DIVINE PRESENCE 

    This title is truly going out on a limb for Jesus. But I don’t care – I can touch subjects most preachers wouldn’t touch with a long pole. So, what is Divine Presence? With a thousand faiths dealing with an invisible God, is it possible to know if we have the right “Divine Presence”?  Is there a reason to care, or cultivate D.P.? Good questions for those who think.
    According to the Book, God has always desired to be “present” with people. But the character Moses asked for D.P., & the concept had its most dramatic beginning. “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14 (Anyone who has seen the classic movie “The Ten Commandments” should admit that Charlton Heston played the “glowing” Moses quite well.) And if Moses had a glow from D.P., the transfiguration of Jesus Christ in Matthew 17 took the concept to a whole new level.
    So how do those 2 characters & events have anything to do with the individual today? Well J.C. spoke of a Counselor/Comforter/Spirit of Truth in John 14. “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” v.23  That is “Divine Presence.” It may not have a “glow” like the above cases, but in the parameters of FAITH it is real just the same. (But I have seen that glow on people.)
     “Divine Presence” is a matter of having the salvation of Christ in place in one’s life. It is also the mindset of FAITH, not as much thinking on oneself & those problems, issues, limitations, etc., BUT reflecting on the Biblical God, who He is & how He has interacted with others & oneself. It is practicing this mindset. In difficult situations D.P. is KNOWING He is with me – and expecting with that divine touch, maybe I won’t mess this one up . . . Some religious folks sing this song “grace, grace, grace is all I need.” Well, I also need a little D.P. now & then. And I want it, & I’ve learned how faithful our Biblical God is.  D.P. IS REASSURING.  I believe that things could get so rough & rude in this country/world with financial collapse & chaos at all levels that D.P. may be necessary to survive.
     Cultivating “Divine Presence” – “Be still & know that I am God” Psalms 46:10 In a quiet place or at night in the sack, that sound of silence or ringing in one’s ears can be thought of as the frequency of the Holy Spirit. Whether it is or isn’t – prayer, praise & thanksgiving can be done & it counts the same. Walking thru the forest or any secluded place & talking to that “Counselor” cultivates D.P.. And of course – church should be a place of D.P., if not then “something is wrong with that picture.”
     Psalms 16:11 “Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fullness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.”  Psalms 25:14 “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.”  Zechariah 4:6b “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit sayeth the Lord.”  John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”  James 4:8 “draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. . .”
     If we want Biblical faith, PRESENCE, destiny, etc. we should focus on Bible teaching.  Sure, it is a matter of some discipline & commitment, and it is not especially fashionable. BUT – it is VALID as it ever was. Whoever learns to live in “Divine Presence” enhances their lives with something this old world knows nothing about. Choose Jesus & His Spirit – they are alive.

Many other Titles:  www.gospelnotes.org                                                      *  *   Fred J. Stone *  * 
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