THE MOST DANGEROUS IGNORANCE

                                

“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.