Bible Reading: Psalm 114:1- 8
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing” – Zephaniah 3:17(KJV).
In our bible reading of today the first two verses paints the picture of the presence of God in the midst of his people. After 430 years of slavery in Egypt, God answered their prayer and brought them out of captivity by a mighty hand of deliverance. For their sake, the Almighty God plagued Egypt until the Passover blood was introduced as the ultimate weapon for their deliverance. While in the wilderness, in order to ensure God’s perpetual presence with them, they were arranged in such a way that Judah, which signifies praise, was the arrow head of the arrangement. God inhabits the praises of his people. So Judah was God’s sanctuary, and consequently, the presence of God will guarantee victory as no barrier can resist his divine presence. As Judah became his dwelling place, The country of Israel began to have dominion over their enemies. Even physical barriers gave way; the Red Sea parted, Jordan was made to reverse its flow, both human and Physical Mountains gave way because of God’s presence among his people. Strange things began to happen; rocks were turned into standing water, while flints became fountain of waters. The LORD in the midst of his people is mighty, he has promised us salvation from every wickedness.
God has not changed, He remains the same. As we praise him, and come before him with joy and rejoicing we will begin to experience his presence which will guarantee our dominion and cause us to experience divine breakthrough. Every mountain on our way, both human and spiritual, will be made to flee or be crushed by our God as we go through life’s journey heading to heaven. We will begin to turn pitiable and sorrowful situations to joy and laughter. Crooked ways will be straigthened, rough ways will be made smooth, and seemingly impossible mountains will be made plain. 1 John 5:4(KJV) declares: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Our faith in God and his presence in our midst makes us overcomers, granting us victory in every life battle.
Like the church in the wilderness, we must arrange our life in such a way that praising God becomes our lifestyle. By so doing, we invite God to always abide with us, resulting in our dominion all round. We must project our deep heart rooted praise to God before anything else. When we do this, His presence abides with us and all physical, spiritual and human barriers are moved or destroyed out of our way. The bible says that at the presence of God there is fullness of joy. That connotes an all-round victorious living. When God is with us He makes our lines to fall upon pleasant places, his favour locates us and set our hearts into always rejoicing in him. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the father, but by me” – John 14:6(KJV). Jesus is that way that Jeremiah 6:16 asked us to ask for: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall have rest for your souls……..” We can only overcome life’s multiple battles by staying with Jesus. It is his presence that gives us rest and comfort. He is the mighty God in our midst that can guarantee us victory any day and any time. It is my prayer that your peace and rest be guaranteed in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father give me the grace to live in your praise all the days of my life.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo