FUNCTIONING AS A KING - PART 6
FRIDAY 11 AUGUST 2023
To function effectively as a king, we must develop the consciousness of practising the presence of God. This is because we cannot reign outside of His presence. The presence of God comes with the assurance of dominion and authority - from which the rivers of His good pleasure flow, bearing in mind that in Him we live, and move, and have our being.
Reference: Psalm 21:1 New Living Translation (NLT) "How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because you give him victory."
Today's versified statement is: Verse 6: Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence (Boundless benefits of divine presence).
The Lord showered David with blessings that lasted, as he found joy in knowing His intimate presence and loving Him. Zero wonder King David said, "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance...You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand" (Psalm 16:6 & 11). The Lord did not just shower David with blessings, He also made Him a blessing, because David valued His presence.
What does this teach us as Christians? We are taught and encouraged to establish ourselves in His presence. Do not deviate from cultivating the presence of God, because it equips us with His goodness and eternal joy. It also grants us the opportunity or empowers us to advance in His knowledge, to perfect in holiness, to exercise our faith in Christ, to abound in good works, and to practise or do the things that bring glory to God.
There are boundless benefits of divine presence, and few of them are favour, confident assurance, peace, joy, hope, healing, health, provision, protection, fulfilment, productive life, victorious living, restoration, and all-round prosperity.
How to maintain His presence:
1. Submit to God (James 4:7). 2. Study and cogitate on the Word (2 Timothy 2:15; Joshua 1:8). 3. Cultivate an effective prayer life (Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18). 4. Walk in step with the Holy Spirit by listening to and acting on His voice (Galatians 5:18-16). 5. Practise love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). 6. Do not forsake the assembly of God's holy people (Hebrews 10:25). 7. Practise the Lord's will (Ephesians 5:17; James 1:22-25). 8. Associate and spend time with God's righteous people (Ephesians 5:18-20). 9. Preach and spread the Word (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Even before the foundation of the world, there are so many wonderful things which God has prepared for His people, and such are: mountain of untold blessings, the kingdom and its glory, the inheritance of the saints in light and more. To that effect, Pauline epistle noted in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 saying, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God" (NKJV). This suggests that they are revealed in God's presence as we fellowship with His Spirit.
There is so much to gain from practising the presence of God, which is fellowshipping and living by the Spirit. To that effect, Galatians 5:25 reads, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit" (ESV). Stay tuned for part 7. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Genesis 39:2; Psalm 95:2; Psalm 97:5; Ephesians 2:18.
Guided Prayer: Precious Father in heaven, how I love to abide in and enjoy the glory of your presence. As the God of grace, you are the very source of my spiritual life. All the joy, strength and comfort of your abiding presence keep me at rest and in perfect peace in a troubled world, and more so, guarantee my successful Christian life on earth. For these reasons, I'm perpetually grateful, in Jesus' Name, Amen!
