Last week I talked about the Presence of God. Today I will continue on with the second part of this message: God’s Presence (part 2).
In the first message I talked about the presence of God using the life of Moses, today I am going to continue talking about the Presence of God, but with references to the life of David.
The Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart! (Acts 13:22)
What was so special about David?
David was no perfect man, He was not any different from you and I, the extraordinary thing in David’s life was not David, but the God he knew and sought after.
David sought God daily with passion and fervour. David had more thirst for God than for water. He was hungrier for God than he was for food.
Today I want to talk about the importance of seeking God with all my heart, with passion and fire, because this is the secret that David discovered.
In Psalm 63 David is a king, but he remembers the years when he lived in the Judean desert. Fabiana and I have already been there and experienced how hot and dry that place is.
There, he went hungry and thirsty. He then uses this scenario to express how thirsty he is for God, and he says
““O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.”
“So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.”
Psalms 63:1,2
David had a personal relationship with God, he begins: You are my God! My God !
I seek you eagerly, with eagerness, desire, hunger and passion.
My soul is thirsty for you, my body longs for you as arid, exhausted, dry land, without water.
This man loved God, David sought God for the sake of God. Not because of the blessings.
David discovered a secret that can be revealed to all of us.
The secret is that: If you get close to the blesser you get close to the blessings.
Beloved, no one could come close to Jesus without being blessed. No one died in the presence of Jesus, because He is the author of life. Everyone who came into the presence of Jesus was healed.
Everyone who came close to Jesus was supplied for their needs. He transformed water into wine, He multiplied the little by a lot, He healed and he rose from the dead again because He is the Author of life.
David discovered that the Secret was to seek God and today we are going to see some truths from the word of God.
We have to approach God because of Him, seek him because we miss Him, seek Him because we love Him, seek him because we enjoy his presence
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalms 9:10
Are you feeling helpless? Because sometimes we feel so, sometimes our results are not good.
But David discovered that the Lord does not forsake those who seek him.
God has not promised us an easy life without tribulations, (because tribulations test us and teach us) but God tells us that we will be supported through it all.
The Lord says: you are not helpless.
Seek the Lord because He does not forsake those who seek Him.
We need to seek God like David.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?””
Psalms 42:1-3
Just as the dear runs for water, my soul thirsts for the living God, my soul sighs! When will I be in his presence!
Verse 3 says it shows that he was going through struggles, his tears were his food day and night. And people still confronted him: Where is your God? Where is your God who does not heal you, where is your God?
One day Jesus was at the well and a woman came at noon, at the hottest time of the day to draw water. Jesus said to her: give me your water and I will give you my water!
For the water you have will make you thirsty again, but the water I give you will never leave you thirsty. Your thirst will be quenched for all eternal life.
The thirst you have cannot be quenched by water, the hunger you have cannot be quenched by bread from this land. So seek the Lord!
God is looking at you and asking: is there anyone here who is thirsty?
Can anyone hear this word get it?
Seek the Lord, open your heart, speak to him, talk of your anguish to Him.
You will approach him in anguish and emptiness, and will come out fulfilled, you will come sad and you will come out happy, you will come in weak and come out strong.
David knew where to seek safety in times of fear, he knew how to seek relief when he was in the desert.
God is looking for those who really seek him.
You do not need to seek the blessing, but the blesser, because your dad is a miracle worker. God has the solution for you, but He wants you to seek Him.
Sometimes I also feel that I’m not that close to God. What I do then? I will seek his presence!
“My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Saviour.”
Psalms 27:8-9
Usually when we sin, we turn away from God. But David even when he sinned he would not turn away from God. Instead he would said, Do not reject me, God, do not turn away from me.
“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
Psalms 51:11
Beloved, you were created by God, without him we cannot live, we have no life without his presence.
We can live without our partners, without friends, but we cannot live without God.
Seek the presence of God because those who live in His presence here on this earth, will live eternally with Him.
“Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Saviour. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.”
Psalms 27:9-11
This must be our prayer also: Lord, if I am walking down the wrong path, take my hand and teach me your ways.
Because of this broken heart, because of this passion for the presence of God, God said that David was a man after his own heart.
Because of this heart and passion God promised: David I have an eternal covenant with you!
This needs to be our relationship with God. What we need to do is seek the presence of God, give Him the first place in our life, enthrone Him, crown Him, love Him more than the blessings He gives us!
Love him above all, with all our strength, and all our emotions.
This was David’s secret!
“Even strong lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
Psalms 34:10
Those who seek the Lord will never lack anything! If you seek the Lord, you will have no needs!
David knew this, so he said: The Lord is my shepherd and I will not lack anything!
You will lack nothing when the Lord is your shepherd!
Unfortunately, many Christians trust their wisdom, trust men, government, people!
But David said:
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalms 20:7
Some trust their money, their strength, their wealth, but we will trust the Lord, our God!
Seek God, for there is everything you need! If you seek God fervently, he will supply your needs, for He has everything you need!
Of course there are things you need, it is normal for you to work to get what you need, it is normal for girls and boys to want a partner, it is normal for you to want to have a successful career, to be healthy, to do well, to prosper and be happy.
All that is good God will give you if you seek him in times of abundance and need, in good times and bad times, in health and in sickness, you will receive all the good you need from God.
