Daily Devotion: Strength In God’s Presence
📜📜TEXT:ISAIAH 8:1-8📜📜
🔑📖KEY VERSE: “Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks” (ISAIAH 8:7).
In order to enjoy God’s presence and favour all the time, a person must always surround himself with those who have the presence of God in their lives. A contrary disposition will not only keep the Lord away, but also create cracks for the hosts of hell to set in; thus, leading to the fierce fury of the Judge of heaven and earth. The presence of God begets more of His presence. His absence induces the presence of everything associated with evil.
At a time in the days of the ungodly King Ahaz of Judah, Israel and Syria waged war on Jerusalem. Instead of counting on God for victory, Ahaz reached for an equally godless Assyrian monarch. Both did not have the presence of the Lord in their undertakings. God said He would use these same forces of Assyria to punish Judah. The Lord said the Assyrian army would overrun the land, suggesting total conquest.
The Lord reveals that these descendants of Abraham could have resorted to the refreshing promises of protection He had for them in the land. These could have been their bulwark against any invading enemy. But, alas, said God, “this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly”. This refers to the spring of water in Jerusalem and it is representative of the serenity and the security that come when you put your trust in the Lord.
The world has since gone the way of Ahaz and Judah with its repudiation of God and His demand for uncompromising holiness as a lifestyle in every facet of man’s enterprise. There have been dire consequences, as the divine law has not changed. Punishment will come upon those who desert God. The way out, as it has always been, is to move away from all that displeases the Lord, surround ourselves with His presence and get nourishment to attract more of His goodness.
✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There is strength in the presence of God.
📜📜THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 19-21📜📜