1 Chronicles 13:13-14(KJV)
So, David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obededom and all that he had.
The Ark was a symbol of both God’s Presence and His Glory. After the Ark of God had been in the home of Abinadab for twenty years, David and thirty thousand men arrived at Abinadab’s house to escort the Ark to Jerusalem. However, he failed to do it in God’s prescribed way: having Levites carry the Ark on poles(Exodus 25:12–15) and not allowing anyone to touch the Ark(Numbers 4:5). Instead, David had the Ark brought back on a cart. On the way, Uzzah touched the Ark by trying to save the Ark from falling and died. So instead of taking it into Jerusalem, David left the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom. In other words, David rejected the Presence of the Lord symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant because Uzzah died suddenly when he erroneously touched it. Despite knowing about Uzzah’s fate, Obededom welcomed the Ark and viewed it as a high honor, and God rewarded his attitude. Three months after David had left the Ark(Presence of the Lord), God greatly blessed the house of Obed-Edom, who accepted the Ark. The Presence of God changed Obededom’s home. When David heard about it, he realized his folly in rejecting the Presence of the Lord and quickly organized to get the Ark back.
The Presence of God is a non-negotiable asset to the children of God. When we invite God into our lives, He blesses us and He changes us. God’s Presence empowers us to accomplish great things in life and face life’s unpleasant situations. It brings godliness, favor, protection, peace, joy, privileges, and confidence. The Presence of God is a liberating Presence; where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. The Presence of God gives us all-around rest and is our secret of strength. Access to His Presence will keep adding color to our destiny. As we dwell in His Presence, God takes the extra step to dispatch angels to protect us(Psalm 91). The Presence of God makes us unconquerable, unshakeable, and unstoppable. No wonder Moses insisted on the Presence of God going with them as they journeyed through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Moses knew the importance of the Presence of God. He understood that Divine Presence makes all the difference for those led by God(Exodus 33:14-15). However, many people in our day are moving without the Presence of God.
Beloved, you can lose everything, but one thing you must never lose is the Presence of God. Because to succeed and have breakthroughs, you need God’s Presence in your life. Deliberately refuse to function without the Presence of God because anything that attacks God’s Presence in your life also attacks God’s supply to your life. I, therefore, encourage you to give your life totally to God through Jesus Christ and live for Him. For His Presence to envelope your life, you need to walk daily with Him by fellowshipping with Him in the place of prayer and worship. Psalm 100:2 says, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” If you are faithful in doing this, He will abide with you, and you will live in safety throughout your life. Today, adopt a Moses-like attitude and let God know you will go nowhere that He doesn’t lead. And you desire His Presence to be with you everywhere you go, in everything you do, at all times. If you need to triumph over the challenges of life without sweat, ingest His Presence. With the Presence of God, nothing can prevent God’s plan and purpose for your life. Remember, God has freely invited you to come into His Presence to experience His Glory. But you must come on His terms and conditions to enjoy His blessing.
O Lord, help me to value and dwell in Your Presence always in Jesus’ Name.