St. Francis de Sales on the presence of God

"If I am not mistaken, however, when we say that we cannot find God, and that He seems so far away, we only mean that we cannot feel His presence.  I have before observed that many people do not distinguish between God and the feeling of God, between faith and the feeling of faith -- which is a very great defect....  There is a difference between possessing the presence of God (I mean being in His presence) and having the feeling of His presence.  God alone can give us the latter; as to my giving you the means of acquiring this sentiment, it is an impossibility."  ~from The Spiritual Conferences of St. Francis de Sales

Nevertheless I am continually with you;

you hold my right hand....

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing upon earth

that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion for ever.

~Psalm 73(74):23, 25-26