Article September 1, 2013

His presence

Originally published in the 1910 pamphlet titled “Prayer and Healing”

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 512, we read that "Spirit is symbolized by strength, presence, and power." When Moses was called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt he asked whom God would send with him. The answer which he received was, "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." The psalmist sang, "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy."

Christian Science is teaching us the nature and character of God's presence and bringing that fulness of joy which comes from a realizing sense of His nearness. It teaches us that God's presence is always with us; that wherever we are, whatever our burdens may seem to be, God's love sustains us. Love alone is the nature of the presence which never leaves us nor forsakes us. Because the spiritual presence of God is ever with us, here and now, there is nothing material or mortal with power to make or to mar our happiness. Until we learn this we shall be in cruel bondage, like the Israelites of old, ever struggling against weakness, pain, or fear, looking either backward with regret, or forward with forebodings. From the inspired writings of Mrs. Eddy Christian Scientists are learning how to apply in daily life Jesus' command, "Take no thought for the morrow." We are learning that only the present is ours and that our duty is to rightly improve each present moment, to keep ourselves busy striving to realize God's presence now. Doing this, our recollections of the past are filled with gratitude and our anticipations of the future with the loving trust which knows no sense of anxiety.

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