The first time the word presence was seen in the bible was when God used to visit Adam and Eve in the cool of the day.But after they disobeyed God, they were sacked from His presence that was tabernacled at the garden of Eden.
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:8
It’s imperative to note that the curses that followed were going to take place in the absence of God.
We all know God is omnipresent which connotes He is everywhere.But when we speak of His presence,we are pointing to the manifesting presence of God visible and tabernacled at a geographical location or temple.
At the heart of the idea of a Temple is the abiding presence of God. Although God is omnipresent, He has chosen to manifest His presence in certain locations and at certain diverse times within history. This physical manifestation of God has come to be called the Shekinah.
This is the majestic presence or manifestation of God in which He descends to dwell among men. Whenever the invisible God becomes visible, and whenever the omnipresence of God is localized, this is the Shechinah Glory.
And example will be displayed in the next article.
Moses knowing this when sent by the lord to lead the Israelites into His rest never hesitated in demanding the physical manifestation of the lord in Exodus 33:13-17
13 Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people.
14 And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.
15 And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!
16 For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth?
17 And the Lord said to Moses, I will do this thing also that you have asked, for you have found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in My sight and I know you personally and by name.
In verse 15,Moses asked the lord the most important help they needed though the lord had sent him.His inquiry seemed to be challenging and caused by unbelief.
But he had to know if the physical presence of God would be felt among them throughout the journey.If it wouldn’t be so,He moses is not moving.Because to make a step or embark on a vision without God’s help or presence will end in profitless.
Again verse 16 reveals how favor is put to effect in our lives.That is the presence of the lord distinguishing us from others who are doing the same thing we have envisioned to do.
Joseph always had favor following him and distinguishing him wherever he went because God was with Him.
I have personally experienced this favor in my life in the past and even this present hour.This has caused me to be more focused than ever before and my testimonies about His presence will be shared some other time or in subsequent articles.
It’s one thing having knowledge about what the presence of the lord is and another thing experiencing and knowing God’s visible presence is with you.
You cannot love the company of men and love to be in His presence as well.
How do I abide in the presence of God just where He is to be highly favored as Joseph was?
