Leaven Leaven

Volume 2 Issue 2 Ministry of Consolation Article 3

1-1-1992

The Ministry of Presence: A Biblical View The Ministry of Presence: A Biblical View

Sonny Guild Guild@bible.acu.edu

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven

Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology

and Philosophy of Religion Commons

Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Guild, Sonny (1992) "The Ministry of Presence: A Biblical View," Leaven: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 3. Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol2/iss2/3

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Religion at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Leaven by an authorized editor of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Katrina.Gallardo@pepperdine.edu, anna.speth@pepperdine.edu, linhgavin.do@pepperdine.edu.

4 Leaven, Spring 1992

The Ministry ofPresence:A Biblical View

By Sonny Guild

The call came at 4 a.m. The voice on theother end was strained and weak. "John had a heartattack and is dead," she said. I quickly dressed andwent to be with Mary in those early, dark hoursbefore dawn. I am not sure what I said. Maryprobably cannot remember either.

Who can think clearly at 4:30 a.m. anyway?Who is ever prepared for such a call, prepared withthe "right words"? Who thinks conversation willcome easily while sitting in a room with a friend andthe body ofher husband of30 years? I do rememberwe prayed. When such occasions arise, words are notas important as the presence of another person.Knowing you are not alone, knowing someone caresis transforming. Sometimes the transformation isas simple as to hope you will make it through thenight.

A call to ministry is a call to participate inthe lives of others. It is more a commitment to giveothers a personal presence than simply to give themwords. When I have less concern about the rightwords and more concern for beingpresentin people'slives ministry becomes more meaningful.

GDd,the Father, is the one who models thiskind of ministry for us. Yes, he does communicateand always has the right words. Yet, a major

Sonny Guild is the Pulpit Minister for the SouthwestChurch of Christ. Tigard. Oregon.

concern, a first concern ofhis is fellowship, makinghis presence known, participating in our lives. IfAdam felt alone after giving names to all the crea-tures, he must have been devastated when he wasdeprived of God's personal presence.

God's Presence With His ServantsIt is this fellowship, lost in the garden, that

GDdthrough the history of redemption is working torestore. Before the ultimate revelation of his Sonand the eventual fellowship realized through ChristJesus, GDdwas at work, giving himself personally tohis people. His presence was known, acting in theirlives, responding to their needs, and bringing de-liverance. This is the story line of the Bible.

GDdwent beyond promising his presence. Innumerous concrete ways he gave evidence that hewas in their midst. The angel of Yahweh (Gen.22:11,15-16;31:11-13; Ex. 3:2-5);theglory ofYahweh(Ex. 24:15-17; 40:34-38); the name of Yahweh (Ex.3:14);the face ofYahweh (Ex. 33:14-15); and the Arkof the covenant (Nurn. 10:33-36) were all demon-strations or reminders of the presence of God.!

Of particular significance was the name ofGDd. In the world ofthe Old Testament, names weremore than the means by which to refer to someone.Names gave insight into character. When Mosesrequested God's name he was essentially asking,"What kind ofgod are you?" Moses was at a criticalmoment in his life. God was asking him to return toEgypt, and he needed to know if GDd could betrusted. Would God be with him as he faced theoverwhelming task of confronting Pharoah and

1

Guild: The Ministry of Presence: A Biblical View

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1992

leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. He wasconcerned about God's presence with him as muchas his character.s The name spoken to Moses,Yahweh, reflected that God would be present in hislife. In English Yahweh more nearly represents, "Iam really and truly present, ready to help and to act,as I have always been."3 The emphasis is upon thereality of who God is and his presence at thatmoment.

What could be more important to Moses andhis people than to know the presence of God as theystepped from the known to the unknown, from sla-very to freedom? When Moses gave his first objec-tion to the mission of delivering Israel, God's replyhad to do with presence, not miraculous help. "I willbe with you" (Ex. 3:12). Yahweh's presence and hishelp were essential to Moses. While the demon-strations of God's power in the court ofPharoah andon the shore of the Red Sea were reminders of hispresence, it was the reassurance that he was withthem which was of primary importance.

Those leaders of Israel who followed Mosesneeded and received the same reassurance. Joshuawas given the difficult task of replacing the greatleader Moses. His heart was filled with anxiety, andGod drew near and ministered to those needs andfeelings. God addressed the moment in terms ofpresence. "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you;I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and ofgood courage" (Josh. 1:5-6a). This exhortation to bestrong and courageous was stressed with Joshuarepeatedly (1:7, 9, 18). Sufficient courage andstrength would only come from knowingthat Yahwehwas with him. The subsequent signs he witnessedand the victories he experienced were but confir-mations of Yahweh's presence.

