O That I Knew Where I Might Find Him, That I
God is intimately near to us, and we can find Him in Jesus, who is seated on the mercy-seat, in every situation.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the intimate and ever-present nature of God, reminding us that we do not need to search far and wide to find Him, as He is closer than we often realize. He encourages believers to approach God directly, recognizing that His mercy is accessible in every moment and place, whether in times of trouble or peace. Meyer reassures us that God's presence is constant, and we can communicate with Him freely, even amidst our struggles. The sermon calls for a deeper awareness of God's nearness and invites us to engage with Him in prayer and reflection. Ultimately, it is a reminder that we can find God right where we are, without needing to ascend to heaven or descend into the depths.
Text
O that I knew where I might find Him, that I
might come even to his seat! Job xxiii. 3.
POOR tempest‑driven man, he knew not that God was intimately near, nearer than breathing. There was no need for him to go forward and backward, on the right hand or the left. The Lord his God was nigh him, even in his heart; for his throne was pitched there on the sands of the desert, between Job and his pitiless accusers.
Thou needest not speak like this. Thou knowest where to find Him; thou canst find the way to his seat. He is to be found in Jesus, seated on the mercy‑seat; in that room where thou sittest reading these words; in that railway train or store. No need to ascend into heaven, or descend into the abyss. Thou couldst not be nearer God, if thou wert in heaven. True, the obscuring vail shall be then removed.
"And without a screen,
At one burst shall be seen,
The Presence in which we have ever been";
but the dropping‑ of the scales from our eyes will not make us nearer God than we are at this moment.
Now go to his seat, just in front of thee. Order thy cause before Him, and argue it. Wait to know the words with which He shall answer thee, and understand his reply. Only be sure that He will not contend against thee with his great power. Sometimes we are so bewildered and perplexed that we lose the realizing sense of God's presence; but there is no real difference. God is not really farther away; and nothing glorifies and pleases Him more than for us to go on speaking with Him as though we could see his face, and realize his embrace. Be still for a moment, and say, reverently and believingly: Lo, God is in this place.
Sermon Outline
- God's Presence in Our Lives
- Finding God in Our Daily Lives
- Communicating with God
- Maintaining a Realizing Sense of God's Presence
- Don't let circumstances distract us
- Speak to God as if we could see His face
- He is present in Jesus
Key Quotes
“And without a screen, At one burst shall be seen, The Presence in which we have ever been” — F.B. Meyer
“Lo, God is in this place” — F.B. Meyer
“He is to be found in Jesus, seated on the mercy-seat” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We can find God in our daily lives by recognizing His presence in Jesus and speaking to Him as if we could see His face.
- God is not really farther away from us, even in difficult circumstances, and we can maintain a realizing sense of His presence by speaking to Him reverently and believingly.
- We can communicate with God by ordering our cause before Him, waiting for His answer, and trusting in His love and care for us.