DESIRING HIS PRESENCE

A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos

Today’s Bible Verse

Then Moses said to him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Exodus 33:15-16

Desiring His Presence

Moses knew that if God was not going to go with them for the rest of the journey, it would be impossible to successfully reach the land of Canaan. Even when the presence of God was with them, the people still committed many sins, and they realized that if God no longer went with them, it would mean the end. Life on this planet is a simple journey. We are the ones who decide to run the race while holding God’s hand, or we can do it while leaning on our own wisdom. The Apostle Paul experienced something similar to this, because in his life there was a continuous struggle. The people of Israel had the same choice. The majority preferred to live in rebellion towards God while Moses decided not to take a single step if God’s presence was not going to lead them.

Paul said, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it” (Romans 7:19-20). Paul had come to a crucial point in his life. Either he could let himself be carried away by the deceitful desires of the flesh or determine to rely totally on God. He decided to place all of his confidence in the Lord. He did so by taking his contaminated and sinful nature to the Cross, leaving it there forever crucified together with Christ. This was what helped him the most when carrying out the ministry the Lord had entrusted to him.

Life on Earth is like walking through a maze. If we don’t have an expert to guide us, when we open our eyes we will realize that the years have gone by and we did not really do much for the Lord. However, when we enjoy His presence in our lives and we know that He is the one who leads us in every step that we take, our journey will be more enjoyable because the Lord will bring happiness into our lives through the right people. In a supernatural way, He will reveal the predetermined time and place for us to be in His perfect will.

Conscious of this, Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory as a sign of His presence, so God revealed to him His back. For the Apostle Paul the revelation was so concrete because God showed him the revelation of the Cross and he understood it in a way that very few people have been able to. This is why he said, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

Something to Think About

The word “enthusiasm” is made up of two Greek words: “en” and “theos.” It means “in God,” or “God within.” When someone becomes enthusiastic, their personality gets fired up; their mind become more attentive and intuitive. The force of life and the creative ability are intensified. A motivated person makes an impact. As the philosopher A.B. Zu Tevern expressed it, ´For the water to generate steam, it has to boil. A motor will not move even an inch until the steam indicator registers 212 degrees, (100C). A person without enthusiasm is like a person who is trying to move the machinery of his life with warm water. Only one thing can happen: their life will drown. Remember that the enthusiasm is the spark that starts the fire and it is the breath of everything that is alive. The successful man is an enthusiast. Good work has never been done in cold blood; warmth is needed to forge anything. Every great accomplishment is the story of a passionate heart. When I remember the new inventions from past years, it comes to my mind that in each case there was a man or a woman with enthusiasm.”

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Your presence in my life. If I had not depended on your help, I am sure I would have fallen down in the desert of this life. However, having found grace in Your eyes, You gave me the confidence that Your presence would go with me. I know that in every step that I have taken, You have always been at my side. You are the faithful friend that has never abandoned me. In the moments when trials came upon me like a river, You lifted up a banner and diverted the trials away from my life. Now I know that life without You does not make sense. It would be like a bottomless pit, but with You, I enjoy the richest blessings. I love You, my Lord, Amen.

Declaration

My life makes sense, because the presence of God came to me. Jesus’ presence brings me great comfort.

Today’s Bible Reading

  • Old Testament: Isaiah 59-61; Proverbs 29:15-27
  • New Testament: Luke 24:28-35; Hebrews 12:14-29

DESIRING HIS PRESENCE