of retaining and keeping possession of God.

Jacob wrestled a whole night with a man (Angel of God) by the river Jabbok, and was prevailing, so the man touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched. The man asked for Jacob’s name, and when Jacob answered, the man gave Jacob a new name.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Genesis 32:28, NIV)

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The Meaning of Israel – Jacob’s New Name

According to Abarim Publications, which is one of the most solid sources of information regarding Hebrew names, the name Israel carries the following meaning:

“He retains God, he keeps possession of God, he has God, God perseveres, the one who strives with God, struggles with and prevails, God is upright.”

The etymology originates from the verb “sara,” which reflects the ability to retain liquidity, what normally flows, and from the word “El,” meaning God.

The name “Israel” denotes the ability to retain God’s presence, to have God continually, to be filled with His Spirit, and to be governed by Him. Our highest calling and identity are to become a receptacle in which God’s presence is not only received but retained. This means to have Him continually, to keep possession of Him, to absorb Him.

In the New Testament, this evolves into the concept of continuously abiding in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Every believer becomes a holy, living temple of God, continuously filled by the rivers of living water of the Holy Spirit.

Our highest calling and identity are to become a receptacle in which God’s presence is not only received but retained. #Biblestudy #Godspresence #trustGod Share on X

How to Have God’s Presence All the Time

But how can we retain God? What are the ways to retain and maintain His presence in our lives? There are four spiritual disciplines that help us keep God’s presence constant and truly keep possession of Him.

#1 Prayer

Prayer is the first and indispensable way to stay connected with God throughout the day. Apostle Paul urges us to pray all the time about every possible thing. 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Ephesians 6:18, NIV)

We also wrestle with God in prayer. What Jacob did physically, we do spiritually. We don’t let God go until He blesses us. (Genesis 32:26)

In prayer, we also approach God’s throne and seek and see His face without the fear of penalty and death because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

#2 Bible study, Meditation, and Memorization

Reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word and the truths in it is the second important way we keep God’s presence in our lives. Through the Bible, God speaks directly to us and reveals His character, love, laws, and plans for the future.

The more we know His word, the more we know Him, and we give space for the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us.

#3 Obedience

The next step to maintain God’s presence and favor in our lives is to obey Him and the instructions in His Word. Obeying Him is the number one proof that we know Him and love Him.

“But if anyone obeys his word, love for Godis truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:5-6, NIV)

When we walk in love and awe of Him, His presence shines brighter in us and through us.

#4 Worship and Praise

We also maintain God’s presence in our lives and prevail with Him, when we worship and praise Him. We praise Him for His character, for His holiness and glory, for His mighty deeds, for the beauty of His creation, and for His salvation through Christ.

When we add our personal testimony of how God works specifically in our lives, His presence helps us to overcome our enemy.

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;” (Revelation 12:11, NIV)

How to Experience God’s Presence in Our Pain and Suffering

If you want to learn more about how we can draw near to God and experience His presence in our pain and suffering, my book,“Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings,” is for you. Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the losses and the precious blessings in each of them.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources, encouragement, and help to experience God’s presence, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

The Night Is Normal by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge

All Things New by John Eldredge

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

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Your Turn

How do you keep God’s presence in your life? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

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Four spiritual disciplines help us keep God’s presence constant and truly keep possession of Him. #Biblestudy #prayer #spiritualgrowth Share on X

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