God’s Presence – Feed 4 Sheep

Glory Followers

February 5, 2022February 5, 2022DavidLeave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

Exodus 40:36–37 (ESV): 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up.

EXPLAIN

God’s presence was manifested to the Israelites during their wilderness journey as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Before they crossed the Red Sea, the cloud went between the people and Pharaoh‘s murderous army set on revenge against Israel. When the Tabernacle was dedicated to God, the cloud enveloped the tent in such a way so that even Moses with his shining face could not enter.

Now Moses explains that if God’s presence lifted from the tent, it was a sign for the people to pack up and go. If God’s presence remained, they stayed put.

APPLY

Our lives as Christ’s followers should be marked by a similar attention to God’s glory. If God’s glory goes before us, we should keep up. If his glory remains, we should not take off on some adventure of our own.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may my life be marked by a passionate pursuit of your glory. Amen.

The presence of God

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021DavidLeave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

Luke 8:35 (ESV): 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

EXPLAIN

Jesus and his disciples had sailed across the Sea of Galilee to the Gerasenes. When they landed, they were greeted by a demon-possessed man that no one could take or control.

Jesus delivered the man, sending the demons into pigs which rushed off a cliff and drowned in the sea. Those tending the pigs rushed into town to tell the people what had happened.

When they saw Jesus and the man restored, they were not grateful for God’s deliverance. They were afraid. Most likely, the financial loss of the pigs scared them. But also, they seem to have been afraid of what having Jesus in their midst might mean to them. How would they have to change their way of living? What would it cost them?

APPLY

These same fears keep many from embracing Jesus today. And even Christians may sometimes hold Jesus away at arm’s length for fear – what will it cost me and what must I change to live in God’s near presence.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I have chosen and continue to choose to live surrendered to your Word and will. May your close presence enable me and guide me each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Unseen Footprints

August 7, 2021August 7, 2021DavidLeave a comment

HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 77:19 (ESV): 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.

EXPLAIN

This psalm is attributed to Asaph who said that he was crying out loud to God. Asaph was in great distress. He could not be comforted, and when he thought of God, he felt worse. He couldn’t sleep nor even speak because of his troubled mind and soul.

Finally, he decided to think back on the past. faithfulness of God. He asked if God would never display his love and grace again. That gave the psalmist hope. He determined to remember God’s past faithfulness and appeal to that hope.

In verse 15, Asaph remembered how God redeemed Judah and Israel by his arm. The next few verses speak of how the seas, the sky, and earth respond to God’s presence. Whether the psalmist was thinking of any specific historical event is unclear.

The last two verses of the psalm, Psalm 77:19-20, could refer to the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea. But the key fact noted by Asaph is not that the Israelites crossed on dry ground, but rather the idea, firstly, that God walked through the great waters with the Israelites, and secondly that God’s footprints were unseen.

APPLY

Probably every person has, or will have, a time in their life in which stress about their circumstances and the future robs them of sleep. Our heart is so troubled by wrong that we cannot find rest or comfort.

In those times, we may question, like Asaph, if God will ever restore us. Have we somehow lost God’s favor forever? Do God’s promises of faithfulness not apply to us?

If we remind ourselves of God’s deeds in the past, we can begin to find hope.

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.
Psalm 77:13–14 (ESV)

It is then we remember and are assured that God walks with his people, even though we don’t see him at the time.

The famous “Footprints in Sand” poem suggests that when there is only one set of footprints God is carrying us. That mental imagery is beautiful.

Psalm 77 does not make that promise. Rather, this psalm assures us that while we must walk through great waters, God walks with us even though we may not see his footprints.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that while your footprints may be unseen, you walk before me and with me even through the great trials of life. May I then be faithful to follow your path as you have been and always will be faithful to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.