As Gideon faced his own insurmountabletask, he sought the same reassurance from Yahweh,"The Present One." He was doubtful about thegreeting he received, "The Lord is with you, youmighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12). He was alsogiven a confirming sign, but the sign had no power ormeaning other than to affirm that what God saidwas true and could be trusted. God would be presentin his life.

The prophets also knew Yahweh's presence.The work of a prophet was difficult at best. Duringa desperate time in Judah's history Jeremiah wasgiven an unpopular message to deliver, and Godfortified him with the promise of his presence. "Benot afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,says the Lord" (Jer. 1:8). God's presence was alwaysmeaningful, but the commitment to be there, espe-cially when the task or the moment was difficult,was particularly critical.

Ministry of Consolation 5

In speaking about commitment, LewisSmedes says that personal commitment has twocomponents: consistency and care. "Consistency isour predictability; care is our personal presence."4God has shown his servants not only that he can becounted upon but that he cares deeply, demon-strated by his presence with them.

Tospeak of God's presence isalso to speak ofhis nearnessto his people. It is this un-derstanding of the nearnessof God that gave a uniquequality to the religion of Is-rael.

God's Presence With IsraelGod's presence was known not just by indi-

viduals, but also by the community of faith. InIsrael's experience the presence of God was knownby how he acted on her behalf. Israel's definition ofGod was not acquired through systematic theologyor speculative thought. Instead, Israel sought toexplain events that led to her existence.f What Goddid was the means by which Israel came to under-stand him. His deeds proclaimed his presence in hermidst, especially as he and his people lived in acovenant relationship.

To speak ofGod's presence is also to speak ofhis nearness to his people. It is this understandingof the nearness of God that gave a unique quality tothe religion of Israel. This is clearly stated inDeuteronomy 4:7, "For what great nation is therethat has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is tous, whenever we call upon him?" This understandinghad special significance because ofIsrael's redemp-tive needs. At the center of Israel's faith was theproclamation that Yahweh had heard the cry of hisweak, oppressed people in Egypt and respondedwith redemptive, life-changing power. When Israelrecounted her faith it was always in terms ofYahweh's redemptive handiwork in her midst.f

The life ofIsrael was built on covenant withGod and an absolute belief that God was in hermidst. God's presence was a religious dichotomy.That is, God was both transcendent and personallypresent to Israel." This is the mystery and paradox

2

Leaven, Vol. 2 [1992], Iss. 2, Art. 3

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol2/iss2/3

6 Leaven, Spring 1992

of the story. While preserving his transcendence,GDdstepped into the realm ofhuman experience andministered to the needs ofhis people. He chose to bein their midst because there was no other way fortheir needs tobe addressed. It was precisely becauseGDdwas both transcendent and personally presentthat redemptive possibilities were brought about forIsrael.

However, the story oflsrael was not always

It is astonishing that Godcame to us, drew near to us,in the flesh. It is even moreastonishing that he enteredinto the experience of deathwith us.

one of nearness to GDd. The tragedy of Adam's fallwas reflected repeatedly in the unfaithfulness ofGod's people. There were times when God's presencewas not with them (Judges 7:12f.),or they questionedor doubted his presence (Pss. 10, 22, 55). To cry outto GDdwhen circumstances belied his nearness wasperhaps part of the process ofknowing his presenceagain. Memory of his presence ministered to themoment as God's people suffered defeat or had towait in faith for God's deliverance. Whether incurrent experience or in memory, God's presencehad power to minister. Yahweh's presence blessedthem, shaped them and gave them hope. Nothingwas more comforting and life transforming as thepresence of Yahweh.f

God's Presence in ChristAs the story of redemption reached its ful-

fillment in Christ, a more direct manifestation ofGod's presence was known. God himself drew nearas he participated in life in the flesh. He was inreality what the prophets (Isaiah 7:14) had pointedto, Immanuel, "GDdwith us."

GDdmade his presence known as he againresponded to the needs ofa desperate people. He wasagain on a redemptive mission. Isaiah penned it first(Isaiah 61:1-2), andJesus applied it to himself(Luke4:18-19). He came with good news for the poor. Hiswas a proclamation of release for prisoners, sight forthe blind and liberty for the oppressed. He proclaimedthe acceptable year ofthe Lord. What better way toaddress the needs of humankind and to make suchproclamations ofgood news than through GDdin theflesh!

Jesus' coming in the flesh was a necessity.The transcendent GDdwas the Yahweh ofpresence.In Christ, Godwas present in the midst ofhuman lifebecause there was no other way to meet humanneed. The writer of Hebrews stated it best.

Since the children have flesh andblood, he too shared in their hu-manity so that byhis death he mightdestroy him who holds the power ofdeath - that is, the devil - and freethose who all their lives were held inslavery by their fear of death. Forsurely it is not angels he helps, butAbraham's descendants. For thisreason he had to be made like hisbrothers in every way, in order thathe might become a merciful andfaithful high priest in service to God,and that he might make atonementfor the sins of the people. Becausehe himself suffered when he wastempted, he is able to help those whoare being tempted" (Hebrews 2:14-18).

