How Do I Have More of God’s Presence in My Life? (Leviticus 8-15)
Do you long to experience more of God's presence? Leviticus shows us that the presence of God is both powerful and purifying, and it changes everything.
Leviticus 8-15
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Do you long for more of God’s presence?
Throughout Leviticus, we notice an emphasis on the presence of God. This presence is both wonderful and terrifying. In Leviticus 9:23-24, we see this awe-inspiring display of God’s presence. After lifting several offerings to God,
23 “Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown.”
These last few words show a proper response to God’s glory. As Gordon Wenham writes, “God’s greatness and holiness cannot be ignored; he must be acknowledged by our whole being. Nothing less is adequate.”[1] While the end of Leviticus 9 is a major high point in this book, the mood dramatically shifts a few sentences later in Chapter 10 with these words:
1 “Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own firepan, put fire in it, placed incense on it, and presented unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do. 2 Then fire came from the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.”
For those in right relationship with God, his presence is incredible. But for those who are disobedient, it is terrifying and even deadly. As John Hartley writes, “All activity at the tabernacle took place in Yahweh’s presence…Sacrifices were not made for their own sake but in order that Yahweh might accept them.”[2] Unlike many ritual-based religions, the reason the Israelites were to offer sacrifices and live a purified life was to experience more of God’s presence and develop a deeper relationship with him and others.
The presence of God is all-consuming. Gordon Wenham writes, “God is present not only in worship, but at all times, even in the mundane duties of life. Leviticus knows of nothing that is beyond God’s control or concern. The whole of man’s life must be lived out in the presence of God.”[3]
A Meditation to PRAY
Praise | You are an incredible God. Thank you for your presence in my life.
Release | I give you my desire to see you work in my way. Show me how to seek your will in your way.
