The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Exodus 33:14 NIV®.
When we were much younger, we would want one of our parents to be with us all the time. We would want to go with them wherever they go. Absolutely everywhere, including the bathroom. We would pull their arms in the directions we want to go. We would put our entire might in that tug or pull. We just badly wanted them with us.
I remember as a child I have made things difficult for my mom. I would want to be with her all the time. If I noticed she was getting ready to leave for work, I would quickly run to the door holding my shoes in hand ready to leave for work along with her. I may have been just 3 or 4 years old at that time.
My mom shared about this incident over and over to me, so I remember.
I just wanted to go with her wherever she went. I did not ask for anything more 😊
It was difficult for my mom to see me howl and put up a big drama if I was left behind.
As I grew a little older, I would still be eager to go with her. But I began to understand that she would be back in the evening. Instead of crying, I would walk down with her till the entrance of our apartment building. I would stand there and watch her walk out of the gate and kept watching her walk down the road till I could no longer see her.
Why did I long to be with her?
The answer lies in the security and comfort that I found with her.
I was secure when my mom was around. I was loved and cared for. My needs were taken care of if I knew my mom was around me. I would feel at rest knowing that she would make things alright for me if I have a bad time.
Moses felt the same way. He was certain of the God he followed. He was convinced that God would provide everything that was required for them to make the journey to Canaan. He trusted God to such extent that he dared not make a move without God approving it. He formed a perfect partnership with God. He ensured God led the way all along.
Abiding in God’s presence is being in a class of its own. It’s much more than just soaking in wonderful music. Or feeling that trance moment.
In God’s presence, you find that time has stood still. All your worries are swapped with gentle assurance.
God’s presence is a powerhouse. A secure fortress. A comforting voice.
The place for the ‘get-up-and-go’ needed for the day.
I wake up most days sitting on my bed, thinking about all that needs to get done. Just doing a mental run-down on the to-do’s get me overwhelmed. I sit there for a few more minutes wondering, “How am I going to get through this day?” I try to work-out a perfect strategy to get things going. And then I remember that this same strategy did not work yesterday or any other day that I used it without completely burning me out.
I can apply a brute force to my to-do’s by drawing power from Jesus and asking Him for wisdom to plan my day.
In God’s presence, we breathe afresh.
We find new sense to things that were disregarded and forgotten.
We find encouragement for taking up new challenges.
We find ‘Samson like’ strength to take on the day.
Living in the US, I remember seeing an advertising slogan for a famous multinational coffee company that said ‘America runs on Dunkin’.
What are we running on? Ponder that.
I shall close with this song – ‘Just want you’. https://youtu.be/49xzU4TkX1U
Enjoy it & have a blessed time with Jesus.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™