THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

The presence of the Lord is always existing around us, among us and within us!!

Isn’t that comforting and such a special gift from the Lord?

 

The presence of the Lord to His people has evolved through the Old and New Testament.

In the Old Testament days,  before Jesus was even born, the Israelites, who were originally God’s first born son, when traveling to the Promised Land, would travel with the Ark of the Covenant.  This Ark of the Covenant, which was the old covenant of the law, contained the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and some manna.

Within that Ark, God gave the people a Tabernacle–a place where God would occasionally meet with some particular people; a tangible sign of His dwelling in their midst. These meetings were really manifestations of God’s glory to these people.

Some times they would be commanded to carry the Ark of the Covenant before the people and other times it would be behind the people.

It reminded the people that God was always with them… Guiding, protecting, helping them every step of the way.

 

Photo courtesy of listentothemountains under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

 

When God sent His only Son, Jesus, to this earth to restore mankind from bondage and slavery from sin, Jesus became the new  Ark of the Covenant, the new covenant of love and grace.

Jesus shows us that God is always manifested WITH us.

 

After Jesus died on the cross and rose on the Third Day, God sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, to also lead us on this earthly journey.

The Holy Spirit shows us that God is always manifested IN us!

 

What an honor and privilege it is to live in this current day where we have the presence of the Lord always existing around us, among us and within us thanks to God’s plan of sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit to us!

The presence of the Lord is always existing around us, among us and within us!!

 

Photo courtesy of John 9:25 (CHRIST Alone SAVES) under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Look at the presence of the Lord that is always existing AROUND us in this world…

The sun, moon, stars and clouds to fill the sky…

The mighty, majestic mountains….

The wide open rolling plains…

The ocean waters constantly ebbing…

The awesome rock formations…

Do you see the presence of the Lord in those sights that are all around us?

Take time each day to praise Him for the beauty He has created to bless us with!

 

Helping a friend whose house got hit by the Flood of 2011 in Nichols, NY.

Look at the presence of the Lord that is always existing AMONG us…

…In the person willing to lend a hand when you’re shoveling out of two feet of snow.

…In the ministers who faithfully share with you the Good News making your relationship with the Lord stronger.

…In the person who lets you know they are praying for you in your time of need. Maybe even sending you a card to let you know.

…In the community group who helped you clean up from a natural disaster your area was stricken with.

…In the one person who stopped to help you when you were stranded by the side of the road with car trouble.

Do you see the presence of the Lord in each of those people?

Thank the Lord for providing His glory through them.

 

Photo courtesy of Martin LaBar under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Look at the presence of the Lord that is always existing WITHIN you…

…When you love others unconditionally with the same love that God has bestowed on you.

…When you try to speak encouraging and kind words rather than words that are more cutting or sarcastic.

…When you overlook what you might consider faults or shortcomings in others.

…When you are open minded with others trying not to judge them as you do not know what it is like to walk in their shoes.

…When you take time to listen and empathize with others going through difficult times rather than just being consumed with your routine.

Isn’t it true that we can’t do those things and be there for others if it weren’t for the presence of the Lord within us?

Ask the Lord to help you to continue to share the presence of the Lord with all you meet!!

 

Let me encourage you to continually see the presence of the Lord in every person and every situation that you are in.  

 

The presence of the Lord is always existing around us, among us and within us!!

 

In talking about the presence of the Lord that exists all around us, we can’t help but give glory and honor to the Lord for His goodness!  Yes, He is an awesome and faithful God!

This song a friend shared with me recently shows the glory of creation and is a great reminder for us. Listen and be blessed!  Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory, by Gordon Mote, who coincidentally was born blind.

In the comment section below, would you share ways you see the presence of the Lord around you, among you or within you? I would be grateful to hear from you!

 

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  –2 Corinthians 3:18

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  –Psalm 139:7-10