What Keeps God With You?

What Keeps God With You?

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

2 Chronicles15:2 “He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

God has promised never to leave nor forsake us. But by virtue of His nature and character attributes of truth, righteousness, holiness and justice, He expects us to do similarly so that He remains with us. Over and over again in the bible, God mentioned the kind of lives men ought to live for Him to be with them. Indeed He was true to His word and abandoned them whenever they forsook His ways and did evil. The word of the Lord came to king Asa through prophet Azariah, emphasising God’s commitment to be with those who are with Him.

Many have assumed God’s presence with them even when they are living in evil or concealing sin. In His grace and mercy, God gives people opportunity to forsake their evil ways and turn to Him. He will still protect, provide and guide them. This is mistaken by some to be an endorsement of their evil ways by God. They take God for granted as did Israel when God pleaded and warned them for long to stop sinning. Finally, He handed them over to their enemies who cruelly tormented them. Apostle Peter warned that we shouldn’t think God is weak in keeping His promises (and threats), but He is patiently waiting to save all (2 Peter 3:9).

Friends, don’t take God’s presence for granted. Live in such a manner that pleases and brings glory to Him to maintain it. Some have lost His presence and don’t even know, like Samson (Judges 16:20). They operate on presumption and mechanically act out God’s presence! The glory departed and they now have a semblance of it! He will be with you as long as you deliberately walk with Him.

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Colossians 1:10 “… And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…”

Shalom children of God. Have a blessed week in God’s presence.