Seeking the place of God's presence – 20 August 2024

In Deuteronomy, Moses gives final instructions to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. This verse comes from a section where God, through Moses, is teaching the people about proper worship. Unlike the nations around them, who worshiped their gods at many different locations, the Israelites were to seek out the specific place where God would choose to dwell among them. This place would become the central location for worship, a symbol of God’s presence among his people, and a place where his Name would reside.

God’s instruction to the Israelites to seek the specific place where he would choose to dwell is significant. It highlights the importance of intentionality in our worship and in our relationship with God. In a world where it’s easy to become distracted or to give God just a part of our attention, this verse calls us to seek out and honour the places where God is present.

For the Israelites, this meant going to a specific location to worship. For us, it can mean setting aside specific times and spaces in our lives where we intentionally focus on God, where we acknowledge his presence and seek to draw closer to him. This can be in a physical place like a church or a quiet spot in your home, but it can also be about creating a spiritual space in your heart where God’s presence is honoured and revered.

This verse reminds us that encountering God isn’t always about being in the right physical location, but about the condition of our hearts and our willingness to seek him.

Are we actively seeking God’s presence in our lives, or are we letting the busyness and distractions of life pull us away from that sacred space? Just as the Israelites were instructed to go to the place where God’s Name dwelt, we are called to prioritise our relationship with God, seeking out those moments and places where we can experience his presence in a deeper way.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be intentional in seeking your presence. Just as you called the Israelites to go to the place where your Name would dwell, guide me to create spaces in my life where I can encounter you more deeply. Teach me to prioritise my relationship with you, making time to focus on your presence amidst the distractions of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.