Sermon # 9 - There Is Rest In God's Presence Series

We read in Numbers 23:21, “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, And the shout of a King is among them.” (NKJV)

In the last sermon we studied in detail as to why the Lord does not observe the iniquity or consider the wickedness of someone. This is an important truth that we need to learn because there are many who are guilt-ridden, and feel that they are not worthy to be called a child of God. However, we as believers in Jesus Christ should know that every time we look to the cross we understand that Jesus took our sins, and has cleansed us of all our iniquities, so that we are clothed with His righteousness. We must therefore have the assurance that we are made righteous before God, and as those who are forgiven by the Lord Jesus, the Lord does not hold a count of our sins.

The above mentioned verse were the words of God to the people in the Israel through the Prophet Balaam. The Prophet Balaam was called by the King of Moab to curse the people of Israel, but as he stood on the mountain top, the words that flowed out of his mouth were only words of blessing. There are many who are filled with fear because of the curses that people have spoken against them, but we must remember that we are blessed by God, and no one can take those blessings away from us. If we do not have the assurance that we have been justified by God and been made righteous through Christ, we will have a constant sense of fear, and foreboding of impending evil.

When God looks at us He sees that our life is hidden with Christ in God, and therefore when God sees us He sees Christ in us, and calls us His beloved sons and daughters.

As we study the life of Job in the Old Testament, we will be surprised to see that God testified to Satan to consider His servant Job. God was so pleased to refer to Job as His child, and that’s the exact way God feels about each one of us who have placed our faith in Christ. Often we feel down and out, and sadden the heart of God because we don’t understand or realize who we are in Christ.

The Lord is with us

The second part of the verse from Numbers 23:21, mentions that “The Lord His God is with him”

We see that the people in the Old Testament longed for the presence of God, but we who are part of the New Covenant have the assurance that God is with us, and His presence in our lives makes us distinguished from others. God’s presence in our lives sets us apart, and makes us special. So we as members of God’s church must remember that God is building His church, and we have the promise that nothing can prevail against us.

What happens when God’s presence is with us?

We read in Exodus 33:14, And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (ESV)

God’s presence is with us, and hence we can be at rest. This is a restless world, where there is no peace, and everyone is running helter-skelter with their busy schedules. Often we don’t have peace of mind, and hence we also don’t get physical rest also. Many people are unable to sleep in peace because their mind is in confusion and restlessness.

Think about Abraham who had his son Isaac at the age of hundred, and later when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his young son, he was willing to do so because Abraham had a rest in his heart.

God’s presence is with us implies that we have the Almighty God with us, who will take care of all our needs, and He’s the one who blesses us and makes us special. Where the presence of God is we can be sure that there will be rest. Have you observed how even when we are in church, our minds are filled with so many thoughts and anxieties? When this happens we are unable to hear the word of God, and unable to receive it as we should. You may also notice that when we kneel down to pray so many thoughts flood our minds. Thoughts about bills that have to be paid, or the work that is pending or someone we have to contact. At those times it is good for us to just write those down in a note pad, so that we can attend to them after the prayer time is over.

We read in Exodus 33:15, Then Moses said to him, "If your presence is not going [with us], don't make us leave this place.(NKJV)