“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea
4:6)….. Ignorance means to be
uninformed and it is the worst thing that can happen to a human being in this
present time. Without a doubt, the world has produced a lot of smart people.
Unfortunately, 70% of the smart ones are actually foolish because they lack
knowledge in the most important things in life. Being smart is not the same
thing as being wise. You can be smart and very intelligent and at the same time
be very foolish.
“And Joseph also
went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city
of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage
of David: ) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him
in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR
THEM IN THE INN. (Wow! There was no room for the Saviour. Why? IGNORANCE) And there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the
angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for,
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord.” (Luke 2:4-11) When Jesus
landed in the world, it was noised abroad and most people knew SOMEBODY had
entered the world. Also in the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost fell upon
the disciples everybody around knew that something great had happened. Some
even thought they were drunk.
“And when the days of her purification
according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem,
to present Him to the Lord…. And when they had performed all things according
to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the
grace of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the
feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem
after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they
returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his
mother knew not of it. But they supposing him to have been in the company, went
a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.”
(Luke 2:22,39-44)
Herein lies the
root of so many issues that befall man: the fact that you can lose God’s
presence and be ignorant of it. God’s manifestation is with power but His
departure is in ‘grave silence’. Mary and Joseph lost the presence of Jesus.
They were fulfilling the law alright, they went to church regularly; they were
zealous for the work of God. They didn’t lose His presence because they were
committing sin, no; they lost it because JESUS was not their focus. One major
reason why men lose God’s presence is because many do not make Him their
priority. Many do what they do just to satisfy man and gain recognition, but
few have JESUS as the one ‘calling the shots’ in their lives. Unfortunately, it
is not written on the forehead that HIS presence has gone.
Who is your priority: yourself, your parents, your spouse,
your friends, your boss, your Pastor or your God? Your answer to that question will determine
whether you’ll keep God present or have Him depart.
The Holy Ghost
has a gentle personality and He does not struggle. He warns, He pleads but when
you resist Him over and over, He leaves. So many things we sometimes pray for
do not come to fulfillment because they lack God’s presence and approval. Many
people are suffering because of their inability to keep God present. Man is
designed to rebel for the Bible says, we were born sinners. It takes serious
discipline, hard work and God’s grace to be steadfast in the walk with God
because of the nature of man. The truth is that nothing good comes easy and you
cannot walk across a river without getting wet. As you read through your Bible,
you will realize that the great people and those who made a difference in their
generations were those who consciously kept God’s presence alive. The major
factor behind Abraham’s blessings, David’s victories, Paul’s exploits and even
Solomon’s riches is GOD’S PRESENCE. The lack of God’s presence, in my own
opinion is the most dangerous ignorance in the world.
BENEFITS OF GOD’S PRESENCE (PSALM 89:14-21):
“Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne” This
is why God’s presence cannot stay in the life of the indiscipline and crooked.
God is very loving and at the same time a just God; His presence will not
condone unnecessary activities human beings like to engage in. For example,
those who move very far with God are not the ‘fill amongs’ or the ‘crowd
carriers’, that is those who just like to be in the midst of all kinds of
people, packing themselves like sardine and moving around without aim. “Mercy
and truth shall be before thy face.” Those who endeavour and strive to keep
God’s presence always find mercy and grace. “Blessed is the people that know
the joyful sound” God’s presence brings joy. Those who hear from God can
testify that after the communion, joy fills the heart and a smile comes. “In
thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be
exalted.” As you carry His presence all over, divine uplifting becomes a
regular. “For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn
shall be exalted.” When the day of
adversity comes and you are so troubled to the extent of giving up and you have
that feeling saying, “son/daughter, I am with you keep moving.” You’ll realize
that power just comes from nowhere and you get inspiration to press on; that’s
His presence. And also, divine favour locates you. “For the Lord is our
defense; and the Holy One of Israel is our King.” Of course the devil will rage and fight, but
they that know their God like Elisha will be confident and conquer. The enemy
came against Elisha and his servant was afraid, but Elisha was not moved
because God’s presence (in form of fighting angels) was surrounding him. “Then
thou spakest in vision to thy Holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one
that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.” In God’s presence, regular divine instruction
and information for progress will be received. The reason why many people seem
to be blank when it comes to divine information for progress is due to lack of
divine presence. “I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I
anointed him: with whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall
strengthen him.” God’s presence in any
decision or plan will always bring an establishment. Many people are in trouble
today because they took some decisions without seeking God’s counsel and
approval; therefore God was not present in their decision or plan. Some even
got counsel and direction from God but refused to obey. The Bible says, “Commit
thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”(Prov.
16:3) Meaning: PUTTING GOD FIRST IN
‘ALL’ BRINGS EVENTUAL SUCCESS. Please put that statement in your heart. Many
are dead today because they didn’t involve God in their plans and decisions.
I will stop here today, to continue next time if Jesus
tarries in His coming. When God’s presence is lost, all is lost. When you gain
God’s presence, ladders are created to attract the rest (good things of life).
(Matthew 6:33).
PRAYER POINT:
O Lord, let your presence incubate my life, in the name of
Jesus.
