GOD’S HOUSE – CITADEL OF HIS PRESENCE

“Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. GOD IS IN HER PALACES; He is known as her REFUGE” – Psalm 48: 2-3

GOD’S HOUSE is the Palace and CITADEL of HIS PRESENCE. A citadel is a fortress, usually elevated above a city. Jesus had this picture in mind when He described the believer and by extension, the Church as: “the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill…” (Matt.5:14). A citadel is a strong castle or stronghold in or near a city, where people can refuge from danger; a fortified structure designed to provide protection during battles. The world is an arena of battles from the cradle to the grave; but the Church is the Citadel of Refuge and Restoration in God’s Presence! The Lord Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt.18:20). In this present world, we cannot avoid treading on the devil’s territory; hence we must carry the banner of the Citadel of God’s Presence for Victory in life’s battles.

The saints of old always cherished the Divine Presence. God’s Church must not do less! Abraham was instructed to practise God’s presence: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Gen.17:1). Moses put a high value on God’s Presence. He told the Lord: “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” (Exo.14:15). He could not think of taking a step further without God’s Presence. Joshua, Moses’ successor, also appreciated the divine presence, and it made the difference in his ministry, from inception. His boldness and courage were based on the assurance of God’s Presence: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Jos.1:5).

King David testified to the essence of God’s Presence as his source of direction, joy, strength and eternal pleasures: “You will show me the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psa.16:11). He added: “For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psa.18:28-29). God’s Presence was David’s Priority: “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” (Psa.24:7). Here, he spoke of his desire to worship in God’s house, and to enjoy the sweetness and grace of God’s Presence there as long as he lived. The Presence of the Almighty should be the “One Thing” that becomes the reference point for the rest of the issues of life.

The Church – God’s House – is the Citadel of His Presence. It is the platform for believers to enjoy God’s protection, while practising His Presence. It is His place of Refuge and Safety, where all are welcome and accepted irrespective of status, race, tribe, tongue, past lifestyle, or present circumstances. The Church is to be a place void of carnal condemnation, bigotry or prejudice, providing opportunity for every individual to find Jesus and His salvation. Beyond offering refuge from evil, the Church also provides Restoration: an atmosphere for renewal and healing – spiritually, emotionally, and physically – through the devotions of worship, fellowship, biblical teaching, and assembling together for prayer, exhortation, and edification. In this Citadel, the believer is prepared, trained, and equipped in all areas of life for successful and victorious living.

Psalm 48 ends with these admonitions: “Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her TOWERS; Mark well her BULWARKS; Consider her PALACES; that you may tell it to the generation following” (vv.12-13). Are you truly dwelling in God’s Citadel, Tower, Bulwark, and Palace?