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Are we seeking His presents or His presence?
This is something we’ve all heard before - that seeking God Himself is far more superior than any gift or blessing we can ask Him for. Upon hearing this truth, we often become acutely aware of our own shortcomings, wanting so badly to see the manifestation of his presence in our lives, whilst forgetting that our goal is to simply seek first His face (Matthew 6:33).
God graciously grants us blessing upon blessing - but that is His nature, not our pursuit. The kingdom of God is not about our own prosperity. Our goal is to know God and walk with Him, doing the things He did, proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom of God through His love. And reconciling people back to right relationship with Him. But I doubt I’m the first to think this is easier said than done? It can be so easy to focus on what we can see, touch and feel in the natural, rather than seeing the greater picture of God’s plan that will gradually unfold if only we will seek Him first.
So let’s take a look at Moses, the person God chose to lead His people from slavery into the Promised Land. Moses knew the importance of God’s presence over any of His promises. At one point, God told Moses he could have the Promised Land but He would not go along with Him. (Exodus 33). Basically, God was saying ‘you don’t want me, you want the stuff I can give you, the land of milk and honey, the job, the spouse, the ministry, the anointing - but you don’t want me, so you just go and get it on your own”. God’s promises are His own idea and plan, but Moses knew they were never a substitute for God Himself. Even if they had every spiritual gift in the world, they were still a lost people without God’s presence. So he told God “if you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place...for your presence sets us apart”. God answered him, “I will personally go with you Moses and I will give you rest - everything will be fine for you” (Exodus 33:14).
We can get so focused on what we see as the end goal, that we forget God, the only one from whom it all comes from. The ultimate premium for Moses was the presence of God. It wasn’t a luxury afforded once they were more settled, but an absolute necessity. He was in charge of a mass refugee resettlement in the middle of the dessert - a pressure none of us have faced - yet he still chose God’s presence above his presents.
The Christian life is His idea, not ours. So let’s fall in line and go back to the one who started it all...the one who knows best ❤️
Blog written by Katherine Martin.
Reproduced and adapted from Robby Dawkins’ ‘Do What Jesus Did’, available in the Amazon bookstore : Click here
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UDAYA GURUNG says...
Very beautifully elaborated topic of seeking God first. It not only reflects God’s desire for taking the first place in our hearts but also your personal hunger and thirst for the love of Christ our Lord.
God is definitely after those who thirst and hunger for his love and presence.
Just as David says in Psalm 42: 1-2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
We will be praying for you and your ministry. May God bless you and keep you
NICHOLAS GURUNG
On February 13, 2018
Liz says...
Fabulous post. Indeed when we set our sights on the kingdom and seeking his face first, moment by moment, day by day we realise simply his presence is enough. May god bless you richly Katherine for this post.
On February 13, 2018