In these uncertain times and unprecedented turbulence, there is the urgent need to crave the presence of God to secure stability as we chart our path forward in life.
The Psalmist testifies to the advantage of the presence of God saying, ‘You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand’ (Psalm 16:11).
Beloved nothing beats the presence of God. In His presence there is unmistakable guidance and perfect protection.
Many continue to chart their path forward in life without seeking the presence of God therefore suffering incalculable loss midway or at the end of what started out as a beautiful journey.
Apostle Paul’s warning to the sailors not to proceed on their journey and eventual shipwreck aptly captures this life scenario in the bible (Acts 27).
For one to understand and secure the presence of God in each situation one must understand the mind of God on such a matter.
This means one must have spiritual insight to know what God is saying and what God wants in each situation. For example, the presence of danger doesn’t undo God’s protection, neither does the feeling of safety confirm the presence of God.
Many in trying to flee from a perceived danger have fled from the presence of God and moved deeply into the territory of the enemy.
What really matters is that we are where God wants us to be at any given time-physically or spiritually. In the situation of apostate Israel, God determined that they would undergo judgement and must be taken captive.
Who would willingly want to be taken captive by the enemy without seeking self-defense or escaping such a situation?
But the irony of God’s decision in this case baffles the mind-God promised to be a sanctuary for those who did not resist captivity but who would go into exile to Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar.
He went further to bring down His judgement on those who refused to vacate the apostate city of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel and the faithful ones knew the mind of God on this matter and complied with God’s instructions knowing that the presence of God had departed from Jerusalem (Ezekiel 12:22).
However, those who evaluated the circumstances based on prevailing political situation and human calculations like King Zedekiah paid a heavy price.
Moses knew the secret of God’s presence so well that he would not move an inch until he secured this presence in his assignment.
In Exodus 33: 1 when God asked him to lead the children of Israel forward in their journey to the promised land Moses had to seek an assurance of God’s presence.
As he sought the face of God he said: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here”. Even God’s determination to send an angel ahead of him in the impending journey could not satisfy Moses until he negotiated with God and pressed for His presence to lead them forward.
How do we secure the pure presence of God? God has given us the answer already in the holy scriptures: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world’ (James 4:8).
No man can embrace sin and the world and equally enjoy the presence of God, it’s either God’s holy way or no other way.
Oftentimes, human evaluation of present situations often seems to give sinners a head-start, but the bible warns strongly about the deception sin.
Let us examine this warning from the interesting point of view of the Message Bible: “There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak’. (Proverb 14: 12-13).
Seeking the presence of God is the same as doing the will of God because the will of God automatically attracts God’s presence and guidance: there is no mystery about it. Those who earnestly seek God will find Him.
God gave this assurance in the bible: “I love those who love me, and those who diligently seek me will find me’. (Proverbs 8:17).
Beloved, there is nothing wrong in taking advantage of gifted men of God to seek clarification or direction on a given matter, but an abiding presence of God comes only when we personally seek and daily do the will of God, this is God’s ultimate desire for his children.
Reading
Exodus 33:1-2
