The manifest Presence of God in my life, (that is the glory Jesus spoke of in John 17:22) is undoubtedly linked to the credit (the glory mentioned in Isaiah 42:8) God receives from my life.

God’s “manifest Presence” has a price tag – humility! When I humble “under the mighty hand of God” in the place that God chooses, the Indwelling Christ in me is released as His manifest Presence in my life.

I can preach, sing or talk about it so easily but only humility releases the reality of it in my life. This glory, this Presence is multi-faceted. It can manifest however the Lord chooses…..by His peace in my heart, quality of lifestyle, the joy of God, daily provision, supernatural signs and wonders to others, divine health, spiritual discernment etc.

When Jesus walked this earth the manifest Presence of His Father was evident and demonstrated in numerous ways at any given moment. He spoke with authority and commanded healing of the Centurion’s servant, smeared mud on a blind man’s eyes and spoke creation healing over them, exposed the Pharisees’ hypocrisy with blatant truth, overturned the money-changers tables in the Temple for using the House of God for devious financial gain, calmed the storm with a word, when He was reviled, He “turned the other cheek”…..and so many more examples. He is our Pattern Man. The record of His life on earth bears testimony to His carrying and manifesting the Father’s Presence.

Every Born-Again Believer has the Giver of all gifts resident within in the form of the Indwelling Christ. When I walk in humility He is comfortable to dwell with me and can release His manifest Presence from my being in any form or gift of His choice….not mine. All He requires is that I recognise the SOURCE – it is all OF HIM and His righteousness that I stand and operate in to His glory. The credit, the glory, is all His. If I do not recognise and acknowledge this, I take the credit to myself, rise up in pride and eventually fall. Then the peace of His Presence lifts along with the absence of His other attributes.

It is so easy to dwell on and talk about this subject, yet how quickly we can forfeit the Presence when our flesh rises up in judgements. My judgements are the expression of my pride. Do I recognise that my first fall out is with God, and not people or situations? God is “all in all,” so this is where my first fall-out is with God permitting situations. God is in control of my life, not the devil. Do I see God in a flat tyre, a traffic jam causing me to be late, a misunderstanding in relationships, a thoughtless act affecting others or me, being “left out”,…..can I “keep sweet” with God and others? Or, do I rise up in pride and judge, resulting in a loss of the Presence. The daily choices are mine.

MY PRESENT JUDGEMENTS FATHER MY FUTURE FAILURES….see Romans 2:1 This is where the devil gains a foothold through my rebellion against God.

We learn from Jesus, our Pattern Man, how to value and abide in the secret place of His Presence. This costly treasure made available to us was paid for with the life blood of Jesus at Calvary. How highly do I value that? When I walk through life in my own righteousness, seeking my will instead of preferring another’s, then I forfeit the beauty of His abiding Presence and trample roughshod over holy ground.

When I think I am right in a particular matter it can be a dangerous place if I then judge others by my standards comparing them to myself. The Pharisee made this mistake when he compared the Publican to his standards, Luke 18:11.

2 Corinthians 10:12 – 13 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves, but they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.”

Any right standing I have is in Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross so the credit, the glory , is all God’s, not mine. My own righteousness is as “filthy rags,” Isaiah 64:6. We stand in the grace of God. If we differ from others it is the work of God’s grace and mercy in our lives, the glory is all His.

We all like to be right, but God is not interested in my rightness. God looks much deeper in the heart and scripture declares, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise,” Psalm 51:17….. Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,”……”there is none righteous, no, not one,” Romans 3:10.

When a sinner truly repents with a contrite heart and humbles himself before God, the Lord welcomes him with open arms and the favour of His presence, to set his footsteps on the right path of life.

Why was King David known as a man after God’s heart? Not because he was an adulterer and a murderer, but because he valued the manifest presence of God in his life, and when he lost it through his sin he could not bear the loss of it. He humbled himself, desperately flinging himself on God’s mercy and forgiveness. He had to live through the consequences of his deeds still, but he sought and valued the return of God’s presence and favour in his life.

May we become desperate to value and live in His Presence….may we learn sensitivity to the leadings of the Holy Spirit as He teaches us more and more to:

NEVER SURRENDER THE SENSE OF HIS PRESENCE TO A SITUATION!