After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, [2] "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. [3] I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you- [4] from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' [5] No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

 

God's assignment for Joshua might have caused him some concern. Being the successor to Moses was no small task. Through Moses, God had turned the waters in Egypt into blood, parted the Red Sea, destroyed the Egyptian army, and miraculously fed the children of Israel for forty years. 

 

Joshua’s new job consisted of leading more than two million people into a strange new land and conquering it. What a challenge—even for a person of Joshua’s caliber! 

 

To erase any doubt, God assured Joshua that Moses accomplishments had all been due to God's presence.

Joshua grew confident because the same God who walked with Moses now walked with him.

 

Facing a new challenge without an awareness of God's presence can be a frightening experience; but with God, it can be a great adventure.

 

Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our new challenges. We may not conquer nations, but there comes seasons when we face tough situations and setbacks. God promises, however, that he will never abandon us or fail to help us. When we ask God to direct us, we can be confident that he will walk with us through all of life’s challenges.

 

As you read the accounts of God's miraculous work through men and women in the Bible, you may wonder if

God still performs such miracles today. Be assured that is the same God who walked with Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Peter, James, John, and Paul now lives within you. 

 

The God who blessed them is just as capable of working out His purposes through your life. The same God who gave them victory over seemingly invincible enemies, who provided for them when their own resources were insufficient, and who guided them in their decisions, is prepared to work as powerfully in your life today. 

 

The heroes of the faith had one thing in common: they were all ordinary people with no power of their own. The difference is the mighty presence of God. Times may change, but the effect of God's presence remains the same.

 

 *Access to His Presence* 

 

In the Old Testament, God's presence and His relationship with His people was mediated through priests and the temple system.The people of God worshiped Him and prayed to Him, but it was the priests who would enter a sacred space and speak with God on their behalf. God's people revered Him, but they were still separated from Him.

 

However, the prophet Jeremiah wrote about a time when Gods people would be able to experience a direct relationship with Him.

 

Jeremiah 29:12-13 NLT

In those days when you pray, I will listen. [13] If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

 

God's Spirit would dwell in them, and

they could find Him anywhere at any time.Through Jesus, Jeremiah's

prophecy was fulfilled. Jesus sent

the Spirit of God to dwell within us, and now we have access to God's presence.

 

Ephesians 3:12 NLT

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.

 

We have the awesome privilege of being able to approach God with freedom and confidence. By faith we can enter directly into God’s presence through prayer (see  Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.)

 

We know we will be welcomed with open arms because we are God’s children through our union with Christ.

 

 *Nothing can separate us from Christ’s constant presence with us.* 

 

Romans 8:35 NLT

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

 

In the face of hardships or life's challenges, persecution, illness, and even death,  these sometimes can cause a believer to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us proves his unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from Christ’s constant presence with us. God assures us of his great love so that we will feel totally secure in him.There is nothing powerful enough to separate you from God’s love. 

 

 

1. Let us begin by thanking God for His presence in our lives. Let us ask God to help us to become more aware of His presence and give us a deeper revelation of His love for us. 

 

Romans 8:38-39 NLT

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Psalm 5:11-12 NLT

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. [12] For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love.

 

Zephaniah 3:16‭-‬17 MSG

Jerusalem will be told: “Don’t be afraid. Dear Zion, don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. 

 

When you run to God for protection, He surrounds you with His shield of love. Think about that image for a while. Experience the security you have because God’s love surrounds you. Let His love flood your mind with a sense of peace and comfort.

 

 *Prayer* 

Heavenly Father we thank you for your presence in our lives. We thank you thank nothing can ever separate us from your love for us. Help us to become more aware of your presence and grant us a deeper revelation of your love for us. 

 

2. We are also going to pray for each other. If anyone has a prayer request, please raise your had in the zoom chat.

 

We are carriers of faith that leads others to experience God's presence.(Mark 2:5 NLT Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven.")

 

I don't know what situation you are facing today, it might be a health challenge, a financial situation, a job situation, a relationship challenge or a struggling business; God's presence in your life can turn any situation around. He can deliver you from any Pharaoh, part the Red Sea you are facing, bring down that wall of Jericho, take down the Goliath that has been intimidating you and calm whatever storm you are going through. God's presence makes the difference!

 

1 John 5:14-15 NLT

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. [15] And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

 

 *Prayer* 

 Heavenly Father, we present our requests to You this morning on behalf of our brothers. We ask for revelation of your presence in whatever situation they are facing. We know that there's nothing that is impossible with You.You are able 

to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Let your Kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven , concerning our brothers requests .