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Growing up, my parents, showing their seriousness, would drag their ears and, for example, say…” Andy, be careful… any money you get and you cannot stand on the altar and testify for it is blood money.”  When I entered the university and entered student politics, these stern words surfaced when I was invited to collude to inflate figures for my financial benefit. I recall their voices as though they were there in real time and acted right. Though they were not there physically, I carried their presence. 

Carrying God’s presence means acknowledging that He is present everywhere, He sees everything, and even if we don’t see Him physically, we know and recognize His presence in whatever we say, think, or do.  If we carry His presence, we will be appropriately guided in what we do that people see and even more in what we do in the secrecy of our closet or even our thoughts.

One of my favourite bible characters is Joseph. He was a champion at carrying God’s presence (Gen 39: 2-4). He was tested with power, money, and women and survived all by respecting God’s presence. In fact, in one of those incidents, Potiphar’s wife and Joseph were in a private space. Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Joseph, carrying God’s presence, knew it wasn’t a private negotiation, “My master (who was absent) has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God (who is ever present)?”(Gen 39: 9-12) Whatever happens in Vegas will follow you back home and anywhere you go. Actions have consequences, but that is a subject for another day. 

The presence of God is one of the most important assets to us believers. No wonder David begged that God should not remove him from His presence (Psalm 51: 11). No matter what is present in your life, if you don’t have the presence of God, you don’t have anything. In other words, you have everything if you have the Divine presence.

The Bible, in 1 Samuel chapter 4, tells us something interesting about the ark of the covenant, which represents the presence of God. The ark contained the two tables of stone, i.e. the commandments. Even with the ark, Israel fell to the Philistines. Why? Simply because they did not observe to do all the commandments therein. They were a rebellious nation that knew the commandments and their privileges but disregarded their own covenant obligations. Our being called Christians, reading the bible, or coming to church does not in itself translate to our having His presence. Hosting and having His presence is a call to consecration, a lifestyle of prayer and meditation of His Word, doing all that is in it, and maintaining a God-consciousness.    

Another lesson from this event is that when a nation defeats another and captures its king, it sees it as a total defeat. In the case of the Philistines, when they captured the presence of God (symbolized by the ark), it was the jackpot.

As we go about our week, let us ensure that the devil does not frustrate or deceive us away from the presence of God. Even if we are in the lion’s den, let us confirm that God is present. Even if we are in the fiery furnace, His presence will deliver you. Even if you are in a boat and there is turbulence around you, and it looks like God is asleep, find rest because you are covered. No shaking! Wherever you go and whatever you do, just ensure you carry His presence.

Thank you, and have a most blessed week