NURTURING HIS PRESENCE

"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me" (Psalms 51:11). 

The presence of God is so vital for our smooth ride through this year and even through life. One of the things that must not happen to you is for the presence of God to be withdrawn from your life. Should such an unfortunate thing happen, it should be considered a calamity of monumental proportion. No wonder that when David realised this, he prayed earnestly, saying to God, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me". 

Strange it is then that some people actually attempt to flee God's presence. It is important you understand that God is not your enemy; He is your friend. Therefore, you need not try to hide from His presence like Adam and Eve. You know, after the duo got into trouble, they hid themselves from God's presence because of fear. But to prove to them that He was not against them, God made garments for them to cover their nakedness and shame. Friends, don't go out of His presence like Cain. Those who do such don't ever amount to anything meaningful in life. 

The prophet Jonah took God for an enemy and fled from His presence. He was sent on an assignment which he detested for whatever reason. To escape from God, he decided to run away from His presence. But Jonah will tell you how much he suffered for daring to flee God's presence. Thank God that in the midst of his affliction, he realised his error and retraced his steps to the presence of God through repentance and prayers (see Jonah chapter 2). Jonah teaches us that if in the course of our journey we happen to lose the presence of God, we should take immediate steps to get restored to that place of His presence. 

Our attitude from now henceforth should be like that of David who wants to dwell in God's presence all the days of his life. For he knew that the presence of God brings fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11). He knew that there is security, victory and deliverance in the presence of God. David also knew that the presence of God brings glory, honour, strength and gladness (1 Chronicles 16:27). Who would want to miss all these wonderful blessings that proceed from the presence of God? 

Finally, we must learn to nurture the presence of God in our life. One important way to do that is to be an avid worshipper of God who seizes every opportunity to sing praises unto the Lord and to give thanks unto His name. David, a master in the art of nurturing the presence of God advised, "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms" (Psalms 95:2). This is something to do on a regular basis, not only when you are in church. If songs of His praise, thanksgiving and worship are constant on your lips, His blessings will also be constant in your life.