Grace In His Presence


The book of Esther is such a beautiful story that depicts the favor and grace of God. The king loved Esther, and he delighted in bestowing his favor and grace upon her. This all began after she was prepared and then taken to the king. He took one look at her beauty, poise and elegance, fell in love and chose her as queen in place of Vashti.

That story has many elements, but focus on the fact that Esther was taken into the presence of the king. In the New Testament we find that we don't have to be taken into the presence of God our King. He calls believers to come.

The awesome thing about this is that He already knows everything about you. He knows the good, bad and ugly, yet, He beseeches His children to come into His presence. Look at what the Bible says about this in Hebrews 4:15-16. "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

This is powerful because, in spite of what you have done, God wants you to come into His presence. The enemy knows this and does everything he can to get you to run from God. Resist the urge to run. He wants you to come into His presence to receive mercy and find the perfect, well-timed help that you need. He wants you to experience His love, peace and blessings. He wants you to experience His grace, growth and glory; all which come from spending time in His presence.

The grace of God is a powerful thing. It is His unmerited favor. It is God's riches at Christ's expense. It is His power and equipment to get the job done. These are familiar concepts, but the revelation of them will never come until you daily, consistently and habitually spend time in His presence. You must spend time with God for it is in His presence that you will find the grace for these five things.

First, you will be enabled to forget the past. The past, if lingered upon has the ability to paralyze the strongest believer. So, whatever it is, forget that and press toward the high calling of God for your life (Philippians 3:13-14). Secondly, from spending time in the presence of the Lord, His grace will remind you that your fiery trials are not strange (1 Peter 4:12-13). You are not the only one going through. God is working some things in and out of you that can only be done through fire. Third, grace from His presence will cause you to remember that your faith under fire is working patience in you (James 1:2-3). Funny thing how faith under fire works endurance in you. Then, when in the fire, you learn to find reasons to rejoice! There is always, and I mean always, somebody whose fire is hotter than yours so, REJOICE (Philippians 4:4)! If you can just learn to find reasons to rejoice, you will find the grace from His presence to declare, "For we know that all things work together for the good" (Romans 8:28).

God wants you to find grace in His presence so He can give you revelation of His light, life and love. He want you to receive revelation that He is your loving, caring, sharing Heavenly Father who delights in giving you His kingdom. When you receive the revelation, His revelation, you will realize, recognize and know that the "good" in Romans 8:28 is referring to your character growth for the sake of His Kingdom growth (Romans 8:29).

Therefore, today, purpose to daily spend time in His presence. He is waiting for you there to refresh, revive and restore your soul. He is waiting for you there to pour out His grace and mercy. Yes, He is waiting for you there and remember, you don't have to be taken, just come.

Love, peace and blessing,

Dr. Sheila

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