What can happen in God’s presence?

Have you ever stepped into a place where the atmosphere is soaked with the tangible presence of God?

If you have, it’s probably been indelibly etched into your memory.

It’s happened to me on a few occasions, but the standout one was the very first time I visited Ffald-y-Brenin Christian Retreat Centre in Pembrokeshire, South Wales.

I was with one of my closest friends and, upon our arrival, we were invited together into the small round beehive shape chapel. It is an incredible place, hewn out of rough stones, with small arched windows that allow beams of natural light to pour in and onto the altar, which is formed out of the bedrock.

As we crossed the threshold, I found myself falling to my knees, bowing down before the altar – acutely aware of God’s holy presence in that place … and of all the sinfulness in me.

It was more than two hours later when I finally rose from my knees, having done business with God, and having heard him speaking to me in profoundly personal ways.

Our relationship, and the way we communicate, was changed forever.

***

There’s a story in the Bible about a young boy called Samuel, which can be found in 1 Samuel 1-3.

His mother, Hannah, unable to conceive, pleads with God, in heart-felt prayer, asking him for a baby. Samuel is the answer to her prayer, a miracle boy, bringing an end to years of childlessness – and the shame that came with it in her culture.

Hannah, recognising that her son has a special call on his life, and in order to honour her word to God, dedicates him to God’s service. Once he is weaned, she leaves him to live at the temple, in the care of Eli the priest.

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him,” she tells Eli. “So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1: 27-28)

One night, when Samuel is about 12 or 13 years old, he is sleeping in his usual place, near the altar, right at the heart of the temple.

We are told that he is lying down next to “the ark of God” and that “the lamp of God” has not yet gone out. (1 Samuel 3:3) This means he is as near to God’s presence as he can get – and it is almost dawn, at the time when the oil would have been replenished to keep the light burning.

We are also told that, at this time in Israel’s history, “the word of the Lord” is rare. (1 Samuel 3:1) So the context is one in which God’s people aren’t used to hearing him speak; they are unfamiliar with his voice.

Three times in quick succession, the Lord calls Samuel. (1 Samuel 3:4-8) Each time, Samuel answers, “Here I am.” Each time, Samuel gets up, goes to Eli, wakes him and says, “Here I am; you called me.”

The first two times it happens, Eli responds, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” But when it happens a third time, Eli realises that it is the Lord who is calling, and he guides Samuel in how to respond.

But then something happens which I had never previously noticed in this story – until I was reading it again last week …

It’s the fact that, when the Lord calls Samuel for a fourth time, we are told that: “The Lord came and stood there.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

The Lord doesn’t just call Samuel. He also comes and stands there.

It’s the fact that, when this happens, Samuel doesn’t get up, go to Eli and wake him.

He simply stays put and says, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” In other words, he invites God to speak, he expects God to speak, and he actively starts to listen.

… Why have I never noticed these two facts before?

It’s almost as if God has to get Eli out of the way.

It’s only when Eli is out of the way – it’s then that God comes, stands and speaks. It’s then that he gifts Samuel with his presence, as well as his voice. It’s then that Samuel recognises and responds. And it’s then that Samuel invites God to speak, expects God to speak, and actively starts to listen.

The message that God gives Samuel that night was hard hitting. Judgment was to come on Eli and his household. He wanted Samuel to be the one to tell Eli.

How terrified must Samuel have felt? We are told that, “He was afraid to tell Eli the vision.” (1 Samuel 3:15) No wonder God needed to reassure Samuel with his presence, as well as his voice!

But we are also told that, with support, “Samuel told [Eli] everything, hiding nothing from him.” (1 Samuel 3:18)

Samuel didn’t just hear what God had to say. He also honoured what God had to say, and obeyed what God was asking him to do.

***

How many of us are like Samuel?

How many of us assume that God speaks to others, but not to us? How many of us need to get our “Eli” out of the way, in order to hear God for ourselves?

Perhaps it’s your minister, pastor or priest? Perhaps it’s a prophetic person who you follow online? Perhaps it’s a Christian public figure who you particularly admire? Perhaps it’s the daily devotional notes that you like to read?

What would happen if, like Samuel, you were to stop listening to all those other voices? What would happen if you were to simply come into God’s presence, saying, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening”? What would happen if you were to actively start to listen, with expectancy that God will speak and you will hear?

And if you’re unsure how to invite God’s presence into the place where you are seeking to hear him speaking, how about speaking, out loud, the ancient prayer, “Come, Holy Spirit”?

Imagine what could happen.

***

Please feel free to respond with constructive comments below.

Please note: This is my ‘thought for the month’ reflection for May. (You can find all my ‘thought for the month’ reflections here.)

The photo is my own. It shows the altar carved out of the rock in the chapel at Ffald-y-Brenin.