It is astonishing that GDdcame to us, drewnear to us, in the flesh. It is even more astonishingthat he entered into the experience of death with us.That journey into death washis redemptive mission,his greatest challenge, on our behalf. Could it bethat as he stood with us at the cross, in the face ofdeath, he felt uncomfortable, as we often do? Nev-ertheless, he stood with us. His embrace ofthe crosson our beh alf required his presence in the flesh.

God's Presence Through The HolySpirit

The necessity ofthe cross to the redemptivepurpose of Christ was an unfolding reality for thedisciples. Long before their understanding wascomplete they werejoyful to be his disciples. He wasimportant to them, and they were distressed at thethought of losing his presence (John 13:31-14:14).To think they would no longer have intimate fellow-ship with Jesus was shattering. Jesus understoodthe need for presence, God's presence, in the lives ofhumankind. He did not intend to leave them deso-late and promised to send another counselor, theSpirit of Truth (John 14:16-18).

The Holy Spirit became God's presence inthe lives ofbelievers. He was not only with them, hewas in them. Quoting from Joel 2:28-32, Peterexplains that the givingofthe Spirit was an overridingunderstanding ofwhat happened at Pentecost. The

3

Guild: The Ministry of Presence: A Biblical View

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1992

Spirit was made available to all whom the Lordsaved and fulfilled Jesus' promise when he left theearth, "I will be with you always, to the close of theage" (Mt. 28:20).

God, in both the Old and New Testaments,was moved to give his presence to his people. Christfulfills the promise of God to be with us and dwellsin our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:16-17).His abiding presence may be realized in a redemp-tive act or in providing strength and courage for themoment. Certainly it is experienced through hisnearness to us. This is a model of ministry for thechurch today, fashioned by God himself.

Presence Ministers to OverwhelmedPeople

Our world has become too individualizedand isolated. People often work with machines morethan with people. Self-centeredness is the hallmarkofour society, and people are left on their own to dealwith the difficulties of life. God's presence is needed.

Frequently we are reluctant to respond to aneed because we donot have the "right words" to say.The fear of being in an uncomfortable situationkeeps us isolated from the hurts of others. Thereality is that for many deep hurts there are nomagic words. What men and women need most is toknow that there are others in their lives who are notafraid to walk the valleys with them. Sometimesadmittedly we walk fearfully, longing for "rightwords." But, sometimes silence and the presence ofanother who cares is the greatest comfort we canprovide. Words are often forgotten, but the memo-ries of caring faces are not.

Presence is important. Jesus, on the nighthe was to face his greatest test went out to pray.Mark says he was "overwhelmed with sorrow to thepoint of death" (Mark 14:34). He asked Peter,James, and John to go with him. His one request ofthem was to stay and keep watch. Their presencewas needed by our Lord. I am not sure I understandwhy. Perhaps this illustrates one of the powerfuland meaningful ways we minister to overwhelmedpeople. To know someone else cares and is therewith you is the critical need of the moment.

The following poem reflects how we can be

Ministry of Consolation 7

mistaken about what really ministers to people.

I was sitting, torn by grief Someonecame and talked to me of God'sdealing, of why it happened, of hopebeyond the grave. He talked con-stantly; he said things I knew weretrue. I was unmoved, except to wishhe'd go away. He finally did.

Another came and sat beside me. Hedid not talk. He did not ask leadingquestions. Hejust sat beside me foran hour or more, listened when Isaid something, answered briefly,prayed simply, left. I was moved. Iwas comforted. I hated to see himgo. 9

The presence of a Christian has meaningbeyond having just another body in the room. Theministry of presence is a ministry given to all be-lievers. We are all priests in service to God. We area royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and as priests wemediate God's presence.

When Christians express their care and lovefor another by being present they are also expressingJesus' loving concern. We are more familiar with theidea ofbeing his body. The Christian, as a memberof the community of faith, is a priest in service toGod. The priest brings the Father onto the scene. Itmay not be spoken. It may be a prayer. It may beonly knowing and being thankful that we share arelatedness because of God. Nevertheless, throughour caring we share the presence of the Father.

Your call may not come at 4 a.m., but it willcome. The challenge for us is like that for Israel.How shall we live in view of the kind of God weworship? God has been present and available, sowill his people be present and available to others. Ashis care for us has been manifest in tangible ways,our caring should also be revealed by our presence.Being present with those who hurt and are over-whelmed, however uncomfortable we may be, isoften the act of deliverance they need most.

4

Leaven, Vol. 2 [1992], Iss. 2, Art. 3

https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol2/iss2/3