Text: 2 Kings 18:1-8
Memory text:
“For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.”
(II Kings 18:6).
One thing you must never lose is God’s presence. You must give up anything in life to keep it. Many people don’t treasure it because they have never really experienced a life without it or the power in having it.
Life without His presence makes life miserable and gives cheap victory to the devil over a person. In fact, it’s hell on earth. No wonder David earnestly begged God not to cast him away from His presence (Psa 51:11).
According to our memory text,
Hezekiah enjoyed the presence of the Lord because he held fast to God in spite of all his challenges. He remained faithful to His God, like Caleb, who followed the Lord wholeheartedly for 45 years (Josh 14:8; Num 14:24).
Faithfulness is a key factor that attracts God’s presence. So many desire His presence but only remember God during the days of trouble and discard Him in comfort. The word of the Lord to king Asa declared, “..The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
(2 Chro 15:2). Did you see that? Unfaithfulness puts His presence in your life at risk. No one can command the presence of God whom he or she is not committed to.
Samson thought he could play the harlot with God and still keep His presence, such that he didn’t know when the Lord left him (Judg 16:20). Samson didn’t value God’s presence until he lost it. Like many young people from Godly homes, he could have thought that his Nazirite vow was just his parents’ idea, until he lost it! Within a short time, his story changed. The champion became a clown! The legendary warrior turned to a historical warrior! The enviable victor became a pitiable victim! He fell from the hill top to the valley!
Through the hard way, he learnt that his victories were only because God was with him; not for his charisma.
According to our text, because God’s presence was with Hezekiah, he prospered in everything he did; he subdued the Philistines; and he broke out of slavery from the king of Assyria. Likewise, even as a slave, Joseph was marked with success because of God’s presence with him(Gen 39:2).
Friends, may you never lose His presence or know the tragedy of losing God’s presence in Jesus’ name.
Prayer points
1. Father, please, let me never experience a life without Your presence, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let me enjoy prosperity, success, victory, and all-round triumph through Your presence, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. The presence of God gives me a leading edge in life’s conflict.
2. With the presence of God, I subdue giants and mountains effortlessly.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng