“…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20
Dear Ones:
There are two facets of the issue of God’s presence that the believer must grasp if he is to live victoriously. The first has to do with the constancy of that presence. It was David who wrote in Psalm 139, “…If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; EVEN THERE shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.” (v. 9,10) In this statement, David reveals to us the constancy of the presence of God with respect to location. In essence He is saying that there is NO place, where God is not present, and willing to lead and keep. If this is true of a place, it is certainly true of His constant presence in that place.
The second aspect of the matter of God’s presence, is that of Him being FOR us in that place, and at that time. To the believers in Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (8:31) What does this mean? God is actively working in our eternal behalf to bring about His kingdom, His will and blessing. He is FOR the believer because of the presence of Christ in the heart and soul of the believer. There is NO condemnation, only the commitment to actively bring about the unveiling of the spiritual blessing in Christ. Paul affirms this reality in the next verse: “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (v.32) Here is the great truth of God’s power and presence, that He is not only with us in every place, but actively working to give all that is according to His will, for His purpose and glory. The confirmation, and testimony, of this reality is the giving of His Son on Calvary. In giving Him, He gave, and gives all…for His glory, and the blessing of all in the body of Christ. WHO WILL BELIEVE AND APPROPRIATE IT?
Why is it that so many believers do not live in the reality of God’s presence, and power, in the present moment? The primary reason is most certainly that of faithlessness. Why do we say this? It is because that only by FAITH is Christ truly appropriated. If the attitude of faith is not exercised, for whatever reason, then the awareness, and conviction, of God’s presence will not be a reality. Essential to faith, is prayer and worship. These shall always be opposed by the believer’s enemy, Satan, and his cohorts. It is for this reason that we need often to be TWO in prayer, together. Not only is there the principle of mutual encouragement which works in such cases, but there is the added spiritual principle: “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) What does the Lord mean by this saying? Was He not already present? Yes, but the manifestation of His presence is greater when there are two or three, “gathered together IN HIS NAME.” It is essential to see that this small group of believers are together, very conscious of the fact that they are so in Jesus’ name, because of Him, relying upon Him, and submitted to Him.
Just prior to speaking concerning the manifest presence of Himself, the Lord Jesus spoke of efficacy in prayer, the answer to prayer, when two believers “…agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask.” (v.19) What is the result of such prayer? He tells the disciples: “…it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.?” This is because there is the witness, unity of the Spirit, and confirmation of the will of God. God gives the assurance and conviction that He hears, and answers, confirming it to the heart. Prayer is essential to faith, if one is to overcome all opposition to faith.
Dear Father, Grant us grace to see that You are always present, and FOR us…by faith, and prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad