Presence Returns

The Ark of the Covenant has always been a unique part of the history of Israel and of the Lord’s leadership of His people. The Ark clearly represented the Presence of God among His people. I remember the scene in the “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, where the captors of the Ark were planning to see inside, and the Lord took them all out. I remember thinking that Stephen Spielberg did a great job displaying the power of God. I can only imagine the absolute power of God when He decides to display it.

I came across the story of the Philistines trying to return the Ark after they had captured it. It was freaking them out. The Lord punished them for taking the Ark. He will defend His Presence. He caused the Philistines trouble until they decided to send the Ark home. They sent an offering and put the Ark and the offerings on two young cows and sent them to take the Ark home. It was a test of sorts to see if the Lord was really behind all of this. Check this out….

 ¹² And sure enough, without veering off in other directions, the cows went straight along the road toward Beth-shemesh, lowing as they went. The Philistine rulers followed them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh.

¹³ The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they saw the Ark, they were overjoyed! ¹⁴ The cart came into the field of a man named Joshua and stopped beside a large rock. So the people broke up the wood of the cart for a fire and killed the cows and sacrificed them to the Lord as a burnt offering. ¹⁵ Several men of the tribe of Levi lifted the Ark of the Lord and the chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors from the cart and placed them on the large rock. Many sacrifices and burnt offerings were offered to the Lord that day by the people of Beth-shemesh. ¹⁶ The five Philistine rulers watched all this and then returned to Ekron that same day. (1 Samuel 6:12-16 NLT)

I want to welcome the Presence of God into my life each morning. I don’t ever want Him to leave. I’m pretty sure, He doesn’t leave me. I’ve been known to leave Him and go my own way. I’m so thankful for His patience with me. When Jesus came and walked the earth, He left behind His Spirit or His Presence. I’m thankful for His Presence in my life. I want Him to ALWAYS be welcome in my heart.

Holy Spirt by Jesus Culture

There’s nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

Pressing On!

Dwayne