Presence of God

20/2/11 Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27


S: Numbers 7:87 Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.

O: In the Old Testament, God’s special presence was only in the Tabernacle in the Holy of Holies from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover. However, when Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, He tore the curtain of separation and now God’s special presence is in every believer’s heart.

A: God’s presence with us has a lot of implications. Even in the Old Testament, God was still present in some way with the OT believers, as we read in today’s psalm, Psalm 23.

One is that we need to live in the light of that presence. Sin is a disruption of our fellowship with God. If only I remember this every time I am tempted.

Another is that we can have the confidence that God is looking out for us. Today’s other readings of Psalm 23 and Acts 27 both give examples of this – David likens God to a caring shepherd who looks after his sheep well. Paul could go through imprisonment and shipwreck with confidence because he knew God was with him.

P: Father, may I be ever cognizant of Your Presence with me, both to chase me away from temptation as well as to embolden me with Your confidence. In Jesus’ name, amen.