Rev. E Anderson
THE ABIDING PRESENCE OF THE
LORD
Reading Joshua 1
Text Hebrews 13: 5
Introduction
CLIMAX: The writer seeks in the winding up of this
letter to impress the truth and fact of the abiding presence of the Lord. It is
an essential knowledge and revelation that must occupy the mind and heart of
the believer and dictate the procedure of life. This is in affinity and accord
with some of the final words of Christ to His disciples before His departure to
heaven – “ and, lo, I am with you
alway, even unto the end of the age.” (Matt. 28: 20).
EMPHASIS: In the text there is that which is emphatic
and intensive v5 – “for HE hath said.”
Amp.V. “for He Himself
hath said.” Notice has to be given as to the speaker and the definiteness with
which he speaks. The Lord hath spoken on
this critical and all-important issue and it should not be questioned or
queried. It is a permanent settled
matter. Christ has answered a great, fundamental need with regard to His own.
The writer seeks to underscore the fact that the Lord has uttered His mind,
will and intention on this and it can never be altered or gainsaid.
REPETITION: It can be said that the matter stated here in
connection with the Lord is worthy of constant repetition. Not all things fall
into this category but this is worthy of repeat. It is a confession and
conviction that regularly appears throughout the experience of those who knew
God throughout the whole divine book – e.g. Deuteronomy 31: 6,8; Genesis 28:
15; Joshua 1: 5; 1 Chronicles 28: 2. The proneness of the believer to forget
and the kind of circumstances he discovers himself to be in at times warrant
the strong reminder and assurance. It is the truth in revelation and operation
that has safeguarded the lives and experiences of God’s people possibly above
all other considerations.
PROMISE: The nature of these words come in the form of
divine promise and guarantee. They are intended to impart a glorious spirit of
assurance to the Lord’s people. The construction of v5 when fully understood
brings out the positive factor although there are a number of negatives within
the verse. According to Kenneth Wuest
the first part is preceded by two negatives in the Greek text, which in English
makes a positive, but which in Greek only serve to strengthen the negation. In
the second part there are three negatives before the word, forsake, making the
promise one of triple assurance. The text could be translated thus : “I will not, I
will not cease to sustain and uphold thee, I will not, I will not, I will not
let thee down, leave thee in the lurch, leave thee in straits and helpless,
abandon thee.”
What do these word in point of fact and experience hold out to
the child and servant of God ? to you ? to me ? What do these assured words
inspire you with ?
1/. THEY ARE THE CONDITION OF
BLESSEDNESS
The
blessed state for any person is that of a restful mind and contented spirit v5. It is important, whatever life’s
lot, to be in a composed and assured condition of being. Such a state is
blessed and one to be highly rated, prized, coveted and known. It is imperative
that every believer enters into the delight of real rest, under all conditions
and circumstances. This is what the writer had been remarking about earlier –
(4: 3-9). A rest with regard to salvation, life and eternity.
The
abiding presence of the Lord is intended to communicate this sense of
wellbeing, that all is truly well because He is there. There would be room to be upset, disturbed
and aggrieved if He were not present. The stabilizing fact is to know that He
is present and acting in the capacity of the vigilant and provident Overseer of
His people. This is illustrated in the matter of the pillar of cloud and
fire. A permanent declaration that He
was in the camp. In that revelation was the blessed state. There is no need to
be up-tight as long as He is here and around (Ez..48: 35 – Jehovah Shammah).
To
Joshua, assuming leadership of Israel
after the majestic and dynamic presence of Moses, God could say to him, “I am
still here.” This was
intended to impart some sense of contentment to this new leader. He soon
discovered it to be actual – Joshua 5: 13-15. Israel may well lose Moses but they
couldn’t afford to lose the valuable presence of the Lord. The Eternal ‘I AM’
can always say, ‘I AM WITH YOU.’ There is comfort administered in the sheer
knowledge of the presence of another of special importance. The child senses and deeply knows this
comfort either by the nearness of father or mother. Comfort is found in them.
It can go to sleep confidently when such are present. Note the affirmation of
Moses – c.f. Exodus 33: 13-16.
2/. THEY ARE THE COMMITMENT TO HELPFULNESS
There
is the guarantee within of the abiding presence to act, work and do on behalf
of God’s elect household. Trans. “I will not cease to sustain and
uphold thee……” The Lord is neither to be a passenger or a spectator in the
believer’s life and affairs. He is not simply overseeing and just watching
things as they go. He could be present but inactive. In the situation of the
believer’s need he is not indifferent, unmoved, but there in the capacity as
Helper.
The child of God can with assurance and conviction make a bold declaration – v6.
Arising out of the knowledge and manifestation of the Lord’s presence is the
truth that He is around and about in order to perform. He is committed and
devoted to working with and for His own – c.f. Mark 16: 20. The faith and persuasion
has to get into the very nature and spirit of God’s children that they have a
Divine Helper who is always immediate and in the now. The affirmation has to be
quickened and birthed by His Spirit and Word into the being of God’s own.
The
eyes of the Christian believer are to be focussed in the right direction at all
times –c.f. Ps. 121. There is a hearing of His voice
and knowing of His word c.f. Isaiah 41: 10; there is the experiencing of the
great assistance of the Lord and a laying hold of His help – c.f. Psalm 89:19.
When all other sources of aid fail He is there to move in and show what He can
do with His word and arm of omnipotence – c.f. 2 Corintians 1: 8-10. The Lord
has no intention of deserting any of His people when a crisis is on – c.f. Acts
27: 23. The angel of God was with the people of old to work wondrously on each
occasion.
There
is no need to be discontent or covetous when the Lord can lay on every
provision and protection for His people. The presence abides in
order to intervene and to work effectively in the interests of His Church –
c.f. Rev. 1: 13. He is ver active amidst all the churches.
3/. THEY ARE A CURE FOR LONELINESS
The
divine utterance states “ I will not forsake or abandon thee.” This
gives the very strong witness that the believer is never, ever, really alone.
He cares enough to be always present so that there is no need to feel that one
is totally on their own. He does want any of His children falling to the spirit
and attitude of despair. It is an awful thing to be subjected to a feeling of
utter loneliness – c.f. Psalm 102: 6,7.
There
are occasions when all human friendship seem to desert for a while, when human
support is taken from us, and a sense of being forsaken invades the life. There
is an unseen providence and arrangement in this. It is in order to discover the
reliability of the Lord’s presence and to know its value; to come to highly
appreciate the invisible means of support in the loneliest of hours. It is a
great thing when a believer can say in truth as a result of experience – “the Lord stood by me.” – c.f. 2 Timothy 4:
16,17.
The
inspiration of the Lord’s presence can counteract the loneliness that comes to
a person in their deepest need.This
soul-destroying evil can be dealt by the knowledge that He is with you to
administer His cheering presence – c.f. Genesis 28: 11-22.
CONCLUSION
This truth
must become a fixation within mind and heart.
God has no
intention of abandoning His own elect people and servants. He knows we need His
presence and His presence is ever available.
He is always at hand. He is all we need. There
is no need to fear because He is up to everyone / every situation.
Barnabas Ministries UK 