*Jeremiah 29:11-13* - “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 *Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you*. 13 *And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart*.”

 

*Exodus 33:15* - “Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. *For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us?* So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth.”

 

*Two things to note about the Presence*

1. The Presence is the Person of God revealed in a moment

2. A private environment and atmosphere of God

 

*God’s Presence is the highest honour, approval, and favour a man can have*.

 

*Numbers 16* - Rebellion Against Moses and Aaron

 

*Genesis 3:6-9* - “So when the woman *saw* that the tree was *good for food*, that it was *pleasant to the eyes*, and a tree *desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate*. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 8 *And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking* in the garden in the cool of the day, and *Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God* among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “*Where are you?*””

 

Through deception, Adam and Eve traded their birthright for the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

 

Three things Adam and Eve lost in their transaction with the Satan

1. *Power*: The rights and authority to rule and reign in this earthly kingdom

2. *Presence*: Access to the face of God confers the highest honour, approval, and favour on man

3 *Glory*: The covering of God upon man for invincible protection. Without the glory, man is naked. 

 

What have you traded or are you trading for His Presence in your life?

 

*1 John 1:9* - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins(A) and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

 

 

Father, I repent of listening to other voices therefore disobeying You. Today, according to *1 John 1:9*, I ask and receive Your forgiveness for trading Your Presence in exchange for ‘things.’

 

*John 14:15-16* - “*If you love me, you will obey my commandments*. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper *who will be with you forever*.”

 

*Disobedience engenders fear. Fear opens wide the door to all of Satan’s instruments of destruction.*

 

*Prayer Point 2*

Father, according to *2 Timothy 1:7*, You have not given me the spirit of fear. Therefore I renounce fear in my life today and I receive the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.

 

*Prayer Point 3*

Father, Your Presence is the highest approval a man can have. I obtain the grace to seek You with ALL my heart so I can find you. Restore Your Presence and everything You are to me IJN.