TEXTS: 1 Samuel 16: 17 – 18
INTRODUCTION
Divine presence brings blessings untold while divine absence spells doom. This is our focus today.
DIVINE PRESENCE BRINGS UNTOLD BLESSINGS
There is a beauty far more excellent than physical beauty. This is the beauty of the presence of God in a man’s life. If God is with any man, several blessings result.
Some of these are:
- Mighty in power and divine favors. 1 Sam. 16: 17-18
- Guaranteed courage in the face of fear. Exod. 3: 11-12; Jos. 1:5-9, Judges 6: 12-16; Isa. 43:2
- His presence (His anointing) breaks yokes. Acts 10:38.
- His presence delivers from the fiery furnace. Dan. 3: 25
- Assurance of divine provisions. Ps. 23:4
- Prosperity, favors and promotion. Gen. 39: 2-5; Ps. 5:12; Prov.3:33; Ps.75:6-7
- Mercy, favor, promotion and prosperity. Gen. 39: 20-23; Lk. 1:30
DIVINE ABSENCE SPELLS DOOM
If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom. 8:31. However, if God is against us our merely leaves us alone, then, we are in serious trouble. Sin will separate us from God. Separation will bring powerlessness and defeats in the hands of the enemy. Jos. 7:10-12; 1 Sam. 4:3-11, Judges 16: 20-21.
CONCLUSION
Sin will rob a believer in Christ of the presence of God. Therefore, abstain from all appearance of evil – Gen. 39: 7-12; 1 Thes. 5:22, Also, be praiseful. God inhabits the praises of His people- Ps. 22:3