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:”
Psalms 37:4-5
There is fullness for those who seek God, there is peace, there is strength even when we are weak and even in hour of grief.
When we seek God we are sure that everything will be okay even when it all seems to be wrong!
Whoever seeks God trusts him and knows that he is good.
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!””
Psalms 40:16
Rejoice all who seek you! If you seek God you will win your struggles, you will overcome depression, you will overcome guilt, you will overcome sadness, because in the presence of God there is joy and joy !!!,
“But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.”
Psalms 40:17
Are you tired of struggling with your problem? Are you tired of struggling with your addiction? Are you tired of losing to temptation? Are you tired of losing to the devil? Are you tired of always falling into sin? Are you tired of experiencing defeats in your marriage?
The secret is a simple one: go to the presence of God!
It is He who gives you strength, it is He who sets you free, who blesses you, it is he who can change your marriage, he who can open the doors to the miracle, it is in His presence that your spiritual life will be transformed!
It is not your own effort, it is not your strength that will change your life, because I have tried to change with my own strength and I did not succeed, I was defeated many times, but when I met Jesus, when I started spending time with Him and being in His presence my life was transformed.
Today I know that God loves me, I am my daddy’s son, my daddy is King and Lord. He owns everything, he owns my life, he owns my money, He owns my time. He’s my daddy!
The Lord is my help and my deliverer whom shall I fear?
What are you afraid of my dear? Seek the Lord’s presence with all your heart.
If the Lord is for us, who can be against us?
Look for Me and you will find Me when you seek me with all my heart!
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Psalms 105:3-4
Seek the Lord and his strength or his power. Did you know that when you seek God and his power, no demons can resist you!
You will pray with authority, you will cast out demons because of God’s presence , strength and power in your life.
Verse 4 “Always seek His presence”, do you know why we have so many defeats in our lives? Because we do not seek it continuously.
You who are married, remember when you were dating your spouse?
I remember well, I loved Fabiana, I called her and spent hours on the phone and never wanted to hang up.
Do you think God rejoices when you go to his presence, says a quick prayer and leaves?
We cannot have a lukewarm relationship with God. The Bible says that lukewarm relationships don’t bring joy to God’s heart. On the contrary, it says that the lukewarm makes Him want to throw up!
In the book of Revelation Jesus comes to the church in Ephesus and says:
You have done many things for me, but I have something against you and I am not happy.
“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”
Revelation 2:4
Just one thing: you no longer have that first love. Life struggles have stolen your love for me. You don’t love me like you did in the beginning.
COVID 19, the closing of churches, the distance between us, it has revealed the love and fidelity of many Christians!
Some people have moved away from the church, some people have returned to sin, some have returned to drinking, returned to listening to worldly music, returned to sin because they have stopped loving the Lord!
Whoever truly loved the Lord, remains faithful to the Lord, remains faithful to their church, remains faithful in their tithes and offerings, remains faithful in attending prayer meetings, remains faithful in watching online services and remains in communion with the church which is the body of Christ.
Times of difficulty reveals the truth in our hearts! The faithful to God are revealed in times of trouble! Whoever loves God remains faithful!
Life struggles have stolen your love for God.
We need to be like David, not in his mistakes, but in his love for the Lord. Seek the Lord and his presence.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
God has thoughts about us! This tremendous, all-powerful, omniscient God thinks of you and me.
Do you know what he thinks of you? He has thoughts of peace, to give you the future you hope for.
Are you afraid of the future or worried about what is to come? God says: I am thinking of you, I have plans for you, to give you what you expect.
“And my God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
You don’t have to be afraid of the future! For when this life is over we will enter the Glory of the presence of God.
The portals of glory will open and we will be forever in your presence!
That is why the devil wants to distract you, wants to make you worried about the things of this life, with work, study, money with your future and with many distractions to keep you from seeking God.
The devil wants to distract you so that you don’t have time for God, you don’t have time for cell meetings, you don’t have time for prayer meetings, and even online services.
Let’s go back to Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13
When you understand that God has good thoughts and a good future for you then you start to seek God.
Look for me and you will find me! When will you find God? When are you going to find God?
When we seek God with all our heart!
It is not seeking God in any way, you have to put your heart, passion, gratitude and love.
Whoever loves the Lord, instead of complaining, blaspheming or abandoning God when something goes wrong, will come close to God, cry out to Him. Then God reveals Himself, He approaches us and turns our sadness into joy, your struggle into peace.
How many here really want to seek God?
This life goes by very fast, the Bible says that we are like fog and soon we will leave this earth. We all need to be prepared to meet the Lord!
This I have done with my life! I have been preparing to be with my Lord!
I believe I still have many years to live, but every day I ask God: help me to love you more! It helps me to live for Him with intensity, to transmit his love to everyone and one day to be able to enter His kingdom as a good and faithful servant.
Many want to be in the presence of God only after death but now they refuse to be in the presence of God.
The life you live here on this earth will continue on in the heavens.
I want to challenge you to return to your first love, to seek his presence intensely.
God resists the proud, and shows grace to the humble!
Go to the presence of God, be humble, ask forgiveness for your sins and decide to seek God every day, to return to the house of God!
The time to seek God is today! God is waiting for you in the secret place.
God bless you