What happens when God removes His presence
I like to write on a topic “What happens when God removes His presence (consequences)?” Perhaps I should start with what is God’s presence? As believers we have the presence of God within us by virtue of His indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:23) and this indwelling presence comes only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The presence of God in the life of a believer is evidence in the form of rest, peace and an abundance of joy. Again permit me to write on some advantages you enjoy when you are in God’s presence, In God’s presence you will receive joy. Psalm 16:11 says “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” You will receive protection from dwelling in God’s presence. Staying in His presence brings a believer under God’s shadow of protection (Psalm 91:1). God’s presence brings peace (Exodus 33:14), God presence leads, guides and directs us as we spend time with Him (Psalm 73:23-24), God’s presence can destroy every obstacle and hindrance before us, and every satanic plan for our lives (Psalm 97:5; Isaiah 8:10). God’s presence, can take away every fear, pains, burden (Matthew 11:28). God’s presence can awakens the fear of God inside a believer, His presence causes people to want to seek God.
Knowing these wonderful benefits of remaining in God’s presence should compare every Christian to desires God’s presence like the Psalmist who in Psalm 42:1 says “As the deer pants for water, so I long for you, O God”. Just say you know God can withdraw His presence from a person, community even a nation especially when they live in sin. 1 Samuel 4:10 gives us example of how the philistines defeated the Israelites and this was because God’s presence had departed from them (1 Samuel 4:19). When God removes His presence from an individual, that person will become spiritually exposed because God’s protection and covering is removed. We read in Jeremiah 16:5 “This is what the Lord says: “Do not go to funerals to mourn and show sympathy for these people, for I have removed my protection and peace from them. I have taken away my unfailing love and my mercy.” God told Prophet Jeremiah that He has removed His protection, peace, love and mercy from the people and of course they have become exposed to the enemies. Another consequence that can be experienced is that the individual becomes religious, doing things mechanically, spiritually dry, everything around him or her stays the same.
Absence of God’s presence could lead to spiritual death. Therefore please and please when you do not feel God’s presence, run to Him. If you have not felt His presence in a while or you have felt spiritually dryness, those are the warning signs that you must repent of your sins and seek God. Thanksgiving Service is for 10.30am and workers meeting is for 10am. God’s blessings - Mike