IN GOD'S PRESENCE ALWAYS (PART 2).
TEXT:
"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." (1st Kings 17 verse 1, King James Version).
The desire of God is that everyone of His children should grow up in the faith, get matured in order to experience Him that we may in turn show forth His glory and praise to others (see Isaiah 43 verse 21, New Living Translation). Spending time in God's presence has a marvelous transformative effect on those that have done it. It's a feat that's accomplished mainly through prayers and meditating on God's Word. We know that Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights with God on Mount Sinai listening to Him; and when he descended therefrom, the people couldn't steadfastly look at his face because he radiated God's glory (see Exodus 34 verse 28 to 31). This is what God's presence will do for us! As we practice being in God's presence, it will impact us with His fullness in terms of His glory, power, might, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and counsel.
One notable thing about Elijah's declaration in the Scripture reading for today is that he didn't say, "As the Lord lives before whom I stood yesterday or the other day." Rather, he said "As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, ..."
Most of us boast and feel satisfied that we stood before the Lord some moment ago or there about. But what happens during those moments when we are out of His presence? May God help us!
Christians often live in an illusion of separation from God. But the new testament realities prove otherwise. The Lord Jesus clearly gave us the instruction to "abide" in Him. According to Him, that's the only way we can bear fruit (see John 15 verses 4 to 5); and not be cast away (see John 15 verse 6). Again, abiding in Christ offers the assurance of answers to our prayers (see John 15 verse 7). As Christians, we receive little from the Holy Spirit because, instead of acknowledging His presence within our spirit, we perceive God as living in a distant land somewhere.
But here was Elijah, in the old covenant dispensation living in God's presence always, every moment. On another different occasion aside from our Scripture reading for today, Elijah also talked about living in God's presence. In 1st Kings 18 verse 15, while assuring Obadiah the Governor of King Ahab's house who doubted whether he (Elijah) would indeed show himself to Ahab, the Prophet said,
"As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him (King Ahab) to day." (Emphasis added). With Elijah therefore, standing before God was a continuous way of life!
I have discovered that living in God's presence was the particular way of life of the Prophets of old. In 2nd Kings 3 verse 14, we see that Elisha equally lived always in God's presence. In his encounter with the King of Israel, the King of Moab and King Jehoshaphat, the Prophet said unto the King of Israel,
"As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee."
See also 2nd Kings 5 verse 16 for a similar utterance of the Prophet when he refused to receive a blessing of money and garments from Naaman whom he had healed of leprosy. Hear him:
"As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused."
As Christians, being in God's presence ought to be our way of life. Actually, the New Testament supports it. In other words, living in God's presence or abiding in Him accords with the New Testament realities. In actual fact, what Elijah and Elisha practiced in the Old Testament time was a shadow of the New Testament realities. By being in God's presence continuously, they had access to His fullness, particularly His Word for the moment.
As God's Children, the Bible informs us clearly that we are in Christ and together, we are seated with Him at the right hand of majesty (see Ephesians 2 verses 4 to 6). In Him and through Him, we have access to God's presence continuously, never at any time are we cut off from God's presence. With this knowledge and understanding, let's go ahead and begin to live out the new testament reality of being in Christ and consequently, of ever being in God's presence.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the privilege of ever being in Your presence. May this consciousness bring me closer to You, in Jesus name.