What is the presence of God? What is being in the presence of God?

TL;DR:

God is omnipresent, meaning He is present at all times and in all places. To be in God’s presence means living in close fellowship with Him, aware of His nearness, whether we feel it or not.

The presence of God is both an eternal reality and a personal experience (Psalm 139:7-8; Matthew 28:20). From the beginning, God’s presence filled creation and dwelled closely with humanity, but sin fractured that relationship (Genesis 3:8; Isaiah 59:2). Throughout the Old Testament, God’s presence was revealed in specific places and moments—through the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-5; ), the cloud on Sinai (Exodus 19:19), the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:10-11)—showing that He is both everywhere and uniquely active where He chooses to dwell. The New Testament deepens this truth: through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, God’s presence now resides within every believer (John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16). We no longer need to approach a temple or wait for a divine appearance to meet with Him; His Spirit makes our hearts His dwelling place (John 4:21-24). To live in God’s presence, then, is to walk in continual awareness of His nearness, guided by His Spirit and anchored in His Word (Galatians 5:25; Psalm 119:105). It is a call to live each moment as sacred, knowing that the God who once filled holy places now fills our lives with His unshakable presence.

from the old testament

Though God’s presence is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10; Jeremiah 23:23-24), the Bible also speaks of being before God in heaven as His dwelling place (1 Kings 8:30), of His special presence in certain locations such as Jerusalem (Psalm 132:13-14; 2 Chronicles 7:16), and of moments when He revealed Himself uniquely at a particular time or place (Exodus 3:2-6; Exodus 19:18-20).
In the beginning of human history, God enjoyed a close presence with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). After their sin, they became separated from this presence. Throughout the Old Testament period, we find various ways in which God revealed His presence in special ways. These included speaking, as He did with Noah; in physical form, as Genesis 17—18 describe; and in visible form, as He did with the Israelites in the forty years in the wilderness.
Psalm 114:7 looks back at Israel's wilderness journey and describes God's presence as something that could make someone tremble in fear: "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob."
Jeremiah 3:17 speaks of a time when God's presence will dwell in a special way in Jerusalem, saying, "At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart."

from the new testament

In the New Testament, the angel Gabriel said he lived in the presence of God: "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news" (Luke 1:19).
Second Thessalonians 1:9 speaks of the presence of the Lord in another way: "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might." This presence of the Lord is similar to that mentioned by Gabriel, speaking of being before the Lord in heaven.
In 1 Corinthians 1:28-29, Paul spoke of God's presence as a time which people speak with God: "God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Paul evokes God’s presence as a witness to his words to Timothy, reminding us that everything we do is in God’s presence: "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21).

implications for today

God's Spirit lives within those who believe in Him (John 14:23). We do not need to go somewhere special to seek His presence but are called to worship Him and live guided by His Spirit that lives within us. We may sense God's presence in a special way emotionally at times, yet God is present at all times, places, and in each believer. He sustains our faith, so His presence is assured by who He is, not by our feelings (Psalm 46:1; Matthew 28:20). His presence is a constant reality, whether we are aware of it or not, reminding us that He is near, active, and faithful in every circumstance.

When we remember that God’s Spirit truly dwells within us, it transforms how we live our lives. We don’t chase after emotional experiences or sacred spaces to feel close to Him; these will all fade away and are often unreliable. Instead, we cultivate awareness of God’s presence in ordinary moments—at work, at home, and in our struggles. We hold onto the truths of His Word and allow that to help us recognize His presence. We can walk in peace, no matter what comes our way, knowing that we are never alone and that His Spirit empowers us to live lives with purpose and that are pleasing to Him.

understand

God is omnipresent—He exists everywhere at all times yet He also reveals His presence in special ways and places throughout Scripture.
God’s presence dwells within believers through the Holy Spirit, no longer limited to temples or sacred spaces.
To be in God’s presence means walking in awareness of His nearness, guided by His Spirit, trusting that He is always active and faithful in every circumstance.

reflect

How do you remind yourself of God’s presence in your daily routine, especially when life feels ordinary or overwhelming?
When have you most clearly sensed God’s nearness, and how did that experience deepen your trust in Him?
What might change in your thoughts, words, or actions if you lived each day fully aware that God’s Spirit dwells within you?

engage

How do the Old and New Testaments together reveal the shift from God’s presence with Adam and Eve, to specific places, and now with His presence within believers?
How can we help each other become more aware of God’s presence in everyday life?
How does understanding God’s presence and nearness influence how we face suffering, temptation, or uncertainty as believers?