Embracing God's Presence: A Journey of Intimacy
Summary
The question, “How is your walk with Jesus?” is a powerful invitation to reflect on the most precious relationship we have. Our walk with Christ is not about checking boxes or performing religious duties, but about craving and enjoying the sweetness of God’s presence. From the very beginning, God created us for relationship with Him, placing Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to enjoy His nearness. Yet, when humanity chose its own way over God’s, sin entered and brought separation from His holy presence. The tragedy of Eden is not just a story of disobedience, but of lost intimacy—of hiding from the One who made us for Himself.
This separation is not just ancient history; it’s the ongoing struggle of every heart that tries to do life “my way” instead of God’s way. Whether it’s seeking victory in arguments, numbing pain with distractions, or chasing empty pleasures, our own ways always leave us empty. But God, in His relentless love, has never stopped pursuing us. Through covenants, promises, and ultimately through Jesus, Jehovah Shammah—the Lord who is there—has made a way for us to return to His presence. The story of Scripture is the story of God overcoming every obstacle to be with His people, culminating in the promise that He will dwell with us forever.
Today, God’s presence is not confined to sacred spaces or special moments. Through Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit, He is with us always—whether in the quiet of nature, the bustle of daily life, or the depths of our pain and anxiety. The invitation is to intentionally seek and enjoy His presence now, while also longing for the day when we will see Him face to face, unhindered by sin or sorrow. This means carving out time for prayer, worship, silence, and solitude; it means practicing breath prayers and learning to rest in His nearness. The health of our walk with Jesus is deeply connected to how much we are enjoying and seeking His presence. We were made for this: to be with Him, both now and forever.
Key Takeaways
- Sin separates, but God pursues. From Eden to exile, the pattern is clear: when we choose our own way, we create distance from God’s holy presence. Yet, even in our rebellion, God graciously seeks us out, providing coverings and protection, and ultimately making a way back to Himself. The story of separation is always met by the greater story of God’s pursuit. [08:40]
- “My way” leads to emptiness; God’s way leads to life. The world celebrates autonomy and self-direction, but doing things our way ultimately leaves us hollow. True fulfillment is found in surrender—choosing God’s way in relationships, pain, and daily choices. His ways are always better, even when they require humility and trust. [13:11]
- Jehovah Shammah is the God who is there, even for the faithless. God’s promise to be present with His people is not based on their perfection, but on His relentless faithfulness. Even when Israel was exiled for their unfaithfulness, God declared that He would return to dwell among them. Our failures do not disqualify us from His presence; His grace makes a way. [18:55]
- The presence of God is both a present reality and a future hope. Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always,” assures us that God’s nearness is not just for eternity, but for every moment now. Through the Holy Spirit, we can experience His presence in the ordinary and the difficult, learning to enjoy Him even as we long for the day when we will see Him fully. [23:58]
- Seeking God’s presence requires intentionality and practice. Just as we set aside time to focus on a movie, we must carve out space to be with God—through Scripture, prayer walks, worship, silence, and breath prayers. These practices clear away the distractions and help us rest in the clarity and peace of His nearness. The more we seek Him, the more we find that His presence is the sweetest place on earth. [30:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:24] - What Does It Mean to Be in God’s Presence?
[04:09] - Prayer for God’s Presence
[06:33] - The Separation Caused by Sin
[08:40] - God’s Gracious Response in Eden
[10:29] - The Tragedy of Separation
[13:11] - Living Our Way vs. God’s Way
[15:30] - God’s Relentless Pursuit Through History
[18:55] - Jehovah Shammah: The Lord Who Is There
[22:04] - Jesus’ Promise of His Presence
[23:58] - God With Us Always
[27:42] - Practical Ways to Seek God’s Presence
[28:43] - The Power of Prayer Walks and Worship
[30:07] - Silence, Solitude, and Clarity
[31:40] - Breath Prayers for Everyday Life
[34:08] - Encouragement to Seek and Long for God’s Presence
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “How Is Your Walk With Jesus?”
---
### Bible Reading
- Genesis 3:8-24 (The separation from God’s presence after the fall)
- Ezekiel 48:35 (“The name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord is there.”)
- Matthew 28:18-20 (“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 3, what did Adam and Eve do after they sinned, and how did God respond to their hiding?
[[06:33]]
2. According to Ezekiel 48:35, what is the significance of the city’s new name, and what does it reveal about God’s desire for His people?
[[18:55]]
3. In Matthew 28:20, what promise does Jesus give to His disciples before He ascends to heaven?
[[23:58]]
4. The sermon mentioned several ways people try to “do life my way” instead of God’s way. What are some of the examples given?
[[13:11]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon say that the real tragedy of Eden is not just disobedience, but lost intimacy with God? How does this shape our understanding of sin?
[[06:33]]
2. The sermon describes God as “relentlessly pursuing” His people, even after they fail. What does this reveal about God’s character, and how does it contrast with human tendencies?
