The Presence of God

[MCoving]

Okay so this time I really did try searching the forums.. I dont do too well with that, I started just looking for verses that kinda talked on my question but nothing was really coming up.. so I starting a new thread. Hope thats okay?
So I was at church today and the pastor was talking about worship and used this verse:
Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

And he was talking about how entering together with other believers God promises that His presence is there. And that it is like the Holy of Holies.. its holy ground that people are on and need to respect God. Like when Abraham was asked to take off his sandals because he was walking on holy ground. Though the pastor didn't say we are to take off our shoes but just the honor and respect one is to have while worshipping. That worship isn't an entertainment, and its not what we get out of it.

I agree with the worship not being entertainment. But I was wondering about the presence of God? Is He there when two people meet? Where is God? I know it says everywhere that God is omnipresence.. or something omni. So wouldn't Gods presence be there when its just myself? I'm just not clear on any of this really so wanted some insight and some other bible verses. Thanks!!

Mary

[jmgipson]

Okay so this time I really did try searching the forums.. I dont do too well with that, I started just looking for verses that kinda talked on my question but nothing was really coming up.. so I starting a new thread. Hope thats okay?
So I was at church today and the pastor was talking about worship and used this verse:
Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

And he was talking about how entering together with other believers God promises that His presence is there. And that it is like the Holy of Holies.. its holy ground that people are on and need to respect God. Like when Abraham was asked to take off his sandals because he was walking on holy ground. Though the pastor didn't say we are to take off our shoes but just the honor and respect one is to have while worshipping. That worship isn't an entertainment, and its not what we get out of it.

I agree with the worship not being entertainment. But I was wondering about the presence of God? Is He there when two people meet? Where is God? I know it says everywhere that God is omnipresence.. or something omni. So wouldn't Gods presence be there when its just myself? I'm just not clear on any of this really so wanted some insight and some other bible verses. Thanks!!

Mary

Mary,
David knew that wherever he was there was God.

Ps 139
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.ave spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

John

[Eileen]

Mary,

Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

The Lord is with us always individually, you can always be assured of that. I think the verse above is speaking about corporate worship, assembling together, He is there in that worship. I think it relates to the Lord's Supper too, for how can one person serve themselves the Supper?

Perhaps someone a bit more steeped in doctrine and wiser will comment for you.

Eileen~

[Ugly_Gaunt_Cow]

Okay so this time I really did try searching the forums.. I dont do too well with that, I started just looking for verses that kinda talked on my question but nothing was really coming up.. so I starting a new thread. Hope thats okay?
So I was at church today and the pastor was talking about worship and used this verse:
Matthew 18:20
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

And he was talking about how entering together with other believers God promises that His presence is there. And that it is like the Holy of Holies.. its holy ground that people are on and need to respect God. Like when Abraham was asked to take off his sandals because he was walking on holy ground. Though the pastor didn't say we are to take off our shoes but just the honor and respect one is to have while worshipping. That worship isn't an entertainment, and its not what we get out of it.

I agree with the worship not being entertainment. But I was wondering about the presence of God? Is He there when two people meet? Where is God? I know it says everywhere that God is omnipresence.. or something omni. So wouldn't Gods presence be there when its just myself? I'm just not clear on any of this really so wanted some insight and some other bible verses. Thanks!!

Mary

I think Christ is referring to the testimony given by the Holy Spirit between two or more bretheren. I've heard this experience called by a couple of names, the most frequently used being the "sharring of the Holy Spirit", or "unity of the Spirit"

Don't quote me on it but it's the only thing that's come to my mind on the subject.

[beloved57]

I believe that in the specific context it refers to at least two people gathered together in reference to church disicpline

15Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

I do believe however Mary that you have God`s special promise of him being with you in Heb 13

5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee

The child of God has assurance of Gods presence..

[Robert R. Higby]

In considering this it becomes obvious that there are different aspects to God's presence:

1. The special presence tied to his covenantal love, promises, grace, and sovereign care of his people referred to in what is being discussed.
2. The general, sustaining presence of God in all places and times.
3. The special presence tied to his wrath on wickedness. This is why I have often stated that the final judgment on the damned is not to be understood as separation from God or going away from his presence, but rather everlasting shame and contempt IN his presence.

--Bob