How did Jesus ensure the presence of God in His life? II

Precious children of God, greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ! May your day be blessed! May this day be successful for you and filled with the glory and presence of the Lord!

We have been talking about the presence of God. Yesterday we saw what it was that allowed Jesus to habitually walk in the presence of God, in the anointing and glory of God. God was with Jesus and anointed Him with power because Jesus drew near to God in prayer. Through prayer Jesus drew near to God and God drew near to Him. Besides prayer, Jesus also walked in holiness and the love of truth. When the disciples of Jesus watched Him, they realized that the secret of His success was hidden in His close relationships with the Father. Afterwards they came to Jesus and asked if He would teach them to pray, and Jesus did that.

«Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that on of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples» (Luke, 11:1)

The disciples understood that the presence of God in the life of Jesus was closely related to His ability to pray, and they decided to watch Him no more. They realized that they also can come into this presence; that is why they asked Jesus about it.

So we see that God draws near to those who draw near to Him. Do you really want to see God’s presence in your life, or you just want to go on watching and admiring those that have the power of God? That is what Israelites did in the wilderness. They admired Moses and looked at him as though he was a deity, as his face reflected the glory and presence of God Almighty.

«Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face» (Exodus, 34:29-33)

They were afraid of Moses and could not even come close to him, because his face shone with the glory of God. Despite the fact that they had the same opportunity, they drew back and decided to be observers only.

«Then they said to Moses, „You speak with us, and we will hear; but let no God speak with us, lest we die.” And Moses said to the people, „Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was» (Exodus, 20:19-21)

«So it was, whenever Moses went out to the tabernacle, that all the people rose, and each man stood at his tent door and watched Moses until he had gone into the tabernacle. (..) All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshipped, each man in his tent door» (Exodus, 33:8, 10)

Will you be like those people, or will you be like Joshua who did not depart from the tabernacle? Will you be like these observers, or will you be like the disciples who asked Jesus to teach them to pray? Everything depends on you. God wants to demonstrate His mighty hand in your life! Will you let Him do that?

The Bible says,

«Draw near to God and He will draw near to you» (James, 4:8а).

It was the secret of Moses; and it was the secret of Jesus. Up to this day it is the secret of all those who are used by God and through whom God works.

God bless you!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboy