Though God wants all to enjoy His presence but not everybody will do so. His presence is meant for those who are truly His. The person who qualifies for the presence of God must be:
1. ONE WHOM THE LORD IS PLEASED WITH – Vs. 13a
- It takes a man who pleases God for the Lord to be pleased with. When you please the Lord, He would be pleased with you.
God is well pleased with a man when such brings joy to His heart. When God is pleased with you, He puts a mark of approval upon your life – Jesus’ example.
KJV Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
NLT Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."
Is God pleased with you? Are you bringing joy to His heart? Until you become God pleaser, you are not a candidate for His presence. God was pleased with His Son Jesus’ hence His presence was available unto Him for exploit.
KJV Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Stop pleasing men and start pleasing God! Joseph did not say “should I do this and sin against my master?”. Rather, he said “should I do this and sin against God?” The truth is you cannot please ALL men! So, why is the headache? Why are you given yourself sleepless night just because you want to please somebody somewhere?
Someone was asked the secret of success and he said, “I don’t know. But I know the secret of failure” He was asked what it is and he said, “Trying to please all men is the no one secret of failure” Paul said, NLT Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.
Concerning Enoch, the bible says, NKJ Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
What is your own testimony? If God should weigh your actions, will you meet the pass mark? Are your ways and actions pleasing the Lord?
You can please God by: • Living a life of complete obedience to Him through His word
• Living as light in the world
• Living a life of faith - Heb. 11:6a
• Living with the second of Christ in view.
2. ONE WHO SEEKS GOD AND HIS WAYS – Vs. 13b.
Please take note of the content of Moses’ prayer. God would always respond to any request which has eternal value or interest. Hannah prayed to the Lord to give her a son and God said I need a prophet.
Only those who seek to know God and His ways will enjoy His presence.
NKJV Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
When you seek Him with the whole of your heart, you will surely see Him. NLT Isaiah 55:6
6. Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
That I may know him was the prayer of Paul the apostle – Phil. 3:10 Someone said, “Finding the will of God is the greatest discovery Knowing the will of God is the greatest knowledge; and doing the will of God is the greatest achievement.”
3. ONE WITH CLEAN HANDS –
KJV James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
NLT James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
Are your hands clean? For God’s presence to really manifest in your life, your hands must be clean.
* Clean of other people’s downfall
* Clean of manipulation of others to cheat them
* Clean of stealing, robbery
* Clean of character assassination.
* Clean of innocent blood in all shades of it.
Conclusion God is calling you again today unto a life of total repentance.