Let Your Presence Go With Us

LET YOUR PRESENCE GO WITH US

Introduction: Do we realize that there are so many blessings associated with God's presence with believers? In fact, the Lord has promised us that He will be with us always. He will be with us in all circumstances, pleasant and adverse. He will never leave us or forsake us as per His promise. We can surely depend on God's promises, even when we walk through the valley of shadow of death. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalms 23:4)

Let us review some of the blessings associated with God's presence with us:

1. God's presence gives us rest (Exodus 33:14)

Moses was in the presence of God in a tabernacle, pleading the Lord to go with him and Israelites. He prayed that if the Lord was not with them, they would not move further. To his request to send "someone" to go with him, the Lord assured that He would go with Moses. Who else could be better than God Himself going with Moses? The Lord also promised Moses that he will find rest in God's presence.

2. God's presence proves we have found favor with God (Exodus 33:16)

As Christians we are the most blessed people on the face of the earth, because we have found favor with God. When God is with us, it proves that we have found His favor. What more blessings we can expect than the favor of Almighty, Omnipotent God? When we are favored by God, we lack nothing. His grace is sufficient for our lives.

3. God's presence distinguishes us from all other people (Exodus 33:16)

What is a basic difference between Christians and non-Christians? It is in fact the presence of God. We Christians have been assured of God's presence with us while others are struggling in the darkness, looking for some kind of assurance in their lives. The challenge for us is, is our life-style different from our non-Christian friends in schools, university or work places? We need to be mindful with our speech, conduct and walk to demonstrate that we are different and we are blessed with God's holy presence in our lives.

4. God's presence creates desire for God's glory (Exodus 33:18)

In the presence of God, Moses was feeling blessed. When he was overwhelmed with God's presence, he prayed to the Lord to show His glory. When we enjoy the presence of God in prayer and meditation of God's Word, it generates desire to see God's greater glory. This desire leads to seek the Lord more and more and ultimately leads to our transformation in to the image of Christ. The more we sit in the presence of Lord, we will have more desire to see God's glory and we would develop more Christlikeness.

God is more than willing to reveal His glory to any believer who genuinely seeks Him. Apostle Pau writes in II Corinthians 3:18 "and we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

When we will be called in to the eternal presence of our Lord, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:21).

5. God's presence guarantees success:

Joseph was successful because God was with him (Genesis 39:2-3, 21). God's presence was always with Joseph, even in tough times when his brothers beat him up and sold him to Egyptians. In Egypt he was bought over by Potiphar and became a faithful servant. God blessed Potiphar's household because of Joseph. When Joseph was wrongly accused by Potiphar's wife of adultery, he was thrown in prison for no fault of his own. But the Bible tells us that God was with him even when he was imprisoned and granted him favor from the prison chief. We learn an important principle from this. God's presence brings success but it doesn't mean that we may not have to go through adverse circumstances.

6. God's presence is an assurance that He will never leave us or forsake us (Joshua 1:5)

When Joshua was called by God to lead the Israelites in to the Promised Land, God promised him that He will be with Joshua as He was with his predecessor Moses. The Lord promised Joshua that He will never leave him or forsake him. God's promise of His presence with us is eternal. We may go through different experiences in life; He will be always with us. Someone has said "God will never let you walk alone in your darkest hour: He will journey with you until you see the light of your provision".