His Presence
Exodus
33:14
“And
the Lord said, My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest.”
One
of the benefits of friendship is the comfort level we have with a trusted friend. We recognize their phone number when we see
it on the digital screen. We know the
sound of their voice on the other end of the telephone. We have a comfort level with them just
“dropping by” our home if they are out or in the neighborhood. We are comfortable in their presence.
I
am always fascinated by the words that God speaks to me because of the power
that lies in His spoken word. God has
been speaking to me lately about the word “presence.” He reminded me of the above scripture and
pointed out to me that the word “rest” was used instead of peace. Rest in this instance seems to be a
destination or state of existence that God brings us into. This rest is brought on by His presence being
with us. Moses was so committed to the will of the Father that his response to
God was, “Lord if Your presence does not go with me, let me not go anywhere” (Exodus
33:15).
As I meditated upon the word rest in the
Exodus scripture, I began to understand that “rest” was all encompassing. You can have “peace” regarding certain things
in your life but be challenged and not at peace with others.
“Rest”
is a place of destination that is entered into by faith and manifests the total
presence of God almighty. Hebrews the 4th
chapter speaks of the “Rest” as a destination.
It is to be entered into by the faith that God’s people exercise in His
written and spoken word. His presence is
the optimum benefit of entering into His Rest.
Prerequisites to “His
Presence” and the “Rest”
·
You must know
Jesus Christ in the pardon and forgiveness of your sins. John 3:16
·
You must know
that you are redeemed from the curse of the law (sin, sickness, poverty,
spiritual death). Galatians 3:13
·
You must have a
revelation of Satan’s Defeat. Isaiah 14:12-17. Ezekiel 28th Chapter
·
You must have a
revelation of Christ’s Victory. Revelation1:18
What does “His
Presence” entail?
To
view a snapshot of His presence, I will go back to the statements I made about
a trusted friend. I will apply these
statements to our Trusted Friend. You
know His voice. Of all the voices that
are in the earth, and there are many, you discern when He speaks to you. You have absolute clarity of His promptings,
desires, and orders. You also recognize
and know His footprint on circumstances, situations, and occurrences. You would never mistake another for Him (Calling
good evil or evil good). You understand
and exercise His heart toward mankind.
And
last but not least you are comfortable with Him “dropping by” and visiting with
His divine presence anytime He desires.
In fact, your spirit lives continually in His divine presence and
promptings. Your spirit remains in constant
communication with God. This communication is likened unto the flame in the
tabernacle that burned continually, (Leviticus 6:13). This communication in your spirit takes place
regardless of the engagement of your soul (mind, will, emotions) in temporal
things. This candle just keeps on
burning (Proverbs 20:27, “The spirit of
man is the candle of the Lord”).
What does “His Rest” entail?
Well
first of all it can only be experienced if the “Presence” of God is with
you. There can be no allegiance to man
or self in this place of “Rest”. You
have abandoned your own plan, will, actions, desires, and submitted to the will
of the Father (John 5:30). This is
sometimes where it gets hard for some who genuinely love God. You must abandon self-seeking and approval of
man desires. This abandonment will allow
you to enter into His presence and His rest.
God’s presence can then invade your spirit with the union He
desires.
Just
as the Father and the Son are One (John 10:30), we also enter into that same
“Oneness” as His presence engulfs us. It is here in this “Oneness” and “Union” that
the world and its system have no stronghold over our lives. Like Jesus, our kingdom truly becomes not of
this world. We are in it but not of it.
Benefits of His
Presence
·
You are void of desires that promote
self and the approval of man. Your lips
constantly speak forth the plans, purposes, and will of God. You have denied yourself, taken up your cross
and are following Jesus (Matthew 16:24).
·
You constantly feast on the “Hidden
Manna” (Revelation 2:17) that God floods into your spirit daily. You radiate a purity of spirit and love in your
dealings with others.
·
You have peace and contentment that
defies the chaos of the world. God can trust you to know and do the right
thing.
·
You immediately identify the plans,
purposes, and desires of the Father and seek to agree with and accomplish His
agenda.
·
You bring the anointing and presence
of God wherever your voice is heard, wherever your words are read, and wherever
you go.
