‘My presence shall go with you’  (Exodus 33:14)

Just as the Lord promised Moses, so He has promised us. Therefore, let’s never venture anywhere if we have reason to think the Lord will not favour us with His presence there.

The Lord’s presence produces holiness, imparts power, fires with zeal, brings into union, and often fills with comfort, joy, and peace. His presence is our glory, and it will give us support under losses, crosses, and bereavements.

Let us plead for the Lord’s presence to go with us; let us expect it; let us not be satisfied with anything else. The Lord went with Moses, and he persevered; with Joshua, and he conquered; with David, and he reached the throne; with Paul, and he was more than a conqueror.

Nothing can be a substitute for the Lord’s presence; and as it is so graciously promised, let us not attempt to find a substitute. Instead, let us cry daily: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” [Exodus 33:15].

Jesus has said, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” [John 14:23].

O Lord, be ever near us,
Fix in our hearts Thy home:
By Thine appearing cheer us,
And let Thy kingdom come:
Fulfil our expectation,
And give our souls to prove,
Thine uttermost salvation,
Thine everlasting love.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

Resume in September