BRINGING BACK THE PRESENCE OF GOD

Pr. James Victor Lubwama

Exodus 33:15-16 (AMPC)

“And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here! 16 For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth?”

We often wonder why we do not see certain things happen in our lives yet they happen in other people’s lives. This can sometimes can be attributed to the absence of the presence of God in our lives - which if it is present, is manifested by His works in our lives like transformation, healing, provision, abundant grace and mercy as seen in the scripture above

The Presence of God is what makes a difference in our lives. When you see miracles, it means that the Miracle maker and Creator of heaven and earth is present and at work within us. However, there are certain things that drive away the presence of God and as such we do not see his works in us. God - Holy Spirit desires to dwell within us (Romans 8:9) because we are His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), but he is driven away by certain deeds and character.

Factors that drive away the Presence of God

1. Sin: This is unintentional rebellion - missing the mark or falling short. This is the number one factor that drives away the presence of God. The Bible says in Isaiah 59:1-3 (NKJV) that;

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity”

2. Compromise: This means to expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable. Compromise is when you fail to act on the truth of the word of God that you know in order not to offend others (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) or to satisfy the desires of your fresh (Rom 13:14). This drives away the presence of God. Romans 13:14 (NLT) cautions;

“Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”

3. Words of your mouth: Words carry immeasurable significance: The universe was created with a word; Jesus healed and cast out demons with a word; rulers have risen and fallen by their words. Words are powerful, they can create and destroy, build and burn down, save and condemn. A lot is at stake in what we say – (Proverbs 18:21). There are certain words that grieve the Holy Spirit. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:29-30 (NKJV) that;

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”

4. Anger: Normally anger upshots when we are disappointed, discouraged, or hurt. It might be because of a repetitive interpersonal conflict;  feeling trapped in a challenging, painful, or apparently dead-end situation; or a betrayal that has left you suffering; seeking God’s guidance on a decision and he just seems quiet. 
Anger is a destroyer - it separates friends, breaks marital bonds, crushes families and drives away the presence of God. Decisions made out of anger are always wrong. Ephesians 4:26 (NLT) says;  
“Don't sin by letting anger control you. “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. 

5. People and Places: The Places you visit and the company you associate with or the people you rub shoulders with. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT) says;  
“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

6. Quarrels and Strife: What causes quarrels and conflict in the world today among friends, family and the church? James 4:1-2 (NLT) says;  
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them”.

From the scripture in James 4 above, we quarrel and strife because we covet - we are covetous. We are driven by desires, so we lust, crave and we become quarrelsome and eventually fighters. We fight because we want the wrong things and we are emotionally numb. Our quarrels and fights are spurned by our coveting desires to be satisfied in the world. 

7. Jealousy: this is envious resentment of someone or their achievements, possessions or perceived advantages. It is a feeling of unhappiness and anger because someone has something or someone that you want. 
Jealousy is catastrophic; it is harmful. It feels controlling and you cannot escape – its intolerant rivalry. The fire of jealousy burns away the hidden curtains to show us the things we treasure and what is within our hearts. Proverbs 14:30 (NLT) says; 
“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones” 
And  Song of Solomon 8:6 (KJV) also says: 
“for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave”  

Relation-wise, jealousy knows no self-control; it is dictatorially exacting and un-accepting of moral reasons. Proverbs 6:34 (ESV) warns: “For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge”.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV) lists a number of things that God considers detestable;  
“These six things the Lord hates, 
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 
17 A proud look, 
A lying tongue, 
Hands that shed innocent blood, 
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, 
Feet that are swift in running to evil, 
19 A false witness who speaks lies, 
And one who sows discord among brethren.”  

How to Keep the Presence of God

- Die to self, die to worldly pleasures, learn to control your body and present it as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-2). Self loves enjoyments, pleasures, but Paul  says in Galatians 2:20 (NLT) that; 
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me”. 

You always need to see things in Jesus’s perspective. Ask yourself;-  If it was Jesus, what would be his response?

- Keep your altar alive: Pray unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer takes us into the presence of God. It is our direct communication line to God. That’s why the bible tells us that; “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” - Romans 20:13

- Attend Church service regularly (Hebrews 10:25). Church is a place that services, nourishes and revives our souls, hearts and mind. When we come to church, we come to God's sanctuary. Hebrews 12:22-24 (ESV) says; 
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” 

- Believe the word spoken by God over your life. We have numerous examples of people that held onto their faith in God and his Word like Abraham who;“in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.” - Romans 4:18 (KJV)

If the presence is not with you, you can’t see the hand of God. The presence of God is the shield that can keep us from harm; it is the wall that can protect us and guard what He has given us. If you have a relationship with God and you have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, then you can ask anything in Jesus’ name and it shall be granted unto you.