Feel His Presence
Today's Verse:
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. ~Psalm 68:35
The superscription of Psalm 68 says, “a prayer of the removing of the ark.” The very opening verse is taken from Numbers 10:35-36 when the ark was being transported by Moses. This psalm may have been written by David at the timing of its return to Jerusalem. The ark was a visible symbol of the presence of God. It was a vital reminder of the necessity of the presence of God in the nation of Israel. When the ark was transported by the Levites, the people could feel God’s presence in their midst. This morning, let us reflect on the need for us to sense and feel the presence of God in our life.
There is the incredible power.
Consider the many times God’s incredible power is referred to. "The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people." "Thy God hath commanded thy strength." "The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel." There is power when God’s presence is with us. It is shaking power. It is serving power. It is sustainable power. It is power that can move mountains. It is power that can move hearts. It is power that can change the unchangeable! It is unmatched power! We need God’s presence if we want God’s power. Do you have His presence?
There is the invincible protection.
Consider the many times God’s invincible protection is referred to. “Let the wicked perish at the presence of God... Kings of armies did flee apace... But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.” God’s presence gives us invincible protection. We are protected when we are outnumbered. We are protected when we are over our heads. We are protected when the waves are coming into our ship and the winds are breaking apart our sail. We are protected when the words of the enemy eat away at us as acid eats away the surface of whatever it makes contact with. His protection is a shield. His protection is a strong tower. His protection is our refuge at our most critical times. Can you feel His presence?
There is the intelligent practice.
"Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds." What is this telling us? We must dwell in God’s presence. Never take His presence for granted. Never ignore the need for His presence in your life. We must abide in Him so that He is abiding with us. We must motion to God’s presence. We should feel a sense of nakedness and weakness if we are not in His presence. Then, we must have faith in His presence. We must have faith that He will meet all our needs. We must have faith that our Lord knows the way we should take. We must have faith that His presence never fails us. Are you abiding in His presence?
There is the impassionate praise.
“Sing unto God, sing praises to his name... Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah... Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel... Blessed be God.” God’s presence demands our continuous praise. A heart that loves the Lord is a heart that in incessant in praise. It is praising God because without His presence, we are complete failures and nothing. If we are in His presence, we are better people. If we are in His presence, we are in the right place.
Can you feel His presence? Is His presence known in your life? Get a freshness of His presence in your life this morning.
Have a renewed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 18-19