The Presence of God

UV 3201/10000 The Presence of God
For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
Exodus 33 v 16
We are distinguished from the rest of mankind by the presence of the Lord with us. This is our USP or Unique Saving Proposition. We are separated unto Him, set apart as a holy people, made holy by faith in Jesus. The Lord is near us all the time and we can call Him unto us in all things in reverence and prayer. His presence is with us as we hear His voice and obey His covenant. Even as He is faithful to the promises of the covenant, old and new, we are to be faithful to the commands of the covenant, old and new. We need to be seeking His presence, His blessing, His guidance and His leadership all the time in all aspects of our lives. He rejoices or exults in being involved in our affairs. We are a peculiar people whom He treasures over all the people on the earth.
The Lord’s presence ensured victory and deliverance for the Israelites from all the perils and hardship of the arduous journey through the desert to the Promised Land. Problems and challenges of this life may appear as millstones around our necks but are truly milestones in the path of the pilgrim’s journey back to God. The Lord ‘s presence, implying His love, His grace, His power and mercy are manifested in different ways as He either helps us solve these problems or gives us the strength to endure it with faith. The name given to Jesus being “Immanuel” or “God with us,” Jesus is with us all the time, 24 x 7 to enable us, equip and empower us. The presence of Jesus made a difference at the wedding in Cana as He solved the issue of scarcity. His presence at the tomb of Lazarus brought the latter alive. His presence with the disciple in the boat during a storm kept it from capsizing. When His presence is with us, miracles are in the natural course of things and are to be expected, healing and deliverance are to be expected. His presence in our lives not only solves our personal inadequacies but fills us with peace and joy even in troublesome circumstances for it is written in Psalm 16, “ There are everlasting pleasures and joy forevermore at His right hand.” It means that If we have a strong connect with God through Christ, we will be joyful in all circumstances, continually praying, thanking, thinking and praising Him.
The Lord assured Moses that He would go with them and give them rest. Rest implies victory, confidence, courage, peace, assurance. The Word of God is double edged as it deals with our existential doubts and our existential fears. It penetrates our hearts and minds and heals it at the very point doubts and fears begin and grow. The presence of God with us and in us gives us times of refreshing and renewal. His presence envelops us in 360 degrees. We find protection, provision, promotion in Him. The presence of God in the Israelite camp was as a thick pillar of cloud that moved ahead of them, guiding them on the path they should take. It was as a fire at night giving them warmth and light. Today, the presence of God is invisible but we sense the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we hear a voice behind our ears, telling us- take this path, not that – provided we are prepared to listen, sensitive and responsive. Our hearts determine whether we hide from the presence of the Lord or distance ourselves from Him or draw near to Him with boldness and confidence.