CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED – PART 2 “The Gift of Presence”
IMMANUEL – “GOD WITH US” – HIS PRESENCE GUIDES
Psalm 23:1-4, 1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,[a]I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”
Psalm 23 is such an amazing reminder of God’s presence always being with us, leading, protecting, and comforting us. David experienced God’s presence in all these ways, and that was how he could write so eloquently and share of his knowledge with believers everywhere.
John 16:13-15, 13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”
Jesus tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit will come to be their guide. We have access to that same Holy Spirit who guide us into all truth. Because Jesus says it, we can trust that His words will be relayed through the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 33:12-17, 12 “One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13 If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” 14 The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” 15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” 17 The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
Moses provides an amazing example of both how God is with His people as He guides them, and it is His glorious presence that sets His children apart from all other people on the earth.
GOD’S PRESENCE USED TO GUIDE THE ISRAELITES EXTERNALLY, BEFORE JESUS, BUT NOW HIS CHILDREN ARE INDWELT BY HIS PRESENCE, THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WE CARRY THAT PRESENCE WITH US WHEREVER WE GO.
Psalm 143:8 8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
David knew that God could be trusted to lead him down the path that was intended for him to walk. He abandoned his desires and submitted to God’s will. We are called to do the same in our own lives and can trust in God’s unfailing love and direction.
Isaiah 30:18-21, 18 “So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.
He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
20 Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink,
he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
21 Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go, “whether to the right or to the left.”
God sends His message through Isaiah that He is always present with us, waiting for us to turn to Him and ask for His direction. That means that as He waits for us to come to Him, we are also blessed when we wait for His help, and do not rush into things without seeking Him first.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
God’s presence is with us always, but sometimes we can be distracted by the world and miss the clarity that He wants to give us. Have you experienced this?
Read Exodus 12:21-22.
We do not get the fire or the cloud…but God still does guide His people today. What are some ways that He speaks most readily to you?
How are you doing with stepping out where God is leading you? Are there roadblocks or temptations that cause you to step away from where He is telling you to go? What can you do to remain focused on hearing His voice above the noise of the world and walking in obedience?
Read Psalm 37:7, 23-24, 30-31 and 34. What is the theme that carries throughout these verses?
Read all of Psalm 37. What is God saying to you through this chapter? Pick out two verses to write out, memorize and post where you will see them this week that encourage you to wait on God’s and follow the path He has for you.
Share these verses with your small group. Why did you select them? How do they encourage you to wait for and trust God?
Find another passage in Scripture that carries a similar message.
There are reminders all through Scripture of how God guides us. Read Isaiah 58:11. How does it say God will guide us?
Continually. Look up the definition of the word. Which one is the best description of how God guides His children?
Do you believe God guides you continually? Why or why not? Consider how you seek His guidance. Are you seeking continually, or only when what you are doing is not working?
Read Isaiah 58:11 in a different translation. Take time to write out a prayer to God to ask Him to help you seek Him better, and to wait for Him to answer. This is a good time to also thank Him for guiding you continually, even when you struggle to see that He is guiding you. Have you seen God do this in your life?
