Genesis 3:9 (NLT):"Then the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?""

 

After sin separated man from God, he had to walk through life without knowing God's indwelling Presence. As natural man, God's ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than our reasoning. However, because of the finished work of the cross, we can know Him and His ways completely - by His Spirit, revealing them to our spirits. The Word says He desires to reveal every mystery of His nature and ways to us. The book of Proverbs says His ways are like treasures hidden for us to find, and the book of Psalms says He won't withhold them from those who walk uprightly. 1 Corinthians 2:10 tells us the Holy Spirit searches for and reveals to us the profound and bottomless things of God; and the book of Ephesians tells us the many-sided, immeasurable wisdom of God is made know and accessible to us through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us - without measure. What does all this mean? Simply put, God has no desire for us to walk this life separate from His Presence. He wants to be intimately involved in every area of our lives; openly giving us His wisdom, power and love to live full and free. If you have found yourself walking off course from your intimacy with Him, open your heart to hear His Spirit call you back to where you should be - enjoying the goodness of His Presence each step of the way.

Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV): "To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

 

This scripture beautifully describes what we can expect when we abide in Christ. In this world evil things happen every day, things that are designed to break us down and bring us to a place of despair and hopelessness. Praise God for His Word! It always has a way for us to combat any evil thing that comes our way. Every spirit of heaviness or discouragement can be cast off us and replaced with a garment of praise... Which is appropriate since praise has the power to liberate us from any oppressive work of darkness. According to Psalm 22:3, God inhabits and is enthroned on the praises of His people. This means His Presence - which is fullness of joy, peace and a love that conquers all things - is released as an overwhelming force when we praise Him. It's probably worth considering that since the Presence of God dominates our praises, the spirit of heaviness, discouragement and fear is given permission and authority to dominate our emotions when we choose to complain and speak in agreement with the troubling circumstances. So, wise up to your enemy's tactics; refuse to surrender to the temptation to complain and grumble. Decide to focus on the faithful character of your God and His Word, letting praise fill your heart and words. This way you will see His Presence dominate, shift the atmosphere and work all things for your good!