The Presence Of The Lord Changes Everything

18-07-2017 HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY PRAYERS

SCRIPTURAL READING: psalm 125: 1-2 “those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from this time forth and for evermore.”

THEME: THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD CHANGES EVERY THING

Last Wednesday I told us when I preached a message I titled do something positive in the midst of the storm. In that message, I told us that the most important person in any crisis is “YOU!” I told us that your response to any given situation is key. If you are to pull through any storm, it is dependent on how well you respond to it. If your response is positive, it then means that you will succeed. If your response is negative, it then means that you are in for sorrow and misery. So you must remain positive to weather through any storm.

Today I add again, that everything also depends on God!!! God’s presence in any given situation is very important. We cannot do without the presence of God. His presence is what makes the difference. No wonder Moses in Ex 33:15-16 “Moses replied, if you do not go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth.”

In Ex 33:7 and following, the presence of the Lord was what led the people out of the Mount Sinai to the land of promise. Whenever the children of Israel set up camp as they wandered, Moses would take the Sacred Tent and put it up some distance away from the camp. It was called the TENT OF THE LORD’S PRESENCE, and anyone who wanted to consult the Lord would go out to it.

Verse 8 tells us that whenever Moses went out there, the people would stand at the door of their tents and watch Moses until he entered it. After Moses had gone in, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the door of the tent, and the Lord would speak to Moses from the cloud. As soon as the people saw the pillar of cloud at the door of the tent, they would bow down. The lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp. But the young man who was his helper, Joshua son of Nun, stayed in the tent.

Moses understood what the presence of the Lord meant that was why he begged God to go with them as they journied despite the people’s stubbornness. He knew God’s presence will always make a difference. In Verse 14-“The Lord said, I will go with you, and I will give you victory”

In verse 17 the Lord said to Moses, “I will do just as you have asked, because I know you very well and I am pleased with you.”

On this grounds, Moses asked that he may see the dazzling light of the Lord’s presence. The Lord said to Moses-I will make all my splendor pass before you and in your presence I will pronounce my sacred name. I am the Lord, and I show compassion and pity on those I choose. I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive, but here is a place beside me where you can stand on a rock. When the dazzling light of my presence passes by, I will put you in an opening in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back but not my face.

Friends, the presence of the Lord fills one with awe-Moses’ experience at the burning Bush Ex. 3:4-6.

The presence of the Lord changes situation-Exodus 33:12-17, 1 kings 18 (Elijah and the prophets of Baal.)

The presence of the Lord brings and gives victory Ex. 33: 14, Psalm 20:5, 6, Ex. 17:8-16.

The presence of the Lord heals Isaiah 35:5-7

The presence of the strengthens 1 Thess. 3:13, James 5:8, 2Tim. 4:17

The presence of the Lord makes a way where there is no way-Ex. 14:21-31.

The presence of the Lord brings calmness and restores peace. Mark 4: 35-41

The presence of the eliminates fear and the presence and powers of darkness-2 Kings 18-25

The presence of the Lord surrounds us and keeps us safe, Ex.13:21-22.

The presence of the Lord delivers-Daniel 3:19-30, Daniel 6, psalm 34:7, psalm 23, 2 Tim. 4:17; Psalm 31:20.

The presence of the Lord provides as he provided for Abraham the Lamb of sacrifice in Genesis 22:14 and also provided for the widow of Zarephath in 1Kgs 17:7-16. Also in 1 Kings 17:4, the Lord provided for Elijah.

Friends, if the Lord’s presence is able to do these things, why can’t Christians today put their firm trust in the Lord? why consult mediums, why visit shrines and occultic temples in order to be rich and get out of a situation? Don’t we know that such visits to ungodly altars will destroy our relationship with God and expose us constantly to the powers of Satan whose sole ambition is to destroy man who has been created in the image and likeness of God.

The psalmist of today’s reflection says it all-those who put their trust in the Lord are like mount zion that cannot be shaken but abide forever.

Why is the psalm making reference to Mount Zion?

1. Mount Zion the hill upon which Jerusalem is built, is used as a symbol to depict trust in the Lord and the dwelling place of God. It talks about an unshakeable and firmly established trust in the Lord. that no matter what, one’s trust is firm in the Lord.
2. It gives a sense of security felt by those who trust in the Lord and the permanence of God’s protection.
3. It talks and makes it clear that the righteous will prevail over the wicked and it ends by calling for the righteous to be favored. And the wicked to be shunned and for Israel to enjoy peace.
4. It paints a picture of the church as the New Jerusalem surrounded with the loving care of her spouse God and against her the gates of hell will not prevail. The church of the Lord, is built upon the rock of the apostles, stands firm amid the storms of this world and, supported by such a strong foundation, it will not be shaken even by the strongest waves. It may be surrounded by waves, but is never broken open, and even though sometimes the forces of this world will attack it with great ferocity, it always offers the sure port of salvation to all tired sailors.

Friends, we go through so many challenges on a daily basis, are we to give up because of the crisis of faith and of our time??? we must begin to pull ourselves together, begin to pick up our broken pieces up and present ourselves to the Lord that the Lord may heal, strengthen, deliver and rescue us from every ugly situation.

God never disappoints, it is us who fail God by our lack of trust. We lose faith so easily, we lose confidence in God so easily, we are surrender and give up so easily. Why? Because we constantly focus on the problem and not on God.

The question for us tonight is, do I see God in the midst of the storm, or I see myself battling or I see the situation? So often than not the answer is always that we see ourselves and the situation and we leave out God. Once we leave out God from the situation, we will end up in crisis.

Trust entails our mind, body and soul working together to SAY YES to God, follow God, keep our focus on God even when the odds are against us, even when we are standing alone, even when we feel terrified on the inside but we are sure that God will never fail us.

Trust means depending totaling on God. Relying on God, following the God’s lead, listening to God always.

Song: my trust is in you!!!

Prayer points:

Lord I want you to help me through this trials

Lord help me to trust more and more in you

Lord remove obstacles on my path and give me victory always

Lord may your presence go with me.