PRESENTS OF GOD AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD

One of the questions, that we as Christians need to constantly ask ourselves is, “Would we still choose to follow the LORD Jesus, even if He does not bless us, does not provide our needs, and does not protect us from harm and danger?” I know my answer. How about you? The question being considered here, is not some ‘thought experiment’ to see what comes out of it. If we are honest and serious about our faith in the LORD Jesus, and wish to be counted among the LORD’s faithful and obedient disciples, then, we should be answering this question with all honesty and integrity.

Recently I came across an anonymous quotation which hit the root of this subject that we are talking about here.
– “Stop seeking the PRESENTS of God, and start seeking the PRESENCE of God.” – Anonymous
The idea and intention behind the above words is plan and simple. *Between the two, the presents that God graciously bestows upon us, even though we do not deserve them at all, and the very presence of God – what do we desire the most?* The LORD Jesus in all His omniscience, has put out a warning to us, two thousand years ago, when he said…
– “21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:21
This is precisely the point for us consider, when we ask ourselves the question.

Ekenediliosa Azu, writing in his article “Seeking God’s Presence, Not Just His Presents” puts it plainly, what most Christians do in our lives. All of us must have adapted such a mindset at some time or the other in our walk with the LORD. Some of us may have come out of it. Praise God, if we did.
– “Many of us have a tendency to approach God when we need something. We pray fervently when we’re struggling, but once our problems are resolved, we drift away until the next crisis arises. This pattern can create a relationship with God that is more transactional than relational. But what if we sought His presence, rather than just His presents?” – Ekenediliosa Azu

When we come seeking the LORD Jesus only for the presents He so graciously bestows upon us, then *it wouldn’t be long before such a transactional relationship would breakdown, and would eventually break apart.* This is the most natural and the most logical sequence of events.
– Think about your closest friendships. If you had a friend who only contacted you when they needed a favour, it wouldn’t take long for the relationship to feel draining and superficial. Healthy relationships require consistent connection, laughter, deep conversations, and moments of simply enjoying each other’s company. Our relationship with God should be no different.” - Ekenediliosa Azu

The greater spiritual danger in seeking the LORD Jesus merely for His presents is that, we have begun to place our needs, and the presents of that God gives us, over and above the very God Himself, the Giver of all good things. Such a scenario is dangerous because, we are making idols out of the presents that God gives us.
– “I was seeking Him for His presents, not His presence. My prayer time was all about my requests. My journal was filled with a list of my wants. My thoughts were all about what He could give me. It was all about me and less about Him. The gifts (and not the giver) were of most importance to me, and they had become idols in my heart. Anything can be an idol if it distracts me from God.” – Elisha Kearns

Where do we stand this morning dear brothers and sisters? Would we be able to join Habakkuk in saying with all our hearts…
– “17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18
Even so, the LORD help us.