Dwell in my presence "Part 5"

The last couple of days I have been mulling over the second part of God’s command—God’s presence—given to me last Sep 2. What is the implication of being in God’s presence? In my quest for answers I turn to God’s word. Here’s sharing my first discovery. 

1 Chronicles 16:27 “Glory and honor are in his presence; strength are in his place.”  

David made this declaration the day the ark of the covenant was finally moved back to Jerusalem. Prior to this time, the ark of the covenant (which symbolizes the presence of God) stayed in the house of Abinadab in Kiriath Jearim for a period of about 120 years.  David’s first attempt to bring the ark back to Jerusalem resulted in a disaster—death of Uzzah (1 Chronicles 13:9-11). David later explained the disastrous result saying “The ark has to be brought in prescribed way…according to the word of God. According to David it was because they did not inquire of the Lord the first time how to move the ark of the covenant that the Lord’s anger burned against Israel”  (1 Chronicles 15:13).

Due to God’s wrath, manifested in the death of Uzzah, “David was afraid of God that day” and wondered how he can ever bring the ark to Jerusalem.  Instead of taking the ark to be with him in Jerusalem, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite and there it remained for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-Edom’s household and everything he had (1 Chronicles 13:12-14)

In 1 Chronicles 14 we read of a much humbled David who on two occasions inquired of the Lord before engaging the Philistines in battle (v.9) In verses 10-12 David inquires of the Lord “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? The Lord answered him, “Go I will hand them over to you.” The Bible records that this round of the battle David defeated the Philistines. The second time David inquired of the Lord concerning the Philistines was after the latter raided the valley again (v. 13-15) God’s response to David’s inquiry was “Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees, move out to battle because that would mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army. So David did as God commanded him and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. Because of David’s victory over the Philistines his “ fame spread throughout every land, and the Lord made all the nations fear him”(v.16-17).

Shortly after these successes, for the second time David plans to bring back the ark back to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 15-16 records the planning and realization of this plan. This time around God gives David success and the ark was restored to Jerusalem. Overflowing with gratitude David burst forth into dancing and singing declaring the goodness of the Lord. It is within the same context David jubilantly shouts “Glory and honor are in his presence; strength are in his place."

From the life of David as recorded in 1 Chronicles 13-16. I learned the following about the presence of God.

1. The presence of God it to be approached with awe and reverence.  The wrath of God fell upon Uzzah because he violated the commandment against touching holy things (Numbers 4:15). God is a glorious, majestic God. In his presence there is glory and honor and strength. Those who approach his presence are to come reverently before. I personally believe this this covers how I live 24/7. My life is to be characterized with the fear and reverence of the Lord. Micah 6:8 comes to mind “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
2. The presence of God brings blessings. Obed-Edom’s household was blessed the entire three months the ark of the covenant (symbolic of God’s presence) stayed with him.If I am to have a blessed life, I am to remain in His presence where ever I am and whatever I am doing.
3. Humility  is a desired virtue in approaching the presence of God. David learned this in the process of trying to bring the ark to Jerusalem. The first time he did it, he failed because he did not inquire of the Lord. Thankfully David seemed to have learned from his first failure because soon after that he learned to inquire of the Lord twice. Both times, God gave him victory over the Philistines. God also made him famous throughout every land that all the nations feared David. God is a glorious, majestic,  strong and powerful God. When David learned to honor Him and recognized that his success does not lie in his own strength but in His dependence on God, then God bestowed upon David both “glory” and “strength” among the nations around him.  When David sang…”“Glory and honor are in his presence; strength are in his place”,it was a confession not just of who God was to Him but it was also a confession of how God has blessed him. Because David has learned to humble himself before the Lord, God literally used Him to reflect His glory and strength among the nations. 

Oh dear Lord I too desire to be a reflection of who you are to others. Help me today and everyday of my life to walk humbly before you and to be mindful of your presence in everything I do. Bless me so that through me others may know of your love and they too may receive blessings abounding from your throne. Amen.