Who can come into the presence of God or claim His presence? Definitely not sinners, for the Bible says, “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He will receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation” [Psalm 24: 3 – 5 MEV].
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” [Psalm 51: 10].
As a believer, God is always with you, even when you are not conscious of it. You cannot see Him physically but you can feel His presence, especially when you open up to Him in prayer. God’s presence fills our hearts with unspeakable joy: “You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore” [Psalms 16: 11 MEV].
His presence gives us the assurance of divine security: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” [Psalms 23: 4 MEV].
“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” [Exodus 14: 14].
“And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain” [Exodus 3:12].
God’s presence banishes fear: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” [Isaiah 41: 10 MEV].
And we draw strength from the presence of God with the assurance of His protection and divine preservation: “But now, thus says the Lord who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame kindle you For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honorable, and I have loved you; therefore, I will give men for you, and people for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west” [Isaiah 43: 1 – 5 MEV].
“Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” [Psalm 43: 1 – 7].
The presence of God comes with His glory: “And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight” [Exodus 33:12].
Now, it is one thing to have the presence of God around you but it is another thing for you to have the in-dwelling of His presence, where you become the carrier of His presence – people do not just see or feel the aura of God around you, but they see God in you. When you carry the presence of God, no one can despise, look down, frighten, intimidate or embarrass you. Pharaoh tried it with Moses and it ended terribly for him; his army drowned in the Red Sea.
It is my prayer that after these 14 days of prayer and fasting, the presence of the Lord will go ahead of us to fight our battles and give us overwhelming victory, as well as set us apart for extraordinary feats. We should go about our affairs with the assurance of the presence of God, which is divine!
