The wonderful blessings of the presence of God – Part – 1

The body of Christ that has God’s presence in her midst will live, move and worship with a quiet confidence in the Lord at all times. The same is true for every Christian. If you have Jesus’ presence in your life, you will experience divine order. You will have inexplicable peace and calmness, with no fussing or anxiety, knowing God has everything under control! “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her; She shall not be moved: God will help her, and that right early. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” Selah Psalms 46:1-7. Desire God’s presence in your life, because no matter what enemies or trials you face, you will always find peace and quiet rest in Him.

In the Bible, we have boundless examples of how the presence of God empowers His children to live for Him. As for Moses, he was convinced that without God’s presence in his life, it was useless for him to attempt to lead God’s people. He said, “…If thy presence go not with me, carry us up not hence” (Exodus 33:15). He was saying, “Lord, if your presence is not with me, then I am not going anywhere. I won’t take a single step, unless I have the assurance you are with me!”

Moses knew it was God’s presence in Israel that set the people apart from all other nations. And the same is true of the church of Jesus Christ today. One of the things that set us apart from nonbelievers is God’s being “with us” – leading us, guiding us, working His will in and through us. When the Lord’s presence is in our midst, no one can harm us. But without Him, we are helpless, reduced to nothing. That is why we must crave and trust in the manifestations of our God’s presence. The blessings that God’s presence brought to the lives of His followers are many and unique.

God’s presence was so evident in Abraham’s life, even the heathen around him recognised the difference between their lives and his: “…Abimelech…spoke unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest” (Genesis 21:22). This heathen king noticed something special about Abraham all because God guides him, preserves him and blesses him, wherever Abraham went. All of these are in the package of God’s presence.

God promised Joshua that no enemy could stand against him because His presence was with him: “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of good courage…” (Joshua1: 5-6). When God’s Spirit is present with us, we can be strong and courageous – because no enemy can harm us.

God told Gideon. “…The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour…Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel…” (Judges 6:12, 14). The phrase “thy might” in this verse refers to the previous verse – which “the Lord is with thee.” Do you see what God is saying? “Gideon, there is a might in you that’s so powerful, it can save Israel. And that might is my presence!” Scripture reveals Gideon to be a coward – so, why did God call him a “mighty man of valour”? It was because he wanted to prove to Gideon what any person could do, when the Lord’s presence is with him!

• Prophet (Dr.) Abiara is General Evangelist, CAC Worldwide skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk