I Can't Live Without Your Presence

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 51:1-12

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” (v.11)

Are there certain rules and regulations when meeting someone of importance, like say the Governor or President of Nigeria or can one just bang on the door, walk right up to him and start chatting? Obviously, meeting the President of Nigeria -- even for a world leader -- can be nerve-racking. There is a long list of protocols that guides one's behaviour in the presence of the President.

Max Luxado writes about how it was like in the days of Esther and King Xerxes: ‘In the court of King Xerxes, entering the king’s presence without permission carried a penalty of death for the offender. This law was not lightly taken by the people of Persia.

The very first encounter that man has with the presence of God can be found in Genesis with Adam and Eve. They had fellowship with God in His presence. However, when sin came on the scene, the presence was no longer there (Genesis 3:8).

The absence of God’s presence is the same as the absence of His Spirit. Saul is a prime example of loosing or having God’s Spirit depart from a person, as a result of an un-repented heart (1 Samuel 16:14).

Moses understood the importance of being in God’s presence. We find in Exodus that Moses refuses to take a step in leading God’s people, without God’s presence going with him (Exodus 33:14-15).

King David, in Psalm 51, almost begs of God to not take His Spirit from him or to let him depart from His presence, after the multiple sins he committed. David knew the importance of being in God’s presence. It is only in God’s presence that we find: Joy, love, peace Psalm 16:11, Healing and deliverance, Provision, Forgiveness, comfort and grace.

In His presence: the impossible becomes the possible, He wipes away every tear, Is a refuge, Abundant life is received etc.

Our heart’s cry should be: ‘Lord God, I cannot live without Your presence. I need you every second and want to be in Your presence always’. Is that your cry today? Do you seek and long for His presence more than life? If you want to experience His presence the very first step is to know God. And to know God you need to be saved from your sin and become born again in your spirit (John 3:3). If you desire to be saved and invite Jesus into your heart so you too can taste the presence of Almighty God our Father.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence;

Take not Thy holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;

And renew a right spirit within me.

OWOLABI SUNDAY

Prayer:

1. Father, I thank you for your goodness and mercies endureth forever.

2. Father, I receive mercies and grace to overcome temptations in Jesus name.

3. Heavenly Father, by your Grace, help me stand the test of time. Do not let trials, tribulations and temptation sweep me away from your presence. Help my faith grow in you and you only.

4. Father, cleanse and purge your church that holiness will manifest so that Your Spirit will not depart from your church.

5. Father, do not let your Spirit depart from Nigeria.