The Benefits of His Presence

'...the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant’ (Heb 9:3,4).

The presence of God is the key to the abundant life Christ promises. In the presence of God there is rest, joy, peace and liberty. Also, all the mountains of life become insignificant in God’s presence. In the  beginning, God planted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - His very presence. ‘The word Eden in the Hebrew language and in scriptures refers to the place of God’s presence’ (Isaiah 51:3, Eze 28:13 - Dr Myles Munroe). After man fell and was banished from the Garden of Eden, God’s purpose has always been to dwell among His children again. Due to this, He commanded the people of Israel to build a tabernacle so that He will live among them and the world will see His glory (Exodus 25:8). The tabernacle was made of an elaborate system of tents, portable and designed to be carried through the desert and set up wherever the people encamped.

When Moses followed all the instructions as the Lord had commanded and finished building the tabernacle, the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord that filled it was so strong that Moses could not enter it. Wherever they pitched the sacred tents, became a holy place. The tabernacle became the centre of the Israelite community while they were in the wilderness. Whenever they made camp, the camping place for each tribe was determined by the placement of the tabernacle. The Levites surrounded the tabernacle, and the families of Moses and Aaron always camped on the east side in front of the entrance. Even on the move, the tabernacle remained central, with six tribes preceding and six following.

It was divided into the Outer court, Inner court and Holy of Holies. The Ark of the Covenant was in the Holy of Holies or Most holy place, and it was there that God met and spoke with Moses, precisely, above the Mercy Seat. The ark was a wooden box overlaid in pure gold (Exod 25:10-16). It measured about 4 feet long by 2 feet wide and 2 feet high.

The ark contained three items that showed how God related to His people:

1.    Tablets with ten commandments; a reminder of God’s guidance and His holy standard (Exod 25:16)

2.    Aaron’s rod; a reminder of God’s authority (Num 17:1-8)

3.    A golden Jar filled with manner; a reminder of God’s daily provision (Exod 16:33-34)

The tablets, Aaron’s rod and the Jar of Manna, signified God’s divine guidance, divine authority and divine provision respectively. The lesson here is that, in the presence of God we receive ‘Divine Guidance’, ‘Divine Authority’ and ‘Divine Provision”. In the new covenant which we belong, our human bodies are the temple of God and the spirit of God dwells within this temple. Consequently, it is every Christian’s birth right to walk in God’s divine guidance, authority and provisions. The key to enjoying these benefits is to seek God, be focused on Him in communion, and yield to the Lordship and guidance of His Spirit and Word.

By yielding to the Holy Spirit’s control and subduing the deeds of our flesh, His glory within us bubbles up and overflows until people around us experience this glory and its benefits. What are the needs in your life today? Remember, His divine power has given us all that we need for life and godliness and those that are lead by the spirit of God are the son’s of God. The next topic of Study is ‘Divine Authority’.