FROM THE ARCHIVES: Assuming His Presence
Posted on August 26, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“…supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey…” (Luke 2: 44)
Jesus’ parents had taken Him to Jerusalem for the Passover. They travelled homeward in the company of a large crowd of pilgrims returning to Galilee. Assuming that Jesus was somewhere in the crowd, they went a day’s journey before they discovered His absence. When they failed to find Him among their relatives and friends, they returned to Jerusalem.
Several lessons and applications can be drawn from this incident.
First, there is a danger in assuming that He is walking with us in fellowship. It is true that He has promised His presence to be with us always, but the realization of His presence is conditional – if we walk in the light (1 John 1: 7).
Second, it is possible for Him to be obscured by the crowd. There were instances in His ministry when needy persons could not see Him for the crowd . Zacchaeus, because he was short of stature, was prevented by the crowd from seeing Jesus. He overcame the problem by climbing a tree for a better view. In a different situation, a paralytic in need of the Master Healer was prevented from getting to Jesus because of the crowd in the house. His enterprising friends solved the problem by removing roof tiles and placing the man directly before the Lord. Crowds and popular opinion can deter people from finding Jesus.
Third, Jesus was found in the place where His parents had left Him. When we have turned away from the Lord and assumed that He would follow us on a way that we have chosen, we can only be restored by returning to the place of departure. In this account, it was the place chosen by the Heavenly Father for His business to be carried on (Luke 2: 49). Instead of merely assuming that He is with us, we must learn to practice His presence. Don’t lose Him through the influence of the crowd. Before the day’s journey begins, be sure you’re in the fellowship of His presence.
Written by Rev. William A. Raws (Pastor Bill): Pastor Bill served at America’s Keswick for over 50 years. He is the grandson of our founder, William Raws.
Taken from Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2 (Kindle Locations 3130-3150). Kindle Edition. Keswick, America’s (2012-12-13).
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 87; Proverbs 26
Daily Quote: “Poor souls are apt to think that all those whom they read or hear of to be gone to heaven, went there because they were so good and holy…Yet not one of them, not any one that is now in heaven (Jesus Christ alone excepted), did ever come there any other way but by forgiveness of sins.” ~John Owen
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. ~Romans 8:28-30
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Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
