GOD’S MANIFEST PRESENCE
A.W.Tozer wrote an excellent book on The ATTRIBUTES of God, where he lists and describes 15 attributes (characteristics) of God, it is so helpful to the Believer to understand more fully the awesome greatness of our God. The three most commonly mentioned attributes of God are:
OMNIPOTENCE He is all powerful
OMNISCIENCE He is all seeing and all knowing
OMNIPRESENT He is everywhere constantly present.
In my last blog recent on SEASONS I mentioned that I had been going through a particular season for some time, and there were some aspects of it that I was not really enjoying, so much so I started praying that there would be change, and the Lord in His perfect timing is taking me into an new season. I love experiencing the MANIFEST PRESENCE OF GOD IN MY LIFE, AND IN MY COMMUNION WITH HIM. For some reason the Lord withdrew His conscious presence and I was concerned about that. I wrote in my last blog the below statement concerning this.
“To me the most exciting change (that I had been praying about) is the increase in the conscious awareness of His presence, we know at times He seems to withdraw the conscious evidence of His presence, (perhaps to test our faith) (although we know He is always there), but to know in an awesome way His tangible presence being manifest is our life is indescribable”.
I am sure King David understood God’s attributes, and was very conscious of the Lord’s manifest presence in His life.
In Psalm 51:11 NKJV he prayed after his confession and repentance, Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
He declared in Psalm 16:11 NKJV You will show me the path of life; In your presence is FULLNESS OF JOY, at your right hand are PLEASURES FOR EVERMORE.
NLT You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence, and the pleasures of living with you for evermore.
PASSION For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life,
the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.
MESSAGE Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face, ever since you took my hand I’m on the right way.
The Psalmists mentions the presence of God numerous times, they knew the importance of living and experiencing God’s presence in their lives.
I have never talked to another ministry friend about the manifest presence of God, but on Saturday I had the opportunity to raise the matter, and like me, He loves the manifest presence of God, but also at times He feels God withdraws for some reason. It was good to hear that from a trusted friend.
I know we are not to live on our “feelings” but it is so good to be so conscious of Him being just right there, IT IS LIKE AN ANCHOR TO ME.
Let us never simply take GOD’S MANIFEST PRESENCE for granted, but let us tell Him often I LOVE TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE it helps us in so many ways,
- In our Thanksgiving
- In our Praise
- In our Worship
- In our Intercession
- In our Confession & Repentance
- In our Listening to His voice
This may be why Paul said in Eph. 5:18 NKJV Be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
PASSION Be filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord Jehovah. Keep speaking to each other with words of Scripture, singing the Psalms with praises and spontaneous songs given by the Spirit! Always give thanks to Father God for every person he brings into your life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And out of your reverence for Christ be supportive of each other in love.
Loving Relationships.
There is an excellent little book, you may consider reading, it is written by a Carmelite Lay brother called Brother Lawrence entitled PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST.
It will bless you.
I trust you are setting aside some quality time each day this week, to spend in the Lord’s presence as we head towards Pentecost Sunday.
You may like to pray the words from William Booth’s classic hymn.
Thou Christ of burning cleansing flame, Send the Fire
Thy blood bought gift today we claim Send the fire
Look down and see this waiting host, we want another PENTECOST Send the fire.
AMEN
