Reverend Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church, Kenya Assemblies of God
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
This verse highlights that true, complete joy and eternal pleasure are found in being close to God, rather than in worldly pursuits. It emphasizes God as the source of lasting joy. Any other thing, no matter how big, beautiful, or great it is, can only give you temporal and partial joy. The thrill and excitement are limited and short-lived. Only His presence can grant full and everlasting joy.
Most of us seek after God's presents instead of God's presence. As a result, we are empty, unfulfilled, and still longing for more. It is His presence that makes a difference in our lives.
Moses knew this secret, and that is why he desired God's presence above His presents—Canaan, honey, and milk. While Moses sought God's face (presence), the Israelites sought God's hands (presents). The difference was eternal.
Psalm 103:7
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
Moses desired to be intimate with God. Walking with God brings joy, peace, and freedom from fear. God's presence is the only thing that can guarantee full joy. Anything else you are pursuing can only give you very limited and temporal happiness.
Therefore, God's presence must become our single most priority and pursuit in life. We should pursue intimacy at all cost because knowing Him is our main life calling. This was David's key to success.
Psalm 27:4
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.
Three Things That God's Presence Provides
It is only in the presence of God that man can fully thrive. Like a fish in water, man was designed to find his relevance in God's presence. In the Garden of Eden, man thrived in God's presence. But when he sinned and was chased from God's presence, life became a struggle.
Three things His presence provides:
Providence
Protection
Promotion
There are treasures that can only be found in His presence: wisdom, true knowledge, insight, favor, guidance, purposes, direction, and above all, power, authority, and dominion. These things you cannot find anywhere else, neither can you buy them in any market. When we carry His presence, we command powers and principalities and change situations.
Acts 3:6-8
Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
Let us purpose to seek and stay in His presence. The surest way to excel in life is by knowing Him, and He will make you known. Seeking fame and glory will ultimately fail you, but only God can make you visible and announce you to the world.
When we seek His presence, there are revelations that will come to us that are only known by Him alone.
Isaiah 45:3
I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the Lord, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
This is what can take care of your struggles and change your life.
Seeking a place of intimacy with God is an investment every believer must make always. It should not be a once-in-a-while thing but a way of life so that we can remain in His presence.
Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
If we do not dwell, then we should not expect to rest. Shida na matatizo zitatusumbua, hatutajua amani au pumziko [Problems and troubles will disturb us; we will not know peace or rest]. Most of us just pass by the presence of God. When we learn to seek His presence, we will be intimate with God, and success will be our portion.
It is His presence that guarantees promotion or success.
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua was to stay in His presence for success and prosperity. Consider the following verses and you will observe that God's presence ensures success, prosperity, and divine favor, even during difficult times.
Genesis 39:2
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
Genesis 39:23
The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
1 Samuel 18:14-15
And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him.
1 Samuel 3:19
So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
What Can Hinder Us from Experiencing His Presence?
Psalm 24:3-5
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
God is holy, and therefore we must walk in righteousness.
Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
We cannot be walking in sin and expect to experience God, no matter how much we may seek Him.
1 Timothy 6:11-12
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
We can see that God's presence not only helps us thrive and excel here on earth, but it also comes with eternity.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Proverbs 21:21
He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Comments
Post a Comment