GOD’S PRESENCE
And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
We thank the Almighty God for seeing us through the year 2021. The year 2021 came and gone, and we are alive, to God alone, the Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent be the glory, honor, and adoration, now and forever more, Amen.
Welcome to the year 2022, the year that our GO, Pastor E. A. has themed through the direction of the Holy Spirit, the year of “the Siege is over.” To maintain this victory and to enjoy more victories, we need God’s presence now than ever before. After the Lord delivered the children of Israel from the siege of Egypt and the Red Sea, the Lord manifested His presence with them by day in the form of “a pillar of cloud to lead the way in the day, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light to move both day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22
God was the true guide on the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. The pillar was the visible sign of His presence. As we journey through the year 2022, we need God’s presence to guide us, direct us and to protect us on our way for a successful and victorious journey.
Psalm 16:11 says “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” King David tells us in this psalm why we need God’s presence. We can endure situations and overcome obstacles because the presence of the Lord gives us guidance and direction on the path of life. He shows us what to do and where to go. The joy from His fellowship strengthens us to move forward for Him. The pleasures we receive from the Lord now and the thought of the joy in eternity help us to be steadfast for Christ.
King David further said in Psalm 27:5 “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” David faced hardships throughout his life. As a young guy, he fought a lion, a bear, a giant, and was a fugitive that was running from a jealous king. Later in his life, as a king, his son tried to murder him and take his job. As Christians we face similar troubles in different forms. David, with confidence, said he had a place to hide when his troubles came. What a blessing, and it’s a blessing that we enjoy even, as Christians. When trouble, misery, or stressful times come, David says that the Lord will hide him in His pavilion, or His shelter. God would hide us in His most secret place or His most secure place. Those who are enjoying the stability, security, and the peace that come from God’s presence, have positioned themselves in a place of blessing. They are blessed because they have submitted and put themselves under God’s care.
No one has chartered year 2022 yet and even the years to come. But God is already ahead of us in this journey. He knows the future and that is why we need His Presence. Submission to God and His powerful presence are keys of success as we journey in life.
WHAT DO WE DO TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S PRESENCE?
1.Be a child of God by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior. Do so now if you have not done so. Matthew 6:33, Matthew 28:20
2. Live a holy life. Hebrews 12:14 – Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; 1 Peter 1:15-16
3. Ask the Lord as Moses did- Exodus 33: 12-13, 15; Matthew 7:7 -“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
4. Put yourself where God can meet with you. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess. 5:17
5. Praise Him. Psalm 100:2-Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
6. Study and meditate on the Word of God- Psalm 119:105-Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
7. Through the in filling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2: 14-41.
Prayers:
Father, I thank You and exalt You for years 2021 and 2022. Thank You Lord for bringing me thus far. Please, LORD, accept my thanks, worship, and adoration in Jesus’ name.
Father, let Your presence go with me in the journey of my life, my family, my ministry, and all that concerns me in this year 2022 and beyond in Jesus’ name.
Welcome to January 2022, the month of God’s Presence.
Yours in Him,
Pastor Lillian Haastrup
