The Presence Of God

Apostle Grace Lubega

1 Samuel 4: -10(KJV);  And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the Lord was come into the camp. And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore…And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

The scriptures give an account of a battle between Israel and the Philistines where Israel suffered a terrible defeat.

In 1 Samuel 4:2, the Bible reveals that four thousand men of Israel were killed at first.

After this defeat, the men of Israel decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant into their camp. They rejoiced greatly when this was done because they assumed that its presence in the camp was the guarantee of victory.

The result?

Thirty thousand men were killed during that battle. Israel suffered a greater defeat when the Ark of the Covenant came into the camp.

Think about it.

With the very presence of God in their midst, thousands of them died.

Why would men with the very presence of God be defeated?

These men sought His presence without an understanding of the God of the presence.

They sought for victory without understanding the God of victory.

They brought him to a war without understanding the God who fights and wins wars.

The presence of God cannot profit a man who does not have a relationship with the God whose presence he seeks.

The presence of God is the reality of His Person. It is Him telling you, “I am here, feel me.”

You cannot walk in this reality without the intimacy of relationship.

Do not simply desire the presence of God, purpose to also know Him personally.

FURTHER STUDY: Exodus 33:15, Exodus 33:3

GOLDEN NUGGET:

The presence of God cannot profit a man who does not have a relationship with the God whose presence he seeks.

PRAYER: My Father, I thank You for Your Presence in my life. I thank You because You will never leave me nor forsake me. You are my ever present help in times of need. I have been sealed with the Spirit to eternity and can never walk alone. Because I have You, I am always victorious. Because I have You, I live boldly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Posted in: Phaneroo Devotion

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