PRESENCE

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me – Psalm 21:3

Yesterday, we pondered on the Blessings of Goodness. Today, we’ll meditate on the Blessings in God’s Presence. There are immense blessings in His Presence. God’s Presence, more than anything else, empowers us for meaningful and sustainable progress in life. God said to Jacob: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” (Gen. 28:15). God’s presence was the guarantee of progress in Jacob’s future. He was assured that the divine Presence will not only protect and preserve, but it would also empower him to be on the go! The blessings that come with His Presence are worth the price of consecration.

Abraham was told to practise God’s Presence: “…the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless” (Gen.17:1). Moses knew the value of God’s Presence in the arena of blessings; hence he pleaded with the Lord: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here” (Exo. 33:15). Moses knew that any semblance of progress devoid of divine Presence is brief and untenable. David on many occasions experienced the power of God’s Presence. He declared: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psa.23:6). He knew God’s Presence as his source of direction, joy, and eternal pleasures:

Divine Direction – “For You will light my lamp; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall” (Psa.18:28-29).

Joy and Eternal Pleasures – “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of Joy; at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psa.16:11).

Other Blessings in His Presence include:

• Purity and Perfection: His Presence transforms us into Christ-likeness. Being with Him you become more like Him: “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him” (Mk.3:14). Your walk with Him must precede your work for Him!

• Progress-provoking Power: “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa.40:31). God’s Presence ensures that you are never stagnated. No matter how dark and fearful the valley is, you are empowered to walk through. There is no stagnancy in God’s presence:  you walk, run or soar; but never crawl or get stranded! His Presence guarantees empowerment for meaningful and sustainable progress in life!

• Empowerment for Exploits: His Presence precedes His Power for exploits – “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with POWER, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for GOD WAS WITH HIM” (Acts 10:38).

Beloved, God’s Presence will transform, purify, protect, preserve, and empower you. His Presence is the platform for your Blessings. The Lord Jesus assures us: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matt. 28:20).