Are you always aware of God’s presence? For some people God is present at a worship assembly. This is the time prayers of thanksgiving and petitions are offered up to Him. It is a time to give as we have prospered. We sing songs of praise and adoration to Him at this time. We smile at one another and speak cordially and friendly to one another and then it happens!

We leave the place where God is and go out into the world. While driving home someone cuts us off and we have some unkind words for them. The kids are not behaving and we raise our voices and get red in the face. Maybe we go to work and listen in as a coworker tells us a vulgar story that no one would repeat. And then we repeat the same vulgar story to others who haven’t heard it. It could be we open up that site on the internet where some people have taken their clothes off. Or at school we cheat to achieve a higher grade. The list is endless.

Where is God while all of this takes place? Did He stay at the church building or did He come with you? You need to understand that He is right beside you as you did all of these things. Does He approve? No! Is He disappointed? Definitely! Does He want you to act differently? Surely!

In the book of Jeremiah God asks a series of questions. He asks, “Am I a God who is near,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far off? Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23,24. We need to learn that we cannot hide from God. Adam and Eve tried (Gen 3) but God knew where they were and what they had done. Others today try to hide but God is right with them every step they take. Our Lord said, “And I say to you, that every careless word that men speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment” (Matt. 12:36) So, is that scary or what? Only if your words are not what they need to be.

When you ride in the car God is present. He is present at school. He is present at work. He is present when we are at play. Let’s live each day with this knowledge. If we do maybe we will all be a little nicer to those around us.