Central Thought: God’s presence in the believers life guarantees victory.
Hymn: ” I need Thee every hour”.
Exodus 33:1-16, Psalms 91
The Chambers Dictionary 2th century defines the word Comfort as: to relieve from pain or distress; to strengthen; to sooth; whatever gives ease or enjoyment. The same Dictionary defined Presence as: Being in a place in question, readily found or existing in the thing in question. The comfort of God’s presence in the context of this study therefore is; the strength we have from God, the relief we get by God’s existence in us when we go through life’s huddles, battles, and challenges. This is the encouragement the believer gets from God even when no one understands what he/she is going through.
The same presence was what the children of Israel carried on their way from Egypt to Canaan, being evidenced in the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day- Exodus 13:21: water flowing from the rock as in Exodus 17:1-7, Quail and Manna from Heaven as in Exodus 16. In contemporary time, there are testimonies of people who have experienced God in His power as the Israelites did. It’s God’s intentions that we all should carry His presence.
The Lord’s presence in a nation, community, church and individual’s life is very vital for victory, security/safety and excellence. In times like this we need to experience the blessedness of God’s presence.
Lesson Objectives:
- To understand how we can experience God’s presence and maintain same.
- To understand what it means to be conscious of His presence.
- To know the hindrances to His presence.
- To appreciate the benefits of His presence.
Question 1.) How can we experience God’s presence and maintain it?
The knowledge that God is everywhere as stated in Psalm 139: 1-13 is of no benefit until it is appreciated by man. An individual, church, and society needs the presence of God. This presence is God Himself dwelling in man. All must desire this. The following are steps that must be taken to experience and maintain God’s presence.
a.) Be born again: John 3:1-7
A man cannot know God until he repents, forsake his sins and gives his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of man’s relationship with God.
b) Be filled with the Holy Spirit: God indwells man by the Holy Spirit. The believer must therefore ask God for His baptism. He is the Comforter. John 14:16-17.
c.) Obedience to God and His word: John 14:15-18, James 1:22
God’s presence is guaranteed continually when we live in obedience to Him.
d.) Be righteous before God.
Psalms 140:13, 1-5
God cannot dwell in an unholy temple. His eyes are too pure to behold sin. Stand in the righteousness in Christ Jesus.
e.) Consistent study of God’s word.
1 Peter 2:2
The believer must make conscious effort to study God’s word. It’s the word that God will use to comfort when the need arises.
f.) Maintain a prayerful life. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1
The believer must consistently stay in God’s presence in prayer. If Jesus could not do without prayer, we should follow our Master’s example.
g.) Do not forsake the assembly of the brethren. Hebrews 10:25
Iron sharpeth iron (Proverbs 27:17). There is an aspect of God’s presence we experience from corporate fellowship.
h.) Watch the company you keep. 1 Corinthians 15:33
Evil communication corrupts good manners. We must at all times surround ourselves with those conscious of God’s presence.
I) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30, Psalms 91:1
He is called the Holy Spirit because, He is holy. The believer has to ensure he is careful about the places he goes to, what he does, what he says, and even what he wears. We cannot carry His presence and argue about basic Bible doctrines. We must be where God wants us to be.
j.) Sole dependence on God. Exodus 20:1-5
To experience His presence we must depend absolutely upon Him. The believer must not have any alternative to God.
k.) The Love for God.
When we love God and do His will, His presence remains with us.
Question 2.a) How should we respond in his presence?
In the Old Testament, God lived in the temple; hence He gave specific instructions as to its construction and care. He also gave regulations as regards coming into His presence.
By the death of Christ in the New Testament and tearing apart of the temple’s veil. God’s presence no longer resides in building made with hands alone but from Pentecost, started dwelling in man. Man became His temple 1 Corinthians 6:19. The following should be our response to His presence.
a.) Tremble at His presence. Jeremiah 5:22
Some Christians today take God for granted when we gather in His presence to worship Him. Some have the habit of chewing gum, answering and making calls, reading magazines, newspaper, books, holding side discussions etc. while in God’s presence during church service. Some of these habits are also exhibited during family devotion in some homes. These attitudes are contrary to scriptures.
b.) Come to Him with thanksgiving, gladness, and singing. Psalms 95:2, 100:2
The scriptures admonish us to enter into His gates and His courts with thanksgiving and praise. We should appreciate Him for whom He is.
c.) Be silent. Zephaniah 1:7
This implies reverence, decency, comportment, before Him. God demands absolute reverence in His presence.
The class is encouraged to list and discuss others.
Question 2b.) How to respond to life’s challenges knowing we have the comfort of his presence.
In Acts 14:22, we see that when faced with challenges of life, the believer should see it as a trial of his faith. The admonition in Proverbs 24:10 is that when you faint in the days of adversity your strength is weak/small.
We should know that whatever challenge one faces is temporal and we will go through victoriously. The believer should have the assurance that he is not alone but God is with him; that even when no one understands, He does and He alone can attend to every problem.
The believer should be steadfast in the faith and confession, trusting God to intervene and give one the desired testimony; it is not a time to run from one place of worship to another, in search of miracles but to hold on to God and His promises in His word.
We should resolve strongly in out minds not to defile ourselves before God (Daniel 1:8); not to turn to other sources for help, even when those we expect to understand turn around to give alternative counsel.
Brethren also should see it as a duty owed God to rally round, encourage, support and pray with fellow brethren going through life challenges.
Question 3.) What are the hindrances to his presence?
a.) Sin. Genesis 3:8-13, 4:7-16
b.) Disobedience Jonah 1:1-4
c.) Pride- taking God’s glory
d.) The opposite of all that is discussed in Question 1 and Question 2
Question 4.) What are the benefits of being in his presence?
The presence of the Lord in a believer’s life is meant to bring comfort, pleasures and the fulfillment of the promises to meet daily life challenges and all through one’s sojourn journey on earth.
There is the assurance of divine protection from all the wiles of the enemy. Psalms 91:1-12. He is a guarantee to the smallest assembly of believers, He also gives comfort in trials Isaiah 43:2. He gives courage in life’s battles Deuteronomy 20:1, Romans 8:31, 1 John 4:4. There is guarantee of rest through life’s battles and most important is eternity with God.
Daily Living Application:
All believers need the presence of God, as living things need oxygen to survive. Life without God’s presence is miserable and a risk. Life is a journey with many hitches, most of which can be avoided when we obey God and maintain an atmosphere of His presence.
Memory Verse:
Matthew 28:20b
“….Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.”