Overcoming Spiritual Assumption: Seeking God's Presence Daily

In our daily Group Bible Study meditations, we are focusing on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Today’s theme is seeking Christ rather than assuming His presence.

The Danger of Spiritual Assumption: Lessons from Luke 2

It's a distressing experience for any parent: traveling all day only to realize your child isn't with the group. That was the situation for Mary and Joseph when Jesus, at twelve, was in Jerusalem for the Passover festival (Luke 2:41-53). After the Feast, Joseph and Mary assumed Jesus would join the large caravan for the three- to four-day, eighty-mile journey back to Nazareth, but He didn’t follow their program. Likewise, in our spiritual journeys, we often persist with our plans, thinking God is "somewhere in the mix," only to find we've drifted far from His presence.

Returning to Where We Stopped Listening to God

Mary and Joseph traveled for a full day before they began looking for Jesus among their relatives. When they didn't find Him, it took another day to return to Jerusalem and a third day to find Him in the temple. This story is a powerful warning against "spiritual assumption". We can get so caught up in the "caravan" of our daily routines, church activities, and family responsibilities that we fail to check if we are actually in step with the Lord.

Assumption is the enemy of intimacy. We may think the Lord is with us when we start drifting away, but He may have other things on His mind. While Jesus has promised never to leave or forsake us, we can certainly wander from the sense of His close presence through disobedience or simply by failing to seek His lead.

If you feel a lack of intimacy today, it is helpful to pause and reflect: Where was I when I last felt close to Him? Just as Mary and Joseph had to return to the last place they saw Jesus—the temple—we often have to return to the place where we stopped listening. Don't move another mile on assumption. Seek His presence now.

Daily Devotional Reflection: The Breath Prayer

Are you currently moving forward on a plan you haven't consulted God about? 

Breath Prayer: Inhale: "Lord, are You here?" Exhale: "I won't move without You."

Watch the Full Study

Discover how to avoid the "assumption trap" in today's teaching video. The part about losing the Son of God begins at 3:20 in the Chapter divisions. Here’s the link:

Continue Your Spiritual Journey…

To continue these daily meditations, consider bookmarking this page: Browse our free 3-minute Bible Meditations. You can also read the full written study here: 5. In Step with the Spirit.: