Why does God sometimes seem distant and impersonal? Is it true that He actually wants to be closely acquainted with us? Let's prayerfully study the scriptures to see what this means.

Numerous and powerful are the promises that the intimate presence of God can be with us.

Thoughtfully read the following promises, considering their potent message.

"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." - Isaiah 57:15

"...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." - Hebrews 13:5

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.." - Galatians 2:20

"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes" - Ezekiel 36:27

"To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" - Colossians 1:27

"Abide in me, and I in you." - John 15:4

Now who says we serve an impersonal god? No!! What did we just read? I will never leave thee; Christ liveth in me; My spirit within you; Christ in you; Abide in me; I dwell in eternity, but also with the him that has a contrite and humble spirit!

What a thrilling prospect, the one and only true, almighty powerful creator God abiding in you! In me!

If Christ is in you, He promises to be your counsellor and guide.

"And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." - Isaiah 30:21

"And the LORD shall guide thee continually.." - Isaiah 58:11

He promises to give you strength enough to cope with anything!

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." - Isaiah 40:29

"..as thy days, so shall thy strength be." - Deuteronomy 33:25

He will fill you with fullness of joy.

"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore." - Psalms 16:11

He will give you power to overcome sin & obey His laws of love, this in turn gives us great peace

"Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:" - 1 John 3:6

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;" - 1 John 3:9

"And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes" - Ezekiel 36:27

Why do we overcome?

"..because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1. John 4:4

We could go on and on repeating the exceeding great and precious promises of God. Promises telling of the power, strength, joy, love, peace etc.., that come when God himself abides with us. Indeed we see that the only way for me to be a true Christian is if Christ is abiding in me, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me.

This may sound weird. I don't live, but Christ lives in me? What does that mean?

Next week we will continue studying this precious topic. In the meantime, be encouraged by this week's desktop background and the following quote.

We may indeed say, "Thy presence is our security, our treasure, our glory, our joy.". . Do we pray that Christ will go where we go and dwell where we dwell? If we can live without Christ in this world, He will live without us in the better world. But if we cling to Him by living faith, saying with Jacob, "I will not let thee go"; if we entreat, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me," the promise is to us "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." - by Ellen G. White, Christ Triumphant, pg 90