5.17.9 "¡La Presencia!"

"¡La Presencia!"

1 Samuel 20:1-21:15
John 9:1-41
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 15:15-17

Psalm 114:5-8 (TLB) What's wrong, Red Sea, that made you cut yourself in two? What happened, Jordan River, to your waters? Why were they held back? Why, mountains, did you skip like rams? Why, little hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Jacob.

It may because I'm a junior higher at heart, but I think these verses could be read in a taunting voice to the tune of "na na na na boo boo". Yeah, that may be a bit much, but there is something significant to be gleaned from this portion of scripture. Remember John 3, flesh gives birth to flesh, and spirit gives birth to spirit? Well I just feel this intense "reminder" (for lack of a better word) to make sure every step we take in everything we do to make sure that it is bathed in the presence of God.

Why DID the Red Sea part? It's important to understand that it wasn't because there was a need! It parted because of the presence of God! His presence was with the Hebrews. We so often pray for miracles because we need miracles. We miss the fact that miracles don't come because there's a need. Miracles come because the presence of God is there. This must be our focus. We must be utterly dependent upon the presence of God!

I feel so often that we pursue the miraculous without understanding the need for His presence to be fully evident in our life. The Priority is His presence, NOT his miracles. So what does it take to pursue "La Presencia"? (just flashing my bilingualness)

There's a complete surrender that must precede the presence of God. It took the "obstacle" of the Red Sea and the Egyptians about to strike to get the Israelites to the place where they were utterly dependent. Once their dependence was "made known", "La Presencia" came through. When they were waiting to cross the Jordan with Joshua, it was a different story. There were no Egyptians. In Joshua 3:5, "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'"

God is desiring to do some amazing things among his people. Why? NOT because there is a need! It's because of His presence. We can work up great ministry ideas, and plans for reaching people, but as cool as our "formula" is to improve ministry and discipleship, it is flesh giving birth to flesh without this dependence on God, and passion for His presence.

So which situation will it be that causes us to consecrate ourselves? Will it be Egyptians hot on our tail, or will it be God's people seeking His face? "Lord, don't send the Egyptians to get my attention!"

The challenge to all this is that "consecrate yourselves" is a discipline, and we are people who don't like discipline. There are so many conveniences that take us off course. As we travel down the road of obedience, I think we're often surprised about the intersecting streets. They have names like "Easy road", "comfort lane", "Selfish ambition", "popularity", "status quo". They look so much more inviting and well paved than the trail of consecration that lies before. Yet we will never be disappointed when we choose to continue on in this path of obedience.

Consecrate yourself today. Set yourself apart to experience La Presencia! Then have a great day seeing the waters part!




Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ

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Posted By P Greg to DEVO DREAM at 5/17/2008 07:01:00 AM