[[18:55]]
3. Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always,” is described as both a present reality and a future hope. How does this dual aspect affect the way Christians experience God’s presence today?
[[23:58]]
4. The sermon talks about intentional practices like prayer walks, worship, and silence. Why do you think these practices are necessary for enjoying God’s presence, rather than just knowing about Him?
[[27:42]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “Our walk with Christ is not about checking boxes or performing religious duties, but about craving and enjoying the sweetness of God’s presence.” What is one way you can move from duty to delight in your relationship with God this week?
[[04:09]]
2. Think about a recent situation where you chose “your way” instead of God’s way (for example, in an argument, with a distraction, or chasing after something empty). What was the result, and how could you respond differently next time?
[[13:11]]
3. The sermon describes God as Jehovah Shammah, “the Lord who is there,” even when we are faithless. Is there an area of your life where you feel distant from God? What would it look like to take one step back toward Him this week?
[[18:55]]
4. Jesus promises to be with us always, even in ordinary or painful moments. Can you recall a time when you sensed God’s presence in an unexpected place or situation? How did that change your perspective?
[[23:58]]
5. The sermon encourages carving out intentional time for God—like prayer walks, worship, or silence. Which of these practices is most challenging for you, and what is one small step you could take to try it this week?
[[27:42]]
6. The idea of “breath prayers” was introduced as a way to connect with God throughout the day. What short prayer could you use when you feel anxious, distracted, or in need of God’s presence?
[[31:40]]
7. The health of our walk with Jesus is “deeply connected to how much we are enjoying and seeking His presence.” What is one distraction or habit you need to set aside to make more space for God this week?
[[30:07]]
---
Closing Encouragement:
Remember, you were made to be with God—both now and forever. Take time this week to intentionally seek and enjoy His presence, trusting that He is always near, no matter where you are or what you’re facing.
Devotional
Day 1: Living Our Way Separates Us from God's Presence
When we choose to live life on our own terms, disregarding God's instructions, we create a barrier between ourselves and His holy presence. From the very beginning, humanity was created to enjoy intimate fellowship with God, but sin entered the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience, resulting in shame, fear, and separation from the One who made us. Even today, when we insist on doing things "my way," we find ourselves hiding behind the very blessings God has given, missing out on the fullness of His presence. The ache of separation is humanity's deepest problem, and it all begins when we turn away from God's way to follow our own. [10:29]
Genesis 3:8, 23-24 (ESV)
"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden... Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you insisting on doing things your way instead of God's way, and how might that be creating distance between you and God's presence today?
Day 2: Jehovah Shammah—God Makes a Way Back
Despite our failures and the separation caused by sin, God relentlessly pursues us and makes a way for us to return to His presence. Through the story of Israel's exile and the prophetic promise in Ezekiel, we see that even when God's people are faithless, He is faithful to restore and dwell among them. The name Jehovah Shammah, "The Lord is there," is a declaration that God will not abandon His people but will establish His presence with them forever, culminating in the ultimate fulfillment through Jesus Christ and the promise of a new heavens and new earth. [18:55]
Ezekiel 48:35 (ESV)
"The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There."
Reflection: When you feel far from God, how does the promise of Jehovah Shammah—God’s relentless pursuit of your presence—change the way you respond to Him?
Day 3: Jesus Promises His Presence Always
Jesus assures His followers that He is with them always, not just in eternity but in every moment of daily life. This promise is not limited to special places or spiritual highs; it is a reality for every believer through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Whether in the quiet of nature, the bustle of work, or the anxiety of sleepless nights, Jesus’ words remind us that we are never alone—His presence is constant, faithful, and sustaining until the very end of the age. [23:58]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Where in your daily routine do you most need to remember and rely on Jesus’ promise that He is with you always?
Day 4: Seeking and Enjoying God’s Presence Now
Experiencing God’s presence is not just a future hope but a present invitation to intentionally seek Him in our everyday lives. This means setting aside distractions, spending time in God’s Word, marveling at His creation, engaging in prayer, and practicing spiritual disciplines like silence and solitude. Just as we dedicate time and focus to things we value, we are called to carve out space to be with God, to listen, to worship, and to rest in His nearness, finding clarity and peace in His presence. [30:07]
Psalm 27:4 (ESV)
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to intentionally seek and enjoy God’s presence—perhaps through a prayer walk, time in Scripture, or practicing silence before Him?
Day 5: Breath Prayers—Practicing God’s Presence Throughout the Day
Simple, scriptural breath prayers can help us stay connected to God’s presence in the midst of daily life. Whether it’s praying, “In Christ alone, my soul finds rest,” “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,” or “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” these short prayers anchor our hearts in God’s truth and invite Him into every moment. By making these prayers a habit, we cultivate a continual awareness of God’s nearness, entrusting our anxieties, desires, and needs to Him throughout the day. [32:29]
Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Reflection: Which breath prayer resonates most with your current season, and how can you use it today to draw near to God in moments of stress, decision, or gratitude?
Quotes
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jun 24, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?